Media Statement
15 November 2012

Dunne welcomes Land and Water Forum Report

UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne has welcomed the release of the third report of the Land and Water Forum and congratulated the members of the Forum for achieving a level of consensus that many in 2009 thought impossible.

“For nearly 60 major stakeholders with a wide variety of priorities to come together and provide a suite of advice based on broad consensus is really quite some achievement,” said Mr Dunne.

“What this proves more than anything is the genuine concern that all sides have for our freshwater as a resource and the willingness of those stakeholders to find a lasting solution to a potentially very divisive issue.”

“The three reports provide a robust framework for the Government and regional councils to work from.”

“Yes, big decisions still need to be made about what the various objectives and limits will be and how regional authorities will achieve them. However, an integrated approach, as recommended, is a practical means to achieve a balanced and positive outcome that if implemented properly can turn freshwater management into a New Zealand success story for generations to come.

“Finally, I endorse the comments of Alastair Bisley, Chair of the Land and Water Forum, who praised the relevant ministers for instigating, supporting and allowing space for the Forum to carry out its work.”

The appropriate management of our freshwater resource is one of the most important issues we face, which is why water quality was included in the 2011 Confidence and Supply Agreement between National and UnitedFuture.

“I look forward to working with the Government to turn the Land and Water Forum’s recommendations into a lasting management framework that will benefit all New Zealanders,” said Mr Dunne.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On The 2013 Budget

Among Thursday’s main talking points:

We are apparently on track for a margin-of-error $75 million surplus, now in sight for 2014/15. But this sickly creature is hobbling out of the lab on the basis of all kinds of facilitative conjuring: such as trimming by $200 million the amount of new spending next time around.

With this strictly nominal surplus in sight, the 1984-ish justification for eternal austerity will have a news talisman: namely, getting Crown debt down to 20% of GDP by 2020. More>>

Budget Report, Lockup Audio & Images: Budget Day 2013 As always and especially after the managerial mishaps of the past few weeks and months, (e.g. Aaron Gilmore, the Mighty River Power share float, the GCSB mishaps) Budget Day 2013 was always going to be a pageant of reassurance... More>>

Budget 2013 Comment: Plain Sailing, But It's No America's Cup Pattrick Smellie: Compared to the last four budgets, this year's reflects an economy moving out of recession and into calmer waters... Yet if the fastest annual growth rate we can expect over the next two years is 3 percent - with the Christchurch rebuild in full swing - then you'd have to say New Zealand's underlying low-growth problem is far from fixed. More>>

Auckland Discord: Govt’s Power Hungry Housing Approach A Threat - Labour

Last week the Government said this, ‘The Government commits not to use any proposed or existing powers ... to override the council's planning and consenting processes’. But its housing Bill says this; ‘If an accord cannot be reached in an area of severe housing unaffordability, the Government can intervene by establishing special housing areas and issuing consents for developers’. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Housing accords legislation passes first reading - Legislation For Housing Accords, Land Supply - Housing package improves affordability, access
• Greens - Budget numbers show National’s failure on home affordability
• Auckland Chamber of Commerce - Budget 2013: Housing intervention needed
• Out-Link - Gareth Morgan: Response to housing problem limp-wristed
• Earlier, Pre-Budget - Auckland Accord announced

Extending Protest Ban, Relaxing Permit Rules: Govt Abuses Urgency To Extend Anadarko Amendment

The Government is trying to pass legislation under urgency which would make the Anadarko Amendment – which limits protest at sea – apply to an additional 1.7 million square kilometres, the Green Party said today. More>>

ALSO:

• Parliament Today - Parliament Resumes To Pass Budget Bills
• Labour - Government to extend protest ban
• Greenpeace NZ - Oil Companies Lacking ‘Expertise’ and ‘Financial Ability’ Set to Be Handed Drilling Permits
• 2010 image via: Pacific.Scoop - Media watcher gives NZ press nil score card for China oil spill coverage