3 December 2015

More MoBIE money for sheep – this time $2.6m

Officials have been unable to rule out spending a further $2.6m earmarked for the Saudi sheep farm this year, Labour’s Trade and Export Growth spokesperson David Clark says.

“MoBIE’s annual review shows $2.6m for the Saudi Arabia ‘agri-business hub’ has been carried over to be spent this year. This is despite most of the 900 sheep dying, an Auditor-General inquiry into the scandal and the Gulf State free trade agreement being taken off the table.

“Murray McCully must rule out this additional spending on the failed sheep farm, especially given it has failed its sole purpose – to buy off a disgruntled Saudi businessman and secure a free trade deal.

“New Zealanders have been appalled at the blatant ‘sheep for trade deal’, which has damaged our international reputation.

“It is outrageous that today Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment officials could not explain what the money is to be spent on. It shows no one knows what is going on.

“MoBIE has spent more than enough money on inanimate sheep this year. This $2.6m should go back to taxpayers immediately,” says David Clark.

ends