Rugby And PR Not Worth Lives

In breaking the law to make it to the rugby on time, Prime Minister Helen Clark has undermined the good work done to reduce speeding on our roads, ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader and Police Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said today.

"The excellent work by police and the Land Transport Safety Authority has now been undermined by this irresponsible act - which Miss Clark is now trying to distance herself from," Dr Newman said.

"We all know that rugby is our national game and hugely important to New Zealanders - especially when we play Australia. But it is not so important that our national leader should endanger innocent lives just to make it to the game on time.

"Miss Clark, however, clearly believes otherwise. If she did not, she would not have allowed her motorcade to speed excessively from Waimate to Christchurch so she could catch a plane to the big match.

"Further, it is absolutely inconceivable that the Diplomatic Protection Service and police would have acted without instruction. Even if they had, the Prime Minister would have known that her motorcade was roaring through the countryside at excessive speeds.

"While I am pleased that an inquiry is being carried out into this incident, it seems obvious that the Prime Minister and her officials are seeking to put the blame squarely on the police and DPS.

"This is absolutely unacceptable. This was no matter of national security - this was simply a PR opportunity for our Prime Minister to be seen at a game of rugby," Dr Newman said.

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