Beyer Georgina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Beyer Georgina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:615;Page:11376] 
8.  
GEORGINA BEYER (Labour—Wairarapa) 
 to the  
Minister of Conservation 
: Has he received any reports on the Department of Conservation’s efforts to assist communities during recent natural disasters? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Conservation) 
: 
 Yes. We can all be proud of the efforts of departmental staff to assist communities during both the recent disastrous floods and the earlier fires. The Department of Conservation’s Wanganui conservancy has reported to me that it has assisted people affected by the floods with equipment and labour. One Department of Conservation team spent 2 days cleaning out flooded houses in the township of Waitotara working with the South Taranaki fire crew. 
Georgina Beyer 
: What has been the response of rural communities to the department’s firefighting efforts? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: Farmers have been fulsome in their praise of the department’s firefighting which saved lives and property. Robert Schikker from the Mount Somers community said that the philosophy of the Department of Conservation of hitting fires hard and fast basically had saved Ashburton’s bacon. He said if the Department of Conservation had not stop the fire it could have travelled down the riverbed and threatened Ashburton itself. 
Simon Power 
: Will the Minister confirm that he has done absolutely everything he can to ensure all steps have been taken to avoid a lahar from Mount Ruapehu an event that if it occurred now or in the near future would add to the massive devastation already impacting on the Manawatu-Rangitikei as a result of recent flooding? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: The primary question today was about fires and the recent floods but I am happy to comment on that question. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The Minister can answer. 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I am happy to comment on that question. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Please do so. 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I myself— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I wish the Minister would answer the question. He was asked a question and I want him to answer it. He should not have made that introductory comment. 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I am endeavouring to do so. I would like to point out to the House that I am not obliged to but I am happy to. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The Minister will now stand withdraw and apologise to me then he will answer the question. 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I withdraw and apologise. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Please answer the question. 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I can assure the member that I personally visited the lahar site last year that my staff are focused on this issue and that the Government is taking every step it possibly can to avoid what is a natural phenomenon that has occurred many times before and will occur many times again. 
Brent Catchpole 
: What discussions has the Minister had with other Ministers regarding the need for assistance for communities following the recent storms; especially has he received any assurances as to the form and timing of that assistance and in particular when the assistance will take place; if not why not? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: There were three questions there. The Minister may answer two of them. 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: As Minister of Local Government and Minister of Conservation I am responsible for the operation of my own department in that area. Primarily emergency response is the responsibility of another Minister. However I can assure that member that the Government and Cabinet are very focused on those issues and we are working hard on them. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek your guidance. Given that the primary question did not clarify which natural disaster will you accept a question about the floods in the Manawatu? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Yes. 
Brent Catchpole 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I would like you to reflect on the answer from the Minister to my question. I asked when such assistance would be in place. I do not believe he answered that question. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member actually asked three questions. The Minister answered at least two of them and that is all he is required to do. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Has the Government called for any reports on the extent to which the flooding and slips in the Manawatu might have been exacerbated by deforestation and land management in the catchment and are there any plans for reforestation to limit the seriousness of any future disasters? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I have asked the Department of Conservation to give me a full report on the impact of the recent floods which of course were the subject of the primary question today. I am awaiting that report.