Agriculture Minister David Carter came to Dunedin yesterday to speak to an invited Otago Chamber of Commerce audience in his role as Acting Economic Development Minister.
Mr Carter is widely respected in the agricultural sector, because of his success as a farmer and his grip of the issues facing rural communities. But as an economic spokesman, he fails the test of a business-aware audience.
A line of questioning to the minister regarding how the Government could help ensure a vibrant South Island economy, given that the rebuilding of Christchurch has yet to happen, was met by answers from Mr Carter reflecting his faith in a strong primary sector as the key to everything.
Seeing more confidence in the agricultural sector coming from higher payouts from Fonterra, improved prices for red meat and wool were part of his plan for a recovery.
A strong rural economy was what would cement the future for Dunedin and Christchurch, he said.
Mr Carter underestimated the depth of concern in the South about a perceived failure by the Government to implement some sort of strategy to protect the South Island's economy during a time of upheaval of Christchurch.
Southern businesses worry about being isolated, with much of the infrastructure spending already happening in Auckland.
Delays in any sort of construction in Canterbury look set to continue, given the recent infighting between the Christchurch City Council and Red Zone business owners.
Having a better water storage, allocation and use strategy means little to main street business owners.
Too often, voters south of the Waitaki River are taken for granted by governments of every colour. This is not the time for any politician to dismiss Otago-Southland business concerns.