Click photo to enlarge
Prime Minister John Key (holding the peak of his hard hat)
climbs to the top of the Forsyth Barr Stadium's south stand
during a tour of the site yesterday. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Prime Minister John Key yesterday said the Government was
unlikely to ask for its $15 million back if the Forsyth Barr
Stadium is not finished in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Mr Key toured the stadium yesterday morning, and his message
to opponents of the project was to look long term.
"In 10 years' time if they go to the people of Dunedin and
say they want to rip it up and park it in Invercargill, they
will have a riot on their hands."
Mr Key's visit did not attract any stadium protesters, though
a group of about 20 International Socialists did greet him
with a protest about the emissions trading scheme, and the
Government's response to global warming.
The issue of whether the $15 million granted by the
Government towards the stadium might have to be given back
arose after the Otago Daily Times obtained a copy of the
grant's terms and conditions under the Official Information
Act in August.
The document included a clause that failure to meet
construction targets for the project could result in the
Dunedin City Council being given just 20 working days to
repay the $15 million grant.
When questioned whether the Government might ask for the
money back if it was not finished in time, Mr Key said: "I
don't think so.
"We're not Indian-givers."
He was effusive in his praise of the construction.
"The stadium is great, isn't it?" he said to waiting media.
With its grant, the Government was "a big supporter" of the
project.
Asked what he had to say to opponents of the scheme, he said
one of the reasons the Government had invested money was its
recognition of the importance of the University of Otago to
the city, and the part it played in attracting people.
While there was a cost through rates, that would also be the
case if people were not attracted to the city.
The stadium would be "a focal point" for the growth of the
university.
Carisbrook Stadium Trust development director Darren Burden
said the risk of a cost blow-out with the stadium was
becoming "pretty low" as tenders were finalised and the
timing of the construction stayed on track.
Mr Burden said work was "all good" to finish in time for the
World Cup.
revealing slip
It is a racist phrase, and as an American born New Zealander of Native American descent, I do take offence. Although its exact etymology is debatable, the term originates from interactions between early European settlers and Native American "Indians" and the clash between western notions of private property ownership and indigenous communalism. The term was also used to slander Native American groups seeking reparations for illegal land seizures by the American government, which makes Key's comments somewhat perverse and ironic in the face of the stadium debate.
His remarks also come just before the American Thanksgiving holiday, which commemorates "Indian" generosity towards the early settlers without which they would not have survived the first few winters. When an elected politician so unselfconsciously uses such an ugly phrase in public, it really should make one wonder how he talks with his friends and party insiders when the cameras are off. There is a level of unchecked racism in this country that I find frightening, and it's especially disturbing to hear it echo from the mouth of the country's elected leader. I suggest that Key try to use the term "Indian giver" next time he meets with Obama to sell NZ off to the highest bidder in a "free trade" agreement, and see what kind of reaction he gets.
Get over yourselves
PC gone mad. I wonder how many Native Americans live in Dunedin? If there is then let him or her complain. More clutching at sinking straws by the anti-progress brigade again.
But if the shoe was on the other foot…
Had it been someone anti the stadium who had made such a remark, the pro-stadium brigade would be having a nit-picking field day. There has been much lesser examples of this they've made an issue of, so, according to them if you are one of those opposing, it's a case of "PC gone mad, get over it", if are for it and someone makes such a type of inappropriate remark, well, the rules selectively change to suit. Magical. Interesting it is to read Wiki answers and note it is quite a derogatory old racist tone harking from a long time ago and shouldn't be used. So there's some proof. We aren't a minority grasping at sinking straws there, nor are we with sinking democracy, which in many facets was protested about in Auckland, so it's clearly getting rife in this country now. Perhaps Mr. Key's attitude etc being like the DCC's this comes as no surprise. And forget all you've heard folks, we "anti progress" haven't figured that a quarter billion dollar stadium with a few rugby games and a visit from an obscure-ish act that would ably use an existing venue (as they have done so far) will solve the likes of our now mishmash public transport shortcomings, and the sewer project being cut, (that is, the modifications only bringing it up to third world standard, but who cares about ecology, just sweep it a bit further under the carpet, like dumping the turds a bit further out to sea). And of course create many more interesting things for local or visiting people to do, like stadium tours. Ha.
I'm flabbergasted
I'm flabbergasted - I can't believe our Prime Minister would use such a racist turn of phrase.
Inappropriate comment
How can someone in the position as leader of a multicultural country like NZ possibly even consider making such an ignorant comment "we are not Indian givers" when asked if the Government would expect repayment of the loan given towards the building of the stadium. Cearly a bad slip of the tounge Mr Key.
The unwanted stadium
According to CST development director, Darren Burden, the risk of a cost blow out for the unwanted stadium is 'becoming pretty low'. Sort of makes even more of a joke of the 'guaranteed maximum price' we were assured of way back when the guaranteed maximum price was $188 million.