7. CHRIS TREMAIN (National—Napier) Link to this
to the Minister for Economic Development
Is he confident that all current grant programmes offered by the Ministry of Economic Development are good value for the taxpayers’ dollar; if not, why not?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister for the Environment) Link to this
I am confident that the Ministry of Economic Development is doing its best to help New Zealand businesses to grow.
How does awarding $90,000 from the Buy Kiwi Made Sector and Regional Initiatives Fund to the National Distribution Union in an election year, so that it can advertise the Government’s message to its own members, provide good value for taxpayer dollars?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
Believe it or not, a number of workers make purchases. That is the basis of that campaign, in the same way that the same fund has allocated $149,870 in one grant and $53,688 in another grant to Business New Zealand. This is a tripartite approach, something members opposite would not know a damn about.
Why is it credible that the Government rejected 30 out of 33 proposed Buy Kiwi Made projects in the first round of applications because they lacked demonstrable economic merits, but then turned round and found $90,000 in the second funding round so that the National Distribution Union could advertise the Government’s own advertising to National Distribution Union members, their non-union colleagues, and their families?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
The answer to the first part of the question is because my predecessor was tough and did not want to waste Government money.
Sue BradfordCan the Minister confirm that all the independent evaluations that have been carried out through the Ministry of Economic Development of the efficacy of the Buy Kiwi Made campaign have shown that so far it has outstripped all expectations?
Why has the $3,000,000 Buy Kiwi Made Sector and Regional Initiatives Fund been closed down, after three rounds of funding, with only $975,000 granted or allocated for grants; and why is the Government planning to transfer the remaining $2,000,000 of the fund towards yet more Government-funded advertising in election year?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
I just do not understand why members opposite hate Kiwi-owned businesses.
Can we expect the final Buy Kiwi Made funding round of $400,000 to include more funding for Labour’s union mates and more funding for Government advertising, and can we expect the National Distribution Union’s promotion of Government messages to be completed before this year’s election?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
Given the fact that Phil O’Reilly has had twice as much funding as the National Distribution Union, I think the member should just have a little look at the facts that he received and that are there. That member should know that there has been a campaign, as part of the arrangement with the Greens, to develop New Zealand business through Buy Kiwi Made, something that is strongly supported by New Zealand First. I do not see why those members opposite think that services and goods should all be imported.
Where is the evidence of good value for the taxpayer from the Government’s multimillion-dollar Buy Kiwi Made Sector and Regional Initiatives Fund advertising campaign, when 430 workers are out of a job today because Fisher and Paykel has been forced to relocate manufacturing offshore?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
Let us try to get consistency from that member. Does he want New Zealand - made stuff or not? The Government has made a real effort, in concert with New Zealand First, the Green Party, and Business New Zealand, to focus on buying New Zealand - made products. Members opposite do not want that. I think that on a day like today having a question like that just shows a lack of taste.
I seek leave to table the paper obtained under the Official Information Act that shows that it was the farmers’ market and Buy New Zealand Made online shopping mall, not Phil O’Reilly, that made applications.
Hon Bill EnglishI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I notice that the Government did not actually put down a question about Fisher and Paykel. Perhaps it would like to put down a question about the next announcement from Dunedin that the Tamāhine Apparel Solutions knitwear factory is also going to close today, with the loss of 50 jobs.
Madam SPEAKERAs the member knows, that is not a point of order. That is exactly the sort of matter I was referring to in my ruling. I hope this is a point of order.
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I think you did indicate that you would deal with disorderly behaviour, rather than just refer to it in your ruling.