Moana

MACKEY

Energy and Climate Change Spokesperson
27 November 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT
Fracking report sends clear signal to Government

The concerns that many New Zealanders have about fracking are echoed in today’s interim report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, something the Government must take on board, Labour's Energy Spokesperson Moana Mackey says.

“The Commissioner has made a number of initial recommendations and observations that the Government needs to take very seriously.

“She also raises some important issues regarding the role of Government which will form the basis of the second phase of her investigation.

"There is no doubt that the oversight and regulation of fracking is complex and it’s up to the Government to ensure all parties are aware of their responsibilities.

"The question of whether the level of regulation is too light-handed is crucial. Public confidence in any regulatory regime is essential given the level of public concern about the risks associated with this practice.

“There is also the question of whether existing regulations are being adequately policed and enforced. We look forward to seeing the Commissioner’s recommendations in this area

"Labour is also concerned about the capacity within local and regional councils to process consent applications for fracking given the lack of experience and technical expertise available to them.

“No council should be forced into making decisions on whether fracking goes ahead and under what conditions unless it can be confident it has the evidence to do so.

"The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is to be congratulated for taking the public concern regarding fracking seriously when the Government failed to do so.

“Let’s hope the assurances from the Minister of Energy, Phil Heatley, that the Government will support any recommendations that the PCE puts forward, don’t turn into hollow promises,” Moana Mackey said.

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