Hon David Carter MP
National Party Agriculture Spokesman

15 June 2005

Jim Sutton lost on land access

National Party Agriculture spokesman David Carter says Jim Sutton is having so much trouble with Labour's land access proposals that the bill he promised to introduce to Parliament before the election isn't even drafted yet.

"Not only do a number of government departments disagree with the motives for the land access land grab, but so do a number of his colleagues, most notably the Maori caucus.

"Mr Sutton should table it now, but clearly he will stall for time. He is frightened by the prospect of a backlash from New Zealanders, both rural and urban, and in particular, Maori.

"If re-elected, Labour will slip this back on the table, like so many unpopular issues they are burying until after the election - like the extension of legal aid to claimants under the Foreshore and Seabed Act.

"More New Zealanders are waking up to the fact that Labour can't be trusted to deal with issues openly and honestly.

"National opposes the land access legislation," says Mr Carter.

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