Horan: Govt failing New Zealand over Rena

Recent developments with the Rena disaster come as no surprise says Independent MP Brendan Horan.  Past warnings by Mr Horan that the ships owners and Government were laying foundations to leave the remains of the wreck on the reef are now becoming a reality.

Despite prior Government promises of a complete removal  - this is now another National Party about-face.

Mr Horan implores all New Zealand to get behind the small but brave local Hapū  that have been left fighting for justice for all New Zealanders against International polluters, the owners of the Rena.

‘The owners of the Rena have an asset base of over 2.4 billion dollars and not only have our Government gone silent on the issue , they have also done a sordid backyard deal to get a paltry payment of 10.4 million dollars if the local hapū  fail to get the wreck removed ‘said Brendan. The Government are hoping that what is out of sight is out of mind, leaving the small Iwi on Motiti Island to fight the battle with the Rena owners and insurers who want now to walk away and leave their unseen mess behind.

In Italy, the Government’s own Civil Protection Agency has been driving the parbuckling for the wreck of the Costa Concordia. This is what can be done when a government stands behind its people and honours its promises.

Mr Horan says that if we as New Zealander’s walk away from this wreck, what international message are we sending…pollute at will?  Our Government have only this week released huge new areas for oil exploration and in particular off our coasts without adequate resources to manage oil spills. This government has proven they can’t even organise the removal of a boat from a rock and yet they are prepared to enable deep sea oil drilling placing New Zealand’s entire coastline at risk.

ENDS

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