edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Yang JianDr JIAN YANG (National): I'm pleased with the progress of the Local Government Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill. I would like firstly to thank the members on the Governance and Administration Committee. My colleagues worked very hard. Although some of them may be very good at gaming nevertheless they worked hard. Particularly I would like to thank the chair Mr Brett Hudson for his leadership and outstanding work. So this is not a major policy bill. Nevertheless it's a very important bill simply because such bills are important vehicles for us to improve and update our government regulatory regimes. As I said before New Zealand has a very large and complex regulatory sector made up of 200 or so regulatory regimes and these regimes of course need to evolve along with the development of technology democracy ethics or the society as a whole. So we need to keep updating and improving such regimes and such bills would be really good to do that. Outdated and poorly conceived regulations can create unnecessary costs complexity and ambiguity and then they would create problems for our regulators and regulatory bodies. So we need to keep updating and improving our regulations to make sure that they serve our public interest. The select committee made a number of changes. I mentioned some of them in a previous speech at the second reading and so there are many other good changes. I will not delve into those changes; I am here simply to commend the bill to the House. Thank you.
Hudson BrettBRETT HUDSON (National): Thank you Madam Assistant Speaker. ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): Mr Hudson I hand the challenge to you now.BRETT HUDSON: Well Peeni Henare the speaker that has just resumed his seat has just told the House that he's reckless. Well I just want to point out that that simply makes him completely representative of the Government. Now this bill makes some simple changes whether it's around dog control encouraging participation in local government elections or fixing the mix-up the mess that the member when she was a member of the Opposition made of their rates rebate bill when they finally made it into Government. We are just fixing up that little mess. The bill makes small but important changes and we support it. Because we support it there is little point in us taking up a great deal of the House's time. If the Government members wish to filibuster this bill as they did all of the bills last night then let them. It is simply a reflection of their lack of confidence in their own Government and the changes they are seeking to make. I commend this bill to the House.
Dean JacquiHon JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki): Oh thank you Madam Assistant Speaker. I'm happy to endorse National's support of this bill which is for another excellent piece of work under the previous National Government. It is a tidy-up bill. Regulatory systems bills are just that: a tidy-up bill—modernisation clarifying some slightly uncertain clauses perhaps and just generally tweaking and making smoother and better the process of the various acts that are contained in this bill.The Dog Control Act has been talked around a lot and all that simply does is add a schedule to the Dog Control Act. It sounds simple but for any new organisation which provides services around disability assist dogs then having their name added to the Dog Control Act giving them statutory treatment and protection is certainly smoothing out that process because otherwise they would endlessly have to come back to the House by way of an amendment bill which is a much more clunky process.In a nutshell I guess that is the benefit of a regulatory systems amendment bill: the House can consider and select committee can consider a number of statutes. If I just very quickly—I'm not going to go through them all but the Local Government Act is amended in a couple of iterations the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act is amended the Local Government (Rating) Act is amended and so on. We are very happy to support this bill and very happy to commend the bill at its third reading.
Ngāti Rangi Claims Settlement Bill — Second Reading
Twyford PhilQuestion No. 4 to Minister—Amended AnswerHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): If I may just correct one answer I gave to an earlier question in relation to the number of homes in the Mike Greer KiwiBuild contract.SPEAKER: The member's seeking leave to make a personal explanation in order to correct an answer. Is there any objection? There is none.Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I said that to the best of my recollection there were 11 homes. I think the member opposite said 12. In fact the correct number was 13.
Lees-Galloway Iain; Brownlee Gerry; Mallard TrevorTHURSDAY 14 MARCH 2019The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Karakia.BUSINESS STATEMENTHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Deputy Leader of the House): Thank you Mr Speaker. Legislation to be considered next week will include the third readings of the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill the Commerce (Criminalisation of Cartels) Amendment Bill the Financial Services Legislation Amendment Bill and the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill the second reading of the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill and the first reading of the Organ Donors and Related Matters Bill. Wednesday 20 March will be a members' day.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam): I wonder if the acting Leader of the House could tell us if it's the intention of the Government to adopt the Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill (No 2) so that all New Zealanders will be able to watch the Rugby World Cup later this year.Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Deputy Leader of the House): Off the top of my head I understand that's a member's bill and it will be considered by the House in the usual fashion.SPEAKER: Yes. And it's a matter of tedious repetition as well. We were asked this quite recently. Thank you Mr Brownlee.
Wednesday 6 March 2019 - Volume 736
Litter (Increased Infringement Fee) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Litter (Increased Infringement Fee) Amendment Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Noes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Motion not agreed to.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the House take note of the report of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Budget Policy Statement 2019. Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8. Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross. Motion agreed to.
12. Question No. 12—HealthHon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 12—Health12. Hon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills) to the Minister of Health: What recent announcement if any has he made about mental health facilities in Canterbury?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): Last Thursday I joined the Prime Minister at Canterbury District Health Board's Hillmorton campus. While there we announced funding for the construction of new facilities to house a range of mental health services that are currently provided at the ageing Princess Margaret Hospital. These include services for mothers and babies as well as child adolescent and family in-patient services and adults with high and complex needs. Eating disorder services will also be shifted to Hillmorton. A total of $79 million has been approved for this much-needed project out of the $750 million set aside in Budget 2018 for capital investments in health which was the largest capital injection in health in at least a decade. Hon Ruth Dyson: What facilities will be built with this $79 million investment? Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The new facilities at Hillmorton will contain an integrated family service centre with a 16-bed in-patient and day-patient child adolescent and family service and a 13-bed and five- to seven-cot space for mothers and babies. It will also include eating disorders in-patient and out-patient services. A separate high and complex needs unit will include in-patient adult beds. Work is due to begin next year with relocated services expected to start operating from Hillmorton in 2022. Hon Ruth Dyson: How will these new facilities benefit patients and the staff who care for them? Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The current facilities at Princess Margaret Hospital are far from ideal. Both patients and staff deserve better. We need to ensure that we have physical environments that support people's treatment and recovery. This development will deliver purpose-built facilities that reflect modern methods of care. It will create a flexible environment for mothers and their families children and adolescents and it will include access to the outdoors and green spaces. It means the incredibly hard-working and dedicated staff at Princess Margaret Hospital who have maintained a high quality of health support for their patients despite their physical work environment will also benefit.
11. Question No. 11—StatisticsDr JIAN YANG (National) to the Minister of StatisticsQuestion No. 11—Statistics11. Dr JIAN YANG (National) to the Minister of Statistics: What recent reports has he seen on Census 2018?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education) on behalf of the Minister of Statistics: I receive regular updates from officials insofar as it is appropriate within the bounds of Statistics New Zealand's statutory independence.Dr Jian Yang: What advice has he received in relation to reports that Māori risk losing an electorate seat if issues with Census 2018 cannot be resolved?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I believe that the Minister has not received any advice on that thus far.Dr Jian Yang: What advice has he received in relation to reports that health boards and schools in regions such as Northland East Coast and Manukau risk underfunding if issues with Census 2018 cannot be resolved?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I repeat my answer to the previous question: I understand the Minister has not received advice on those things as yet. Dr Jian Yang: Why did he two months after the census reject concerns from the Opposition and state that Census 2018 would be more successful than previous censuses"? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The census has clearly had some challenges and there's no one on this side of the House who would doubt that. But I note that the business case under which the census was operated was approved by the previous Government. Dr Jian Yang: Why is it that his department over the last year has had the time to create a bingo tool to determine one's level of privilege but it cannot a year after the census count the number of people living in New Zealand? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: That would be a question for the Chief Statistician. Dr Jian Yang: Three-hundred and sixty-five days after the census can he tell Parliament when the Census 2018 results will be available? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: No. Again that would be a question for the Chief Statistician."
10. Question No. 10—EducationDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 10—Education10. Dr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of Education: Does he stand by all his policies and actions around the review of vocational education and his work in the portfolio?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Yes.Dr Shane Reti: When asked in Invercargill on Friday If you make a mistake here will you resign?" did he reply "Yes"?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes.Dr Shane Reti: How is it fair to have six weeks consultation on a proposal which could rip the heart out of communities—SPEAKER: Order! Order!Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I'm happy to respond to that Mr Speaker. I absolutely reject the assertion in the member's question. With regard to the time frame for consultation there's actually a drive from people within the sector to have the consultation period in a very intense and truncated period because of the uncertainty that the sector currently faces even without this consultation and the potential damage that prolonged uncertainty could do to their ability to recruit students particularly international students.Dr Shane Reti: When he said in the House yesterday that the Government has not predetermined an outcome on the reforms why then has the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) issued a hui invitation in Whangarei on Friday to hunt out people for the proposed regional leadership groups?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I'm not familiar with the TEC proposing to do that. I'll certainly take the member at his word that they might have done that. I have given the TEC an instruction that they need to be working up the proposals. They need to be continuing to work on the proposals but we haven't made decisions on them.Dr Shane Reti: What is his response to Skills Active industry training organisation (ITO) chair Mr Sam Napia who says that the consultation process is a sham the outcomes are predetermined and a six-week consultation period and three-day hui invitation are completely inconsistent with Treaty of Waitangi and Māori consultation protocols?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I absolutely reject the notion that the consultation is a sham.Dr Shane Reti: I seek leave to table an email from ITO chair Mr Sam Napia detailing those statements.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that document being tabled? It's only been sent to the member has it?Dr Shane Reti: Yes it has.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that being tabled? There appears to be none.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Hon Grant Robertson: What factors does the Minister believe led to the parlous financial state that the vocational education sector has found itself in?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: There has been a significant underinvestment in vocational education and training including a decision made in the early 2010s to cut significant amounts of funding from the polytech sector which is one of the reasons we had to put $100 million into them this year alone in order to keep the lights on."
9. Question No. 9—Social DevelopmentPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentQuestion No. 9—Social Development9. PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development: What evidence if any has she received that demonstrates a positive impact of the service delivery changes in Work and Income offices?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): Recently I received an update on the work that the Ministry of Social Development is undertaking to strengthen service culture including an update on the pilot of a client experience survey called Heartbeat. So far the pilot survey has had nearly 1200 responses which rate the client experience at Work and Income as 8.2 out of 10. It's also great to see the high engagement of Māori clients who make up 35 percent of survey respondents and who are a key group we want to work better with.Priyanca Radhakrishnan: What other evidence has the Minister received?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Between April 2018 to January 2019 and the equivalent period the year before there has been a 3 percent decrease in the average number of trespass orders issued each month. Over the same period the number of reviews of decisions being sought by clients on average each month decreased by 11 percent meaning that less people are needing to dispute their entitlements and more people are—SPEAKER: Fewer.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: —receiving accurate assessments of entitlement. Also the number of complaints for the December 2018 quarter has decreased by 11.1 percent when compared to the December 2017 quarter.Priyanca Radhakrishnan: Why is this important?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Good question. Most New Zealanders will need the support of the Ministry of Social Development or Work and Income at some stage during their life for a range of reasons: support while unemployed while studying due to disability or illness or when accessing superannuation. All of these people deserve to be treated with respect have their dignity upheld and be provided with effective support. These survey results and other feedback are valuable for informing continual improvement to the welfare system. Sixteen months in this is a good start but there is much more to do and I am confident that under this new Government things will only get better for both clients and staff at Work and Income.Hon Paula Bennett: Is it because of the service delivery changes where sanctions and expectations on beneficiaries that the jobseeker benefit has gone up by over 11000 people in the last 12 months?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: That member knows that the proportion of New Zealanders on benefit is currently 9.9 percent. This time last year it was 9.8 percent. The increase in numbers is due to population growth. I think that member needs to reflect on her time as the Minister for Social Development when following the reforms nearly 50 percent of those who left benefit were back on it within 18 months.
6. Question No. 6—EducationJAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 6—Education6. JAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has he made to create space and improve classrooms in secondary schools?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Last Thursday I announced $25 million for a major redevelopment of Wellington Girls' College. This school has a growing roll and it's been relying on ageing relocatable classrooms to manage their space. This multimillion-dollar investment by the Government will provide Wellington Girls' College with 16 new classrooms relieving the pressure that they have on their school providing them with extra teaching space extending their hall and increasing the provision for learning support and student counselling. Jan Tinetti: What other recent investments has the Government made to improve the quality of classrooms and school buildings for students? Hon Grant Robertson: There's more? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: There's more. A few days before that I announced $20 million to fix Botany Downs Secondary College. This money will pay to fix their leaky roofs and cladding on the nine buildings that contain 70 of their 84 classrooms. It will also cover the cost of temporary teaching spaces so that there is minimum disruption to student learning while the work is being done. These announcements are part of the hundreds of millions of dollars in announcements the Government has made since our first Budget last year.
5. Question No. 5—Housing and Urban DevelopmentHon JUDITH COLLINS (National—Papakura) to the Minister of Housing and Urban DevelopmentQuestion No. 5—Housing and Urban Development5. Hon JUDITH COLLINS (National—Papakura) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: What is the total estimated market value of the 10355 houses the Government has contracted and committed to build under the KiwiBuild programme and how many parliamentary terms do these contracts fall due over?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): There is $5.5 billion of new affordable homes contracted and committed through KiwiBuild until 2028. Depending on when elections are called this could be four terms.Hon Judith Collins: Why is the Minister confident that he can sell $5.5 billion worth of houses when he only has 313 pre-qualified KiwiBuild buyers?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Because the demand modelling shows that across the country there are large numbers of first-home buyers and those 10355 that we've contracted and committed will be built and they will be sold over the 10-year period.Hon Judith Collins: How many of the contracts that the Government has signed to supply future KiwiBuild houses have a provision to allow the Government to withdraw from the contract if it transpires that there is little buyer demand for what has been contracted?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: There are no provisions to withdraw from the contract because this Government unlike the party on the other side of this House is committed to building affordable homes and fixing the housing crisis. That's what we're doing.Hon Judith Collins: How many completed KiwiBuild houses sit empty in Wānaka not sold?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: There are currently five homes in the Wānaka development that are unsold. They've been completed only in the last month or so and they are on the market and available for KiwiBuild purchasers.Hon Judith Collins: Is the Minister aware that the KiwiBuild contract signed in this term will bind future Governments to underwrite property developers for KiwiBuild houses even if the KiwiBuild programme is cancelled by an incoming Government?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well we intend to be around for a very long time and we're going to be building affordable homes throughout that period. So I don't expect that's going to be a problem for this side of the House or that side.Hon Chris Hipkins: Is the Minister aware that the housing policy and the contracts entered into as part of the housing policy are consistent with contracts entered into by successive Governments around privatising prisons using public-private partnerships or any other range of contracts that Governments enter into that extend beyond the term of a single Parliament?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Yes I am aware; it's the kind of contract that we've entered into to build KiwiBuild homes. In fact the arrangements that we're entering into with some of the country's largest residential builders are multi-year contracts to build hundreds and hundreds of new affordable homes. That's about investing in the future of the next generation.
3. Question No. 3—FinanceKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 3—Finance3. KIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I have seen a number of reports that highlight the strong future for sustainable growth in the New Zealand economy. Last week Statistics New Zealand released its building consents data for the year to January 2019. The data showed that the number of consents for new dwellings has hit a 44-year high at 33576. Auckland continued to show strong growth with new dwellings consented rising by 20 percent while Wellington was up 18 percent.Kiritapu Allan: What reports has he seen on the international context for the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Overnight the Chinese Government announced that economic growth is forecast to be slower in China in 2019 than in 2018 in part due to trade tensions. While growth there remains robust the slowing trend is similar to what we are seeing in the forecasts of global economic growth from both the World Bank and the IMF. Our own economic fundamentals in New Zealand remain solid but as a relatively small trading nation we must remain resilient to any factors that are beyond our control. This underlines the importance of our commitment to fiscal responsibility which gives us options in the face of any future shocks.Kiritapu Allan: How is the Government responding to international economic factors?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: We have a plan for modernising and diversifying our economy to be more resilient in the face of this changing environment. Under our Trade for All agenda we are pursuing more trade opportunities for Kiwi firms including an New Zealand - EU free-trade agreement so that we have a more diverse range of export markets. At home we are making investments to transition from an economy based on housing speculation and population growth to one driven by more productive sustainable and inclusive growth. This includes through our just transitions programme the Provincial Growth Fund the Green Investment Fund R & D tax credits and record investment in skills and training among others.
1. Question No. 1—ForestryMARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister of ForestryORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—ForestryMARK PATTERSON (NZ First): Thank you Mr Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Forestry. What reports has he seen regarding the one billion trees programme?SPEAKER: Right the member had a bit of emphasis but he left a word out. Please read it as on the sheet.1. MARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister of Forestry: What recent reports has he seen regarding the One Billion Trees programme? Hon SHANE JONES (Minister of Forestry): One report which puts into both political administrative and fiscal action is the $1.8 million that underwrites the Ngā Mahuri o Ngāti Hine programme where 20 young men from 15 to 22 learn while you earn". This is a practical endeavour to ensure that we are swelling the ranks of the future workers for the one billion trees programme and in addition to that today I had the pleasure of hosting a delegation of a commercial character from Germany who had heard about the billion-trees programme and have come to New Zealand to explore investment opportunities. Mark Patterson: What feedback has he heard regarding this programme?Hon SHANE JONES: In the interests of time I shall be uncharacteristically modest and pithy. The feedback is a reminder that pastoral care is an important dimension when creating the new ranks of workers. It's a reminder to industry as they seek to rely also on migrant labour that in the absence of suitable pastoral care dimensions their entreaties will fall on barren ears.Mark Patterson: What other training initiatives is the Government supporting in the forestry sector?Hon SHANE JONES: This Government has rehabilitated an industrial sector neglected for the last nine years. The forestry sector are increasing their appetite for investment increasing the number of people that they seek to hire and increasing the number of trees they hope to plant. It's important that we bear in mind that there are not only opportunities for those youngsters in the four winds of Aotearoa to join this industry; we're also focusing on boosting the ranks of young women coming through the University of Canterbury and as does befit my very sensitive nature I hope to announce that shortly."
Arbitration Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Visitors — Germany—German-Pacific Parliamentary Friendship Group German Bundestag
Mallard TrevorWEDNESDAY 6 MARCH 2019The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.VISITORSGermany—German Bundestag German-Pacific Parliamentary Friendship GroupSPEAKER: I'm sure that members would wish to welcome members of the German-Pacific Parliamentary Friendship Group from the German Bundestag led by the Chairperson Mr Volkmar Klein who are present in the gallery.
Wednesday 13 March 2019 - Volume 736
Commerce (Criminalisation of Cartels) Amendment Bill — In Committee
VoteThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 194 in the name of the Hon Kris Faafoi to Parts 1 and 2 be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 62New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 7.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Amendments agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That Parts 1 and 2 and clauses 1 to 3 as amended be agreed to.Ayes 62New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 7.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Parts 1 and 2 and clauses 1 to 3 as amended agreed to.Bill to be reported with amendment presently.
Local Electoral Matters Bill — In Committee
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That Parts 1 and 2 and clauses 1 and 2 be agreed to.Ayes 118New Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 7; Ross.Noes 1ACT New Zealand 1.Parts 1 and 2 and clauses 1 and 2 agreed to.Bill to be reported without amendment presently.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That Part 7 be agreed to.Ayes 118New Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 7; Ross.Noes 1ACT New Zealand 1.Part 7 agreed to.Schedule agreed to.Clauses 1 and 2A party vote was called for on the question That clause 1 be agreed to.Ayes 118New Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 7; Ross.Noes 1ACT New Zealand 1.Clause 1 agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That clause 2 be agreed to.Ayes 118New Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 7; Ross.Noes 1ACT New Zealand 1.Clause 2 agreed to.Bill to be reported without amendment presently.
Local Government Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill — In Committee
VoteThe question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 199 in the name of Jami-Lee Ross to Part 5 be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendment be agreed to.Ayes 1Ross.Noes 118New Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 7; ACT New Zealand 1.Amendment not agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That Part 5 be agreed to.Ayes 118New Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 7; Ross.Noes 1ACT New Zealand 1.Part 5 agreed to.Part 6 Amendment to Local Government (Rating) Act 2002A party vote was called for on the question That Part 6 be agreed to.Ayes 118New Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 7; Ross.Noes 1ACT New Zealand 1.Part 6 agreed to.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That it be an instruction to the committee of the whole House on the Local Electoral Matters Bill that it have the power to consider and if it thinks fit adopt amendments relating to donation provisions in the Local Electoral Act 2001.Ayes 1Ross.Noes 117New Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 7.Motion not agreed to.
Points of Order — Local Electoral Matters Bill—Instruction to Committee
12. Question No. 12—HealthDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 12—Health12. Dr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by all his statements and actions around vaccination?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): Yes.Dr Shane Reti: How does he explain to parents of 5 to 12-year-old Northland children who the ministry have decided are ineligible for the meningitis vaccine that last year funding was announced for a $10 million vaccination programme in New Guinea?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The expert advice was clear in respect of the Northland outbreak: teenagers and young adults are known to be the main carriers of meningococcal disease—they are the ones most likely to spread it through the community—and children under 5 are considered most at risk of the disease. So our expert advice is that vaccinating these two age groups is the best way to reduce the spread of meningococcal disease across the entire Northland community. It is heartening that since the vaccination campaign began in December there has not been a single case of meningococcal W in Northland. Dr Shane Reti: How does he explain to parents of 5 to 12-year-old Northland children who the ministry have decided are ineligible for the meningitis vaccine that last year funding was given for a $1 million meningitis vaccination programme in the Pacific?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Again we take clinical advice on these matters and I completely understand why parents of children of that age might want to get their children vaccinated. But I would point out respectfully that since the targeted vaccination campaign started there have not been any further cases of meningococcal W in Northland. It's not a guarantee there won't ever be but I think parents can take some heart from that.Dr Shane Reti: Should we be vaccinating ineligible 5- to 12-year-old Northland children for meningitis before we vaccinate for meningitis in other countries?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I'm not responsible for vaccinations in other countries. Dr Shane Reti: What does he say to parents of Kaihu and Hikurangi school communities who are fund-raising to buy meningitis vaccines for their ineligible children?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I completely understand why parents of those children might want to get them vaccinated but I would point out that since the targeted vaccination campaign started there have not been any further cases of meningococcal W in Northland. It's not a guarantee that there won't ever be but I think parents can take some heart from that and well done.
11. Question No. 11—Whānau OraANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister for Whānau OraQuestion No. 11—Whānau Ora11. ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister for Whānau Ora: Is he doing anything to promote Whānau Ora and a whānau-centred approach across Government now that the Whānau Ora Review has been completed; if so what?Hon PEENI HENARE (Minister for Whānau Ora): My vision is for whānau to be supported to build on their strengths and achieve their aspirations. A whānau development summit will be held on 25 March 2019 here in Wellington with myself and my colleague Minister Mahuta. The objectives of the summit will be to highlight examples of successful whānau development—led or invested in by Te Puni Kōkiri—provide insights and tools that Government agencies and the philanthropic organisations can adopt to engage more effectively with whānau to improve well-being outcomes; and finally to promote the scholarship and methodology of whānau-centred policy and whānau development approaches that have been developed within Te Puni Kōkiri.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What will the participants get out of the summit?Hon PEENI HENARE: Amongst many things the summit will consist of four workshops and presentations from keynote speakers showcasing whānau-led initiatives sharing what we are learning about collaboration and service design exploring ways of measuring success and testing whānau-centred policy.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What are you hoping to achieve from the summit?SPEAKER: Order! Order! Nothing.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What is he hoping to achieve from the summit?Hon PEENI HENARE: I believe that participants will walk away with an understanding of how they can apply a whānau-centred approach into their work and how they can contribute to whānau development. The excuse of simple ignorance should no longer be tolerated.
10. Question No. 10—CorrectionsLAWRENCE YULE (National—Tukituki) to the Minister of CorrectionsQuestion No. 10—Corrections10. LAWRENCE YULE (National—Tukituki) to the Minister of Corrections: Does he stand by all his statements and actions?Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Minister of Corrections): Yes in the context they were made and taken.Lawrence Yule: Why did he approve a $125 million extension to the rapid deployment prison cell contract without tendering the work?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: To be honest I'm not sure what the member's talking about. All the work that we've done to increase prison capacity has been by the book.Lawrence Yule: Did he also approve the $59.1 million contract for the original rapid deployment cells on 25 November 2017?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: On the date he said I was the Minister of Corrections so the answer is yes. And the reason we had to increase the prison capacity was because under that previous Government the prison population was skyrocketing. If the prison population had have continued at the same trajectory it was we'd be facing a prison population of around about 12000 now. Instead we're hovering around 10000—2000 less than what it would be under that previous Government.Lawrence Yule: Does he stand by his answer to written question No. 23415 when he said I am advised that no expression of interest was sought for the work to deliver 600 rapid … modular beds as corrections used a contract variation of an existing contract."; and if so why then did the Department of Corrections issue an expression of interest notice to respondents on 27 April 2018 and the CEO of corrections write to the New Zealand—SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member's asked two legs already.Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Yes."
8. Question No. 8—DefenceDARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Minister of DefenceQuestion No. 8—Defence8. DARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Minister of Defence: What announcements has he made regarding Defence deployments to the South Pacific?Hon RON MARK (Minister of Defence): On Monday the Deputy Prime Minister and I announced that the New Zealand Defence Force is deploying two NH90 helicopters and associated personnel to the Solomon Islands to support their general election to be held on 3 April—the first since the departure of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands in 2017. The helicopters working alongside the Australian Defence Force personnel and assets will provide a vital transport link to the approximately 1200 polling stations that are expected to be established across many hundreds of islands. The tasks being performed by the New Zealand Defence Force will include transporting election officials and materials to polling booths as well as logistics support and command and control roles under the joint task force headquarters in Honiara. Darroch Ball: How does this deployment support the Pacific reset? Hon RON MARK: The deployment strongly aligns with the Government's objectives under the Pacific reset as a tangible demonstration of New Zealand's Pacific-wide support for good governance and resilient democratic institutions in close partnership with Australia. The deployment also underscores the commitment of the New Zealand Defence Force in the Pacific as highlighted in the Strategic Defence Policy Statement 2018 which raised the priority placed on the Defence Force's ability to operate in the South Pacific to the same level as New Zealand's own territory. Darroch Ball: What does this deployment mean for No. 3 Squadron RNZAF? Hon RON MARK: Oh they're chomping at the bit. For many members of No. 3 Squadron this will be their first operational deployment. It is sure to be personally and professionally very rewarding for them and is an excellent opportunity to test the abilities of the NH90 helicopter on a sustained deployment. Overseas exercises have prepared No. 3 Squadron and the air force for this task and I am certain—well I know—that they are looking forward to doing what they joined the Defence Force to do. While deployed to the Solomon Islands No. 3 Squadron remains ready to respond to a wide range of tasks back here at home—Hon Gerry Brownlee: How's the Minister going to get home while they're out of town? Hon RON MARK: —in support of the communities and the Government's agencies Mr Brownlee.
5. Question No. 5—Pike River Re-entryRINO TIRIKATENE (Labour—Te Tai Tonga) to the Minister responsible for Pike River Re-entryQuestion No. 5—Pike River Re-entry5. RINO TIRIKATENE (Labour—Te Tai Tonga) to the Minister responsible for Pike River Re-entry: What recent announcements has he made regarding Pike River re-entry?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister responsible for Pike River Re-entry): Yesterday I announced the date to commence re-entering and recovering the Pike River drift will be Friday 3 May. Work in the drift will enable the Pike River Recovery Agency and police to thoroughly investigate the drift and find evidence that may help us to better understand what caused this dreadful tragedy. The recovery of the drift is an act of justice. By ascertaining the causes of the explosion we can ensure that a disaster like this doesn't happen again.Rino Tirikatene: What work has been done in preparation for re-entry?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: There's been an incredible amount of preparation to get ready for re-entry. This has included preparing bridges for heavy loads installing a nitrogen plant upgrading the power supply laying many kilometres of piping for nitrogen drilling more bore holes installing monitoring equipment and purging and ventilating the drift. There is still some more preparatory work to do including installing compressed air lines awaiting the arrival of underground equipment from Australia and breaching the concrete seal at 30 metres. Once the 30-metre seal is breached then the re-entry and recovery operation can begin in earnest.Rino Tirikatene: Will safety be a focus of Pike River re-entry?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I'm happy to say that safety has been a non-negotiable bottom-line for the whole project and everyone has agreed to that including the families. The agency's dedication to a safety-first culture has enabled good work and preparation over the last 14 months. There has been international expert consultation and the purchasing of specialised equipment to do the job. That dedication to safety will continue throughout the re-entry project.
2. Question No. 2—Housing and Urban DevelopmentPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of Housing and Urban DevelopmentQuestion No. 2—Housing and Urban Development2. PAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: What reports has he seen on the Housing First programme?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): We've seen a number of reports about the Housing First programme that show that it has achieved significant improvements and increases in the number of families who are helped. It's one of the most promising ways internationally in dealing with people who experience chronic homelessness.Paul Eagle: How are we building on this success to house more homeless families?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: We are scaling up Housing First and the decisions that were made in Budget 2018 mean that we are able to substantially increase the number of people who can be helped through Housing First and we've extended Housing First to Rotorua Tauranga and a number of other regional centres that have experienced acute levels of homelessness because of the housing crisis that we inherited.Paul Eagle: What feedback has he received from Housing First clients?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: It's been touching the feedback that has been achieved by people who it's fair to say are some of the most vulnerable people in our society who have experienced extreme circumstances of often living on the street and sleeping in public places. Housing First has meant for many—in fact several hundred of these people—that they are now living in warm dry safe and secure housing.Paul Eagle: What progress are Housing First providers reporting?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well Housing First providers are working together in a collective and they're working directly with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development on the expansion of the Housing First scheme. Several hundred extra families have been assisted because of the decisions that were made in Budget '18 to increase the scale of the Housing First programme. The people that Housing First is helping are the people who are the collateral damage; they have experienced the sharp end of the national housing crisis. We're committed as a Government to working with them in the most practical and effective way.
Warren-Clark AngieANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour): Thank you Madam Chair. I rise to take another brief call in regards to new section 69A Interim suspension of practising certificate pending prosecution and investigation if risk of harm to public" in new clause 15AA. I wanted to discuss this aspect of the bill because it provides a power that perhaps—and we discussed this at quite some length—may be considered as the suspension of your rights as a practitioner. It's really important that we talk about this and how we would manage the process of ensuring that natural justice occurs. So essentially there is an aspect where—and we've all heard of these situations—a health practitioner is perhaps up on a criminal conviction of a serious nature they have a proceeding pending against them or they're being investigated. So essentially in the opinion of the practitioner's responsible authority they have to hold a belief that there is a risk of serious harm to the public and if they do so at that point there is the ability to suspend the practising certificate of that person because of that risk. The bar is quite high—it's "serious harm to the public"—but as we know the person has not yet been convicted and they have not yet been investigated. So this is quite a serious aspect and it's important that we talk about this because how we have managed this in the legislation is that the suspension can occur and it can occur quickly but the person whom the suspension applies to has the ability at that point—they have 20 working days—to respond. They can be heard personally they can have a representative or they can make a written submission on the matter. That takes care of the aspect of natural justice and also public safety. So this bill is very clearly about the aspects of balance between ensuring public safety and ensuring that people are certain they are safe with their practitioners and also ensuring that there is natural justice involved as well. So at the point after those 20 days there are different steps that can occur at that point. There are four of them and I'm not going to go through them but essentially they are that if you're satisfied as a responsible authority it can be revoked and the person will practise again right through to where if in the investigation it's found to be reasonable the person is a risk to public safety. So these are things that we considered in quite some depth. It was extremely important that we did have that balance and it was extremely important that we did ensure that the public would be safe in these very rare circumstances where there is a serious risk of harm to the public. I think that I will leave it there but I wanted to raise this matter particularly because as the Minister has said this is actually a really useful and important bill in that it does some quite far-reaching things which are all to ensure that we as citizens can have good faith in our health organisations. Thank you."