edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Key John: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeKey John: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 December 2013. Volume:695;Page:15122. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I wonder whether I could ask you to reflect on the fact that sometimes on this side of the House we have been making the point that we cannot rely on the numbers that are presented by Opposition members.Grant Robertson: How’s this a point of order?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: It is a point of order actually thanks very much sunshine. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! It is raised as a point of order. The Prime Minister has asked me to reflect on something. I have given him the chance to make a statement. Please allow him to do so.Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I wonder whether I could ask you to go away and reflect on that because members on this side of the House have from time to time on recent occasions been pulled up because they have challenged the validity of the numbers that are raised. This is I think the second or third question time in recent times that the Leader of the Opposition has actually deliberately or otherwise misled the House.
Carter David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 December 2013. Volume:695;Page:15122. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Order! Leave is sought to table that particular document. Is there any objection to it being tabled? There appears to be none. It can be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.
Key John: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeKey John: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 December 2013. Volume:695;Page:15122. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): I seek leave to table advice from the Ministry of Labour that indicates there were more deaths in forestry under the previous Labour Government—that there were seven more—
Auchinvole Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeAuchinvole Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 December 2013. Volume:695;Page:15120. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]5.CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National) to theMinister for ACC: What recent announcements has she made in respect of changes to ACC levies?Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister for ACC): Yesterday I announced $387 million—Hon Tony Ryall: How much?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: —$387 million—worth of ACC levy reductions. The new rates will be in place for the levy year starting on 1 April 2014. The Government is also on track for further levy cuts in the following levy year. The work levy paid by businesses will decrease by 17 percent. The earners levy paid by employees will decrease by 15 percent. This means that the average New Zealand household can expect to keep just over $200 more each year. Small businesses will be around $180 better off annually and larger employers will receive on average a $6000 reduction.Chris Auchinvole: What other statements has she seen in respect of alternative levy cuts?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I have seen the media release from the Labour Party spokesperson on ACC where he advocates for levy cuts that would give a miserly—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I cannot see that this is a responsibility of the Minister.
Appropriation (2012/13 Financial Review) Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeAppropriation (2012/13 Financial Review) Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 03 December 2013. Volume:695;Page:15134. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Appropriation (2012/13 Financial Review) BillFirst ReadingHon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance): I moveThat the Appropriation (2012/13 Financial Review) Bill be now read a first time.A party vote was called for on the questionThat the Appropriation (2012/13 Financial Review) Bill be now read a first time.Ayes63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; United Future 1; ACT New Zealand 1.Noes56New Zealand Labour 33; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 7; Mana 1; Independent: Horan.Bill read a first time.
Urgent Debates Declined — Health and Safety Workplace—Forestry IndustryText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeUrgent Debates Declined — Health and Safety Workplace—Forestry Industry[Sitting date: 03 December 2013. Volume:695;Page:15133. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Urgent Debates DeclinedHealth and Safety Workplace—Forestry IndustryMr SPEAKER: I have received a letter from the Hon Shane Jones seeking to debate under Standing Order 386 the response of the Minister of Labour to the nine forestry deaths so far this year. For there to be an urgent debate there must be a particular case of recent occurrence that involves the administrative or ministerial responsibility of the Government. With a death on 29 November although it is another tragic occurrence there is no ministerial responsibility for the actual ownership and running of most forestry operations. An urgent debate is a way of holding the Government to account. There must be distinct governmental responsibility for the particular case that is sought to be debated. Furthermore the Government is halfway through a proactive programme of assessing cable logging and contracting operations. On this basis I am not convinced that the Government’s response to the forestry deaths has reached the stage where an urgent debate is warranted. There will be other opportunities to debate this matter. The application is therefore declined.
Shanks Katrina: Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeShanks Katrina: Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15109. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]KATRINA SHANKS (National): It is my pleasure to take a call on the Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill tonight. First of all I would like to congratulate the Minister of Justice on bringing this bill to the House. I also congratulate the rest of the parties in the House on supporting this bill. It is good to see that every party in the House is behind it today.Unfortunately our children are vulnerable and they are especially vulnerable when they are on the internet with the new technology that they have in front of them and available to them. Unfortunately there are predators out there who will prey on our children and abuse them. So this bill is very very important in that area in particular. I am not going to go into any detail on this bill. Denis O’Rourke just went through the bill clause by clause so I do not think I need to give you that detail straight after his speech.But what I do want to say to everyone listening out there is that you have the opportunity to come to the Justice and Electoral Committee next year to give your opinion on whether you think we have this balance right or wrong and on how we can change the legislation to make it even stronger than it is now. It is an opportunity for us to hear your voice. It is your opportunity to tell us about an issue that is really important to many people and impacts on their children.I encourage everybody to look at this legislation have the debate with family and your friends over Christmas and actually get the discussion going in New Zealand about how we can protect our children especially in this area. I commend this bill to the House.
Foster-Bell Paul: Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFoster-Bell Paul: Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15107. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]PAUL FOSTER-BELL (National): I rise to take a brief call on the first reading of the Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill. I speak in support of this bill. Those of us who have had a secure and loving average New Zealand upbringing can only struggle to imagine how horrific situations of child abuse must be. I think that those situations are made even worse by those depraved people who would seek to record distribute and view those sorts of materials online. So I think it is absolutely appropriate that the sentences for those very worst kinds of offending are being tightened and that the legislation is being updated to include technological changes such as the fact that these days materials can be viewed online without pressing a download button or committing it to a hard drive or a disk.I think this is very welcome legislation. The Minister of Justice should be congratulated on introducing it. I would like to thank other parties in the House for offering their support as well. I commend this bill to the House and to the Justice and Electoral Committee for consideration.
Simpson Scott: Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSimpson Scott: Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15104. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel): I rise to take a short call on the first reading of the Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill which I am pleased to hear has the support of the Labour Opposition for its referral to the Justice and Electoral Committee. It is very appropriate that as a Government we are taking actions to increase the maximum penalties around sexual abuse of children that occurs online.These days people can access all manner of objectionable material in all manner of ways. Many of those avenues were never previously imagined by existing legislation and technology is moving at a very rapid pace indeed. One of the great challenges for legislators all over the world is how to ensure that legislation remains relevant and current in the face of fast-moving technology. I guess the real challenge here for us in New Zealand is to ensure not only that we address current issues of the day of this sort but that we futureproof our legislation to ensure that technology does not continue to outpace our legislation. I am looking forward to having the bill at the select committee for consideration and I commend it to the House.
Vote: Parole Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Parole Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15101. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the questionThat the Parole Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes104New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 33; New Zealand First 7; Māori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes15Green Party 13; Mana 1; Independent: Horan.Bill read a first time.Billreferred to the Law and Order Committee.
Lees-Galloway Iain: Parole Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLees-Galloway Iain: Parole Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15100. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Labour—Palmerston North): This is just a very very brief call. I can assure Jan Logie that she will get her opportunity very very soon to make a contribution on this Parole Amendment Bill. Labour does support this bill being sent to the Law and Order Committee. The Parole Amendment Bill amends the Parole Act 2002 to increase the minimum time between parole hearings from 12 months to 2 years for offenders serving indeterminate sentences or sentences of 10 years or more. The maximum time between parole hearings increases from 3 years to 5 years. Hearings will also be aligned with the completion of core milestones in an inmate’s offender plan and this is estimated to reduce the number of parole hearings by 800 per year.Labour looks forward to the discussion and the debate at the select committee and I am sure to the many public submissions. With that we commend this bill to the House.
Robertson H V Ross: Parole Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRobertson H V Ross: Parole Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15100. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): I advise the House that this is a split call.
Mitchell Mark: Parole Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMitchell Mark: Parole Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15098. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney): The Parole Amendment Bill is not just about cost. There are some very good things in this bill that relate directly to making the justice system just a little bit easier to negotiate your way through especially for victims.I am a member of the Law and Order Committee; I am looking forward to receiving this bill. It is a good committee. We work very well across parties. We have a very good chair in Jacqui Dean and I am looking forward to receiving this bill. Thank you.
Dean Jacqui: Parole Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDean Jacqui: Parole Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15094. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki): This Parole Amendment Bill is another example of National delivering on its promises with a big plan for the justice sector that is being rolled out and has been very successful.This bill aims to reduce the number of unnecessary parole hearings. Victims of crime should not have to face the very stressful prospect of attending parole hearings year after year when an offender is clearly not safe to be released into the community and might have made little or no effort at rehabilitation. Each year there are around 5000 parole hearings and on average offenders have three hearings before they are granted parole. Our changes will provide strong incentives for prisoners to address their offending behaviour for the betterment of our community. I commend the bill to the House.
Roy Eric: Voting — Social Housing Reform (Housing Restructuring and Tenancy Matters Amendment) Bill—Recording Party VotesText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoy Eric: Voting — Social Housing Reform (Housing Restructuring and Tenancy Matters Amendment) Bill—Recording Party Votes[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15090. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes as long as members are aware that it records the position in theJournals but does not change the vote. Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there anyone opposed to that course of action? There is not. Leave is granted. TheJournals will so record that.
Robertson Grant: Voting — Social Housing Reform (Housing Restructuring and Tenancy Matters Amendment) Bill—Recording Party VotesText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRobertson Grant: Voting — Social Housing Reform (Housing Restructuring and Tenancy Matters Amendment) Bill—Recording Party Votes[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15090. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central): I seek leave for the following votes on the third reading of the Social Housing Reform (Housing Restructuring and Tenancy Matters Amendment) Bill to be recorded in theJournals: New Zealand Labour 33 votes for the Noes; Green Party 14 votes for the Noes; New Zealand First seven votes for the Noes; Mana one vote for the Noes; and Brendan Horan one vote for the Noes. This does not affect the outcome of the vote.
Vote: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15090. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the questionThat the Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) be now read a first time.Ayes111New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 33; Green Party 14; Māori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes7New Zealand First 7.Abstentions1Mana 1.Bill read a first time.Billreferred to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee.
Roy Eric: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoy Eric: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15089. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Denise Roche—5 minutes.
Roy Eric: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoy Eric: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15088. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I understand that this is to be a split call. Andrew—Andrew Little 5 minutes.
Sabin Mike: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSabin Mike: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15088. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MIKE SABIN (National—Northland): The member who has just resumed his seat the Rt Hon Winston Peters seems to apply the standard of resignation to everyone else in this House. If he was to apply that standard to himself that member should have resigned about 15 times over but what he does instead is that he actually takes a Government down to avoid his own resignation. This is another good example of the xenophobic brand of New Zealand First and absolutely nothing to do with this bill the Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2).He wants an independent inquiry. What that actually translates to when we put that through the “complicator” is that he wants an independent media platform so that he can try to stand up to get a few cheap media shots away because he has been finding that he has been struggling to get some time on air with the old Green Party talking about their recent agenda and so forth. So he is trying to squeeze himself in to get a bit of time on air. He has done it time and time again but interestingly enough I looked around this House while the member was puffing out his chest and hot air was emerging forth and no one in this House was paying any attention whatsoever other than the Minister of Immigration at whom the allegations have been levelled.What Winston Peters is going on about here is the equivalent of when a Nigerian prince emails us all to tell us we have got $100000 sitting in a bank account because we are lucky enough to have won a lottery. That member Winston Peters would be the first to say: “Look at this! Look at this! There’s $100 million in the account.” It must be true because the liars the vagabonds and the people smugglers are apparently the people Winston Peters listens to and wants to get a media beat-up over. Why is it that the Minister has to prove that that is not true although Mr Peters does not have to prove it is true? If he had any clout if he would put his money where his mouth is that is what he would do. But he will not. He will not because he cannot.
Auchinvole Chris: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeAuchinvole Chris: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15085. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National): I support the Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2).
Roy Eric: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoy Eric: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15081. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I call Darien Fenton.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Oh come on Darien. Give me a break here. He attacked me you know.
Bennett David: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBennett David: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15081. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East): I just want to join in support of this bill the Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2). I just want to thank the previous speaker Rajen Prasad for his support from the Labour Party for this going to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee. The 10-year rule is a general rule within immigration policy. If you commit a serious offence within that period of time you can be deported. I think it is just carrying that forward into the employment realm.I would just like to thank the Minister of Immigration for his special interest in this area. As new migrants to New Zealand many people face a lot of challenges and one of those is employment. Making sure that we have rules and regulations that give those people the most protection when they are in a vulnerable state is a very important thing. This Minister has taken a particular interest in that and has worked hard to deliver this result which will look after new migrants going into work and protect their rights so I would like to thank him for that.I also note that we have the New Zealand First leader Winston Peters here. I am sure he is going to get up and take the New Zealand First call and it will be another attack on people coming to New Zealand to make a better future for themselves. That is sad. We want an open and free country that has the best environment for people to make the best of their opportunities. To use these kinds of bills as a political stunt to try to attack people in vulnerable positions is something that you would expect of New Zealand First. We are soon to see it in the next half an hour I am sure. It is a very sad approach when a politician has to stoop to those levels to try to get some publicity. Thank you.
Stewart Barbara: Medicines Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeStewart Barbara: Medicines Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15076. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]BARBARA STEWART (NZ First): It is my pleasure to continue the debate on the Medicines Amendment Bill. This bill is long overdue. On—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Can I just ask members who are leaving the Chamber to try to do it as quietly as possible to allow the member speaking to have a reasonably fair go.BARBARA STEWART: Thank you. On this side of the House we lament the time that it has actually taken to get the bill to this stage. We are pleased to see that it has come to the House under urgency but we wonder why it never ever appeared prior to that. We are all aware that the bill is an interim measure until the Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products Agency is established when we will act in a joint way with Australia on these matters. It was interesting at the Health Committee that the submitters all generally supported the new regime proposed and the new definitions even though it did take some time for us all to get our heads around the definitions and to feel quite comfortable with them.We were pleased to see that this bill uses the skills of the nurse practitioners and they can be more widely used. We know that nurse practitioners provide a valuable service that an increasing number of people depend on and this is particularly evident in rural areas. Again we know that pharmacists are now included in this regime and we are pleased to see the skills of pharmacists used. They are a highly skilled group of people and in every town people are very comfortable going into their local pharmacy to actually ask for advice. That is the first port of call before we go to the doctor these days.So just to quickly sum up New Zealand First supports the passing of this bill. It allows for greater flexibility where medicine and health changes are happening at an incredible rate. We believe it is in the interests of the health outcomes of all New Zealanders to keep up with the changes that are happening overseas and we believe that this should be a priority for the Government. Given that we are seeking to increase the flexibility of our health system and to make it more accessible to every New Zealander we support this bill. Thank you.Bill read a third time.
Medicines Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMedicines Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15076. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Medicines Amendment BillThird ReadingDebate resumed.BARBARA STEWART (NZ First): It is my pleasure to continue the debate on the Medicines Amendment Bill. This bill is long overdue. On—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Can I just ask members who are leaving the Chamber to try to do it as quietly as possible to allow the member speaking to have a reasonably fair go.BARBARA STEWART: Thank you. On this side of the House we lament the time that it has actually taken to get the bill to this stage. We are pleased to see that it has come to the House under urgency but we wonder why it never ever appeared prior to that. We are all aware that the bill is an interim measure until the Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products Agency is established when we will act in a joint way with Australia on these matters. It was interesting at the Health Committee that the submitters all generally supported the new regime proposed and the new definitions even though it did take some time for us all to get our heads around the definitions and to feel quite comfortable with them.We were pleased to see that this bill uses the skills of the nurse practitioners and they can be more widely used. We know that nurse practitioners provide a valuable service that an increasing number of people depend on and this is particularly evident in rural areas. Again we know that pharmacists are now included in this regime and we are pleased to see the skills of pharmacists used. They are a highly skilled group of people and in every town people are very comfortable going into their local pharmacy to actually ask for advice. That is the first port of call before we go to the doctor these days.So just to quickly sum up New Zealand First supports the passing of this bill. It allows for greater flexibility where medicine and health changes are happening at an incredible rate. We believe it is in the interests of the health outcomes of all New Zealanders to keep up with the changes that are happening overseas and we believe that this should be a priority for the Government. Given that we are seeking to increase the flexibility of our health system and to make it more accessible to every New Zealander we support this bill. Thank you.Bill read a third time.
Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15076. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]12.DARIEN FENTON (Labour) to theMinister of Labour: Does he stand by his statement that “I am especially keen to hear what affected parties have to say on the Part 6A proposals in the Bill and will carefully consider their submissions and the recommendations of the select committee”?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Labour): Yes I do.Darien Fenton: Can the workers at Hillmorton Hospital in Christchurch be confident that he has listened to their concerns given that their lives have already been turned upside down by the earthquakes and they are now sick with worry that his changes to Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act will mean they have no job security?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: In all seriousness they can be confident that I am listening and taking this very seriously.Darien Fenton: Will he carefully consider the submissions of school cleaners who told the select committee that enabling smaller cheaper companies to clean in schools will drive down the quality of cleaning thus putting our kids at risk of unnecessary infections?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: It will not be possible as the member knows for me to read every single submission. There have been a lot. But as she knows I have met with a number of people including the Service and Food Workers Union despite harsh criticism from Whale Oil for doing that. I am taking this issue very seriously.Darien Fenton: Given his commitment to carefully consider their recommendations where the submissions on the bill from both employers and workers overwhelmingly oppose elements of his Part 6A changes will he change them?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Also as the member knows this is a very complex issue. Really there have been submissions going every way on every part of Part 6A. I have confidence that David Bennett and the team on that select committee will do a very good job.
McKelvie Ian: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMcKelvie Ian: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15075. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]11.IAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei) to theMinister of Local Government: How is the Government improving councils’ financial reporting?Hon CHRIS TREMAIN (Minister of Local Government): Recently I announced the introduction of new financial prudence regulations that will tighten financial reporting lift transparency and encourage excellence in local government. The regulations will provide a standardised way of financial reporting which will encourage council efficiency and improve accountability to ratepayers. In next year’s annualaccounts councils will have to report against a set of benchmarks around three key elements of financial prudence. These are affordability sustainability and predictability.Ian McKelvie: How will the new financial reporting requirements ensure more transparency and encourage excellence in local government?Hon CHRIS TREMAIN: Affordability will be measured through rates and debt information; sustainability will be measured through a balanced budget expenditure on essential services and debt servicing; and predictability will be measured through cash flow from operations and debt control information. Performance results will be collated in a way that recognises each individual local authority’s situation. I want to see councils measured and benchmarked against each other to help lift performance and to focus on excellence. These regulations are part of the Better Local Government reform programme and are part of the Government’s commitment to delivering better services within tight financial constraints.
Wagner Nicky: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeWagner Nicky: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15073. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]9.NICKY WAGNER (National—Christchurch Central) to theMinister of Housing: What steps is the Government taking to rebuild Christchurch’s housing stock damaged or destroyed by the earthquakes?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister of Housing): The Government is committed to a programme of having all 5000 damaged Housing New Zealand homes repaired and 700 new homes built or the equivalent of one a day by the end of 2015 and we are making good progress. Today I turned the first sod on a new $9 million 26-unit development on Manchester Street where six old damp State houses previously stood. Eleven of the new 26 homes will be retained by Housing New Zealand and the remainder will be sold on the private market. This approach of increasing the density of housing in the central city and moving to mixed housing developments of social and private housing is part of our vision for Christchurch’s future.Nicky Wagner: How is the Government addressing the housing problems of the people of Christchurch with mental health needs given the stresses this community has been through and the escalating costs of housing from the thousands of homes damaged by the earthquakes?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The Government has partnered with Comcare Trust a specialist community housing provider for people with high needs and has provided funding of $4.1 million to expanding its housing portfolio by 45 homes. We opened the first six of these in St Albans today. These tenants have complex needs that are better met by a specialist community housing provider like Comcare Trust. This initiative is a flagship of our social housing reforms underpinned by new legislation that was passed unanimously by Parliament yesterday.Phil Twyford: Does he agree with the Christchurch City Council that there is severe stress on the housing stock or does he agree with Gerry Brownlee who says it is just a housing pinch; and after 5 years in Government and 3 years since the quakes is it not about time he sorted out his failed housing policy?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I would much rather be focused on building a house a day and rebuilding those 5000 houses that were damaged by the earthquakes than have an argument that the Opposition seems to be focused on as to whether it is a housingchallenge a housing crisis or a pinch which are the sorts of word games that get families nowhere.
Young Jonathan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeYoung Jonathan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15070. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]6.JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) to theMinister for Building and Construction: What reports has he received regarding the state of the building and construction sector?Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Minister for Building and Construction): The Government yesterday released the construction sector report which provides what I think is a very comprehensive report card on the state of the sector and I would ask all members of this House to have a good read of it. The report will support the Government’s Business Growth Agenda by improving understanding of the economy. Currently the sector employs 170000 people and generates revenues of around $30 billion per annum. The report highlights the huge wave of work that is coming in this country with the peak expected to occur in 2016. The sector needs to be ready to ride this wave and make sure it has a skilled workforce to cope with such a tidal wave.Jonathan Young: What is the Government doing to support the sector to prepare for this boom in construction activity?Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON: We recognise that with all the work that is coming in Christchurch Auckland and the regions it is vital to have as many skilled workers as possible. That is where the apprenticeship reboot scheme comes in. Already more than 8000 people this year have signed up for a trade. It has indeed been a huge success. Yesterday the Minister for Tertiary Education Skills and Employment Steven Joyce announced that the Wellington Institute of Technology and Whitireia Community Polytechnic will invest $13 million in a new Regional School of Construction for Wellington. The Government is also improving the professionalism in the sector through the licensed building practitioner scheme for which we now have 23500 licensed practitioners. Other moves to cut red tape involve introducing risk-based consenting the uptake of building information modelling and the development of a national online consenting system which will all add to the productivity of the sector.
Tisch Lindsay: Medicines Amendment Bill — In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Medicines Amendment Bill — In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15061. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I am sorry to interrupt the honourable member. The time has come for the luncheon break.Debate interrupted.Sitting suspended from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Stewart Barbara: Medicines Amendment Bill — In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeStewart Barbara: Medicines Amendment Bill — In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15061. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]BARBARA STEWART (NZ First): It is my pleasure to take a call on behalf of New Zealand First on the Medicines Amendment Bill. New Zealand First supports this bill. This is a bill as others have said that has languished—
Roy Eric: Medicines Amendment Bill — In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoy Eric: Medicines Amendment Bill — In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15053. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy): Is there anyone opposed to that course of action? There is not. Leave is granted.
Upston Louise: Medicines Amendment Bill — In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeUpston Louise: Medicines Amendment Bill — In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15053. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]LOUISE UPSTON (Senior Whip—National): I seek leave for the Medicines Amendment Bill to be taken as one debate.
Borrows Chester: Unit Titles Amendment Bill — In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Unit Titles Amendment Bill — In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15051. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon CHESTER BORROWS (Associate Minister of Justice): I moveThat the Unit Titles Amendment Bill be now read a third time. This bill formerly constituted Part 27 of the Statutes Amendment Bill which the House has just considered. Although the Government Administration Committee considered that the amendments to the Unit Titles Act 2010 were minor and technical there were so many of them that it was appropriate for them to be contained in a separate bill. Therefore the committee resolved to divide the Statutes Amendment Bill so that Part 27 became a separate bill known as the Unit Titles Amendment Bill which the House is now considering.The Unit Titles Act 2010 has been in force since June 2011. Its purpose is to allow bodies corporate which comprise all unit owners in a development to operate and manage unit title developments. The Act provides guidance to bodies corporate and unit owners to assist them in managing their property. In 2011 Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment officials and industry stakeholders identified several minor and technical issues with the Act such as incorrect cross-references for terminology and the Unit Titles Amendment Bill corrects these minor drafting errors. Although the proposed amendments are minor they are important because they affect the day-to-day administration of property affairs by bodies corporate and unit owners.The following amendments are examples of how the bill will clarify the original intent of Parliament when the Act was drafted. The bill simplifies disclosure when buying a unit by allowing buyers to choose from a list of relevant information from the seller rather than receiving all material as is currently the case. This will help both parties to the transaction. It clarifies that a body corporate can seek to recover unpaid levies through the Tenancy Tribunal enabling bodies corporate to recover unpaid levies quicker and it clarifies the types of general orders that the Tenancy Tribunal may make to resolve unit title disputes. This will assist with the resolution of more disputes.I wish to thank all stakeholders for their input into the amendments in this bill and I also acknowledge the support of my colleague the Hon Dr Nick Smith the Minister of Housing on the bill. I commend the bill to the House.
Roy Eric: Unit Titles Amendment Bill — In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoy Eric: Unit Titles Amendment Bill — In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15051. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy): Leave is sought for all questions to be put. Is anyone opposed to that course of action? Leave is granted. That does simplify matters. [Interruption] Oh we have just done that.The question was put that the amendment to clause 150 set out on Supplementary Order Paper 358 in the name of the Hon Chester Borrows be agreed to.Amendment agreed to.Clauses 1 and 2 and 142 to 163 as amended agreed to.Bill reported without amendment.Report adopted.
Borrows Chester: Unit Titles Amendment Bill — In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Unit Titles Amendment Bill — In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15051. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon CHESTER BORROWS (Associate Minister of Justice): I seek leave to have all questions heard as one.
Mallard Trevor: Unit Titles Amendment Bill — In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Unit Titles Amendment Bill — In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15049. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South): This is a bill that was split off from the Statutes Amendment Bill. It was taken out by the Government Administration Committee on the basis that there was more in it than was appropriate for a Statutes Amendment Bill. Traditionally statutes amendment legislation amends one two or three clauses of the substantive Acts. In this particular case there are 21 clauses of thesubstantive Act amended. None of them are that controversial other than the fact that they drew attention to the very slow progress on a substantive reform of the unit titles legislation which the Government has been promising for the last 5 years.There are very minor changes around utility interests around alterations of plans and around the timing of the annual general meetings. There are some very minor changes to the duties of the body corporate especially around maintenance. There are some requirements about what has to be disclosed to buyers. Any of these individually or as a group of two or three would have been fine for a Statutes Amendment Bill but they were in the view of the committee too substantive. Because we are not opposed to them we are quite happy for them to go through on this relatively fast-track arrangement based on the assurance that we received in the committee. It is going to be interesting because we were going to get a substantive amendment bill in the House on the unit titles question later this year.
Upston Louise: Unit Titles Amendment Bill — In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeUpston Louise: Unit Titles Amendment Bill — In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15049. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]LOUISE UPSTON (Senior Whip—National): I seek leave for the Unit Titles Amendment Bill to be taken as one debate.The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy): Leave is sought that there be one debate. Is anyone opposed to that course of action? There appears to be none. Leave is granted.
Robertson H V Ross: Third Readings —Text is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRobertson H V Ross: Third Readings —[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15047. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): I recognise the Hon Trevor Mallard.
Robertson H V Ross: Statutes Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRobertson H V Ross: Statutes Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15045. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson): Is there any objection to that course of action being taken? There is none. This is how we will have to do it honourable members. There will be three motions put.The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 354 in the name of the Hon Chris Tremain the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 362 in the name of the Hon Chester Borrows the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 353 in the name of the Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman and the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 329 in the name of the Hon Chester Borrows be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.Part 25 not agreed to.Parts 1 to 30 excluding 25 schedules 1 to 4 and clauses 1 and 2 as amended agreed to.The Committee divided the bill into the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill (No 2) the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill (No 2) the Aquaculture Reform (Repeals and Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill the Armed Forces Discipline Amendment Bill the Births Deaths Marriages and Relationships Registration Amendment Bill (No 2) the Children Young Persons and Their Families Amendment Bill (No 3) the Companies Amendment Bill (No 3) the Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill the Disputes Tribunals Amendment Bill the District Courts Amendment Bill the Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2) the Extradition Amendment Bill the Flags Emblems and Names Protection Amendment Bill the Gambling Amendment Bill the Health Amendment Bill the Health and Disability Commissioner Amendment Bill the Insolvency Amendment Bill the Legislation Amendment Bill the Local Electoral Amendment Bill (No 3) the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill (No 4) the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill the Passports Amendment Bill the Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Amendment Bill the Real Estate Agents Amendment Bill (No 2) the Road User Charges Amendment Bill (No 2) the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Amendment Bill the Social Welfare (Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill the State Sector Amendment Bill (No 2) the Statistics Amendment Bill (No 2) the Tariff Amendment Bill the Telecommunications Amendment Bill the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Amendment Bill the Wills Amendment Bill (No 2) and the Wine Amendment Bill (No 2)pursuant to Supplementary Order Paper 352.The Chairperson reported the Statutes Amendment Bill with amendment and that the Committee had divided it into 35 bills.Report adopted.
Upston Louise: Statutes Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeUpston Louise: Statutes Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15045. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]LOUISE UPSTON (Senior Whip—National): I seek leave for the Statutes Amendment Bill to be taken as one question for the vote with the exception of Part 25 which will be taken separately.