Jan 24, 2008

Will Winston Support The China FTA?

Tim Selwyn has asked this important question on his blog Tumeke. The Hive is strongly supportive of this FTA and we are confident that Labour, National and ACT will vote for it in Parliament. So there is no danger of it not being ratified.

But will Winston Peters chose this issue as another opportunity to be seen jumping from Helen's lap? Will he really be happy to see the concessions on so called Mode 4 (temporary movement of labour)? Isn't this close to freer immigration? And will the FTA not contain provisions on liberalising investment?

However, if Winston does oppose this important policy, how on earth can he remain Foreign Minister? How can the Foreign Minister be seen as opposing the most important development in relations with one of our most important trading partners? Would not his staying on as Foreign Minister while opposing this important policy not be interpreted by the electorate as an act of extreme hypocrisy by both Labour and NZ First?

The media should bee all over this topic............................................