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Election environment debate transcript available
4 November 2011
Election environment debate transcript available
The Environmental Defence Society has released a transcript of an election seminar it hosted on the environment. The seminar took the form of a discussion involving Hon Dr Nick Smith (National), Hon David Parker (Labour) and Dr Russel Norman (Greens) and was moderated by EDS Chairman Gary Taylor.
Topics covered during the two-hour seminar included freshwater management, offshore oil gas and mining, Rena, oceans, the High Country including the Mackenzie Country, coastal development, climate change, the Resource Management Act and Auckland issues.
"We were pleased at the good understanding of the issues shown by the three speakers and at the broad agreement around the need for an Emissions Trading Scheme, freshwater reform, and a wide-ranging independent inquiry into the response to the Rena disaster," said Gary Taylor.
"However there were differences of approach between the parties on a wide range of issues which means that there are clear choices available on environmental policy for voters.
"EDS is non-party political so we leave people to make decisions on party preferences for themselves. But we are pleased to have canvassed key environmental issues and to have made that information available for New Zealanders to read at their leisure.
"We note a recent TV3 poll that put the environment at the top of a list of matters of concern to voters during this election.
"The questions we put to candidates are listed below and the full transcript can be viewed here," said Mr Taylor.
Visit EDS's website: eds.org.nz
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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