Parallel importing ban would turn back the clock

National is attacking a proposal to ban parallel importing, saying it will take away New Zealanders’ freedom of choice to buy what they want.

“The introduction of legislation into Parliament calling for a ban on the parallel importing of certain products is an example of the type of regulation not seen in decades. It’s turning back the clock,” says National’s Tony Ryall and Katherine Rich.

“This is an obvious case of the Government bowing to pressure from certain lobbyists in the creative industry. They’ve clearly been working on Judith Tizard and she’s caved in.

“National is totally opposed to protectionist measures which give some in the creative community a special privilege at the cost of consumers.

“What the Government should, in fact, be doing is putting in place measures to ensure the protection of intellectual property, not shutting out choice for consumers,” says Mr Ryall and Mrs Rich.

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