Fanatical Greens Must allow EveryoneTo Have a Say Over Environmental Problems

“It is time that New Zealanders stand up and recapture the environmental conversation from the Green Party” said UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne in response to the results of a Fish and Game commissioned survey released this morning.

The study finds that 89% of adult New Zealanders link their Kiwi identity to the natural environment and a majority are concerned that increased, intensive dairy farming is degrading our environment.

“Today’s study confirms my long standing argument, that in this country we are all innate environmentalists; it is part of who are” said Mr Dunne.

“But having a concern for the environment does not mean one has to support the Green Party.

“The debate is not that narrow.

“UnitedFuture is the party for middle of the road New Zealanders who are concerned about the environmental direction of New Zealand but cannot buy into the fanatical and one-dimensional policies of the Green Party,” said Mr Dunne.

“This is why, despite powerful lobbying, I have stuck to my guns over National’s attempts to gut the Resource Management Act through the removal of sections six and seven.

“I acknowledge that the RMA needs to be fixed and I’m seeking to work with National on achieving those necessary fixes. But I will not do so at the expense of the environmental bottom lines that the RMA sets.

“It is actually time that Wellington steps back and lets local communities decide for themselves,” said Mr Dunne

“We need Wellington to respect the local communities that are the backbone of our country and trust them to make their own decisions based on what is best for them.

“This election UnitedFuture will strongly advocate for local communities to shape their own destiny.

“If Canterbury, for example, wants more intensive dairying farming, or Hawkes Bay wants to be GE free, or the West Coast wants to preserve their rivers then it is not up to Ministers in the Beehive to ride roughshod over those wishes” said Mr Dunne

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