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O'Connor SimonWEDNESDAY 22 JULY 2020(continued on Thursday 23 July 2020)INTERNATIONAL CRIMES AND INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AMENDMENT BILLIn CommitteeClause 1 TitleSIMON O'CONNOR (National—Tāmaki): Ultra-quick question for the Minister because I appreciate the committee has been very supportive. We're just conscious that there were the non-international elements that have been introduced here—asphyxiating weapons expanding bullets. And then Minister we had starvation follow through a little bit later. I'm just wondering if there's any indication through you or your officials—are there other expected changes coming through the Rome Statute in the near future? Obviously there will be changes well into the future but the committee has observed—we've already had if you will—two stages which we would have preferred to have been in one. It's just some assurances to the committee that there aren't any further changes to come in the near term.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Minister of Foreign Affairs): Can I say seeing it has taken 20 years to get to where we are now I wouldn't hold my breath at this present point in time.Clause 1 agreed to.Clause 2 agreed to.Clause 3 agreed to.Clause 4The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 535 in the name of the Rt Hon Winston Peters to clause 4 be agreed to.Amendment agreed to.Clause 4 as amended agreed to.Clause 5 agreed to.Clause 6 agreed to.Clause 7 agreed to.ScheduleThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 535 in the name of the Rt Hon Winston Peters to the Schedule be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.Schedule as amended agreed to.The Chairperson reported the International Crimes and International Criminal Court Amendment Bill with amendment.Report adopted.
Wednesday 24 June 2020 (continued on Thursday 25 June 2020) - Volume 747
Taxation (Annual Rates for 2020-21 Feasibility Expenditure and Remedial Matters) Bill — First Reading
Resource Management Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Resource Management Amendment Bill — In Committee
Racing Industry Bill — Third Reading
Racing Industry Bill — In Committee—Parts 4 and 5 Schedules 1 to 5 and clauses 1 and 2
Public Service Legislation Bill — Second Reading
Racing Industry Bill — In Committee—Part 3
Racing Industry Bill — In Committee—Part 2
Racing Industry Bill — In Committee—Part 1
Public Finance (Wellbeing) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Public Finance (Wellbeing) Amendment Bill — In Committee—Part 2
Public Finance (Wellbeing) Amendment Bill — In Committee—Part 1
New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension Legislation Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Motions — Korean War—70th Anniversary
Greater Christchurch Regeneration Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Equal Pay Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Education and Training Bill — Second Reading
Tuesday 25 August 2020 - Volume 748
Responses — Rachel Morton and David Farrar—Statements by Rt Hon Winston Peters
Mallard TrevorRESPONSESRachel Morton and David Farrer—Statements by Rt Hon Winston PetersSPEAKER: I also present responses under Standing Orders 159 to 162 on the applications of Rachel Morton and David Farrar relating to references made by the Rt Hon Winston Peters on 22 July 2020. Those papers are published under the authority of the House.
Tuesday 21 July 2020 - Volume 747
11. Question No. 11—PoliceBRETT HUDSON (National) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 11—Police11. BRETT HUDSON (National) to the Minister of Police: Has he seen reports that the number of people on the National Gang List had reached 7166 as of April 2020 and that this represents a 34 percent increase since he took office?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Police): No.Brett Hudson: Is it a priority for him to reduce the number of gang members in New Zealand?Hon STUART NASH: Yes.Brett Hudson: Is he concerned that over the same time period that gang membership has risen by 34 percent front-line police numbers have only increased by 12 percent?Hon STUART NASH: Really? That's a little bit rich. Let me tell you: Australian gangs arrived here in 2011—got a strong foothold. The next year police numbers fell by about 150. Let me tell you one figure that is easy to quantify: since we became Government—thank you very much New Zealand First—2255 new officers have joined the front line. That's in three years. In the previous three years of the last Government police numbers fell.Brett Hudson: What estimates has he received on how many gang members will be active in New Zealand by the end of this parliamentary term?Hon STUART NASH: Let me tell you about the Bay of Plenty: 91 extra police; $6.4 million in assets seized; under Operation Silk we pretty much cut the head off the Mongols. SPEAKER: Order! This might be an interesting response to a question that wasn't asked. The member will address the question that was asked. Hon STUART NASH: What I can tell you is the advice I've received from police is that gang membership is fluid and difficult to identify and that the list is likely to be inexact. What I can tell the member is that about 60 officers per month are graduating on to the front line into our communities to fight organised crime and gang harm.Brett Hudson: What concerns does he have with the establishment of a chapter of the Mongrel Mob Fatherland motorcycle club in his backyard of Hawke's Bay?Hon STUART NASH: One of the concerns I do have is that the National Party's police policy will go back to where it was which means a defunding of police when we are in fact increasing police numbers throughout the country.SPEAKER: Order! The Minister will address the question.Hon STUART NASH: There was a recent operation in Hawke's Bay where the newly constituted organised crime group actually took out a chapter of the Mongrel Mob. I'm very proud of the work they do in Hawke's Bay.Brett Hudson: With gang numbers increasing will he now consider supporting my firearms prohibition orders member's bill to curb violent gun crime?Hon STUART NASH: That member has been told by a number of people including his former colleagues that that's a rubbish piece of legislation. We're doing a lot around this space. We've gone out for public consultation and we're going to introduce something that has integrity and will actually work.
10. Question No. 10—Regional Economic DevelopmentMARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister for Regional Economic DevelopmentQuestion No. 10—Regional Economic Development10. MARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: What recent Provincial Growth Fund announcements has he made?FLETCHER TABUTEAU (Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Regional Economic Development) on behalf of the Minister for Regional Economic Development: On behalf of the Minister can I firstly acknowledge Minister Henare and the people of Northland in these trying times. Today we announced $14.5 million to upgrade priority economic routes in Northland to be suitable for high-productivity motor vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles. This investment is about improving roads because they are vital for creating operating efficiencies and improving route security and it also means it provides safer access to the reopened railhead and container hub at Ōtīria. That means improved efficiencies and better productivity with improved transport options allowing the export of more goods from Northland to the rest of New Zealand and the world.Mark Patterson: How else will this Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) announcement benefit the people of Northland?FLETCHER TABUTEAU: On behalf of the Minister I must point out that for years the people of Northland have been driving on substandard roads. As Minister Henare has just pointed out to the House this week's weather events have been catastrophic. With this in mind more than ever the people of Northland have a mandate to upgrade their roads to a high acceptable standard. It may not sound like much to the rest of the country but the people of Northland and their cars have been suffering for too long. But to put it in perspective we know that this will mean more and more use of roads and rail for the likes of horticultural projects. There are 16000 hectares of forests to be felled in the next five years beef production and dairy farm production to be exported to the rest of the country and the world and we all know that tourism will come back and Northland will need those roads to support them.Mark Patterson: What other PGF announcements have been recently made?FLETCHER TABUTEAU: On behalf of the Minister it is with great pride to note my esteemed colleague Parliamentary Under-Secretary Tabuteau travelled again to the good people of the West Coast recently and announced for example $13 million for KiwiRail to resolve the Ōmoto slip site and $1.24 million for a long-term awaited extension of the Hokitika airport terminal. These investments are about making sure the train can get there every day and deliver to Greymouth a vital stream of domestic tourists for example and give the people flying into the stunning West Coast an airport terminal that not only is up to standard but sets a high standard on behalf of the West Coast.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Could I ask my esteemed colleague why oh why oh why will the railway line between Kauri and Ōtīria have to be reopened?FLETCHER TABUTEAU: Insightful question—basically because the National Party closed it.
9. Question No. 9—Civil DefenceWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) to the Minister of Civil DefenceQuestion No. 9—Civil Defence9. WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) to the Minister of Civil Defence: What help is the Government giving to the communities of the upper North Island who are affected by flooding?Hon PEENI HENARE (Minister of Civil Defence): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. First can I offer our thanks to the leadership of the local civil defence and emergency management group local government central agencies and most of all local community leaders like Matua Mike Butler. Severe weather affected Northland and Tai Rāwhiti over Friday and Saturday with widespread flooding road closures slips and damage to property. Minister Davis and I visited Whangarei and Moerewa on Sunday and we met with mayors and community leaders and saw firsthand the impact of the floods. Yesterday Cabinet agreed to make an initial contribution of $30000 to the Northland Regional Council's mayoral relief fund to support people affected by the floods. Damage assessments are still under way so it is too early to know the full cost; however this money will help communities get back on their feet quicker.Willow-Jean Prime: How will this money be used?Hon PEENI HENARE: The council are developing criteria on how to disperse the funding. However our intention is that this will be used to provide immediate relief for whānau who for example may need to replace whiteware damaged by flooding—as I witnessed myself on Sunday. The Government is staying in close contact with local councils to see what further assistance they may need. While flood waters have mostly receded the clean-up will still take some time.Willow-Jean Prime: Where else can people impacted by the upper North Island flooding seek support?Hon PEENI HENARE: People can contact their local councils and local Ministry of Social Development officers through their normal phone numbers. Farmers or livestock owners who are struggling can get help and advice through their local rural support trust or sector group such as Beef and Lamb Federated Farmers and Dairy New Zealand who are already involved. The Earthquake Commission and the Insurance Council of New Zealand are also urging people to contact their insurer so that their claims can be processed as efficiently as possible.
7. Question No. 7—ACCANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister for ACCQuestion No. 7—ACC7. ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister for ACC: What recent announcements has the Government made about ACC charges?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister for ACC): Earlier this month the Government agreed to hold ACC levies at their current levels until 2022. Levies will stay the same until 31 March 2022 for work and earners levies and 30 June 2022 for the motor vehicle levies.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: Why has the Government decided to hold ACC levies at their current level?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Well New Zealanders and businesses are facing unprecedented financial pressures as a result of COVID-19 and this Government is taking practical steps to strike a balance between supporting levy payers throughout these difficult times and ensuring scheme stability. The economic outlook for the next two years is uncertain so holding levy rates is a prudent decision provides some certainty to businesses and other levy payers and gives ACC more time to reliably assess the impact of COVID-19 on its finances. During the global financial crisis the Government of the day increased levies only to find that they were too high in the following years. We are taking a cautious approach and ensuring we do not add unnecessary pressures on businesses and New Zealanders.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What other recent decisions has the Government made regarding levied accounts?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: The Government has lowered the funding targets for the levied accounts to ensure levies reflect the true cost of accidents and minimise long-term impacts on levy payers. ACC's previous funding target of 105 percent solvency for the levied accounts was more suited to a private insurance company. We are lowering this target to 100 percent solvency which is appropriate given ACC's unique position as a mandatory sole provider and Government-supported social insurance scheme. Budget 2020 improved ACC's long-term sustainability with an extra $285 million contribution in the taxpayer-funded non-earners account which covers injury costs for those who are not earning and paying levies including children students and retirees. Cost pressures in the non-earners account have not been addressed under previous Governments since 2014. Together these changes mean the amount Kiwis contribute to ACC will be fair and sustainable now and into the future.
6. Question No. 6—ConservationHon JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister of ConservationQuestion No. 6—Conservation6. Hon JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister of Conservation: Is she committed to her department upholding the High Court ruling which requires it to consult with the hunting community over the Tahr Control Plan?Hon EUGENIE SAGE (Minister of Conservation): Yes and the department has started that consultation process. Last week it met with the Game Animal Council and sent stakeholders including the New Zealand Tahr Foundation details of its plan.Hon Jacqui Dean: Why are there helicopters in the sky shooting tahr?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: There are helicopters shooting tahr because the hunting community has failed to get tahr numbers down. The surveys that the Department of Conservation (DOC) have done have shown a population. [Interruption]SPEAKER: Order! Order! I realise the question wasn't quite what the member meant—I presume it wasn't what the member meant. But I think the Minister got the gist of it and can answer it.Hon EUGENIE SAGE: Thank you Mr Speaker. The department is employing professional hunters by air to shoot tahr to implement a statutory plan—the Himalayan Tahr Control Plan. It is disappointing that that member has turned her back on national parks as a safe haven for indigenous plants and wildlife and has turned her back on the Himalayan Tahr Control Plan which was approved by a former National Minister of Conservation the Hon Denis Marshall which sets a maximum of 10000 tahr in the tahr range. The department is implementing control to implement its requirements under law.Hon Jacqui Dean: Does she believe or does she think that as tahr do not reproduce until at least November it would be reasonable to wait to begin the cull while undertaking consultation on the more controversial aspects of the plan?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: The department has undertaken considerable consultation on the previous operational plan. There have been six meetings of the Himalayan Tahr Plan Implementation Liaison Group since July 2018. It is known that tahr numbers are too high. That is having a major impact on our distinctive and threatened native plants.Hon Jacqui Dean: Does she consider that since the tahr jam protest at Mount Cook / Aoraki at the weekend attracted over 1000 people she should be consulting with them as a group or as individuals?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: The Tahr Foundation which organised the tahr jam is a member of the Himalayan Tahr Plan Implementation Liaison Group. It has been consulted at least six times since July 2018 and it will be consulted as part of the additional consultation that DOC is doing.Hon Jacqui Dean: If that group were so well consulted why then did they have to mount a protest against the Tahr control plan?SPEAKER: Order! Not something the Minister has responsibility for.Hon Jacqui Dean: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Can I rephrase that question substantially?SPEAKER: The member can but it counts.Hon Jacqui Dean: OK. Thank you.
5. Question No. 5—HealthDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 5—Health5. Dr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of Health: Is he confident that his Government's COVID-19 isolation policies are appropriate and effective?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Health): Yes and the results speak for themselves. With over 30000 New Zealanders coming home and going through these facilities none have brought COVID-19 into the community and there is no evidence of community transmission in New Zealand. Dr Shane Reti: Have any medical examinations been undertaken in coronavirus isolation facilities beyond the scope of the coronavirus legislation given it only allows medical examinations of symptoms temperature auscultation and swabs?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Of course people are able to consent to any procedures whilst they're in managed isolation or quarantine. I've been and visited these facilities. People coming off the plane get a health check as they come through the border which identifies whether they're going to quarantine or managed isolation. As they enter a managed isolation or a quarantine facility a further health check takes place which includes things like checking their heart rate and various other things as well and there is the ability for people to consent to other tests whilst they're in those facilities.Dr Shane Reti: If given what he's said people can consent to other procedures why does he state in written question No. 13249 that consent has only occurred for coronavirus swabs?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Mr Speaker can I get the member to repeat the question?Dr Shane Reti: Given he has said that arrivals can consent to any medical procedures why does he state in answer to written question No. 13249 that consent documentation only occurs for coronavirus swabs?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I'd have to go back and check what the question was that the member asked before I could verify whether the claim the member is making is a true reflection of what I put in the answer.Dr Shane Reti: Are the 164 mental health examinations carried out on people in coronavirus isolation which he identifies in answer to written question No. 13253 within the scope of the coronavirus legislation?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Of course on this side of the House we do believe that if people have mental health issues they should be identified and they should get the appropriate support that they need.Dr Shane Reti: Have blood tests been taken on people in coronavirus isolation?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes if they've consented to it.
4. Question No. 4—HealthDr LIZ CRAIG (Labour) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 4—Health4. Dr LIZ CRAIG (Labour) to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about New Zealand's health response to the COVID-19 global pandemic?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Health): The world is going to be living with the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic for some time. Today I announced a range of investments in our health services designed to build our capacity to respond to the virus. That includes an extra $150 million for Pharmac over the next two years to secure New Zealand's supply of medicines and medical devices in the face of global supply challenges. For example recent orders for a number of commonly used drugs cost approximately 70 percent more than they would have prior to the COVID pandemic. The funding boost will ensure that New Zealanders continue to get access to the medicines that they need.Dr Liz Craig: Is the Government making further investments in contact tracing?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes. Contact tracing is one of the key pillars of our defence against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Today's announcement included a $30 million investment in the National Close Contact Service including for surge capacity and information technology. A related information technology project will see the development of a new national immunisation solution to replace the immunisation register meaning that we're ready to roll out a mass vaccination campaign when a COVID-19 vaccine is available.Dr Liz Craig: What other areas of the health response have Government prioritised in today's announcement?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The Government's previously announced funding for more ventilators in our hospitals. Today I announced funding for oxygen supply infrastructure needed to support those additional ventilators. We're also investing in our telehealth services with an additional $14.6 million going into them to reflect the ongoing high level of demand they're experiencing and we've put an extra $50 million aside for the purchase of more personal protective equipment. All of these investments are designed to further build our ability to respond to the global pandemic.
Sittings of the House — Suspension
Wood MichaelSITTINGS OF THE HOUSEMICHAEL WOOD (Senior Whip—Labour): In light of the excellent progress that the House has made I would seek leave that the House adjourn slightly early.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson): Suspend.MICHAEL WOOD: Suspend.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson): So leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none. Sitting suspended from 9.59 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Wednesday)
Wood MichaelMICHAEL WOOD (Labour—Mt Roskill): I'm delighted to be able to take a brief call to support this important piece of legislation. The reason I'm really delighted is because this Government is really proud of the work that we have done over the last term in Government to be supporting our seniors and this bill is just a part of that story of progress. We can think of important things that we've done such as bringing in the winter energy payment and then this year in response to COVID-19 doubling the amount that is received by our seniors and also by people on main benefits to ensure that they've got the support that they need to stay warm and healthy through the winter. We can think about the work that's gone into the SuperGold card which has been supported by parties on this side of this House over successive Governments and that's delivering real benefits as well. Also the parties on this side of the House are very proud to be parties that have consistently supported a stable regime of superannuation so that our seniors do have security of income in their later years.This piece of legislation is about making sure that we have a system that is fair and reasonable and as other members have spoken about in the course of this debate we've had this particular issue around the deductions from overseas-administered pension schemes from New Zealand superannuation. This piece of legislation won't go all of the way to meeting some of the concerns that constituents have expressed to members across the House but it will go some of the way and I think it will be certainly very welcomed by people in all of our communities.This is a good piece of legislation. It's indicative of the work that this Government has undertaken to make progress on behalf of all New Zealanders and I commend it to the House.Bill read a third time.
New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension Legislation Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Kuriger BarbaraBARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'm just going to take a very short call tonight because most of it has been said by the people before me but I do think there are two groups of people who really have earned their way in our society. They are veterans and superannuitants and I'm just wanting to make special mention of those.I know there are some really good provisions in this bill. It's been well-thought-out and it's supported across the House tonight and it's my pleasure to support it. Thank you Madam Speaker.
Williams PotoHon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector): Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to commend the Minister Hon Carmel Sepuloni for bringing this piece of legislation to the House. As she said in her contribution it is a piece of work that many of us as electorate MPs have had some experience in over the years where our constituents have come to us with this basic unfairness of the inability to have overseas pensions matched to New Zealand ones and in some cases where couples are receiving significantly less than they would be if they were able to access New Zealand pensions fully. So in that regard I think it's a great piece of work. It does address the basic unfairness in the system.It has been kicking around for a wee while in terms of needing a piece of legislation to correct and to amend this particular issue and I'm pleased that we now have that. I commend the bill to the House.
SpeechDAN BIDOIS (National—Northcote): It's a pleasure to rise and speak in favour of the New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension Legislation Amendment Bill and I just want to start out my contribution by talking about how important our senior citizens are in New Zealand.I keep saying when I'm out in the hustings and campaigning that by 2040 two out of every five New Zealanders will be over the age of 60. That is a huge proportion of New Zealanders who will be in this category and that is why this amendment bill is an important component for our country's wellbeing.I don't want to take too much time but I do want to talk about the concept of the people that will be affected by this bill and as my colleague Agnes Loheni pointed out there will be directly about 450 superannuitants that will be affected by this but particularly the people that are affected by this are those that have overseas pension components. I've had many complaints in my own electorate of Northcote around the way overseas pensions are deducted in relation to receiving the New Zealand pension as well. So this bill seeks to deal with that and I think it really modernises the legislation in relation to the way overseas pensions are treated.So look this is an important piece of legislation. I do want to acknowledge the select committee. Gareth Hughes has been a fantastic member and leader of that select committee in this House and certainly will be a member that will be a big loss to this Parliament but I do commend this bill to the House.
Russell DeborahDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn): I rise in support of the New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension Legislation Amendment Bill. In speaking very briefly I do just want to pay tribute to the chair of the Social Services and Community Committee Gareth Hughes who is leaving this House shortly but I'm sure he will be proud of having guided this piece of legislation through his select committee with great unanimity improving the legislation and getting it to the stage where it seems that the entire House is going to agree on it. So congratulations to Gareth Hughes and I commend this bill to the House.
SpeechAGNES LOHENI (National): Thank you Madam Speaker. It's a pleasure to rise and stand on the third reading of the New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension Legislation Amendment Bill. As has been traversed in the House so far tonight the National Party supports this bill. I'm pleased to have been a member on the committee and I also wish to acknowledge my fellow colleagues on the Social Services and Community Committee that oversaw this bill through and also I'd like to acknowledge our chair Gareth Hughes who's just resumed his seat. I just also want to acknowledge those submitters that put through their submissions on this bill—there were 50 submissions. I would just note that the prominent themes that came through in the submissions were the non-qualified partner provision the removal of the spousal deduction—probably about half of the submissions were on that one—and the reform of the direct deduction generally. I just want to also acknowledge the Minister Carmel Sepuloni for her collaboration in the process of this bill.Ultimately we're acknowledging as National a commitment to respect and support our seniors our veterans in this bill. I noted in my second reading speech on this bill that in 2001 less than 12 percent of our population were 65 years and plus and in March 2020 that number went up to 16 percent. So clearly New Zealanders are living longer and many of our seniors contribute hugely and immensely to our communities through employment through family support and through the volunteering roles that they do. So we are committed to ensuring that they receive the respect and the support they deserve.Of particular note in terms of some of the key changes that were really well received in this bill was the as I said spousal deduction. That was one that as has been noted a number of people have been contacting their local MP for many years around just the sense that it was quite unfair so I'm very very pleased to see that that was addressed in this bill.This bill will affect around 450 superannuitants in the 2022-23 year and they will no longer have their entitlement to New Zealand super or the veteran's pension reduced because of their partner's overseas pension. I also note some of the changes around the list of places of residence extended to self-contained mobile homes. The bill adds a new regulation-making power to allow regulations to set out qualifying places of residence which will enable future developments at older people's housing arrangements to be recognised a lot more flexibly—so that's a really good change.I just want to also support this bill to the House. Thank you.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson): This call is a split call—I call Dr Deborah Russell.
SpeechGARETH HUGHES (Green): Kia ora Madam Speaker. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora. I rise to support on behalf of the Green Party this bill. I think it's a very positive change to the approach to superannuation—a fairer approach. Look I'm not going to take the House's time but as the chairperson I want to thank everyone on the Social Services and Community Committee that improved the legislation all the submitters—and there were a number of them. It's a good example of how legislation can be improved and I'd like to acknowledge everyone. Kia ora koutou.
SpeechHon TIM MACINDOE (National—Hamilton West): I haven't even had a chance to do my warm-up Madam Speaker. I am very disappointed; I was genuinely looking forward to hearing the Hon Ron Mark's contribution on this bill. Given his ministerial portfolios I assumed that he would spend a little bit of time treating us to the benefit of his thoughts on it. I can only assume that he does genuinely feel that it is a valuable bill.I don't think there's any question that all New Zealanders would wish to see our superannuation scheme being one that is fair one that enables those who have qualified for it to live in a degree of dignity. Obviously you'll never get rich on superannuation but you can—I would hope—be able to enjoy a quality of life that is appropriate for people who have in many cases served our country if they're veterans; and in all cases given us the benefit of their considerable contributions over a lifetime.So I am very pleased to support this bill and I'm delighted to see that it has reached a point where we are about to be able to commit it to the law of the land. I've mentioned that I think all New Zealanders want to see a system that is fair and that means that they need to have certain guarantees. Therefore it is also important that wherever possible we can reach a broad bipartisan agreement over superannuation policy. I think that we have seen over many years now that this House is committed to doing that. I'm pleased to see that the chief whip for the Labour Party clearly not only agrees with me but is thoroughly enjoying this contribution.Michael Wood: Just waiting to hear the member's thoughts on clause 2 of the bill.Hon TIM MACINDOE: Well I thought I'd wait for the member himself to do that because I know that he—I defer to his great wisdom and I know that he'll want to give one of his electrifying 30-second concluding speeches at the end of the bill. I'm still actually trying to figure out which Bee Gees song I could possibly give possibly even move on to the Beach Boys I thought since—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson): Feel free to move on to the bill.Hon TIM MACINDOE: Madam Speaker how very generous of you. OK well I don't think it is actually necessary for me to say much more other than to say that I do commend the work that has been done. I'm pleased that the House has reached this point and look forward to seeing it enacted.
SpeechHon RON MARK (Minister for Veterans): New Zealand First still supports this bill and commends it to the House.
Radhakrishnan PriyancaPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. This bill makes—I'm sorry; it's just the contribution of the previous speaker just leaves me lost for words frankly. But anyway this bill makes a few substantive changes that will contribute to the sustainability of NZ super and the veteran's pension and as previous speakers have said it modernises existing legislation and improves its consistency and clarity.Some of the main changes that it makes—and I won't go into a huge amount of detail. Unlike the previous speaker I actually won't go into a lot of detail. But basically it removes the non-qualified partner provision. The Minister has already gone into detail as to what that means. The reason that it's been removed is because contexts have changed: people are working longer and often both partners are working as well.In addition to that the bill also removes the spousal deduction which makes things a lot fairer frankly because the change means that superannuitants won't have their own entitlement—and that includes the winter energy payment—reduced simply because their partner is getting an overseas pension.So this is a bill that makes a fair few changes as I said previously to improve the consistency of the bill. Given that it's the third reading of the bill I just want to acknowledge the Minister the Hon Carmel Sepuloni for her work to get the bill to where it's at today at its third reading. Also my fellow select committee members on the Social Services and Community Committee we had some really good discussions about this bill. Also want to thank submitters who took their time out to submit to the bill and officials who helped us with the process along the way. I commend this bill to the House.
Wood MichaelMICHAEL WOOD (Labour—Mt Roskill): I'm pleased to stand and add my support to this bill following on from the contributions of others around the House. I'm really delighted that our Minister the Hon Damien O'Connor has been able to develop a piece of legislation that not only assists the dairy industry to move forward positively but has developed such a degree of consensus around this piece of reform that is captured in this legislation.It's a good example of the way that this Government works; we don't kick problems down the road we focus on how we can make progress on behalf of all New Zealanders—Simeon Brown: Tell us about light rail. How did that go?MICHAEL WOOD: —and I think it's absolutely wonderful that we've been able to achieve that for the dairy industry.The member opposite doesn't need to worry about light rail but he must be absolutely delighted about the money that is going into the Eastern Busway serving his electorate.None the less I commend this bill to the House. Once again I thank the Minister and the select committee for the great work that they've done on it.Bill read a second time.
Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading
Smith StuartSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura): Thank you Madam Speaker. It is a pleasure to speak on the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 3). Most of the important clauses have been covered by other speakers and I don't intend to go over those. But as the honourable member Ian McKelvie mentioned earlier in his speech how important it is when you are regulating industries to bear in mind that all regulations have an impact on the market in some way I want to focus on clause 23 which amends section 106 of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act. It allows or gives the cooperative the ability to have price differentials for practices such as environmental practices sustainability practices labour practices etc. and they are to reward those people following that and of course by default to actually effectively punish those that don't. I think the key point in this is that in a market where you have the main player—that is Fonterra—unable to do that when its competitors can and where we have seen those competitors having much more reactive sustainability and environmental practices in their pricing structures it was something that Fonterra was unable to do. So it's a great thing for me to see this in this bill. If Fonterra wasn't able to act as nimbly as its competitors in that field when it's got 80 percent of the market I think that was a real handbrake on the dairy industry's ability to really be a world leader in the market. When you're selling different products into discerning markets around the world it is all about all of those practices and unfortunately there are fantastic farmers doing fantastically well out there with their environmental practices but the world and the industry is judged by its worst players not by its best. The revision in this bill gives Fonterra a tool to act and to encourage that good behaviour that we all desperately need. So with that I commend the bill to the House.
Radhakrishnan PriyancaPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. New Zealand's success in dealing with COVID-19 positions us well for an export-led recovery. As other speakers have said dairy is one of our main exports. This is a bill that responds to a lot of what the dairy industry has been advocating for. It amends as others have said the 2001 Dairy Industry Restructuring Act to remove regulatory requirements that aren't needed any longer and it gives Fonterra a little bit more flexibility to manage its operations. This is a really good bill. It keeps us moving in the right direction and I commend it to the House.
Tirikatene RinoRINO TIRIKATENE (Labour—Te Tai Tonga): Tēnā koe Madam Speaker. I wholeheartedly support this bill. I want to acknowledge the members of the Primary Production Committee of which I am one for the extensive examination we gave to this bill and Minister O'Connor who has picked up through his Supplementary Order Paper 547 some of the requested refinements. This is a fantastic bill. It is all about helping to support our vitally important dairy industry that is maturing and that is growing. We want to ensure that the legislation provides some certainty but also allows us some competitive tension for Fonterra but also doesn't unduly hamper Fonterra as well in terms of its rights to have to collect milk. So I think we've reached a really well-balanced place with this bill and I'm looking forward to seeing in its passage the continuation of the evolution of our dairy industry which is such an important industry for Aotearoa. Kia ora.
Williams PotoHon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector): I always enjoy listening to that speaker who's just resumed his seat Ian McKelvie because he obviously has a great knowledge about this particular area and what he has in knowledge I completely lack—it's not my area of expertise. However I am aware that the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act in its original iteration set up Fonterra and now what we are attempting to do is to ensure that we can enhance the dairy industry through some changes made in this particular piece of legislation. So rather than hold the matter up I commend the bill to the House.
Sage EugenieHon EUGENIE SAGE (Minister of Conservation): Thank you Madam Speaker. The Green Party is pleased to support the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 3) and pleased to take a short call on it.New Zealand had quite a unique situation when the principal Act was developed and passed in 2001 and this bill retains the core of that Act which ensured that it acts as an economic regulatory tool; that it provides an incentive for Fonterra to act efficiently in the absence at the time in 2001 of performance pressure from the market; and it ensures that in this bill we're removing some of those regulatory pieces to just provide a more efficient effective and less costly regime.Previous speakers Mr Bennett and the Minister have canvassed the issues around open entry and exit and the very strong support that there was in submissions for removing open entry—the fact that it has led Fonterra to really overcapitalise in terms of its stainless steel infrastructure enabling it to process all the milk that it was required to and that acting as a bit of a burden when it really wants to shift to more added-value production in the dairy space. So with the Primary Production Committee's very careful consideration of submissions and then going further with the Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) that is now tabled to actually remove that load on Fonterra to have to accept anybody who wanted to supply—and that also recognises that we now around New Zealand have a number of quite large companies which are also taking on milk and have their own supply.One of the other interesting things in the bill is that it does provide for more regular reviews of the regime—every four to five years recognising that this bill was introduced last year that it had been preceded by quite a large degree of consultation and various reports and also that the bill in terms of Goodman Fielder provides for an additional 50 million litres in terms of its entitlement to regulated milk. That's quite important because Goodman Fielder made it quite clear that the current cap of 250 million litres of supply had been reducing its ability to compete in the market and it also recognises really that it would've been prohibitive in terms of being very costly for Goodman Fielder to set up its own milk supply transport and processing network to duplicate that that Fonterra has.So this regulatory regime recognises Fonterra's strengths and seeks to enhance those while also protecting domestic consumers and providing for some controls that recognise that there is no real opposition to Fonterra in terms of its size and scale. So with the changes that the select committee has made in response to submissions and the further changes that the Minister is making by SOP in terms of removing open entry—which was something that the Green Party was very keen to see go from the outset—we are very pleased to support the bill. Thank you.
Warren-Clark AngieANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. A real pleasure to rise tonight on the Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Amendment Bill. I was not on the Health Committee at the time that this was discussed and so I cannot comment at all on the 13 submissions that came through.However I do believe it's really important to make the comment that pay equity is something so very important to the women of this country. We have a 9.4 percent pay equity gap in this country but the real damning story is 21 percent for our Pacific sisters and I think that that is something that needs to change. This bill is addressing some of that work and I'm really happy to see that the mental health workforce and the vocational disability workforce are the next cabs off the rank because these are some of the worst-paid people in the country.With that I commend the bill to the House.Bill read a second time.
Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Tinetti JanJAN TINETTI (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. The Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Amendment Bill has a significant recognition of the importance of the mental health and addiction support workforce and goes a long way into recognising the value of such a highly trained and critical part of our workforce. Not only will those workers benefit from this bill but so too will those people who actually need their care and support. So without any further ado I commend this bill to the House.
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Thank you Madam Speaker. Look it is a great moment when we can pass legislation like this which for thousands of workers will see them paid properly because of course fair and equitable wages are part of the dignity of work and a huge amount of work has gone into expanding the fantastic task Kristine Bartlett undertook.I just want to say that New Zealand has an improving record on pay equity but we've really got to keep working on that and it's easy to be complacent when we pass legislation like this which does address some issues. But this is an area which this Government will continue to work on to ensure that the gender pay gap falls progressively and we will of course have an ambition to have no gender pay gap at all. This is one small step in that direction. I commend the bill to the House.