David Carter MP National Party Agriculture Spokesman

29 June 2005

Land access move a 'desperate delaying tactic'

National Party Agriculture spokesman David Carter says "Labour's retreat on its land access proposals are a clear sign that we're all now the playthings for a desperate, decaying and directionless Government.

"If Labour and Jim Sutton had the courage of their convictions they would have been brave enough to make this an election issue. A jellyfish has more spine," says Mr Carter, commenting on the decision not to push land access legislation before the election.

"But how stupid does Jim Sutton think we all are?

"Labour has only sidelined this issue for the time being. Farmers can expect it'll be back on the agenda if Helen Clark's anti-farmer gang get back into Government.

"A Budget allocation of $2 million a year for the next three years to advance the law is still there.

"Labour is clearly planning to resuscitate this issue at a more convenient time, given that Helen Clark has made it very clear that she favours this land access land grab.

"National won't have a bar of it.

"No farmer in the country now trusts Labour, which is getting further and further out of touch with our rural communities.

"To call people's genuine concerns 'selfish' as Mr Sutton has, is typical of the arrogant attitude Labour takes to rural issues.

"It's the fart tax all over again and more evidence of Labour's poll-driven, directionless drift," says Mr Carter.

ENDS

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