1. Question No. 1—InfrastructureMARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister for InfrastructureORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Infrastructure1. MARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister for Infrastructure: What action is the Government taking to support the construction sector and to progress shovel-ready infrastructure?Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Infrastructure): The actions have been dramatic. This morning the Minister of Finance and myself announced a $2.6 billion package comprised of over 150 projects that will kick-start the rebuild in the post-COVID environment. Cabinet's actual decisions on this allocation cover a range of areas within the economy that are of huge importance to all New Zealanders: urban development and housing $460 million; environmental $460 million; community and social development $670 million; and a range of transport projects including roads and ports walkways and—wait for it—cycleways. The investment benefits the country in a number of ways. There has been huge acclamation and indeed one of those projects has turned around the fortunes of Rotorua: the $55 million housing-enabling announcement.Mark Patterson: Why have only a small number of projects been announced today?Hon SHANE JONES: It will not surprise the House to know far more announcements will fill the village halls the maraes and a host of other places around New Zealand as the leaders within our various regions wait with bated breath. However there are a host of very important commercial considerations and various probity considerations to be thoroughly examined by the officials not the least of which are those located in the Provincial Growth Fund. Kiwis expect public money to be spent wisely. They expect not to be let down and that where the funds are dedicated jobs will flow long-term resilience outcomes can be achieved and they know the level of boldness and the level of willingness to spend money to keep the economy going to train people and to upgrade our infrastructure is at a level never seen before in a long period of time.Mark Patterson: What are the time frames for delivery of these projects?Tim van de Molen: The never-never.Hon SHANE JONES: The reference to the never-never reflects their electoral ambitions on the other side of the House. Mr Mark Binns the redoubtable business leader during the process that he led on behalf of the Government identified 12 months as the period where these applicants had to be construction ready. Naturally there are a range of projects and as they are rolled out we will double-check that the necessary statutory consents and a host of other potential barriers are swept away. But I'm aware that some projects will get under way immediately such as the Auckland City Mission and the Taupō town centre. On the latter the mayor was so overjoyed to get the news he virtually burst into tears. It is important to bear in mind that 13 percent of New Zealand's GDP is associated with infrastructure. Over 500000 New Zealanders derive their livelihood in some manner or form from—SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! I think the member's gone slightly beyond time frames.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Has one of the first infrastructure projects his Government announced the Waipapa roundabout down the road from the Minister's house been completed yet or indeed even started?Hon SHANE JONES: Putting aside all personal and other interests the fact that said roundabout is currently under construction and it is near Kerikeri reflects the need to reform the Public Works Act; accelerate the treatment of resource management issues which Mr David Parker is delivering on; and probably after the election to deliver some purgative to the New Zealand Transport Agency.Chris Bishop: Why did the Infrastructure Commission not provide any advice regarding the guidelines employed to assess the submissions for the shovel-ready projects he's just announced this morning after the Government went to so much time and energy to establish the commission in the first place?Hon SHANE JONES: That body is led by Dr Bollard a substantial New Zealand personality and he personally was involved along with the chairman of Crown Infrastructure Partners in dealing with the criterion and the assessment process. To suggest that so redoubtable a New Zealander as Dr Bollard was not involved or marginalised shows a poor understanding factually speaking which is not surprising given the contributions that come from that member of the Opposition.Chris Bishop: Why does question for written answer No. 8852 (2020) to me from a few weeks ago say exactly that?Hon SHANE JONES: I repeat again: the reference group that was created to work with the chair of Crown Infrastructure Partners involved Dr Bollard the chair of the Infrastructure Commission/Te Waihanga. Te Waihanga" means to build and we build on solid foundations."