"United Future Leader Peter Dunne has shown his supreme ignorance of Dutch politics in wanting to claim cheap political points by comparing Winston Peters to slain Dutch radical politician Pim Fortuyn," announced Libertarianz Leader and Tauranga Candidate Russell Watkins today.

"Fortuyn was no fascist, and a good proportion of the Dutch population know that; the Pim Fortuyn List party came second in the Dutch elections yesterday. Contrary to most dumbed-down, simple-slogan mass-media soundbites, Fortuyn advocated a mostly radical liberal agenda of dramatic tax cuts, privatisation of social services, and more liberal drug laws."

"His attitude to immigration reflected the concern that a highly-populated very small country that generously provides taxpayer-funded housing, healthcare and education to all refugees could hardly expect to sustain these policies indefinitely. His attacks on Islam legitimately reflect the vile attacks Islamic leaders in the Netherlands and other countries have made on both homosexuality and Western liberal values. Islamic leaders preach a complete denial of individual rights, they treat human beings as subservient to God, and they demand that the state enforce their view of religious law. Libertarianz believe in freedom of religion - that freedom does not, however, give Islamic bigots immunity from criticism."

"Libertarianz do not share Fortuyn's views on immigration, but we uncompromisingly oppose any views that reject individual freedom and responsibility for one's actions, whether they are religious nonsense from Islamic sources or collectivist drivel from the mouths of Winston Peters and Peter Dunne," Watkins explained.

"To cast Fortuyn in the same mould as the perennial populist Winston Peters is an insult to Fortuyn and his party. Given United Future's new Christian bent, there would be more validity for Peter Dunne to equate himself to moralistic, bible-bashing, fundamentalist Christians" Watkins concluded.

It's enough to make you vote Libertarianz!

ENDS

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