ACT offers concessions to slow ETS

Rodney Hide says ACT is willing to make concessions on the emissions trading scheme to avoid it being rushed through

23 November 2009
ACT is trying to stop the Government doing a deal with the Maori Party to pass the emissions trading scheme.

The Government is set to announce an agreement with the Maori Party, allowing it to push its legislation through Parliament under urgency this week.

But ACT leader Rodney Hide says more time is needed to analyse the deal being offered to the Maori Party by the Government. He says not enough is known about the deal, its nature, and its impact on Treaty of Waitangi settlements.

"Oftentimes good public policy takes time. But it's worth doing right and, you know, when you're talking about this size of money - what's another six months?"

Rodney Hide says his party is happy to make concessions, including support for delays in the introduction of energy and industrial sectors, if it will stop National ramming its bill through Parliament this week.

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