Mallard tops new race-based table

In a new 'league-table' out today, Trevor Mallard has come top for "statements from Government Ministers trumpeting funding and legislation based on race."

The table released today by Libertarianz Deregulation of Maori Affairs Spokesman Tim Wikiriwhi records nearly one-hundred statements made since April last year by Government Ministers in which they "trumpet race-based favouritism of one sort or another." It follows strong reaction to Don Brash's Orewa speech in which he criticised that trend, observing 'there has been a divisive trend to embody racial distinctions into large parts of our legislation, extending recently to local body politics. In both education and healthcare, government funding is now influenced not just by need ... but also by the ethnicity of the recipient.' "This league table," says Wikiriwhi, "attempts to record the extent of the problem."

Trevor Mallard tops the list with a whopping twenty-two statements promising racially-based largesse from this government - "that's one blow for apartheid every two weeks," says Wikiriwhi wryly. Steve Maharey comes in second with fourteen, and way behind that at third-equal position are Horomia, Cullen, Tamihere and Burton with four statements each. Helen Clark, on three, is followed home by a lack-lustre field of also-rans and party hacks.

Wikiriwhi, his party's spokesman on deregulation of Maori affairs, concurs absolutely with Brash's comments subsequent to his Orewa speech in which he said: 'It really is an extraordinary circumstance that saying that the Government should deal with all New Zealanders equally, regardless of race, should be construed as racist, divisive or Maori bashing.' "I agree," says Wikiriwhi. "It has always struck me as odd that many of the same people vigorously protesting twenty-three years ago about apartheid in South Africa are so intent on implementing state-sponsored racism in New Zealand today."

"We libertarians support Don Brash for saying what needs to be said," concludes Wikiriwhi, "for calling to trash all apartheid laws and institutions, especially the Maori-seats gerrymander in Parliament. This is good news! New Zealanders ought to join with the Libertarianz party in supporting Don Brash in his quest to rid New Zealand of racist government."

The record of race-based statements made by Government Ministers since April 2003 can be found at www.freeradical.co.nz/apartheid2003

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