Lucy Lawless and Jim Salinger offer Key Copenhagen cash

Hey guys

I am wondering what will happen to the money that Lucy and co got together to fundraise for John Key.

If it's just going to be thrown back into the coffers, then I have an awesome proposal for your consideration.

Earlier this year, my cousin along with 4 others was selected by UNICEF to represent New Zealand at the United Nations Children's Climate change conference in Copenhagen.

She has fundraised tirelessly, along with her whanau, to get herself to Copenhagen to support what she believes in. As her extended whanau, we are really proud of her and her achievements.

She also appeared recently in the Northern Advocate and their group is now fundraising for a youth delegation from Kiribati to attend the conference in Copenhagen as well.

If John Key doesn't want your $5000, how about donating it to this group? I personally believe that it is more worthwhile to support our rangatahi who are taking proactive steps to fight for our taonga and our environment, than someone who is a lost cause like the Prime Minister and I am 100% sure they would appreciate the financial assistance more than John Key ever would!

If you could get this message to the right people, we'd be grateful. Please see the link below for more information about Erana and her fantastic work!

Thanks for your time

Moana Cook

http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/local/news/eco-campaigner-taking-on-th...

This was raised during Question time in parliament ...

Metiria Turei: Will the Minister then accept the very kind offer made by Greenpeace to pay for his fare to the climate change conference in Copenhagen, in order to demonstrate to the many potential international tourists that New Zealand does take its environmental responsibility seriously?

Hon JOHN KEY: No, I will not be accepting the cheque from Greenpeace to go to Copenhagen. It is very unlikely that I will be going there. I will be well-represented by Tim Groser and Nick Smith. Anyway, I will be far too busy reading the comments from the co-leader of the Green Party about why she thinks that Phil Goff is a racist.

Metiria Turei: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I take exception to that comment. What I said on the radio this morning is absolutely accurate, and I stand by those words. But the description of them by the Prime Minister of this country was derogatory and disgusting. I ask that he withdraw and apologise.

Hon Rodney Hide: Point of order—[Interruption]

Mr SPEAKER: I do not need further help on this. I do not know who made that interjection, but it was not helpful, either. It is fortunate that I did not pick up who it was. I say to the Prime Minister that his comment was totally unnecessary; I ask him to stand, withdraw, and apologise for that comment.

Hon JOHN KEY: I withdraw and apologise.

Charles Chauvel: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. [Interruption]

Mr SPEAKER: I called that I would hear a point of order from the Leader of the Opposition´s own colleague, and he made an interjection that is totally unparliamentary, and he knows that. I now ask the honourable Leader of the Opposition to stand, withdraw, and apologise for that.

Hon Phil Goff: I withdraw and apologise. [Interruption]

Mr SPEAKER: A point of order is being heard, and the senior members—[Interruption] The Prime Minister will also be quiet. I say to the Deputy Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, and all senior members that we have had a fair bit of fun today, but I think we should show a little decorum. There have been a lot of visitors in the gallery who would not have been too impressed.

Charles Chauvel: I seek leave to table a copy of a cheque raised by Greenpeace members, via cake stalls and sausage sizzles, for $4,781 to enable the Prime Minister to attend the Copenhagen climate change conference.

Mr SPEAKER: I recently made a ruling in which I made it clear to members that I would not be seeking the leave of the House for members to table articles that have nothing to do with providing information to members of the House. When a request to table an item is purely political grandstanding, it is demeaning of this Parliament. I ask members not to do it, or I will take serious steps in the future.

Hon Darren Hughes: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Can I ask you to reflect on that. The Prime Minister in his answer referred to the cheque from Greenpeace. He introduced that material into the House in his answer. My colleague is simply tabling the information that the Prime Minister referred to in his answer.

Mr SPEAKER: I have ruled on the matter, and that is the end of it.

David Clendon: I seek leave to table New Zealand´s country profile in the World Economic Forum´s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, which ranks New Zealand near the bottom of the world—

Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection. Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.

more at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0911/S00252.htm