March 16, 2006

NZ Greens support Tasmanian Green brethren

The NZ Green Party is supporting Tasmanian Greens who are facing a large-scale and underhand attack, probably by the Exclusive Brethren Church, just days before a State Election on Saturday.

"The publicity appears to mirror the advertising and pamphlet smear-campaign which spread falsehoods about New Zealand Greens just before our elections last year, and which the Exclusive Brethren Church later admitted was theirs," Greens Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says.

Costly half-page ads - some in a green colour - have appeared in The Advocate, The Examiner and Mercury newspapers and a pamphlet has been distributed state-wide which targets the Greens. Readers are asked if they are aware "of the policies hidden behind the environmental veneer".

The ads were authorised by a farmer - Roger Unwin - who has admitted he is a member of the Exclusive Brethren. Some of the ads reprint the text of the pamphlet.

"I would be interested to see whether other right-wing interests, including political parties, colluded with the Australian Exclusive Brethren as was the case with the NZ Exclusive Brethren and NZ National Party," Ms Fitzsimons says.

She says her heart goes out to Tasmanian Greens as she knows from experience how difficult it is to counter lies which are broadcast in large expensive advertising campaigns.

"My staff here have already sent material related to the New Zealand anti-Green smear campaign and I am keen to help our Australian brothers and sisters further."

ENDS

© Scoop Media