11. Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) Link to this
to the Minister of Conservation
What policy commitments will she be ensuring the Department of Conservation delivers on in the next 12 months?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK (Minister of Conservation) Link to this
The Government’s expectations for the Department of Conservation are contained in the statement of intent that was tabled in the House on 17 May 2007. I have initiated the process of discussing my priorities for the department for the upcoming year. Since 1999 the Labour-led Government has increased its investment in conservation by 67 percent. I am confident we will continue to make gains for biodiversity, heritage protection, and the recreational use of the conservation estate.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Will she—noting the 175 square kilometre loss of New Zealand’s indigenous habitat highlighted in the critical 2007 OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: New Zealand—ensure that Labour delivers on its election promise of a national policy statement under the Resource Management Act on biodiversity?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
The issue of biodiversity is one of the priorities I am discussing with my officials at this very moment.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. My question was quite narrow and very deliberate. It asked whether the Government would deliver on a national policy statement on biodiversity, as promised, under the Resource Management Act. I got a vague statement about biodiversity. I did not get an answer as to whether the Government would deliver on that commitment.
Madam SPEAKERAs the member knows, members cannot require yes or no answers. The Minister did address the question.
David Benson-Pope Link to this
Can the Minister detail for the benefit of the House the gains that have been made in conservation since the Labour-led Government was elected in 1999?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
Very substantial gains have been made. I will list some of them: protection of the 130,000 hectares of lowland forests on the West Coast of the South Island, 17 new marine reserves, and 21 island pest eradication projects to establish sanctuaries for our unique flora and fauna.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Does she stand by the unanimous report in her name as chair of the Local Government and Environment Committee that states: “We are disappointed that the national policy statement on biodiversity has not been completed.”; and now that she is the Minister, will she ensure that that very specific Labour promise is honoured?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
In my answer to the first question, I said that we are establishing our priorities against the statement of intent, and that is one of those priorities in my watch.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Which fact does she dispute: that Labour in its election policy specifically promised a national policy statement on biodiversity, or that Labour has ratted on that promise?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
There is no dispute about that being a priority. We will undertake to commit to our policies as we stated in our manifesto, and I will be working on that, as I have already said.
Hon Chris Carter