1 October 2008 Media Statement

Hide outs John Key and the Sceptical Seven

Act's Rodney Hide has provided further evidence that National MPs don't really mean what they say about taking action on climate change, Climate Change Minister David Parker says.

"National pretends to take climate change seriously but once again their stance has been exposed as window dressing, and utterly lacking in conviction."

Rodney Hide has revealed in a press release that National MPs have 'sidled up' to Act party members to complain that 'Nick Smith has hijacked National's policy.'

According to Mr Hide, these National MPs 'agreed with John Key when he said climate change was a hoax.'

"Who could these MPs be? Unfortunately for the environment and the country, there's no shortage of National Party MPs with their heads in the sand on climate change – I can count at least seven," David Parker said. (See list below)

"This is yet another example of National trying to please everyone, telling people what they think they want to hear instead of what National really believes in.

"National's climate change policy pledges that New Zealand 'must act to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions', but New Zealanders can't rely on John Key and his backward-looking team to deliver on this promise. Behind the scenes, it's clear that their commitment to protecting our environment and access to export markets is half-hearted to say the least.

"At least Rodney Hide is upfront about his opinion (however ill-founded) that climate change is nothing to worry about.

"It's worse to have a party that's not prepared to stand by their convictions. New Zealanders are concerned about global warming, and they want action.

"Labour has shown leadership on this difficult but nevertheless pressing issue. John Key must be honest about National's real attitude to climate change action.”

John Key and the Sceptical Seven

- John Key: Climate change "is a complete and utter hoax". (Hansard, May 05)
- Bill English: “We’ve become quite worried that policies are going to be driven by this Armageddon mentality that the world has far too many people and far too much carbon, and it’s all going to unwind within the next 20 years. So we want to make sure, we’ve got an open ear to the science.” (Investigate, Feb 2007)

- Lockwood Smith: Refused to say he believed in climate change despite being asked five times by TVNZ.

- Maurice Williamson: Reportedly told an AA conference that he didn't believe in climate change but refused to confirm or deny this to TVNZ despite repeated questioning.

- David Carter: "As a politician I am not sure about this climate change story." (Hansard, 17 Feb 2004)

- Richard Worth: "There is increasingly strong evidence that the sun and cosmic rays control our climate." (Richard Worth Newsletter, 21 Sep 2007)

- John Hayes: "I am not inclined to agree with the government's view that there is a scientific consensus on climate change". (Wairarapa News, 16 Aug 2006)

- Brian Connell: "I am a climate change sceptic. There I’ve said it." (Ashburton Guardian, 10 Nov 2006)

ENDS

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