10. CHARLES CHAUVEL (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Conservation
Does she think the Department of Conservation should have an advocacy role for conservation at any public forum or in any statutory planning process?
Hon KATE WILKINSON (Minister of Conservation) Link to this
The department should and does have an advocacy role, and this is generally provided for in section 6(b) of the Conservation Act 1987—namely, “To advocate the conservation of natural and historical resources generally:”.
Given that as of her press conference with Gerry Brownlee 8 days ago, the Minister of Energy and Resources can decide whether diggers will be allowed on schedule 4 land, is it not the reality that she now has no control of her portfolio?
Does she share the concerns of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, interviewed on Radio New Zealand National yesterday, about the adequacy of the consultation process over mining schedule 4 land; and does she agree with the commissioner that sharing her decision-making power with the Minister of Energy and Resources is like letting the Minister of Forestry decide whether to cut down trees in national parks?
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
Access to the conservation estate cannot occur without the Minister of Conservation’s signature. It cannot occur now and it will not occur in the future. However, the question of access is addressed in the discussion paper. It is a discussion paper and if the member has any concerns, I suggest he make a submission on the consultation paper. Submissions close on Tuesday, 4 May at 5 p.m.
Will she advocate for the hundreds of people who rallied in front of the House at lunchtime to send her a message that once land has schedule 4 protection, it is not up for trading to her more powerful caucus colleagues?
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
I have already had a delegation from that protest march in my office straight after the protest, and I suggested to them, as I suggest to that member, that this is a discussion paper and that input is welcome.
Will she advocate for the 1.5 million people of the Auckland region who have no immediate access to a national park, and did she advocate on their behalf against mining Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel rather than simply doing as she was told by her higher-ranked Cabinet colleagues?
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
I am not quite sure whether that member understands English, but this is a discussion paper—
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. You have made other rulings about terms of abuse, and I invite you to reflect on that answer. It was not an answer to the question. It was a straight question and it received a barrage of abuse.
Mr SPEAKERHon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
As explained, the document is a discussion paper. It is inviting submissions. We will see those submissions when the consultation is over, and we will make decisions, if any, accordingly.