A few days back, a shocking news came from the PM house of Newzealand as their Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the ban on oil exploration. Jacinda fully defended the decision of NZ Government by saying that the transformation to a carbonless economy must initiate from somewhere.
On April 12, Jacinda Ardern said these words while addressing to media that they are too late in taking such decisions and the effects of these decisions will take place in coming 30 years or so. She added that these announcements will abruptly shock the country as well.
After that, it was clarified that the ban on oil exploration will take effect with immediate effect but the ongoing oil permit will not be affected by this announcement. However, the decision of Newzeland Government was highly criticised by the opposition as the opposition leader Simon Bridges declared this announcement as the wrecking ball for the NZ’s economy. He explained that this ban has no environmental sense and it will put NZ’s economy under huge pressure.
Simon further added that all the international stakeholders will leave the country soon and if you are a businessman in NZ in the oil sector, soon you will not be able to expand your business anymore. And you will see many country fellows losing their jobs.
In response to the statement issued by the opposition, Ardern clarified that Government has already started working with the communities to make sure that the jobs which are available today will be there in future as well. She added that she is proud of her Government for making such a huge announcement and facing the inevitable challenges to save our future generations.
The Minister for Climate Change James Shaw also backed up the decision of Green Party by saying that the party had been working for years to make this happen. Shaw declared this announcement as the nuclear-free moment for NZ.
A major advantage of this ban will be for marine life and the beaches as the marine life will be protected from “Deep Water Horizon Oil Spil“.
James Shaw backed this decision by pointing out the fact that the countries who are facing burnt of climate change will now come to know that NZ is backing them up. The Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones acquired that he may face heavy criticism from different provinces but this announcement is still debatable. Jones further said that there are some regions who are fearful of this announcement but they were given enough time to adjust.
Shane, when asked to comment on this ban, said that it is a massive change and we must tell all the provinces and the whole Newzeland their Government has put the first step towards a multi-decade change and is ready to face the effects as well.
An interesting thing to note here is that the party of Shane was successful in getting the permit for oil extraction in Taranaki which means that there will be no ban on oil exploration in Taranaki till 2050. Speaking of this fact, Shane said that heavy investment, a lot of jobs, many international firms were going to effect from this ban and at this time we must give all of them the vote of confidence which I think we have achieved.
Speaking in favor of oil and gas sector, Shane Jones said that this ban is not a big deal and no one will wake up tomorrow and realize that I don’t have a job. According to him, this is just a single part of state’s GDP and will not affect the whole economy of the country.
Reaction To The Ban:
Many opposition leaders criticise the ban and some also supported it. James Shaw – the Leader of Green fully backed this ban and that this is a true movement towards zero-carbon transition. The CEO of Petroleum Exploration and Production Association Cameron Madgwick highly criticise the ban and titled it as a lose-lose situation for the economy of Newzeland. He added that many people will lose their jobs due to this ban.
There was a warning for the oil investors of Taranaki from Neil Holdom – the Mayor of New Plymouth. He informed that the oil companies of Taranaki must know that there is no future for them in Newzeland.