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EDS Asks For Retention Of Schedule 4 Protection
EDS Mining Submission asks for retention of Schedule
4 protection for all special places and for 40% tax on
mining profits
The Environmental Defence Society has called for the government to retain all current Schedule 4 protections in its submission to the Ministry of Economic Development.
"We agree with the Minister for the Environment, Hon Dr Nick Smith, who said during the third reading of the Bill that Schedule 4 "at long last puts some pegs in the sand in some very significant areas of New Zealand and says to the mining industries of New Zealand: 'These are no no-go areas...where nature should be able to rule the roost."
"EDS argues that there is an implied covenant between the Crown and the people of New Zealand that National Parks and other high status conservation lands have been set aside for protection in perpetuity," said EDS Chairman Gary Taylor.
"In our submission we have analysed the legal status of these lands and point out how it would be inconsistent with the purpose for which they are held to allow mining.
"We have argued that the land on Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel Peninsula and Paparoa National Park should all be retained in Schedule 4.
"There are plenty of other places of lower value for nature conservation where mining can be considered on a case-by-case basis.
"EDS has also asked for a 40% tax on super-profits from mining activities to bring New Zealand into alignment with Australia.
"If there's one new fact that's emerged during the debate on Schedule 4, it's the knowledge that very little benefit accrues to the New Zealand economy from mining. Most of the companies are foreign, they pay insignificant royalties and they take the profits offshore.
"EDS expects that the government is in fact listening and trusts that it will abandon its plans to take land out of Schedule 4 and that that will be an enduring position," Mr Taylor concluded.
ENDS
Environmental Defence Society
EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.
Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand
through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non-
profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.
EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It
operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together
the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.
EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental
Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.
EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.
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