August 31, 2020
Greens schooled on buyer’s remorse
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says a proposed green school in Taranaki shouldn’t fall victim to ideological tantrums within the Green Party.
Party members and former MPs have voiced outrage at $11 million going into the project, which was championed by co-leader James Shaw in his role as Associate Finance Minister, because their policy opposes state funding for private schools.
Mr Shaw has apologised to members and said he would not make the same decision if given another opportunity.
But Mr Jones says the money comes not out of the education budget but from the COVID recovery shovel ready infrastructure fund.
He says Mr Shaw seems to have buyer’s remorse.
"It was clearly owned, claimed and announced by James. I dunno, maybe he was playing checkers and the rest of us were playing chess, I don't know, but I stand with Grant Robertson, the mataamua of our finance ministers' group – good faith requires us to proceed with the decision," Mr Jones says.
He says Taranaki has taken some hits with the moratorium on new oil and gas licenses, and the build at Oakura will provide much needed work for contractors and suppliers.
Link to Shane Jones interview here: https://www.waateanews.com/play_podcast?podlink=OTE1MjI=
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