Media Statement
Monday, 31 August 2009

Hon Peter Dunne
MP for Ohariu
Leader of UnitedFuture

Dunne: ETS Report gives Government platform for Copenhagen

The Emissions Trading Scheme Select Committee review has demonstrated strong support for such a scheme and gives the Government the platform it needs to develop its position for the upcoming Copenhagen climate change conference, committee chairman Peter Dunne said today.

Speaking after the Select Committee report was tabled and published this afternoon, UnitedFuture leader and Ohariu MP Mr Dunne said the report was very much a “middle road” through some “complex and contentious material”.

“We had a huge range of opinion to consider from a broad spectrum of submitters, and I think the report advances and clarifies the thinking around issues such as what New Zealand’s response to climate change should be; whether an emissions trading scheme is a better approach than a carbon tax; the point of entry of various sectors into the ETS; and the need for ongoing monitoring and research.

The report gives the Government the mandate it needs to move forward, he said.

Mr Dunne said the fact that there were also four minority reports gave a fair indication of, not just political differences, but the complexity of the issues.

“My objective throughout was to find the common ground between the parties.

“It’s been a demanding process, but the result is a constructive one, and in areas around climate change and how to handle it, and where often there is more heat than light, I think we have achieved some clarity and a platform for the Government’s next steps,” he said.

ENDS

Review of the Emissions Trading Scheme and related matters (PDF)

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