INDEPENDENT NEWS

Ngawha arrests solve nothing

Published: Wed 12 Feb 2003 04:55 PM
Ngawha arrests solve nothing
Green MP Nandor Tanczos today expressed disappointment over heavy-handed tactics to remove protesters at the proposed Ngawha prison.
Fifty police officers and the Fire Service were called in to remove protestors, car wrecks and makeshift housing which blocked the main entrance to the controversial and culturally and geologically inappropriate construction site. Five people were arrested.
"I am concerned by this action. I have written to the Ministers of Corrections and Police to find out who made this appalling decision and on what basis," said Nandor, the Green Justice spokesperson.
A Department of Corrections official, John Hamilton, claimed it would cost the department $98,000 if the main access was not cleared.
"The Department of Corrections has already been criticised by the Law and Order Select Committee for being frugal with the truth. The reality is that poor site selection is the major cause of increased cost.
"They've blown the budget twice over already in their attempts to create a stable building platform.
"The best thing they could do is cut their losses rather than trying to silence local opposition to the prison
"If the department was serious about saving money they would never have chosen this site in the first place."

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media