5. GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader—National) Link to this
to the Minister of Energy
Does he believe the operation of the electricity market requires the provision of honest and accurate information from companies involved in that market?
Why does the Minister continue to have confidence in the Electricity Commission, which insists the lights will not go out this winter, when the major electricity generators advise that they fear the opposite and have gone over the head of the commission to appoint Toby Stevenson as dry winter coordinator for this year?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
I think the idea that the generators work together in order to maximise power output from the available water and other resources is a very good one. That sort of coordination would have been possible in the old days before people hopped off the generation the way that the National Government did with Contact Energy.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Minister cannot mislead the House, surely, with an answer like that and be allowed to get away with it. Everyone knows that 80 percent of the electricity industry is still owned by the Government.
Madam SPEAKER
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
How does having three changes of energy Minister in just 15 months help address the huge uncertainty over electricity supply?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
The one thing the Government can say is that it has been much more consistent than the Opposition, which shuffles its spokespeople like nothing on earth.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Does the new Minister stand by the statement of his predecessor in respect of electricity supply: “I do recognise it is my responsibility to ensure that the lights don’t go out in New Zealand.”?
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Minister’s response did not in any way address the question. It is a matter of public record, it is a record of this House, that his predecessor, David Parker, said that. The Minister’s answer is simply saying that that is what his predecessor said. It does not answer my question, which was whether, as the new Minister, he stood by that statement.
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
I shall answer the question again. I am quite happy to stand by the responsibility of the Minister of Energy to ensure that the systems work—
Rodney HideI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I do not think it is good enough for the Hon Trevor Mallard to just withdraw. If you reflect on that interjection, it was against you.
I am sorry; I have dealt with this, and, as the member is aware, once the Speaker has dealt with an issue, it is dealt with. Could we please just have a response to the question.
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
It is the responsibility of the Minister of Energy to ensure that the systems are such that sufficient generation occurs. There cannot ever be an absolute guarantee in a particular area, or at a particular time, that the transmission and generation systems will work entirely.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Does the Government stand by the structure it has created in respect of transmission policy and investment with the confusing roles between Transpower, the Commerce Commission, and the Electricity Commission; if so, which should Parliament hold responsible if the transmission system fails?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
I think there are a number of occasions when, and reasons why, transmission systems can fail. Clearly, climatic circumstances are the main cause of those, as the member who has an electorate in the Nelson-Marlborough area would be aware. But as the member is also aware, the House has passed legislation that will result at some stage in the Commerce Commission’s responsibilities being transferred to the Electricity Commission. The timing of that is a matter for the Government.