Post by Kiwi Frontline on Apr 7, 2016 17:43:44 GMT 12
DON BRASH ATTACKS 'PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT' FOR MAORI IN RMA REFORMS
Plans to streamline the Resource Management Act (RMA) are "pathetically limited" and would come at the expense of extending preferential treatment for Maori, former National Party leader Don Brash claims.
NZ First leader Winston Peters again offered to work with the Government on proposed RMA reforms instead of the Maori Party, after Brash addressed Parliament's local government and environment committee on Thursday.
Concessions made by the Government to win Maori Party support for the reforms include giving iwi the right to be consulted "at the front end" of resource management and council planning through Iwi Participation Agreements.
Brash, best known for his controversial Orewa speech in 2004 arguing against special status for Maori, told the committee that the National Party had always accepted fundamental reforms to the RMA were needed.
"If I was asked what single measure the Government could take to raise living standards in New Zealand, I would without hesitation answer, 'Reform the RMA'."
Brash said Peters, who has attacked the Government's compromise with the Maori Party and made overtures to back separate RMA reforms, offered a "vastly better alternative". ….
www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/78663354/don-brash-attacks-preferential-treatment-for-maori-in-rma-reforms
Plans to streamline the Resource Management Act (RMA) are "pathetically limited" and would come at the expense of extending preferential treatment for Maori, former National Party leader Don Brash claims.
NZ First leader Winston Peters again offered to work with the Government on proposed RMA reforms instead of the Maori Party, after Brash addressed Parliament's local government and environment committee on Thursday.
Concessions made by the Government to win Maori Party support for the reforms include giving iwi the right to be consulted "at the front end" of resource management and council planning through Iwi Participation Agreements.
Brash, best known for his controversial Orewa speech in 2004 arguing against special status for Maori, told the committee that the National Party had always accepted fundamental reforms to the RMA were needed.
"If I was asked what single measure the Government could take to raise living standards in New Zealand, I would without hesitation answer, 'Reform the RMA'."
Brash said Peters, who has attacked the Government's compromise with the Maori Party and made overtures to back separate RMA reforms, offered a "vastly better alternative". ….
www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/78663354/don-brash-attacks-preferential-treatment-for-maori-in-rma-reforms