National should take a breath  
       

Labour MP David Parker this evening thanked the National government for seeing sense and delaying legislation scrapping biofuels.

Mr Parker said the Bill was to be the last item on the order paper, which meant that its passage was easily postponed.

“National’s legislation will cost New Zealanders jobs, will cause substantial financial losses, as well as harm the environment - if it is passed.

“Its time for National to stop steamrolling the New Zealand public and start giving business and ordinary Kiwis a chance to have their say about the detail of legislation that affects them.”

Mr Parker said he had already highlighted one injustice where a 75 year-old businessman, who has invested over $10 million in new factories, is expected to lose his investment and 48 jobs.

“If National is serious about economic growth it should support new industries and new jobs for New Zealand rather than destroy them.

 “Should National unwisely still want to advance this legislation under urgency next week, it could give its Bill a first reading and refer it to a select committee to iron out the very serious consequences. This is the normal process used to avoid the sort of injustice Tom McNicholl and his employees are facing,” Mr Parker said

“The better course is to leave the current legislation in place, because it is now clear New Zealand owned factories have enough capacity to meet the biofuel obligation with affordable and sustainable New Zealand made biofuels.”

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