Skip to main content

Does the Minister agree with University of Waikato law professor Alexander Gillespie who said of amending the Climate Change Response Act 2002 to prevent findings of liability for tort for climate change “by potentially making a blanket ban in this area, they are avoiding even theoretical findings of wrongdoing”?

Answered Question 19005 (2026)
Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Deborah Russell

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • Does the Minister agree with University of Waikato law professor Alexander Gillespie who said of amending the Climate Change Response Act 2002 to prevent findings of liability for tort for climate change “by potentially making a blanket ban in this area, they are avoiding even theoretical findings of wrongdoing”?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I consider this reform is needed to address the risk that the courts could develop a regime that is parallel to and contradicts the Climate Change Response Act. This change will clarify the Government’s intention that greenhouse gas emissions and climate change harm are best regulated by Parliament and the Executive, who can take a whole of economy approach that carefully considers environmental, economic and social implications.