edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
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Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Sitting date: 23 October 2012. Volume:685;Page:6030. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: That is not as I understand the situation at all. [ 
Interruption 
] Order! All questions require validation. The validation provided for that original wording was a statement by the member’s own colleague. The opinion of a colleague hardly meets the requirement for validation.
Draft transcript - Tuesday 11 December 2012 
Published as advance copy. 
Draft transcript - Tuesday 11 December 2012
Draft transcript - Wednesday 12 December 2012 
Published as advance copy. 
Draft transcript - Wednesday 12 December 2012
Draft transcript - Wednesday 05 December 2012 
Published as advance copy. 
Draft transcript - Wednesday 05 December 2012
Draft transcript - Tuesday 04 December 2012 
Published as advance copy. 
Draft transcript - Tuesday 04 December 2012
Draft transcript - Thursday 29 November 2012 
Published as advance copy. 
Draft transcript - Thursday 29 November 2012
Draft transcript - Wednesday 28 November 2012 
Published as advance copy. 
Draft transcript - Wednesday 28 November 2012
Roy Eric: Sittings of the House 
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Roy Eric: Sittings of the House 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:6023. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for the House to rise. Is there anyone opposed to that course of action? There appears not.
Upston Louise: Sittings of the House 
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Upston Louise: Sittings of the House 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:6022. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
LOUISE UPSTON (Junior Whip—National) 
: 
 Given that we are only 5 minutes away from 6 p.m. I seek leave for the House to lift a few minutes early.
Tremain Chris: Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Tremain Chris: Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:6022. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon CHRIS TREMAIN (Minister of Internal Affairs) 
 on behalf of the Minister of Labour: I move  
That the Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill be reported back to the House by 28 February 2013 
. 
Motion agreed to.
Vote: Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Vote: Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:6022. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. 
Ayes 61 
New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 59 
New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Maori Party 2; Mana 1. 
Bill read a first time. 
Bill referred to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee.
Simpson Scott: Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Simpson Scott: Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:6022. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel) 
: 
 As this debate on the first reading of the Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill draws to a conclusion today it has been interesting to sit here in the Chamber and listen to the stark contrast between Government speakers and Opposition speakers in terms of a glass half-full or a glass half-empty type of approach. On this side of the House we have been promoting optimism opportunity hope and collaboration between young people and employers and an opportunity to give them something they want in terms of getting that first step on the ladder of opportunity that goes with being in employment. On this side of the House we understand the virtue and the benefit of work of good honest decent work and we know how much our young people want to be part of the employed and part of the opportunity that comes from having a job and being on the ladder of employment. In Coromandel I have young people who are welcoming this bill. They are saying “Bring it on! Bring it on fast because we want to have an opportunity to get into paid employment.” 
What Labour members are saying is that they want to keep people on the dole. They want to keep people on benefits. Christopher Auchinvole made that point so well during his very fine presentation earlier in this debate. Labour members want to keep people on taxpayer-funded benefits. They do not have any interest in getting people into work. Young people want to work and Labour does not understand the simple motivation that work and opportunity bring. We on this side of the House support this bill with vigour. Earlier on in the debate we heard that Labour was going to oppose the bill with everything it had. In fact what we have heard throughout this debate is a half-hearted empty rhetoric coming from Labour members. They have not had their hearts in it. They have not got any fire in their belly. They have got no ideas no passion and no vigour. 
In conclusion let me just say that this is a good bill. I support it and I am very happy to commend it to the House.
Roy Eric: Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Roy Eric: Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:6019. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: This is a split call? 
Phil Twyford 
: It is a split call. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Phil Twyford.
O'Connor Simon: Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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O'Connor Simon: Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:6019. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
SIMON O’CONNOR (National—Tamaki) 
: 
 In  
King Lear 
 the king said “Nothing will come of nothing:” and empty rhetoric brings about nothing. This Government is committed to activities that support young people to get off the benefit and get into jobs. You can hold and hide behind the empty rhetoric of the ideology of this Opposition or you can get out there like this Government is doing and actually support young people. 
This Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill sits amongst a whole panoply of other initiatives supporting our young people: this starting-out wage Youth Service Corps Limited Service Volunteers Straight 2 Work programmes and various employment programmes. You need only to go on to the Work and Income website to see the wide range of initiatives that this Government has to bring young people to employment. And what is this Government doing now? It is adding more—a starting-out wage for up to 6 months to help young people move forward. 
But what do we hear from the Opposition? We hear rhetoric—rhetoric of rights and discrimination. The Opposition says it is a discrimination. Well we need to remind this House that not every difference is a discrimination. Boy if it was the Lobbying Disclosure Bill that the Greens are putting forward would be a discrimination against people who have a particular type of job. My God I do not hear that being said. 
This is a bill that is nothing to do with discrimination. This is a bill that is an opportunity for young people to get jobs. It is a further opportunity on a whole smorgasbord a panoply of activities that this National Government is proudly putting forward. We believe in the youth. We believe in their opportunity. Employers believe in it. We are here to back them.
Bennett David: Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Bennett David: Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:6008. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) 
: 
 The time is right for the Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill now. It is the right time for our economy. We have delivered the platform for economic growth in New Zealand we have the opportunity there for young people to get jobs and it is time that we enabled those young people to get on that first rung of the ladder of employment. This first step is an opportunity for somebody to get a job who feels that it is the appropriate thing. It is the right time now to do this. The economy is in a situation where it is the right time and so we look forward to the bill progressing through this House. 
I think the Opposition makes a lot of assumptions about the profile of our young people and the training they undertake. Training can be a lifelong thing that goes on through one’s career not just at one stage of somebody’s life. Somebody may take on a job in the first instance but it does not deny them the ability to get further training and education later as they progress through their career. 
This bill gives options for young people. It gives them options at a time when we need those young people to get employment. It is a bill that will deliver a brighter future for those young people going forward. Thank you.
Vote: Education Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Vote: Education Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:6004. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Education Amendment Bill be now read a first time. 
Ayes 63 
New Zealand National 59; Maori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 56 
New Zealand Labour 33; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Mana 1. 
Bill read a first time. 
Bill referred to the Education and Science Committee.
O'Connor Simon: Education Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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O'Connor Simon: Education Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:6004. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
SIMON O’CONNOR (National—Tamaki) 
: 
 If this debate was about rhetoric without reason from the Opposition there would be A-pluses buzzy bees and little smiley faces. All you have heard from the Opposition is empty empty rhetoric. The core element of this Education Amendment Bill of this initiative is to continue to lift the achievements of students in this country. It is about engaging with providers to provide education that is based on outputs and success. A good idea does not need lengthy debate at this point. What it needs is to get to the Education and Science Committee to be discussed and to get into opportunity. So on that level I will leave it and I look forward to giving that smiley face to the Opposition for the art of empty rhetoric.
Tisch Lindsay: Education Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Tisch Lindsay: Education Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:6002. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: I am going to call the next member Dr Megan Woods. A split call by the way.
Simpson Scott: Education Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Simpson Scott: Education Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:6002. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel) 
: 
 Choice opportunity and hope—choice opportunity and hope. That is what this Education Amendment Bill is about. It is an enormous pleasure for me to stand in support of this Education Amendment Bill in its first reading. I am looking forward as a member of the Education and Science Committee to participating in the debate. I want to congratulate the Hon John Banks on introducing the bill into the House. I am supporting the Hon Hekia Parata because this is a bill that provides choice opportunity and hope for New Zealand children. 
Like my colleague Colin King who spoke earlier on in this debate and who was disappointed that it is unlikely that a partnership school will come to his electorate I too am saddened that it is unlikely one will come to the very good area of Coromandel because our kids and our parents would want one. I commend this bill to the House.
King Colin: Education Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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King Colin: Education Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5996. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
COLIN KING (National—Kaikoura) 
: 
 It is a pleasure to take a call during the first reading of the Education Amendment Bill. I must commend the Ministers Hekia Parata and John Banks for the way that they are managing the education system. I would use the words that Dr Stuart Middleton uses: it is about relevance in education. I see that this bill does address relevance. It also represents a Government that has got an unrelenting focus on achievement. It is so important that we get all our children off to a very positive start that we then know how they are doing that we give those parents choice and that those choices are available to those most vulnerable children. The one disappointment I have is that it is very unlikely that we will have a partnership school in Marlborough. I would certainly welcome one. It would be wonderful to see but I do think that they will have their opportunity within the cities. When you have those children when you go to the various schools in the cities and they look at you they all have that shiny aspiration. If you go and see them they do have that shiny aspiration in their eyes and they want to achieve. 
This bill is a serious step forward. I am so pleased to see that we have the opportunity now of using appropriately qualified individuals who may not be teacher-registered according to the Teachers Council but who do have that ability to teach and inspire. If it is one thing for a person who has been affected a little bit by not being able to get those teachers in front of schools and tradespeople in actual fact we now do have that vehicle within the charter and partnerships schools situation. There is a lot of work to be done here. I am looking forward to working with the Science and Education Committee and that will be wonderful. Thank you very much. I commend this bill to the House.
Robertson H V Ross: Education Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Robertson H V Ross: Education Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5987. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Of course the House is the master of its own destiny and the member is perfectly entitled to seek leave. Whether it is given or not is another matter. Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is.
Mahuta Nanaia: Education Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Mahuta Nanaia: Education Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5987. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Labour—Hauraki-Waikato) 
: 
 I seek leave to ask the Minister responsible for charter schools a very specific question regarding charter schools.
Delahunty Catherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Delahunty Catherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5984. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
12. 
CATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) 
 to the  
Minister of Education 
: Does she stand by her statement to schools about their obligation under the Official Information Act 1982 that “New Zealand is an open and transparent democracy. They [schools] are required to release this information. You are public entities.”? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Deputy Leader of the House)  
on behalf of the Minister of Education: Yes. 
Catherine Delahunty 
: Under her Education Amendment Bill will charter or partnership schools be part of New Zealand’s open and transparent democracy? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: Yes. 
Catherine Delahunty 
: Will charter schools be required to publicly release all the information that State schools are currently required to under the Official Information Act such as annual reports and details of staffing; if not why not? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: We have covered this issue earlier on in the House. Partnership schools will not be subject to the Official Information Act. However they will have a legally binding contract that sets for them specific performance criteria they will be reviewed by the Education Review Office and they will have to report against national standards. 
Catherine Delahunty 
: Will parents of charter school pupils have the rights of other parents including the automatic right to attend governing body meetings a say on the appointment of their principal and the right to complain to the Ombudsman if they think their child has been unfairly treated; if not how is that consistent with an open and transparent democracy? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: Firstly I would say that partnership schools will not be Crown entities and therefore they will not be subject to the Official Information Act but the Privacy Act will apply. Secondly I would say to that member that parents have a choice as to which school they decide to send their child to. 
Catherine Delahunty 
: By legislating for a separate standard at profit-making charter schools so that they can operate in secrecy that would be illegal in the State sector does she agree that she is exposing hundreds of children to an unacceptable level of risk? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: No. This Government is determined that the one in five children whom the previous Labour Government was for 9 years content to see leaving school without the necessary education will get every opportunity to succeed educationally and we believe that partnership schools have a role— 
Catherine Delahunty 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I asked a question about the operation of the charter schools— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! The Minister answered absolutely. The Minister said “No.” She was going on to explain a little more than perhaps was necessary but she answered the question very emphatically.
Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5984. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Delahunty Catherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Delahunty Catherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5984. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
CATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) 
: 
 I seek leave to transfer the question—[ 
Interruption 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! A point of order is being dealt with. 
CATHERINE DELAHUNTY 
: In the light of what has just happened I seek leave to transfer my question to a day when the Minister of Education is in the House to answer it.
Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5983. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member can seek leave. [ 
Interruption 
] Order! A point of order is being heard. He started his question he was interrupted by a point of order and now he has raised a point of order to seek leave to have his question held over. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Hipkins Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Hipkins Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5983. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
CHRIS HIPKINS (Labour—Rimutaka) 
: 
 I seek leave to hold over my question until such time as the Minister of Education is available to answer it.
Williamson Maurice: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Williamson Maurice: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5982. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: SmartGate came about following a meeting of our Prime Minister and his counterpart Prime Minister in Australia in 2009. It is delivering on the Government’s vision for a seamless trans-Tasman traveller experience. SmartGate has brought about a step change in passenger processing. It has allowed more accurate and faster passenger processing it improves border security by allowing improved profiling of higher-risk travellers and it frees up customs officers to get on with the serious problem of catching bad buggers. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Question No. 11 Chris Hipkins. 
Chris Hipkins 
: My question is to the Minister of Education. How long will boards of trustees of the schools she proposes to— 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Seriously in respect of the standards of this House surely you cannot let a Minister get up and start swearing like he just did. That is not really acceptable in this Parliament surely. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I think it is better not to draw attention to some of these things. 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: I withdraw and apologise. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The Minister has withdrawn and apologised.
Henare Tau: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Henare Tau: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5982. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
10. 
Hon TAU HENARE (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Customs 
: How successful has SmartGate technology been at processing passengers at the border? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Minister of Customs) 
: 
 SmartGate— 
Chris Hipkins 
: The fruit flies like it. 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: Well you would know about that son. SmartGate which uses electronic information in e-passports and facial recognition technology has exceeded all expectations. Just this month the 4-millionth passenger passed through SmartGate. As a good example last week almost 62 percent of eligible New Zealand and Australian passport holders used it on arrival and 54 percent on departure. The target that we had set ourselves—which was actually ambitious—was to be at 45 percent. The Customs Service is now confident that 3 million people a year will be using SmartGate by 2015. 
Hon Tau Henare 
: How does this technology benefit the consumer and the country as a whole?
Macindoe Tim: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Macindoe Tim: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5980. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
8. 
TIM MACINDOE (National—Hamilton West) 
 to the  
Minister for Social Development 
: What announcements has she made on the new Children’s Teams which form part of the Government’s White Paper for Vulnerable Children? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development) 
: 
 Last week I announced the first of two Children’s Teams to be piloted—the first one being based in Rotorua. We are bringing together key front-line professionals who will work with vulnerable children. As they are the ones who work with these families they know them and have the information to see a whole picture. An individual plan will then be designed around the child and one lead professional will be responsible for ensuring outcomes. 
Tim Macindoe 
: How will these Children’s Teams work locally to protect vulnerable children? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: The new teams will be made up of local education health and social sector professionals to respond to the needs of these vulnerable children. This will build on the work that is already there. These teams take this to the next level of child protection ensuring that single multi-agency plans are put in place for each child. When fully implemented a predictor tool will also mean that we are getting to them before they are abused or neglected. 
Tim Macindoe 
: What leadership and accountability will there be to ensure these vulnerable children are protected? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: I think this is a key to the success of this initiative. We will be making legislative changes so that a combination of chief executives has shared responsibility for these children. And in each local area there will be a children’s director who will be responsible for these children and will have to report on outcomes. 
Jacinda Ardern 
: How many children in New Zealand are currently at medium to high risk? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: I think it depends on which set of accountabilities you are looking at for that and predictors. If you are looking at the recent ones that were put out by Statistics New Zealand they would say there are around 67000. We are taking the 30000 that we see as being most vulnerable. The reality is as well that we have to have the number of children that these teams can work with. There is no point in overrunning them. So we are without a doubt targeting those we see who are most likely quite frankly to end up broken or dead. 
Jacinda Ardern 
: I seek leave to table a report from Statistics New Zealand showing that there are 268000 children at medium to high risk in New Zealand. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 









Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.
Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5980. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
7. 
DARIEN FENTON (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Labour 
: How will employers know whether a job applicant aged 18 or 19 has been receiving a benefit for 6 months or more in order to pay the Government’s starting-out wage? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
 on behalf of the Minister of Labour: I am advised that eligibility will be a matter for discussion between the job seeker and the potential employer. 
Grant Robertson 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I am sorry to be unhelpful to the Minister but there was total silence in the House then and I know that you and I were both straining to hear the Minister. Could we ask him just to speak up a little and give the answer? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: If the Minister could use a slightly more robust voice it would be helpful. 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I am advised that eligibility will be a matter for discussion between the job seeker and the potential employer. The young person will be able to provide verification from Work and Income New Zealand. The starting-out wage is another tool that will help young people get work in this competitive job environment. It pays the same rate as the new entrants wage introduced in 2008 by the previous Labour Government. 
Darien Fenton 
: Will employers be able to advertise that a specific job will be offered only at a starting-out wage? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I do not expect that that would be the case. As is the situation now employers take those matters into consideration when they make their employment decision. 
Darien Fenton 
: Is she aware that the Human Rights Act prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of employment status which includes receiving a benefit and that as such the Human Rights Commission advises employers not to ask job applicants whether they have been receiving a benefit in order to avoid unlawful discrimination? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I am aware of that and I think that is why a number of—and this is nothing new. Employers often are able to determine whether people are eligible for various subsidies or support programmes and employers ask whether there is eligibility for these matters in terms of their employment choice. They need to be aware of their legislative requirements as well. 
Darien Fenton 
: How could she claim that the starting out age will not be compulsory and is negotiable when an 18 or 19-year-old receiving a benefit who does not accept a job on the starting-out wage faces the penalty of having their benefit cut for 13 weeks? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: Those sanctions apply to people on a benefit whether or not they are going to be applying for a job under the starting-out wage. Clearly if a person on taxpayer support is able to take a job that they have been offered and they turn it down unreasonably then they should be subject to sanction. The same will apply to this.
Peters Winston: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Peters Winston: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5978. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) 
: 
 This question is to the Prime Minister and asks “Does he think it is important that his Ministers including himself come to the House prepared to honestly answer questions?”. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: That is a smidgen different from the wording here. I am not sure whether it is material—it is not hugely different—but the wording here is slightly different. It is quite an important question and I think it should be as on notice. 
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS 
: Could I just say I have had a quick check here. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: It was the last two words. It was not that material. The question on notice says “prepared to give honest answers” not “honestly answer questions”. 
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS 
: Yes you are correct. I was just going from the primary question from my office staff and they have given me the wrong question. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I call the right honourable member.
Tolley Anne: Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
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Tolley Anne: Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5971. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Corrections) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I am sorry to interrupt the member. I gave in answer to Mr Chauvel’s point of order before that the tabling of the Department of Corrections’ report was imminent. In fact I was incorrect; it was tabled at 1 o’clock today. 
Question time resumed.
Barry Maggie: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Barry Maggie: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5971. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
2. 
MAGGIE BARRY (National—North Shore) 
 to the  
Minister of Finance 
: What progress is the Government making in supporting jobs and economic growth? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
on behalf of the Minister of Finance: The National-led Government has taken a number of steps to support jobs and economic growth. This includes support for investment through the Business Growth Agenda rebalancing tax to favour work and savings and removing 170 unnecessary and excessive regulations saving an estimated $200 million in business compliance costs. In addition today is expected to be the first reading of the Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill. This provides a new starting-out wage for a number of young New Zealanders to give them the chance to get their foot on the rung of the job ladder. The starting-out wage ensures that young Kiwis will have greater opportunities in a competitive job market to earn money and gain vital skills and experience they need to succeed. It is yet another campaign promise National is delivering on. 
Maggie Barry 
: What reports has he seen on New Zealand prospects for economic and job growth? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I have seen a report from the International Monetary Fund that includes the latest forecasts for the world’s 34 OECD economies. As the member will know it is economic growth that produces job growth. The latest IMF forecast has New Zealand growing by 2.2 percent this year and by an average of 2.9 percent over the next 2 years. On average we are ranked eighth out of the 34 OECD nations so we are in the top quarter for economic growth prospects. In terms of the unemployment rate we currently have the 14th lowest rate of the 34 OECD nations and the IMF forecasts that over the next 5 years our unemployment rate will continue to drop. 
Maggie Barry 
: What other reports has he seen on the progress being made by the Government’s economic policy? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: In just the last week one of the top financial advisers of the American President Mr Barack Obama Peter Orszag participated in a major international debate on rescuing the world economies from a deepening crisis. Among the panellists was the IMF’s Christine Lagarde and the German Finance Minister. Remarkably Obama’s former director of the Office of Management and Budget singled out New Zealand as the only country that has provided the right balance of stimulus for the economy with reducing the deficit in the medium term. This is a very strong endorsement from one of the world’s top financial experts. New Zealand’s combination of positive economic growth and deficit reduction is rare amongst Western nations and reinforces that we are taking New Zealand through and out of the world’s global financial and debt crisis. 
Question time interrupted.
Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5970. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Mahuta Nanaia: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Mahuta Nanaia: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5970. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Labour—Hauraki-Waikato) 
: 
 I seek leave to hold this question over until the Minister of Education is present and available to answer it.
Smith Lockwood: Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
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Smith Lockwood: Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5969. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! The thing is that what Charles Chauvel is referring to is what the law actually requires and it involves this House in that the contract is meant to be presented as a non-parliamentary paper. That is why I believe it is relevant to the House. I believe that the member is raising a relevant issue. If the Minister does not have that information I would ask her to look into the matter as soon as possible because it is required by the Corrections Act. That is I think as far as the matter can be taken right now.
Chauvel Charles: Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
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Chauvel Charles: Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5969. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
CHARLES CHAUVEL (Labour) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. May I ask the Minister again through you whether “imminent” implies that the contract will be presented as the law requires by the end of the sitting day? [ 
Interruption 
]
Tolley Anne: Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
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Tolley Anne: Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5969. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Corrections) 
: 
 My understanding is that the Department of Corrections has been working with the Clerk on the presentation of that and I understand that it is imminent.
Smith Lockwood: Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
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Smith Lockwood: Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5969. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I am prepared to invite the Minister to indicate a response to that if that is possible.
Chauvel Charles: Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
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Chauvel Charles: Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5969. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
CHARLES CHAUVEL (Labour) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Under section 199I of the Corrections Act 2004 within 12 days after a prison management contract is entered into the Minister must present a copy of that contract to the House. According to news reports Serco Group plc advised the London Stock Exchange 12 sitting days ago of its entry into such an arrangement with the New Zealand Department of Corrections. I wondered whether I might ask the Minister of Corrections through you Mr Speaker about her intentions to table the arrangement with the consortium of which Serco is a member given the statutory requirement that I have cited.
Brownlee Gerry: Business Statement 
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Brownlee Gerry: Business Statement 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5969. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 When the House resumes on Tuesday 23 October the Government will look to continue the Committee stage of the Alcohol Reform Bill and proceed with the second reading and Committee stage of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading and Other Matters) Amendment Bill and other matters on the Order Paper depending on progress on Tuesday.
Smith Lockwood: Visitors — Turkey—Delegation Grand National Assembly 
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Smith Lockwood: Visitors — Turkey—Delegation Grand National Assembly 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5969. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Honourable members I have much pleasure in informing the House that a parliamentary delegation from the Grand National Assembly of Turkey led by Yüksel Özden MP Vice Chair of the Inquiry Commission for Gifted Children is present in the gallery. I am sure that members would wish that the delegation be welcomed.
Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
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Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5969. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Points of Order 
Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
CHARLES CHAUVEL (Labour) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Under section 199I of the Corrections Act 2004 within 12 days after a prison management contract is entered into the Minister must present a copy of that contract to the House. According to news reports Serco Group plc advised the London Stock Exchange 12 sitting days ago of its entry into such an arrangement with the New Zealand Department of Corrections. I wondered whether I might ask the Minister of Corrections through you Mr Speaker about her intentions to table the arrangement with the consortium of which Serco is a member given the statutory requirement that I have cited. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I am prepared to invite the Minister to indicate a response to that if that is possible. 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Corrections) 
: 
 My understanding is that the Department of Corrections has been working with the Clerk on the presentation of that and I understand that it is imminent. 
CHARLES CHAUVEL (Labour) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. May I ask the Minister again through you whether “imminent” implies that the contract will be presented as the law requires by the end of the sitting day? [ 
Interruption 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! The thing is that what Charles Chauvel is referring to is what the law actually requires and it involves this House in that the contract is meant to be presented as a non-parliamentary paper. That is why I believe it is relevant to the House. I believe that the member is raising a relevant issue. If the Minister does not have that information I would ask her to look into the matter as soon as possible because it is required by the Corrections Act. That is I think as far as the matter can be taken right now.
Sittings of the House 
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Sittings of the House 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:6022. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Sittings of the House 
LOUISE UPSTON (Junior Whip—National) 
: 
 Given that we are only 5 minutes away from 6 p.m. I seek leave for the House to lift a few minutes early. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for the House to rise. Is there anyone opposed to that course of action? There appears not.
Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
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Points of Order — Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5971. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Points of Order 
Prisons Private Management—Tabling of Contract 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Corrections) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I am sorry to interrupt the member. I gave in answer to Mr Chauvel’s point of order before that the tabling of the Department of Corrections’ report was imminent. In fact I was incorrect; it was tabled at 1 o’clock today. 
Question time resumed.
Business Statement 
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Business Statement 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5969. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Business Statement 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 When the House resumes on Tuesday 23 October the Government will look to continue the Committee stage of the Alcohol Reform Bill and proceed with the second reading and Committee stage of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading and Other Matters) Amendment Bill and other matters on the Order Paper depending on progress on Tuesday.
Visitors — Turkey—Delegation Grand National Assembly 
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Visitors — Turkey—Delegation Grand National Assembly 
[Sitting date: 18 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5969. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Thursday 18 October 2012 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Visitors 
Turkey—Delegation Grand National Assembly 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Honourable members I have much pleasure in informing the House that a parliamentary delegation from the Grand National Assembly of Turkey led by Yüksel Özden MP Vice Chair of the Inquiry Commission for Gifted Children is present in the gallery. I am sure that members would wish that the delegation be welcomed.
Vote: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Vote: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 17 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5956. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. 
Ayes 60 
New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Maori Party 3; Mana 1. 
Noes 61 
New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Motion not agreed to.
Roy Eric: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Roy Eric: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 17 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5948. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: That is not a point of order; that is a debating point. [ 
Interruption 
] Order! I am on my feet.
Williams Andrew: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Williams Andrew: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 17 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5948. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
ANDREW WILLIAMS (NZ First) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The previous speaker the Hon John Banks made a statement that was misleading the House.
Vote: Local Government (Council-Controlled Organisations) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Vote: Local Government (Council-Controlled Organisations) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 17 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5940. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Local Government (Council-Controlled Organisations) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. 
Ayes 60 
New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Maori Party 3; Mana 1. 
Noes 61 
New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Motion not agreed to.
Roy Eric: Riccarton Bush Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
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Roy Eric: Riccarton Bush Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 17 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5938. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Order your time has expired. I am advised that call 11 will not be a split call—it is going entirely to the Greens. It is not going to the Greens now.
Williams Andrew: Mount Maunganui Borough Reclamation and Empowering Act Repeal Bill — Second Reading 
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Williams Andrew: Mount Maunganui Borough Reclamation and Empowering Act Repeal Bill — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 17 October 2012. Volume:684;Page:5917. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
ANDREW WILLIAMS (NZ First) 
: 
 I take a call on behalf of New Zealand First to support the Mount Maunganui Borough Reclamation and Empowering Act Repeal Bill. As we have heard from other speakers this evening and during the other readings of this bill this is basically putting right something that was put in place 30 or 40 years ago in terms of providing for reclamation of land in the Tauranga Harbour which no longer is applicable. The Mount Maunganui Borough Council as it was then created its sewerage system. It had 73.5 hectares but in total it required only something like 23.5 hectares to be reclaimed for the project for its sewerage scheme and therefore the balance of the concession of this area of land and water is no longer applicable and is being revoked. We support this. 
We congratulate those involved in bringing this to the House: the Tauranga City Council the honourable member Te Ururoa Flavell and Nga Potiki in particular. This is very special to Nga Potiki in the Bay of Plenty area who wish to have this encumbrance removed from some of that land and sea water area. As a result this is a very special occasion for it to have that encumbrance removed from this particular area of designation. We are in support of this. This cleans up a statute that is on the book that is no longer applicable. We do support this and New Zealand First is fully behind it. Thank you.