Clark David: Oral questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeClark David: Oral questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 31 March 2015. Volume:704;Page:2710. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]8.Dr DAVID CLARK (Labour—Dunedin North) to the Minister for Economic Development: Does he agree with the Prime Minister when he says of the people of Northland: “They want more. They want to go faster”; if so does he believe that this view on economic growth is unique to the people of Northland?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Economic Development): I do agree with the Prime Minister. In fact I told Q+A on the weekend that “There’s an impatience in Northland to do more and frankly I share that impatience.” Although we have had some positive economic growth and employment growth in the Northland region in recent times we recognise there is much more to be done and that is why we are fast-tracking critical infrastructure like regional roading projects the roads of national significance and ultra-fast broadband and rural broadband. That is why we are working with other parties to reform the Resource Management Act to cut red tape and encourage investment in the region.Dr David Clark: Did he use the same calculator to work out the benefits of bridges that he used to calculate the Skycity deal the Chorus bailout and the likelihood of electoral success in Northland; if so will he be returning it to the Crosby/Textor concept—Mr SPEAKER: Order! That question is not in order.Dr David Clark: In terms of going faster then how much time will the double-laning of bridges save the average Northlander on their way to the polling booth in 2017?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: The member can make light of that if he wishes but actually there is a number of reasons why those projects were a good idea. One is the longstanding safety issues. Secondly one of the key industries in Northland is tourism. Another one is forestry and another one is the dairy industry and those single-lane bridges do cause both safety risks and resilience risks. I think this Government is very proud that we are making investments in roading in Northland.Dr David Clark: Is he planning to take his successful “everyone gets a bridge” policy nationwide since it seems to be his only idea for growing regional economies?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Unfortunately for Dr Clark who is obviously not paying attention we are actually delivering the double-laning of bridges nationwide. In fact I recall soon after we came into office doing the Kōpū Bridge to the Coromandel. We have done the Kurow bridges in Otago. We are doing bridges on the West Coast of the South Island. We are doing bridges all over the country as well as roads of national significance. Actually this Government has invested more in New Zealand’s roading network than virtually any other Government.Rt Hon John Key: Has the Minister seen any reports of falling numbers—numbers that would indicate in 2008 they may be 38 percent in 2011 they may be about 28 percent in—Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no ministerial responsibility there.Dr David Clark: Does he expect that his attempts in recent weeks to address several years of economic neglect in Northland will lead to improved employment outcomes especially given recent reports that at least one well-paid job as National Party’s campaign manager is now up for grabs?Mr SPEAKER: Order! Again there is no ministerial responsibility for that.