David Parker
Deputy Leader
Spokesperson for Finance

5 May 2014

Jobs and clean rivers – not a choice, we can have both

Labour believes a strong economy and clean environment are closely linked and rejects the Government’s approach that Kiwis can’t have both a clean environment and a decent job, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson David Parker.

“Labour has already firmly established its credentials on the economy with our Economic Upgrade policies showing the vast gulf in ideas between National and Labour.

“It is now important to explain how under Labour our economic policies will protect our environment as well as boost economic growth and create better jobs and higher wages.

“Labour will improve RMA and Environment Court processes while keeping the core principles of the Act in place. We will rebalance the Department of Conservation towards the regions and environment advocacy.

“We will make the national policy statement for freshwater work properly so that our rivers are safe to swim in rather than polluted. We will also introduce a national policy statement for estuaries.

“We will ensure the environment we enjoyed as children will be protected for our grandchildren.

“Today I am blowing the whistle on National’s appalling environmental performance. It was neatly summed up in Judith Collins’ car-crash 3 News interview when she said: ‘I don’t like wetlands, they’re swamps… Go and find someone who actually cares because I don’t’. Well I do care.

“Labour knows we can have a strong economy and a beautiful environment. National doesn’t understand that,” says David Parker.

ENDS

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