edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Ardern Jacinda: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Ardern Jacinda: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19291] 
9. 
JACINDA ARDERN (Labour) 
 to the  
Prime Minister 
: Does he stand by his statement that “it is New Zealanders … that create new jobs and opportunities - not the Government”? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health)  
on behalf of the  
Prime Minister 
: Yes the Prime Minister stands by the full statement which states: “ultimately it is New Zealanders through their own entrepreneurial efforts and business decisions that create new jobs and opportunities—not the Government.” 
Jacinda Ardern 
: If the Government is not responsible for creating jobs why did it hold the Job Summit in 2009 and establish “a rolling maul” of initiatives like Job Ops Community Max and the cycleway? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: Because this Government is focused on improvements within the economy in order to create the platform on which business and New Zealanders can invest and grow jobs. 
Jacinda Ardern 
: When will one of the three improvements to the economy he named on 7 June including national standards early childhood education and interest rates help people looking for work in Northland where unemployment is almost 10 percent? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: One of the key incentives for New Zealanders to invest is low interest rates which together with low taxes leave money in the pockets of the people for whom we are looking to create jobs into the future. 
Jacinda Ardern 
: How will his welfare reforms help young job seekers like Daniel Alker and Tawhai Tapene to find work as he implied on  
The Nation 
 last week? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: Because incentives matter and we want to make sure there are incentives for New Zealand businesses to invest in growing and creating jobs. That means low interest rates low taxes low bureaucracy and a Government committed to that sort of future. 
Jacinda Ardern 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question was quite a specific reference to how welfare reform would help job seekers. The Minister spoke primarily about incentives. That was not my question at all. My question asked how welfare reform would help those already seeking work. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member’s question was not exactly that at all. The member went on to name some people on a television show which inevitably left more licence for a Minister in answering the question. The Minister’s answer could apply equally to welfare reforms. Incentives in welfare I imagine are perfectly legitimate ways of changing behaviour.
Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19285] 
4. 
KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Corrections 
: What progress has been made in using technology to improve public safety and reduce costs in the criminal justice system? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Corrections) 
: 
 I am very pleased to report that a 6-month pilot programme to test audiovisual links between Auckland District Court and Mt Eden Corrections Facility has been a resounding success. The audiovisual pilot was a joint project between the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Corrections which followed the passing of the Courts (Remote Participation) Act by this Government. An audiovisual link means that prisoners do not have to leave prison to appear in court on administrative matters such as suppression hearings and bail applications. It improves public safety and reduces cost to the taxpayer. This pilot resulted in 695 cases being heard by an audiovisual link and a further 362 cases have subsequently been heard. It is another success for the department. 
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi 
: What are the next steps towards the wider implementation of audiovisual technology? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: A review of the pilot programme found that it has improved safety for the public judges and court and corrections staff who may be at risk from violent prisoners. During the pilot 24 percent of the audiovisual link appearances were for prisoners with escape alerts. The audiovisual link technology is now being expanded to include Waikeria Prison with corresponding links to the Hamilton and Manukau district courts. It is estimated that by 2014 some of New Zealand’s biggest courts could each have up to 2000 audiovisual link appearances by remand prisoners every year. This represents a big contribution to community safety and significant savings to the criminal justice sector.
Finlayson Christopher: Business of the House 
Finlayson Christopher: Business of the House 
[Volume:673;Page:19281] 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) 
 on behalf of the  
Acting Leader of the House 
: Prior to a discussion in the Business Committee I seek leave for the members from the Canterbury region to be considered as attending to official business and therefore regarded as being present in the parliamentary precincts for the purpose of the casting of party votes.
Mallard Trevor: Business of the House 
Mallard Trevor: Business of the House 
[Volume:673;Page:19281] 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. There might just be a vote while the Business Committee is on and could the understanding be that the leave be for today until the Business Committee—I think the member said “prior to” the meeting of the Business Committee.
Smith Lockwood: Visitors — United States of America—American Council of Young Political Leaders 
Smith Lockwood: Visitors — United States of America—American Council of Young Political Leaders 
[Volume:673;Page:19281] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I have much pleasure in informing the House that a delegation from the American Council of Young Political Leaders is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish that the delegation be welcomed.
Gilmore Aaron: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Gilmore Aaron: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19283] 
2. 
AARON GILMORE (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Finance 
: How is the Government supporting the earthquake recovery effort in Canterbury? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 The Government as we set out in the Budget has set up a Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Fund. That fund amounts to $5.5 billion and it has been pre-funded. By that I mean that the Government already has the cash which it has borrowed in order to fund the rebuild of Christchurch. We believe that the fund demonstrates the determination of all of New Zealand to rebuild that city and gives the people of Christchurch comfort even after the earthquake yesterday that New Zealanders are with them. 
Aaron Gilmore 
: Will yesterday’s earthquakes delay the recovery effort? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: No. Although there may be some hold-ups in the next week or two as the damage is reassessed the fact is that what is required to rebuild Christchurch has not changed—that is the demolition and rebuilding of the central business district and significant decisions about land use in the suburbs as well as the repairing of thousands of houses. Much of that effort and the planning that goes with it can continue regardless of the earthquake yesterday. 
Aaron Gilmore 
: Will yesterday’s earthquakes increase the Government’s earthquake costs? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: That is not entirely clear yet. The picture seems to be that there has been more damage in the central business district where extensive demolition was already occurring and pretty severe liquefaction in the eastern suburbs where there is already significant damage. As we speak both the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and Ministers and the Prime Minister are surveying the damage and pretty quickly we will have an assessment of whether there are significantly more costs. 
Aaron Gilmore 
: How will the Earthquake Commission treat yesterday’s earthquakes? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: The Earthquake Commission has publicly stated that it will treat it as a new event and we would expect there will be further claims on top of the I think already in excess of 400000 claims since September last year. The Earthquake Commission had reinsurance put in place from 1 June so this earthquake is covered by its reinsurance arrangements.
Vote: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — In Committee Speaker Recalled In Committee 
Vote: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — In Committee Speaker Recalled In Committee 
[Volume:673;Page:19497] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the question be now put. 
Ayes 66 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; Maori Party 2; United Future 1. 
Noes 52 
New Zealand Labour 42; Green Party 8; Progressive 1; Independent: Carter C. 
Motion agreed to.
Appropriation (2010/11 Supplementary Estimates) Bill — First Reading 
Appropriation (2010/11 Supplementary Estimates) Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:673;Page:19293] 
Appropriation (2010/11 Supplementary Estimates) Bill 
First Reading 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 I move  
That the Appropriation (2010/11 Supplementary Estimates) Bill be now read a first time. 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Appropriation (2010/11 Supplementary Estimates) Bill be now read a first time. 
Ayes 67 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; Maori Party 3; United Future 1. 
Noes 53 
New Zealand Labour 42; Green Party 9; Progressive 1; Independent: Carter C. 
Bill read a first time.
Business of the House 
Business of the House 
[Volume:673;Page:19281] 
Business of the House 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) 
 on behalf of the  
Acting Leader of the House 
: Prior to a discussion in the Business Committee I seek leave for the members from the Canterbury region to be considered as attending to official business and therefore regarded as being present in the parliamentary precincts for the purpose of the casting of party votes. 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. There might just be a vote while the Business Committee is on and could the understanding be that the leave be for today until the Business Committee—I think the member said “prior to” the meeting of the Business Committee. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: That makes sense. The Business Committee will be able to consider the matter later on this afternoon but for today’s purposes I think the leave needs to be sought from the House. Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is no objection.
Visitors — United States of America—American Council of Young Political Leaders 
Visitors — United States of America—American Council of Young Political Leaders 
[Volume:673;Page:19281] 
Tuesday 14 June 2011 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Visitors 
United States of America—American Council of Young Political Leaders 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I have much pleasure in informing the House that a delegation from the American Council of Young Political Leaders is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish that the delegation be welcomed.
Vote: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — In Committee Speaker Recalled In Committee 
Vote: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — In Committee Speaker Recalled In Committee 
[Volume:673;Page:19484] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That Part 1 as amended be agreed to. 
Ayes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 3 (Boscawen Calvert Hide); Maori Party 2; United Future 1. 
Noes 54 
New Zealand Labour 42; Green Party 8; ACT New Zealand 2 (Douglas Roy H); Progressive 1; Independent: Carter C. 
Part 1 as amended agreed to.
Vote: Appropriation (2010/11 Supplementary Estimates) Bill — First Reading 
Vote: Appropriation (2010/11 Supplementary Estimates) Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:673;Page:19293] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Appropriation (2010/11 Supplementary Estimates) Bill be now read a first time. 
Ayes 67 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; Maori Party 3; United Future 1. 
Noes 53 
New Zealand Labour 42; Green Party 9; Progressive 1; Independent: Carter C. 
Bill read a first time.
Hide Rodney: Royal Society of New Zealand Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Hide Rodney: Royal Society of New Zealand Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:673;Page:19421] 
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Minister of Local Government) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I am sure I misheard you but I understood you from the Chair to direct a party’s vote. I want you to assure the Committee that that did not happen. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy) 
: I think what I did was explain an omission to the whip for National saying that if they want “linguistics” in they should vote for it. It is a reinsertion of something that was dropped. If that is seen as directing the outcome then I apologise.
Ardern Jacinda: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Ardern Jacinda: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19072] 
12. 
JACINDA ARDERN (Labour) 
 to the  
Prime Minister 
: Does he stand by his statement “the Budget will create in the order of 170000 jobs”? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) 
: 
 I stand by my full statement which was: “The Treasury forecasts are that the Budget will create in the order of 170000 jobs.” and that is true. 
Jacinda Ardern 
: What specific initiatives did Budget 2011 contain that he predicts will create in the order of 170000 jobs? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: I thank the member for asking that question. It will create an environment where interest rates will certainly stay lower than they would have under a Labour Government. We know that because Labour members cannot even work out what a research and development tax credit costs. They are out there telling the country it costs $800 million when it costs $1.55 billion. It creates an environment through education where young New Zealanders will get a chance to be sure that we can be tracking their progress through national standards. It allocates $550 million to early childhood education over the next 4 years and we are sure that that will make a significant difference. I could go on but given that it is question No. 12 and we want to get out of here before 5 o’clock I will sit down at this point. 
Jacinda Ardern 
: Is he aware that the Budget additional information estimate of 155000 new jobs from now until 2015 is actually 10000 fewer jobs than the estimate in last year’s Budget; if so is this Budget a step backwards in terms of job creation albeit an ambitious one? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: Let me just alert the member to a couple of facts. Firstly just to give her an idea if we go to Budget 2010 and the forecast that 26000 new jobs would be created over the year to March 2011 in fact 39000 new jobs were created. If one looks at the 170000 job number we see it is basically a little over the trend of the last 20 years at 35000 new jobs a year. In fact as I say we are ahead through creating those 39000 new jobs against that forecast. I think it is fully achievable. 
Carol Beaumont 
: How will the $19 million cut to industry training made in this year’s Budget help the 77000 young New Zealanders who are not in school not in training and not in work to get the skills they need to get a good job? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: All I would say is that overall if one looks at the amount of money going into education one will have noticed that in a zero Budget that increased by about $1.3 billion I think over the forecast period.
Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19071] 
11. 
KATRINA SHANKS (National) 
 to the  
Minister for Social Development and Employment 
: Has she received any reports about the Government’s proposals to make significant changes to the welfare system? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) 
: 
 Last week the Prime Minister announced the formation of a special ministerial group to lead further work on the Welfare Working Group’s recommendations. This group will be concentrating on supporting those on welfare with training education health and intensive case management to see positive changes for those who need us most. 
Katrina Shanks 
: What other reports has she been made aware of regarding the Government’s proposed changes? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: Yes I have seen a report which I will quote from. It said: “Our reforms are founded on high expectations that everyone who can work should work. I will fight the prejudice that says some people’s lot is drawing a fortnightly cheque that we shouldn’t expect anything more of them and it doesn’t matter if they are forgotten by our policy makers and the society around them.” That statement was made by Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard earlier this year. 
Jacinda Ardern 
: Does she agree that the best means of reducing benefit numbers is to provide employment opportunities; if so does she still believe the Government does not have a role in job creation as she stated in this House in February of this year? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: Yes and that is why I was so surprised during the years 2000 to 2008 that the number on the sickness benefit doubled that we saw the number on the invalids benefit go up by 50 percent and that we saw those people just left on the scrap heap and not making the most of the supposed great economic times there were then. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Question No. 12 Jacinda Ardern. [ 
Interruption 
] I say to both sides’ front benches please I have called Jacinda Ardern.
Robertson Grant: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Robertson Grant: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19071] 
10. 
GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) 
 to the  
Prime Minister 
: Did he read all this year’s Budget papers relating to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) 
: 
 Yes. 
Grant Robertson 
: Under which appropriation within Vote Prime Minister and Cabinet does the $300000 contribution to the running costs for the waka on the Auckland waterfront sit? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: The answer given by my spokesperson to the  
New Zealand Herald  
reporter who ran that story was incorrect as the advice received by my office from officials was actually incorrect. The money was in fact new money which was drawn from a 2010 between-Budgets contingency. It was not from the Vote Prime Minister and Cabinet nor was it appropriated via Vote Prime Minister and Cabinet. The money was appropriated to Vote Maori Affairs as part of Te Puni Kokiri’s March baseline update. The reporter who received the incorrect information has since been informed of the error. 
Grant Robertson 
: Why did the Prime Minister not correct the error any earlier than today? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: Actually the error was corrected the day after the story was run. As soon as the story was run our office noticed that that would have been likely to be incorrect. We went back and rechecked with the officials they apologised for the mistake they made and we went back to the  
New Zealand Herald.  
Grant Robertson 
: Can the Prime Minister confirm that this money has in no way come from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s budget at any point in the past? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: Yes. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Question No. 11 Katrina Shanks. [ 
Interruption 
] I have called Katrina Shanks. I do not like the interjections I am hearing here. I have called Katrina Shanks.
Street Maryan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Street Maryan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19071] 
Hon MARYAN STREET (Labour) 
: 
 I seek leave to table the Asian Development Bank report  
The 
Millennium Development Goals in Pacific Island Countries 
 issued in April 2011 which shows the stark gaps that appear in health education and poverty alleviation. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.
Street Maryan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Street Maryan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19069] 
8. 
Hon MARYAN STREET (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Foreign Affairs 
: What advice if any did he receive about shifting the focus of development aid from poverty alleviation to sustainable economic development and from whom did he get that advice? 
Hon MURRAY McCULLY (Minister of Foreign Affairs) 
: 
 I consulted a wide range of individuals including heads of mission former heads of mission officials non-governmental organisation leaders and representatives of the Governments that receive New Zealand’s development assistance. I also consulted the New Zealand public who considered National’s policy of changing the previous focus of the aid programme and elected a National-led Government. 
Hon Maryan Street 
: Would he agree with Dr Ganesh Wignaraja a leading Asian Development Bank economist who said at a recent World Trade Organization seminar in Singapore that the best bang for the aid buck was still found in educating girls; if not why not? 
Hon MURRAY McCULLY 
: I have not seen the specific point but I would agree that education should be one of the cornerstones of the development programme for both girls and boys. It is a matter that the Government is giving some considerable priority to at the moment and indeed it is one of the reasons why I have invited my colleague Mr Allan Peachey who used to be the principal of New Zealand’s largest secondary school to lend some special assistance to us in refining our education programmes around the Pacific. 
Hon Maryan Street 
: Why when an Asian Development Bank report released in April this year found that only 62 percent of primary-age girls in Papua New Guinea were attending school does the Minister consider gender issues “not a preoccupation” in the long-term efficient application of aid? 
Hon MURRAY McCULLY 
: As I made clear in my earlier answer I think education is one of the cornerstones for the future of the region particularly if it is going to lead to sustainable economic development. I do not believe that it is excusable to ensure that either boys or girls miss out on those opportunities. 
Hon Maryan Street 
: Does he consider gifting an unwanted tourism project in Niue to former National MP Mark Blumsky to be a model of the success of sustainable economic development over poverty alleviation? 
Hon MURRAY McCULLY 
: Yes I do. In the year in which I inherited the portfolio New Zealand spent $21 million in development assistance in Niue. Niue for the information of members has a population of 1000 people. I took the view that we needed to do somewhat better than that and it is fair to say that relations were sour with the administration of Niue at the same time. We have in the last 18 months made very substantial progress to convert the aid dollars that we are investing in Niue into a sustainable economic future particularly in relation to the tourism sector. I invite the member sometime to go and look at the specifics of that project and she will see for herself.
Adams Amy: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Adams Amy: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19062] 
3. 
AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) 
 to the  
Minister of Finance 
: How is Budget 2011 supporting future growth and jobs? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 The Budget sets out the next steps in the Government’s plan to build faster growth and more jobs. Most New Zealanders now understand that sustainable growth and jobs cannot be based on spending and borrowing more but need to be built around saving investing and exporting. New Zealanders are reducing their own demand for debt. As a result credit growth is now close to zero for the first time in 20 years. New Zealanders also expect that their Government will behave responsibly. That is why the Government has plotted a path back to surplus in 2014-15 turning round the forecasts of ever-rising debt and permanent deficits that this Government inherited. 
Amy Adams 
: Why is lifting national savings a prerequisite for faster growth? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: Higher national savings should contribute to sustainable growth. As the Budget pointed out between 1990 and 2005 we grew our export volumes by over 5 percent a year. Had this trend continued exports would today be $14 billion higher. If we want to get back to that sort of growth then we need higher national savings so that we have the capacity to invest in faster growth. 
Amy Adams 
: What benefits for growth and jobs did the Budget deliver? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: Over the Government’s first three Budgets we worked to take the sharp edges off the impact of the global financial crisis protected the most vulnerable improved the tax system invested in infrastructure and set a course back to surplus. There are an increasing number of positive factors for growth: growing trade links with Asia the lowest interest rates in 40 years the highest terms of trade in several decades two-thirds of the population with a marginal tax rate of 17.5 cents and higher private savings rates. We hope these factors will underpin a growing lift in business confidence that will flow through into more jobs and higher incomes.
Faafoi Kris: Royal Society of New Zealand Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Faafoi Kris: Royal Society of New Zealand Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:673;Page:19447] 
KRIS FAAFOI (Labour—Mana) 
: 
 It is an honour and a pleasure to be here at 7 minutes to 10 to take a call on the Royal Society of New Zealand Amendment Bill in my second call of the night. I acknowledge what the member sponsoring the bill Grant Robertson said about clause 8: that although it is a small technical clause it is a very important part of the bill. Although it is technical it keeps the single focus of the Royal Society on excellence as we introduce the humanities into the realm of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Earlier in the debate I think my colleague David Shearer said the single focus of the Royal Society when we introduce the humanities into its sphere should be to ensure that the best work and the best research it can possibly do is maintained. Although we are introducing the humanities to it—and I spoke in an earlier contribution about the importance of science and technology to our economic growth—bringing in the humanities and making sure that we keep a single focus on excellence— 
Hon Christopher Finlayson 
: Shearer’s clearly a soft vote. 
KRIS FAAFOI 
: I welcome the contribution from the member across the Chamber whose legal prowess is equal to his anger tonight. I will not call him nasty because I think that is unfair; it is 10 to 10. We maintain a focus on excellence— 
Progress reported. 
Report adopted.
Smith Lockwood: Resignations — Hone Harawira Te Tai Tokerau 
Smith Lockwood: Resignations — Hone Harawira Te Tai Tokerau 
[Volume:673;Page:19057] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I wish to advise the House that I have received a letter from Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene Harawira resigning his seat in the House with effect at the close of Friday 20 May 2011.
Power Simon: Sittings of the House 
Power Simon: Sittings of the House 
[Volume:673;Page:19104] 
Hon SIMON POWER (Acting Leader of the House) 
: 
 I seek leave for the House to sit beyond 6 p.m. if necessary to enable the Hon John Carter to complete his valedictory statement. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.
Resignations — Hone Harawira Te Tai Tokerau 
Resignations — Hone Harawira Te Tai Tokerau 
[Volume:673;Page:19057] 
Tuesday 7 June 2011 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Resignations 
Hone Harawira Te Tai Tokerau 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I wish to advise the House that I have received a letter from Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene Harawira resigning his seat in the House with effect at the close of Friday 20 May 2011.
Sittings of the House 
Sittings of the House 
[Volume:673;Page:19104] 
Sittings of the House 
Hon SIMON POWER (Acting Leader of the House) 
: 
 I seek leave for the House to sit beyond 6 p.m. if necessary to enable the Hon John Carter to complete his valedictory statement. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.
Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19292] 
10. 
KATRINA SHANKS (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Housing 
: What recent announcement has he made about the Government’s response to the Housing Shareholders’ Advisory Group report? 
Hon PHIL HEATLEY (Minister of Housing) 
: 
 Today I announced $40 million for the next financial year to grow the volume of social housing provided by the community sector. One of the main things the sector has told us is that the current funding framework is too prescriptive inflexible and uncertain. This funding consolidates all the previous social housing funds plus additional money to create one new flexible fund. It will help both smaller niche providers with specialised services and urban and rural iwi and other providers wanting to substantially grow their housing portfolios. 
Katrina Shanks 
: How will this funding be administered? 
Hon PHIL HEATLEY 
: The advisory group also recommended that funding of third-sector social housing providers be independent of Housing New Zealand and that a new organisation be created to develop the social housing sector. Today I also announced the establishment from July of the social housing unit which is a semi-autonomous body within the Department of Building and Housing. This unit will be responsible for engaging with the sector and entering into contracts with the Crown’s contribution of land surplus State houses or cash to grow the quantum of social housing in New Zealand. It will also monitor those providers. We know that the community housing sector is ready willing and able to provide more social housing along with the Government and we want to work with it.
Curran Clare: Debate on Crown Entities Public Organisations and State Enterprises — In Committee 
Curran Clare: Debate on Crown Entities Public Organisations and State Enterprises — In Committee 
[Volume:673;Page:19351] 
CLARE CURRAN (Labour—Dunedin South) 
: 
 This Government talks a lot about step changes and every time it says “step changes” I think of aerobics and of us all doing step classes—
Smith Lockwood: Business of the House 
Smith Lockwood: Business of the House 
[Volume:673;Page:19281] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: That makes sense. The Business Committee will be able to consider the matter later on this afternoon but for today’s purposes I think the leave needs to be sought from the House. Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is no objection.
Vote: New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
Vote: New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:673;Page:19363] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Amendment Bill be now read a second time. 
Ayes 110 
New Zealand National 58; New Zealand Labour 42; ACT New Zealand 5; Maori Party 3; Progressive 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 10 
Green Party 9; Independent: Carter C. 
Bill read a second time.
Coleman Jonathan: Debate on Crown Entities Public Organisations and State Enterprises — In Committee 
Coleman Jonathan: Debate on Crown Entities Public Organisations and State Enterprises — In Committee 
[Volume:673;Page:19351] 
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Broadcasting) 
: 
 Of all the entities that the Labour Government completely knackered none can have been more completely knackered than Television New Zealand (TVNZ). Talk about receiving a hospital pass. The Labour Government managed to run down the public equity in TVNZ from almost $1 billion to 9 years later a little more than $200 million. It would need some real financial mismanagement on the part of the Minister in charge to do that but Labour managed it. 
How did Labour do it? It shackled TVNZ with a completely ridiculous charter that had it answering two masters. Those guys opposite inherited a very profitable commercial television station with massive equity but they tried to turn it into something it was not. Labour tried to turn back the clock and turn TVNZ into the old New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation. Labour tried to foist Steve Maharey’s charter on an organisation and frankly just about completely ruined it. By the time Labour had finished with it TVNZ was hardly returning a dividend. 
The good news is that under this Government we have turned round the performance of TVNZ. The commercial performance has increased considerably. Not only that we are just about to remove that terrible TVNZ charter. Do members know what the real indictment of the charter was? In actual fact there was no difference in the content on TVNZ before the charter as compared with during the charter. There will be no difference after the charter either. Steve Maharey put all that effort into wrecking TVNZ by foisting that charter on it. He just about wrecked it but TVNZ survived. What is even better is that the charter is just about to be removed for good. 
Members opposite never realised that TVNZ—93 percent commercially funded—was never going to be the public broadcaster of old. Those members will also say that this Government should not be closing down TVNZ 7 but the fact is they left $79 million on the table for it for 6 years with no plan as to how they were going to continue that funding. They just left it up to us. We are left with the hard decision of what will happen with TVNZ 7 and they expect us to find another $15 million to fund it. 
If Clare Curran gets time to speak—I think there are 2 minutes left in this debate—I want her to promise the Committee that a Labour Government will fund TVNZ 7 and that it will find the $15 million a year to do it. I tell members that she will talk tough but I bet she will not find that money. I will quit this speech early because there are 2 minutes left and I want to hear Clare Curran walk the talk and tell us that a Labour Government will fund TVNZ 7. So please now is Ms Curran’s chance.
Kaye Nikki: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Kaye Nikki: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19070] 
9. 
NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) 
 to the  
Minister of State Services 
: What is the Government doing to ensure New Zealand’s Public Service provides better value for money? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of State Services) 
: 
 Last week the Government announced that it is looking at reducing a number of Government agencies to improve efficiency and responsiveness. These proposals include disestablishing five Crown entities and three tribunals merging two Government agencies and establishing shared-service corporate arrangements across the three central agencies. Such analysis of how services are provided will become a part of how the Government does its work into the future as we move resources from the back office to the front line. 
Nikki Kaye 
: What reports has he received about public sector reforms? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I have seen a number of reports that show that Governments around the world are looking at substantial savings in their public services to help deal with their billion-dollar debts. In the United Kingdom 490000 public sector jobs are expected to be cut by 2014-15; in Ireland public servants’ pay has been reduced by up to 15 percent; in Portugal only 50 percent of vacated positions are being replaced; in Spain public sector pay has been reduced by 5 percent and recruitment frozen; and France is reducing 100000 public service jobs by 2013. However in New Zealand we continue to boost front-line services and under our watch there are more police officers more teachers more nurses and more doctors.
Cosgrove Clayton: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
Cosgrove Clayton: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
[Advance Copy - Subject to minor change before inclusion in Bound Volume.] 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Labour—Waimakariri) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I know this is an unusual situation and I know that Mr Brownlee is too modest to do it himself but I seek leave for an extension of time of that speech. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: The member can take a call if he wishes. 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE 
: It is a point of order Mr Chairperson. I have sought leave. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: You cannot seek leave for somebody else.
Hutchison Paul: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
Hutchison Paul: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
[Advance Copy - Subject to minor change before inclusion in Bound Volume.] 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (National—Hunua) 
: 
 It is an absolute pleasure to take a call in this estimates debate regarding Vote Health. What a shame it is that Grant Robertson has turned into a shroud waver when in these estimates we signalled that $585 million extra will be put into health— 
Grant Robertson 
: No there weren’t. 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON 
:—absolutely; $585 million extra will be available for health. This is a great credit to the Minister of Health Tony Ryall who since 2008 has managed to get $1.2 billion extra put into health. [ 
Interruption 
] The Minister tells me it is $1.5 billion. That is an absolute indication of how the National Government is prioritising health as being very important for New Zealanders and is delivering. What we remember over the last 9 years was a total lack of productivity in health but a total increase in bureaucracy. That is what happened under Labour. Now we are starting to get results. 
It was very rich to hear Grant Robertson talk about health prevention because under this Government there have been some outstanding achievements. One just has to go to the immunisation rate. In 2007 only 75 percent of 2-year-olds were fully immunised. Now the figure is 90 percent. 
Progress to be reported presently. 
House resumed. 
The Chairperson reported the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill with amendment and progress on the Appropriation (2011/12 Estimates) Bill. 
Report adopted.
Borrows Chester: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
Borrows Chester: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
[Advance Copy - Subject to minor change before inclusion in Bound Volume.] 
CHESTER BORROWS (National—Whanganui) 
: 
 As chair of the Justice and Electoral Committee I say that the committee was pleased to review the estimates in this sector and engage with the Minister of Justice. 
I note that the work programme covers four specific areas: improving the function and the efficiency of courts addressing the drivers of crime across a number of portfolios in a wide spectrum following on from the very successful Drivers of Crime seminar at the beginning of this term and achieving electoral and constitutional reform. It was noted that there had been some movement in amalgamating the various electoral agencies since the beginning of this term with the last piece of legislation in respect of that having been completed recently. Also I note the preparation for electoral reform after cross-party negotiations in terms of the electoral finance legislation. Finally the fourth area of the work programme was to improve the response of the sector to the victims of crime. 
It was interesting to note a number of gains that the Government has had over this term which it hopes to complete within the next year. We were pleased to note for instance that the offender levy programme had collected $3.4 million since it was introduced in July 2010. That has launched 13 new support initiatives for victims. Many of those initiatives are for victims of sexual violence. The Minister told us that the new police safety order initiative was working well with 3600 police safety orders issued since March 2011 and only 244 breaches. That puts a lie to criticisms that these safety orders would not be abided by and would result in many more appearances before the court. 
We are interested to note too the changes to legal aid. We note that the change in folding legal aid into the Ministry of Justice is already effected but there are also legal aid initiatives within the Criminal Procedure (Reform and Modernisation) Bill which the committee recently processed. We note the changes that bill will have to legal aid in respect of some things that are contentious but are widely approved across the broader sector of legal aid providers—albeit there are some who are complaining about it. We note the expansion of the Public Defence Service which is allowing high-quality lawyers to be made available to people appearing before the court in major centres around New Zealand. We look forward to the further expansion of that. 
The committee was very pleased to hear of work that was being done in respect of child victims or witnesses. We note with some concern that there is on average a 15-month gap between an incident occurring and a child having to testify before the court. The Minister is taking initiatives to lessen that time. Some new ground is being covered in terms of the way that that evidence is taken to lessen the stress on a young child who has to give evidence before the court. Thank you.
English Bill: Appropriation (2009/10 Estimates) Bill — Procedure First Reading 
English Bill: Appropriation (2009/10 Estimates) Bill — Procedure First Reading 
[Volume:654;Page:3929] 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 I hereby present the Budget 2009 Executive Summary the Budget 2009 Speech the Fiscal Strategy Report 2009 the Economic and Fiscal Update 2009 (B.2 and B.3) the Estimates of Appropriations for the Government of New Zealand for the year ending 30 June 2010 (B.5) the compilations of information supporting the Estimates of Appropriations for the Government of New Zealand for the year ending 30 June 2010 (B.5A Volumes 1-10) and the departmental statements of intent. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Those papers are published under the authority of the House.
Graham Kennedy: Urgency 
Graham Kennedy: Urgency 
[Volume:654;Page:3959] 
Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM (Green) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Forgive my innocence of the knowledge on this but is there a required advance notice for a bill before urgency—that it should be tabled a certain number of hours in advance? 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Rick Barker) 
: That is not a point of order and innocence is not a matter this House considers very often. I say to the member that a bill put on notice is required to be on the Table for 3 days. If it is moved under urgency it is tabled immediately after the urgency motion. National has complied exactly with the Standing Orders.
Adams Amy: Taxation (Budget Tax Measures) Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee 
Adams Amy: Taxation (Budget Tax Measures) Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee 
[Volume:654;Page:4008] 
AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) 
: 
 Finally we might get some sense in this debate. The previous speech was another five wasted minutes of droning moaning hand-wringing and histrionics based on a whole lot of nothing. Today is about this document in my hand. Today is about a Budget that will put this country on the road to recovery. 
Iain Lees-Galloway 
: No it’s about this. 
AMY ADAMS 
: I know about that. Mr Lees-Galloway should not worry about it. Today is about making the hard decisions that it will take for this country to undo 9 years of disastrous Labour leadership from a Government that would not have known how to manage its way through a recession if its life depended on it. Unfortunately the Labour Government’s life did depend on it. Labour can spend money but it does not know how to manage in a recession which is why New Zealand voted out Labour and why those members are over there and why New Zealand put its faith in this National Government. Part 1 of the Taxation (Business Tax Measures) Bill defers the tax cuts—[ 
Interruption 
] 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: There is not much time to go. I ask members to give the member speaking a fair go. 
AMY ADAMS 
: Part 1 defers the tax cuts because we understand and we know that right now it is more important to New Zealand families for them not to have to pay another 1.5 percent on their mortgages. New Zealanders do not want to be paying that. They do not want to be saddled with a second mortgage for every family of four because that party on the other side of the Chamber could not contain its Government spending and does not know how to manage anything. This Government is making the decisions that need to be made. It is looking after the people of New Zealand. Right now at this time in this climate and with the information in front of us today we know that what is important is getting our debt under control looking after New Zealanders protecting their entitlements and getting this country ready for recovery. 
Debate interrupted.
Vote: Urgency 
Vote: Urgency 
[Volume:654;Page:3959] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That urgency be accorded. 
Ayes 69 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; Maori Party 5; United Future 1. 
Noes 52 
New Zealand Labour 42; Green Party 9; Progressive 1. 
Motion agreed to.
Brownlee Gerry: Urgency 
Brownlee Gerry: Urgency 
[Volume:654;Page:3959] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 The extraordinary pedantic nature of the Opposition sees me back on my feet. Can I just say that anyone in this House— 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Rick Barker) 
: Points of order are heard in silence. The member took a point of order and the Minister is responding to the point of order. 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: The matter was notified to the Business Committee on Tuesday. It was notified to the Business Committee that we would be taking urgency to give effect to budgetary matters. I just outlined what those budgetary matters were. The fact that Mr Mallard and his colleagues might have no memory from Tuesday to Thursday is not my concern. I have now given the House the reason: it is to give effect to budgetary matters. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: If he had done that the first time we would have been fine. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Rick Barker) 
: Excuse me. No the member only has to give reasons for the urgency. He does not have to say why it is urgent; he just has to give reasons. That is all. The member alluded to the fact that it was in the Budget. He was compliant in my opinion from the beginning.
Mallard Trevor: Urgency 
Mallard Trevor: Urgency 
[Volume:654;Page:3958] 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It is usual and I think it is a requirement of the Standing Orders that when an urgency motion has been moved a reason is given for why urgency is required. The Minister did not give any of those.
Vote: Budget Statement — Budget Debate 
Vote: Budget Statement — Budget Debate 
[Volume:654;Page:3958] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the motion be agreed to. 
Ayes 69 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; Maori Party 5; United Future 1. 
Noes 52 
New Zealand Labour 42; Green Party 9; Progressive 1. 
Motion agreed to.
Brownlee Gerry: Budget Statement — Budget Debate 
Brownlee Gerry: Budget Statement — Budget Debate 
[Volume:654;Page:3958] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 I move  
That this debate be now adjourned.