1. Question No. 1—Prime MinisterHon MARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime MinisterORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Prime Minister1. Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his Government's statements and actions?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Prime Minister): Yes and especially our action to rewrite the Sentencing Act to ensure that criminals face serious sentences for serious offending. We're making a raft of changes to prioritise victims over offenders: capping discounts new aggravating factors for retail crime and a new requirement that victims' interests must be taken into account when sentencing. After years of lawlessness this Government is putting its foot down and saying Enough." We said we would restore law and order and today's announcement is part of that.Hon Marama Davidson: Does he stand by the statement of the Minister responsible for RMA Reform "We're open to constructive changes on the fast-track regime to ameliorate some of the concerns that people have" and if so what changes will he make to address the concerns of over 20000 people who marched on 8 June because they believe this bill is a threat to Aotearoa's environment and democracy?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Yes I agree with the Minister who has quite generously said that he would go through the select committee process and if there's sensible changes he would be happy to make them.Hon Marama Davidson: What constructive changes will he make to address the concerns of Ngāi Tahu that the infrastructure deficit should be corrected but "it should not be used as an excuse to subvert Treaty settlements or environmental safeguards. … We cannot sacrifice the long-term sustainability of our natural resources for short-term economic gains."?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: The Minister as I said before—I don't know how to express it any other way—if there's any sensible or constructive changes he's very happy to take that on board.Hon Marama Davidson: What constructive changes will he make to address the concerns of the Ombudsman that unless the "beefing up of executive power … [is] matched by oversight and accountability … I think democracy itself is the loser."?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Again I don't know to explain it to the member but it is before the committee and as a result we are going through a process and if there's sensible changes to be made they will be made. But what I'd just say is that we are determined to get things built in this country. And we are not apologising for fast-track legislation because we need modern reliable infrastructure. We need to double the amount of renewable energy in this country so we can deliver on our climate change goals. And I'd just encourage the Green Party if you believe in climate change you'd support our fast-track provisions. [Interruption]Hon Marama Davidson: What—SPEAKER: Just wait—OK.Hon Marama Davidson: What constructive changes will he make to address the concerns of the Lake Horowhenua Trust who say that the bill "places excessive powers in the hands of Ministers and unjustifiably removes public participation" given Christopher Luxon's description of centralisation as "a robbery of power and control from local communities"?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Again the bill is before the select committee. Sensible changes will be considered. But we are going to build things in this country. We need to get things done. We need to speed up our resource consenting; we need to be able to open up more financing and funding tools; and we need to be able to build things for New Zealanders so they get the economic social and environmental benefits.Hon Marama Davidson: Can he outline how the Cabinet Manual policies for managing real or perceived conflicts which he mentioned in this House on 28 May have been engaged in relation to the fast-track bill?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: All Ministers are aware of the Cabinet Manual and conflicts are managed.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Can I ask the Prime Minister will he heed the Green Party's response to the Hon David Parker's insightful legislation setting 17 precedents for fast track; or is it a case that when that happened from the Greens there wasn't a mutter not a murmur not a syllable not a sound?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well I'd just say we have taken a very good piece of legislation from David Parker. We have expanded and built upon it. We are determined to make sure we get things built and we do encourage the Green Party to support the legislation.Ricardo Menéndez March: Point of order. Mr Speaker surely that question should have been stopped. The Prime Minister is absolutely not responsible for the Green Party's position on something David Parker said or has done.SPEAKER: No but he's responsible for his own views. And if the member likes to check the Hansard he'll find that's what was asked for. Question No. 2—Hon Rachel Brooking: Supplementary?SPEAKER: —in the name of Ryan Hamilton. Oh sorry. My apologies Mr Hamilton we are still going.Hon Rachel Brooking: To the Prime Minister does he know that the purpose section of the COVID legislation that he just referred to is significantly different to the purpose of his fast-track legislation which does not mention the environment or sustainable management?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: I'll just say when we see a good idea we try and build upon it and improve it and that's exactly what we're doing.Steve Abel: Point of order. I think that was a very specific and useful question as to whether the Prime Minister knows if the purpose section is different. He didn't actually directly answer that.Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: I agree they are different pieces of legislation but the principle of actually fast-tracking so we can get things done and built is a good idea. And we've taken that as an idea we're building upon it so we get a one-stop fast-track solution in place so we can get things done including doubling renewable energy.SPEAKER: The House appreciates the Prime Minister's eagerness to answer questions but just wait till you're called would be helpful."