NZ's backbone deserves better than being tailbone of political year

Monday 20 Dec 2004

Gerry Eckhoff - Press Releases - Rural

ACT Rural Affairs spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today said rural New Zealand deserved better than to have its future discussed at the tail end of a Cabinet end-of-year wrap-up.

Cabinet is today expected to consider and sign-off on legislation designed to strip farmers of their property rights.

"The Government is once again deploying its delay-and-dump-over-Christmas tactic of announcing unpopular legislation just days before the holiday season.

"It's reprehensible that Jim Sutton, no doubt under strict instructions from Helen Clark and Heather Simpson, has waited until Parliament has risen for Cabinet to possibly announce the final details of its legislation.

"It smacks of political expediency and a contrived attempt to shut down debate on an issue that threatens the livelihood and lifestyle of rural communities throughout New Zealand.

"The timing of Cabinet's consideration highlights Labour's barefaced contempt for heartland New Zealand. Farmers deserve much better than to be merely a footnote at the end of the political year," Mr Eckhoff said.

ENDS

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