Values Support For M.p.s (Press, 4 October 1976)
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Summary: Values Support For M.p.s (Press, 4 October 1976)
On 4 October 1976, Tony Kunowski, leader of the Values Party, expressed strong support for recent statements made by two Government back-benchers, Marilyn Waring and Michael Minogue. He commended them for highlighting the dangers of increasing political power concentrated in the Cabinet and among senior departmental officials. Kunowski remarked that their actions were essential in preserving democratic freedoms in New Zealand and deserved public backing, particularly as they risked their political careers by speaking out on such significant issues. Kunowski lamented the lack of responsiveness and courage among recent Members of Parliament, noting that it was unfortunate it had taken so long for anyone to raise concerns about vital matters concerning democracy. He argued that when politicians candidly address the shortcomings of the current government structure, they should receive robust support from the public, aiding their roles as guardians of democratic rights. He pointed out that the issues raised by Waring and Minogue were part of the foundation upon which the Values Party was established, highlighting the need for genuine government reform. However, while Minogue advocated for a Freedom of Information Act that would replace the Official Secrets Act, Kunowski believed that this alone would not suffice to bring about comprehensive reform in the parliamentary system. He insisted that there was a need to re-evaluate how Parliamentary representation functioned to better reflect the populace's views. Kunowski cited the nuclear ships controversy and the "Gill bill" regarding abortion as recent examples of how disconnected Parliament and Cabinet Ministers were from public sentiment. Polls indicated that 68 per cent of New Zealanders opposed the admission of nuclear warships, while 65 per cent supported more liberal abortion laws. He suggested that such significant issues should warrant the use of national referenda to engage the public directly in decision-making processes.
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