"The first stage of the National Party’s political cycle is underway as it talks a big game on Resource Management Act
reform", says ACT Leader David Seymour.
Today, Simon Bridges expressed regret at not reforming the RMA under the last government and committed to producing a
bill that would.
"But we’ve heard this all before.
"The Nats went into the 2008 election promising RMA reform and, despite having the numbers with ACT after the election,
did nothing.
"National rejected RMA reform in 2014 confidence and supply negotiations with ACT.
"After the 2014 election, National, with ACT’s support, had the numbers to pass RMA reform, but Nick Smith dragged the
chain until Winston Peters won the seat of Northland in 2015.
"In 2016, Nick Smith rejected an ACT/United Future proposal, instead rushing into the Maori Party’s arms and accepting
the pernicious iwi participation arrangements.
"National campaigns from the right, and governs from the left.
"They promise action in opposition, win government, fail to do what they said they would, and then apologise after New
Zealanders boot them out.
"The four stages of the National Party political cycle are: Promise. Win. Fail. Apologise.
"Only ACT has been consistent on fundamental RMA reform. The next government will need a stronger ACT to get National
back on track", says Mr Seymour.