The government has today taken the decision to require ethical standards for default KiwiSaver funds, including exclusion of fossil fuels. This protects the interests of those who do not make a specific choice of funds when they sign up to KiwiSaver. The government has a responsibility to ensure their money is not invested in fossil fuels and other companies that cause social and environmental harm.
Big Oil has repeatedly lied about the impact of burning fossil fuels on our environment. In a repeat of tactics that delayed tobacco regulation for decades, the major oil companies have hidden evidence and paid for junk science by climate deniers. As a result of inaction, millions of people have suffered from air pollution, toxic waste and climate change, particularly those who are vulnerable and living in impoverished communities.
Last week, Facebook’s share price had the largest one day drop in Wall St history, at almost 19%. They were punished not only because members of the public care about abuses of their privacy, but also because investors are choosing not to invest in companies that behave unethically.
According to the government’s National Interest Analysis released yesterday, there would be a very small economic benefit from TPP-11. The costs and risks are far higher, including the real constraints on democratic decision-making and regulation of our economy to meet the challenges ahead. The TPP-11 is not in the interests of the New Zealand people. It should not be signed.
There’s a lot at stake in this election. We face huge challenges ahead, including tackling climate change and building a more equal society. The Greens have put transformative proposals on the table. If we succeed in forming a government with Labour, we will usher in an era of progressive change for the benefit of all New Zealanders.
If we were not part of the coalition, we would not accept a Labour-New Zealand First government and certainly not a National-New Zealand First government. Neither will be acceptable to the Greens. We want the Greens to be the beating heart of the next government and the strongest possible party vote for the Greens is the only solution.
We gain privileged access to Pacific markets, but they gain no new access to our markets. There are no obligations on Australia to stop their protectionist policies towards Pacific kava exports and other fruit and vegetables that are produced in Australia. New Zealand exporters will gain $20 million in reduced tariffs, but this is lost revenue for Pacific governments that are already struggling to provide basic health care and education to their people.
Civil society is also mobilising and activists are mobilising to seize the opportunity. At last there is a deeply offensive target and outrageous behaviour to protest against, instead of the smooth lies and hypocrisy that have been covered over for years by clever PR strategies funded by ExxonMobil and the fossil fuel lobbies.
It’s like a scene from a Dracula movie where the zombie comes back from the dead. The TPPA is dead but the TPPA-11, without the US, has just opened one eye. The idea of reviving the TPPA without the US, but still including all of the dangerous aspects that the US introduced into negotiations, makes no sense.
Another term of office of this government would see exploitation of our remaining natural resources and environmental damage on a larger scale, all in the name of short term profits for a few. There are better alternatives. We need a change of direction towards a fairer and more sustainable economy. We need a new government, with the Greens at its heart.