Bridges SimonGENERAL DEBATEHon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Energy and Resources): I move That the House take note of miscellaneous business. I am sure that all members of this House are united in offering absolute solidarity to the people affected by the earthquakes in the early hours of Monday morning. We just offer that solidarity to those who—fortunately in so few cases—have lost loved ones those who have been isolated those who are picking up the pieces of damage and those who are working there. We offer our thoughts and our feelings I am sure united as a House in relation to that. All of us in a sense have been affected by these earthquakes. Indeed here in this House we have felt them—but of course not to the same extent as many of those there in the South Island. Also in respect of some of the effects here around Wellington I will just say once again that I am sure we are united in offering our solidarity.I was in Kaikōura this morning. I was there with the local member of Parliament Stuart Smith. I say that he is doing a great job. He knows the people there and is feeding back—[Interruption] That is right. He is feeding back to Ministers like myself the issues that he is hearing about in isolated communities that he is hearing about in Kaikōura. I just thank him for what he is doing. Also there was the Prime Minister who was there the day after those earthquakes and then today and for whom I know this is very personal. He is really taking the effort to understand exactly what is happening and to make sure that the Government at every level is supporting the efforts.We of course met with the civic leadership. We met with Winston Gray the mayor. We met with his chief executive. We met with the many Government agencies there from the junior through to the most senior. We met with police and defence and health personnel in a range of areas there through to the workers and the business people who are very grateful I think it is fair to say for what they see happening from this Parliament and Government. We take that very seriously. And through to the tourists who also clearly would greatly prefer not to be caught up in these earthquakes but who I think are resolute—all of the people I have mentioned are resolute and determined and without wanting to paint a rosy picture of it they had a solidarity and a strength to them and an upbeat-ness about what they were doing. So I just want to pay tribute to all of those involved down there particularly the workers—the people who are really making a difference. We saw some fantastic examples of that this morning when we were down there. We went to the local marae there with Sir Mark Solomon and many others as well and they have literally been feeding about 500 people every mealtime and they were not meagre rations I have to say. When we were there they were cooking up fish there were stews and they are doing I think just a tremendous job for those who are looking for company; looking for food and sustenance. Indeed the tourists there—although this will not be I think one of their positive experiences in life—will go back to their home countries with memories of what they had there.The police are going out to isolated areas. I met some of those who had come down from Auckland and the work that they are doing is really pastoral work and I would just like to pay tribute to those people. As Minister of Transport can I say it is very clear that these issues of transportation and connection and getting access back and also dealing with the freight issues of Canterbury are going to be some of the biggest issues that we face. Of course the immediate concern here is about providing the supplies and the services but for me—and I know this is something the Prime Minister has a very strong sense of—the No. 1 priority is getting access back to the communities in these areas. I think the news so far is good. The work being done on State Highway 70 to have it back up and running so that the people of Kaikōura are connected in days rather than in months is important.No one I think having seen the pictures—nor I having seen the damage today from the air—could underestimate the slips the several slips the very serious mother Nature - made realignments or could underestimate the work that is ahead of us in terms of State Highway 1 and the rail line. I want to say to this House and to those people affected by this that we will rebuild. We will rebuild that State highway network and the rail line there after the physical damage that has been done there. Can I just once again express the solidarity of this House and pay tribute to all those who are working on the ground right now to make a difference.