David
CUNLIFFE
Labour Leader
25 September 2013 MEDIA STATEMENT
Was MPI also gagged over Ruataniwha concerns?
The Department of Conservation was not the only agency to have its concerns about the Ruataniwha Dam silenced by the
Government – it appears the Ministry for Primary Industries was also gagged, Labour Leader David Cunliffe says.
“Leaked briefing notes (attached) reveal DOC consulted its colleagues at MPI over the construction of the irrigation dam
in the Tukituki Catchment.
“MPI advised it had ‘similar concerns’ and intended to lodge a submission. Those concerns included the adequacy of the
phosphorous management, lack of definition of industry best practice, the use of a nutrient management system called
OVERSEER and concerns about the economics of the dam.
“However, these concerns were considerably watered down in MPI’s final submission and the Ministry did a 180 degree turn on the economic impacts. The draft said the dam would be negative, the final
submission said it would be positive. Why the change?
“MPI’s change adds further murk to the DOC interference scandal already engulfing endangered Minister Nick Smith.
“It’s time the Prime Minister stepped in and brought his renegade minister back into line and gave the public some
honest answers,” David Cunliffe says.
ENDS