8. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN (Co-Leader—Green) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Is it Government policy to tackle the economic and environmental crises at the same time; if so, how?
Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) Link to this
The Government’s policy is to maximise New Zealand’s economic opportunities while meeting our environmental responsibilities. Our response to the global economic downturn includes policies that are good for our economy while also being good for the environment. These policies include our $50 million commitment to the development of a national cycleway, a new $36 million grants programme for bio-diesel production, and other environmentally friendly initiatives, which will be detailed in the Budget on Thursday.
Does the Prime Minister agree that by investing $600 million over the next 3 years in protecting our waterways, as laid out in the Green Party’s Green New Deal stimulus package, he would create 4,500 jobs, restore water quality, and protect our “clean, green” reputation, thereby dealing with both the economic and environmental crises at the same time?
I have not seen the specific policy from the Greens, but I can confirm that enhancing the quality of our waterways is important to the Government, and we are working on ways to make sure we achieve it on a number of fronts, including a good structure for co-management of the Waikato River.
Chris AuchinvoleAre there any initiatives in the upcoming Budget that have environmental and economic benefits; if so, what are they?
Yes, there are. One initiative I am particularly excited about is the Government’s home insulation programme, which the Minister of Energy and Resources has developed in conjunction with Jeanette Fitzsimons of the Greens. The Government’s scheme will help many more New Zealanders make their homes warmer, drier, and healthier. The economy will benefit from increased employment in the building and construction industry, and the environment will benefit from increased energy efficiency. I look forward to the announcements in the Budget. When I see them I will know that they will be funded—unlike the ones promised by the previous Labour Government, which were not.
Does the Prime Minister agree that, by investing $2 billion over the next 3 years in new State housing, as laid out in the Green Party’s Green New Deal stimulus package, he could create 28,000 new jobs and improve the lot of families in desperate need of affordable housing, thereby dealing with economic, social, and environmental issues at the same time?
That may or may not be correct. What I can confirm is that the Government is investing, albeit modestly, in building more State houses. But, more important, it is actually spending a lot of money on renovating State houses. That work has begun already. All I can say is that the aim of the Government is to no longer be a slum landlord, which is the position we inherited from the Labour Government.
Does the Prime Minister agree that by shifting $1 billion of investment from new motorways to more sustainable transport options, like better buses and trains and safer walking and cycling, he could create 40 percent more jobs, lower overall transport costs, and reduce our oil import bill, thereby dealing with the economic and environmental crises at the same time?
No, I do not necessarily agree with that. I can confirm that the National Government will spend $1.6 billion to upgrade Auckland’s commuter rail infrastructure, and that in 2009-10 we will spend $201 million on subsidising public transport services nationally—the highest level ever. The Government has shown a real appetite for building more State highways. We are spending $1 billion a year on it. I think it is an important measure, because when cars are sitting idle on State highways that do not work—that are not properly connected—they add very negatively to New Zealand’s environmental output.
In light of his answers, does he disagree with his finance Minister, the Hon Bill English, who said: “one crisis at a time might just do most Governments.”, and will he be talking with his finance Minister about the advantages of joined-up thinking—of dealing with the economic and environmental crises at the same time?
Firstly, I always agree with the Minister of Finance. Secondly, I know that New Zealand is very lucky that he will be the Minister of Finance reading the Budget on Thursday. New Zealanders will be grateful on Thursday, when they hear the Budget being read out, that they are not looking at a picture of Michael Cullen on their TV screens; he knew how to spend money, but he certainly could not run a Government efficiently.