David Carter
Opposition Tourism Spokesman

26 June 2000

Helen's control freak behaviour must stop

"The Prime Minister's attacks on the Tourism Board are a sign that her 'Government Knows Best' approach knows no bounds," National's Tourism spokesman David Carter said today.

Miss Clark has roundly condemned the Board's handling of the America's Cup, and has announced she will set up a new body called "New Zealand Inc" to handle the next challenge.

"Once again Helen Clark has decided she knows how to do things better than the professionals appointed to do the job. Mark my words, the people who will be appointed to this 'New Zealand Inc' will be Labour party lackeys, hand-reared to do Miss Clark's every bidding.

"The Tourism Board has, without her help, managed to set new records in visitor numbers in the past year. She may find her meddling ways damage that performance. That is too big a risk to take.

"Helen Clark is not a TV programmer, she is not a Museum Designer and she is not a Tourism Guru. She should stick to doing what she does best, whatever that may be.

"Last week Miss Clark told a select committee her discussions with the head of the NZSO included debate on how many musicians the orchestra should have. Does her sense of infallibility know no bounds.

"Her latest assumption of absolute power over the Tourism Board is both disturbing and dangerous. It also highlights a complete about-face from last year when she hurled accusations of meddling at then-Minister of Tourism Murray McCully. I have three words for Helen Clark on that one; Pot, Kettle, Black.

"People might eventually forgive Helen Clark if she mucks up the programmes on TV One. But if she mucks up the 4.3 billion dollar a year tourism industry she will never be forgiven," David Carter said.

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