April 03, 2014
Jones backing oil exploration
Labour’s regional development spokesperson Shane Jones says it will be up to regional communities as to whether they welcome or reject increased oil and gas exploration.
Energy Minister Simon Bridges this week opened up three onshore and five offshore blocks for exploration, totaling just over 400,000 square kilometres.
The Greens called on Mr Bridges to resign his associate climate change portfolio, because of the threat to the climate of burning fossil fuels.
But Mr Jones says fuel is New Zealand’s biggest import, and he’s sick of the scaremongering.
"The country has natural resources. Those resources should be explored. if they have value, then society through the resource management consent process can make a call as to whether regions in New Zealand could be entitled to grow rich on the back of natural resource development. That's how I see it," he says.
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