Resources minister Shane Jones says economic resilience and productivity ‘should trump almost everything else’. What does that mean for our environment, asks Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here.
Drill baby drill?
As it’s still early, let’s start with breakfast: yesterday’s Energy Resources Aotearoa breakfast meeting, to be specific, where Simeon Brown and Shane Jones were special guests. The energy minister and resources minister were there to talk about the government’s change of direction on energy extraction, reports BusinessDesk’s Glen Hurrell (paywalled). True to form, Jones treated his audience to some memorable quotes. The minister was particularly exercised over the case of activist Mike Smith, who is suing NZ’s seven biggest polluters – including a number of extractive industries – on the basis of damage to his whenua and moana. Jones said he was horrified that offshore mining decisions could turn on the court’s view of tikanga Māori and that he deeply resented “the distortion of my culture, driven by people who want to substantially change the ethos and the direction of our country on the basis of eco-catastrophisation and colonial guilt”.
Fast-track consent plan has experts alarmed
Jones told the audience he was open about his view that “economic resilience and economic productivity should trump almost everything else”. Many in the environmental movement believe the proposal for fast-track infrastructure consents is evidence that Jones’ view has taken hold across government. The proposal, which opponents say would allow ministers to all but rubber-stamp “significant” infrastructure projects with little independent oversight, has attracted a horrified response from environmental lobby groups and experts. “This isn’t normal, everyday bill-making – this will bypass environmental law that we have had in place for 30 years,” ecologist Marnie Prickett tells The Spinoff this morning. “I hope I’m getting across how worried I am.”
Seabed mining company optimistic about fast-track future
One company that is looking forward to the consenting change is seabed mining company Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR). Its iron ore mining project off the south Taranaki coast has been knocked back twice on environmental grounds, but the fast-track process – which may not only apply to infrastructure – could be the breakthrough it needs, reports BusinessDesk’s John Anthony (paywalled). TTR has invested over $85 million in the project so far, and says the project would create hundreds of jobs and generate billions in revenue with “very little, if any, impact” on marine life. That claim has been strongly challenged by environmental groups, fishing interests and local iwi. Ngāti Ruanui say they will continue to fight even if consent is granted, RNZ’s Robin Martin reports. The iwi, which has been at the forefront of the fight against TTR’s plans, is seeking an urgent discussion with RMA reform minister Chris Bishop.
Ferry crisis still needs addressing, says KiwiRail
Also on the subject of infrastructure, KiwiRail bosses were in front of the transport select committee on Thursday to pick over the carcass of the cancelled iReX Cook Strait ferry project. KiwiRail confirmed it had sunk $424 million into the project before the incoming government pulled the plug, and told the committee a drawn-out dispute over the location of a new Wellington terminal contributed to the high set-up costs, the Herald’s Georgina Campbell reports. Despite the cancellation, “the terminals have to be built”, said chief executive Peter Reid, adding that Picton’s Port Marlborough wharf “has probably got about two to three years left”. Another big problem: the pressing need for new ships. There are only 22 second-hand ships in the world that meet KiwiRail’s criteria, and none of them are for sale.