Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4009. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Questions to Ministers 
Infrastructure Investment Programme—Progress 
1. 
Dr CAM CALDER (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Finance 
: What progress is the Government making with its multi-billion dollar infrastructure programme? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 Our progress on infrastructure is good. We have invested $5 billion in infrastructure such as schools broadband and hospitals over the last four Budgets and billions more upgrading our State highway networks and the national grid. The first road of national significance project Victoria Park Tunnel has been completed and there is good progress on the rest. We have upgraded on average over 16000 State houses a year since 2009 and are on track to insulate every State house built before 1978 by the end of the year. Of course we have put aside $5.5 billion to help fund the rebuild of Christchurch infrastructure which is getting under way. 
Dr Cam Calder 
: What steps has the Government taken to improve the quality of its infrastructure investment? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: Well that is a good question because just having more infrastructure is one aspect of it but having high-quality infrastructure is in the long run more important. We have improved the way the Government makes its own plans and the way it gets consents and finances its infrastructure through the reform of the Resource Management Act setting up the National Infrastructure Unit and setting up the Environmental Protection Authority. This has introduced more discipline into the Government process. Last year we issued the second National Infrastructure Plan which shows that our infrastructure is generally improving but it does highlight those areas where we need to do a better job. 
Dr Cam Calder 
: How will the Government fund its large infrastructure investment? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: The planned investment over the next 4 years is large at around $17 billion. This will be paid for through a mixture of funding sources. Some of it of course will come from petrol tax and road-user charges on the roads some will come from depreciation and a considerable amount will come from direct funding from the Government. The direct funding from the Government will be channelled through the Future Investment Fund which was set up to take the proceeds of the partial share sales and invest those in future publicly owned infrastructure. Treasury is forecasting sale proceeds of $5 billion to $7 billion over the next 3 to 5 years and this will assist with a $17 billion infrastructure investment programme. 
Hon David Parker 
: Does he agree with the 52 percent of business leaders in the  
New Zealand Herald 
’s 
“Mood of the Boardroom” survey that other than returning to surplus the Government has no adequate plan to encourage the economic growth and jobs needed to stop so many young New Zealanders moving to Australia? 
Hon Steven Joyce 
: Oh so not enough plans today? So we have changed from too many plans again. 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: No I do not and as my colleague Steven Joyce has pointed out the Labour Party cannot decide—on some days there are too many plans and on the other days there is no plan. We have outlined the programme outlined the plan including to the “Mood of the Boardroom” session this morning. I can tell the member that it has pretty broad support among the business community. 
Overseas Investment Rules—2010 Sale of Crafar Farms to Natural Dairy 
2. 
RICHARD PROSSER (NZ First) 
 to the  
Minister for Land Information 
: Can the public have confidence that the Overseas Investment Office is taking prompt action in relation to all breaches of the Overseas Investment Act 2005; if so how? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Acting Minister for Land Information) 
: 
 Yes. The Overseas Investment Office promptly investigates all suspected breaches of the Overseas Investment Act 2005. I have some good news for that honourable member: in the period 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012 100 percent—100 percent—of public alerts about potential breaches were assessed for possible investigation within 10 working days. 
Richard Prosser 
: Given that answer will he tell the House what action the Overseas Investment Office has taken in respect of the four Crafar farms sold to an overseas investor without consent; or alternatively will he explain why no action has been taken? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: I do not have particular information about particular applications or particular concerns to hand. If the member wants an answer to a particular question I suggest he either ask it as the primary question or put it down as a written question to the Minister. 
Richard Prosser 
: How can the public have confidence in the Overseas Investment Office when UBNZ Assets Holdings a company associated with May Wang who failed a good-character test was able to purchase four of the Crafar farms without permission and get away with it? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: The same principle applies: if the member wants direct answers to specific questions he should either ask them as a primary question or put them down as a written question. 
Brendan Horan 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Did we not determine a number of weeks ago that if a Minister did not know the answer the Minister should simply say that they do not know the answer? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Well I think the Minister basically said that but he was a little more helpful in suggesting that maybe if members want detailed information in answers they need to make it clear in the primary question what they are asking. I do not think the Minister was being unhelpful. 
New Zealand - Australia Migration—18 to 30 Age Range 
3. 
Hon DAVID PARKER (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Finance 
: Does he stand by his statement regarding migration to Australia “What’s the point of standing in the airport crying about it?”; if so how many of the 53763 people that migrated to Australia in the year to June 2012 are from 18 to 30 years of age in number and percentage terms? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 Yes; and as I said in the rest of that statement we have just got to compete. New Zealand should show the aspiration and confidence that it can compete with a larger more wealthy economy for our young people’s talent instead of just worrying about it. So 21585 people aged 18 to 30 migrated to Australia in the year to June 2012—about 40 percent of the total. I note that in the 9 years to June 2008 when economic conditions were more benign 305800 New Zealanders left for Australia and around 36 percent of them were aged 18 to 30. 
Hon David Parker 
: Does he agree with the findings of the  
New Zealand Herald 
 “Mood of the Boardroom” survey which found that out of eight critical issues his Government has performed worst on stemming the outward flow of Kiwis? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: No and as I suggested to the large group of business leaders in the room it is up to them to compete for that talent by showing the leadership and the opportunities to our young New Zealanders. If they are waiting around for someone to do that on their behalf then they can rely on this Government to create positive conditions but it is in the workplaces of New Zealand that young people will see the opportunities that attract them. It is time we showed the confidence that we can compete with Australia. 
Hon David Parker 
: Does he think it is sustainable to lose 21000 people per annum to Australia—the equivalent of the entire student body of Otago or Victoria universities? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: I do not think that is going to continue because the relative economic performance of New Zealand and Australia is starting to close the gap. If we persist with the Government’s broad-based economic programme to create jobs and opportunities and fix problems like housing affordability then we will be able to compete with Australia for our young talent. That is better than telling our young people that the Government is going to waste more of their money borrow more and not support the businesses that provide their jobs—which is Labour’s policy. 
Hon David Parker 
: When he said yesterday that migration rates are correlated to growth rates does the fact that New Zealand experienced the highest number ever of people migrating to Australia in a 12-month period signify that he has failed in his goal of growing the New Zealand economy and instead is growing the Australian economy by sending 20000 young New Zealanders there a year? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: No what it signifies is that Australia has had a once-in-a-100-year increase in its income because of its coal and iron-ore boom. That gave Australia higher growth rates—for a short time—than New Zealand’s. We would expect that as our own programme starts to have a positive impact on the New Zealand economy those flows will change. 
Hon David Parker 
: Given that young people are leaving in droves to Australia what plans does he have to ensure the long-term sustainability of superannuation given the changing age profile particularly in light of the fact that 88 percent of the chief executive officers in the “Mood of the Boardroom” survey said that National is completely on the wrong side and out to lunch on the issue of raising the age of eligibility for superannuation? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: The most important thing for New Zealand superannuation is a thriving economy. If we do not have a thriving economy then in the future superannuitants will not have adequate superannuation. That is why we are focusing on encouraging businesses to invest and employ. We are focusing on using our natural resources through oil and gas exploration and mining and on supporting our primary industries so they can be more competitive on the global stage—all of which are policies that the Opposition oppose. 
Child Poverty—Effect on Maori Children 
4. 
METIRIA TUREI (Co-Leader—Green) 
 to the  
Minister of Maori Affairs 
: Ka whakaae a ia ki ta te Kaikomihana Whanaungata a-Iwi a Joris De Bres i ki ra “Many Maori children are being denied their basic human rights because of poverty and inadequate public services”? 
[ 
Does he agree with Race Relations Commissioner Joris De Bres that “Many Maori children are being denied their basic human rights because of poverty and inadequate public services”? 
] 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES (Minister of Maori Affairs) 
: 
 Tena koe kai te Kaiwhakawa. Tena koe Metiria i patai mai i tena patai he patai nui tenei te poharatanga e pa ana ki a tatau iwi. Anei ra taku—ahakoa ko wai te tangata he pakeke he tamaiti ranei mehemea ka noho pohara ka noho ia i te kore mana. 
[ 
Thank you Mr Speaker and to you Metiria who asked that question which is an important one about this poverty that affects our people. This poverty relating to our people is a big one. My view on it is that it does not matter who the person is an adult or a child when one is impoverished one loses status. 
] 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. In the translation—and I think in fact directly—the Minister breached Standing Orders in the way that he addressed a member of the House. I think it is important even when one is speaking in Maori that the same standards apply. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I hear what the member is saying but I do not believe that it was intentionally unfair or unkind. I think the member was actually acknowledging a fellow colleague in a warm way and I would not like to interfere in that although I accept the member’s point that we should refer to all members by their full names. But on this occasion I would not like to interfere because I do not think the member involved took offence anyway at being referred to in that manner. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Thank you Lockwood. 
Metiria Turei 
: Does the Minister consider it acceptable that one-third of all Maori children live in poverty and that the Government has failed to address inequality thereby condemning these Maori children to a life of sickness hardship and underachievement? 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES 
: A e maha atu nga tamariki e noho pohara ana. Kare au e tautoko ana ki tena. Na reira na tena na te tono o te Pati Maori kua whakaturia e te Kawanatanga tetahi komiti kia titiro ki enei mea te poharatanga kei roto i te iwi. Ko te Prime Minister Tuarua te heamana a ko Tariana Turia te heamana tuarua. Atu ki tena i raro i taku mahi mo Te Puni Kokiri me te mahi o Whanau Ora he maha nga umanga kua whakaturia e matau kia whakamama ai te poharatanga kei roto i to tatau iwi. 
[ 
There are many children living in poverty and I do not agree with that. Because of that and the request by the Maori Party Government established a committee to look at these things that affect poverty in our people. The Deputy Prime Minister is the chair and Tariana Turia is the deputy chair. Beyond that and through my work with Te Puni Kokiri and the role of Whanau Ora many enterprises have been established to ease poverty amongst our people. 
] 
Hon Nanaia Mahuta 
: He aha te whakatau o te Minita kia taea nga whanau Maori me a ratau tamariki he putea oranga ina e noho ana tetahi hautoru Maori i te pohara me te rawakore me te tokomaha o nga tamariki e haumaru ana i te matua kotahi? He aha nga kaupapa pai mo enei tamariki ki nga kura auraki? 
[ 
What decision has the Minister come to that will enable Maori families and their children to receive a health-based fund given that one-third of Maori are poor and destitute where a sole parent looks after many children? What positive schemes are there for these children in mainstream schools? 
] 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES 
: He maha nga umanga kua whakaturia e matau i roto i te taha mo te matauranga kei roto i nga kura i roto i nga whanau e noho pohara kei roto i nga kainga. Naku i whakatu e 70 nga kaimahi e mahi ana kei roto i nga whanau nga hapori. Ma ratau e mahi ana i te 600 whanau ki te tautoko i a ratau i roto i to ratau poharatanga me a matau mahi Mara Kai. Kua tukuna atu ki te iwi e 300 mara kai kua tukuna atu ki te iwi me era atu ahuatanga. E pai ana te patai koina ta matau. 
[ 
We have established several enterprises in terms of education in schools and in families living in poverty. I have established 70 positions for people to work within families and communities. They worked alongside 600 families to support them through their state of impoverishment. We have our Mara Kai initiative—we granted 300 vegetable gardens to tribes—and other schemes. It is a good question and that is our position on it. 
] 
Hon Nanaia Mahuta 
: He take wero tenei Mr Speaker. Ko te tino ngako o taku patai e pa ana ki nga kaupapa kei roto i nga kura auraki mo enei tamariki pohara enei tamariki rawakore. 
[ 
I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The gist of my question related to initiatives in mainstream schools for children living in poverty. 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! The member’s question was somewhat longer than that and being a supplementary question the Minister is not required to answer just the last part of the question. Even though the question may have been in Te Reo the same rules apply to the answering of the question. The question covered more than just that issue. 
Hon Nanaia Mahuta 
: Ka patai atu ki te Whare kia whakawatea te wahanga maku kia tuku te patai ano. 
[ 
I seek leave of the House for me to ask my question once more. 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for the member to ask her question again. Is there any objection to that course of action? There is no objection. 
Hon Nanaia Mahuta 
: Tena koutou. He aha te whakatau o te Minita mo enei tamariki pohara enei tamariki rawakore? He aha nga tino kaupapa i roto i nga kura auraki hei awhiawhi i enei tamariki e korerotia ake nei? 
[ 
Thank you collectively. What consideration has he made for these impoverished and destitute children? What are the main programmes in mainstream schools to assist these children referred to here? 
] 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES 
: Na matau i whakaturia etahi hotaka mo te panui pukapuka mo nga mea iti kei roto i nga kura decile 1 2 and 3 katoa o te motu. Na mo te poharatanga mo te kai kua tukuna atu tetahi putea ki enei whanau kia whakatu mara kai. Atu ki tena ara nga kaimahi e mahi ana i roto i waenganui a ratau. 
[ 
We established reading programmes for the little ones in all decile 1 2 and 3 schools throughout the country. In terms of poverty and food we provided funding to these families to plant gardens. Aside from that we have workers working amongst and with them. 
] 
Metiria Turei 
: Does the Minister agree with the human rights commissioner that keeping a third of Maori children in poverty infringes their fundamental right to well-being and that one fair way to alleviate that poverty would be to lift the minimum wage to a livable level? 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES 
: He maha nga huarahi kia taea e tatau ki te whakamama i te wahanga kei roto i a ratau e noho pohara ana. Ehara ma te Kawanatanga anake engari mo tatau katoa nga hapu nga rohe nga komiti nga whanau katoa mai i nga mema Paremata. Kei a tatau katoa te rongoa kia whakamama ai te taha ki te taha pohara. Kaua e waiho ma te Kawanatanga anake. 
[ 
There are several avenues that allow us to make the lives of those in poverty easier. It is not just up to the Government but to all of us: subtribes regions committees families and even members of Parliament. We have the remedy to ease impoverishment. Do not leave it for the Government alone. 
] 
Metiria Turei 
: Does the Minister then agree that the human right of Maori children to adequate health care is infringed by the Government’s increase in prescription charges when we know that 14 percent of Maori do not pick up prescriptions now because of the cost? 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES 
: He wa uaua mo tatau i tenei wa. He ohanga whakaheke i tenei wa. Na reira ko etahi mea e taumaha ana whakataumahatia o tatau iwi. Ko etahi atu e whakapiki ai ta ratau noho. Na reira kare he rongoa atu naku te korero i tena mea anake engari mo nga mea katoa. Mehemea ka taea e tatau ki te whakamama ai ki te whakangawari ai te noho o ratau e pohara ana ka pai ki ahau. 
[ 
This is a difficult time for everyone as we are in an economic recession. Therefore there are some things that make it heavy going for our people or a burden upon them. So there are no solutions but this is my personal view not only for this situation but for everything. If we can make the lives of those living in poverty that much easier and smoother then that would do me nicely. 
] 
Metiria Turei 
: Does the Minister then also agree that the human right of Maori children to decent housing is breached by the Government’s cuts to State and social housing provisions which currently condemn 28 percent of Maori children to living in overcrowded homes? 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES 
: Ko taku korero ehara mo te Kawanatanga engari mo matau. Kaha matau ki te tautoko i te Kawanatanga kia whakamahanatia etahi o nga whare e makariri ana. E 20000 whare kua awhinatia e matau e te Pati Maori kia noho mahana ai a ratau tamariki. 
[ 
My statement is not on behalf of the Government but for us the Maori Party. We have supported the Government strongly in the strategy to warm up cold homes. We the Maori Party have assisted 20000 homes to ensure that their children are warm. 
] 
Chris Hipkins 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I just want to clarify with you. It could be an issue to do with translation but during question time it has been very clear that Ministers are answering on behalf of the Government not on behalf of their individual political parties and twice in question time in the interpretation—I do not speak Te Reo Maori so I just want to check that I am correct here—the Minister has indicated he is replying on behalf of the Maori Party not on behalf of the Government. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member is quite correct that Ministers are replying in their role as a Minister as part of the Government. However they are at liberty to introduce into their answers other material if it helps them answer the question asked. The risk they face in doing that is if they bring into their answer material to do with their party they can then be asked about that when normally they cannot be asked about that. The Minister is not normally answerable in this House for matters to do with the Maori Party. However the Minister has as the member points out on a couple of occasions introduced the Maori Party into his answers and therefore the Minister can be asked about those matters that he has covered in his answers. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: Tena koe Mr Speaker. Kia ora tatau. He aha ta Whanau Ora ki te whakapiki i te ora o nga tamariki Maori? 
[ 
Thank you Mr Speaker. Greetings everyone. What does Whanau Ora do to improve the health of Maori children? 
] 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES 
: Ki taku mohio kei roto i te Whanau Ora he huarahi kia whakapiki ai te ora o te whanau ka tahi o te tamaiti ka rua. Ma te mahi ngatahi o nga tari Kawanatanga me te tautoko i te whanau kia noho pumau katahi ka whai wahi era momo whanau kia eke ki nga pukenga kia eke ki o ratau wawata me o ratau hiahia katoa. Na reira hoki aku korero ki era korero e pa ana ki te mahi i tenei momo mahi mo tatau katoa ehara ma te Kawanatanga anake ehara ma Whanau Ora anake. Ka hoki au ki tera whakatauaki Maori “Ma tau rourou me taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi”. 
[ 
I understand that Whanau Ora is a pathway to improve one family health and two the child. Government departments working together and supporting the stability of families will provide opportunities for those kinds of families to upskill and realise all their desires and aspirations. And so I go back to my assertions to those statements relating to this kind of work being done by all of us and not by the Government or Whanau Ora alone. I go back to that Maori proverb “Through your food basket and mine we will ensure that the people survive”. 
] 
Metiria Turei 
: Given that 93000 Maori children have parents on a benefit does he accept that the welfare reforms trap the children of beneficiaries into severe poverty and are therefore an active discrimination against the human rights of the Maori children of those families? 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES 
: Ahakoa kei a au etahi whakaaro e pa ana ki tena patai ko tena patai te patai mo te Minita mo tera ahuatanga. 
[ 
Although I have my own views about that question it should really be directed at the Minister responsible for that situation. 
] 
Metiria Turei 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This question was set down for the Minister of Maori Affairs. The question directly relates to the impact of Government policy on Maori children. It is within his ministerial responsibility to answer the question. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I think the member makes a fair point that the Minister of Maori Affairs has a broad area of responsibility. The primary question asked about the basic human rights of children alleged to be in poverty and the supplementary question that was asked did cover those issues. I invite Metiria Turei to repeat her question. 
Metiria Turei 
: Given that 93000 Maori children have parents on a benefit does he accept that the welfare reforms trap the children of beneficiaries into severe poverty and are therefore an active discrimination against the human rights of Maori children in those families? 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES 
: Kare ano kia oti te arotake o ena korero tena pepa. Kei te whiriwhiri tonu te Kawanatanga i ena kaupapa engari ko taku korero ko etahi o nga mea hou ka pehi ki runga i tetahi ropu kei roto i te iwi whanui ko etahi atu e whakapiki ai te ora kei roto i a ratau. 
[ 
The review of those comments and the paper are yet to be completed. The Government is still negotiating those policies but from me some of the new initiatives are suppressive of an organisation working in the public domain while others improve the well-being within them. 
] 
Hon David Parker 
: Given that under the National-led Government the interests of low-income Maori are going backwards why is the Maori Party continuing to support the Government in confidence and supply? 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES 
: Kare au e whakaae ana ki te haere whakamuri i te taha ki nga Maori i roto i nga whare. 
[ 
In terms of Maori in houses I do not agree that it is going backwards. 
] 
Metiria Turei 
: Will the Minister commit to seeking Cabinet approval to replace the discriminatory in-work tax credit with a new child payment for all low-income children regardless of whether their parents have a job or not as one important step towards restoring the basic human rights of Maori children to a healthy childhood and a long life? 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES 
: I roto i nga tutohinga i waenganui i a matau me te Kawanatanga i tukuna atu o matau korero i tenei take ki te Kawanatanga kia whiriwhiri. 
[ 
In terms of the charters between us and the Government we have submitted our views about this matter for the Government to consider. 
] 
Metiria Turei 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. If I understood the answer correctly it was in relation to advocacy by the Maori Party for the issue. I understand that the Maori Party might have a different view from the Government but I am asking him as a Minister of the Government for his commitment. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I think the member is making a fair point in that the Minister in his answer said that the Maori Party had expressed its view to the Government but I do not think that is actually answering the question. The question asked was whether the Minister would recommend to the Government that it should remove the distinction between the children of parents who are working and those whose parents are not working in respect of the Working for Families tax credit. I do not think it is a satisfactory answer to that to say that the Maori Party has given its views to the Government. So I know that I have not destroyed the member’s question I invite Tariana Turia to repeat her question—I beg your pardon Metiria Turei! My apologies. 
Metiria Turei 
: I do not mind being mistaken for Tariana not at all. Will the Minister commit to seeking Cabinet approval to replace the discriminatory in-work tax credit with a new child payment for all low-income children regardless of whether their parents have a job or not as one important step towards restoring the basic human right of Maori children to a healthy childhood and a long life? 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES 
: I roto i a matau korero i te tepu ae. 
[ 
In terms of our discussions at the table yes. 
] 
Companies and Limited Partnerships—Changes to Governance and Registration and Actions of Associate Minister 
5. 
KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Commerce 
: What steps is the Government taking to help maintain New Zealand’s reputation as a trusted place to do business? 
Hon CRAIG FOSS (Minister of Commerce) 
: 
 This week the Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill had its first reading. The bill seeks to strengthen aspects of the rules applying to the governance registration and reorganisation of companies and limited partnerships. The reforms will help maintain New Zealand’s reputation as a trusted place to do business and will promote investor confidence and participation in New Zealand’s capital markets. The bill seeks to strike the right balance between deterring the actions that threaten the integrity of a company registration system and maintaining the ease of business for New Zealand companies. I look forward to the select committee’s thoughts on the bill. 
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi 
: What other issues does the bill seek to address? 
Hon CRAIG FOSS 
: The bill will require each company registered in New Zealand to have a resident agent if there is no director living in New Zealand or an approved jurisdiction. It will give new powers to the Registrar of Companies to investigate and deal with non-compliance with the Companies Act. This includes the power to flag companies on the register that are under investigation. These are but some of the changes in the bill. I welcome the support of all parties across the House in progressing at least the first reading of this bill and I welcome the select committee’s views on all of these matters. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Would another step to maintain New Zealand’s reputation as a trusted place to do business be to stand down a Minister who solicits and receives at least $80000 in donations in plain envelopes and fails to declare them? 
Hon CRAIG FOSS 
: The bill has got nothing to do with ministerial responsibility. 
Grant Robertson 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The bill was the subject of the supplementary question. The primary question was a general question about steps to maintain New Zealand’s reputation as a trusted place to do business. I think the question from Mr Mallard was definitely in order. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I accept the member’s point of order. It is certainly consistent with the primary question. I guess the Minister’s answer though is indicating that he as a Minister has no responsibility for whether other Ministers are stood down or not. I believe that is what he was saying and that is a fair answer I think. But I fully accept the question as being in order. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Would it help New Zealand to be seen as a trusted place to do business if Ministers had sufficient capacity to remember when they receive $80000 in plain envelopes and/or paper bags? 
Hon CRAIG FOSS 
: I do not know whether he is referring to—I will not go—the bill as drafted has absolutely nothing to do with whatever that member is talking about. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! I say to the Minister that sadly the question has got nothing to do with a bill. The question asked what steps the Government is taking to help maintain New Zealand’s reputation as a trusted place to do business. The Minister may have intended—[ 
Interruption 
] Order! The Minister may have intended that answer to that question to allow him to talk about a bill but supplementary questions are not constrained. They are constrained only in so far as this primary question states what it states. The question asked is in order. It is hypothetical but it cannot be ignored because the question is in order given that primary question. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Should I put it again? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Is this a point of order? 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Oh no no I am just offering to put it again in case the Minister— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! No I think the Minister can recollect the question. 
Hon CRAIG FOSS 
: I recollect there was a hypothetical question and there are many things that affect New Zealand’s reputation. One of the best things we can do to affect New Zealand’s international reputation as a good place to do business is to continue the prudent economic management that this Government started about 4 years ago and is continuing to do so. 
Grant Robertson 
: In light of his desire to maintain New Zealand’s reputation as a trusted place to do business is he satisfied that the Hon John Banks has the required ethical standards to be his Associate Minister of Commerce? 
Hon CRAIG FOSS 
: I do not appoint Associate Ministers. 
Grant Robertson 
: In light of his desire to maintain New Zealand’s reputation as a trusted place to do business is it his intention to withdraw the delegations of the Associate Minister of Commerce John Banks in light of the revelations that he solicited donations from Skycity Kim Dotcom and a third party and then signed a donation return that could not recall those donations? 
Hon CRAIG FOSS 
: These reflections reflect pretty badly on the questioner. I have no responsibility for the delegations or any of the roles. That is at the will of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. You know and I know that that Minister signed those delegations— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: —not the Prime Minister. It is just not true. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! No order! The member is now questioning the answer. The Speaker has to take the Minister’s answer as it stands. I cannot question whether or not Ministers are giving correct answers; I can only assess whether or not they have provided an answer and the Minister has certainly provided an answer. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Did he sign the delegation for John Banks as an Associate Minister? 
Hon CRAIG FOSS 
: Yes; the member is correct that this Minister does sign those delegations in consultation with the Prime Minister. 
Welfare Reforms—Policies Affecting Families 
6. 
JACINDA ARDERN (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister for Social Development 
: Does she stand by her statement that “if we are going to make a difference for the families who are struggling we need to be able to invest in interventions that we know will work”; if so what are her methods for developing policies that she knows will work? 
Hon CHESTER BORROWS (Associate Minister for Social Development) 
 on behalf of the Minister for Social Development: The Minister stands by her full statement that was made with regard to the new Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit in the restructured Families Commission where she said: “If we are going to make a difference for the families who are struggling we need to be able to invest in interventions that we know will work and that have had full evaluations. This new unit will build a body of evidence that will allow policy makers non-governmental organisations and anyone wanting to invest in social services to make informed decisions about which programmes are effective for New Zealand families.” The establishment of this unit is a key part of this Government’s focus to ensure we are investing in what works. 
Jacinda Ardern 
: Can she provide to the House the evaluation or evidence showing that the policy that she announced on Michael Laws’ show on the court ordering unfit parents not to have further children will work when the Ministry of Justice denies any involvement in this policy and her own green paper reference group had not been involved? 
Hon CHESTER BORROWS 
: The primary question was directed towards the Families Commission. I have not been briefed in respect of an answer that I could provide to that supplementary question. 
Hon David Parker 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The Minister in answering the primary question said that the policies through this unit should have full evaluations. It is quite in order for the Minister to say he cannot answer the question because it has not been provided for but he should not deny the relevance of the question. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I think the point is a fair point. The Minister is perfectly at liberty to say that he does not have the information to answer the question but I think the point the Hon David Parker makes is correct. The primary question is not focused on the Families Commission; it does not mention it. But the Minister’s answer is still perfectly legitimate unless he wishes to add anything further to it. He does not. 
Jacinda Ardern 
: Can she provide to the House any advice or evaluation to show that the policy she announced on Michael Laws’ show on drug-testing beneficiaries will work when a Government department is rumoured to have provided evidence to the Ministry of Social Development strongly criticising the plan? 
Hon CHESTER BORROWS 
: I have not been briefed in respect of comments she made in respect of drug testing. 
Le’aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor 
: Tena koe Mr Speaker. E rau rangatira ma tena tatou koutou. What evidence has she seen that her military activity camps are working for troubled youth given that the idea has been discredited internationally and her own camps have a reoffending rate of 53 percent? 
Hon CHESTER BORROWS 
: In respect of the military-style activity camps they have not been commented on internationally. Although they were incorrectly represented in the previous term as boot camps there has been international evidence in respect of boot camps. In respect of military-style activity camps there is currently an evaluation that is going on at the moment and we look forward to the results as they appear to be positive in the interim. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Before I call Jacinda Ardern I say that when a member from another party asks a supplementary question they deserve to be able to hear the answer. There was too much interjection then. 
Jacinda Ardern 
: Can she provide to the House advice or evidence she has used to support the policy of contraception for beneficiaries rather than for all low-income women which Michael Laws called “a policy position I’ve always advocated” given she claimed to have received medical advice but an Official Information Act request later revealed she had received absolutely none? 
Hon CHESTER BORROWS 
: I am afraid I cannot answer that question as it is targeted towards comments in respect of contraception. I would suggest that if the member has that particular question she should direct it in writing or ask the Minister on another occasion. 
Jacinda Ardern 
: Can she provide to the House the advice or evidence she has to show that the policy she announced at the National Party conference to turn food hardship grants into food parcels to save the taxpayer money would save more than the alternative policy of having an actual plan for job creation and growth so people are not in hardship in the first place? 
Hon CHESTER BORROWS 
: Unfortunately I have not been briefed in respect of that but I am sure that such a hard-working creative Minister will welcome the opportunity to answer that question should she be asked in person. 
Question No. 5 to Minister 
GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Leader—Labour) 
: 
 I apologise; I meant to table this after question No. 5. I seek leave of the House to table a letter from the New Zealand Police dated 26 July 2012 referring to complaints about the Hon John Banks’ mayoral election spending which notes that he solicited donations from Skycity Entertainment Group an anonymous radio ad provider and Kim Dotcom. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is objection. 
Major Events Development Fund—Promotion of New Zealand 
7. 
JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) 
 to the  
Minister for Economic Development 
: How is the Major Events Development Fund contributing to building New Zealand’s profile overseas? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Economic Development) 
: 
 The Government is using the Major Events Development Fund to partner with organisers to attract retain grow and deliver high-quality major events for New Zealand. The purpose of the Government funding is to ensure lasting benefits for New Zealand from hosting events promotion of the country overseas international media exposure increased tourism and job creation. For example last week I attended the media launch of the 2013 Winter Games which will receive $1 million in support from the Major Events Development Fund. In return for this Winter Games NZ will provide extensive international television opportunities to promote this country as a premier winter destination across our key tourism and trade markets. It is estimated that the 2013 event will deliver around 33000 visitor nights and reach a global television audience of around 800 million viewers. 
Jacqui Dean 
: How will the development of the Winter Games benefit New Zealand? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: The Government investment is designed to provide a platform for the event to step up to another level in 2013. It is intended to become one of the world’s top three snow sports events and to deliver the quality expected of a world-leading event. It will be one of the biggest winter sports events in fact outside the Winter Olympics. It is expected to increase the number of participants spectators and international tourists attending the event. The Winter Games is just one of the many major events that the Government has backed. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Hang on—who backed it first? Who backed it first? You’re just a follower just a follower. 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: We have also got behind the Rally of New Zealand the Triathlon ITU World Championship Series and the World Masters Games. Trevor is having a bit of attention deficit disorder. All these events will help raise New Zealand’s profile overseas and lead to increased tourism and business opportunities Mr Mallard. 
Migrant Workers—Immigration New Zealand Labour Market Testing 
8. 
DARIEN FENTON (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Immigration 
: What labour market testing requirements does Immigration New Zealand carry out before approving an employer’s application to bring foreign workers to New Zealand? 
Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister of Immigration) 
: 
 I have been advised by Immigration New Zealand that it undertakes a variety of labour-market checks where information from Work and Income recruitment efforts by the employers and the skills shortage lists are taken into account. In the case of approval in principle applications consultation is also undertaken with relevant unions guilds and industry training organisations. The labour-market test is there to ensure that migrant workers do not displace New Zealanders from employment opportunities. 
Darien Fenton 
: Is he confident that labour-market testing processes are robust enough to protect New Zealand jobs when Immigration New Zealand has just granted approval in principle to one company to bring in 110 so-called façade installers from China on the basis that there are no suitable New Zealanders able to either do the work or be trained to do the work? 
Hon NATHAN GUY 
: Yes I am satisfied in the system. 
Darien Fenton 
: What specific actions if any does Immigration New Zealand take to ensure that the job prerequisites are not overstated or exaggerated in order to artificially exclude New Zealand residents from consideration for work? 
Hon NATHAN GUY 
: As I mentioned in the answer to the primary question there is a very robust process that is worked through with Work and Income with the industry training organisation providers with the guilds and with the unions. There is a very robust process in place and I am satisfied with that process. 
Darien Fenton 
: In what part of the Government’s 120-point economic plan does it state that we will grow our economy and create jobs by bringing in migrant workers into temporary and fixed-term employment despite New Zealanders being ready and able to do this work or easily trained to do it? 
Hon NATHAN GUY 
: I am pleased that that member is applauding our 120-point plan which is very successful. It is interesting that Labour brought in the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme and if I could just quote from one of its members at the time a quote that is all about migrant workers in— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! I am not sure that is exactly an answer to the question asked. It was not that specific a question but the answer should relate to the question and not wander a long way from it. If the Minister is not sure of the question I invite Darien Fenton to repeat it. 
Darien Fenton 
: In what part of the Government’s 120-point economic plan does it state that we will grow our economy and create jobs by bringing in migrant workers into temporary and fixed-term employment despite New Zealanders being ready and able to do this work or easily trained to do it? 
Hon NATHAN GUY 
: As the member knows we do require in our New Zealand economy some foreigners to ensure that we can continue to grow our economy. If I could please talk very briefly about the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme which was rolled out by that Government and which we are supporting Mr Mallard said: “There are always anxieties about the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme—about whether it is displacing New Zealand workers. Well I think there may be an argument in this case that it is actually creating jobs for New Zealand workers.” I agree with Mr Mallard’s statement. 
Darien Fenton 
: I seek leave to table a letter from the Amalgamated Workers Union to Minister Kate Wilkinson asking for a review of the decision to allow 110 workers to be employed on façade construction on the basis that the skill required is basic and New Zealanders could be trained to do this work— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is objection. 
Emissions Trading Scheme—Proposed Amendments 
9. 
Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM (Green) 
 to the  
Minister for Climate Change Issues 
: Is the $328 million additional cost of the Government’s recent Emissions Trading Scheme proposed amendments consistent with the National Party election pledge that the amendments would be fiscally neutral? 
Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Associate Minister for Climate Change Issues)  
on behalf of the Minister for Climate Change Issues: Yes because we do not want the emissions trading scheme to be a tax-grabbing revenue earner from households and the productive sector. We also wanted to amend our scheme in globally fragile conditions in the interests of the wider economy rather than on the basis of some narrow Government interest. 
Dr Kennedy Graham 
: Why is the Government increasing subsidies to emitters in these globally fragile conditions to the tune of several hundred million dollars rather than strengthening the emissions trading scheme so that it will actually reduce emissions? 
Hon SIMON BRIDGES 
: I do not agree with the basic premise of the question. They are not subsidies; they are the absence of a cost imposed on households and businesses in this country. 
Dr Kennedy Graham 
: Why does not the Government follow the UK model which has a binding 80 percent cut by 2050 with 5-yearly carbon budgets for reducing emissions instead of simply stating a weaker target with no credible plan to get there? 
Hon SIMON BRIDGES 
: I have not examined the UK scheme in any great detail but it is fair to say we do not want the economic mess that they are in today. 
Dr Kennedy Graham 
: Rather than weakening the emissions trading scheme why does the Government not introduce a plan such as the British one—and I recommend that the Associate Minister read it—that is described as providing “a clear credible long-term framework for a move to a low-carbon … economy [giving] businesses and individuals the … certainty they need to play their part.”? 
Hon SIMON BRIDGES 
: I believe that in our emissions trading scheme we have that clear credible scheme and we are also of course wanting to make sure that in these fragile economic conditions globally we do not ratchet it up unduly at this time. 
Paid Parental Leave—Minister’s Statements 
10. 
SUE MORONEY (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Finance 
: Does he stand by all of his statements on the proposed extension to paid parental leave? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 Yes particularly the statement that the Government supports parents and families. We have spent $154 million on providing the current paid parental leave which has increased by $67 per week since 2008. Alongside that the Government spends $1.4 billion on early childhood education subsidies and $2.6 billion on Working for Families payments. We have made sure that despite Budgets being tight and despite a recession we have at least maintained all these payments to families. 
Sue Moroney 
: Does he stand by his statement in April that the bill to extend paid parental leave would require an extra $500 million in borrowing over the next 3 to 4 years? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: Yes. 
Sue Moroney 
: Did he receive advice from the Department of Labour on 11 April the day he announced his intention to use a financial veto that showed that the maximum cost of the bill was $285.6 million over 3 years—almost half the figure he misled the public with? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: If you add the number for the 4th year they are pretty similar. 
Sue Moroney 
: No they’re not. 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: They are. The simple point is the member’s proposition will double the cost of paid parental leave. I look forward to the day when the Government has those sorts of choices. We do not have those choices now. We are working hard to maintain the current expenditure of $154 million on paid parental leave $1.4 billion on early childhood subsidies which have increased by 40 percent in the last 4 years and $2.6 billion on Working for Families payments. We are supporting families very extensively. 
Sue Moroney 
: I seek leave to table a document from the Department of Labour released under the Official Information Act to me which shows that the maximum cost of the paid parental leave bill over 3 years would be $285.6 million. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is objection. 
Sue Moroney 
: Did he tell journalists at a press conference he held that he will not extend paid parental leave even after the Government books get back into surplus when he announced his intention to use a financial veto on 11 April? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: It is not a matter of whether I will extend paid parental leave. What I did announce was that in my statutory role as Minister of Finance I would be vetoing this particular bill because of the high cost of it at this time. Of course Governments have got choices in the future and those choices will all be fairly difficult. Paid parental leave will be only one of a long list of aspirations New Zealanders will have once the Government gets its books back into surplus. 
Sue Moroney 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The question was very direct. I asked him whether he had told journalists a particular statement. He did not respond to the question. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: What I will do—because I cannot recollect exactly the question asked—is I will allow the member to repeat her question but it had better ask just that. 
Sue Moroney 
: Thank you Mr Speaker. It does indeed. Did he tell journalists at a press conference he held that he will not extend paid parental leave even after the Government books get back into surplus when he announced his intention to use a financial veto on 11 April? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: Well I cannot recall exactly the words that were used but I can tell the member that it is not a matter of my extending paid parental leave. I announced that as Minister of Finance in my statutory capacity—as used many times by previous Ministers of Finance—I would veto that particular piece of legislation. I look forward to the time where the Government has the kind of choice that the member is proposing but right now with a significant deficit we do not have that choice. I am sure my remarks to the press conference reflected the reality that when we do get to surplus there are many aspirations New Zealanders will have of which this is only one. At the time it may not be the most important. 
Fishing Vessels—Changes to Design and Construction Rule 
11. 
JAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany) 
 to the  
Associate Minister of Transport 
: What recent changes has the Government made to improve the safety of fishing boats? 
Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Associate Minister of Transport) 
: 
 Today I announced changes to the maritime rule covering the design and construction of fishing boats and the equipment used on them. The rule applies to vessels less than 25 metres in length which make up more than 90 percent of the fishing fleet. The fishing industry is one of our most dangerous and structural and equipment failures count for approximately one-fifth of fishing industry injuries. The new requirements will mitigate the risks such as of fire and flooding and substantial new structural requirements will be applied to newly constructed vessels. 
Jami-Lee Ross 
: How do these changes reinforce the Government’s focus on better and less regulation? 
Hon SIMON BRIDGES 
: These changes are part of a bigger story in transport where we are working with industry on reducing both unnecessary compliance costs and red tape while improving safety as well. Other recent examples include regulations regarding jetboat licences and passenger service vehicles. Industry involvement on these changes has been essential to ensuring that rules are appropriate and workable for the sector. 
Education Minister—Promotion of  
My School 
 Website Model for School Data 
12. 
TRACEY MARTIN (NZ First) 
 to the  
Minister of Education 
: Does she stand by all her statements? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education) 
: 
 Tena koe e te Mana Whakawa. Nahau i timata tatau i runga i te karakia i tenei ahiahi. Otira tena tatau e te Whare e whakanuia nei to tatau reo rangatira. 
[ 
Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you for beginning with a karakia this afternoon. Greetings to the House as we celebrate Maori Language Week. 
] 
Yes. In particular I stand by my statements that this Government wants to see our education system delivering for five out of five kids and that we are committed to raising achievement and ensuring that all our young people have the knowledge skills and values to be successful in the 21st century. 
Tracey Martin 
: Does she stand by her statements on Parata’s Post promoting the Australian My School website as a template for a purpose-built New Zealand educational website? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: I roto i tera kaupapa i kite tatau etahi ahuatanga e pai ai mo Aotearoa hoki. Heoi ano kare i te katoa. Hei te wa ka timata taua te hanga i tetahi mo Aotearoa motuhake ka tiro ano tatau. 
[ 
With regard to the website we found some elements that were relevant to New Zealand but not all. When we set about buidling a website especially for New Zealand we will look again. 
] 
Tracey Martin 
: Kia ora. Is the Minister aware that the My School website relies upon the national testing regime the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy or NAPLAN and that this contradicts her statements to the Education and Science Committee that there are no plans to have a national test in New Zealand if the model was rolled out without substantial change; if so can she explain this contradiction? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: I roto i taku whakahoki tuarua i korero ahau mo era ahuatanga e pai ana mo te hanga i tetahi i roto o Aotearoa. I etahi atu o aku whakamarama mo tenei ahuatanga ka whakakorehia tera ahuatanga i runga ano i te whakaaro he whakamatautau mo te katoa o Aotearoa. Na tera rereketanga kare i taea era ahuatanga. 
[ 
In the second part of my answer I acknowledged those elements that would be relevant to New Zealand. In other comments I have made I have been clear that I reject a national test for New Zealand. Because of that difference it could not be done. 
] 
Andrew Williams 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Although this is Maori Language Week and we do understand the use of Te Reo this week there will be many New Zealanders out there who are wanting to hear the Minister’s answer to the question in English. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! [ 
Interruption 
] Members will respect the fact that I am on my feet. Members in this House are perfectly entitled to use the official languages of New Zealand and they can use Te Reo at any time they choose. For the people whom the member was concerned about out there in the public especially those watching on television there is an immediate translation available to those people watching it on television. That should be available—a simultaneous translation—and if it is not available I want to find out what has gone wrong technically because that should be available. 
Point of Order—Tabling of Documents 
MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Senior Whip—National) 
: 
 In your reflections on question time today and yesterday I wonder whether you would consider the application of Speakers’ rulings 147/4-6 regarding the tabling of documents. It may be just my perception but it seems to me that the convention around succinctness may be being relaxed at the moment whereby a number of documents are being described following which there is a commentary that starts “which shows they have” or “which says that”. In particular your own ruling among other things says: “Seeking leave is not an opportunity to convey information while members are on their feet;”. It may be me but it does seem that over the last few days that has become elongated. It would be helpful if you would reflect on that. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I will hear Chris Hipkins on the point of order. 
CHRIS HIPKINS (Senior Whip—Labour) 
: 
 Although many of the Speakers’ rulings do indeed refer to that since some of those rulings were made you have made a further ruling that members need to explain with some particularity what the document is that they seeking to table so that you can assess whether it is already publicly available for example among other things. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I appreciate the spirit in which the point of order is raised but we have made very significant changes to the process for seeking leave to table documents and members can no longer seek leave to table clippings from newspapers records of radio transcripts or anything like that that are readily available to members. We have also made a requirement that members identify the source of the document before making any comment about what it contains. I think that is a mechanism of avoiding the opportunity for members to just get extra speeches in. I think for members of the House to be able to make a decision on whether or not they should allow a document to be tabled they need to know the source of the document and they need to have a brief summary of what it contains—some idea of what it contains. I accept that I must not allow members to go on too long there but I think it is not unreasonable that there can be some brief explanation of what the document contains since we have eliminated so much of the wasteful tabling of documents. I think it is unreasonable to expect members to make a judgment about whether they should allow a document to be tabled if they do not know what is in it. But I do accept the point the member makes that I must not allow members to use it as a chance to make an extra speech.