22nd April 2009
Tonight On TVNZ7’s Back Benches

Joining Wallace Chapman on the panel tonight - National MP Michael Woodhouse, Labour MP Winnie Laban and United Future Leader Peter Dunne.

Topics tonight:

• 1st topic: ANZAC DAY—Saturday is the day to honour those who have fallen in the line of duty in WW1. But the day has been widened to honour soldiers from other wars. Should ANZAC day be a bigger holiday? A National holiday to honour soldiers both present and past? Is this a day where New Zealanders can be patriotic?

• 2nd topic: NZ SAS TO AFGHANISTAN? The US has requested the assistance of the SAS in Afghanistan. No decision has been made. Should NZ deploy the SAS? Should NZ have a continuing role in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq? Or should they remain closer to home to protect our interests in the Pacific? (What’s it about?)

• 3rd topic: ESKIMO LOLLIES: A Canadian tourist has found the Eskimo marshmallow lollies offensive—both the name and the shape. She says the term Eskimo is derogatory and Innuit is the preferred term. However, Eskimo is still used and preferred in many cases by tribes in Alaska and Siberia. Do we need to make a change and become more politically correct or are we being too sensitive?

Back Benches is filmed live – Wellingtonians are encouraged to be part of the audience by going to the Backbenches Pub across the street from Parliament from 7:30pm and be part of the discussion.

It is broadcast on TVNZ 7 at 9:07pm

You can also watch on line at www.tvnz.co.nz/backbenches
Previous episodes can be watched online at www.tvondemand.co.nz

ENDS

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