Eco-Moralists Slow Progress with Threatened Species

Wednesday 25th Apr 2001 Gerry Eckhoff Media Release -- Environment

ACT Conservation Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today condemned Sandra Lee for allowing ‘eco-moralists’ with fundamentalist philosophies to slow progress with threatened species.

“Sandra Lee’s answers to my latest parliamentary questions clearly show that she – and DoC management – are abusing their positions to promote personal values,” Gerry Eckhoff said.

“One example is the Wairarapa coffin-maker who was refused permission to sponsor endangered native bats because his association with bats was seen by DoC staff as ‘macabre’.

“Clearly, eco-moralists are vetting generous offers from totally legitimate and respected private businesses.

“Value judgements of this nature are not part of DoC’s function.

“ACT welcomes and encourages investment from civic-minded businesses who want to involve themselves in wildlife programmes. They should not be ridiculed and excluded by the Minister and her staff.

"If DoC managers and employees want to apply their own money then they should be allowed to do that. However, it is the role of taxpayers and their representatives to decide how the tax dollar is spent – not part of a DoC employees' job description.

"It is time for DoC's monopoly on wildlife management to be broken. It is high time they put aside the personal agendas, joined with conservationists of every kind and got on with the job they are paid to do," Gerry Eckhoff said.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

© Scoop Media