27 August 2002
Speech Ignores Heart Of The Economy
While the Government's Speech from the Throne waxed lyrical about the need for lifting our sustainable rate of growth,
agriculture didn't rate a mention, says National's Agriculture spokesman, David Carter
"The last three years have given the Government a dream run, and the reason for this has been the buoyancy and strength
of the agricultural sector.
"But dark clouds are gathering. The dairy industry is already signalling $1.6 billion less in the New Zealand economy
next year.
"Farmers are becoming increasingly concerned about the costs of doing business and the Government's doing nothing to
allay these fears. Its headlong rush into ratifying the Kyoto Protocol is yet another hurdle that farmers will have to
face," says David Carter.
Ends