Campaign Blog: 23 October

There were two distinct parts to my visit to New Plymouth yesterday.

In the morning I visited an Irish-designed dairy facility called "Supershed" in rural Taranaki. It's an impressive state-of-the-art milking facility that includes a viewing theatre so people can watch the cows being milked.

They even have video cameras (and a webcam) to monitor the milking operation.

I spoke to a group of more than 80 people there about National's vision for New Zealand, including issues of particular concern to farming communities like the emissions trading scheme.

I told the group that while we must play our part in the fight against climate change, we shouldn't be the world leader, because that will come at the expense of our economy.

That's why we will amend Labour's emissions trading scheme so that we balance our environmental responsibilities with our economic opportunities.

It's a simple principle, but an important one. I see no sense in New Zealand exporting emissions - and jobs - to another part of the world.

But at the same time, we must play our part and that's why National supports a sensibly-designed ETS.

After the visit, I travelled to the grounds outside the New Plymouth courts to announce National's policy on parole, bail, and sentencing.

Features of our plans include a much tougher approach to home detention, bail, and sentencing for particularly horrific murders and crimes of violence, abuse, and neglect, against children.

These policies are driven by one concern over all others - the need to put public safety first.

Today I'm on the campaign trail in the Hawkes Bay.

John Key

John Key

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