Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

National Party Biosecurity Spokesman

Shane Ardern MP - National Party Biosecurity Spokesman

18 March 2005

Redback Incursion Shows Labour’s Slackness

The discovery of live Redback spiders in an imported car from Australia shows yet again Labour’s slack stance on biosecurity issues, says National’s Biosecurity spokesman, Shane Ardern.

He is commenting on reports that a large quantity of Redbacks were found in a car in an Auckland auto yard after it had already passed through MAF quarantine.

“The biggest threat to our economy is a biosecurity incursion, yet still we are not adequately protecting our borders,” says Mr Ardern.

“Imported vehicles pose a high risk and priority should be given to ensuring they are pest-free before they leave the quarantine area.

“Vehicle checking procedures are deplorable and Labour must be able to guarantee that vehicles do not carry anything that could endanger our ecosystem or primary products.

“Also unacceptable is the delay in responding to the emergency discovery. Passing the blame onto contractors is not good enough; the responsibility lies with MAF.

“Why does Labour continue to allow incursions to freely enter our shores and gamble on New Zealand’s future?

“National understands that biosecurity is a major issue and will give it the priority it deserves,” says Mr Ardern.

ENDS


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.