Key claims mining mandate while dodging questions

John Key is being disingenuous with his bizarre claims of a mandate to mine conservation areas, while at the same time avoiding questions in the House, the Green Party said today.

“If John Key is willing to tell reporters he has a mining mandate, he should be willing to back his statements in the House,” said Green Party Conservation spokesperson Kevin Hague.

John Key told Radio NZ that his Government believes it has public support to expand mining on conservation land. In contrast, the Government’s summary of submissions reports that most submitters support more conservation land being protected from mining. The Prime Minister has also transferred all questions in Parliament pertaining to the issue to Minister Brownlee.

“I am struggling to understand how 1.5 percent support for more mining in conservation land constitutes a mandate,” Mr Hague said. “Like the original proposal, it defies common sense.

“A meagre 1.5 percent of submitters supported more mining in conservation areas, and Gerry Brownlee is being left to hold the bag.

“John Key’s laissez-faire attitude towards his Cabinet is the underlying cause of the mining debacle and subsequent back down. He needs to own it.

“There was only one clear message from submitters about the future of our conservation estate; love it, protect it,” Mr Hague said.

The Government’s summary of submissions can be accessed at:
http://www.med.govt.nz/upload/73974/Summary%20of%20Schedule%204%20submissions%20July%202010.pdf