ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

Audrey Young: Why Bridges deserves praise for climate change position

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Sun, 10 Nov 2019, 10:56AM
(Photo / NZ Herald)

Audrey Young: Why Bridges deserves praise for climate change position

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Sun, 10 Nov 2019, 10:56AM

Climate change is being described as a tricky issue for the National Party.

The Opposition voted in favour of the Zero Carbon Bill on Thursday, allowing the bill to pass into law with the support of all MPs except for David Seymour. 

The move has earned National and leader Simon Bridges criticism from the farmers.

However, NZ Herald political reporter Audrey Young told Andrew Dickens that Bridges should be praised for his stance. 

She says that Bridges has done a lot of behind the scenes management on a prominent policy shift. 

"There was a lot of potential for internal strife on that issue, and I think he should be given credit for his political management of it."

Young says that the deal the farmers did with the Government around the Emissions Trading Scheme changed the dynamics.

"There was less imperative for National to be the voice of the farmers, which gave National a bit more freedom."

Bridges' move meant that other National MPs who don't support the bill, such as Judith Collins, ended up voting in favour of the bill. 

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you