Billy Brown continues clinging to the big Marsden Point closure lie
Image: New Zealand First's Rotorua candidate Billy Brown continues to spread the false claim that Labour approved the closure of Marsden Point Oil Refinery. It is matter of fact the refinery’s closure was a commercial decision by Refining NZ but Brown has continued to repeat the claim in authorised campaign material and on social media. (Courtesy of The Good Oil Podcast)
I have to say honestly.. I’m disappointed in Billy Brown’s persistence. It’s not just a simple misunderstanding or overstatement, it’s a straightforward fabrication that continues to be shared as fact misleading people. I am critical of my thoughts can think for myself, others probably cannot! He’s also using it in his authorised campaign messages I think deserves a complaintk to Election CommisionThat tellsme he’s not just a private citizen, but a candidate for Parliament who should have a better grasp of the facts.
You seem to think that Billy’s actions are dishonest, I’d just like to know, do you feel that political honesty is a requirement for a candidate running for Parliament.
Sticking to his guns about Labour shutting down Marsden Point despite all evidence showing it was Refining NZ’s decision. Does this twat understand repeating falsehoods just doesn’t cut it in the world of politics?
We wrote this article specifically for that reason.
New Zealand First are really misleading the public with their constant quirks about Marsden Point. It’s clear from the records that the Crown didn’t own the refinery..!
I’m not sure you can fairly describe his claim as misleading when it seems he’s been genuinely misled himself by NZ First. If you go back to the articles from the time, you’ll see Refining NZ were the ones pushing the conversion. Labour was criticised for not acting to save the refinery, but that’s not the same as agreeing to its closure. Brown may be wrong to say Labour approved it, but I reckon it’s unfair to label him a liar.
This brownhas got himself into a bit of a pickle with this mess. It one thing to disagree with the gov on its handling of closure but it another to just flat out lie about it.
To say he is clinging to the Marsden Point lie is a fair statement I reckon the govt can indeed be held accountable for some of the impacts of Marsden Point closure, it seems like he is spreading silly untruths about Labour’s role in the decision.
The article points out that Refining NZ was its own entity, with shareholders and a board that made the final decision to close the refinery and convert it into an import terminal. The fact that Labour can be seen as failing to intervene or make the wrong call on fuel security is a legitimate criticism, whereas his claim Labour approved the closure is not.
It’s a bit concerning to see him continuing to push this narrative when it’s so clearly not supported by the facts, especially considering his bid for Parliament.
It appears Brownbum has refused to budge on his Marsden Point claim despite a lack of evidence to support it. He lists this as Labour’s decision to progress towards net zero, though Refining NZ itself claimed that converting Marsden Point would result in ‘major reductions in direct carbon emissions’. If NZ First can’t differentiate between shareholders decisions and government actions, how can we trust them to represent our interests in Parliament?
I’m a bit concerned over the misinformation being spread.
It’s quite disheartening to see someone running for Parliament peddling such clearly disproven claims and it needs to be called out.
This kind of YUCK ‘spin’ might be effective as a short-term tactic but election is nearing, it’s not honest, and in this day and age, honesty is a big deal for any politician. Heneeds to take a good hard look at the evidence and either correct his mistake, or provide some actual rationale for why he still believes this to be true.
If he can’t get this basic stuff right, how can we trust him to make decisions on our behalf.
I’m not convinced that we should focus solely on criticising one political candidate for this, when it’s an issue that affects all parties pushing misinformation..
I must say I’m struggling to understand Billy’s continued insistence that Labour approved the closure of Marsden Point refinery. The more I read about this, the more I’m left wondering how he can keep claiming this is true when there’s so much evidence to the contrary. I think he owes it to the public to be honest about who actually made the decision to close the refinery – and it was definitely not Labour.
Refining NZ’s decision to convert the refinery was actually a pretty big step towards reducing its carbon emissions, which seems to be at odds with Brown’s claim that Labour’s supposed approval of the closure was somehow
I still think he’s underestimating the importance of holding politicians accountable for their decisions, or lack thereof. It’s true that Refining NZ’s shareholders ultimately made the decision to convert the refinery, but surely the Government’s inaction – or refusal to intervene – sends a signal about its priorities regarding fuel security and domestic refining capacity?
Perhaps we’re being too quick to dismiss Labour’s ‘role’ in the closure, when actually they’re complicit by failing to act.