Pike River and the new Prime Minister

7 December 2016

Pike River family members will be at Parliament on Tuesday to take a new plan for the mine’s ownership, and re-entry of the two kilometer drift, to the new Prime Minister.

Anna Osborne, whose husband Milton died in the mine disaster, says “Now that work to seal the mine has been stopped by protest action, it’s time for the new Prime Minister to deal with us in good faith so we can get into the drift to retrieve our loved ones and any evidence of what caused this disaster.

“Many experts have told us it is safe to enter the drift. Many experienced mines rescue workers have volunteered to do it. And right now, with the type “c” seal in place, it’s easier to make a safe entry than ever before.

“John Key may be gone, but the promise he made as Prime Minister stands, and on Tuesday we’ll be making it clear that we expect whoever takes his place to make good on that promise.

“Permanently sealing the mine now is just so wrong.”

The families currently have experts working on a new plan to manage the legal and technical problems with re-entry to the drift and will make it public at Parliament on Tuesday.

ENDS

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