Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Embarrassing new errors found in ETS law

Hon Dr Nick Smith
National Party Climate Change Spokesman

7 September 2008

Embarrassing new errors found in ETS law

New errors identified in the emissions trading legislation in respect of co-generation and emissions from gas and coal bought through wholesalers, exposes the Government's reckless process on this complex bill, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.

"These significant errors will needlessly cost industry millions of dollars. Fonterra alone has identified the cost at $13.5 million per year.

"Government officials have accepted these errors, affecting clauses 57 and 69 and schedules 3 and 4 of the bill, and are now scrambling to find a way to make the corrections.

"The problem is that the opportunity for amending the bill has passed, as only the title and third reading stages remain.

"These latest errors are a serious blow to Minister David Parker's credibility. He gave assurances the bill was all fixed after the 1,000 last minute changes at select committee. He again gave such assurances after introducing and passing another 785 amendments last Tuesday.

"It is not good enough for the Minister to dismiss concerns by saying these are just technical amendments when a few words wrong can cost many millions of dollars.

"This bill represents one of this country's biggest economic reforms. It is grossly irresponsible to be ramming it through with hundreds of new amendments, when the public has had no opportunity to comment, and when not a single MP can credibly claim to understand it.

"The rush is more about Helen Clark's desire to have something to show on climate change after nine years of Government, than New Zealand's interest in getting this law right.

"National will again seek support on Tuesday to send this bill back to select committee so these errors can be corrected."

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.