22 June 2004

Hon Matt Robson MP, Progressive Deputy Leader

Robson stands by un-Parliamentary words

Matt Robson stands by the words that saw him ejected from the Parliamentary debating chamber this afternoon.

“What is truly un-Parliamentary is NZ First’s campaign designed to foster hatred toward new settlers,” he said.

When Winston Peters was stung by the truth and yelled “point-dovorda-Mistah-Speakah,” Matt Robson stood by his words and refused to withdraw them.

“Winston Peters would do well to remember Speaker Kidd’s ruling: Not all that is true is Parliamentary and not all that is Parliamentary is true.

“NZ First are hypocritical in this matter. They are inciting hatred toward new settlers who do not have a white skin, but are happy to have as Members of Parliament white-skinned immigrants like Dail Jones, who was born in Pakistan and only came to New Zealand as a adult, and Peter Brown,” said the Progressive deputy leader.

Matt Robson says the current review of immigration system needs to deliver a balanced result. An objective process will take into account both New Zealand’s long term need for new settlers and the skills they bring, and policies and practices to treat new settlers even-handedly and fairly.

“I want New Zealand to be a country which welcomes new settlers and their contribution to our society. If it is good enough for other countries to welcome Kiwis who choose to live and work abroad for a period of years, we should reciprocate,” said Matt Robson.

ENDS

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