Headline: Threat to Environment Court latest from destructive Government
Concerns that the specialist Environment Court may be disestablished can’t be dismissed, despite ‘assurances’ from the Government, says Labour’s Environment spokesperson, Maryan Street.
“The Government has refused to release documents pertaining to an OIA request about its intentions for the Environment Court.
“While the grounds for refusing to release the documents may be justifiable, it has simply caused a storm of anxiety amongst those who care about our environmental protections.
“This is apparently the next step in a long line of actions the government has taken to undermine the Resource Management Act. Their intention is clearly to turn it into an economic development Act, with as little irritation as possible caused by protections for the environment.
“The Environment Court has built up considerable specialist expertise and useful case law over two decades now.
“Labour will retain the court, and will repeal any legislation the government passes which reduces the environmental protections provided by the RMA,” said Maryan Street.
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