Parliament Asked to Reject Intolerance
Wednesday 13 Nov 2002 Richard Prebble Press Releases -- Immigration
ACT Leader Richard Prebble said today he had put down a notice of motion asking parliament to disassociate itself from
Mr Peters' attacks on Asian immigrants.
"I have written to every party leader asking for their support for my notice of motion to be debated and voted on
tomorrow.
"I believe it is important that parliament take a lead on this issue. I have received reports from Asian New Zealanders
that they and their children have been subjected to racial abuse since the weekend.
"MPs are leaders in the community and Mr Peters' speech has incited racial bigotry.
"I realise debating Mr Peters' remarks does give him the publicity he desires but in a free society we believe out of
debate comes truth.
"No one in parliament denies that immigration is a legitimate topic of public debate. My own party has been critical of
aspects of immigration under successive governments and ACT criticised the way the refugee quota is managed, before Mr
Peters found the issue.
"We need to recognise that those who have come to New Zealand and have taken out citizenship have the same rights as
any other New Zealander.
"Mr Peters' claims are misleading, a misuse of statistics, and often false. The reality is that there is no doubt that
immigration has been economically positive for New Zealand. Immigrants are among the hardest working and law abiding of
our citizens. New Zealand is a richer country both culturally and economically as a result of immigration.
"I will seek leave tomorrow for my notice of motion to be debated. If Mr Peters believes his claims, he will not deny
leave," Mr Prebble said.
ENDS
13 November 2002
Rt Hon Helen Clark
Prime Minister
Parliament Buildings
WELLINGTON
Dear Prime Minister
Re: Inciting Racial Disharmony by Rt Hon Winston Peters
I am writing to all party leaders with a copy to Mr Peters proposing Parliament pass a notice of motion condemning Mr
Peters' racist attacks on Asian New Zealanders.
Mr Peters' speech on the weekend and interview with the Sunday Star Times went far beyond the bounds of robust debate.
The remarks were designed to make Asian New Zealanders the object of racial hatred. There is evidence of Asian New
Zealanders being abused, spat at, and subjected to school bullying, as a result of Mr Peters' campaign.
The news media has printed Mr Peters' false allegations.
Mr Peters mixes his statistics to mislead. He confuses the refugee quota with general immigration. He includes fee
paying students - who make up almost 80% of international students bringing the New Zealand economy more than $1 billion
a year - with immigrants.
It is important we as responsible leaders say:
- Asian New Zealanders are among the most law abiding citizens;
- the 27 thousand Asian students are making it possible for our universities, polytechs and schools to provide all
students with a higher standard of education;
- Asians are not filling up our hospital waiting lists;
- Asian are underrepresented on welfare;
- it is irresponsible to be predicting "race riots".
Every reputable academic study of immigration has reported that immigration has a positive effect on New Zealand.
Unemployment has fallen, not risen, so there is no evidence of immigration costing jobs.
We should say to Mr Peters that New Zealand's culture is to be tolerant - and it is Mr Peters who is bringing the
politics of racial division into this country.
Immigration is an issue that does deserve to be seriously discussed. How immigrants are selected, and how many, are
matters for legitimate debate. What is not right is to make false and inflammatory statements.
I have put down the enclosed notice of motion.
I believe the house should debate the motion tomorrow and vote on it, to send a signal to our fellow New Zealanders to
reject Mr Peters' politics of intolerance.
Yours sincerely
Hon Richard Prebble MP CBE
Leader ACT New Zealand
cc: Rt Hon Mr Winston Peters
NOTICE OF MOTION
Hon Richard Prebble
That Parliament note the statements by the Rt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First at the weekend when he
stated that Asian immigrants were `bringing the third world to New Zealand" and dividing society, claimed "one in two"
Asian immigrants did not have a job and his prediction that New Zealand will have "race riots" and parliament
disassociates itself from Mr Peter's remarks, records that Asian New Zealanders are among the most hard working and law
abiding citizens who have made a positive contribution to our country and concludes that it is Mr Peters who is bringing
into New Zealand the politics of racial division that is foreign to New Zealand's proud tradition of tolerance.
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at
act@parliament.govt.nz.