Trade Breakthrough a Headache for the Coalition

Thursday 15 Nov 2001 Owen Jennings Press Releases -- Economy

The welcome trade breakthrough in Doha has created another major headache for the Coalition Government, given the opposition to free trade regularly expressed by the Alliance and Green parties, Owen Jennings said today.

"The breakthrough in the trade talks is very welcome news and augers well for the economy, and farmers in particular.

"The problem now is that Labour has a Coalition partner that has expressed opposition to freeing trade. Labour and Aliance are yet again going to be at loggerheads. Labour is reliant on the Green party, who are openly antagonistic toward freeing trade. Perversely, this welcome news is going to create another headache for the Coalition.

"Despite overwhelming evidence that removing trade barriers would help all countries, the far-left parties continue to espouse old fashioned outdated reactions on this issue.

"While National and ACT are staunchly supportive of removing trade barriers and can be relied on to support the Government, voters need to be aware that the present Government comprises parties who want to hold back the NZ economy," Mr Jennings said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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