edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Visitors — Australia—Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade References Committee SenateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVisitors — Australia—Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade References Committee Senate[Sitting date: 07 May 2014. Volume:698;Page:17557. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Wednesday 7 May 2014Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.VisitorsAustralia—Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade References Committee SenateMr SPEAKER: Honourable members I have much pleasure in informing the House that a parliamentary delegation from the Senate Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade References Committee from the Parliament of Australia led by the Senator the Hon Ursula Stephens is present in the gallery. I am sure that members would wish that the delegation be welcomed.
Vote: Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17465. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the questionThat the Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.Ayes102New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; New Zealand First 7; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes17Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; Mana 1.Bill read a third time.
Tisch Lindsay: Sittings of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Sittings of the House[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17474. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Upston Louise: Sittings of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeUpston Louise: Sittings of the House[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17474. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]LOUISE UPSTON (Senior Whip—National): Sorry I think I need to seek leave for the House to lift early if I may do so.
Tisch Lindsay: Sittings of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Sittings of the House[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17474. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Members I thank you for the expressions of goodwill that have been expressed this afternoon for the Easter adjournment. Have a safe and enjoyable period and members—
Auchinvole Chris: Land Transport Amendment Bill (No 2) Road User Charges Amendment Bill — Third ReadingsText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeAuchinvole Chris: Land Transport Amendment Bill (No 2) Road User Charges Amendment Bill — Third Readings[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17474. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National): This is a short call on the third readings of the Land Transport Amendment Bill (No 2) and the Road User Charges Amendment Bill. By amending this legislation we allow reasonable charges for diesel vehicles and all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes to be charged accurately. The vehicles that make heavy use of the roads usually for the purposes of a successful commerce or agricultural venture will be assured that they are paying the correct charges. Private vehicle owners will also get to share the benefits of having well-funded roads so that we can more safely and easily reach our home or holiday destinations this coming weekend.On that note as the final person to speak in the House today may I wish all colleagues a happy and holy Easter. I trust that we can all return restored regenerated reinvigorated and ready to engage again in decisive determined debate. Thank you.Bills read a third time.
Bennett David: Land Transport Amendment Bill (No 2) Road User Charges Amendment Bill — Third ReadingsText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBennett David: Land Transport Amendment Bill (No 2) Road User Charges Amendment Bill — Third Readings[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17469. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East): I just want to take a short call on the Land Transport Amendment Bill (No 2) and the Road User Charges Amendment Bill because everyone has been pretty much in agreement. I was quite surprised with that last speech from Darien Fenton actually and why somebody in the Labour Party would want to talk for 10 minutes about transport after this week. I have got a lot of time for Darien Fenton. She is actually a good member of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee. She is very good to work with. Actually the last minute of her speech was more insightful concise and important transport policy than anything that has come out of David Cunliffe this week.When Labour members talked here today about fast tractors why did they not make fast tractors part of their transport policy? Why did they not make fast tractors have to stay in the slow lane? Can fast tractors overtake a truck now under the Labour Party transport policy? I think they can. If you go down the Auckland motorway—all six lanes of it—you are going to have the fast tractors overtaking trucks. That is all right in the Labour Party because it is all about the ability to get from central Auckland to your holiday home like David Cunliffe wants to. That is what the policy is about. When you are on the southern motorway instead of being held up by a truck you are now going to be held up by a fast tractor under the Labour Party. David Cunliffe will not get to his holiday home because there is a fast tractor in front of him. I will have you know that that is about the only thing that the Labour Party will do for the agricultural sector—letting fast tractors pass trucks.I appreciate the Labour Party actually supporting this legislation here today. It is good to see Darien actually doing that. It is a shame that you did not have any input into your transport policy which was a total disaster and gives us so much ammunition. It is the end of the Labour Party again in transport but it is good to see. Thank you.
Sabin Mike: Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSabin Mike: Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17465. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MIKE SABIN (National—Northland): I am very happy to take the last call on the Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill and to commend the Associate Minister for Social Development Chester Borrows for it. Some of our friends on the Labour and Green benches would have us think that we have introduced a new class of criminal—that there is now some sort of criminal inequality because it is not actually the offence that matters; it is how much money is defrauded at the time of the offence. So if it is a small fraud committed by someone who is supported by the State then that is OK but if it is a tax fraud then they say “Oh this Government should do something about that.” What absolute nonsense. What an absolute load of rubbish and nothing—Iain Lees-Galloway: You are talking nonsense; that’s right.MIKE SABIN: Well if that member wants to worry as to why Labour’s polls were down at around 26 percent last week then the sorts of comments that have been coming from his colleagues during this third reading are a pretty good example of why. The reality is that the big difference here is that it is not an either/or situation. This Government takes both responsibilities equally seriously as the taxpayer should expect of us. If someone is supported by the State the taxpayer should rightly expect that the State put obligations on that person not to defraud their fellow taxpayers and that is what this bill is about.Lastly it occurred to me during William Sio—Le’aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor: Su’a.MIKE SABIN: —Sio WilliamSu’a’s contribution; thank you very much—Iain Lees-Galloway: No other way round. Try again.MIKE SABIN: Well I am sure the member can assist. It occurred to me during the member’s contribution why so many former Labour Party activists and supporters in South Auckland are now signing up to National. That is because of the rubbish that comes out of that party. I wholeheartedly commend this bill to the House and I am sure other hard-working taxpaying New Zealanders will also do the same.
Tisch Lindsay: Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17462. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I understand that the next call is a split call.PotoWilliams: Yes it is.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch):Poto Williams—5 minutes.
Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17462. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): Thank you for the opportunity to stand and support the third reading of the Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill. My belief is that we should have a welfare system for the people who need it. The welfare system is supported by the hard-working people who pay tax and we should not allow people to abuse the system. This bill tries to address that issue.I think the Government has been working hard to provide for people who are not in the workforce to help them to get into the workforce but they should not be fraudulently abusing the system. I think this bill addresses that issue and I commend this bill to the House.
Tremain Chris: Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTremain Chris: Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17460. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon CHRIS TREMAIN (National—Napier): The Hon Paula Bennett has just tweeted that there are nearly 60000 fewer people on a benefit than there were in December of 2010—60000 fewer people on a benefit since December 2010. The National Party’s policy on welfare is working. At the same time the unemployment rate has fallen in this country. It is down to 6 percent now and I would have a pretty damn good bet that it will be down into the 5 percent range at the next announcement. I am proud of that reform package.Once again today with the Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill we deliver on another commitment that we made at the last election when we committed to clamping down on welfare fraud. We are delivering on an election promise. Can I acknowledge and congratulate Minister Chester Borrows his outstanding officials and the Social Services Committee for their hard work in this process. Once again it is excellent to be delivering on an election promise. Thank you.
Heatley Phil: Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHeatley Phil: Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17458. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon PHIL HEATLEY (National—Whangarei): I rise in support of the Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill having considered it with colleagues at the Social Services Committee for a considerable period. Welfare will always be there to support the people in our community who need it and we have made that assurance. During the global recession this party—the National Party—in Government along with our partners made sure that there were not cuts to benefits and that there were not widespread cuts to superannuation as the Labour Party is proposing now in its policy leading up to the election. We made sure that the most vulnerable were looked after. But part of our comprehensive reform of the welfare system is clamping down on welfare fraud.I thank Su’a William Sio for acknowledging that the Associate Minister for Social Development Chester Borrows offered that briefing to him and Sue Moroney. William Sio attended that briefing with the Minister. The Minister acknowledges that Sue Moroney did put in her apologies because she wanted or needed to go and watch the Melbourne Cup. So she did not come to that briefing but William Sio went in her stead while she was at the Melbourne Cup and he listened to the Minister. Those two had a conversation. They agreed on many points as he acknowledged; they disagreed on some. But the reality is that while we provide welfare in this country for the vast majority who do need it we do not accept that welfare fraud should occur and that is the message that Sue Moroney would have got had she attended that meeting. She too—had she attended that meeting—would be supporting this bill as I am.
Lee Melissa: Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLee Melissa: Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17454. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MELISSA LEE (National):Ahnnyung ha seyo Mr Assistant Speaker. I would like to start off my third reading contribution on the Social Security (Fraud Measures and Debt Recovery) Amendment Bill by saying that if the sad record that Ms Moroney talks about is in fact the reduction in percentage of people going off the welfare benefit—15000 people—because they have possibly found jobs and they no longer depend on the benefit I would actually like to take that on as a compliment. If she thinks that 15000 people last year going off welfare is a terrible record I do not know what she would call a good record. On that score I would like to congratulate the Minister for Social Development because that is a fantastic record. Fifteen thousand people going off welfare means that 17000 children are no longer living in a welfare-dependent home in that last year and that is a fantastic record.If you listen to Sue Moroney you would think that this Government is not doing anything about tax fraud. Well that is untrue because the Inland Revenue Department equivalent budget which it is spending to tackle tax fraud is $138 million. That is about five times the amount that the Ministry of Social Development is spending on welfare fraud. So it is doing something about it.This bill is about relationship fraud. Relationship fraud last year cost this country $26 million. As Sue Moroney also agreed two people were complicit in the fraud’s creation and they should both be responsible. This is about being fair. If two people are living together in a marriage-like arrangement and one is collecting a sole parent support benefit then there is clearly a fraud being committed and this bill makes spouses and partners jointly liable for debt where they knowingly benefit or where they should have known they were benefiting from the benefits. This is a simple bill. It is about making things fair and I think all New Zealanders will say that this is a fair bill and everyone will support it. I commend it to the House.
Flavell Te Ururoa: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFlavell Te Ururoa: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17449. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]12.TE URUROA FLAVELL (Co-Leader—Māori Party) to theMinister for Primary Industries: Is he aware of the concerns of the Chairman of TeRūnanga ā Iwi oNgāpuhi that the revised policy laid out in the Fisheries (Foreign Charter Vessels and Other Matters) Amendment Bill will disproportionately affect iwi owners of settlement quota who lack the scale capital and flexibility of other quota owners to make other arrangements for catching their annual catch entitlement; if so what is he doing to address these concerns?Hon JO GOODHEW (Associate Minister for Primary Industries) on behalf of theMinister for Primary Industries: Yes the Minister is aware of those concerns. He has had several conversations with Sonny Tau about the impact of this legislation on iwi and in particular the impact onNgāpuhi. The Minister is also aware of other iwi and non-iwi parties who have concerns over the effects of this bill and others who support it. He acknowledges that this bill will have some impact on business but he is not prepared to allow behaviour that has been described as slavery at sea to continue in New Zealand waters. This bill is an essential step to stamp out this behaviour and to uphold New Zealand’s international reputation.Te Ururoa Flavell: Why has the Minister not considered a phased-in approach which will achieve his objectives as well as minimise the loss of economic value and which this Government often provides to other sectors of the economy when making similar changes?Hon JO GOODHEW: The Government response to the ministerial inquiry is a phased-in approach. Operators have been aware of the proposed changes since 2012. Therefore the Government has enabled a 4-year transition period for operators to begin adjusting their business settings to the newreflagging regime. We have also worked closely with iwi and industry to try to minimise the impact ofreflagging where possible through streamliningreflagging processes. The Ministry for Primary Industries and other agencies will continue to support all parties during this transition period. The new regime will mean more secure market access arrangements and an improved international reputation for products caught in our waters. Ultimately this will prove positive for iwi quota holders.Te Ururoa Flavell: Bearing in mind that the ability of Māori to move into the fisheries came out of an actual fisheries claim can the Minister tell the House how this policy does not breach firstly the Treaty of Waitangi and secondly the Māori fisheries claim?Hon JO GOODHEW: I am advised that there is a clear principle that settlements do not impinge on the Crown’s right to develop policy in response to contemporary issues such as the management of foreign chartered vessels.
Auchinvole Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeAuchinvole Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17447. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]10.CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National) to theAssociate Minister of Transport: What recent initiatives has the Government announced to help improve safety on our roads?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Associate Minister of Transport): Under the 10-year Safer Journeys road safety strategy the Government is pressing ahead with initiatives to make our roads safer. The Government announced that electronic stability control will become mandatory for both new and used vehicles imported into New Zealand with a staged timetable over the next 5 years. It was described by the Automobile Association and many road safety experts as the most significant advance in vehicle safety since the seatbelt with research suggesting electronic stability control can reduce the risk of crashing as the result of loss of control by around 30 percent.Chris Auchinvole: What other steps has the Government taken to improve road safety?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: There are many but I will name just three. We have identified New Zealand’s 100 highest-risk intersections in order that we can target safety improvements and last month I released that list. I have also asked for a special project to be started that aims to improve safety on roads in the lower South Island. This is a result of concerns about both overseas and out-of-district drivers. Furthermore I have addressed the New Zealand Cycle Safety Summit to kick off the work that the Cycle Safety Panel will be doing to find ways to make cycling safer in New Zealand. But we are approaching an extended and possibly weather-affected Easter and Anzac Day period and I want to take this opportunity to wish all road users a safe holiday. I know our fantastic police force will be out there trying to keep us safe and I urge drivers to take extra care behind the wheel.Hon David Parker: Is there any safety reason behind his Government’s refusal to drop registration fees—but not warrants—for the 600000 light trailers and caravans and given that it is just a revenue grab what sense does it make to collect $28 a trailer when 25 percent of the costs go to compliance costs?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: There are many reasons but the No. 1 reason is that this Government focuses on the transport issues that matter in reducing death and injury on our roads—not on sideshows like clip-on roads and trucks in the fast lane.
O'Rourke Denis: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeO'Rourke Denis: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17435. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]1.DENIS O’ROURKE (NZ First) to theMinister of Transport: Does he agree with all of the Prime Minister’s statements concerning transport?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Associate Minister of Transport) on behalf of theMinister of Transport: Yes.Denis O’Rourke: Does the Minister agree with this statement concerning the Napier-Gisborne rail link by the Prime Minister which was reported in theWairoa Star on 28 August 2012: “Government has some responsibility and does not want to see road as the only option.”?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: I am sure the Minister of Transport at the time did agree with the Prime Minister when he made that statement. We now know that there are very challenging issues with respect to the viability of that line and that it is unlikely to have any dividends. So I am quite sure that the Minister would agree with that statement if the Prime Minister were to make it today.Denis O’Rourke: Does the Minister agree that short-term financial issues are not the only consideration in deciding whether to repair the Gisborne-Napier rail link and that the security of transport links and regional development are also important considerations?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Yes I do. But I would also say that the long-term challenges are also insurmountable in that respect.Denis O’Rourke: I understand that the Minister is visiting Napier on 23 April; if so will he agree to meet local community representatives who support the urgent re-establishment of the Gisborne-Napier rail link; if not why not?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: I am unable to verify whether or not that is the case but if the member puts the question down in writing I am sure the Minister would be able to answer it for him.Denis O’Rourke: Is the very poor safety and reliability ofKiwiRail’s Cook Strait ferries a concern to the Minister; if so what is he doing about it?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: The safety and reliability of the whole KiwiRail network is of concern to the Minister. Considering that this Government had to pick up the lemon that the previous Government bought and pump hundreds of millions of dollars into it as part of the Turnaround Plan I am very confident that that is on track—pardon the pun.
Collins Judith: Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 10 to Minister 16 AprilText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCollins Judith: Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 10 to Minister 16 April[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17435. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Justice): I seek leave to make a personal explanation under Standing Order 354 to correct an answer to question No. 10 yesterday.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is none.Hon JUDITH COLLINS: In answering question No. 10 yesterday I said that I had been advised by ACC that form ACC167 had been approved by the Human Rights Commission. ACC has now advised me that the information provided to me by ACC is incorrect. It has now advised me that form ACC167 has not been approved by the Human Rights Commission. I am drawing this to the notice of the House at the earliest opportunity available to me.
Tolley Anne: Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTolley Anne: Business Statement[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17435. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Deputy Leader of the House): July is such a long way away.
Robertson Grant: Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRobertson Grant: Business Statement[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17435. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central): Can I just ask the Deputy Leader of the House whether it is in the intention of the Government to pass the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill before the House rises in July.
Tolley Anne: Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTolley Anne: Business Statement[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17435. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Deputy Leader of the House): Next week the House is in the first week of a 2-week adjournment. When the House resumes on Tuesday 6 May the Government will look to progress a number of bills on the Order Paper including the Veterans’ Support Bill the Vulnerable Children Bill and the Victims’ Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill. On Wednesday 7 May effective on the morning of Thursday 8 May and with the agreement of the Business Committee the House will sit in extended hours to progress some Treaty of Waitangi settlement legislation. Wednesday is a members’ day.
Sittings of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSittings of the House[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17474. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Sittings of the HouseThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Members I thank you for the expressions of goodwill that have been expressed this afternoon for the Easter adjournment. Have a safe and enjoyable period and members—LOUISE UPSTON (Senior Whip—National): Sorry I think I need to seek leave for the House to lift early if I may do so.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 10 to Minister 16 AprilText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeAmended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 10 to Minister 16 April[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17435. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Amended Answers to Oral QuestionsQuestion No. 10 to Minister 16 AprilHon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Justice): I seek leave to make a personal explanation under Standing Order 354 to correct an answer to question No. 10 yesterday.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is none.Hon JUDITH COLLINS: In answering question No. 10 yesterday I said that I had been advised by ACC that form ACC167 had been approved by the Human Rights Commission. ACC has now advised me that the information provided to me by ACC is incorrect. It has now advised me that form ACC167 has not been approved by the Human Rights Commission. I am drawing this to the notice of the House at the earliest opportunity available to me.
Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBusiness Statement[Sitting date: 17 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17435. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Thursday 17 April 2014Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.Business StatementHon ANNE TOLLEY (Deputy Leader of the House): Next week the House is in the first week of a 2-week adjournment. When the House resumes on Tuesday 6 May the Government will look to progress a number of bills on the Order Paper including the Veterans’ Support Bill the Vulnerable Children Bill and the Victims’ Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill. On Wednesday 7 May effective on the morning of Thursday 8 May and with the agreement of the Business Committee the House will sit in extended hours to progress some Treaty of Waitangi settlement legislation. Wednesday is a members’ day.GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central): Can I just ask the Deputy Leader of the House whether it is in the intention of the Government to pass the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill before the House rises in July.Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Deputy Leader of the House): July is such a long way away.
Vote: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 06 May 2014. Volume:698;Page:17555. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the questionThat the Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill be now read a third time.Ayes107New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; New Zealand First 7; Māori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 1; Mana 1; United Future 1; Independent: Horan.Abstentions14Green Party 14.Bill read a third time.
Stewart Barbara: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeStewart Barbara: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 06 May 2014. Volume:698;Page:17553. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]BARBARA STEWART (NZ First): On behalf of New Zealand First I would like to rise to support the third reading of the Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill. We are pleased that prompt action has been taken by the Minister of Health Minister Ryall so we would like to commend him for that action. We are pleased too with the participation of all parties in this House and their desire to ensure that this legislation is passed as quickly as possible. There has been huge concern in our communities about psychoactive substances and there is no simple solution to the issue of taking these psychoactive substances. Whether they are legal or illegal we are pleased that the psychoactive substances that are being sold in shops throughout New Zealand will not be available on Thursday.We are pleased too to support the new testing regime regarding animals. We know that Parliament wanted to reduce the harm of these psychoactive substances yet the bottom line was that the legislation had to be right and it was difficult to get it right. On this occasion we did not get it right. We did not do enough but tonight we have put it right.We wanted to reduce the harm that these substances were having right around New Zealand. We have to thank the people who came into our offices with the very sad stories about their youngsters who had taken these particular substances and who were continuing to take these substances. We understand that the information is not available as to how many people are going to actually seek help regarding the substance-taking. We know it is far harder to get off these chemical highs than it is to get off the natural products so we are told. So I was pleased to hear the assurance from the Minister that there will be resources available for all of those who seek help in this particular instance.It is ironic that the profit margin for the product owners manufacturers and sellers of these particular synthetic drugs is large. I was interested to read that the annual retail sales in New Zealand total around $140 million so it is little wonder that the dairy owners were not happy when the legislation changed.I must acknowledge the efforts too of Julie King who organised the recent marches right throughout New Zealand. It was a credit to her. It is no little thing to do that so thank you Julie.Tonight in New Zealand First we are very happy to support this bill. These products will never be safe. We are pleased that the products are going to be withdrawn from shops in our communities. There was not anything positive to come from these synthetic drugs only misery.
Hutchison Paul: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHutchison Paul: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 06 May 2014. Volume:698;Page:17550. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (National—Hunua): Thank you for the opportunity to speak briefly in this third reading of the Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill. Undoubtedly for 20 years or so successive Governments have been grappling with how best to minimise harm from psychoactive substances and their use and availability in New Zealand has burgeoned over the last few decades. This is a very complex area and undoubtedly those who manufacture psychoactive substances are continually trying to invent new substances that detrimentally affect New Zealand families and young people. In fact nowhere in the world are there clear answers as to how best to deal with this problem.However as Iain Lees-Galloway has said prior to the Psychoactive Substances Act which we are amending coming in we did not have a regulatory regime and there is little doubt in my mind that the Act remains the best way we know of dealing with emerging psychoactive substances. This amendment bill revokes all interim approvals for psychoactive substances. It has emerged from an outpouring throughout New Zealand of the concerns of ordinary people about these substances and the Government has acted very decisively. Many speakers have indicated that perhaps there are simple solutions. They are wrong. Many people have indicated that the science around ensuring there is minimal risk is easy. They are wrong. It is not easy nor is the science around animal testing.There is no doubt that the National Government is constantly monitoring world literature to do everything possible to ensure that we exercise best practice in this country. I do find it absurd that the Green Party is abstaining but nevertheless the rest of Parliament is in agreement that the best thing we can do is send clear messages at this stage and then progress on and use best practice science and evidence to ensure we do everything possible to minimise harm and protect the health of New Zealanders.
Tisch Lindsay: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 06 May 2014. Volume:698;Page:17548. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Ross Jami-Lee: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoss Jami-Lee: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 06 May 2014. Volume:698;Page:17548. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip—National): In accordance with the agreement amongst the parties in the House tonight I seek leave for the House to sit past 10 p.m. to complete the third reading of the Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill.
Ryall Tony: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRyall Tony: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 06 May 2014. Volume:698;Page:17543. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health): Just to touch on a couple of the questions that members have raised implementation of the Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill is going to be a priority for the Ministry of Health. A considerable amount of work and effort has gone into it. If I look at the drafting of this bill it has involved Crown Law health legal outside Queen’s Counsel and the Parliamentary Counsel Office. So we have had lawyers for Africa helping us with this bill and the ministry is very focused on the implementation. In fact I have been advised that even today the police and the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority have been working together in respect of visiting a number of retail premises to ensure they are aware of their obligations. I will talk about those later.The Ministry of Health is in very close contact with addiction treatment providers across New Zealand and it is going to continue to liaise with them and to conference at least weekly in order to gauge what is happening around the country. A recent national teleconference shows that all services as the member Clare Curran has noted have noticed a particular increase in inquiries and the seeking of treatment. In respect of the recent announcement of this bill even that has encouraged some of that increase. Preparations are under way to make sure that services can meet this level of support.The ministry has material and information that is available. The Alcohol Drug Helpline has agreed to extend its services during weekdays with an extended period of time.Emergency department physicians have also met. They are not expecting any major disruptions but the emergency department leaders will maintain surveillance and support and advice will be fed through to the Ministry of Health. I have had discussions with a number of district health board chief executives who advise that their district health boards are ready and able and that they do expect to be able to have the resources to meet community demand. The Government will be keeping a very close eye on this because we all share the concerns the member has.
Hutchison Paul: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHutchison Paul: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 06 May 2014. Volume:698;Page:17537. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (National—Hunua): Thank you for the opportunity to take a short call in the Committee stage of the Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill. There is no doubt about the specific objectives of the bill which are to revoke all interim product approvals to revoke all interim retail and wholesale licences to require the recall and disposal of all products for which interim product approval has been revoked and to provide that the results of trials that involve the use of animals cannot be used in the assessment of a psychoactive product.As I said earlier on in the electorate that I represent Hunua there has been huge concern about how these psychoactive drugs affect families affect individuals and devastate the lives of those who are affected. But the point that I really would like to make is that there has been a fair amount of self-righteousness about this bill and how easy these issues are to solve. They are not easy to solve. They are highly complex. For anyone to think that there is a simple solution they have just got their head in the sand.I must reflect on the day of revelation—yesterday 5 May—when Trevor Mallard and John Banks said what a great day it was for the rats the mice the beagles and therabbits of New Zealand. It was almost as though they had taken on the persona of St Francis of Assisi but again—Hon Trevor Mallard: More the Pied Piper in my case.Dr PAUL HUTCHISON: —indeed—there is complexity here because on the other hand we have big issues in New Zealand. We are pouring out 1080 knocking off rats and mice and goodness knowswhats in our forests because they get our birds. We have got the duck-shooting season going on right now. We have huge rabbit infestations right throughout the country.These issues are not simple. However the Government has responded with clear and concise action. It is reassuring that today enforcement notifications have been made clear throughout the country and indeed on 8 May no more psychoactive substances will be legal in New Zealand.
Macindoe Tim: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMacindoe Tim: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 06 May 2014. Volume:698;Page:17536. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]TIM MACINDOE (Junior Whip—National): I seek leave for the Committee to consider all parts of the Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill as one debate with the questions to be taken separately.Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I think the whip meant to say “all clauses” not “all parts”—all clauses.The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): Yes we do not have parts only clauses. Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Yang Jian: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeYang Jian: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 06 May 2014. Volume:698;Page:17534. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Dr JIAN YANG (National): I rise to support the Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill. The reason is very simple. This is a very short call but I will say a few words. As an immigrant from China I was not familiar with legal highs simply because legal highs are illegal in China. We have now heard about all sorts of problems relating to legal highs. When we came to New Zealand one key reason was to live in a good safer environment—particularly safer communities. So this amendment bill will provide a better and safer community for our young people. That is why we will support the bill. Thank you.
Stewart Barbara: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeStewart Barbara: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 06 May 2014. Volume:698;Page:17534. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]BARBARA STEWART (NZ First): I rise again on behalf of New Zealand First to support the passing of the Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill which will see synthetic cannabis and other untested substances removed from sale in our country. We are absolutely delighted to hear that the police and the enforcement officers are out visiting shops at this point in time and ensuring that vendors are aware of changes as a result of this legislation.New Zealand First hopes that the call for specialised support for families and for those addicted to these substances will be listened to. The current mental health and addiction counselling services are not set up to deal with the huge problems that we anticipate will be out there. Support has to be provided for those who are caught up in this synthetic drugs crisis. Resources must be made available for young people and their parents. We know that these chemical substances are very difficult to get off. They are highly addictive.It is very important to ensure that drugs are subject to lengthy testing. We do not want to see any come back on to the market that have not gone through the whole rigorous testing regime. OnCampbell Live tonight it was interesting to hear a scientist who helped develop synthetic cannabis say that it was never meant to be consumed by humans—very interesting I thought because really who else was going to consume it? So it was interesting.We need to ensure that any changes to these products incur huge financial disincentives for the manufacturers. At the moment they are making millions while they are putting New Zealanders at risk. In New Zealand First we stand by our original position which is that these products really need to be banned and this legislation effectively does that. So we are very pleased to be supporting this bill tonight.
Hutchison Paul: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHutchison Paul: Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading[Sitting date: 06 May 2014. Volume:698;Page:17529. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (National—Hunua): Thank you for the opportunity to take a short call on this second reading of the Psychoactive Substances Amendment Bill. There has been a fair amount of self-righteousness coming from the Opposition parties as to how they could have easily themselves solved this question. But in actual fact it is a complex situation that this Parliament and successive Parliaments have been trying to grapple with for over 22 years. In fact the Misuse of Drugs Act back in 2005 was not successful in addressing the problem. Those were the good old days when benzylpiperazine which was sheep dip was cheap and available. It was legal and people were getting highs from it. But since then these substances have mushroomed substantially throughout New Zealand so that by 2008 a whole array of them was being manufactured. The manufacturers are indeed individuals who are extremely ruthless and care not one jot for the young people of New Zealand.Attempts were made by the Hon Peter Dunne when he issued temporary class notices and of course prior to that there was the Law Commission’s extensive paper when the genesis of the present bill came into being in 2013. The idea behind it was to minimise risk to protect the public health and with the thought that the manufacturers would be required to show minimal risk. As it has turned out this is not easy. The inventive minds of the manufacturers are there to do everything they can to sabotage.But I know that Hunua the electorate I am very proud to represent is a classic example of what has happened right around the country. After this Psychoactive Substances Act came in people were a little confused even though the substances were less available. I know there were marches in every town and hamlet in my electorate saying “We do not want them. They are causing significant problems throughout the country.” and that is why the Government has quite rightly responded.The enforcement is starting tonight. The police and authority enforcement officers will be visiting retail premises to ensure the affected parties are aware of their obligations. This is happening over the next 48 hours. As the Minister of Health the Hon Tony Ryall has pointed out active enforcement will occur on 8 May. Police and enforcement officers will visit all retailers to ensure that products have been removedfrom sale and are being removed to the wholesaler. It is clear. It is concise. The message to the public is absolutely clear. I support the bill.