4. NICKY WAGNER (National) Link to this
to the Minister for the Environment
What action has he taken in respect of the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality in response to concerns raised at the Job Summit?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment) Link to this
Ninety percent of New Zealand’s air quality problem is actually from home heating and vehicles, with less than 10 percent from industry, yet the previous Government’s air-quality regulations penalise only industry for non-compliance. Ten towns and cities are unlikely to meet the standards by 2013, and the consequence is that no renewals of new consents for industry would be allowed. This would put tens of thousands of jobs in Canterbury and Auckland at risk for no fault of industry. That is why the Job Summit recommended a rethink and why the Government is doing that.
Has the Minister been able to find any technically sound reason from his officials for punishing only industry over failure to meet air-quality standards when industry is a fraction of the problem; or were the regulations a product of the anti-jobs, anti-industry mindset of the previous administration?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
Officials have not been able to give me any sound reason why we would have a regulation that punishes industry only, when 90 percent of the problem is in fact from home heating and motor vehicles. The Government does intend to address this problem, and that is one of the reasons we have committed $323 million to insulation and to clean-heating technologies.
Brendon BurnsGiven that the Government has already stalled the emissions trading scheme, scrapped biofuel obligations, and signalled more thermal generation and a review of drinking-water quality standards, what assurance can the Minister provide about any improvements to air quality in the time frames he envisages?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
Let me illustrate just one of the points that the member has got wrong. Rather than a nanny State regulatory approach to biofuels, this Government is providing a financial incentive to new technology. The difference from the Labour Government’s environmental policies, which were anti-growth and anti-industry, is that this Government is serious about prosperity as well as good environmental policy.
Can the Minister reassure the House that the Government remains absolutely committed to improving air quality, noting its importance to public health and to New Zealand’s “clean, green” brand, as stated in National’s 2006 Bluegreen Vision for New Zealand and its policy at the 2008 election?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
Yes, this initiative does meet the commitments that National made in its policy, and in the Bluegreen Vision for New Zealand document. The terms of reference make plain that this Government is serious about clean air in New Zealand, but we want to do it in a practical way that does not put jobs at risk.
Metiria TureiCan the Minister confirm that car pollution is a major component of Auckland’s air pollution; if so, will he recommend to the Minister of Transport that instead of spending seven times as much on roads and motorways, he instead invest, dollar for dollar, in better buses and trains and safer cycling and walking?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
This is a Government that is investing heavily in cycles, with the Prime Minister’s enthusiasm for the cycleway. Today my colleague the Minister of Transport announced a new initiative around supporting clean-energy technology in the form of electric cars, one of which I am the proud driver of. I also point out to the member the very significant investment that this Government is making in public transport. But I say to the Greens that congested traffic is awful for pollution and this Government is going to address and improve that.
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
The review of air quality standards has been strongly and widely supported. I note that the Christchurch Press said that the group appointed to conduct a review is very well qualified and well balanced, with strong medical as well as technical and economic skills. I also note the support from many local authorities from the Hawke’s Bay, where I particularly acknowledge Chris Tremain and Craig Foss, who have made representations. Also, in the South Island at least four authorities have indicated their strong support for the review.