Sutton plans private property impingement

“A Government proposal to open up farm access to the public is a serious erosion of private property rights,” says National’s Agriculture spokesman, David Carter.

Details of the proposal, which could see private land opened up to enable public access to and along waterways, have been leaked to the media.

The leaked documents indicate the Government is acting against the advice of officials.

“This is nothing but a retrospective land-grab of private property,” says Mr Carter.

“Farmers need certainty over land access and must have the right to control who can access their land and under what circumstances.

“Jim Sutton should come clean and tell us what his proposal entails rather than leaking select details to test the water while the rest of the country is busy watching the Olympics.

“Making private land more available for public access leaves farmers vulnerable to vandalism and theft and puts their livestock in danger.

“If urban property rights were subject to the same proposal there would be a huge public outcry.

“I suspect Helen Clark wouldn’t be too happy if farmers began picnicking on her front lawn in Mt Albert.

“The next National Government will repeal any legislation that significantly impinges on private property rights,” says Mr Carter.

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