O'Connor Damien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to MembersText is subject to correctionO'Connor Damien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members[Sitting date: 23 October 2013. Volume:694;Page:14187. Text is subject to correction.]9.Hon DAMIEN O’CONNOR (Labour—West Coast - Tasman) to theMinister for Primary Industries: What reports if any has he received on the state of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): I have seen a range of reports on the kiwifruit industry which indicate that despite a hard time over the last 4 years things are improving. I have seen reports that show that results for the 2012-13 season saw the highest-ever orchard gate returns of $51153 per hectare average delivered to kiwifruit growers. I have seen reports that state that Zespri’s latest forecast was for the highest-ever per tray pay-out for gold kiwifruit and the highest per tray pay-out for green kiwifruit since 2003. I have seen reports that show that the G3 variety is being successfully introduced and is proving less susceptible to Psa. I have also seenreports that show that export volumes should increase to pre-Psa levels within the next 3 years as production from G3 comes on stream. The member should stand up—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I think that answer is quite sufficient.Hon Damien O’Connor: How did the Minister find out that the Serious Fraud Office was investigating Zespri and has the Minister received any briefings prior to or since his media statement yesterday?Hon NATHAN GUY: I found out from a journalist when the journalist rang my office. I have received no briefing on the Serious Fraud Office and that is appropriate because it is an independent organisation. It is independent of Ministers and that is the way it should be.Hon Damien O’Connor: Why does he consider it is not necessary to find out more details about why the Serious Fraud Office is investigating one of New Zealand’s largest exporting companies; and does he not think that it puts our reputation as a trading nation and the livelihoods of all kiwifruit growers at risk?Hon NATHAN GUY: The Serious Fraud Office as I have already said is an independent body. It is an enforcement agency. It is up to the agency to talk to Zespri about what it is keen to inquire into. My understanding is that Zespri has not been informed of that process at the moment and neither have we nor the wider New Zealand public. At the appropriate time I am sure that information will become available.Hon Damien O’Connor: Does the Minister consider his lack of action to assist kiwifruit growers against the Psa disease and now his refusal to ask any questions regarding the Serious Fraud Office investigation to be a dereliction of his duties as the Minister for Primary Industries; and why is he still in the job?Hon NATHAN GUY: What a stupid question that is. The Government has supported the kiwifruit industry—$25 million invested in partnership with the industry. We have also supported a lot of research into Kiwifruit Vine Health as well. The member should not be so critical of what the Government has done because we are supporting the kiwifruit industry get back on its feet. He obviously wants to join the chorus with Don Nicolson and see that Zespri is smashed apart. He should go up to the head office in Tauranga and say that.Brendan Horan: There was some positive news. Will the Minister provide an ironclad guarantee that his Government will provide continued funding for research and development to growers and indeed the kiwifruit industry to support the industry in its fight against Psa and help ensure that it meets growth targets?Hon NATHAN GUY: I have already alluded to the fact that the Government has supported the kiwifruit industry—$25 million. Some of that money has gone into Kiwifruit Vine Health which is indeed doing the research and the research is very good.Brendan Horan: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I asked the Minister for an ironclad guarantee that his Government would continue to support the kiwifruit industry.Mr SPEAKER: Order! When members ask a supplementary question like that asking for a guarantee they are unlikely ever to get a satisfactory answer. When they ask for an ironclad guarantee it is even more unlikely.Hon Damien O’Connor: I seek leave to table a letter I received today refusing to provide information that I had asked which is now beyond the normal terms of parliamentary process. The information is regarding the Primary Growth Partnership and the whole programme.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that particular letter. Is there any objection? There is objection.Brendan Horan: Will the Minister commit to continued funding for research and development to growers and indeed the kiwifruit industry in their fight against Psa and help ensure that they meet growth targets?Hon NATHAN GUY: I have already answered that question.Brendan Horan: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That was a new question and he has not answered it.Mr SPEAKER: The Minister considers that he has already answered it. That is the Minister’s answer. The member may not be happy with it. The Minister has addressed the question. [Interruption] Order!