Taylor declines Jones debate as ‘blustering theatre’

Sir Ian Taylor says he will not be debating with Shane Jones over the rights and wrongs of Santana Minerals, saying the MP has turned it into theatre featuring bullying and bluster.

The two men had been set to debate the proposed gold mine in Bendigo by Santana Minerals in a studio in Dunedin on Wednesday. But Mr Jones, the resources minister, had pulled out, saying he did not want to have a debate in an enclosed studio covered by Otago media.

Mr Jones then announced on social media on Wednesday, in a video standing outside Sir Ian’s Dunedin office in Dowling St, he would debate Sir Ian but in front of 500 people and suggested Toitū Otago Settlers Museum would be a good venue.

However, Sir Ian said when contacted yesterday, Mr Jones had made it clear it was theatre not debate he was after.

He was puzzled why Mr Jones would not take part in a debate in a studio which was being broadcast right round the country.

"He keeps trying to pick on this being a local issue. It’s actually a countrywide issue, because it’s about the use of the Fast Track process," Sir Ian said.

"My question really is, why on earth is he continuing with this blustering theatre when he’s got a panel now in place whose job it is to make this call? I find it really staggering that the Minister of Mining should be so vocal passing the message to a panel that this needs to be passed. I mean, that’s not his role."

With the fast track panel in place, Sir Ian said it was time for the two men to let the panel do its job.

"So anything that Shane and I do now is theatre."

"What he did outside my office the other day was bullying, blustering theatre."

He said getting into a studio would be a chance to have a serious debate.

"What’s with the choice of 500 people? I’m arguing for the population of the country, actually."