Woods MeganDEBATE ON PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENTDebate resumed from 19 February.Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Energy and Resources): I am immensely proud to take a call on the Prime Minister's statement and I'm proud to speak to a statement from a leader who isn't just managing the shop but who is leading and who is facing up to the major challenges of our time as is our Government. I'm also proud to be part of a Government that shows a unique development in New Zealand's political system. This is a true MMP Government. It brings together parties from different traditions to a common cause to put people right at the centre of what it is that we do as a Government and I am immensely proud to take this call. All of us who have spent a bit of time in Opposition know that there are things that we can be familiar with and one of those features of Opposition is you are often given unsolicited advice. But sometimes that advice can be very good and it's worth listening to. So today I want to read a bit of advice that I think the Opposition should listen very closely to and here it is: It's a shame to see that attitude in an Opposition" this person said "of 'Oppose oppose oppose!' rather than trying to be constructive on the issues." Who was the person who gave such sage advice? That was of course Simon Bridges. Well what a shame that he can't follow his own advice because this is an Opposition that is barking at every passing car that is opposing everything and that is so negative. Also when in Government Mr Bridges said of the Opposition: "In a country where we should have a viable democracy we should hope to have a Leader of the Opposition who could at least front up and give us some alternative viewpoint on the big issues that New Zealanders want to know about and want a straight answer from the Opposition on." I think Mr Bridges should go back and read much of his own advice because meanwhile our Government is getting on with the job. Under our watch New Zealand's economy is performing well with strong growth and unemployment near record low levels. In the Government's own books we're running responsible surpluses while we're also investing to meet New Zealand's big challenges. We aren't afraid to front up to those challenges and we are prepared to lead on them. In our programme of action we have children and families at the heart of our programme. We are lifting family incomes we are backing our regions we are making doctors visits more affordable we are rebuilding hospitals and schools and we're beginning to shift to an environmentally sustainable economy. We are here and we are here to make a difference. There are huge opportunities for New Zealand in many areas and we are determined to seize them. In the areas that the Prime Minister has asked me to take responsibility for one of those is energy and we are developing a renewable strategy for New Zealand that lies at the heart of our economy. This is about the detailed strategic planning of how it is that we will chart our pathway to 2035 and 2050 and beyond. We're looking into the areas where Government action can make the biggest difference identifying the incentives that may be needed and the roadblocks that need to be removed and how we can help new technologies come on stream. It's about identifying the regulatory and policy settings our country needs to make the most that our country can be and to seize the opportunities around renewables because we know this is where job growth will occur and there are tremendous opportunities. We know that the price of renewable energy is falling rapidly. Wind and solar are now the cheapest energy to produce. We know from reports like those from Transpower that New Zealand will be able to meet its future energy needs from renewables alone and then when we do that consumers can face lower costs. Our environment will see lower emissions and we'll be able to create new jobs and new economic opportunities for our country. That is why we are planning now for the long term a managed transition over the next 30 years towards an economy based on cheap clean renewable energy instead of costly fossil fuels that contribute to global climate change. We are already investing in this area. We are funding hydrogen projects in Taranaki. This will be the year when we will see the first projects from the Green Investment Fund an initiative of our confidence and supply partner the Green Party. This is where I go back to where I started my speech: my pride in being part of a Government that brings together these three traditions of three parties that puts people at its centre. We have New Zealand First with the Provincial Growth Fund we have the Green Party with the Green Investment Fund and all three of our parties are working together towards a common vision for New Zealand. I have to say that nowhere is the Opposition's constant negativity on display more than in this area. Whereas we have a comprehensive work programme in this area all the Opposition does is criticise and cling to the status quo. Whereas we are looking to the future their eyes are fixed firmly on the past. We are having the courage to lift our sights beyond the three-year political and electoral cycle but they are burying their heads in the sand and pretending we never have to take action on climate change and that is not good enough. New Zealanders can and should expect better and we are getting on with the job in the energy transition. One thing I'm especially proud of as we move towards the eighth anniversary of the February earthquakes is the renewed sense of momentum and progress this Government is delivering for the people of Christchurch. For too long under the previous Government the Canterbury recovery was too slow and too messy. Matt Doocey: How much money have you spent there? Zero. Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Major projects like the Metro Sports Facility (MSF) and the new stadiums were years behind schedule and in the case of the MSF it was over $75 million over budget. We have turned that around. Mr Doocey asked what new money have we put in. Well good news Mr Doocey: we've put $300 million on the table to kick-start the recovery and speed up important projects. We're working closely with the Christchurch City Council to return the city to local leadership and we're seeing the benefits of that new approach in the rapid progress we are making on planning for the stadium. We've been able to fast track the earmarking of $220 million for the stadium and we are getting on with the job.But what gives me a great sense of pride is the solving of thousands of outstanding insurance and Earthquake Commission (EQC) claims that the previous Government left trapped in limbo year after year. Since just past May we've settled 72 percent of the outstanding EQC claims that we had on hand and we've set up a new way of doing things. We've set up the Greater Christchurch Claims Resolution Service that the private insurers have now entered along with EQC and Southern Response so we can finally get traction on those last remaining claims in Christchurch—and have a Government that is committed to allowing people to settle their claims. The most important part of people settling their claims is allowing people to get on with their lives and returning hope to their lives after eight years. We are a Government that thinks that they deserve this. So this is a Government that is getting on with the job that is making things happen and that has a positive and optimistic vision for the future of our country.New Zealand is in a strong position. Our economy is growing strongly and we're addressing key social environmental and economic issues that we need to face head on. We're facing health we're facing housing and we're facing education. So why does Simon Bridges and the National Party seem so miserable then? I wonder if it's because despite all the progress what they are concerned about is the faint sound of the barbecues warming up and the sausages beginning to sizzle. In 2014 Mr Bridges said "the only party that [one leader of the Labour Party] has the numbers in to remain Leader of the Opposition is the New Zealand National Party." We'd just like to tell Mr Bridges that we are rooting for you. We're not just at-the-moment supporters. We want you to stay there for a very long time."