NZ First ‘proposal’ doesn’t make the grade

National today finally received New Zealand First’s ‘proposal’ on the Trans-Tasman Therapeutic Goods legislation and it fails to make the grade, either with us, or the Australians, says National Party Leader John Key.

“The half-page proposal arrived late this morning. It raises with National considerable concerns that would need to be resolved before it would be acceptable.

“National’s position has been clear since 2003 – it wants to see complementary medicines carved out of the legislation. If that is done, we will support it.

“The New Zealand First proposal has major holes, not least of which is the fact that it leaves open the possibility of shifting a domestic regulatory regime to the joint agency at some unspecified date - presumably without an act of Parliament.

“The Australian High Commissioner today informed me that the New Zealand First proposal would be unacceptable to the Australians as well.

“On that basis, the Winston Peters option was never a live option – and the Labour Government and Annette King must have known that, but decided to play along with it anyway.

“The Labour Government and Annette King have bungled and obfuscated over this whole issue, while National has been consistent.

“National is not going to sign up to legislation like this unless it meets our position – and the New Zealand First proposal falls short.

“What we got today from New Zealand First comes nowhere near resembling a Supplementary Order Paper. Apparently New Zealand First sent its half page to Annette King with the expectation that she would get it drafted into an SOP. But it’s clear that never happened.”

Ends

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