Gerry In The House
Column From Gerry Brownlee MP
27 May 2005
The Greens walk the plank
The Green Party this week announced their core plank for the election campaign - energy. Because the election campaign
begins in earnest over the next few months, and because the Greens pitch themselves as Labour's coalition partner, the
consequences of this policy need to be seriously considered.
One of the 'highlights' of the policy is the installation of 500,000 solar water heating panels in homes. Apart from the
time it would take to build and install that many units, I just wonder what the uptake might be. And even with the
savings in energy consumption, we will still be facing an electricity crisis in just few years' time.
We need an increase in electricity generation, and we need it now.
The Greens talk a lot about sustainable energy, but you have to question just how serious they are about keeping New
Zealand going, when in the past decade they have opposed every new hydro generation plan that has come up for
discussion. When you get down to it, most major public buildings have a high level of energy efficiency. There are many
things that can be done to bring down energy consumption. But you still can't deny the facts - we need more energy.
This Green Party policy should set alarm bells ringing in businesses and homes as the Greens look set to make this
policy key to coalition negotiations with Labour.
Tax package
You can expect to see National's tax package announced in the next few weeks. This will be significantly better than
anything offered by Labour in the Budget. It will be much more growth-focused and will give hard-working New Zealanders
something back for their efforts. Panic attacks galore
One of the big political stories of the week was the announcement that New Zealand's WTO Ambassador and Chair of the
Agricultural Negotiations in Geneva, Tim Groser, is to stand as a list candidate for National at the election. This
caused panic attacks throughout the Beehive.
Tim is an outstanding New Zealander, and will bring a huge range of skills to the National team. Both Helen Clark and
Jim Sutton, Minister for Trade Negotiations, came out all guns blazing on Monday, and put petty party politics ahead of
the national interest by saying Tim should step down from his roles. Tim, of course, has stepped down as Ambassador,
which he had to do by law, but his negotiating role at the WTO is not a political one.
The trade talks are worth billions of dollars to the New Zealand economy, and the work of the Agricultural Committee is
at the heart of the negotiations and the entire Doha trade round of talks. The attempt to undermine him risk serious
damage to our economic interests and our international reputation in world trade affairs.
Jim Sutton is looking particularly red-faced over this incident, because only a few weeks ago he couldn't praise Tim
enough. By Monday, it seemed, he would have done anything to be rid of him, even labelling his intention to serve the
people of New Zealand in a different way as a betrayal.
Thankfully, Helen Clark and Jim Sutton have come to their senses, backed down, and are allowing Tim to stay in his
negotiating role till a crucial meeting on the Doha round in July. Election rumour mill goes into overdrive
It's pretty much anyone's guess when the election is going to be, but this week NZ Press Association told us that their
sources in the Beehive had told them it would be on 30 July.
This is an interesting prospect, because there is no reason to go that early. Labour are obviously starting to panic
about the prospect of an economic downturn and the prospect of rising interest rates. They are also acutely aware that
the Government has been looking increasingly shaky in recent months, following a number of crises and scandals.
She has always maintained that she intended her Government to go full term. 30 July is three years and three days after
the last election, so she can argue that technically the election is not early. What this argument does not take into
account is that the last election was early and elections are traditionally held in November.
This latest rumour may just be someone in the Beehive having fun with someone in the media, or it maybe the Prime
Minister's way of leaking the story so that when 30 July is announced it will be no surprise.
You can be assured that whatever the date is, National will be ready.
And finally...
... all the best to the Crusaders for the big game at Jade Stadium tomorrow night.
Gerry Brownlee
http://www.national.org.nz/