The Labour/Alliance/Alliance Government has been too quick rejecting the Business New Zealand alternative to an early signing of the Kyoto agreements, ACT Rural Affairs Spokesman MP Owen Jennings said today.

"Farmers and businesses likely to be affected by the Government's ideological and precipitous rush to sign the Kyoto agreement will be disappointed that a serious and substantial alternative developed by Business New Zealand was given such a casual dismissal by Dr Pete Hodgson.

"If the Coalition Government has any sincerity in its claim to be business friendly, it must thoroughly investigate Business New Zealand's alternative.

"The case put up by the business community involves linking into a position initiated by the USA and strongly supported by Canada and Australia, so it is robust and worthy of investigation.

"Pete Hodgson's off-hand attitude belies the real reason for the Government's arrogance and determination to proceed: it wants international acclaim and headlines. Regrettably they are chasing this shallow goal at the expense of New Zealand business," Mr Jennings said.

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