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.”
The Rural Change programme, providing free private mental health professional sessions to the rural industry, is set to continue its next chapter within Rural Support Trust from 1 July 2024.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor will step down in July.
A new report shows farm employers across the dairy, sheep and beef, and arable sectors have continued to invest strongly in one of their greatest assets – their staff.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.