edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
4. State and Social Housing—Housing DevelopmentsSIMON O'CONNOR (National—Tāmaki) to the Minister for Building and HousingState and Social Housing—Housing Developments4. SIMON O'CONNOR (National—Tāmaki) to the Minister for Building and Housing: What recent announcements has the Government made regarding its programme of large-scale housing developments in Auckland?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for Building and Housing): Yesterday the Tāmaki Redevelopment Company issued an expression of interest process for the redevelopment of the large block of State housing at Tāmaki. It is seeking proposals to transform the first phase of 1000 homes into 2500 new mixed-tenure homes. By the time the programme is completed at least 7500 homes will be delivered at Tāmaki to the Auckland market. This is the largest urban redevelopment project ever undertaken in New Zealand and while taking time it is part of the change in Auckland to a modern vibrant international city. Simon O'Connor: How many new houses has the Government completed on public land in the last year and how does that compare with historic levels?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The House will be interested to know that Housing New Zealand in the last year has completed 871 new homes. This is the highest number in 25 years. On top of that other Government programmes have completed 155 new homes in Weymouth 24 have been completed in Awatea another 432 at Hobsonville and 32 in that first stage of the Tāmaki project. A total of 1514 new homes were completed last year under Government initiatives. This is the highest number in 25 years and more than double the rate that was ever completed under the previous Government.Simon O'Connor: How many houses on public land does the Government have in the pipeline for construction between now and 2020 and how does that compare historically?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The Government has under way an extensive programme of directly building houses on public land that in Auckland by 2020 will deliver 10000 homes. This includes projects like Tāmaki Hobsonville McLennan Moire Road Manukau Great North Road and New North Road and I will be announcing further sites to add to this programme in the near future. There is no time in history when there has been this scale of new home building in Government programmes in Auckland.
Imprest Supply (Second for 2016/17) Bill — First Reading
Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 8 to Minister
Taxation (Business Tax Exchange of Information and Remedial Matters) Bill — First Reading
English BillIMPREST SUPPLY (SECOND FOR 2016/17) BILLFirst ReadingHon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance): I move That the Imprest Supply (Second for 2016/17) Bill be now read a first time. Bill read a first time.
Scott AlastairALASTAIR SCOTT (National—Wairarapa): It is not often in the electorate that constituents come up to an electorate MP and say: Fantastic policy. Fantastic policy." Often it is the MP explaining policies and communicating but in this case with the provisional tax changes suggested it was one of those policies that as my colleague Mr Bishop said really cut through—really hit the nail on the head. Those who are in small business those who have operated small businesses—and there are a lot of them on this side of the House; I am not sure there are so many on that side—understand the problems the issues that the current provisional tax rules present to small-business owners. This policy this bill goes a long way towards solving that issue and I commend it to the House."
Collins JudithAMENDED ANSWERS TO ORAL QUESTIONSQuestion No. 8 to MinisterHon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police): I seek leave of the House to correct an answer to question No. 8 that I gave today.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is no objection.Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Today during question No. 8 I was asked when was I last in the Far North and I gave the answer as July. It was in fact 17 June and I could have also said 15 and 16 April this year.
Bayly AndrewANDREW BAYLY (National—Hunua): It is a pleasure to talk just briefly on this new bill that has been introduced to the House today. This is in a long line of taxation bills before the Finance and Expenditure Committee. We are a hard-working committee and we are looking forward to looking at all aspects of this bill. I just want to highlight that it has got four very important points. First of all it does deal with the issues that John Shewan referred to in his report. We are addressing them and I cannot wait to have a proper debate about that; not some of the rubbish I have been hearing this afternoon. Secondly it deals with the Inland Revenue Department's Business Transformation programme and introduces three aspects related to that. Thirdly it implements the G20 OECD automatic exchange of information—again a very important part of continuing the transparency that New Zealand is well regarded for. And lastly it introduces 16 measures relating to allowing businesses to pay their tax in a much more easy way doing away with many of the use-of-money provisions and also introducing this pay-as-you-go scheme. This is a great bill and I am looking forward it.Debate interrupted.
Smith StuartSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura): This is a great tax bill but before I speak about that I would like to actually respond to some of the pious drivel that we have heard on the Panama Papers. As a conspiracy theory coming from New Zealand First—well there are no surprises there I expect to anyone. But from the Greens? Their mother party or their mother organisation Greenpeace was actually implicated in the Panama Papers. It is a bit rich for those members to come into this House and then act piously—Eugenie Sage: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): There is a point of order—[Interruption] Hang on—we will not have that either.Eugenie Sage: The member has made a totally inaccurate statement. Greenpeace is not the mother organisation for the Green Party.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I take that point and ask the member to focus just on facts.Hon Michael Woodhouse: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. You are well aware of the Standing Orders and Speakers' rulings around debating points. I would suggest that in the context of the comments that the member has made that is indeed a debating point.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): No. [Interruption] Order! We will not have any interjections when I am on my feet. [Interruption] The member will withdraw that comment and apologise for it. Hon Clayton Cosgrove: I apologise and withdraw.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): My ruling was not to do with the point that Stuart Smith made regarding the points in relation to Greenpeace; it was to do with the point about it being the mother or the sister or the overriding—I do not know what the word was—of the Green Party. I did say to the member to stick to the facts. I did not rule it out of order. I did not ask him to withdraw and apologise. I am asking him to continue.STUART SMITH: Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker. I think I will move on to the bill itself. One of the key things about the National Government's management of the economy is how it has made businesses' lives a lot easier with the way Government regulations and the interface between Government and business occur. This is a fantastic bill—particularly I think with the accounting income method coming in which will make things much easier for small businesses. Also the use-of-money interest not being required on the first two instalments of provisional tax will be a great boon for businesses and enable them to manage their accounts much better. We all know that small business is the backbone of New Zealand's economy and anything we can do to enable that is fantastic. I must say I did quite enjoy the first minute of my speech but thank you.
Bishop ChrisCHRIS BISHOP (National): That was a speech of fiction. It was just a fantasy from Mr Robertson. But the point he made about the hard work of the Finance and Expenditure Committee (FEC) was accurate and true because we on FEC are a very hard-working committee. We have had a number of tax bills put before the committee from the House in the last 18 months. We will go through this bill with the same care and prudence and diligence that we give to all the tax bills that come before us and all the sensible bills that the Government puts before us. So I am looking forward to examining it. In particular I am looking forward to looking at the changes for small business because as the Minister said in his introductory remarks to the House they are going to be of enormous benefit to a lot of small businesses around New Zealand. There are a few things in politics a few policies and big announcements that get cut-through. People in politics talk about the cut-through—the stuff that really gets out to the public which they talk about around the dinner table or the water cooler down at the pub at the rugby or wherever. I think we have had another example of a cut-through policy just the other day—that is the predator-free New Zealand policy. That has been enormously popular. I have had lots of people come up to me and talk about it and say that it is really great to see the National Government backing a blue-green vision for New Zealand really outselling the Greens and Labour and putting up that vision of New Zealand being predator-free by 2050. They are surprised the Greens did not have it as a policy themselves. They have been saying to me that it is very surprising that the Greens did not do it and that they just want to champion it and applaud our vision. But the other cut-through policy to return to the theme of the actual bill is the small business tax changes. I go to a lot of fora with small business and it has gone down extremely well and people are actually rating it with me proactively. I think that is probably the biggest thing in this bill along with the changes that have come out of the Shewan trust review. Grant Robertson left out one very important part of his fantasy time line of what happened around this and that was the defamation by Andrew Little of John Shewan. It was not mentioned—Iain Lees-Galloway: That is a fantasy. Now you're into fantasy.CHRIS BISHOP: Iain Lees-Galloway says that it is a fantasy. Why did he accept that he was wrong then? Come on! He knows that that is wrong. Left out of the time line was the defamation of John Shewan. If Andrew Little wants to come down to the House and say that we would welcome that. But anyway this is a good bill. We are looking forward to examining it at the FEC.
Bennett DavidDAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East): This bill does continue that process of the reform of the tax system that the National Government has been working on. It is important to look at the tax system as something that is an ongoing process. As people become more aware of issues then they become part of the changes you see to the tax system. That last speaker Stuart Nash spoke about some issues that were quite relevant actually in the sense that there had been a lot of public perception. The perception was what he said mattered but that perception actually led to the Shewan report which led to this tax bill. So it is a Government that is engaging listening and working through and then delivering the right policy for New Zealand going forward that takes into account the issues that are out there. This bill also has a number of other components to it in regard to some very important legislation that will be of assistance to small businesses particularly around provisional tax. I know many small businesses are looking forward to those changes and they see them as very important. There are also some changes around GST Working for Families and tax credits from 1 April 2017. It is trying to get that balance between penalties and encouraging taxpayers to make timely payments without it becoming too overwhelming on the taxpayer. This bill also has a number of other requirements in regard to the G20 OECD standards and so that is something else that is part of the bill as well as well as a number of other subsidiary issues. But it is a bill that is part of that tax reform. It gives a continual process of tax reform and this is part of that process of getting the best tax system for New Zealand and to achieve our purposes.
Brownlee GerryTHURSDAY 11 AUGUST 2016Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.BUSINESS STATEMENTHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): When the House resumes on Tuesday 16 August the Government will look to complete the third reading of the Appropriation (2016/17 Estimates) Bill and the Imprest Supply (Second for 2016/17) Bill and progress the Committee stage of a number of other bills on the Order Paper.
Wednesday 10 August 2016 - Volume 716
Social Security (Stopping Benefit Payments for Offenders who Repeatedly Fail to Comply with Community Sentences) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Social Security (Stopping Benefit Payments for Offenders who Repeatedly Fail to Comply with Community Sentences) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 61New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 60New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Social Services Committee.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Oaths and Declarations (Endorsing the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 50New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 71New Zealand National 59; New Zealand First 12.Motion not agreed to.
Oaths and Declarations (Endorsing the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Minimum Wage (Contractor Remuneration) Amendment Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 61New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12; Maori Party 2; United Future 1.Noes 60New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1.Bill read a second time.
Minimum Wage (Contractor Remuneration) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
1. Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2)—PurposePHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū) to the Member in charge of the Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2)QUESTIONS TO MEMBERSHealthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2)—Purpose1. PHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū) to the Member in charge of the Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2): Why did he draft the Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2)?ANDREW LITTLE (Member in charge of the Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2)): Because in 2016 no child in New Zealand should be living in a hovel and it is time that New Zealand accepted a standard that no child should be getting sick or die because they cannot live in a warm safe dry home. This bill sets standards to ensure that every rental property is livable and will keep kids out of hospital.Phil Twyford: How does this bill differ from the current law?ANDREW LITTLE: The current law propagated by the present Government applies a standard for insulation that is only at the 1978 standard and requires the installation of smoke alarms. My bill requires there to be a source of heating requires weathertightness requires the house to be able to be ventilated and has a minimum standard on drainage. The Children's Commissioner described the Government's current law as shameful and said that it will do little for children living in cold damp mouldy homes. My bill will be a whole heap better.
11. Road Safety—Alcohol InterlocksJACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Associate Minister of TransportRoad Safety—Alcohol Interlocks11. JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Associate Minister of Transport: What steps is the Government taking to increase the take-up of alcohol interlocks?Hon CRAIG FOSS (Associate Minister of Transport): Our road toll is much much too high. To help to address this the Government has decided that alcohol interlock sentences will become mandatory for serious repeat offenders with two or more drink-driving convictions within 5 years and first-time offenders who are more than three times over the legal limit. Around two-thirds of all fatal crashes are caused by a combination of alcohol drugs and/or excessive speed. Interlocks physically prevent an offender from drink-driving ensuring their own safety and of course the safety of other passengers and other New Zealanders on the road. Mandatory interlock sentences are a targeted and effective way to help spare families friends loved ones and communities the pain and suffering that inevitably follow each and every serious crash.Jacqui Dean: What reports has the Minister seen on the Government's announcement to make alcohol interlock sentences mandatory?Hon CRAIG FOSS: I have seen many reports from organisations that support the Government's announcement yesterday. The Automobile Association says: The Government's intention to make alcohol interlocks mandatory for many drink-drivers is a much-needed advancement to keep innocent people safe on the roads." Sober Check says that it has seen firsthand the good that alcohol interlocks do—and they really do effect and improve driver behaviour change. The road safety charity Brake is pleased with the "hardline approach" this Government is taking to drink-driving. Mandatory interlocks for repeat serious drink-driving offenders will make our roads safer for all New Zealanders."
10. Schools Funding—ReviewCATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) to the Minister of EducationSchools Funding—Review10. CATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) to the Minister of Education: Will she guarantee that her education funding review will not lead to larger class sizes?Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education): Class sizes are determined by principals; therefore the member's question is best directed to them. I know that principals make decisions that are in the best interests of their school community and the education funding review is aimed at providing them with the best tools and flexibility possible to allow and support them to do so.Catherine Delahunty: Do larger class sizes result in better educational outcomes for children?Hon HEKIA PARATA: The evidence is very clear that it is the quality of teaching and leadership in a school that makes the most difference to the quality of learning that children have.Catherine Delahunty: When parents in 2012 soundly rejected increased class sizes what has changed since then that would justify a funding proposal that facilitates that?Hon HEKIA PARATA: I reject the member's proposition that the proposals that we are discussing will facilitate that.Catherine Delahunty: Which advice would she give a principal with urgent conflicting demands on their budget because of her proposed funding model: to increase class sizes restrict curriculum choices not have computers or cash up a few teachers as this option allows?Hon HEKIA PARATA: Unlike the member I hold principals in high regard. I trust them to use their professional judgment about what is necessary. They do that based on the data and experience of their actual children and they do it informed by the guidance of the board made up largely of the parents of children at their school.
9. Immigration New Zealand—Vision 2015MELISSA LEE (National) to the Minister of ImmigrationImmigration New Zealand—Vision 20159. MELISSA LEE (National) to the Minister of Immigration: What recent announcements has the Government made in relation to the Vision 2015 programme?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Minister of Immigration): Last week the Government welcomed two reports that show the learnings of Immigration New Zealand's (INZ) successful Vision 2015 programme. The programme was launched in 2012 and formally closed in June this year. It involved a $136 million technology-enabled business transformation of people process and place which has enabled Immigration New Zealand to deliver a more customer-focused consistent and cost-effective service. The success of the programme has ensured that INZ is recognised as a trusted partner capable of providing outstanding immigration services and ensures that we facilitate the effective movement of the increasing number of people coming over New Zealand's borders.Melissa Lee: What were the main initiatives undertaken through the Vision 2015 programme and how have these initiatives improved INZ's operations?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Immigration New Zealand was constrained by a high-cost operating model a bricks and mortar - based system and limited ability to respond to customer and market demands. Vision 2015 has transformed and streamlined services for customers with the deployment of Immigration Online which allows applications for student work and visitor visas to be made online. E-medicals can be made online and the sorts of biometric checks for identity and risk are also now being done in this system. The risk-based approach to managing applications means communicating with hundreds of trusted partners including high-end tourism operators education providers and key industry sectors to facilitate value and low-risk visa processing.
5. Teachers—Teach First NZCHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister of EducationTeachers—Teach First NZ5. CHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made that will get more teachers into low-decile schools?Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education): I was pleased to announce today the extension and expansion of a groundbreaking teacher training programme to help strengthen and grow the teacher workforce. The Teach First NZ pilot has been very effective in attracting high-achieving graduates into teaching. That is why we are extending the programme for a further 2 years to train 40 new secondary school teachers and expanding it by another 10 places focused on science technology and maths in 2017. This means there will be up to 30 places in 2017 and 50 new trainees overall by 2018. Teach First NZ is a field-based initial teacher education programme developed by the University of Auckland and the Teach First NZ Trust. The programme has a robust selection process that selects high-calibre participants—just the type of teachers we want in our schools. It also has a high completion and retention rate so we are backing it to recruit more quality graduates.Chris Bishop: How will this announcement help more young people succeed?Hon HEKIA PARATA: We are committed to recruiting the best and brightest into teaching particularly in high-demand subjects like science technology and maths. The extra places and the expansion to allow Teach First NZ to cover technology graduates will help attract more new teachers for these subjects. The Ministry of Education has just released the third of four evaluation reports on the pilot from the New Zealand Council for Educational Research. The report confirms that Teach First NZ is effective and is being efficiently implemented. The strength of the relationship between Teach First NZ and the University of Auckland is an important factor in the success of the programme—Ron Mark: No one's listening.Hon HEKIA PARATA: —and the success of our kids. Mr Mark you may not be listening but the sector is.
3. Building and Construction Industry—JobsKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister for Tertiary Education Skills and EmploymentBuilding and Construction Industry—Jobs3. KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister for Tertiary Education Skills and Employment: What recent reports has he received on job growth in the construction industries?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Tertiary Education Skills and Employment): Recently the Minister for Building and Housing and I released the National Construction Occupations projections report which shows that the number of people working in construction-related occupations is expected to hit a high of 539500 in the next 5 years up nearly 10 percent—or 49000—from last year. Occupations expected to experience the largest growth in the next 5 years are electricians 14 percent; plumbers 13 percent; and civil engineers 11 percent. The majority of this building activity will be in residential construction which is already at record levels across the country and is expected to grow a further 20 percent in the next 2 years. The report was released alongside the National Construction Pipeline Report from Building Research Association of New Zealand and Pacifecon which predicts that the total value of building and construction work by 2021 will top $200 billion. New Zealand is in the middle of its biggest ever building boom and the workforce to support this boom is continuing to grow.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: What reports has he received on recent job growth in the construction industry?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: The industry is growing rapidly and was the largest contributor to annual employment growth last year with 27500 more people employed. In fact there are 40000 more people employed in construction today than 2 years ago. The nationwide construction sector workforce is the largest it has ever been with 232000 people working directly in the industry while a much larger group of 490000 work in construction-related occupations. The Auckland construction workforce has grown by more than 24000 in just the last 2 years to a total of 80000 people currently.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: How is the Government supporting the demand for tradies including in the construction industry?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: With construction growth at record levels and forecast to keep growing the Government is actively supporting the industry to train more skilled workers to meet the demand for new housing and construction. Last year there were almost 38000 people training in construction-related fields which is an increase of nearly 20 percent over 4 years. For the first time ever the number of apprentices being trained by the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation has topped 10000. To further support training Budget 2016 included a further $14 million for more apprentices along with $9.6 million for Māori and Pasifika trades training. We are also supporting initiatives like Ara at Auckland Airport which is bringing people off benefits and into meaningful employment and training on that worksite.
Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act Repeal Bill — In Committee
Tuesday 9 August 2016 - Volume 716
Estimates Debate — In Committee
VoteThe question was put that Vote Arts Culture and Heritage Vote Internal Affairs Vote Māori Development Vote Pacific Peoples Vote Sport and Recreation Vote Statistics Vote Treaty Negotiations and Vote Women be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the votes be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Votes agreed to.Clauses 1 to 10 and schedules 1 to 5 agreed to.House resumed.Bill reported without amendment.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That Vote Business Science and Innovation Vote Labour Market and Vote Transport be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 57New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 13; New Zealand First 12.Votes agreed to.
9. Health Services—Doctors' FeesHon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Minister of HealthHealth Services—Doctors' Fees9. Hon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement that changes to doctors' fees is a problem actually that can't be solved without more money"; if so why did he not put a Budget bid in as "pushed" to by Treasury?Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA (Acting Minister of Health): I did put in a Budget bid for increased subsidies for doctors visits and with the strong support of the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister we received an extra $25 million for primary care. This means that under this Government subsidies for doctors visits have gone up over $230 million to $900 million in this year's Budget. That is an increase of 24 percent.Hon Annette King: So is the Minister saying that additional funding was put in for primary healthcare that will address the 434000 high-needs New Zealanders who miss out on affordable primary healthcare; if not why not?Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: No. What I am saying is that the Government subsidies for doctors visits have gone up $230 million over the last 8 years—that is what I am saying.Hon Annette King: What would move him to seek additional funding for the 501000 adult New Zealanders who according to the 2014-15 New Zealand Health Survey are not accessing a doctor due to the cost with fees going up from $29 a visit to $40 a visit and some paying $70 a visit under this Government?Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: What I can say about that health survey is that the unmet need due to GP costs for adults is unchanged for the last 3 years and I can also say for Māori—particularly for Māori—the unmet need due to GP costs actually decreased from 22.5 percent to 19.7 percent and that is where the funding is going. Hon Annette King: Why would Dr Andrew Miller chair of the Manaia Health primary health organisation be wrong when he said recently that looking after high-needs patients is not worth as much as non - high-needs patients and that it is an appalling inequity entirely unethical and illogical?Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: I cannot speak for that doctor but what I can say is that for very low-cost access practices there has been an increase in the last year of $1.5 million and over the last 8 years in terms of those high-needs patients there has been an increase of over $20 million. Hon Annette King: Why did he not make a bid for additional funding for high-needs patients in this Budget when people like Dr Tim Malloy president of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners said on Sunday: "Having to decide between whether you eat or go to the doctor is actually a reality."?Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: I want to reiterate what I said in terms of the primary question: there was a Budget bid put in and that resulted in $25 million being received for primary care over and above the amount that was paid last year."
8. Fishing Industry—Deaths of Marine MammalsEUGENIE SAGE (Green) to the Minister for Primary IndustriesFishing Industry—Deaths of Marine Mammals8. EUGENIE SAGE (Green) to the Minister for Primary Industries: Is it acceptable that an estimated 530 dolphins have been killed by fishing trawlers in the last 6 years on his Government's watch?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): I think everyone would agree that even one death of a dolphin is unacceptable; however estimated captures have decreased significantly since the early 2000s. The Government wants to protect these unique marine mammals and the fishing industry realises that its social licence is just as important as its fishing licence. That is why we have doubled the number of observers over the last decade prosecuted fishers when presented with reliable evidence and are fast-tracking cameras and GPS on every vessel but there will always be more work to do.Eugenie Sage: Does he agree with George Clement of Seafood New Zealand that dolphins seals and seabirds are putting themselves at risk near fishing boats and causing themselves harm"; if not why not?Hon NATHAN GUY: I think the wording of Mr Clement's statement is regrettable but the point is that fishermen do not actually want to catch dolphins seals or other protected species and they do what they can to avoid this accidental bycatch.Eugenie Sage: Will he introduce sustainability measures under the Fisheries Act to prevent dolphins being caught and killed in commercial trawl nets; if not why not?Hon NATHAN GUY: There is a lot of work that has been ongoing to do with research and development and new technologies and methods. The fishing industry is very aware that it should not put out or haul its nets in in the early hours of the morning between 2.30 and 4.30 a.m. They are already looking at using—and some are—the dolphin dissuasive devices commonly called "pingers" where some fisheries overlap with where dolphins may be. These are common-sense measures that the fishing industry is choosing to implement as we speak.Eugenie Sage: When an estimated 81 dolphins were caught in the 2013-14 year how many dolphins have to be killed in the jack mackerel fishery before he considers closing that fishery or parts of it to prevent further dolphin deaths?Hon NATHAN GUY: I do not think there is a clear number. What I would say is that the Environment Aotearoa 2015 report shows that significant progress is being made in reducing seabird capture which is estimated to have fallen by around 40 percent since 2002. I understand that there is still more work that needs to be done.Eugenie Sage: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question was about dolphin deaths in the jack mackerel fishery; the Minister answered in relation to seabird deaths.Mr SPEAKER: As I listened to the question the member said "What is the specific number?" and the Minister answered immediately by saying that there was no specific number he could give. The question was addressed."
7. Broadband Ultra-fast and Rural—ProgressTODD BARCLAY (National—Clutha-Southland) to the Minister for CommunicationsBroadband Ultra-fast and Rural—Progress7. TODD BARCLAY (National—Clutha-Southland) to the Minister for Communications: What recent announcements has she made on the progress of the Government's broadband initiatives?Hon AMY ADAMS (Minister for Communications): Yesterday I was pleased to announce that more than 1 million households businesses schools and hospitals are now able to connect to the ultra-fast broadband (UFB) services. This means 2.4 million New Zealanders can now connect to UFB which is an outstanding achievement at this stage of the build. There are now more than 830 new households and businesses connected every working day—more than one every minute. And we have completed more than 19 towns across regional New Zealand the latest being Queenstown in that member's electorate. Todd Barclay: How has the Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) contributed to faster broadband for rural New Zealand?Hon AMY ADAMS: Our objective for the RBI build was to deliver faster broadband to rural communities and the programme has been incredibly successful in achieving this. Prior to the RBI only 20 percent of rural lines were capable of speeds of around 5 megabits a second. Rural Broadband Initiative 1 (RBI1)—phase 1—increases to 90 percent of rural New Zealand households and businesses and speeds are in fact well in excess of that and in many cases around a hundred times faster than in 2008. Now that RBI1 is complete I look forward to continuing to improve connectivity in our rural communities with the second phase of the RBI.
5. Trade China—Steel Imports and Retaliatory Export RestrictionsANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime MinisterTrade China—Steel Imports and Retaliatory Export Restrictions5. ANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that threats of trade retaliation by China if New Zealand investigates substandard Chinese steel imports are unsubstantiated rumours" given his Government has been discussing that threat with China since May?Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): Yes. Every time the issue of possible retaliatory action against our exports has been raised New Zealand has sought and received assurances from China.Andrew Little: Was the Government's decision not to investigate substandard Chinese steel imports connected to trade threats from China or is that just a coincidence?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I am not aware of the decision that the Government has made in regard to that.Andrew Little: Is it just another coincidence that our kiwifruit exports are now blocked from China after Chinese threats of trade retaliations if we investigate its steel dumping?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: My understanding is that the issue holding up imports of Zespri kiwifruit into China is a technical matter. It is a technical matter related to some rot that was found on fruit that was imported some weeks earlier. My understanding is that Zespri has voluntarily decided not to export the fruit because it is going through now a pre-examination process that will ensure that when it restarts the exports to China they are rot-free.Andrew Little: Why is it acceptable for China to ban New Zealand exports for containing a fungus that poses no health hazard and has been present on our kiwifruit exports to China for years?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: The member is Leader of the Opposition and on the basis of that he has some responsibility at least to get the facts vaguely correct. The fact is that Zespri voluntarily stopped sending exports of kiwifruit to China for about a week. They have not been banned by the Chinese.Andrew Little: How has he let the relationship with China get to the point where it is allowed to send us shoddy steel but we cannot send it top-quality kiwifruit?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: The member is just making this stuff up. He does himself a disservice."
Borrows ChesterMāori Other Populations and Cultural SectorThe CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): Members we come now to votes in the Māori Other Populations and Cultural Sector volume B.5 volume 8. The question is that Vote Arts Culture and Heritage Vote Internal Affairs Vote Māori Development Vote Pacific Peoples Vote Sport and Recreation Vote Statistics Vote Treaty Negotiations and Vote Women stand part of the schedules. But before I take a call I will just advise the Committee that all parties apart from the National Party have used up their supplementary calls and the Māori Party and the ACT Party have one each. So the standard calls that exist as allocated proportionately under this topic are those calls that are left.
Tisch LindsayEducation SectorThe CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): Members we now come to votes in the Education Sector. The question is that Vote Education Vote Education Review Office and Vote Tertiary Education stand part of the schedules.
Mallard TrevorEconomic Development and Infrastructure SectorThe CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Members we now come to the votes in the Economic Development and Infrastructure Sector—Volume B.5 Volume 1. The question is that Vote Business Science and Innovation Vote Labour Market and Vote Transport stand part of the schedules.
Urgent Debates Declined — Housing New Zealand Corporation—Dividend Not to be Paid for 2 Years
Faafoi KrisKRIS FAAFOI (Labour—Mana): I have got only 30 seconds so I am going to get straight to the action. A lot has happened since we were last here in this debate. During the adjournment the Government signed us up to NATO" principles—not the North Atlantic Treaty Organization but "NATO" in terms of housing—the "no action talk only" principles of this Government. We have got a "NATO" Government when it comes to housing.On this side of the equation though we announced some policy during the adjournment that will make sure there is building of more affordable homes cracking down on speculators and support for those in need. I talked about the Porirua experience when I was last speaking in the Committee and I think that is a good thing."
Borrows ChesterESTIMATES DEBATEIn CommitteeDebate resumed from 7 July.Social Development and Housing Sector (continued)The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): Members when we last interrupted the Estimates debate we were debating the votes in the Social Development and Housing Sector—B.5 Volume 10—and the question that Vote Building and Housing and Vote Social Development stand part of the schedules. Kris Faafoi had the call and he has got 34 seconds remaining.
Carter DavidURGENT DEBATES DECLINEDHousing New Zealand Corporation—Dividend Not to be Paid for 2 YearsMr SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Phil Twyford seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the announcement by the Government that Housing New Zealand would no longer pay a dividend in the next 2 years. The announcement is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. The business of the House ought not to be set aside just because a ministerial announcement has been made even though it may be important. There must be such an element of urgency that the matter must take precedence over other business. The Speaker must also consider whether there is another opportunity to debate the matter. I am not convinced that the matter does warrant the setting aside of the business of the House. In any case the business currently before the House is the Estimates debate which is an opportunity to debate the Government's spending plans. The Estimates debate is currently on the Social Development and Housing Sector. That debate and the third reading of the Appropriation (2016/17 Estimates) Bill which must follow shortly afterwards—and I refer members to Standing Order 340(1)—give ample opportunity to debate the matter that is the subject of the member's application. The application is therefore denied.
Vote: Human Rights Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Human Rights Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 24 May 2016. Volume:714;Page:11182. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 88New Zealand National 59; Green Party 13; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 32New Zealand Labour 32.Motion agreed to.The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 175 in the name of the Hon Amy Adams to clause 6 be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.Part 1 as amended agreed to.
Vote: Taxation (Transformation: First Phase Simplification and Other Measures) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Taxation (Transformation: First Phase Simplification and Other Measures) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 24 May 2016. Volume:714;Page:11145. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Motion agreed to.The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 171 in the name of the Hon Michael Woodhouse to Part 1 be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.
Vote: Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 24 May 2016. Volume:714;Page:11142. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 60New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2.Noes 61New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Amendments not agreed to.Part 1 as amended agreed to.Part 2 agreed to.Schedule agreed to.Clause 1 agreed to.Clause 2 agreed to.Clause 3 agreed to.Bill to be reported with amendment presently.
Bishop Chris: Human Rights Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBishop Chris: Human Rights Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 24 May 2016. Volume:714;Page:11182. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CHRIS BISHOP (National): I move That the question be now put.
Peters Winston: Taxation (Transformation: First Phase Simplification and Other Measures) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePeters Winston: Taxation (Transformation: First Phase Simplification and Other Measures) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 24 May 2016. Volume:714;Page:11165. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): I have got to confess that some of us are down here tonight for this debate on false pretences because we were told that National was going to introduce and pass through certain stages the Taxation (Transformation: First Phase Simplification and Other Measures) Bill. That is why we are here only to find out that we have been grievously misled.You will recall there was a family down in Louisiana in the United States called the Long family and Huey Long’s famous comment about taxation was—very much epitomised by the National Party attitude when on the hustings until it gets in here—that taxation reform is very much like “Don’t tax you don’t tax me tax that man behind the tree.” That is exactly where we are now tonight because when we talk about transformation it is quite possible that people out there who do think that the Parliament in this country has got some sort of credibility and is actually serious about the word “transformation” in the title. There is nothing very transformative in this legislation at all. In fact all it epitomises is that in the 8th year of its term in Government National is still flitting around the edges and does not quite know what it is doing and it will probably be back in 6 months to change this as well.And then on the issue of simplification let me say that we have more tax law than the United States.Hon Member: No we don’t.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: We do so. It is more voluminous and more complicated than the United States but of course over there if they catch someone cheating they put them behind bars for 10 20 or more years. Here we give them a knighthood or we cover it up. We do our utmost not to disclose it. Any transformation or simplification would certainly be attacking for example those trusts that are a big issue politically in this country but which no one can mention tonight. With all that evidence glaringly out there in the public domain with voluminous amounts yet to come soon to home in on all sorts of personalities in this country and headlining the latest National Business Review on the front page it does not make it into this legislation which tells you that we may be wasting the taxpayers’ time and indeed the time of this Parliament.Clause 1 agreed to.The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 171 in the name of the Hon Michael Woodhouse to clause 2 be agreed to.Amendment agreed to.Clause 2 as amended agreed to.Bill to be reported with amendment presently.