Hon David Carter MP
National Party Agriculture Spokesman
20 February 2006

Labour’s rush on Kyoto is economic lunacy

Labour’s headlong rush to ratify Kyoto without a blind clue as to how New Zealand would meet its commitments has to be the greatest act of economic lunacy this country’s ever seen, says National’s Agriculture spokesman David Carter.

He was commenting on the Crown accounts for the six months to December, which show the impact of the Kyoto Protocol liability is $562 million.

“Although the liability is now recorded at $562 million, past estimates have been way off beam and none of these numbers can be relied on with any confidence.

“However, what we do know is that this is shaping up to be a huge liability for every man, woman and child in New Zealand.

“After first selling Kyoto on the basis that New Zealand would be in a credit position in the first commitment, Labour must now admit New Zealand is in a serious debit position.

“Questions need to be asked of the motives of Helen Clark in her rush to ratify Kyoto in the first place.

“Was it more to do with her next international career move, rather than what she argued was best for New Zealand?”

ENDS

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