Shane Ardern National Party MP

24 November 2003

Tractor driving MP in court tomorrow

The National Party MP charged with disorderly behaviour after driving a tractor up the steps of Parliament during a protest against the scrapped 'flatulence tax' is due back in court tomorrow.

Taranaki MP Shane Ardern is due to appear in the Wellington District Court for a status hearing at 2:15pm on Tuesday November 25, 2003.

The hearing before a judge, will decide if there is good reason for the charge to progress.

"I'm pleading not guilty. I have been all along and nothing's changed," says Mr Ardern, who is also National's Associate Agriculture and Biosecurity spokesman.

"I was acting on behalf of my rural constituents, who were rightfully complaining that the so called flatulence tax was unacceptable.

"The farming community won that battle and I hope to be able to win mine too," says Mr Ardern.

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