Clark David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeClark David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 08 August 2013. Volume:692;Page:12530. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]12.Dr DAVID CLARK (Labour—Dunedin North)to theMinister for Economic Development: Does he agree with Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull that “Central government needs to understand we can’t have a … two-speed economy where Christchurch and Auckland are ripping ahead and the rest of the regions are withering”; if not why not?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Economic Development):No; because the facts do not support His Worship’s hypothesis. If you look at the most recent economic data that we have for GDP in New Zealand’s regions over the last few years the fastest-growing regions are in fact—Hon Bill English: Taranaki.Hon STEVEN JOYCE: —Taranaki for example the West Coast Otago and Southland. Another key indicator of the economic health of regional New Zealand is that a number of regions have lower unemployment than Auckland including Waikato Taranaki the Bay of Plenty the West Coast and Southland.Dr David Clark: Given his view that regions should make the most of their local resources why is closing the Invermay Agricultural Centre which the Dunedin mayor calls a “foolish short-sighted destructive” decision a good idea when the research centre is essential to growing Otago’s knowledge economy?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: AgResearch is considering its view at the moment but of course I would probably defer more to the AgResearch directors than perhaps to Mr Cull in this instance. It is important that the Government does invest hugely in high-level science and education in the Otago region. For example Otago University which is an excellent university attracts the second-largest level of funding of any university in the country—$277 million of taxpayer funding every year. It is very important to invest strongly in the Otago region but I would point out that that is exactly what the Government is doing.Dr David Clark: How does this week’s announcement that the number of unemployed in Otago is at the highest level in more than 20 years square with his statement that regions “need public institutions that make sound infrastructure investment decisions administer fit-for-purpose regulation and provide services that improve local circumstances.”?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Well it is very important that we work with the regions to get the absolute fastest economic development possible and that is why the Government is involved in a large number of regional economic development initiatives in Otago. I will not read the full list again for the member but I will give him a couple of examples because I think that it is very important. The Government is investing $9 million directly into fast-growing Dunedin companies and in research and development grants to help them develop their businesses and they are growing businesses that are continuing. We have 200 Dunedin and Otago companies—200—with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise services we fund and support the start-up Incubator in Dunedin and we provide capability development vouchers for a range of Dunedin businesses through the Otago Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These are very significant investments that are being made in that region.Dr David Clark: What does the Minister say to the 112 former Hillside employees the 73 employees of New Zealand Post the 85 employees at the Invermay AgriculturalCentre the 460 employees at Presbyterian Support Otago the 10 employees at PGG Wrightson the 30 employees at Delta Utility Services the 25 employees at O’Brien Group and the 192 employees at Summit Wool Spinners who have all lost their jobs alongside countless Government officials and to the 64 employees at Bradken who have had their hours reduced to 4 days a week; and how is this indicative of public institutions that support strong regional development?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Well I think the member has made a list definitely of some of the people who have either lost their jobs or are in difficult situations in Dunedin but I am just not sure why he is talking down his own economy. Actually there is any number of companies that are growing in Dunedin city. I have visited a number of them. ADInstruments for example which was on the TV last night is growing dramatically. Fisher and Paykel Appliances is investing more in research and development. The member can focus on the negatives if he likes but the challenge is to encourage investment and growth in new companies in Dunedin and that is what we are doing.Dr David Clark: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Given the highest number of Otago unemployed in 20 years I seek leave to table a picture—Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption ] Order! I do not see that that in any way helps inform members of the House.Dr David Clark: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This is a picture expressing frustration. There is a huge amount—Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member—[Interruption ] Order! The member is now challenging my ruling.