Editorial: Take the heat out of mining debate

OPINION: It's difficult for this country to have something that resembles a rational discussion when it comes to the issue of mining.

On a scale of emotive issues, it lies somewhere between abortion and nuclear power as far as sensitivities go.

When two sides of an argument formulate their stance there is usually a grey area that can be used to negotiate, but that doesn't appear to be the case with mining.

Along with the other two issues, mining is almost political cyanide for any party.

But the National Government, perhaps buoyed by high ratings mid-term wants to at least explore the options of getting at some of our untapped natural resources, something Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee signalled in the latter part of last year. Forest and Bird, which Prime Minister John Key described as using "predictable scaremongering", pre-empted a government announcement on a mining discussion document.

Aside from Mr Key being ditched from Forest and Bird's Christmas card list, the move also sabotaged the organisation's own credibility. Instead of waiting for the document to be released they jumped the gun and re-directed the debate away from the real issues. The focus is now on the mini-stoush instead of looking at the possibility of starting dialogue about whether there is any wiggle room in the mining debate.

The Crown estimates that there may be about $140 billion worth of gold and other minerals under Conservation Department land. That alone is enough reason to start talking about it in a mature fashion.

Green MP Catherine Delahunty further clouded the issue when she waded into the argument. She was reported as saying she was concerned that if a protected area above the Coromandel township of Thames was opened to mining it would be put at risk of flooding and landslides. The fact the town has historically flooded anyway, with millions spent on flood protection work appears to be beside the point, but typical of misinformation and distraction when it comes to the issue.

If all the bluster from both sides can be put to one side, it would be refreshing to see both sides have their say, without all the unnecessary sideshows.

Oone more thing

We ran the second of our monthly lists of drink and drug-impaired drivers in yesterday's paper. This time around there were 37 people on the list, most of whom had drunk too much before getting behind the wheel – to varying degrees. Only one was caught under new police powers for nabbing drugged drivers. Seeing such a list shows that drink drivers come from all parts of the community and ages ranged from 17 to 58. While males dominated the list, there was also a fair share of females and the convicted also had a range of jobs from soldier to caregiver to barrister. This shows that there is no stereotypical drink driver profile. They came from all walks of life. Sobering stuff indeed.

- © Fairfax NZ News