My brother has posted across at Red Alert on Steven Joyce’s bungling oversight of AgResearch’s current $100 million restructure. The Crown Research Institute is New Zealand’s largest, and a recipient of generous Government support. Andy West, the former head of AgResearch stands to gain as head of Lincoln University from a plan that independent review found wanting. Cosy board relationships leave plenty of room for speculation about a back-room deal.
The independent report was commissioned by the people of the South concerned that an effective scientific and commercial hub in Mosgiel was about to be destroyed for no good reason. Southern community leaders already put work into generating a more robust analysis to assist Joyce – but saw no flicker of light in his eyes when they met with him.
My brother’s the Dunedin North MP so has been doggedly pursuing the Invermay case which has become a touchstone issue in the South. It has a regional jobs angle and an ideological Government angle, both of which show how arrogant and out of touch National has become.
What is most intriguing is that National is looking to shaft National-voting Sheep and Deer breeders – most of whom hate the Invermay proposals. It’s going to be a real humdinger of a meeting when AgResearch’s Chief Executive stares down breeders in Gore on Wednesday.
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