Dunne Peter: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Dunne Peter: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:649;Page:17845] 
5.  
Hon PETER DUNNE (Leader—United Future) 
 to the  
Minister for Ethnic Affairs 
: Is the Government considering introducing a multiculturalism bill? 
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for Social Development and Employment) 
 on behalf of the  
Minister for Ethnic Affairs 
: No. New Zealand already has a strong human rights and race relations legislative framework including the Human Rights Act which replaced the Race Relations Act and the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. Everyone enjoys equal treatment and protection under the law while it respects and values their diversity. 
Hon Peter Dunne 
: Does she recall the Minister saying in October last year “we have made a conscious decision that the only way a multiethnic multicultural population is going to prosper and thrive is by embracing diversity and promoting its cultural and economic opportunities.”; if she does recall that statement why will the Minister not now proceed to formalise that arrangement in the form of multiculturalism legislation? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: Yes I do but that does not necessarily lead one to the conclusion that further legislative provisions are required. 
Dr Ashraf Choudhary 
: What actions is the Government taking in response to New Zealand’s increasing ethnic diversity? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: Since 1999 the Government has proactively implemented a number of initiatives including the establishment of the ethnic affairs portfolio and the Office of Ethnic Affairs the creation of a tradition of celebrating important events for communities at Parliament—such as Islamic Awareness Week and a reception to acknowledge 150 years of Croatian settlement—and the introduction of a range of programmes such as the Connecting Diverse Communities project the Building Bridges project and Language Line a telephone interpreting service that has now logged more that 100000 calls. 
Dail Jones 
: Why when we already have such a vibrant multicultural society in New Zealand would anyone even want to consider introducing a multiculturalism bill in New Zealand—a bill that would only pander to PC claptrap? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: Frankly I do not agree with the assumption the member has proposed in his question. I believe that the federation that has proposed the bill is genuine in its view that it would strengthen the valuing and appreciation of the diversity of our communities. In my view the legislation is not needed. 
Hon Peter Dunne 
: Supplementary— 
Madam SPEAKER 
: No more supplementary questions. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Does the Minister not understand that there is a world of difference between “multicultural” and “multiculturalism”: one is respect for other cultures and the other is the promotion by the taxpayer of every culture in a country so that it ends up with no single culture for that country? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: Yes I do understand the difference. 
Hon Peter Dunne 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I have asked one supplementary question this week. United Future is entitled to ask at least two supplementary questions and I want to know why we were denied the second one. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: No you had one yesterday and one today. So you have had your quota I am sorry. 
Hon Peter Dunne 
: No I did not—I did not ask one yesterday. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: It was in question No. 3 yesterday. I am happy to look at the documentation afterwards but— 
Hon Peter Dunne 
: I can assure you that I did not ask one yesterday— 
Hon Member 
: Seek leave. 
Hon Peter Dunne 
: —so can I seek leave to ask a further supplementary question? 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave may be sought; that is fine. Obviously the member is entitled to do that. 
Hon Peter Dunne 
: I seek leave— 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Hon Peter Dunne 
: Madam Speaker—[ 
Interruption 
] It is not an option. Has the Minister had a discussion with the Federation of Ethnic Councils regarding the development of a multiculturalism Act; if so what has been the outcome of that discussion and what advice has he given the federation about the Government’s intentions with regard to that? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: I am aware of the Minister’s interest in the debate that is being stimulated throughout the country and my understanding is that the Minister is prepared to continue engagement with the federation. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I would also invite the member to come and look at the documentary evidence.