Choudhary Ashraf: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Choudhary Ashraf: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:619;Page:14526] 
8.  
Dr ASHRAF CHOUDHARY (Labour) 
 to the  
Convenor Ministerial Group on Climate Change 
: Has he received any reports on whether New Zealand should pull out of the Kyoto Protocol? 
Hon PETE HODGSON (Convenor Ministerial Group on Climate Change) 
: 
 Yes I have. Nick Smith MP says we should pull out if Washington says so but National’s most respected “greenie” the next but one on National’s list Mr Guy Salmon carefully analysed his party’s position and concluded that pulling out would be very very silly. 
Dr Ashraf Choudhary 
: What reasons are given for New Zealand standing by its ratification of the protocol? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: Pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol would be a disaster for New Zealand business our reputation abroad and the environment. Rather than adopting the anti-environment head-in-the-sand attitude of his colleagues in the National Party Mr Guy Salmon praises the Government— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Please just confine yourself to your own policy; you are not commenting on theirs. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: Why does his Government try so hard to avoid giving straight answers to questions in the House but goes to extraordinary lengths to misrepresent other parties’ policies or is it the reality that Labour now recognises it is on the ropes and is going as Government and it is practising its role in Opposition of asking questions about National’s policies? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: I could be mistaken now that I am being questioned about another party’s policy but my understanding is that the National Party’s policy is it will think about pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol unless Madam Washington and Madam Canberra do not. Hiding under the ample skirts of those two capitals seems to be of greater import than furthering the social economic and environmental interests of the country that elects those members to this House. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: It is absolutely obvious that the Minister has not read National’s policy so I seek leave of the House to table it so that he might read it and be educated on it. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House. 
Peter Brown 
: Does the Minister appreciate there are a number of New Zealanders who are concerned about New Zealand signing up to the Kyoto Protocol and one of the adverse effects is that it is likely to increase the price of a unit of electricity generated from coal; can the Minister advise members whether that is true and the size of increase? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: Yes I can. I can advise that it is current Government policy to introduce a carbon charge not before 2007 which will raise the price of coal the revenue from which will be recirculated back through the economy for example through the tax system. I can also advise the member that the view of Guy Salmon—who is next but one on the National Party’s list—is that: “Far from being disadvantaged in relation to our trading partners New Zealand is at a distinct advantage.” and he goes on to conclude: “Notwithstanding the unfounded criticisms made of the protocol it represents the best way forward.”