24 October 2008

Two-headed monster threatens clean and green exports

The Green Party is calling on New Zealanders to be wary of the National/Act two-headed monster that is threatening New Zealand's clean and green reputation, a reputation that underpins our export economy. This is in response to Key's comments about a five-headed monster.

"National has made it very clear that they will weaken the Resource Management Act, which is already so weak it can't stop water pollution. And Act has made it clear that New Zealand's commitment to the Kyoto climate protection treaty is now on the negotiating table in any post-election deal between Act and National," Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman says.

"A two-headed National/Act Government will leave our clean and green reputation in tatters. Our tourism and primary production exports will suffer accordingly.

"If New Zealand reneges on its Kyoto commitments we will become an international climate change pariah and our international customers in Europe and elsewhere will punish our exporters by avoiding New Zealand produce," Dr Norman says.

"New Zealand's international clean and green reputation is already hanging by a thread after years of National and Labour mismanagement which has led to a 25 percent increase in greenhouse emissions over 1990 levels. And most of our lowland rivers are now so polluted that they are unsafe to swim in for New Zealanders or tourists. The two old parties have cost us dearly already.

"But if Act uses post election negotiations to force New Zealand to renege on Kyoto then you can kiss our clean and green reputation goodbye.

"Our tourist sector is already threatened by the global downturn. People won't travel around the world to visit a climate change criminal and 100% Pure will be the laughing stock of travel agents in US, Australia and the EU.

"John Key's constant attacks on the Greens for caring about the environment show that he doesn't understand that, outside of the currency markets, the real economy relies on a real environment and if you threaten the environment you threaten the economy."

ENDS

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