Minister Swain Is No Lord Nelson!

New Zealand First has accused the Transport Minister of being deliberately blind to the plight of the New Zealand shipping industry which is slowly bleeding to death under the Labour Government.

Deputy Leader, Peter Brown was commenting on the fact that Pacifica Shipping has just announced it is going to make 14 percent of its total staff redundant, with the likely scenario that more could follow.

“Paul Swain is acting like Lord Nelson, but closing both eyes, and missing the obvious signs that the local industry is in serious trouble.

“For an island nation, so dependent on shipping to bring its imports and exports, it is an absolute disgrace that even our coastal shipping cannot survive against foreign subsidized shipping.

“I understand Pacifica’s plight. They are not operating on a level playing field and it is about time Minister Swain and this Government recognized that and addressed the issue.

“Some years ago this Government initiated a shipping industry review where the problems were well identified and solutions recommended.

“Minister Swain is no Lord Nelson, so it is about time he took off his eye patches and did something positive for our shipping industry,” said Mr Brown.

If he needs any advice on how to promote the New Zealand shipping industry, as a Master Mariner I am only too willing to assist him,” Mr Brown concluded “and I don’t wear eye patches,” he added!

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