Hide Vows to Get Tough on Dirt and Grease

November 2005

wellington - ACT leader Rodney Hide yesterday released his party's "zero tolerance on grime" policy, promising that ACT would unflinchingly promote measures to destroy dirt and grease in the most hard-to-reach places.

"Labour's soft-on-dirt approach has led to an epidemic of persistent stains, baked-on grime, moss, mould and gunk" he said. "National's proposed policies do no more than wave a wet dishcloth at the problem. Only ACT will eliminate bacteria-harbouring grime in the kitchen, throughout living areas, and up under the rim where it really counts".

Hide cited statistics to demonstrate that recent high profile cases of horrific red wine stains are only the tip of the iceberg in what he termed a "grime epidemic". According to the latest figures, grime levels have risen 22 percent since 1997, with a leap of 9 percent in the last year alone.

Particularly worrying is the leap in oily grime, which is increasing at a much faster rate than regular dust and dirt. According to research conducted by the Staingone Institute, one out of every two New Zealand carpets is either "partly" or "significantly" soiled, while nationally only 31 percent of glass remains streak free.

"This is just not acceptable", said Hide. "All New Zealanders should be able to enjoy sparkling surfaces and lemon-scented freshness".

The ACT party would deliver a suite of fast-acting, uniquely formulated policies designed to cut through grease, dissolve stains and remove lingering odours, he promised.

Current Minister of Household Cleanliness Steve Maharey reacted with scepticism to the ACT party announcement. "We've heard this kind of rhetoric many times before", he said. "Inevitably, such policies involve much scouring and scrubbing, damaging surfaces and actually creating the conditions in which germs flourish."

However, Hide was adamant that the zero tolerance on grime approach would not be abrasive or caustic. "Not only will we get tough on dirt and gunk" he said. "But we will do so without harsh scratching".