23 November 2009

ETS changes bad for Maori and Pakeha alike

Legitimate Treaty settlement concerns are not a good reason for Maori to support flawed legislation that will cost both Maori and Pakeha dearly, the Green Party said today.

The Government is expected to announce a deal with the Maori Party today that will see some Treaty settlement concerns addressed in exchange for supporting National’s proposed Emissions Trading legislation.

“Treaty issues should be dealt with in a parallel process, not used as a pawn in controversial negotiations over flawed legislation,” Dr Russel Norman, Green Party Co-Leader said.

“Getting Iwi and local community groups involved in sustainable forestry is a great idea that should be going forward on its own merits, and forms part of our Green New Deal Forestry package due to be released soon.

“However, wide ranging estimates of the costs of the ETS forestry deal with Maori highlight the uncertainty and poor homework that underpin this flawed legislation. It cannot be emphasised enough – the Government is rushing blindly into a deal that is bad for everyone.

“It is time we got on with making the ETS we already have work. It is not perfect, but it will start reducing our emissions and provide certainty to New Zealand businesses and taxpayers,” Dr Norman said.

ENDS

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