10 April 2019

Great South Basin drilling application shows loophole in law

News that OMV intend to start drilling in the Great South Basin is bad news for our planet, the Green Party said today.

“It is time to put a line in the sand on offshore oil and gas drilling,” Green Party Energy & Resources spokesperson Gareth Hughes says.

“Only the Green Party is committed to stop deep sea oil drilling. This isn’t the future we want for New Zealand or the world.

“The consent application announced today for oil drilling shows that last year’s ban on new permits needs to be strengthened.

“We’ve already discovered enough fossil fuels to burn the planet, and we don’t need to look for more off our coasts.

“Right now there are 28 active mining or prospecting permits which could be used until the oil runs out if Minister Woods agrees to extend them. I’m urging Minister Woods to call MBIE in and take action to stop the extension of existing permits.

“This Government has banned new offshore drilling permit applications, and now we need to close this loophole to stop further applications for deep sea oil drilling long into the future.

“I will be looking very closely at this application and will be talking to local communities about their concerns. I expect any consent process will be staunchly opposed by the public,” Gareth Hughes says.

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