Pansy Wong National Ethnic Affairs Spokesperson
6 June 2002
Winston's lashing out again no surprise
No one should be surprised that Winston Peters is again using the immigration issue to get publicity and votes in the
lead up to the election, National Ethnic Affairs Spokesperson Pansy Wong said today.
"The sad fact is Asian communities have to brace themselves every three years for this kind of unwelcome and unwanted
attention.
"Mr Peters continually slams immigrants to raise his profile in public. Yet in private he tells members of Asian
communities that he is impressed by the hard working and saving Asian ethic.
"Asian people make a big contribution to the New Zealand economy, through business and through the education system.
They also enrich New Zealand as a multicultural society, a society that accepts Mr Peter's own Scottish ancestors.
"National believes that the movement of immigrants to New Zealand from all countries does need to be managed correctly,
but for Winston to blame Asians for the Labour Government not addressing hospital waiting lists and for the long-term
problem of Auckland traffic congestion is ridiculous.
"It is understandable that Mr Peters has to say far-fetched things to get a headline these days, but his message of
opportunistic reaction is not the smart way to do it because New Zealanders are fair-minded people who have moved to
embrace a multicultural society," Pansy Wong said.
Ends