Craig Foss MP National Party Horticulture Spokesman

1 August 2007

Action needed, not more talk

National Party Horticulture spokesman Craig Foss, who is attending the HortNZ conference in Christchurch, says Jim Anderton's promise of more discussion on the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme totally misses the point.

"Growers need action and certainty. Today Mr Anderton wasted the opportunity to deliver sensible news of an easier transition period to RSE for growers.

"The horticultural industry has made their needs very clear over a long period of time. They have co-operated, signed up to various programs to eliminate illegal labour, yet the co-operation appears to be a one-way street.

The Immigration Minister has said today he is looking at new options to help with the RSE transition which could work alongside the current laws.

"I know the Minister hasn't been listening up until now. Industry reps told the HortNZ conference that he'd walked out of a meeting when they tried to raise concerns about the RSE.

"For him to now claim that his door is always open is patently laughable.

"National supports the horticulture industry efforts to get the Government to listen to their genuine concerns.

"We want to avoid another Aussie Apple fiasco. Years of talk with no action."

ENDS

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