edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Bennett DavidHon DAVID BENNETT (National): Thank you Madam Speaker. It's a bit crazy that we have to do a bill that only extends it by five years—and as my colleague said is a one-page bill effectively—which is just a reflection of the incompetence of the Government that we have at the moment. They've had three years in Government they haven't been able to do a thing they've taken their time it runs out of time and then we are forced in this Parliament to do legislation like this when we should do the real things that New Zealanders need—around housing around law and order and those issues that should be dealt with rather than following up on their mistakes.One of my colleagues actually felt that we should declare an emergency in this situation because they've declared emergencies on everything else. Why don't they do one on this? This is the waste of time that this Parliament has been put through because of the inefficiency and incompetence of that group of people over there in Government. And they don't even know what they're talking about because the fine article that my colleague Barbara Kuriger referred to finishes with this line saying that the Ministry of Health has done the policy work on new modern regulations and we understand it's ready to go. They've done it. It's there with the Ministry of Health—it's sitting there. Yet we get from the Minister in the chair saying that they have nothing suitable to replace it with.The last speaker said We need five years to develop the regulations." They've actually done the work. It's sitting there. They don't even know it's sitting there. The submitters actually said that they know it's there; it's been done. And the Labour Party need another five years to work out whether or not they want to bring it to this House. That is the incompetence that we see. It's the incompetence that we see in every part of their governance whether it's from building roads or building houses—they are an incompetent Government. They can't do things and we have to debate a bill that reflects that incompetence. We give them another five years; we'll be back here and doing it in two years' time—with the National Party coming into Government that will actually make it happen and we won't have to wait for these clowns to actually do anything."
Luxton JoJO LUXTON (Labour—Rangitata): Thank you Madam Speaker. It's a pleasure to take a call on this piece of legislation as the newly elected chair of the Primary Production Committee. But before I begin my speech can I just acknowledge Barbara Kuriger as the previous chair of the select committee and David Bennett prior to her. So thank you for your time as chairs on this select committee. As has been traversed this is merely an amendment to a regulation that amends the Food Act to allow the extension of the expiry date for the Dietary Supplements Regulations by pushing it out by five years. The reason for this is that as has been said it's due to expire in March of this year and if we allow this to expire then it would mean that perhaps—myself for instance: I could decide I want to come up with some kind of supplement and promise the world that it would deliver all these amazing miracle effects and there'd be nothing to regulate me—[Interruption]—that's right—to say that it was true or not true. We've heard about the time frame. The time frame has now been decided upon as five years and that gives time for the new regime to be developed and a maximum of two years to implement it. Barbara Kuriger talked about it taking too long but I would note in the first reading speech that at that time Barbara Kuriger said that—and I quote—I would like to congratulate the Minister in a time of COVID-19 for giving at least one industry certainty—at least 5½ years' certainty—when actually most businesses are not sure what's happening tomorrow or next week." So I would take from that at that time that the member supported the 5½ years because it allowed the industry certainty. Anyway as I said earlier by having the regulations in place it does ensure that supplements cannot say that they will do things that they are unable to do. It will provide a certain level of safety for us all because we have heard that supplements can be dangerous if you take the wrong dosage etc. etc. and yes while we're going to wait for five years for this to be implemented it is important that we get it right and that we take the time. As Barbara Kuriger mentioned it's long overdue—1985 I think the previous regulations came out. So times have changed but we do need to make sure we get it right because people's health and safety is involved here. So without further ado I commend this bill to the House."
Shaw JamesInstruction to Environment CommitteeHon JAMES SHAW (Minister of Climate Change): I move That the Climate Change Response (Auction Price) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 4 March 2021 and that the committee have authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting except during oral questions; during an evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House; on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House; and outside the Wellington area despite Standing Orders 193 195 and 196(1)(b) and (c). As I mentioned last night the trade and purchase of emissions units in a secondary market is a well-established practice in a great many emissions trading schemes around the world. They provide a means for auction participants to sell surplus units or to purchase any shortfall and as such create a powerful incentive for organisations to reduce emissions. The reason that this bill must proceed quickly is so that a confidential reserve price can be put in place before the emissions trading scheme (ETS) units are auctioned for the first time on 17 March. This is necessary not only to build trust and integrity in the auctioning process but to put a stable price on emissions as a means to drive investment into clean technologies. Absent these changes we risk disrupting the emissions trading scheme's secondary market and hindering the ability of participants to manage compliance costs and long-term investment decisions. We would also risk exposing the Crown to a fiscal cost if units are sold for less than the prevailing secondary market price. To create a stable and credible framework for the sale and purchase of New Zealand units both the primary and secondary markets need to operate in a way that is complementary supporting stability liquidity price discovery and transparency. This bill in the introduction of a confidential reserve price below which no units can be sold at auction will ensure that.This House has already agreed that the introduction of a confidential reserve price is necessary to the functioning of auctions under the emissions trading scheme. This bill simply enacts that intent. These changes were first signalled to market participants more than seven weeks ago. This was to allow market participants sufficient time to plan ahead of the first auction on 17 March. Even though it has been clear that these changes are coming it is important that ETS participants and other interested New Zealanders are given the opportunity to have their say through a formal parliamentary process. That is why I am proposing that the select committee do consider the bill albeit over a much shorter time period than normal. Because the setting of the confidential reserve price is not sufficiently complex or contentious I have no doubt that the select committee can meet the time frames that I invite the House to support in this motion. Today I respectfully ask that the Environment Committee consider the bill thoroughly and report back to the House by 4 March.
Russell DeborahDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn): Thank you Madam Speaker. I rise to take the final call on the Climate Change Response (Auction Price) Amendment Bill. I just wish to summarise the arguments that are being presented. As the Minister of Climate Change has said this is a technical change which enables us to set a confidential reserve price in the auctions of credits and it's really important to have that confidential price in order for the secondary market to work well. I acknowledge that this is exactly what our colleagues from the National Party have been saying that this change is needed so I look forward to their votes in support of this bill in order to help our markets to operate properly.I would also just like to address something that was raised by the speaker from the ACT Party Simon Court. So the speaker from the ACT Party said that they will be opposing this bill on the grounds—and I think these were their words that were used—that it was an unjustified Government intervention in the market. An unjustified Government intervention in the market. That does ignore that the market set up by the emissions trading scheme is a very peculiar kind of market. It is a market that is set up entirely by law by Government fiat in order for us to deal with a critical issue. In fact this particular market exists because of Government intervention. In fact all markets in our modern economy exist in a state of Government intervention that not then taking another action to correct what's going wrong in a market leaves the existing interventions in place. I think the ACT Party need to have a little think about what not adjusting the status quo does: it leaves existing interventions in place.And this is a much-needed intervention to ensure that the market—created by intervention in the first place—continues to work effectively and well. I thank Mr Andrew Bayly for the way he talked about the necessity for this amendment the necessity for it because we do need that secondary market to be an effective market. Now of course when those auctions go ahead people bidding in the auctions will have a very good idea of what a reserve price will be set around about—they'll know they're business people they will understand it—but we nevertheless still need that confidential reserve price to make it all work in the best way possible. That is exactly what this very very technical piece of legislation does. On this side of the House we of course support this bill because we know how much we need an effective emissions trading scheme in order to help us to deal with the challenges of climate change. So Madam Speaker I commend this bill to the House.
Leary IngridINGRID LEARY (Labour—Taieri): Thank you very much previous speaker—Andrew Bayly—for agreeing that we need a reserve price which is exactly our point. May I commend this bill and even get excited about it. This is not a mind-numbing bill. This actually goes to the heart of our climate change response. For the people in my electorate in Taieri who have been affected by climate change who have experienced trauma and financial damage through flooding this is actually a very important piece of legislation. In fact on 2 January I was back in the electorate helping people in Middlemarch to clean up because they are constantly facing these more frequent challenges of climate change.Thank you to the previous speaker for also pointing out the urgency which is required which is that we have an emissions trading scheme auction in March. We know that the world will be watching and we have a platform to enhance the confidence both in our auction process and in New Zealand's wider climate change reform package. There are good reasons for urgency. This is an anomaly. It incentivises behaviours. It mitigates against the potential for collusion. There was cross-party support for this and as the Minister quite rightly pointed out last night there was five years of careful consideration of the technicalities. It is technical. It is not mind-numbing. It's an important piece of legislation. And I commend this legislation to the House on behalf of myself and the people of my climate change - affected electorate. Thank you Madam Speaker.
Sharma GauravDr GAURAV SHARMA (Labour—Hamilton West): Thank you Assistant Speaker Dean. The Māori Party has decided not to take the call. This is my first time speaking in the House so I want to start by first of all congratulating you on your new position.I want to add to the support for the Climate Change Response (Auction Price) Amendment Bill. Two weeks ago I stood on the footsteps of Parliament with School Strike 4 Climate action. These are groups of eight- to 18-year-olds who are fighting for climate action. On the stairs there were my parliamentary colleagues from the Labour Party including my friend here Angela Roberts but there was also Minister James Shaw and I want to acknowledge his contribution to the climate change discussion as well as bringing this bill forward. It shows his commitment to the cause and to the next generation. So thank you for bringing this forward. I really support it.
Kanongata'a-Suisuiki Anahila; Dean JacquiANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour): Kia ora e te Mana Whakawā. I stand to take a brief call to support the Climate Change Response (Auction Price) Amendment Bill. I want to acknowledge the Minister the Hon James Shaw for his leadership in this area climate change and in bringing this bill to the House in the House's first sitting of the year. As a Government we've started to tackle Aotearoa New Zealand's long-term challenges and climate change is one of the biggest.The bill introduces a process to set a confidential reserve for auctions in the New Zealand emissions trading scheme. Last night the Minister went into detail to explain to us what that is. So really this bill amends the Climate Change Response Act of 2002 and the Climate Change (Auctions Limits and Price Controls for Units) Regulations 2020. Its purpose is to ensure that when the emissions trading scheme units are auctioned for the first time next month in March they are sold at a price that reflects our activity in the secondary market. It is a technical—as the Minister stated last night—but necessary amendment which will effectively prevent sales and prices significantly below the prices of New Zealand units sold on secondary markets so the auction sales do not unduly—unduly I said Madam Speaker—affect secondary markets.Late last month—not long ago—on 31 January He Pou a Rangi the Climate Change Commission has laid out an achievable and affordable road map for meeting our emission reduction targets that will create new economic opportunities and reduce most household bills. The Prime Minister the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern's response to He Pou A Rangi the Climate Change Commission report was and I quote The report demonstrates we have the tools we need to achieve our target but calls on us to accelerate our work. As a Government we are committed to picking up the pace and focusing much more on decarbonisation and reducing emissions".The New Zealand emissions trading scheme is one of our main tools for helping to meet our climate targets. As a member of the Environment Committee I look forward to discussions on this matter further and on that note I commend the Climate Change Response (Auction Price) Amendment Bill to the House. Malo.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): This is a split call. I call Erica Stanford."
Court SimonSIMON COURT (ACT): Thank you Madam Speaker and thank you Minister Shaw. ACT opposes this bill because it's a needless complication to a hugely complicated system devised by the climate Minister and this Government and it won't help New Zealand reach a target of net zero emissions by 2050 which is what New Zealand has signed up to at Paris. It's so complicated it sounds like an excuse for a failed policy.Now I've been in the principal's office. It sounds like Mr Shaw has too because the explanation we heard last night sounded like The dogs ate my homework Sir." I haven't heard an explanation so complicated since one of my boys had to explain why he hadn't done his homework.Look ACT opposes this bill for the same reason we opposed the regulations that this bill seeks to amend because we believe the best way to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions is to actually allow business and individuals to choose how they mitigate their climate risks. We believe that if we're going to have a trading market we must allow willing buyers and willing sellers and the bill amending the climate change regulations does nothing to establish a credible and enduring market-based system to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions.ACT supports an emissions trading scheme which allows for trade-offs between businesses which emit carbon dioxide and those which capture it. Some businesses like a steel mill a pulp and paper mill a cement plant a dairy factory can only reduce emissions and become more efficient to a certain level because their industrial and trade processes will always produce a certain level of emissions no matter how efficient they become. New Zealand depends on locally made steel and cement packaging and food products and those businesses should be able to use a carbon trading market to find the lowest-cost way to mitigate their emissions.Last night we heard the Minister give a detailed explanation. It sounded more like an excuse than a reason why more Government interference in this market is needed. That law is not even 12 months old. It's not road tested. It doesn't even come into effect until 15 March this year and yet it's already been deemed a failure.ACT's position is this. New Zealand business should have the ability to purchase high-quality credits from any willing seller anywhere in the world. And New Zealand business should not be subject to the invisible hand of Government—a Minister who will have the power to set a confidential reserve price at auction even though the emissions trading scheme apparently is the best way for New Zealand to meet its Paris targets. For that reason ACT opposes this bill. Thank you Madam Speaker."
Dean JacquiCLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE (AUCTION PRICE) AMENDMENT BILLFirst ReadingDebate resumed from 9 February. Hon JACQUI DEAN (Assistant Speaker—National): For the Climate Change Response (Auction Price) Amendment Bill Simon Court has the floor and has three minutes should he wish to use it.
Hipkins ChrisHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move That Mr Speaker accompanied by the mover and the seconder and other members of the House present the Address to Her Excellency the Governor-General at a place and time to be appointed by Her Excellency. Motion agreed to.
Mallard TrevorThe question is that the amendment in the name of the Hon Judith Collins be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the following words be added to the Address: That in the context of a Government that is borrowing more than any other in our history and the burden this leaves future generations the Government will be held to account for the poor quality of its spending. The Government will be asked to focus on the core issues that matter to New Zealanders to urgently reform planning rules and make it easier to build houses to rein in escalating house prices to build more roads and unclog our cities to stop work on the light rail distraction to grow our productivity to address falling outcomes in education to improve outcomes in law and order and to balance its books.". Ayes 43New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Noes 75New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Amendment not agreed to.SPEAKER: The question now is that the motion that a respectful address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor-General in reply to Her Excellency's speech be agreed to. A party vote was called for on the question That a respectful Address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor-General in reply to Her Excellency's speech.Ayes 75New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Noes 43New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Presentation to Governor-GeneralSPEAKER: The Address from the House of Representatives to Her Excellency the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy Chancellor and Principal Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit Principal Companion of the Queen's Service Order Governor-General and Commander in Chief in and over the Realm of New Zealand reads:YOUR EXCELLENCYWE the House of Representatives thank you for the speech addressed to us when you opened this Fifty Third Parliament.We assure you that the matters referred to in your speech will receive our careful consideration.Ko te tūmanako nei kia mahi tahi tātou katoa.[Our hope is that we will work together.]Address adopted."
Mallard TrevorSPEAKER: We're going from team Brooking" to "team Boyack". In the knowledge that MPs—I prefer them to have food before they come back. Could we get the change going please? While—oh I'll turn the mute off. I turn the mute on when I sing for good reasons! Now members we haven't quite finished the time for the debate but we will have finished by the end of the next speech. And what I'm going to do is seek leave now for the vote to be held now in order to save us a bit of time later on. Is there any objection to that process being followed? There appears to be none."
Mallard TrevorWEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2021The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.PETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: No select committee reports have been presented. No bills have been introduced. Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.CLERK: Petition of Paul Jackson requesting that the House urge the Government to increase the funding for wigs and hair pieces shorten claim periods to two years and accept additional products and services for the service payments petition of Nandita Alexander requesting that the House urge the Government to give visa extensions and exemptions to ordinarily resident offshore migrants who are currently stuck overseas due to the border closure.SPEAKER: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee. Ministers have delivered papers.CLERK: Report of the Registrar of the Environment Court for the 12 months ended 30 June 2020 annual reports for 2020 of the Commerce Commission and the Office of Film and Literature Classification.SPEAKER: Those papers are published under the authority of the House.
Thursday 10 June 2021 - Volume 752
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Gas (Information Disclosure and Penalties) Amendment Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 108New Zealand Labour 65; New Zealand National 33; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Noes 10ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a second time.
Gas (Information Disclosure and Penalties) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
12. Question No. 12—ImmigrationTANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North) to the Minister of ImmigrationQuestion No. 12—Immigration12. TANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North) to the Minister of Immigration: What announcement has he made about work visas?Hon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Immigration): This morning I announced changes to onshore visas that will provide employers and visa holders with more certainty. Around 10000 working holiday visas and Supplementary Seasonal Employment or SSE work visas that were due to expire between June and December will now be extended for another six months to help manage ongoing labour shortages while New Zealand's COVID-19 border restrictions remain in place. This will provide employers with an assurance that they can continue to access the current onshore workforce to help fill roles.Tangi Utikere: How will these changes provide employers and visa holders with more certainty?Hon KRIS FAAFOI: These changes will provide certainty to workers and their employers. Those workers on working holiday and SSE visas can stay and work in New Zealand for the foreseeable future. We've also announced well-signalled changes to essential skill visa conditions which has allowed us to stage our way back to pre-COVID settings. All of these workers have been filling jobs since our border closed which has severely limited our ability to bring in new tranches of working holiday and SSE workers so providing this certainty to workers and their employees now will take some pressure off the sectors that they are working in.Tangi Utikere: Why has the Government taken this action?Hon KRIS FAAFOI: The Government has taken a pragmatic approach to these situations to ensure that we are well positioned for the economic recovery within the limits that our border closures put on us. While we're taking these pragmatic measures in the short term we are consistently encouraging sectors and employers to think about how they make the shift work and look for ways to recruit New Zealanders before returning to temporary migrant workers.Erica Stanford: How does the Minister explain on the one hand announcing in his immigration reset speech a plan to drastically reduce our reliance on low- and mid-skilled labour and then less than a month later announcing an extension to working holiday visa holders and an extension to the duration of low-skilled work visas from six to 12 months; and does he understand that businesses need certainty not mixed messages?Hon KRIS FAAFOI: The member might know that the border is closed at the moment so in order to assist businesses to deal with short-term shortages I think it's a positive thing that we've extended the working holiday visas. As I have said at the end of my previous supplementary answer we've also sent messages that in the long term we should learn a lesson from COVID and those sectors that have traditionally relied on migrant labour who are now facing shortages in their sectors should look at training opportunities to make sure New Zealanders could potentially fill those jobs in the future.
7. Question No. 7—Trade and Export GrowthNAISI CHEN (Labour) to the Minister for Trade and Export GrowthQuestion No. 7—Trade and Export Growth7. NAISI CHEN (Labour) to the Minister for Trade and Export Growth: How has New Zealand contributed to APEC's commitment to speeding up the cross-border flow of vaccines and related goods to fight the COVID-19 pandemic?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister for Trade and Export Growth): On Friday and Saturday I chaired the annual APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting. One of our key objectives for the meeting was to demonstrate that APEC is responsive and relevant to the COVID-19 crisis. A key aspect of this was showing that trade can be a force for good and collectively APEC Ministers delivered. The impact of the APEC trade Ministers' agreement is that it will make the component parts of the supply chain flow more smoothly. I understand that for the likes of the Pfizer vaccine some 286 component parts are sourced from over 80 companies in nearly 20 countries. So anything that makes the production smoother and easier has to be good not only for New Zealand but for all APEC members and those benefits should flow through into our Pacific neighbours who we are supporting." No one is safe from COVID-19 until we are all safe.Naisi Chen: What other outcomes did you achieve from the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: For the first time in memory every APEC economy was represented at ministerial level underscoring the high level of political commitment to these issues. The meeting was also enriched by the presence of the World Trade Organization Director-General Dr Okonjo-Iweala. We were therefore in a strong position to discuss and demonstrate our collective support for the World Trade Organization to modernise trade rules for the 21st century. We also discussed and agreed on the importance of promoting economic policies and growth that contribute to tackling climate change and other serious environmental challenges. Critically for Aotearoa New Zealand APEC Ministers also took note of the initiatives that we have been driving in APEC to unlock the economic potential of indigenous people.Naisi Chen: How does APEC fit into New Zealand's Trade Recovery Strategy?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: The trade-led recovery strategy launched by Ministers in 2020 supports the Government's wider five-point recovery plan. We find ourselves in an increasingly difficult trading environment. Globally we are in a time of international turmoil and geopolitical uncertainty. Global supply chains are disrupted and our exporters are facing rising offshore trade barriers and subsidies. It is for this reason that the Government is implementing the trade-led recovery strategy. The strategy includes 41 actions delivered by 11 agencies to support exporters. APEC is a key deliverable of this strategy as part of efforts to reinvigorate trade architecture and global economic institutions. In the face of concerning global trends we are looking to use APEC to support open markets resist protectionism and generate sustainable growth."
6. Question No. 6—Housing (Public Housing)BROOKE VAN VELDEN (Deputy Leader—ACT) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing)Question No. 6—Housing (Public Housing)6. BROOKE VAN VELDEN (Deputy Leader—ACT) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing): Does she agree with the Minister of Housing's statement I think there are a number of really good landlords and I think we all meet them when we're out and about—but certainly with some landlords as there is in any sector of society—yes there is more need for compassion."?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing)): Yes and I also agree with the Minister when she said that the Government is not relying on compassion to deal with the housing crisis and has also reformed tenancy laws to ensure they are fit for the 21st century.Brooke van Velden: Does she believe the Government is a compassionate landlord when only 11000 of its 68000 homes meet the healthy homes standards?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I reject the premise of that question. Kāinga Ora—Homes and Communities advises me that yes 11345 of their homes currently meet the healthy homes standards. However they are not required to complete their target until much later and that is because they have a portfolio of 66000. And the other reason is that we intend to spread the demand for building materials and trades across the time period and allow for sufficient time for private landlords to complete their obligations under the healthy homes standards.Brooke van Velden: How can the Minister of Housing demand compassion from private landlords who must comply with healthy homes standards by 1 July when 57000 of its own homes don't meet the same standards?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: To refer back to my previous answer I don't know that the member is aware of just how massive a task it is for Kāinga Ora to complete and in order to not put pressure on the rest of the community in terms of demand for building materials and trades we have ensured that we spread the demand for that by allowing Kāinga Ora to take a little more time than other landlords to do so.Nicola Willis: Can she confirm that the Government has decided to exempt Kāinga Ora - owned properties from the tax changes to interest deductibility and why is there one rule for private landlords and another one for the Government? Hon POTO WILLIAMS: There have been no decisions made with that regard.Hon David Parker: Is the Minister aware that the Government is also consulting on whether that same rule should apply to other providers of community housing?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Yes I am.Brooke van Velden: Why can't the Government meet the same standards they expect of private landlords?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: We are wanting to ensure that our homes will meet the healthy homes standards. We have a huge portfolio of homes and we need to make sure that the work is done properly. The other thing that we do not want to do is to put pressure on material supplies that we will all need. We want to ensure that the homes are repaired to an appropriate standard. There is a huge portfolio of homes and we fully intend to ensure that these properties come up to standard as required."
4. Question No. 4—EducationANGELA ROBERTS (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 4—Education4. ANGELA ROBERTS (Labour) to the Minister of Education: How does Budget 2021 advance the Government's reform of the Tomorrow's Schools system?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): This year's Budget provides funding to allow the Government to get cracking on implementing Supporting all schools to succeed the Government's response to the Tomorrow's Schools review. Central to this is initial funding to start rebuilding front-line advisory capability within the Ministry of Education in a new education service agency called Te Mahau. That is being launched by the Secretary for Education in the second half of this year. It does respond to the feedback from schools that whilst they welcome and continue to enjoy the self-governing model they do on regular occasions feel that they are not receiving the level of support that they would like from the centre.Angela Roberts: Will these changes include any direct financial support to schools?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes. The flexible fund will also be rolled out starting with a $10 million investment in 2021/22 which will give staff in the regions the ability to respond more flexibly to the needs of schools. We learnt through COVID-19 when we established the Urgent Response Fund which was a $50 million fund—a much bigger fund—that when you provide flexibility for the staff working for the Ministry of Education at the front line to better respond to schools' needs great things can be achieved. We want to continue with that momentum.Angela Roberts: How will this package support the Government's curriculum reforms?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Very consistent with my first answer one of the things that we heard from schools over the past few years is that when it comes to curriculum they do look to the centre for more resourcing and more support. New Zealand's curriculum is a very devolved curriculum and that is something that teachers welcome but they do look for more guidance. As a result of that we are establishing a curriculum centre within the redesigned Ministry of Education Te Poutāhū which is going to be a game-changer for the way the Government agencies interact with and support schools when it comes to issues around curriculum.
3. Question No. 3—FinanceHon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 3—Finance3. Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green) to the Minister of Finance: Will an objective in future Budgets he delivers be making a just transition to a low-emissions economy in order to ensure low-income households are not left behind in the Government's response to the Climate Commission's advice?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Supporting New Zealanders through a just transition to a low-carbon economy is currently one of the Government's five Budget wellbeing objectives and while those objectives have not yet been set for future Budgets it is a long-term commitment from this Government to support just such a just transition.Hon Julie Anne Genter: Does he agree with the Climate Change Commission's summary of what a just transition" means in Aotearoa which includes skills training sending early and clear policy signals and honouring Te Tiriti?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Yes I do agree with those concepts. More broadly as the Minister who's recently resumed her seat has said these programmes Just Transition programmes can be very active programmes that work at both a community and individual level.Hon Julie Anne Genter: What specific support will the Government provide to low-income households so they can access low-emissions technology like electric vehicles and e-bikes?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: One example is in the Budget: a contingency has been set aside to support the uptake of electric vehicles and I'm sure there'll be more detailed announcements about that very soon.Hon Julie Anne Genter: Does he acknowledge that reducing poverty and income inequality must be central to the Government's work to address climate change and protect our environment and why?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: That is central to the Government's programme for a range of reasons including that one.Hon Julie Anne Genter: What specific support will his future Budgets provide to those communities and workers that rely on high-emission sectors?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: That is the very essence of a Just Transition programme. I'm not going to pre-empt specific initiatives in future Budgets but what I can say is that we're very focused through our Future of Work programme for example on supporting all workers to a just transition be that for technological reasons or in the case that the member is raising with respect to climate change. We are very confident and optimistic of the ability of New Zealand workers and businesses to transition with support to use new technologies to create new jobs and new areas of work but that will be a partnership."
2. Question No. 2—Research Science and InnovationGLEN BENNETT (Labour—New Plymouth) to the Minister of Research Science and InnovationQuestion No. 2—Research Science and Innovation2. GLEN BENNETT (Labour—New Plymouth) to the Minister of Research Science and Innovation: How is the Government continuing to support Just Transition in Taranaki and Southland through Budget 2021?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Research Science and Innovation): Last month's Budget included $20 million over four years to continue the work we started in 2018 supporting a just transition approach in Taranaki as the region moves away from oil and gas exploration. This funding will also enable support to be extended to the Southland community as the Tīwai aluminium smelter moves towards closure in 2024. I'm proud of the work we've started on supporting workers and communities through the transition to a low emissions future and I was pleased to see the endorsement of the just transition approach by the Climate Change Commission in their advice released yesterday.Glen Bennett: What will Budget 2021 funding support in Taranaki and Southland?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Funds will be used to unlock additional investment further business cases support community initiatives and pay for local staff to support the ongoing transition process. In Taranaki a significant engagement programme has been undertaken to deliver regional economic development plans that set the strategy for the region through to 2050 and this new funding will support implementation of these plans. In Southland we're working closely with regional stakeholders to identify priorities and projects that can support the transition following the expected closure of the Tīwai Point Aluminium Smelter in 2024. Currently the focus is on strengthening relationships and part of a broad-based partnership with the Murihiku collective of rūnanga councils mayors unions and industry.Glen Bennett: How does a just transition approach align with our climate change goals?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: A just transition is about how we plan for a future with a low-emissions economy and what that looks like with those in partnership with those affected the most. The Climate Change Commission report is explicit in its advice that it will cost New Zealand more down the line if we don't act now. We do not want to see a repeat of the economic shocks seen during the 1980s which left workers and communities unable to plan for their futures as we prepare for our transitions to a low-emissions economy.
Mallard TrevorVALEDICTORY STATEMENTSSPEAKER: Members it is my intention at the conclusion of the Hon Dr Nick Smith's valedictory speech to move from the Chair and that will indicate that the House adjourns until 2 p.m. on Tuesday 22 June. I'm doing it this way so that I don't have to interrupt the celebrations that are occurring at the end of the speech. I now call on the Hon Dr Nick Smith to make his valedictory statement.
Willis NicolaNICOLA WILLIS (National): National opposes this bill. Yes financial institutions banks insurers and the like should have controls in place to ensure they are focused on the best interests of their customers but this bill risks imposing a compliance-heavy box-ticking exercise.Mr Speaker may I seek your indulgence to acknowledge my colleague the Hon Dr Nick Smith whose 30 years in this House have had a profound impact on the governance of our country. I first worked for Nick in 2003. He has been a source of wisdom and advice to me ever since and I will miss him from this House. Farewell friend.
Health (National Cervical Screening Programme) Amendment Bill — In Committee
Rurawhe AdrianCHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): The committee has further considered the Health (National Cervical Screening Programme) Amendment Bill and reports it with amendment. I move That the report be adopted.Motion agreed to.Report adopted.
Rurawhe AdrianHEALTH (NATIONAL CERVICAL SCREENING PROGRAMME) AMENDMENT BILLIn CommitteeDebate resumed from 8 June.Clauses 1 to 9CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Kāti rā tēnā rā tātou katoa. Members who are leaving should do so swiftly please. Thank you. The House is in committee for further consideration of the Health (National Cervical Screening Programme) Amendment Bill. When we were last considering this bill we were debating the question that clauses 1 to 9 stand part. The question is that the Minister's amendment replacing clause 6A set out on Supplementary Order Paper 35 be agreed to.Amendment agreed to.Clauses 1 to 9 as amended agreed to.House resumed.
Mallard TrevorPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: No bills have been introduced. Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.CLERK: Petition of Jane Sutherland and Rebecca Greer requesting that the House urge the Government to establish a school bus service from Kingston to Wakatipu High Schoolpetition of Samantha Edmondson requesting that the House urge the Government to increase resources for and access to mental health services for childrenpetition of the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union requesting that the House urge the Government to withdraw funding for SkyPath.SPEAKER: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee. Ministers have delivered papers.CLERK: External Reporting Board Statement of Performance Expectations for the period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022Takeovers Panel Statement of Performance Expectations 2021/22Revision Bill Programme 2021-2023.SPEAKER: I present the Register of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests of Members of Parliament: Summary of amendments to annual returns June 2021 and the report of the Controller and Auditor-General entitled Strategic suppliers: Understanding and managing the risks of service disruption. Those papers are published under the authority of the House. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Reports of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on:the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Monetary Policy Statement May 2021Supplementary Estimates for the year ending 2021.SPEAKER: The Monetary Policy Statement is set down for consideration.
Hipkins Chris; Bishop ChrisBUSINESS STATEMENTHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): Today the House adjourns until Tuesday 22 June. On that day the Ngāti Rangitihi Claims Settlement Bill will receive its first reading and the Appropriation (2020/21 Supplementary Estimates) Bill will complete its remaining stages along with all stages of an imprest supply bill. Other legislation to proceed through further stages that week will include the Fair Trading Amendment Bill the Gas (Information Disclosure and Penalties) Amendment Bill the Health (National Cervical Screening Programme) Amendment Bill the Intelligence and Security (Review) Amendment Bill the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bill and the Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill. On Thursday 24 June the House will debate the report of the Education and Workforce Committee on its inquiry into student accommodation.CHRIS BISHOP (National): I thank the Leader of the House for that update. I'd just ask him in light of an interesting exchange in the Justice Committee this morning what the Government's intentions are in relation to three issues they have previously signalled legislation would be introduced on: three strikes hate speech and conversion therapy.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I can confirm the Government intends to progress all three of those issues.
Rurawhe AdrianTHURSDAY 10 JUNE 2021The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSDEPUTY SPEAKER: E te Atua kaha rawa ka tuku whakamoemiti atu mātou mō ngā karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a mātou. Ka waiho i ō mātou pānga whaiaro katoa ki te taha. Ka mihi mātou ki te Kuīni me te inoi atu mō te ārahitanga i roto i ō mātou whakaaroarohanga kia mōhio ai kia whakaiti ai tā mātou whakahaere i ngā take o te Whare nei mō te oranga te maungārongo me te aroha o Aotearoa. Amene.[Almighty God we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests we acknowledge the Queen and pray for guidance in our deliberations that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom and humility for the welfare peace and compassion of New Zealand. Amen.]
Tuesday 8 June 2021 - Volume 752
Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee
Appropriation (2020/21 Supplementary Estimates) Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Appropriation (2020/21 Supplementary Estimates) Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 43New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.The result corrected after originally being announced as Ayes 75 Noes 43 to include Te Paati Māori's votes.