Labour Panics Over Land Access Issue

The Labour Government is clearly panicking over the public response to the access issue, ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff said today.

"A paltry 180 submissions clearly indicates that the New Zealand public doesn't believe in Rural Affairs Minister Jim Sutton's beat up over what he perceives as a lack of access opportunities for the public.

"Clearly New Zealanders respect the private property rights of their fellow countrymen - even if Mr Sutton doesn't.

"ACT has said all along, despite the odd occasion where access is denied, there is really no problem with the status quo. If access to the environment is needed, all the Government has to do is open up the DOC estate and negotiate access with private landowners where and when necessary.

"It appears even simple solutions are too difficult for the Minister to understand," Mr Eckhoff said.

© Scoop Media