Gosche Mark: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Gosche Mark: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:643;Page:12761] 
1. Hon MARK GOSCHE (Labour—Maungakiekie) 
 to the  
Minister of Transport 
: What reaction has she received to the launch of Sea Change the draft domestic sea freight strategy? 
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Transport) 
: 
 The reaction to the draft strategy has been extremely positive. The New Zealand Shipping Federation president Rod Grout has congratulated the Government on its initiative. He said it was the biggest boost to the New Zealand coastal shipping industry he could ever recall. My colleague Peter Brown from New Zealand First an ardent campaigner for coastal shipping has welcomed the proposal saying it was time that a Government breathed life into the industry which had been neglected. The Maritime Union of New Zealand has welcomed the strategy as has the Green Party. 
Hon Mark Gosche 
: What action does the Government intend to take to help transform coastal shipping in New Zealand? 
Hon ANNETTE KING 
: There are four specific and immediate steps the Government intends to take. Firstly we are establishing the maritime liaison unit within the Ministry of Transport to create a focal point for the coastal shipping sector similar to that which exists in the UK or the United States. Secondly we are addressing the barriers to coastal shipping interests in accessing Government funds. Thirdly we are gathering information to provide a clear picture of services—their performance and the required performance. Fourthly we are ensuring that Government agencies and sectors work together to increase the supply of skilled workers. 
Hon Mark Gosche 
: What impact does this initiative have on other transport modes? 
Hon ANNETTE KING 
: This draft strategy does not mean that the Government will unfairly be supporting coastal shipping as a competitor to the road or rail freight industries. It does mean that in the rapidly expanding freight market the Government will be supporting efforts to give freight users a choice of transport modes and encouraging them to choose the mode or combination of modes that is not only in their own best commercial interests but also in the best interests of New Zealand as a sustainable nation. 
Peter Brown 
: Will the Minister confirm that the Government funding she has just referred to which is also mentioned under the action plan in the report is new Government money not money extracted from the National Land Transport Fund? 
Hon ANNETTE KING 
: Funding for the strategy will be decided in Budget 2008 and I say to the member to watch this spot. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Why has the Minister not taken a far more proactive approach to New Zealand shipping interests—small though they are—given that it is our long-term purpose to minimise our carbon footprint and given that although billions of dollars have gone into the infrastructure for road and rail that has not been the case in respect of New Zealand shipping which has been treated in a very prejudicial way in the last three decades; and why should we not take up this better option for the movement of our goods? 
Hon ANNETTE KING 
: Well of course I agree with the member; shipping was neglected. In fact it was withering and had almost died. But under this Government and with the support of New Zealand First we have put in place a strategic direction for coastal shipping and one would not have that sort of comment from the Shipping Federation unless it believed it was a good move. As I have already said the Shipping Federation’s president has said that the draft strategy was the biggest boost to the New Zealand coastal shipping industry he could ever recall—and it has happened on this Government’s watch. It certainly did not happen under the National Government which sought to destroy the shipping industry. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Could I thank— 
Gerry Brownlee 
: Why didn’t this Minister move up in the reshuffle? 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Because you are there and I am happy where I am over here and that is the way it is going to be for a long long time by the looks of it. Could I just say to the Minister in thanking her for her insightful answer and encouraging her to go further in this respect does she recall who passed the legislation that was so destructive to New Zealand maritime interests—that is the Maritime Transport Act? Which party and which Minister did that? 
Hon ANNETTE KING 
: The destruction of the maritime industry in New Zealand occurred under the National Government in the 1990s. My colleagues may be able to help me as to who was the Minister. He was less than memorable can I say. I suspect it was Maurice Williamson but then he was less than memorable in transport right through the time he was the Minister and is even less memorable in Opposition as a spokesperson on transport.