Grant
ROBERTSON
Deputy Leader
Environment Spokesperson

3 March 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT

National’s blue-green rinse doesn’t wash

No matter how many glossy publications it puts out, the National government still can’t manage to cover the grey area that is its environmental policy, Labour’s Environment spokesperson Grant Robertson says.

"Nationals blue-green statement released today is nothing more than a bad rinse job. The reality of the government’s environmental record is one of missed opportunities, and a failure to get on top of pressing issues."

"There is plenty of good rhetoric, but not a lot of action. If the government is serious about green growth measures it needs to play a leadership role, and appreciate that the economy and environment are two sides of the same coin. To view them as competing issues is out-dated,” Grant Robertson said.

"National is dragging the chain on creating a proper emissions trading system that will include all sectors and actually lower emissions. While the Land and Water Forum has done some good work, many major concerns including the continuing damage to water quality from dairy run-off, are yet to be addressed.

"The document trumpets the Exclusive Economic Zone legislation that is before Parliament as protecting the marine environment. The reality is that submitter after submitter on the Bill has said the legislation is too weak, and fails to meet our international obligations.

“It will need drastic change if it is to live up to the hype National is giving it.

"The Government likes to talk big over the environment. What it should be doing is putting those words into action to protect and enhance what is so important to our prosperity and way of life,” Grant Robertson said.

ends

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