Robertson GrantHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Once upon a time the National Party used to talk about being ambitious for New Zealand being able to see a future for New Zealand where we had clean rivers where we had clean air and where we had good jobs that paid higher wages. Instead what we just saw then from Paul Goldsmith was a 20th century party reaching back to the 19th century to try and solve 21st century problems. That's the failure of ambition from that member. But perhaps we shouldn't be surprised because he wasn't even ambitious enough to try and win Epsom. So maybe we shouldn't be too surprised about getting that from Paul Goldsmith.Mr Speaker I know I shouldn't draw you into the debate but I think you of all people in this House would know what happens when major change occurs in the economy and it's not planned and there isn't a transition.SPEAKER: And the member won't draw me into the debate.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: That's right and I'm not drawing you into the debate.SPEAKER: We're not relitigating those caucus decisions.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I'm glad we both agree that you're not being drawn into the debate. In the 1980s in New Zealand we saw what happens when we don't manage transition and change. In this situation we are planning the most thought-out transition for an industry that I believe New Zealand has ever seen. We are saying to an industry that still has permits that will run into the 2030s that we want to work with them and work with the communities that those industries work in to manage a just transition.Hon Member: 100000 kilometres.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: That's right 100000 kilometres more than 31 active exploration permits all of which continue. They continue into tomorrow and next week and the week after in the Taranaki. Everybody will still be doing the same jobs. They will still be working in the same industries. But in 30 years' time they won't. In 30 years' time Taranaki and regions around the world that rely on fossil fuels will have had to transition. This is a responsible Government that understands we have serious obligations to our planet and to our people and that we will support those communities. We won't sign up to international agreements with no intention of actually doing anything to implement them because that's what the previous Government did. We have heard lip-service for years from the National Party when it comes to taking serious action on climate change. Now we have a Government that is prepared to do that and to manage the transition that is required in our communities.I want to acknowledge all three parties that make up this Government in this decision. The New Zealand First Party is indeed the champion of the region. I feel it and hear it every single day and I can confirm that Shane Jones had his head in his hands because he realised he had forgotten yet another one of his and Dot's anniversaries—that's what it was. That's what it was today and I apologise to Dot for that straight away.But I thank the New Zealand First Party and I thank the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand for being a part of what is an important step today. We may come at this issue from different perspectives but we share the goal that New Zealanders deserve to have high living standards and a quality of life that goes on for decades from now. It is not just our responsibility as politicians in this Parliament to think about the 24-hour news cycle; to think about how we can get a cheap hit with some voters in the provinces. It is time for politicians in this House to come together and face up to a future where we must move to a low-carbon economy where we can create high-paying jobs by being clever by using our innovation and by planning right now.I believe this is a generational moment and I see Mr Chris Bishop poised to stand up and take the next call. I would have thought of all people in the National Party he would get that future generations want what has happened today to happen. They want a Government that is prepared to look ahead to plan and to think about them and their children and their grandchildren still having the standards of living that they aspire to today.Simon Bridges has fallen at the first hurdle today. He said that he wanted an Opposition that would be more green that would be more interested in environmental issues. He had the opportunity today to join with a Government that has a commitment to sustainability and he fell at the first hurdle. He didn't even get up today and say he would join in making sure New Zealand makes a just transition to a low-carbon economy.I am proud of what this Government has done today. I am proud of the work of the Prime Minister who has made good on her commitment that when her nuclear-free moment came she would show leadership. She has done that. This Government is proud that we are moving in a just way to a low-carbon economy.