edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Ross Jami-Lee: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Ross Jami-Lee: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:491. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
8. 
JAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany) 
 to the  
Minister of Local Government 
: What analysis has he received on rate increases across New Zealand’s 78 councils following the enactment of new local government legislation in 2002? 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister of Local Government) 
: 
 The analysis shows that the national rates bill has increased quite dramatically from $2.3 billion a year to $4.2 billion a year or by 7 percent compound per annum. Inflation over these years has been 3 percent per annum. The increases range from as high as 13 percent compounded per year for some councils to the lowest of 4 percent compounded per year for others. None of the councils were able to keep the increase over that decade to the rate of inflation. The fact that these rate rises dramatically increased under the enactment of the new local government legislation in 2002 raises questions about the negative impacts these reforms have had for both households and businesses. 
Jami-Lee Ross 
: Has the Minister seen any reports from 2002 where the Government assured businesses farmers and householders that the changes to the purposes and principles of local government would have no impact on rates or costs and given what has transpired since what economic impacts have these changes had? 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: Yes I have seen reports. Strong assurances were given by the previous Government in fact that there would be big cost savings from those changes in 2002. The fact is that the average rate rise in the decade since has been 6.8 percent as compared with the decade previous of 3.9 percent per annum. If the rate increase had continued at the previous rate rates would be costing the New Zealand economy today $1 billion a year less or a saving of $500 per household. As a consequence of these figures the Government is reviewing those 2002 changes because ongoing cost increases of this order are not affordable and will negatively impact on New Zealand’s economic prospects.
Cosgrove Clayton: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Cosgrove Clayton: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:490. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
7. 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister for State Owned Enterprises 
: Does he still intend to sell 49 per cent of the four State-owned energy companies? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister for State Owned Enterprises) 
: 
 The Government’s position has always been that it would sell up to 49 percent of the companies and so would retain at least 51 percent ownership. The Government’s intentions remain subject to market conditions. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: Will the Minister now give an absolute guarantee to New Zealanders that the Crown’s stake in the four State-owned energy companies up for sale will never fall below 51 percent? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I think we can give more than the guarantee of the Minister. That is the intention of the legislation that the Government intends to introduce—to give an assurance that the Crown’s ownership will not fall below 51 percent. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: In light of that answer could he outline whether in the event of the companies needing more capital the Government would borrow and/or use additional taxpayers’ funds to ensure that the Crown’s stake never falls below 51 percent?  
Hon TONY RYALL 
: That would be the Government’s intention: if there was additional capital required for the company and it made sense for that capital to be raised the Government would bring forward its contribution.  
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: If the revenue from the asset sales is less than the Government’s estimated $6 billion which its stated intention is to use for the so-called Future Investment Fund to offset debt will the Government be forced to borrow additional funds to make up that difference?  
Hon TONY RYALL 
: The member is asking whether if the sales proceeds do not reach $6 billion we would borrow money in order to make up the difference to pay back the money and the debt that we are trying to reduce? No the Government is expecting and has been working within a range of $5 billion to $7 billion resulting from the asset sales.  
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: Why has the Government only now woken up to the fact via Mr English’s comments in the media in the last 24 hours that there is a high risk of its 51 percent controlling interest being diluted when a Treasury report entitled  
Extending the Mixed Ownership Model 
 dated 4 March 2011 warned that if the Government wants to keep its majority stake then “any further raisings will require Government participation to avoid dilution”? Does that not fly in the face of the Prime Minister’s comments that the reason for the asset sale float was because the Government could not afford to put extra capital in? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: There is nothing new in this point. I was in a select committee and Mr Norman from the Green Party asked me that question I think in the middle of last year.
Calder Cam: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Calder Cam: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:489. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
6. 
Dr CAM CALDER (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: What improvements have there been to services for patients as a result of greater collaboration between District Health Boards? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
: 
 The Hutt Valley District Health Board and the Capital and Coast District Health Board have been working together to provide faster access to magnetic resonance imaging for their patients. In March last year I am told there were 760 patients waiting longer than 6 months to have routine magnetic resonance imaging at Wellington Regional Hospital. That waiting list has now been completely cleared and no one is waiting longer than 4 months. More scans are now being done at the Hutt Hospital and an after-hours radiology registrar has been provided there instead of relying on services from Australia. This is a very good example of what can be achieved when neighbouring district health boards work together. 
Dr Cam Calder 
: What improvement has there been to waiting times for ultrasounds in Wairarapa? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: The Hutt Valley District Health Board and the Wairarapa District Health Board have worked together to reduce the waiting time for ultrasounds from 9 months last year to less than 2 months today. Additional clinics provided at Hutt Hospital have cleared the backlog and now a sonographer is travelling from the Hutt Valley to Masterton for a clinic 1 day per week. This more efficient service sees fewer cancellations less rebooking and more certainty for patients and is a very good example of district health boards working together to provide faster services for patients.
Smith Lockwood: Address in Reply 
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Smith Lockwood: Address in Reply 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:535. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: My colleagues can I congratulate all the members who have made maiden speeches to the House in this 50th Parliament. I think we have heard some outstanding maiden speeches not just today but from all parties and I congratulate all the new members of this 50th Parliament for the quality of those maiden speeches.  
Debate interrupted. 
Sitting suspended from 6.04 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Peters Winston: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Peters Winston: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:481. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) 
: 
 I seek leave to have this question moved down to below question No. 12 so that the Prime Minister will have a chance to answer it. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to have question No. 1 relocated to below question No. 12. Is there any objection to that course of action? There is objection.
Brownlee Gerry: Business Statement 
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Brownlee Gerry: Business Statement 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:481. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 Not to my knowledge. If there is something happening that I am not aware of the member might want to talk to me off-line about that.
Mallard Trevor: Business Statement 
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Mallard Trevor: Business Statement 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:481. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) 
: 
 Just seeking an assurance from the Leader of the House that no select committees will be sitting during the National Party maiden speeches this afternoon.
Brownlee Gerry: Business Statement 
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Brownlee Gerry: Business Statement 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:481. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 Next week the House is in a 1-week adjournment. When the House resumes on Tuesday 28 February the Government will look to conclude the Address in Reply debate. The Government will also progress a number of readings particularly first readings on the Order Paper including further progress on the Search and Surveillance Bill.
Upston Louise: Ngai Tamanuhiri Claims Settlement Bill Ngati Makino Claims Settlement Bill — First Readings 
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Upston Louise: Ngai Tamanuhiri Claims Settlement Bill Ngati Makino Claims Settlement Bill — First Readings 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:555. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupo) 
: 
 Tena koe e te Mana Whakawa. Tena koe e te Whare. Rau rangatira ma tenei te mihi ki a koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te ra. Tena koutou nga rangatira o Ngai Tamanuhiri me Ngati Makino. Tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa. 
[ 
Greetings to you Mr Assistant Speaker Tisch and the House. I extend greetings to you the many leaders in respect of the matter of the day. Greetings to the leaders of Ngai Tamanuhiri and Ngati Makino. Greetings to you greetings to you and greetings to you all 
.] 
I am proud to stand and take the final call in this first reading of the Ngai Tamanuhiri Claims Settlement Bill and the Ngati Makino Claims Settlement Bill and very proud of the record that we have made as a National Government in getting durable settlements through as part of our progress towards full partnership. I am proud of our Ministers involved and like all members of this House I am very proud to be supporting unanimously this first reading. I look forward to meeting with you during the select committee process. Thank you.  
Ngai Tamanuhiri Claims Settlement Bill read a first time.  
Billreferred to the Maori Affairs Committee. 
Ngati Makino Claims Settlement Bill read a first time.  
Bill referred to the Maori Affairs Committee. 
Waiata.
Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:498. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I am aware of the point the Minister is making. Of course rather than ruling out questions that do that I have allowed Ministers to use that alleged statement at the start of the question and simply refute it. That is to me the discipline on members asking questions because they do not get any answer if they do that sort of thing.
Norman Russel: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Norman Russel: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:493. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
10. 
Dr RUSSEL NORMAN (Co-Leader—Green) 
 to the  
Minister for Land Information 
: Did Overseas Investment Office officials meet with Chinese political consul Cheng Lei late last year; if so did they discuss Shanghai Pengxin’s bid for the Crafar farms? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Minister for Land Information) 
: 
 I am advised that officials from Treasury and the Overseas Investment Office met with Mr Cheng Lei on 8 August 2011 which could hardly be described as late last year. Officials did not discuss the Shanghai Pengxin bid for the Crafar farms. The purpose of the meeting was to provide Mr Lei with an understanding of New Zealand’s overseas investment laws.  
Dr Russel Norman 
: Does he consider that his officials should have alerted him to the fact that a senior Chinese Government official was meeting with the Overseas Investment Office the very body that is tasked with providing recommendations on bids like the Shanghai Pengxin bid? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: If those Chinese officials had raised any one specific bid with the Overseas Investment Office I would have expected it to have informed me. But given that the briefing was just on our general overseas investment regime so that the Chinese delegate could be well versed on it there is simply no need to be briefing anybody. 
Dr Russel Norman 
: Is the reason why the counsel for the Overseas Investment Office raised the issue of the New Zealand - China free-trade agreement and the implications of the Shanghai Pengxin bid for that agreement connected with the meeting with the Chinese consul? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: No. 
Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga 
: Does the Minister have any examples of other high commission or embassy staff requesting such briefings from the Overseas Investment Office? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: I do and more important can I say that under section 31 of the Act which is headed “What regulator does” it is actually made clear that the Overseas Investment Office must make itself available on request to explain the regime. I am very happy to say that on 8 June of last year some people from the Australian Senate from the country where Russel Norman originated made a request for it to do it and then some of his countrymen from the Australian bureau of agriculture requested such a briefing on 21 June last year as well.
Brownlee Gerry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Brownlee Gerry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:497. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It is a serious point of order. Standing Order 170/8 refers to the way in which people may begin a supplementary question. I wonder whether you might reflect on that and come back to us on it. It is not a big matter but it is something that has come up three times today in supplementary questions.  
Mr SPEAKER 
: Does the honourable Leader of the House mean Speaker’s ruling 170/8? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: Yes Speaker’s ruling. It is not necessary to talk about it now. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Once I see what the matter is about I will— 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: That is fine. Thank you.
Peters Winston: Urgent Debates Declined — Overseas Investment Rules—Judicial Decision on Sale of Crafar Farms 
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Peters Winston: Urgent Debates Declined — Overseas Investment Rules—Judicial Decision on Sale of Crafar Farms 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:498. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This is not to in any way challenge what you have just said but yesterday in your comments about a similar application made for an urgent debate you said that there were grounds you could envisage for an application being made but they were not the grounds that were laid out in yesterday’s application. That being the case—I am not certain of what Dr Norman drafted—I know that our application was drafted not on the basis of what the court had said because no Minister is responsible for what the judge might do but on the results of that which left the policy void on a matter that is highly political and of great public interest. That is why our application was phrased that way. That said you have ruled it out. But are there any grounds at all on which such an application could be successful given what you said yesterday which sounded like an invitation to lodge an application today?
Brownlee Gerry: Statutes Amendment Bill (No 2) — Procedure Second Reading Third Reading 
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Brownlee Gerry: Statutes Amendment Bill (No 2) — Procedure Second Reading Third Reading 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:566. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 Charles Chauvel is quite correct. An exhaustive amount of scrutiny goes on with these bills. In fact the bill would not be in the House if all parties did not agree to all the provisions in these bills. But this bill affects 20 different bills in this case. So I would seek leave that at the conclusion of the third reading debate the bill is split into its appropriate bills as would have normally been the case should we have taken a more exhaustive amount of the House’s time.
Business Statement 
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Business Statement 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:481. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Thursday 16 February 2012 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Business Statement 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 Next week the House is in a 1-week adjournment. When the House resumes on Tuesday 28 February the Government will look to conclude the Address in Reply debate. The Government will also progress a number of readings particularly first readings on the Order Paper including further progress on the Search and Surveillance Bill. 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) 
: 
 Just seeking an assurance from the Leader of the House that no select committees will be sitting during the National Party maiden speeches this afternoon. 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 Not to my knowledge. If there is something happening that I am not aware of the member might want to talk to me off-line about that.
Statutes Amendment Bill (No 3) — First Reading 
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Statutes Amendment Bill (No 3) — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 16 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:566. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Statutes Amendment Bill (No 3) 
First Reading 
Hon CHESTER BORROWS (Associate Minister of Justice) 
: 
 I move  
That the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 3) be now read a first time. 
CHARLES CHAUVEL (Labour) 
: 
 I am sorry. I just want to point out that the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 3) has been the subject of exhaustive consultation between the parties and on that basis the Labour Party is supporting the motion. 
Bill read a first time. 
Bill referred to the Government Administration Committee.
Woodhouse Michael: Game Animal Council Bill — First Reading 
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Woodhouse Michael: Game Animal Council Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:796. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Senior Whip—National) 
: 
 One vote in favour.
Hipkins Chris: Game Animal Council Bill — First Reading 
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Hipkins Chris: Game Animal Council Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:796. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
CHRIS HIPKINS (Senior Whip—Labour) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. As I am aware the Standing Orders allow that any member can correct a vote during that vote being undertaken. They need to have leave to do so only if the vote has been read out. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: OK. I will accept the member and I will instruct the Clerk at the Table to record the vote so ACT is now recorded.
Woodhouse Michael: Game Animal Council Bill — First Reading 
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Woodhouse Michael: Game Animal Council Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:796. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Senior Whip—National) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to cast a vote on behalf of the ACT Party. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Was the ACT Party not called? 
MICHAEL WOODHOUSE 
: It was and I am afraid that I missed it. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there anyone opposed to that course of action? 
Chris Hipkins 
: He doesn’t need leave—the vote hasn’t been counted yet. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Let us just clarify this. We have gone past the call for ACT and the member is asking for that vote to be noted. Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there anyone opposed to that?
Vote: Game Animal Council Bill — First Reading 
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Vote: Game Animal Council Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:797. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Local Government and Environment Committee consider the Game Animal Council Bill. 
Ayes 97 
New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Maori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 23 
Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Mana 1. 
Question agreed to.
Goldsmith Paul: Game Animal Council Bill — First Reading 
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Goldsmith Paul: Game Animal Council Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:796. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) 
: 
 I think that listening to the speeches from the other side of the House has confirmed to me why both those parties have struggled to get much support in provincial and rural New Zealand because they are out of touch with the concerns and interests of those people. It is fair to say that there is not much in the way of game animals in Epsom but there are plenty of pigs to be found in the Waitakeres. [ 
Interruption 
]  
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: If members want to have a debate they can go out into the lobby. This cross-chat is not helpful to the occasion. 
PAUL GOLDSMITH 
: I am delighted to support this Game Animal Council Bill to go to the select committee for consideration. I think it is a worthwhile bill. There is room for everybody in the conservation estate in New Zealand and a wide range of interests and this makes good sense that we can allow people interested in hunting game to get out there and have some say and involvement in the organisation of these things. I will not trespass on the time of the House but I do support this bill. Thank you very much. 
A party vote was called for on the question that the Game Animal Council Bill be now read a first time.
Brownlee Gerry: Parliamentary Service Commission — Membership 
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Brownlee Gerry: Parliamentary Service Commission — Membership 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:761. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 I move  
That pursuant to section 15(1)(d) of the Parliamentary Service Act 2000 the following members be appointed as members of the Parliamentary Service Commission: Michael Woodhouse Chris Hipkins Metiria Turei Barbara Stewart Te Ururoa Flavell and Hone Harawira. 
Motion agreed to.
Vote: Search and Surveillance Bill — Second Reading 
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Vote: Search and Surveillance Bill — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:779. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Search and Surveillance Bill be now read a second 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 second time.
Vote: Search and Surveillance Bill — Second Reading 
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Vote: Search and Surveillance Bill — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:779. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendments recommended by the Justice and Electoral Committee by majority be agreed to. 
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. 
Question agreed to.
Blue Jackie: Search and Surveillance Bill — Second Reading 
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Blue Jackie: Search and Surveillance Bill — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:776. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Dr JACKIE BLUE (National) 
: 
 I am pleased to speak to the second reading of the Search and Surveillance Bill. I am a new member on the Justice and Electoral Committee. I know it was a very complicated bill and the previous committee did an excellent job. I would like to wish the new Minister of Justice Judith Collins well in her role and also the previous chairman of the committee Chester Borrows in his new role as Minister for Courts.  
This legislation updates old powers and old law—over 50 years old—which well and truly needed to be done. It is quite timely that it will be enacted. Importantly there are new powers but they are balanced by safeguards that protect human rights such as requiring independent authorisation before exercising search powers. Enforcement officers must justify the reason for search powers to be used and those officers must be neutral. There are also detailed reporting requirements for all concerned—that is the issuing officer and the chief executive of the relevant agency in Parliament. Importantly the Act will be reviewed in 2016 and amendments can be made at that stage. And importantly this bill does not impact on New Zealanders under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act.  
There are other safeguards which we can debate in the House when we have the Committee stage. I certainly commend this bill to the House. Thank you.
Calder Cam: Search and Surveillance Bill — Second Reading 
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Calder Cam: Search and Surveillance Bill — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:771. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Dr CAM CALDER (National) 
: 
 It is a pleasure to rise and speak on the Search and Surveillance Bill. It has had as we have heard a long gestation period. I want to acknowledge the work done by the Hon Simon Power—gone but not forgotten—and the Hon Judith Collins and the excellent work done by the Justice and Electoral Committee— 
Simon Bridges 
: I was on that. 
Dr CAM CALDER 
: —which gave the bill intense scrutiny. I hear a cry from my colleague in front of me the member for Tauranga that he contributed. He was I believe the deputy chairman under the Hon Chester Borrows who was the chairman of the committee. 
Simon Bridges 
: Who’s deputy chairman now? 
Dr CAM CALDER 
: Good question—well may you ask. The aim of this bill is to implement the Government’s decisions on the legislative reform of search and surveillance powers which are based on that 2007 eponymous Law Commission report. We aim to provide—and we believe that the bill does—consistency clarity and certainty to the law about search and surveillance which is currently a noodle soup of statutes scattered throughout the law book. We are trying to find a balance and strike a balance to avoid accusations like those we heard in the previous speech from David Clendon of there being a surveillance State. We see the need to strike a balance between effective law enforcement tools and protection of the rights of citizens under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. 
I think it is pertinent to make just a brief observation on how we will achieve this. There is a specific purpose clause and it provides that the purpose of the bill is “to facilitate the monitoring of compliance with the law and the investigation and prosecution of offences in a manner that is consistent with human rights values”. How will it do this? By “(a) modernising the law of search seizure and surveillance to take into account advances in technologies and to regulate the use of those technologies; and (b) providing rules that recognise the importance of the rights and entitlements affirmed in other enactments including the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 the Privacy Act 1993 and the Evidence Act 2006;”. Finally it will do this by “ensuring investigative tools are effective”—this is all about our giving police the tools they need to keep our citizens safe—“and adequate for law enforcement needs.” 
I commend this bill to the House.
Ross Jami-Lee: Game Animal Council Bill — First Reading 
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Ross Jami-Lee: Game Animal Council Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:793. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
JAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany) 
: 
 I would like to take just a very short call in favour of the Game Animal Council Bill and to advocate to the House that this does get support. I understand that this bill has been a long time in the making and so for the people watching tonight and the people in the gallery it will be a very good thing for them to see this bill being passed through its first reading.  
I also have to say we should be congratulating the Hon Peter Dunne on bringing this to the House. I know he has been a passionate advocate for the game animal community and with having this bill going through in his name he will be very pleased. And so what if it came through as the result of a confidence and supply agreement? We are a Government that gets things done. We are a Government that is about action. We are a Government that lives up to its promises. And we are a Government that is going to pass this bill through its first reading this afternoon. And good on Labour for supporting it; it is good that Labour members are going to support it. But if the only opposition they can come up with is the fact that Peter Dunne supports the mixed-ownership model then that is a very weak seat of opposition they have.  
The fact that 4000 people submitted on this issue through the process says to me that the Game Animal Council enthusiasts are passionate people and want to see this happen. Also the fact that the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation has been operating for some time very successfully says to me that this bill will have good implications for the community should it be implemented. The fact that this bill is here tonight going through the process and getting put into place is something that the Game Animal Council community is looking forward to and it will be very pleased to see this happen. [ 
Interruption 
] The Hon Maurice Williamson asks how this will affect my electorate. Well there is lots of shooting that takes place in some parts of South Auckland but I do not think that it is of animals unfortunately. I look forward to this bill being passed tonight through its first reading and getting a lot of support from the House. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Gareth Hughes—is this a split call? 
Gareth Hughes 
: Yes. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: A warning bell at 4 minutes.
Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Search and Surveillance Bill — Second Reading 
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Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Search and Surveillance Bill — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:779. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) 
: 
 It is my privilege to stand and support the second reading of the Search and Surveillance Bill. Briefly I would like to touch upon a point that was raised during the select committee process. It was to be ensured that the cultural and religious beliefs of the person being searched be adequately respected and protected. Thus clause 120(1A) was inserted to require all officials to take care of sensitive issues during rub-down searches and strip-searches. This was the point that I wanted to touch on during this contribution. I commend this bill to the House.
Brownlee Gerry: Standing Orders — Sessional 
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Brownlee Gerry: Standing Orders — Sessional 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:761. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 I move  
That the Abortion Supervisory Committee the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and Air New Zealand Limited be public organisations for the purposes of the Standing Orders. 
Motion agreed to.
Simpson Scott: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Simpson Scott: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:760. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
12. 
SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel) 
 to the  
Minister for the Environment 
: What action has the Government taken to assist local councils to deal with the possible contamination of residential and community properties in Moanataiari? 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment) 
: 
 The Government has agreed to provide $238000 to assist the Thames-Coromandel District Council and the Waikato Regional Council with the issues arising from arsenic contamination of this subdivision in Thames following representations by the local member. The funding is being used for additional tests on the 212 residential properties and for the immediate remediation of hot spots at the Moanataiari School and the local childcare centre. 
Scott Simpson 
: What steps at a national level is the Government taking to improve management of health risks from contaminated sites? 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: The Government last year adopted a national environment standard for managing contaminated soil setting out safe levels across 12 contaminants including arsenic. This is seen as a more efficient process than having each one of our 78 councils engage in the necessary expertise to determine safe levels. The new standard took effect on 1 January this year. The Government is also advancing a programme of work as part of the memorandum of understanding with the Green Party on further steps that would have New Zealand better manage the environmental risks from contaminated sites.
Woodhouse Michael: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Woodhouse Michael: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:757. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
9. 
MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) 
 to the  
Minister for Communications and Information Technology 
: What recent progress has the Government made to improve New Zealanders’ access to broadband? 
Hon AMY ADAMS (Minister for Communications and Information Technology) 
: 
 I am happy to report that the Government’s Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative is now under way in Dunedin. By July of this year there will be new fibre past 1400 homes and businesses and providing connections to 14 schools in North Dunedin. Along with the ultra-fast broadband builds under way in Ashburton Christchurch Rangiora and Blenheim this will provide real opportunity to boost economic growth and increase productivity in the South Island. 
Michael Woodhouse 
: What recent progress has been made in the Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative? 
Hon AMY ADAMS 
: A launch was held at Eureka in the Waikato last week to mark the first five of 154 new broadband wireless towers being delivered under the scheme. As well as the new tower at Eureka new towers are now also up and running in Motueka Waitakere Kumeu and Puketaha and 44 existing towers have also been upgraded to date. This means the first rural New Zealanders are now enjoying the benefits of the Rural Broadband Initiative with the added benefit of better cellphone coverage as well. I am proud to be part of a Government delivering real results for rural New Zealand.
Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:756. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
8. 
DARIEN FENTON (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Labour 
: What action if any does the Government intend to take in respect of industrial action currently occurring in New Zealand? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
 on behalf of the Minister of Labour: The industrial actions taking place at the moment are matters that are between the employers and the employees. The Government has not been asked to intervene and does not intend doing so. 
Darien Fenton 
: Will her Government’s planned legislation to remove the requirement to conclude collective bargaining not mean workers have no options left but to strike in order to achieve fairer wages and working conditions? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: No the vast majority of collective agreements are signed without problem. 
Darien Fenton 
: Does she agree Oceania Group’s aged-care workers would not need to be striking at the moment if her Government had provided them with a fair $15-an-hour minimum wage? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: No. 
Darien Fenton 
: Does she agree that her Government’s policies undermining workers’ rights have encouraged employers to pay less and if not how does she explain her answers to written questions yesterday which show that almost half the number of jobs created in the last year have been minimum-wage jobs? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: In answer to the first part of the question no. In relation to the second part of the question it is important that new jobs are created in the economy. They are opportunities for people to progress.
McKelvie Ian: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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McKelvie Ian: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:751. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
6. 
IAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitikei) 
 to the  
Minister for Primary Industries 
: Has he received the report of the Ministerial Inquiry into Foreign Charter Vessels? 
Hon DAVID CARTER (Minister for Primary Industries) 
: 
 Yes Minister Wilkinson and I received the report from the panel last Friday and we have released the report today. I thank the panel chaired by the Hon Paul Swain for its excellent report. It is clear from the report that there have been issues of abuse on some foreign charter vessels. This is completely unacceptable and a risk to New Zealand’s reputation. The Government will not tolerate the abuse and exploitation of crews on foreign charter vessels. 
Ian McKelvie 
: What steps will the Government take in light of the report into foreign charter vessels? 
Hon DAVID CARTER 
: The report contains 15 recommendations. The Government has already accepted in principle and is acting on the inquiry panel’s first six recommendations. These include such measures as tightening the code of practice and moving to 100 percent observer status on the foreign chartered vessels. The remaining recommendations which the Government is still considering cover legislative amendments ratifying international conventions and significant policy changes. The Government wants to understand the wider economic impacts before making any decision on these. 
Darien Fenton 
: Will there be extra funding for his department or the Department of Labour so that they have the staff and equipment necessary to properly monitor and enforce foreign charter vessels’ compliance with the recommendations that this Government has accepted today or will they be expected to do that within current baselines? 
Hon DAVID CARTER 
: I am confident that all ministries and departments can initiate the recommendations accepted so far by the Government within current funding arrangements.
Parker David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Parker David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:750. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon DAVID PARKER (Labour) 
: 
 I seek leave to carry my question over to the return of the Minister of Finance. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Upston Louise: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Upston Louise: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:746. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
2. 
LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupo) 
 to the  
Minister of Transport 
: What important transport projects are underway in the Waikato region? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister of Transport) 
: 
 Tomorrow will mark the commencement of replacing State Highway 1’s Atiamuri Bridge which crosses the Waikato River 39 kilometres north of Taupo. This $24 million project is essential for improving traffic flow on one of New Zealand’s key freight routes and is a great example of investment in the country’s regional roading network. 
Louise Upston 
: What benefits will the new bridge bring? 
Hon Member 
: Re-election of the local member. 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: First I would expect re-election of the local member but it will also allow for the free flow of traffic which has become of significant volume. This is important given the 70 percent to 75 percent increase in freight that is forecast over that part of the State highway in the next 25 years. The project also includes the construction of a 1.5-kilometre northbound passing lane which will improve safety and reduce driver frustration and therefore voter frustration. 
Louise Upston 
: What other regional roading projects are focused on delivering increased productivity and improving safety? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: There are many important and beneficial roading projects under way. To name a few there is Reid’s Canal Bridge State Highway 2 east of Bay of Plenty; the start on the construction of the Papakura Interchange Upgrade; State Highway 2 the Tauranga Eastern Link; State Highway 2 Muldoon’s Corner Wellington; and State Highway 35 Maraenui Bluff 30 kilometres east of Opotiki. These and many many others will contribute to increased productivity and increased safety. 
Sue Moroney 
: Will he consider funding the proposal for a commuter passenger rail service between Hamilton and Auckland a service that is supported by 11500 people who signed a petition turned down by a select committee dominated by members of his Government? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: I think the select committee reached a solid and sound conclusion.
Joyce Steven: Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 8 to Minister 29 February 
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Joyce Steven: Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 8 to Minister 29 February 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:743. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Economic Development) 
: 
 I seek leave under Standing Order 354 to make a personal explanation to correct a reply I gave to an oral question in the House yesterday in respect of current account forecasts. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: Yesterday 29 February I stated in reply to a supplementary question on the Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update current account deficit forecasts the following: “The pre-election update last year forecast the current account deficit to widen by about just under $5 billion over the next 4 years.” The answer should have stated that the current account deficit is forecast to widen by $8.4 billion over the next 4 years. I inadvertently stated $5 billion which is the difference over 3 years not 4 years. I am taking this first opportunity to correct it in the House.
Bridges Simon: Search and Surveillance Bill — Second Reading 
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Bridges Simon: Search and Surveillance Bill — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:774. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga) 
: 
 It was a good speech it was a learned speech from Denis O’Rourke and I empathised with him when he talked about the Star Chamber. Sometimes when I listen to Green members in this House I feel like I am back there. But I do want to put his mind at ease because very much the intention of the Justice and Electoral Committee—and I was on it—in relation to this bill the Search and Surveillance Bill was not to increase State powers but simply to rationalise them to modernise them and to consolidate them. I am not going to stand here with my hand on heart with this 259-page bill—which I agree with David Parker is an incredibly complex and a difficult piece of work—and say that it absolutely in every single case does not increase any State power whatsoever. But that was certainly our intention when we came to it and I think we tried to stay very much true to that.  
I do want to just return to the Hon David Parker’s speech. I do not want to sound a dud note but it is a bit rich to have a member from the Labour Party lecturing this side of the House about media freedoms and press freedoms when Labour’s stated policy from Clare Curran is to absolutely increase regulation and State sector control of the media. So if the media are listening to this—and maybe some of them are—just remember which side of this House has actually stood up for freedoms in the past and which side actually has as its stated policy to increase State control of the New Zealand media.  
Turning to this bill I am not going to take very long at all on it. I do not want to talk about the substance. Frankly as I said it is complex. It was some time ago that the select committee sat but just to talk about— 
Hon Maryan Street 
: Oh you mean you’ve forgotten. 
SIMON BRIDGES 
: —pretty much—the select committee process I do want to say that some can be cynical of the process but in regard to this bill and then the special committee that was set up to deal with the ramifications of the Supreme Court decision in  
Hamed 
 it was a first-class process. I think it proved that all parties—the Labour Party the Green Party ACT with Rodney Hide and the National Party—could come together. We could come together at short notice with some urgency and we could take advice. We applied our minds to the situation we were presented with and I think if I do say so myself the committee did a first-class job.  
I come back just in summary: this bill does not intend to increase State powers; what it does intend to do is to update the law consolidate the law and rationalise it.
Brownlee Gerry: Business of the House 
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Brownlee Gerry: Business of the House 
[Sitting date: 01 March 2012. Volume:677;Page:743. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 I seek leave for the Standing Orders relating to the preliminary procedures for private bills to be suspended so as to permit the introduction of the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill which establishes the entity that will hold and deal with property arising from the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Treaty settlement. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.