Nats change law, but where’s the projects?

The RMA reforms unveiled today do nothing to disguise National’s failure to outline a credible economic recovery plan and to confront the environmental challenges New Zealand faces, says Labour leader Phil Goff and Environment spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta.

Mr Goff said the while the RMA was generally sound, Labour had initiated reforms and believed ongoing improvements in some areas were needed.

“But we won’t tolerate moves to steamroll community rights and environmental safeguards under the misnomer “streamline” and we intend to scrutinise the proposed legislation in this regard before it gets to the House,” he said.

“The reforms are a result of a confidence and supply agreement between National and Act. Both these parties have a history of trying to ram through pet projects for their developer mates with scant regard for the public good,” Nanaia Mahuta said.

“What is really ironic is John Key is talking up the reforms as a way of paving the way for infrastructure development, yet the Government has just deferred major projects such as Transmission Gully and the Waterview Connection,” Mr Goff said.

“Mr Key has failed to outline an infrastructure development plan which will create jobs and stimulate the economy and as other world leaders call on the need for a renewed battle on climate change, he’s busy taking New Zealand backwards.”

“New Zealanders treasure our clean green image, yet Mr Key has no action plan to improve the quality of our degrading water quality,” Nanaia Mahuta said.

“As the global economic downturn continues, it seems that National’s first 100 days has been more about rhetoric than action,” Mr Goff said.

“Well Labour had plans to build roads and homes and for other job-rich projects to improve the environment such as retrofitting homes. If John Key has a substantial alternative, it’s about time he told us what it is.”

ENDS

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