The fourth response to our candidate survey for the Mt Albert by-election is from the Libertarianz candidate for the seat, Julian Pistorius.
Candidate: Julian Pistorius
Party: Libertarianz
Q: What particular issues do you believe women in Mt Albert face?
A: Law and Order: Mt Albert is becoming more dangerous. I've heard some real horror stories while speaking to residents and shop owners. The only legitimate purpose of government is to protect the rights of citizens, and they're failing at it. We need more police, and a better justice system. Self-defence is a right, hence everybody (especially women) should be able to carry an effective means of self-defence - including tasers, pepper spray, and concealed firearms.
Q: How do you think women's representation could be preserved and/or enhanced if the proposed Auckland Super City proceeds?
A: Women don't need special representation, and shouldn't have special privileges. People are individuals, and should not be judged based on their race, gender or sexual orientation, but on their individual ability and merit.
Multi-choice questions (candidate's answer is in bold):
Should the Ministry of Women's Affairs be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: There is no valid reason for its existence. At one stage we had all the top public jobs filled by women, as well as having a women being at the head of New Zealand's biggest company, Telecom. Women and men already have equal rights before the law, as they should. Nothing more is required.
In considering allegations of rape the law should:
Require the defendant to prove sex was consensual OR require the victim to disprove sex was consensual (status quo)
Candidate comment: From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burden_of_proof#Criminal_law - In the West, criminal cases usually place the burden of proof on the prosecutor (expressed in the Latin brocard ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non que negat, "the burden of proof rests on who asserts, not on who denies"). This principle is known as the presumption of innocence, and is summed up with "innocent until proven guilty," but is not upheld in all legal systems or jurisdictions. Where it is upheld, the accused will be found not guilty if this burden of proof is not sufficiently shown by the prosecution.
Should access to abortion be:
Abolished OR Restricted OR Continued as currently provided OR Increased to on demand (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: None of the above. It's your body, so abortion is a right. You should be able to pay for an abortion as a private procedure from a doctor who is willing to perform it. However, abortion should not be paid for by the state. People who object to abortion should not be forced to pay for it through their taxes.
Should paid parental leave be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: Leave arrangements should be a voluntary agreement between employer and employee. It has nothing to do with the state.
In the forthcoming Child Discipline referendum New Zealanders should:
Vote Yes OR Vote No or Abstain
Candidate comment: There are enough laws to protect children from assault - there always have been. It is wrong to turn good parents into criminals for administering light smacking, and it will do nothing to stop real child abuse. Instead we should end the DPB: Stop paying people to have children they don't want!
Pay Equity measures by Government are:
Necessary OR Unnecessary
Candidate comment: Remuneration should be a voluntary agreement between employer and employee. It has nothing to do with the government.
Social change advertising campaigns, such as It's Not Ok, should be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: It's meddling and social engineering. The government takes citizens' hard-earned money through taxes, and then uses it to lecture them. With freedom comes self-responsibility, and the requirement to bear the consequences of your actions. It's not the government's job to protect an individual from his own bad choices.
--
Thanks Julian for taking the time; having been a small party candidate myself I appreciate the effort even if I don't agree with many of the sentiments!
3 comments:
Not only does he argue that men and women have equality before the law (which they do not) but he argues that equality laws (such as pay equity regulations) should be abolished. How appropriate that he ends the interview by arguing that every person should be free to do what HE wants.
Funnies On Point:
If Libertarians Were Housepets
Mike - that reminds me of a comment Bernard Darnton made at an election meeting in 2005 complaining about the government restricting the rights of businessMEN
Post a Comment