8 May 2000

TIME FOR RESPECTFUL SILENCE ON WAITARA SHOOTING

United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne says it is time for a respectful silence on all issues surrounding the Waitara shooting.

“The appalling media and political feeding frenzy of recent days is getting totally out of hand.”

“Our so-called caring society seems to have forgotten completely that there are two grieving families out there – the family of the victim and the family of the police officer concerned.”

“We also seem to have forgotten that independent inquiries are underway to determine precisely what happened that tragic Sunday morning, and why.”

“Until the facts of the case are fully established and the need for any further action or investigation determined, ongoing public speculation and political debate is cheap, savage and utterly contemptuous of the rights of all the individuals involved in this awful affair,” he says.

Mr Dunne says the relentless coverage of the case is of no help to the people of Waitara or the Wallace family in coming to grips with what has happened.

“And the publication of the police officer’s name at this stage is no more than the most repugnant form of prurience.”

“After all, no police officer joins the force with the deliberate aim of being involved in this type of sad affair.”

“Both the Wallace family and the police officer and his family deserve some space at the moment, which society seems sadly determined to deny them.”

“For people who say they are genuinely concerned about this case, the very best thing they could do right now is show all the parties concerned the respect of their silence,” Mr Dunne says.

ENDS

New Zealand’s Liberal Party

MEDIA STATEMENT
HON PETER DUNNE, MP
LEADER UNITED NEW ZEALAND
Parliament Buildings, Wellington 1.
Ph(04)471 9410 or (025) 469 808. Fax (04)499 7266.
e-mail: peter.dunne@parliament.govt.nz. Internet Address: http://www.united.org.nz

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