3 February 2012

Green Party comment on NZ inc China strategy and Crafar farms judicial review

The Key Government appears willing to sacrifice New Zealand’s productive farmland and infrastructure in order to facilitate the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (MFAT) China strategy, Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today.

“Approving the sale of the Crafar farms to Chinese company Shanghai Pengxin makes no economic sense,” said Dr Norman.

“Evidence before the High Court in Wellington today that Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson signed off on the Crafar farms due to Shanghai Pengxin’s commitments to walking access, rather than any tangible economic benefit to New Zealand, show the Government wanted this deal to go smoothly at all costs.

“The Key Government is now aiming to sell more of New Zealand’s infrastructure offshore with its emphasis on attaining Chinese direct investment in New Zealand’s infrastructure as outlined in the China strategy.

“New Zealand’s experience of selling off most of our banking industry in the 80s and 90s to Australia should have been seen as a warning to this Government.

“Instead the Key Government seems intent on getting rid of our productive farmland, and our nationally important infrastructure, to the highest bidders from overseas – regardless of the cost to our economy and sovereignty.”

Media note: Dr Norman will be attending some the afternoon session of the judicial review of the Crafar farms decision at the High Court in Wellington (behind the Supreme Court).

ENDS

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