Teenager asked by Minister about his religious beliefs

Simeon Brown is 16, and like most New Zealanders opposed to the Electoral Finance Bill. So in a commendable display of civic involvement he e-mailed various MPs asking them not to support the Bill.

Minister Chris Carter replied by asking him if he was a member of the Exclusive Brethren.

Now as it happens Brown is not a member – he is in fact a Baptist.

But Chris often talks about the importance of human rights and minority rights. I could have sworn the Human Rights Act includes freedom from religious discrimination.

No Minister of the Crown should be applying a religious litmus test to their constituents.