The Greens are threatening to withdraw their support from the Emissions Trading Scheme following the government's about-turn on climate change.
The Greens are unhappy over the move to defer transport from the
scheme for a further two years.
The government has done that to avoid a new petrol charge that
would have increased the price by eight cents a litre.
However the relief for motorists is frustrating for the Greens, one
of the government's key political partners.
They say at a time when the demand for gas guzzling cars keeps increasing and New Zealand's roads are choked with traffic, it is no time to backdown on petrol charges.
"It's about the future of our planet and the future of all of
us," says Russel Norman, Green Party co-leader.
Norman says there is a cost to saving the planet and the biggest
polluters should pay.
"If you are efficient about the way you get to work by using the
bus, you're going to be subsidising the person driving the hummer
to work," says Norman.
The National Party supports the petrol charge deferral but says New
Zealand's international reputation is in tatters.
"Putting solely the environment forward without any concerns for
jobs or the cost of living that New Zealanders face is the wrong
approach," says National Party leader John Key.
But the Greens are so upset over the decision, that they are
threatening to withdraw their support for the Emissions Trading
Scheme.
"It is the job of the Green Party to take climate change seriously
and push National and Labour to do the right thing," says
Norman.
The Greens strong stand is important, given they are not
registering in the polls. Last month's ONE News Colmar Brunton poll
showed the party with just 3.7% support.
But their stance on the petrol charge backdown allows them to stand
out from the pack.
Other politicians are also making sure they are not punished by
voters for supporting a scheme that hits hard in the pocket.
United Future wants compensation for households once the emissions
scheme comes into effect. The party says costs will soar and people
need to know how they will be compensated.
"People need the tax cuts but they also need to be compensated for
the increase in costs that will arise from climate change
policies," says Peter Dunne, United Future leader.
But National still supports the scheme in principle.
"National will take a considered approach but this whole thing has
been a disaster from woe to go," says Key.
The government is also lightening the burden for business by delaying the introduction of pollution taxes.