Labour releases rural policy

Labour is promising to strengthen rural communities so that people have the same opportunities as those living in cities.

Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton said his party was convinced that vibrant rural economies, thriving land-based industries and a healthy rural environment were "profoundly interdependent".

Launching Labour's rural policy, he said it would continue to strengthen the partnership between the Government and rural communities "to ensure that people living in rural communities have the same opportunities as their urban counterparts".

Key areas would be the provision of telecommunications services, health, education, and law and order.

"Labour has done more for the land-based industries and rural communities in this first term than the previous National government did in nine years," he said.

- NZPA

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