5. METIRIA TUREI (Co-Leader—Green) Link to this
to the Minister of Energy and Resources
Does he agree with Minerals Industry Association chief executive Doug Gordon that the estimated 40,000 New Zealanders who marched against Government mining proposals last weekend were misled by the organisers?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister of Energy and Resources) Link to this
I have no responsibility for statements by Mr Gordon, and I am very conscious of the fact that many of those people who marched last weekend were motivated by their very genuine concerns. However, I think it is worth noting that there were a number of signs present at that rally, ranging from “GE free” right through to “ETS”, which makes me think that a number of people may have decided to use May Day just as a general day of protest.
Is it misleading to say no one is talking about mining in national parks, then release a proposal to mine in our national parks?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
The proposal that has been released looks at the removal of 3,000 hectares that are discontiguous with Paparoa National Park, but which were made part of it in 2008 by the previous Government, against the advice of the local conservation board and against the advice of the Department of Conservation at the time. All that the removal of schedule 4 protection does is to enable exploration—one step further than what is enabled now. It does not necessarily lead to mining, nor does it change the underlying status of the land.
Was it misleading to tell New Zealanders that schedule 4 “says to the mining industries of New Zealand: ‘These are no-go areas’ ”, as Nick Smith did when the schedule 4 land was set aside?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
No, because that is exactly what schedule 4 provides at the present time. That is why we are having a discussion with New Zealanders about whether that protection should continue on some very discrete parts of the estate—about 2 percent of all of the schedule 4 land, in fact.
Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga Link to this
Does he believe that it is possible to balance the economic concerns of miners and the conservation concerns of protecting endangered species in such a way that all parties are happy?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
Yes, I do. It is possible to balance the economic concerns of miners and the conservation concerns of protecting endangered species in such a way that all parties are happy. I know that the member who asked the primary question agrees with that.
Is it misleading to indicate in one Government document that a national park is a no-go area for mining, and in another Government document, issued on the same day, to state that the same national park is being considered for competitive tender for mineral exploration?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
On the face of that I would say no, but without giving the context of what is being proposed to New Zealanders I think it is misleading.
Is it misleading to say, on television: “I have a great love for the conservation estate in this country. I don’t want to see it destroyed”, while at the same time investigating the entirety of Rakiura—Stewart Island—all of Paparoa National Park, and all of Mount Aspiring National Park for mineral exploration?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
It is abundantly evident, and clearly stated, that the Government has no further interest in any mineral prospectivity in the Mount Aspiring National Park.
Hon David ParkerHon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
Nor Kahurangi National Park, nor any number of other national parks. The member is being simply mischievous in making that statement.
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
Not according to two of New Zealand’s leading actresses, who have got themselves extremely lathered up over my simple statement—“sexy coal”.
Who understands the real story: the National-led Government, which says one thing to the public on one day and something completely different to the mining industry on the same day, or the 40,000 New Zealanders who took to the streets in the weekend to show, very clearly, where they stand on protecting our most treasured places?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
There are three parts to that question, so I will answer them one after the other, in reverse sequence. First, I do not have anything other than respect for those people who marched on the weekend and who have genuine concerns. I make that very, very clear. Second, we have not given one message to one group and another message to another. Third, all of the information relating to these decisions has been released and is in the public arena. We are hiding nothing. We will go through this consultation process, because that is what would be expected of us.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Just to make it clear to the House, the Labour Opposition will have no objection to Nikki Kaye taking a supplementary question.
Mr SPEAKER