11. Question No. 11—DefenceJENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) to the Minister of DefenceQuestion No. 11—Defence11. JENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) to the Minister of Defence: What recent announcements has he made regarding the replacement of the C-130 Hercules fleet? Hon RON MARK (Minister of Defence): On 5 June I was proud to announce that the coalition Government had approved the long-overdue purchase of five new Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft. Generations of New Zealanders have grown up and in my case grown old with the 1960s-era Hercules. They know these aircraft have always been an essential first line of response at home and in the Pacific during natural disasters times of crisis and in support of our—Hon Grant Robertson: Thanks to the Minister of Finance. Hon RON MARK: —military operations around the world. The new aircraft will fly further faster and with a greater payload—I say to the Minister of Finance—than the current Hercs. The $1.5 billion project will also deliver a flight simulator and supporting infrastructure. Jenny Marcroft: How do our new Super Hercules compare to others in service around the world? Hon RON MARK: They compare very well actually. Each aircraft will be fitted with additional specialist capabilities outside of their standard build including wide bandwidth high-speed satellite communication systems and electro-optical infrared cameras. This equipment will make our new Super Hercs amongst the most capable in the world. The satellite communication systems will allow imagery video and data to be streamed in real time and the camera allows for the conduct of aerial surveillance operations at the same time that the aircraft is undertaking transport missions which will be particularly useful in humanitarian aid disaster assessment and relief and search and rescue operations. Jenny Marcroft: How does this decision complement other air force capability decisions made by the coalition Government this term? Hon RON MARK: Some people in the defence force are now describing this period as the golden years for defence procurement stating that in one short term we have effectively revamped the major capabilities of the entire New Zealand Air Force. In addition to the Super Hercs this Government has procured four new P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft; purchased a new simulator for the NH90 helicopter—it's being installed right now—signed a contract for the lease of four new King Air 350-Bs for about $150 million with two fitted specifically for maritime surveillance—SPEAKER: All right. Order! Order! Hon RON MARK: There's a lot more Mr Speaker. SPEAKER: Well none of which is a recent announcement. Even 5 June hardly qualified. Rt Hon Winston Peters: Could I ask the Minister what possible excuse has he got that we've had to wait all these years to modernise essential military and humanitarian equipment? Hon RON MARK: Mr Speaker—[Speaker gestures for Minister to resume his seat]Rt Hon Winston Peters: What's wrong with that?SPEAKER: It's not his responsibility.Question No. 10 to Minister—Amended AnswerHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to correct an answer that I have given to question No. 10 today. SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none. Hon Dr David Clark: A colleague has drawn attention to the fact that I said in my answer that today a record 9174 tests had been carried out. In fact that was yesterday that a record was set. Today we do not have the results in yet. Question No. 11—DefenceSPEAKER: Going back to the point of order because I cut him off.Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My point of order is that Mr Mark could have explained that it's taken him 2½ years to get to the point where he wanted to get to or he could just plainly say that his useless predecessors didn't do their job but either way—SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member is the most experienced member of the House and he knows that donkey drops to bash the Opposition with are not allowed by way of supplementary question.