Tony Ryall MP for Bay of Plenty

3 July 2002

Stick to stevedoring Peter

Peter Brown MP should consult the PSA Journal: State Sector Conference Special December 2000 before accusing me of "sullying" the reputation of a Radio New Zealand journalist, says National MP Tony Ryall.

"On Page 2 of this union publication, the senior journalist in question is reported as saying New Zealand's union movement has a very real responsibility "to take the sting out of industrial relations as an election issue."

"The journalist is further quoted as saying "this issue is about how much discipline the union movement has got. The balance you have to reach is between making up lost ground and not creating conditions under which industrial legislation becomes a decisive election issue again."

"The question is, is there a "maddie" on the edge who is going to stuff it up for everyone?"

"The journal refers to the journalist's contribution as "advice" to the PSA.

"Talk about an own goal, Mr Brown," says Tony Ryall.

Ends

© Scoop Media