Genter Julie Anne: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeGenter Julie Anne: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 02 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2872. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]2.JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green)to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises: Is he considering replacing the electric locomotives with diesel locomotives on the Main Trunk Line and would this mean removing electrification on that line?Hon TODD McCLAY (Minister for State Owned Enterprises):No. I would note that this is an operational matter and it is a decision for the KiwiRail board. I would also note that KiwiRail has made no decisions on this issue.Julie Anne Genter: Why does his Government not consider that decisions relating to core components of our transport infrastructure like the electrification of the main trunk line are not a matter of Government policy?Hon TODD McCLAY: No that is not what I said in relation to the primary question. What I would say however is that this Government has spent more on transportation infrastructure than any Government in the history of this country.Julie Anne Genter: Would replacing the electric locomotives used on the North Island main trunk line with diesel locomotives increase or decrease the carbon pollution from rail freight movements?Hon TODD McCLAY: I do know that that is a hypothetical question. I guess it would depend on how much the trains are used.Julie Anne Genter: I seek leave of the House to table research from the Parliamentary Library showing that the pollution from diesel locomotives is 20 times greater than from electric.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that particular information. Is there any objection? There is objection. Question No. 3—[Interruption] Order! Question No. 3—Julie Anne Genter: Supplementary question.Mr SPEAKER: In future if the member wants to ask a supplementary question it is important she follows—supplementary question Julie Anne Genter.Julie Anne Genter: Will his Government rule out ditching electrification infrastructure on the main trunk line to avoid locking us into a high-carbon transport future; if not why not?Hon TODD McCLAY: There is nothing to rule in or rule out at this time. KiwiRail is assessing all of its options. Included in that I expect KiwiRail to consider all options’ environmental impacts—of each of those options.Julie Anne Genter: Is the impact of climate pollution from transport a key factor in investment decisions for KiwiRail and for this Government; if not why not?Hon TODD McCLAY: There are a number of factors KiwiRail will be taking into account and that I am sure will be one of them.Julie Anne Genter: Will his Government commit to investing in upgrading or replacing the electric locomotives here in New Zealand which would support high-value manufacturing jobs today and preserve climate-friendly infrastructure well into the future?Hon TODD McCLAY: As with my answer to the previous question our commitment to KiwiRail on behalf of the New Zealand taxpayer is $1.3 billion. I think it is fair that the taxpayer should ask KiwiRail to make sure that the funds the Government is giving it are used as well and as effectively as they can be. The Government expects it to consider all options including environmental.Julie Anne Genter: Would KiwiRail be forced to cut corners to save money if his Government was actually committed to investment in rail as part of our core transport infrastructure to the same extent as it is committed to spending billions of dollars on low-value motorways?Hon TODD McCLAY: The answer to that question is no. I have been the Minister for State Owned Enterprises for only 6 months. I have learnt in that time that trains are not very good at cutting corners.