The Government say they are stopping new petroleum exploration, but they are not. If passed as is, the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill would cement the legal rights of private oil companies to drill baby drill, right into the 2050’s.

It would also confirm legal rights to drill and frack under the Egmont National Park including Mt Taranaki, the most precious conservation lands in the region. Allowing any mining activity within, or under Egmont National Park is fool hardy because it is a priceless resource, but to allow private individuals and business access to mine- for no good reason but private profit-is unconscionable.

The opportunity to prohibit such activity is available right now and government MP’s need to take this opportunity right now for the sake of future generations.

OMV, TODD, Tamarind and others are ramping up plans to drill more on and off shore wells and-as is-this Bill gives them clear permission to do so, right up to and beyond 2050.

Todd are currently drilling a ‘super pad’ to feed two new, yet to be built, gas fired power plants. OMV are preparing to drill 12 exploration wells off Taranaki Coast, Tamarind have plans to drill another handful. The public know little about this activity because the environmental consents needed are often granted in back rooms and kept well out of the public eye.

With the introduction of this bill, the public have a rare opportunity to take a look at what is really going on and to hold this government to account. We all know the writing is on the wall, petroleum exploration must be stopped. While this

government has been congratulating itself of late on starting the process, it is now the time to do the hard yards.

Moving forward, we need the Crown Minerals Act to state clearly there will be no more petroleum exploration in or around Aotearoa/NZ full stop.

Jean Kahui

Frack Free Action

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