Politician's Racism Pitiful

The chair of the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust says comments made in a magazine column by NZ First MP Richard Prosser are nothing but pitiful.

This follows Prosser writing that any young man who is a Muslim or looks like a Muslim is not welcome to travel on any of the West’s airlines.

Michael Barnett says un-informed comments like this from politicians are not acceptable.

“My only hope is that the New Zealand community will see politicians such as Prosser for what they are.”

Mr Barnett says a large number of New Zealand firms have made a lot of progress around diversity and by employing people from different cultures they have contributed significant returns to the economy.

“New Zealand is one of the world’s most multicultural countries with people from hundreds of different cultures successfully working and living together.”

He says public figures making comments that misrepresent our successful multi cultural environment are not welcome.

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Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>