Shaw James: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeShaw James: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 11 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:7890. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]11.JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green) to the Minister for Climate Change Issues: Does he stand by the Prime Minister’s statement that “New Zealand can hold its head up high when it comes to climate change”?Hon TIM GROSER (Minister for Climate Change Issues): Yes because no other country in the world has established an international research institution devoted solely to trying to find real solutions to 14 percent of global emissions—I am referring of course to the Global Research Alliance on agricultural emissions; because when the member joins me and other New Zealanders in Paris and we are looking forward to that occasion if there is a deal of a new comprehensive agreement it is highly likely he will discover to be based on the New Zealand proposal on legal form; because he will also be invited to a special event in Paris where we are hosting people celebrating the huge political success we are having in combating the $500 billion of wasteful subsidies on fossil fuel subsidies; and because we spent $100 million helping South Pacific countries convert from diesel to renewable energy.James Shaw: When he has saved the planet how high will the gold statue be to himself?Mr SPEAKER: That question is not in order.David Seymour: Why has the Government ceased to allow the redemption of international units to fulfil New Zealand obligations and what has that done to the cost of emissions for New Zealanders vis-à-vis those in other countries such as those where international units can be redeemed to fulfil such obligations?Hon TIM GROSER: We did this because international carbon prices collapsed. The member is well aware of the history of this and it was designed to give a better signal to New Zealand emitters to get on the path towards a lower-emissions economy.James Shaw: Given that strong action to prevent climate change means we will have to stop burning fossil fuels in the foreseeable future what advice has he given to the Minister of Finance about protecting people’s pensions against the risk of stranded assets in fossil fuel companies?Hon TIM GROSER: I have given no advice because the Minister of Finance does not need advice but our party and Government’s position on this is crystal clear. We have a number of public agencies that have investment charters. They are expected to follow and do follow responsible codes of conduct very closely aligned to the United Nations principles on this and we do not interfere with their decision-making process.James Shaw: So is he then saying that as the Minister for Climate Change Issues he bears no responsibility for policies to rein in the causes of climate change?Hon TIM GROSER: No I am not saying that at all. I am just saying that if Mr English were to ask my advice I would give it but I do not bother giving Mr English advice on matters where he seeks no advice because he does not need it.James Shaw: So has he seen the Business New Zealand survey results released yesterday—[Interruption] I am sorry? [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order!James Shaw: Has he seen the Business New Zealand survey results released yesterday that showed that businesses want to see cross-party agreement on policies to address climate change; if so why does his Government keep opposing the practical policies that the Green Party brings to the table?Hon TIM GROSER: Yes I have seen that report. I read it yesterday in fact and I took it to be—perhaps this is a little unkind on my part—a very veiled criticism by Business New Zealand of the Green Party for trying to jettison the cross-party support we have that the emissions trading scheme not a carbon tax should be the main vehicle.Question time interrupted.