‘The poor don’t know what to do with money’: The Project panellist is slammed for saying he hopes $38million lottery winner is already wealthy because they’ll spend it more wisely
- TV panellist claims the poor don’t know what to do with or appreciate Lotto wins
- Mark Richardson sparked uproar with his comments on The Project New Zealand
- The former Test batsman has been slammed for controversial views previously
A television panellist has sparked outrage after he claimed poor people don’t know how to spend Lotto windfalls wisely.
Former international cricketer turned media personality Mark Richardson appeared on The Project New Zealand on Thursday night.
The panel was discussing the nation’s latest Powerball winner who won $A38 million.
The live audience gasped in shock after Richardson weighed into the debate with his controversial views.
Media personality Mark Richardson (seated left) is renowned for his controversial statements
‘The problem with these Lotto winners and their stories of hard luck is that I just think the poor don’t know quite what to do with money, nor do they appreciate it,’ Richardson said.
He was then asked by co-anchor Kanoa Lloyd if he thought only rich people should win Lotto.
‘You need to be prepared for a win of this nature, to have the money come in,’ Richardson replied.
‘It’s a good thing, possibly, that this last one was won in Auckland and let’s hope they come from a good suburb as well.’
The former cricketer sparked outrage on The Project New Zealand on Thursday night
A bemused panellist Jesse Mulligan then asked if Richardson would consider becoming a Lotto counsellor to help those in need of guidance on how to manage their newly found fortune.
‘It’s really good and it’s the sort of thing I could do for this country,’ Richardson said.
‘We can’t wait,’ Lloyd replied before quickly changing the subject.
Richardson’s comments sparked an furious online reaction from Kiwi viewers.
‘This world has no place for Mark Richardson and his white privileged sucky opinions,’ one woman tweeted.
Another person added: ‘Never has an arrogant prat exposed himself so clearly.’
Richardson also appears on The AM Show and hosts New Zealand’s version of The Block
Others called for Richardson to be taken off air.
His comments also sparked outrage in Australia.
‘Horrid! He’s as bad as Morrison and his cronies trying to put and keep vulnerable people on his bloody Indue card,’ one wrote.
One woman came to Richardson’s defence.
‘Thing is, Mark Richardson ‘s image is carefully constructed to be controversial. He actually seems like a pretty decent dude – even if we vote differently,’ she tweeted.
Richardson was a New Zealand cricketer before he became a controversial media personality
The former New New Zealand batsman turned due media personality and cricket commentator played 38 Tests and four one day internationals for the Black Caps between 2002 and 2004.
Richardson has hosted New Zealand’s version of The Block since 2012 and is sports reporter for breakfast program The AM Show.
It’s not the first time Richardson has landed in hot water with his controversial comments.
He has been highly critical of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s decision to have baby daughter Neve while in office and was previously slammed for saying that ‘being a mum is not a job.’
He also told his tenants live on air their rent would increase to compensate him for losses delivered in last year’s Budget.
Richardson (left) claimed poor people don’t know how to spend Lotto windfalls wisely