Hutchison On NZ Fast Forward

National appears intent on continuing with its ridiculous opposition to the “New Zealand Fast Forward” in what can only be described as an obsessive determination to show Labour as cynical and insincere. An article by National MP Paul Hutchison in Rural News states:

“National does not think the fund as described is the optimal vehicle. We support funding models that encourage partnership between government and industry, but we are not convinced the fund is the best model for achieving this collaboration.”

It is certainly ironic that, given National’s fervent opposition to so-called “nanny statisim”, they are happy to thumb their noses at the large numbers of industry groups which have got behind the fund, and instead take a “National knows best” approach. At times, Hutchison’s article borders on the absurd, at one point stating:

“It is important to remember Labour’s track record. A former Labour Prime Minister stated ‘agriculture is a sunset industry’.”

It certainly shows Hutchison and National are grasping at straws when they have to reach back into history to provide some kind of justification for their stance on this issue.

 

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A Slow Day At The Office Perhaps?

National MP Anne Tolley certainly appears to be scraping the bottom of the barrel with her latest media release. In what one assumes to be an effort to show she is not an entirely hopeless and ineffectual education spokesperson (and sadly failing on both counts), Tolley has taken issue with Oteha Valley School banning children from bringing birthday cakes to school to share with the class. Tolley says:

“This ludicrous decision is a direct result of the paranoia that has been generated by Labour’s national healthy eating guidelines, which are due to come into force in June.”

One of the Shore’s “desperate housewives” has obviously forwarded a copy of the school’s latest newsletter, which outlines the reason for this decision as being that the new National Administrative Guidelines (NAG) for healthy eating require schools to:

“Promote healthy food and nutrition for all students, and where food and beverages are sold on school premises, only healthy options can be made available.”

It would appear that the school’s decision to stop parents sending whole birthday cakes to school with their children goes above and beyond what is required by the NAG, and how exactly this is the government’s fault is difficult to discern. Firstly, schools are only required to “promote” healthy food, and secondly, the only obligation on the part of the school regarding banning foods or beverages is when they are being sold on school premises. If the school implements policy beyond that, then that is a matter entirely for the school and its Board of Trustees.

Tolley finishes her release with the following:

“It’s not the occasional piece of cake. Labour’s wishy washy food rules have created a climate of fear in schools where even celebrating birthdays has become a no-no.”

Although she scores a D for her capabilities as an MP, Tolley must certainly receive credit for her ability to turn what would otherwise be a very boring issue, into a poignant little story full of hyperbole and emotive language. Well done Anne; gold stars all round!

 

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