edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
4. Police—Applicant NumbersKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister of PolicePolice—Applicant Numbers4. KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister of Police: What update can she give about the number of people who want to join the Police?Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister of Police): Earlier this year the Prime Minister announced funding for an extra 1125 police staff including 880 sworn officers. As a result we will need more than a thousand new recruits. I am happy to report that the number of people applying to join the police has hit a new high in 2017 following a successful summer recruitment campaign. In January and February 1351 people applied to join the police twice the number of applications as in the same period in 2016.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: What reports has she seen about the number of women who want to join the police?Hon PAULA BENNETT: As the Minister of Police but also as the Minister for Women it is great to see that there has been a 61 percent increase in the number of women who were interested in becoming cops in January and February this year compared with the same time last year and as the commissioner's goal is to get 50 percent of the police sworn policewomen I think that is a great start.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: When will the first of the 880 new police be out on the beat?Hon PAULA BENNETT: The Police College is currently preparing to train an average of 220 additional police per year over the next 4 years. They will double the size of most recruit wings—Chris Hipkins: For some time next decade.Hon PAULA BENNETT: —from 40 to 80 recruits. The first recruits will be training in July this year you will be pleased to know Mr Hipkins and be out patrolling by November. We have made a commitment that once all the new police are in place 95 percent of New Zealanders will be within 25 kilometres of a patrolling police officer 24 hours a day.Ron Mark: Will the Minister tell the House why people are joining the police at a time when you are cutting commercial vehicle investigation unit staff by 26 highway patrol staff by 90; and how would it affect your recruiting if the media gag that has been placed on the 200-odd staff who we have been told are going to be laid off by July was lifted?Hon PAULA BENNETT: Well it is the commissioner who moves police around from road policing and into general and that is what they are doing. There are changes that are happening and you can see that with the technology that there is now in road policing in particular as that increases there will be some changes there. But what I can assure that member is that there will be more police on the beat by the end of this year.
Employment Relations (Allowing Higher Earners to Contract Out of Personal Grievance Provisions) Amendment Bill — First Reading
Urgent Debates Declined — New Zealand Defence Force—Allegations Made in Hit & Run
Points of Order — Crown Minerals (Export of Water and Royalties for the Regions) Amendment Bill—Leave to Introduce
Carter DavidGENERAL DEBATEMr SPEAKER: Would some honourable member care to move that the House take note of miscellaneous business.
Carter DavidURGENT DEBATES DECLINEDDefence Force—Afghan Civilian Deaths Allegations in Hit & RunMr SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Metiria Turei seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the allegations made about the New Zealand Defence Force in the book Hit & Run. An urgent debate is a way of holding the Government to account for a particular case of recent occurrence for which it is responsible. There have been a number of rulings by previous Speakers dealing with allegations. It has been held that allegations can never constitute a particular case of recent occurrence and I refer members to Speakers' ruling 212/3 and 212/4. The application is declined.
O'Rourke Denis; Carter DavidWEDNESDAY 22 MARCH 2017Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.POINTS OF ORDERCrown Minerals (Export of Water and Royalties for the Regions) Amendment Bill—Leave for Introduction and Setting Down as Members' Order of the Day No. 1DENIS O'ROURKE (NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to introduce the Crown Minerals (Export of Water and Royalties for the Regions) Amendment Bill a member's bill in my name to make water extracted or taken as drinking water for export a mineral for the purposes of the Crown Minerals Act as well as giving effect to royalties for the regions to ensure that at least 25 percent of any minerals royalty goes back to the regions it was extracted from and for the bill to be set down as members' order of the day No. 1.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is objection.
12. Small Businesses—Online Tools and Workplace Policy BuilderBRETT HUDSON (National) to the Minister for Small BusinessSmall Businesses—Online Tools and Workplace Policy Builder12. BRETT HUDSON (National) to the Minister for Small Business: What recent announcements has she made on how the Government is supporting small businesses to save time and effort using online platforms?Hon JACQUI DEAN (Minister for Small Business): Earlier this week I announced the addition of a new tool on Business.govt.nz the Government's one-stop shop for small business. Business owners can now use the workplace policy builder to create policies on flexible work IT social media leave and holidays. These policy builders are up to date with legislation and regulation and users can choose to be notified on any changes to ensure they stay up to date. I also announced that more policies will be added to this tool in the future. These tools are aimed at helping small business by making workplace policies quick and easy to develop allowing small-business people to spend more time doing what they do best which is running their business.Brett Hudson: How else can Business.govt.nz support small-business owners?Hon JACQUI DEAN: Business.govt.nz is part of the Government's commitment to support small businesses by bringing together advice and guidance from across Government into one place to save businesses time and to help them make their businesses more successful. Business.govt.nz can help small-business owners with business plans health and safety tips for hiring and much more. There were more than 2 million visits to the website in 2016 double that of 2014 showing that small-business owners see the value of the Business.govt.nz website.
11. Disability Care—Disability Support Services Providers and FundingPOTO WILLIAMS (Labour—Christchurch East) to the Minister for Disability IssuesDisability Care—Disability Support Services Providers and Funding11. POTO WILLIAMS (Labour—Christchurch East) to the Minister for Disability Issues: Is the withdrawal of services for 1200 disability support users across the country the significant culture change" for the disability support system that she announced earlier this month?Hon NICKY WAGNER (Minister for Disability Issues): No. The significant cultural change is about implementing the Enabling Good Lives principles which is something that disabled people have been advocating for for many years. It will provide disabled people with more choice more control in their lives and more opportunities—something that I am sure the member would support.Poto Williams: Is she able to guarantee that the 1200 people that IDEA Services Ltd is saying will have their services cut will be able to access appropriate replacement services?Hon NICKY WAGNER: Yes. The services have not been cut. IDEA Services Ltd has been reviewing its business to take a strengths-based approach and to focus on the areas that it is especially good at which are community residential and day services.Poto Williams: Does she accept that IDEA Services Ltd faces limited funding and pressure on its services requiring it to cut its disability support service business by 5 percent?Hon NICKY WAGNER: No. In actual fact IDEA Services Ltd's funding has increased from $143.5 million last year to $151.9 million this year. This is absolutely in line with the increases that we have had right across the disability sector.Poto Williams: Has IDEA Services Ltd received sufficient funding from the Government to cover minimum-wage increases over the past 6 years?Hon NICKY WAGNER: Yes. IDEA Services Ltd has had money for its "between service" appropriation and it is part of the new service information that is coming forward.Poto Williams: Which other disability support providers are at risk of being unable to maintain their current service levels due to almost 9 years of inadequate funding to meet even basic inflationary cost pressures?Hon NICKY WAGNER: That is not true. This Government is absolutely focused on delivering quality disability-services and every year since we have been in Government the amount has increased. This year the total amount is $1.166 billion."
8. New Zealand Cyber Security Strategy and Action Plan—Annual Report 2016JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) to the Minister for CommunicationsNew Zealand Cyber Security Strategy and Action Plan—Annual Report 20168. JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) to the Minister for Communications: What reports has he received on the implementation of New Zealand's Cyber Security Strategy and Action Plan?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister for Communications): Today I released the first annual report on the implementation of New Zealand's Cyber Security Strategy and Action Plan launched in December 2015. The report sets out progress under the four goals of the strategy: achieving cyber resilience building cyber capability addressing cybercrime and enhancing international cooperation. I am really pleased to report that New Zealand is making really good progress to improve its cyber-security and although there is no room for complacency this Government is leading an ambitious programme of action to fulfil the vision of a secure resilient and prosperous online New Zealand.Jonathan Young: What are the next steps under the strategy and action plan to improve New Zealand's cyber-security?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: The areas of focus this year include supporting the development of New Zealand's cyber-security industry working on our cybercrime plan helping small businesses to protect themselves online and the launch of a national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERT NZ will open its doors next month as the central place for New Zealanders businesses and Government agencies to report cyber incidents. It will provide trusted advice on preventing cyber threats responding to incidents and will work with CERTs in other countries on incidents that have cross-border implications. The establishment of CERT NZ will help to protect critical infrastructure in the digital economy as we play our part in the global effort to improve internet security.
7. Freshwater Management—Commercial Water User ChargeHon DAVID PARKER (Labour) to the Minister for the EnvironmentFreshwater Management—Commercial Water User Charge7. Hon DAVID PARKER (Labour) to the Minister for the Environment: Does he stand by his answers to oral questions No. 6 and No. 11 on Tuesday this week?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment): Yes in the context in which they were given.Hon David Parker: When someone goes into the supermarket or gas station and buys a bottle of pristine New Zealand mineral water do they own the water in the bottle or just the bottle?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I suspect it is not much different from owning the soft drink or owning the beer or even my home brew.Hon David Parker: Given his obvious commercial expertise at what point in the supply chain did the water in the bottle gain a monetary value—was it when it was drawn from the source when it was bottled when the distributor bought it from the bottler when the distributor sold it to the retailer or when the customer bought it?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: It is not nearly as complicated as the member would have it. When someone puts water in a pipe—say a council—it is then able to charge for the services of the storage for the treatment and the like. When water has services added to it such as when it is made into my fine home brew it adds in value considerably. Hon David Parker: Why should companies using New Zealand's precious water as a raw material for what they are bottling not pay a royalty back to the New Zealand public?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The Government is happy to have a discussion about charging for water but we need to do so in an equitable way. When I hear proposals from the likes of Stuart Nash of charging 10c per litre a price that would devastate our dairy industry—Hon Steven Joyce: The horticultural industry.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: —or the horticultural industry like in his own area—then I just simply say that the Government needs to go about this in a fair way that considers all water users. Stuart Nash: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This is the second time that the Minister has said that I have made a statement that I have never made and I would like to see evidence of it.Mr SPEAKER: I will hear from the Hon Dr Nick Smith before I make a ruling.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I would be happy to table the article of the newspaper in which he advocated a 10c a litre charge on all water users.Mr SPEAKER: Order! The addition by the Hon Dr Nick Smith will not actually help the order of the House. The member needs to look at Standing Order 359. If he feels he has been misrepresented then there is a process that he can follow. It is not a matter of raising it as a point of order in the House.Hon David Parker: Is the Minister surprised that New Zealanders can see through his delaying tactics on applying a royalty to commercial water use until after the election in the same way they saw through his low water standard categorising polluted rivers as swimmable?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: On both fronts I am more than happy to stand on this Government's track record of water reform because when that guy was in Government for 9 years Labour did absolutely nothing.
6. Homelessness—Housing First Auckland and Government ResponseDr PARMJEET PARMAR (National) to the Minister for Social HousingHomelessness—Housing First Auckland and Government Response6. Dr PARMJEET PARMAR (National) to the Minister for Social Housing: What recent announcements has she made to reduce homelessness in Auckland?Hon AMY ADAMS (Minister for Social Housing): This morning with the Mayor of Auckland I announced the launch of Housing First Auckland which aims to house 472 chronically homeless Aucklanders and provide wraparound services to address the underlying causes of their homelessness. The programme is based on a successful international model which has also been trialled through The People's Project in Hamilton. The Housing First model recognises that it is easier for people to address issues such as mental health and substance abuse once they are securely housed. The priority is to quickly move people into appropriate housing then immediately provide wraparound services to support their ongoing success.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: What does the evidence tell us about the effectiveness of the programme?Hon AMY ADAMS: Internationally Housing First has proven to be a very effective model for sustainably addressing homelessness. A US study of 1800 homeless people with psychiatric disabilities found that 5 years after programme entry 88 percent of the clients housed by the programme were still housed. Locally The People's Project in Hamilton advises that 252 people have been moved from a homeless situation over the past 2 years and that 94 percent of them have retained their housing.Phil Twyford: Will she be advising her colleagues that the only long-term sustainable way to reduce homelessness is by fixing the housing crisis and when will she adopt Labour's winning policies like banning foreign buyers building 100000 affordable homes and stopping Bill English's sell-off of State houses?Hon AMY ADAMS: Well the causes of homelessness are complex and varied but what I would tell the member is that actually my colleague the Minister for Building and Construction has been in charge of a very comprehensive programme of work to address the complete failure under the Labour Government to see adequate housing built. As a result of the work programme of this Government we are now seeing one of the most intense periods of construction activity in New Zealand's history.
3. Economy—Commentary and Budget 2017 PrioritiesANDREW BAYLY (National—Hunua) to the Minister of FinanceEconomy—Commentary and Budget 2017 Priorities3. ANDREW BAYLY (National—Hunua) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he received on the economy?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Finance): This morning the Reserve Bank released its official cash rate decision. In leaving the rate unchanged at 1.75 percent the bank noted that New Zealand's growth outlook remained positive supported by ongoing high levels of household spending and construction activity strong population growth and accommodative monetary policy. It noted that house price inflation has moderated and in part reflects loan-to-value ratio restrictions and tighter lending conditions but it also noted that it was still uncertain as to whether this moderation will be sustained. The bank also noted what it said was an encouraging fall in the trade-weighted exchange rate.Andrew Bayly: What risks to the economy did the bank identify?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: The main risks identified by the bank were international ones. Although it noted that indicators in other advanced economies have been more positive over the last 2 months major challenges remain with ongoing surplus capacity in other parts of the global economy and extensive geopolitical uncertainties. Responding to that geopolitical uncertainty is a key focus of this Government and the Prime Minister will speak about New Zealand's trade policy in the context of that world environment in Auckland tomorrow.Andrew Bayly: What are the Government's fiscal priorities to manage the economy's growth and manage potential risk in Budget 2017?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: We have four key priorities for Budget 2017: firstly delivering better public services for a growing country providing all New Zealanders with the opportunity to lead successful and independent lives; secondly building the infrastructure we need in a growing and modern economy; and thirdly we need to keep paying down debt as a percentage of GDP. We have set a target of reducing net debt to around 20 percent of GDP by 2020 and that is to make sure we can manage any shocks that may come along in the future. Finally we remain committed to reducing the tax burden and in particular the impact of marginal tax rates on lower and middle income earners when we have the room to do so. It is very important to remember that the money the Government spends comes from hard-working Kiwi families.
2. Defence Force—Afghan Civilian Deaths AllegationsJACINDA ARDERN (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Prime MinisterDefence Force—Afghan Civilian Deaths Allegations2. JACINDA ARDERN (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement regarding the SAS actions in Afghanistan in 2010 and the alleged loss of civilian life that so far there doesn't appear to be new material to justify an inquiry"?Hon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Prime Minister) on behalf of the Prime Minister: Yes.Jacinda Ardern: When he stated yesterday that he "had an initial briefing from the New Zealand Defence Force about the incident and the inquiries that had already taken place" what specific inquiries was he referring to?Hon PAULA BENNETT: In as much as I can answer that question without knowing exactly what the Prime Minister's thoughts were when he said it I would imagine he was referring to the investigations that were undertaken on behalf of the New Zealand Defence Force at the time questions were raised.Jacinda Ardern: Has he seen the full International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) report that was used by the Defence Force to claim there were no civilian casualties?Hon PAULA BENNETT: I am sorry; I cannot answer that question as to whether he has read the whole report—I imagine so but I cannot know exactly what he has read.Jacinda Ardern: Does he consider the ISAF report to be independent; if so why?Hon PAULA BENNETT: As far as he is aware the report itself was not done by the New Zealand Defence Force but by the Afghani Government as well as other defence forces and as such it is independent.Jacinda Ardern: If the ISAF report which the Defence Force is relying upon was sufficient why was a similar report in 2013 where the ISAF have claimed that there were no civilian casualties in a drone strike later debunked by the United Nations; and is this really the kind of evidence the Government wants to base its claims on?Hon PAULA BENNETT: The Prime Minister is waiting for the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Force to go through those reports. He has not made decisions at this time. It has been 48 hours since we saw the allegations and he will be making decisions from there.Jacinda Ardern: Why did Wayne Mapp who was in Afghanistan during the raid state that there was "enough supporting evidence" around claims of civilian casualties to make it "a credible claim" and yet he continues to maintain that the evidence does not exist?Hon PAULA BENNETT: As I stated the Prime Minister is still going through the information. At this stage he has not seen enough for there to be an inquiry but it has been only 48 hours. He will continue to investigate that and will make decisions in due course.Jacinda Ardern: What evidence does he require to justify an inquiry into the allegations that have been made?Hon PAULA BENNETT: He will be going through all of it. He will be going through it with the Chief of Defence Force. I cannot actually state exactly what that will be; you do not know what you do not know."
Mallard TrevorHon TREVOR MALLARD (Assistant Speaker—Labour): The Government members are so lucky that the Chair is looking after them.The House adjourned at 5.39 p.m.
Mitchell MarkHon MARK MITCHELL (Associate Minister of Justice): I move That the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill be reported to the House by the date that is 4 months and 1 day after the date that the bill is read a first time.Motion agreed to.
Kuriger Barbara; Mallard TrevorBARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country): It is a pleasure to commend the first reading of this bill to the House.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Law and Order Committee.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Is there a Minister who is going to fulfil the intentions of the previous Minister as announced at the first reading? Is it Mr Bennett who has responsibility? [Interruption] No?
Henare PeeniPEENI HENARE (Labour—Tāmaki Makaurau): Tēnā koe Mr Assistant Speaker. Thank you for allowing me this contribution. I want to support a lot of what has already been said in the House. I think about my humble upbringing in a place called Mōtatau in the Far North and money-laundering was—heck you could not even spell money-laundering". But it surprises me that all of a sudden this Government is now saying to itself: "Oh heck! Actually lawyers and accountants are involved. Oh my gosh! Real estate agents might be involved and other high-value dealers." Those people who according to the description in the bill here deal in a black market of cultural objects and cultural taonga to New Zealand. All of a sudden we are starting to realise that "Oh heck! Money-laundering does not just happen down at the local pawnbroker shop in Kawakawa in the Far North; it actually happens from the top of society to the bottom." and here we are in the House this evening making sure that we close some of those loopholes.It is with that in mind that we support this. We think it is a step in the right direction. We want to make sure that we have got a comprehensive regime that does not make Aotearoa New Zealand look like a safe haven for money-launderers or for criminal activity. We often kid ourselves and tell ourselves that we are the small tiny nation at the bottom of the Pacific where it is hard for people to come down here and get away with criminal activity on an international scale. But that clearly has not been the reality and many of the reports that have already been canvassed through the contributions this evening have highlighted that this is not just a New Zealand problem; it is in fact an international problem.So without going on too much more about it I do want to support the comments made by the Hon David Parker in that when this does go to the select committee we will be looking at it with a microscope. We will be making sure we go through it with a fine-tooth comb so that we close all of those loopholes so that we do not find ourselves back here after the history lesson given by Mr Young—2003 legislation 2009 legislation and here we are again in 2017—and so that we make sure we get it done and we get it done properly. So with that in mind I commend the bill to the House."
McKelvie IanIAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei): It is a great deal of pleasure to support this bill and I look forward to it coming to the select committee. Thank you.
Salesa JennyJENNY SALESA (Labour—Manukau East): Thank you for this very brief call on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill. First of all I would like to acknowledge the incident that happened overnight at Westminster. My heart goes out to all the people who have unfortunately passed away as well as the 40 people who have been injured near the British Parliament in London. This shocking incident brings home just how vulnerable people can be to terrorist acts in our democracies. In New Zealand we must take our obligations seriously to stand up for and be counted in international efforts to fight against terrorism as well as corruption and money-laundering.One of the ways that we can do that is to move swiftly on measures to close the loopholes in our legislation that allow money-laundering and profiteering by criminals and possibly funders of terrorism to take place right here in Aotearoa New Zealand. This bill before us which we are debating would bring lawyers accountants sports and race betting agencies conveyancers and real estate agents within the ambit of anti - money-laundering legislation. This is a crucial and much-needed move. Late last year—we know this from the New Zealand Herald which investigated as well as police who researched—they found loopholes in our laws that saw lawyers accountants and real estate agents being increasingly used to launder up to $6 billion worth of dirty money. The investigations that they exposed showed the fact that professional services and the real estate sector are closely linked to organised crime and drug offending.When we look at the numbers of those involved about half of the cases involved property deals where offenders were ultimately successful in integrating criminal proceeds with the purchasing of real estate. New Zealand should not be seen as a country where criminals or terrorism funders can launder their money easily. Our reputation is in this regard at risk and it is well past time that we take decisive actions to stop this. Labour supports this bill because it is the right thing to do. Thank you.
Young JonathanJONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth): I think it would be remiss not to add to the previous member's speech because he did quote a Government in 2003 and he did quote a Government in 2009 and I think people in New Zealand need to know that that is not the same Government. In fact this Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill is an amendment bill on the 2009 Act which was enacted by the existing Government which came into office at the end of 2008.I agree with what he is saying on many accounts—that this is something that is very important. As we know when there is a hole in the net that is where the fish swim through and it is important for us to have provisions in place that entail having a security mechanism around this issue that is in harmony with other jurisdictions around the world. I commend this bill to the House.
Pugh MaureenMAUREEN PUGH (National): I stand in support of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill in its first reading today. As we know money-laundering is the process that criminals use to clean their dirty money. Of course we want to make that as difficult as possible for them to achieve and for that reason I am in full support of this bill. I commend it to the House.
SpeechThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Before I call the next member I would just like to make a suggestion to the Ministers who are in the House. Although Standing Order 40 indicates that there has to be a Minister present in the House it used to be the convention of the House that the Minister in charge of a bill would stay and be available to organise a response. In fairly recent years that has become less common but the convention is that a Minister does sit on the Government benches in order to at least give the pretence of taking charge of looking after the legislation. I think it would be polite if that convention continued.
Bakshi Kanwaljit SinghKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): It is my privilege to stand in support of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill in its first reading. This bill extends the obligation to some additional business sectors such as lawyers accountants real estate agents sports and racing betting agencies and high-value dealers to come under this Act. I would not agree with some of the assertions made by David Parker the previous speaker that the bill is putting up additional costs or putting additional restrictions on lawyers or anyone else but I think during the select committee process we will be talking about these issues. With regard to the changing world and the way that things are happening like yesterday's incident in London and the terrorism nobody is immune to that. We need to understand that we have to fix the loopholes that are there in the laws so that we cannot let these people take advantage of them. With these words I look forward to working on this bill in the select committee and I commend this bill to the House.
Kuriger Barbara; Borrows ChesterBARBARA KURIGER (Third Whip—National): I seek leave for the House to adjourn at the conclusion of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill or at 6 p.m. whichever is earlier.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Leave is put for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.
Taxation (Annual Rates for 2016–17 Closely Held Companies and Remedial Matters) Bill — Third Reading
Kuriger BarbaraBARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country): I commend this bill to the House.Bill read a third time.
Ross Jami-LeeJAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany): I commend the bill to the House.
Bishop Chris; Borrows ChesterCHRIS BISHOP (National): Look can I just put on the record for the House in my short contribution on this bill that I am extremely pleased that I have the support of the Professor" Mr Tabuteau in my—I was going to use the word "crusade" but I think that is probably an overstatement.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Supporter of the Crusaders.CHRIS BISHOP: My colleague says I am a supporter of the Crusaders—absolutely not; the Hurricanes are going to take it out again this year. "Crusade" is the wrong word but my strong desire is to stop Parliament having to turn up every year through the annual rates pieces of legislation and add bodies to schedule 32 of the Income Tax Act 2007 which makes those bodies eligible for tax benefits on their donations. It is just simply silly. The Fountain of Peace Children's Foundation New Zealand First Steps Himalaya the Astha Childrens Home (Nepal/New Zealand)—very worthy bodies; I am not at all impugning the very important work that they do. The Siphala Foundation the Solomon Outreach Society—I am not at all impugning their work. But it is just silly that we have to turn up and add those august bodies to the Act to make them eligible for tax benefits every year. There must be a better way and I want to thank Fletcher Tabuteau for agreeing with me. I look forward to his future support in a Parliament when we do just that.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I call Julie Anne Genter—a 5-minute call on behalf of the Green Party."
Regulatory Systems (Building and Housing) Amendment Bill; Regulatory Systems (Commercial Matters) Amendment Bill; and Regulatory Systems (Workplace Relations) Amendment Bill — Third Readings
Parmar ParmjeetDr PARMJEET PARMAR (National): I am taking a very very short call to support the regulatory systems amendment bills in their third reading. As we know these omnibus bills make changes in a few Acts. All the changes are small but are very important. They are to make regulatory systems effective by removing gaps errors and inconsistencies in the various Acts. Yes the changes are small but not making them can lead to various implications like causing frustration and confusion to the people involved. Overall this is to make sure that our legislation is delivering the intent of the policy so I support this legislation and commend it to the House. Thank you.
Hudson BrettBRETT HUDSON (National): I rise in support of this legislation. On the commercial matters pieces I am particularly pleased with the work around the Construction Contracts Act—the idea that only new contracts formed after 31 March or contracts renewed after that date will have the retention scheme applied to it and the flexible and very pragmatic ways of permitting other means for the holding of retention moneys. It is a great piece of legislation. I commend it to the House.
Bayly AndrewANDREW BAYLY (National—Hunua): It is a pleasure to be talking to this regulatory systems legislation. There are three very important parts. I was lucky to be on two select committees as these bills worked their way through. Sometimes in Parliament you have an accord a concurrence and even a sense of unity. It is a beautiful thing when everyone comes together and agrees that legislation like this is important and that they are going to support it—I think that is a great thing—and I do too.
Young JonathanJONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth): I do not wish to be ungenerous to my colleague Phil Twyford across the way in his incredible heaping of praise on Clayton Cosgrove but I was the chair of the Commerce Committee which put those recommendations in this legislation through to the Minister. All of that committee and the Minister did a great job regarding this retentions issue which we all know is incredibly important to the construction industry. I think we have got it right and we all did it with the support of people like Clayton Cosgrove. So on that basis I am happy to commend this legislation to the House.
Bridges SimonREGULATORY SYSTEMS (BUILDING AND HOUSING) AMENDMENT BILLREGULATORY SYSTEMS (COMMERCIAL MATTERS) AMENDMENT BILLREGULATORY SYSTEMS (WORKPLACE RELATIONS) AMENDMENT BILLThird ReadingsHon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister for Economic Development): I move That the Regulatory Systems (Building and Housing) Amendment Bill the Regulatory Systems (Commercial Matters) Amendment Bill and the Regulatory Systems (Workplace Relations) Amendment Bill be now read a third time. It gives me great satisfaction to support this legislation at the third reading. In 2014 the Productivity Commission's report found that it can be difficult to find time in the parliamentary calendar for repairs and maintenance of existing legislation. These amendment bills are the vehicles for smaller regulatory fixes to be progressed in a timely and cost-effective manner in order to deliver the flow-on benefits to business and the wider economy. In line with this Government's objective of regulatory transparency the exposure draft of the Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill was released in December 2015.The exposure draft served its purpose in that business and relevant organisations provided feedback on the proposed amendments and their feedback has been reflected in the bills before you today. During the select committee process 25 submissions were received that covered technical and detailed information pertaining to the bills. I would once again like to thank the Local Government and Environment Committee the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee the Commerce Committee and all of the submitters for their work on and contribution to making the bills more effective and ensuring that Parliament's intent is clear. I would also like to express my appreciation for the support received in the House for this legislation.The three regulatory systems amendment bills are omnibus bills that contain amendments to 20 Acts administered by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. These amendment bills will improve the law by clarifying and updating statutory provisions addressing regulatory duplication gaps and errors bringing the legislation up to date with relevant public expectations as well as removing unnecessary compliance costs. The amendment bills will improve laws that affect business building and housing energy communications commerce consumer affairs and workplace relations regulatory systems. These bills reduce the chance of regulatory failure and unintended consequences that harm the well-being and prosperity of New Zealanders. I commend these three bills to the House.
Joyce StevenORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1 to Minister 22 March—Amended AnswerHon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Finance): I seek leave to correct an answer to question No. 1 yesterday.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is none.Hon STEVEN JOYCE: In response to a supplementary question to question No. 1 yesterday in reference to exports from New Zealand to China I referred to more than quintupled" when I should have said "more than quadrupled"."
Bridges SimonBUSINESS STATEMENTHon SIMON BRIDGES (Deputy Leader of the House): When the House resumes on Tuesday 4 April the Government will look to progress the Family and Whānau Violence Legislation Bill the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Bill and a number of other bills on the Order Paper.
Motions — London—Terrorist Attacks
Dunne PeterHon PETER DUNNE (Leader—United Future): I want obviously to join with others in supporting the motion moved by the Deputy Prime Minister. This is a terrible act it is a sad day for London and it brings home to all of us the immediacy of the risk that we face in so many different areas. This time last week I for one was standing on Westminster Bridge. The last thing on my mind at that point would have been the attack that has occurred in the last 24 hours.There are the inevitable tales of heroism and bravery associated with the activity. Our hearts go out to those people who have lost loved ones to those who have been wounded and to those who have had to respond. The British people have as has been noted a history of resilience going right back to the first attacks many hundreds of years ago. They will withstand this event and be stronger for it. But to speculate beyond that about the causes the reasons to rationalise is totally inappropriate in these circumstances. Our hearts go out to those who are affected. We have confidence in the British authorities to prosecute the cause of what took place and in their ability to take the steps to ensure that there are no repetitions. I support the motion.Motion agreed to.
Seymour DavidDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): On behalf of the ACT Party I would like to join with other leaders in condemning this terrible act and expressing solidarity with the people of London and Great Britain who we know through sad experience have tremendous resilience in these times. To the idiot terrorist who perpetrated this act you will not win. There are too many of us and we love freedom far too much.
Fox MaramaMARAMA FOX (Co-Leader—Māori Party): Ā tēnā koe e Te Mana Whakawā e tū ake au ki te mihi atu ki a rātau kua hinga i tēnei rangi rātau i runga o te whenua o Ingarangi kai waho i tō rātau Pāremata. E tika ka tū tēnei hei māngai mō Te Pāti Māori otirā mō tātau katoa hai whakakotahi i ō tatau reo whakahē i tēnei o ngā mahi kino ki te tangata. Ā ka tuku whakaaro ki a rātau kua hinga me ō rātau whānau ō tātau whānau e noho kei tāwāhi ā ko te tūmanako ka korowai nei te kowhai aroha o Te Atua Kai Runga i rātau katoa ka tika.[Thank you Mr Speaker. I rise to pay a tribute to them who have fallen today upon the land of England and outside their Parliament. It is fitting that I stand as spokesperson for the Māori Party but at the same time for us all to unify our opposing voices to this one of the atrocious acts upon mankind. I give a thought to them who fell their families and our families living overseas in the hope that the loving cloak of God Above is shrouded over them and quite rightly so.]
Mark RonRON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First): New Zealand First has no hesitation in condemning this attack near the Mother of Parliaments. To the four victims who were murdered and the 40 who have been injured no words can express this Parliament's heartfelt sympathy. We must also pay tribute to the selfless emergency workers who went into harm's way—again proving that heroism is more than an ideal. In this respect we wish to praise one of our own—a fellow parliamentarian—Hon Tobias Ellwood who fought to save the life of PC Keith Palmer. PC Palmer's murder and that of three other victims shows how this single act of crude terror affects so many families and so many communities.Then again Mr Ellwood's running towards danger and putting service before self is exactly what you would expect from a fellow former soldier who has seen active service. Mr Ellwood showed the spirit that imbues anyone who has served and is perhaps something this House should reflect upon now more than ever.Today's attack is the third Islamic terror attack on a Commonwealth Parliament since 2000. In December 2001 only a few months after 9/11 a suicide squad stormed India's Parliament killing seven before it was eliminated. Less than 3 years ago in Ottawa a lone wolf attacker shot Corporal Nathan Cirillo dead before assailing Canada's Parliament.As for the perpetuator of today's heinous attack we take comfort from Dante's Inferno that in the deepest circle of hell traitors against God country and family and their benefactors lament their sins in this frigid pit of despair.Although we give thanks for our openness here it should not stop us from asking pertinent questions about security here in New Zealand. I would also ask that we contemplate those senior servants of this nation who leave the service of Parliament and return to normality without the protection of office that has been their privilege for the time that they served this nation. It is time that we reflect.
Davidson MaramaMARAMA DAVIDSON (Green): I stand on behalf of the Green Party. We are deeply saddened to learn of the attack on the people of London this morning. Our hearts go out to the families of the killed and injured and to those who witnessed such a horrific attack. Many of us in this Parliament who are watching have friends and family who live in London. It is so difficult to watch these events unfolding on the other side of the world and worry for the safety of our loved ones. London has always stood as a beacon of diversity and as a place where people from all around the world live work and share in each other's lives together.It is this diversity and the shared respect for the values of human rights and democracy that attacks such as these are trying to undermine. We know that this is not the first time that the people of London have taken a hit and that as always they will come together to look after one another. Indeed we saw that in the immediate aftermath as MPs and emergency services staff alike worked together to save the lives of those injured. We stand with Londoners who reject the feelings of fear and distrust that these kinds of attacks are designed to create. They will not succeed in dividing us.
Ardern JacindaJACINDA ARDERN (Deputy Leader—Labour): I stand on behalf of the leader of the Labour Party Andrew Little and all of the Labour Party to express our condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the terrorist attack at Westminster overnight. Among the lives that have been the lost was a police officer whose role it was to protect those who work in Parliament and others who were simply walking through their city. At moments like these it is hard not to reflect on the very personal relationship this House and many of us will feel as a Westminster democracy with longstanding ties to the United Kingdom.It is much more personal than that. London is a place where many of us have lived where we have worked and where we still have both friends and family. My sister was in the city yesterday. Her first thought like many Londoners was to immediately reassure her family abroad that she was safe and to carry on. And that is what London has always done. It is a city that has long embraced its diversity as strongly as it has rejected attacks on its resolve. In the wake of this recent act of brutality it once again stands resolute. Today we stand both in condemnation of the attack and also in solidarity with the people of London and we acknowledge the words of the mayor Sadiq Khan who has reminded us all: We stand together in the face of those who seek to harm us. We always have. We always will. Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism.""
Bennett PaulaTHURSDAY 23 MARCH 2017Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.MOTIONSLondon—Westminster Terrorist AttackHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Prime Minister): I seek leave to move a motion without notice regarding the attack in London on Wednesday 22 March.Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.Hon PAULA BENNETT: I move That this House condemn the terrorist attack in London and extend its condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured. We were deeply shocked to hear of the events that unfolded in Westminster. An attack that strikes at the heart of democracy in the United Kingdom strikes at democracies everywhere. The Prime Minister has written to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom this morning to convey his condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand. The thoughts of all New Zealanders are with the people of London particularly those affected by this terrible atrocity. Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones including the family and friends of the Metropolitan Police Service officer killed in the line of duty while protecting the innocent bystanders to this attack. There is no doubt that the people of London including the many New Zealanders who call that city home will come together after this horrendous attack and display the resilience for which they are known. New Zealand stands shoulder to shoulder with the United Kingdom and attacks like this only strengthen our combined resolve to counter terrorism and violent extremism wherever they may occur.
Thursday 1 June 2017 - Volume 722