INDEPENDENT NEWS

Baldock: RMA change 'gets things moving'

Published: Thu 8 May 2003 05:20 PM
Media Statement For immediate release Thursday, 8 May, 2003
Baldock: RMA change 'gets things moving'
Parliament's adoption today of the United Future amendment removing the terms "spiritual", "cultural landscapes" and "ancestral landscapes" from the Resource Management Act Amendment Bill (No.2) will "get things moving" for New Zealand business.
Larry Baldock, United Future's environment spokesman, said the breakthrough was a huge step in making the RMA workable, and answering its critics.
"This is not about overlooking cultural and heritage values, but it is about getting rid of some confusing terminology that was causing a huge amount of concern.
"It is about correcting the imbalance created by rigid Green Party ideology that hijacked the RMA in the select committee stage during the last Parliament, and simply made it a Pandora's box for any party wishing to indulge in frivolous and vexatious claims.
"Our amendment simply closes down the room for abuse and delay after delay.
"It goes back to the eminently sensible original intention of the Act to recognise and respect various values, while striking a balance allowing projects and business to move forward."
"This amendment will pay dividends for New Zealand, and get things moving. It will go a long way to clearing the backlog of projects awaiting RMA approval," he said.
Ends.

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