East Coast oil exploration could lift jobs and incomes
February 8, 2012
Over the summer, like many of you in Wairoa, I attended plenty of BBQs. Often the conversation included discussion about a friend of a friend who had just packed their bags for Australia, invariably to work in the mining industry. I also heard repeated calls throughout last year from New Zealanders to increase the number of jobs, to lift the minimum wage, and to tackle poverty levels.
This is certainly an objective of the National-led Government. The facts are though that jobs don’t just grow on trees, they require investment from businesses. In addition to this businesses which earn more per person and require higher skills pay more per hour. Investment in oil exploration ticks both those boxes: more jobs and higher wages. It’s also not “pie in the sky”, it’s a very real opportunity on our doorstep.
As a result I find it somewhat ironic that many of the same people who want more jobs and higher wages are the first to protest when there is the chance to genuinely do something about jobs, wages, and poverty levels here in the Bay.
A successful oil drilling programme, accompanied by robust environmental protections, would boost exports, create jobs, and help to lift incomes. This would do wonders for our regional economy and living standards.
According to the New Zealand Institute, incomes in New Zealand have been about 10 per cent below the OECD average for the last 20 years. Compared to countries like Australia and Norway, which readily harness their natural resources, we are far behind. And incomes on the East Coast itself lag behind other parts of New Zealand.
Many people are concerned about the environmental impact of oil exploration, and the Government understands this. We are focused on safety and environmental protections within the mining and oil exploration industry. A number of reviews are underway to ensure we have a world-class regulation system. We are looking particularly at the best way to manage the environmental effects of exploration far offshore in the Exclusive Economic Zone. We already have a robust system, but we are committed to strengthening it even further.
Nobody in their right mind would advocate drilling for oil everywhere, at all costs. But in saying this we need to have a sensible and balanced discussion about the benefits of oil, rather than just dismissing its potential out of hand.
If you want to continue to go to BBQs and listen to stories about mates going to earn the big bucks in Australia – that’s your call. Personally I don’t. I’m determined to help do something about improving jobs and incomes in the Bay and a balanced debate about oil exploration is important to our future.
Chris Tremain
