All development involves some risk. The challenge is to manage and mitigate the risks, rather than just saying no.
This was the message Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce gave the National Party conference yesterday.
The left are very good at saying no.
They are also very good at worrying about the poor and the marginalised yet these are the people who will be hurt the most if we keep saying no to development.
There is a risk in saying yes to development but that risk is manageable and the rewards are considerable.
The greater risk is in saying no.
If we don’t challenge and rebut the people who keep saying no for emotional and ideological reasons there will be fewer jobs gained, more lost and more of the economic and social deprivation that goes with that.
Homepaddock 