CHAIR - You didn't need to make any comments on this? Mr JAENSCH - If I take your advice from previous hearings, I won't poke the bear. CHAIR - I am sure you will be able to use the information there to answer questions. I will go to output group 1.11 Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal and Mr Valentine is leading on this. Output group 1.11 Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal Mr VALENTINE - Can you explain why the forward Estimates for the tribunal show an increase which is roughly 50 per cent greater than would be explained by wage inflation alone? In providing that explanation, could you also provide information on the number of disputes expected to be considered by the tribunal when determining the resourcing required over the forward Estimates. Mr JAENSCH - In response, I introduce at the table Jarrod Bryan, Registrar for the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal. I will ask Jarrod to lead the answer. Mr BRYAN - I would want to speak to Mr Wailes, who is head of the finance section of the department before giving an answer so that I understand those figures and how those estimates were made. If I could take it on notice and speak to him briefly? Mr JAENSCH - Yes. CHAIR - We can come back to that if we need to, minister. - I would be happy for that to be taken on notice. Mr JAENSCH Mr VALENTINE - A new neighbourhood disputes about plants act came in last year. Since the proclamation of that act, how many disputes have you had in relation to that new act? As at yesterday's date, eight. Mr BRYAN - Mr VALENTINE - Eight disputes. Have they been congenial disputes or acrimonious? Mr BRYAN - Congenial disputes. CHAIR - I am not sure what they look like? Mr BRYAN - I am not sure I should be venturing an opinion on that. - You can't comment. I understand. I would be very interested to know. I Mr VALENTINE did comment saying I thought it might create more aggression than settle things down. Is there a trend at this point in the number you are likely to see going forward? It is only eight but is it elevating or is it over a period of time - a couple of months or something?
CHAIR - You didn't need to make any comments on this? Mr JAENSCH - If I take your advice from previous hearings, I won't poke the bear. CHAIR - I am sure you will be able to use the information there to answer questions. I will go to output group 1.11 Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal and Mr Valentine is leading on this. Output group 1.11 Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal Mr VALENTINE - Can you explain why the forward Estimates for the tribunal show an increase which is roughly 50 per cent greater than would be explained by wage inflation alone? In providing that explanation, could you also provide information on the number of disputes expected to be considered by the tribunal when determining the resourcing required over the forward Estimates. Mr JAENSCH - In response, I introduce at the table Jarrod Bryan, Registrar for the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal. I will ask Jarrod to lead the answer. Mr BRYAN - I would want to speak to Mr Wailes, who is head of the finance section of the department before giving an answer so that I understand those figures and how those estimates were made. If I could take it on notice and speak to him briefly? Mr JAENSCH - Yes. CHAIR - We can come back to that if we need to, minister. Mr JAENSCH - I would be happy for that to be taken on notice. Mr VALENTINE - A new neighbourhood disputes about plants act came in last year. Since the proclamation of that act, how many disputes have you had in relation to that new act? Mr BRYAN - As at yesterday's date, eight. Mr VALENTINE - Eight disputes. Have they been congenial disputes or acrimonious? Mr BRYAN - Congenial disputes. CHAIR - I am not sure what they look like? Mr BRYAN - I am not sure I should be venturing an opinion on that. Mr VALENTINE - You can't comment. I understand. I would be very interested to know. I did comment saying I thought it might create more aggression than settle things down. Is there a trend at this point in the number you are likely to see going forward? It is only eight but is it elevating or is it over a period of time - a couple of months or something?