Rural banking inquiry coming?
Farmers may soon get their wish for an independent inquiry into rural banking.
ACT MP Mark Cameron is calling on Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash to apologise for comments made about Groundswell members.
During Question Time today, Nash said “I’m not too sure what Groundswell stands for these days… It’s a mixture of racism, anti-vaxxers, etc., etc.”
Nash told Parliament that the Government has met with farming leaders and engaged with rural communities when it has been appropriate.
Cameron says Nash showed contempt for rural New Zealand with his comments.
“Never has a politician looked down on the people paying the bills like this, stereotyping farmers the way Labour judges others for doing.
“Groundswell represents tens of thousands of everyday Kiwis concerned about the avalanche of red tape being imposed on farmers.”
Cameron says ACT has been advocating for Government to meet with Groundswell over concerns regarding freshwater regulations, the Zero Carbon Act, Significant Natural Areas, the Climate Change Commission’s report, and other initiatives and issues.
“Rural communities deserve better than name-calling from Labour MPs. Jacinda Ardern promised to govern for all New Zealanders. This was supposed to be a kind government. If Ardern wants to be taken seriously, she’ll tell Nash to apologise.”
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.