4. Question No. 4—FinanceHon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 4—Finance4. Hon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of Finance: Is it a goal of this Government's economic policy to make it easier for New Zealand families to get ahead?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Acting Minister of Finance): Yes this Government believes we all win when we grow our economy for the benefit of all New Zealanders. Hon Amy Adams: Does the Minister believe as he said yesterday and repeated today that he is in fact growing the economy for the benefit of all New Zealanders when the Government's new petrol taxes have led to some of our poorest families having to choose between filling their car or putting food on the table?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: New Zealand's fuel excise is actually one of the lowest in the OECD while the pre-tax cost of fuel is the highest. I'd also point out that the price of Brent crude has almost doubled since the middle of last year and petrol companies have increased their profit margins by 10 percent in the last year alone. So I do not agree that petrol excise is the main cost of rising fuel prices. And if the member believes now that she's no longer in Government that petrol excise should be done away with she needs to explain to New Zealanders which transport project she would cut.Hon Amy Adams: When the Minister said yesterday that the Government makes no apology for implementing policies that they've been told are likely to push up energy costs was he just saying that this Government doesn't concern itself with how its policies are affecting the cost of living?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Of course I am not saying that. I reject what the member's saying. Through policies like the Families Package and by raising the minimum wage we are lifting tens of thousands of children out of poverty. We have an economic plan to transform New Zealand towards a more productive sustainable and inclusive economy that pays higher wages and where all New Zealanders will get to share the benefits of that growth.Hon Amy Adams: So does the Minister actually receive advice from Treasury that quantifies the likely effect that Government policies such as higher petrol taxes or residential property regulations will have on the cost of living for New Zealanders?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I don't see all of the advice that the Minister of Finance receives but we do receive a lot of advice on cost—of course we do. All Governments receive advice. Some of it we accept and some of it we think is flawed. That's natural. That's what Governments do. Governments make judgment calls and our judgment has been to support those on low and modest incomes in our Families Package—$5.5 billion more that will see 384000 New Zealanders $75 a week on average better off when that's fully rolled out. We care about New Zealanders and making sure that growth is inclusive sustainable and shared across the economy. Hon Amy Adams: So then what was that Treasury advice on the cost of living impacts on the Government's oil and gas decisions?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: In terms of oil and gas this Government has an ambitious plan to ensure a just transition and we are prepared to show strong leadership to get things done. I saw some of the advice on this subject and I simply did not agree with it. Hon Amy Adams: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I asked a very direct question about what Treasury advice was on the cost of living impacts not what the Government's plans for a transition are. He didn't refer to Treasury's advice and the cost of living impact at all in his answer.SPEAKER: I think he did at the end. He said he saw it and he didn't agree with it. Was that what the member said?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: To clarify I certainly have seen Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment advice I disagreed with on the topic and I'm pretty sure I've seen Treasury advice. I'd need to check that but I disagreed with it. Hon Amy Adams: Well then what was the Treasury advice on the cost of living impact on the Government's residential property changes?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The member is asking very specific questions about very specific sets of advice. We know as a whole that rents are rising fastest in areas where the housing shortage is greatest. This Government has inherited a dire situation where there's a housing shortage around the country and it is going to take time to build more housing and it's going to take time to insulate housing. It's going to take time to get the housing stock up to where it should be so that New Zealanders aren't getting preventable diseases. That is the legacy of that Government—they should hang their heads in shame.Hon Amy Adams: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It is the same point of order again. The question was about Treasury advice on the cost of living impact on the Government's changes not a general rant around the Minister's view of property.SPEAKER: The member asked a very specific question and if the member expects to get a specific answer then that should be part of the primary question.Hon Amy Adams: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I'm not expecting a specific answer to know the exact detail but I am expecting the answer to at least address the question that was asked on the Treasury advice. Now he can say he hasn't seen it he doesn't recall it—he doesn't have to give a specific answer but he does have to address the question asked.SPEAKER: I think the member did.