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Now Pacific Islanders Want Spectrum Share

Labour Now Under Pressure From Pacific Island People For Spectrum Share

Having given Maori an exclusive and discounted right to a quarter of the 2Ghz radio spectrum, the Labour Government is now under pressure from one of its Pacific Island MPs to give the same special deal to Pacific Island people.

Labour MP Winnie Laban has said that she would be speaking with Pacific Island Affairs Minister Mark Gosche and other Pacific Island MPs to see if there was a last minute chance of getting a spectrum share for Pacific Island people.

ACT Communications Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today said Winnie Laban had every right to question why one disadvantaged ethnic group was being singled out for preferential treatment from the Government.

“Winnie Laban can’t be blamed for asking the Government to match its offer to Maori with a similar arrangement for Pacific Island people. The Government has opened itself to such claims because it made a decision based solely on race,” she said.

“As ACT predicted when the Government made its decision to allocate taxpayer resources on the basis of race, they have opened the floodgates to every other ethnic group that feels they are disadvantaged and should also get an exclusive discounted slice of the spectrum action.

“The Government should realise that the only fair thing to do is to revoke the decision to give preferential treatment on the basis of race. It should auction all four spectrum blocks on a proper commercial basis so the proceeds can be used by the Government to help all New Zealanders,” said Muriel Newman.

ENDS

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