4. Question No. 4—State ServicesGARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Minister of State ServicesQuestion No. 4—State Services4. GARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Minister of State Services: Does he support measuring and improving the energy efficiency of Government buildings both leased and owned?Hon DAVID PARKER (Attorney-General) on behalf of the Minister of State Services: Yes. Gareth Hughes: What proportion of all buildings leased or owned by a Government agency have been assessed under the NABERSNZ rating scheme which is backed by the Electricity Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) as an effective tool to promote energy efficiency in commercial buildings? Hon DAVID PARKER: Currently any new building developed for Government office accommodation is required to be measured for a NABERSNZ rating with a target rating of four stars. We do not have information on existing leased or owned buildings that have been assessed under the NABERSNZ rating scheme before this requirement for new lets came in. It's been up to the discretion of the landlord. Gareth Hughes: Is the Minister aware that energy used in buildings makes up 20 percent of New Zealand's emissions and does he agree that measuring energy efficiency could significantly improve standards to save taxpayers money and reduce pollution? Hon DAVID PARKER: Yes I agree that energy efficiency schemes have a role to play in improving standards across the board. The Government has committed to reducing energy use across its property portfolio. We've created a new rule 20 in the Government procurement rules that directs Government agencies to support the Government's objective of low emissions and waste in Government contracts. This rule comes into effect on 1 October this year.Gareth Hughes: If the Government doesn't know the energy efficiency of its buildings has the Minister commissioned any research or received any advice on the cost savings of mandatory use of NABERS in New Zealand for existing Government buildings given the cost savings in Australia have been $750 million since 2008? Hon DAVID PARKER: Possible savings like that are obviously very attractive. It's one of the reasons why the Government has officials from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment together with the New Zealand Green Building Council working with EECA on a cost-benefit analysis for the implementation of NABERSNZ across the Government office portfolio but that final advice has not yet been received.Gareth Hughes: Would the Minister support making NABERSNZ mandatory for all Government buildings given the Government currently funds the scheme but hardly uses it?Hon DAVID PARKER: Well that's a very fair question to ask. I would agree that Government should have a leadership role that we must take steps to improve energy efficiency and to include that as a key outcome for Government office leases. All new buildings are required to be measured to that effect. The next step is to include leased buildings in that measurement technique. SPEAKER: Before we go on to the next question I just want to remind members that givens" either before or after questions are almost by definition superfluous and should not be there. It's a particularly egregious offence when it appears to be a patsy. Gareth Hughes: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I take offence at the allegation that was a patsy question.SPEAKER: I apologise to the member. Sometimes when I see Ministers reading responses I think they might have been pre-warned as to the subject matter."