It is an insult and a disgrace that an industry and sector so important to the NZ economy has been ranked so poorly by different governments and not been a front bench position over the years.
Current agriculture minister Damien O’Connor sits at 15 in the present cabinet line-up, while his predecessor, the retiring – but not so shy – Nathan Guy held a similar rank.
So, your old mate is delighted to see that new (another one) National Party leader Judith Collins has promoted the agriculture portfolio and spokesman David Bennet to the front bench of her shadow cabinet line-up.
Let’s hope no matter who gets into government post September 19, they have its agriculture minister sitting on the front bench.
