United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne, is calling for the abolition of the position of Parliamentary Under Secretary to the Minister of Racing following revelations about John Wright's role in the position.

In an answer to Written Parliamentary Question 8572 the Minister for Racing has stated that:

"He (Mr Wright) has attended race meetings in his capacity as Under-Secretary for Racing at a variety of clubs."

And in response to Written Question 8573 regarding his specific duties as Under-Secretary for Racing, the Minister has replied that:

"John Wright has no delegated duties."

"The only thing Mr Wright does as Under-Secretary for Racing is go to race meetings at the taxpayers' expense."

"It is bad enough that we have a Minister for Racing at all, let alone an Under-Secretary as well."

"The last thing this country can afford is to pay a large salary to a person to be just the Government's official race-goer."

"I know the Alliance is keen on a 'jobs machine', but this sort of fatuous make-work scheme is simply ridiculous," Mr Dunne says.

ENDS