$200 Million For Oil And Gas An Affront To The Youth Of Aotearoa
Press Release – Climate Justice Taranaki
Driven by corporate greed, Jones, McLeod and the current government are quite happy to sacrifice the future of a liveable climate for coming generations for short-term profits for their mates in the oil and gas industry, says Urs Signer, from the community …
'The government's budget announcement to use $200 million of taxpayers money to subsidise the oil and gas industry while we are in the middle of a climate crisis is completely out of touch with the global scientific community's call for drastic action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions' says Urs Signer, from the community group Climate Justice Taranaki.
'It is obvious that MPs like Shane Jones and our local New Plymouth MP David McLeod are stuck in the dark ages when it comes to taking urgent action on climate change and have demonstrated once again that they do not understand that there is no economy on a dead planet. For decades, the neoliberal agenda of resource extraction to accumulate more and more wealth for the rich and powerful has driven us into what is now called the sixth mass extinction. Driven by corporate greed, Jones, McLeod and the current government are quite happy to sacrifice the future of a liveable climate for coming generations for short-term profits for their mates in the oil and gas industry. It is an absolute affront to the youth of Aotearoa that this government is happily throwing their future away for fleeting economic gain.'
'We all know the fossil fuel industry has no future. The government needs to get real and invest in transition jobs like Jobs For Nature, rural health clinics, sustainable timber milling for local markets and fossil-free technology for small-scale local agriculture.'
'We will also be organising against Todd Energy's new application to explore for oil and gas off the coast of Kawhia or the government's proposed new offshore wells near Maui.'
'Climate Justice Taranaki has been holding weekly Friday pickets outside oil and gas giants like OMV, Beach and Todd Energy in New Plymouth to highlight our community's opposition to their agenda of drilling us into extinction. We will keep pushing back against this government's mining agenda. Seabed mining, oil and gas drilling and coal extraction have no future in Aotearoa' concludes Signer.
To join the Fossil Fool Fridays for Future pickets, meet 8am on Gill St outside oil and gas miners: OMV, Todd and Beach Energy with a banner or placard. The picket will visit the ANZ bank afterwards due to their investment in Bathurst Resources coal mining in the South Island.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
10 hours ago
- Scoop
Jones To Singapore For Major Energy Conference
Press Release – New Zealand Government I look forward to meeting oil and gas explorers and producers on the sidelines of the conference to discuss ways we can open new pathways for investment and opportunities for the oil and gas sector in New Zealand, says Resources Minister Shane Jones. Minister for Resources Resources Minister Shane Jones travels to Singapore tomorrow where he will speak to more than 400 executives about New Zealand's oil and gas investment opportunities at the Asia Pacific Energy Capital Assembly. 'As a fierce champion for New Zealand's oil and gas sector, the Asia Pacific Energy Capital Assembly conference on 9 and 10 June provides an unparalleled opportunity to tell investors from the Asia Pacific region that New Zealand is open for business and ready for investment,' Mr Jones says. 'Investment in our resources means jobs, opportunities and economic growth for regional New Zealand. The Coalition Government is working hard to make New Zealand an attractive proposition for investors, with changes such as the reversal of the oil and gas exploration ban and the passing of the Fast-track Approvals Act. 'Budget 2025 included a tagged contingency of $200 million over four years for business case-approved coinvestment in new gas fields. This investment sends a clear message to the international investment community that New Zealand is serious about oil and gas exploration to supply the gas we need to power our homes and businesses. The industry can also benefit from the Investment Boost policy, also announced in Budget 2025. 'Of particular interest to international investors will be upcoming changes to the Crown Minerals Act which align petroleum decommissioning requirements with international best practice. These requirements were previously seen as a handbrake on investment. 'I look forward to meeting oil and gas explorers and producers on the sidelines of the conference to discuss ways we can open new pathways for investment and opportunities for the oil and gas sector in New Zealand.' Mr Jones returns to New Zealand on 12 June.
Scoop
14 hours ago
- Scoop
Jones To Singapore For Major Energy Conference
Resources Minister Shane Jones travels to Singapore tomorrow where he will speak to more than 400 executives about New Zealand's oil and gas investment opportunities at the Asia Pacific Energy Capital Assembly. 'As a fierce champion for New Zealand's oil and gas sector, the Asia Pacific Energy Capital Assembly conference on 9 and 10 June provides an unparalleled opportunity to tell investors from the Asia Pacific region that New Zealand is open for business and ready for investment,' Mr Jones says. 'Investment in our resources means jobs, opportunities and economic growth for regional New Zealand. The Coalition Government is working hard to make New Zealand an attractive proposition for investors, with changes such as the reversal of the oil and gas exploration ban and the passing of the Fast-track Approvals Act. 'Budget 2025 included a tagged contingency of $200 million over four years for business case-approved coinvestment in new gas fields. This investment sends a clear message to the international investment community that New Zealand is serious about oil and gas exploration to supply the gas we need to power our homes and businesses. The industry can also benefit from the Investment Boost policy, also announced in Budget 2025. 'Of particular interest to international investors will be upcoming changes to the Crown Minerals Act which align petroleum decommissioning requirements with international best practice. These requirements were previously seen as a handbrake on investment. 'I look forward to meeting oil and gas explorers and producers on the sidelines of the conference to discuss ways we can open new pathways for investment and opportunities for the oil and gas sector in New Zealand.' Mr Jones returns to New Zealand on 12 June.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
Gas Data Proves Government Correct To Act Now
Hon Shane Jones Minister for Resources New figures released today showing a decline in New Zealand's gas reserves is a stark reminder why the Government is taking decisive action to bolster the industry and seek more investment in exploration and production, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. 'New Zealand needs a secure supply of affordable and reliable gas – for industry to continue and for Kiwis to keep the lights on. A 27 percent year on year decline in our natural gas reserves is further proof that the Coalition Government has made the right decisions in overturning the oil and gas ban, and is willing to become a cornerstone investor in gas production,' Mr Jones says. 'We simply cannot allow the de-industrialisation of New Zealand to continue. Our manufacturing sector, particularly in the regions, which rely on gas are at the mercy of the market. Rising gas prices are putting increasing pressure on manufacturers and are harming the competitiveness of our businesses, risking their viability. 'As an island nation we should be taking full advantage of our indigenous gas reserves to power our homes and businesses. The idea that we could transition to 100 percent renewable energy without the back-up of any kind of thermal energy is as naïve as it is unattainable. 'That's why the Government has made some bold decisions about how we can arrest the impending degradation of our energy system. It is not too late to turn around our fortunes in this area. 'The Government has committed, through Budget 2025, $200 million over four years for Crown co-investment in new domestic gas field developments. This funding will allow the Government to take a commercial stake of up to 15 percent in new gas projects that feed the domestic market, helping to reduce sovereign risk and attract offshore investment. 'As well as removing the exploration ban, the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill which comes back before the House soon, better balances the regulatory burden and risk of decommissioning and gives the regulator more flexibility in how exploration permits are issued, giving the sector confidence to get to work.' Other action the Government has taken includes the Investment Boost policy announced in the Budget.
