7. Hon DAMIEN O’CONNOR (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Agriculture
What reports, if any, has he recently received on the position of New Zealand’s agricultural industry in the global market place?
Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister of Internal Affairs) Link to this
The Minister receives numerous reports every day on the position of New Zealand’s agricultural industry in the global market.
Hon Damien O’Connor Link to this
Given his Government’s abolition of the research and development tax credits and the Fast Forward fund, does he agree with the recently released KPMG agribusiness report that says: “Despite much talk about the importance of improving the productivity of the New Zealand economy, the track record to date of the National-led government has suggested they are not fully committed to a view that science is a high priority driver of productivity …”; if not, why not?
The Fast Forward fund is a fantasy in the minds of Opposition members. The Government replaced it with the Primary Growth Partnership fund, which actually has some money and is investing in science. The Fast Forward fund had no money, and had not bought any science. Let us get the facts out there.
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. If Mr O’Connor had asked for an explanation of what the Fast Forward fund was, then that answer would have addressed it from the Government’s perspective. But he was asked whether the Minister agreed with a quote from KPMG—
Mr SPEAKERHad the member asked just that, he might have received a different answer, but the member will recollect that the Hon Damien O’Connor said “Given” that the Government had done certain things, including abolishing the Fast Forward Fund. We cannot blame the Minister for picking up on that part of the question. The remedy lies in the hands of the—
Hon Damien O’Connor Link to this
Is it reasonable for me to expect an answer from the Minister or not?
Where the member adds superfluous information to a question, and the Minister chooses to comment on that question or challenge that information, I tell members not to ask me to assist in getting an answer. The remedy lies in the hands of questioners to ask tight, disciplined questions.
Hon Damien O’Connor Link to this
Given the Minister’s answer, how much of his Primary Growth Partnership money allocated to agricultural research has been given so far?
This is a very exciting initiative. We are working with the industry to ensure that it will work very, very well, unlike the failed policies of the last Government. I am unable to produce the figure at the moment, but I can say that this Government in Budget 2009 invested $30 million per annum, there will be $40 million in the next year’s Budget, $50 million in the Budget after that, and in the Budget after that, $70 million.
Hon Damien O’Connor Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I know it was a little noisy and I may have missed the answer if it was indeed there, but how much of the money has been given out so far?
If members want to hear clear answers, the remedy again lies in the hands of members to be a little less rowdy with interjections.
Hon Ruth DysonNo one is to make further comment now. The member did ask a very direct question. Unfortunately, though, the primary question asked was such that one could not necessarily expect the Minister to have that detailed information. The Minister indicated in his answer that he did not have that detailed information on him now, and that is a perfectly proper answer.
Hon Damien O’Connor Link to this
I do not want to trifle with the House but I seek leave to support the tabling of the KPMG report tabled by my colleague just a few minutes ago.
That is not a point of order. The member will resume his seat. I fail to see how that has anything to do with order in the House. As I understand it, leave was sought to table the document and that has been granted. The Standing Orders do not provide for members to get to their feet on a point of order and support the tabling of a document that has already been tabled.
David ShearerGiven that the KPMG report argues for the investment of leading-edge science in the wool and meat industries, how does he believe that this will occur with the loss of 36 top scientists and technicians from AgResearch, and what is his Government doing about it?
A Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry report was commissioned in 2009 to do with the meat, sheep, and beef industries. The Minister has said publicly on numerous occasions that if there was going to be any drive and rationalisation to do with these industries, then it needs to come from the industries themselves. We are also investing in research and development, which is a big part of the focus of this Government and of the Minister of Agriculture.
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
Can the Minister confirm that the KPMG report received from the Government confirms that not one dollar has been allocated or spent on the Government’s programme, which he has been lauding in the House this afternoon?