Fiji Dominates PM's post-cabinet press conference

Monday, 18 June 2007, 5:25 pm
Article: Kevin List

The ongoing fallout from the expulsion of New Zealand's High Commissioner to Fiji, Michael Green dominated todays' post-cabinet press conference.

The PM was adamant that there would be further measures taken against Fiji for the way Mr Green had been treated.

"A fellow NZ citizen has been treated in a ridiculous and horrible way," was the Prime Minister's response to whether NZ tourists should still be going to Fiji for some mid-winter fun and sun.

The PM considered that New Zealanders travelling to Fiji should be mindful lest resentment currently directed at the NZ Govt should spill over into a more general anti-Kiwi sentiment.

The timetable the PM gave for further action against the current regime in Fiji was still a week or so away. Officials would be briefing the PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters later in the week – the PM then pointed out she would be discussing further action with Mr Peters over the weekend. Details of any further action against Fiji would probably be taken to Cabinet next Monday for a final sign-off.

One area the Prime Minister suggested she would be re-visiting was the ongoing use of Fijian soldiers by the United Nations. The PM considered it was inappropriate of the United Nations to be hiring Fijian soldiers when the Fijian military had overthrown a democratically elected Govt. On the plus side for NZ our nearest and largest neighbour Australia was totally behind NZ in regard to the ongoing spat and NZ had also receieved support from around the world according to the PM.

The PM also pointed out that the Govt was 100% behind Mr Green and pointed out that no valid reason had been given for his expulsion.

In the PM's opionion the expulsion of Mr Green showed that NZ's earlier response to the Fijian coup showed that it was causing Commodore Frank Bainimarama trouble. The PM pointed out that Fiji's military leaders were unable to visit family and friends in NZ because of the visa ban, Fiji's economy was crumbling and aid was now bypassing the Fijian Govt and being channelled through NGO's.

PM takes Dig At Ryall over Trans Tasman Therapeutic Products Legislation

While the topic of Fiji took up the bulk of the press conference the PM also took the time to point out that in her oopinion National's position on whether to sign up to the Trans Tasman Therapeutic Products Bill was being driven by their health Spokesperson Tony Ryall. The PM considered Mr Ryall was dictating National Party policy and, in her opinion, Mr Ryall did not want to consider any potential amendments to the contentious legislation.

Capital gains tax not considered by PM

In recent days the Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard has floated the idea of a capital gains tax in a bid to curb inflation.

The PM pointed out she had never considered a capital gains tax but would not be drawn on any issues surrounding the Reserve Bank pointing out her own statutory seperation from the affairs of the Bank.

ENDS

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