Greens call for mining 'transition'

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Greens call for mining 'transition'

3News NZ

Green party co-leader Russel Norman

Green party co-leader Russel Norman

By Charlotte Shipman

The Green Party has admitted it can't always oppose mining. 

Co-leader Russel Norman concedes the Greens may have to support some mining because it's an inescapable part of our economy.

But mining advocates say it could be an even larger part of the economy which could accelerate our recovery, if it's given a chance.

In 2010, 50,000 marched down Auckland’s Queen Street demanding the Government not mine protected conservation land. 

The call was echoed by the Greens, which also opposes deep-sea oil drilling within New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone.

But speaking on The Nation, Greens co-leader Russel Norman admits his party can't always say no.

“There's a lot of existing mining that's underway,” says Mr Norman. “So even with coal mining, which we probably dislike the most, our policy is no new coal mines. 

“So we're not saying close down all the coal mines tomorrow. There has got to be a transition, and so we think that we need to begin that transition. We haven't said ‘no new mines’.”

Mining lobby group Straterra says mining could play a bigger part in our economic recovery if it was supported.

“There is certainly significant benefit in terms of jobs economic activity, and that's an issue for New Zealand,” says Straterra chief executive Chris Baker.

At a recent expo, interest in jobs in the Australian mining industry was overwhelming.

“We wouldn't have trouble attracting those people back to New Zealand if we had the opportunities, but we need to attract the investment to get those opportunities,” says Mr Baker.

Norman says New Zealand needs to invest in clean, green technologies and move away from relying on oil and minerals.

“We have a lot of mining now and we have a great environmental pedigree,” says Mr Baker. “Doesn't that say to you that those things are compatible?”

Discussions on what kind of mining the Greens might be compatible with and the development of a national mining policy could be on the table this weekend for the Greens while they host their AGM in Wellington.

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Comments

26/06/2012 6:32:12 p.m.

Kane wrote:

i really hope the greens win the next election. i have travelled the world and our beautiful environment is the only thing we have which other raped countries do not! preserve for the future, not destroy for the greed of today!

26/06/2012 11:06:16 a.m.

Graeme Tyree wrote:

Real politik !

7/06/2012 7:37:12 p.m.

the DR wrote:

at last the greens are starting to make sense may be they do have a place in main stream politics

6/06/2012 2:56:21 p.m.

Carlos wrote:

Maybe the Greens have finally looked at what is making Aussie more prosperous + looked at the NZ Treasury books.....and basically woken up to the 'real world', away from "Planet Labour" ?!!

6/06/2012 2:14:09 p.m.

Pete wrote:

And the greenwash would soon fade to show their true color$

5/06/2012 12:14:33 p.m.

Greg wrote:

With the baby boomers retiring this decade and with it a massive drop in tax income, NZ cant afford not to mine and extract oil. Or else cut back the state and government services to a bare minimum. The Greens are living in LALA land.

4/06/2012 8:17:51 a.m.

Mike wrote:

@Bruce How much do you know about business? I'm guessing you think a mine just opens and starts printing money?

Take Pike River. The investors spent over $300,000,000 and when it closed the investors hadn't had any profits, they had sunk more money into the mine.

So if the mine made a profit of say $50 mil, Bruce would want the mine to pay tax on it, but under NZ law it can bring the prior losses forward, so although the mine made a profit this year, it was offset by earlier losses, so no tax paid. Typically a mine can run years before paying any tax, just because it sucked so much money and losses to start up. Thats not an incentive to invest in mining as you dont see any returns for years. After the losses have cleared, mines pay tax at NZ rates, currently 28% as the company tax rate, just like any other company. They also pay GST on any NZ sales, less GST on NZ purchases.

3/06/2012 2:13:50 p.m.

Bruce wrote:

proper mining practices have to be in place before mining is extended in NZ. The looney Nats want to bring in overseas companies and give them tax benefits of operate in NZ. This way, profits will go overseas and the profits will be maximised due to the tax benefits. Which in reality, is another form of tax avoidance. If Mining is to be extended in NZ, it should be operated by NZ companies, employing NZers. Looney Nats plans will not benefit NZs economy as much as the looney Nats are claiming

3/06/2012 12:52:25 p.m.

atrout wrote:

Finally the Greens show a hint of maturity and reasoning! Dr Norman is having his presence known in the Party by taking on more leadership. If the Green caucus can go with his direction, not only will the Greens increase their vote but also there is a glimmering of hope that the country can work its way out of poverty. There is no other way whether or not the extreme Kermits agree. The Greens can actually function as the environmental watchdogs they could be assuring that the new wealth is properly gained. The election slogan of the Greens about a new wealthy NZ begins to make some sense!

3/06/2012 10:39:27 a.m.

Paxman wrote:

<i>But mining advocates say it could be an even larger part of the economy which could accelerate our recovery, if it's given a chance. </i> My understanding is that we are borrowing a Billion dollars a month so we are never ever going to get out of debt .. we have already been sold by National .. and now the Greens as well .. I am just going to stop voting ..