Clark missing in action - again

Helen Clark's pattern of evading the big issues has reached a new low, with her decision to snub farmers and avoid the controversial foreshore and seabed hui near Gisborne, says National Party Leader Bill English.

"New Zealand now has a Prime Minister who's opting for photo opportunities rather than addressing the issues which the public care about.

"Helen Clark is trying to distance herself from the Government's sidestep of beaches and seabed ownership, instructing Michael Cullen to ride shotgun at today's hui," Mr English says.

"David Lange would have attended, Norman Kirk would have attended, and Helen Clark would have been the first to attack Jenny Shipley if she didn't show up.

"Adding insult to injury, Helen Clark won't be around to hear the voices of frustrated farmers marching on Parliament to show their opposition to the so called flatulence tax," says Mr English.

"Instead the Prime Minister will be in Auckland visiting two businesses and attending an awards dinner, on the very day when both Maori and the rural community are desperately seeking some leadership.

"Helen Clark can not continue to distance herself from the issues that New Zealanders care about.

"She must resist the temptation to blame officials for her failings and must take some personal responsibility for the policies her Government is implementing," Mr English says.

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