Post by Kiwi Frontline on Nov 20, 2016 18:43:10 GMT 12
DID GOVT USE US ELECTION AS COVER FOR RMA CHANGES?
Opponents of the government's overhaul of resource management law say New Zealanders are about to lose their right to have a say on environmental issues.
The Māori Party has finally agreed to back National's controversial RMA changes - handing it the numbers it needs to pass the legislation.
Environment Minister Nick Smith said with Māori Party support, National now had enough to make its changes to the RMA.
The Māori Party warned this year that it would withdraw its support for proposed changes if Māori were not given more say over how resources were managed.
Co-leader Marama Fox said its negotiations with National had led to more more iwi participation and the minister having less power to override local councils.
Labour Party environment spokesperson David Parker said the RMA changes were horrendous and the government had tried to hide them.
"This is another National government shambles being slipped through under the cover of the United States election," he said.
"Just about everyone is opposed to it - developers, environmental groups, the Law Society - Geoffrey Palmer's described it as a constitutional outrage because it confers so much power on Ministers to override the local will of councils and people," Mr Parker said.
Act Party leader David Seymour was similarly unimpressed with the timing of the announcement and said the Māori Party has just shot Māori in the foot.
"Oh look, I think if this RMA emperor had any clothes they would have announced it any other day, they couldn't have buried this RMA announcement better if they announced it on Christmas Eve."
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei was also suspicious of the announcement's timing and said the Māori Party has taken away the rights of all New Zealanders.
"I think they have given away the rights of New Zealanders across the board, including Māori, to have a say over what happens with their environment.
The bill will be referred back to select committee today, and the government expected it would be passed late this year, or early next.....
www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/317777/did-govt-use-us-election-as-cover-for-rma-changes
Opponents of the government's overhaul of resource management law say New Zealanders are about to lose their right to have a say on environmental issues.
The Māori Party has finally agreed to back National's controversial RMA changes - handing it the numbers it needs to pass the legislation.
Environment Minister Nick Smith said with Māori Party support, National now had enough to make its changes to the RMA.
The Māori Party warned this year that it would withdraw its support for proposed changes if Māori were not given more say over how resources were managed.
Co-leader Marama Fox said its negotiations with National had led to more more iwi participation and the minister having less power to override local councils.
Labour Party environment spokesperson David Parker said the RMA changes were horrendous and the government had tried to hide them.
"This is another National government shambles being slipped through under the cover of the United States election," he said.
"Just about everyone is opposed to it - developers, environmental groups, the Law Society - Geoffrey Palmer's described it as a constitutional outrage because it confers so much power on Ministers to override the local will of councils and people," Mr Parker said.
Act Party leader David Seymour was similarly unimpressed with the timing of the announcement and said the Māori Party has just shot Māori in the foot.
"Oh look, I think if this RMA emperor had any clothes they would have announced it any other day, they couldn't have buried this RMA announcement better if they announced it on Christmas Eve."
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei was also suspicious of the announcement's timing and said the Māori Party has taken away the rights of all New Zealanders.
"I think they have given away the rights of New Zealanders across the board, including Māori, to have a say over what happens with their environment.
The bill will be referred back to select committee today, and the government expected it would be passed late this year, or early next.....
www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/317777/did-govt-use-us-election-as-cover-for-rma-changes