Goff: ETS deal a subsidy for big polluters

A "shabby" deal between the Maori Party and National over the Emissions Trading Scheme is a $110 billion subsidy for big polluters, according to Labour leader Phil Goff.

Mr Goff, speaking at a Grey Power Manawatu meeting yesterday, said future generations would pay the price.

"When the people who cause pollution have to pay for it, they will change their ways and choose better and cleaner solutions because they will be cheaper," he said.

Large Maori corporates also received a better deal from the Government than other organisations involved in forestry, he said.

Maori corporates would get about $1.75b that was not available to other forestry companies, he said.

Mr Goff confirmed afterwards that he included the agricultural industry as a big polluter.

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