Scoop News: Brownlee Emotive Over Demolition Comments - Goff

Scoop News: Brownlee Emotive Over Demolition Comments - Goff

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Report - By Lyndon Hood and the Scoop Team.

Labour leader Phil Goff said Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee's comments on demolishing buildings were emotive and ill-advised and said he was sure Brownlee was reconsidering his postion on Christchurch's heritage buildings.

Brownlee had earlier said all but a handful of heritage buildings will be demolished.

Goff described Brownlee's talk of "killer buildings" as "highly emotive" and noted most deaths did not occur in heritage buildings. He said there should be calm and considered action that considers the stakeholders in Christchurch, rather than the National-led Government making unilateral decisions, despite the great powers given to the Minister by Parliament.

Also at his Monday afternoon press conference, Goff commented that a national commemoration for the Christchurch earthquake should not include a national day off from work. Goff's favoured plan however would see employees and students able to have time off for the service.

On other issues, Goff said he was "very pleased" with Labour's result in the Botany by-elections, which the National candidate won with a lowered majority. He also opposed the "intensely devisive" foreshore and seabed bill being reintroduced to Parliament this week.

Mr Goff answered other questions on the Government response in Christchurch, including Labour MPs' role in promoting the plight of the Eastern suburbs. He also discussed the affordability of Labour's economic policies and tax changes (and the Government's) in present conditions, and the Prime Minister's apparent advocacy prior to the Reserve Bank's OCR announcement.

Full audio of the press conference below:

• Scoop Audio: - Phil Goff press conference, 7/3/11 (mp3)

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