Worth Richard: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Worth Richard: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:638;Page:8710] 
10.  
Dr RICHARD WORTH (National) 
 to the  
Minister for Economic Development 
: Is he satisfied with the progress made during Export Year 2007 so far; if so why? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister for Economic Development) 
: 
 No but then I have higher standards in terms of international matters than the camel-riding member. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Please—I have already asked members not to make those statements. They should just ask the questions and give the answers. 
Dr Richard Worth 
: What evaluative tools does the Minister have to measure the success of Export Year 2007; and according to these tools how successful has Export Year 2007 been so far? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: The tools will of course be applied at the end of the year. The reaction of business around New Zealand to for example the Market Development Assistance scheme increase has been extraordinary. Applications are overwhelming. There was extensive attendance including attendance by the deputy leader of the National Party at New Thinking Week which was very very well received. The chief executive officers’ forum was exceptionally successful. Around the country exporters’ breakfasts have been held. The Path to Market programme for Export Year 2007 is going very very well. There is widespread business satisfaction with Export Year. I think the member could consult with someone like John Hayes who is more on top of that matter than the member. 
R Doug Woolerton 
: Can the Minister confirm that Export Year an initiative advocated by New Zealand First is to promote and support our exporters—something that previous administrations have failed to do? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: Absolutely. 
Dr Richard Worth 
: How does the Minister expect to boost New Zealand’s export performance when Export Year 2007 pin-up boy Ken Stevens yesterday stated that “we haven’t got any direct mechanisms in place to do that apart from an awful lot of enthusiasm”? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I think Mr Stevens was pointing out that as anyone who is involved in exporting knows the Government does not direct exporting. It encourages; it supports. We do not want the approach whereby a Government directs firms to export even if Tories do. 
Chris Tremain 
: What specific initiatives going forward from here does the Minister have planned to kickstart Export Year given that Export Year advocate Ken Stevens believes there are no direct mechanisms in place to increase exports 5 months after Export Year was launched at the end of November? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: Ken Stevens did not mean that in literal terms. Ken Stevens was one of the people who promoted the increase in funding for the Market Development Assistance scheme from $6 million last year to $40 million this year. That is direct support to exporters—something we are very proud of. As to the first part of the question the member will know at the appropriate moment and in the fullness of time. 
Chris Tremain 
: Does he think that given the ongoing increase in the exchange rate and recent moves to lay off 140 workers by large exporters Click Clack and G L Bowron in Christchurch Export Year 2007 is doomed to be another part of the Government’s economic transformation agenda that promises much but delivers very little? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I see that the former currency-dealing Leader of the Opposition is promoting an “80c Kiwi”—something that I think is stupid and irresponsible other than the fact it would be an indication if it stayed in the longer term of a very strong economy. I think we are strong but not as strong as that. 
Chris Tremain 
: Has the Minister considered in line with his usual practice of disguising inefficient economic development programmes by giving them a new name the potential of renaming Export Year 2007 as “Export 9 Months 2007” given the lack of progress made in the first 3 months of this year? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I thought the member was better than that. 
Hon Murray McCully 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker— 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Would the Minister please address the question. 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: The answer is no.