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Shane Jones slams 'woke-riddled left' amid energy debate, Chlöe
Swarbrick fires back
(HTM) Source
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It comes after the Government said earlier on Wednesday low gas
production is threatening New Zealand's energy security.
Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show production reduced
by 12.5 percent during 2023 and by 27.8 percent in the first three
months of this year - beyond what was projected.
The figures are concerning for those who rely on gas - such as
schools, hospitals, universities, food and chemical processors and
electricity generators.
It's causing companies such as Genesis Energy to resort to importing
coal, which has higher emissions.
"Today, industry sees the long-term consequences of the shallow,
emerald, mannikin thinking that's driven energy policy for the last
five or six years," Jones said. "Today industry throughout New Zealand
is confronted by the fact as a consequence of that juvenile, woke-
riddled, foolish belief that we don't need our natural resources, that
we don't need our natural gas, that we don't need coal - has been laid
bare."
"You voted for it" and "Look in the mirror" were among several
interjections Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick made while Jones
spoke.
Jones was referring to the 2018 decision to ban all new oil and gas
exploration in New Zealand, except for onshore Taranaki. The decision
was reluctantly backed by NZ First, which was in a Coalition
Government with Labour at the time.
The current Coalition Government said it would repeal the present oil
and gas exploration ban.
Jones, gesturing to the other side of the House, said left-wing
parties are scaring away overseas investors for a "faint green vision
that somehow we can keep the lights on with unicorn kisses".
"Hopefully, these emerald manikins will retire and let the serious
politicians address the unresolved issues in our economy," Jones
continued.
Green Party energy spokesperson Scott Willis said the Government is
"pouring more fuel on the climate crisis".
He said there is an abundance of renewable energy potential in
Aotearoa.
"When will the Government acknowledge that a modern, flexible,
distributed renewable electricity system is feasible, is simple and
can be delivered now?
"… The minister and his colleagues say they want to overcome green
unicorn thinking. I suggest it would be far better to embrace science-
based thinking in transition engineering to build a sustainable
future, rather than die as a dinosaur in a climate hell."
Jones said further exploration, delivery and investment in oil and
gas, if it meets the criteria, will get a permit under the
Government's Fast-track Approvals Bill - the same as renewable energy
projects would.
He challenged the Opposition to name one bill passed by the "other
side of the House" to deliver rapid, clean and green energy
investment.
"No, you can't… We're going to hear about a pipeline of climate change
dreams but absolutely no content," Jones said.
Jones said the energy industry could rely on the fast-track
legislation accompanied by reopening oil and gas to avoid energy
blackouts and bring confidence back in investors, not "juvenile,
foolish tiddlywink games".
"The grown-ups are in charge; energy is on the way."
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