PM Should Back Deputy And Cullen On Sanctity Of Contract

Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton and Finance Minister Michael Cullen have received praise from an unexpected quarter today with ACT saying the pair should be commended for their newfound support and appreciation of the sanctity of contract.

ACT Deputy Leader Ken Shirley said Dr Cullen and Mr Anderton have correctly identified the importance of existing contracts for the continued, sustainable harvest of rimu from managed West Coast forests. He said the pair have not been seduced by the Greens deception to confuse this ongoing sustainable harvest from Westland forests with the transitional rimu overcut in Buller.

An international forestry expert, Ken Shirley believes that having accepted the logic of ongoing sustainable harvest from rimu forests, the Government’s position with regard to beech is untenable. “Beech is a much faster growing species than the rimu podocarp with prolific natural reseeding,” he said.

“The whole value of the West Coast Accord was that a small area of the West Coast (5%) was identified for ongoing sustainable management of both beech and podocarp harvest in perpetuity. The Government has now been foot-tripped by its own rhetoric,” he said.

“Hopefully they will now be able to persuade the Prime Minister of the importance of contract sanctity so that West Coasters can conduct their business and go about their lives without the constant risk of politicians shifting the goal posts,” said Ken Shirley.

“Possibly by now Dr Cullen and Jim Anderton have also had time to reflect on the breach of contract arising from their reneging on the West Coast Accord,” he said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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