David Carter
Opposition Biosecurity Spokesman
24 April 2000
Biosecurity too important to muddle with
The Biosecurity portfolio is clearly causing Marian Hobbs difficulty as acknowledged by the Prime Minister herself. The
portfolio should be given to a higher ranked and more capable minister, says Opposition Biosecurity Spokesman David
Carter.
"The Prime Minister must recognise the importance of the Biosecurity portfolio to New Zealand. She has not given it the
recognition it deserves by giving it to an eighteenth ranked minister who herself acknowledges that she is struggling
with her workload.
"Ms Hobbs' reaction to the latest biosecurity threat, the bee mite, illustrated her lack of judgement about biosecurity
matters. Beekeepers are very concerned about the potential effect on their industry of the bee mite. To have the
Minister underplay the threat shows a complete lack of comprehension of her portfolio.
"I have been addressing meetings of concerned beekeepers, one of which was attended by over 100 people in the Hawkes
Bay. The Labour Government was not even prepared to have a representative attend. The beekeepers feel ignored by the
Biosecurity Minister.
"The Biosecurity portfolio is too important to hide from. If Ms Hobbs can't bear facing the public she should be
replaced by someone who can handle the tough questions," Mr Carter said.
Ends