Sutton Confirms Land Access Proposals Racist

Rural Affairs Minister Jim Sutton's admission, that under the Government's land access proposals all Maori-owned land will be exempt under the Treaty of Waitangi, confirms what Kiwis have always suspected: Labour is racist, ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff said today.

"Last night, at a meeting of over 80 farmers in Ashburton, I asked a spokesman for Mr Sutton whether Maori-owned land would be subject to the same 'right to roam' legislation as that of every other property owner," Mr Eckhoff said.

"In response, Mr Sutton's electorate chairperson - reading from notes prepared by the Minister - confirmed that Maori-owned land would have not be open to the public due to the Treaty.

"The Minister's admission confirmed my, and the farmers in attendance's, worst fears. Labour's proposals are nothing short of racist.

"ACT opposes all race-based law, including this half-baked piece of legislation that threatens to steal farmers', and other landowners', property rights.

"I am calling on Mr Sutton to come clean and make public the proposals due to come before Cabinet in December. Not only that, but he should rule out giving Maori-landowners special privileges - no New Zealander, regardless of their race, should be subjected to Labour's land grab," Mr Eckhoff said.

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