Shearer David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeShearer David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 09 July 2013. Volume:692;Page:11762. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]3.DAVID SHEARER (Leader of the Opposition)to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements?Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister):Yes.David Shearer: Does he stand by his statement on the prices New Zealanders are paying for their power: “I think that they are paying a price … in relation to the environment we find ourselves in”; if so why?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Yes in the context I made it.David Shearer: With electricity prices rising over five times faster than the rate of inflation in the past year why has his Government insisted that Transpower pay $1.16 billion in dividends?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: At least the member has correctly identified what the root of most of the increase is which is transmission. Some time ago I remember the member actually being on his feet arguing that dividends were such a great thing and the Government should be getting a lot more of them.David Shearer: Is it correct that as a result of those $1.16 billion in dividends being paid to the Government each New Zealand householder will pay an extra $370 for power?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I cannot confirm those numbers. What I can say is that power prices went up 72 percent under Labour. They are going up much more slowly under a National-led Government. I also know that under a Labour Government the emissions trading scheme charges would be much more significant than they are under National.David Shearer: Does he think it is fair that New Zealand households have to pay an additional $370 for power because of his Government’s decision to collect the dividends?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: The member is making an assumption that I cannot be sure is correct. I would need to go and check those details. But what I can say is that Transpower has been making substantial investments in recent times. I think Aucklanders who suffered significant blackouts at one point will remember what impact that had on the city. So those investments are absolutely necessary.David Shearer: If he is questioning the figures is he saying that the Transpower statement of intent tabled by his Minister is inaccurate—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! The interchange between the front benches of both National and Labour is so loud that it is difficult for me to hear the question that has been raised by David Shearer. Would he please repeat the question. [Interruption] Order!David Shearer: If he is disputing the figures is he saying that the Transpower statement of intent tabled by his Minister is actually wrong?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: No what I am saying is that the member is potentially extrapolating data that is not correct.David Shearer: Given the figure that householders are paying an additional $370 for their power does he concede that his Government has directly increased power prices?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: No those prices are obviously set by the particular companies that sell the power. What the Government has done is look to strengthen the network in New Zealand. I think that is a sensible thing to happen. I know that the member is desperate to talk about anything but his—Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order!David Shearer: Does he think it is acceptable that despite—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! Again would members please refrain from interjecting. Would the member now please start his question again.David Shearer: Does he think it is acceptable that despite having some of the cheapest electricity generation in the world and despite having flat demand or declining demand prices increased $118 in the last year for the average household?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Firstly—Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I am very reluctant to raise this point of order but down this end we cannot hear a thing because of people screaming out from the National Party about a man ban which we all know they have had in place in their party for a long time.Mr SPEAKER: The latter part is not a point of order. The first part is a legitimate point of order and—[Interruption] Order! If the member at the back of the Chamber is claiming he could not hear the question I invite Mr Shearer to say it again.David Shearer: Does he think it is acceptable that despite having some of the cheapest electricity in the world and despite our declining or flat demand prices continue to increase by up to $118 in the last year for the average household when we actually should be facing some of the lowest power prices in the world?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Firstly let us put the facts on the table. Power prices went up much more rapidly under Labour than under the National Government. Secondly it is always important to invest in infrastructure and that means making sure that the networks are robust. Thirdly the Labour Party was not so long ago arguing about the merits of dividends and why they are important. Fourthly to the Rt Hon Winston Peters: I am amazed that he thinks that the National Party has had a ban on men given that he joined the National Party—Mr SPEAKER: Order! That part is unnecessary. Question No. 4—[Interruption] Order! I would be reluctant to see the Leader of the House have to leave the Chamber for interjecting.Hon Gerry Brownlee: So would I.Mr SPEAKER: Well if the member is reluctant to leave he should tone down his interjections.