Hon David Carter
National Party Agriculture Spokesman

08 December 2006

Public Access costs keep climbing

National's Agriculture spokesman, David Carter, says Labour's unpopular plan to take away private property rights for public walkways continues to hit taxpayers in the pocket.

"So far Labour has spent $205,400 of taxpayer money on its Walking Access Consultation Panel, as it continues to push Helen Clark's own agenda."

"Latest figures show that the nine panellists' have been paid $145,400 to find a sneaky way of delivering the Prime Minister's demands.

"Travel costs and hotel expenses for the panellists add a further $60,000 to this gravy train.

"It's time Labour stopped wasting money and closed the gate on this 'Government knows best' proposal, of opening up privately owned rural land to public access."

ENDS

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