Of course Luxon wants to fast track dams

Christopher Luxon wants new dams built across the country: ‘Absolutely critical’

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wants to remove “red tape” preventing large-scale water storage projects from being built in Hawke’s Bay, and nationally.

Speaking to Hawke’s Bay Today, Luxon said dams were “absolutely critical” to ensuringland was productive and his coalition Government was united on their importance.

“We have an abundance of water that is desperately needed in different place.

“And when you think about how it can help transform regions or make land use more productive, that’s all good for us because it means we’re enlarging our economy.

“And when we enlarge our economy, we get higher wages and salaries for regular Kiwis and that’s what it’s got to be all about.

Blah, blah, blah.

Of course he wants dams, you need dams for mining and his Government is looking to open Conservation land to Trans National Mining Interests…

Govt to free up foreign investment in ‘sensitive’ NZ land and assets

Ministerial scrutiny of whether overseas investments are in New Zealand’s national interest is to be significantly reduced in a move critics say risks eroding sovereignty but supporters believe will enrich New Zealand.

…while giving Dr Pork Shane Jones fast tracking powers…

Fast track consenting in the fast lane

The Government is progressing changes to resource management laws as part of its 100 Day Action Plan, with the first steps taken to establish a new fast-track consenting one-stop shop regime.

“This new regime, which forms part of National’s coalition agreement with New Zealand First, will improve the speed and process for resource approvals for major infrastructure projects, unlocking opportunities in industries such as aquaculture and mining in our regions,” Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. 

“For too long, New Zealanders have had to wait for progress in their towns and cities due to the overly-restrictive RMA. Today we have taken the first steps in cutting through this mess of red tape, so we can supercharge New Zealand’s infrastructure and economic potential,” RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Consenting of major projects costs too much and takes too long – the Infrastructure Commission estimates that current consenting processes cost infrastructure projects a staggering $1.3 billion every year, and the time taken to get a resource consent for key projects has nearly doubled within a recent five-year period.

…while meeting Mining interests and saying things like this…

NZ needs to get back to drilling and mining, minister Jones says

Economic resilience and productivity should trump just about every else, says resources minister and self-described climate change “doubting Thomas” Shane Jones. Jones and energy minister Simeon Brown presented their vision of an energy future to a group of energy industry leaders and others at a Feb 15 breakfast meeting in Wellington. It was a vision that would delight some and outrage others.

…so yes, Luxon needs more dams but he has to pretend those dams are for water collection when the RMA changes will allow easier dams for mines.

The ease with which we are being misled and distracted as this right wing blitzkrieg continues unabated is shameful to us all.

 

 

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