John Key MP
National Party Leader

23 March 2007

Clark tries to deflect from trade failure

Helen Clark’s attack on National shows she is desperate to deflect attention from her failure to advance a free trade agreement with the US despite having more than seven years to do so, says National Party Leader John Key.

“When she arrives home after meeting George W Bush, Helen Clark will have the T-shirt but no FTA.

“I raised the issue of the lack of progress in the trade agenda with the US both before and during her visit, and I would do so again in a flash if it meant advancing New Zealand’s interests.

“The convention she cites does not exist.

“If there was a convention, then Helen Clark would have been in breach of it a number of times while in Opposition (see attached Labour Party press releases).

“It just shows the arrogance of Helen Clark that she thinks New Zealand and herself are the same thing.

“Helen Clark has failed to deliver on an FTA and she does have to take responsibility for that.

“She may want to silence the parents of New Zealand by railroading the anti-smacking bill through Parliament under urgency next week, but she won’t be silencing me.”

ENDS

See... Clark 1995, 1998 Statements on Foreign Affairs (PDF)

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