Work for the dole says National

National would set up a work-for-the-dole environment scheme, transfer functions from the Ministry for the Environment to a new agency and give hunters more say in conservation.

Under the party's environmental policy announced yesterday, independent boards rather than the Minister of Conservation would decide on marine reserves and a $7 million fund would be set up so private groups can carry out conservation work on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Spokesman Nick Smith said a National government would establish community work schemes for long-term and young unemployed to "enhance" the environment and the money would be over and above the Department of Conservation's current funding.

"It's our view that long-term unemployed should not be paid for doing nothing," he said. The schemes would be similar to Taskforce Green and involve tasks such as pest control and cutting tracks.

National would also limit the Ministry for the Environment to a policy role, transferring its environmental standards work to a new agency, the Environment Protection Authority.

Dr Smith estimated this would affect 50 to 60 of the ministry's 200 or so staff. At present the ministry advises the Government on policy and is also responsible for issuing environmental standards, although only one has been issued so far - on air pollution.

The new agency would also do the work of the Environmental Risk Management Authority (regulating chemical and pesticide use, dangerous goods and genetic modification).

Dr Smith said conservation boards - independent panels appointed by the Minister of Conservation to give a community view on conservation issues - would be "more balanced" with fewer iwi and Forest and Bird representatives and more hunters and fishers.

New marine reserves boards - with the Ministers of Fisheries, Conservation and Local Government appointing one member each - would give advice on reserves but the Cabinet would have the final say.

At present, the Ministers of Conservation, Fisheries and Transport decide on such reserves, which can be proposed by community groups.

Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey said National's work-for-the-dole scheme was "warming up policies from the 1990s".

The scheme was estimated to cost $100 million at a time when employers were crying out for staff.

"This is an attempt to hide the true cost of the scheme by dressing it up as environment policy," he said.

Conservation Minister Chris Carter said Labour had spent more than $10 million on community conservation projects on private land since 2002.

Environment plans

* Establish a work-for-the-dole environment scheme.

* Limit the Ministry for the Environment to a policy role.

* Assign standards work to a new agency, the Environment Protection Authority.

* Set up $7 million fund so private groups can carry out conservation work on a dollar-for-dollar basis.