The China/NZ trade deal is good for NZ, but this process exposes how the NZ political system is dysfunctional and dangerous for NZ’s future; thank goodness the adults in Labour and National have taken charge,” former Prime Minister, and former Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Mike Moore, said today.

“In substance, the deal is worth several hundred million dollars to NZ, however because tariffs on products such as dairy were dramatically dropped because of the terms of China’s accession to the WTO during my term, China now stands in stark contrast to the 100% plus tariffs on products of critical importance to NZ that still exist in our region.  The Government is to be congratulated, as is the National Party, for their support, however the minor parties’ various positions expose the systemic problems of our political classes and system.”

“How can our Foreign Minister not support this important deal?  Winston Peters has not said he will support the deal, his party may vote against or abstain!  Abstaining will be a ‘first’ for Winston.  It’s dangerous and confusing fiction and a world ‘first’            , to have a Foreign Minister who says he’s not a member of the Government, except when he’s overseas.”

“United First Minister,  Peter Dunne says he will vote for the deal but not attend the reception - that’s telling them!  In any other democracy or at any other time in NZ history, they would resign from their jobs or be fired.  Then again, these Ministers would not have been hired.   Maori Party MP’s have said contradictory things, so who knows?  One said we should not trade with countries with lower wages.  Who could we trade with?  Just that statement should make someone ineligible for office, it’s laughable.  The Greens oppose the deal citing labour and human rights, ignoring the fact that China has lifted a million people out of poverty every month for 20 years, due to her new open economic policies.  Wages in the Pearl Delta have risen by 13% in the past year.”

“Jim Anderton who, with certain people in the Government, once opposed our trade deal with Australia worth $ billions and tens of thousands of jobs.  He’s now silent but it’s OK to change your mind, I have.  In the early 1970’s I would have said the same thing, but by the late 1970”s I’d changed my mind.  Lord Keynes was once challenged by the ‘gotcha’ media, that he had changed his mind.  ‘Explain yourself,’ they demanded.  ‘When the evidence proves I’m wrong, I change my mind, what do you do?’ the great economist replied sweetly.”

“Leaders and investors I speak to overseas are rightly confused by the conflicting messages our politicians are sending.  I just say, “Never think of NZ without reminding yourself that NZ is no longer a Parliamentary democracy.  We now have unusual coalitions due to MMP.”