Will Jim Sutton Reverse Bad Forestry Decisions?

Thursday 15 Aug 2002 Ken Shirley, Acting Leader Press Releases -- Governance & Constitution

Acting ACT New Zealand Leader Ken Shirley today welcomed the reinstatement of Jim Sutton as the Minister of Forestry.

"Jim Sutton is well-respected and has a deep knowledge and personal experience with forestry. In 1990 I was pleased to work alongside him as Associate Minister of Forestry.

"The real challenge for Jim Sutton will be whether he is now prepared to reverse the appalling decisions made by Pete Hodgson when the Labour Government reneged on the West Coast Accord and closed down the sustainable management of indigenous forestry on Crown land.

"Jim Sutton resigned as Opposition Spokesperson for Forestry in 1999 over this issue and the challenge now confronting him will be to convince his Cabinet colleagues and Caucus to accept that the sustainable management of indigenous forests, whether in Crown or private ownership, is beneficial to both the economy and the environment.

"In the last parliament, Labour were in a populist bidding war with the Greens on this issue, but now common sense can prevail.

"Will Jim Sutton have the courage to stand by his long held convictions, or will he meekly accept the nonsense and political rhetoric of his colleagues?" Mr Shirley said.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

© Scoop Media