March for Nature
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- Date published:
8:46 am, June 7th, 2024 - 21 comments
Categories: corruption, Environment, Mining, nz first, Shane Jones, water -
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The Greenpeace organised March for Nature is on tomorrow in Auckland, starting from Aotea Square at 1 pm.
There is already significant interest in the march but this is a numbers game. Be there, bring your whanau, bring friends. Make it noisy and passionate and make it count.
And why are we marching?
Because the Fast-Track Projects bill presents the biggest threat to the environment of any piece of legislation passed in the last 50 years.
If enacted three ministers will be able to override existing environmental protections and allow essentially anything to happen.
Want to open cast mine in a World Heritage site? No problems.
Want to do something that the current system frowns on like sand mining at Piha? Knock your socks off.
File your application and if it is accepted for consideration not only do you get the processing sped up, you also do not have to put up with pesky Mana Whenua, residents and environmental groups trying to stop it on the basis that it is a crazy thing to do in a fragile environment.
And if the expert panel tries to put conditions that you think are onerous just bypass them and talk to your old mate Shane. I am sure that he will see you right.
There is a special category of projects under the bill which will bypass the already extremely weak protections that are in the bill.
But dear reader there is a problem. This is kafkaesque in the extreme but we still don’t know what these projects are.
As I said previously these projects do not have to meet the criteria contained in section 17 of the Bill. They do not have to be an identified priority project, or deliver regionally or nationally significant infrastructure, or increase the supply of housing or deliver significant economic benefits or support primary industries or the development of natural resources, or support climate change mitigation or recovery from natural hazards or address significant environmental issues or be consistent with local or regional environmental issues.
By their very inclusion they are deemed to be of national or regional significance.
But dear reader there is a major problem with schedule 2, for it is empty.
The Government has confirmed that the schedule will be completed before the legislation is passed. But there is still no sign of what these projects are. The Government is treating us as fools trying to get us to submit on a list when we do not know what is in that list.
It is not only the potential for environmental devastation that is of concern, it is the possibility that this legislation will turn us into a banana republic.
Because the possibility of corruption is extreme. Which entity would not donate to a political party if it knew that instead of pesky panels and judges a small select group of Ministers would be the effective decision makers?
And the returns are such that a small amount of money sent the right way can assist in decisions that the mining companies and others prefer.
Why else would Bathurst Resources fund the campaign of an independent candidate that effectively caused the defeat of Labour’s Damien O’Connor?
And how do you explain why a quarrying company would donate money to Shane Jones, David Macleod and give NZ First a nice Christmas present last year and then submit that the Fast Track Projects Bill should be allowed to unwind QEII covenants? And clearly this is not the only case of donations being received from those who would benefit from the bill being passed.
If this bill is passed there will be completely inadequate time to consider applications properly, effectively no chance for public input on what could be environmentally devastating projects, and already there is a deep concern that our reputation of being corruption free is being damaged.
So please come along to the protest. Be there, bring your whanau, bring friends. Make it noisy and passionate and make it count.
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Thanks micky. I hope there is a good turn out.
"Make it noisy and passionate and make it count."
Absolutely. But for the love of Pete, don't let it become violent. Whatever any crazy anti-marchers might try on.
Thanks Micky for such an excellent summary of this dreadful bill. Who would have ever thought the greedy would go this low. We were at the Cascades last week and I said 'a lovely place for a gold mine' it was in jest. however Shane would see it as prosperity for all.
See you at the protest.
So encouraging!
Hopefully there's one in the South Island
Christchurch and Nelson for sure. I'm on my way to the cathedral steps in Nelson now.
One of the few advantages of a Tory government – healthy outdoor exercise and catching up with old friends!
Livestream.
https://www.facebook.com/greenpeace.nz/videos/march-for-nature-live-stream/1922484671519804/
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2406/S00042/giant-march-for-nature-fills-queen-street-to-oppose-luxons-fast-track-bill.htm
A third of the population and 23 days occupation of Parliament grounds was ignored by ALL politicians. A peaceful march in Auckland will just be ignored too.
Only losing elections has consequences.
But the CoC are setting out to destroy the Maori Party – and I would not be surprised – the Maori seats
Great atmosphere in Auckland. Lots of faces from way back. Really encouraging.
😎
that is good to hear. we need to put it up everywhere as the news channels reported earlier numbers.
Good description from Nicks Kōrero about the Auckland march
https://nickrockel.substack.com/p/20000-on-queen-st
I was in the Queen Street march on 1st May 2010, which involved about 40,000 people protesting against the National-led Government's planned attack on the environment. It was an incredible event, in much the same spirit as today. History repeats.
"An estimated 40,000 people turned out in central Auckland on Saturday morning to protest against the Government's plans to open conservation land to mining.
The march up Queen St drew people (came) from Coromandel peninsula and Great Barrier Island – both areas that might be mined if the plans go ahead. They carried placards with messages such as "Let's mine John Key's pockets" and "Green not Greed".
Greenpeace says the march sends a clear message to the Government that it is out of touch with ordinary New Zealanders…..".
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/31614/thousands-march-in-protest-against-mining
Your Palestine March for The Environment signs were yet another reminder of the abject failure of the fascist control freak left. Fewer people than a school rugby match, bro. Carpe diem- had you luvvies delivered jobs for the working class during the Ardern Lost Years there would be no political constituency for a catch up. This is your failure. Own it. Say sorry by hugging your local tree.
Jim, "Arden's lost years?"….. Oh you mean the pandemic response, which was touted by Health Officials and Economists as one of the best in the world.
"Fascist control freak left' Health mandates. Are you a Sovereign Citizen Jim?
Yes Seize the day… which those who marched all round the country did. They represent huge numbers who want our democratic fair rights back, and bad destructive powers checked.
Somewhere…a bridge is missing you.
Russel Norman a standout…amongst all the other awesome speakers and marchers !
Was great to see a huge NO to the fast track. United we stand. And fight back !
Fight back against Fast-track!
Aye ! Some of the many anti-fast track signs from the march..
"fast track to hell", "fast track the next election" ..and an inspired one… "lets mine Epsom" : )