A decision this big needs the Cabinet process but we now know this did not happen and that inconvenient advice from ministry officials was ignored. The Government and its apologists excuse themselves saying, in effect, ‘climate change is the nuclear issue of our generation’. In other words the end justifies the means. Such an arrogant mindset has earned NZ First, Greens and Labour a kicking; critics have obliged. Process matters when industry and jobs are on the line, so governments are obliged to at least consider costs and benefits. Climate change is the Greens’ biggest bat for beating farmers and the oil and gas policy-by-decree shows the Government is willing to appeal to a ‘moral imperative’ as its excuse for bypassing process.
