10. Question No. 10—ResourcesANDY FOSTER (NZ First) to the Minister for ResourcesQuestion No. 10—Resources10. ANDY FOSTER (NZ First) to the Minister for Resources: What reports has he seen on New Zealand's resources sector?Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Resources): Recently my attention was directed to the highly acclaimed publication the Westport News. There it was evident that they share the view of the Government that mining is no longer an unwanted dirty industry. In addition to that it has been made known to me that the Australian pension fund will invest $75 million in the Snowy River gold mining project near Reefton—jobs and wealth coming to Te Tai Poutini. In addition to that Santana Minerals has raised $31 million for a project in the Otago region and TiGa Minerals and Metals has been given the go-ahead by an independent commissioner for their proposed mine at Barrytown Flats on the West Coast.Andy Foster: So what actions has the Government taken to rejuvenate this new confidence in New Zealand's resources sector?Hon SHANE JONES: Recently our Government corrected an egregious oversight left behind by a former Minister—that relates to Resource Management Act changes and streamlining the treatment of coal mining so it is not treated as a leper. Coal mining is a legitimate part of the economy and if we do not recover our gas reserves in New Zealand we'll be powering our energy system with coal.Andy Foster: What further actions is he taking to grow jobs and exports in New Zealand's resources sector speaker?Hon SHANE JONES: Far be it for me to talk about the coalition agreement; however the Government will remove the ban on offshore oil and gas exploration.Hon Member: Oil spills.Hon SHANE JONES: It will recalibrate—that's enough from the DIY over there. This is about ensuring that the New Zealand economy can rely upon a secure supply of gas for as long as it's possible. The naive wokeism the juvenile understanding of economics that drove the stigmatisation of the gas industry has disappeared no longer to be seen anymore.Andy Foster: What announcements is he planning to grow New Zealand's mineral exports?Hon SHANE JONES: Later this month I shall be going to the birthplace of the Labour Party. I shall be reacquainting the Labour Party with their historical ideological roots long since abandoned. Because I am announcing—Hon Dr Duncan Webb: Point of order. This kind of rhetoric from that member where he's continually taking swipes at the Opposition which were entirely unnecessary for him to have answered the question—it's entirely out of order.SPEAKER: Yes I know but there are ways in which I suppose you can use words that capture people and perhaps I've been a little captured and not listening as much as I should. I will listen more from now on.Hon SHANE JONES: Of course I'm talking about Blackball on the West Coast. It's not my fault that the member's ignorant about whakapapa; it's the birthplace of the Labour Party. That's where I shall be announcing the Government's strategy on mining which will contribute to the export-led growth trajectory. Please don't be a stranger to history Doctor.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Could the Minister tell us what he and his department are doing about the irony of importing so much inferior Indonesian coal while not using our own and thereby placating our so-called green woke conscience?Hon SHANE JONES: Recently the CEO of Genesis Energy has stated that because of the parlous situation pertaining to natural gas—destroyed by an unwise foolish decision four or five years ago—there is going to be ongoing reliance on coal. We have coal under our feet. The Indonesian imports will continue to grow for as long as there is uncertainty in the gas industry—worsened by the naivety over there and sadly aided and abetted by my erstwhile colleagues on the other side of the House.