Curran Clare: Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading 
Curran Clare: Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:651;Page:938] 
CLARE CURRAN (Labour—Dunedin South) 
: 
 There has been a consistent theme running through the legislation that has been rammed through Parliament in the last week without any public scrutiny and that theme is a lack of logic. Apart from the absolute outrage of rushing through legislation that does not need to be rushed through uncontested under the cover of Christmas there is a lack of logic. It runs through every bill that has been passed in the House in the last week and it does not make sense. It is as if the National-led Government is living in a parallel universe. 
National policy says it believes that New Zealand is a responsible international citizen and as a country that values our clean green environment must act to reduce our greenhouse emissions. That is National policy. This week the mantra of John Key and the National Government has been “balance”—balance of environmental issues against economic interests. It sounds more like code to me than balance. But according to National we must have thermal generation to ensure security of supply and to keep prices down even though there is enough thermal generation already—and everybody on this side of the Chamber has talked a lot about this tonight—to ensure security of supply. 
We already have these new generation projects coming on stream over the next 4 years and we need about 150 to 200 megawatts built each year to keep up with demand—and we have heard David Parker list them tonight. Our security of supply margins have been improving all the time. So given that this Government claims in its policy that it wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions— 
Hon David Parker 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. We have a Minister in the chair who never takes a call who would not defend his biofuel legislation and who is not taking a call here yet he abuses his position in the chair in respect of his access to the microphone. He abuses the convention of Parliament that the Minister in the chair will not make interjections whilst in the chair and will instead exercise his right—indeed his duty—to take calls periodically. I request Mr Chairperson that you call the member to order. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy) 
: I will uphold the point of order. It is in breach of Speaker’s ruling 59/4. It is the convention that the Minister in the chair will not interject when the microphone is on. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: I seek leave to table for the good benefit of the member on her feet the press release by Mr Pete Hodgson announcing Labour’s construction of the Whirinaki diesel-fired power station noting that— 
The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy) 
: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is anyone opposed to that course of action? There is no objection. Under the Standing Orders the member will have to table that document today. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House. 
CLARE CURRAN 
: Why is National ramming through reckless backward-looking legislation that does not take into account the reality of secure supply and is a kick in the teeth to New Zealand’s reputation as a nation that takes climate change seriously—a nation that is willing to do the right thing? 
As Stuart Nash said in his maiden statement tonight Labour always asks: “Is it right?”. Well unfortunately I do not think that this Government is concerned about what is right. It is more concerned about having a blind commitment to some other agenda. Hmm I say to myself! Anyone would think that another agenda is going on here but I am a bit of an optimist and I always like to think the best of people—I do. I would like to believe that a brilliant new strategy is being developed that is so brilliant it requires a review of the emissions trading legislation a reconsideration of all the principles of climate change and disinvestment in the biofuels industry. 
I would like to believe that this really brilliant new strategy will somehow magically reduce our emissions but despite my optimism I have a horrible feeling. We all know that in this time of economic crisis across the world confidence is the key to dealing with the problem—confidence in the financial system confidence in the institutions and confidence in the Government because it knows what it is doing and has a plan. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: Absolutely. 
CLARE CURRAN 
: I tell the member that this bill destroys confidence as have all the bills that have gone through the House in the last week. The repeal of the legislation requiring oil companies to mix petrol and diesel with biofuel undermines confidence in new industry the 90-day bill undermines confidence amongst workers the education bill undermines confidence amongst teachers and children and now this bill undermines confidence in New Zealand’s commitment to addressing climate change.