Farmers Vent Anger At Government

Monday 25 Aug 2003 Gerry Eckhoff Press Releases -- Rural -- ACT Rural Website

ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today described Invercargill's weekend outpouring of anger, against the Labour Government's proposed Flatulence Tax, as unprecedented.

"Local Labour MP Mark Peck was jeered and booed, and finally gave up speaking when a crowd of over 1,500 vented their frustration at the Government's discriminatory tax on farmers," Mr Eckhoff said.

"Not since the late 1970s - when farmers cut the throats of old ewes in Invercargill's main streets - has the South witnessed such anger.

"Opposition MPs, however, were warmly received, in stark contrast to the Labour Government's only apologist MP Mark Peck. He will have to make up his mind who he represents - the Labour Caucus or the people of Invercargill.

"My message to rural New Zealand is to keep fighting this ludicrous tax. Labour cannot continue ignoring the farmers' anger - if they do, they do so at their own peril.

"The end result may well see Mr Peck visiting the local WINZ office checking out new job opportunities after the next election," Mr Eckhoff said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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