Environmental Reporting Bill Progresses

The second reading of the Environmental Reporting Bill has been completed without widespread support with those opposing not happy about the framework of the regime being created.

The Environmental Reporting Bill sets ups a mandatory environmental reporting regime.

Such environmental reports have been done in the past, however they have been done on an ad hoc basis without a regulatory framework.

At the start of the second reading Environment Minister Nick Smith outlined the need for the report – New Zealand is the only OECD country without a mandatory reporting regime. The bill will set up a series of regular reports on set topics which culminate in one overall synthesis report every three years.

Labour, the Greens, NZ First and Maori Party all supported the thrust of the bill and the creation of the environmental reporting regime. However they were strongly opposed to the Environment Minister setting the topics which would be monitored.

Labour’s Megan Woods said this would taint the regime and risk it becoming politicised.

The bill completed its second reading by 61 to 60 with National, ACT and United Future in support.

MPs began the second reading of the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill.

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