Independence queried

In his letter (July 6) Environment Minister Nick Smith claimed the new regulations for 1080 and brodifacoum use were implemented on the recommendation of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.

That statement is at odds with another announcement Nick Smith made earlier. The New Zealand Herald (February 27) reported Nick Smith as saying: ‘‘The Government has recently tightened up regulations around 1080, after the blackmail scare that cost the country millions of dollars’’.

The ‘‘eco-terrorist’’ Jeremy Kerr, who was jailed for that despicable 1080 blackmail offence, had worked within the Government poison industry for many years.

The Government took away the democratic rights of all New Zealanders to tighten regulations when all they needed to do was to thoroughly check all employees/ contractors working within their poison industry.

How many more propagandist excuses does Nick Smith still have up his sleeve?

The Government claims the PCE is independent – wrong. The Government funds the PCE’s office.

During the GCSB debate a TV One News (July 12) a reporter told then PMJohn Key the Human Rights Commissioner had reservations about the GCSB Bill. The PMpromptly commented that the Commissioner had to remember his office was funded by the Government.

Government control in action? Think about it. commercial use, this should be stored, by the user in whatever manner they are prepared to pay for, dams etc.

Water shortage should not be threatened against domestic users, to force them to pay for facilities that are in reality only being developed to allow for intensified land use.