Summarised by Centrist
ACT leader David Seymour’s recent interview on TVNZ’s Breakfast to discuss his Treaty Principles Bill reached well over 100,000 views in a few days on ACT’s YouTube channel.
“It is ‘some’ people’s opinion that it is a divisive bill. It is your job to reflect the views of all New Zealanders, not to take sides,” Seymour told Breakfast host Jenny-May Clarkson.
Seymour insisted the bill aims to secure equal rights for all New Zealanders.
He continued his analysis of state media bias regarding protests around the bill. “There were 17 people outside Parliament. I watched your news last night which was zoomed in on one or two people to make it look bigger than it really was,” he said.
Accusing the media of several inaccuracies in reporting, Seymour argued “What would be helpful is if we can actually discuss what’s in the bill.”
Treating people based on race and ancestry is a “terrible idea,” which he said has not worked anywhere in the world. Seymour states that what he wants are principles based on equality.
Clarkson quizzed Seymour regarding the bill: “You talk about ‘equality’ for everybody, but what about ‘fairness’ in ‘equality?”
“Would you like to explain how you think that they’re different?” asked Seymour. Clarkson deflected and failed to answer the question.
Seymour also pushed back on the idea that all Māori were environmentalists by virtue of their ancestry.
