Before the 2008 election Dr Nick Smith repeated ad nauseam that environmental policy required a balancing of the environment with the economy. The recent work of the National-led government shows not even a hint of balance as environmental issues have been thrown, quite literally, by the wayside.
On 11 March 2009 the Minister for the Environment and Climate Change Issues (Hon. Dr Nick Smith) reported that the previous government had left a $26 million hole in funding for the Ministry for the Environment (see his speech here). He then cited this funding shortfall as the reason for cutting jobs at MfE, abolishing the Bioethics Council, and doing away with the Carbon Neutral Public Service and Govt3 projects. Now, less than 10 days later, the Minister of Transport, Hon. Steven Joyce, has announced a $4.5 billion increase in spending for road building (cited in The Press 20/3/09). Of course, it should come as little surprise that the funding of public and active transport projects has been slashed in the process.
It seems the only road of 'national significance' at present is that one that leads to run-away climate change and environmental destruction.
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