Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

Labour will retain a full service Reserve Bank with prudential supervision and
regulatory oversight over the New Zealand financial markets, and will review the
Reserve Bank Act as set out in Labour‟s Monetary Policy statement.
Labour will work to strengthen the New Zealand capital markets to provide liquidity
and capacity for strong local business growth, as set out in our Commerce and Small
Business policy.
Labour will reverse the current approach to overseas sales of land. Instead of the
overwhelming majority of farm sales being approved, the overwhelming majority will
be declined unless the overseas purchaser of farm or forestry land will also invest in
significant further processing of related primary products and related jobs.
Labour will prevent overseas purchases of more than 25% of monopoly
infrastructure, where that interest is worth $10 million or more.
Caring for our kids and their long term future also means caring for our environment, and
ensuring that our economy is a sustainable one. Labour will not run down our clean green
brand by mining iconic national parks or converting lignite into pollution. Saving for our
future means a long term plan for renewable energy independence and a smart, low-carbon
future.
Labour will ensure that growth is sustainable and will preserve New Zealand‟s clean,
green reputation.
Labour will ensure the effective implementation of the Emissions Trading Scheme,
and strengthen it by bringing agriculture in on 1 January 2013, with a free allocation
of units to farmers calculated on 90% of 2005 emissions.
Labour will not allow mining on Schedule 4 conservation land, and will direct Solid
Energy not to proceed with its liquid fuels lignite mining proposal.
Labour will not allow deep-sea drilling until high environmental standards and
stringent safeguards are first in place, and will urgently review NZ‟s preparedness for
marine oil spills, so that liability for all clean-up and losses lies with polluters rather
than taxpayers.
Labour will ensure that 90% of our electricity comes from renewables by 2025,
promote energy efficiency, grow wealth by exporting our expertise in renewables and
cleantech, and restore the credibility of our clean international branding in tourism
and primary production.
For more information, see Labour‟s Environment policy.
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