Nick Smith is both ACC Minister and Climate Change Minister.
Yesterday in Parliament he was asked a patsy question about ACC by National backbencher Michael Woodhouse:
Michael Woodhouse: What reports has the Minister seen on not fully funding accident compensation, and returning it to a “pay as you go” model?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The problem with “pay as you go” is that the costs of today’s accidents are passed on to future generations…
Okay, fair enough, you might say.
But his approach when it comes to climate change is somewhat different:
The Standard reports:
A newly released government paper shows that by 2050 government debt will be $54-$73 billion higher than it otherwise would be due to National’s subsidies for carbon polluters.
…
Make no mistake. National’s subsidy to polluters today will be paid for by our children and grandchildren in the decades to come.
I wonder which Nick Smith will front up in Parliament today.