Boscawen John: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Boscawen John: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:671;Page:17667] 
5. 
Hon JOHN BOSCAWEN (Deputy Leader—ACT) 
 to the  
Acting Minister of Energy and Resources 
: Is it Government policy for New Zealand to become a “highly attractive global destination” for oil exploration with expansion of the oil and coal sectors leading to a “step change” in the country’s economic growth as set out in the document  
Developing Our Energy Potential 
; if not why not? 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Before the Acting Minister answers the question it is my understanding that there cannot be an Acting Minister if the actual Minister with the warranted responsibility is in the House at the time. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: It may be that my information is not correct on this issue but my understanding is that while Hekia Parata is the Acting Minister of Energy and Resources 
the portfolio responsibilities have been handed over to her by the Government. Those responsibilities have been transferred so she is the Minister for the time being while she is Acting Minister. That is why I call the Hon Hekia Parata to answer the question. 
Hon HEKIA PARATA (Acting Minister of Energy and Resources) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Speaker. Yes. 
Hon John Boscawen 
: Is it Government policy to provide a step change in economic growth for the West Coast by supporting open-cast mining of Pike River if feasible or does the Government not have a policy on the conditions under which the Pike River mine would be allowed to reopen? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: Our Government in the past 2 years has been pursuing a number of opportunities to create wealth in order to build a stronger economic foundation for our country. We are continuing to explore opportunities in oil gas and coal throughout New Zealand where extraction is feasible and within our legal framework. 
Hon John Boscawen 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I specifically referred to Pike River. My question was very specific. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I will let the member repeat his question. 
Hon John Boscawen 
: Is it Government policy to provide a step change in economic growth for the West Coast by supporting open-cast mining of Pike River if feasible or does the Government not have a policy on the conditions under which the Pike River mine would be allowed to reopen? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: Pike River Coal is in the hands of receivers. They are making decisions about its future at present. 
Hon John Boscawen 
: Would the Government look favourably on a proposal to extract over $10 billion worth of coal through a combination of open-cast mining and the tunnelling of the Pike River mine if such a proposal were put forward? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: Pike River Coal is in the hands of receivers. We have no such proposals before us. 
Charles Chauvel 
: Can the Acting Minister confirm that the decision to grant an exploration permit to Petrobras for the Raukumara basin included no environmental considerations just like the seven other major offshore exploration permits handed out by her Government since last year’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: No.