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Hipkins ChrisURGENCYHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move That urgency be accorded the passing through all stages of the National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill; the committee stage and third reading of the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 2); and the second and third readings of the Tariff (PACER Plus) Amendment Bill. The urgency motion covers three bills that have I understand support across the House and that all have reasons to be enacted in the current sitting block that are sufficiently strong to warrant the claim for urgency. The National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill will support the Mycoplasma bovis response and eradication programme by clarifying existing obligations regarding the declaration of animal movements search and inspection powers and offence provisions. The discovery of the first case of Mycoplasma bovis in the Tasman District this week has underlined the need for prompt action.The committee stage of the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 2) will include consideration of an amendment to the Customs and Excise Act 2018 that would correct a drafting error that would've resulted in the removal of excise-equivalent duty on imported champagne from 1 October.Hon Louise Upston: You wouldn't have minded that!Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The correction—ha ha!—needs to be in place in advance of that date although there are probably mixed views about that around the House.The enactment of the Tariff (PACER Plus) Amendment Bill before the Pacific Islands Forum summit early next month will support New Zealand's advocacy and leadership of improved trade in the Pacific. I ask the House to support the motion.
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Tēnā koe e Te Mana Whakawā. What a privilege it is to speak on this third and final reading of the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill. This is the day that this Government fulfils yet another one of its promises and I have only two things to say. First of all we welcome all people who live in New Zealand to buy a house here. Any New Zealand resident can buy a house here. No matter where they come from we welcome them all with open arms. There's just one other thing to say: we welcome any overseas investment which benefits New Zealand. Look at the bill—the benefit to New Zealand test is there in black and white. Anyone who comes to New Zealand with their money can buy our land if there's a benefit to New Zealand. New Zealand is here for New Zealanders. This bill is for New Zealanders—another promise fulfilled by this Government. We're going to keep doing it. I commend this bill to the House.
Russell DeborahDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn): Tēnā koe e Te Māngai o Te Whare. Mr Assistant Speaker this bill is what New Zealanders want. This bill is about New Zealanders retaining control over their own land. This bill is about New Zealanders having access to their birthright of a secure home in their own land. And I am proud of the work that the Minister David Parker has done to bring this bill to the House and get it through the House. I am proud of the work that the Finance and Expenditure Committee chair Mr Michael Wood has done getting the bill through the select committee and I am proud to have been part of that committee working to ensure that New Zealanders retain their birthright of having a say in who gets to own property in this country.I say to you that this is a welcoming bill. It is a bill that welcomes people who want to come and live in New Zealand who want to make a commitment to New Zealand. It welcomes them to buy property here. If someone makes a commitment to living in this country then of course they can buy a home here—if they make that commitment. All this bill does is ensure that non-residents non-citizens cannot buy homes here. Why? Because we want to ensure that New Zealanders and people who are committed to New Zealand can buy homes here and that's why this is the bill that New Zealanders want.This is what New Zealanders want and there are good reasons for wanting it. Part of it is just that retaining control but the other reason is that we have had a housing market that has failed. Oh it hasn't failed in terms of rising prices—which is fine for those who own property already and fine for those who can bring funding from overseas as non-resident non-citizens and owners but it is not fine for the young people who have been locked out of housing and it is not fine for Māori or for Pasifika—people living in and committed to this country who cannot afford housing here. Now this bill by itself will not rein in our housing market which has failed but this bill together with the action that this Government is taking right across the housing portfolio will help.That is exactly why I am proud to support this bill. I am proud to support what New Zealanders want and I commend this bill to the House.
Prime Willow-JeanWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour): Tēnā koe e Te Māngai o Te Whare.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Aroha mai rima meneti te roa o tēnei karanga.[Apologies this speech has a duration of five minutes.]WILLOW-JEAN PRIME: Āe tēnā koe—kia ora. E tino harikoa ana ahau ki te tū mō te wā poto ki te kōrero e pā ana ki tēnei pire. E tautoko ana ahau i tēnei pire. He aha ai? Nā te mea he whenua rangatira tēnei whenua. E mōhio ana ahau tētahi raruraru nui ko te raruraru ko te noho kore whare. Te maha o ngā tāngata e rēti hoki ana i ngā whare. E mōhio ana ahau he raruraru tēnei i roto i tōku ake takiwā i roto i Te Tai Tokerau. E mōhio ana ahau he raruraru tēnei mō te iwi Māori te tokoiti o ngā tāngata Māori ngā whānau Māori e hoko ana i ngā whare nō rātou te whare. He raruraru anō hoki mō ngā tāngata Pasifika.Ko tēnei tētahi kaupapa hei whakamāmā ake i tērā tū āhuatanga i tērā o ngā raruraru. Ko tēnei ko te aukati i ngā tāngata ngā kaihoko ngā tāwāhi te hoko i ngā whare o Aotearoa nei. He raruraru tēnei nā te mea 20 paihēneti o ngā whare i roto i te pito o Tāmaki-makau-rau nā ngā tāngata nō tāwāhi i hoko wērā whare i roto i te wāhanga tuatahi o tēnei tau. He mea nui te whakaruruhau ō tātou ake tangata i te tuatahi.Nō reira e kaha tautoko ana ahau i tēnei pire pau te kaha nō te mea he whenua rangatira tēnei ko tēnei tētahi mea hei whakamāmā ake i te tū āhuatanga o te nui o te utu ki te hoko i ngā whare me te nui o ngā tāngata e noho kore whare ana i roto i Aotearoa nei. Nō reira e tautoko ana ahau i tēnei pire kia whakairi ki tēnei Whare. Tēnā koe.[Yes thank you—thanks. I am very happy to stand for a short time and speak about this bill. I support this bill. Why? Because this is a fine country. I recognise there is a big problem: the issue of homelessness. So many people are also renting houses. I know this is a problem in my own electorate in Northland. I know this is a problem for Māori people as very few Māori people or families buy houses own houses. It is also a problem for Pasifika people.This initiative is designed to mollify that situation that issue. This will prevent people purchasers foreigners buying houses in New Zealand. This is an issue because 20 percent of the houses in central Auckland people from overseas bought those houses in the first part of this year. It is important to protect our own people first and foremost.Therefore I strongly support this bill with all my strength because this is a fine country. This is one thing that will ease the situation of the large price to buy houses and the large number of people who are homeless in New Zealand. Therefore I support this bill. May it come into effect in this House. Thank you.]ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): I call Andrew Bayly—five minutes.
Whaitiri MekaHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Minister of Customs): Tēnā koe Madam Deputy Speaker. Otirā e ngā mema o Te Whare nei tēnā tātou katoa. After listening to 10 minutes of that member Judith Collins it almost made me think Where has she been for the last nine years where the average family in this country has been shut out of owning their own home?" One million dollars to get a home in Auckland—one million dollars to get a home in Auckland and for nine long years that side did nothing about it. They shut ordinary New Zealanders out of participating in our own economy.I'm proud to stand here and take a short call on this important bill the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill because like my honourable Minister David Parker said in his opening remarks it is a bill intended to change the Overseas Investment Act because we here on this side of the House believe in productive foreign investment that adds value to our economy. We are a Government committed to maintaining New Zealand as an open outward-facing trading nation and this bill will help ensure that the greater proportion of foreign direct investment is directed into productive assets where the benefits of free capital flows are the greatest. This bill talks about addressing Kiwi homeowners and we should be proud about addressing that—that makes home affordability more available to Kiwi buyers. It talks about tourism forestry and of course the business sector.I will touch briefly in my time around the forestry and this Government's ambitious one billion trees. Where we go around the nation we want to encourage investment in forestry. This Government's flagship policy of one billion trees—half a billion by the industry; the other half a billion is a challenge that we want to take up on this side of the House. Why? It's quite simple: this is about meeting our carbon targets. It's also about raising economic value and opportunities in regions. This is what this bill does. The overseas investment legislation does it by two simple ways. The legislation itself will improve the coherency and the simplicity of New Zealand's screening regime for overseas investment in the forestry sector and like I said encourage growth and jobs and progress. It'll also apply two new screening pathways that have been introduced in response to sector feedback and I want to acknowledge Minister Parker himself and the officials that travelled up and down this country to ensure that what we are bringing to this House fitted with the needs of the industry local government and of course iwi. The screening pathways will offer simpler options for screening and will provide more certainty as we become a haven for overseas investment in the forestry sector. Also this bill removes a loophole and impediments to level the playing field in our forestry sector. This Government is committed to working with local government with industry with iwi and with all parts of society to ensure that we are planting trees in our region and this bill will enable that to happen. I commend it to the House."
1. Economy—ReportsKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of FinanceWEDNESDAY 15 AUGUST 2018The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.ORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSEconomy—Reports1. KIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he seen on the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I have seen reports on the health of our small businesses which indicate that they are in sound shape. Craig Hudson managing director at Xero said that their data tells a different story to that of business confidence surveys and he said that it's important not to talk ourselves into gloominess over the economy. He went on to say Actually the business performance is doing better than it was last year based on core metrics which is facts."Kiritapu Allan: What do the reports say about the drivers of economic growth?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Writing for Xero an independent economist named Cameron Bagrie said that the economy is currently "chugging along". He said that the previous drivers of economic growth such as the housing market and immigration are slowing and that more growth will need to come from other parts of the economy. He said a change in the economic model is needed. On this side of the House we agree. It is time to move away from housing speculation and population growth and towards productivity and innovation and an economy where all New Zealanders can take part and see real improvements in their standard of living.Kiritapu Allan: What did the report say about the underlying fundamentals of the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: In his analysis of the small business insights data Mr Cameron Bagrie pointed out that many positives in the New Zealand economy exist today: interest rates are still low jobs are aplenty the falling dollar is supporting exporters and New Zealand has one of the strongest fiscal positions in the world. He went on and on about the many good underlying fundamentals and he said the economy does not have a slew of red lights flashing that precede a major downturn. I am thrilled that Mr Bagrie is taking note of the many positive indicators in the economy and I might suggest the other side of the House do the same.SPEAKER: Now before I call question No. 2 I want to ask David Seymour if he interjected twice while that question was being asked. Yes yes he did. I will take that into account in the allocation of supplementaries in the next sitting week.David Seymour: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. No I misunderstood your question Mr Speaker. It was not while the question was being asked but rather while it was being answered.SPEAKER: OK. I will take the member's word."
Thursday 9 August 2018 - Volume 731
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 62New Zealand Labour 46; Green Party 8; New Zealand First 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 56.Motion agreed to.The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Hon Dr Nick Smith to clause 4 be agreed to:replace clause 4 with new clause 4:4Section 55 amended (How vacancies created)After section 55(1)(f) insert:(fa)if under section 55A they cease to be a parliamentary member of the political party for which they were elected; orA party vote was called for on the question That the amendment be agreed to.Ayes 56New Zealand National 56.Noes 62New Zealand Labour 46; Green Party 8; New Zealand First 8.Amendment not agreed to.The question was put that the following amendment in the name of Hon Dr Nick Smith to clause 4 be agreed to:replace clause 4 with new clause 4:4Section 55 amended (How vacancies created)After section 55(1)(f) insert:(fa)if under section 55A he or she ceases to be a parliamentary member of the political party for which he or she was elected or in the case of a merger of two or more parties he or she ceases to be a parliamentary member of that new merged party; orA party vote was called for on the question That the amendment be agreed to.Ayes 56New Zealand National 56.Noes 62New Zealand Labour 46; Green Party 8; New Zealand First 8.Amendment not agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That clause 4 be agreed to.Ayes 62New Zealand Labour 46; Green Party 8; New Zealand First 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 56; ACT New Zealand 1.Clause 4 agreed to.
Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill — In Committee
11. Youth Unemployment—Mana in MahiRINO TIRIKATENE (Labour—Te Tai Tonga) to the Minister of EmploymentYouth Unemployment—Mana in Mahi11. RINO TIRIKATENE (Labour—Te Tai Tonga) to the Minister of Employment: What recent announcements has the Government made to support employers and young people?Hon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister of Employment): Mr Speaker kia ora. I'm really pleased to inform the House that this morning the Prime Minister Minister Sepuloni and I jointly announced Mana in Mahi - Strength in Work which is a programme that will support young people to transition from benefit into employment while at the same time working towards level 4 or industry-required qualifications and working with our small to medium sized enterprise partners to address our skills shortage across a range of key industries that are vital to the New Zealand economy. Rino Tirikatene: What are the key components of Mana in Mahi - Strength in Work? Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Mana in Mahi is for people who are receiving a benefit particularly those aged 18 to 24. Young people who take part will be paid and they'll work towards recognised training qualifications—real qualifications that employers are looking for. This initiative will also include different industry qualifications alongside those that can be obtained as New Zealand Apprenticeships. We're very pleased to support this strategy from our Prime Minister which has been one of compassion from the start of her tenure here in Government. Rino Tirikatene: How will Mana in Mahi support employers? Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Employers will get a wage subsidy to help with the cost of hiring a young person getting a benefit and supporting them to get these qualifications. This will cover the real costs that businesses face in taking on a young person and getting them trained up and it will encourage employers to give young people on a benefit a chance. At the same time this is another pathway to addressing the skills shortage that many of our industries are facing.
10. Building and Construction Industry—Liability and RiskANDREW BAYLY (National—Hunua) to the Minister for Building and ConstructionBuilding and Construction Industry—Liability and Risk10. ANDREW BAYLY (National—Hunua) to the Minister for Building and Construction: What are the key elements to be addressed in the risk and liability reallocation" work in relation to the construction industry she announced yesterday during question time?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development) on behalf of the Minister for Building and Construction: Two key elements are investigating how we can ensure that consumers are protected through mechanisms such as insurance-backed warranties and whether we should limit or alter the liability of certain parties under the Building Act. We know that unbalanced risk affects how people procure design and construct buildings and it makes building consent authorities risk-averse and slow to authorise innovative and more efficient construction techniques and products.Andrew Bayly: When is it appropriate for design risks to be novated from Government agencies to their contracting counterparties?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: That's a question that I think is best dealt with in the detail and I'm not going to express a view about that here and now. We're committed as a Government to reviewing risk and liability not only in the residential sector but across the broader industry. There's work under way by the ministry on that now and the Minister expects to be able to take proposals to Cabinet on this towards the end of the year.Andrew Bayly: How should civil construction risks be apportioned between the Government agencies and their contracting counterparties?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well the question of civil construction risk is not contained in the primary question which was about risk and liability reallocation work that the Minister announced in yesterday's question time.Andrew Bayly: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The question relates to construction and relates to risks.SPEAKER: Yes but the specific primary question relates to an announcement yesterday during question time. I think the Minister acting for the Minister who made the announcement has made that reference and therefore while the member might not be satisfied with the answer it's certainly been addressed.Andrew Bayly: What other risks is she proposing to reallocate to Government agencies from contracting counterparties under the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment's Government procurement guidelines?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: So in relation to the matter raised in the primary question there are no other risks being allocated in the way the member refers within the risk and liability reallocation work that I referred to in yesterday's question time. Andrew Bayly: What new initiatives has she announced to protect subcontractors against the risk when construction companies fail? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: The question of risk allocation between head contractors and subcontractors is not dealt with within the risk and liability reallocation work that I referred to in yesterday's question time."
9. International Education—Post-study Work RightsJAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of ImmigrationInternational Education—Post-study Work Rights9. JAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of Immigration: What announcements has he made on post-study work rights for international students?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister of Immigration): Yesterday I announced a package of changes to post-study work rights for international students. The changes remove a channel of exploitation through the removal of employer-assisted visas and provide open work visas of varying lengths depending on course and location of study.Jan Tinetti: Why has he made these changes?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: The changes are designed to achieve four things: one to improve student experience including by reducing avenues for exploitation; two by lifting the value proposition of our international education offering; three to better match the courses of studies undertaken by international students with the skills needed in New Zealand if those students wish to settle in New Zealand; and fourthly to support regional development and skills training.Jan Tinetti: How does New Zealand compare with other nations in relation to post-study work rights?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Of our comparator countries only Canada has more generous work rights. New Zealand now compares favourably to Australia the US the UK and Ireland across all levels of study.Jan Tinetti: What has the reaction of the sector been to his announcement?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Overwhelmingly positive. I will choose just two quotes. Auckland University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor Jenny Dixon says This modernisation of work rights supports our efforts to recruit high quality high achieving students who enhance our learning community at the University of Auckland." John Diggins head deputy chief executive of the private training establishment Te Rito Maioha said "We very much support what the Minister has said today."Hon Michael Woodhouse: Is it still the Government's intention to make further changes to post-study work rights to meet their stated objective of a 12 to 20 percent reduction in those student visas or is this it?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: That is not a stated objective of the Government. We took some policy proposals out to the sector. We listened to them. We are a Government that works with the sectors that we regulate."
8. Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill—CommentaryHon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) to the Minister of JusticeElectoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill—Commentary8. Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) to the Minister of Justice: Does he agree in respect of the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill with the description by his ministerial colleague Eugenie Sage that it is a dead rat that we have to swallow" and by Greens at Vic that "The bill is a threat to democracy and terrible legislation"; if so why is he continuing to argue for its passage?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice): In answer to the first part of the question the Hon Eugenie Sage is entitled to her view; in answer to the second part of the question no; and in answer to the third part of the question because this Government is committed to ensuring the maintenance of the fundamental principle of MMP that party-proportional representation in Parliament has to be protected.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Does he accept the view of the Victoria University (Vic) Greens in describing the legislation as terrible and that it would breach the constitution of MMP in Germany which states that MPs must be "representatives of the whole people not bound by orders and instructions and subject only to their conscience." and why should MPs in New Zealand not also be only subject to their conscience and the public good?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: In response to the first part of the question no.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Does he agree with the statement on his bill by Newsroom titled "Power corrupts" that quotes former Green MPs Sue Bradford Jeanette Fitzsimons and Keith Locke stating that this Government was founded on the dishonourable foundation of these terrible electoral law changes?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: If I understand the question correctly the answer is no I don't agree with those propositions.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Does he agree with the further statement by the Greens at Vic "There is no justification for this legislation. There has just been three defectors in the past 18 years. The Government should just be honest and state the only reason they are passing this bill is to grab power."?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: No.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Supplementary Mr SpeakerSPEAKER: Question No. 9—Jan Tinetti—Hon Dr Nick Smith: Supplementary—he answered a little quicker.SPEAKER: Oh sorry—supplementary question the Hon Dr Nick Smith.Hon Dr Nick Smith: When he stated "There has been a lot of scaremongering on this bill. They are all wrong." was he referring to the Greens at Vic his ministerial colleague Eugenie Sage the 23 constitutional academics the Legislation Advisory Committee the Human Rights Commission the Clerk's Office former Speakers or past Green MPs all of whom have been highly critical of his bill?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: No—just that member."
7. Police—Deputy Commissioner of Police Inquiry into the Appointment ProcessCHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of Internal AffairsPolice—Deputy Commissioner of Police Inquiry into the Appointment Process7. CHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of Internal Affairs: Does she stand by all her statements around the Government inquiry into the appointment of the Deputy Commissioner of Police?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education) on behalf of the Minister of Internal Affairs: Yes in the context they were given except for one of my supplementary question answers yesterday which I corrected later in the day.Chris Bishop: Will she make amendments to the terms of reference of the Government inquiry into the appointment of the Deputy Commissioner of Police to incorporate the issue of whether Police Commissioner Mike Bush was told about the allegations revealed in the New Zealand Herald this afternoon; if not why not?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As has already been answered in the House today the terms of reference don't need to be adjusted for that matter to be investigated as part of the inquiry. It is certainly within the scope of the existing inquiry as the terms of reference make very clear.Chris Bishop: Why did she say yesterday in relation to the Government inquiry into the appointment of the Deputy Commissioner of Police I will not be overseeing the inquiry; I'm just the Minister of Internal Affairs." when as that Minister she is the appointing Minister for the inquiry and the inquiry reports to her?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: In that regard the Minister is acting on behalf of the whole executive—Cabinet. The appointment of the person to conduct the inquiry is a matter that the Minister takes to Cabinet and the ultimate report of the inquiry will also go to the whole Cabinet. Chris Bishop: Why did Cabinet make her the appointing Minister for the Government inquiry when the Minister of Internal Affairs has never been an appointing Minister for any Government inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2013?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Because Cabinet felt that I was the most appropriate Minister to undertake that role. I'd note that there are many Ministers in Government who have not or whose portfolios have not overseen an inquiry; that doesn't mean that they can't do so in the future.Chris Bishop: What is the reason she considered candidates to be the member of the Government inquiry into the appointment of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in two tranches with—quoting her—"at least five in the first tranche and then another five in the second tranche"?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: To get the right person.Chris Bishop: Can she confirm the Cabinet paper proposing the establishment of the Government inquiry is in her name the terms of reference for the inquiry were proposed by her to Cabinet she is the appointing Minister and formally appointed the inquiry member and the inquiry reports back to her as Minister of Internal Affairs?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes yes yes and yes and the Minister does so basically on behalf of the Cabinet."
6. Tax System—Multinational EnterprisesDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of RevenueTax System—Multinational Enterprises6. Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of Revenue: What recent steps has he taken to prevent the misuse of tax treaties by multinationals to avoid or minimise tax?Hon Gerry Brownlee: This is a very important member.SPEAKER: Order! Before the member answers who made that interjection?Hon Gerry Brownlee: It was me. I was speaking to my colleague.SPEAKER: No the member wasn't. The member boomed across the House.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I have a naturally large voice.SPEAKER: That's right; well we'll deal with it.Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Revenue) I'm happy to inform the House that the OECD's multilateral instrument or MLI has now been ratified and will enter into force for New Zealand on 1 October 2018. The misuse of tax treaties by multinationals to avoid or minimise tax was one of the key concerns the OECD/G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action Plan sought to address. The MLI is a key component of the BEPS response as it will quickly and efficiently modify thousands of existing international tax treaties to incorporate the OECD treaty recommendations on anti-abuse transfer pricing and dispute resolution.Dr Deborah Russell: How does the Multilateral Instrument ensure that multinational companies pay their fair share of tax in New Zealand?Hon STUART NASH: Double tax agreements are tax treaties that aim to mitigate double taxation across borders and border transactions between countries. However there was evidence that there was wide misuse of these treaties by multinational companies to reduce or eliminate their worldwide tax. The MLI provides New Zealand and other jurisdictions with the ability to swiftly close the identified loopholes by adjusting most existing international treaty clauses automatically rather than renegotiating each treaty individually.Dr Deborah Russell: What other measures is the Minister taking to ensure multinational companies pay their fair share of tax?Hon STUART NASH: In addition to the MLI the BEPS Act and the up and coming first exchange of information under the automatic exchange of financial account information initiative this Government has also not fully ruled out a diverted profits tax or equalisation tax to further address tax avoidance by multinationals. I expect further discussions with officials once the BEPS measures are bedded down.
5. Police—Deputy Commissioner of Police Appointment of Wally Haumaha and Inquiry into the Appointment ProcessCHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of PolicePolice—Deputy Commissioner of Police Appointment of Wally Haumaha and Inquiry into the Appointment ProcessCHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South): To the Minister of Police does he stand by all his statements in regard to the Government inquiry into the appointment of the Deputy Police Commissioner?SPEAKER: Order! The member will read the question as it's printed.5. CHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of Police: Does he stand by all his statements with regard to the appointment of Wally Haumaha as Deputy Commissioner of Police?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Police): Yes in the context within which they were given and knowledge at the time.Chris Bishop: Does Mr Haumaha enjoy his confidence as Deputy Commissioner of Police?Hon STUART NASH: There is an inquiry under way which will determine the process under which the senior State servant was appointed and I think we need to let that play out.Chris Bishop: Is he aware that Mr Haumaha was asked in his interview for the Deputy Commissioner of Police job Is there anything you need to disclose that we should know before we make our decision on this appointment that might cause damage to the police or the Government?" and that he answered no; and does he think that statement is correct?Hon STUART NASH: I wasn't sitting on the panel.Chris Bishop: Does he stand by his statement that he would have "done things slightly differently" if he was aware of Mr Haumaha's statements to the Operation Austin inquiry before he was promoted; and in light of today's new allegations what would he have done differently?Hon STUART NASH: Yes.Chris Bishop: Is it correct that Mike Clement who graduated from the Police College with Police Commissioner Mike Bush warned Mr Bush about Wally Haumaha and the potential risk to the reputation of police if he was promoted to assistant commissioner which occurred just 12 months before he was appointed to the deputy commissioner role?Hon STUART NASH: I suggest that member ask deputy commissioner Mike Clement those questions.Chris Bishop: Was Mr Haumaha invited to apply for the role of Deputy Commissioner of Police which the publicly available State Services paper says some people were invited to do; if so who invited him to apply?Hon STUART NASH: My understanding is the State Services Commission invited a number of people to apply for the role. They sent out a letter to all people who they thought may well have been appropriate.Chris Bishop: Can he confirm that when he captioned his now infamous weightlifting video in the parliamentary gym—SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member will ask the question conforming to the Standing Orders and Speakers' rulings.Chris Bishop: Can he confirm that when he captioned his weightlifting video in the parliamentary gym "Peeni Henare Wally and Alf - just calling those out who doubted …" the "Wally" in the caption was a reference to Wally Haumaha?Hon STUART NASH: Yes."
4. Economy—Monetary Policy Statement August 2018TAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki) to the Minister of FinanceEconomy—Monetary Policy Statement August 20184. TAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he seen on the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Today the Reserve Bank released its August Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) and its official cash rate (OCR) decision. This will be beneficial for members with the OCR left on hold at 1.75 percent. The MPS forecast that the slowdown in GDP growth which began at the start of 2016 should turn around from the June quarter this year with GDP growth of 3.2 percent forecast in the year to June 2019. The Reserve Bank notes that over the medium term growth is expected to be supported by fiscal policy export growth and supportive monetary policy settings and that GDP growth should average a little above 3 percent over the next 3 years. Tamati Coffey: What did the Reserve Bank say in the Monetary Policy Statement about recent and future growth trends?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The Reserve Bank said that growth in the March quarter had been soft in services construction and primary production—the latter being due to weather-related events and the effects of Mycoplasma bovis. It noted recent weakness in business confidence surveys and weaker than expected house price inflation. However the MPS shows that the Reserve Bank expects growth to pick up over the rest of 2018 and for medium-term growth of about 3 percent a year to be supported by monetary policy fiscal policy business investment and net exports.Tamati Coffey: What risks did the Reserve Bank highlight in the Monetary Policy Statement?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well it always pays to keep an eye on these risks. The Reserve Bank said that while there is still a positive global economic environment downside risks to the global outlook had increased since May in particular due to trade tensions overseas. The Reserve Bank also noted that there is a potential for low business confidence to feed through into firms delaying investment. However they said the outlook for business investment is positive in part due to low interest rates continuing to support greater investment.
1. Defence Force—NH90 Flight SimulatorDARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Minister of DefenceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSDefence Force—NH90 Flight Simulator1. DARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Minister of Defence: What progress if any has been made regarding the procurement of a flight simulator for the NH90 helicopter fleet?Hon RON MARK (Minister of Defence): Yesterday I announced the purchase of a $42.73 million flight simulator for the New Zealand Air Force's fleet of eight NH90 helicopters. This purchase is funded from within the New Zealand Defence Force baseline—Hon Member: Have you flown in it?Hon RON MARK: Ha ha! It will boost the availability rate for the NH90 fleet and free up more operational tasking hours that would have been used for training. The simulator facility will be ready for training activities at Ohākea in July 2020.Darroch Ball: What will this purchase mean for the air force pilot training pipeline?Hon RON MARK: Having a New Zealand - based simulator is the most efficient way to train and sustain the number of pilots in the fleet. It is projected to increase the number of trained NH90 pilots by over 30 percent by 2028 and will place less strain on the air force resources than the current system does. This will mean more pilots for supporting military operations in New Zealand and abroad and undertaking other tasks for Government agencies and maintaining their search and rescue coverage.Darroch Ball: What are the benefits of having a simulator based in New Zealand rather than overseas?Hon RON MARK: Training for NH90 pilots currently includes simulator-based training in Germany and Australia which involves pilots being away from New Zealand for several weeks at a time. Having a simulator in New Zealand will make more pilots and flight instructors available for deployment at short notice. The maintenance of the device will be provided by a contractor under an initial 13-year contract which will provide three long-term jobs in the Manawatū region. The purchase follows the announcement earlier in the year of the lease of four new King Air aircraft as well.
Smith Nick; Rurawhe AdrianHon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson): Mr Chairman I do note that you are required to report progress at five minutes to six. There isn't the opportunity remaining for a five-minute contribution—there's only 2½ minutes before you have to do that. I seek leave for the committee stage to conclude and for the Chair to report progress.CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.House resumed.Progress reported.Report adopted.The House adjourned at 5.54 p.m.
O'Connor Greg; Rurawhe AdrianGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu): I move That the question be now put.CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): The question is That the question be now put. Those of that opinion will say Aye—Tim van de Molen: Point of order.CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): We are having a vote.
Tirikatene RinoRINO TIRIKATENE (Labour—Te Tai Tonga): I move That the question be now put.
Andersen GinnyVIRGINIA ANDERSEN (Labour): I move That the question be now put.
SpeechCHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Before I give the call just because members can see the time clicking down the member on his feet has the call for that time and to start calling for a call is out of order until that member is finished.
Mark RonHon RON MARK (NZ First): I have decided listening to some of the commentary and listening to the Hon Mark Mitchell that I would take a minute—[Members applaud]. They might not be applauding in a moment Mr Chairman. I have to say I agree with Minister Little who said that the example that the Hon Mark Mitchell gave was not applicable. It's not applicable for a very simple reason. It's not applicable because there's never been an occasion when I have disagreed with my party's defence policy or its veterans' affairs policy. But it does raise an interesting question and that is for Mr Mitchell himself to answer as to how far he would have gone. How far would he have gone if he had not gotten his party to change them? I didn't have a problem because my party always had that stance. It was Mr Mitchell's party that flip-flopped around like a little leaf in the breeze. The question is actually for Mr Mitchell and on the back of the rumours and speculation and his own admissions publicly recently: does he raise this point at this point in time Minister Little to actually lay the ground for what he is intending to do and maybe give some justification as to what his own intentions are and to send the message to his own party? Maybe that's why the former Minister has raised that point.Hon Mark Mitchell: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I know that the speaker is deeply disappointed at no longer being a deputy leader of a party but trying to suggest that I am going to start a party and then he apply for the deputy leadership is ridiculousness.CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): That is a debating point. It is not a point of order. And while I am on my feet the encouragement I gave earlier about talking to the clause applies to everyone in the Chamber and the member has taken his first 1½ minutes to talk about issues that are actually not related to clause 4 of this bill and I would like him to turn his attention to clause 4.Hon RON MARK: So thank you for that Mr Chairman and I would simply conclude by saying that the example was actually erroneous. And I do take note within this that Mr Macindoe was making the point of clause 4 and using the example of Mr Anderton. I would simply say that Mr Anderton should have followed the example and this is a very staunchly debated point right now that Mr Anderton if this bill had been in place would have been required to go back to the electorate and seek a new mandate as he should have at that time.
Williams PotoELECTORAL (INTEGRITY) AMENDMENT BILLIn CommitteeDebate resumed from 8 August.Clause 4 Section 55 amended (How vacancies created) (continued)CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): Members when we were last considering the bill we were debating the question that clause 4 stand part. However before I give the call I wish to advise the committee that I have now received several tabled amendments to this clause. First I will advise the committee of an amendment that is out of order. The Hon Dr Nick Smith's tabled amendment to delete clause 4 is ruled out of order as a direct negation of the question.The Hon Gerry Brownlee was speaking and he has four minutes and seven seconds remaining should he wish.
Ngāti Rangi Claims Settlement Bill — First Reading
Luxton JoJO LUXTON (Labour): Tēnā koe e Te Mana Whakawā. Tēnā koutou Ngāti Rangi. Tēnā tātau katoa. It's my privilege to be able to stand and take a call on the Ngāti Rangi Claims Settlement Bill in its first reading. I want to acknowledge the Hon Chris Finlayson and the Hon Andrew Little for the work that they have done in getting this settlement bill to the House.One of the key principles within the Treaty is partnership and as my colleague and the previous speaker Harete Hipango has said today is a day of reflection and I am reflecting on what partnership means. Partnership is about communication it's about acting in good faith and it is about trust. There are clear examples in history when the Crown did not communicate did not act in good faith and broke trust with Ngāti Rangi. Two examples of this are the land that was taken on Ruapehu taken without consultation and certainly without compensation and the precious waterways within the rohe that were diverted for a power scheme—again without consultation.While a settlement by no means compensates Ngāti Rangi for all they have suffered for all the hurt and for all that they have lost this bill however is an important part of the process of repairing and strengthening the relationship between the Crown and Ngāti Rangi going forward in the future.I am not going to take up any further time and hold this process up because I know that this is an important process that we really need to get moving so that it can get to select committee and follow the process therein and end up at the third reading in the House in the near future. And I look forward to seeing that happen and I absolutely commend this bill to the House.
Urgent Debates Declined — Deputy Commissioner of Police Inquiry—Allegations
Points of Order — Audrey Young—30 Years with New Zealand Herald
Mallard TrevorURGENT DEBATES DECLINEDDeputy Commissioner of Police—AllegationsSPEAKER: I have received a letter from Chris Bishop seeking to have a debate on a matter of urgent public importance in relation to allegations printed today with regard to the Deputy Commissioner of Police. I apologise to the House for not having quite the considered ruling that I would normally have but this reached me in the House after the House commenced. I am not going to accept it and I'm going to rely heavily on the wise ruling of Mr Speaker Carter in 2016 when he said allegations can never constitute a particular case of recent occurrence. I also want to make it clear that if what the member has indicated are allegations were in fact established facts I would still not accept it because there is an inquiry that is looking into it and it would be in my opinion inappropriate of the House to pre-judge that inquiry.
Robertson Grant; Mallard TrevorPOINTS OF ORDERAudrey Young—30 Years with New Zealand HeraldHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I apologise but I hope the House will indulge me. I'd hoped to do this yesterday but I wonder if on behalf of the House I can congratulate Audrey Young on her 30 years with the New Zealand Herald which was marked yesterday. She started on 8/8/88. I can remember that day well from sixth form. I know that she has been here in the precinct for 24 of those 30 years. And I'd like to say on behalf of all members of the House that we've always appreciated Audrey your focus on getting to the heart and the truth of the matter and being a true representative of the fourth estate. So thank you for what you've done.[Applause]SPEAKER: And for once I'll say No comment.""
Hipkins ChrisTHURSDAY 9 AUGUST 2018The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.BUSINESS STATEMENTHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): Next week the House will give a third reading to the Appropriation (2018/19 Estimates) Bill. An imprest supply bill will be taken at the same time. The Overseas Investment Amendment Bill the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 2) and the Tariff (PACER Plus) Amendment Bill will complete their remaining stages. As notified to the Business Committee the National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill will pass through all stages under urgency.
Wednesday 8 August 2018 (continued on Thursday 9 August 2018) - Volume 731
Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill — In Committee (continued)
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 56.Motion agreed to.The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Hon Dr Nick Smith be agreed to:after clause 3 insert the following new clause:3ASection 5 amended (Functions)Insert new section 5(g):(g)consider and report to the House of Representatives on any use of the vacancy creation provisions referred to in sections 55 and 55AAB to 55E.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendment be agreed to.Ayes 56New Zealand National 56.Noes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Amendment not agreed to.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Speaker be recalled.Ayes 56New Zealand National 56.Noes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Motion not agreed to.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 56.Motion agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 73 in the name of the Hon Dr Nick Smith to insert new clause 3A be agreed to.Ayes 56New Zealand National 56.Noes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Amendment not agreed to.