Green MP backs boxer's Games bid

Green MP Keith Locke has come to the defence of New Zealand boxer Soulan Pownceby.

Pownceby's selection in New Zealand's six-man team to next month's Commonwealth Games has been questioned by Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

Mr Howard believes Pownceby, who was jailed for the manslaughter of his 5-month-old daughter, should not compete at next month's Melbourne games.

Mr Locke, Green spokesman on sports, human rights and foreign affairs, said it was upsetting that Australian politicians like Mr Howard were knocking Pownceby around for their own political gain.

"We should support Soulan Pownceby to show all former prisoners that we do favour rehabilitation - that they will get a fair go, not be punished forever," Mr Locke said.

"Soulan was very brave in carrying through his Olympic campaign two years ago, in the face of considerable hostility in New Zealand. It is upsetting that Australian politicians like Mr Howard are knocking him around again, for their own political gain."

Pownceby suffered a heavy loss in his only bout at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Last week Mr Howard said that the decision on whether or not the boxer took part was up to the appropriate authorities, although his initial reaction was that it was inappropriate for him to compete.

In 1995 Pownceby, then known as Soulan Rikihana, was sentenced to four years in jail for the manslaughter of his daughter Jeanette.

After his release in 1998, he amassed more assault charges.

Boxing officials in Australia, including Arthur Tunstall and Melbourne 2006 chiefs Justin Madden and Ron Walker, have backed Pownceby's right to compete, and Victorian premier Steve Bracks said it was a New Zealand matter.

New Zealand Sports Minister Trevor Mallard said selection was a matter "for boxing and the Commonwealth Games committee".

- NZPA