New Zealand News - Dialogue - Audrey Young: PM had to act to regain credibility

Immigration Minister Resigns

The Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel resigned because she lost her credibility. She presided over an Immigration dept that drugged and deported a clearly victimised 16 year old girl and the heavy hand was seen as that of the Government's own. The polls are showing poor support for Helen Clark's handling of this, until now her efforts to deal to the flailing Minister for Immigration with her panic button values at the constant ready should a news of a terrorist leak onto our foreshores.

There is a credibility gap because it is not relevant. Ahmed Zaoui has been in prison for over a year and we wonder at the quality of the Government's decision making process in regards to protection of our national security. That is the leak in the boat, Helen Clark. It is good that Lianne Dalziel has gone, as she has been seen to go for the expedient course that does not fit with the human rights aspects of her job.

It would have been more character forming for this Government that is fast losing its grip on the meaning of power.

See New Zealand News - Dialogue - Audrey Young: PM had to act to regain credibility