edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
10. Question No. 10—CourtsSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister for CourtsQuestion No. 10—Courts10. STUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister for Courts: Is he confident that the Canterbury Earthquakes Insurance Tribunal will comply with all requirements of the rule of law?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister for Courts): Yes.Stuart Smith: On whose advice is he establishing a tribunal which will have the power to override contractual terms in an insurance contract between the insurer and the insured?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The member has confused the rights and powers of the proposed tribunal under the bill. No tribunal or court has the power to override contractual obligations; their job is to interpret and enforce and uphold.Stuart Smith: Why did he ignore the Ministry of Justice's advice which says that Enabling a tribunal to override contractual terms would retrospectively change the legal basis for determining these disputes breaching fundamental rule of law principles."?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The role of the tribunal will not be to create new conditions or do anything other than is provided for in existing policies as between policyholders and insurance companies. This is about getting on with resolving the nearly 3000 residual unresolved insurance claims arising out of the Canterbury earthquakes that were not resolved under the previous Government because it chose to do nothing about them.Hon Gerry Brownlee: It's not true. That's a complete lie—an absolute lie.Stuart Smith: On whose advice is he establishing—SPEAKER: No no. I think the member's—I'm not going to make him apologise twice but he must withdraw and apologise.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I withdraw and apologise. I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: I hope it's not going to be in relation to that because the member has basically lost his rights by his intervention.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Oh well; I'll have a go later in the afternoon.Stuart Smith: On whose advice is he establishing a tribunal which will have the power to override contractual terms in an insurance contract between the insurer and the insured?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: Mr Speaker I think I've answered that question. There is no power to override contractual obligations.Stuart Smith: Did the Minister inform his Cabinet colleagues about including a provision which would impede on fundamental rule-of-law principles; if not why not?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: If I understand the question it's asking whether advice was given that was clearly in breach of the rule of law. No such advice was given to ministerial colleagues and look "why not?"—that is the most absurd tail to a question I've ever heard."
9. Question No. 9—Housing and Urban DevelopmentTAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki) to the Minister of Housing and Urban DevelopmentQuestion No. 9—Housing and Urban Development9. TAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: What steps is the Government taking to ensure Housing New Zealand is a compassionate landlord focused on tenant well-being?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): Housing New Zealand's report into methamphetamine contamination has found that Housing New Zealand applied the guidelines wrongly and adopted a punitive zero-tolerance approach that compromised tenant well-being. In all 800 tenants lost their tenancies and were not rehoused by Housing New Zealand—many of those people were made homeless. The Prime Minister has asked us to put compassion back into Government and that's why Housing New Zealand is now focused on sustaining tenancies wrapping support around vulnerable families and allowing them to live their lives with dignity. We know the counterfactual: that making vulnerable families homeless is the worst-case scenario for the families their neighbours community and the country.Tamati Coffey: How will Housing New Zealand deal with drug addiction in the future?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: We are focused on the health and well-being of our tenants and we intend to provide increased support to people experiencing addiction and drug-related harm. Housing New Zealand will continue to report tenants who deal drugs or manufacture P to the police but drug use will be treated in the first instance as a health problem. As a compassionate landlord Housing New Zealand will make sure that tenants get the medical support they need to deal with their addictions.Tamati Coffey: What other projects does Housing New Zealand have under way to better support its tenants?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Housing New Zealand has been changing its policies and practices to improve outcomes for the people we house both now and in the future. Housing New Zealand is partnering with other agencies and specialist NGOs to address the deep and complex social issues like addiction and drug-related harm. For example the new Greys Avenue development in Auckland will have supportive housing combining public housing with services including 24-hour specialist services to support people with addiction issues. Housing New Zealand wants to be a very different organisation now. We want tenants to live their lives with dignity and respect.Tamati Coffey: Why does the Government believe sustaining tenancies is so important?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: All of the evidence tells us that secure housing is critical to people's well-being especially for children and for people who are vulnerable in other ways—for example with disabilities or illnesses. Throwing people with addictions out on to the street is the worst possible thing that we can do to them.
6. Question No. 6—FinanceDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 6—Finance6. Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of Finance: What is his reaction to the independent Tax Working Group's interim report released today?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Today the independent Tax Working Group released its report on the structure balance and fairness of New Zealand's tax system. The report had two main findings: New Zealand continues to have a relatively narrow tax base when compared to our OECD peers and New Zealand's tax system reduces income inequality by less than the OECD average. The Government has published its response to the interim report today and asked the working group to undertake further work on the topics that we gave it.Dr Deborah Russell: What is the Government's response?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The Government has reaffirmed the areas that are out of scope for the review including any income tax rate or the rate of GST increasing inheritance tax any other to changes that would apply to the taxation of the family home or the land under it and the adequacy of the personal tax system and its interaction with the transfer system. We have asked the group to come back to us with their final report in February with a package of proposals to meet their terms of reference and have encouraged them to undertake further work on areas that they have highlighted. This includes proposals that would not increase the total amount of tax collected—in other words a revenue-neutral package.Dr Deborah Russell: What are the next steps in this process?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The group is seeking feedback from the public on its interim report over the next six weeks and I encourage New Zealanders to engage in this process. The group will make its final report in February 2019 and Cabinet will consider the recommendations of that report. I can confirm that no changes from any legislation arising from this will come into force until 1 April 2021 after the next election.Kieran McAnulty: Does the Minister agree with the recent suggestion from the Hon Paul Goldsmith that a capital gains tax should apply to the family home?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Absolutely not and that was clearly excluded from the terms of reference of the group. I am somewhat surprised to hear the member opposite now make this policy. This will make for a very interesting discussion about the future of tax in New Zealand.
Lee DeniseDENISE LEE (National—Maungakiekie): Thank you Madam Assistant Speaker. I'm happy to take this call for the few minutes that we have remaining here in this particular segment of Parliament on the Education Amendment Bill (No 2). Now one wonders why straight off the bat it's not part of the Education Amendment Bill. I think that my colleague Simeon Brown touched on something very pertinent when he talked about the segmenting of this very prolific number of education bills going through Parliament that we have—Simeon Brown: Trying to look busy.DENISE LEE: They look like they're being segmented because—you're exactly right Simeon Brown; there's a need to look busy in the education sector. Well in fact we are very busy with reviews and working groups—16 of them. They're going on behind the scenes. Meanwhile here in Parliament we are having what is looking like a haphazard number of education bills. We started with the Education (Protecting Teacher Title) Amendment Bill. It was a member's bill but that one didn't quite make the course—withdrawn. We then had a NELPs bill a National Education and Learning Priorities bill which has been gutted but we're still trucking on with that and here we are with a No. 2 bill that feels random and not at all coherent. Why is this not part of the primary Education Amendment Bill? We don't know why.Now I'm struggling to choose either irony or hypocrisy for what's taken place this week when we have been debating vigorously—and of course on this side opposing—the Education (Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand) Amendment Bill which has been heralded on the other side of the House for so-called lifting of teacher status independence brought back enjoying all the elected-member status and all that comes with that yet we are here right now debating not independence but the removal of independence for the Teaching Council. How do you add that up? How does one manage to reconcile those two? It is beyond me and an absolute mystery.Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 6 p.m.
Hughes GarethGARETH HUGHES (Green): Kia ora Madam Assistant Speaker. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou. When you walk through the streets you can see the beautiful daffodil flowers which are blooming. I guess you could consider this legislation a bit of a spring clean for our laws. The Statutes Amendment Bill cleans up and modernises many of our laws. I can only presume that the Minister the Hon Aupito William Sio has diligently read every single piece of New Zealand legislation spotting the areas to be modernised if not one of his staff—things like repealing the definition of Commonwealth force" because it's no longer needed things like removing the requirement for the Governor-General to sign off the board of the Chartered Professional Engineers Council as part of the drive for efficiency. These are non-controversial methods that the House agrees to unanimously and that the Green Party is proud to support.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Governance and Administration Committee."
Statutes Amendment Bill — First Reading
Andersen GinnyVIRGINIA ANDERSEN (Labour): Thank you very much Mr Assistant Speaker. First and foremost I'd like to acknowledge the Minister of Defence Ron Mark and also the former Minister of Defence the Hon Mark Mitchell for the good work they've put into the Military Justice Legislation Amendment Bill reaching this third and final reading this being the final speech in this as well.It is an important bill that enables four really key areas in terms of alignment and that's around victims' rights notice of judicial appointments court martial procedure and onus of proof. Aligning the military justice system with the criminal justice system makes good sense. Military personnel deserve exactly the same rights enjoyed by civilian victims of serious crime particularly those of a violent sexual nature. We want to make sure there's consistency across both of those systems.There's been a really interesting change a good development in general in New Zealand over a decade now across both parties to really acknowledge and enhance the rights of victims. The first significant change in this space as already mentioned has been in 2002 with the introduction and implementation of the Victims' Rights Act. Victims of serious offences under that Act were given a right to be informed or notified of applications of bail breaches of bail and release and escape of offenders.I know that was quite an onerous duty. I was involved in implementing some of that myself from the police's end and there is a lot of work that goes in to make sure victims are clearly aware of those key points in the justice system. Previously for those under the military justice system they were only advised of when bail was being granted. They weren't even consulted; they were just advised. So ensuring that there is consistency across both those systems is important and as we see an increased diversification in terms of our military—we see more women involved—it's important to make sure that everybody's rights are protected in that space.I won't speak for a long time as this has been a good discussion and it's good to see consensus across the House on a non-controversial but yet important piece of legislation. On the last sort of note I'd like to say that it's important that we don't silo off or make insular those areas like the military like the Defence Force. If there are positive changes happening across New Zealand society it's important that we bring those changes right across all the institutions within our country and this is an excellent piece of legislation that makes that so. So without further ado I commend this bill to the House.Bill read a third time.
Military Justice Legislation Amendment — Third Reading
O'Connor GregGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu): This is a piece of legislation going through which is highly significant and I congratulate the Hon Ron Mark for bringing that and those from the Opposition before him who conceived this. In a previous existence I had quite a lot to do with the military and I expect Mr van de Molen and Mr Penk who I know both came from the military when they were there probably weren't aware of just the basic rights that they lacked. It was only when something occurred that people in the military realised just the world they lived in.In my previous job I often had meetings in darkened corridors and cafes where no one would be seen where people from the military were seeking the right to start an association to have some rights and to have someone speaking on their behalf for the very reasons we're seeing today. I think New Zealanders should understand that we send people off to do some pretty dangerous things and some terrible things are often bestowed on them but while we've done them we've denied them some basic rights and this legislation has brought to light just what we expect of our military out there. So I hope we see this as not the end of anything but just the start of acknowledging how we need to treat those in our military much better than we do today.So I congratulate the Hon Ron Mark for bringing that today and I just hope that in the future we can look at other legislation where we can actually make life much better for our people. I mean just think about this: if you're accused of something—and this had its genesis in a time when this could well have ended up with you in front of a firing squad. This is legislation that really had its genesis in the First World War and we're just now recognising some of the things that happened to our soldiers there. But when you were accused you had to prove that you were innocent. Just the mere fact that you were behind the line was enough and could and did get you shot.So having a look at this legislation again particularly focusing on section 3(2) of the Armed Forces Discipline Act which we are repealing today which has said that unbelievably the accused has to prove on the balance of probabilities any excuse exception exemption or qualification that the accused relies on as a defence to a charge—I mean can you believe that? That's what we're repealing today. So this is actually a very significant piece of legislation. We sit in the House here and talk about what we're going to do the tanks we're going to buy and the ships and various other pieces of paraphernalia but actually it's about the people. We often hear that expression used It is people it is people it is people." in this House. This is about people. This is about our people and I really do commend this to the House and hope that it's not just the end of recognising that; it is the start of a necessary recognition for what we do and what we expect of our people who we send out there to look after us. I commend this to the House."
Radhakrishnan PriyancaPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour): Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker. I rise to take a call on the Military Justice Legislation Amendment Bill in its third reading. I want to begin by acknowledging the former Minister of Defence the Hon Mark Mitchell and also the current defence Minister the Hon Ron Mark. I want to congratulate both of them and thank them for their work with regard to this bill. As we've heard from speakers who have spoken before me the military justice system is currently not aligned with the civilian criminal justice system and that is what this bill seeks to do. It confers the same rights to military victims of serious offences including those who are victims of sexual offences and other violent offending. It confers them with the same rights that are afforded to victims through the civilian criminal justice system.This is essentially a bill that is about fairness and it's about equality of justice for military members. It also removes an unnecessary process step that is contained within the Court Martial Act 2007 so that any judicial appointment to the court martial would now be published through the Gazette rather than requiring prior arrangements with the Chief of Defence Force and this increases the efficiency of the system. In essence what this bill aims to do is align the two systems as I've previously mentioned and also enhance the efficiency the transparency and the consistency of the system as well. It also makes an amendment to the court martial procedure. It aligns the provisions governing whether an accused is unfit to stand trial with those provisions that are contained within the criminal justice system as well.Finally this bill makes a significant change also to the onus of proof within the military justice system. I know that previous speakers have gone into that in quite a bit of depth so I think I will just leave it there for now and say that this is a good bill. It ensures that provisions of a number of aspects related to the military justice system will be aligned with the criminal justice system and it aligns with this coalition Government's focus on the values of fairness and equality of justice. With that I commend this bill to the House. Thank you.
Faafoi KrisHon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Customs): Madam Chair thank you for giving me another call. I thought I'd better do so because after the last contribution by David Bennett I feared there might be a closure soon.Can I respond to some of the questions that have been asked from members opposite. First of all to Chris Penk's question about the date from which this piece of legislation comes into force it is closely aligned to another piece of legislation the Customs and Excise Act which comes into force the same day. I think it's a fair question that the member asks as to the readiness of the Customs Service to be ready for the new regimes. Can I just assure the member that in the short time that I've been the Minister of Customs this is an issue that the customs management are taking very seriously and have done I think excellent work given that the time frame is not too far away to ensure that all front line and management and leadership are ready for the change in regime with the Customs and Excise Act and also with this piece of legislation as well.I think a number of members have asked questions about the new bill in terms of powers that have existed pre—and will exist post—the passing of this legislation. As I mentioned and others have mentioned there are already two international treaties which New Zealand is party to. Again article 108 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and article 17 of the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances allow in some part limited powers under international law but this piece of legislation as I said gives some certainty by putting it in our own legislation.Mr Walker thank you for your concern for my health but I can answer you in terms of your question around vessels: if you look at clause 8(3) of new schedule 5A you will see that vessels can be forfeited and further assets may be sought also under the proceeds of crimes legislation. I also think Simeon Brown asked a fair enough question in terms of the definition of precursor substance". If I can point Mr Brown to page 12 of the bill—the copy of the bill that I've got anyway—the definition of "precursor substance" is the same as at clause 1 in new schedule 5A: "Precursor substance has the meaning given to that term in section 2(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act". So if Mr Brown would like to know exactly what that is then I suggest he head towards that section in that particular piece of legislation.Parts 1 and 2 schedule and clauses 1 and 2 agreed to.House resumed.Bill reported without amendment.Report adopted."
Maritime Powers Extension Bill — In Committee
Faafoi KrisHon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Customs): Madam Chair I'm just going to take a quick call. I get a funny feeling from the tone of the debate from the National-led Opposition that we're not going to actually be dealing with the bill itself. So can I just correct the Hon Todd—CHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley): Well actually the Minister is questioning the Chair.Hon KRIS FAAFOI: Can I just correct one issue put by the Hon Todd McClay. I'm aware that these speeches are actually recorded for future reference so I would hate for the public to think that Mr McClay was right when in fact he is wrong. Mr McClay said that this piece of legislation was introduced by the former Government—that is wrong. This piece of legislation was introduced to this House by the current Government by the Hon Meka Whaitiri and referred to the select committee on 3 July.So I'd just like to put that fact right and also make the point that not only was it obviously not a priority for the previous Government to get this legislation—this is how much of a priority this piece of legislation was for the previous Government: it didn't introduce it. That's how much of a priority stopping drugs at the border and before they come into our economic zone was. It was such a high priority for the previous Government that it didn't even introduce this piece of legislation. So I just want to make sure that the Hon Todd McClay is put right. I do want to apologise to him because I understand that information was given to him by the Hon Mark Mitchell so by association he was wrong.Can I also point out one of the stupidest things I have ever heard said in this Parliament and that was the Hon David Bennett inviting drug dealers from overseas to come to New Zealand. Now that is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard a member of Parliament say in this House and I think I've said enough about that.
Faafoi Kris; Tolley AnneMARITIME POWERS EXTENSION BILLIn CommitteeHon KRIS FAAFOI (Acting Minister of Customs): I seek leave for all provisions to be taken as one question.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is none.
Lees-Galloway Iain; Brownlee GerryTHURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2018 The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.BUSINESS STATEMENTHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Deputy Leader of the House): Thank you Mr Speaker. Next week the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill will complete its remaining stages. The Maritime Powers Extension Bill will receive its third reading. The committee stages of the Education Amendment Bill and the Telecommunications (New Registry Framework) Amendment Bill will progress. The first readings of the Education Amendment Bill (No 2) and the Equal Pay Amendment Bill will be completed. The Government will move to extend the sitting of Tuesday 25 September until 1 p.m. on Wednesday 26 September. The Remuneration Authority (Members of Parliament Remuneration) Amendment Bill will pass under urgency on Wednesday 26 September.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam): I thank the acting Leader of the House for quite an extensive indication of the programme next week but I would point out that particularly with regard to the decision by the Government to take urgency on a bill that we have said we would be quite happy to cooperate with is a little disappointing and I think it calls into question the purpose of having a Business Committee operating inside the complex. We were able to close a road in Auckland very very simply and in a very straightforward manner with a great deal of cooperation last week. On something like this quite frankly that is making politics of something that should be a little more virtuous than that and I express my deep disappointment that the Government is not showing the respect to the Business Committee that it should be particularly given that there were undertakings offered at that Business Committee for a discussion which quite clearly has not taken place.
Wednesday 19 September 2018 - Volume 733
Education (National Education and Learning Priorities) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
VoteThe question was put that the amendments recommended by the Education and Workforce Committee by majority be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 56; ACT New Zealand 1.Amendments agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the Education (National Education and Learning Priorities) Amendment Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 56; ACT New Zealand 1.Bill read a second time.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Tasman District Council (Waimea Water Augmentation Scheme) Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 112New Zealand National 56; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; ACT New Zealand 1.Noes 8Green Party 8.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Governance and Administration Committee.
Tasman District Council (Waimea Water Augmentation Scheme) Bill — First Reading
12. Question No. 12—Housing and Urban DevelopmentANDREW BAYLY (National—Hunua) to the Minister of Housing and Urban DevelopmentQuestion No. 12—Housing and Urban Development12. ANDREW BAYLY (National—Hunua) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: Will Kiwi families be able to buy the new KiwiBuild houses and apartments coming on to the market?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): Yes.Andrew Bayly: Why did he not know the bank lending requirements before announcing the 39-square-metre KiwiBuild apartments in Onehunga?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: This is a minor matter that was resolved in less than a day. The developer NZ Living had included the balcony and patios of the studios in his floor space calculations; the bank that was approached by the first-home buyer did not and it was immediately rectified.Marja Lubeck: What interest has there been in those Onehunga apartments?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well in just 48 hours the KiwiBuild unit has received 91 ballot entries including 16 for the studio apartments and just this last weekend over 500 people went to the Onehunga showroom. First-home buyers are voting with their feet and they're backing KiwiBuild.Andrew Bayly: Why are people now getting turned down for bank loans due to the small size of KiwiBuild homes when he insisted six months ago that he was hammering out details with mortgage lenders?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: They're not being turned down for bank loans.Andrew Bayly: Will he be putting himself forward as the keynote speaker to talk about his KiwiBuild apartments at the New Zealand tiny house conference in Carterton?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well I won't but I would say this: it is presumptuous and arrogant for the National Party to assume that all Kiwis want a 1950s stand-alone bungalow on a quarter-acre section in the suburbs because quite frankly no one's doing that any more these days. So try and keep up.Marja Lubeck: What reports has he seen on the popularity of apartments?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well more and more Kiwi families are choosing to live in apartments so that they can be close to work shops cafes and great transport connections. In the last five years the number of consents issued for apartments has more than tripled in Auckland. We need to build our way out of the national housing crisis by building apartments townhouses units flats and the occasional stand-alone home.Andrew Bayly: Mr Speaker.
11. Question No. 11—Workplace Relations and SafetyDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and SafetyQuestion No. 11—Workplace Relations and Safety11. Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What announcements has he made about pay equity?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety): Earlier today along with my colleague the Acting Minister for Women I announced the introduction of the Equal Pay Amendment Bill which makes it easier for workers in female-dominated industries to make a pay equity claim. It is appropriate to mark the 125th anniversary of universal suffrage with another milestone for women. After all Kate Sheppard and the suffragists did say that pay equity was their next goal.Dr Deborah Russell: What does the Equal Pay Amendment Bill do?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: It provides a clear and practical framework for parties to get around the table to settle pay equity claims. This is a better way to address pay equity. It's a much better match with the recommendations of the joint working group and significantly improves on the previous Government's attempt.Dr Deborah Russell: How does the bill contribute to the well-being of New Zealanders and their families?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Many of New Zealand's lowest-paid workers are women and their skills knowledge and experience have not been adequately valued. The pay equity settlements right a wrong and provide a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. That's more money in Kiwis' pockets and more money for their families.
9. Question No. 9—HealthHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 9—Health9. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of Health: Does he believe that women in the health sector should be paid what they are worth?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): This Government is committed to lifting wages and to pay equity. That is why we have extended the care and support pay equity settlement to mental health and addiction workers that is why district health boards were able to reach an agreement with nurses that delivered the biggest pay increase in a decade and a commitment to implement pay equity negotiations by the end of next year and that's why Budget 2018 included a $103 million package to better support community midwives including an 8.9 percent increase in their fees. That's a significant boost for community midwives who if they handled what is generally considered a full-time caseload of 40 to 50 cases last year received an average of $111000. As I outlined at the start of my answer we are making real progress on pay equity. The answer to the member's question is yes.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Does he agree with the conclusion of the community midwifery co-design project in their November 2017 report on the worth of an independent community midwife?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The Ministry of Health's advice on the recommendations of the co-design team was clear: We are concerned the proposed model would not uphold good practice." and "The proposed model is unlikely to be affordable for Government in the short or long term." I agreed with that advice. In particular I was concerned that we needed to address what in my view are the unreasonable demands we've been routinely placing on our midwives that we don't put on other workforces—for example under the current model 24/7 on-call expectation is not regarded as unusual. The Ministry of Health and the New Zealand College of Midwives are meeting regularly to discuss ongoing issues in the sector and I welcome that sort of collaborative approach.Hon Michael Woodhouse: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question was not about the overall affordability of any changes to the funding model for midwives. My question was about whether the Minister agreed with the assessment of the value of an independent community midwife and that wasn't addressed.SPEAKER: I think it was.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Is the Minister telling the House therefore that while he does agree that an independent community midwife is valued according to the recommendation of that report because it is in his view unaffordable they're not going to get that value?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: No.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Why did he stand before midwives and their supporters at their rally on 3 May saying he was listening carefully to their concerns when he had already ruled out the recommendations of the co-design group four months earlier?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Because I was.Hon Michael Woodhouse: What?SPEAKER: Because he was."
8. Question No. 8—PoliceMARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 8—Police8. MARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister of Police: What recent announcements has he made regarding the allocation of police?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Police): Following the biggest single investment in policing as part of Budget 2018 last month the Deputy Prime Minister the Rt Hon Winston Peters and I announced our support for the Commissioner of Police's allocation of the 1800 additional officers across all regions. This coalition Government is committed to expanding and resourcing a stronger police service and to giving them the support they need to prevent offending enforce the law and keep our communities safe. Thank you New Zealand First.Mark Patterson: What impact does the allocation of the 1800 extra police officers have on our regions and our provinces?Hon STUART NASH: Provincial communities across all regions will benefit from the roll-out of 1800 extra police 712 of whom will be allocated to the regions. Northland for example is getting a massive 25 percent increase in police numbers. Provincial towns in regions throughout Waikato Bay of Plenty Gisborne Hawke's Bay Taranaki Whanganui and Manawatū will gain between 17 percent and 27 percent more officers. Two hundred and sixty-four officers will be stationed throughout the South Island including 88 additional officers to that member's southern district. This investment in policing is an investment in our provinces our communities and our neighbourhoods.Mark Patterson: How are female recruits reflected in the allocation of 1800 extra police officers?Hon STUART NASH: Since 1938 when the Statutes Amendment Act provided the authority to introduce women police the New Zealand Police has continually strived for greater diversity across the country. Currently 38 percent of the applicants to Police College are women. Of the 784 new police officers who've graduated since this Government was formed 298 are women. This includes the historic Wing 315 in June where women made up 54 percent of those who graduated. Police also advise that Māori women have one of the highest application success rates of any demographic group that apply to enter the Royal New Zealand Police College.
5. Question No. 5—Social DevelopmentPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentQuestion No. 5—Social Development5. PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development: What is the significance of passing the bills divided from the Social Security Legislation Rewrite Bill yesterday?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): The passing of these bills was almost 80 years to the day since the first Labour Government introduced the Social Security Act in 1938. In his speech at the time Michael Joseph Savage said the people's well-being is the highest law and so far as this Government is concerned we know no other." By passing this legislation we have laid the essential foundations we need to build a fairer and more accessible welfare system that upholds the dignity of all and ensures that in line with this Government's priorities the people's well-being is once again the highest law.Priyanca Radhakrishnan: Why is it significant for women that the bills divided from the Social Security Legislation Rewrite Bill were passed yesterday?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: It is fitting that we passed this legislation in the week of the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage in New Zealand. We know that women still undertake the majority of parenting and caring duties in our society which are often undervalued. Women are also overrepresented in the welfare system making up 92 percent of those on sole parent support and 57 percent of all beneficiaries in New Zealand. These women and their children deserve fair non-judgmental treatment that doesn't stigmatise them because of their circumstances. Certainty in legislation is a step towards ensuring that they get the support they need.Priyanca Radhakrishnan: What does the passing of this legislation mean for the future of social security in New Zealand?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The legislation is now easier for people to use and understand. This will benefit New Zealanders in need of support now and in the future. It also provides a solid platform for the welfare overhaul that all of Government has committed to undertake to ensure that our welfare system is fair accessible respectful and focused on maximising the potential of everyone who uses it. As my colleague the Hon Nanaia Mahuta has said to me it's about sweeping the floor before we put down the new furniture and I can't wait to put down the new furniture."
4. Question No. 4—FinanceHon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 4—Finance4. Hon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by the statements actions and policies of the Government in relation to the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Yes and I note today that the head of banking and finance at KPMG stated this morning that The economy is going better and growing than the level of sentiment about it."Hon Amy Adams: Does he share the view of Westpac economists that the latest fall in consumer confidence to a six-year low gives genuine cause for concern about the health of the economy and if not why has he repeatedly used it as a benchmark for the health of the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I've used many different benchmarks for the health of the economy. What I would say to the member is I also do share Westpac's finding in today's survey that showed a lift in the current financial conditions in households in the lower-income bracket—the very group of people neglected for the last nine years.Hon Amy Adams: With the Tax Working Group's first report coming out tomorrow will he guarantee New Zealanders that any change to the tax system will be fiscally neutral or is this just going to be a cash grab for the Government?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: This is the interim report of the Tax Working Group. They will make their recommendations. What we have said consistently is that any recommendations that the Government takes up will not come into force until the 2021 year—after the next election.Hon Amy Adams: Does the Minister know the difference between Crown financial statements and GDP?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: That was asked of me yesterday and I continue to understand the difference between them.Hon Amy Adams: So why then in an answer to the question from the Deputy Prime Minister asking him exactly what the difference was did he respond that the difference was that Crown financial statements look back one year and GDP only looks back a quarter?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I said that the difference was—Hon Amy Adams: Check Hansard.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well OK so there may have been a slip of the tongue in the Hansard. I haven't looked at that. I haven't looked at that but what I know for sure is that the trend in GDP in New Zealand—[Interruption] Listen up—listen up Simon. The trend in GDP in New Zealand—SPEAKER: Order! What we'll have now is we'll have a bit of hush over here and we will have people being addressed properly from this side.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: What I know is that the trend of GDP declining in New Zealand began at the beginning of 2017 under that Government. The time it will take to transition to a sustainable and productive economy will be some time but it will be a whole lot less than nine years.Hon Simon Bridges: Does anyone in the Government know the difference between GDP and the Crown accounts or is no one running the show?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On this side of the House we're very aware of who's running the show; I'm not sure who is over there."
3. Question No. 3—Prime MinisterHon SIMON BRIDGES (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 3—Prime Minister3. Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Will she release today all communications between herself her staff and her Ministers in respect of Derek Handley and his proposed appointment to the role of Government Chief Technology Officer?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister): My office has received a number of Official Information Act (OIA) requests including from the Opposition and is working on a response to those. We will release that information in accordance with the provisions of the Act once it has been compiled and once it has been processed.Hon Simon Bridges: What did Derek Handley's text message to her say?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I would have to go from my recollection. But—[Interruption] SPEAKER: Order!Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: —what I can off the back—[Interruption] SPEAKER: Order! Order! The Prime Minister will resume her seat. This is a matter of some seriousness. It's a matter which I've had a number of representations on and I'm told that the House takes it seriously. I want to be able to hear the answer.Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I would have to go from my recollection. But my recollection is that he mentioned that the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) role had been mentioned to him. Again as I said I did not directly reply to that message and it was received in April.Hon Simon Bridges: Did she flat out ignore his text—not even an emoji?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I did not even send an emoji.Hon Simon Bridges: Was there more than one text from or to Derek Handley from the Prime Minister?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: The text that I received again as I said was in April. I did not directly reply to that text message on that day or engage with him on the CTO role. On the CTO role I did not engage with Mr Handley via text message.Hon Simon Bridges: Well were there any other texts between the Prime Minister and Derek Handley?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: As I acknowledged the very moment I was asked this question I have known Mr Handley for a number of years and have had correspondence with him for a number of years.Hon Simon Bridges: What other communications by any medium—Gmail WhatsApp and the like—were there between the Prime Minister and Derek Handley?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: As a consequence of the member's question I have had my office check. Mr Handley sent me an unsolicited email to my private email on 7 June which I did not open and which I did not reply to. I'm advised by my staff that it informed me that he'd submitted an application for the role. But again it was not something I opened saw or replied to.Hon Simon Bridges: When will the text and that Gmail she's referred to be released?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: As I said in my primary answer my office is currently working through the OIA that was received and we will reply in accordance with the Official Information Act.
2. Question No. 2—Housing and Urban DevelopmentJO LUXTON (Labour) to the Minister of Housing and Urban DevelopmentQuestion No. 2—Housing and Urban Development2. JO LUXTON (Labour) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: What reports has he seen on the New Zealand housing market?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): CoreLogic has reported that one in every four homes sold in New Zealand last month was sold to a first-home buyer. This is the highest rate for first-home buyers since 2006-07. This is a very good early result for our plan to increase homeownership in New Zealand.Jo Luxton: How has the Government supported first-home buyers to purchase their first home?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: The Government has extended the brightline test and passed amendments to the Overseas Investment Act to reduce speculation in the housing market. We've increased wages through the Families Package and sound economic management has kept interest rates low. As KiwiBuild ramps up we look forward to seeing more young families moving into their first homes.Jo Luxton: What steps will the Government take to support first-home buyers to purchase their first home?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well on top of the demand side measures that I mentioned and KiwiBuild we're also working on new ways to finance the infrastructure that will allow our towns and cities to grow. That will increase the supply of housing. Our Government is committed to rebalancing the housing market in favour of homebuyers and away from speculators.
Smith NickHon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson): I move That the Tasman District Council (Waimea Water Augmentation Scheme) Bill be reported to the House by 7 November 2018 and that the committee have the authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting except during oral questions during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House on a Friday of a week in which there has been a sitting of the House and outside the Wellington area despite Standing Orders 191 193 and 194(1)(b) and (c).Motion agreed to.
Smith NickHon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson): Can I firstly acknowledge the wide range of comments that have been made. I particularly want to acknowledge the Minister for the Environment David Parker. I also think the final speaker Michael Wood made a very good point and that is reminding the House this is a local bill this is a bill that has been voted on by the Tasman District Council and widely supported and reminding the House that traditionally we have taken a view that this Parliament will generally support local bills providing they have gone through good process. Quite clearly from the debate there is a difference between myself and the Green Party but I acknowledge their point of view and would welcome their involvement on the select committee.I do note in moving the bill that with Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd requiring that all of the legal issues be resolved by December it makes it necessary for me to move a procedural motion following consideration of the bill to be able to meet those contractual obligations. Again I thank all members that have made a contribution and particularly those parties that have agreed to support the bill's first reading.
Motions — Women's Suffrage in New Zealand—125th Anniversary
Mallard TrevorSPEAKER: No the member has no questions left.Before we conclude oral questions I want to seek the leave of the House to table two letters: one to me from the Chief Archivist which I received this afternoon and my reply. They relate to the Hon Clare Curran's Gmail records. Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none.Documents by leave laid on the Table of the House.