Young Jonathan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeYoung Jonathan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 05 September 2013. Volume:693;Page:13316. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]4.JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) to theMinister of Energy and Resources: What reports has he received on the petroleum and minerals sector in New Zealand?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Energy and Resources): Earlier this week the Minister for Economic Development Steven Joyce and I releasedThe Petroleum and Minerals Sector Report. The report shows that the sector has been growing sustainably for a decade. Exports of petroleum and minerals have trebled since 2002. Over the last 5 years $1.9 billion in royalties and levies has been paid to the Crown and investment in minerals exploration is at a historic high. Unlike the continuing confusion that reigns on the opposite side of the House this Government—Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I have not got theSpeakers’ Rulings immediately to hand but earlier in the week we had quite a good discussion and very good reinforcement of those rulings from you as to what the member’s responsibility is as a Minister and it did not include Opposition policy. He just headed right into that area then.Mr SPEAKER: I am sorry I did not actually hear where the Minister was heading—[Interruption] Order! Order! I fully accept the point that Mr Mallard is making that no Government member has any responsibility at all for former Government policy. Does the Minister want to now conclude his answer?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I certainly want to finish my answer. This Government is clear about its commitment to supporting the sustained growth of this sector.Jonathan Young: What does the report say about employment in the petroleum and minerals sector?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: The report shows that the petroleum and minerals sector is the most productive in our economy generating $333 per hour worked compared with a national average of $48. Workers are paid over $100000 on average which is more than twice the national average and employment in the sector has doubled over the last decade. We have seen real benefits in Taranaki where the sector has had a transformative effect on the regional economy. The Government is keen to see other regions reap the benefits of such development.Jonathan Young: What lies ahead for the petroleum and minerals sector in New Zealand?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I am excited about upcoming activity and the ongoing investment in the sector. The summer ahead will be one of the—and possibly the—largest on record for oil and gas exploration with the industry expected to spend upwards of $600 million. Competitive minerals tenders will continue following the success of Northland 2012. The Government is committed to developing our resources in an environmentally responsible and safe way to help build a more productive economy for all New Zealanders.Brendan Horan: Given that the Deepwater Horizon disaster was from an exploratory well cost US$16 billion and used ships of up to 70000 tonnage to clean up can the Minister guarantee that the current New Zealand oil response fleet of three 8-metre aluminium dinghies will be sufficient to clean up any oil spill in New Zealand?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I appreciate that this is a matter the member has experience in. He once got oil on his pink budgie-smugglers. But—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Order! Just answer the question.Hon SIMON BRIDGES: —I can make it very clear that we have the processes and everything we need in place to do this properly.Brendan Horan: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That was absolutely ridiculous.Mr SPEAKER: Well I accept that. If the member was offended that is a different matter. I asked the Minister to cease and he did so. Is there a further point of order coming?Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I know that I have not always been the person who has upheld tone to the highest level but today I think we have been below the belt on two occasions where you could have intervened.Mr SPEAKER: Certainly on the last occasion I did intervene by saying that that was an unnecessary comment from the Minister so I did that. It just does not help the tone of the House if people—any member—descends to that sort of level. It is unhelpful.Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Do you want me to answer again?Mr SPEAKER: No I do not. The member has given his answer. We are moving on to question No. 5.