22 Aug 2008

Lobby groups forward opinions to Greens

11:50 am on 22 August 2008

Lobby groups are responding to calls by the Green Party to help it decide whether to support the Government's emissions trading scheme.

The Government needs to secure the support of the Greens and New Zealand First to pass legislation central to its climate change policy.

Parliament is preparing to resume after a two-week recess.

Greenpeace urges the Greens to support the scheme - saying that while it's not great, it's better than nothing.

Business New Zealand wants the bill sent back to select committee for further consideration.

Chief executive Phil O'Reilly says New Zealand needs an emissions trading scheme - but not this one.

The bill has already had its first reading and been considered by a select committee. There are another three Parliamentary stages to go before it could become law. It is described as an incredibly long and complicated piece of legislation.