NZ First say 'Greens are a bunch of political opportunists' and Labour
needs to 'pull their finger out'
http://www.portfocus.co.nz/news.php?cat_name=nz&s=382

Thursday, 15th January, 2004

Peter Brown, Transport spokesperson and Deputy Leader of NZ First, has used an exclusive interview with Port Focus to launch a tirade against the Greens call for reinstatement of Cabotage. Brown however reserve special wrath for the Labour party who is said needs to "Pull their finger out of their Arse" and save the New Zealand shipping industry from economic extinction.

NZ Firsts deputy leader expressed his exasperation at the fact that at every opportunity over the last two years, he has tried to get the house to protect New Zealand's shipping industry yet he has had no support whatsoever from the Green Party. Despite this, Brown conceded it was good to see the Greens get on the back on the Labour Government over the state of the New Zealand shipping industry.

"New Zealand is an Island Nation totally dependant on imports and exports. it is about time NZ had a vibrant shipping industry". Peter Brown said that NZ First has always been an ardent support of New Zealanders operating New Zealand costal shipping. As an example of such support, Brown cites the work his party did as a coalition partner in the 1999 governments' shipping review. The transport spokesperson for NZ First went on to say that cabotage would be better than the current status quo but a tonnage tax on foreign ships would be an even better system as the market would be more level with foreign ships having to pay their share of ACC levys and the like.

ENDS

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