Speaker Confirms ETS Repeal Process

Speaker Lockwood Smith today confirmed that the House could use exactly the same procedure that it used to pass the tax rises on tobacco - extraordinary urgency - to amend the Government’s ETS and delay its introduction, ACT Climate Change Spokesman John Boscawen said today.

"In response to my oral question, Minister for Climate Change Issues Nick Smith refused to acknowledge the simple process to disentangle New Zealand from a costly Emissions Trading Scheme," Mr Boscawen said

"Upon further questioning and Dr Smith’s refusal to answer, the Speaker confirmed to the House that the Government could in fact repeal the Emissions Trading Scheme under urgency.

"ACT has committed to Dr Smith and the National Government, the numbers required to move such a motion and repeal the ETS. Doing this will ensure that the Government honours their pledge to stay in line with Australia, who confirmed just this week that it is putting its ETS on hold until 2013.

"Despite the Government’s election promise that New Zealand would be a fast follower on climate change policy we are now very clearly a world leader. This will expose our economy and industry to huge costs that no other country will incur.

"I call on Minister Smith to honour the Government’s pledge to keep New Zealand in line with Australia. ACT will support any move to delay the Emissions Trading Scheme and the massive costs it will impose," Mr Boscawen said.

ENDS

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