edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
5. Budget 2018—Housing InitiativesMARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister of Housing and Urban DevelopmentBudget 2018—Housing Initiatives5. MARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: How will the initiatives in Budget 2018 and the Government's 100-day plan build more homes for Kiwi families?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): Through Budget 2018 the Government will build 6400 more public homes for families in need and expand the Housing First programme. As a result of this measure 6400 more families will have stable and secure homes and 1472 more Kiwis will be participating in Housing First. That comes on top of our commitment to provide shelter to 1500 more families by the end of winter through our winter 2018 package and build 100000 affordable homes through KiwiBuild.Marja Lubeck: How many new houses will be built under these plans?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) estimate that at least 5800 of the 6400 new public homes will be new builds depending on the plans of individual community housing providers. This is on top of KiwiBuild which may deliver up to $11 billion in additional residential construction over the next four years as we build 100000 homes for first-home buyers by 2028.Marja Lubeck: How will the initiatives in Budget 2018 help reduce the public housing register?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well we've known for some time that the national housing crisis and hidden homelessness was worse than we thought and it will get worse before it gets better. But Budget 2018 is the first step in tackling the national housing crisis right across the housing continuum. We're investing in Housing First providing short-term transitional housing for 34000 households building more public houses building affordable homes for 100000 first-home buyers and increasing the supply of market housing.
Allan Kiritapu; Williams PotoKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour): It's an absolute delight to be called to speak at this time. There should be many members who are very interested in my enthusiastic contribution this evening. Hon Member: Up the East Coast. KIRITAPU ALLAN: The East Coast will be watching with extreme pride I am sure. Let's say it's been an interesting journey sitting on the Finance and Expenditure Committee and hearing submissions in respect of the Taxation (Neutralising Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) Bill. Now I cannot give the eloquent address that my colleague Dr Deborah Russell has just provided this House with but I do actually want to make comment and commend the contributions of my colleague Dr Deborah Russell who has been I think—and I think that would be agreed across the House—quite a steady hand in and guide for our Finance and Expenditure Committee as we have undertaken the task of considering this piece of legislation.It has I think taken some time through a great deal of advocacy both internationally and domestically and on both sides of the House to come to the agreement that I think we're working towards it being a full House in unanimous support of the—[Serjeant-at-Arms enters the Chamber] Oh no I was just finding my flow. There is the unanimous agreement that we have all come to in respect of seeing the passage of this bill through the House. I also really want to—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): I apologise to the member. Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 10 p.m.
Yule LawrenceLAWRENCE YULE (National—Tukituki): It's 5 to 10—the last run of the evening—but it's my pleasure to speak on the Taxation (Neutralising Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) Bill. I do want to congratulate the committee because as a member of the Finance and Expenditure Committee working through this bill has actually been a pretty collegial affair. Dr Deborah Russell who spoke just before me alluded to some of the technicalities of the bill. It actually is a complex piece of legislation and I want to congratulate the chair Michael Wood and other members of the committee on getting us to this point. This bill is around aligning us with the OECD and a set of regimes and taxation regimes that we actively participate in. Our broad based - low rate tax system in New Zealand continues to perform very well by international comparisons. However it's important that we keep up and evolve our tax system so that companies operating in New Zealand pay their fair share and importantly multinationals are not advantaged over our own companies. So most multinational companies actually do follow the rules but there are some that attempt to minimise or eliminate their New Zealand tax obligations and actually that's what this piece of legislation is about. This bill targets those and I'm pleased that the Government has carried on what National started in this space. We've talked about some of the measures—and I'll just briefly go through them—that international companies have been using. There are artificially high interest rates on loans from related parties to shift profits out of New Zealand and they are called interest limitation rules; artificial arrangements to avoid having a taxable presence in New Zealand is another one that we are trying to cover and I believe we have; related party transactions or transfer pricing payments to shift profits into their offshore group members in a manner that does not reflect the actual economic activities undertaken in New Zealand and offshore—in other words they're fudging the arrangements—and a hybrid and branch mismatch that exploits differences between countries' tax rules to achieve an advantageous tax position. Now I do have to admit that getting my head around this took a little bit of time and I'm not sure I've completely got it right. But there are also certain tactics to hinder the Inland Revenue Department from investigating such as withholding relevant information. I will comment on what the previous speaker Mr Ian McKelvie said because actually the ability for the Inland Revenue Department to reach out into those companies internationally is important but also we run fair and square up against privacy provisions and other international jurisdictions. So I was pleased as we worked through this that we actually managed to find some solutions and I am actually pleased as this House finishes for the night that we have actually come up with a collective approach that all political parties are going to support. It makes common sense and I support it at this stage of the proceedings.
Hipkins ChrisHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move That this debate be now adjourned.Motion agreed to.Debate interrupted.
2. Budget 2018—ResponseKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of FinanceBudget 2018—Response2. KIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of Finance: What responses has he seen to Budget 2018?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Budget 2018 has been received positively by institutions ranging from the large banks to the UK The Guardian newspaper. Economists at the ANZ said Budget 2018 was A pragmatic balance between aspirational goals and fiscal prudence." Those at the ASB said "the new Labour-NZ First Government has effectively passed its first fiscal credibility test. The Budget and healthy forecast show that the Government is on target to achieve its fiscal targets." and BNZ economists stated "The fiscal numbers look good with a string of reasonable surpluses causing the net debt to GDP ratio to slowly decline below … 20% … This leaves headroom for extra spending in future budgets as long as the economy stays strong … There is nothing jumping out suggesting that announcements in the Budget will provide any impediment to the good growth outlook which we have."Kiritapu Allan: What responses has he seen in major financial markets?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The ASB reports that the overall market reaction was very muted indicating financial markets are quite comfortable with the fiscal numbers. Matthew Circosta sovereign analyst from Moody's Investors Service said that "the budget projections of continued fiscal surpluses and a gradual reduction in debt highlights the government's ongoing commitment to preserving strong public finances." He also said "sustained commitment to fiscal prudence provides the government room to buffer the economy from any potential future shocks which could stem from another natural disaster or a sharp fall in global trade."Kiritapu Allan: What responses on Budget 2018 has he seen on increases to public sector funding?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I said on Budget day that this was a foundational Budget and the first of three for this term. Social service providers and advocates understandably want to make up for years of underfunding but have seen this Budget as a good start. For example Trevor McGlinchey executive officer of the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services says more needs to be done but noted—Hon Judith Collins: Oh for goodness sake—the completely independent commentators.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I'll tell him you said that Judith. I'll pass it on. In the social services sector we see a much-needed boost in funding for community-based family violence services which is fantastic news for this sector. The increasing funding going to community-based transitional housing and Housing First initiatives is what is needed to support those who are homeless to be homed. Lyndon Keene director of policy and research at the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists said "the Government's health budget revealed today offers some relief to the cash-strapped public health system but clearly more will be required to fix years of under-resourcing."SPEAKER: Mr Goldsmith will stand withdraw and apologise.Hon Paul Goldsmith: I withdraw and apologise."
12. Budget 2018—Community Law Centre SupportRAYMOND HUO (Labour) to the Minister of JusticeBudget 2018—Community Law Centre Support12. RAYMOND HUO (Labour) to the Minister of Justice: How does Budget 2018 support community law centres?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice): Community law centres received almost $2.2 million extra operating funding in Budget 2018 for the 2018-19 financial year. The dollar figure may be small but the proportion of increase is huge—nearly 20 percent. This is the most amount of Government support community law centres have received since the last progressive Minister of Justice Simon Power.Raymond Huo: Why is it important to ensure that community law centres are resourced to provide their services?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: Community law is important as it means that all New Zealanders have access to high-quality legal help. Community law centres across the country provide easy-to-understand information community workshops one-on-one legal help represent people in court and assist people with restorative justice programmes. Every Kiwi deserves access to justice and equality and community law centres help to provide that.Raymond Huo: What feedback has the Minister received regarding the funding increase?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I have had overwhelmingly positive feedback from a number of sources but the chief executive of Community Law Centres o Aotearoa Elizabeth Tennet said We are so grateful for this top-up you have provided to community law. Thank you very much." I'm also conscious of the statement they made publicly which said that "the funding boost will enable us to provide more services to more people in need. Access to justice is so important for New Zealanders and we thank the government for assisting more people.""
11. Budget 2018—Research and Development Tax Credit SchemeDr PARMJEET PARMAR (National) to the Minister of Research Science and InnovationBudget 2018—Research and Development Tax Credit Scheme11. Dr PARMJEET PARMAR (National) to the Minister of Research Science and Innovation: Does she stand by all her policies statements and actions in relation to Budget 2018?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Research Science and Innovation): Yes.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: Given that Australia is repeatedly reviewing their R & D tax credit scheme because of rorting; how will she ensure that her tax credit scheme will not be subject to rorting because of businesses simply reclassifying existing spending instead of actually increasing R & D?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: The design elements of the R & D tax credit are currently out for consultation and are open till 1 June. I encourage people to submit. But the issue around what penalties there are for people who do not comply with a rules-based system are something we are consulting on. I also note that I discussed this when I had a face-to-face meeting with the Australian Minister of science and officials from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment have worked very closely with their Australian counterparts so we can understand the learnings from the Australian review of their system. I note the Australian system is an incredibly complex system and this has led to a lot of the problems they have had with misclassification—something we are avoiding in our own scheme.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: Why has she then recklessly promised over $1 billion of taxpayer money to a policy she has yet to finalise the details of?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: On this side of the House we don't call supporting businesses to carry out more R & D reckless. We call it good economic management. We are currently consulting on some of the detailed design elements which are critical for us getting this scheme fit for purpose so we can lift our spend on R & D by businesses here in New Zealand away from languishing at the bottom of the OECD table.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: Supplementary Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: No the member's run out of supplementaries.
10. Budget 2018—Vote Māori DevelopmentNUK KORAKO (National) to the Minister for Māori DevelopmentBudget 2018—Vote Māori Development10. NUK KORAKO (National) to the Minister for Māori Development: Is Vote Māori Development for 2018/19 lower than in the current year (2017/18)?Hon WILLIE JACKSON (Associate Minister for Māori Development) on behalf of the Minister for Māori Development: No. Budget 2018 Vote Māori development is not lower when things such as the one-off payment of $9 million to Parihaka is taken into account. That was a one-off expenditure and in fact if you include contingency funds Budget 2018 is higher. So well done Minister Mahuta and the Māori Labour caucus.SPEAKER: Order! I'm just going to remind the member that when he is answering this question he is actually answering as Nanaia Mahuta. I'm pretty sure that while the Minister might be proud she wouldn't address it in that way.Nuk Korako: Do the total annual and permanent appropriations and multi-year appropriation forecasts show a reduction from $328112000 in 2017/18 to $316421000 in 2018/19?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: No. No. The member has got his figures wrong.Nuk Korako: Does she agree with John Tamihere who said For the first time in decades Budget 2018 took money away from Māori."?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: I'm not sure if she agrees with John Tamihere—SPEAKER: Order!Nuk Korako: Does she agree with John Tamihere who said "No amount of spin by Labour's 13-strong Māori caucus five of whom are in the Cabinet can hide the fact that budget for Māori has been cut."?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Can I say on behalf of the Minister that she does agree with John Tamihere on some things but he's got it sadly wrong and obviously was on the whisky when he was doing some of his grafts for the New Zealand Herald.SPEAKER: Order! No. That is a reflection on someone outside the House and an inappropriate one and the member will stand withdraw and apologise.Hon WILLIE JACKSON: I withdraw and apologise Mr Speaker.Hon Shane Jones: Can the Minister confirm that elements of Vote Māori Development will better prepare communities to gain access to the billion trees strategy the $3 billion Provincial Growth Fund focus on better land use outcomes water storage and the—SPEAKER: Order! Order!Hon Shane Jones: Was it too long or was it too loud?SPEAKER: The member's had enough. Probably if it was in a—Chris Penk: Sit down.SPEAKER: Who said that?Chris Penk: I did.SPEAKER: The member will withdraw and apologise.Chris Penk: I do withdraw and apologise.SPEAKER: Thank you. The question's been asked; we'll have an answer.Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Sorry you'll have an answer? Yes thank you Mr Speaker. I can confirm that Māori in particular will benefit greatly from the $1 billion scheme that Minister Jones is appropriating. I can also add to that that Māori have never been better off in terms of this Budget—$1.2 billion going to Māori more than any other Government in the history of the New Zealand Parliament.SPEAKER: Order! Order! I am going to remind the member he's answering on behalf of Nanaia Mahuta."
9. Education—Socio-economic DisadvantageJAMIE STRANGE (Labour) to the Minister of EducationEducation—Socio-economic Disadvantage9. JAMIE STRANGE (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What is the coalition Government doing to help the education system to understand and respond to the impact of socio-economic disadvantage on student achievement?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): The coalition Government is expanding the risk index announced by the previous Government to be further developed as an equity index. The index does give valuable insights into the impact of disadvantage across early childhood education and schooling. [Interruption] SPEAKER: Order! Can the member resume his seat. The Hon Louise Upston will not interject further during this answer. She is a long way away but she's drowning out the Minister.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The decision that the Government has taken is to expand the new equity index beyond its narrow application as a tool to inform an allocation of only 3 percent of school funding so that it can also be used to and inform improvements at a system level and other sources of school funding so that we can ensure those students who have disadvantage are properly supported through the education system.Jamie Strange: Will the equity index be used to replace school deciles?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The school deciles will probably go eventually but not immediately. The decision to remove school deciles and impose the new equity index and to do so on a no losers" basis—meaning no schools lost funding—would have effectively meant that both systems would have to operate together. So decile funding would have continued to operate even if we had gone ahead with the implementation of the equity index in its previous form. I've been advised that the cost of doing that could be up to $100 million none of which was previously budgeted."
7. Budget 2018—Police FundingCHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of PoliceBudget 2018—Police Funding7. CHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of Police: Does he agree with the Prime Minister who said We've put $300 million into Police and over 900 new police officers as a result and we've got another two years to finish it off"; if so why did his Budget press release say that the $298.8 million was over the next 4 years and there was a further $159.7 million in 2022-23?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Police): Yes I agree with the Prime Minister. The press release reflects Treasury's appropriations which always stretch into the future.Chris Bishop: Has he seen the comments from Treasury that budgets were usually only set out for four years but it appears that the Minister of Police's office wanted to highlight the point that the funding will increase further over time and isn't that a confirmation the new police will be delivered over five years not three?Hon STUART NASH: No.Chris Bishop: Why does his Budget press release explicitly not say that the 1800 police will be delivered over three years and why is it the only Budget press release out of 52 issued by the executive to explicitly mention funding over five years?SPEAKER: No. Order! I'm going to ask Mr Bishop to rephrase the beginning of his question because I don't think it was quite—I don't think you can explicitly not say something. Chris Bishop: Sorry Mr Speaker. Just repeat that. Sorry.SPEAKER: Well—sorry; I am trying to help the member. I don't think that any press statement can explicitly not say something. It can not say something but if it's explicit it's got to be there doesn't it?Chris Bishop: I'll reword it Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: Thank you.Chris Bishop: Why does his Budget press release not mention that the 1800 police will be delivered over three years and is the only Budget press release out of 52 issued by the executive to explicitly mention funding over five years?Hon STUART NASH: I think I've said about a million times that I'm going to deliver 1800 over three years but what I would say is when a Government increases the police service by 1800 front-line police over three years and 485 back-office support staff we have to plan for an increase in operational costs.Chris Bishop: Does he stand by his statement that the extra funding in 2022-23 is to account for police pay rises when public sector wage rounds are a specific tagged contingency separately accounted for in the Budget?Hon STUART NASH: It's an increase in operational cost. We're planning for the future Mr Bishop.Chris Bishop: Does he realise that if his story is true and that the 2022-23 funding is for police pay rises that works out to a pay increase of $88000 for each of his new officers? Hon STUART NASH: The interesting thing is that we're going to increase police by 1800 to around about 10500. We're not going to increase the pay of just those 1800."
1. Government Financial Position—ReportsWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSGovernment Financial Position—Reports1. WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he seen on the strength of the Government's finances?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): In addition to the positive reviews from bank economists earlier this week yesterday Moody's Investors Service said that Budget 2018 preserved New Zealand's strong public finances and underscored the Government's very high fiscal strength". Moody's noted how this Government was able to boost expenditure on families health education housing and infrastructure while maintaining the fiscal capacity to buffer the economy from any future shocks.Willow-Jean Prime: Why is it important for the Government to maintain fiscal discipline?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: It is every Government's responsibility to look out for future generations whilst also making the essential investments needed now to ensure that New Zealanders can access critical public services. In its report Moody's notes that our budgetary prudence gives us significant policy flexibility to such an extent that we can fund higher spending while keeping the broad direction of fiscal policy unchanged. This comes from taking a responsible approach to debt repayment—more responsible than the previous Government—by the fact that we are ensuring a level tax playing field and by the fact that the Government's policies will stimulate economic growth rather than just relying on the housing market and population growth to drive activity.Willow-Jean Prime: What does Moody's say about the Government's plan to invest a net $42 billion in capital over the next five years?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Moody's notes that this stronger infrastructure investment—$10 billion more than the previous Government had planned—will improve the supply capacity of the economy and bolster productivity in the long run. In terms of specific projects Moody's notes that a recent pick-up in new building permits points to strengthening residential construction supported by development related to KiwiBuild. They do caution about labour constraints which highlights why our policy of free post-secondary training and education for apprentices and those undertaking trades training is so important to making our economy more productive more sustainable and more inclusive."
8. Families Package—MeasuresANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentFamilies Package—Measures8. ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development: What changes can New Zealanders expect on 1 July as part of the Families Package?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): Significant changes will occur beginning 1 July. We are boosting the incomes of low to middle income families by increasing the family tax credit and raising the abatement threshold reinstating the independent earner tax credit and introducing the new Best Start and winter energy payments. We prioritised work in these areas as part of our 100-day plan because far too many New Zealanders were in need of support. This Government is committed to action.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: Why is this important? [Interruption]SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! This will be a short reply.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: We know that over the last 10 years people have been increasingly doing it tough. Our Families Package measures address the needs of low to middle income New Zealanders working New Zealanders those out of work children and our superannuitants. We aren't placing our hopes on the trickle-down theory because clearly it hasn't worked.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: Why should all superannuitants be eligible for the winter energy payment?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: We're seeing growing poverty amongst our senior citizens. Fewer are going into retirement owning their own homes and more are presenting at Work and Income offices across the country with hardship needs. In 2016-17 almost 10000 seniors suffered from pneumonia and that doesn't take into account other respiratory conditions. I've been told on numerous occasions of senior citizens staying in bed all day to keep warm. That's not right and this Government is committed to doing it better.
7. Budget 2018—School DonationsHon NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) to the Minister of EducationBudget 2018—School Donations7. Hon NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) to the Minister of Education: Does he stand by all his promises in education; if so does he stand by his statement in February 2018 regarding ending school donations As it is Budget sensitive I can't comment further at this point"?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Yes and yes. Hon Nikki Kaye: Why did he say in January to the Nelson Mail that a school donations proposal was working its way through Cabinet and "This restricts me from making any comment further at this stage." and when did that schools donations Cabinet paper go through? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Because it was working its way through the process. It was called the Budget process. Hon Nikki Kaye: Will he reimburse schools and parents who are contacting electorate offices saying they relied on his broken promise to end school donations in the first Budget and how will they find funding from somewhere else? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The Government has been very clear that we have three Budgets in which to deliver the commitments we made in the Speech from the Throne. We have thus far delivered one of the three Budgets. Hon Nikki Kaye: Will he promise that funding will be provided in Budget 2019 to end school donations? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: All of the commitments in the Speech from the Throne are subject to further Budget consideration if they weren't funded in this year's Budget. There are two further Budgets that the Government will be delivering over this term of Government. Hon Nikki Kaye: How does he justify breaking his explicit promise to parents to scrap the school donations in his first Budget when his Government is budgeting a surplus of $3.1 billion the tax take is up by $1 billion and the Government can afford to give millions to wealthy students Swedish diplomats—SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: To be clear the Government was never going to be able to deliver all of the commitments we made in our first Budget and we've always been very clear that we weren't going to be able to deliver those things in our first Budget. That's why we have a three-year term and three Budgets in which to deliver on them."
6. Budget 2018—Public HousingPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of Housing and Urban DevelopmentBudget 2018—Public Housing6. PAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: How will Budget 2018 start the rebuilding of public housing in New Zealand?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): Through Budget 2018 the Government will add a net additional 6400 public homes—that is homes provided by Housing New Zealand and community housing providers—for families in need and will also expand the Housing First programme. As at 31 March this year there were 66582 public housing places. In four years' time that number will increase to over 73000 homes. Budget 2018 is the first step in rebuilding public housing. Paul Eagle: How does this increase compare to recent years? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: The number of public houses decreased by 1500 and the number of State houses decreased by 6000 over the last decade. It's going to take a long time to catch up on a decade of neglect but Budget 2018 is the first step in ensuring that every Kiwi family has a warm dry and secure roof over their heads. Paul Eagle: Where will these public houses be built? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well we need to build more public houses in every community—yes even in Epsom. Around 3500 houses will be in Auckland with the balance being in parts of New Zealand where the need is greatest such as Hastings which recently saw an increase in the housing wait-list of 86 percent. These families will enhance the communities that they move into and I'm proud of this Government's commitment to rebuilding public housing.
Thursday 17 May 2018 - Volume 729
Parker DavidHon DAVID PARKER (Minister for Economic Development): Poor David Carter—poor David Carter! Grant Robertson only mentioned the word KiwiBuild" once. Well actually most people in this House and most New Zealanders only need to be told the word "KiwiBuild" once and they understand what it means. Poor old David Carter! That's the man who sat on the other side or actually sat in the Speaker's seat as part of the last Government when over nine long years they couldn't utter the words "housing crisis" once—not once—despite the fact that New Zealand has the highest rate of homelessness in the OECD the lowest rate of homeownership since the 1950s and people living under hedges and in cars; children doing their homework by the light of a van. That is the shameless state in which this country was left by the outgoing National Government.As for these calls—talk about the prior Labour Government somehow having left a fiscal mess. His predecessor Bill English had the good grace to admit in 2008 when elected that "The global financial crisis hit. This is the rainy day that Governments had been saving for." because the Labour Government had run nine surpluses in a row and had reduced net Government debt from 18 percent of GDP to what when you included financial zeros?Hon Members: Zero.Hon DAVID PARKER: Zero. Of course National then changed the measurement and excluded financial assets because they stopped contributing to the super fund.This Budget starts the rebuilding of New Zealand from the foundations up: in housing in health in education and in addressing poverty—addressing poverty that is so entrenched in New Zealand that we have Third World diseases proliferating in New Zealand like Third World countries with rheumatic fever being an example. I want to move to the positive things for the economy here: $1 billion in research and development (R & D) tax credits. That's tax cuts for businesses investing in research and development to help lift New Zealand's R & D spend from 1.3 percent to 2 percent of GDP in 10 years. The billion-dollar Provincial Growth Fund that National sneer at because they know it's going to be their undoing at the next election will lift productivity and exports from the regions. The $100 billion green growth capital fund that the Greens have been promoting is going to help in this transition to a more productive cleaner economy.Those three initiatives will lift the productivity of the New Zealand economy. They will lift exports. They will lift incomes. They will lift the wages of people who work all throughout New Zealand. They will lift the profitability of New Zealand's business and they will get New Zealand's exports going up after 10 years of decline when they went from 30 percent down to 27 percent of GDP under the last Government.Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 6 p.m."
Budget Statement — Second Reading
Appropriation (2018/19 Estimates) Bill — First Reading
Robertson GrantAPPROPRIATION (2018/19 ESTIMATES) BILLFirst ReadingHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I move That the Appropriation (2018/19 Estimates) Bill be now read a first time.Bill read a first time.
Robertson Grant; Mallard TrevorBUDGET DOCUMENTSHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I hereby present the Budget 2018 speech the Budget at a Glance the Budget Responsibility Rules the Fiscal Strategy Report the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update the Summary of Initiatives in Budget 2018 and the Estimates of Appropriations for the Government of New Zealand for the year ending 30 June 2019.SPEAKER: Those papers are published under the authority of the House.
Robertson Grant; Mallard TrevorTHURSDAY 17 MAY 2018The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES DOCUMENTSHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I hereby present the Supplementary Estimates of Appropriations for the Government of New Zealand for the year ending 30 June 2018.SPEAKER: That paper is published under the authority of the House.
Wednesday 16 May 2018 - Volume 729
Education (Social Investment Funding and Abolition of Decile System) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Education (Social Investment Funding and Abolition of Decile System) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 56New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1.Noes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Motion not agreed to.
Election Access Fund Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Election Access Fund Bill be referred to the Governance and Administration Committee.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1.Bill referred to the Governance and Administration Committee.
11. Police Resourcing—Phasing in of New OfficersCHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of PolicePolice Resourcing—Phasing in of New Officers11. CHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of Police: Why did he receive a paper entitled Alternative Five Year Phasing Options for 1800 New Police" on 29 March and what were the main recommendations of that paper?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister) on behalf of the Minister of Police: On behalf of the Minister of Police the Hon Stuart Nash Esq. the reply is as follows. A draft paper was prepared by police officials in response to a request from Treasury as part of the normal Budget process. The three-page paper noted there were phasing options of three four and five years to recruit police staff. That paper was never presented to Cabinet and of course as some members understand if Treasury had their way phasing would be over 50 years.Chris Bishop: Why did Treasury discuss and propose phasing in the 1800 new sworn police over five years rather than the coalition commitment of three?SPEAKER: Order! Order! Neither the Deputy Prime Minister nor the Minister has responsibility for that. Further supplementary?Chris Bishop: Does he agree with the Prime Minister who has just said to the House that there will be 1800 sworn police on the beat over the next three years when he said on The Nation TV programme that 250 of the 1800 are only authorised officers and that only 1100 of those 1800 will be front-line police?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Minister if that member thinks that cybercrime isn't the front line then he needs to wake up; or that child sex exploitation on the internet is not the front line; or that human trafficking is not on the front line; or that anti - money-laundering is not on the front line; or that terrorist funding is not on the front line; or that illicit drug-trafficking is not on the front line; or that large-scale fraud cyber-hacking and weapons trading is not on the front line—then he must wake up.Chris Bishop: Is it correct that the police have warned him that delivering 1800 sworn front-line police over three years will be challenging and that they recommended to him phasing it in over five years rather than three?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Minister that is not correct. The reality is that the police have told the Minister and the Government that they can train the requisite number over three years. That's why our promise at the beginning was to strive towards that number. But I want to make it very clear—I want to make it very clear—unlike that previous Government that gave the numbers out and never financed them or gave any forward planning we have the money assigned to it. And one last thing: we are not talking about 2680 new police officers; we're talking about 1800. Do the maths."
10. Budget 2018—Health PrioritiesDr LIZ CRAIG (Labour) to the Minister of HealthBudget 2018—Health Priorities10. Dr LIZ CRAIG (Labour) to the Minister of Health: What are the priorities for health in Budget 2018?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): Budget 2018 will set out the Government's plan to rebuild our health services. This will include fixing our hospitals making sure more people get the care they need and turning around nine years of underinvestment and neglect of health.Dr Liz Craig: How will Budget 2018 address capital spending required in health?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Spending on health capital is a priority for Budget 2018. We know that significant capital investment is required so that New Zealanders have health facilities that are at the standard they expect. This Government is committed to rebuilding core public services like health and committed to addressing the nine years of neglect by the previous Government.Dr Liz Craig: So how will Budget 2018 assist district health boards (DHBs) to respond to capital needs?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Investing in capital will allow DHBs to plan ahead with more certainty. It will also ensure that those DHBs which receive that funding do not have to spend ever-increasing amounts on maintenance costs for assets past their use-by date. For example this half-century-old hot water system at Auckland DHB has been leaking excessively over a period of years and will now be able to be replaced.
9. Immigration Policy—Implementation and ObjectivesHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of ImmigrationImmigration Policy—Implementation and Objectives9. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by his response to Oral Questions on Thursday 10 May that his Government was working to turn Labour's manifesto commitments into policy that can be implemented" and we "will see the fruition of that work in the very near future"; if so when specifically will he implement those policies?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister of Immigration): In answer to the first part of the question: yes. In answer to the second part of the question: in the even nearer future.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Did he agree with advice from officials in November that recommended to "analyse whether further changes are needed to meet your policy objectives. If the recent reduction in international students studying sub-degree programmes is sustained it is unlikely that there will be a need for further revisions to in-study work rights."?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: All the advice that I've received on in-study work rights is under active consideration and the member will see the results of that in due course.Greg O'Connor: What are the Government's priorities on immigration?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: We have two overarching priorities for immigration. The first is better matching the skills and talents that people bring to the skills that we need and where we need them. The second is tackling the rampant exploitation of migrant workers and students.Greg O'Connor: What has the Minister been hearing around New Zealand about the current immigration settings?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Well what I've been hearing as I've been visiting chambers of commerce Federated Farmers and other groups around the country is that the changes that were made in August last year are causing far more consternation than anything that the current Government is proposing.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Did the Minister agree to officials' proposal to provide advice to him in October this year on whether change is even needed to settings for in-study work rights; and doesn't that suggest that the Government is far from convinced of its own policies?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Well I continue to receive advice from officials on an almost daily basis. I agreed to receive that advice. What we do with it is a matter for this Government to decide and the member will see the results of that very soon.Hon Michael Woodhouse: The very near future he says. Isn't it the case that despite the drum-beating rhetoric of the campaign trail the failure by the Minister to implement a single campaign policy and those delays constitute another broken promise?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Well my approach to policy development is strongly guided by the lesson I learnt from that member when he was a Minister when he tinkered for years and then rushed out policy at the last minute before the election—policy that I hear on a day-to-day basis is causing havoc around the country."
8. Transport Infrastructure—Rail De-electrificationJAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany) to the Minister of TransportTransport Infrastructure—Rail De-electrification8. JAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany) to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by all his statements actions and policy commitments?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): Yes when described and reported accurately.Jami-Lee Ross: Did he read the section of the KiwiRail briefing of 21 March 2018 about electric locomotives where KiwiRail stated that prior to the September 2017 election the Labour transport spokesman wrote to KiwiRail saying that a Labour Government would issue a cease and desist notice on the de-electrification programme"; and if so when will he issue such a notice?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well conversations with the KiwiRail board and management on the de-electrification of the North Island main trunk line are ongoing.Jami-Lee Ross: Does he agree with the rail and transport union when they accused his Government of breaking its promise to stop the removal of electric trains from the North Island main trunk line?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well I think when a conversation is ongoing and a matter is under active consideration it's by definition not a broken promise.Jami-Lee Ross: What value if any can be put on statements from his Government if they're happy to break promises made to the unions about rail happy to break promises to New Zealanders about no new taxes—will he be joining the Minister of Housing and Urban Development who breaks his promises too?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well I utterly reject the old multiple premises in that member's question. This Government has a transport policy that we're proud of to make sure that rail is part of the backbone of this country's transport system—both passenger rail and freight. We're committed to mode-neutral transport planning and decision-making. The big contrast is we're not going to waste billions of dollars on handpicked expressways simply for the purposes of pork barrel politics. That is the difference between that side of the House and this side.SPEAKER: Order! I didn't interrupt but I must say to the Minister of Finance and the Leader of the Opposition that when the volume of their conversation gets as loud as Mr Twyford's it's getting a bit serious."
7. Housing—Public Housing Demand and SupplyPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Minister of Housing and Urban DevelopmentHousing—Public Housing Demand and Supply7. PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: What reports has he seen on the public housing waiting list?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): New figures showing the public housing waiting list has more than doubled over the last two years are both confronting and unsurprising. There are currently 7890 families in need of public housing. We've known for some time that the national housing crisis and hidden homelessness were worse than we thought and will get worse before it gets better but we are committed to building more State housing providing more public housing places and more support for people who are in urgent need.Priyanca Radhakrishnan: What is the Government doing to reduce homelessness this winter?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well 1500 fewer families will be living in cars and garages this winter. The Government has announced $100 million for the more than 1500 additional transitional public and Housing First places and Budget 2018 tomorrow will also fund Housing First services for more than 1450 households over the next four years.Priyanca Radhakrishnan: In what regions is the need for public housing the greatest?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well compared to the same time last year there's been a big increase in the number of public housing applicants in Wellington up 94 percent; Hastings up 87 percent; Auckland up 57 percent; Napier up 51 percent; and Hamilton and Christchurch both up by over a third. There is growing demand for these services right across New Zealand and we are working hard to address that need.Priyanca Radhakrishnan: What is the Government doing to reduce the public housing register?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: This Government has an ambitious plan to tackle the national housing crisis. KiwiBuild could generate according to the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment up to $11 billion more investment in residential housing as it ramps up over the next four years. We're committed to increasing the supply of public housing we're investing in more transitional Housing First places and we're going to tackle every aspect of the national housing crisis to ensure that every family has a warm dry secure home.Simon O'Connor: Does he agree with Property Institute of New Zealand chief executive Ashley Church that his Government's ring-fencing of tax losses for property investors will almost certainly contribute to a worsening of the shortage of rental properties in our major cities over the next few years." and that his Government's consequent approach is directly contributing to the wait-list shortages he's lamenting?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well I often agree with what Ashley Church has to say but in this case I think he's completely wrong. Part of our policy programme to address the housing crisis is reining in the unchecked demand and the tax preference for property speculation that led to house prices doubling under that Government over the last decade. Our Government's committed to doing something about it."