2016/17 Annual review of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment

Transcription

1 2016/17 Annual review of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Report of the Environment Committee March 2018 Contents Recommendation..2 Introduction... 2 Financial overview and audit results... 2 Advice to Parliament on environmental matters... 2 The role of the Commissioner... 3 Future work programme of the new Commissioner... 3 Conclusion... 4 Appendix... 5

2 Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Recommendation The Environment Committee has conducted the annual review of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment for 2016/17, and recommends that the House take note of its report. Introduction The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) is an Officer of Parliament appointed under section 4 of the Environment Act The Commissioner provides independent advice to Parliament on environmental matters. The Commissioner is independent of the executive Government and is able to define their own topics, choose how to investigate a topic, and identify the relevant sources. Dr Jan Wright vacated the office in 2017 after serving two terms as the Commissioner. Rt Hon Simon Upton was appointed the Commissioner in October As Mr Upton is responsible for current operations we heard from him at the hearing of evidence for this annual review. However, we acknowledge that Dr Wright was the Commissioner for the 2016/17 financial year and prepared the annual report. Financial overview and audit results In 2016/17 the Commissioner had revenue of $3.364 million and expenditure of $3.331 million, resulting in a surplus of $33,000. At year end, the Commissioner had net assets of $611,000. The Commissioner received funding from Vote Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment through three appropriations: Reports and Advice; the Commissioner s remuneration; and capital expenditure. The Auditor-General graded the Commissioner s management control environment and its financial information systems and controls as very good, and its performance information and controls as good. These ratings were the same as in the previous year. The auditors continue to recommend improvements to the service performance information reported in the annual report. This would give readers better information about the quality and timeliness of the PCE s work and its wider impacts and outcomes. Advice to Parliament on environmental matters During 2016/17 the Commissioner released two major reports: Climate change and agriculture: Understanding the biological greenhouse gases. Taonga of an Island Nation: Saving New Zealand s birds. We heard that these reports were generally well received by the Government, Parliament, non-government organisations, and the private sector. They were considered and reported 2

3 on by the Local Government and Environment Committee of the 51st Parliament, which thanked Dr Wright for her comprehensive work in preparing both reports. A third report, Stepping Stones to Paris and beyond, was released in the 2017/18 financial year, but the substantial investigation for this report occurred during the annual review period. We reported to the House on this report in February 2018 and also acknowledged Dr Wright s skill in producing accessible and engaging reports. As well as these reports, the Commissioner s office has prepared a submission on an issues paper from the Productivity Commission, and been assessing the fresh water domain report prepared by the Ministry for the Environment and Statistics New Zealand. The role of the Commissioner We asked the new Commissioner how he views his role outside of his statutory functions. The Commissioner told us that he does not consider himself an arbitrator, as that is the role of the Government, and that his role is ultimately to assist policy-makers to influence policy. He defined policy-makers as politicians, Ministers, and officials, and noted the previous Commissioner s good relationships with members of Parliament across all parties. He wants to continue building on those relationships and believes consistent and inclusive communication is a key part of that. The Commissioner added that he believes he has a facilitative role. This involves listening to and understanding differing views on issues. He hopes that, by dissecting complex environmental matters and presenting them in a clear way, he may be able to help identify common ground for ostensibly opposing views. We support this view of the Commissioner s role. Future work programme of the new Commissioner Dr Wright did not issue a new strategic intentions document before the end of her term. We were told this was reasonable, as it gave the incoming Commissioner the opportunity to have input into the strategic direction of the office. The Commissioner released Strategic Intentions for on 26 February The Commissioner told us that the first three areas of focus are providing advice on establishing a Climate Change Commission, an investigation into the suitability of Overseer (an agricultural tool used to measure nutrients), and following up on previous examinations of agricultural greenhouse gases. We asked the Commissioner what process he uses to choose topics for investigation. We were told the Commissioner ranks potential topics, taking into account the gravity of the matter and the level of public concern. He acknowledged that the first three areas of focus bear an imprint of the office s previous work. In the future he intends to focus on the marine environment and tourism, as these topics have significant environmental impacts. We consider that the Commissioner s advice is a valuable resource, and that timing is a key factor in mitigating environmental impacts. We encourage the Commissioner to continually assess his work programme against urgent environmental threats and current Government policy objectives to ensure that his advice can add the most value. 3

4 Conclusion We acknowledge this was Mr Upton s first appearance before us in his capacity as Commissioner. We look forward to receiving advice and working with the Commissioner during his term. 4

5 Appendix Committee procedure We met on 1 March and 29 March 2018 to consider the annual review of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. We heard evidence from the Commissioner and his staff and received advice from the Office of the Auditor-General. Committee members Dr Deborah Russell (Chairperson) Hon Maggie Barry (until 21 March 2018) Marama Davidson Sarah Dowie (from 21 March 2018) Jenny Marcroft Todd Muller (from 21 March 2018) Hon Scott Simpson Hon Nick Smith (until 21 March 2018) Erica Stanford Angie Warren-Clark Poto Williams Clayton Mitchell participated in the hearing of evidence for this review. Advice and evidence received We received the following documents as advice and evidence for this annual review. They are available on the Parliament website, along with a transcript of our hearing. Office of the Auditor-General, Briefing on the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, dated 1 March Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Responses to annual review questions 1 106, dated 1 March Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Responses to annual review questions , dated 29 March