28 November 2000

The Race Relations Conciliator's office is on the way out, according to United Future leader, Hon Peter Dunne.

He draws this conclusion from comments by the Prime Minister in Parliament this afternoon.

Mr Dunne has sought an assurance from the Prime Minister that the stand-alone office of the Race Relations Conciliator would not be abolished as a result of Dr Prasad's criticism of the Government's "Closing the Gaps" policy as "creating racial conflicts".

"The Prime Minister declined to give any such assurance, referring instead to the review earlier this year which recommended the abolition of the Race Relations Conciliator's office as a stand-alone office."

"Her failure to do so makes it clear the Race Relations Conciliator's office is on the way out and that Dr Prasad will be the last person to hold that office on an independent basis."

"Future Race Relations Conciliators will be under the more direct control of the Government and therefore less likely to criticise Government policy, which would be a major step backwards," he says.

Ends

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