Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Thank you Madam Chair. I'm very excited to speak on this primary sector. I just wanted to tell Mr van de Molen that I was in fact in the Waikato last Tuesday and I had a fantastic time there. I'm sure Mr van de Molen would agree with me when I say to him that we have a world-class economy but none of our world-class economy that supports our schools and our hospitals is worthwhile if we don't have a good environment. Do you agree with that Mr van de Molen? Oh you do agree with it. I'm glad you agree with it. This sector is committed to conservation and environmental sustainability. You don't agree with that? I'm surprised you don't agree with that Mr van de Molen because—do you know what?—farmers do not get enough credit for their sustainable credentials. We're not doing anyone any favours if we can't have a robust conversation. Isn't that the case Mr van de Molen? Those are not only this party's position; those words which you cry foul over are the words of your leader.So he is entirely onside—at least he was last time he spoke at the national Fieldays. I'm not sure what his position is today—certainly not sure what it'll be tomorrow. But he is very much on board with Labour Party policy.If we look at these Estimates we can absolutely see what progress this Government is making to put this sector into shape. We know that the National Party didn't keep its eye on the ball. We know our fresh water. We can look at six of the statistics around fresh water but if we look at all of the others we know we've got problems—problems with nitrates and problems with sediment. I was very pleased to read the Estimates for agriculture in particular and look at the work that's being done. The Minister was asked about the freshwater policy that's coming and the fact that we're consulting on that and that it's not just a one-step policy but a policy that looks at water from beginning to end—from the trees that we plant on the hills to stop that sediment runoff to putting money into systems on farm so that farmers can have a better understanding—Mark Patterson: And urban—and urban.Dr DUNCAN WEBB: And urban. You're right Mr Patterson. Urban as well—but here we're talking about the primary sector and whilst I have a vegetable garden I don't think it counts. More than that though not only on farm but also assisting with measuring what's going on on farm and having clusters of excellence so that what's going on in DairyNZ already can be extended to other parts—actually putting real money into farms. Now we know how important the farming sector is to our economy and the primary sector generally. We know that it generates billions of dollars and despite what the naysayers over there would say we hear we know that it's in very good shape—that in fact exports are up $7.5 billion in the past two years. Milk prices—a lot of analysts are saying that's going to go up too. Horticulture: doing fantastic. Kiwifruit was for example up 25 percent. It's great to see that notwithstanding the naysayers who talk down business confidence in fact our primary sector is strong it's thriving and it really is the backbone of our economy and it's great to see.What's more we know—I sit on Finance and Expenditure Committee as well—there's a lot of debt out there. We know some farmers are under stress. But it's great also to see particular funding to look after the mental health in our rural communities: $20.8 million for expanding mental health essentially in and around farmers. So for mental wellbeing expanding telehealth and digital health supports to get to those otherwise hard to reach areas.I must say as Rino Tirikatene noted I was very excited about Vote Lands and the discussion there that was had about preserving our pristine natural landscapes in the South Island in particular by the placing of tenure review on hold—not only for the landscapes themselves but also to ensure we preserve biodiversity preserve our indigenous species and look after our landscapes not now but for years and years to come because this is a Government which is taking action today tomorrow and for the next three and 30 years. Thank you Madam Chair.