Emissions trading bill out of touch with reality of business

Contrary to media reports, the emissions trading bill has not been significantly changed during the select committee stage.

Business NZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly says despite hundreds of submissions pointing out the deficits of the scheme, the “thousand amendments” are mostly minor wording changes, and the only significant changes have been decisions made by government without consultation with stakeholders or the select committee.

He says if the bill is passed in its present form, the industrial, manufacturing, transport, fishing, forestry, agriculture and horticulture sectors will all be harmed.

“This economic impact of this Bill is such that it really requires the support of both major parties to pass, and NZ First is to be congratulated on their recent advocacy of such an approach. If the government forces the bill through with a majority of only one or two, it will simply create another period of instability for business with the associated lack of investment,” Mr O’Reilly said.

“It would be hard to see any business supporting the passing of this Bill in its present form and anyone who considers that business is supportive of it is obviously out of touch with the reality of business.”