Don Brash gives third Orewa speech

From Wikinews, the free news source you can write!

Wednesday, February 1, 2006

New Zealand

Other stories from New Zealand

• 15 December 2009: Maori flag to fly along side the New Zealand Flag on Waitangi day
• 19 November 2009: Uruguay qualify to take last spot in 2010 FIFA World Cup
• 10 November 2009: Christchurch, NZ man admits murdering wife and neighbour and having sex with bodies
• 12 October 2009: Body found in Auckland, New Zealand drain
• 22 July 2009: Football: Melbourne Victory win A-League Pre-Season Cup on penalties

...More articles here

Location of New Zealand

To write, edit, start or view other articles on New Zealand, see the New Zealand Portal

Dr. Don Brash

On Tuesday the 31st of January, Dr Don Brash, the leader of the New Zealand National Party gave his third state of the nation speech to the Orewa Rotary Club where he focussed on the economy.

Brash predicted that the New Zealand economy is "...almost certainly headed for a recession." He later said "A recent survey in the Christchurch Press suggested [the] South Island was already teetering on the brink of recession."

Brash said business confidence in New Zealand is at its lowest level in 30 years and almost every day there is another company closing its doors or sharply reducing its staff. He predicted that "many businesses will face very tough times, and that unemployment will rise steeply."

Brash said the blame for any recession will lie squarely with the Prime Minister Helen Clark and Labour. "[The] Government is asleep at the wheel." He warned that people will lose their jobs and savings because of its incompetence.

Brash also addressed immigration, health, and infrastructure issues.

Brash said he had hoped to return as Prime Minister to give this speech. He also said that he intends to lead National in the next New Zealand general election (2008) and would be surprised if he is replaced before then.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen called Brash's speech "vastly underwhelming". He also claimed the speech was riddled with inaccuracies, particularly over Government spending.

Brash's first speech at Orewa, delivered by Brash on 27 January 2004, was highly controversial. It addressed the theme of race relations in New Zealand, particularly the special status of Māori, New Zealand's indigenous ethnic group. Some regard the speech as a watershed moment in New Zealand politics.

Related News

"Don Brash at Orewa: 'Whatever happened to personal responsibility?'". Wikinews, January 25, 2005

Sources

This article features first-hand journalism by Wikinews members. See the collaboration page for more details.

• "Cullen underwhelmed by Orewa speech". NewstalkZB, February 1, 2006

External links

• full text of speech
  

Share this:

This page is archived, and is no longer publicly editable. Got a correction? Add the template {{editprotected}} to the talk page along with your corrections, and it will be brought to the attention of the administrators. Please note that due to our archival policy, we will not alter or update the content of articles that are archived, but will only accept requests to make grammatical and formatting corrections. Note that some listed sources or external links may no longer be available online due to age.