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Phil Goff 7/3/11: Mr Brownlee, Leave Up This Wall
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Labour leader Phil Goff say he is confident Gerry Brownlee is reconsidering comments on Christchurch's heritage buildings. The Earthquake Recovery Minister has been taken as suggesting all but a handful of heritage buildings will be demolished.
Goff described Brownlee's talk of "killer buildings" as "highly emotive" and noted most deaths did not occur in heritage buildings. He did there should be calm and considered action that considers the stakeholders in Christchurch, rather than unilateral decisions, despite the great powers given to the Minister by Parliament.
Opening his press conference Goff also commented on a national commemoration for the Christchurch earthquake – that we shouldn't take day's holiday at this point, though employees and student should have time off for the service. He said Labour was "very pleased" with the result in the Botany by-elections, which the National candidate won with a lowered majority. He also opposed the "intensely devisive" foreshore and seabed bill being reintroduced to Parliament this week.
Mr Goff answered other questions on the Government response in Christchurch, including Labour MPs' role in promoting the plight of the Eastern suburbs. He also discussed the affordability of Labour's economic policies and tax changes (and the Government's) in present conditions, and the Prime Minister's apparent advocacy prior to the Reserve Bank's OCR announcement.
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