1 December 2015
Green Party to vote against National’s RMA changes
The Green Party will oppose the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill, Green Party Environment spokesperson Eugenie Sage
said today.
“National has wasted its opportunity to strengthen the Resource Management Act (RMA). Instead many of the changes
proposed to the Act weaken rather than improve the protection of the environment and reduce the opportunities for public
participation.
“The RMA is the fundamental law that protects the environment that New Zealanders love. Any changes to the law should
provide more protection, not less.
“Though we support parts of the Bill, including the increased recognition of the importance of managing natural hazards,
most of the good proposals in the Bill appear to be vastly out-weighed by changes that consolidate power around the
Minister, lock out local voices, and weaken environmental safeguards.
“It is particularly concerning to see the Minister granting himself the power to hand-pick the people who will decide
who can and cannot mine the oceans around New Zealand – this goes against explicit advice from his officials.
“Treasury officials commented in the departmental disclosure statement that there had been no consultation around some
the most significant components of the reform package.
“It’s also disappointing that MPs were given only a few days to examine such a major piece of legislation, stretching to
200 pages, before it is voted on. We have not had enough time to examine all the implications, which is another reason
why we feel the only option is to oppose the Bill,” Ms Sage said.
ends