7. Question No. 7—Prime MinisterCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 7—Prime Minister7. CHLÖE SWARBRICK (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his Government's statements and actions?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Prime Minister): Yes but I just also want to acknowledge co-leader Marama Davidson and wish her and her family well in the struggle and challenge that she's going through at this time. Look yes especially the Government's action to restore law and order and crime has skyrocketed in recent years and Kiwis frankly are sick of it. I'm sick of it and everyone is. After years of neglect this Government is finally taking action. We're going after the gangs. We're bringing back three-strikes. We're putting limits on judicial discounts and on Sunday we announced there'll be more cops on the beat in Auckland Central from 1 July fighting violent and retail crime. I'd just say to that member: if she cared about crime in Auckland and if she cared about keeping Kiwis safe she'd back those policies and finally deliver better results for her constituents.Chlöe Swarbrick: How does he reconcile the statement of Christopher Luxon We are fixated on making sure that we deliver on net zero carbon 2050" with his Government's decision to reopen oil and gas exploration?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well I'd just say to that member: we need to make sure that we actually have gas in this country as part of our energy mix. It's really important. What we have inherited is a whole bunch of bumper stickers and announcements for an oil and gas ban—no follow-through no plan and now we have an energy security challenge in this country. So we need to reverse the oil and gas ban and I'd encourage that member to support us.Chlöe Swarbrick: Is the Prime Minister aware that the average time for offshore oil and gas development from exploration permit to first production is 16 years?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: And that's why it had quite a chilling effect when that Government just announced the bumper sticker under some political pressure without thinking through the next steps. We are in a situation where we have a shortage of gas in this country. That's going to impact some of our businesses and as a result of poorly thought-through policy now we're dealing with the consequences but we'll clean it up.Chlöe Swarbrick: So can the Prime Minister then confirm the purpose—what is the purpose?—of the Government's plan to open up new oil and gas exploration?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well energy security would be number one. The second thing would be to avoid using coal so we can use gas. It's better than coal but not as good as renewables.Chlöe Swarbrick: What special data and evidence does the Prime Minister have access to in order to disagree with the International Energy Agency that "To achieve net zero no new oil and gas fields are required beyond those already approved for development as of 2021"?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: I'm worried about this country's energy security—hospitals schools and businesses running out of gas because of a poorly thought-through bumper sticker Post-it note policy from the previous administration.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Could the Prime Minister confirm that the policy he's enunciating is in line with that of our closest economic partner Australia led by a Labor Party Government and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the interest of gas being used in the transition which is a realistic position not one with the fairies?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: The reality is that we need gas as a transitory source of energy for this country's energy security.Chlöe Swarbrick: How does he reconcile drilling for more oil and gas with what Christopher Luxon National Party leader campaigned on as I read from the National Party website: "To deliver on New Zealand's climate goals we need whole sectors of the New Zealand economy to switch to clean electricity. It makes no sense to encourage the shift to electric vehicles if the power comes from burning coal. New Zealand must have enough renewable electricity to meet the rising demand."?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well I'm really excited to hear the members enthusiasm for driving and doubling the amount of renewables in this country and what I'd just say to you is that I'd encourage you to support our fast-track legislation because what we want to do is double the amount of renewables and I welcome your support because if you cared about climate change you'd back that. If you actually cared about climate change you'd reverse the oil and gas ban. If you cared about actually mining for critical minerals that actually drive our climate change come and support us.Chlöe Swarbrick: Dig that hole!Hon Shane Jones: Drill drill!SPEAKER: We're just going to wait while the House calms down a bit. That sort of outburst is not particularly well received by the public who do watch this question time. So I would suggest that while passions run high over topics like climate change some little bit of decorum might be well worth holding on to."