Outrage at big corporation burning off New Zealand oil
11 June 2008
Oliver Woods - RAM Party candidate for Auckland Central
Oliver Woods, Auckland Central candidate for RAM - Residents Action Movement, is outraged that an Australian firm is
burning off New Zealand's precious natural gas resources at a time of unprecedented petroleum costs and energy
shortages.
"Australian Worldwide Exploration (AWE) has admitted to burning around 17 million cubic feet of natural gas every day on
the Tui oilfield off Taranaki," said Oliver Woods
"How will my opponent, the Associate Minister of Transport The Hon Judith Tizard, explain to Auckland motorists facing
insane prices at the pump that her Government gave this money-grubbing corporate permission to literally destroy our
most precious energy resources?" "AWE are claiming that they didn't know how much natural gas there was in the Tui field
as their excuse for not being prepared for so much being there."
"This outrageous, Mickey Mouse claim is being defended by Labour Party Energy Minister Harry Duynhoven," said Oliver
Woods.
"This is the same corporation that admitted direct responsibility last year for the spillage of 23,000 litres of oil
into the sea that poisoned Taranaki's coastline last year."
"Why is the Labour Government defending an Australian corporation that is taking ordinary Kiwis for a ride? They are
destroying our natural environment and callously wasting our resources."
"I look forward to debating my Auckland Central opponent The Hon Judith Tizard on why her Government seems so utterly
adamant on punishing consumers, particularly considering she is Minister of Consumer Affairs."
"The Hon Judith Tizard should be helping out Kiwis get through these difficult economic times. Instead she seems more
concerned about New Zealand Music month and her own party's failing prospects in Auckland Central, an electorate full of
people and businesses under massive pressure from the price gouging of petrol companies and commodity speculation."
"RAM is presenting a bold strategy of expanding public transport funded out of the pork-barrel slushfund that Labour has
been using to build motorways."
"I passionately believe the burdens caused by climate change should be shouldered by big corporations. Regular Kiwis who
are forced to drive because of the failures of successive Labour and National Governments with public transport don't
deserve to get punished," said Oliver Woods.
Oliver Woods is standing as an Auckland Central candidate for RAM, as the Residents Action Movement is popularly known.
A post-graduate student, he is also involved in a small IT startup company.
RAM, a political movement in the process of registration with the Electoral Commission, was formed into a national-level
party just three months ago. After only a few months of existence the new party has 2,600 members, giving it a bigger
membership than other parties currently represented in parliament (United Future, the Progressives and ACT). RAM's
GST-off-food petition has attracted more than 12,000 signatures over the past two months.
In the 2008 general election, RAM will be contesting electorate seats around the country (including upwards of a dozen
in Greater Auckland), as well as the party list vote. Its aim is to provide a strong broad left voice.
ENDS