3. MARYAN STREET (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Energy
Has he received any recent reports on Project Aqua?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Acting Minister of Energy) Link to this
Project Aqua was dropped because, inter alia, it was very unpopular amongst locals, there were issues relating to water rights, there were geotechnical issues that required extensive and expensive redesign, and it would have destroyed New Zealand’s finest braided river system. It has been replaced by a smaller-scale proposal, which is regarded as being very sensible by locals. I note in a report in the National Business Review that the National environment spokesperson, Nick Smith, wants to resurrect the older, rejected project.
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
They have been confused and contradictory. I have seen a report of Bill English supporting the project, of Nick Smith opposing a proposal to assist it, and of Don Brash just being confused—overall, an AC/DC approach to power.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Is the Minister aware that in the last 5 years we have seen built only 460 megawatts of additional generation capacity—less than half of what was built in the previous 5 years—and that that lack of generation investment is driving up power prices and reducing security; will it take the lights to go out for this Government to realise that its energy and resource management policies are a flop?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
Contrary to what the member says, in the last 6 years over 500 megawatts of renewable power has been brought on in New Zealand, notwithstanding the non-renewable power that has also been brought on. I say to Dr Smith that it is really important that when he comes to the House on energy matters, he gets his facts right first.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. It is not 2 minutes since you gave a ruling drawing attention to Standing Order 377, “Contents of replies”. I think it is time you did bring Ministers into line, because that last sentence of what was said by Trevor Mallard was clearly out of line with what you have just said to the House, and it is certainly contradictory to Standing Order 377(2)(c).
Madam SPEAKERI agree with the member. The Minister should not have addressed Dr Smith directly. I ask him to withdraw that part of his answer, please.
Gordon CopelandIf the project is to not proceed, in view of the opposition that has been voiced towards it, where, in his view, will that leave consumers in terms of future electricity price rises?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
I think it is inevitable, and most members are aware, that there will be price rises in electricity over the years in New Zealand. We have had some of the cheapest electricity in the world. We are doing a lot of very good work in the renewable areas, including in the wind area, but I think it is fair to say that this Government will not override a decision-making process that rejected a scheme that just would not have worked, going on current public attitudes.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
In light of the comment made by the Minister that the scheme was inherently unpopular, I seek leave to table the election results for the Otago electorate, in which National’s Jacqui Dean thrashed David Parker by a considerable margin, despite the fact that Jacqui Dean supported Project Aqua, with suitable conditions, and David Parker sat on the fence.