Media Release

13 August 2003

Get This One Right : Brown Challenges

“Today I will submit an amendment to the Smoke-free Environments (Enhanced Protection) Amendment Bill to give the public an opportunity to have their say through a referendum before it is enacted,” said New Zealand First Deputy Leader, Peter Brown.

“There is still a chance to do the right thing with a Bill that is so anti-smoking and anti-smoker it is disgraceful.

“This is another example of Parliament addressing bills without allowing the public to have a say in a somewhat controversial decision.

“Whilst I would discourage anyone and everyone from smoking for numerous reasons, I also recognize it is legal and that those who do smoke are entitled to some freedom and some consideration. This bill treats them like social outcasts and I believe is unacceptable to genuine free-thinking New Zealanders.

“Frankly, in my view, Parliament got the Prostitution Act wrong. We also denied New Zealanders their democratic right in prohibiting the Death with Dignity Bill at least going to select committee. Let’s get this one right.

“This should be tested by making the bill ‘subject to a binding referendum’.

“Let New Zealanders decide, not have some 60 or so MPs impose it upon them,” said Mr Brown.

ENDS

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