John Carter - National Party Civil Defence Spokesman

19 April 2005

Will Hawkins deliver on Civil Defence?

National’s Civil Defence spokesman, John Carter, says he is pleased the Government has finally recognised the need to better educate New Zealanders on Civil Defence issues.

He is commenting on an announcement by Civil Defence Minister George Hawkins that the Government will spend an extra $21.5 million on Civil Defence issues, particularly education, over the next five years.

“The sentiment is right, but I am deeply concerned about the ability of Helen Clark’s Labour Governmnet to deliver on this, particularly via this Minister, who has stuffed the police, had leaky buildings falling down around people’s ears, and overseen the loss of faith in the 111 system.

“And now he’s asking to be trusted with your Civil Defence emergency.

“The guy is a Civil Defence emergency on his own – an unnatural disaster that has already happened,” Mr Carter says.

ENDS

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