Newman to Stand for Whangarei Electorate Again

Friday 1st Dec 2000 Dr Muriel Newman Media Release -- Social Welfare

ACT list MP and Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman will later today become the party’s first candidate for the next general election when she is selected to stand again in the Whangarei seat.

Standing unopposed, Dr Newman, will be formally selected at the party’s Whangarei branch annual general meeting this evening.

“I’ve enjoyed working hard for Whangarei and Northland over the last 12 months as well as vigorously promoting ACT’s messages,” Dr Newman said.

“I’m very concerned, however, about the damage that has been done in this first year of the Labour-Alliance Government. In particular we have seen a serious deterioration in race relations as a result of the Government’s move to cement racial privilege into legislation.

“The point is that any racial disparity should be addressed on an operational level not by legislation. Legislation in fact should be colour blind so that everyone is equal under the law.

“If this Government is serious about closing the gaps in regions like Northland they need to focus on helping people out of the welfare trap. Welfare has done more to oppress Maori than any other single influence.

“In Northland we have whole communities where virtually everyone is on welfare, and rather than empowering people to lift themselves out of welfare, this Government is enticing people to look to them for solutions.

“I look forward to actively campaigning in the next two years to show the people of the Northland region and the whole country that there are better ways to lift New Zealand than the ill-advised credit card promises this Government has pursued.

“ACT will be promoting policies that create jobs, growth and a rising standard of living by attracting investment, encouraging investment and rewarding hard work. Because that is what New Zealand deserves,” Dr Newman said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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