28 January 2005

Brash pot calls Prasad kettle black

Don Brash's attack on Families Commissioner Rajen Prasad for criticising his welfare speech is a breathless display of hypocrisy, Green Co-Leader Rod Donald says.

"This is a clear case of the pot calling the kettle black. When Dr Brash was Governor of the Reserve Bank, a supposedly apolitical position, he made many speeches of an overtly political nature.

"His contribution to the Knowledge Wave Conference in August 2001 was a prime example. In a speech widely reported as an attack on the Labour government, Dr Brash made controversial pronouncements on welfare and education, two areas well outside his brief as Governor of the Reserve Bank.

"It's a bit rich for him to get all precious now when Dr Prasad's comments have been far less political than his were."

Mr Donald said the National Leader is clearly unable to handle the widespread criticism his welfare speech has invoked.

"If Dr Brash is going to scapegoat solo parents and their children and foster division between beneficiary and working families, then he must be prepared to face criticism from experts such as Dr Prasad.."

"Otherwise, he should get out of the political kitchen."

ENDS

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