Date 5th February 2008

Press Release
For Immediate Release. New Start with a Constitution.

Republican leader and Auckland Central candidate Kerry Bevin claims Kiwis need a New Start with a constitution.

“This election we need to vote wise - for a written document that outlines the rights of citizens and the principles of good government,” says Bevin

Just as Ed Hillary set his sights on the summit, our nation needs to aim just as high, if we are to build a unified and thriving society, and a secure future.

An agreement signed in 1840 between the English crown and Maori chiefs will never serve a modern democracy well, nor will the confusing mishmash of law that continues to evolve.

“Like SA and other republics Kiwis must be empowered to claim their mature identity and direct their own destiny”, states the Auckland Central candidate.

This is the right time for a New Start. The Waitangi Tribunal must stop loitering on reconciliation. The select committee process must be employed to gather submissions for the writing of our constitution, to develop a unified vision for the new millennium, the Republican says.

Abuses of power by the Prime Minister, in back dating electoral finance law and suppressing freedom of speech, could have been tested in the Supreme Court under a constitution.

“All citizens must be equal in law. The Prime Minister is definitely not more equal, neither are indigenous people more equal, than any other citizen,” says Mr Bevin

A constitution is the first plank of the Republicans 5 Ways Forwards Campaign for the 2008 election.

ENDS

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