Tizard's Anzac Day behaviour appalling
Judith Tizard should be reprimanded by the Prime Minister for behaviour on Anzac Day that was so appalling it has been publicly criticised by the Auckland RSA, says National's Veterans Affairs spokeswoman Judith Collins.
Tizard humiliated Auckland RSA president Jim Newman and targeted an RSA employee after getting upset at the order of the wreath laying on Anzac Day. Tizard also got upset that National MP Pansy Wong was listed on the programme.
"This appalling behaviour, reported in the media today, is just not on.
"Anzac Day should not be used by a Labour Minister to launch attacks on people over who wants to lay wreaths to commemorate those who served and lost their lives in wartime.
"Tizard's behaviour was pathetic and petty. It is also disturbing that she targeted an RSA employee for special attention because Tizard – wrongly as it turned out – suspected her of being a member of a political party.
"Helen Clark should reprimand Tizard and force her to apologise to the Auckland RSA," says Ms Collins.
Pansy Wong says she has been invited to take part in the ANZAC service at the Auckland museum for the past six years, and has laid a wreath in each of the past four years.
"The generosity and inclusiveness of the Auckland RSA has seen growing numbers of ethnic New Zealanders taking part in Anzac Day to pay our respect to those who made sacrifices for New Zealand.
"And this year, for the first time, over 40 Korean New Zealanders who fought or served in the Korean armed forces joined in the Anzac parade at the noon service. That was made possible because of the Auckland RSA.
"Anzac Day is an important day that should be remembered by us all. Auckland RSA should be complimented for its role as a bearer of that message – not attacked by a Labour politician."
Tizard humiliated Auckland RSA president Jim Newman and targeted an RSA employee after getting upset at the order of the wreath laying on Anzac Day. Tizard also got upset that National MP Pansy Wong was listed on the programme.
"This appalling behaviour, reported in the media today, is just not on.
"Anzac Day should not be used by a Labour Minister to launch attacks on people over who wants to lay wreaths to commemorate those who served and lost their lives in wartime.
"Tizard's behaviour was pathetic and petty. It is also disturbing that she targeted an RSA employee for special attention because Tizard – wrongly as it turned out – suspected her of being a member of a political party.
"Helen Clark should reprimand Tizard and force her to apologise to the Auckland RSA," says Ms Collins.
Pansy Wong says she has been invited to take part in the ANZAC service at the Auckland museum for the past six years, and has laid a wreath in each of the past four years.
"The generosity and inclusiveness of the Auckland RSA has seen growing numbers of ethnic New Zealanders taking part in Anzac Day to pay our respect to those who made sacrifices for New Zealand.
"And this year, for the first time, over 40 Korean New Zealanders who fought or served in the Korean armed forces joined in the Anzac parade at the noon service. That was made possible because of the Auckland RSA.
"Anzac Day is an important day that should be remembered by us all. Auckland RSA should be complimented for its role as a bearer of that message – not attacked by a Labour politician."