It is as if the Government has tried to spin the new policy in two different directions. The problem is that two of the dot points differ significantly between the different versions. The other version is what can currently be found here at the Government’s official Beehive website ()Īt the top of both versions of the media release are three dot points, which supposedly encapsulate the key points, and which inevitably provide the criteria that outcomes will be judged against. This was the version I was working with when I first drafted this article.

One of these was released to media by Andrew Campbell in his role as Chief Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister. Remarkably, there were two different versions of the media release. The media statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office included statements from Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern, Climate Change Minister James Shaw and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.Ī key reason why things are less than clear is that once again the Government’s communications messed up in a big way. However, precisely where the step has landed is not clear. The Government’s on-farm sequestration policy appeared to have taken a big step forward with a media release from the Government on 30 November, apparently timed to coincide with the National Field Days at Mystery Creek. Government foreshadows new ETS sequestration categories but then creates yet another communication muddle

Devil in the Milk by Keith Woodford