Government report on mining must be released now

The Government needs to release its report on where it thinks more mining should be allowed in the conservation estate now, so the public can see for themselves just what it is planning, Labour Conservation spokesperson David Parker says.

“While mining is currently prohibited in National Parks and parts of the Coromandel Peninsula (as it should be), it is not prohibited in most of the conservation estate under strict conditions,” David Parker said.

"The areas closed to mining have been carefully chosen. Information made public last night showed in regards to conservation land in Coromandel behind Thames that protection of these areas is essential to prevent landslides and flooding that could result in damage to property and loss of life

"Why is the government further delaying release of where it wants to open up mining? Given earlier public statements on behalf of the mining industry that they don't want to mine in National Parks, why is the government still pursuing mining in National Parks?

"Perhaps the main agenda here is to make it easier to mine in the Coromandel and in other parts of the Conservation estate outside of National Parks."

"Last year in its changes to the Resource Management Act the Government removed the Minister of Conservation's already limited right to veto developments in marine areas. The Minister used to exercise those rights on behalf of the public of New Zealanders and had political accountability for the wisdom of his or her decisions. That political accountability has now gone.

"This year the Minister of Conservation has said she is considering whether the Department of Conservation should give up its statutory role of advocating for the environment, which many think is an astounding suggestion that shows the true bent of this government.

"Given that record, we should be concerned that this Government is likely to try to remove the Minister of Conservation's right to decide whether or not non-schedule 4 conservation land is open for mining.

"This would be another example of removing political accountability of our elected government for important decisions. Conservation land is public land. It is called conservation land because it is meant to be conserved.

"The elected government is the custodian of those lands on behalf of the public. The Minister of Conservation should take responsibility for decisions that affect it.

"That this is occurring at the same time as most of the assets of the new Auckland city are being put into company structures beyond the direct control of elected Councillors again shows how this government is willing to put the interests of a few corporates ahead of the interests of the general public,” David Parker said.