National: Too Lazy, Too Hasty
John Boscawen MP, ACT New Zealand
Monday, November 23 2009

ACT New Zealand ETS Spokesman John Boscawen today expressed disappointment over National's back-door deal with the Maori Party in order to ram through its flawed Emissions Trading Scheme.

"The amended ETS Bill is likely to be rushed into law this week, without being subjected to full public scrutiny. As such, the true cost to the New Zealand taxpayer will not be known for some time, Mr Boscawen said.

"This was completely unnecessary as ACT has consistently agreed to vote with National to defer the introduction of Labour's ETS - in respect to stationary industry and industrial processes - to enable a proper analysis of National's amendments.

"There are many areas where there has been insufficient consideration. Fishing is just one where, from January 1 2013, free allocation of carbon units will be reduced to zero - costing the industry over 25 percent in profit and putting New Zealand jobs at risk.

"In Forestry, there is no reason that a permanent forest cannot be planted on Conservation land for the benefit of all New Zealanders rather than just a few iwi. The inclusion of a Treaty of Waitangi clause is of great concern, as history has shown that the full meaning and costs of such clauses are not known for many years after.

"It is entirely inappropriate for such an important price of legislation – one that will have far-reaching consequences and negative impact – to be rammed through into law just because National is too lazy and too hasty to do the right thing," Mr Boscawen said.

ENDS

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