Shane Jones: Associate Energy Minister on the Govt's long-term fuel strategy, special economic zones

The Associate Energy Minister's suggesting domestic fuel producers could get special treatment, to shore up energy security. 

The Government's asking for feedback on its draft long-term fuel strategy.  

It focuses on resilience, domestic infrastructure, low-carbon alternatives, and security. 

Shane Jones told Heather di Plessis-Allan special economic zones present a great opportunity. 

He says in other countries they offer a range of incentives through tailored tax treatment and planning rules for the particular site, with areas like Marsden Point already an energy precinct. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
The government is considering encouraging domestic production of fuel. A
new report suggests setting up special economic zones to do that.
This is to lock in fuel security. Shane Jones is
the Associate Energy ministound Worth US. Morning.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Shane, Hey, morning folks.

Speaker 1 (00:14):
So where would you put these special economic zones?

Speaker 2 (00:17):
Oh, obviously, hailing from Lauthland, I think one would be
good around mars and Point, given that the Labour Party
in particular just Simbler doing close down our mass and
Point refinery. That will stimulate a whole boast, a whole
range of energy investments. And why not Taranucky because if
we're ever going to have to rely upon the importation

(00:37):
of gas from overseas to keep the economy functioning, there
left to be in Taranucky after Jacimber canceled the oil
and gas industry.

Speaker 1 (00:45):
And then what do you do in these zones? Do
you offer tax breaks or subsidies or what?

Speaker 2 (00:50):
Yeah, those are the details still to be teased through.
In other countries they offer a range of incentives through
bespoke tax treatment planning rules that are tailored for the
activity in that particular site. I mean around Marsden Point.
It's already an energy precinct and energy zone. We're looking
forward to creating the dry dock facility over time at

(01:13):
Marston Point, and I'm sure that as ministers work through
the various regional and local government deals, that other locations
will see some merit in having these zones there. Later
in the year, we hope to have as a part
of the legislation coming through the option of creating such zones.

Speaker 1 (01:31):
What do you think is the greatest threat I suppose
to our fuel security at the moment.

Speaker 2 (01:36):
Oh well, obviously the geopolitical situation. People need to bear
in mind. Either that we chew through eleven million liters
every day of diesel. I'll put out the suggestion and
the decisions that we're going to have to store up
to diesel store diesel up to twenty eight days. People
are telling me that that's not enough the fuel companies.
If you control more than ten percent of the fuel supply,

(02:00):
it's our expectation from twenty twenty eight that you'll have
an additional seven days on shore. Obviously, I don't want
to alarm anyone, but we do live in highly uncertain times.

Speaker 1 (02:13):
I heard you were involved in a showdown over the
lizards in cabinet on Monday. What happened?

Speaker 2 (02:19):
Oh no, no, no, it's in cabinet. Everything is tapu.
But do you win well, obviously the Oceania gold mine
is going to flourish. We need to have guardrails. The
Department of Conservation, they're going through a set of changes.
Those changes will ensure that when DOC officials are allocating

(02:40):
concessions or entitlements to use up to thirty eight percent
of New Zealand's landscape, they're not looking at it through
the orifice of.

Speaker 1 (02:47):
The lizard showdown or no showdown.

Speaker 2 (02:50):
Shane, No, no, I'm not going to be drawn on
what happens in their left say I'm working with our
dockor mister Tamar, who both wanted to deny how work
very closely with and mister Bishop.

Speaker 1 (03:04):
All right, thank you Shane. If you don't deny it,
you know what we think. Shane Jones, Associate Energy Minister.

Speaker 2 (03:09):
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