NZ First blocks Green move – again
The Green investment fund has announced its first block of spending since its inception more than two years ago – $15 million to electrify vehicles and generate renewable energy at Wellington’s main port.
Climate Change Minister James Shaw is welcoming the move but the investment was announced just hours after Transport Minister Phil Twyford confirmed another key
Greens’ policy had been blocked by NZ First.
It had been reported that the Greens-led vehicle feebate scheme, which would have slashed the price of importing green cars and slapped a tax on higher-emitting vehicles, had stalled at Cabinet.
“That particular policy has not been able to progress through the coalition pre-Cabinet process,” Twyford told MPs at a select committee yesterday.
“I don’t expect that will progress between now and the election.”
A disappointed Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter said: “NZ First chose to block a pragmatic solution to a problem that is not going away.”
Shaw was singing a similar tune last week when it came to light rail, which has also been delayed in Cabinet by NZ First.
“I’m always disappointed by NZ First,” Shaw told RNZ.
Despite this, Shaw was pleased with the fund expenditure.
The $100m New Zealand Green Investment Fund (NZGIF), announced in the 2018 Budget, was in the Greens/Labour supply and confidence agreement.
The money was earmarked for low-carbon projects, such as electric vehicles, on-site renewable energy generation and energy efficiency upgrades.
“The change this investment will bring about at CentrePort is exactly the type of innovative approach we need to meet our climate targets and leave behind a safer planet for our children and grandchildren,” Shaw said.
Although the confirmation the feebate scheme won’t pass through cabinet during this term will come as a blow to Shaw and the Greens, the landmark Zero Carbon Act passed its third reading this week.
Shaw, who was in charge of the bill, said the legislation would fix New Zealand’s emissions trading scheme, turning it into one of the most effective tools to ensuring a stable climate.