PM’s Presser (Other Matters)

Brierlies Sealord Stake - Kyoto Agreement - New Zealand Peacekeeper Missing - Activist Court Ruling

BRIERLIES SEALORD STAKE: Miss Clark said the Government’s decision to bar foreign investors from taking a 50 per cent stake in fishing company Sealords was part of “a long stated policy of previous governments” to ensure fishing assets remained in New Zealand hands.

The Government had moved to block foreign companies from buying Brierley’s 50 per cent stake in Sealords, a move criticised by the opposition as “ breach of good faith” and one which would cause a drop in overseas confidence in the New Zealand economy.

KYOTO AGREEMENT: On environment matters, Energy Minister Pete Hogson would head a think tank of Ministers to see how New Zealand could reduce global warming gas emmissions. The move was part of the Government’s commitment to ratify the international Kyoto Agreement on Global warming by 2002. The move would see gas emissions kept at 1990 levels by 2008.

NEW ZEALAND PEACEKEEPER MISSING: The Prime Minister has said the Government was concerned with reports of New Zealander working for the UN Nations as a Peacekeeper believed to be missing overseas.

ACTIVIST COURT RULING: The Prime Minister said the Government would not make an inquiry into the police house search of a Christchurch university lecturer.

A district court judge today granted David Small $20,000 in compensation for an “unreasonable search” of his house.

Mr. Small caught an SIS agent burgling his activist friend Aziz Choudry's house. Later his house was searched by police. Mr Small has alleged the two incidents were linked and is unhappy with the judges ruling that the police ruling was an “honest mistake.”

Mr Small says the $20,000 compensation is not enough for the amount of time he spent getting police to admit they were wrong.. He now says he wants an apology and an independent inquiry for what is a lot worse than an "honest mistake".

In response Miss Clark said Mr Choudry should take the matter to the Police Complaints Authority first.

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