4. H V ROSS ROBERTSON (Labour—Manukau East) Link to this
to the Minister of Research, Science and Technology
What reaction has he received from the research sector to the research and development tax credits, which became available from 1 April 2008?
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Research, Science and Technology) Link to this
The 15 percent research and development tax credit that became available yesterday has been welcomed by businesses and researchers throughout New Zealand. Anthony Scott, the Chief Executive of Science New Zealand, for example, has said that the tax credit, in combination with New Zealand Fast Forward, represents an unprecedented investment in New Zealand science. He likened it to Vogel’s investment in the rail system, which transformed the New Zealand economy in the late 1880s. The National Party voted against this tax credit, and the National leader labelled New Zealand Fast Forward a gimmick. He is now out of step with almost everyone, including one or two in his own caucus.
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
Can the Minister tell the House whether he has a view about whether this tax credit could be used to develop solutions to the threats posed by climate change?
My personal view is that it can, and that is also the Government’s policy. It is also my personal view, and that of a rapidly growing number of businesses, that climate change is real and that solutions are real business opportunities. However, the personal view of the Leader of the Opposition was offered up publicly on television this morning, and I quote what he said: “Well, look, actually, in terms of things like climate change, I believe climate change is occurring, um, yeah. I think the evidence supports that, but, you know, we have a public position. We support, ah, we support those positions collectively.” That is what clarity increasingly looks like these days, under the National Party.