Editorial: Battle lines drawn
OPINION: Climate change is shaping up to be one of the major issues at next year's general election.
Farmers took to towns and cities yesterday across the country in tractors and utes to protest the Government’s recently announced emissions pricing plan.
“We’re really happy with the turnout,” McKenzie told Rural News.
He says there was really good turnout for towns like Dunedin, Invercargill and Gisborne and even Auckland had a good showing.
However, McKenzie says the turnout in Wellington was light, and he believes this is what politicians refer to when they talk about the small turnout.
Yesterday, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor told media the turnout was ‘embarrassing’ for Groundswell, saying he believed some of the protesters were “completely wrong”.
It’s a comment McKenzie describes as “ignorant” and “insensitive”.
“Damien O’Connor should know, as Agriculture Minister, that it’s peak time on farm at the moment,” he says.
McKenzie says protesters were pleased to be out and there was a good reaction from the general public, with some tooting their horns at the protesters in a show of support.
There has also been claims on social media that Groundswell has been linked with conspiracy theorists, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s former senior policy and communications strategist Clint Smith claiming the lobby group has become “dominated” by conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers.
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Bryce McKenzie |
That hasn’t been a concern, says McKenzie.
“We have a good message and people stayed on that message yesterday,” he says.
Groundswell advised protesters ahead of time of appropriate signage, offering up potential options for protesters to use on their website, with signs saying “We’re not going to take it” and “No emissions tax on food production” available for download and print.
“Some of our members are part of other groups so there’s always crossover,” McKenzie says, adding that he hopes that crossover will bring new members.
McKenzie says there will be further action if the Government continues with its emissions pricing plan, however, he couldn’t say what that action was.
