Copeland applauds 'softening' Govt border position

United Future's customs spokesman, Gordon Copeland, today welcomed the Government's decision to review how the cost of providing passenger clearance services at New Zealand's international airports is funded.

Mr Copeland applauded Finance Minister Michael Cullen's decision to consult key stakeholders on the funding of existing passenger service services and new, extended security services. However, he reiterated the United Future position that border protection is a State obligation.

"Protecting our borders and our citizens clearly serves the public good which falls under the responsibility of government."

Mr Copeland hopes that the Government will remain faithful to this principle and will reconsider the proposed cost recovery charges the Government is forcing upon importers and exporters, as in the Border Security Bill currently before Parliament.

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>