9. DAVE HEREORA (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Energy
Is the Government reviewing the Electricity Act 1992, which allows for remote parts of the electricity network to be cut off from 2013?
Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Energy) Link to this
Yes. Section 62 of the Act, as passed when National was last in Government, presently allows remote areas to be cut off from electricity networks from 2013. This does not seem a fair outcome, so Labour is cleaning up after National by reviewing section 62 to ensure that one way or another the lights stay on.
Yes. I have received a report that Gerry Brownlee has demanded the review of section 62 be called off. He asserts that he is trying to protect rural users. Sadly, Mr Brownlee has it completely wrong. As it stands, remote rural areas could be powerless after 2013, and the review is needed to ensure the lights stay on. He obviously does not understand the current law. Again National has it completely wrong, as it does with so much of its climate change and energy policy.
Gerry BrownleeIf his Government is so concerned about preserving the networks—or those who are on the end of network—beyond 2013, why does he not just announce that he will change the law rather than go through a review process that leads everyone to believe that he actually wants to cut those people off?
I again reinforce to the member that that is the effect of the current law—the law that we are reviewing. I would like to quote from the Major Electricity Users Group newsletter last week, which does get it right. It notes that it is a complex issue—I admit that it is a complex issue; the member obviously does not get it, but it is a complex issue—but the Major Electricity Users Group agrees that it is better to conduct a review. I seek leave to table two documents. The first is a press release from last week from the befuddled Gerry Brownlee, which states: “This review is completely unacceptable—
Madam SPEAKERThe Minister knows better. Just make the point of order straight without any comment about the member.
I seek leave to table a press release dated 6 March 2007 from Mr Brownlee, which states: “This review is completely unacceptable.”