by frog
Send e-card here.
There has been simmering speculation in last few days over whether Environment Minister Nick Smith will use his powers under the Resource Management Act to call in the applications for factory-style farms in the Mackenzie Country.
The Minister has the ability to do this on several grounds, including when the decision of widespread public concern.
It would be hard to argue that that desciption does not apply here, given the level of public interest and outcry. The facebook group opposing the proposals currently has more than 26,000 members!
Yesterday the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment took a strong stand and called on the Government to call in the consents. Environment Canterbury, the local authority currently considering the applications,
If the Minister calls in the consents, they will be referred to an independent board of enquiry or directly to the Environment Court.
Now you can tell Nick Smith directly to make the right call and call in the consents. Send him an e-card here.
The Government has until 2 February to act.
Published in Economy, Work, & Welfare | Parliament | Society & Culture | THE GAME by frog on Fri, January 15th, 2010
on the trolls and those who are unable to keep on topic
Do the right thing, Nick!
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I oppose the consents, but would it actually make any difference. The supposedly independent board of enquiry would be ministerial appointees, and the National government has already indicated that it is more pro-development than pro-environment when it comes to the Resource Management Act. ECAN may be less inclined to allow development, judging by some of their communications. They probably want it called in simply to shift responsibility since whatever decision they make, they will be under pressure.
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Minister Smith claimed Friday on National Radio that the government will make a decision early next week about whether to call in the application. The grounds for the delay are that water and discharge consent applications need to be called in together. More experienced people than me could advise whether e-cards are best sent before or after the decision.
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Before JC2. Plus they should be sent to PM’s office. AFter all, he is the one who said “this Government does not support these proposals”
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We need to keep our eye on the ball and the ball in play is John Key, who actually pulls the strings on behalf of his backers. Nick Smith is simply Key’s lackey, but doing what he loves best, destroying people’s sense of wellbeing and pride in NZ.
No matter who we may write or email or text to, it must include John Key’s name. He is the one who constantly needs to be told this is his fault if New Zealand turns into a giant sxxt-house for imprisoned animals and people – cows and chickens and pigs in prisons, people being spied upon with legal sanction, with that observation increasing and the rights to privacy increasingly reduced.
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That’s some good strategy right there from pm watcher. Strategy – it’s good for us.
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Key’s gone coy on the call-in.
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