edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Hughes Gareth: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHughes Gareth: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10664. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]10.GARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Minister of Energy and Resources: Does he stand by his statement that Genesis Energy’s decision to stop burning coal at Huntly is “a sign of the times and reflects the growth of New Zealand’s world-leading renewable energy industry”?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Energy and Resources): Yes.Gareth Hughes: If announcing the end of coal in 2015 was “a sign of the times” does last week’s decision to keep burning coal at Huntly mean more climate pollution and no new renewable generation is the real sign of the times?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: No not at all because as the parties to the agreement made very clear it is a short-term solution to the security of supply to ensure that when the wind is not blowing and when it has not been raining for some time actually New Zealanders can have their lights on and can have their showers hot. Otherwise there are no emissions. I would remind the member that in terms of Huntly when Labour was in power—when his mates were in power—12 percent of our power came from Huntly. Now it is some 2.6 percent and decreasing very sharply.Gareth Hughes: Had the Minister received a commitment from any power company before he said last week that coal units at Huntly will be used only as back-up power supply and “I think it is going to be used very very infrequently.”?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I do not need an undertaking—it is there in black and white in their press releases.Gareth Hughes: I seek leave to table information unavailable to members from the electricity Market6 website which shows that today Huntly has been burning coal every hour for the last 24 hours and at near capacity despite no—Mr SPEAKER: I will put the leave but if it is available on a website I honestly cannot see why it is not available to members. I will put the leave anyway. Leave is sought to table that information. Is there any objection? There is none. It can be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Gareth Hughes: Is the Minister’s definition of burning coal “very very infrequently” actually every hour for the last 24 hours or is this just spin to hide the embarrassment of committing to burning more coal for the next 6 years only 5 days after signing the Paris climate change agreement?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: My definition of “infrequently” is that when his party was helping the Labour Party it was 12 percent of power; now it is 2.6 percent and going down. By the way since we have been in office it has gone from 65 percent renewables in electricity to 81 percent. That is a very strong record of success.
Parmar Parmjeet: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeParmar Parmjeet: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10663. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]9.Dr PARMJEET PARMAR (National) to the Minister of Transport: What steps has the Government made on strengthening New Zealand’s air links with India?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Transport): As part of the recent visit to New Zealand by India’s President Pranab Mukherjee I had the honour of signing a new air services agreement between our two countries. The most significant change in the new agreement is that New Zealand airlines now have the opportunity to code-share with any partner airlines to six cities across India. In addition New Zealand airlines can code-share to New Delhi with Air India. By signing this new agreement we have further strengthened our already very strong ties and history with India.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: What benefits will the new air services agreement with India bring to New Zealand?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies; as an emerging global superpower and with a population of 1.3 billion people it presents enormous opportunities for New Zealand. Our annual trade with India is now worth more than $1 billion and in the year to March 2016 almost 52000 Kiwis travelled to India and close to 60000 Indian visitors came to New Zealand. I am very excited that the New Zealand air services agreement will boost tourism create new trade opportunities and strengthen the existing strong personal ties between our two countries.Tracey Martin: Did part of the conditions requested by the Prime Minister of India include 35 scholarships paid for with taxpayers’ money for Indian students to study in New Zealand?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: No that is a little bit silly.
Yang Jian: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeYang Jian: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10660. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]6.Dr JIAN YANG (National) to the Minister for Primary Industries: What reports has he received on growth in horticulture exports?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): New research by Plant and Food Research shows that horticulture exports increased by 9.5 percent last year to a record $4.27 billion. Key sectors that have increased include kiwifruit which is up 27 percent by $251 million; wine which is up 6 percent by $85 million; apples which are up 5 percent by $25 million; cherries which are up 87 percent by $24 million; and avocados which are up 22 percent by $22 million. With domestic and export receipts at now over $7.5 billion when combined they are on track to meet their target of $10 billion by 2020.Todd Muller: In what ways is the Government supporting this extraordinary growth?Hon NATHAN GUY: That is a very good question. The Government will continue to support this growth through research and development and by enabling greater market access through free-trade agreements. For example the Government is partnering with the industry on a $17 million programme called Lifestyle Wines and the $8.6 million New Zealand Avocados Go Global Primary Growth Partnership programme. The Trans-Pacific Partnership will save our fruit vegetable and winegrowers an estimated $50 million in tariff savings once implemented and the Korean free-trade agreement has eliminated tariffs on wine and cherries. Apples and exports to Taiwan are up 250 percent since 2013.Dr Jian Yang: How is our free-trade agreement with China supporting growth in horticultural exports?Hon NATHAN GUY: That is a very good question. Total exports to China have increased by 1400 percent by over $350 million since 2008. I was in China recently on a very successful trip with the Prime Minister the Minister of Trade and the member Jian Yang supporting our primary industries. It was great to see Zespri celebrate the start of the new kiwifruit season in China and its new status as an importer of record. It has also partnered with two major fruit producers in the Shaanxi province the world’s largest kiwifruit-producing region.
Carter David: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10658. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: I did not detect that it was inaccurate but to move matters forward I will ask the member to ask the question again
Peters Winston: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePeters Winston: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10658. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Of course it is a genuine point of order. The fact is that he has not read the question properly.
Carter David: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10658. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: I have a point of order—I certainly hope it is a genuine point of order.
Simpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSimpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10658. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel): What reports has he received indicating continuing economic growth in 2016 low inflation for New Zealand households and increased business activity?
Carter David: Points of OrderText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Points of Order[Sitting date: 03 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10653. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is objection.
Delahunty Catherine: Points of OrderText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDelahunty Catherine: Points of Order[Sitting date: 03 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10653. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to move a motion without notice or debate on the call by International Parliamentarians for West Papua for a fair and independently supervised referendum on independence and self-determination in West Papua.
Carter David: Visitors — France—Text is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Visitors — France—[Sitting date: 03 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10653. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: I am sure that members would wish to welcome members of the France - New Zealand Parliamentary Friendship Group led by President Mr Philippe Vitel who are present in the gallery.
Appropriation (2014/15 Confirmation and Validation) Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeAppropriation (2014/15 Confirmation and Validation) Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 03 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10725. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Appropriation (2014/15 Confirmation and Validation) BillThird ReadingHon AMY ADAMS (Minister of Justice) on behalf of the Minister of Finance: I move That the Appropriation (2014/15 Confirmation and Validation) Bill be now read a third time.A party vote was called for on the question That the Appropriation (2014/15 Confirmation and Validation) Bill be now read for a third time.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.Bill read a third time.
Points of OrderText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePoints of Order[Sitting date: 03 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10653. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Points of OrderLeave to Move Motion Without Notice—West PapuaCATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to move a motion without notice or debate on the call by International Parliamentarians for West Papua for a fair and independently supervised referendum on independence and self-determination in West Papua.Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is objection.
Visitors — France—Text is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVisitors — France—[Sitting date: 03 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10653. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Tuesday 3 May 2016Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.VisitorsFrance—France - New Zealand Parliamentary Friendship GroupMr SPEAKER: I am sure that members would wish to welcome members of the France - New Zealand Parliamentary Friendship Group led by President Mr Philippe Vitel who are present in the gallery.
Vote: Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10824. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2) be now read a first time.Ayes 61New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2; United Future 1.Noes 60New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Government Administration Committee.
Vote: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — Third Reading[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10811. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) be now read a third time.Ayes 108New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; United Future 1.Noes 13New Zealand First 12; ACT New Zealand 1.Bill read a third time.
Borrows Chester: Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10824. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can I ask members—I know there is a lot of feeling about this—for the vote to be taken in silence other than as appropriate.
Mitchell Mark: Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMitchell Mark: Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10822. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney): I wish I had more time for this call but I will try to make the most of the time that I do have. I just want to acknowledge the Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little because I think that he is genuinely passionate about this issue; it is just that he has been armed with a very poorly written bill.I do want to address the comments that Metiria Turei made because she looks across the House at us and because we are aspirational she somehow feels that she can accuse us of not actually having any feelings for the people who are in these positions. I just want to say that as a young man growing up my parents bought our first home at 7 Morton Avenue in Sunnynook. My dad had left the air force and he was working two jobs to try to achieve a Bachelor of Commerce degree and my mum was working for Mill Valley and doing some seasonal fruit-picking. We were in a small house. I had a brother and two sisters; we shared a room. The house was not insulated it did not have double glazing it was cold and it was draughty during the winter—David Seymour: This can’t be true. You’re in the National Party.MARK MITCHELL: That is right. Somehow I do not know how my mum found a way to keep us healthy and to keep us warm and dry. I remember the condensation forming on the windows and I also remember clearly when dad had actually saved enough to put our first insulation in. It was the old Pink Batts and we helped him install them in the roof and the ceiling. My brother and I made a fatal error because on opening the first pack we thought they looked like fun to jump around and roll around in. We made a big mistake and mum spent the next 2 or 3 hours hosing us down with cold water for some relief.I am going to back our Minister for Building and Housing and the reason for that is that this Government has already insulated 300000 homes and he has actually got a very good plan that is going to deliver a further 160000 homes in a much shorter time frame than what this bill offers. So I want to acknowledge the Minister and the Government and the work that they have already done. I am the first one to acknowledge and say that we have got an old stock of rental homes that we live in a golden age in terms of the products that are available now to be able to upgrade them and to be able to insulate them better and that we must be focused on continuing to do that. But I am going to back our Minister on this one in terms of the plan he has got that is going to deliver that quicker and more efficiently than the bill that the member of the Opposition has put up. Thank you.
Mallard Trevor: Sittings of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Sittings of the House[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10811. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): I just want to ask a question about whether that leave would extend the House if the House is still going at 10 o’clock.Chris Hipkins: No.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): The answer is that it would and do members understand that? The question is that leave be agreed to for the House rising after the vote on this next bill. Is there any objection? There is objection. [Interruption] Unfortunately the strict rules of the House are that once leave has been put and rejected it cannot be put again. I am going to say that I was a little deaf and I did not hear the member coughing. All right? There is no objection. The House will rise at the conclusion of the bill.
Hipkins Chris: Sittings of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHipkins Chris: Sittings of the House[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10811. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CHRIS HIPKINS (Senior Whip—Labour): I seek leave for the House to rise for the evening after the vote on the Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2).
Henare Peeni: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHenare Peeni: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — Third Reading[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10809. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]PEENI HENARE (Labour—Tāmaki Makaurau): Tēnā koe Mr Deputy Speaker. As the member of the House with 11 community boards in his electorate I commend this bill to the House.
Borrows Chester: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — Third Reading[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10809. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I am sorry to interrupt the member. It is tragic but his time has expired.
Salesa Jenny: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSalesa Jenny: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — Third Reading[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10806. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JENNY SALESA (Labour—Manukau East): I am glad this bill is proceeding through the House in time for the local body elections. I would like to congratulate Mr Alfred Ngaro on his work on this bill and I would also like to acknowledge my friend and colleague Mr Phil Twyford for his wisdom and his foresight in relation to this bill. Labour supports this bill. Thank you so much.
Borrows Chester: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — Third Reading[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10799. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Just before we move on this is not an opportunity to start giving personal endorsements for various candidates. The very slick-tongued birthday boy may have got away with it but just because the Deputy Speaker was negligent in pulling him up on that occasion does not mean he is going to be negligent again.
Borrows Chester: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — Third Reading[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10796. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are really pushing it there.
Tisch Lindsay: Sittings of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Sittings of the House[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10793. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is no objection.Sitting suspended from 5.58 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Ross Jami-Lee: Sittings of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoss Jami-Lee: Sittings of the House[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10793. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip—National): I seek leave for the House to suspend for the dinner break and resume again at 7.30.
Woods Megan: Wellington Town Belt Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeWoods Megan: Wellington Town Belt Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10791. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour—Wigram): It is absolutely my pleasure to take a call on the Wellington Town Belt Bill and to say what else really is there left to say about this piece of legislation? Clearly for the member Alastair Scott who has just sat down the Wellington town belt is a very special place for him and I think we will leave it at that.As tempted as I am to get drawn into the debate about whether this is a horseshoe-shaped or a U-shaped piece of land I really have only one thing to say and that is to commend the local member of Parliament for Wellington Central Grant Robertson for his endurance in bringing this bill to the House and to echo Labour’s support for the Wellington Town Belt Bill. Thank you.
Tisch Lindsay: Wellington Town Belt Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Wellington Town Belt Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10788. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I call Meka Whaitiri—5 minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Wellington Town Belt Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Wellington Town Belt Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10786. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): The next call is a split call. I call James Shaw—5 minutes.
Carter David: General DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: General Debate[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10759. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Pugh Maureen: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePugh Maureen: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10755. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]12.MAUREEN PUGH (National) to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector: What recent announcements has she made regarding support for social enterprise and community leadership groups?Hon JO GOODHEW (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector): Yesterday I announced the launch of the Community Leadership Fund - Hapori Whakatipu which translatedmeans “growing community capability”.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Say that again.Hon JO GOODHEW: This fund provides $500000—that is $500000—of contestable funding on an annual basis to community organisations with a nationwide focus whose role is to provide leadership and capability building across the social enterprise and community sectors. This new type of funding has support for social enterprise and community leadership organisations at its heart.Maureen Pugh: How will the Community Leadership Fund assist our communities in particular through social enterprise?Hon JO GOODHEW: The new fund will bring sector leadership to the fore and give opportunities both to the national-level community organisations and also for the first time to social enterprise—a new but rapidly expanding sector in New Zealand. Social enterprise brings a commercial model to projects that would traditionally rely on Government funding or private donations. Social enterprise seeks to create a commercially viable business with an environmental or social goal as its driving force growing jobs and opportunities for the communities it operates in. Applications for this fund will open later this month.
Bennett David: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBennett David: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10749. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]7.DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) to the Minister of Education: What reports has she received that celebrate exceptional NCEA achievement?Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education): Today I was pleased to join with the Prime Minister in presenting the top National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) scholars with their well-deserved awards. These awards recognise achievement at the highest overall level of academic excellence. Only about 3 percent of year 13 students studying each subject at level 3 are awarded scholarships. In particular I would like to congratulate former Rutherford College student Oxana Repina on being awarded the Prime Minister’s Award for Academic Excellence. Oxana received eight New Zealand scholarships including five Outstanding Scholarship awards and two Top Subject Scholar awards. Also my colleague David Bennett MP has two outstanding scholars from his electorate: Te Paea Ngapo who is a Top Subject Scholar award winner at Te Reo Rangatira; and Soumil Singh who receives a Premier Award. I am sure the House would like to join in congratulating those outstanding young New Zealanders.David Bennett: What is the progress of educational achievement under this Government?Hon HEKIA PARATA: Provisional data show students are on track to surpass challenging educational targets almost 2 years ahead of schedule. It suggests that the number of 18-year-olds with NCEA level 2 or an equivalent qualification increased by 3.2 percentage points to 84.4 percent last year. When we took office in 2008 just 68 percent of 18-year-olds had NCEA level 2. The 24 percent increase in achievement means 7600 more young New Zealanders are equipped to succeed this year than 7 years ago. These figures show more young New Zealanders than ever before are entering adulthood with the skills and qualifications they need to succeed.Tracey Martin: What actions if any is she taking to ensure that the integrity of standards-based assessment is maintained while schools seek to attain her Government’s arbitrary achievement target of 85 percent passing NCEA level 2 particularly in those schools recording 100 percent pass rates?Hon HEKIA PARATA: A number of reports including from the Auditor-General from the New Zealand Council for Educational Research and from universities across New Zealand have been convened to look at the very points that the member is asking questions about and I can make available a list of those reports for the member’s perusal. But in addition to that the New Zealand Qualifications Authority every year moderates 100 assessment items to ensure that the very integrity that the member and I are concerned about is maintained.
O'Connor Simon: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeO'Connor Simon: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10746. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]5.SIMON O’CONNOR (National—Tāmaki) to the Minister of Health: Can he confirm that the Government is providing more New Zealanders with access to new medicines?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Health): Yes. Widening access to medicines is a key priority for this Government and today the Prime Minister and I announced that Pharmac would receive an extra $39 million in 2016-17 as part of this year’s Budget. This funding boost of $124 million over 4 years is in addition to the annual increase of $11 million to Pharmac from district health boards. Overall we have increased Pharmac’s budget by $200 million since 2008 bringing it to a record $850 million for this Budget.Simon O’Connor: What benefits will this increase in funding deliver?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: Pharmac has indicated that the $39 million announced today will allow it to fund seven new drugs including an advanced melanoma drug two hepatitis C treatments a treatment for bronchiectasis in children patches for menopausal women a treatment for brain and neuroendocrine tumours and a treatment for renal disease in children. Although a lot of the focus is on melanoma drugs these are all important treatments. For example 50000 New Zealanders have hepatitis C a serious disease that ends in liver cancer and liver failure for many. These drugs have a 90 percent cure rate with as little as 12 weeks’ treatment and will add many many years of productive living for these people.Simon O’Connor: How does Pharmac deliver the best-possible health gains to New Zealanders?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: The Pharmac model is a world-class one and the Government stands by it. The model has come under pressure in the last few months as a range of people have called for direct funding of a particular pharmaceutical. However what Pharmac has done is deliver a result with the highest efficacy at the best price for the greatest number of New Zealanders. Inevitably the pipeline of new treatments will continue to grow and there will be further decisions to be made. The current Pharmac model will deliver that.Hon Annette King: Is the Minister guaranteeing that a melanoma drug will be funded as one of the seven drugs that can be funded from the $39 million?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: I am guaranteeing that the money is there to do that and Pharmac has given a pretty good indication as you well know.
Carter David: Points of Order — Written Questions—Ministerial Responsibility for Independent Bodies Oral Questions—Transfer of Questions NotificationText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Points of Order — Written Questions—Ministerial Responsibility for Independent Bodies Oral Questions—Transfer of Questions Notification[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10740. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Very very gracious of you sir.
Finlayson Christopher: Points of Order — Written Questions—Ministerial Responsibility for Independent Bodies Oral Questions—Transfer of Questions NotificationText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFinlayson Christopher: Points of Order — Written Questions—Ministerial Responsibility for Independent Bodies Oral Questions—Transfer of Questions Notification[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10740. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I am the acting Acting Leader of the House and therefore a very low form of parliamentary life. I acknowledge what Mr Shaw has said. I will raise it with the office of the Leader of the House and I will accept responsibility for it even though I know nothing about any of the circumstances.
Shaw James: Points of Order — Written Questions—Ministerial Responsibility for Independent Bodies Oral Questions—Transfer of Questions NotificationText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeShaw James: Points of Order — Written Questions—Ministerial Responsibility for Independent Bodies Oral Questions—Transfer of Questions Notification[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10739. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I was advised just after 1.30 p.m. that question No. 3 to the Prime Minister had been transferred to the Minister of Revenue. This is the second time that Mr Brownlee’s office has failed to advise our office of a transferred questionin time. Given the circumstances I seek leave to have question No. 3 transferred back to the Prime Minister.Mr SPEAKER: No I am not prepared to put the leave. Firstly I was advised at 1.26 this afternoon so I accept the point the member is making: that with any transfer out of courtesy to all members of the House the decision should be made and advised to us a lot earlier than it was. I understand that on this occasion there may have been a slip-up in an office where the decision was made to transfer it but certainly the advice was not given to me—or clearly to the member—early enough. But I want to just refer the member to Speaker’s ruling 169/2 which basically says that the question can be transferred at any moment right up until the time that it is asked. It is the Government’s prerogative to determine whether to transfer the question. I have looked at the question. I have no doubt that it can be answered satisfactorily by the Minister of Revenue so on that basis I am not prepared to put the leave.
Carter David: Points of Order — Written Questions—Ministerial Responsibility for Independent Bodies Oral Questions—Transfer of Questions NotificationText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Points of Order — Written Questions—Ministerial Responsibility for Independent Bodies Oral Questions—Transfer of Questions Notification[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10739. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Can I just clarify that the member is raising the question in regard to some written questions?Chris Hipkins: Yes.Mr SPEAKER: Thank you. I will come back to the member. I will give it some consideration and do some investigation and I will certainly at least come back to the member—and maybe to the House if it is necessary.
Hipkins Chris: Points of Order — Written Questions—Ministerial Responsibility for Independent Bodies Oral Questions—Transfer of Questions NotificationText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHipkins Chris: Points of Order — Written Questions—Ministerial Responsibility for Independent Bodies Oral Questions—Transfer of Questions Notification[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10739. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CHRIS HIPKINS (Senior Whip—Labour): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I would like to raise an issue with you under Speakers’ ruling 175/3 regarding operational matters and the ability of members of Parliament to lodge questions to Ministers. This is an area where we have raised issues with you before and in some cases you have intervened to require Ministers to answer for operational matters.In relation to the new Education Council which has been established by an Act of this Parliament the Minister of Education has refused to answer any questions—really quite a wide range of questions—that we have put to her on the basis that the Education Council has been established as an independent body. However the accountability back to Parliament still rests with the Minister and if the Minister says that she will not answer questions because the body is set up to be independent Parliament then has no way of holding the Government to account or of questioning relating to that body. So I would ask that you give some consideration to that because it seems to be in clear violation of the spirit of Speakers’ ruling 175/3 which states that although Ministers may have no legal responsibility for something they are still accountable to the House.The final point that I would make is that there are many many agencies and entities that would fall into this category if independence from Government were to become a criterion that allowed Ministers not to answer questions. For example they could refuse to answer any questions relating to the Police if that were to be the standard and I ask that you give that some consideration.
Carter David: Obituaries — Ian QuigleyText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Obituaries — Ian Quigley[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10739. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members I regret to inform the House of the death on 3 May 2016 of Ian Terence Quigley who represented the Otago Central electorate from 1972 to 1975. I desire on behalf of this House to express the sense of loss we have sustained and our sympathy for the relatives of the late former member. I now ask members to stand with me and observe a period of silence as a mark of respect to his memory.Honourable members stood as a mark of respect.
Sittings of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSittings of the House[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10811. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Sittings of the HouseCHRIS HIPKINS (Senior Whip—Labour): I seek leave for the House to rise for the evening after the vote on the Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2).The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): I just want to ask a question about whether that leave would extend the House if the House is still going at 10 o’clock.Chris Hipkins: No.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): The answer is that it would and do members understand that? The question is that leave be agreed to for the House rising after the vote on this next bill. Is there any objection? There is objection. [Interruption] Unfortunately the strict rules of the House are that once leave has been put and rejected it cannot be put again. I am going to say that I was a little deaf and I did not hear the member coughing. All right? There is no objection. The House will rise at the conclusion of the bill.
Sittings of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSittings of the House[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10793. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Sittings of the HouseJAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip—National): I seek leave for the House to suspend for the dinner break and resume again at 7.30.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is no objection.Sitting suspended from 5.58 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Obituaries — Ian QuigleyText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeObituaries — Ian Quigley[Sitting date: 04 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10739. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Wednesday 4 May 2016Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.ObituariesIan QuigleyMr SPEAKER: Honourable members I regret to inform the House of the death on 3 May 2016 of Ian Terence Quigley who represented the Otago Central electorate from 1972 to 1975. I desire on behalf of this House to express the sense of loss we have sustained and our sympathy for the relatives of the late former member. I now ask members to stand with me and observe a period of silence as a mark of respect to his memory.Honourable members stood as a mark of respect.
Vote: Environment Canterbury (Transitional Governance Arrangements) Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Environment Canterbury (Transitional Governance Arrangements) Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 05 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10875. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the Environment Canterbury (Transitional Governance Arrangements) Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 62New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1.Noes 59New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12; United Future 1.Bill read a third time.The result corrected after originally being announced as Ayes 63 Noes 58.
Vote: New Zealand Public Health and Disability (Southern DHB) Elections Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: New Zealand Public Health and Disability (Southern DHB) Elections Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 05 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10856. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the New Zealand Public Health and Disability (Southern DHB) Elections Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 95New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 26Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Bill read a second time.
Mallard Trevor: Sittings of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Sittings of the House[Sitting date: 05 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10878. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Is there any objection to that occurring? No brave person.
Faafoi Kris: Sittings of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFaafoi Kris: Sittings of the House[Sitting date: 05 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10878. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]KRIS FAAFOI (Labour—Mana): Just looking at the time and the state of play that we are in I seek leave to adjourn the House early.
Naylor Jono: Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Display of Low-alcohol Beverages and Other Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeNaylor Jono: Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Display of Low-alcohol Beverages and Other Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 05 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10878. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JONO NAYLOR (National): I think this bill has been reasonably well covered for a first reading. I only want to add that from my perspective it is eminently sensible. I look forward to its passage through the select committee and I hope that we will be able to bring this back reasonably quickly I would imagine because it is eminently sensible. Thank you.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Justice and Electoral Committee.
Wall Louisa: Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Display of Low-alcohol Beverages and Other Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeWall Louisa: Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Display of Low-alcohol Beverages and Other Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 05 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10877. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]LOUISA WALL (Labour—Manurewa): Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak on the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Display of Low-alcohol Beverages and Other Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill. What I essentially want to highlight is that in 2012 when the sale and supply of alcohol legislation went through Labour had a minority report noting that there were four areas that we thought had not been addressed in that primary legislation. They were a lack of minimum pricing availability of alcohol advertising and sponsorship—and the fourth one is actually why we are here today because it was about lowering alcohol limits for driving.What I want to note is that post the introduction of that primary piece of legislation the Government did in fact enact a piece of legislation: the Land Transport Amendment Act which came into effect in December 2014. What that piece of legislation did was to lower the blood-alcohol limit from 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood to 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. A consequence of that legislative change was that it inspired a change in drinking behaviour. So we are here because we did not put it in the primary piece of legislation the Government then changed that particular lowering of the blood-alcohol limit and now because of that phenomenon people have actually changed their drinking behaviour and because of demand you have had alcohol manufacturers actually respond to that demand. What they have done is create alcohol beverages that are low-alcohol and actually zero-alcohol beers.This actually speaks to I think a changed culture. When I look at for example the increase in light beer consumption in New Zealand in the space of 2 years it has gone from 1 percent to 5 percent. In Australia it is now 24 percent. It is linked to legislative reform it is linked to health and well-being and it is linked to how we are drinking differently. So the inspiration for this piece of legislation comes from that. But I think also from Labour’s perspective we would have thought that if we are going to reform the primary piece of legislation—that is the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act—there could have been other things that we could have looked at given that reform is going to take place. So I stand here as a member of the Justice and Electoral Committee obviously in support of the legislation and we look forward to the further debates at the select committee about what other changes or what other amendments are relevant. Kia ora.
Dean Jacqui: Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Display of Low-alcohol Beverages and Other Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDean Jacqui: Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Display of Low-alcohol Beverages and Other Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 05 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10877. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki): Speaking very briefly to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Display of Low-alcohol Beverages and Other Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill and to the contribution of the previous member Peeni Henare in supporting the bill I want to say that the comments are well made and noted around the harms of alcohol for some people in our society.This sale and supply of alcohol legislation is new. It is a significant step forward in the legislation around addressing the harms of alcohol. It has had only a couple of years of bedding in—as a significant piece of legislation it will need time to bed in—and therefore we now have the situation where we have an amendment bill come to the House because it is now obvious and apparent that low-alcohol beers mead and other non-alcohol beers should be able to be displayed for sale in the single area of supermarkets. The other provision in the bill worth noting is that the bill clarifies that any company as defined within the meaning in the Companies Act can also hold a liquor licence.I would just note in my brief contribution that I do go to a lot of supermarkets and I would like to think that the spirit of this legislation is being carried out by supermarkets. I also see occasionally that supermarkets lose their liquor licence for a period of time for non-compliance and I think that is a very good measure as well. So I commend this bill to the House.
Mallard Trevor: Voting — Correction—Environment Canterbury (Transitional Governance Arrangements) BillText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Voting — Correction—Environment Canterbury (Transitional Governance Arrangements) Bill[Sitting date: 05 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10876. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Leave is required of the House for that change to be made. Therefore I will put to the House the question of leave and that is that United Future be shown as voting against the vote we just had on the Environment Canterbury (Transitional Governance Arrangements) Bill. Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none.
Hayes Joanne: Voting — Correction—Environment Canterbury (Transitional Governance Arrangements) BillText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHayes Joanne: Voting — Correction—Environment Canterbury (Transitional Governance Arrangements) Bill[Sitting date: 05 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10876. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JOANNE HAYES (Third Whip—National): This is to correct a vote for the Environment Canterbury (Transitional Governance Arrangements) Bill. I have just had a call from United Future. It was opposed.
Mallard Trevor: Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Display of Low-alcohol Beverages and Other Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Display of Low-alcohol Beverages and Other Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 05 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10875. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Is there any objection to that? There appears not to be.
Parker David: Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Display of Low-alcohol Beverages and Other Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeParker David: Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Display of Low-alcohol Beverages and Other Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 05 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10875. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon DAVID PARKER (Labour): I seek leave for the second 5-minute call to be taken by Mr Henare.