More dodgy dealings from National?

National needs to come clean about the promises it made to the mining industry before the 2008 election on digging up our protected Schedule 4 land, says Labour Leader Phil Goff.

“News reports today show the mining industry obviously gained the impression that a National Government would look favorably on mining on Schedule 4 land," Phil Goff said

“John Key and Gerry Brownlee are now trying to hide behind evasive words such as ‘maybe’ and ‘probably’ when asked about these discussions. That's not good enough, especially when the mining industry has already confirmed these conversations and promises took place.

“New Zealanders still remember National politicians being caught out at a National Party function before the election. High profile National MPs including Bill English were caught on tape boasting about how they were prepared to “swallow dead fish” to get elected and that once they had 'gained the confidence of people we can do more things'.

“Mr Key must come clean and tell us what promises were made and explain why he did not say during the 2008 election campaign that National was happy to dig up our protected iconic landscapes. We are only finding out about their mining agenda now.

“"New Zealanders have been conned," Phil Goff said.