Media Release

10 June 2002

Wilson Rushes Race Conciliator Appointment

“In March Margaret Wilson took the name of an old acquaintance to Cabinet as her recommendation as Race Relations Conciliator and was told to go through the proper process. Today she returns with the same name,” New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said.

“You would think that with ‘Bathgate’ and other cases of failed personal appointments behind her Ms Wilson might have been more careful about the appointments process. But no, having accepted the resignation of the incumbent because ‘he needed to have the confidence of all political parties’ she sails blithely on without that cross party support.

“Ms Wilson is obviously under some pressure to clear the decks so an early election can be called but such steam-roller tactics are highly inappropriate at any time. When it is the appointment of a Race Relations Conciliator at this critical point in our nation’s development then the process is a disgrace.

“Mr. Joris de Bres will have a very hard job gaining the confidence of New Zealanders,” said Mr. Peters.

ENDS

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