8. Greater Christchurch Regeneration—Residential Advisory ServiceDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister for Greater Christchurch RegenerationGreater Christchurch Regeneration—Residential Advisory Service8. Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration: What was the expected date prior to the General Election that the Residential Advisory Service would cease operations and what steps has she taken since becoming Minister to ensure the service continues for people affected by the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration): Prior to the general election the Residential Advisory Service (RAS) was expected to cease operations on 22 December this year. It was clear to me that this wasn't good enough and that this closure was too soon. RAS is a valuable service to many people navigating the Earthquake Commission and insurance issues. That is why upon taking office I sought advice on extending the service and on Tuesday announced an additional $700000 to extend RAS into July next year. This is a Government delivering on its promises.Hon Steven Joyce: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I don't want to prolong the discussion earlier but can you see the problem where we have a two-limbed question and the first limb of the question is entirely about the previous Government. We have been told that we're not allowed to ask about the previous Government even in a caretaker mode as I sought to yesterday and then we have this particular question today.Mr SPEAKER: And—Hon Steven Joyce: If I just may Mr Speaker. I don't want be pedantic about it but it would be helpful for the framing of future questions and save all of our time if perhaps you could—I don't know how you want to do it whether we have a discussion in your offices or whatever to discuss where this line is because quite genuinely for members of the Opposition I don't think we understand where that line is at this point.Mr SPEAKER: I am certainly willing to meet with members in my office to work it through. This one is I think relatively simple because the substance of the question goes to the actions of the Minister. While the Minister is not responsible for what happened before the election she is responsible for that. Actually the question could've been asked without the first leg and that may have made it simpler and easier and we wouldn't have had this fuss and there might be some advice for backbenchers to get it right who I'm sure are all drafting questions.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I seek leave to table a document that makes it clear that the trade officials advised the select committee that it would not be possible to introduce a tax or if it was done it would be in breach of trade agreements.Mr SPEAKER: Can the member as is normal tell us the date and source of the document?Hon Gerry Brownlee: The original source of the document is of course 30 November—today. The material that is in the document is sourced from the transcript of the select committee hearing.Mr SPEAKER: And it was a public hearing?Hon Gerry Brownlee: It was a public hearing.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There appears to be none. The document may be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Dr Duncan Webb: How does the Residential Advisory Service help people affected by the earthquakes?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: The Residential Advisory Service provides free independent legal and technical assistance to enable people to break deadlocks relating to their insurance difficulties. This has become especially useful for people with complex cases still to be resolved seven years after the initial Canterbury earthquakes. After seven years it is important for these people to have access to the assistance they need so they can move on with their lives as soon as possible.Dr Duncan Webb: Why is it important for the Residential Advisory Service—Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I did catch your eye there. I want to self-report. I did speak inappropriately as the gentleman was giving his question. I throw myself on your mercy but do acknowledge that I was in breach of your new rules.Mr SPEAKER: I thought it was a finely tuned thing and I wasn't going to pull the member up so we'll go back to Dr Webb.Dr Duncan Webb: Why is it important for the Residential Advisory Service to continue?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Too many people are still waiting to move on with their lives in Canterbury after being stuck in legal and technical limbo. Putting aside private insurers the Earthquake Commission (EQC) alone has around 4000 outstanding claims with hundreds of remedial claims coming in each month—for example EQC received 203 remedial requests last month alone. Under the previous Government these people would have nowhere to go. Come December under this Government they will.