Government Poised To Ram Through Reckless Demolition Of Environmental ProtectionsParliament is set to vote today on what Greenpeace says is the most reckless demolition of environmental protections in a generation. "These Bills turn the purpose of our main environmental law on its head. The Government has retained its controversial ‘regulatory relief’ scheme, which could force ratepayers to compensate companies when stronger environmental protections affect profits, potentially costing the public nearly $2 billion. They have also removed the precautionary principle - a cornerstone of environmental law that recognises action should be taken when there is a credible risk of serious or irreversible environmental harm, even where scientific certainty is incomplete. "From fast-track consenting to proposing to sell off public conservation land, this Government has spent the last three years systematically dismantling the environmental protections New Zealanders fought for over generations," says Toop.