Rt Hon Jenny Shipley
Leader of the Opposition
Tuesday 12 September 2000
Shipley meets Sutton over trade deal
Opposition Leader Jenny Shipley this evening had a long-arranged meeting with Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton
over the proposed free trade agreement with Singapore.
"I made clear National's position which is this: the minority Government has a problem with its junior coalition partner
which opposes this treaty and we do not want to be embroiled in that problem.
"I put to the Minister a proposal which I believe offers a way for the Government to resolve this issue.
"As it is a genuine offer, I don't plan to discuss it through the media.
"I expect to take up the offer with the Prime Minister in due course to see that we find a way forward which is in New
Zealand's best interests, Mrs Shipley said.
Ends