Knees jerk at resource idea
Want $140 billion? Nah, thanks, we're obviously rich enough. The hysterical reaction to Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee's suggestion we should look at whether we could extract some of this mineral wealth from conservation land has been quite bizarre.
Knees were rapidly jerked by opposition parties and Green lobby groups who immediately painted a picture of Mt Cook being strip-mined for coal and Gerry being let loose with a chainsaw in the West Coast beech forests.
In fact, all Brownlee's quite rightly suggesting is that the mineral estate in New Zealand can probably produce more wealth for the country than it is currently doing and we should see how we could increase it without destroying our clean, green countryside.
He's also right when he talks of people "leaping to the extremes of paranoia" but, then, environmentalists tend to be paranoid - mainly because, as we've seen in the past, mining and forestry companies really are out to get them.
Brownlee stresses there is no intention of "ripping up" DoC land but the media mostly downplayed that assurance in favour of the much more alarmist "shock, horror" reactions of Labour and the Greens.
I guess stories that scream "Evil Government Plots To Destroy National Parks" attract viewers and readers more than one that said "Government Looking At How To Sensibly Exploit Natural Resources During Recession".
A better story would be one that asks, "Is Tau Henare fit to be a member of Parliament?"
It's not that the National MP abused ACT's Rodney Hide, calling him a buffoon, a jerkoff and a c***; I've been known to use strong language myself with people who annoy me.
No, it's the fact that he even feels the need to attack National's partner in government so vehemently.
What's his real agenda? It's obviously not the same agenda as his own party's.
Having joined a party that has a clear policy of opposing Maori seats, he now dances a bizarre haka in support of Maori seats in the super-city while also taunting the Maori Party's Pita Sharples to resign.
Odd. Is he sulking because he feels Sharples took "his job" as minister of Maori Affairs? Does he think if Hide quits as a minister he will pick up a portfolio?
He overlooks the fact that Cabinet ministers need to be team players and he's proving he's certainly not one of those (as Winston could testify).
When he missed out on a Cabinet job last November he compared himself to the then overlooked All Black Piri Weepu.
Personally, I think he's behaving more like rugby league's John Hopoate.
By the way, this is my last blog on Stuff.co.nz. Much to my surprise I've immensely enjoyed doing it and been pleasantly surprised by the intelligent and thoughtful comments (mostly).
I had feared blog responses might be like some kind of e-talkback radio but, no. Thanks for reading and responding, I've so enjoyed it I'll carry on, from time to time, an amateur blog on my wife's site janetwilson.co.nz (I'd set up my own blog site but that sounds far too much like hard work, I'll leave that to the pros).
Cheerio.
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Hey Mr Ralston. Thanks a million for the ride.
Someone told me it's a devious plot by Rodney and John to have Tau Henare as the first elected Maori councillor in the Auckland Super City. Just to stick one up the nose of Labour and all the other multi culti hand wringers. What a laugh eh? If the very first Brainless Bro on the council turns out to be a National Party member?
Sorry to see you go, Bill. You mostly make sensible comments on interesting topics. All the best.
Bill - sorry to see you go.
And yeah - Tau is acting very strangely.
When Gerry Brownlee is portrayed as measured and Greenies as hysterical you know the smell of cow manure is in the air. Brownlee is advocating the removal of an important instrument for the ongoing protection of areas that have been deemed to be important enough to be included in National Parks. You cannot investigate mining potential in a National Park without destroying or damaging what the Park is there to protect.
What a shame you have chosen to play narrative games with the rhetoric rather than investigate the substance of Brownlee's proposal.
To answer you opening question, yes, a nation that is rich enough to pay its top chief executive $5m p.a. is rich enough to forego mineral exploration in National Parks.
"Want $140 billion? Nah, thanks, we're obviously rich enough." We already own that wealth Bill, we won't be any richer for digging it up, probably less so if it's flogged off at bargain prices to some multinational mining outfit. Those minerals are way better than money in the bank. Brownlee's comment about keeping up with the Aussies is insulting, why should we worry about that? Who cares? Cheers and good luck, I'll follow you on the new site. David
Perhaps Mr Brownlee could infrom us which of the areas listed in Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act, he is thinking about allowing mining in. As far as I can see thet only include our conservation Crown Jewels such as national parks, nature reserves, wildnerness areas, sanctuaries and marine reserves.
Sad to see you go Bill, I have enjoyed reading your posts and agree that you speak (or write) a lot of sense.
I also agree that the reactions and media coverage of Brownlee's suggestion has been predictable, if a little sad. It would be great if we could debate this proposal like adults but that damn knee jerk keeps getting in the way.
Perhaps Colin Ryder #7 should consider that if land does not actually fit in schedule 4 then it should not be there.
Why should we keep up with the Aussies? Because if we don't, then the situation will continue where the best and brightest of our young people leave the country of their birth in pursuit of a better life elsewhere, with all the implications that has for the prosperity and social fabric of our nation. Sounds like a good enough reason to me.
Your blog will be missed. I have enjoyed it.