September 11, 2013
Maori Party taihoa on RMA reform
The Maori Party and United Future have told the Government it has gone too far in watering down the Resource Management Act.
They say they won't vote for the amendment bill put up by Environment Minister Amy Adams in its current form.
Tariana Turia and Peter Dunne say the changes aren’t just about rebalancing the Act and making consenting procedures more efficient, but amount to a fundamental rewrite.
They are particularly alarmed at the removal of the Act’s emphasis on the maintenance and enhancement of the quality of the environment.
They say removing that principle will put a spanner in the works of the legal system that will take years of litigation to fix up.
There is concern that the focus on sustainability will be lost, and that the role of tangata whenua as kaitiaki or guardians of the environment will be undermined.
The revolt by the Government's support parties means National will rely on the vote of ACT's John Banks to get the legislaton passed.
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