Worth Quoting: Grant Robertson

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Grant Robertson, posted this message on Facebook today:

Let’s start with the obvious. I support the right to protest. I have in fact led protests on Parliament's grounds—including one where we as students protested against spiralling education costs briefly occupied the steps. When I led those protests we often discussed the fact that if we crossed certain lines we knew we would get arrested. I was always of the view that the cause or the issue was what mattered most, and we would strive to make our point, and then move on to live to fight another day.

Protest is important in our democracy, but like all freedoms it comes with responsibilities. The protest we have seen at Parliament this week is driven by wild, false, dangerous conspiracy theories and people with an extreme agenda. Even then the people involved have a right to be there. But when they threaten, harass and disrupt people and a whole city they lose that right. They have been trespassed, they need to leave.

I have had so many constituents contact me over the last week distressed at what is happening to our city. School pupils spat at and harassed for wearing a mask, roads blocked delaying public transport and emergency services and businesses shut down.

Not to mention the obvious threats of violence against politicians and the media. Looking down on a protest that wants to hang me as a politician, a sign that compares the Prime Minister to the March 15th terrorist, calls for arrest and execution of me and other leaders you might understand why I believe the Police need to move them on.

It is entirely up to the Police how they enforce the law, and it is important that it stays that way in our democracy. I want to thank them for doing their hard and difficult job in trying conditions. As the local MP I have been in regular contact with them and the City Council to support the rights of Wellingtonians to go about their lives free from harassment and severe disruption.

I am confident that this will happen, though it will no doubt take some time.

I am also re-assured that this group of people do represent a small minority. Just yesterday, two things happened to remind me of that. Northland DHB reached 90% first dose vaccination rate. We have done what no one thought could be done—all DHBs have reached this target.

And yesterday afternoon, we passed the 10 million vaccines mark. This is New Zealanders looking after themselves and each other. We have done so incredibly well. Thousands of lives have been saved and while it is tough for some sectors, we have kept people in jobs and the economy moving forward.

So, thank you again Aotearoa, you are the best.

Grant Robertson
Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand
Minister of Finance
Member of Parliament for Wellington Central