12. Question No. 12—Regional DevelopmentJENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) to the Minister for Regional DevelopmentQuestion No. 12—Regional Development12. JENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) to the Minister for Regional Development: What reports has he seen regarding regional development in New Zealand?Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Regional Development): Recently I visited Nelson and was hosted by a range of economic stakeholders including the civic leaders. During the time that I spent there the Hon Nick Smith made the point that Nelson has been through something of the winter of despair and were hoping that the efforts of our Government would spur on that spring of hope—hardly language I associated with that former parliamentarian but I assured Nelson that if a project of significance was embraced by the broad leadership civic speaking of that area we would engage and agree to co-investment models never co-governance. I can assure you I will be drinking the proverbial before I tolerate co-governance.Jenny Marcroft: What announcements has he made regarding regional investment in infrastructure?Hon SHANE JONES: Sadly in more recent times climate change rhetoric has been all heat and no substance. This Government is directing resources and attention to adaptation—things that will improve the daily lives of communities—and nowhere is that more important than coping with volatile weather associated with floods. To that end $101 million has been allocated to 42 consented priority flood resilience schemes. I have had in the past a role to play in this regard. We will see more of this because the key point of the fund is that we are willing to contribute up to 60 percent of the cost with relevant authorities who must ensure they have resource consents. No more promises while the treacle in local government prevents progress from being made because they can't get out of their own way.Jenny Marcroft: What reports has he seen on the effect of energy prices on regional businesses?Hon SHANE JONES: I'm sure I express the concerns of the majority of the House that it is heartbreaking to see the hollowing out of regional New Zealand in particular the effect of Fred Flintstone economics now being brought home to bear when former decision makers—former Ministers—did nothing to increase the resilience and the security of energy supply. This has had the effect of worsening the capacity of manufacturers and industry to remain competitive in New Zealand. We have a crisis. We do not have internationally competitive energy prices and it's been driven by short-term green-riddled thinking.Jenny Marcroft: What are the causes of the energy crisis affecting regional industry?Hon SHANE JONES: Obviously my colleague has indicated that we are facing a shortage of not only water—far be it for me to say wind and gas—but we will be introducing interventions to expedite the delivery of gas. But I say this to the House: I'm advised for every $4 that the gen-tailers have paid out in dividends only $1 has actually gone back into the productive capacity—i.e. invested in generative capacity. The capacity of these large organisations to improve our quality of life lies in front of them. Sadly they seem to be favouring short-term profit over the needs of New Zealanders for energy security.SPEAKER: That brings oral questions to an end. We'll take 30 seconds while people who have to leave the House do so quietly without discussion and without conferences in the walkways. Would some honourable member care to move that the House take note of miscellaneous business? Looking to—Hon Dr Duncan Webb: I would.SPEAKER: Yeah no. No we're not going to do this. The Green Party are you ready to go?