Robson Matt: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Robson Matt: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:618;Page:14385] 
8.  
Hon MATT ROBSON (Deputy Leader—Progressive) 
 to the  
Minister for Economic Development 
: What measures has the Labour Progressive Government announced during the recent adjournment to promote economic industry and regional development? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON (Minister for Economic Development) 
: 
 There have been too many coalition Government initiatives during July to possibly recount them all here today. However to mention just a small sample of initiatives for the benefit of members it was announced yesterday that Electronic Data Systems—EDS New Zealand Ltd—has already created over 200 jobs under its Best Shore programme thereby achieving the first target of a $1.5 million grant scheme it entered into with Investment New Zealand and its strategic investment fund. Last week projects as diverse as new funding of $1.765 million to close skill gaps in the information and communications technology industries in Canterbury and $40000 to assist the impact study of proposals to develop all-weather access to commercial boat facilities for the Opotiki harbour were announced. 
Hon Matt Robson 
: Why were these initiatives funded and what evidence is there that they are benefiting all New Zealanders? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: The coalition Government is actively involved in supporting industry and regional development because we know that intelligent partnerships between the public and private sectors are assisting the whole economy to leverage more out of New Zealand’s considerable natural advantages. Earlier this month I attended a happy farewell function at the rapidly expanding Government-supported incubator in Christchurch where the well-known company DataCol NZ Ltd which started with four staff and $1.5 million in turnover now has 22 staff 140 contract workers and a clear path to increase its revenue to $20 million. 
John Key 
: Why does the Minister think that the recent survey by Statistics New Zealand on innovation in New Zealand found that “if Government assistance was received” the majority of businesses found it to be of “no value”? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: The Minister for Economic Development is following up that Statistics New Zealand report and I will be happy to advise the Minister of the facts. If the member is wondering why New Zealand has not followed an innovative constructive creative path in recent years he should look in the mirror at the 9 years of National Party administration. 
H V Ross Robertson 
: Can the Minister tell the House whether he has seen any alternative reports or proposals for New Zealand’s economic and social development released during the recent adjournment? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: Yes one that grabbed my attention was a proposal from the leader of the National Party to build a lot more prisons. I understand this desire to build prisons around the regions of New Zealand is the National Party’s idea of regional development but I would note— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The Minister has no responsibility for that. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Is it the Minister’s intention that economic industry and regional development should proceed regardless of environmental and social damage as indicated by the list published yesterday by his department of 65 proposed hydro projects that divert rivers out of national parks require the lifting of water conservation orders and ignore the values of biodiversity and recreation? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: This is a study of the potential for hydroelectricity development a renewable resource development in New Zealand led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry for the Environment. The information is on the website of the Ministry of Economic Development so that all New Zealanders can access it. If the Green Party is so opposed to renewable energy such as hydroelectric stations I look forward to their proposals to close all the ones we have now and open a nuclear plant. 
Judy Turner 
: Does the Minister intend to announce an expansion of the regional immigration initiative that was successfully piloted in Wellington and Clutha-Southland to help overcome skill shortages in other regions and is he giving active consideration to any proposals to better facilitate internal migration to achieve the same means for regional development? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: I will answer the question in two parts. The Ministry of Economic Development and the New Zealand Immigration Service are working very proactively with all ministries particularly those associated with economic and industry development in New Zealand to make sure that those migrants who can add value to the New Zealand economy are given every encouragement to come to this country. The whole world is in a race for skill and talent and New Zealand is no exception. In terms of the second part of the question the regional development success where every region in New Zealand is in positive growth mode and has been now for 16 consecutive quarters is the best effort I know in recent history of any Government to assist New Zealanders to stay in their own regions develop their opportunities there and not have everyone shift to downtown Auckland or Sydney to get a job.