Pork-Barrel ETS – The Worst Kind Of Politics
Pork-Barrel ETS – The Worst Kind Of Politics
John
Boscawen MP, ACT New Zealand
Tuesday, November 17
2009
Climate Change Minister Nick Smith's secret deal with the Iwi Leadership Group - gifting land to five iwi to gain support for the Government's Emission Trading Scheme proposal is pork-barrel politics of the worst kind, ACT New Zealand MP John Boscawen said.
"The deal is being done behind closed doors to ensure Maori Party support," Mr Boscawen said.
"Treaty settlements with the five iwi occurred over more than a decade. In some instances iwi knew the land they were getting had been discounted to reflect the impending imposition of an ETS. To now ask for additional compensation would result in the New Zealand taxpayer paying twice.
"The deal needs proper scrutiny to ensure transparency and accountability. The ACT Party today pledged its support to National to delay the implementation of its ETS for six months – so that these late changes can be properly considered," Mr Boscawen said.
ENDS