9. Schools—New Entrant AgeHon NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) to the Minister of EducationSchools—New Entrant Age9. Hon NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) to the Minister of Education: Does he stand by his statement in relation to changing the age at which children can start school that it is not unusual for a Minister or Government to state its intention" on an issue before going through the Cabinet process; if so why?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Yes because among other reasons I am aware of a Minister announcing $37.5 million of teacher supply initiatives without taking it to Cabinet or without appropriating any money to meet the costs of doing that. That was the previous Minister who is now questioning me on the matter.Hon Nikki Kaye: In light of his answer did he consult or advise the Prime Minister the Green Party or the New Zealand First Party before or after he told the media on 21 November of his intention to change the age at which a child can start school?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I didn't need to consult any of them because that was the policy platform that all three of those parties campaigned on at the last election.Hon Nikki Kaye: In light of his answer is he aware of section 5.12 of the Cabinet Manual that states that Ministers must submit to Cabinet proposals for new legislation and the provisions in the manual on requirements to consult with other parties; does he believe that he has breached the Cabinet Manual?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: In answer to the last part of the question no. In answer to the first part of the question it was contained in the policy platform that all three of the parties that form the Government campaigned on.Willow-Jean Prime: What reports has he seen on the merits of the policy of allowing children to start school before their fifth birthday?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I have seen a report raising concern "that the introduction of cohort entry policies are being driven by administrative convenience rather than the needs of the child." That was the clearly stated minority view in the select committee report on this legislation which was supported by Labour New Zealand First and the Green Party. As a member of that select committee I heard many submissions opposed to this particular provision and not one submitter spoke in favour of it.Hon Nikki Kaye: Does he believe that he may have misled schools and parents given that it is reported that he asked the Ministry of Education to draft an amendment to the law and that it would be part of an education amendment bill which is contrary to him saying it was just his intention?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: In order for Cabinet and Cabinet committees to discuss potential legislative amendments somebody first needs to put something on paper.Hon Nikki Kaye: If the school starting age is changed to five what is the general estimate of the percentage of children that may now have to—or in the future when the law is changed—wait to start school beyond their fifth birthday in a school that has adopted cohort entry?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: That cuts both ways of course because at the moment under the current policy there are a number of children who have to wait well beyond their fifth birthday to start school under the nanny State policy introduced by the last Government.Hon Nikki Kaye: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That was a very specific question whereby I asked "What is the general estimate of the percent of children?" I was very specific about that. I didn't say "how many"; I said "general percentage". He did not answer the question.Mr SPEAKER: I will ask the Minister to have another go.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I don't have that information in front of me.Hon Nikki Kaye: In light of the fact that some schools have notified families of the start dates for children for next year which would need to change if he changed the law will he rule out that there will be any law change until 2019 at the earliest; if not why not?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: That would be a matter for the House to decide because the House would vote on a commencement provision on any such legislative change.Hon Nikki Kaye: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Again this is a very specific question.Mr SPEAKER: No no that was a very specific question and it was answered in a very specific way. I think that if members do understand the difference between introducing a bill and passing it it would be useful."