Mana News editor Joe Trinder

Sheikh Hamood Al Ali Khalaf’s was recently offered $4 Million dollars by the National government to avoid a legal case of $20-$30 million after New Zealand government spent more than $11.5 million to help establish a demonstration farm in Saudi Arabia  due to bungling by the minister of foreign affairs Murray Mcully.

The National government has decided to blame the previous government and avoid shouldering any blame. In 2003 the labour government prevented live sheep exports to the Middle East a policy that is humane and creates freezing works jobs in our own country. Why should our farms support foreign freezing works in Saudi Arabia it makes no sense.

“Even if we achieve nothing more than the removal of the source of major aggravation in the relationship, while creating a hub for New Zealand businesses to launch into the Middle East and Africa, [the farm] proposal would be justified,” Mr McCully wrote.

A Neo-liberal approach of building farms in Saudi Arabia and sending live sheep exports to the Middle East won’t improve New Zealand business  it will only offer Saudi Arabia an opportunity to exploit our economy for minimal profits. These countries need to buy our exports on favourable terms and avoid having Kiwi’s setup our industries in their country.