edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Seymour David; Parker DavidDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): Thank you Mr Chair. I just have a question about a matter I wonder if the Government's considered: that the Government has raised the minimum wage to $20 per hour. The requirement to receive the minimum income family tax credit in a two-parent family is to work 30 hours a week; it seems to me that that would be $600. Now with the new level the income will be supplemented to about $608 and I guess—actually about $698. It seems to me that nobody could actually qualify on the 30-hour requirement unless they were earning less than the minimum wage.I don't know if perhaps I've missed something. Perhaps taxation—income tax—means that people would still require a top-up to get their after-tax income to the right level. But it seems that it's very possible that if the Government intends to continue increasing minimum wages at the rate it has it may be that nobody can actually qualify for the minimum income tax credit even at the rate that's proposed. That's not necessarily a bad thing but I just wonder if the Government has actually considered the interaction between the minimum wage and the minimum income family tax credit. Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue): I thank David Seymour for the question. The figure that the member quoted was the after-tax figure—net of tax figure—which is how the tax credit is calculated. The before-tax figure is higher.
Brownlee Gerry; Parker DavidHon GERRY BROWNLEE (National): We're on Part 1 and in Part 1 there are the adjustments to the minimum family tax credit. Under new section MF 4H inserted through clause 6—I might wait until the Minister to be fair to him is able to hear. In Part 1 section MF 4H Calculation of instalments: 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021" there's a calculation there based on the old figure of $30576 as the base amount. Then you have the calculation that is from 1 July 2021 to 31 March 2022 and that's based on the new amount of $31096.My question simply is: what is the difference in weekly income for the current arrangement for the period that is mentioned in section MF 4H and for the bit that is mentioned in section MF 4I for a family that has a dual income of $70000 and three children? It's not an unusual amount for people who are sharing an income $70000. It's quite a modest income for a household particularly if there are three children involved. So what are the three figures that they would currently be entitled to that they're entitled to between 1 April of this year and 1 July of this year and then that they will be entitled to from 1 July of this year right through until 1 April of 2022?Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue): I'm not able to give him that figure but to put it in context in table 5.2 on page 128 of the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update the family tax credit is listed and members will be able to see that the forecast for the 2021 year is slightly more than $2 million $2 billion—oh. I'm going to need to check that figure and come back to the member. I might be—Hon Gerry Brownlee: We don't have that document.Hon DAVID PARKER: Yes—Hon Gerry Brownlee: That document's not in the media pack that you put out today.Hon DAVID PARKER: Well this—Hon Gerry Brownlee: Where do we get it?Hon DAVID PARKER: Well it will be on the web if nowhere else. But I'm sure that the Budget and Fiscal Update I actually see sitting on the Table in front of me. So it is on the Table."
Seymour David; Parker DavidDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): Mr Chair thank you. I'd just like to ask a question for the Minister about the number of people that the Government anticipates will be affected by this change in the first year and the fiscal impact of doing so. How many people will have an additional income top-up because they will be able to qualify for a minimum income tax credit and when you add up the amounts of money that the Government anticipates or can at least forecast that they'll receive what is the fiscal impact of this change in the Government's estimates? Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue): The advice I have is that 4800 people will be affected by the change. I don't have the total amount that that entails to hand. I don't think—well I'm not sure that officials have that to hand either but if the member puts down a written question I could answer it. Suffice it to say that these are really things at the margin. It's not a huge amount fiscally. But I'll check that with officials and if I can get him an answer I will.
Parker DavidHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue): I agree with the member that we should be having a gap between the earnings of people who are in work compared with those on benefits. It's always difficult at the margins but that's what this bill attempts to remedy. The member is correct. It does it in numeric terms rather than percentage terms but in terms of the rate at which wages are meant to grow relative to inflation I'd refer the member to page 139 of Volume B.3 of the Budget Estimates where it shows wages rising ahead of inflation. Benefits are of course indexed to wage rate growth so whilst they will both increase by the same percentage if wages go up by more than the Consumers Price Index then so will benefits. The same percentage increase for both results in the gap between wages and benefits growing over time. So I think the member's concern that there is a diminishing incentive to work if that was his concern should be allayed by that fact.
Rurawhe AdrianIn CommitteePart 1 Adjustments to Minimum Family Tax CreditCHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Members the House is in committee on the Taxation (Budget 2021 and Remedial Measures) Bill. The first debate is on Part 1 which is clauses 3 to 6 Adjustments to Minimum Family Tax Credit". The question is that Part 1 stand part."
Mallard TrevorSPEAKER: The bill is set down for committee stage forthwith. I declare the House in committee for consideration of the Taxation (Budget 2021 and Remedial Measures) Bill.
Taxation (Budget 2021 and Remedial Measures) Bill — Vote Correction — First Reading
Mallard TrevorVoting Correction—First ReadingSPEAKER: Members before we move forward we have a correction to a vote. The vote on the first reading of the Taxation (Budget 2021 and Remedial Measures) Bill was incorrectly announced as Ayes 100 Noes 10. The correct result is Ayes 100 Noes 10 Abstentions 10. The record will be corrected accordingly.Second Reading Debate resumed.
Taxation (Budget 2021 and Remedial Measures) Bill — Second Reading
Mallard TrevorSPEAKER: The House is resumed. When we adjourned for the dinner break we were discussing the second reading of the Taxation (Budget 2021 and Remedial Measures) Bill.
Utikere TangiTANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North): Thank you Madam Speaker. I think that is just the ideal example as to why those members on the opposite side of the House are simply out of touch out of touch with what this Budget will mean for hard-working New Zealanders up and down the country—out of touch. The message I would give to the Opposition is that if that's the song sheet they wish to continue they'd better get comfortable on the Opposition benches because that's where they will be for some long long time.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Order! The member is speaking on the Taxation (Budget 2021 and Remedial Measures) Bill and I would invite him to mention the bill pretty soon.TANGI UTIKERE: Yes thank you Madam Speaker. On that basis I am delighted to commend the bill to the House.Sitting suspended from 5.59 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Roberts AngelaANGELA ROBERTS (Labour): It's been really interesting listening to these people on the other side of the House who obviously failed level 1 economics. They fail to understand the concept of circular flow. The increased money—[Interruption]—pay attention because you obviously failed—through this bill that flows into our most vulnerable households doesn't just disappear. What happens is it flows. It is spent in the local economy at the supermarket—like we heard earlier—on jam at the petrol station at the chemist and buying stationary for kids and school shoes. That in itself—Hon David Bennett: Point of order. The member's introducing a new concept into the debate of circular flow and I'd be really interested if she would define that because—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Thank you. [Interruption] Thank you. Thank you the member will resume his seat. Angela Roberts. ANGELA ROBERTS: Thank you. That in itself stimulates the local economy. It creates more jobs and more spending. Then if you managed to make it all the way to level 3 economics you would also understand the concept of fiscal multipliers: the positive impact on our economy and helping us to accelerate our recovery. Hope and dignity and economic arguments can flow together. I commend this bill to the House. ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): I call Nicola Willis for a five-minute call.
McDowall JamesDr JAMES McDOWALL (ACT): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'll just use this opportunity to take an extremely short unexpected call. These sorts of policies are an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. You can't have a failed Government policy after so long increasing costs to New Zealanders increasing living costs and increasing housing and failing at the housing market and then saying we need to make these changes to make it all fairer and more affordable. That is why we're opposing this bill. Thank you.
Menéndez March RicardoRICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH (Green): Tēnā koe Madam Speaker. The Green Party proudly supported this year's Budget because we support an increase in people having more income to live on and to move towards a livable world that protects against the effects of climate change. The reason why we are critical of this bill and I think it's really telling where the ideology of the National Party is coming from is because what we have heard in previous speeches is that ultimately the purpose of the minimum family tax credit is about keeping a difference in incomes between those that are unemployed and in paid work. It's telling that the National Party is railing against increasing benefits but somehow really proud to support a policy that continues keeping a gap between some of our most vulnerable members of society who have struggled so much for decades.We are stoked that there's been an increase to core benefits levels that will mean less people will need to get food grants to survive and we're clear that this doesn't go far enough but it's a step in the right direction. What we don't support is a system that continues pitting our people in paid employment against those that are doing volunteering and caregiving and that accepts that they do not deserve to live with dignity. We should be having an income system that unconditionally supports people and we as proud socialists as well will continue advocating for quality public services for an income support system that works.So going straight to the bill ultimately what we are talking about is a policy that has perpetuated the narrative that caregiving isn't labour that deserves to be supported equally to those in paid employment that people who are receiving income support are somehow not as independent as those in paid employment. We do not believe that we should be working towards a system that perpetuates these divisive and stigmatising narratives. Instead this is why we continue working to replace the minimum family tax credit to change it to a family support credit for all low-income and medium-income families that will create a $190 a week first child payment and $120 a week subsequent child payment to lift people out of poverty.That is the future we want for our income support system and so while we are stoked to see core benefits being increased in this year's Budget we will continue campaigning for an income support system that provides unconditional support.
Russell DeborahDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn): I stand here as a very proud member of the great socialist democratic Labour Party—a Labour Party where the true intent is to look after New Zealanders all New Zealanders; a Labour Party where the true intent is to ensure that children have enough food to eat—all children. It is a Labour Party where the true intent is create jobs—because we are a labour party"; a Labour Party which has had the guts to reverse the horrendous cuts in the "mother of all Budgets" and to increase benefits today. Why? Because we care about all New Zealanders.This narrow technical bill adjusts the minimum family tax credit because we have increased benefits today. It's an increase that was recommended by the Welfare Expert Advisory Group an increase that has been shown to be supported broadly by New Zealanders in the most recent opinion polls. This is an excellent bill. It is a bill that represents the true values of New Zealanders and I commend it to the House."
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Thank you Madam Chair. It's good to see that we're almost all on board here. Look the fact of the matter is—Hon David Bennett: Almost all on board here!Dr DUNCAN WEBB: Well there's so many of us great socialists on this side of the House. You know it just beggars belief that here we have a programme to lift children out of poverty by putting money where it is needed and at the same time doing as the Prime Minister says the double duty of stimulating the economy and we've got naysayers in the House. It just really quite frankly flummoxes me. This bill is just one piece of the puzzle to make sure that over the next days months and year we can put this into place keep New Zealand moving and keep the economy recovering in the fantastic way it has. This is just to make sure that people who are getting family tax credits move commensurately with those who of course need it most—those who are unable to work—so that they can be looked after but we still have that great incentive to get into work so that the unemployment rate under this Government continues to fall. I commend the bill to the House.
Prime Willow-JeanWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland): Tēnā koe e te Māngai o te Whare. He tino Hōnore tēnei mōku ki te tū i tēnei ahiahi ki te kōrero e pā ana ki te Tahua Pūtea 2021. He mea nui ko au te kaikōrero whakamutunga o te pānuitanga tuatahi o tēnei pire i te ahiahi nei. E tino harikoa ana ahau kotahi piriona tāra i roto i tēnei tahua pūtea mō ngā kaupapa Māori pērā i te whare te manatū hauora Māori me te mātauranga Māori anō hoki. Ko te mea tuarua ko ngā penihana ka piki ake te moni ka whiwhi i ngā tāngata e noho ana i runga i te penihana ia wiki atu i te toru tekau mā rua tāra ki te rima tekau mā rima tāra ia wiki. Ka piki ake i te moni mō ngā whānau ka heke iho ngā nama o ngā tamariki e noho i raro i te pōharatanga nō reira e mihi ana ki te Minitā. Engari ko te kaupapa o tēnei pire ko te tikanga ko te kaupapa mai rā anō kia nui ake te pūtea ka whiwhi i ngā whānau e mahi ana i te pūtea o ngā whānau e noho ana i runga i te penihana nō reira ko te kaupapa o tēnei—ka whiwhi i ngā whānau e mahi ana i tētahi wāhi pūtea atu i tō rātou nama kua whiwhi mō te mahi kia nui ake tō rātou pūtea ia wiki i ngā whānau i runga i ngā penihana. Nō reira e tautoko ana ahau i tēnei pire. Pau te kaha.[Greetings Madam Speaker. It is a real honour to speak this afternoon about Budget 2021. It is also an honour that I am the final speaker on this first reading of the bill this afternoon. I am delighted that $1 billion of the Budget is for Māori for housing health and Māori education. The second aspect is that for those on a weekly benefit the money that they receive will go from $32 a week to $55 a week. There will be more money going into the pockets of families which means a reduction in the number of children living in poverty so I commend the Minister.However the main element of this bill and it has been the primary purpose for a long time was to ensure that families who worked had more money than those who were on benefits—that is to say that families in employment would receive additional money to what they earned so that they would end up with more income than those on benefits. Therefore I support this bill. Thank you.]
Warren-Clark AngieANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour): Oh what a pleasure it is to speak after my colleague my comrade Kieran McAnulty. This bill is something that's set up wonderfully for us to support those people in work who are needing to have a little bit extra. We have put in place such a wonderful Budget supporting the additional needs of people on benefits. I want to just very quickly raise something. We've heard about Ruth Richardson today from one of the members across the House. I was directly affected by the Ruth Richardson Budget. I was directly affected and I would like to say that 30 years ago my life was affected and I would like to tell Ruth Richardson: it isn't about politics; it's about fairness. It's about living with dignity. It's about ensuring we have enough food in our cupboards to eat and it's about our children. I commend this bill to the House.
McAnulty KieranKIERAN McANULTY (Labour—Wairarapa): Thank you Madam Speaker. For the benefit of the people at home the National Party's actually supporting this bill and you wouldn't know it because they can't bring themselves to actually say Yes this is a good thing." They say we should do more for the poor "but"; they say we should do more for the lowest paid "but"—that's the guts of it. They want this to happen but when this bill is presented to them they support it but they want to spend their 10 minutes talking about all the other things that actually aren't in the bill. What this bill does is actually rewards and keeps that incentive the gap between the increase in benefits—the desperately needed increase—and work. They spend their time saying that they are the party for work but what it is ladies and gentlemen and those watching at home is that this is a good bill. They know it. They can't bring themselves to actually come and say "Good on the Government for doing something that should have been done a long time ago."—when perhaps they were in Government. Hon David Bennett: You're a communist.KIERAN McANULTY: So here we are—point of order. ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): A point of order—Kieran McAnulty.KIERAN McANULTY: We are in urgency Madam Speaker and it's going to be a long time. We may as well cut it off at the pass. The Hon David Bennett knows that it is unparliamentary to call another member a communist. I would ask that he be made to withdraw and apologise.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): The member will withdraw and apologise.Hon David Bennett: When did that become unparliamentary—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Ah no.Hon David Bennett: He hasn't taken offence. He said it was unparliamentary.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): No. The member will resume his seat. The member will withdraw and apologise.Hon David Bennett: I withdraw and apologise.KIERAN McANULTY: Thank you very much. Hon Scott Simpson: He's a socialist.KIERAN McANULTY: Yes I am a socialist and I'm proud of it. Yeah—there you go. [Applause] Thank you very much. Bring it on and I'm very proud to say to the good people of the Wairarapa that they elected a proud socialist as their MP. I say to the Hon David Bennett they were very happy to elect a socialist in Hamilton East as well—and I know it hurts him. I know it hurts him and I'd say that he may as well be a socialist because his face is as red as a socialist I can say that right now. Madam Speaker I commend this bill to the House."
Edmonds BarbaraBARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana): There's been a lot of talk about economics in this House so I'm going to bring it back to some home economics all right? Some people in the House have talked about how tough it is. They acknowledge how tough it is. Well I know how tough it is when you only have $10 in the hand at the end of the week. You walk through the supermarkets and you know that you're going to buy that $1.89 jar of Pams jam instead of the $2.25 Craig's jam. Why is that? Because every cent counts. And also home economics says that when you don't have enough income coming in it's your food budget it's the food expenses that are most fungible which is the one that you're going to cut back on.So the benefit increases that happened today—or the handouts" as some people would say—are going to put more food on children's tables. We have to go back to why we are here and those children need that extra food. So the bill that we've got before us today goes back to the policy purpose of Working for Families. It goes back to one of the policies which is to ensure income adequacy to make sure work pays by supporting families with dependent children so that they're awarded for their work effort. So I commend this bill to the House. That minimum family tax credit goes back to that purpose and that's why we need to commend this bill to the House."
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): What a misery guts! That member Gerry Brownlee was so disinterested in what is actually going on that he almost forgot to stand up. He would have us not give the people who most need it all of the assistance that we possibly can. He'd go back to Ruth Richardson's Budget if he had his way. And members might have noticed that he didn't actually speak about the bill before the House. This bill is a tweak that is needed to make sure that the very incentives he talked about for people to get into work—that he said didn't exist—do exist. This bill is simply about making sure the minimum family tax credit is raised so that there's an appropriate distance between those on a maximum benefit and those who are in work. It makes perfect sense. And of course it will tidy up a drafting error—probably the IRD drafter wasn't paying attention. We need to give that a tweak and make sure that it comes into force on 1 April 2022. That's going to have to be a retrospective change because it actually says 1 April 2021. But yet again it is just making sure the system works. What a fantastic Budget—a bright red Budget for a great day in the House. I commend this bill to the House.
Russell Deborah; Rurawhe AdrianDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn): This is a very narrow and very technical bill but it is brought about because of a substantial change that this Government has made today a change that sets right the disastrous impact of the mother of all Budgets" from 30 years ago. Today we have increased benefit rates. Why? Because it looks after the most vulnerable New Zealanders because it addresses the key challenges of child poverty in our country.We have taken the steps to increase benefits because it is necessary because it is needed because it is the right thing to do. But once we increase benefits we do need to adjust the minimum family tax credit. That minimum family tax credit ensures that always people in work earn a tiny bit more than people on benefit. That is what this narrow bill does. It is a technical change that supports the major change we have today to support our poorest and most vulnerable New Zealanders. I commend this bill to the House.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Oh the question is that the motion be—I call the Hon Gerry Brownlee."
Mallard TrevorINTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: I understand it is the intention of the Government to introduce bills.CLERK: Taxation (Budget 2021 and Remedial Measures) Bill introductionCOVID-19 Public Health Response (Validation of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Amendment Bill introduction; andEducation and Training (Grants—Budget Measures) Amendment Bill introduction.SPEAKER: The Taxation (Budget 2021 and Remedial Measures) Bill is set down for first reading forthwith. The remaining bills in the urgency motion are set down for consideration presently.
Hipkins ChrisURGENCYHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move That urgency be accorded the introduction and passing through all stages of the Taxation (Budget 2021 and Remedial Measures) Bill COVID-19 Public Health Response (Validation of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Amendment Bill and the introduction first reading and referral to select committee of the Education and Training (Grants—Budget Measures) Amendment Bill.To briefly explain why each of those bills needs to be progressed under urgency the first increases the minimum family tax credit from 1 July so needs to come into force as soon as possible. The second deals with a technical issue around the lawful collection of managed isolation and quarantine fees from Australians who are not normally resident in New Zealand but because of a technical issue with the way our immigration rules work have been deemed to be such. And the third one allows the Government to implement the pay parity for early childhood education teacher commitments contained in the Budget.
Parker David; Mallard TrevorHon DAVID PARKER (Minister for the Environment): I move That this debate be now adjourned. Motion agreed to.SPEAKER: This debate is adjourned and set down for resumption next sitting day.
Appropriation (2021/22 Estimates) Bill — First Reading
Robertson Grant; Mallard TrevorAPPROPRIATION (2021/22 ESTIMATES) BILLFirst ReadingHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I move That the Appropriation (2021/22 Estimates) Bill be now read a first time. SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.SPEAKER: The Appropriation (2021/22 Estimates) Bill is set down for second reading forthwith.
Robertson Grant; Mallard TrevorBUDGET DOCUMENTSHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I hereby present the 2021 Budget speech; the Budget at a Glance 2021; the Wellbeing Budget 2021 including reports on the fiscal strategy and on child poverty and the summary of initiatives; the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update 2021; and the Estimates of Appropriations for the Government of New Zealand for the year ending 30 June 2022.SPEAKER: Those papers are published under the authority of the House.
Robertson Grant; Mallard TrevorSUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES DOCUMENTSHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I hereby present the Supplementary Estimates of Appropriations for the Government of New Zealand for the year ending 30 June 2021.SPEAKER: That paper is published under the authority of the House. The House now comes to the delivery of the Budget.
Mallard TrevorPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: No papers have been presented. Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.CLERK: Petition of Nicholas Chapman requesting that the House create an exemption in the Conservation Act 1987 and the Fisheries Act 1996 to allow trout farming for personal usepetition of Philippa Cameron requesting that the House of Representatives pass legislation requiring that all school buses have seatbelts.SPEAKER: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Report of the Education and Workforce Committee on the briefing on the 2019-20 performance and current operations of Immigration New Zealandreports of the Governance and Administration Committee on the petition of Hana Fisherova and the petitions of Geraldine Murphy.SPEAKER: The briefing is set down for consideration. The Clerk has been informed of the introduction of a bill.CLERK: Appropriation (2020/21 Supplementary Estimates) Bill introduction.SPEAKER: That bill is set down for first reading.
Salesa JennyTHURSDAY 20 MAY 2021The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): Ke tau lotu. 'E 'Otua Māfimafi kuo mau taa'i mālie 'i ho'o 'ofá mo e ngaahi tāpuaki hono kotoa. 'Oku tuku homau lotó ka mau hū atu ke ke malu'i ange mu'a 'a e Kuiní mo tataki ange 'emau fua fatongia 'i he Fale Aleá 'aki 'a e poto Faka-e-'Otua 'ofa pea mo e 'ulungaanga malū ko e 'uhí ko e mo'ui mo e melino 'a e fonuá. 'Oku mau kole atu 'a e ngaahi me'á ni hono kotoa 'i he huafa ho 'aló pē 'e taha ko Sīsū Kalaisi ka ko homau fakamo'uí 'Emeni.
Wednesday 19 May 2021 - Volume 752
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 75New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Noes 43New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.
Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Plant Variety Rights Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Plant Variety Rights Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 110New Zealand Labour 65; New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10; Te Paati Maori 2.Noes 10Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is That the Plant Variety Rights Bill be considered by the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee.
Overseas Investment Amendment Bill (No 3) — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill (No 3) be now read a third time.Ayes 108New Zealand Labour 65; New Zealand National 33; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Noes 12ACT New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.
12. Question No. 12—EducationANGELA ROBERTS (Labour) to the Associate Minister of EducationQuestion No. 12—Education12. ANGELA ROBERTS (Labour) to the Associate Minister of Education: What is the Government doing to promote bullying-free environments in schools?Hon JAN TINETTI (Associate Minister of Education): This week is Bullying-Free NZ Week in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Government supports this nationwide initiative that encourages student-led action on bullying. Evidence shows that successful bullying prevention and response requires a whole-school approach and a cultural shift. The initiative has been running for five years and in conjunction with the Bullying-Free NZ online resource hub aims to raise awareness of what school communities can do to address bullying and provide safe inclusive learning environments for all learners.Angela Roberts: What other support is available to schools and students to encourage positive behaviour?Hon JAN TINETTI: In addition to the free resources and activities that have been tested by students we also offer a free student survey called Wellbeing@School that helps schools and boards of trustees understand students' experiences so their voices can be heard and addressed. Other Government programmes include the Positive Behaviour for Learning suite which as a former educational practitioner I can vouch for its effectiveness. Learning support specialists and resource teachers for learning and behaviour or RTLBs also provide on-the-ground support to schools to address behaviour and bullying challenges. This Government has also passed the Education and Training Act 2020 which ensures schools are developing safe and inclusive learning environments free from racism discrimination and bullying.Angela Roberts: What other plans does the Government have to address bullying in schools?Hon JAN TINETTI: We know bullying is a significant and ongoing issue for young people and can be a barrier to learning. Last week the first annual report for the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy was released and showed that 5.9 percent of secondary school students reported very regular bullying. We know that if students don't feel they are in a safe positive inclusive learning environment they will struggle to learn. That is why bullying prevention and response is part of this strategy and includes working towards the outcome of children living free of bullying. We've made good progress under this Government but there is more work to do. I look forward to providing further updates to the House on this work as we continue to deliver for New Zealand schools.
9. Question No. 9—Foreign AffairsDr ANAE NERU LEAVASA (Labour—Takanini) to the Minister of Foreign AffairsQuestion No. 9—Foreign Affairs9. Dr ANAE NERU LEAVASA (Labour—Takanini) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What support is New Zealand providing to the Pacific to help them recover from the impacts of COVID-19?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Foreign Affairs): Earlier this month alongside Associate Minister Aupito William Sio we announced that we would be providing COVID-19 vaccines to cover at least 1.2 million people in the Pacific over the coming year and that we're supporting the Pacific region with an additional $120 million in official development assistance to support the Pacific economies to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. We know COVID has had a significant impact on the Pacific which is why we are supporting the health and wellbeing of Pacific whānau and helping them to recover and rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19.Dr Anae Neru Leavasa: Where is New Zealand focusing its attention for the vaccine roll-out in the Pacific?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: We are working with Australia and other partners on the roll-out and together our goal is access to safe and effective vaccines for all eligible people in Pacific Island countries at the earliest possible time. New Zealand is focusing on our Realm countries and Polynesia with the roll-out to the Cook Islands beginning this week. Next month we expect to start the roll-out to Niue and planning is under way for Tokelau. We are also working with the Governments of Samoa Tonga and Tuvalu on New Zealand's vaccine delivery support. Outside Polynesia we're working with UNICEF and the COVAX Facility to access and deliver vaccines. In addition Fiji has taken up the offer of AstraZeneca doses for 250000 people donated by New Zealand subject to Medsafe approval.Dr Anae Neru Leavasa: How will Pacific Island countries be using the additional $120 million in official development assistance?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: The grant financing will be provided as direct budget support allowing Pacific Governments to respond flexibly and rapidly to the challenges they are facing in line with their own objectives and interests. This funding approach recognises that each country will have different priorities for their return towards resilience. The funding will be used by Pacific Governments to support their economic stimulus and recovery plans. The budget support will also be used to continue the social protection programmes that countries have in place to support those negatively impacted by the pandemic including support for small and medium sized enterprises and vulnerable workers and households.
7. Question No 7—Arts Culture and HeritageHELEN WHITE (Labour) to the Minister for Arts Culture and HeritageQuestion No 7—Arts Culture and Heritage7. HELEN WHITE (Labour) to the Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage: What recent reports has she seen on the arts and culture sector?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage): Last week I released the latest forecast by Infometrics which shows that the arts and culture sector is performing better than predicted. The updated forecast shows a decrease in the number of available jobs in the sector of just over 1 percent and an increase in cultural sector jobs from 2022 through to 2026. The sector has benefited from our Government's strong focus on securing our recovery. It reflects the impact of our $374 million COVID recovery programme for the sector and our continued focus to keep people in work.Helen White: How did these forecasts differ from previous forecasts?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: In April 2020 Infometrics provided a forecast of the economic impact of COVID-19 on the arts and creative sector. This included a job losses forecast and a sector GDP forecast. This forecast predicted an 11.7 percent reduction in employment and a loss of around 11000 jobs to March 2021. In February 2021 Infometrics provided a new sector forecast to March 2021 which showed a decline in employment of 1.2 percent a loss of 1157 jobs. This forecast decline is significantly lower than the April 2020 forecast and is a positive sign that our Government's interventions are helping to secure our recovery.Helen White: What other reports has she seen on the arts and culture sector?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: A separate report by Colmar Brunton aimed at understanding audience participation in the cultural sector shows that people are keen to return to shows museums art galleries and other cultural events. The report found that only 12 percent of people attended a New Zealand music event as of late 2020 41 percent say they would attend an event in the next 12 months. This is both pleasing but also important because the arts and culture sector contributes nearly $11 billion a year to GDP and is a workforce that employs over 90000 people.Simon O'Connor: Is the Minister comfortable with taxpayers shelling out thousands of dollars for multiple Te Papa personnel to attend the funeral of a turtle or has she asked them somewhat ironically to get a move on and personally pay it back?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I think that question is an indication or a reflection of how seriously that side of the House takes our art culture and heritage sector.
5. Question No. 5—COVID-19 ResponseDr GAURAV SHARMA (Labour—Hamilton West) to the Minister for COVID-19 ResponseQuestion No. 5—COVID-19 Response5. Dr GAURAV SHARMA (Labour—Hamilton West) to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: What investment has the Government made in New Zealand's COVID-19 vaccination programme?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): The Government is investing $1.4 billion in New Zealand's COVID-19 vaccination programme to ensure that every New Zealander can receive a free vaccination. Our health response has been strong and successful so far but we are taking nothing for granted. Setting aside $1.4 billion for vaccines and for the infrastructure associated with that means that New Zealand is well placed to meet our COVID-19 challenges head on. It is a massive investment as we continue to support what is the biggest single undertaking the health system has faced.Dr Gaurav Sharma: How does the investment specifically contribute to New Zealand's vaccination programme?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Of that $1.4 billion $964.3 million of that is for the advance purchase and the COVAX facility purchases that will support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines; $66.3 million covers the cost of specialist vaccine equipment including syringes and related vaccine storage facilities and transport; the remaining $356.9 million has been allocated for technology to support the roll-out funding for DHBs ongoing support for Medsafe and to stand up community immunisation centres. Dr Gaurav Sharma: How is the investment already supporting the vaccination roll-out?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: This investment means that we can continue to scale-up our vaccination programme across the country as extra vaccines arrive in the country. As of midnight last night we have so far delivered 474435 doses of the vaccine across New Zealand. Within that more than 152000 New Zealanders have received their second doses meaning that they are receiving the maximum protection from the vaccine. Just yesterday we delivered 14000 doses nationally and we expect to hit the half-million doses mark within the next 48 hours. We know that the COVID-19 vaccination programme is key to securing our economic recovery and that the effect of an ongoing vaccination of the community will unlock additional economic opportunities and allow us over time to safely reopen our borders.
3. Question No. 3—HealthDr SHANE RETI (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 3—Health3. Dr SHANE RETI (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response) on behalf of the Minister of Health: Yes.Dr Shane Reti: Can he confirm that the $197.9 million annual free health check for seniors will be cancelled tomorrow as he suggested in his Budget letter to the Minister of Finance Grant Robertson?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I'm presuming that the letter the member refers to is the letter that he had in his press statement yesterday which was a draft letter prepared by the Ministry of Health. It is not a letter that the Minister of Health sent to the Minister of Finance. And as for what's in the Budget tomorrow the member just has one more sleep to wait.Dr Shane Reti: When he wrote in his Budget letter to the Minister of Finance Grant Robertson—SPEAKER: Order! I'm just going to remind the member that he's been given a direct rebuttal of whether the letter which the member's been quoting from is in fact a letter that's been sent to the Minister of Finance. I think if the member referred to the ministry draft he might well be allowed to ask the question.Dr Shane Reti: When he wrote in a ministry draft—SPEAKER: No no—no no.Dr Shane Reti: —or in a ministry draft to the Minister of Finance Grant Robertson that he was seeking 20 mobile dental clinics and a $200 million Pharmac boost in Budget 2021 how much more could he have done if there were not costs associated with restructuring the health system?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I just refer the member to the previous answer that it was a draft prepared by the Ministry of Health. The Minister of Health did not agree with much of what was in the draft and it was never sent.Dr SHANE RETI: When he cited a draft letter to Grant Robertson saying he could seek less funding in Budget 2021 by reducing specialist services at provincial hospitals how does he explain that to rural communities who rely on their local hospital?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Those rural communities can have confidence that the Minister of Health did not agree with the contents of the draft letter rejected it—never sent it!Dr Shane Reti: In the draft letter he refers to to Grant Robertson saying he could seek less funding in Budget 2021 by changing the eligibility for aged residential care and disability related services does he stand by those statements?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I think the biggest challenge we have here is a comprehension one. The letter was not the Minister of Health's letter. He did not write it he did not agree with what was in it and he did not send it.Dr Shane Reti: He signed it. How could he not send it if he signed it?SPEAKER: Order! Very clear statements from the Minister.
2. Question No. 2—FinanceARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 2—Finance2. ARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa) to the Minister of Finance: What are the Government's priorities for Budget 2021?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): The Government has three priorities for this term that are reflected in Budget 2021: keeping New Zealanders safe from COVID-19; accelerating our recovery and rebuild; and tackling our foundational challenges including housing affordability climate change and child wellbeing. Of course not all manifesto commitments can be delivered in one Budget but Budget 2021 should be seen as step one in a package of Budgets this term to be delivered to meet the Government's goals.Arena Williams: How are the Government's wellbeing objectives being reflected in Budget 2021?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Every initiative that comes through the Budget process is assessed against the wellbeing objectives project readiness and value for money. The wellbeing objectives for Budget 2021 are enduring from the previous two Budgets. They are a just transition to a low-emissions economy; enabling all New Zealanders to benefit from the future of work; lifting Māori and Pacific incomes skills and opportunities; child wellbeing; and physical and mental wellbeing.Arena Williams: What's the economic context for Budget 2021?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Our economic recovery is on a sound footing. Many economic indicators are showing better than expected results and this reflects the resilience of New Zealand's economy and the confidence in the Government's recovery plan. The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being felt all over the world reminding us that we are still in a volatile global economic environment. While our economy is doing well we are also mindful of the borrowing that we've undertaken to support New Zealanders through COVID-19. Budget 2021 will reflect a balanced approach emphasising spending to areas and people where it is needed most alongside careful fiscal management.Andrew Bayly: Has the Minister considered rethinking his priorities given the report today from Baker Tilly Staples Rodway which showed that 71 percent of New Zealand companies are unhappy with Labour's post-COVID strategy and 68 percent believed it was poorly managing the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: In answer to the first part of the question no. The Government is committed to the plan and strategy that we have. It is one that has seen businesses in New Zealand thrive and our unemployment rate come in at one of the lowest in the OECD.
Lubeck MarjaMARJA LUBECK (Labour): Tēnā koe e te Māngai o te Whare and thank you Mr Speaker. It is a real privilege to be the last speaker in the third reading of the Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Bill. Isn't it wonderful that Mr Paul Goldsmith has found back his mathematical skills and he has found out that two times five is 10 and everything else that he managed to add up in this particular speech that he did?This bill is of course about delivering on our commitment to increase statutory sick leave from five days to 10 days. As we have heard from the Minister that is a promise kept. By increasing sick leave to 10 days what we are doing is we are supporting our workers and we are giving more flexibility to working families. Not only that as we've heard all the way through the debate but it is something that the Opposition has closed their ears to—but when staff stay at home when they are sick this will benefit businesses. We heard it time and time again: workers that stay at home when they are sick don't spread their bugs and don't make the rest of the workforce sick. Hence people are more productive and not only that but happier and healthy in the workforce and that carries a cost.On that aspect I would like to also correct the member Scott Simpson on his simplified version of the cost involved in this exercise. Yes the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment did give an estimated cost of increasing sick leave but what it did not take into account in that cost increase is the fact of course that there are plenty of benefits as a result of fewer illnesses being spread through workplaces and the resulting fewer absences and also the increased productivity from a healthier and happier workforce. So all of that needs to be added up.But really what I would like to say is that it would be great if the Opposition would take some lessons and talk to Christopher Luxon who can tell them a little bit about how unions and how businesses can actually work together. They don't have to be pitted against each other. They don't have to hate on workers. They can actually work constructively and collaboratively together and in that way achieve some really great things. In fact Business New Zealand's 2019 Workplace Wellness Report said that a lift in absence rates may be an acceptable price to pay for an overall happier healthier and more productive staff.So with that I'd like to thank our submitters and I'd like to thank everybody who supported this piece of legislation but a big thankyou also to the honourable Minister Michael Wood for bringing this bill to the House as one of the first items of legislation that he brought to the House. This is legislation that shows the importance that this Government puts on keeping workers safe hence keeping New Zealand safe. Thank you and I commend this bill to the House.