Media Release
1 March 2004

Peters Challenges Brash To Stand In Tauranga

Rt Hon Winston Peters has challenged National list MP Don Brash to stand against him in Tauranga at the next election if National is serious about fielding a high profile candidate in the electorate.

Over the weekend, National promised to stand a high profile "household name" in Tauranga in a bid to snatch the former "true blue" stronghold from Mr Peters.

The Tauranga MP said today that National had a ready made candidate in the politically homeless Don Brash who did not have an electorate and did not believe in MMP.

“Now is his big chance to take his courage in his hands and show his political mettle to the people of New Zealand, via Tauranga.

“Until the election he can carefully explain National’s policies on health, education, welfare, immigration, employment and all the other items on his secret economic agenda, like the sale of our last state-owned assets.

“As Reserve Bank governor, Don Brash was a devoted disciple of Roger Douglas and Ruth Richardson. He has already advocated lifting the retirement age to 70 years and the privatisation of health.

“Don Brash stood for Parliament twice in East Coast Bays and lost each time. He has no hope of being third time lucky but I am quite happy to give him the chance.

“I promise a fair fight. If they stop telling lies about me I will stop telling the truth about them,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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