edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Shearer David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Shearer David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 12 June 2012. Volume:680;Page:2803. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
5. 
DAVID SHEARER (Leader of the Opposition) 
 to the  
Prime Minister 
: Does he still stand by his statement that he would resign rather than change superannuation? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) 
: 
 Yes. 
David Shearer 
: Does he stand by his statement: “With all due respect to the Retirement Commissioner there’s a lot of things on my plate I need to deal with in the here and now rather than things in 2020 and beyond.”? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: Yes. 
David Shearer 
: Why does he think that the retirement age is not a current issue when the Budget shows that spending on superannuation will exceed spending on education in just the forecast period? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: Of course superannuation is an issue but one thing that is worth noting is that increasing the age of eligibility has much less of an impact than commentators might imagine. For instance moving the age to 67 makes a difference of about 0.7 percent of GDP and that is not until 2030. So it is an issue but growing the economy and fixing some of the other issues we inherited from Labour are more significant. 
David Shearer 
: Does he understand that for most New Zealanders superannuation will be a significant part of their income as they age and that it is only fair to give them time to make those inevitable changes? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: Yes but that is why you need a National Government that will grow the economy and solve many of the problems that it inherited from Labour. Interestingly enough there was a chap on from the OECD this morning who made this statement and I quote: “I don’t think that New Zealand pensions are unaffordable in the sense that expenditure is still very much below the OECD average in the long term”—by which he means 2050. Even if there is no change by then it will be 8 percent of GDP compared with the OECD average which is 11.5 percent. 
David Shearer 
: Is it because he is governing for the immediate term and not the long term that he is pursuing policies such as freezing funding for early childhood education or selling off our State assets? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: No. We are delivering an economy that is growing. We have forecast growth rates to be higher than the eurozone UK Japan Canada and the United States over the next 3 years. But let us just understand one thing. Labour went to the last general election wanting a capital gains tax and raising the age of superannuation for one reason and one reason alone. It was not to claim the moral high ground; it was a catch-up with the spending promises Labour had made and it still has not learnt how to grow the economy.
Young Jonathan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Young Jonathan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 12 June 2012. Volume:680;Page:2802. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
4. 
JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) 
 to the  
Minister of Energy and Resources 
: What new opportunities for petroleum exploration in New Zealand have recently been opened? 
Hon PHIL HEATLEY (Minister of Energy and Resources) 
: 
 Last week I welcomed the opening of 23 new areas for oil and gas exploration around New Zealand. This is another important step towards realising the potential of our oil and gas resources. The Government is committed to long-term responsible management of our resources which will create jobs increase income and raise our standard of living. It may interest you to know that in Taranaki the industry has indirectly created over 5000 jobs and contributes $2 billion to the local economy each year. We want to see those benefits realised in other regions. 
Jonathan Young 
: What would the benefits of a significant discovery be to New Zealand’s economy? 
Hon PHIL HEATLEY 
: Recent reports released last year showed that New Zealand is set to earn more than $3 billion in royalties from oil and gas fields already in production. Given current strike rates if the current rate of exploration were to increase by 50 percent we could earn up to $12.7 billion in royalties over the life cycle of those projects. That is $12.7 billion that can be used for any number of things to improve the lives of New Zealanders whether it is schools new hospitals or roads.
Shearer David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Shearer David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 12 June 2012. Volume:680;Page:2800. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
2. 
DAVID SHEARER (Leader of the Opposition) 
 to the  
Prime Minister 
: Does he stand by all his statements? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) 
: 
 Yes. 
David Shearer 
: Does he think that the policy to increase class sizes was “not wrong”? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: I think it had great merit if the money was going to be used to improve teacher quality. Clearly New Zealand parents did not agree with that. I do note that when David Shearer gave a speech earlier in the year lording it about the problems with education the first thing he said was “We need every teacher in our classrooms to be a good one. The vast majority are but the truth is some are not.” This Government was prepared to tackle that issue; that Opposition is not. 
David Shearer 
: Does he think therefore that parents are wrong when they believe that smaller class sizes are beneficial for their child’s education? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: No. 
David Shearer 
: Do the savings that were to be made from increasing class sizes still need to be found and from which vote will they come—education or elsewhere? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: Ideally yes. Yes they will be found from education but if they cannot they will be parked up against the new Budget spending allowance for 2013. 
David Shearer 
: Was he aware of the effect of increasing class sizes on intermediate schools before either the Budget announcement or the Minister’s pre-Budget announcement? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: I was aware that 90 percent of New Zealand schools would have a very modest adjustment—plus or minus one full-time teacher equivalent. I was aware that the other 10 percent would have a larger adjustment. And I was also aware that the ministry had a significant transition fund to take the rough edges off that transition. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That was a very specific question very direct and not answered. [ 
Interruption 
]  
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! The question if I recollect correctly asked specifically about intermediate schools the impact on intermediate schools. It was a direct question and asked whether the Prime Minister was aware of the impact on intermediate schools from memory. I think the right honourable Prime Minister should answer that. 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: I was aware that some intermediate schools would be part of that 10 percent.
Smith Lockwood: Obituaries — Rt Hon Sir Brian Edward Talboys CH KCB AC 
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Smith Lockwood: Obituaries — Rt Hon Sir Brian Edward Talboys CH KCB AC 
[Sitting date: 12 June 2012. Volume:680;Page:2799. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Honourable members I regret to inform the House of the death on 3 June 2012 of the Rt Hon Sir Brian Edward Talboys CH KCB AC and member of the Privy Council who represented the Wallace electorate from 1957 to 1981. From 1975 to 1981 he was Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Overseas Trade. He held a number of other portfolios in his parliamentary career including Minister of Agriculture of Science of Education of Industries and Commerce and of National Development. I desire on behalf of this House to express our sense of the loss we have sustained and our sympathy with the relatives of the late former member. I now ask members to stand with me and observe a period of silence as a mark of respect for his memory. 
Honourable members stood as a mark of respect.
Obituaries — Rt Hon Sir Brian Edward Talboys CH KCB AC 
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Obituaries — Rt Hon Sir Brian Edward Talboys CH KCB AC 
[Sitting date: 12 June 2012. Volume:680;Page:2799. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Tuesday 12 June 2012 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Obituaries 
Rt Hon Sir Brian Edward Talboys CH KCB AC 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Honourable members I regret to inform the House of the death on 3 June 2012 of the Rt Hon Sir Brian Edward Talboys CH KCB AC and member of the Privy Council who represented the Wallace electorate from 1957 to 1981. From 1975 to 1981 he was Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Overseas Trade. He held a number of other portfolios in his parliamentary career including Minister of Agriculture of Science of Education of Industries and Commerce and of National Development. I desire on behalf of this House to express our sense of the loss we have sustained and our sympathy with the relatives of the late former member. I now ask members to stand with me and observe a period of silence as a mark of respect for his memory. 
Honourable members stood as a mark of respect.
Appropriation (2011/12 Supplementary Estimates) Bill — First Reading 
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Appropriation (2011/12 Supplementary Estimates) Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 12 June 2012. Volume:680;Page:2839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Appropriation (2011/12 Supplementary Estimates) Bill 
First Reading 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 I move  
That the Appropriation (2011/12 Supplementary Estimates) Bill be now read a first time. 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Appropriation (2011/12 Supplementary Estimates) Bill be now read a first time. 
Ayes 63 
New Zealand National 59; Maori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Mana 1. 
Bill read a first time.
O'Connor Simon: Budget Debate 
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O'Connor Simon: Budget Debate 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2798. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
SIMON O’CONNOR (National—Tamaki) 
: 
 It is great to stand and take a call on this Budget. It is the first time that I have done so. I will just reflect very briefly in these remaining seconds on that faux moral outrage that we have continued to hear across the House from various speakers and it is that outrage that is really itself without hope and without substance.  
You know you can make up facts to suit whatever you like but this has been a very important Budget for this country. I want to begin by thanking Minister English for the work that he has done to pull this together. It is a Budget that is well a Budget for our time. Budgets have to reflect the times that we are in and have to look forward to take the country in that direction positively and strongly. This is a Budget that has been about cutting our cloth to suit.  
Debate interrupted.
Horan Brendan: Budget Debate 
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Horan Brendan: Budget Debate 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2777. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
BRENDAN HORAN (NZ First) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I timed the amount of time that I had to speak and somewhere along the way 35 seconds were lost. It may have been—
Tisch Lindsay: Budget Debate 
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Tisch Lindsay: Budget Debate 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2775. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: Members the next call I understand is a split call for New Zealand First. It is a 5-minute call. I will ring a bell at 4 minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Budget Debate 
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Tisch Lindsay: Budget Debate 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2777. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: Order! The timing is controlled by the officer on my right. I do not control the time; I ring the bell. So I can assure the member that the timings are correct and that if there are interjections and I have to intervene the clock is stopped. In your case you actually had the time and when your time expired I stood up and told you to sit down.
Smith Lockwood: Points of Order — Questions for Oral Answer—Speaker’s Role in Interpreting Answers 
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Smith Lockwood: Points of Order — Questions for Oral Answer—Speaker’s Role in Interpreting Answers 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2745. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Not at all. The Speaker sometimes tries to assist in the interests of making progress by elucidating why he is not requiring a Minister to answer further. But that is the only standing of anything the Minister might say. The answers are absolutely up to the Ministers. That is why yesterday when there was concern over an answer given I enabled the member Chris Hipkins himself to repeat his question so that the Minister could answer herself in person with an actual answer to the question asked. That is why I did that—to avoid any confusion.
Clark David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Clark David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2758. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
11. 
Dr DAVID CLARK (Labour—Dunedin North) 
 to the  
Minister of Finance 
: Does he stand by his statement regarding changes to the child tax credit that “if it’s interest on their savings or other means of payment they won’t pay any tax”? 
Hon PETER DUNNE (Minister of Revenue) 
 on behalf of the Minister of Finance: That answer to a media question was not accurate because it did not take account of the resident withholding tax introduced way back in 1989 under Labour which is applied to every dollar of interest or dividends. 
Dr David Clark 
: Did the revenue Minister take the proposal for the child tax policy to Cabinet or any other Cabinet committee; and if so were he and the Prime Minister present at those meetings? 
Hon PETER DUNNE 
: I can certainly answer for the revenue Minister yes to the first part of the question. To the second part of the question my recollection is that the Prime Minister was certainly present at the meeting which he alluded to himself last Monday week but I cannot be more specific than that. 
Dr David Clark 
: Was the Prime Minister correct in his answer to question No. 12 yesterday that the changes to the child tax credit “would remove the tax status for those who earn $2340 from PAYE income.”? 
Hon PETER DUNNE 
: The Prime Minister was correct in his answer yesterday. What we are doing is introducing an active income exemption for those who qualify so that is persons under the age of 18 part-time workers and children earning less than $2340 per annum. 
Dr David Clark 
: Has he seen recent Treasury figures that show his 2010 income tax cuts cost somewhere between $11 billion and $12 billion over the forecast period; and if so how much of that will be recovered by the paper delivery tax? 
Hon PETER DUNNE 
: I think it is important to appreciate that the change the member refers to plus the other two tax credit removals was about streamlining and improving the tax system. Those changes together with the changes announced to livestock and the mixed use of assets will make a significant contribution to the Government’s revenue. 
Hon Member 
: How much? 
Hon PETER DUNNE 
: Some several hundred million dollars over the forecast period.
Auchinvole Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Auchinvole Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2758. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
10. 
CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Civil Defence 
: What progress is the Government making on preparing New Zealanders for earthquakes? 
Hon CHRIS TREMAIN (Minister of Civil Defence) 
: 
 Earthquake preparedness has increased in the wake of the Christchurch earthquakes but there is still a lot of work to do. On 26 September 2012 we will hold New Zealand’s largest ever earthquake drill exercise ShakeOut. The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management aims to have 1 million New Zealanders taking part to raise awareness so that more people prepare themselves for an earthquake. Yesterday we reached a milestone of 100000 registrations. This is a good start and I encourage further schools businesses Government departments and individuals to get on board. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: What actions are being taken to encourage even more people to sign up for exercise ShakeOut? 
Hon CHRIS TREMAIN 
: The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management is writing to all Government departments and New Zealand’s 100 largest employers seeking their involvement along with schools and other organisations. There will also be an advertising campaign that highlights the need for preparedness and encourages people to sign up to ShakeOut at www.getthru.govt.nz. I will be writing to all members of Parliament to ask for their support in this valuable exercise by encouraging their communities to get involved with “Operation ShakeOut”. Thank you.
Hutchison Paul: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Hutchison Paul: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2756. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
8. 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (National—Hunua) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: What progress is our public health service making in achieving the Government’s health target of shorter waiting times for cancer treatment? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
: 
 Good progress. Every cancer patient needing radiation is starting it within the world gold standard of 4 weeks. Just 4 years ago people were waiting up to 15 weeks for this critical treatment and many New Zealand women were sent to Australia to receive this treatment. From 1 July chemotherapy will be included in the target and this means every patient ready for chemotherapy treatment will also start that within a 4-week maximum. I would like to congratulate the very hard-working doctors nurses and support staff in our nation’s cancer centres on this outstanding achievement for New Zealand patients. 
Dr Paul Hutchison 
: What further improvements is the Government making to public health cancer services? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: In Budget 2012 the Government makes available an additional $33 million for better and faster cancer services for patients. Research shows that some cancer patients can come into contact with up to 28 different doctors and even more nurses during the course of their cancer treatment. So that is why the Government is putting significant funds into new dedicated cancer coordination nurse positions which will act as a single point of contact and assist patients and their families across the different parts of the health service. This has been welcomed by our friends at the New Zealand Nurses Organisation who have said that this will be a win-win situation for everyone involved and that patients will receive improved quality of care.
Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2750. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
4. 
KATRINA SHANKS (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Justice 
: What steps is she taking to improve access to criminal history information for New Zealand employers? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Justice) 
: 
 This week I signed a memorandum of understanding between New Zealand and Australia that will allow four New Zealand agencies to benefit from being able to check job applicants for any criminal history in Australia. The Ministry of Social Development Child Youth and Family the Teachers Council and IHC New Zealand already operate in potential high-risk sectors and with vulnerable individuals. They already undertake high-risk employee checks through the New Zealand Police. The trial between New Zealand and Australia will give them even more certainty about client safety. 
Katrina Shanks 
: How will the trial work? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: When a person is offered a job with these organisations they provide written consent for a criminal history check to be carried out. The trial does not change that requirement. Instead it means that the organisations—via the New Zealand Police—can check whether that person has a criminal history in Australia. The trial will last for 6 months after which time we will review how it has worked before looking to extend it to other New Zealand employers. This is an important step in supporting border control and law enforcement. 
Andrew Little 
: What steps will the Minister and her office take to ensure that information managed under the scheme will be accurate and treated with integrity or will she apply the same standards of personal information management that she permits in ACC? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: That question is absolutely ridiculous. The New Zealand Police has the highest levels of integrity and I am astonished that that member would make such an allegation.
Hipkins Chris: Points of Order — Questions for Oral Answer—Speaker’s Role in Interpreting Answers 
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Hipkins Chris: Points of Order — Questions for Oral Answer—Speaker’s Role in Interpreting Answers 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2745. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
CHRIS HIPKINS (Senior Whip—Labour) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I want to raise with you again the issue that I raised during question time yesterday and ask you for a further ruling. You will recall that yesterday I asked you to consider the issue of the Speaker’s interpretation of a Minister’s answer and whether in fact the Minister could be held to account for your interpretation of that answer. The issue that I want to now raise with you is if it subsequently transpires that both the Minister’s answer and your interpretation of that answer were incorrect is there an obligation on the Minister if they come to the House to make a personal statement on that to also correct your interpretation of their answer?
Mallard Trevor: Business Statement 
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Mallard Trevor: Business Statement 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2745. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) 
: 
 I want to thank the acting Leader of the House for that. Can she tell us when it is the Government’s intention to make further progress in the House on the sale of assets legislation and on the alcohol legislation?
Street Maryan: Motions — Nuclear Disarmament—Global Support and Anniversary of New Zealand Nuclear-free Zone 
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Street Maryan: Motions — Nuclear Disarmament—Global Support and Anniversary of New Zealand Nuclear-free Zone 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2745. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon MARYAN STREET (Labour) 
: 
 I seek leave of the House to move a non-debatable motion that is set down as members’ notice of motion No. 5 today. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Hon MARYAN STREET 
: I move  
That this House celebrate the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone Disarmament and Arms Control Act; reaffirm the commitment of New Zealand to the achievement of a nuclear-weapons-free world; welcome the 2010 agreement of States Parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that any use of nuclear weapons could create catastrophic humanitarian consequences and that all States must play a role in building the framework for a nuclear-weapons-free world; commend Norway for its announcement to hold a conference in 2013 on humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons in order to build political momentum for a global ban; and call on the New Zealand Government to provide its highest support for this conference. 
Motion agreed to.
Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2751. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! Could I ask the front benches please to bring the noise down. I want to hear Catherine Delahunty.
Tolley Anne: Business Statement 
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Tolley Anne: Business Statement 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2745. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Deputy Leader of the House) 
: 
 To my knowledge firstly there is no such legislation called that. But I think the bill the member is referring to is still in the select committee.
Tolley Anne: Business Statement 
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Tolley Anne: Business Statement 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2745. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Deputy Leader of the House) 
: 
 Next week the House is in a 1-week adjournment. When the House resumes on Tuesday 12 June the Government will look to progress a number of first and second readings on the Order Paper and to conclude the Budget debate. Wednesday is a members’ day.
Robertson H V Ross: Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill — Second Reading 
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Robertson H V Ross: Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2744. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson) 
: I am sorry to interrupt the honourable member. The time has come for me to leave the Chair.  
Debate interrupted.
Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2755. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
6. 
KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Police 
: What recent investments has the Government made in new police stations? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Police) 
: 
 Today I opened the new Otahuhu Police Station in Counties-Manukau. The $8.6 million facility is the second new station to open in Counties-Manukau this month. Everyone in the project should be congratulated as it too came in well under budget. Nationally recorded crimes are at a 15-year low and Counties-Manukau police have made a valuable contribution to this and I take this opportunity to thank the local officers for all their hard work. 
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi 
: What other investments has the Government made in police stations in Counties-Manukau? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: Two weeks ago I opened the new $10.2 million police hub at Botany. The two new stations provide modern working environments for the additional 300 police officers that this National Government has put on the front line in Counties-Manukau to further reduce crime and make our communities safer. 
Nicky Wagner 
: What investments has the Government made in new police facilities in Christchurch? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: Earlier this month the first sod was turned for a new temporary police station for Christchurch central. Providing a strong police presence in the city as Christchurch and the surrounding area face their rebuilding phase is a really important symbol of the Christchurch rebuild. The temporary station is expected to cost around $19.8 million and is on track to be completed before the end of the year.
Vote: New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill Mental Health Commission Amendment Bill Charities Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Readings 
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Vote: New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill Mental Health Commission Amendment Bill Charities Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Readings 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2732. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Mental Health Commission Amendment Bill be now read a third time. 
Ayes 103 
New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; New Zealand First 8; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 17 
Green Party 14; Maori Party 2; Mana 1. 
Bill read a third time.
Tisch Lindsay: Budget Debate 
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Tisch Lindsay: Budget Debate 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2781. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: I am sorry to interrupt the honourable member. Before I call the next speaker can I just remind members about interjections. Interjections should be exactly that—interjections. They should not be running commentaries. Please bear that in mind as this debate progresses. Also interjections should be related to the person who is speaking; they should not be exchanges across the cross benches as to what someone may or may not think. So just bear that in mind.
Vote: New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill Mental Health Commission Amendment Bill Charities Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Readings 
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Vote: New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill Mental Health Commission Amendment Bill Charities Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Readings 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2733. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Charities Amendment Bill (No 2) be now read a third 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 third time.
Stewart Barbara: Budget Debate 
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Stewart Barbara: Budget Debate 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2709. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
BARBARA STEWART (Whip—NZ First) 
: 
 I seek the leave of the House for members taking part in the delegation to Samoa to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Samoan independence to be regarded as present for the purposes of party votes in accordance with Standing Order 140(1)(c). 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: Just a clarification: this is so long as the delegation is overseas? This is for today and tomorrow? 
BARBARA STEWART 
: Yes.
Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill Mental Health Commission Amendment Bill Charities Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Readings 
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Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill Mental Health Commission Amendment Bill Charities Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Readings 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2722. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) 
: 
 I stand to debate the third readings of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill the Mental Health Commission Amendment Bill and the Charities Amendment Bill (No 2) which were formerly part of the Crown Entities Reform Bill. These bills provide the structural change to the way the Government is organised across the health and charitable sector. I would like to acknowledge the chair and other members of the Government Administration Committee. I would also like to acknowledge the officials for their hard work in the select committee process.  
The first bill the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill relates to the establishment of the Health Promotion Agency the HPA as a Crown agent and the disestablishment of the Alcohol Advisory Council the Health Sponsorship Council and the Crown Health Financing Agency. This bill provides that the new Health Promotion Agency’s board will have at least five members but not more than seven members appointed by the responsible Minister. The purpose of the bill is to create a Health Promotion Agency that is viable and able to supply better public health results.  
The Health Promotion Agency will continue to implement the role established by the Alcohol Advisory Council. This agency has been proved to be invaluable in alcohol matters and the bill ensures that the vital measures it previously enforced will continue under the Health Promotion Agency. Alcohol abuse among the young people of New Zealand has been smeared over the news for the past month. The Health Promotion Agency has promised that it will give its utmost priority to dealing with this issue. More than 2000 young people end up in hospital with alcohol-related diseases.  
The Mental Health Commission Amendment Bill brings forward the disestablishment of the Mental Health Commission transfers its functions to the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner and establishes a new Mental Health Commissioner within the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner. These changes will reduce duplication of the corporate and governance overheads and ensure that the agencies continue to deliver the front-line services that New Zealanders expect. I commend this bill to the House.
Tolley Anne: Budget Debate 
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Tolley Anne: Budget Debate 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2714. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Deputy Leader of the House) 
: 
 I move  
That the debate be now adjourned 
.  
Motion agreed to.
Business Statement 
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Business Statement 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2745. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Thursday 31 May 2012 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Business Statement 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Deputy Leader of the House) 
: 
 Next week the House is in a 1-week adjournment. When the House resumes on Tuesday 12 June the Government will look to progress a number of first and second readings on the Order Paper and to conclude the Budget debate. Wednesday is a members’ day. 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) 
: 
 I want to thank the acting Leader of the House for that. Can she tell us when it is the Government’s intention to make further progress in the House on the sale of assets legislation and on the alcohol legislation? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Deputy Leader of the House) 
: 
 To my knowledge firstly there is no such legislation called that. But I think the bill the member is referring to is still in the select committee.
Motions — Nuclear Disarmament—Global Support and Anniversary of New Zealand Nuclear-free Zone 
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Motions — Nuclear Disarmament—Global Support and Anniversary of New Zealand Nuclear-free Zone 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2745. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Motions 
Nuclear Disarmament—Global Support and Anniversary of New Zealand Nuclear-free Zone 
Hon MARYAN STREET (Labour) 
: 
 I seek leave of the House to move a non-debatable motion that is set down as members’ notice of motion No. 5 today. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Hon MARYAN STREET 
: I move  
That this House celebrate the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone Disarmament and Arms Control Act; reaffirm the commitment of New Zealand to the achievement of a nuclear-weapons-free world; welcome the 2010 agreement of States Parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that any use of nuclear weapons could create catastrophic humanitarian consequences and that all States must play a role in building the framework for a nuclear-weapons-free world; commend Norway for its announcement to hold a conference in 2013 on humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons in order to build political momentum for a global ban; and call on the New Zealand Government to provide its highest support for this conference. 
Motion agreed to.
Points of Order — Questions for Oral Answer—Speaker’s Role in Interpreting Answers 
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Points of Order — Questions for Oral Answer—Speaker’s Role in Interpreting Answers 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2745. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Points of Order 
Questions for Oral Answer—Speaker’s Role in Interpreting Answers 
CHRIS HIPKINS (Senior Whip—Labour) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I want to raise with you again the issue that I raised during question time yesterday and ask you for a further ruling. You will recall that yesterday I asked you to consider the issue of the Speaker’s interpretation of a Minister’s answer and whether in fact the Minister could be held to account for your interpretation of that answer. The issue that I want to now raise with you is if it subsequently transpires that both the Minister’s answer and your interpretation of that answer were incorrect is there an obligation on the Minister if they come to the House to make a personal statement on that to also correct your interpretation of their answer? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Not at all. The Speaker sometimes tries to assist in the interests of making progress by elucidating why he is not requiring a Minister to answer further. But that is the only standing of anything the Minister might say. The answers are absolutely up to the Ministers. That is why yesterday when there was concern over an answer given I enabled the member Chris Hipkins himself to repeat his question so that the Minister could answer herself in person with an actual answer to the question asked. That is why I did that—to avoid any confusion.
Tisch Lindsay: Budget Debate 
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Tisch Lindsay: Budget Debate 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2709. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Roy Eric: Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 10 to Minister 
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Roy Eric: Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 10 to Minister 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2711. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there anyone opposed to that course of action? There appears not. Leave is granted. 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: I would like to clarify an answer I gave to oral question No. 10 today. I was asked whether I had received a list and I replied no. My office did receive a list of schools affected by ratio changes as well as forecast roll growth. However this list was based on a different funding formula. Thank you.
Parata Hekia: Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 10 to Minister 
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Parata Hekia: Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 10 to Minister 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2711. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education) 
: 
 I seek leave to make a personal explanation.
Wagner Nicky: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Wagner Nicky: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2673. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
11. 
NICKY WAGNER (National—Christchurch Central) 
 to the  
Minister for Land Information 
: What steps has the Government taken in relation to land information to further help the rebuilding of Christchurch? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Minister for Land Information) 
: 
 In Budget 2012 the Government has granted a further $800000 in new operating funding to Land Information New Zealand for the 2012-13 year so that the vital resurveying of the Canterbury region can continue. The funding which will come from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Fund will go towards restoring the survey control network that was badly damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes.  
Nicky Wagner 
: How will the repair of the survey network help the rebuilding of Christchurch? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: Repairing the survey control network will allow property boundaries to be accurately determined. This will allow home and business owners to carry out land and rebuilding work. It will also allow infrastructure such as roads water and waste-water networks to be confidently designed and reinstated. It will also aid the mitigation and definition of hazards such as flooding due to land subsidence. The Government is committed to rebuilding Canterbury following the devastating earthquakes and this funding will enable infrastructure to be rebuilt and will help residents plan for their future.
Robertson H V Ross: New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill Mental Health Commission Amendment Bill Charities Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Readings 
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Robertson H V Ross: New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill Mental Health Commission Amendment Bill Charities Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Readings 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2730. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson) 
: This is a split call I am sorry to say to the member. It is a split call between Labour and the Greens. The Green member of Parliament is seeking the call.
Calder Cam: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Calder Cam: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2670. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
9. 
Dr CAM CALDER (National) 
 to the  
Minister for Courts 
: What progress is the Government making on improving the collection of court fines and reparations? 
Hon CHESTER BORROWS (Minister for Courts) 
: 
 Excellent progress. Last year the Collections Department started a data-match regime with the Inland Revenue Department and the Ministry of Social Development to locate defaulters on fines who had “gone no address” and would not be located. They anticipated that they would recover about $15 million in the first year but after only 7 months they have already recovered $16 million and this is excellent progress. 
Dr Cam Calder 
: Is this all that the Government is doing to improve the collection of fines and reparations? 
Hon CHESTER BORROWS 
: No it is not. Last year the Government passed the Courts and Criminal Matters Bill which allowed for credit checks to be made by credit agencies to find out just who owed what on fines principally to prospective borrowers from those credit rating agencies. This amounted to a further gain in fines collected from these defaulters. Also next year the Collections Department will be able to suspend drivers’ licences for those people who owe traffic fines and this will recover more money while taking those negligent drivers off the road. Along with other matters this will reinforce that fines are an effective sanction within our criminal justice system.
Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2668. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Walker Holly: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Walker Holly: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2668. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
HOLLY WALKER (Green) 
: 
 I seek leave of the House to transfer the question back to the Prime Minister.
Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2668. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! We are not going to go down this path again. I have heard this argument before. The question is fundamentally about students being able to borrow for living costs under the student loan scheme and the relationship of that to student allowances. Clearly the Minister for Tertiary Education Skills and Employment is in a position to be perfectly able to answer that question so I do not think the House needs to waste more time on that.
Walker Holly: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Walker Holly: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2668. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
HOLLY WALKER (Green) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Before I ask my question I would like to raise a point of order and refer you to Speakers’ rulings 151/6 and 152/1 regarding the transfer of a question where a question should not be transferred when only one Minister could be expected to have personal knowledge of the subject. My original question specifically addressed whether the Prime Minister stood by a statement. I think it is very difficult for another member to know what is in the mind of the Prime Minister.
Ngaro Alfred: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Ngaro Alfred: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 30 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2666. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
6. 
ALFRED NGARO (National) 
 to the  
Minister for Social Development 
: How is the Government refocusing the Families Commission? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development) 
: 
 The way the Families Commission works is about to change. We are restructuring the commission. This will see its core activities streamlined through a leaner more focused structure. It will be headed by a single commissioner down from the original number of seven and will take on a new role providing for independent monitoring evaluation and research to measure the effectiveness of initiatives across the social sector. 
Alfred Ngaro 
: What will the main benefits of the new Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit be? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: If we are going to make a difference for the families who are struggling we need to be able to invest in interventions that we know will work and that have had full evaluations. This new unit will build a body of evidence that will allow policy makers non-governmental organisations and anyone wanting to invest in social services to make informed decisions about which programmes are effective for New Zealand families.  
Alfred Ngaro 
: What current activities will continue after the restructure? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: Firm decisions are yet to be made by the commissioner on the exact work programme for the core functions. However I expect that its highly regarded family violence work will remain a core component throughout the change process.  
Sue Moroney 
: Does her refocusing of the Families Commission include ensuring that the commissioner she appointed backed National’s position of opposing the extension of paid parental leave when previously the commission had presented research to recommend extending paid parental leave to 13 months? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: It would be fair to say that with an ex-commissioner actually now a Labour MP actually that ex-commissioner might have agreed with a few things that Labour was doing. I have no influence over what the current commissioner thinks or puts out or does and as such he is independent and runs accordingly.