MP: Govt decision on oil/gas ‘sensible’

Bay of Plenty-based Labour Party list MP Angie Warren-Clark supports her government’s decision to end new offshore oil and gas exploration in New Zealand. File photo.

Tauranga Labour Party list MP Angie Warren-Clark has praised her government's ending of new offshore oil and gas exploration in New Zealand as choosing a ‘sensible path'.

The announcement, made to today, doesn't affect existing exploration permits or wells, and Angie says no existing jobs will be affected.

'As a member of the Environment Select Committee, I regularly hear submissions and read reports about the effects climate change is having on our country,” she says.

'As Jacinda Ardern said last year, climate change is this generation's nuclear-free moment. It is our chance for New Zealand to play a leading role to help make a better world.”

She says for that reason, the government has set a target of zero carbon pollution by 2050 – and that the country needs to begin transitioning away from fossil fuels now to make a difference in time.

'Huge advances are being made in electric cars, solar panels, and home energy storage. It's easier than ever to get the energy we need from renewable sources. As our need for oil and gas decreases, and the transition to clean and renewable energy sources takes place, we should slowly stop drilling.

However, she says stopping all oil and gas exploration immediately would be unfair to the workers in the industry and their families.

'Jacinda Ardern's government has chosen a sensible path that gets the balance right. We're protecting current workers from a sudden change, we're protecting the energy supplies New Zealanders need, and we're addressing climate change to protect future generations from a rising tide.”

National Party Bay of Plenty MP and climate change spokesperson Todd Muller says the decision makes no sense – environmentally or economically – because less gas production means more coal being burnt and higher carbon emissions.

'Many overseas countries depend on coal for energy production. Those CO2 emissions would halve if they could switch to natural gas while they transition to renewable energy.

'By stopping New Zealand's gas exploration we are turning our backs on an opportunity to help reduce global emissions while providing a major economic return to improve our standard of living and the environment.

'We need to reduce global CO2 emissions. But there is no need to put an entire industry and thousands of New Zealanders' jobs at risk.”

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15 comments

Clueless

Posted on 12-04-2018 12:05 | By rastus

Only time will tell but I for one who does not believe in man made climate change can only treat Labors decisions as lunacy. I can also say that I was not one of the stooges who were fooled by Labors election promises - if they remain in power I predict we are in for a rough ride!


What? Sensible?

Posted on 12-04-2018 12:13 | By astex

There is nothing sensible about turning away hundreds of millions of dollars, losing jobs and increasing taxes at some stage to cover the losses. We should be using the oil income to get rid of oil. Use the profit to subsidize electric cars, solar panels etc. Once that is done THEN we can stop using oil.


Non-sense!

Posted on 12-04-2018 12:14 | By Maryfaith

These people must live on a different planet to us mere mortals. Don't they consider the implications of what they are doing to the country? Are they that thick? - yes unfortunately!!!


Cars are our biggest contributor

Posted on 12-04-2018 12:23 | By Johnney

So hacking off the hand that feeds us is going to save the planet. If they are so desperate to cut emissions then sort out our roads and public transport. Jacindas car runs on fairy dust !!!!


oil

Posted on 12-04-2018 12:26 | By dumbkof2

someone else who will be looking for a new job after the next election


Angie, hand in your car please!

Posted on 12-04-2018 13:28 | By jed

You don't deserve to drive a vehicle. Otherwise , you are a hypocrite. People are already working towards technology such as electric cars and carbon negative power generation etc. This is like killing an industry before the replacement industry is ready. Maybe you'd also care to donate your salary to one of taranakis oil workers who will lose their job?


MMP at its very worst

Posted on 12-04-2018 14:39 | By thebrads6

There is a much bigger picture here for NZ and that is our stupid electoral system! NZ First (or is that last) have sold their soul to the devil just to stay in power. If they stuck to the policies their supporters voted for, Labour would not have been even close to having the numbers to push this through. Democracy here is MINORITY rules!


World full of questions,the guttless take the easy way out

Posted on 12-04-2018 15:20 | By hapukafin

Who caused the cliamate change that killed of the Dinosaurs?The world needs oil to support human life whether we like it or not.If we dont supply some of the oil someone else will and benefit from it.Our financial loss.No oil means no tar to repair our roads which shakes batteries to pieces.


Oil exploration isn't only for fuel

Posted on 12-04-2018 15:38 | By CC8

Even the amount that IS for fuel is not exclusively used in cars. We live on an Island deep in the South Pacific, everything we produce that is not used domestically needs Fuel Oil to be exported. By air or ship. I suppose the new electric car that AWC will now be driving will not need any lubrication. It won't need tires, and won't have any plastic or rubber parts. The exploration for minerals and plastic needed for her Solar Panels and batteries, etc etc will come to a standstill and then we will need to import MORE stuff, including importing the fuel for the ships and planes to get home after they deliver to NZ. Other countries WILL NOT stop just because NZ does, they will laugh and rip us off even more than now.


poorly done

Posted on 12-04-2018 16:13 | By Petrolhead

1 - this will have zero impact on consumption of fossil fuels in nz, we will simply import more2 - 20% of gas is used for electricity generation, true this can be covered but currently only by coal, renewables may create some job replacement but not many of the 11000 dependent jobs3 - we have put at risk any future investment in a $2.5b/yr industry that the govt receives $300m/yr in royalties from - this is a big cost, for how much environmental bang? See point 14 - Overseas supply of petrochemical products currently produced here (refined oils/fuels/gas/crude/urea/methanol) will have questionable global environmental/social advantages, likely worse off due to transport impacts.5 - only tangible benefit is reduced risk of environmental/H&S incidents from petrochemical operations, eg oil spillsSummary - loose $2.5B GDP, loose $300m Govt income, loose 10,000 jobs, no meaningful environmental impactWinner


Labor,greens nz1st,Stupidity

Posted on 12-04-2018 18:29 | By phoenix

Next they will ban mining,Dairying, Irrigating for crops,and so on and so on.New Zealand the biggest laughing stock on the Planet.


Sensible?

Posted on 12-04-2018 18:44 | By Macolnz

For whom?Not your average, and particularly not for your below average Kiwi Labour!


deluded

Posted on 13-04-2018 11:55 | By Captain Sensible

Deluded and marxism go together.


Sensible?

Posted on 13-04-2018 15:41 | By MISS ADVENTURE

So next will be peddle cars right?


No more driving or flights

Posted on 24-04-2018 20:50 | By Really

The ones making the decisions for us have the biggest carbon footprints. Shouldnt be allowed any flights, or vehicle trips requiring fuel.... then make the decision. It just looks hypocritical otherwise.


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