4 NOVEMBER 2015

Minister Slams a Government Policy as ‘Delusional’

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has described using Northland’s unemployed for environmental work ‘delusional,’ despite this being a related government policy.

“We have a crisis in Northland with possums destroying our forests,” says New Zealand First Leader and Member of Parliament for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“We suggested to the Minister in Parliament that some of Northland’s unemployed could work trapping the pests. This could bridge other pest control measures, but she rudely described the idea as ‘delusional’.

“Unfortunately, the Minister has not done her homework on government policy. What we described is a variation on an existing Work and Income policy, Enhanced Task Force Green.

“In fact, a former National government expanded Taskforce Green to employ long term unemployed people in possum control in areas of high priority with then Minister of Conservation Denis Marshall saying it was available to public and private agencies.

“The problem DOC now faces is akin to damage from a large-scale adverse event which fits this policy and establishment of a taskforce. It is also an opportunity for DOC and Work & Income to create meaningful work for some unemployed people.

“All the Minister has to do is work with us and the Northland community for a simple solution to several issues,” says Mr Peters.

Question in Parliament: Rt Hon Winston Peters: Given the very high unemployment levels in Northland, why have the unemployed not been enlisted in pest control operations against possums?

Hon MAGGIE BARRY: The unemployed, in their various ways, can choose the way the want to spend their time, and if they want to go out and trap possums, I would be very, very pleased to hear it. Once again, if this member is suggesting for one moment that we are going to be able to resolve the pest problem in Northland by letting a few people who are out of work go out and do some trapping, that member is delusional because it is not possible to do that.

What is Enhanced Task Force Green?

Workers are job seekers who could be receiving a benefit.

Enhanced Task Force Green assistance may cover the costs of:

Wages for workers

Wages for supervisors

The purchase of personal safety gear

The hire of light equipment and transport

A start-up grant for local authorities to assist with administration costs

ENDS

© Scoop Media