4. Hon JIM ANDERTON (Leader—Progressive) Link to this
to the Minister of Agriculture
How much funding has been paid out to research and innovation projects in the primary sector through the Primary Growth Partnership since the formation of the National-led Government in November last year?
Hon DAVID CARTER (Minister of Agriculture) Link to this
The Primary Growth Partnership has adhered strictly to its funding timetable since being launched in September. Two first-stage funding rounds have already been undertaken, and funding decisions will be made shortly if the business plans are approved.
Hon Gerry Brownlee Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The man who has been in the House longer than anybody else should be starting his question with a question word.
Mr SPEAKERThe Hon Jim Anderton realised he had made a slip of the tongue and he immediately proceeded to ask his question. I invite him to continue.
Is the Minister therefore telling the House that after 12 months in office the amount of money provided through the Primary Growth Partnership to help research and development in the primary industry sector is nil, and that no progress has been made whatever, when, in fact, before the Fast Forward Fund—if the Minister confirms—there were proposals ready to progress when he took office?
No, what I am telling the House is that we are adhering to the timetable that was established. What I am telling the House is that good things take time. What we have before us is a Primary Growth Partnership that has been well supported and well thought through, with industry supporting it, unlike the former Fast Forward Fund, which, despite all the talk and smoke and mirrors, did not receive one application from primary sector organisations.
Shane ArdernThe support the Government has received has been extraordinary. To date 14 different organisations have publicly endorsed the Primary Growth Partnership, and over $200 million worth of funding applications have already been received.
Rahui KateneWhat opportunities for iwi involvement in the Primary Growth Partnership have been secured as a result of negotiations with the Māori Party, and what will be the specific investment allocated towards this?
The Government has committed to working with the Māori Party on two important research initiatives: the Primary Growth Partnership and the domestic agricultural greenhouse gas research centre. In addition, it has appointed Jamie Tuuta to the independent advisory panel to provide a strong voice for Māori on the Primary Growth Partnership. This commitment will ensure appropriate iwi involvement and substantially increase public investment in this strategically important area for New Zealand and for iwi.
Before I call the honourable member, the honourable member had a supplementary question yesterday and has had one today. He has two allocated for the week.
Can he confirm the most extraordinary statement he has made to the House—and we have got it right—that not only has no money been allocated to primary industry research and development in the first 12 months of his Government, but that is actually the strategy the National Party intended in the first place?
No. I encourage the member to listen. I have just told the House that we now have before the Investment Advisory Panel in excess of $200 million worth of applications, unlike the former Fast Forward Fund, which was all smoke and mirrors and never received one application at all from any primary sector organisation.