Skip to main content

Was the proposed amendment to the Climate Change Response Act 2002 to prevent findings of liability for tort for climate change requested by, or developed in consultation with, any of the six defendant companies named in Smith v Fonterra and others?

Answered Question 19009 (2026)
Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Deborah Russell

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • Was the proposed amendment to the Climate Change Response Act 2002 to prevent findings of liability for tort for climate change requested by, or developed in consultation with, any of the six defendant companies named in Smith v Fonterra and others?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

There is widespread concern across the business community about the potential impact of the Smith v Fonterra litigation. Ministers and MPs engage with businesses regularly in the course of their work. Officials did not engage with any parties of the Smith v Fonterra litigation in developing advice.