10. Freshwater Management—Water Quality of Rivers and Lakes and Government Measures to AddressCATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) to the Minister for the EnvironmentFreshwater Management—Water Quality of Rivers and Lakes and Government Measures to Address10. CATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) to the Minister for the Environment: Can he confirm that yesterday's announcement of grants to clean up rivers and lakes was actually first promised in 2014 and it's taken him three years to do it?Hon SCOTT SIMPSON (Associate Minister for the Environment) on behalf of the Minister for the Environment: No. Yesterday's announcement builds on a $360 million commitment that is in place and this is just the next phase of bringing that total to over $400 million. During the previous Government supported by the Greens just $29 million was spent and the record is therefore clear on who takes fresh water seriously.Catherine Delahunty: How does yesterday's announcement deal with nitrates from intensive dairying given the fact that the elephant in the room is actually a cow?Hon SCOTT SIMPSON: Yesterday's announced funding for freshwater improvement projects means that over 100 rivers and lakes across New Zealand are to receive grants of up to $44 million from the Government to improve water quality. There is no elephant in those lakes and rivers.Catherine Delahunty: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I asked a specific question about nitrates—how does it deal with nitrates—Mr SPEAKER: No the member then added something that gave a bit more licence to the Minister when he answered the question; the Minister chose to use it.Catherine Delahunty: What percentage of projects announced yesterday deal with improving water quality in urban waterways?Hon SCOTT SIMPSON: That is a good question because urban waterways are just as important in terms of improving water quality as rural waterways. If the member wishes to put down in writing a specific question on that matter the Minister will answer in detail.Andrew Bayly: Has the Minister read any reports on the impact of a 10c per litre charge on all commercial water users to fund clean-ups and how much revenue would that generate? [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! The question is in order; it can be answered.Hon SCOTT SIMPSON: Yes a 10c per litre charge on all commercial users was proposed in October 2015 and if it had been applied it would have cost the New Zealand economy $600 billion or three times New Zealand's total gross domestic product. In practice such a tax would collapse our economy. The proposal came from Labour's Stuart Nash.Stuart Nash: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This charge was levelled by a previous Minister. I challenged him to come up with the evidence and he could not and he has not. I ask the Minister to withdraw and apologise or provide evidence of such.Hon Trevor Mallard: Speaking to the point of order from memory this has been dealt with by way of personal explanation by Mr Nash previously where he has denied making such a suggestion. Mr Speaker I think you are aware that once a member has done that—if the member is wrong it is a breach of privilege and that is very serious but no member can bring that allegation up again.Mr SPEAKER: I was unaware that it had been the subject of a personal explanation from Mr Nash. I may not have been in the House at that time. I think the best way forward is that I will require the Minister to stand and withdraw the final part of his answer.Hon SCOTT SIMPSON: I withdraw the final part of my answer.Catherine Delahunty: Why is the Government spending just $44 million on freshwater improvement projects and $400 million on irrigation projects that will not help the environment of our waterways?Hon SCOTT SIMPSON: As I indicated in the answer to the primary question the $44 million announced yesterday was just part of a $400 million package $360 million of which has already been allocated.