Auchinvole Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Auchinvole Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:642;Page:11866] 
11.  
CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National) 
 to the  
Associate Minister of Energy 
: Does he have confidence in Crown Minerals; if so why? 
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN (Associate Minister of Energy) 
: 
 Once again the answer is yes but there is always room for improvement. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: When the Minister said in answer to a question last Wednesday that Macdonald Investments “took the very unusual step of going from an exploratory permit directly into mining” what did he mean by “unusual” given this is a natural progression if a commercial discovery has been made? 
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN 
: In the context of the implied allegations made by the member at the time it was an unusual step in that Macdonald Investments had not completed the exploration phase—this was the whole purpose of the member’s questions last week. Macdonald Investments took the unusual step instead of completing its obligations under its exploration permit of determining it would rather go straight into mining which of course is good for the company good for employment in the area and good for the West Coast. 
Hon Marian Hobbs 
: Has the Minister seen any reports regarding the role of coal in New Zealand’s future electricity generation? 
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN 
: As a matter of fact I have. The first report is from National’s associate energy spokesperson Chris Auchinvole and states: “Coal will play a major role in New Zealand’s future power generation.” The second report is from National leader John Key and states that National will have a policy that encourages climate-friendly choices like windmills hydro power and tree planting and reduces the desire for climate-unfriendly behaviours like burning coal. This is yet another example of National’s MPs saying one thing and their leader saying something that is totally the opposite. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: Can the Minister confirm that the company Macdonald Investments has not made or declared an actual commercial discovery on the West Coast? 
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN 
: Any actual or usable commercial discovery has to be determined by the operation or company making that discovery. It is the company’s judgment not mine. MacDonald Investments has decided that it has made a discovery to the extent that it wants to invest in mining. I cannot see what the member is complaining about. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: Did the Minister receive any advice from Crown Minerals other than the selected information he tabled last week; if so did any of that advice propose an alternative recommendation to Macdonald Investments being granted a 40-year mining permit? 
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN 
: I am not sure where the member is getting his information from in regard to this matter but— 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: Just answer the question. 
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN 
: I am very happy to answer the question if Nick Smith would be courteous enough to allow me to do so. The original advice from Crown Minerals in regard to the permit was that the company had not completed the obligations of the exploration permit. My decision—as provided for in section 38 I think of the Crown Minerals Act—is a determination based on what the company put forward to Crown Minerals. It put forward a proposal that instead of being required to complete its obligations and drill—as the member seems to want—a well in an area that it then knew would not have produced anything it wanted to move straight into mining and drill in a much better location. I say: “Good on them!”. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: Can the Minister tell the House what operations Macdonald Investments has on the ground on the West Coast following its years of exploration and the granting of this significant mining permit other than a couple of wells pumping water a shipping container and a bicycle? [ 
Interruption 
] 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Would the member please address the question. 
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN 
: I am very happy to Madam Speaker if I am able to. The advice from Crown Minerals was to accept the offer made by Macdonald Investments to mine. I am not sure what operations Macdonald Investments has on the ground on the West Coast; I have never visited and have never talked to the company. The member lives in the area so perhaps he might. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: I seek leave to table two photographs of Macdonald Investments’ wells which produce less gas on a daily basis— 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table those documents. Is there any objection? Yes there is objection. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I seek leave to table a page from today’s website of the National Party in which it says under the photograph of John Key that National members support the Marsden B upgrade— 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? Yes there is objection. 
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN 
: I seek leave— 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Members must remember that points of order are heard in silence. 
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN 
: I seek leave to table the only known media comment on Chris Auchinvole as the Opposition associate spokesperson on energy which states— 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? Yes there is. 
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN 
: I seek leave to table a speech made by Mr John Key leader of the National Party entitled “50 by 50: New Zealand’s climate change target”— 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is objection. [ 
Interruption 
] If members want to have a conversation would they please take it outside. It is very difficult for me to hear members from their own parties. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: I raise a point a point of order Madam Speaker. I was surprised that the member’s leave was denied by his own members so we will again seek clarification— 
Madam SPEAKER 
: That is not a point of order as the member knows.