If Prime Minister Luxon really wanted more oil and gas exploration he would actually be asking Labour to reinstate its ban when it next comes to office, but to respect all existing licenses, and allow any resources found under those licenses to be exploited.
If a prospector knows that he has a window of opportunity, after which a ban goes on any potential competition, then he obviously has a greater financial incentive to prospect.
If Labour agrees to Luxon's request to not reinstate the ban, oil and gas exploration will become less attractive for prospectors currently in the market.
So what is Mr Luxon playing at? I suggest that he is simply trying to rope his political opposition into a failing project, so that he won't have to face criticisms at the next election that his policy was (a) damaging to the environment, or (b) doomed to failure, and (c) provided false hope to New Zealand capitalism.
If Prime Minister Luxon really wanted more oil and gas exploration he would actually be asking Labour to reinstate its ban when it next comes to office, but to respect all existing licenses, and allow any resources found under those licenses to be exploited.
If a prospector knows that he has a window of opportunity, after which a ban goes on any potential competition, then he obviously has a greater financial incentive to prospect.
If Labour agrees to Luxon's request to not reinstate the ban, oil and gas exploration will become less attractive for prospectors currently in the market.
So what is Mr Luxon playing at? I suggest that he is simply trying to rope his political opposition into a failing project, so that he won't have to face criticisms at the next election that his policy was (a) damaging to the environment, or (b) doomed to failure, and (c) provided false hope to New Zealand capitalism.