Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

EDS welcomes appointments of new ministers

EDS welcomes appointments of new environment and conservation ministers


The Environmental Defence Society has welcomed the appointment of Dr Nick Smith and Maggie Barry to cabinet, as Ministers for the Environment and Conservation respectively.

“Both Ministers are experienced and come out of National’s Blue-green stable,” said EDS Chairman Gary Taylor.

“Dr Nick Smith has held the environment portfolio before and Maggie Barry has chaired the Environment and Local Government Select Committee.

“Dr Smith, as the new Minister for the Environment will have a busy three years. Apart from the environmental reforms already in train, there would be merit in revisiting the role and functions of his Ministry. On most indicators, New Zealand’s environmental quality is deteriorating and a fix is urgently needed and that might require a fresh look at the effectiveness of the Ministry.

“We should be able to make good progress on the key issue of freshwater management, National intends to regulate that dairy cattle should be kept out of freshwater systems. It also committed to collaborative processes in freshwater plan making and to implementing the Land and Water Forum’s recommendations on freshwater management.

“We also look forward to a more collaborative approach on RMA reforms. National has a clear mandate for reform and that there are many ways the Act could be improved to enable prompt and less bureaucratic decision-making. The big challenge is how to do that without sacrificing environmental quality.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“This approach would be consistent with the Prime Minister’s undertaking to peak environmental groups in July that it would be sensible to “hit the refresh button” on RMA reform.

“Serious engagement with Dr Smith and with other key stakeholders should be able to find an agreed way forward that creates a stable platform for economic growth.

“We also look forward to National progressing the Environmental Reporting Bill. Getting good information about the state of the environment is an essential building block for constructive and targeted policy responses.

“We also welcome the appointment of Maggie Barry as Minister of Conservation. We know Maggie Barry well and look forward to working with her.

“New Zealanders may not realise how much biodiversity we are losing in spite of heroic efforts by many to turn the tide. For example, the kiwi population is declining at 2-3% per annum. If that rate continues, the bird could be lost by mid century. DOC has a really important role in protecting biodiversity on private land and we will be discussing new approaches with the Minister.

“We look forward to working with the new Ministers on a moderate and progressive reform agenda,” Mr Taylor concluded.


ends

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.