‘Politically Explosive’

13 February 2011

PRESS RELEASE: Penny Bright - Independent candidate Botany by-election:
"First politically explosive Public Meeting - TODAY - Botany Downs Secondary College 3 - 5pm"

‘Politically Explosive’

Public Meeting: Sunday 13 February 2011, 3 - 5pm
Botany Downs Secondary College
575 Chapel Rd, Dannemora.

LOCAL GOVT. CORRUPTION & PRIVATISATION:
- Water privatisation & NZ ‘grand’ corruption.
- Corruption and the Auckland $UPERCITY .
- Where EXACTLY are our rate$ being spent?
- Why a proposed $UPERCITY 5% rate increase?

"All the other Botany by-election candidates have been invited to give their or their party's policy on corruption / transparency and privatisation," says Independent candidate 'Public Watchdog' Penny Bright.

"The other candidates are welcome to bring their election campaign leaflets, and have an opportunity to mix and mingle with the public at the end of the meeting."

"I cannot show my commitment to the principle of 'freedom of expression' than by giving my political opposition an opportunity at 'my' Public Meetings to express their views."

"This is NOT a 'candidate's meeting as such, it has been organised by one of the political candidates - myself- in order to give the voting public a chance to hear more about key issues, and ask questions."

"New Citizen Party candidate Paul Young has accepted the invitation."

"Richard Leckinger from the Green Party has accepted the invitation - although he isn't a candidate - I asked him to come and give Green Party policy on and corruption because I thought that the voting public, (as well as myself) would be interested."

"Unfortunately, both Labour candidate Michael Wood and ACT candidate Lyn Murphy have prior commitments , and have put in their apologies."

"'Pirate party' candidate Hussain A-Saady has declined to accept my invitation, as has Robert Goh (Independent)."

"National's Jami-Lee Ross declined on the spot when I phoned him directly to invite him."

"Yet to confirm are Independent Wayne Young, Robin Caithness (Join Australia Movement party) and Leo Biggs (Aotearoa Legalise Cannibis Party)."

"Candidates haven't had much prior notice as I could only send out invitations once all the nominations were confirmed on 9 February 2011 and I had contact details for all of them."

"To date, I note that despite my lack of 'Campaign Manager' or 'Campaign Secretary' etc - I appear to be the only candidate who has organised ANY Public Meetings."

"It is my considered opinion that the voting public need to know more about the potential MP for Botany than the candidate's name and face on an election hoarding and vague, generalised statements."

"I look forward to other candidates availing themselves of the opportunities afforded under s 154 of the Electoral Act 1993 and organising similar Public Meetings on topics of their choice."

(More information about s 154 of the Electoral Act 1993 is included at the end of this post).

"I, for one. would jump at the chance to attend any such Public Meetings, and look forward to any invitations which may hopefully be forthcoming from any of the other candidates," concluded Ms Bright.

ENDS

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