KEY POINTS:
Haven't our truckies gone all Gallic and cosmopolitan on it? I've never thought Kiwi truckies particularly passionate but I've always said when a truckie decides to set his mind to something, he does it in style.
And this spectacular protest from the Road Transport Forum really was a beauty.
I saw footage of it via the internet and I can only imagine what it looked like from the roadside. Thousands of gleaming, powerful machines taking to the streets and motorways of New Zealand to drive home just how furious the forum members are at the decision to increase road-user charges, which it says will put some truckies out of business and force others to pass the increase on to consumers.
And the protest, which was extremely well organised and seems to be supported by most of the New Zealand public, has obviously made the Government sit up and take notice.
Annette King, who must be wondering what she did wrong in a previous lifetime to be given the Police and Transport portfolios, has announced a working party will be set up with industry representatives to examine the way charges are set for heavy vehicles.
That's a sure acknowledgment that such a powerful display of sound and fury has been recognised.
You'd have to wonder why Labour made this announcement just before an election and at a time when rising fuel costs are hurting everyone. Picking on truckies is just plain mean.
They're usually owner-operators who take a pride in their work and their machines and are doing the best they can in a tough and competitive environment.
Labour Governments shouldn't be in the business of kicking hardworking blokes when they're down, especially when they need all the support they can get.
