The Prime Minister has been spotted getting a very orange spray tan in Auckland, which Greenpeace says is undoubtedly part of Christopher Luxon’s inexplicable efforts to mimic Donald Trump.
Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Juressa Lee says: “From opening up the oceans to seabed mining, trying to restart oil and gas exploration and removing critical environmental protections in his ongoing war on nature, Luxon is increasingly aligning himself with a Trumpian form of environmental vandalism. At this rate, he’s just one spray tan away from becoming Donald Trump.
“This week, in Whanganui, Luxon spoke out in favour of fast-tracking the destructive Trans-Tasman Resources seabed mining project in Taranaki, only days after Trump signed an Executive Order bypassing the United Nations to fast-track deep sea mining in international waters.
“Trump is trying to bypass international environmental protections to deep sea mine the Pacific, while Luxon is steamrolling New Zealand’s environmental laws to fast-track dangerous seabed mining in Aotearoa.
“The similarities between Trump and Luxon are stark. Both are fast-tracking seabed mining, both are waging war on nature, and now both have an orange spray tan,” says Lee.
Meanwhile, Greenpeace has had a quick response from Chris Hipkins after calling on the Labour Leader to take a stand against seabed mining.
In New Plymouth on Thursday, Chris Hipkins made it clear that Labour is opposed to seabed mining but didn’t yet go as far as committing to overturn any consents given under the Government’s Fast Track Act. He made the statement just days after Greenpeace launched a petition calling on Chris Hipkins to take a stand on the issue.
Lee says, “It’s great to hear Chris Hipkins reaffirm Labour’s opposition to seabed mining, but we need him to take the next step and commit to overturning any consents given.
“The Luxon government seems hell-bent on waging an all-out war on nature, but Governments don’t last forever, and if the Labour Party now commits to overturning seabed mining consents next time they are in Government, it would be the last nail in the coffin for the failed project.
“With opposition from Te Pati Māori, the Greens and Labour, we are seeing opposition to seabed mining growing and strengthening. Already over 2,500 people have signed our petition to Chris Hipkins, and we hope he’ll take the next step soon so that we can see the back of Trans Tasman Resources and their greedy plan.
Any political party that takes environmental protection seriously must stand against Trans-Tasman Resources’ plan to seabed mine in the South Taranaki Bight.
Sign the petition
