McGillicuddy Serious
Social policy unit

Telephone +64 4 385 6728

Tuesday, 19 October 1999
Press release - no embargo

McGillicuddies welcome military training scheme

McGillicuddy Serious welcomed NZ First proposals for the reintroduction of compulsory military training. The party said that while the proposals were not party policy, McGillicuddy Serious would engage favourably with the idea in any post-election coalition discussions.

McGillicuddy Spokesperson on Social Policy Joseph Rastapopoulous said that the party would refocus the scheme to areas of greatest need. “Career politicians and failed MPs often have difficulty re-entering the workforce. They suffer from social dislocation, attitude problems and lack self-discipline. They have difficulty finding productive employment and often become a burden on the taxpayer or end up in non-productive areas like consultancy work or policy analysis.”

“MPs often leave the job with completely unrealistic expectations,” said Rastapopoulous, “a period of long hours of hard physical training, being shouted at and a climate of disempowerment should help them relocate themselves in the real world and encourage them to engage with today’s highly competitive workforce. They need to accept submission to authority and learn life skills like boot polishing and potato peeling. It will be a sharp shock for some of them who are used to spending all day sitting around in front of the TV cameras.” Mr Rastapopoulous said that the scheme would not be compulsory, “but would be a requirement before receiving any form of taxpayer assistance, such as pensions, perks or consultancy fees.”

“I know we’ll be criticised for throwing good money after bad and creating a safety net for no-hopers, but if you take account of the social costs incurred by these people this scheme will save the taxpayer money in the long term.”

For further information contact:

Joe Rastapopoulous

Telephone 04 385 6728 or 04 384 1364

e-mail: joerastapopoulous@hotmail.com

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