12 March 2013

Key Govt must run referendum that respects NZers concerns

The Government has no mandate whatsoever for their programme of selling profit-generating state owned assets, Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today.

The Keep Our Assets coalition, which includes the Green Party, today presented a petition containing 393,000 signatures to the Clerk of Parliament. This petition will trigger a citizens-initiated referendum on the Government’s asset sales programme.

“John Key needs to acknowledge that most New Zealanders are against his Government’s asset sales agenda,” Dr Norman said.

“A majority of New Zealanders at the last election voted for parties that opposed the sale of our assets.

“Now that the Keep Our Assets coalition has presented its petition and triggered a referendum on the asset sales programme, the Government needs to organise a properly funded and supported referendum.

“This referendum needs to be held at a time that gives people the best opportunity to have their say,” said Dr Norman.

“Mr Key needs to realise that he can’t arrogantly dismiss the concerns of nearly 400,000 New Zealanders that have taken the time to sign the petition against his asset sales agenda.

“In a democracy like New Zealand, it is the duty of his Government to now make certain that all New Zealanders get a professional, independent and properly funded referendum.

“Those New Zealanders that have worked to achieve this deserve nothing less,” Dr Norman said.

ENDS

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Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>