3. CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National—West Coast - Tasman) Link to this
to the Minister of Energy and Resources
How many houses were insulated in October through the Government’s Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart home insulation scheme?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister of Energy and Resources) Link to this
Across the country a total of 5,720 houses were insulated in October. In only 4 months nearly 20,000 homes have been made warmer, drier, and healthier, thanks to the financial assistance provided by the Government. I am also pleased to report that 70 percent of the houses insulated in October were occupied by people on low incomes with community services cards.
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
The Government is responsive to the extraordinary way in which New Zealanders have decided to embrace the scheme. Accordingly, after discussions with the Green Party, we have made arrangements for the original appropriation of $323 million over the 4-year period to become a multi-year appropriation. This will allow a better spread of the funding, so that people will not miss out and have to wait until the start of the next financial year to get assistance. It also means that we will easily be able to surpass the target for the first year of 27,500 homes—something we have almost achieved in 4 months.
Chris HipkinsWill he admit that a lower standard of underfloor insulation has been specified by this Government so that it can poorly insulate more homes for the same amount of money that it would have cost to do fewer homes properly; if not, how does he justify lowering the insulation standards that approved providers are expected to meet?
Rahui KateneCan the Minister confirm that new money has been allocated to allow low-income households to benefit from the home insulation scheme, as a result of the Māori Party’s relationship with National, and what impact will that new money have, over and above current allocations?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
Yes, I can confirm that. It has previously been announced that discussions between the Māori Party and the National Government meant that a further $28 million was added to the fund, bringing it up to almost $350 million that will be spent over the period of time. An extra 8,000 low-income households will be warmer and drier as a result of that arrangement. The Māori Party has expressed its concern about that group of New Zealanders, and the Government has recognised that.
How can he continue to claim that standards have not been lowered, when the latest Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority guidelines suggest that homes previously fitted with foil underfloor insulation should have the foil repaired rather than replaced, and when previously the authority had recommended against foil underfloor insulation, because of “safety risks, challenging installation, dubious performance, and possible lack of durability”; why is he cutting the corners?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
Simply because it is not new installation; it is repair of what is already there.
John BoscawenBy how much is the Heat Smart home insulation scheme forecast to reduce the profits of New Zealand power companies, and how does it compare with the billions of dollars of windfall profits that these same companies will receive under the emissions trading scheme, from, particularly, low-income New Zealanders, including Māori—or does he not know?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
One of the things that has become abundantly evident in the last few days is that all sorts of figures can be thrown into the mix when we come to discussing the emissions trading scheme, and any figure that does get put into the mix will be widely disputed. The purpose of the home insulation scheme was to improve the health outcomes of New Zealanders.
Hon Rodney HideI raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s answer, but I think he was asked what the reduction was, and whether he did know what it was. What we got from the Minister was his saying that lots of numbers were being bandied around, then restating the goals of the programme. I think the House can take that as his saying that he does not know, but it was hardly answering the question.
Mr SPEAKERI appreciate the point the member has raised, but I think that when one considers the specificity of the question asked and the primary question that was laid down, the chances of the Minister having that particular information would not be high. I think the Minister was indicating that he did not have that particular information. I cannot expect him to give more precise information on such a question.
By how much is the Heat Smart home insulation scheme set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and how does it compare with the Government’s emissions trading scheme; if he does not know, why have we been sitting under urgency to pass the emissions trading scheme?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
Firstly, there were a number of aspects to that question, and I think a complication of two very simple issues. I will answer the first one, which was by how much the scheme will reduce the cost of home heating, effectively. Was that the question?
By how much is the Heat Smart home insulation scheme set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and how does it compare with the Government’s emissions trading scheme; if he does not know, then why have we been sitting under urgency to pass the emissions trading scheme?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
The first point is that it would depend entirely on what sort of home heating appliance was being replaced under the scheme. When we have collected all the information on that, we will be able to provide the member with a best estimate. On the matter of why we have been sitting under urgency to pass the Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill, I take it that the ACT Party now wants to be party to our passing the bill, and I look forward to it casting its vote accordingly.