Hon Dr Nick Smith MP
National Party Climate Change Spokesman

19 May 2008

Parker panics over slowing of ETS process

The cost of rushed, ill thought-out ETS legislation will be far more disastrous for this country than any minor delay while the details are worked out, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.

"Climate Change Minister David Parker's startled squawks about a slowing of the process are simply panic that, once the dust is allowed to settle it will show the legislation to be the flimsy, unsustainable quick fix that it is.

"The ETS is far too important to be rushed. National refuses to bow to the pressure of a Labour Government hell-bent on a reckless select committee timetable and self-imposed deadlines.

"David Parker's use of deforestation figures to criticise National's slowdown in implementing an ETS is particularly galling. This is a Government that has presided over the worst deforestation this country has ever seen.

"We are simply slowing the process to ensure we have legislation that is good for the country, not just politically expedient.

"Waiting until we see the Australian ETS model in a few weeks' time is sound practice. Emission trading schemes rely on compatibility with international models.

"This Labour Government's record on climate change is based on grand gestures that have no substance. That's why we are seeing them back track on so many aspects of their climate change policy.

"As National Leader John Key said yesterday - in aiming for the moon on climate change, Labour has failed even to get airborne.

"National is committed to an ETS and we are committed to getting it right."

ENDS

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