Government vetoes Labour’s call for trees inquiry
David
CUNLIFFE
MP for New Lynn
12 March 2015
MEDIA STATEMENT
Government vetoes Labour’s call for trees inquiry
National Party members today rejected a petition by Labour’s MP for New Lynn David Cunliffe for an urgent Parliamentary inquiry into the proposed felling of an ancient Kauri tree in Titirangi.
“It beggars belief that National MPs would block this work when their own ministers say there is a problem to be fixed,” David Cunliffe says.
The petition to the Local Government and Environment Select Committee was defeated by six votes to five with Labour, Green and New Zealand First members supporting the proposal.
“Auckland Council's hands are tied by three legislative issues that only central government can sort out.
“These include National's removal of tree protections under the 2009 and 2013 Resource Management Amendment Acts.
“National is blocking common sense progress to resolve a problem that most Kiwis think is a no-brainer,” David Cunliffe says.
ENDS