edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Williams PotoCHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): Members Paul Goldsmith's tabled amendment to clause 2(1) is out of order as being consequential on an amendment that has been negatived. Paul Goldsmith's tabled amendment to clause 2(2) is out of order as being consequential on an amendment that has been negatived.
Goldsmith PaulClauses 1 and 2Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National): I've just got a specific question to the Minister and the officials. So we're saying that this legislation comes into force on 1 July 2019 in order to bring an extra 3.5c a litre excise in. Now looking at the impact summary it did refer to the Road User Charges Act 2012 requiring 42 days between the gazetting of the new road-user charges rates and when the new rates go into effect.So I'm just wanting some clarity around how this works because this flows through to as I understand it the road-user charges. We're well less than 42 days before it comes into effect and so presumably it should have been gazetted back on 19 or 20 May and presumably that won't have happened if the law hasn't been passed. So I'm very keen just to get some clarity around the timing of how that works in relation to this bill because obviously if you're signalling to motorists—the diesel users particularly—that there's going to be an increase ultimately in the road-user charges—a 5 or 6 percent increase—and the Road User Charges Act requires 42 days for the gazetting has that gazetting happened already and if so isn't the usual practice to pass legislation have the legislation go through Order in Council and then the gazetting takes place? So that's a simple and basic question that I'd like to get an answer to.
Williams Poto; Brownlee GerryCHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): Just a moment—before I call members I just want to refer to the new tabled amendment in the name of the Hon Gerry Brownlee. Unfortunately this is ruled out of order and the same ruling applies as previous. It's difficult to determine who this actually applies to with the wording in which this tabled amendment is written so it is ruled out of order.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam): I raise a point of order Madam Chairperson. Madam Chair I'd obviously want to seek the guidance of the Clerk's Office in getting the language right because I do think it's important that people know how much the excise is. So when it says that it must be displayed at fuel stations what's unclear about that?CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): What is unclear is who is actually obliged to be covered by this particular amendment.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: That's right but the next section of the amendment makes it clear that there can be no delivery of motor fuels to a fuel station if the motor fuel station is not displaying the excise amounts. Now that would mean that they can't operate their business. So it's pretty clear I think who is responsible. It's as clear for example as some of the parts in this bill about who is actually paying. So I'm really deeply disappointed that the Clerk's Office has decided to advise you in such a fine and narrow way although I would note that it is a growing trend from the Clerk's Office.CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): OK. I thank the member for his contribution in that regard but we are ruling it out of order.
Brownlee Gerry; Williams PotoHon GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam): I raise a point of order Madam Chairperson. It was my understanding that one person can only once in any part debate move a closure motion. The Hon Ruth Dyson moved a closure motion earlier in this part.CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): She did and she's quite able to move again. I think in this case we are getting close to the limit. I think I will take one more call.
Williams Poto; Brownlee GerryCHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): Just before I call members I just want to advise the committee that the Hon Gerry Brownlee's tabled amendment to insert new Part 3 is out of order as not being in the correct form of legislation.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam): I raise a point of order Madam Chairperson. Can you elucidate for the committee the reason for the amendment being out of order?CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): If you would so desire I shall.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: I would like it because I put it in under Part 2 Amendments to take effect on 1 July 2020" and I thought that it would be in the interests of transparency and motorists' wellbeing to know how they were being taken in this particular measure.CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): Thank you. I thank the member and I thank you for asking for clarification. If the member would refer to Speaker's ruling 113/3 the amendment is out of order because it is not in a form of words that may be embedded in law. It is actually technically inoperable."
Twyford Phil; Williams PotoHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): Just in response to Mr Brownlee's Supplementary Order Paper which would require—CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): No no not yet. We're not—not yet.Hon Phil Twyford: Oh really? Oh OK.
Williams PotoCHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): Before I call the next member—if members would just resume their seats—I just want to remind members that this is a very narrow debate. We are on Part 2 of it which actually the amendments that take effect from 1 July 2020—it's very very narrow. I've allowed 20 minutes of quite wide-ranging debate; we need to come back to these two clauses 5 and 6. We had quite a significant amount of debate yesterday on the broader issues. I do not want to be sitting members down due to repetition repeated arguments so let's try and concentrate on these two clauses which really are just about the date and the amendments that take effect from 1 July 2020.
Twyford PhilHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): Todd Muller raised the question of demand modelling and I want to direct him to page 11 of the regulatory impact statement which cites Kennedy and Wallace 2007 Impacts of fuel price changes on New Zealand transport" and it notes that demand for petrol is relatively inelastic. Their modelling says a 10 percent rise in the price of petrol—which obviously is way in excess of what we're talking about here—would affect petrol consumption: consumption would decrease by 1.5 percent in the first year and 2 percent after two years. So that is the modelling information that we have which indicates there is a level of inelasticity in demand for petrol. He also raised questions about the carbon price but this is not a debate about other transport policies like the carbon price. Similarly Mr Goldsmith raises questions about the flow-on impact of excise to the wider economy and I don't believe that's part of this committee stage debate."
Muller ToddTHURSDAY 30 MAY 2019(continued on Friday 31 May 2019)EXCISE AND EXCISE-EQUIVALENT DUTIES TABLE (BUDGET MEASURES—MOTOR SPIRITS) AMENDMENT BILLIn CommitteeDebate resumed.Part 2 Amendments to take effect on 1 July 2019 (continued)TODD MULLER (National—Bay of Plenty): As I was saying earlier today when we were discussing this part there are two key points that I wanted to raise. Just to conclude the first point I really want to understand from the Minister of Transport what the modelling suggests around demand elasticity with respect to how much more does he think he can continue to load up excise duty before there is a commensurate reduction in demand. There must be modelling around that. It's very important I think for us to see that because this is not an inconsequential jump. We've moved from 63c of course in Part 2; it is going up to 70c plus GST.The other area that I would be very interested for the Minister to explore for us is the interplay between this excise duty and the signal it sends and the revenue it makes through that process and the emissions trading scheme (ETS) framework and in particular the fact that our carbon price drives a signal of around 6c to 7c in terms of impost on our community but this excise duty is now 10 times more than that. I just want to get a sense from the Minister again in terms of his assessment of how this may change into the future. Climate change is as is signalled such a material issue for this Government yet you have a price signal baked in through the carbon price of 7c a litre yet you have as planned here in Part 2 an excise duty of 70c. There is quite a contrast in terms of where this Government puts their priority. I actually think there is quite a dissonance between this prioritising of using this as a tax grab for the Government as opposed to the language they use around the importance of ensuring that the ETS and the carbon price and signal is effectively sheeted through the economy. So I want a real understanding of how he sees those interplaying as we go through. Look I've got many more points I'd like to make on this debate; I appreciate there are others here who'd like to make a contribution so I look forward to making a comment later.
Tuesday 28 May 2019 - Volume 738
Appropriation (2017/18 Confirmation and Validation) Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Appropriation (2017/18 Confirmation and Validation) Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8. Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross. Bill read a third time.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the reports of committees relevant to the Social Development and Housing Sector be noted.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8. Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross. Reports of committees relevant to the Social Development and Housing Sector noted.Clauses 1 to 7 and Schedules 1 to 6A party vote was called for on the question That clauses 1 to 7 and Schedules 1 to 6 be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8. Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross. Clauses 1 to 7 and Schedules 1 to 6 agreed to.House resumed.Bill reported without amendment.Report adopted.
Annual Review Debate — Social Development and Housing Sector
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the reports of committees relevant to the Primary Sector be noted.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Reports of committees relevant to the Primary Sector noted.
Annual Review Debate — Primary Sector
Racing Reform Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Motion agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That 11 June 2019" be replaced with "20 November 2019".Ayes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Noes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Amendment not agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the Racing Reform Bill be reported to the House by 11 June 2019 and that the committee have authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting (except during oral questions) during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House and outside the Wellington area despite Standing Orders 191 193 and 194(1)(b) and (c).Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Motion agreed to."
VoteBill read a first time.The question was put that the Racing Reform Bill be referred to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee.A party vote was called for on the question That the motion be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Motion agreed to.
10. Question No. 10—JusticeGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour) to the Associate Minister of JusticeQuestion No. 10—Justice10. GINNY ANDERSEN (Labour) to the Associate Minister of Justice: What recent announcement has he made regarding the Human Rights Review Tribunal?Hon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO (Associate Minister of Justice): Talofa i lau Afioga Mr Speaker. Last week I announced the appointment of five deputy chairpersons to the Human Rights Review Tribunal which aims to reduce the case backlog in waiting times before the tribunal. All of the five appointees have extensive litigation and public law experience and collectively bring together a strong set of skills to the tribunal. The five deputy chairs are Katherine Anderson and Gillian Goodwin of Auckland and Martha Coleman Sarah Eyre and Jane Foster of Wellington.Ginny Andersen: Why was it necessary to appoint deputy chairpersons?Hon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO: Under the previous National Government we know that between the 2015 and 2016-17 financial years the number of new cases received by the tribunal grew by 92 percent. This led to the backlog of cases growing by 144 percent and means that people are waiting two years for a hearing and up to three years for a decision. This Government has taken action and has listened to the concerns of the public by making law changes to enable deputy chairs to be appointed which will ease the case backlog of the tribunal and provide the public with greater access to justice.Ginny Andersen: How will this change work in practice at the tribunal?Hon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO: Lau Afioga ile Fofoga Fetalai. Previously the chairpersons were required to preside at all Human Rights Review Tribunal sittings and had all the responsibility for writing decisions. The changes this Government made will enable deputy chairpersons to share the decision-making and decision-writing duties of the tribunal. The additional improvements we've now made to the operational work of the tribunal give me confidence that we can improve the experience of people using the tribunal and ensure that justice is not denied by a lack of judicial resources.
8. Question No. 8—TransportJAMI-LEE ROSS (Botany) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 8—Transport8. JAMI-LEE ROSS (Botany) to the Minister of Transport: What progress is being made to improve transport services in East Auckland and will he commit to extending the Eastern Busway to Manukau via Te Irirangi Drive?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): Talofa lava Mr Speaker. Improving public transport both in Auckland and around our urban centres is a top priority of this Government. East Auckland has benefited already from Auckland Transport's new and improved bus network and has received two new bus services. I was also pleased to kick off construction of the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) Eastern Busway with Mayor Goff recently. It will be a dedicated congestion-free busway that when completed will connected Panmure Pakuranga and Botany town centres through better connections faster journey times and giving people extra travel choices. I'm also advised that Auckland Transport is currently undertaking the Airport to Botany Rapid Transit project business case for a new link between the airport Manukau and Botany. The business case is expected to be completed at the end of the year. As for extending the Eastern Busway to Manukau via Te Irirangi Drive Auckland Transport has identified Te Irirangi Drive as the best and most direct route between Botany and Manukau and I agree that it is the logical rapid transit corridor.Jami-Lee Ross: Will he ensure that the planning for a rapid transit corridor from Botany to the airport is prioritised so we don't have a repeat of the Eastern Busway situation which will have taken 20 years from first being planned to its completion?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: This Government is absolutely committed to extending the rapid transit network off which the entire public transport system in Auckland connects. So putting in place additional lines including the city centre to Māngere city centre to the north-west and airport to Botany are really important priorities and we're going to do everything we can to expedite them.Jami-Lee Ross: Will he support a construction start date of 2025 for a Botany to airport rapid transit link which is when the Eastern Busway project is expected to reach Botany and be completed?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I appreciate the member's concern on behalf of his electorate in this matter but I think it would jumping the gun to make a commitment of that sort before the business case has been completed.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What impact will the AMETI busway have on congestion in east Auckland?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: East Auckland is the worst-served part of the Auckland region for public transport making projects like the AMETI busway absolutely critical. The busway will make journeys around east Auckland faster and more reliable journeys between Botany and Panmure 15 minutes faster and allow peak-hour travel by bus and train between Botany and Britomart in less than 38 minutes. It will result in a congestion-free high-frequency busway that will carry more than 7500 passengers during peak hours.
7. Question No. 7—EducationPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 7—Education7. PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Minister of Education: Has the building of new classrooms in Auckland matched student roll growth?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): No. The combined peak rolls of the Auckland schools grew by 10500 students between 2013 and 2017 but classrooms for only 9000 additional student places were delivered over this time period. Our Government is committed to turning that around and ensuring we plan for population growth so that kids don't end up in overcrowded schools.Priyanca Radhakrishnan: How many years does it take to build a school?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: It can take five to six years to deliver a new school from acquiring the land designing the school procuring the construction through to the build process itself. Unfortunately the past practice of budgeting for only one year of new capital spending at a time has exacerbated this problem and that's one of the reasons why this Government is moving towards a longer-term approach for planning for and funding school property works—to get ahead of demand.Priyanca Radhakrishnan: How many more children are estimated to be in schooling by 2030 in Auckland?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: In Auckland alone at the end of 2017 when we came into Government we were advised that we needed an extra 60000 student places for Auckland's education system by 2030. That's one of the reasons that the Government has developed and will shortly be announcing a comprehensive growth plan not just for Auckland but for all of the other parts of the country where population growth has not been adequately planned for in the past.Hon Nikki Kaye: I seek leave to table a Cabinet paper called the Auckland Education Growth Plan from 2017 that sets out the long-term planning for Auckland which he sat on.SPEAKER: Is it publicly available?Hon Nikki Kaye: Well it—SPEAKER: Is it on a website?Hon Nikki Kaye: I don't believe it is.SPEAKER: You don't believe it is?Hon Nikki Kaye: I don't believe it is. It's been reported but I don't believe it's on a website.SPEAKER: And it's not been issued under the Official Information Act or anything like that? Well it's simple—I'll just put it. Is there any objection to that document being tabled? There appears to be none.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.
4. Question No. 4—ChildrenJENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) to the Minister for ChildrenQuestion No. 4—Children4. JENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) to the Minister for Children: What announcements has she recently made regarding young people in State care?Hon TRACEY MARTIN (Minister for Children): On Sunday I announced that the Wellbeing Budget will fund a service to help young people who have been in care to make the transition to independence and adulthood. When most young people grow up and leave home they're lucky enough to do so when they feel ready and knowing that they have support and a home to go back to. But for young people who leave State care or the youth justice system until now all too often their transition to the adult world has come too early been too abrupt and lacked support. If they've done well they've done it all on their own. Too many have struggled and that is wrong. That transition service which has been sadly lacking will start on 1 July and I'm proud that we the Government are doing right by these young people. Jenny Marcroft: How will the transition service work?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: The heart of the new service sits around what young people said they wanted the key thing being for someone to count on and who will listen and support and advise. So a new role—transition support worker—has been established. There will be 175 transition workers largely employed by NGO and iwi providers by the end of the four years. The other key area is that many young people in care build up really strong loving family relationships with their caregivers. They often want to stay with those caregivers beyond their 18th birthday and caregivers want them to. At the moment the State does not support these arrangements to carry on. That will change in July. They can stay until they are 21 as part of this new service. There will also be 60 independent accommodation units for those that need a stepping stone between care placements and full independence and finally we will create an advice and support service available to these young people up until the age of 25.Jenny Marcroft: Where did this idea for this service come from?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: From the care-experienced young people themselves and based on their voice established stronger transition support was a core recommendation of the Modernising Child Youth and Family expert panel established in 2015. I'm proud that this coalition Government took this recommendation and turned it into a reality. Oranga Tamariki has worked alongside care-experienced young people to design and plan a service to best meet the needs of young people just like them to transition successfully out of care. This work has been done over the last 18 months but I acknowledge the work of the Hon Paula Bennett and the Hon Anne Tolley in the years prior to this in setting the direction so that this Government can carry on now with the funding required and the operating model that needed to be put into place.
3. Question No. 3—FinanceHon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 3—Finance3. Hon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of Finance: Is he satisfied that the Government has properly managed its financial resources to meet the commitments made to the people of New Zealand?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Yes. Hon Amy Adams: Was it a resourcing failure that led to sensitive Budget information including annual appropriation information for 18 votes being obtained and released by the National Party three days before Budget day? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No I don't believe so. Hon Amy Adams: Will he then offer his resignation to the Prime Minister as the then Minister of Finance Roger Douglas did in 1986 when sensitive Budget information was leaked before the Budget? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: In my life I have made it my ambition not to follow what Roger Douglas does. Hon Amy Adams: Why won't he offer his resignation as other Ministers of Finance have done when he's today confirmed that confidential and accurate Budget information has found its way to the Opposition three days before the Budget? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I reject the premise in that member's question. The Budget will be released on Thursday.Hon Amy Adams: Has he today confirmed to the media that some of the numbers released by the National Party today from Budget 2019 are in fact accurate? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The Prime Minister and myself have confirmed to the media several times—and the Prime Minister just did in this House—that some of the information that has come out today is right and some of it is wrong. The Budget will be released on Thursday and New Zealanders will be very pleased to see that at least on this side of the House we are focused on mental health child wellbeing improving Māori and Pasifika outcomes and transforming the economy—unlike the members on that side of the House who are focused squarely internally.Hon Amy Adams: Given that he has confirmed to the media and to the House that accurate information has been released are we to take it that this is what the Government meant when it promised to be the most transparent ever? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No I believe other things were meant by that.
1. Question No. 1—FinanceKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Finance1. KIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of Finance: What are the priorities for Budget 2019?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Budget 2019 is about tackling New Zealand's long-term challenges. This is reflected in our priorities for the Budget which are taking mental health seriously improving child wellbeing supporting Māori and Pasifika aspirations building a productive nation and transforming the economy. These represent some of the biggest long-term challenges and opportunities that we face as a country. After nine years of these problems being ignored we're proud to be getting on with the job of starting to fix the long-term challenges facing New Zealand.Kiritapu Allan: How did the Government select these priorities?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: This year the Budget priorities were developed on the basis of a wellbeing analysis. This involved looking at the evidence to assess where we have the greatest opportunities to make a difference to New Zealanders' long-term wellbeing and we have focused our efforts on those opportunities. To inform this analysis we've drawn on demographic and other data from Treasury's Living Standards Framework dashboard as well as other evidence and advice from science advisers and other sector experts.Kiritapu Allan: What are some examples of the evidence behind these priorities?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well for example data from Treasury's Living Standards Framework tells us that in any 12-month period about one in five New Zealanders will have a diagnosable mental illness with three-quarters of lifetime cases starting by the age of 25. That is why we are taking mental health seriously in this Budget. Another example is that according to the General Social Survey the material standards of living for Pacific people is around half that of the general population and is a third lower for Māori. That is why we have prioritised supporting Māori and Pasifika aspirations in this Budget. A big difference in this year's Budget is that we have integrated evidence and a range of indicators of wellbeing at every stage of the Budget process. The Wellbeing Budget means we will be able to track New Zealanders' success on all of the things that they value.Hon Paula Bennett: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave for Simon Bridges to be able to answer questions about what's in this upcoming Budget. SPEAKER: Order! I think I will just ignore the disorderly point of order.
Veterans' Support Amendment Bill — First Reading
Radhakrishnan PriyancaPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour): Talofa lava. It is with great pleasure—Hon Member: For Samoan Language Week. PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN: That's right for Samoan Language Week—and happy Samoan Language Week. It's with great pleasure actually that I rise to take what I suspect will be a very brief call on the Veterans' Support Amendment Bill this evening because actually in terms of content this sits across both select committees that I sit on—of course the Social Services and Community Committee which I suspect will be looking at this bill in more detail but also the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee which deals with other issues related to Veterans' Affairs. This is as previous members have said a very technical bill that aims to correct a drafting error in section 9 of the Veterans' Support Act 2014. Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 10 p.m.
Jackson WillieHon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister of Employment): Mr Speaker talofa lava. I would endorse the previous speaker Maggie Barry. It's not a night really where we should be endorsing the other side given what happened today but never mind. This is a very very serious kaupapa and that type of kōrero is something that we on this side would all endorse. Our veterans are so precious to this country. I have to say Mr Speaker I enjoyed your speech during the Anzac time too. I think it was very special in terms of this country—SPEAKER: Order! Order! It might be a good time to interrupt too. The member will resume his seat. So two things: one he shouldn't bring me into the debate; and two this is a very narrow debate. I've been very slack with both the Minister and the first speaker from the Opposition but this is an exceptionally narrow bill and that's what we'll be debating from now on.Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Thank you Mr Speaker. In terms of this bill obviously we're fixing up I suppose a drafting error from back in 2014. We have to get this bill right so that we can give our veterans all the support that they're due—yes absolutely. So that's what we're doing in terms of this. In fact we've got—I think it's 675 veterans who could be missing out if we're unable to rectify this.So this is a technical error I suppose back in 2014. We didn't envisage that we'd have the type of problems that we've got now—a total of 14 retrospective declarations have been made since 2015. Our veterans as the Minister said are waiting for this to be rectified waiting for this to be corrected and this is something that we can support the other side in support the Minister in and get on with the business. So happy to endorse this bill which makes illegal the retrospective declarations which already had been made and to give the Minister the authority to make such declarations in the future. Thank you Mr Speaker. Kia ora.
Mark RonAPPROPRIATION (2017/18 CONFIRMATION AND VALIDATION) BILLThird ReadingHon RON MARK (Minister of Defence) on behalf of the Minister of Finance: I move that the Veterans' Support—SPEAKER: No no no. What you actually move is on behalf of the Minister of Finance that the Appropriation (2017/18 Confirmation and Validation) Bill be read a third time.Hon RON MARK: I move That the Appropriation (2017/18 Confirmation and Validation) Bill be now read a third time.
SpeechANNUAL REVIEW DEBATEIn CommitteeDebate resumed from 21 May on the Appropriation (2017/18 Confirmation and Validation) Bill.
Strange Jamie; Mallard TrevorJAMIE STRANGE (Labour): I move That the question be now put.SPEAKER: It's pretty unusual to do that when there's no one else going for the call.
Sepuloni Carmel; Mallard TrevorHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): I move That the question be now put.Chris Penk: Oh Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: Chris Penk—last try to get something new.
Yule LawrenceLAWRENCE YULE (National—Tukituki): Mr Speaker thank you. I came down to this House tonight not necessarily thinking I was going to give a speech but I have reflected on what I've heard from the Government and it's got me slightly worked up. I actually detest—I detest—this process that is being followed. Here we are: all the Parliament is agreeing to going to first reading. As the Opposition we are talking about the concerns that we have and largely they are being laughed off. So here we have a piece of legislation that is going to a select committee for two weeks. Equally it's going to a select committee that has no real or perceived expertise in this area for whatever reason—and I think my colleague the Hon Nikki Kaye has alluded to some of that. We came to this Parliament and I came to this Parliament to make the best possible legislation we could and here we have at the 11th hour legislation that's introduced—when it could have been introduced months ago into the House—that has ramifications not just for the racing history but for a whole lot of sporting codes in New Zealand. If we appear passionate it's because those sporting codes have no idea what's going on here and all we can do is ask them to come and submit in a very short period. I'll remind this House: the Budget this week the long weekend—it's not going to be many days it's available to the select committee despite all the resolutions that have been passed to actually get this legislation in a better shape. I have been around New Zealand and I have talked to the racing industry and the National Party does want to do its bit to support this industry. It has got some real difficulties but as we do that—as we do that Mr Speaker; I'm coming into it—it is pretty unfair of this Parliament to bring in a whole lot of other people as part of this legislation and expect them to have a say on over a hundred points and a whole lot of sporting codes in two weeks. So I cannot understand and cannot sit in this House without saying something that legislation shouldn't be made in this way. This Government has had months to do this and has chosen at the 11th hour in Budget week to have a two-week select committee period—SPEAKER: I'm now going to interrupt the member and give him a warning. Repetition is not only internal to the member's speech but it's what other members have said. He's got to show some originality.LAWRENCE YULE: Thank you Mr Speaker. I'll consider that warning one; I don't think I'll need much more time to generate other warnings. My point is this: we in this Parliament are charged with making the best possible legislation we can. A two-week period is not enough. If you look at what the periods of consultation up until this point have been there has been significant consultation on the bill. It came through first reading it went to select committee and then the Messara report had months. This Parliament the decision-making body for the New Zealand people—and all the consultation is being asked to be done in two weeks. Frankly I don't think that's good enough and I'd be destitute in my obligations if I didn't say that to this Parliament. Thank you.
McAnulty Kieran; Mallard TrevorKIERAN McANULTY (Junior Whip—Labour): I move That the question be now put. SPEAKER: No I'm not going to take it. Frankly this is a very serious motion and we don't need that every 10 minutes.
Personal Expanations — Earlier Personal Explanation—Correction
Points of Order — Ministerial Statement—Seismic Strength of Bowen House
Points of Order — Climate Emergency—Leave to Move Motion Without Notice
Allan KiritapuKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour): And we're off. Yes we're off to a great flying start with the Racing Reform Bill. I want to acknowledge the incredible work of our Deputy Prime Minister the Rt Hon Winston Peters because in 18 months—in 18 months—the Rt Hon Winston Peters has managed to (1) pull a review together—and then we had the Messara report—(2) establish the ministerial advisory committee. I want to acknowledge those members that were on that group: Bill Birnie Liz Dawson Kristy McDonald and Sir Peter Vela. In that period he is now delivering not one but two bills that come as a great answer to those within this industry that have been seeking reform of the sector for not just 18 months not just the last couple of years but for the last nine years prior to this Government coming in. This industry has been calling out for change.Now for those of us that are from rural and regional communities—I have the fantastic Te Teko Racecourse just down the way. I've got Gisborne—that track is just up the way—and we know how important those tracks and those communities and this industry is for our region but we also know that there has been an incredible amount of call from regional communities saying that no longer is this industry sustainable. It was getting to a point as was said in the report of no return.So the Deputy Prime Minister the Rt Hon Winston Peters today is introducing into this House the Racing Reform Bill and it doesn't just tinker with the edges like the previous bill that was entered into this House in 2017. No no no it doesn't just tinker with a few minor amendments. This is a fundamental overhaul for a sector that we say contributes immeasurably to our region's economy—as the Rt Hon Winston Peters said $1.6 billion injected into the economy in the 2016 and 2017 year. What these reforms are intended to do is ensure that the industry becomes more profitable and in particular in those regions that need it the most. And what does that mean? When we have a more profitable industry within our regions it means that we're creating more jobs. It means that we are encouraging people to live work and contribute to the region.This bill will establish the Racing Industry Transitional Authority. Now that authority is going to be the driving force behind enacting the transition and leading driving the transition in the industry that is required. Of critical fundamental importance to all of the members at least on this side of the House is that it will require that offshore betting agencies will be required to contribute to our domestic racing industry here that the proceeds don't all just fly off overseas but they're actually invested into our communities here.So I only want to say that there will be a few smiling faces around the country. I'm thinking of Robin Hape right now I'm thinking of those up in the Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club. They have been calling out for this overhaul of the industry and I stand here to commend this bill and commend the work of the Rt Hon Peters for bringing this piece of legislation into this House.
Brownlee Gerry; Mallard TrevorPOINTS OF ORDERMinisterial Statement—Seismic Strength of Bowen HouseHon GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I want to raise a matter with you that is of some concern to members of this House and ask you if in your role as Minister responsible for the Parliamentary Service and effectively as Speaker the Minister responsible for the parliamentary complex it is your intention to make a ministerial statement about growing concerns raised around the seismic strength of Bowen House.SPEAKER: First of all let's sort of avoid the irregularity of not being able to ask the Speaker questions and I will respond and say that discussions are ongoing around a report on the seismic strengthening of Bowen House. When there is any clarity on that a statement will then be made either by me or by the responsible authorities. I will reinforce the comments that I made last week that if I became convinced that the building was currently illegal it would be evacuated immediately.
Swarbrick Chlöe; Mallard TrevorMOTIONSClimate Emergency—Leave DeclinedCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to move a motion without notice and without debate to declare a climate emergency. SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that motion? There is objection.
Mallard Trevor; Loheni AgnesTUESDAY 28 MAY 2019The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.PRAYERSSPEAKER: In order to celebrate Samoan Language Week I have asked Agnes Loheni to recite the prayer in Samoan. AGNES LOHENI (National): Tatou ifo ma tatalo. Le Atua Silisili ese e matou te sulaina lau Afio mo fa'amanuiaga ma tofi ua e fa'au'uina ai i matou. E lafoa'i ni o matou lagona ma manatua ta'ito'atasi i le amana'iaina o le Masiofo o Peretania. Matou te tatalo ina ia tonu ma fa'amaoni fuafuaga ma fa'ai'uga uma i totonu o lenei Maota Fono. Ia talosia ta'ita'i o lenei Mālō ina ia maua le tōfā mamao le fa'apalepale ma le agamalū auā le manuia ma le filemū o Niu Sila. O le matou tatalo lea e ala atu i le suafa pele o Iesu Keriso Amene.
Thursday 30 May 2019 - Volume 738
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Motion agreed to.The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Hon Paul Goldsmith to Part 1 be agreed to: in clause 2(1) replace 1 July 2019" with "1 October 2019"A party vote was called for on the question That the amendment be agreed to.Ayes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Noes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Amendment not agreed to.The question was put that the following amendment in the name of Brett Hudson to clause 3 be agreed to: delete clause 3A party vote was called for on the question That the amendment be agreed to.Ayes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Noes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Amendment not agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That Part 1 be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Part 1 agreed to."
Excise and Excise-equivalent Duties Table (Budget Measures—Motor Spirits) Amendment Bill — In Committee—Part 1
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Excise and Excise-equivalent Duties Table (Budget Measures—Motor Spirits) Amendment Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Bill read a second time.
Excise and Excise-equivalent Duties Table (Budget Measures—Motor Spirits) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Excise and Excise-equivalent Duties Table (Budget Measures—Motor Spirits) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Bill read a first time.
Excise and Excise-equivalent Duties Table (Budget Measures—Motor Spirits) Amendment Bill — First Reading
Budget Statement & Budget Debate
Muller ToddPart 2 Amendments to take effect on 1 July 2019TODD MULLER (National—Bay of Plenty): Thank you Madam Chair. I would like to raise a couple of comments on Part 2 as we conclude quite an extraordinary day. Hon Aupito William Sio: Give it some heart Todd.TODD MULLER: No sometimes it's worth deep reflection. And this is a day that I am sure will be reflected on by many for years to come and botched" sums it up perfectly. I would like to raise two questions specifically to the Minister of Transport with respect to Part 2 to remind people we're talking here about clause 5 and the rate of excise duty and excise-equivalent duty on motor spirits amended. We're talking now about lifting from 66c—remember this has gone from 62c to 66c and now 70c with the changes that are explicitly outlined here in this clause. So specifically my question to the Minister relates to the modelling that he has done or his officials have done around demand elasticity and the point at which you load so many taxes on a particular part of society that your demand assumptions are proven false.I think there is every chance that the revenue assumptions that have been built into this increased tax that we're debating here tonight will be proven flawed because (a) of the regressive nature of it and (b) the assumptions both in terms of amount of petrol consumed if you like by the national fleet may well actually not meet the expectations because the cost impost has become so great that it is starting to affect New Zealanders' ability to be able to access fuel for their transport. So I would certainly like some comment from the Minister around that analysis.Debate interrupted.Sitting suspended from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Friday)"
Patterson MarkMARK PATTERSON (NZ First): I move That the question be now put.
Twyford PhilHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): I want to just respond briefly to some questions that Denise Lee posed in her contributions. The first was whether or not we've taken into account something that was set out in the impact summary about the existence of the regional fuel tax of Auckland constraining the ability of the Government to increase petrol excise duty across the rest of the country and the answer is of course we did consider those things. The question of the burden on people paying the excise was carefully considered and weighed up against the gains that would be generated through additional revenue being brought on stream for the country's transport system. So the answer is yes to that.Denise Lee asked further to that whether we considered reducing expenditure which was one of the options that was set out in the impact summary. The answer to that is no we didn't consider reducing expenditure simply because the country has a substantial infrastructure deficit and we desperately need to invest in a modern transport system for New Zealand.Ms Lee also asked: where are the greater choices that were referenced in that document that are necessary in order to provide people with alternatives to driving and to paying this tax? The answer in Auckland which is the case that was cited is that the City Rail Link which is on the way to completion over the next four years or so will double the carrying capacity of the entire rail network in Auckland and that will mean that there will be trains running as frequently as every few minutes in dozens of town centres across the city. The extra revenue generated by the changes in this bill will contribute to the National Land Transport Programme which has already seen more than a 50 percent increase in spending on public transport right across New Zealand an extra billion dollars on public transport systems in this three-year period and also more than a 50 percent increase in walking and cycling infrastructure all over New Zealand responding to huge demand in our communities for genuine alternatives to single-occupant vehicles. I believe those were the only questions that are in scope.
Russell Deborah; Williams PotoDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn): I move That the question be now put.CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): I think there's sufficient interest in the debate continuing.
Bennett DavidHon DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East): I raise a point of order Madam Chairperson. We have a difficult position in the committee at this stage of the evening now and I wanted to do the point of order before we got too further on because I need the Minister's full attention at this moment in time for something that's happened in the Chamber in the last half an hour with his explanations.We had put up a number for the cost of the fuel tax and it would be $260 for the cost over the year. Now the Minister refuted that in his comments and used a different figure. I'm referring to the figure here—and I quote—that the 3.5c tax 4c with GST according to figures would be $2.50 a week and $2.50 a week gives $130 a year for the first part of the tax and if you double that you get $260.CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): So are you suggesting that the Minister is needing to correct something?Hon DAVID BENNETT: The Minister needs to—CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): I just want to get to the point of the point of order.Hon DAVID BENNETT: Well the Minister needs to come back and reply with the figures that are correct because I am quoting from the Minister on 1 October on his last increase in taxes and if you look at this article—Transport Minister reveals the impact of new fuel taxes" and that comes to $260. And now today—CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): Thank you. I thank the member.Hon DAVID BENNETT: —he's coming at a much lower figure.CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): I think we've got the gist of where we're going.Hon DAVID BENNETT: So the Minister needs to clarify—CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): Yeah I think we've got the gist of where we're going with it. Thank you.Hon DAVID BENNETT: —and I want to give him a chance to do that before he leaves the Chamber tonight.CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): I thank the member. Right I think we've got the gist of where you're going with this point of order. Now I think we need to actually check what was said in the Hansard and I don't know if the Minister himself recalls what was exactly said but I'm sure the Minister will return to the House and make the correction if it is so needed.Hon DAVID BENNETT: I raise a point of order Madam Chairperson. The Minister clearly wrote down the numbers when he replied to me and so he will have them there in front of him now.CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): Thank you—thank you. I thank the member. I will leave that in the hands of the Minister to make any correction that is required."