The Government's selective use of social indicators shows how completely out of touch they are with real New Zealanders, says National MP Murray McCully.

Mr McCully's comments follow today's release of the 2001 Social Report.

"Despite the report's claims, the choice of indicators reflect what's important to the Labour-Alliance Government, not everyday New Zealanders.

"This is no better shown than in the fact that there is a cultural and identity indicator measuring 'participation in the cultural and arts activities', but no mechanism measuring participation in sport or fitness activities.

"Interestingly incorporating the Treaty of Waitangi into Government decision making also cuts the grade as a indicator of society's health, but an economy growing fast enough to meet the employment aspirations of our young people does not.

"All this report tells us is that we are governed by a bunch of pointy-headed, politically correct, cardigan wearing sensitive new-age woofters," Mr McCully said.

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