Hon Roger McClay Commissioner for Children Thursday 14 November 2002

"Heather Roy on 2 bottles of nothing"

"Heather Roy, a Member of Parliament and actual spokesperson on Health, Family and Youth, needs to be more diligent in addressing the real challenges of our citizens.

She seeks to belittle the genuine concerns which parents and teachers have about the health of their children in West Auckland. If she has a transcript of me saying I drank two bottles of Australian red wine, it is wrong.

I have not claimed that "Foray 48B spray is obviously terrible for children". I did not claim wine as the sauce of my "slight nausea".

If Ms Roy thinks the painted apple moth spraying issue is a "political band wagon that has nothing to do with children", she is very out of touch with reality. As a past research co-ordinator for Pharmaceutical Trials, Ms Roy might well have contributed more than sarcasm. As a Member of Parliament it is her responsibility to do more than that.

I was asked as Commissioner for Children to visit West Auckland to hear concerns and see the aerial spraying to do with Painted Apple Moth. I agreed to respond to what were very obviously anxious genuine concerns.

I sought no publicity, and made no press releases. Publicity which has occurred is to do with the spraying and possible health issues for children. The media have been very helpful in raising these issues, Ms Roy has not.

I do not seek to be a role model. However I do try always to seek what is best for children. Ms Roy's comments seek to detract from the issue of children's health, in favour of a mean spirited attack on those whose intentions are simply in the best interest of children."

Hon Roger McClay

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