ACT MP Uncaring About “Silly Little Chickens”

Outlandish and offensive comments made by Act MP Hilary Calvert last night on TVNZ’s Back Benchers has outraged animal welfare advocates. SAFE says Calvert’s comments about the plight of three million battery hens were more appropriate to a misbehaving child than a respected politician. SAFE is demanding to know if the MP’s statements are representative of the views of the Act Party.

A SAFE representative was invited onto the programme to present a case against cage systems and particularly colony cages. The government is proposing to introduce colony cages, despite these cages being internationally condemned as cruel.

Calvert immediately slammed calls for improvements and began a tirade of misguided and offensive statements that drew expressions of outrage from the crowd. When asked if she would ban battery hen cages within ten years, Calvert replied:

“No… and I don’t care if they display the characteristics of chopping their heads off and running around the garden without their heads either. We care about people ahead of silly little chickens.”

Ms Calvert’s tirade drew a sharp response from Green MP Sue Kedgley. “I’ve been down and seen these colony cages – these battery hen cages – they are unspeakably cruel. I was profoundly offended by what Ms Calvert had to say. We are all animals. What right do we have to force animals to live in cages, just so we can have eggs?”

SAFE director Hans Kriek says he was shocked at the naivety and arrogance shown by the inexperienced Act MP. He questioned whether Ms Calvert’s outrageous behaviour was more a misguided attempt to hide her lack of understanding of animal welfare issues than a true representation of her Party’s view.

“If the Act MP was using the national television appearance to secure votes by taking cheap shots, she was not only out of touch, but highly offensive. Eight out of ten New Zealanders oppose cruel battery hen cages so she probably just offended most New Zealanders and did her party no favours,” says Mr Kriek.

“We will be seeking clarity from the Act Party as to whether the views of its MP are representative of the Party. We cannot believe a Member of Parliament would possess such appalling lack of empathy and moral character and we are confident there will be an apology forthwith to the New Zealand people who take animal welfare considerations seriously,” says Mr Kriek.

To view the Back Benchers programme visit: http://tvnz.co.nz/back-benches

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