Prime Minister Pays $30 Million For Photo Ops

Wednesday 26 May 2004

Heather Roy - Press Releases - Other

It appears that Prime Minister Helen Clark has taken public relations to new heights - paying $30 million on photo opportunities is absolutely astounding, ACT New Zealand Arts, Culture & Heritage Spokesman Heather Roy said today.

"I know Miss Clark likes having her photo taken at `arty' events, but today's announcement - that she will pour an extra $30 million into the culture and heritage sector - shows that I drastically underestimated her desire for publicity," Mrs Roy said.

"Funding recipients include the NZ Film Commission, Te Papa, NZ On Air and Creative New Zealand. Premieres, exhibitions, functions, performances - a veritable smorgasbord of invitations and photo opportunities for a Prime Minister who is generous to the right people.

"Meanwhile, working New Zealand families are struggling under the burden of Labour's tax regime. While the Government sits pretty on a $7 billion surplus, working families pay through the nose to re-fuel their cars and struggle to put food on the table.

"While arts and culture are an important aspect of New Zealand society, I doubt that working families would choose a night at the opera or the ballet over a tax cut. Not that they have that choice. Miss Clark has made it for them - she is more than happy to dress up and hobnob with the `arty' set, sipping her chardonnay and smiling for the cameras.

"This announcement is yet another example of the Prime Minister implementing her `Future Elections' strategy to key voter groups. Now we know where Miss Clark's priorities truly lie, and they are not with ordinary working New Zealand families," Mrs Roy said.

ENDS

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