Don Brash MP National Party Leader

15 September 2004

National says too little too late on RMA

National Party Leader Don Brash says minor amendments will not address the substantial concerns about the delays, costs and uncertainties of the Resource Management Act.

He's commenting on proposed changes to the Act announced by the Government today.

"These changes are so minor they are farcical. They are designed to politically neutralise an argument the Government is losing during election year. It will not address the fundamental problems.

"These feeble amendments from Labour are sentencing New Zealanders to more years of traffic congestion, power supply insecurity and the exporting of more jobs and wealth to Australia.

"Only a year ago, Marian Hobbs claimed her Resource Management Amendment Bill had solved the problems. These latest changes will be just as ineffective.

"The provisions to stop vexatious and frivolous objections are a farce when only last year the Government amended the Act prohibiting the Courts from requiring security for costs.

"Changes proposed in respect of iwi will add to the leverage Maori have in the Resource Management process. The Act needs re-writing to ensure it is colour blind and treats all New Zealanders equally.

"The tragedy is that Labour rejected National's 1999 Resource Management Bill that would have solved these problems years ago.

"The public now knows that only a change in Government next year will see any substantive reform of the Resource Management Act," says Dr Brash.

ENDS

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