Wall Louisa: Environmental Protection Authority Bill — In Committee 
Wall Louisa: Environmental Protection Authority Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:672;Page:18447] 
LOUISA WALL (Labour) 
: 
 Kia ora Mr Chair. Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak in the Committee stage of the Environmental Protection Authority Bill. Labour opposes this bill and we will do so vigorously. I will tell members why. We voted for the bill at its first reading because we believe in democracy. Democracy is about letting communities—local people—have a say in interests that will affect their lives. Our opposition is because we listened; now we will highlight the rationale for our opposition. 
In the explanatory note of the bill it is stated that the Environmental Protection Authority arose from a decision to remove political interference. Well that is a complete joke. As we all know the Minister will have more influence not less and the members of the Environmental Protection Authority whom the Minister will appoint will advise and make recommendations to the Minister regarding how the Minister can use call-in powers that circumvent Environment Court processes. How will that help to ensure that local communities have a say? Providing a formal ministerial mechanism to fast track projects actually circumvents democracy and it is absolutely appalling. Members on this side of the Chamber reiterate that we think it is vital that local people—mum and dad New Zealanders—have an opportunity to have a say in developments that are happening in their communities. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: But they do. 
LOUISA WALL 
: They will not have a say in their communities because the Minister will veto them. That is the reality. 
There is no correlation in objectives and functions between the Environmental Protection Authority and the Resource Management Act. That Act under this body plays a significant role as the Minister knows. Again I ask why not. For the Minister it is all about mimicking and minimising the voices of local people. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: Again. 
LOUISA WALL 
: That is right. We want and need the Environmental Protection Authority to have functions that actually say it will protect the environment. I think it is absolutely ridiculous to have such a title the Environmental Protection Authority Bill when the bill will not even protect the environment. How ridiculous! The bill of course comes from that side of the Chamber because those Tories over there do not care about communities or about local people having a say. Otherwise they would not put in place processes like this that actually minimise the ability of mum and dad New Zealanders to have a say in the developments that will affect their lives. You do not care. For you it is all about big business— 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: I know that the member is learning on these occasions but whenever she says “you” it refers to the presiding officer at the time. Members cannot use the word “you”. The member can use the words “the members” or “the member” but not the word “you”. 
LOUISA WALL 
: My apologies again Mr Chair. I will refer to the opposition which is them because that is who I am talking about—the opposition. 
Hon Members 
: That’s you. You’re the Opposition. 
LOUISA WALL 
: No I am talking about our opposition which is those members. 
The third thing I will highlight is to ask which voices the Tories want to minimise and silence. Of course they are Maoris are they not? The Government does not want to let Maori voices have a formal opportunity to participate in these decision-making processes. 
Charles Chauvel 
: Te Whanau-a-Apanui. 
LOUISA WALL 
: Yes Te Whanau-a-Apanui is the most recent example. Hekia over there might laugh but “heck yeah!” I do not think that her whanau are laughing with her unfortunately for her. It would not surprise anyone that it is Maori voices. Labour will oppose that. Labour vigorously opposes the fact that there is no Treaty clause in this bill. I compliment my colleague on my side of the Chamber the “Hon to be” Charles Chauvel on his amendments. I also say that the Maori Party has been happy and it is wonderful to see that it has put forward an amendment. However we have to question why it has taken those members so long. 
As we know a Maori advisory committee will be paying only lip service which is not mana-enhancing. It certainly does not enhance the mana of hapu and iwi. The reality is that the proposed Maori advisory committee might be able to contribute to the decision making but Rahui will know that if the committee members have something to say there is actually no requirement for the Environmental Protection Authority to listen to them. Is that not really interesting? The Maori advisory committee might want to say things about different issues but the Environmental Protection Authority will not have to listen to it. That is what we have been used to which is why we think we need a Treaty clause to make sure that when Maori say something they are listened to. Maori should be consulted with and listened to. 
Hilary Calvert 
: Along with everyone else. 
LOUISA WALL 
: Yes exactly. I expect that from National I must say— 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: And ACT. 
LOUISA WALL 
: —and ACT of course—but I do not expect it from the Maori Party. So it is good to see that party finally put forward an amendment that will ensure there is a Treaty clause in this legislation. It used to be a minimum requirement actually. Tariana will know that because she has fought hard over the years to make sure of that.