30 August 2005

Brash's anti-Green diatribe is the sincerest form of flattery

Green Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says she's flattered by Don Brash's attack on the prospect of a Green-Labour Government.

"Dr Brash's series of attacks this morning on a Labour-Green Government illustrate he's gravely concerned about the success we're having at working together," Ms Fitzsimons says.

"Kiwis are rewarding Labour and the Greens for being ready to govern together and punishing National for failing to understand that, under MMP, you have to build good working relationships with like-minded parties."

Ms Fitzsimons says the Greens rejected Dr Brash's views on race.

"It's sad that Don Brash persists in spreading views about Maori that are outdated, vicious and irrelevant to New Zealand's modern reality.

"The Greens will never give in to Brash's agenda on race because he essentially wants Maori to be brown Pakeha. His explicitly assimilationist agenda, copied from the play book of the failed 'White Australia' policies across the Tasman, would cause great harm to the social cohesion and race relations in our country.

"The Greens stand for a proud, diverse, tolerant society, and for a state which treats Maori with respect and understanding. Our country was born in a partnership between Maori and Pakeha, and we're not about to renege on that partnership just because Dr Brash sees a few votes in doing so. We want Maori to be free to be Maori and to celebrate their heritage and their culture."

Green Maori Affairs Spokesperson Metiria Turei says she is confident Kiwis would reject Dr Brash's opportunistic outbursts on race.

"Yesterday's speech will give Pakeha permission to act out their fears against Maori in their communities. This will mean that individual Maori-Pakeha relationships among friends and families will be eroded and degraded.

"However, I have faith that the vast majority of New Zealanders will see through Dr Brash's shameless manipulation of our people's emotions and consign him and his views to the history books, where they belong.

"What all Kiwi politicians should be doing is offering a reasoned and respectful approach to our relationships. Don Brash offers the antithesis of that approach. For that reason, on September 17 Kiwis will make Brash history."

ENDS

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