Calls for the dumping of the government’s disastrous new and proposed laws was a repeated focus of discussion at ECO’s AGM, held online on 23 August. The multitude of laws were described as eco-toxic by members at the meeting. Member groups were unanimous that at least five laws or draft laws that attack environmental protections in Aotearoa should be withdrawn:

• The Conservation Amendment Bill, which proposes that the purpose of DoC and public conservation lands must be economic growth and development;
• The Fisheries Amendment Bill, that lessens attention to the environment and restricts information on fishing impacts;
• The proposed Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill, which together weaken environmental considerations and require that public good controls on environmental harms can only be put in place if local government compensates those who harm the environment;
• The Climate Change Response Amendment Act, that undermines climate action and NZ’s international reputation by weakening the country’s methane targets, and limiting the reporting requirements of the Climate Change Commission;
• The Climate Change Response (Torts Liability) Amendment Act, that prevents court action to hold greenhouse gas polluting companies to court.

Members also called for the repeal of Fast Track law, which excludes experts and communities from engaging in key environmental decisions. Exploration and mining on shore and at sea were condemned at the meeting as having little regard for the environment and local communities, and concern was expressed at the weakening of Te Tiriti obligations and the recognition of the treaty in our law.

ECO is non-partisan and welcomes good ecologically sustainable environmental policy and law from any political party, organisation or individual. 

Further information:

Cath Wallace, Vice chair of ECO, 021 891 994, Cath.Wallace10@gmail.com

Barry Weeber, Chair of ECO, 021 7338 807, Barry.Weeber@eco.org.nz