Outrage at big corporation burning off New Zealand oil

11 June 2008

Oliver Woods - RAM Party candidate for Auckland Central

Oliver Woods, Auckland Central candidate for RAM - Residents Action Movement, is outraged that an Australian firm is burning off New Zealand's precious natural gas resources at a time of unprecedented petroleum costs and energy shortages.

"Australian Worldwide Exploration (AWE) has admitted to burning around 17 million cubic feet of natural gas every day on the Tui oilfield off Taranaki," said Oliver Woods

"How will my opponent, the Associate Minister of Transport The Hon Judith Tizard, explain to Auckland motorists facing insane prices at the pump that her Government gave this money-grubbing corporate permission to literally destroy our most precious energy resources?" "AWE are claiming that they didn't know how much natural gas there was in the Tui field as their excuse for not being prepared for so much being there."

"This outrageous, Mickey Mouse claim is being defended by Labour Party Energy Minister Harry Duynhoven," said Oliver Woods.

"This is the same corporation that admitted direct responsibility last year for the spillage of 23,000 litres of oil into the sea that poisoned Taranaki's coastline last year."

"Why is the Labour Government defending an Australian corporation that is taking ordinary Kiwis for a ride? They are destroying our natural environment and callously wasting our resources."

"I look forward to debating my Auckland Central opponent The Hon Judith Tizard on why her Government seems so utterly adamant on punishing consumers, particularly considering she is Minister of Consumer Affairs."

"The Hon Judith Tizard should be helping out Kiwis get through these difficult economic times. Instead she seems more concerned about New Zealand Music month and her own party's failing prospects in Auckland Central, an electorate full of people and businesses under massive pressure from the price gouging of petrol companies and commodity speculation."

"RAM is presenting a bold strategy of expanding public transport funded out of the pork-barrel slushfund that Labour has been using to build motorways."

"I passionately believe the burdens caused by climate change should be shouldered by big corporations. Regular Kiwis who are forced to drive because of the failures of successive Labour and National Governments with public transport don't deserve to get punished," said Oliver Woods.

Oliver Woods is standing as an Auckland Central candidate for RAM, as the Residents Action Movement is popularly known. A post-graduate student, he is also involved in a small IT startup company.

RAM, a political movement in the process of registration with the Electoral Commission, was formed into a national-level party just three months ago. After only a few months of existence the new party has 2,600 members, giving it a bigger membership than other parties currently represented in parliament (United Future, the Progressives and ACT). RAM's GST-off-food petition has attracted more than 12,000 signatures over the past two months.

In the 2008 general election, RAM will be contesting electorate seats around the country (including upwards of a dozen in Greater Auckland), as well as the party list vote. Its aim is to provide a strong broad left voice.

ENDS

© Scoop Media