Monday, 28 May 2007

Government challenged to respond on telemarketing

United Future deputy leader Judy Turner is challenging the Government to signal whether they intent to establish a national “Do Not Call register”, to stop telemarketing companies pestering people in their private homes.

Earlier this month Australia set up their own ‘Do not call register’, prompting United Future to call on our Government to do likewise, and give Kiwis the same privacy protection as enjoyed by our Aussie counterparts.

“I have had great feedback from people fed up with being harassed in their homes during dinner or when enjoying scarce family time, by companies trying to sell them products they have no interest in,” says Mrs Turner.

“I would be interested to hear whether the Privacy Commissioner is backing such a register for New Zealand, and I challenge the Prime Minister to state her position on the proposal.

“The voluntary list that we have is not binding, and I have had many people tell me that they have taken the time to sign up for this, but are still receiving calls from telemarketers.”

Mrs Turner is drafting a member’s Bill to establish a register for New Zealand, but would welcome the Government to adopt it as a Government Bill.

“With such a light order paper and a succession of unpopular legislation from Labour recently, I invite the Government to get busy doing something which the public actually want and which makes things a little better for the people on the street.”

“Enabling people to stop unwanted telemarketers bothering them at home is exactly such a move.”

Mrs Turner says that she is confident that such a Bill would have the numbers to pass.

ENDS

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