Surprise surprise we are going to have an ETS.
The minority reports at the back from p95 on, are the key to this document because National can’t get this through without support from either ACT, Maori Party or Labour.
The Maori Party tried to get their minority report withdrawn but was not allowed. This may indicate a change of heart and a deal in the offing, maybe further seabed and foreshore concessions? Their report may be worth a read to see what sort of deal they may give. Maori Party are averse to big polluters (like agriculture) getting away without paying. Also want some concessions for their large forestry interests
Out of all of the minor Party’s, ACT has the best policy as far as farmers are concerned, but may find it hard to support as they think the whole thing is dopey. They are pragmatic though and may support it to get a better deal than the one in place now. We have an ETS in place thanks to Helen’s last stand and unless National gets some support to change it we will be stuck with it. If you belong to ACT may be worth a lobby?
Labour are amenable to working with National but obvious problems here.
This is the statement about agriculture in the report, giving the views on agriculture of four of the Party’s, the Maori Party view is not written here but can be read in their report.
13 We recommend to the Government that the agriculture sector be included in the NZ ETS with the long-term goal being that the point of obligation is placed at farm level, once issues relating to the number of participants and the ability to verify farm-level information are resolved. The New Zealand Labour Party and the Green Party strongly support the entry of the agriculture sector no later than January 2013. The ACT New Zealand Party is opposed to the agriculture sector being included in the ETS.
A link to the full report is here>> Full report text [PDF 732k]
Got some comments post them up and we can have a discussion