Newman to Stand for Whangarei Electorate Again
Friday 1st Dec 2000 Dr Muriel Newman Media Release -- Social Welfare
ACT list MP and Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman will later today become the party’s first candidate for the
next general election when she is selected to stand again in the Whangarei seat.
Standing unopposed, Dr Newman, will be formally selected at the party’s Whangarei branch annual general meeting this
evening.
“I’ve enjoyed working hard for Whangarei and Northland over the last 12 months as well as vigorously promoting ACT’s
messages,” Dr Newman said.
“I’m very concerned, however, about the damage that has been done in this first year of the Labour-Alliance Government.
In particular we have seen a serious deterioration in race relations as a result of the Government’s move to cement
racial privilege into legislation.
“The point is that any racial disparity should be addressed on an operational level not by legislation. Legislation in
fact should be colour blind so that everyone is equal under the law.
“If this Government is serious about closing the gaps in regions like Northland they need to focus on helping people out
of the welfare trap. Welfare has done more to oppress Maori than any other single influence.
“In Northland we have whole communities where virtually everyone is on welfare, and rather than empowering people to
lift themselves out of welfare, this Government is enticing people to look to them for solutions.
“I look forward to actively campaigning in the next two years to show the people of the Northland region and the whole
country that there are better ways to lift New Zealand than the ill-advised credit card promises this Government has
pursued.
“ACT will be promoting policies that create jobs, growth and a rising standard of living by attracting investment,
encouraging investment and rewarding hard work. Because that is what New Zealand deserves,” Dr Newman said.
ENDS
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at
act@parliament.govt.nz.