14 March 2013

Good progress on Bill to protect rivers

Today Catherine Delahunty welcomed the next stage in the progress of her bill to clean up our rivers through the house.

Submissions on Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty’s Resource Management (Restricted Duration of Certain Discharge and Coastal Permits) Amendment Bill are being heard today by the Local Government and Environment Select Committee. The bill closes a loophole allowing on-going pollution of waterways in “exceptional circumstances” a provision which is being abused to allow for on-going pollution of rivers in some cases up to 35 years. This Bill restricts exceptional circumstances to five years.

“I’m excited at being able to speak to the Select Committee today, to tell the story of the Black Drain, and the other examples of where this loophole has been exploited at the expense of our rivers and our coast,” said Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty.

“New Zealanders love our rivers, lakes and streams, we want to ensure they are protected for our grandchildren to enjoy.

“There is strong community support, both in the Bay of Plenty and around the country, for this bill which will close a loophole which has allowed the Tarawera River to be turned into a black drain,” said Ms Delahunty.

“There has been about 70 submissions from locals in the Bay of Plenty so the committee will be holding hearings in the Bay of Plenty which is great.

“While my Bill to strengthen the RMA proceeds through the house the Government is consulting on proposals to undermine the RMA,” said Ms Delahunty.

Mining industry representative Straterra will also be submitting on the bill today.

“I’m disappointed that the mining industry is speaking up for the right to pollute our rivers,” said Ms Delahunty.

“Straterra doesn’t seem to understand that people don’t want coal mining wrecking our rivers by filling them with sediment.”

ends

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>