Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee is backpedaling on comments he apparently made about a major Meridian Energy West Coast hydro project.
He is reported as telling Greypower meeting in Nelson the Mokihinui Dam will no proceed, even though a final decision has not yet been made.
Mr Brownlee says he remembers being involved in an exchange, but cannot recall exactly what he said.
Mr Brownlee says the incident has been blown out of proportion and he is accusing Forest and Bird, who have publicised the matter, of stirring things up. He says they are an unfortunate organisation that get few chances to be in the media and have seized on this incident to see what they can get out of it.
The Energy Minister says the body dealing with the project's consents will come up with the best decision for the area.
Labour Energy spokesman Charles Chauvel says ministers just do not get to express personal views about projects in their portfolios. He says Mr Brownlee has clearly been advised by officials there will be issues with the Mokihinui project, but it makes a mockery of proper process for him to disclose that advice as an aside at a public meeting.
