Jacqui Dean MP
National Party
Associate Environment/RMA Spokeswoman

07 December 2006

Labour pays lip service to water quality

Labour is simply standing by as New Zealand’s water quality goes down the drain, says National’s Associate Environment/RMA spokeswoman, Jacqui Dean.

A recent report by the Ministry of the Environment shows a further deterioration in rivers, which are already polluted by nutrient run-off.

“Water is this country’s largest and most valuable resource, to which Labour is only paying lip service.

“Instead of funding something tangible to remedy the poor state of rivers, the Environment Minister is wasting money on a fluffy advertising campaign.

“How does the ad campaign ‘New Zealand, a Valuable Body of Water’, which shows fully clothed people standing in pristine bodies of water, improve water quality?

“Half a million dollars has been spent on a website that contains thought-provoking gems such as: ‘fresh water can be found in two places: under ground and above ground, surface water includes things such as lakes and river,’ and ‘water availability problems occur when water demand outstrips supply’.

“Surely it’s time Labour stopped standing idly by and did something concrete to improve our waterways.”

ENDS

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