edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
9. Minimum Wage—Increase and Fuel Tax ChangesHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of EmploymentMinimum Wage—Increase and Fuel Tax Changes9. Hon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Employment: Does he stand by all his policies statements and actions?Hon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister of Employment): Yes in the context in which they were made.Hon Paula Bennett: Does the Minister have concerns from a Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment report that warns that 3000 jobs are in jeopardy due to minimum wage increases? Hon WILLIE JACKSON: We are very committed to workers in this country and in terms of concerns we are not overly concerned at the moment. We think there's a lot of scaremongering being done from the Opposition. Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern: Supplementary. SPEAKER: Supplementary—no well if Paula Bennett wants one she gets it first. Hon Paula Bennett: How many additional hours per week will an Aucklander on the minimum wage need to work to offset his Government's increase in fuel taxes? SPEAKER: Not an area of responsibility for that member. Hon Paula Bennett: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I'm sorry it's about minimum wage and I'm speaking to the Minister of Employment and asking how many additional hours they would need to work. SPEAKER: Yes and the responsibility for the minimum wage is not with that Minister. Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern: Can he confirm that in the nine occasions that the last Labour Government increased the minimum wage they too received advice that it would lead to an increase in unemployment and they maintained at that time some of the lowest unemployment rates in the OECD? SPEAKER: No the member will resume his seat. That Minister also doesn't have responsibility for reports to the previous Government. Hon Paula Bennett: Is the Government quick to increase the minimum wage because it is covered by employers and then take that off workers through fuel taxes leaving workers no better off? Hon WILLIE JACKSON: That's an assumption and I don't agree with that statement. Rt Hon Winston Peters: Can the Minister confirm that he received advice that suggested that the rumour that unemployment would rise if the wages of workers were picked up—did he receive advice that such talk is classical neo-liberal nonsense? Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Yes I can confirm that. Paul Eagle: What are the Government's policies to support employment and workers? Hon WILLIE JACKSON: The Government's policies to support employment and workers are investment in our regions we're investing in our young people with He Poutama Rangatahi we're providing dignified job assurance and we've just increased the minimum wage to $16.50 as a start to ensure that all people benefit from a strong economy. Hon Paula Bennett: Has the Minister discussed minimum wage increases and jobs at the Mangere Bridge Tavern and did it cause a kerfuffle? Hon WILLIE JACKSON: I haven't been to the Mangere Bridge Tavern for about 12 months but you might want to talk to my colleague Peeni Henare who frequents it every Saturday. SPEAKER: Right. I think I'll leave the obvious comment.
8. Irrigation—Government Funding PrioritiesHon NATHAN GUY (National—Ōtaki) to the Minister of AgricultureIrrigation—Government Funding Priorities8. Hon NATHAN GUY (National—Ōtaki) to the Minister of Agriculture: Does he stand by all his Government's actions in the agricultural sector?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture): Yes.Hon Nathan Guy: Did winding back Government support for irrigation go through his rural proofing test and what impact does it have on rural communities?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: Rural proofing is not in place yet but it will be within the next few months.Hon Nathan Guy: When the Minister praised the Ashburton Lyndhurst irrigation scheme at its opening on Friday by saying This has got to be the best value for money that politicians have made." why—SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume his seat. Unfortunately there's a couple of members with quite loud laughs which are coming through the system—through the open microphone of Nathan Guy. I think to be consistent I would have to deduct supplementaries. I'm not going to be consistent but just issue a warning to the member who knows he is responsible. Start again.Hon Nathan Guy: Thank you Mr Speaker. When he stated on Friday at the opening of the Ashburton Lyndhurst irrigation scheme that the benefits will flow in multiples all through Canterbury and the rest of the country why is he not supporting the Hunter Downs scheme given that that has been farmer-led with them raising almost $40 million of capital to support the project?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: The Government has said we always support irrigation but we have stated quite clearly that we will not ask pensioners and paperboys to contribute to private large-scale schemes. This Government has prioritised quite openly the fix-up of hospitals of schools that have been run down because of nine years of Government neglect and if that previous Minister hadn't wasted over $350 million in Primary Growth Partnership grants there'd be more money for hospitals and homes and schools. Hon Nathan Guy: When the Minister praised the Ashburton Lyndhurst irrigation scheme at its opening just on Friday by saying "This has got to be the best value for money investment that politicians have made." why does he support winding down irrigation projects?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: As I've stated before the Government has better priorities for the money that Crown Irrigation Investments Limited has spent. Can I say that for less than $1 million of assistance $150 million of farmer money went into that scheme. I have on record here the fact that the Hunter Downs project will proceed without taxpayers' funding. We will spend that money on hospitals and homes and schools because our priorities are the priorities that will give New Zealanders a fairer chance.Hon Nathan Guy: Has the Minister met Crown Irrigation officials since becoming a Minister; if not why not?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: I have met with a couple of officials from Crown Irrigation and we have sent letters to them and informed them and given them a heads up on this change from the time we became Government. This is no surprise to them and it shouldn't be to that member."
7. Earthquake Commission—Cost of Remedial Repairs in CanterburyDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister responsible for the Earthquake CommissionEarthquake Commission—Cost of Remedial Repairs in Canterbury7. Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister responsible for the Earthquake Commission: What reports has she seen about the financial impact of remedial repairs in Canterbury by EQC?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister responsible for the Earthquake Commission): Last week I asked the Earthquake Commission (EQC) to prepare urgent advice to me on the total actual cost to date of remedial repairs for both cash settlements and managed repairs in Canterbury. I was advised that this figure has reached $270 million up substantially from the 2016 estimate of $60 million to $70 million provided by the previous Government. This is a mess the Government inherited and is committed to cleaning up.Dr Duncan Webb: What action has she taken to help resolve outstanding EQC claims?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: I have asked Treasury to urgently forecast the parameters of the ongoing liability on remaining remedial claims. On top of the specific work to help resolve the wider concern about outstanding claims I've appointed an independent ministerial adviser to look at EQC's current processes and to report back to me in the coming weeks. I've also appointed a new interim chair Dame Annette King to bring a different perspective to the resolution of claims. A claims management system is also being implemented to ensure claimants have a single point of contact when dealing with the commission. I anticipate there will be further changes following the report of the independent ministerial adviser.Dr Duncan Webb: Will this blowout in remedial costs mean that some people will not be able to have their homes re-repaired?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: No not at all. The Crown guarantee ensures that people can have faith that there are sufficient funds for their re-repairs. I have asked Treasury for advice on the parameters of this liability as this Government are prudent financial managers that will not wilfully ignore liabilities that may be facing us.
4. Economy—ReportsDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of FinanceEconomy—Reports4. Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the state of the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Last week credit rating agency Moody's released its latest annual credit analysis awarding New Zealand an Aaa stable credit rating. It said its rating reflects New Zealand's very high economic resilience very strong institutions and policy effectiveness and strong fiscal position. Moody's said that New Zealand's economic profile supports the newly elected coalition Government's credit-positive commitment to preserving surpluses and reducing Government debt as a percentage of GDP over the next five years.Dr Deborah Russell: What does the Moody's report say about the Government's fiscal policy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Moody's makes the point that the Government's commitment to preserving strong public finances provides room to pursue expansionary fiscal policy. This Government is committed to managing our finances carefully including delivering sustainable surpluses and reducing net debt to 20 percent of GDP within five years of taking office but at the same time making investments such as our Families Package and increased investment in health and education that are so desperately needed to address the social and infrastructure deficits facing New Zealand.Dr Deborah Russell: What do recent reports he has seen say about the need for infrastructure investment?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Moody's highlight the fact that the Government will spend more on road rail and housing infrastructure. These are important investments to meet the infrastructure deficit that has been left to this Government. As highlighted in Treasury's investment statement released last month 19 percent of district health board assets are in poor or very poor condition 38 percent of school buildings are at least 50 years old and 40 percent of social housing assets are over 50 years old. It will take more than one Budget to undo nine years of neglect but this Government has a plan to deliver social and public services that New Zealanders deserve.David Seymour: Why is this Government working so hard to lower expectations?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: What this Government is doing is working extremely hard to make sure that New Zealanders get the public services that they deserve. I think the member might be better off lowering expectations about his dancing.David Seymour: Is it not the case that his colleagues have already been housetrained by the bureaucrats and don't know how to manage them—there actually are no problems?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I wouldn't want to speak about the housetraining or otherwise of my colleagues but what I can say is this Government is committed to making the balance that New Zealanders want which is between an economy that's carefully managed and making the investments that are needed to correct the social and infrastructure deficits we've been left with.
Huo RaymondRAYMOND HUO (Labour): In the era of big data this bill has been brought in and introduced in a timely manner—perhaps more so is the fact that we can reflect on the recent news reports concerning the UK investigations in relation to the alleged breaches by the firm Cambridge Analytica potentially affecting millions of Facebook users. Before we go to the details of this bill I recall the annual review session we had with the New Zealand Police recently with the Justice Committee. I certainly learnt from the Police that cybercrime investigations will continue to increase and that at the moment cybercrime investigations are a specialised area but in the foreseeable future cybercrime investigations will become a generalised area.Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 10 p.m.
Coroners (Access to Body of Dead Person) Amendment Bill — First Reading
Pugh MaureenMAUREEN PUGH (National): Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. Tonight we've heard many people pay tribute to the Māori Affairs Committee—and I would like to add my voice to those people—who initiated this inquiry two years ago. That's led us to a recommendation and that recommendation was for a change to the coronial system and that has us here tonight discussing the Coroners (Access to Body of Dead Person) Amendment Bill in its first reading. I know that for people on those select committees it is a very trying time to be hearing heartfelt submissions and it's never easy. I've been involved in select committees where we have had those heartfelt submissions being presented and it is hard so I do acknowledge the time and the compassion that was shown to those submitters and the hearing that they got. As we've also heard tonight over 6000 deaths are referred to the coroner each year but currently there is no requirement for the coroner to take those cultural considerations into account. This bill does now change those discretionary objectives of the coroner and makes it a requirement that he must determine whether a person should be allowed to remain with the body and also to consider the tikanga Māori and the expectations of other cultures. At the most emotional and traumatic time for a family it is totally appropriate that they have the ability to stay with the deceased and carry out traditional activities. In the processes of our diverse cultural nation with our many cultures our religions our ethnicities it's a vital part of the grieving and the healing at this difficult time. Even though this is a very small bill—it contains only four clauses and there's a total of only four lines of text—it will make a difference to those people who are involved with the coronial system. I have to pay tribute to Mark Patterson on the other side of the House. I sat down just in time to see him do his interpretive dance to the dead which was quite entertaining in the House tonight. I do support this bill in its first reading through to select committee and I have pleasure in commending it to the House. Thank you.
Hayes JoJO HAYES (National): Madam Deputy Speaker thank you. I stand to take a call on the Coroners (Access to Body of Dead Person) Amendment Bill. Just to give you a little bit of background I was on the select committee the day that Metiria Turei came in and put the inquiry on to the table of the Māori Affairs Committee where we were able to discuss it. So I want to acknowledge her for the work that she did in being instrumental in bringing this inquiry to the select committee and I also want to congratulate and acknowledge Marama Davidson for your new role as co-leader of the Greens but also for carrying forward this inquiry on behalf of Metiria and the Greens.I also want to set a few things straight. The actual focus of this bill was not spiritual; it was actually a cultural thing and it went across all ethnicities. It doesn't just only identify Māori in this bill; it's all ethnicities that have connection to their tūpāpaku their loved one the dead person. It is their ability to work with the coroner's group to actually be able to care for their loved one their tūpāpaku. That's what the guts of this bill is all about. So I just wanted to make sure we got that pretty clear in the House as to why this bill is here and who it's actually for: it's for all New Zealanders.A lot of the things that have been said today I do thank you especially with what my colleague Nuk Korako spoke about in the way that this bill came and the previous members—Metiria Turei Marama Fox and Chester Borrows—who were instrumental in making sure that a lot of the shaping around some of the information that would go into this inquiry would actually come forward on our side of the House.The other thing is I also want to acknowledge those who came and shared their stories with us about their experience working with the coroner's office and some of the coroners as well. Some of them were very heart-rending. On a personal side I did not experience half of the things that I heard through the inquiry. However I had that feeling deep inside about what they were going through.So without any further ado many of the things that have needed to be said around this bill have been said. As I said I just wanted to straighten out a few things that were actually said by the previous speaker Mark Patterson. I want to acknowledge the Minister of Justice for bringing the bill in and sponsoring the bill through. So without any further ado I commend the bill to the House.
Huo RaymondRAYMOND HUO (Labour): Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. I rise to take a call to support this bill. This bill is about tikanga Māori. It's about culture and religious needs in today's multicultural Aotearoa. I thank the member who just resumed her seat the Hon Maggie Barry and take it that National will support this bill. This bill is in good spirit as we witnessed last Tuesday when the House unanimously passed the legislation called Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill. No longer would gay people in that situation be subject to specific offences under the Crimes Act 1961 or Crimes Act 1908.This bill is exactly the same: a good spirit. I thank the Māori Affairs Committee for initiating and conducting the inquiry in the last Parliament. This bill implements the recommendation of the Māori Affairs Committee report Inquiry into whānau access to and management of tūpāpaku to improve cultural considerations in the coronial systems.I would like to echo what the Minister Andrew Little just said: that this bill is about striking the right balance. Specifically this bill will amend section 26 of the Coroners Act 2006 to provide a specific requirement for coroners to take cultural considerations into account. At the moment there is no such kind of specific requirement or specific statutory requirement but in practice the coroners do take such considerations and do have such discretion to do so. So this bill will codify the good practice and enshrines and acknowledges the best practice. As the Minister said the Minister of Justice also invited the Chief Coroner to issue practice guidelines under the Act for coroners to follow when making decisions under section 26. It is crucial that to the extent possible all cultural beliefs are recognised and supported. For many at a time when a loved one has passed away this is especially important.So again this bill by amending section 26 codifies and enshrines the best practice and it strikes a good balance. I commend this bill to the House.
Barry MaggieHon MAGGIE BARRY (National—North Shore): Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. I rise to talk to the Coroners (Access to Body of Dead Person) Amendment Bill at its first reading. This is a bill whose time has come. I recall chairing a working party into the care of people who were dying back in the 1990s. The way that the coroner and the way that people were allowed to engage with dead bodies was considered a very difficult issue at that time and was one that was needing an overhaul.This piece of legislation which has come out of the hard-working Māori Affairs Committee process did make a recommendation on improving cultural considerations and the way that people relate to bodies is a very important and perhaps overdue thing. Tūpāpaku is something that needs to happen but I guess it's a little bit hard to fathom why this Government didn't just form it into a wider part of the reform of the coronial system. After all there are many other aspects to the wider reforms that could have been brought into play with this. It is a little hard to understand why for such a very narrowly focused piece of legislation—I mean you could call it lightweight legislation from a lightweight Government—they didn't just weave it into a wider piece of legislation.I think that it will be a good thing for this Māori Affairs Committee having recommended it to make it go through. I think also it's probably part of a wider discussion that New Zealanders need to have about death and the way we relate to dead bodies and the different cultural considerations—Hon Member: Ha ha!Hon MAGGIE BARRY: —that each cultural group brings to it. The Government may laugh at this but it is a serious issue. But again I do wonder why it is taking up so much House time. It implements recommendations that are sensible. It is very narrowly focused. It's hard to fathom why you would not support it. It's also hard to fathom why it is not part of a wider context. I won't delay the timing of the House any longer on this. I think there is widespread support for it and so be it. I commend this bill to the House.
O'Connor DamienAMENDED ANSWERS TO ORAL QUESTIONSQuestion No. 8 to MinisterHon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture): I wish to correct the record regarding a statement made in the House today Tuesday 10 April in question time—question No. 8. I seek leave.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Is there any objection? There is no objection.Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: I confirmed that I had met with Crown Irrigation Ltd officials during my time as the current Minister of Agriculture. I wish to correct this to I met with Crown Irrigation Ltd officials in my time prior to becoming the current Minister of Agriculture and I have met with officials from Irrigation New Zealand during my time as the current Minister of Agriculture." Thank you.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you."
Dyson RuthHon RUTH DYSON (Senior Whip—Labour): I move That the committee report progress.House resumed.Progress reported.Report adopted.
Urgent Debates Declined — Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd—Winding Down of Public Funding for Large-scale Irrigation
Motions — Wahine Disaster—50th Anniversary
Visitors — United Kingdom & Switzerland
Mallard TrevorURGENT DEBATES DECLINEDCrown Irrigation Investments Ltd—Winding Down of Public Funding for Large-scale IrrigationSPEAKER: I have received a letter from the Hon Nathan Guy seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the announcement of the Government's intention to wind down public funding for large-scale irrigation through Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd. This announcement was made last Thursday. This is a case of recent occurrence that involves ministerial responsibility. The application does not set out reasons why the House should be set aside to debate the matter. Successive Speakers have held that it is for the member making the application to make out a case for an urgent debate. It is not for the Speaker to discover one—Speakers' rulings 190(3) Speakers Hunt and Smith. On the information presented to me I'm not persuaded that the matter requires the urgent attention of the House. It is a matter that could be raised in the annual review debate today or in the upcoming Budget debate. The application is therefore declined.
Ross Jami-LeeQuestion No. 6 to MinisterJAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany): I seek leave to table a document that shows the Minister of Transport can put regional fuel taxes outside of Auckland after 2021. [Interruption] The source of it is his own bill the regional fuel tax amendment—SPEAKER: Order! JAMI-LEE ROSS: Well it's there! [Holds up printed sheet of paper]SPEAKER: Order! The member is—I'm assuming it's a bill that's either introduced to the House or it's been on the Table? Jami-Lee Ross: Schedule 1.SPEAKER: I'm trying to work out how to deal with the member who I think is being deliberately deliberately mischievous. My view is that he got a very clear answer from the Minister on the question especially one which related to timing. He is now seeking to use a point of order process to relitigate that and worse still he's doing it with something which is already on the Table of the House and has been introduced to the House. I'm giving the member a pretty serious warning that further behaviour of that sort by him—and I'll ask Mr Brownlee to impose some discipline on his colleagues—is likely to result in something pretty serious.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Speaking to the point of order.SPEAKER: Well I don't think—I've just made a ruling Mr Brownlee.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Yes you did.SPEAKER: Are you going to make a new point of order?Hon Gerry Brownlee: Well you made a ruling and a request so it's natural I would respond to that request.SPEAKER: No the request was that you respond to your colleagues not to me.Hon Gerry Brownlee: That's right and I'm indicating to you that I will not be telling my colleagues to let Ministers away with making statements in the House—SPEAKER: Order! Hon Gerry Brownlee: —that are not true.SPEAKER: Order! The Opposition just lost five supplementaries from tomorrow.
Twyford PhilMOTIONSWahine Disaster—50th AnniversaryHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): I seek leave to move a motion without notice and without debate on the sinking of the Wahine.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that process? There appears to be none.Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I move That this House note that today marks the 50th anniversary of the foundering at the entrance to Wellington Harbour of the interisland ferry Wahine with the loss of 53 lives and that the House mark this solemn occasion with a moment's silence in their honour.Motion agreed to.Members stood as a mark of respect.SPEAKER: Thank you members.
Mallard TrevorTUESDAY 10 APRIL 2018The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Karakia.VISITORSUnited Kingdom—House of Lords and House of CommonsSPEAKER: I'm sure that members would wish to welcome Rt Hon Lord Foulkes Vice Chair of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association United Kingdom and members of his delegation from the House of Lords and the House of Commons of the United Kingdom who are present in the gallery.Switzerland—Swiss Council of States Foreign Affairs CommitteeSPEAKER: I'm sure that members would also wish to welcome Mr Filippo Lombardi and his delegation from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Swiss Council of States who are present in the gallery.
Thursday 5 April 2018 - Volume 728
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Residential Tenancies (Prohibiting Letting Fees) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 56; ACT New Zealand 1.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Social Services and Community Committee.The House adjourned at 6.01 p.m.
Residential Tenancies (Prohibiting Letting Fees) Amendment Bill — First Reading
11. Health Services—National Oracle Solution Appointment of Independent Reviewer and Conflicts of InterestDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of HealthHealth Services—National Oracle Solution Appointment of Independent Reviewer and Conflicts of Interest11. Dr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statements and actions regarding Deloitte's appointment as the independent reviewer of the National Oracle Solution IT Programme?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): Yes in the context they were made and taken.Dr Shane Reti: Have Deloitte and Deloitte-related entities received up to $20 million in funding over the life of the programme?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I don't have those exact figures in front of me but I can assure the member that their programme has been extraordinarily expensive has blown out under the previous Government's watch and needs review as a result of that Government's failure of oversight.Dr Shane Reti: If Deloitte and Deloitte-related entities have received millions of dollars in funding over the life of the programme will Deloitte be removed as the independent reviewer?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I have been assured that real actual or perceived conflicts of interest were appropriately declared before the review was undertaken.Dr Shane Reti: Was the Minister made aware that New Zealand company Asparona the implementation partner to the programme is a subsidiary of Deloitte before or after the appointment of Deloitte?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I was not made aware of this appointment initially. I would not expect to be as Minister. It was done through the all-of-Government process as the member knows which was set up by the previous Government.Dr Shane Reti: When he said in oral question No. 8 yesterday that he will consider releasing Deloitte's conflict of interest statement will he also now consider referring the appointment of Deloitte as independent reviewer to the Office of the Auditor-General?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I have no reason to do that currently.
10. Commerce Amendment Bill—Benefits to ConsumersPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer AffairsCommerce Amendment Bill—Benefits to Consumers10. PAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What benefits to consumers will be provided by the Commerce Amendment Bill?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Revenue) on behalf of the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: On behalf of the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs I can inform the member that the most significant element of the Commerce Amendment Bill introduced into the House last week is to enable the Commerce Commission to undertake market studies. Market studies will ensure New Zealand consumers get fair and appropriate treatment by ensuring competitive markets and supporting honest business. This Government is committed to supporting a more competitive confident and productive business environment that delivers positive outcomes for all New Zealanders—SPEAKER: That's enough. Thank you.
9. Economic Programme—Tax Working Group OutcomesDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT) to the Minister of FinanceEconomic Programme—Tax Working Group Outcomes9. DAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT) to the Minister of Finance: Will the Government introduce any of the following taxes which were raised by Sir Michael Cullen on 2 March 2018: a financial transactions tax a wealth tax an equalisation tax a capital gains tax a land tax a progressive company tax environmental taxes and behavioural taxes?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Acting Minister of Finance): On behalf of the Minister of Finance all of these are matters for the tax working group to make recommendations on but to reiterate no outcomes as a result of that tax working group will be implemented until April 2021 at the earliest as committed to in the election campaign.David Seymour: Is it not the case that the Minister is using taxpayer money to fund a thinktank for the Labour Party's next election campaign?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: No.David Seymour: Why then is he using taxpayer money to fund a study into taxes that this Government as currently elected has no intention of implementing?SPEAKER: Order! It can't possibly be a proper question. This Government is not a time-limited organisation as the member knows.David Seymour: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: This Parliament is time-limited; Governments are not as many long years on both sides have shown.David Seymour: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Surely he should at least have an opportunity to answer the question himself.SPEAKER: No I ruled it out because there was a non sequitur in it.
7. Early Childhood Education—Strategic PlanJAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of EducationEarly Childhood Education—Strategic Plan7. JAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What is the Government doing to take a more strategic approach to early learning?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Thank you. Today I released the terms of reference for an early learning strategic plan. To inform the development of the plan I've established a ministerial advisory group and reference group made up of sector representatives and experts. Public consultation on the strategic plan will occur later this year. Key themes will be raising quality improving equity and the role of choice. Jan Tinetti: Why does he think that the early learning sector needs a strategic plan?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: This Government is very clear that we want to take a comprehensive approach to driving up quality in early childhood education. We cannot do everything overnight. That will take time. We need to agree on a shared set of priorities with those who operate early childhood services amongst others. By taking a more strategic approach we can get that level of agreement and we can make progress over a longer term.Jan Tinetti: Will the plan address issues in home-based early childhood education?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes. While the plan is being developed the officials will also be undertaking a full review of the home-based early childhood education. It is the most rapidly growing part of the early childhood sector with an over 158 percent increase in enrolments during the early 2000s. So we know the benefits of early childhood education are conditional on quality and that is what we are committed to delivering in all parts of the early childhood sector.
6. Provincial Growth Fund—Decision MakingHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister for Regional Economic DevelopmentProvincial Growth Fund—Decision Making6. Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: Does he stand by all his Government's policies and decisions regarding the Provincial Growth Fund?Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Regional Economic Development): Yes.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Why did he arrange for Kelvin Davis to make the decision"—that's the phrase he used on radio this morning—on the fund's $4.6 million grant to the proposed Manea Footprints of Kupe cultural tourism experience in Ōpōnoni?Hon SHANE JONES: It's necessary for me to seek advice from time to time from the Cabinet Office. As a consequence of having known the late Whetū Naera chief of Hokianga a key proponent of this proposal and having been a champion for the proposal in a distant time when I was a Labour MP I decided to disclose that and stand back from the decision.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Beyond knowing the trustees what is his connection to the Te Hua o Te Kawariki Trust who will receive the money?Hon SHANE JONES: When I was 25 I led a protest movement party called the Kawariki. That's the only connection I have with any organisation that has "Kawariki" in its name.Hon Paul Goldsmith: So is it the case that when he has a connection to a group receiving money from the fund he asks Kelvin Davis to make the decision and when Kelvin Davis has a connection to the group receiving the money as in the case with money going to Ngāti Hine he makes the decision?Hon SHANE JONES: I don't know of any connection that Kelvin Davis has to the hapū of Ngāti Hine and I would warn the Pākehā members of Parliament not to read too much malice into genealogical ties from hapū to hapū.Hon Paul Goldsmith: When the Minister said on Tuesday that even if he had been aware of the Ministry for the Environment's advice that the proposed waste-to-energy scheme did not stack up economically or environmentally "It makes not one jot of difference to me." did he mean that he did not need advice?Hon SHANE JONES: During the preparation of the announcements of which the West Coast waste project was one it has been pointed out to me that my officials did brief me which I have acknowledged obviously happened but I find there's a connection between bureaucratic dross and political amnesia from time to time."
5. Roading—Funding for Local and Regional RoadsKIERAN McANULTY (Labour) to the Minister of TransportRoading—Funding for Local and Regional Roads5. KIERAN McANULTY (Labour) to the Minister of Transport: By how much will investment in local and regional roads increase under the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): Under the draft Government policy statement on land transport the amount able to be spent on local and regional roads increases considerably. The regional road improvements activity class nearly doubles over the next three years spending on local roads increases by 43 percent and we increased State highway maintenance and local road maintenance too. This Government is committed to improving roads in the regions. Half of all vehicle journeys are not on State highways but are on local roads yet less than 5 percent of the National Land Transport Fund under National's policy was spent on improving them. This is going to change.Kieran McAnulty: How does this compare to past National Land Transport Fund spending?SPEAKER: With a warning that the member is going to have to be very careful.Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Regional and local roads are in need of serious investment. National Land Transport Fund spending was reduced in some regions by as much as 30 percent. The amount of the National Land Transport Fund spent on the West Coast Taranaki Southland Otago Northland Hawke's Bay Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty was significantly reduced between 2009 and 2018. This Government policy statement will stop those cuts and invest in our regions.Kieran McAnulty: How will the Government make local roads safer?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Early work suggests that there may be around $800 million worth of high-value road safety improvements in need of funding on local roads alone. It's estimated that once complete these improvements could prevent 160 deaths and serious injuries per year. That's less than half the cost of the previous Government's East-West Link project. Road deaths are not an inevitability; they are the result of choices. This Government will choose to ensure that our family and friends come home safe at the end of the day.Jami-Lee Ross: How does the $70 million increase in the regional improvements category compensate for the $5 billion cut in the State highway budget?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: It's part of a package of spending on every other activity class other than State highway improvements including a 43 percent increase in local roads.
3. Economic Programme—Tax ChangesHon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of FinanceEconomic Programme—Tax Changes3. Hon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of Finance: What other tax increases or new taxes might New Zealanders face over the remainder of this Government's term?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Acting Minister of Finance): The Tax Working Group is looking into the structure balance and fairness of the tax system. Any recommendations they make will as indicated months ago not come into force until 2021. Beyond that as noted before the election and as the Prime Minister reiterated yesterday alcohol petrol and tobacco levies will be adjusted as per normal Government practice. I would urge the member to think back to her time in Government when her party lifted—SPEAKER: Order! Order!Hon Amy Adams: How much money then does he suggest Kiwi families should set aside for possible upcoming taxes given he's not prepared to rule out even more surprises coming their way?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Less than they would have under the previous Government.Hon Amy Adams: Does he stand by his statement that the Government haven't introduced new taxes when in the first six months we've already seen a capital gains tax on houses sold within five years a new regional fuel tax and now a significant hike in petrol tax?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: All of those were well signalled in the campaign.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Is this excise new or is there a precedent for it?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I can inform the House that this excise goes back I believe to 1927. In October 2009 it was increased—SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member will resume his seat. Thank you.Hon Amy Adams: Does he really think that when motorists are filling up their cars and find themselves paying up to 25c a litre more thanks to this Government that they will agree with the Prime Minister's statement and his statement that the new regional fuel tax and the fuel excise tax increase are not in fact new taxes?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: We were clear on this matter during the election campaign. Aucklanders stuck in traffic understand why this Government is willing to allow Auckland Council to levy a regional fuel tax in Auckland: because after nine years of neglect that city is a transport basket case. It's losing $1.3 billion a year in lost productivity because of congestion after a decade of drift and neglect.Hon Amy Adams: How can the Government claim to be making families better off when this Government has cancelled tax cuts worth $1000 per year left 40 percent of children in hardship ineligible for winter heating payments and made filling up a car around $15 more expensive each time in taxes that Auckland Action Against Poverty have today described as an attack on the poor?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I am not responsible for that member's policy of tax cuts for the wealthiest New Zealanders while other children lived in cars and garages.
2. Oranga Tamariki—Progress and PrioritiesDARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Minister for ChildrenOranga Tamariki—Progress and Priorities2. DARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Minister for Children: What progress has Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children made in its first year of existence?Hon TRACEY MARTIN (Minister for Children): Kia ora Mr Speaker. The first year of Oranga Tamariki has been about getting the ministry set up building its capacity and improving its core services. It has 160 more social workers and it has 150 more carers. We have developed and begun implementing a new social work practice framework. We have developed new options and facilities for keeping children out of police cells. We have started giving specialist training and support to people who care for our children and young people and we have provided care to an additional 500 children.Darroch Ball: Why has there been an increase in the number of children in the care of Oranga Tamariki?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: The number of children and young people in care and protection has increased over the last six to nine months primarily because the age of care and protection has increased so there are now more 17-year-olds in care. Children and young people are also generally spending more time in care and this is because the ministry is working with children and young people and their caregivers for longer to make a better transition to a permanent home.Darroch Ball: What are the priorities for Oranga Tamariki for its next year?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: This year Oranga Tamariki will be focused on improving services for children and young people in the three following areas: driving up the consistency and quality of front-line social work practice; ensuring there are more caregivers better support for those caregivers and a higher quality of care placements; and developing new partnerships and strengthening existing partnerships with iwi Māori communities and NGOs who provide services to our children and our young people.Darroch Ball: What decisions need to be made on the future services of Oranga Tamariki beyond this year?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: As I have previously strongly supported the decision made to create Oranga Tamariki I have done so in this House. However there are still a number of decisions to make on what particular services are required how they will be provided and how these will be funded. We need to be clear that Oranga Tamariki was funded on a set-up basis only. This Government believes that New Zealand has the potential to build a world-leading child and youth protection service. However at the time of last year's general election further decisions remained on the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the expert advisory panel report. This Government now needs to make those decisions and to find the money to implement them.
Rurawhe AdrianRESIDENTIAL TENANCIES (PROHIBITING LETTING FEES) AMENDMENT BILLFirst ReadingDebate resumed from 3 April.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Members when the House last considered the Residential Tenancies (Prohibiting Letting Fees) Amendment Bill Jan Tinetti had the call and she has her full 10 minutes to speak.
Social Assistance (Residency Qualification) Legislation Bill — First Reading
Bakshi Kanwaljit SinghKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): Thank you Madam Assistant Speaker. It's my great honour to stand and support the Social Assistance (Residency Qualification) Legislation Bill in its first reading.First of all I would like to acknowledge the dignitaries present in the gallery and it shows the importance of this bill that we have got this high level of dignitaries to support this bill in this House. I would like to acknowledge you Madam Assistant Speaker for your representation of the Pacific people. I would also like to acknowledge Carmel Sepuloni for bringing this bill. This bill is a continuation of what the Rt Hon Bill English initiated during his visit to the Pacific last year and I congratulate the Minister for continuing to address this issue which is very important. I would also like to acknowledge the Hon Jenny Salesa who spoke before me and your contribution. As you mentioned South Auckland has got the biggest Pacific population—largest Pacific population—in the whole of the Pacific.We are one family of Pacific nations and we have to look after each other and this bill exactly does that. We want to give the option for people where they choose to live whether they want to live in New Zealand or they want to go back to their home country and spend the rest of their time with their families over there at large.This is a great bill and I don't have any hesitation in supporting this. Looking at the time I want this first reading to conclude so that it can be referred to the select committee and reported back as soon as possible and become law where people can take the benefits. With these words I conclude my speech over here.