Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Biofuels bill blasted by Environment Commissioner

Hon Dr Nick Smith MP
National Party Environment Spokesman

3 April 2008

Biofuels bill blasted by Environment Commissioner

The Government must heed the message of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment that its biofuels bill is flawed and a risk to New Zealand’s clean, green brand, says National’s Environment spokesman, Dr Nick Smith.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, today blasted the Government’s biofuels bill at the Environment Select Committee and recommended the bill not proceed. The Commissioner highlighted the UK House of Commons audit report recommending a moratorium on policies to increase the use of biofuels, research showing that many biofuels did not reduce carbon emissions, the limited domestic capacity for biofuels, and the environmental and food security problems of imported biofuel.

“This damning submission confirms that the Government’s biofuel policy is ill conceived and likely to do more harm than good.

“It is a nonsense for Labour to be insistent on the biofuels obligations coming into effect on 1 July when the environmental standards for such fuels are years away.

“The mad rush seems more about politics and Labour wanting to look like it’s doing something in election year rather than protecting the environment.

“Yesterday’s statement by the Minister that unsustainable biofuels are likely to be imported to meet the Government’s biofuels obligation is a damning admission.

“New Zealanders do not want to pay another five to seven cents a litre for petrol and diesel for a flawed policy that will do more environmental harm than good.

“National will not support biofuels until there are clear standards to ensure their environmental integrity.”


ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.