9. DARIEN FENTON (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Disability Issues
What reports, if any, has she received on fund-raising in the disabilities sector?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for Disability Issues) Link to this
I have seen a report of a fund-raising scam that abuses the public’s trust and goodwill. It involves a Christchurch millionaire property developer who sells pens on the street under the guise of collecting for Wheelchair Tennis, but who gives to that organisation only $5 of the $20 he charges. This person is none other than the three-time ACT candidate John Peters.
By Mr Peters’ own admission, he scams money off the unsuspecting public by sitting in a way designed to make people believe he is a paraplegic. He agrees that people might be a bit misled by this. It seems, as far as the ACT party is concerned, that it is OK to bash beneficiaries but that millionaires ripping off the public is quite acceptable.