Labour Land Grab - Eckhoff Rides Again

ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today announced plans to tour the country again - this time to campaign against the Labour Government's proposal to force farmers to open their property to the public.

"I will be visiting rural communities around New Zealand in ACT's campaign bus, urging farmers to fight Labour's Mugabe-style attempt to deny them their fundamental right to say who can and can't be on their property," Mr Eckhoff said.

"The tour will coincide with the Government's consideration of the issue in December. I plan to attend farmers' meetings around the country to observe the disappointment and genuine anger felt by rural communities over Labour's proposal to confiscate their land.

"This is just another poke in the eye for rural New Zealand. It comes hard on the heels of a series of Labour attacks on farmers including ACC levy hikes, higher petrol taxes, the withdrawal of rural services - including policing, and tax increases.

"Instead of listening to the farming community he purports to represent at the Cabinet table, Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton chooses to pander to the recreational lobby in an attempt to maximise the greatest political benefit.

"Let me make this crystal clear: the issue is private property rights - not denying access. ACT applauds, and encourages, farmers allowing the public entry to their property, but landowners must retain their right to stop unfettered access over their land if they choose.

"ACT will stand shoulder to shoulder with farmers against the Government's latest attack on rural communities. Labour cannot be permitted to steal the very rights that are at the foundation of New Zealand as a free, democratic nation," Mr Eckhoff said.

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