DoC restructure long-standing ACT policy

ACT Conservation spokesman Ken Shirley today welcomed both National and United Future's proposal to reorganise DoC to address the glaring problems arising from its functions as both an advocate for conservation and manager of the conservation estate

"ACT's observation is that DoC has been the most litigious of government departments using the regulatory powers of the RMA to impinge and restrict private property rights," Mr Shirley said.

"This problem is not new and has been around since the 1990s. It has been ACT policy since its inception to address this inherent problem.

"Under ACT's policy, an independent conservation foundation would be established which would set priorities for conservation spending and allocate public funds.

"We don't believe conservation should be the monopoly of the state. There are many groups and individuals in New Zealand that are committed to conservation. We want to enhance their activities.

"ACT was extremely frustrated with the National Government throughout the 1990s when this long-standing problem was left unattended.

"It is very pleasing that National has adopted the position that ACT has been advocating for years," Mr Shirley said.

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