edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Ball DarrochDARROCH BALL (NZ First): Thank you Mr Speaker. Yesterday we had quite a prominent protest here on Parliament grounds and I'd like to mention something that I don't think that anybody else has in regards to this situation this argument. We have to stop blaming Oranga Tamariki (OT). We have to stop blaming those social workers. Something that I found incredulous and one of the reasons why I'm speaking about it today—everyone has the right to protest but no one has the right to threaten and to intimidate. Over the last four months or so social workers' children have been bullied at school due to social media and mainstream media outlets' continual bias and one-sided headlines and stories. They're one-sided headlines and stories because the social workers themselves cannot defend themselves—the social workers themselves cannot defend themselves. Where is the voice for the social workers and when have they had a chance to defend themselves?It's got to a point where extra security has had to be brought in for the OT staff. OT management and the Public Service Association have advised social workers and OT staff that if they are feeling that threatened they can consider working from home. The Wellington OT office was in lockdown during the protest and it is absolute testament to those social workers' dedication to those children and to those families who it is their duty to protect that they put their personal safety second and their personal wellbeing second to ensure that they can still do their job. They still go to work and they protect those families and that responsibility comes first for them. There has been also severe and unpleasant content posted online including threats to social workers and their families. As I said security has been increased. We have lost sight of who those social workers are and why they must do and continue to do what they have to do.The fact is that OT has a duty to keep those children safe. We need to understand that uplifting of children is the very last resort the very last choice that OT has. It's not the social worker's choice. They have gone through many steps before they get to that point the endpoint being a court order. We need to make it clear that Oranga Tamariki will not stop uplifting children if there is a continued danger for those children whether that danger be that they are being abused or the potential for being killed. There is no apology for that—there is no apology for that. The fact is that every two days in this country whether people want to believe it or not a child is admitted to hospital with non-accidental injuries. That's the sharp pointy end that our social workers have to deal with and it is disgraceful and unfortunate that they have been lost in this argument that their wellbeing has been lost in this argument.New Zealand First and I'm sure every other party in this House back Oranga Tamariki and the hard-working selfless right-minded social workers who do a great job in this country in very very difficult circumstances.The debate having concluded the motion lapsed.
Tuesday 30 July 2019 - Volume 739
National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill (No 2) be reported to the House by 4 November 2019.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 55 Ross.Motion agreed to.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Bill read a second time.
Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill — Second Reading
10. Question No. 10—Building and ConstructionGARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Minister for Building and ConstructionQuestion No. 10—Building and Construction10. GARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Minister for Building and Construction: Does she think there is a role for innovative sustainable housing options such as tiny houses to address the housing shortage in New Zealand and promote better use of available land?Hon JENNY SALESA (Minister for Building and Construction): Yes I agree that there is a role for innovative sustainable housing options such as tiny houses in addressing the supply of housing in Aotearoa New Zealand.Gareth Hughes: Does she think that in a housing crisis local authorities should be supporting tiny houses instead of punishing people who live in them and threatening to demolish their home?Hon JENNY SALESA: Local authorities are required to interpret the building code and whether or not buildings comply with the code. I acknowledge that there can be some differences in interpretation of the code between local authorities which is why the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is able to settle disputes by way of determination under the Building Act of 2004.Gareth Hughes: Is it within the scope of the next building code system consultation which begins on 5 August to create standards for tiny houses and small apartments?Hon JENNY SALESA: I'm open to considering all options regarding the kinds of buildings that the member has described. I agree that the Government should investigate all options for innovative solutions to the housing crisis. Since 2018 I've instructed MBIE to look at the building code twice a year. These updates provide a clear repeatable pathway to ensuring that the building code is updated on a regular rather than an ad hoc basis.Gareth Hughes: Will the Minister commit to investigating a New Zealand standard for small living spaces including tiny houses and apartments to provide the guidance local authorities and the building industry need to deliver this innovative sustainable type of housing?Hon JENNY SALESA: I'm happy to look into it further. I'm currently working on a significant legislative reform programme to the Building Act 2004 to ensure that we futureproof New Zealand's building regulatory system. I'm seeking further advice on this from MBIE and we are also in the process of analysing this Building Act 2004. I welcome the member's involvement in that.
7. Question No. 7—RevenueDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of RevenueQuestion No. 7—Revenue7. Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of Revenue: What advice has he seen in relation to the auto-calculation of tax refunds for individuals?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Revenue): Since the end of May Inland Revenue has automatically refunded $572223260 in cold hard cash.Hon Members: Wow!Hon STUART NASH: It's a good amount.SPEAKER: And 91c.Hon STUART NASH: Yes sorry. This has landed in the bank accounts of over 1.3 million hard-working Kiwis. It's $188 million more than was refunded last year at an average of $430 per taxpayer. Taxpayers are now getting refunds faster and direct to their accounts without the need to pay a middleman or woman. This Government is committed to ensuring that taxpayers pay their fair share of tax—nothing more nothing less. That's why we are delivering on our promises for a fairer tax system and we are making progress.Dr Deborah Russell: How many taxpayers will have a bill to pay as a result of the auto-calculation and how will the changes to secondary tax codes help mitigate this in future?Hon STUART NASH: Inland revenue has completed or initiated almost 2.9 million tax assessments. Of these assessments 271000 people will have a bill to pay averaging around $353. But these are not due until 7 February 2020. The good news though is that the changes this Government made to pay-day reporting in removing unnecessary secondary tax codes means that Inland Revenue will have better information throughout the year to actively contact taxpayers to ensure they don't end up with a huge tax bill at the end of the year.Dr Deborah Russell: How will the auto-calculation of assessments and pay-day reporting help families with children?Hon STUART NASH: Almost 330000 families with 400000 children will now receive more accurate Working for Families payments during the year. This means that families will get the money they are entitled to to help with everyday living costs and reduce the risk of finding themselves with a debt at the end of the year.Hon Members: Well done.Hon STUART NASH: Thank you. These refunds and more accurate payments are only possible because of the Government legislation we have passed in the last 18 months. Gone are the bad old days when one had to go cap in hand and apply for a refund and one could cherry-pick the years to pay the tax bill but those with families could not. Somewhat surprisingly the National Party stood in the way of hard-working Kiwis and families and voted—SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member knows that he is not allowed to use a Government supplementary—well maybe he doesn't know. But I'm telling him now: he's not allowed to use a Government supplementary in order to attack the Opposition. It's a longstanding rule; the member's been round here for a long time and it wouldn't do much harm for him to listen every now and again to a ruling.
6. Question No. 6—FinanceHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 6—Finance6. Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister of Finance: Does he accept that Government spending decisions involve trade-offs; if so does he stand by his statement these things are not trade-offs against one another" in relation to the Government spending $7 million on Artists in Schools and not reinstating $6.5 million for cochlear implants?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): In the broadest possible sense in Government spending as in life there are decisions that need to be taken to take one action or another—so in that sense yes. In response to the second part of the question yes in the context of the full statement I gave.Hon Paul Goldsmith: So why in Budget 2019 did the Government allocate $1 billion to the Provincial Growth Fund and just an extra $10 million a year to Pharmac to buy lifesaving drugs?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The $1 billion was granted in accordance with the coalition agreement between the Labour Party and New Zealand First. In response to the second part of the question the amount of money that goes into Pharmac varies from Budget to Budget. An extra $114 million went in in Budget 2018 $10 million went in in this Budget and I note I think it was between the years 2014 and 2015 absolutely no new money went into the Budget for Pharmac.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Does he accept there's a trade-off between giving a baby bonus to high-income families and putting more money into cancer drugs?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: We put together a Families Package that will leave 380000 families $75 a week better off. That is a very important investment. When it comes to our investment in Pharmac that is part of a health budget that has increased I believe in this latest Budget by around 11.5 percent. We are taking the time now to rebuild a health sector completely undermined by the under-investment of the previous Government.Hon Paul Goldsmith: So does he accept that there's a trade-off between providing free fees at university and tertiary to students from high-income families and putting more money into cancer drugs?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Once again the member as with previous finance spokespeople on the Opposition side has mischaracterised that policy. I think it's an interesting insight into the mind of the member that he doesn't think that policy is actually for apprenticeships and industry training and people who are already in the workforce who haven't studied beyond school. It is a policy that is about investing in the future skills of a range of New Zealanders.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Why is the Government indexing benefit rates to inflation but not indexing tax brackets to inflation and what message does that send?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: We were responding in the case of the indexation to in part the Welfare Expert Advisory Group's call and actually to undo a massive injustice done to those on benefits dating all the way back to the "mother of all Budgets.""
4. Question No. 4—Social DevelopmentANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentQuestion No. 4—Social Development4. ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development: What recent initiatives has she announced about supporting young people towards employment?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): On Friday I announced an initiative led by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to help young people in Auckland to gain their driver's licence. The partners in this scheme include the Ministry of Justice New Zealand Police the Auckland Business Chamber Vehicle Testing New Zealand and low-decile secondary schools across the Auckland region. This initiative is a three-year commitment and over the next financial year will help more than 3000 people gain their driver's licence. We know that not having a licence can be a major barrier to finding a job. Removing this barrier will increase the employment opportunities available to young people.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What other initiatives from MSD will help support people to get their driver's licence?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: In June we launched a national scheme for youth involving a partnership between MSD Oranga Tamariki and the New Zealand Transport Agency. Over the next two years the youth scheme is expected to support up to 2500 people in the Youth Service or Oranga Tamariki care to get their driver's licence. On top of that across New Zealand MSD clients can also get help with getting or renewing a licence. In the six months to March 2019 MSD helped 5500 people from all over the country to get a driver's licence.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: Why are these initiatives important?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: We recognise how important it is for people to have a driver's licence. Job seekers have an advantage if they have a licence and in some cases it can be the deciding factor on whether or not they get the job. We're committed to investing in people in Auckland and across the country to help them gain this important qualification and reduce this potential barrier to meaningful and sustainable employment. Supporting young people to get a driver's licence will make the roads safer for everyone and will enable them to access more opportunities for work and training.
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Madam Assistant Speaker it's a real pleasure I must say. It's the first time I've stood up since your appointment. I think one member said Elevation to the bench." which I'm not quite sure is proper usage but it's great to be under your beneficent gaze for this short speech on this important piece of legislation.This is important though. To move away from that levity it is an important piece of legislation which touches on—I mean war crimes are a very serious matter. Firstly as Mr Strange said it's bizarre to understand that people enter into conflicts of such horror and yet on the other side of the ledger it is also strange to think that we place rules around how nation States are permitted to exert violence against each other. But nevertheless we know from the horrors of the First World War and later that there has been an increasing move to understand what is a legitimate and appropriate use of force and what in some strange way is a permitted use of force including force which of course causes death and very serious and horrific injury.I guess the important thing here is the real importance of multilateralism—that we absolutely need an international framework where parties agree what's permitted and what isn't. This is certainly an international treaty and series of treaties which does have in a large part that. It's disappointing to see that there are a number of outlier States that haven't voted in favour of it. Indeed outliers at the moment include China Iraq Israel Libya Qatar USA and Yemen. They voted against it in 1998 and I must say when you see those nations put together they're certainly strange bedfellows. If you dig a little bit deeper you'll see the various reasons why. For example one of the reasons it was voted against was the provision that says it's a war crime to move people into occupied territories and that wasn't acceptable to some of those parties.But the other interesting thing here is that increasingly conflicts cannot be categorised in terms of wars between States. One of the things that these amendments from Kampala and from the UN in New York set out is the rules applicable to non-international conflicts and we see this in many many places around the world—Syria is one tragic example of that. We know that inappropriate means are used in conflicts like that perhaps more often than those between nation States where there is a much longer term and much better ability to negotiate the terms of war. So it's really good to see that there's protection of people where their status as combatants or their status as citizens of one State or another is unclear or contested—that any people can be protected regardless of the kind of legal niceties around international humanitarian law and the law of war.I don't want to dwell on it any more other than to say that I'm proud of us being part of a multilateral grouping which recognises the humanitarian side of conflict and is abiding by it. Thank you.Motion agreed to."
Reports — War Crimes Amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
Copyright (Marrakesh Treaty Implementation) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Financial Markets (Derivatives Margin and Benchmarking) Reform Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Dowie SarahSARAH DOWIE (National—Invercargill): Oh look thank you Madam Speaker. I too rise in support of this Financial Markets (Derivatives Margin and Benchmarking) Reform Amendment Bill in its second reading. I actually want to take the time to thank colleagues from both sides of the House for explaining this bill in plain simple English despite it being quite technical in nature. But I would have to add to that that any bill that looks to improve efficiencies to create a more sound regime and to cut red tape needs to have attention and needs to be passed forthwith so that our lending institutions can obtain capital in derivatives so that they too can on-lend to New Zealanders.It's this side of the House that supports an expansive economy despite the Government's best efforts to slow it down through its various reforms. But we are the supporters of business businesspeople who take risks businesspeople who look at their trading or their provision of goods and services. If there is a chance for expansion and the need for them to obtain capital to do that then we want to make things easier for them to obtain that capital and to expand their business because ultimately that means that they will take on extra people. There will be extra employment opportunities available and that of course puts food on the table for that person so that they can achieve their hopes and dreams. So any legislation that reforms our banking sector that means that our banks can obtain capital in line with international regulations is a good thing and we certainly support that.I just want to end with congratulating Deborah Russell on her appointment to the chair of the Finance and Expenditure Committee. We had the privilege of having her chair the Environment Committee. She was extremely apt. She is a very fair and collegial chair and I'm sure she will bring the same aptitude to the Finance and Expenditure Committee and I do wish her all the very best as she takes on that role. So with that with a very short call I support this bill.
McKelvie IanIAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei): Thank you. Well you can be sure my contribution will be as agrarian as the last one was academic.There's an issue that I came on to the select committee very late in the piece with this bill. The other thing that intrigued me was I've followed Minister Damien O'Connor many times around this House but I've never followed him on a bill as technical as this. His understanding of it might be slightly better than mine but it is a very complex issue this.I think if you go back to my younger days in the finance industry and one or two of those things I always thought this was some form of gambling. I guess the very fact that this has turned up as a bill and is of international concern really means it probably was a form of gambling actually just a very expensive one and a very complex one. I think that what we knew as hedging once upon a time I suppose has evolved into the use of derivatives and all sorts of other things. Of course derivatives are really used to hedge a position basically. The original design of them was of course to make a position much more secure. In fact we saw many companies over the years make money out of hedging. Equally many companies lost money in the same manner or by the use of derivatives.So this bill is a bill that we support. It is a very technical bill. Most New Zealanders will never come across most of the terminology used in this bill and most of the facts. I thank Dr Deborah Russell for—this is the second time I've heard her give a great explanation of a very complex issue in this House. I'm very pleased that when she was spending her time lecturing at Massey University she taught those kids what to do and how to do it properly; hopefully they'll know. Maybe some of those wonks she talked about were some she'd taught.But it is a complex bill and it's a bill that we support. I think there will always be some doubt when you're dealing with issues as technical as this as to whether you've got them exactly right. There's no doubt I think that this will come back both internationally and locally in the future because there will be some changes that will be required to just secure the position of this bill.It does shore up I suppose our financial community—gives them the opportunity to compete in the world market on equal footing with everyone else which is most important. It also gives them some protection in that market. So with those few words I commend the bill to the House and look forward to the very complex committee stage in the House. Thank you.
Hudson BrettBRETT HUDSON (National): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'd like to congratulate the Minister the Hon Damien O'Connor on that speech. It does great justice to this bill—both as arid as the Sahara. The Financial Markets (Derivatives Margin and Benchmarking) Reform Amendment Bill is indeed an incredibly important piece of legislation in front of this House. It almost goes without saying that we as a nation of property owners and a nation of small businesses could not possibly hope to survive let alone thrive if our banks found themselves cut off or constrained in their ability to generate or get capital from around the world. So with changing requirements from trading partners and blocs such as the EU it is important that we take the steps necessary to allow those banks and institutions to continue to access capital markets but indeed enable New Zealand to continue trading with the likes of the European Union.I actually sat on the Finance and Expenditure Committee for most of the business of this bill and it was—I would have to note that my colleague Andrew Bayly found the subject fascinating. And while we were all very studious and alert and participating he truly understood to quite a degree all of the workings of the financial instruments that we were looking to regulate through this bill. I would note one other point Madam Speaker. Your most recent presiding officer colleague in her previous capacity also spent a small amount of time on the committee on this bill. We couldn't help but chuckle across the table at each other when officials admitted that one item—which was an amendment to the bill by the way—that was in the original bill the outright transfers of collateral or clause 18 wasn't actually intended to be in the bill as it was originally conceived. What they had discovered was a small piece—well small but it actually proved to be quite challenging—of reform or tidying-up that they had wanted to do for some time found itself presented with a passing train that was this legislation. So they hooked that particular carriage to this bill only to discover that it was a much more complicated task than they'd imagined. Ms Dyson and I looked across the table and had recollections of the last Parliament of officials doing exactly the same thing with a statutes amendment bill. Like this clause that case was also quickly unhitched and sent down a siding so that we could continue with the substance of that bill then and this bill now. But it was a lighter moment in the passage of time in what proved to be an interesting yet dry subject.We need this. These changes are important to ensure that Kiwis can continue to get their loans for things such as their houses that they need and that businesses can get loans to help them grow their businesses and to employ more people because that is fundamentally what the economy is: it is the creation of jobs and incomes and prospects for New Zealanders. That is why we say our bottom line is you—it is New Zealanders. So we have no hesitation at all in commending this bill to the House.
O'Connor DamienHon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister for Biosecurity): I move That the National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill (No 2) be reported to the House by 4 November 2019.I do so for the following reasons: the Mycoplasma bovis outbreaks demand that we continue to improve the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) system as quickly as possible; the changes need to be enacted so that they sit alongside the work NAIT Ltd is carrying out to fix the system—that includes a multimillion-dollar investment to improve the system's operability; a well-functioning animal tracing system enforces our trade reputation for food safety; the changes have been well signalled to industry and stakeholders and there is general agreement on the need to improve NAIT; and lastly a proper-functioning NAIT is vital to prevent bad outcomes should other diseases arrive here.
Yule LawrenceLAWRENCE YULE (National—Tukituki): It's a pleasure to rise and take a very short call on this bill. But as is appropriate I do want to acknowledge the contribution to this House of the Hon Nathan Guy as he has announced his retirement at the election next year. I do so on the basis that I've never seen commodity prices at the level they are for nearly 20 years across the board. In my view that is significantly due to the likes of the Hon Tim Groser and the Hon Nathan Guy and others who forged export markets. I acknowledge that that's a cross-party thing that's been done by this Government as well but credit where credit's due. Our farmers are enjoying some of the best trading conditions that they've seen in decades and a lot of that is due to the efforts of Nathan and his thinking and wisdom and his time in Cabinet. So Nathan you'll be a big loss to this House and I thank you for your efforts. Just on this National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill (No 2) we are supporting it. Minister can I thank you for sending your officials across last week; that was very helpful. I would signal that I have raised some concerns and I will through the process about the implications of keeping transport operators in the mix and their need to effectively become another form of police along the way. A number of transport operators expressed concern to me and Minister I'm just saying—in this House—that I think that is something that should be resolved in a select committee. As has already been said we don't support the truncated select committee because these are exactly the type of things that should be resolved properly with due process and due information. It's my pleasure to speak and commend this bill to the House.
van de Molen TimTIM VAN DE MOLEN (National—Waikato): Thank you Mr Speaker. I also bestowed upon Mr Guy for his significant contribution. It has been a privilege to have worked with you and to learn from you as well over this period of time. All the best for the future. I would also like to acknowledge our incoming agricultural spokesperson Todd Muller who's done a magnificent job in the climate change portfolio. I have every confidence he will be just as successful in agriculture—all the best to him as he works through that. Now this particular bill is the second suite of changes as we've heard. The initial ones well there was some debate around the success of that process—which we might come to a bit later. But with this it's looking to make some additional changes which will see in some instances potentially some extra costs on farmers to comply to adhere with the system. I appreciate the actions of the Government have demonstrated they don't have particular regard to additional costs not just for farmers but for the wider public. However that's something that we will be looking at. The select committee is of course the appropriate place to thrash that out so I'm looking forward to a number of considerations being brought up there. Biosecurity of course is critical for us and I expect it will be well canvassed at that point. I do just want to acknowledge the Minister as well and thank him for the effort he's put into this and making some changes. We have been collaborative we'll continue to be on this bill and I look forward to seeing it in select committee.
Walker Hamish; Rurawhe AdrianHAMISH WALKER (National—Clutha-Southland): Mr Speaker can I start by acknowledging the departing MP who announced his retirement today the MP for Ōtaki Nathan Guy. Nathan Guy's not leaving until the election but he's been a great help to me since coming into Parliament over the last two years. I didn't actually realise how popular Nathan was. He's been down to Southland four or five times in the last two years and the last time I worked him to the bone. I took him round three public meetings—in Winton Gore and Balclutha. There was a discussion with the public on the National Party primary sector discussion document and we got around 80 to 100 people per meeting. So Nathan sorry to work you so hard that day. I think you left home about 4.30 to catch that flight and you would've got home well after 10 o'clock. Nathan's been a great Minister for Primary Industries. He's also led our policy discussion document over the past 12 months and Nathan was actually the Minister when the National Animal Identification and Tracing reviews started back in 2012.The bill is simple. At the moment what happens with Mycoplasma bovis for the hard-working Ministry for Primary Industries officials and staff—and can I acknowledge them; they're working extremely hard on the ground with the outbreak of the disease. It's a bit like dropping a puzzle into a thousand pieces on a table and then trying to piece it all together to try and figure out where the source actually came from which is a bit like finding a needle in a haystack and then trying to piece together basically the tracing and the traceability which has been incredibly tough. This bill is reasonably simple. If you did drop that 1000-piece puzzle on the table it would all be numbered; so you'd be able to identify the source straight away and you'd save a lot of time because there has been some frustration out there in rural New Zealand over last year around the lack of communication. A lot of this is the fact that it's really hard to trace this horrible disease.Can I finish by acknowledging the current Minister of Agriculture Damien O'Connor for his assistance over the last 12 months. Thank you for briefing us on this report a week or two ago and being so open with your office around cases of affected farmers and also everyone out there that's been affected by this horrible disease. With that I commend this bill to the House.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): This is a split call. I call the Hon Clare Curran—five minutes.
Adams AmyHon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn): Thank you Mr Speaker. Look I do want to take a short call on this National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill (No 2) but before I turn to the bill if you'd indulge me Mr Speaker I just want to begin by acknowledging the announcement today from my colleague the Hon Nathan Guy who not only was the Minister who kicked off the review of NAIT—and so it's quite apposite where I'm mentioning it in this bill debate—but was obviously the Minister of the primary sector and primary industries for a number of years in the last Government has been a spokesperson as a farmer himself and has been a superb colleague Minister and spokesperson. To Nathan and his family I wish them all the best. He's certainly going to be missed here although I'll be joining him in the exiting as well. I know my colleagues who remain will certainly miss his very valuable contribution. National does support the bill. You've already heard that from colleagues who have spoken before me. It is very clear that the M. bovis outbreak has shown up some particular deficiencies in the NAIT system and it's only right that they be addressed through this House and National certainly wants to work pragmatically and practically with the Government on that. The bill has got some very good components to it certainly and I do want to thank the Minister for making his officials available to us—that we could go through the bill and understand it. I think that's a very useful and sensible way of approaching legislation like this which should be fundamentally bipartisan. We do have some concerns around particular aspects of the bill but the select committee is the right place to tease those out. But certainly in terms of making sure our biosecurity system is absolutely fit for purpose and supports what remains New Zealand's core industry that supports our economy and at a time where our economy is facing significant challenges for a number of reasons including the incumbent Government it is important that this industry supports it and for that reason we commend the bill to the House.
Hudson BrettBRETT HUDSON (National): Thank you Madam Speaker. Well that was interesting and it just goes to reinforce the fact that this Government has gone soft on drugs—soft on drugs; soft on crime. Just a brief note: even their firearms reforms—more responsibility and cost on law-abiding Kiwis; nothing at all on gangs and genuine criminal activity. Here we have a complete approach of going soft. To listen to Mr O'Connor speak what you could take from the extension of the logical argument is do nothing. I heard him say half a tonne of meth is not worth stopping and possession is not worth worrying about. This bill which is under the cloak—and it is a mere cloak; a disingenuous cloak—of trying to treat matters of addiction and problems as health issues is simply an attempt to decriminalise the use of all illegal drugs while nominally still claiming that they are illegal.There is simply no way—there is simply no way and this is in the words of the police representatives themselves—if this passes that police officers are going to be focused on even attending to these sorts of matters. Give me one example—one example—where it will be able to be argued that a therapeutic approach is not more beneficial to the offender than other measures.Chlöe Swarbrick: That's the point.BRETT HUDSON: It's never going to be argued—never going to be argued. So Ms Swarbrick that is why it is decriminalisation of all drugs by stealth. It will never be the case that a legal action against someone caught in possession of illegal drugs will ever actually go down a prosecution path. I'll tell you another difference with Portugal which Mr O'Connor claims to have visited but perhaps didn't study is the reason Portugal's approach is quite different to this one is it has a sliding scale of actions on being caught in possession. If the offenders don't follow those then they end up with the same sort actually of criminal convictions as used to be the case potentially—although they do have the opportunity on several occasions to mend their ways shall we say.But this is simply an excuse by the Green Party that has long wanted to legalise all drugs in this country that by stealth are simply going to decriminalise this. They're not going to make the problems go away. Not dealing with the problem is not going to make it go away. Taking a soft approach is not a corollary. If Mr O'Connor is to be taken at face value when he says that everything we've done to date doesn't work and it isn't a proven case then that by doing the opposite it's going to get any better. In fact if you remove the barriers to demand the only thing we should expect out of this is that usage will increase. And it won't go through the roof: this is not an argument that we are going to have streets full of addicted and intoxicated people but it will reduce a barrier to demand and we can anticipate that there will be more of it. We oppose this bill. We certainly will not be commending it to the House.
1. Question No. 1—HealthDr LIZ CRAIG (Labour) to the Minister of HealthTUESDAY 30 JULY 2019The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Karakia.ORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Health1. Dr LIZ CRAIG (Labour) to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about dialysis and cardiac facilities at Middlemore Hospital?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): Earlier this month I visited Middlemore Hospital to announce that the Government has approved the upgrade and expansion of its high-dependency dialysis unit and cardiac catheter laboratory. Counties Manukau District Health Board (DHB) has high health needs particularly among Māori and Pacific communities and the clinicians I spoke with during my visit told me of the significant pressure these services have been under and the effect that has had on their patients. They welcomed confirmation that the DHB's self-funded $14.6 million project will now go ahead and increase capacity for both of these vital services.Dr Liz Craig: How much extra capacity will be added due to this development?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Last year Counties Manukau DHB's high-dependency dialysis service which currently has 20 beds treated up to 92 patients a week. This upgrade and expansion will deliver an extra six beds which means an additional 24 patients can be treated each week. The investment also means a second cardiac catheter laboratory will be built at Middlemore providing more specialist procedures for people with acute and long-term cardiac conditions. This long overdue expansion of services will make a huge difference to people in Counties Manukau.Dr Liz Craig: How important are these sorts of capital investments in our hospitals?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Modern fit-for-purpose health facilities play a key role in ensuring that New Zealanders get the care they need to improve their health and wellbeing. As a Government we are committed to improving the standards of our hospitals and health facilities which have been neglected for far too long. The Wellbeing Budget included investment of $1.7 billion for capital works in health—more than the previous Government invested over all its nine Budgets in just our first Budget of this nature.
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12. Question No. 12—EnvironmentDr PARMJEET PARMAR (National) to the Minister for the EnvironmentQuestion No. 12—Environment12. Dr PARMJEET PARMAR (National) to the Minister for the Environment: Does he stand by his statement about regulation of genetic engineering I think that the precautionary approach hasn't done us any harm so far either economically or environmentally"; if so why?Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister for the Environment): Yes because it has benefited New Zealand which explains why GM regulation did not substantially change over the last nine years of the previous Government.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: Does he believe the Ministry for the Environment is incorrect to have concluded that New Zealand's regulatory framework for genetic modification under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act is increasingly difficult to enforce and may be limiting the country's competitiveness?Hon DAVID PARKER: No.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: Has he asked for any further advice on the economic or environmental impact of continuing his precautionary approach in light of his colleague the Hon James Shaw's willingness to take a fresh look at the genetic engineering regulations in New Zealand?Hon DAVID PARKER: I don't understand that the Hon James Shaw was proposing to abandon a precautionary approach in respect of GM. I did say to the Environment Committee last month that there is a rising issue as to whether or not some new genetically modified organism (GMO) techniques are distinguishable from other non-GMO changes. That issue is not quite upon us but may arise in the future and the Prime Minister's chief science officer is bringing forward some advice in respect of that issue.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: Does he believe organisms created using gene editing technology present greater risk than naturally occurring organisms?Hon DAVID PARKER: I'm not satisfied that that is yet sufficiently clear to allow those techniques to be unregulated.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: Does he agree with the Ministry for the Environment's advice that failing to update our legislation may result in organisms being regulated at a level not proportionate to the risk they pose and New Zealand missing out on the benefits they could provide such as advancing success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pests?Hon DAVID PARKER: If there was a miracle cure for climate change brought about by a GM crop I'm sure that any Government would consider it. At the moment it could be considered under the existing regulatory framework."
11. Question No. 11—Small BusinessMARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister for Small BusinessQuestion No. 11—Small Business11. MARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister for Small Business: What recent announcements has he made about making it easier for small businesses to access services from multiple Government agencies?Hon STUART NASH (Minister for Small Business): One of Budget 2019's priorities was to create opportunities for productive businesses and to support them to thrive in the digital age. Last week I was pleased to announce that $7.1 million had been dedicated to a new digital service to make dealing with Government easier. Business Connect is a new digital platform that will be available later this year to allow small businesses to interact seamlessly via a single portal. In time it will streamline the way central and local government services can be applied for managed and tracked. New Zealand consistently ranks number one as the easiest country to do business but there is still progress to be made and this Government is committed to finding and funding those ways.Marja Lubeck: How will the new platform Business Connect help small businesses?Hon STUART NASH: Small businesses and businesses in general tell us that they sometimes find public services complex to navigate and fragmented and it takes more time than it should to deal with repetitive paperwork. We have heard their appeals and are responding. By integrating access to multiple services and agencies Business Connect will cut out repetitive paperwork. In time businesses will be able to apply for a range of permits licences and consents without having to repeat the same information and documentation over and over again. Examples could include services that help make it easier to comply with food safety regulations. They will also be able to track the status of their applications and be notified online of approvals and renewals.Marja Lubeck: What Government agencies are currently signed up to the Business Connect and will this be extended to other agencies?Hon STUART NASH: Business Connect has two major phases. Phase one will initially trial services from three agencies. These are the Ministry of Primary Industries the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment and the New Zealand Customs Service. Phase two is likely to include other agencies who are in the Better for Business programme such as Inland Revenue the Accident Compensation Corporation the New Zealand Transport Agency and Statistics New Zealand. Officials are in active discussions with some local councils as well. The agencies in this programme account for around 93 percent of business interactions with Government and local government. We will be actively working with these agencies and local government on the services that make the biggest difference to businesses. Officials estimate the potential benefit to businesses and Government agencies from Business Connect is worth about $300 million per year. New Zealand as mentioned consistently ranks number one as the easiest country to do business—SPEAKER: Order! Order! I think I've heard that a few times recently.
8. Question No. 8—EducationJAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 8—Education8. JAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What announcements has the Government made about providing a long-term plan for building classrooms to meet student growth?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Good news: earlier this month the Government released the overview of the National Education Growth Plan showing how the Government is planning for 100000 additional places for students in high-growth areas out to 2030. It's supported by the largest investment ever by a New Zealand Government in school property. The $1.2 billion that we've put in coupled with the additional funding that we already have gets us half way to meeting the forecasted growth out to 2030. The National Education Growth Plan is a first for New Zealand. It is the first time that a national plan has identified where new schools might be needed to be built and the additional classrooms needed in current schools providing certainty to parents communities and of course the building and construction sector.Jan Tinetti: How does the National Education Growth Plan show parents and communities the additional students coming into their regions to 2030 and are planning for it?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: There are 39 individualised plans for around the country that provide high-level time lines out to 2030 showing how additional students coming into high-growth areas will be catered for indicating where investment in school property is likely to be. The plan that we announced last week included the individual growth plans for Auckland and for Te Tai Tokerau and we'll be releasing further plans over the coming months.Jan Tinetti: What announcements have been made to deliver modern warm classrooms in Auckland and Tai Tokerau as part of the National Education Growth Plan?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: When we announced the regional plans for Auckland and Te Tai Tokerau we announced an additional $200 million investment from the $1.2 billion fund. This investment sees $20 million for the construction of a new primary school in Milldale Wainui which will cater for 370 additional students; $155 million for 228 additional roll growth classrooms across 42 different schools in Auckland catering for around 4700 additional students; and $5 million for the expansion of an existing primary school catering for 250 additional student places. Around $20 million will provide 27 additional roll growth classrooms to nine schools across the north catering for 500 additional student places.