Te Ururoa Flavell
Maori Party Co-Leader | MP for Waiariki

29th January 2014

Maori Party welcomes inquiry into Forestry safety

Maori Party Co-Leader Te Ururoa Flavell has welcomed the announcement that there will be an industry led inquiry into Forestry safety, but is warning the government as the regulator of work place health and safety should not wash their hands of their responsibilities.

“The forestry sector has the highest number of workplace injury deaths in New Zealand, and that’s unacceptable. The Maori Party have been raising the issue of safety of forestry workers for some time, and have been less than pleased with the responses received from Government to date, who have basically told us they’re doing enough. They’re not,” says Te Ururoa Flavell.

“We are pleased that the industry has picked up this serious issue and will be leading an inquiry into forestry safety.”

"It's important to get people on board who can get next to the workers and the people who can speak to the heart of the issues."

“The Maori Party does not want one more life lost working in the forestry industry. We see that as both an industry and a government responsibility. We look forward to the outcome of the inquiry, and will be watching very carefully to see how we can support and protect the wellbeing of our workers,” says Mr Flavell.

ENDS

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