Project Aqua Shows Government All Wet

Monday 29 Mar 2004 Ken Shirley Press Releases -- Energy

Having spent the past six months telling us that Project Aqua is essential, it is clear that Labour has done another U-turn in reaction to adverse publicity, and in fear that this would turn into another `Save Manapouri' campaign, ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader Ken Shirley said today.

"For political reason, and as shareholding Ministers, Labour has clearly directed Meridian Energy to drop Project Aqua, after investing millions already," Mr Shirley said.

"What the Labour Government will now need to tell the country is where the power will come from. We have an energy demand of more than 200 megawatts a year, and Project Aqua's 450 megawatts would only have been three years of increased demand.

"The fact that Project Aqua would not have come on-stream until 2008 means that the looming energy crisis is that much worse.

"The Government's appalling attempt at fast-track the project - akin to the National Development Act - was an affront to democracy, and it is interesting to note that even Meridian opposed Labour's proposed legislation.

"It is clear that this is a Government in total disarray, which has been panicked into directing its State-owned Enterprise to drop this project," Mr Shirley 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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