Tony Ryall National Commerce Spokesperson

24 January 2002

CLARK'S LOOSE LIPS AT IT AGAIN

National's Commerce spokesman Tony Ryall has reinforced calls today made by a number of the country's top business leaders questioning Helen Clark's flippant remarks over the resignation of Fonterra director Mike Smith "The Prime Minister's loose lips have been at it again," he added. "Her ill-informed comments suggesting Mike Smith "threw in the towel" show just how little she knows about business. Mr Ryall says business luminaries such as Doug Myers, Rod Deane and John Palmer have all expressed a high opinion of Mr Smith's commercial ability, highlighting the Prime Minister's commercial naivety and lack of business acumen.

"Helen Clark cost New Zealanders hundreds of millions of dollars with her dithering over what to do - and stupid comments - about Air New Zealand. Now she has been at it again - clearly showing that she just doesn't understand how business works," Mr Ryall concluded.

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