1. Question No. 1—Prime MinisterHon NIKKI KAYE (Deputy Leader—National) to the Prime MinisterORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Prime Minister1. Hon NIKKI KAYE (Deputy Leader—National) to the Prime Minister: Is she confident the Government is delivering on its infrastructure commitments particularly its commitment to light rail from the city to the airport in Auckland?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister) on behalf of the Prime Minister: Yes we are confident that this Government is delivering on infrastructure including the $12 billion announced in January before COVID-19 the $4.6 billion spent so far on rail and the $3 billion of infrastructure investments announced just yesterday. Our latest achievement was announced only this morning by the Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Regional Economic Development Shane Jones: $40 million to develop a regional freight hub north-east of Palmerston North.Hon Nikki Kaye: Does she agree with the reported comments of Green Party co-leader James Shaw that New Zealand First's killing off of Auckland light rail this term was a slap in the face of Aucklanders and breached the coalition agreement between Labour and New Zealand First; if not why not?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Prime Minister Mr Shaw has many qualities but being up to date on contractual law may not be his forte because you've got to be a party to a contract to insist upon its terms being referenced. That's why I'm saying that but it's not a criticism. There was an agreement between Labour and the Greens in which it's mentioned but it's not mentioned in the coalition document that we signed up to. Now that said people are entitled to put their options and in the New Zealand Herald today you see the other side of the story which is widely being read by supporters of the National Party—know where they must go to now.SPEAKER: Order! I am going to remind the Prime Minister to speak in the Prime Minister's voice.Chlöe Swarbrick: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I'm just seeking your guidance with regard to the statement by the Hon Nikki Kaye about the quotation from the Hon James Shaw. I'm just seeking some clarity on what she is stipulating was actually the quoted text.SPEAKER: Well it's probably—no I'm not going to ask for it to be done again. My view is that we can have a look at it later on but there's not going to be anything added to it. If the member is of the view that the quote was misleading then there are other ways of taking that up and doing it now is not one of them.Hon Nikki Kaye: Does she agree with the Rt Hon Winston Peters who referred to the agreement to begin work on Auckland light rail as loose drafting" and is this why construction has not begun?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Prime Minister the reality is that work on the light rail concept did begin. The Ministry of Transport asked for proposals. The transport Minister received them. They were consulted on. But alas we did not get agreement. Those are the facts.Hon Nikki Kaye: Is it her view that the Deputy Prime Minister's decision to oppose the light rail Cabinet paper last week was based on good faith and a no-surprises approach?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Prime Minister such a statement about being part of a no-surprises approach demonstrates someone's lack of familiarity with the Cabinet Manual and what the no-surprises approach is about. Why on earth would a consultative document which relates to a judgment on facts be a matter of no surprises? Or is it a surprise to that member for example that in terms of costings that was not advised or being told? That member by the way—and I can say—in July 2010 July 2011 and September 2011 made three separate steps with respect to light rail and did nothing about them whatsoever.Hon Nikki Kaye: Is it correct that the cost of the NZ Infra proposal for light rail was as high as $10 billion?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Prime Minister there is a secrecy provision inside the costings which does not enable us to disclose them. Hon Member: Aww.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: But before we say "Aww aww aww" can I mention Transmission Gully where the whole project has stopped. Now it looks like it's going to cost more to finish it than it's cost thus far. I'd like to know who over there including the former member Steven Joyce did the fiscals because it was amateur hour.Hon Grant Robertson: Referring to the primary question can the Prime Minister confirm that the Government inherited a $5.9 billion hole in the Auckland Transport Plan?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Prime Minister alas that is the truth. That's what we inherited because they talked a big game but they never delivered.Hon Nikki Kaye: Does she agree with her Deputy Prime Minister that the light rail proposals would have cost untold billions and seriously obstructed Aucklanders moving around their city for years?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Prime Minister there have been attempts with respect to light rail led by that member in July 2010 July 2011 and September 2011 when she was presenting a petition to Parliament. Can I just propose to say this: that such a definitive well worked-out fiscally judged project that she says she supports—would surely know what the cost is. Does she know what the cost is?SPEAKER: Order!Hon Nikki Kaye: Why won't the Government after multiple requests from the Auckland Council confirm which shovel-ready ready projects it is funding so they can set their budget and their rates?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Prime Minister that's a marvellous question actually because—Hon Gerry Brownlee: The shovels are still in the shed.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Well I know something. That member's never seen a shovel—ha ha!—and it shows. I mean anybody that's done any physical work they keep their shape all their lives.SPEAKER: Order! Order! That's—Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Well he started it.SPEAKER: Well he might have started the interjections. He didn't take it down to that level. The Prime Minister will withdraw and apologise.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: I withdraw and apologise. Can I answer the question though Mr Speaker?Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I feel obliged to say that I have kept my shape all my life.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: I fear he's got me there. On behalf of the Prime Minister with respect to these projects—listen up—$350 million for the improvements to the Wiri to Quay Park Corridor; $371 million to extend notification of Papakura to Pukekohe—Hon Louise Upston: It's been done.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: —$211 million for the improvements to Wellington Wairarapa and Palmerston North networks—Hon Louise Upston: It's been delivered.SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! The member will resume his seat. Louise Upston it's bad enough that you interject into four mikes at a time but when you bring me into it you are definitely disorderly and you will cease interjecting this question time.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: —$400 million for the Interislander ferry replacement; $247 million for the Drury railway stations; and $6.2 million for the Napier to Wairoa railway. Auckland is getting a stack of that money as well.Hon Nikki Kaye: What is the name of a number of infrastructure projects that she has announced and actually completed?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Prime Minister this question is impossible to fathom. What is the name of what?Hon Nikki Kaye: What is the name of infrastructure projects that she has not only announced and completed?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Prime Minister infrastructural projects take years but getting started is what we do and we're getting started now. All around this country from Invercargill to Kaitāia things are getting started.Jami-Lee Ross: Is ensuring long-term water supply for Auckland an infrastructure commitment for the Government and if so will the Government heed the calls from Shane Jones and Nikki Kaye to include in their COVID fast-track bill the Watercare consent application?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Prime Minister I can answer that member by saying we're already on to it and very shortly we will have provided a solution.Jami-Lee Ross: Does that mean the Government will include in the COVID fast-track bill a Schedule 2 inclusion which would ensure the Watercare application for additional water for Auckland is a fast-track project under the bill?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Prime Minister the intent being dealt with by David Parker is to cover the issue of concern that he's got. In fact this Government has borrowed the slogan from President Truman "Action this day."Hon David Parker: Can the Prime Minister confirm that this week the Minister for the Environment called in the large long-term consent application for direct reference to a board of inquiry which is a similar but not identical process to that which is in the fast-track bill and also that there is an expectation that water for this summer will be made available by Hamilton City Council as well as the additional 25 million litres per day that has already been consented?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Prime Minister both of those propositions as shaped in the question can be answered in the affirmative.Hon Nikki Kaye: How many infrastructure projects have been announced and actually started under her Government?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Actually to use the biblical phrase the number is legion all around this country—far too many for me to articulate today."