Wednesday, 04 March 2020 13:21

Freshwater battle

Written by Milking It

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Was agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor warned about the risks posed by the Government’s freshwater proposals?

Opposition Ag spokesman Todd Muller thinks so.

He claims that documents released under the Official Information Act have shown multiple instances where O’Connor “was warned of the considerable social and economic impacts to farmers of the Freshwater proposals, but the Minister has ignored them”.

“Briefings from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in June 2019 warned the Minister that the proposals could contribute to reduced production for milk and meat processors, an increased burden on the mental health and wellbeing of farmers and lower land values and profitability.”

Expect this issue to be at the forefront of Muller’s election campaign this year!

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Dreams aren't plans

OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery finally roars to life.

If voters see some growth and wages rising faster than prices, the government could say they've "fixed" things as they ride into the next election.

Back here on Earth though, the economy they inherited is a basket case, and the long-term headwinds are fierce.

Political commentator Liam Hehir says, "dreams are not plans" and if the turnaround doesn't come in time, National may have no choice but to go negative.

"Everybody wants to fight on the economy if they can. But when neither side has a compelling story, the contest shifts to other issues. That's not new. In fact, it's the stuff of politics everywhere, always."