Media statement
For immediate release
Monday 14 July 2008

‘Do Not Call’ register UnitedFuture policy

UnitedFuture deputy leader Judy Turner has announced her party’s policy to create a national “Do Not Call” register to deal with the growing intrusion by telemarketers into New Zealand homes.

“People will add their phone numbers to the register, which will legally protect them from receiving calls from telemarketers,” said Mrs Turner

“UnitedFuture will also seek to ban telemarketers from calling anyone after 9pm or on Sundays.”

“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.”

“We should be able to be free from advertising in our own home in the evenings if we wish to be, and a ‘do not call’ list would allow people to make this choice.”

“The voluntary list set up by the Marketing Association is not binding. 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.”

“Telemarketing is a nuisance but it has a simple solution; people that wish to disengage from it can sign up to the register, while those who want to receive telemarketing calls can still do so.”

“The United States, Australia and Canada all have similar registers; the US version has had 145 million people sign up since 2003.”

“The register is to apply to all profit-making companies and will ensure that their calling lists are updated at least monthly.” said Mrs Turner.

ENDS

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