John beats up on young Mum

Seems John Key’s been name-dropping Kiwi film stars to business leaders in Brizzie. In today’s NZ Herald Key is quoted slamming actress Keisha Castle-Hughes for speaking out on climate change, saying that she should ‘stick to the acting’.

Remember it’s just a matter of days after public consultation wrapped up over what the Government’s 2020 emissions reduction target should be. The Government was adamant it wanted public input on the issue, but it now seems that when those views aren’t helpful to National’s cause and are picked up widely by both local and international media, its all-inclusive attitude wanes.

Now we know that the Government is rattled by the recent surge in support for strong action on climate change, but to go for the nation’s whale rider in such a patronizing way is a low blow (not to mention a bad move).

It’s a very dangerous thing to suggest (particularly to a 19 year old) that people just sit by and stick to their day jobs while faced with the biggest crisis in history. If the youth of today (young mothers in particular) can’t enter the climate debate, we’re doomed.

There’s a pattern here. The precedent was set by Social development Minister Paula Bennett’s disclosure of an outspoken beneficiary’s details and it now seems a theme that this Government looks down with disdain on those prepared to raise their heads above the parapets and pass comment.

If I were Castle-Hughes I’d point out to John that if perhaps if he’d stick to HIS day job (ie- leading the country on big issues like climate change) then she’d have less of a night-job.

Isn’t Castle-Hughes’ day job first and foremost being a mother? And in that capacity isn’t she totally qualified to express her concerns about the future?

As far as i can tell, she’s not claiming to be a scientist, nor an expert, she’s just claiming to care. And she’s been admonished for it. Perhaps John should stick to being a multi-millionaire.