edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
SpeechDAVID CLENDON (Green): I am pleased to take a call just to reassure the House of the Greens' continued support for this important piece of legislation. I had the undoubted privilege of sitting on the Justice and Electoral Committee which toiled its way through this bill. My recall is that the decision that I should be responsible for this bill was made in my absence which is a good reason to make sure one does not miss meetings I believe.The purpose of this revision bill of course is to make language more modern and accessible. The Greens as a modern and accessible political party is always going to support that aspiration. I have to say that the process of working through this was character building. My abiding memory of the select committee process is the undoubted enthusiasm for the task that our colleague Mr Bishop displayed. It was inspiring his commitment to getting every word right. It is certainly something that will stay with me for a very long time.In a more serious vein some of us enjoyed this morning—enjoyed" I think is a fair word—an exposition from none other than Sir Geoffrey Palmer about the importance of making sure that legislation coming through this House is technically correct. I think it was timely and it was interesting and I think he is dead right. There is a place for ensuring—clearly this is the place—that legislation is correct technically accurate and fit for purpose in every way and I guess this process is in part contributing to that to make sure that people can make sense of legislation.Finally I would just reflect also on the point made by Mr Cosgrove—the comment made by the committee that there might be a space to very gently expand the scope of revision bills—about a very dated reference to a requirement to advertise a particular matter in a newspaper which is not really appropriate in the modern age. I mean it is not a bad thing but it is insufficient. So arguably there would be scope for something a little broader when revision bills are put up where there is broad and complete agreement between all parties that a particular minor change might be made to a bill. Perhaps we can look at that another day but for the moment we are happy to support this bill and to see it pass through the House."
SpeechHon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Labour): It is with somewhat slightly less enthusiasm than the previous speaker Sarah Dowie that I rise to support the bill. I endorse the Attorney-General's words as he gave probably one of the best impressions of Rumpole of the Bailey that I have seen for many many years. I do agree with the Attorney-General that hopefully the modernisation of language will indeed cut down the quantum of lawyers' bills. I am told that the Attorney-General in a past life had an extremely high charge-out rate in respect of his eminent counsel.Chris Bishop: Not as high as yours.Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE: Oh no no. I could never compete with the Attorney-General. But I want to make reference—just very briefly as the Attorney-General did—to clause 339B(1) which the Justice and Electoral Committee noted refers to providing notice in the newspaper ads. Although this is arguably outdated the committee because of the restriction on the scope of the bill was unable to amend it.It reminds me of a similar provision that I think was placed in a statutes amendment bill for efficiency: the infamous Nuk Korako clause" in respect of newspaper advertising. The Attorney-General looks quizzically at me because he is not familiar with it so I will elucidate briefly. The "Nuk Korako clause" you may recall was where the Christchurch Airport was unable to advertise online regarding lost luggage. Mr Korako had a sort of blinding shot of brilliance—we called him Halley's Comet; it happens once every 75 years. Mr Korako had this sort of blinding flash of brilliance and decided to put up a particular bill dealing with this issue—Hon Member: 339B.Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE: —clause 339B reminds me of it—and subsequently I think it was dealt with in a statutes amendment bill.I wonder whether the Attorney-General as we go through this might turn his mind as to whether those sorts of issues could be dealt with in a similar revised fashion through a piece of legislation like this so that we could not waste Parliament's time. I think that the charge-out rate for this place per hour may be similar to the Attorney-General's charge-out rate but both are very very expensive I am told.I do hope that this bill assists those people who are trying as we all do—non-lawyers amongst us myself included—to wade through legislation. And I hope Mr Korako may wish to take a call and reflect on how he could have dealt with his issues far more efficiently perhaps through a process like this."
Dowie SarahSARAH DOWIE (National—Invercargill): I rise to take a very short call in support of the Contract and Commercial Law Bill and I am sad to be taking a short call because I was riding on the wave of excitement after the Hon Christopher Finlayson's contribution about revision bills. I feel like a first-year politician speaking on a statutes amendment bill—it is so exciting. It is a truncated process about simplifying and making law more accessible to the layperson making it more readable and tidying up the law but not making any policy changes. So it is fantastic when we can come together as a Parliament—Chris Bishop: Pretty much sums it up.SARAH DOWIE: —pretty much sums it up—and make things more efficient and is that not why we are here?With that I just want to end with thanking the two submitters who took part in this process—Dr Barber and Rae Nield—who took the time to submit on this revision bill and talk about the process and about the merits of the proposed bill. It really is a special person who gets passionate about efficiency. It is a good thing. It is a very good thing. We should be doing more of it as the Hon Christopher Finlayson said and as I understand we have two more to go. So that is great. It is fantastic. I am pleased to be on the select committee that will no doubt hear those bills—hopefully fingers crossed—because we are passionate about efficiency and with that I commend this bill to the House.
Mallard TrevorCONTRACT AND COMMERCIAL LAW BILLSecond ReadingThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): In order to make a Thursday afternoon more exciting I call the Hon Christopher Finlayson.
Maritime Crimes Amendment Bill — Second Reading
SpeechJONO NAYLOR (National): I have to say that last evening I was in my office I had some guests there we were watching Parliament TV and I saw that this bill was being discussed. I thought Well I'm glad I'm not down there talking about it." and now I find myself here today speaking on this bill.I just want to thank the member Rino Tirikatene for improving my knowledge of this particular subject matter with that stunning contribution. I think the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee was commended probably five or six times by him in that presentation so I will do it just the once. I think the committee has done a sterling job in bringing this matter forward—obviously having to sift through 150 different submissions and consider quite complex legislation. There were a lot of things to consider.I think particularly the committee has included some clauses and made some changes to ensure that there is an avoidance of doubt clause which is particularly good. The committee has now made sure that there is a requirement that obviously there is going to have to be a serious offence that has been detected before acting. I think this is all very sound very good. In fact I will commend the committee again because it is very very deserving. I commend this bill to the House.Bill read a second time."
Appropriation (2015/16 Confirmation and Validation) Bill — First Reading
Mallard TrevorAPPROPRIATION (2015/16 CONFIRMATION AND VALIDATION) BILLFirst ReadingHon David Bennett: I move that the Appropriation—The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Order! The member should probably attempt to get the call before he starts speaking.Hon DAVID BENNETT (Minister of Veterans' Affairs) on behalf of the Minister of Finance: I move That the Appropriation (2015/16 Confirmation and Validation) Bill be now read a first time. Bill read a first time.
Electoral Amendment Bill — In Committee
SpeechELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILLIn CommitteeThe CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): We now move to the Electoral Amendment Bill. At the beginning of the debate on the previous bill leave was sought for this to be taken as one question. Leave was granted that all the provisions of this bill be taken as one question.
Mitchell MarkHon MARK MITCHELL (Associate Minister of Justice): Can I acknowledge the last speaker Louisa Wall who did wrap some clarity around the issue that was raised by Mr Hipkins. Can I acknowledge the Justice and Electoral Committee which worked on this legislation and also acknowledge the comments made about having the legislation back in the House quickly so that it can be passed before our next election period.This is an important piece of legislation in terms of continuing to allow the general public to have confidence in the transparency and accountability around our elections. So can I just acknowledge and thank the member for her comments.I just want to also address very quickly though one point that Mr Hipkins did raise around the broadcasting of returns and why the return in relation to internet broadcasting was removed. There is a very simple explanation for that. It is just purely inoperable because of the nature of internet advertising. That is why it was removed. Expense returns are still sufficiently detailed to permit detailed scrutiny by the Electoral Commission. So those returns still catch the detail required by the commission.In relation to the digital convergence paper that Clare Curran raised all that work has been brought forward on that paper. The intention is that the work on that will then become a bill but there are still items that have to be considered. That is an ongoing piece of work but the work that has been done in relation to that digital convergence paper of course will go into the pending bill. Another point that I want to address and raise was the one around on-the-day enrolment. The select committee did consider this. It spent a fair bit of time discussing it. I just want to refer back to some of the comments that were made by the select committee and that was that the commission advised it that because of the numbers potentially involved it would not be confident that it could validate election day special vote enrolment applications with integrity without delaying the actual official count. The commission instead recommended that the question of whether election day special vote enrolment applications could be included in an official count should be considered for the 2020 election in light of the lessons learnt in 2017. I think we will come back and revisit that but it will be for the election in 2020.The majority of the committee did consider that the focus of the commission should be to enrol electors early—to encourage people to get enrolled early before election day rather than later—and also to protect the integrity of the roll by allowing time for it to be scrutinised which I think is very very important also. Thank you.
Ross Jami-LeeThe CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): Ah—Clare Curran: Clare Curran.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): —Clare Curran. Oh sorry.Carmel Sepuloni: Oh my goodness! She's only been here nearly 9 years.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): Well before we get too disparaging about the Chair we should remember that I have the ability to get my own back later on if the member is to seek a call. [Interruption] The House will understand that I am expecting some honourable member to seek leave for all these matters to be heard together. However we are waiting for a certain party of a certain hue to make up its mind—ah there we go.JAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip—National): I seek leave for all parts of the Broadcasting (Election Programmes and Election Advertising) Amendment Bill and the Electoral Amendment Bill to be debated as one question but voted on separately.Chris Hipkins: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. Just to clarify—these are two separate bills and the member is seeking leave for both of the bills to be debated in one debate is that correct?The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): For both bills in all parts.Chris Hipkins: Yes there is objection. I seek leave for the provisions in each of the bills to be considered as one debate. So there will be two debates: one on all of the provisions in the first bill and one on all of the provisions in the second bill.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): Leave is put for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.Hon David Parker: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. Can I now seek clarification that the bill that we are now considering is the Electoral Amendment Bill?The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): No. It is the Broadcasting (Election Programmes and Election Advertising) Amendment Bill. Well just to clarify for the House the point is that the honourable member David Parker who has just spoken was addressing both bills and so that was the understanding he had. We did not quite have our protocols down correctly obviously because there was some issue.Hon Annette King: Give him another go.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): He can seek another call and he has got up to four.Hon Annette King: A free call. A free call.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): We are not going to bargain this out. We will just see how well your whip behaves.Clare Curran: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. Can I just clarify which bill we are actually speaking on at the moment?The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): We are speaking on the Broadcasting (Election Programmes and Election Advertising) Amendment Bill and actually I had already given you the call. But now you will know what you are speaking about. So I need to state the question first. The question is that Parts 1 and 2 and clauses 1 and 2 stand part.
Broadcasting (Election Programmes and Election Advertising) Amendment Bill and Electoral Amendment Bill — In Committee
SpeechBROADCASTING (ELECTION PROGRAMMES AND ELECTION ADVERTISING) AMENDMENT BILLELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILLIn CommitteeThe CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): Members the House is in Committee for the consideration of the Broadcasting (Election Programmes and Election Advertising) Amendment Bill and the Electoral Amendment Bill. I call Tim Macindoe.Tim Macindoe: Oh sorry no. No I am standing up to leave. I beg your pardon.
Motions — State of Local Emergency—Christchurch and Selwyn Districts
SpeechHon PETER DUNNE (Leader—United Future): I want to join with other members in supporting the motion that the Minister of Justice on behalf of the Minister of Civil Defence has moved regarding the fires that are currently fringing Christchurch. I want to join with other members in expressing our solidarity with the people of the Canterbury region at yet another natural onslaught and to offer our deepest sympathy to the family of David Steven Askin on his tragic death the other day while fighting those fires.I thought I should share with the House the latest information that I have received from the New Zealand Fire Service regarding the situation. To put this into perspective the area of the fire is now some 20 square kilometres. For those of you who know Christchurch that is more than 12 times the area of Hagley Park so that is a very large area.The intensity and the size of the fire I am advised is in its own way restricting the number of firefighters who can be safely put on the ground. There are currently some 20 rural crews and 20 urban crews working in the area three fixed-wing aircraft and 13 helicopters and crews are coming from other parts of the country—a crew is on its way north from Dunedin. The advice that I have received is that the main tactic at present is an aerial attack to fight the most intense parts of the fire. This is being supported by firefighters on the ground who are being strategically positioned around Christchurch to protect life and property. As has been reported elsewhere this is a rapidly moving and changing fire and it brings with it those huge emotional impacts on the local people who fear property loss who fear for their safety and who fear for their livelihoods and on their wider families who fear for them. I have family living in the affected area. I think they are OK but my attempts to make contact so far have been typically to no avail. But there will be many people around New Zealand wondering similarly and wondering what it means. Is this yet again another natural disaster for this city which has suffered and endured so much in recent years and will that spirit of resilience that people have spoken of and admired so much come to the fore again? We have to hope that is the case.Someone said to me just before I came to the House today that there is something very weird going on here. We are used to looking at these sorts of scenes from Australia. The fact that our second-largest city is now home if you like to the sorts of scenes we normally associate with Western Sydney and parts of Victoria is extraordinarily disturbing. Others will draw their conclusions as to the reasons why but I simply want to express again my huge thanks to the men and women of the New Zealand Fire Service rural firefighters and our emergency services for the work that they are doing in Christchurch. There will inevitably be a debrief afterwards as to the lessons and we will await the outcome with appropriate interest.My sympathy and support go to the people of Christchurch in this moment of trial and I think that the House can show them proper respect and due support today by passing this motion.Motion agreed to.
Business Statement
Mark RonRON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First): It is a privilege to rise on behalf of New Zealand First in support of the Minister's motion and to endorse and support all of the comments made by the previous speakers from the various political parties who have spoken thus far. It is our party's desire that we express along with the Parliament our solidarity with the people of Christchurch especially the families of those first respondents who are in the field doing their duty right now. To the brave men and women of the various fire services involved: we thank you. To the police officers who are involved in protecting life and might I say dealing sometimes with the frustrations with those who would for no other purpose than to go somewhere to have a look jeopardise not only their own lives but the lives of their children when they take them on such bizarre sightseeing trips—to those police officers who are dealing with these issues day by day hour by hour: we thank you very much and we recognise that sometimes your job is very difficult.I had a conversation with a very senior veteran firefighter prior to coming to the House. I think some of the comments that he made need to be said here. There is much that has already been said in commentary about what could or should have happened but to reinforce the words of the Mayor Lianne Dalziel this is not the time for those conversations. Those conversations will come.As far as the firefighters on the ground are concerned this is something that they have never seen and this firefighter said to me—and he has been a veteran of Australian bushfires a veteran urban search and rescue firefighter who has operated internationally. He said that in the 38 years he has served he has never seen anything like this. The difficult terrain the gullies the wind shifts the climate the weather and the terrain have all combined to produce something as he said that is very very unique and it is testing and challenging even those amongst them who have seen it all before. In his words: This is unique. Let's deal with what we have to deal with. Let's pray that no one else is injured or dies and thank God that whilst we lost 11 homes we saved another seven."I want to now pay homage to Corporal David Steven Askin New Zealand SAS and recipient of a New Zealand Gallantry Star. On behalf of the people who know him might I read this poem which I know they are all familiar with. This is for Steve and his family and his former colleagues from the New Zealand SAS.Go as a Pilgrim and seek out dangerFar from the comfort and well lit avenues of life. Pit your soul against the unknownAnd seek stimulation in the company of the brave. Experience cold and hunger heat and thirst And survive to see another challenge and another dawn. Only then will you be at peace with yourselfAnd be able to know—and say 'I looked down on the farthest side of the mountainAnd fulfilled and understanding allAm truly content I lived a life that was my own.' We are the Pilgrims master; we shall go Always a little further; it may beBeyond that last blue mountain barred with snowAcross that angry or that glimmering sea.Thank you."
Shaw JamesJAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green): The Green Party would like to support the Government's motion and we express our sympathies and offer our support to people who have lost their homes or who have been otherwise affected by the Christchurch fires. We also want to acknowledge the incredible emergency services personnel: firefighters helicopter pilots police Defence Force Christchurch City and Selwyn District Councils the civil defence staff and volunteers who have been working around the clock to control the fires.I would particularly like to acknowledge the helicopter pilot David Steven Askin who lost his life while working to protect the city and its residents and to extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones. The commitment and the courage of the helicopter pilots the firefighters and support personnel who are working incredibly long hours under horrendous conditions to try to contain the fire and to protect homes and people are extraordinary. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the media who have been working hard to keep residents informed about the situation through their channels as well. Our colleague Christchurch-based MP Eugenie Sage has been visiting welfare and emergency management services in Christchurch City and talking to civil defence and other volunteers. She has told us this morning that she has found it very heartening to see just how well organised those centres are on incredibly short notice.It is once again a deeply unsettling and uncertain time in Christchurch. The city has been through so much over the course of the last decade and it is absolutely heartbreaking to see people experiencing trauma and loss all over again. Cantabrians have had to build resilience and a community spirit to get them through the last few years and once again we are seeing that come to the fore.It is obviously tremendously frightening for residents to watch the glow of the fire on the hills at night and to see those brave people in helicopters disappearing into the huge plumes of smoke to subdue the flames. Many in the city will be feeling the uncertainty and the anxiety that comes with an emergency of this nature so it is a good time to reach out to neighbours to work colleagues and to anyone who may be feeling vulnerable or anxious. The community support and the kindness of residents and strangers was an enormous help in the aftermath of the earthquakes; it will be once again in helping the city to recover from this emergency. Kia kaha Christchurch.
SpeechHon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour): Labour supports the Government's motion. I know that this is a very small action that we can take as compared with the work on the ground by so many people in Christchurch but it is to show our support and solidarity across the House. This House and the people of New Zealand will be feeling for the residents of Christchurch. As if they have not faced enough in recent years with the devastating earthquakes there is now a deadly blaze spanning 1800 hectares with no let-up in sight. We are told that nearly a dozen homes have been burnt and we do not know how many have been damaged. Hundreds of residents have been evacuated from their homes and the strengthening winds—that old nor'wester they get down there in Canterbury—are likely to fan the fire and drive the front closer to residential areas. Obviously all efforts are being put into directing the fire away but it must be directed towards saving lives and people as a priority.This is a city that is already in a state of anxiety and as one person said as they watched their house burn down it is gutting. There are only 6 days before the anniversary of the 22 February earthquake and that is a time that is now bringing back those bad memories—the deep sadness at the loss of life and of their beautiful city as they knew it. I know that we feel deeply for them. I too want to thank the emergency services who are bravely fighting the fire those who are going door to door to alert people and those who are providing advice shelter and food. We know that they will be increasingly becoming tired and stressed themselves and they deserve all the support and encouragement that we can give them—the firefighters those from the Department of Conservation territorial authorities volunteers and the police patrols who are working around the clock. It is great to know that in true Kiwi style other regions are pitching in to help and additional firefighters and helicopters are coming in we are told from Nelson and from Timaru. At this stage something like 15 helicopters and planes are in the air—the maximum that you can have in safety.I agree with the Minister that it is tragic that one life has already been lost: Steve Askin killed when his helicopter crashed when he was fighting the Port Hills fire. We also extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Elizabeth his children and his extended family and we can only hope that no more lives will be lost.This is not the time to look at the whys and hows. That needs to come at a later date. Next week we need a real assessment as to what services and support the people will need—the people who have suffered. There should be no delay in Government support particularly for those who might need mental health services and we will back whatever support is needed. I know that our Labour members of Parliament in those electorates are already on the ground and they will be contacting their schools and their community organisations to see how they are coping and how they can help. It is now a time for us to do all we can to support the people of Christchurch. There will be a time to see how another such tragedy can be avoided.
Finlayson ChristopherTHURSDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2017Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.BUSINESS STATEMENTHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) on behalf of the Leader of the House: When the House resumes on Tuesday 7 March the Government will look to complete the second reading of the New Zealand Intelligence and Security Bill; the second reading of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2016-17 Closely Held Companies and Remedial Matters) Bill; and a number of other bills on the Order Paper. Wednesday 8 March will be a members' day.
Wednesday 12 April 2017 - Volume 721
Education (Teachers' Code of Ethics) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Education (Teachers' Code of Ethics) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Noes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Motion not agreed to.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Consumers' Right to Know (Country of Origin of Food) Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 120New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2; United Future 1.Noes 1ACT New Zealand 1.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Primary Production Committee.
Consumers' Right to Know (Country of Origin of Food) Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Land Transport (Vehicle User Safety) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 93New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 28Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee.
Land Transport (Vehicle User Safety) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 26Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Noes 95New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Motion not agreed to.
Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill — First Reading
Oral Questions — Questions to Members
10. Youth Employment Training and Education Bill—OutcomesCLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Youth Employment Training and Education BillYouth Employment Training and Education Bill—Outcomes10. CLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Youth Employment Training and Education Bill: What are the potential outcomes for young people who participate in the work scheme introduced by the Youth Employment Training and Education Bill?DARROCH BALL (Member in charge of the Youth Employment Training and Education Bill): If the bill passes young people who complete the 3-year contract will leave with a minimum NCEA level 2 in numeracy and literacy trade training car and trailer licences and first aid qualifications as well as life skills instilled in them in the army environment. They will be work ready at 18.Clayton Mitchell: What existing successful schemes is the Youth Employment Training and Education Bill based on?DARROCH BALL: The Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) scheme is a highly successful army-run 6-week course for young people and has proven to change young people's lives and get them off State dependence. The Youth Employment Training and Education programme is based on the LSV programme but is wider in scope; introduces trade training skills training and education; and is a 3-year residential programme.
9. Youth Employment Training and Education Bill—FundingCLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Youth Employment Training and Education BillYouth Employment Training and Education Bill—Funding9. CLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Youth Employment Training and Education Bill: How will the Youth Employment Training and Education Bill be funded?DARROCH BALL (Member in charge of the Youth Employment Training and Education Bill): If the bill is passed the Youth Employment Training and Education (YETE) programme will be funded by the Ministry of Social Development and run by the New Zealand Defence Force. This is similar to how the current highly successful Limited Service Volunteer scheme is currently funded and run.Clayton Mitchell: What are the potential financial costs of the Youth Employment Training and Education Bill?DARROCH BALL: Currently those youth who are disengaged from society and are part of the young people not in education employment or training rates are costing the country millions of dollars a year through lost earnings mental health justice and social services costs. The YETE programme aims to take just a fraction of those long-term costs and invest it in the front end to get these young people engaged in employment.
8. Youth Employment Training and Education Bill—BenefitsCLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Youth Employment Training and Education BillYouth Employment Training and Education Bill—Benefits8. CLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Youth Employment Training and Education Bill: Who will potentially benefit from the Youth Employment Training and Education Bill?DARROCH BALL (Member in charge of the Youth Employment Training and Education Bill): If the bill passes those youth aged 15 to 17 who are eligible to apply to the employment programme run by the New Zealand Defence Force and funded by the Ministry of Social Development will benefit. By taking just a fraction of the future costs and proactively investing and getting these youth employed and skilled within a controlled environment it makes both social and economic long-term sense for this country. Clayton Mitchell: What is the Youth Employment Training and Education (YETE) Bill aiming to achieve?DARROCH BALL: The YETE Bill aims to provide an employment option for those increasing number of youth who are unemployed and disengaged. Currently there are 91000 youths who are not in employment education or training and who run the risk of incurring high social and fiscal costs to themselves and the country. This bill aims to invest in the front end and give these kids a fair chance.
7. Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill—Declined Sky and Vodafone MergerDARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment BillBroadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill—Declined Sky and Vodafone Merger7. DARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill: What are the implications of the Commerce Commission's recent refusal of the Sky-Vodafone merger on the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill?CLAYTON MITCHELL (Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill): That is a good question. Two weeks ago Sky lodged an appeal against the Commerce Commission's rejection of the Vodafone New Zealand purchase. This is ironic because a substantive reason cited by the Commerce Commission for rejecting this proposed merger was that Sky Sport gave Sky-Vodafone an unfair competitive advantage. Enabling this bill to go through the House would in some way go towards remedying that problem.
6. Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill—ImpactDARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment BillBroadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill—Impact6. DARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill: Will the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill empty stadiums of paying patrons and deny sporting codes revenue?CLAYTON MITCHELL (Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill): I would love to give you a short answer. The short answer is no but I am going to extend on that a little bit further. [Interruption] You are just so insightful. International experience in respect of stadium attendances is the reverse. I am just saying that the streaming of Adele for example did not stop people—even though they could see Adele live on TV they still went to those concerts. In terms of participation and viewing the games of national significance people feel more encouraged to in fact attend at the stadium so that they can see their players live and up close and personal. That is the evidence. Darroch Ball: Can the member address the question of revenue in regard to this bill? CLAYTON MITCHELL: I have seen reports of some codes complaining that if this bill went through the House they would lose revenue. In response we could point to Sky's falling subscriber base which means the good old days are fast going. The fact is that free-to-air broadcasters have access to 3.6 million New Zealanders who are paying their taxes versus 860000 for Sky subscribers. You only have to do the maths to work out that it is better to go and put those games on live and free to air.
5. Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill—CommentaryDARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment BillBroadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill—Commentary5. DARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill: Does he believe that the bill is communist" as a member of Parliament has charged?CLAYTON MITCHELL (Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill): This question has certainly raised some suspicion from one member on the other side. But I think those members saying such ridiculous things should stop reading Tintin comics and conspiracy theory novels. If this was in any way true then they would be calling Australia the UK and Canada communist countries too because all those countries have anti-siphoning laws and regulations that allow their people to see games of national significance live and free to air."
4. Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill—BenefitsDARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment BillBroadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill—Benefits4. DARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill: What benefits are likely to come from the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill if enacted?CLAYTON MITCHELL (Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill): There are huge benefits to New Zealanders particularly around sports making up a huge part of our culture. If we consider the importance that we have put on for example Māori Television we have spent $55 million a year on that because we absolutely hold in high regard our culture and that certainly goes some way to addressing our cultural issue with sports and engagement with people.
3. Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill—Ratepayers and TaxpayersRIA BOND (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment BillBroadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill—Ratepayers and Taxpayers3. RIA BOND (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill: Is the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill fair on ratepayers and taxpayers?CLAYTON MITCHELL (Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill): Another great question; they are coming in thick and fast. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: You do not have to rate the question. Just give an answer to it. CLAYTON MITCHELL: I will give it a 10—right. I alluded to that in my answer to the first question. Taxpayers and ratepayers in this country are spending around about a billion dollars a year already. So for them to not have to fork out an extra thousand dollars a year to subscribe to Sky to ensure that they can actually see those games of national significance live they will be saving themselves a lot of money and that will hugely benefit the ratepayers and taxpayers who are already paying. This will simply stop them being charged for a third time. We should not have to pay three times for our sports. Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I would ask you to reconsider your decision. I am going to ask for leave again because it is quite clear that when you are dealing with a question that talks about games of national significance that does not mean it is confined entirely to the views of one small party in the House. I get the sense from the questions that have been answered so far that Mr Mitchell might think he knows quite a bit about this. For those of us on this side who are floundering in the dark about the benefits of this bill being passed I would seek leave for this House to allow those members who want to question this member on the games of national significance to do so. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: No—[Interruption] Sorry I do not need any further assistance and I will not be putting leave for that question. It may well be in the Leader of the House's best intentions to extend this part of the House's business so that we do not get to the general debate which I am sure he is just rehearsing his speech for.
2. Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill—Purpose and CostRIA BOND (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment BillBroadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill—Purpose and Cost2. RIA BOND (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill: Will the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill enable about 2.7 million taxpayers who do not have Sky the ability to watch major domestic sporting events free and on live to air television?CLAYTON MITCHELL (Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill): I am sure the Minister will know the answer to this already after having gazed into his crystal ball. This is the very purpose of this bill and the intent of why we have brought this to the House. We absolutely stress that our bill focuses upon major sporting events held domestically where ratepayers and taxpayers have contributed already. The exceptions are global events such as the Olympics the trans-Tasman finals and Rugby World Cup matches involving New Zealand teams. If people like Mr Mallard want to watch wrestling in Kazakhstan as he so evidently does then I confirm that he will still need to pay for his Sky Sport subscription to carry on doing so.David Seymour: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek your advice and clarification. You ruled earlier that there is one supplementary question on a question to a member. Are you now saying that that supplementary question can be asked by only the member who asked the primary question?Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: You got it.Chris Hipkins: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The question that I ask you is: is that a new ruling that you are now making? That is certainly not a ruling that has applied in the past. The Speaker has absolute discretion as to how many supplementary questions may be asked. Generally the convention has been that the Speaker will allow only one supplementary question from the member asking the question. But as far as I know this is the first time that members on the other side of the House have sought to ask a supplementary question on a question to a member. There has certainly been no ruling by a Speaker in the past preventing that from happening.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Well I may have—David Seymour: Speaking to the point of order—Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: No I do not need any further advice. I may have misled the House by referring to there being a ruling. However it is a convention and I am sticking to the convention. I invite Ria Bond to ask her supplementary question. Ria Bond: How much will it cost? CLAYTON MITCHELL: What a great question. Look this is talking about regulation before we actually talk about the legislation and it has got to go through the House so that we can actually have that discussion. But if you look at adopting what they have got in Australia with its anti-siphoning laws this will not cost New Zealand taxpayers a single cent more than what they are already contributing to Sport and Recreation which is around about a billion dollars a year.
1. Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill—SupportRIA BOND (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment BillBroadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill—Support1. RIA BOND (NZ First) to the Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill: What indications of support has he received for the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill?CLAYTON MITCHELL (Member in charge of the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill): That is a great question. Without gazing into the Minister's crystal ball that he referred to I have to say that we have had overwhelming support for this bill. In one online poll we had 84 percent of the participants in that poll supporting this bill going through the House. I have to say that is a huge indication that people see this moving forward. Also speaking to a number of broadcasters—other than Sky of course—they also have support for this bill and would like to see it progress through the stages.Ria Bond: Are there any other signs of support aside from the public for this bill?CLAYTON MITCHELL: We were encouraged initially by comments made by Clare Curran in 2013 about the Labour Party's position with regard to the bill and the regulations with regard to Sky Television but we see yet again it has made another U-turn and has flip-flopped like a dead fish on board a fishing boat. We are waiting to see how the vote is cast this afternoon. [Interruption]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! In respect of questions to members there is only one supplementary question available to the member who asks the primary question.David Seymour: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Well sorry the first point of order came from David Seymour.David Seymour: I seek leave of the House to ask an additional supplementary question of the member.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Leave is put for that purpose is there any objection? Yes there appears to be objection.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Given that today is members' day and the time of the House belongs to members and we are dealing with a member's question I would seek leave of the House for any member who wants to ask any question on any of the members' questions today to be able to do so.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will just note that that particular member has used up quite a bit of the time already in respect of his points of order which he would seem to be complaining about. I will put that leave in the spirit in which it was given. Is there any objection? There appears to be.
12. Community and Voluntary Sector—Community and Voluntary Group FundingMATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri) to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary SectorCommunity and Voluntary Sector—Community and Voluntary Group Funding12. MATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri) to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector: What recent announcements has he made about community and voluntary group funding in New Zealand?Hon ALFRED NGARO (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector): Today I announced that $12.5 million of grant funding is now available for NGOs looking for funding that will have an impact in their local community up and down the country.Matt Doocey: What are some examples of the benefits that this funding can provide?Hon ALFRED NGARO: The funding is unique in that it is decided on and distributed by local distribution committees. That means that we have locals deciding on what matters most to them and what will have the most impact on their own communities. Last year 4223 organisations received funding for a range of community projects such as the running or operational costs of organisations that provide community based social services; community development costs such as training planning evaluation and facilitation fees; and community projects or even costs that encourage participation in communities promote community leadership and promote social economic and cultural equity.