12. Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) Link to this
to the Minister for the Environment
Does he agree that there has been a “loss of confidence” in the Government’s 2002 New Zealand waste strategy because key elements have not been implemented, as reported by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for the Environment) Link to this
No. The member must be speaking in support of the parliamentary commissioner’s particular focus on the development of economic instruments, such as taxes, levies, charges, and permits. Although the Government believes that economic instruments are potentially one important element in changing wasteful behaviour, we realise that other tools and work programmes can contribute significantly to that objective. Our success in meeting waste reduction targets, while working collaboratively with stakeholders, confirms that is an appropriate strategy.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Can the Minister explain the purpose of providing every one of the 600 delegates to the Local Government New Zealand conference this week with a single yellow child’s gumboot, stamped with the Ministry for the Environment’s logo; is that gimmick a good use of public money and the right example to set on waste? [ Interruption]
Madam SPEAKERHon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
It would have been more useful if the member had read out the line that is written on the gumboot. It is in relation to issues around climate change. I have heard that member urge the community to consider climate change. As far as the gumboot is concerned, I advise the member that the Ministry for the Environment tells me that the gumboot is a penholder. However, given its size, it might be more appropriate for the member to use it to contain National Party policy.
Dave HereoraIs the Minister aware of alternative approaches to working collaboratively with stakeholders, including local government, on matters such as waste?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I am aware that the National Party has suggested two alternative and rather unpalatable approaches to working with local government. One approach is “an overbearing form of leadership that demands obedience, and that stifles free thought and innovation, that dictates rather than leads.” That statement was made by Don Brash, who was apparently describing Nick Smith’s new-found interest in economic instruments to the Local Government New Zealand conference. The other approach is Don Brash’s own view that the local government leaders are a frustrated middle management group, who are introverted in their thinking and are merely awaiting inspired leadership to reform their ways. That is why one mayor who spoke to me said the Leader of the Opposition had referred to them as being dicks who did not know what they were doing.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Can the Minister explain to Parliament how providing 600 mayors and councillors with a left-footed yellow gumboot with the words: “Are you thinking about climate change?” on it may stop global warming?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
The member has just illustrated the usefulness of focusing on this issue. I inform him that Local Government New Zealand gave those members who did not wish to use the penholder the opportunity to recycle those boots for the use of young children. [ Interruption]
Would members please control themselves if they wish to remain in the Chamber. I will not call the member until there is silence. Members can sit here until 6 o’clock, if they like—until we have silence, please.
Nicky WagnerWhy, when there are serious and urgent environmental issues all over New Zealand, did this Government last month choose to spend $125,000 on a lightweight, glossy booklet, which was described as a gift from the retiring chief executive Barry Carbon, and this month to spend $1,000 more on single children’s gumboots to give to 600 mayors and councillors, all of which will end up in the landfill; does that not illustrate a culture of both waste and extravagance in his ministry?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
Absolutely not. I would like to thank both that member—for reasons she will understand in a moment—and Dr Smith for their really helpful publicity for an excellent publication. I am pleased to announce now that largely thanks to that fantastic publicity, the print run for that publication has been exhausted, such has been the public demand for it. I have since authorised a rerun of that excellent publication.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Given that the Government has no policy on climate change, that emissions in New Zealand have increased at four times the rate of the United States and three times that of Australia, that the Government’s carbon tax has been thrown in the bin, that its animal emissions levy has been canned as well, and that there is now no climate change policy in New Zealand, does he really think that a single yellow gumboot—passing the boot to local government—is the answer?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
As the member is aware, I do not have ministerial responsibility for climate change issues. In terms of policy on this matter, I say that this Government has substantially more policy than the Opposition. On Monday the National Party told us that councils should have more choice about how to handle waste. On National Radio Nick Smith has said exactly the opposite of that—another example of the total discord within National. With regard to the boot, there have already been some really useful suggestions about where it will go this weekend in Christchurch.
Lindsay TischI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. When my colleague last spoke, there was some distortion with the microphone. She is probably not aware of it. I wonder whether she can now move to another microphone to ask this supplementary question.
Can the Minister tell the House how much the 600-odd gumboots cost, including the cost of, no doubt, extensive policy and public relations advice, and the cost of every one of them being embossed with the ministry’s logo; if not, why not?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I will be happy to provide that information for the member if she puts down a written question.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Does the Minister believe it was good value for money for taxpayers, through his ministry, to provide every mayor and councillor at the Local Government New Zealand conference with a 5-year-old’s yellow gumboot?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I think it has been extraordinarily good value in focusing on climate change, and I thank the member for his contribution.