1. Limited Service Volunteer Programme—Government InitiativesMARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister of DefenceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSLimited Service Volunteer Programme—Government Initiatives1. MARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister of Defence: What progress has been made on the coalition Government's commitment to expand the Limited Service Volunteer Scheme?Hon RON MARK (Minister of Defence): Great question. Last Friday I attended the sod-turning of a new youth development facility at Whenuapai air force base allowing the construction to get under way. The $10 million 120-bed facility will be completed later in the year and will support vital youth development programmes such as Limited Service Volunteers (LSV) courses service academies and the New Zealand Cadet Forces. I wish to thank the Hon Scott Simpson and the chair of the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee Simon O'Connor who took time out of their busy schedules to accompany me to celebrate the occasion and I wish to acknowledge the apology from Louisa Wall MP who was with us throughout the morning but had to depart early before the sod-turning ceremony took place.Mark Patterson: What further plans does the coalition Government have with the Limited Service Volunteers scheme?Hon RON MARK: In this term of Parliament the coalition Government will be doubling the number of trainees going through Limited Service Volunteers courses from 800 to 1600 persons annually. This new facility is a significant first step in that uplift with many more announcements to come. Can I take the opportunity to thank my immediate predecessor the Hon Mark Mitchell who fought hard for the LSV scheme and contract to his Cabinet colleagues who cut numbers cut funding and closed down the youth development facility at Trentham. Mr Mitchell's work has provided us with a great springboard for achieving our targets. It's a shame he didn't win the leadership. [Interruption] SPEAKER: Order!Mark Patterson: How successful is the Limited Service Volunteers scheme?Hon RON MARK: Good question. As a patron myself of the Limited Service Volunteers scheme I have seen firsthand the amazing work done by Defence Force personnel in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Education in developing these young people. The scheme is hugely successful and participants come away from the course with increased self-esteem self-discipline self-confidence motivation and a desire to work. Based on 2016 figures 81 percent of LSV trainees completed the course and 52 percent were off the benefit within 16 weeks after graduation. That's why it is in the coalition agreement.Mark Patterson: What other social development initiatives involving the Defence Force will the coalition Government progress this term?Hon RON MARK: Along with the doubling of the Limited Service Volunteers scheme the coalition agreement secured the launch of a pilot of the Youth Employment Training and Education initiative involving the Defence Force and targeted at youth between the ages of 15 to 17 not in education employment or training.Hon Shane Jones: Neets."Hon RON MARK: The "neets". This Government will not abandon the 92000 "neets" as the previous Government did. We will operationalise these policies because this coalition Government is determined to help young New Zealanders to turn their lives around and succeed."