edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Garcia PauloPAULO GARCIA (National—New Lynn): Madam Speaker thank you. I am pleased to be able to stand in support of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Bill and equally pleased that the support of the bill is shared by all members of the House. As diverse as the ethnic communities are in New Zealand as diverse as the peoples are in New Zealand diversity in the social worker profession is also extremely important. In that instance it's also important to ensure that the vulnerabilities of the profession are looked at hence this review and that the changes that are made necessary by that review are being put into place.Social workers perform a very crucial and supportive role to many New Zealanders especially to the most underserved the most vulnerable including children. We want across the House to ensure the safety of all New Zealanders especially those served by social workers the most. By these amendments we are tightening the process for social workers in terms of registration in terms of situations where they may find themselves and their actions having to be reviewed or investigated and also in ensuring that every social worker who holds himself out as a social worker and performs the work the critical work that social workers perform is appropriately and validly enabled and registered to do so.Mandatory registration is not a strange thing. Similar professions in health and teaching and law are already required to be mandatorily registered. That ensures the capacity and the professionalism of everyone involved in this profession.The bill addresses one particular vulnerability of the profession which is that space where there may need to be interim suspension of social workers during an investigation. It is important that when there is question the questions and the facts need to be raised and considered and determined first and where there is question on a social worker's performance or actions then that social worker for the protection of New Zealanders should be able to be put in suspension while the facts are determined.That suspension also must be defined—so the time for which that suspension is able to be handed down should be clearly defined not just for protection of the public but also for the protection of the social worker that they are aware and they know the time frame by which a suspension may be put upon them. This gives them certainty of time frame and removes the need for repeated notices of increased suspension periods as the process unfolds. So it removes uncertainty as well. It also avoids that situation where a suspended social worker may appear to be continuously being extended and therefore may appear to be more deserving of the suspension than not.So all of these changes are aimed at making sure that the profession is respected and trusted by New Zealanders and we also want to be sure that the social workers themselves are clear on the parameters by which they are able to carry out their work effectively and for the good of everyone. I commend this bill to the House.
Maipi-Clarke Hana-RawhitiHANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE (Te Pāti Māori—Hauraki-Waikato): [Authorised reo Māori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.][Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]So I first want to acknowledge the hard mahi that social workers do across the country. This bill proposes amending the Social Workers Registration Legislation Act to extend the experience pathway to social worker registration for an additional four years to February 2028. In short [Authorised reo Māori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.][Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]People applying through the experience pathway can use their practical experience to demonstrate that they meet the professional competency standards set by the board. The Social Workers Registration Board have been working with Māori social workers to make the application process for the experience pathway more holistic cultural responsive and accessible. There has also been increasing recognition of the value of indigenous Te Ao Māori practise in social work which the experience pathway supports. Around a quarter of social workers registered under the experience pathway over the past 13 years have identified as Māori. A Māori-informed lens would recognise a variety of backgrounds as being capable of working with whānau in the way that social workers do and to support any work that better aligns the profession within tikanga approaches. Te Pāti Māori believes that social workers can play a positive or harmful role in the protection of whakapapa. That depends on their training cultural responsiveness and background. We support the empowering of workers who have the experience to enter the workforce and contribute to the protection of our whakapapa. We note that this proposal is supported by the Tangata Whenua Social Workers Association and the Social Services Providers Aotearoa. We note that this bill will provide equity for Māori working in the social services—well at least for the next four years.In short Te Pāti Māori supports this bill. Nō reira tēnā ra tātou.
VoteASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh): The question is That the amendments recommended by the Justice Committee by majority be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 68New Zealand National 49; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8.Noes 49New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 15.Amendments agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the Corrections Amendment Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 68New Zealand National 49; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8.Noes 49New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 15.Motion agreed to.Bill read a second time.
Bates CarlCARL BATES (National—Whanganui): Thank you Madam Speaker. This bill will improve the rehabilitation integration and safety outcomes in our prisons. It provides Corrections with the necessary tools to maintain and ensure safety and security in our prisons. It provides remand prisoners with access to rehabilitation. I commend the work of the chair and the Justice Committee and I commend this bill to the House.
Garcia Paulo; Pugh Maureen; Bates Carl; Utikere TangiPAULO GARCIA (National—New Lynn): The Corrections Amendment Bill enables the Corrections Act 2004 to deal better with the challenges that Corrections faces today. It incentivises good behaviour it strengthens processes and it enables best-practice operations in prisons particularly in efficiency and safety. I commend this bill to the House.Hon Members: Madam Speaker!ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh): I believe Carl Bates was on his feet. Just to be clear this is the balance of the Māori Party split call that wasn't taken.Hon Dr Deborah Russell: Madam Speaker he called for the call before the other speaker had even sat down.CARL BATES (National—Whanganui): Point of order Madam Speaker. She didn't say Point of order".ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh): No point of order required. The precedent that has been set—and I did see Carl Bates get to his feet first.Hon Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour): Point of order Madam Speaker. Can I just clarify something? Is it acceptable then to stand up and call before the previous speaker has sat down?ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh): This is the person I have called and who will continue.Hon Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL: My point of order was a different matter. I'm asking for some guidance from the Speaker. Is it acceptable to stand and make a call—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh): What's the point of order?Hon Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL: The point of order is that I'm asking for your guidance and a ruling on this. Is it acceptable to stand and seek a call before the previous speaker has finished their call?ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh): Seeking guidance is not a point of order.Hon Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL: Well in that case the point of order is straight forwardly that the person who is now going to speak had stood and sought a call before the previous speaker had completed his call.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh): And I have called that person—Carl Bates.Hon David Seymour: Speaking to the point of order—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh): This is a bit of a nonsense. I have made the call and the member is—Hon David Seymour: I was just trying to help.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh): Thank you. We are taking the call.TANGI UTIKERE (Chief Whip—Labour): Point of order.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh): Is this a different matter?TANGI UTIKERE: Yes it is. Thank you Madam Speaker. I wish to seek some understanding about—this is a new point of order—at what point a member's call is terminated.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh): I will take advice and come back to the House."
Fleming GregGREG FLEMING (National—Maungakiekie): Ka taunaki au i te pire nei. [I support this bill.]
Brewer Cameron; Pugh MaureenCAMERON BREWER (National—Upper Harbour): Thank you Madam Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to rise in support of the second reading of the Corrections Amendment Bill which of course amends the 2004 Act improving rehabilitation reintegration and safety outcomes for people in prisons as well as enabling best practice operations for the Department of Corrections. As our hard-working and very able Justice Committee chair James Meager reminded us the bill incorporates Minister Mark Mitchell's Amendment Paper to deliver rehabilitation for rehab prisoners. This Government and this bill backs our around 10000 corrections staff who work every day to protect the public and ensure that offenders receive the help they need to turn their lives around. I commend the bill.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh): We've got a split call. The first call is from the Labour Party—Tangi Utikere.
Meager JamesJAMES MEAGER (National—Rangitata): Can I just acknowledge the Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson as well.On behalf of the busy and effective Justice Committee I'd like to just thank all the officials and the advisers for their work on this bill. We made a number of significant and substantive changes to the bill which I think have strengthened protections not only for corrections officers but for prisoners in prisons as well. I'd like to thank the Opposition members of the Justice Committee in particular Dr Webb and Dr McLellan for the constructive engagement on those changes too.Look the one thing I wanted to highlight was that before this bill went through the House—or it goes through the House—prisoners on remand would not have been entitled to rehabilitation. After this bill passes that will no longer be the case; they will be entitled to rehabilitation. The only reason that happens is because of the intervention of the Hon Mark Mitchell. That is leadership and that is why I commend the bill to the House.
Arbuckle Jamie; Kuriger BarbaraJAMIE ARBUCKLE (NZ First): Thank you Madam Speaker. I rise to voice New Zealand First's support for the Corrections Amendment Bill and the Government's intention to improve our corrections system.The Justice Committee that I'm a member of has strengthened the bill to ensure that it provides Corrections with the necessary tools to continue to maintain the safety and security of our prisons. We received over 44 submissions and we heard from 19 of them and as we've heard through the debate already today we received a number of good intentions and the committee was able to make a number of changes. On that basis and with this going through the House I will commend this bill to the House. Thank you.Hon Marama Davidson: Madam Speaker?DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Hon Marama Davidson—and can I say it's good to see you here thank you.
Stephenson ToddTODD STEPHENSON (ACT): Thank you Madam Speaker. I rise to speak in support of the Corrections Amendment Bill. I think we've just heard actually from the Greens that we actually have a different perspective maybe on some criminal justice matters on these different sides of the House. What this bill is actually trying to do is modernise aspects of our corrections system. We on this side on the Government side accept that people do need to be locked up they do need to be incarcerated to protect members of the community and what this bill does is attempt to modernise some of the circumstances in which they are incarcerated and what can be done.I also do want to say thanks to the members of the Justice Committee from all of the parties. This was a bill as I think has been outlined that was started in the 53rd Parliament and came across to this Parliament. I do want to say that all members of the Justice Committee regardless of what party they were from actually did work diligently to make improvements to this bill and that is reflected in the report that we made back to the House.Again I think the Minister of Corrections in introducing the second reading did talk about some of the more significant things that this does. I do think with the Amendment Paper being able to offer rehabilitation to remand accused and to remand convicted prisoners is important. Let's get them on the track to some rehabilitation as soon as possible. Again there are obviously other modernising provisions and you know language that was updated by the select committee.I do note that this bill is some 46 pages long and then there's also the Amendment Paper. I have obviously heard from both speakers from the Labour Party and the Greens about their concerns around the removal of the Treaty provisions. Let me be clear: this Government in its coalition agreements does have a commitment to actually looking at how the Treaty is being operationalised across Government. That work is under way and so putting in at this stage these provisions when that work is still ongoing is not appropriate.I think the other thing we would say from ACT is we're also looking forward to having a mature and grown-up conversation about what the Treaty means in modern New Zealand and I do look forward to engaging with all New Zealanders and everyone in this House when we bring our Treaty principles bill forward so we can actually have some clarity about what the principles of the Treaty are and we say that is the actual articles of the Treaty. So again I look forward to having that discussion—it seems like some of the members already want to have it but we will do that in due course. So again I commend this bill to the House. Thank you.
12. Question No. 12—Building and ConstructionTIM COSTLEY (National—Ōtaki) to the Minister for Building and ConstructionQuestion No. 12—Building and Construction12. TIM COSTLEY (National—Ōtaki) to the Minister for Building and Construction: What announcements has the Government made about making it easier to build granny flats?Hon CHRIS PENK (Minister for Building and Construction): Thank you Mr Speaker. The coalition Government is making it easier to build granny flats and other small structures up to 60 square metres without the need for resource or building consent. We want less red tape and more knitting wool. This announcement is part of the agreement between the National and New Zealand First coalition and fits within the Government's wider package of work to streamline the building consent system and address the housing crisis.Tim Costley: Why are these changes needed?Hon CHRIS PENK: Over a quarter of the households that do not own their own home spend 40 percent or more of their income on housing. High housing costs have a disproportionately high impact on Māori Pacific and people with disabilities as well as seniors—including of course grannies. This Government is focused on making it easier to build so we can drive down building costs as part of our pledge to rebuild the economy.Tim Costley: Are these granny flats only for grannies?Hon CHRIS PENK: Good question. Anyone can live in a granny flat including youth—think student flats; think those who are youth-adjacent for example workers on a farm or other rural setting; and those who are simply young at heart including even yourself Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: That's enough of that question.Tim Costley: What are the next steps for granny flats?Hon CHRIS PENK: Because we want to make sure that we get the detail of the changes right we have published a discussion document with submissions open until 12 August for the public to have their say. They can do that online or by emailing . Since Messrs Peters and Bishop announced the policy already 1000 Kiwis have provided feedback on this policy—overwhelmingly positive.
10. Question No. 10—Social Development and EmploymentKATIE NIMON (National—Napier) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 10—Social Development and Employment10. KATIE NIMON (National—Napier) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What recent changes if any has the Government made to contribute to the target to have 50000 fewer people on the jobseeker benefit by 2030?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment): On Monday I announced the launch of the Ministry of Social Development's (MSD) new work check-in seminars that job seekers who don't have case managers will need to attend after six months of receiving their benefit to assess how their job search is going. The point of these seminars is to provide greater support to a larger number of job seekers by ensuring they have more regular contact with MSD. This initiative builds on the new Kōrero Mahi - Let's Talk Work seminars that job seekers now attend within two weeks of their benefit starting to plan their next steps for finding work.Katie Nimon: How many job seekers are in regular contact with MSD now?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: About 190000 people currently receive the jobseeker support benefit but only 53000 have employment case managers assigned to them at any given time. The other 137000 can go months without talking to MSD about their job search with some not having to check back in until they reapply for their benefit after 12 months. Increasing the amount of contact these job seekers have with MSD is important to ensure they are taking the right steps to find work and are receiving the right support.Katie Nimon: What kind of support will these work check-ins provide to job seekers?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: If a job seeker is ready to work they could be helped to apply for a job straight away. If they need retraining or upskilling they could be referred to a programme that can help like getting a driver's licence. MSD will also make sure their job profiles and CVs are up to date offer interview tips and talk through what other support they may need to find work.Katie Nimon: Why is it important for job seekers to have regular contact with MSD?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: The longer someone spends on welfare the harder it is for them to get back into the workforce so it's important they stay active in their search for employment. Our Government is concerned about long-term benefit dependency and the number of people who have spent more than a year on jobseeker support which grew by about 40000 over the last six years. That's why we're making our welfare system much more proactive about checking in on job seekers to help them get back on their feet quickly.
8. Question No. 8—Prime MinisterHon MARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 8—Prime Minister8. Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his Government's statements and actions?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Prime Minister): Yes in the context they were given.Hon Marama Davidson: Is he concerned that amending the Residential Tenancies Act to allow no-cause evictions will increase housing insecurity and lead to more whānau being unable to put down roots in their communities?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: We want to increase the supply of rental properties so we put downward pressure on rents. Part of that has been restoring interest deductibility making sure we are backing off the brightline test and importantly getting the balance right between tenants and landlords.Hon Marama Davidson: Is he aware of the findings of the Growing Up in New Zealand study that found a quarter of children who had experienced involuntary moves went on to experience homelessness and if so why is this Government changing the law so that landlords can kick out tenants without any reason at all?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well our Government wants to make sure that vulnerable people get a chance to get a house. That's why we are expanding supply of houses being built rental houses and also social housing. We're very committed to solving and fixing the housing crisis the previous administration left behind.Hon Marama Davidson: Is he aware that the same study found 7 percent of young people in the cohort—that's one or two kids in each classroom—has experienced homelessness by age 12 and if so why isn't he concerned that his decision to cut funding for homelessness prevention will exacerbate this?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: What's important is that we rebuild this economy so that we can actually make people wealthier and more prosperous. That's what we're working incredibly hard to do. We want to lower the cost of living. That means actually getting on top of Government spending lowering inflation lowering interest rates growing the economy and keeping people in work.Hon Marama Davidson: What does he say to Māhera Maihi who runs a charitable trust providing transitional housing for youth who said in relation to these Budget cuts What is there for those young people? They've taken away $20 million intended for them and they've put it back into mainstream. That's not fair that's not equitable and that doesn't solve the problem."?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: We announced that there would be 1500 extra social housing places for community housing providers. We are determined to get our economy working again so that people can actually do well when they work hard.Hon Shane Jones: Off the couch—off the couch.Chlöe Swarbrick: They don't have a couch—that's the point.SPEAKER: Question—Hon Marama Davidson: Go see Māhera Shane.SPEAKER: That's enough—it's quite enough."
7. Question No. 7—JusticeDAN BIDOIS (National—Northcote) to the Minister of JusticeQuestion No. 7—Justice7. DAN BIDOIS (National—Northcote) to the Minister of Justice: What recent announcements has the Government made about law and order?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister of Justice): Today I've announced a suite of sentencing reforms as part of the Government's commitment to restoring law and order and real consequences for crime. We are capping sentence discounts at 40 percent limiting concurrent sentencing preventing repeat discounts for youth and remorse and creating a sliding scale of guilty plea discounts. We're acknowledging the vulnerability of sole-charge workers like dairy owners by making it an aggravating factor in sentencing and reforming the overall principles of the Sentencing Act to provide confidence to victims that their needs will be taken into account. Victims are the priority. Dan Bidois: How will these changes affect sentencing? Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: In recent years we've seen the courts imposing fewer and shorter prison sentences despite the increasing seriousness of cases coming before the courts. A recent sample of sentences showed 18 percent of cases received a total discount greater than 40 percent; some as high as 69 percent. Large discounts tell victims that we are more concerned about the offenders than ensuring that they see justice. The suite of changes we've announced today will prevent discounts by capping discounts at 40 percent to ensure that the punishment fits the crime. Dan Bidois: Why do we need to do this? Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: Well everyone needs to know that there are real consequences for crime. In recent years those consequences have diminished. For example we've seen the imprisonment rate for robbery offences with a maximum penalty of 14 years decrease from 74 percent to 58 percent. We campaigned on restoring real consequences for crime and that is what we're going to. Dan Bidois: How will this announcement align with the coalition's priorities for law and order? Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: Well this is a Government that is prioritising reducing the number of serious victims of crime and also reducing the number of serious repeat youth offenders. Part of that fits into a process of giving the police the extra powers they need to deal with gangs having 500 extra police restoring three strikes and having the young serious offender category included that Minister Chhour announced last week. Overall the goal is to restore law and order.
3. Question No. 3—Prime MinisterRt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 3—Prime Minister3. Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Prime Minister): Yes and in the context that they were given. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: What support is the Government providing to local authorities in Gisborne and the Hawke's Bay following today's extreme weather events? Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Look I want to thank the member for his question. Minister Mitchell is actually down in the region. I've spoken to both mayors in Gisborne and also Wairoa and immediately we've made available $100000 to each of the mayoral relief funds. Obviously the Minister will have an assessment on the ground today and we stand by to do more. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Will the Government be taking into account the recommendations made by Sir Jerry Mataparae in his report into the last North Island weather events last year in the way that it responds to the situation unfolding on the East Coast at the moment? Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Yes. There have been two reports around our response to emergency events and it's important that both of those reports are digested taken on board and put into standard operating procedure. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Has the Government increased the capability and capacity in civil defence emergency management across New Zealand as recommended in the report and if not when does the Government expect to make decisions on that? Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: I can't give the member a specific answer. I'm happy to give more detail around that. What I can say is that we have put $1 billion extra into the Budget this year to support the communities after the events of last year. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Have the policy settings criteria and process for the funding that's distributed in response to the costs associated with crises like this been updated as the report recommended? Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well what I can say is that we have $7.5 billion of unallocated multi-year capital allowance that's been put to one side—or it is there and it's available to be used in infrastructure in the region on an as-needed basis. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Will the Government be making allowance in its support package for the region for those homes and businesses who are still recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle—which was less than 18 months ago—recognising that for many of those homes and businesses they haven't yet completed that recovery process? Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Yeah I can say to the member that each week I have been asking for a scorecard on all of the areas that have been affected by the North Island weather events to see what progress is being made around category 3 property assessments: people moving from category 2 to category 3 or back out of that. We'd need to see the assessment from the Minister and we stand by ready to help.
2. Question No. 2—FinanceRYAN HAMILTON (National—Hamilton East) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 2—Finance2. RYAN HAMILTON (National—Hamilton East) to the Minister of Finance: What was the final operating allowance in Budget 2024?Hon NICOLA WILLIS (Minister of Finance): Well the operating allowance is the amount of new operating funding allocated to new policy initiatives in each Budget—Hon Willow-Jean Prime: And '25.Hon NICOLA WILLIS: —it's good to see Willow-Jean Prime is so interested in this—calculated on average per year across the forecast period. I said in the Budget Policy Statement in March that the final operating allowance for Budget 2024 would be less than $3.5 billion which was the allowance set by the previous Government. The final allowance in this year's Budget is in fact $3.2 billion.Ryan Hamilton: What does the operating allowance include?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Allowances are a net concept. They include savings initiatives as well as new spending and revenue increases as well as tax relief. So Budget 2024 contains $9.1 billion of spending and tax relief on average per year across the forecast period and that includes significant investments in health in education in law and order. But it also contains $5.9 billion worth of savings and revenue raising initiatives. So to help members with the maths: $9.1 billion of spending minus $5.9 billion of savings equals $3.2 billion which is how we could fit all the Budget 2024 initiatives including those investments in key public services into a $3.2 billion operating allowance.SPEAKER: Good. Brevity is a good idea.Ryan Hamilton: How does the $3.2 billion operating allowance in Budget 2024 compare to allowances in previous Budgets?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Well the operating allowance in Budget 2024 is the lowest allowance in nominal terms since Budget 2018. So taking into account inflation which is quite important given rampant inflation in previous years this is the lowest allowance since Steven Joyce's Budget in 2017. So to give members something to compare with: the final operating allowances for the last two Labour Budgets were $5.9 billion in 2022 and $4.8 billion in 2023. This is a very fiscally responsible Budget.Ryan Hamilton: What operating allowances has the Government set for future Budgets?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: The Government has set the operating allowances for Budgets 2025 '26 and '27 at $2.4 billion per Budget. They are considerably lower than the allowances presented in the half-year update which was set by the previous Government. Managing within future allowances of $2.4 billion will be very challenging. Savings and reprioritisation will be a feature of future Budgets just as they were in Budget 2024 and just as New Zealanders expect from us. They will be a business-as-usual activity for this Government.
Brownlee GerryPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: There are no petitions or papers—sorry wrong sheet. There are petitions. The Clerk will read petitions.CLERK: Petition of David Glen on behalf of the Cornwall Park Leaseholders Association requesting that the House introduce legislation to compensate the lessees of residential ground leases for the market value of their improvements if they elect not to renewPetition of Miryam Denny requesting that the House require mandatory training and qualifications for people working with caring for and supporting the disabledPetition of Andrei Moore requesting that the House urge the Government to require Waka Kotahi to provide a safe crossing option for Halswell School on State Highway 75.SPEAKER: Those petitions are referred to the Petitions Committee. Ministers have delivered papers.CLERK: Government response tothe Report of the Justice Committee on the Office of the Ombudsman OPCAT reports2024-28 Statements of intent forTourism New Zealand andMinistry of Defence2024/25 Statements of performance expectations for Tourism New Zealand.SPEAKER: Those papers are published under the authority of the House. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Report of the Education and Workforce Committee on the Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment BillReport of the Governance and Administration Committee on the Briefing on the work of the Office of the Auditor-GeneralReports of the Petitions Committee on thePetition of Mike Styles andPetition of Peter MarraReport of the Regulations Review Committee on the Complaint about the Education (Early Childhood Services) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2023.SPEAKER: The bill is set down for second reading. The briefings and the recommendation of the report are set down for consideration. The Clerk has been informed of the introduction of a bill.CLERK: Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024–25 Emergency Response and Remedial Measures) Bill introduction.SPEAKER: That bill is set down for first reading.
Visitors — Fiji and United Kingdom
Brownlee GerryVISITORSFiji—Member of ParliamentUnited Kingdom—Under-Secretary of State for Indo-PacificSPEAKER: I'm sure members will wish to welcome two visiting members of Parliament who are present in the gallery the honourable Rinesh Sharma member of Parliament from the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji and Catherine West member of Parliament from the United Kingdom Under-Secretary of State for Indo-Pacific.
Tuiono TeanauTUESDAY 27 AUGUST 2024The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSTEANAU TUIONO (Assistant Speaker—Green): E te Atua kaha rawa ka tuku whakamoemiti atu mātou mō ngā karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a mātou. Ka waiho i ō mātou pānga whaiaro katoa ki te taha. Ka mihi mātou ki te Kīngi me te inoi atu mō te ārahitanga i roto i ō mātou whakaaroarohanga kia mōhio ai kia whakaiti ai tā mātou whakahaere i ngā take o te Whare nei mō te oranga te maungārongo me te aroha o Aotearoa. Amene.[Almighty God we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests we acknowledge the King and pray for guidance in our deliberations that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom and humility for the welfare peace and compassion of New Zealand. Amen.]
12. Question No. 12—Commerce and Consumer AffairsCARL BATES (National—Whanganui) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer AffairsQuestion No. 12—Commerce and Consumer Affairs12. CARL BATES (National—Whanganui) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What recent announcements has he made about reforms to corporate governance?Hon ANDREW BAYLY (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs): Last Thursday I announced a package of reforms that will update corporate governance arrangements. One of the key reforms is to amend the Companies Act a piece of legislation that hasn't been substantially updated for 30 years. The Companies Act is a foundational piece of legislation for our economy. The reforms include five key components: first modernise simplify and digitise the Companies Act; second improve director identification while suppressing the public disclosure of home addresses; third update insolvency arrangements and specifically address the phoenixing of companies; fourth increase the use function and uptake of the New Zealand Business Number; and separately with the agreement of Minister Goldsmith request the Law Commission to review company director liabilities and duties.Carl Bates: What protections are proposed for creditors and investors?Hon ANDREW BAYLY: A very good question. I'm sure many Kiwis have heard the stories of companies that go bankrupt leaving behind debts only for the owners of those companies to pop up somewhere else under a new name. This is often referred to as phoenixing" and is clearly neither fair nor right. The Government's package of reforms includes giving company directors a unique number which will improve transparency and make it easier for creditors and law enforcement to trace the activities of directors. In addition we're proposing to update insolvency arrangements which will mean better protection for creditors including employees.Carl Bates: What protections will be put in place that will encourage people to be directors?Hon ANDREW BAYLY: One of the key concerns we've heard from directors is the disclosure of their private addresses on the Companies Register. We're proposing to allow an address for service rather than a home address on the publicly accessible elements of the Companies Register while still ensuring directors are locatable and accountable. The changes are comprehensive as it deals with both director and shareholder addresses. I do want to acknowledge MP Laura Trask and the Hon Dr Deborah Russell for their work on this issue."
8. Question No. 8—TransportTOM RUTHERFORD (National—Bay of Plenty) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 8—Transport8. TOM RUTHERFORD (National—Bay of Plenty) to the Minister of Transport: What announcements has he made on investment in road policing?Hon SIMEON BROWN (Minister of Transport): On Sunday I announced that drunk and drugged drivers will be heavily targeted through our new $1.3 billion Road Policing Investment Programme to improve safety on our roads. The Road Policing Investment Programme shows a significant step up in road policing and reinforces our Government's commitment to ensure there is strong enforcement on our roads to keep Kiwis travelling around our country safe.Tom Rutherford: Why is the Government targeting drunk and drugged drivers?Hon SIMEON BROWN: Our Government is focusing road policing on seven key areas over the next three years targeting investment towards the highest contributing factors in fatal crashes. Alcohol and drugs are the leading contributor to fatal crashes on our roads. During 2019 and 2022 crashes involving drugged drivers tragically claimed the lives of around 105 people each year and alcohol is a contributing factor to around 13 percent of fatal crashes. We're cracking down on the most high-risk behaviours rather than forcing Kiwis to drive at a snail's pace on our roads.Tom Rutherford: What actions is the Government taking against drunk and drugged drivers?Hon SIMEON BROWN: We're taking significant action. Our plan has a clear focus on outcomes and has clear targets to ensure police are focused on the most high-risk times behaviours and locations. We're increasing alcohol breath tests with a target of 3.3 million tests per year requiring that 65 percent of breath tests are done at high-risk times. And we're passing legislation to roll-out roadside drug testing with $20 million of funding for the delivery and implementation of these tests and a target of 50000 tests per year.Tom Rutherford: What is the Government doing to ensure there is a consistent number of alcohol breath tests undertaken each year?Hon SIMEON BROWN: Spending more money will not in itself deliver a consistent number of breath tests. Despite increases in spending in past years New Zealand has had an inconsistent record with breath tests. Over the past 10 years there are only two in which police have conducted 3 million tests. Some years have delivered less than half of that number and we're determined to turn this around. That's why for the first time $72 million of this funding will be made available to police once those targets are reached to ensure we have a consistent number of tests done every year.
6. Question No. 6—Local GovernmentRIMA NAKHLE (National—Takanini) to the Minister of Local GovernmentQuestion No. 6—Local Government6. RIMA NAKHLE (National—Takanini) to the Minister of Local Government: What recent announcements has he made about getting local government back to basics?Hon SIMEON BROWN (Minister of Local Government): Yesterday the Prime Minister and I announced measures to ensure councils get back to basics to reduce the pressure on rates deliver core services and infrastructure and improve the efficiency of decision making. These proposals include refocusing the purpose provisions of the Local Government Act investigating performance benchmarks for local councils investigating options to limit council expenditure and nice-to-haves and reviewing transparency and accountability rules. Council rates are increasing by around 15 percent on average this year which is more than four times the rate of inflation. This is unacceptable and councils must ensure they are doing everything they can to reduce pressure on ratepayers.Rima Nakhle: Why is the Government investigating rate capping for councils?Hon SIMEON BROWN: The Government is investigating rate capping for councils. This is similar to some Australian states like New South Wales where revenue caps are applied to non-core activities to control rate increases. We're interested in how a similar approach could work here in New Zealand ensuring the right balance between ratepayers' interests and councils' financial positions.Rima Nakhle: What is the Government doing to investigate options to limit council expenditure on nice-to-haves?Hon SIMEON BROWN: We are removing references to the previous Government's four wellbeings in the Local Government Act. These distracted councils from the core activities facing their communities which we simply cannot afford at a time when Kiwis are doing it tough. The evidence is clear. Following the four wellbeings being introduced in the Local Government Act in 2002 rates averaged an increase of 6.8 percent. Following the wellbeings being removed in 2012 rate increases averaged 4.6 percent. Since they were reinstated in 2019 the average rate increase is back up at 6.5 percent. As the Prime Minister outlined yesterday central government is leading by example in focusing on the must-haves not the nice-to-haves. Our expectation is local government does so too.Rima Nakhle: Why is the Government reviewing transparency and accountability rules?Hon SIMEON BROWN: It's unacceptable that the rules as they stand today allow unelected officials in many cases to prevent elected members from accessing the information they need to represent their communities. I have been shocked and appalled at situations such as the Wellington City Council recently refusing to provide information on key decisions to elected members and those members having to use the Official Information Act to access that information. Councillors and mayors are elected on behalf of their communities. They should be empowered to access this information so they can make good decisions and hold officials to account.
Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Bidois Dan; Tuiono TeanauDAN BIDOIS (National—Northcote): It is a great day in this House. It is a great day because it's James Meager's birthday. It's a great day because it's Rima Nakhle's mother's birthday. It's also a great day because we've reached unanimous support in this House. And finally it's a great day because finally the courts are catching up to the rest of our society. And that is that technology can be used for court proceedings. This is a great bill and I commend it to the House.Motion agreed to.Bill read a second time.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Teanau Tuiono): This bill is set down for committee stage next sitting day. Members the time has come for me to leave the Chair and I note the excessive birthday wishes to Mr James Meager so it must be his shout. The House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday 27 August 2024.The House adjourned at 5.55 p.m.
Wednesday 21 August 2024 - Volume 777
9. Question No. 9—HousingPAULO GARCIA (National—New Lynn) to the Associate Minister of HousingQuestion No. 9—Housing9. PAULO GARCIA (National—New Lynn) to the Associate Minister of Housing: What impact is the Priority One category having on supporting families out of emergency housing?Hon TAMA POTAKA (Associate Minister of Housing): Very positive. Since April 2024 540 households with children have been supported out of emergency housing into secure safe warm dry social housing tenancies. Blue shoots but over 1100 children—in fact 1110 children to the end of July no longer have to grow up in an unsuitable motel which is an outcome that I and my erudite colleagues on this side of the House are very happy with.Paulo Garcia: Minister can you explain why the Ministry of Social Development is unable to track housing outcomes for all households who exit emergency housing?Hon TAMA POTAKA: When we arrived in Government we did not know where over 50 percent of households living in emergency housing were going to. But because of the hard-working people in our teams we now know where nearly 80 percent of people leaving emergency housing are going to. Officials are working very hard to develop official reporting on all exits but that will take time as it requires linking information from multiple systems agencies and other organisations. Our understanding's improving daily but it's unlikely we'll have a complete view because people are not required to let the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) know where they live once they stop receiving assistance. We need to balance the requirement to monitor the effectiveness of our interventions with peoples' right to privacy.Paulo Garcia: What other steps has the Government taken to support people out of emergency housing?Hon TAMA POTAKA: We recognise that those who stay longest in emergency housing have the most complex needs which is why we've committed a further $84 million through the support of the Minister of Finance the Manu Pūtea to extend emergency housing support services for a further two years. That funding provides people in emergency housing with a dedicated tautoko that they need. We've also expanded the range of housing support products that MSD offers to cover a wide range of living situations including flatting and boarding. Kia ora.
7. Question No. 7—AgricultureSUZE REDMAYNE (National—Rangitīkei) to the Minister of AgricultureQuestion No. 7—Agriculture7. SUZE REDMAYNE (National—Rangitīkei) to the Minister of Agriculture: What is the Government doing to support the rural economy?Hon TODD McCLAY (Minister of Agriculture): This week the coalition Government outlined 20 actions we are taking to free up the rural economy. Our ambitious target of doubling exports by value over 10 years is an opportunity to work with the primary sector and to grow the economy delivering greater returns at the farm gate. This Government has huge respect for our farmers and foresters. We continue to partner with them to drive down costs improve profitability simplify regulations and build trust and confidence as we get Wellington out of farming.Suze Redmayne: What actions has the Government taken to improve productivity and profitability?Hon TODD McCLAY: In just nine months this Government has begun reforming rules around biotech so that farmers can lead the world in innovation restore the export of logs to India increase funding for East Coast debris clean-up provide a significant investment into animal facial eczema research and increase the number of recognised seasonal employer places to allow horticultural production to grow. By improving primary sector profitability we can boost our largest export sector and deliver for all New Zealanders.Suze Redmayne: What actions has the Government taken to reduce the regulatory burden on the primary sector?Hon TODD McCLAY: Ministers Grigg Hoggard Patterson and I have along with our colleagues taken the following actions: restore common sense to intensive winter grazing and stock exclusion rules introduce pragmatic rules on on-farm water storage and introduce legislation to cease the implementation of new significant natural areas. We've also repealed the burdensome log traders legislation and started the reform of farm plans and the replacement of the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management.Suze Redmayne: What actions has the Government taken to support farmer confidence by reducing cost and complexity for rural New Zealand?Hon TODD McCLAY: Again in just nine months the Government has disbanded He Waka Eke Noa we've removed agriculture from the emissions trading scheme commenced a review of biogenic methane established a methane group to focus on reducing emissions launched a select committee inquiry into banking invested more in catchment groups and rural support trusts to support our farmers through harder times. Eighty percent of our exports of goods and more than 350000 jobs come from the rural sector. There is more to do but the coalition Government has taken the first steps to walk with our farmers. We thank farmers foresters horticulture and other workers for their significant contribution to the New Zealand economy.