Media Release
18th October, 2012

Returned ETS bill a failure – Environment Commissioner

The failure to fix the Emissions Trading Scheme Amendment Bill before its third reading is a disappointing and costly decision says the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright.

The returned Bill maintains the indefinite subsidies for big polluters and exemption of agriculture, and the removal of guaranteed review that Dr Wright strongly advised against in her submission to select committee.

Dr Wright says the Bill sets the wrong path for New Zealand’s future.

“Climate change is the most important environmental issue we face but this isn’t simply an environmental issue. We’re heading into a carbon constrained future which means we need to move to a low-carbon economy if we are to compete internationally.

“If these changes to the ETS are passed we’ll be rewarding greenhouse gas emitters with public money and punishing sectors that have invested in greenhouse gas reduction such as forestry.

“For our environmental and economic good we need be investing in a low carbon future, instead we’re being locked into promoting old, dirty, technologies.”

A copy of Dr Wright’s original submission is available here.

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>>