Submission on Crown Minerals Amendment Bill 2024

Written By Caritas Aotearoa

1 October 2024

The Crown Minerals Amendment Bill 2024 changed the Act’s purpose to promote mineral extraction, and reversed the ban on offshore oil and gas drilling. Caritas also made an oral submission to the select committee on 7 October.

  • The Bill’s new purpose statement will only serve to promote mining that is not in New Zealand’s best interests. We strongly oppose this change. Mining should only occur when it clearly benefits New Zealand’s present and future generations and is consistent with a low carbon future.

  • New fossil fuel extraction will only exacerbate the harmful effects of climate change felt by New Zealand and our Pacific neighbours. Right now, Caritas and the New Zealand Government support Pacific communities to survive in the face of severe climate change impacts. They are demanding an end to fossil fuel extraction.

  • New Zealand must show moral leadership on this matter. A failure to do so will ignore the voice of our Pacific neighbours, undermine our reputation and endanger our strategically vital relationships in the region.

Caritas Aotearoa
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