4. Dr ASHRAF CHOUDHARY (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Agriculture
What recent research initiatives has the Government approved to support sustainable land management?
Hon JIM ANDERTON (Minister of Agriculture) Link to this
I am pleased to announce today that the Labour-Progressive Government has approved over $5 million in climate change research funding, as part of the $175 million Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change: Plan of Action. This funding supports 45 different projects, covering mitigation of agricultural emissions and adaptation mechanisms to cope with climate change, as well as forestry and carbon sequestration research.
This research is being conducted in partnership with a wide range of organisations, including four universities, the Foundation for Arable Research, Crop and Food Research, AgResearch, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Landcare Research, Scion, New Zealand Winegrowers, Canterbury and North Otago Irrigated Farmers, and many, many more. All of these organisations are delighted that this Government is making climate research a serious priority, which is why it is truly extraordinary that last week the leader of the National Party, John Key, said: “The Government is doing no real research on climate change … um … R and D—I mean, they’ve done very little in that area.” The leader of the National Party—
Hon Dr Nick Smith—joined by Dr Nick Smith—obviously has no idea that the Government’s record is as good as it is, but everyone else in New Zealand seems to know except him. Mr Key is just hoping that no one will notice the hole he has dug for himself on this matter.
Dr Ashraf Choudhary Link to this
How is the Government informing stakeholders of its research initiatives?
The Government has established a peak group of industry representatives from the land management sector to provide liaison and partnership between Government and industry over its research initiatives. In this spirit of partnership last week, I offered the Leader of the Opposition a briefing on the New Zealand Fast Forward innovation initiative. Last Friday his chief of staff advised that Mr Key would like to take up this offer of a briefing, and would provide a time for this to happen this week. Unfortunately, I must advise the House that Mr Key after, receiving repeated phone calls and emails this week, is now ducking having such a briefing. I can conclude only that he does not want to confront the cold, hard reality that he got his facts wrong about New Zealand Fast Forward, and his reaction has put him completely out of step with the largest companies and industries, and with the whole of the rural sector that he lays claim to represent.
Dr Ashraf Choudhary Link to this
Has the Minister seen any commentary on the Government’s research and innovation initiative?
Yes, I have; it would be hard to miss. I have seen extensive commentary, including editorials in a well-known Government-supporting newspaper, the New Zealand Herald, and in the Dominion Post, praising the Government’s latest research and innovation initiative, New Zealand Fast Forward. I have also seen comments from the Leader of the Opposition saying he would scrap the fund. That has taken aback many New Zealanders, including the president of Federated Farmers, Charlie Pederson, who is another well-known supporter of the Government! Charlie Pederson said: “I am a little surprised by Mr Key’s position, and I would like to understand the reasoning behind his statement.” So would we all!
Hon David CarterCan the Minister confirm that the funding from the Fast Forward fund that will be available next year is only $20 million, which is a far cry from the $85 million to $100 million that Helen Clark claimed would be available last week?
If Mr Carter is the answer, it must have been a really horrible question. That is all I can say. The amount of money that comes from the $700 million capital sum upfront will be determined by a governance group of equal representatives of industry and Government. That body will make the decision on what the projects are, and how much they will get. The National Party says that its policy will be revealed and that we will know all, but I ask when that will be. I would like to know when, because our policy is upfront but that party’s is nowhere to be seen.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
How comfortable would the Minister be if, for example, he stood for and was not nominated for the Rakaia electorate—a farming electorate, I might add—then tried the same with Banks Peninsula and Lyttelton and was fired from there, and was described recently by a farming publication as the “invisible man”; how would he feel about being the Minister of Agriculture if that is what his description was?
Madam SPEAKERRt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. A report on an agricultural publication describing some spokesperson as “invisible man” is a report. The Minister has responsibility for quoting it, because it is inside his portfolio of published interests. That is why it is relevant. Unfortunately, it might be embarrassing to Mr Carter, but it is a fact, and he is not denying it.