MEDIA RELEASE
11 December 2012 for immediate use
Economic vision a winner if supported by consistent regulatory regime

The Government vision to build growth and jobs in New Zealand through sustainably using New Zealand’s natural resources will be great for the industry if supported by a fair, stable and competitive regulatory regime, says Straterra Chief Executive Officer, Chris Baker.

Straterra, the representative group for the minerals and mining industry, was responding to a double announcement by the Government today with:

• the release of the latest Business Growth Agenda progress report: Building Natural Resources setting out Government initiatives to improve the way we use and manage our resources by Minister of Finance, Bill English, and Minister for Economic Development, Steven Joyce,
• the kick-starting of the next stage of the Government’s plan to reform the Resource Management Act by the Minister for the Environment, Amy Adams.

“The industry has always supported Government’s drive to help business deliver more and higher-paying jobs for New Zealanders whilst protecting our environment. To attract the investment needed for these jobs we need a transparent, stable, fair and competitive regulatory regime.

“To achieve this Government needs to ensure its continued reform of the Resource Management Act is done in coordination with a raft of other reforms coming through, which will impact our industry,” Mr Baker says.

To name a few, Straterra has made submissions recently to Government on the Bill to amend the Crown Minerals Act, draft Minerals Programme for minerals (excluding petroleum), the tax and royalties reviews, replacement heritage legislation, and the Exclusive Economic Zone environmental regulations. Straterra is also supporting the implementation of the Royal Commission on the Pike River Tragedy’s recommendations to strengthen health and safety in mining.

“We must operate to high standards in a regime that delivers outcomes effectively and transparently – be they positive or negative. The Government’s Business Growth Agenda provides impetus for important improvements in our legislative processes that - if done well - will lead to increased investment,” Mr Baker says.

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