ACT MPs fought the Government “right to the last” on the passage of the Forest (West Coast) Accord Bill through Parliament last night, ACT Deputy Leader and Forestry spokesman Ken Shirley said.

“This is one of the most immoral and unjust pieces of legislation I have ever seen and confirms this Coalition Government’s high handed, arrogance” Mr Shirley said.

“The West Coast, once the home of the Labour party, has been sacrificed for the thoughtless, shallow green vote of suburban Auckland. The Government has turned its back on good science and opted for blatant populist political grandstanding” he said.

ACT MPs Ken Shirley, Owen Jennings Gerry Eckhoff and Rodney Hide proposed amendments to try and remove some of the worst excesses of the Act including the clause that “cynically and devastatingly” removed the right of, major timber supplier, WestCo Lagan to obtain compensation.

“The passing of this Bill is a sad day for the West Coast but ACT New Zealand is determined to reverse this legislation and ensure that the West Coast resources can once more be sustainably managed to create jobs and secure the economic future for all Coasters,” Mr Shirley said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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