Walking the mining tightrope
4 September 2009
I enjoyed David Farrar's article in the NBR today.
It's the classic kiwi conundrum: we're happy to bitch and moan about NZ's lack of economic progress (usually it's the government's or the baby boomers' fault) but when it comes to making tough decisions which mean we might need to give up some of those things we hold dear, it all becomes too hard.
The government wouldn't be so stupid as to carve up the conservation estate willy nilly just to uncover those hidden mineral treasures.
But depending on what the government's investigations reveal, it's going to require a balancing act between picking mining sites which will give the best export returns, and protecting the most pristine sites to ensure tourists continue to visit and spend their valuable dollars.
I hope the government gets the facts they need for a robust debate, hearing all perspectives, and then make a call that's in NZ's best interests.
As Farrar says, this is not the silver bullet that will make us a lucky country like our nearest and dearest neighbour. Tough calls are also needed on the taxation and monetary policy fronts.
I love our great outdoors as much as the Greens do. But I'm also sick of successive governments not having the balls to make those tough calls that will help NZ make the step change required to raise our standard of living.
