But right now the PM isn't too popular with the NTUCB or the Feinstein Group. We told you about the correspondence between the three parties, and the union's very long list of questions regarding the compulsory acquisition.
But the PM said that they're not getting into any arguments and advised NTUCB that they have bigger problems they should be focused on.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I will start off by this again. Mr Price used to have many sayings and one of the things that struck me, he always told me, he said when your opposition starts to praise you, sit back and think what foolish thing you have done. And I say that to make the point that I am not surprised by the response of the Feinstein's group but I am not going to go into a back and forth with them, we have responded to the NTUCB, we firmly believe we are doing what's in the best interest of this country and once you keep that and once you know that what you're doing, you continue doing as best as you can."
Reporter:
"Do you look at the merits though especially as former Minister of Natural Resources of that other piece of legislation particularly as the NTUCB is saying we could avoid litigation using that legislation, the promoter's one."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"You see but in the promoter's act, what they do not understand is that the promoter's act, the two parties have to agree and right now there's no agreement and so we'll never have an agreement when one promoter is asking for US$50 million and one dollar and fifty cents, I think about 25, per head tax in perpetuity for 23 acres that's unreasonable so it will never happen so the only option we have is the compulsory acquisition. But again, the first process, you put it out there, the owner comes and says this is what I want, you have a negotiation and if you can't come to an agreement, then the courts will decide how that's going to be resolved."
Reporter:
"In relation to the indemnity for Stake Bank, you didn't answer all the details that the NTUCB was asking for. They want to see whatever was signed."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Because it's not necessary, the money is in the bank, the indemnity is there, the Cabinet has approved that. That was abundantly clear what was there. The NTUCB should be looking after their workers and stop worrying about these things, they have so much things to do, that we have to do. Let's see how we can continue to create opportunities for people and for workers and create better working conditions for them. That's their mandate and they're forgetting what their mandate is all about."
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