Rena response Inquiry should now start

Monday, 28 May 2012, 10:07 am
Press Release: Environmental Defence Society

27 May 2012

Environmental Defence Society says Rena response Inquiry should now start

The Environmental Defence Society has called for a start to the promised inquiry into the response to the Rena disaster.

"Now that the Court proceedings are largely complete, it is time to set up the independent inquiry promised by the government," said EDS Chairman Gary Taylor.

"We need to have a good close look at the response to the disaster and see if there are lessons to be learned.

"We now know what caused the grounding of the Rena and it's time to see if the response from the responsible agencies was adequate, not for the purpose of any kind of witch-hunt, but to establish whether New Zealand was well-enough prepared for what was actually quite a small oil spill.

"We need to have a close look at whether the delays in the initial response were justified and whether the scale of the oil spill could have been reduced by prompter action.

"We also need to establish whether we have adequate resources available in this country, what resources are most appropriately brought in from overseas and whether New Zealand could cope with another oil spill, whether from a ship or from an oil well.

"Our concerns are to ensure New Zealand has rapid, state-of-the-art response capability in the event of a future oil spill.

"Given the government's desire to encourage more deep sea oil exploration, it is very timely to take a careful look at how well prepared we are if an even bigger environmental disaster occurred in our water.

"EDS has suggested terms of reference for an inquiry and the Prime Minister has promised that there will be one. The time is now right to get on with the job," Mr Taylor concluded.
ends

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Environmental Defence Society

EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.

Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non- profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.

EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.

EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.

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