I was a little disappointed to read Brian Rudman's column this week in the New Zealand Herald about the upcoming visit of the Dalai Lama. In Mr Rudman’s opinion our Prime Minister shouldn’t meet with the Dalai Lama when it could upset the Chinese Government.
The election of a National-led Government has sparked newfound employer militancy, and public sector employers are among the most militant. But unions are fighting back on behalf of low paid public service employees. On Friday 27th they have organised nationwide lunchtime (12.30pm – 1.30pm) rallies to protest against the public sector wage freeze and call for a fair deal for low paid workers.
Keith Locke questions the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade on why no Minister will meet the Dalai Lama during his visit to New Zealand next month.
The Government is clearly embarrassed about its ‘unofficial’ boycott of the Dalai Lama when he visits New Zealand next month, said Green Party MP Keith Locke today.
Keith Locke's General Debate speech on his proposal that New Zealand accept some of the 78 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees on the ship Oceanic Viking, who sought to enter Australia.
In 2001 the Clark Government stepped in and gave a helping hand to some people in pretty dire circumstances when we accepted a number of asylum seekers fleeing Afghanistan.
The final report of Tonga’s Constitutional and Electoral Commission recommending a democratic form of Parliament for Tonga is welcome news, said Green Party Foreign Affairs spokesperson Keith Locke.