John Carter issued the following press release this afternoon in response to property owners breaching the cordon surrounding their properties in Christchurch-

The central Christchurch cordon put in place after the devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake on 22 February is there to save lives, Civil Defence Minister John Carter said today. “It is foolish to breach the cordon around the red zone. People died behind that cordon,” Mr Carter said. “The destruction from the earthquake was extensive and left many buildings in an unsafe state. Civil Defence has been working tirelessly to get the area into a safe state.

“National Controller John Hamilton has advised the business community of plans to increase access for business owners into the red zone and he is working with the Canterbury Business Recovery group on that plan. “Business owners need to exercise patience and consider their need to access their businesses, bearing in mind that in doing so without authorisation they may not only endanger their own lives, but also the lives of others. “Safety is paramount and business owners will not be allowed into unsafe buildings.

“The National Controller is working on a plan to increase controlled and limited access to the red zone from Thursday this week. “It is serious that people think they can storm or breach the cordon. They put lives at risk doing that and they will be prosecuted.”

The cordon is not working Mr Carter. What part of rampant theft and burglary do you not understand? These people have numerous complaints and you need to stop trying to cover your useless arse with meaningless press releases and get down to Christchurch, meet with these property owners and get the situation sorted. Especially as your local rep was apparently too timid to talk to them himself today when they asked him to.

Christchurch property owners have legitimate reason for complaint and its time you acted urgently on those complaints. There have been cases of vandalism and theft, and while you say it is too dangerous to allow people behind the cordon, how then is it OK for various celebrities and officials to frequently pass through and wander in the confines of the city? Or even demolition crews? Please explain this serious gap in logic.

I remember John Carter from long ago speaking on NewstalkZB in defence of the National Government’s plan to alter the life time driving licence contract. He’s retiring this year. 23 years with his snout in the taxpayer’s trough, we’re well rid of this statist Progressive. One of those who has taken the National Party so far from its Conservative roots.