Dunne rebuts 'weird' Green science
United Future New Zealand leader, Peter Dunne, has poured scorn on Green MP Sue Kedgley's weird view of how the laws of
nature work.
"Ms Kedgley has attacked my suggestion that the laws governing smoking in bars and restaurants be amended to place the
onus on the owners of those places to install suitable ventilation systems that would remove second-hand smoke and thus
achieve specified air quality standards. Owners who decided against that option would have to become smokefree," he
said.
"Her bizarre claim is that ventilators remove the odour of smoke, but not the dangerous cancer-causing chemicals. She
quotes selectively from 'experts' who addressed the select committee hearings, but ignored other expert evidence to the
contrary.
"Apparently, these chemicals are so cunning they can hide away from the ventilator fans and activate themselves when
another patron walks into the bar or restaurant.
"This is science from the Planet Weird, but perhaps is to be expected from an MP who once contemplated banning that
dangerous substance, dihydrogen monoxide, known to the rest of us as water.
"Ms Kedgley claims that United Future's planned amendments are somehow anti-family. This is astonishing, coming from a
party that would happily see more of our kids smoking mind-altering drugs; a party that promotes unemployment among New
Zealand families through its opposition to New Zealand's economic lifeblood of trade; and a party that opposes new
scientific developments wherever they occur."
Mr Dunne said his amendments were based on providing a commonsense choice for New Zealanders when they wish to go out to
bars and restaurants, as well as a commonsense choice for the owners of those establishments to remain in business.