3. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN (Co-Leader—Green) Link to this
to the Minister for the Environment
Does the Government still promise New Zealanders it will clean up the nation’s rivers to a level where they are safe to swim in within a generation; if so, can he say which objectives, if any, in the proposed National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, released yesterday, give a deadline by which our rivers and streams will be safe for New Zealanders to swim in?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister for the Environment) Link to this
I refer the member to pages 4, 6, 7, and 9 of the proposed National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, but suggest that he works from the one that was issued, not the one his friend gave him earlier, which was an earlier draft.
Can the Minister confirm that those page references refer to a date of 2035, but that this date—2035—is held and mentioned only in the preamble to the national policy statement, which has no authority, is not binding, and has no legal effect, and therefore will have no effect whatsoever in actually cleaning up our rivers and lakes by 2035?
Su’a William SioHow does the proposed national policy statement improve the guidance to councils on local consultation on water issues?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
The local government consultation process allows changes around policy statements and plans. It allows communities to express their social, economic, and environmental aspirations, so that there can be the best use of fresh water in the region. The methods of achieving “swimmability” will obviously differ between Otago and the lower Waikato.
What does the Minister think that Kiwi parents will make of his national policy statement, when its ultimate goal is that 17 kids per 1,000 will be made sick when they swim in their local river, and that this goal may never even be achieved, because there is no time line or deadline for achieving it?
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I raise it in terms of whether the Minister addressed the question. It was about the national policy statement; it was not about whether I aim to make kids sick. I ask that the Minister address the question.
Madam SPEAKERI think the Minister did address the question. I listened carefully to the question, and the elements were there, and the Minister did address it. He was asked the question as the Minister, not as an individual.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The issue of water quality is a serious one. The Green Party quite properly asked the Minister questions about it, but the Minister simply insulted the Green members by saying that they are somehow out to make children sick. I do not think that is appropriate conduct, and I ask you to reflect on whether those sorts of personal, derogatory statements to members are fair.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen Link to this
Firstly, Madam Speaker, the question itself tried to imply that the Minister intended to make people sick; and, secondly, it misrepresented what the standard actually means, by turning it round and making an imputation on the basis of that. If members ask questions in that form, they can expect to get a fairly short, sharp response.