MANA MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9 NOVEMBER 2011

Local MP “only good for a cup of tea…”

MANA’s Manukau East candidate John Minto has challenged the long-serving incumbent Labour MP Ross Robertson to a public debate on the failure of the MP to effectively represent one of New Zealand’s poorest electorate in his 20 years in parliament.

“I’ve taught for over 10 years in the electorate and can’t recall a single instance of the MP speaking out strongly for the most vulnerable families in New Zealand who have been hammered by the economic policies of successive Labour and National governments.

Robertson is master of the meaningless press release and space-filler public comments but he has failed to represent the voters of the electorate.

I was with one of his constituents a couple of weeks back and she said to me “Ross is only good for a cup of tea…”

I’m not sure about the cup of tea but I know he’s been missing in action for 20 years.

Copy of the Open letter sent

9 November 2011

Kia ora Ross,

Challenge to public debate

I’m writing to challenge you to a public debate in the Manukau East electorate at any time up till the last day of campaigning – although the sooner it takes place the better for voters to consider the issues before polling day.

I decided to stand against you in this electorate because in the time you have been the MP the people of Manukau East have gone backwards with low-pay, high unemployment and endemic poverty.

I taught in this electorate for over 10 years and have seen so many Maori and Pacific families struggling to maintain their self-respect and dignity in the face of the awful social impact of the economic policies of Labour and National. Yet in all your time as MP I can’t recall a single occasion when you have spoken out strongly for the most vulnerable people of your electorate.

For example while I was teaching at Tangaroa College from 2000 to 2004 the number of Pacific Island families in severe hardship increased from 16% to 30%. You were the MP and Labour was in government but you were silent.

It seems that throughout your time as an MP you have collected a big salary, eaten your lunch and become patron of several sports clubs – what else?

In the last few days I’ve been reading the Statistics Department quarterly income survey and found that (adjusted for inflation) the last three years have been even more disastrous for Maori and Pacific families who make up the majority of people in your electorate.

The median income for Maori from 2008 to 2011 is nearly 16% lower – they are $86 a week worse off. For Pacific Islanders it is even worse – they are over $100 a week worse off.

You weren’t in government then Ross but that’s no excuse for remaining silent while your constituents suffer. You are their MP. It seems to me you have used these people as voting fodder to give you a politician-for-life lifestyle.

The statistics for pokie machines, liquor outlets and loan sharks are also appalling – the parasites on poverty have been active in the electorate but you have been inert. Have you ever raised your voice above a whisper on any of these issues?

I was with one of your constituents a couple of weeks back and she said to me “Ross is only good for a cup of tea…” I can see no evidence to think otherwise.

It seems you have been missing in action for 20 years Ross.

These are the issues I want to raise in public with you and give you the opportunity to respond in public. The people of this electorate deserve to hear you speak out on your own behalf for the dreadful situation you have remained silent about for 20 years.

I will make myself available at any time and any place within the electorate for the debate. Please contact me or my campaign manager as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements.

I wait to hear your positive response.

Regards,

John Minto

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