National Party supports paying more for petrol

High petrol prices are the result of the Iraq war, Progressive MP Matt Robson says.

He says high petrol prices underline the folly of the National Party defence spokesperson’s announcement that he would send NZ troops wherever the US or Australia went to war.

“Not only is it an abdication of New Zealand sovereignty, and a reckless endangerment of service-people’s lives, it also has the dismal domestic effect of supporting higher petrol prices.”

National’s defence spokesperson announced he would send New Zealand troops to any combat the US or Australia were involved in. He has since confirmed his personal position is to allow decisions on deployment of New Zealand troops —and even the declaration of war – to be made by other countries.

But Matt Robson says everyone who supported the Iraq war effectively supports paying more than $1.20 a litre for gas.

“The war in the Gulf is primarily responsible for the oil price hikes that have increased petrol prices here. Ordinary families struggling to fill the tank are paying the price, because neither the oil cartel nor the big oil companies need much of an excuse to jack up prices at the pump.

“Our own interests and economic welfare are not the sole – or even major – reason to oppose war, but they are yet another log on the war’s bonfire,” Matt Robson said.

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