Act releases rural policy
Dr Brash plans to reduce taxes, cut bureaucracy, keep agriculture of the the emissions trading scheme and tacklerural crime.
Act's rural policy has been announced by its leader, Don Brash.
Dr Brash said the policy, launched at a function in Hamilton today, would help boost New Zealand's productive primary sector by reducing taxes, cutting bureaucracy, keeping agriculture of the the emissions trading scheme and tackling rural crime.
“Act’s rural policy focuses on getting the economy back on track," Dr Brash said.
"Right now Government spending is at an all-time high. This hurts rural communities twice - first through higher taxes, and again through a high exchange rate when the government borrows from overseas."
Farmers have been saddled with higher energy costs due to the ETS and will be hit again if their biological emissions are included in the scheme from 2015, Dr Brash said.
"Act will hold National to its promise to keep agriculture out of the ETS and is the only party in Parliament who would do so."
The policy also targeted the bureaucracy of the Resource Management Act, he said, as it treated rural people like squatters on their own land, while also stifling economic growth.
"ACT will overhaul the RMA and reinstate the right for property owners to use their land as they see fit, subject to respecting the rights of others."
Dr Brash said Act would review New Zealand's self-defence laws to ensure that law-abiding rural citizens could protect their families, properties and livelihood, without fear of being unjustly dragged through the courts.
“Rural citizens were neglected by Labour and are now being taken for granted by National."
Colin Williscroft
Thu, 10 Nov 2011
Thu, 10 Nov 2011
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Act releases rural policy
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