edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
3. Question No. 3—FinanceHELEN WHITE (Labour) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 3—Finance3. HELEN WHITE (Labour) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): The growing economy is working for women Māori and Pacific peoples. The employment rate for women rose to 64.9 percent the highest rate since the series began. Unemployment rates for Māori and Pacific peoples are nearly at historic lows at 6.8 percent and 6.4 percent respectively. Many New Zealand households are finding it tough in the face of cost of living pressures but they are in a better position to deal with this by being in work. Unemployment is at near record lows more people than ever are in paid work and wages are rising faster than inflation to help deal with cost of living pressures.Helen White: What reaction has he seen to the impact of a strong labour market on the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: ANZ's economists said that our extraordinarily strong labour market means households are on average starting from a good place when it comes to income growth and job security". They are forecasting a steady decline in inflation from a peak in the June quarter and with positive real wage growth improving from here. This will help New Zealanders with cost of living pressures.Helen White: What reports has he seen on lifting skills in the economy to address workforce pressures?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: We're continuing to invest heavily in skills and training with over 215000 New Zealanders benefiting from our Government's move to make apprenticeships and targeted trade training free. The immigration reset is attracting overseas workers to get the skills and expertise businesses need. More than 35000 working holiday visas have been approved to support our tourism and hospitality industries as they approach a bumper summer season and more than 78000 job checks are being completed ready for work visas to be granted.Helen White: What other reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The retail card spending data was released today. It remained resilient in October. Stats NZ reported that seasonally adjusted retail card spending rose 1 percent in October compared with the previous month. Spending on durables such as furniture and whiteware rebounded this month. Stripping out fuel costs core spending rose 0.9 percent. ASB's economists said that this spending remains solid supported by more people in work and decent income growth. However forecasts for the global economy are being revised downward and this will affect New Zealand's prospects. New Zealand is well placed to be able to navigate this volatile and uncertain environment."
Tuesday 8 November 2022 - Volume 764
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Business Payment Practices Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 109New Zealand Labour 64; New Zealand National 33; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 10ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): The question is That the Business Payment Practices Bill be considered by the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee.Instruction to Economic Development Science and Innovation CommitteeHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue) on behalf of the Minister for Small Business: I move That the Business Payment Practices Bill be reported to the House by 27 April 2023.Motion agreed to.
Business Payment Practices Bill — First Reading
Electoral (Māori Electoral Option) Legislation Bill — Second Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the amendments recommended by the Justice Committee by majority be agreed to.Ayes 109New Zealand Labour 64; New Zealand National 33; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 10ACT New Zealand 10.Amendments agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the Electoral (Māori Electoral Option) Legislation Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 109New Zealand Labour 64; New Zealand National 33; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 10ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a second time.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That Parts 1 to 5 Schedules 1 and 2 and clauses 1 and 2 be agreed to.Ayes 107New Zealand Labour 64; New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Noes 12Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Parts 1 to 5 Schedules 1 and 2 and clauses 1 and 2 agreed to.
United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Legislation Bill — In Committee
Arms (Licence Holders' Applications for New Licences) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Arms (Licence Holders' Applications for New Licences) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 17 November 2022 and that the committee have the authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting (except during oral questions) during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House and outside the Wellington area despite Standing Orders 193 195 and 196.Ayes 107New Zealand Labour 64; New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Noes 10Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Arms (Licence Holders' Applications for New Licences) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 117New Zealand Labour 64; New Zealand National 33; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10.Noes 2Te Paati Māori 2.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): The question is That the Arms (Licence Holders' Applications for New Licences) Amendment Bill be considered by the Justice Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Justice Committee.Instruction to Justice Committee
Arms (Licence Holders' Applications for New Licences) Amendment Bill — First Reading
12. Question No. 12—PoliceHon MARK MITCHELL (National—Whangaparāoa) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 12—Police12. Hon MARK MITCHELL (National—Whangaparāoa) to the Minister of Police: Does he stand by his statement the majority of the people undertaking this type of offending are not people who are affiliated with gangs"; if so has he seen reports that young people involved in ram raids are stealing for gangsters?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Police): In answer to the first part of the question yes. In answer to the second part of the question I have seen recent media reports suggesting that including some from the member himself. While acknowledging that there will undoubtedly be some anecdotal occasions where gangs come into possession of stolen goods that have been obtained through ram raids police continue to advise me that there is little evidence that this type of offending is being orchestrated by the gangs.Hon Mark Mitchell: Is he aware that 60 percent of ram raiders identified by police in the Waikato were under 15 many of whom are now working with gangs and does this demonstrate the Government's failure to deal with the grip that gangs have on young New Zealanders?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: In answer to the first part of the question I'm absolutely aware of the age profile of young offenders. Some of the young offenders involved are actually even younger than that—are tragically young in fact. Some haven't even made it into double digits and that is something that we should all be very concerned about. In terms of whether there are formal links with gangs there will be some debate about what comes first: the offending or the link to gangs. There is some anecdotal evidence for example that the young offenders may have been selling the wares that they obtain through ram raids to gangs. That doesn't necessarily mean that the gangs themselves are the ones orchestrating the offending.Hon Mark Mitchell: Is he confident that the clear link between ram raiders and gangsters won't lead to a further explosion in gang numbers when there has already been a 50 percent increase in gang members under this soft-on-crime Government's watch?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: We have been looking very closely at the evidence around what could lead young offenders to going into gangs. One of them is more custodial sentences. There is a very clear chain of evidence that the tough-on-crime type of rhetoric the member espouses actually leads more young people into gangs rather than back on to the straight and narrow.Hon Mark Mitchell: What is his response to a young ram raider who said they are stealing to order for more established criminals like outlaw motorcycle gangs and does he accept now that organised criminal activity is heavily influencing the tsunami of youth offending?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I indicated before I don't make Government policy decisions based on anecdote."
8. Question No. 8—Education (School Operations)MARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Associate Minister of Education (School Operations)Question No. 8—Education (School Operations)8. MARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Associate Minister of Education (School Operations): What supports has the Government put in place to assist secondary school students in the lead up to NCEA exams?Hon JAN TINETTI (Associate Minister of Education (School Operations)): Yesterday marked the beginning of the NCEA exam season and I'm sure this House will join me in wishing our students the best as they head into their final academic pursuits of the year. The year 2022 has been a tough year faced in education due to the high numbers of COVID-19 and other winter illnesses placing significant strain on teachers and students. The Government has taken significant steps to help offset this disruption with provisional Learning Recognition Credits; catch-up learning tutoring sessions; and tweaks to university entrance and certificate endorsements to reflect the year students have had.Marja Lubeck: How has the lost learning package supported students whose learning had been disrupted by COVID-19?Hon JAN TINETTI: Over the last two months many students in years 7 to 13 across the country have had access to the additional teaching and tutoring to help prepare for these exams. This has included exam preparation workshops tutorials and homework and one-on-one mentoring. So far over 1000 schools and kura are delivering tutoring programmes on the ground now with many more on track to start shortly or early in the new year.Marja Lubeck: How will students who need additional learning be supported over the summer?Hon JAN TINETTI: Registrations for the expanded Te Kura—previously known as the Correspondence School—dual tuition summer school opened yesterday which will enable students to continue to learn and earn credits over summer. We have lifted the cap on Te Kura dual tuition summer school enrolments by 500 places for this summer period. This will allow students in years 11 and 12 who need to achieve NCEA credits to do so.Marja Lubeck: What support has the Government put in place to support the teaching workforce?Hon JAN TINETTI: Teaching supply projections have indicated future workforce pressures. The Government is getting ahead of this with targeted recruitment packages for 1000 additional teachers to ease workload pressures and deliver the lost learning package. We've also invested heavily in upskilling the current workforce in maths and literacy teaching where additional support was needed. On behalf of the Government I'd like to extend our gratitude to our teaching profession for their tireless work to prepare students for their exams in one of the hardest years of the pandemic.
5. Question No. 5—Economic and Regional DevelopmentTĀMATI COFFEY (Labour) to the Minister for Economic and Regional DevelopmentQuestion No. 5—Economic and Regional Development5. TĀMATI COFFEY (Labour) to the Minister for Economic and Regional Development: What announcements has he made about supporting regional economies?Hon STUART NASH (Minister for Economic and Regional Development): Thank you Mr Speaker. Last week the Prime Minister and I opened the Port of Tauranga Rescue Centre. This will futureproof surf lifesaving facilities for what is one of New Zealand's most popular stretches of coastline. This is one of many community-led projects we've invested in up and down the country to ensure our regions have the infrastructure they need to thrive and grow and to boost local economies. Tāmati Coffey: What benefits will this project have for the people of Tauranga?Hon STUART NASH: Well around 150 local people were employed over the course of building this valuable infrastructure and the benefits will be ongoing not just to the people of Tauranga but to everyone that enjoys the eastern region. This is actually a really innovative community partnership between the local bridge club and the surf club; so they have everyone covered from grommets to great-grandmothers. Jamie Strange: What announcements has he made on the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund supporting the aquaculture industry in regional communities?Hon STUART NASH: Last month I also announced $700000 loan-funding through the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund towards the Deep Dive Division project to expand its marine servicing operations in Hamilton. Deep Dive uniquely marries commercial diving with scientific solutions that enhance environmental outcomes and investment. This announcement demonstrates the Government's commitment to New Zealand's aquaculture industry. Jamie Strange: What benefits will this investment have?Hon STUART NASH: Many benefits. This is a strategic partnership with a specialist high-value sector that will create six new full-time jobs across a range of roles. It will allow Deep Dive—the only Māori and Pasifika-owned commercial and scientific dive company—to continue to drive innovation and create opportunities in our regions. That's this Government's vision for the regions: to create opportunities drive innovation and set up our communities for the future and that's what we're delivering on.
O'Connor GregDEPUTY SPEAKER: The House is suspended and I will resume the Chair at 9 a.m. tomorrow for the extended sitting. Good night members.Sitting suspended from 9.57 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Thursday)
O'Connor SimonSIMON O'CONNOR (National—Tāmaki): Well it's no surprise—just about everyone in the House is not supporting the bill but in doing so it is important to acknowledge the member Rawiri Waititi because I think we all understand the work effort and passion that goes into putting a member's bill forward and speaking passionately to that. So I'm looking forward to Rawiri's concluding remarks. Look fundamentally—in concept—the National Party and myself have no concerns about the movement between rolls. The big issue has been around the timing. And as we supported yesterday the Government's bill in this space it was all about saying yep a four-month window after a general election is far too narrow but being able to chop and change if you will right up to an election day or a by-election doesn't cut the mustard. Just a few other quick points because I don't really want to waste the House's time; there's been a lot of talk here about tactical voting. Well that's how you choose to exercise your vote that's not about moving your physical vote around to suit the circumstances. There's a big distinction.Obviously I'm not Māori myself; I've said that many times before. But I would just make the point that Māori are not just one single homogeneous group. There are many views within Māoridom and we've heard some from within the ACT Party and others. So I just think it's important to say that. Just as I'm not able to speak for all good-looking white men! Sorry that's just terrible. So anyway I just want to end it there. I just actually want to commend the member I'm looking forward to his response. But in this case National will not support the bill. But we are pleased to continue supporting what is the Government's bill at this time.
O'Connor GregDEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is That the Companies (Directors Duties) Amendment Bill be considered by the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee.
Kerekere ElizabethDr ELIZABETH KEREKERE (Green): Tēnā koe e te Māngai. I rise on behalf of my Green Party colleague Ricardo Menéndez March to support the Companies (Directors Duties) Amendment Bill. We congratulate Labour MP Duncan Webb for having his bill drawn from the ballot and getting the chance to debate it at select committee. This bill seeks to amend the Companies Act 1993 to make clear that in determining the best interests of a company directors can take matters into account beyond just financial interests allowing for the consideration of environmental social and governance factors. This bill is particularly relevant to ongoing discussions around corporates putting profits ahead of people. The current broken economic system encourages this. After all for companies such as banks and our supermarkets making as much profit as possible is paramount. It ends up having adverse effects on everyday people who are seeing the cost of living skyrocket. This bill won't bring down capitalism and we understand that that's not the Government's goal but it does broaden the scope of what issues directors can consider and for those directors who sometimes do think about climate change or inequality before going to sleep they will now consider how best they can channel that energy into the directions they make regarding their companies. Enabling directors to consider that broader range of issues will also enable shareholders in civic society to better advocate for companies to stop being so deeply unethical in some of their activities since directors can no longer hide around just profit as their primary driver. The Greens look forward to the contributions from submitters on this bill and will continue campaigning to transform the system to one where essential services are publicly owned instead of run by companies. We commend this bill to the House. Kia ora.
Employment Relations (Extended Time for Personal Grievance for Sexual Harassment) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Baillie ChrisCHRIS BAILLIE (ACT): Thank you Madam Speaker. I rise on behalf of ACT for the second reading of the Employment Relations (Extended Time for Personal Grievance for Sexual Harassment) Amendment Bill and it is great to see a sensible bill coming from the Labour Party; and actually it's the second one in a row. The last one—the child exploitation one—was great and it's certainly one that we will support.This bill extends the time period that a grievance related to sexual harassment can be brought from three months to 12 months reflecting a view that due to the nature of sexual harassment victims often take longer to come forward and the 90-day deadline is a relatively short time frame to advance a grievance despite that grievance being serious in nature and likely to continue long past that 90-day period.New Zealand does have a poor record around this issue and it certainly needs to be taken seriously. There is enough evidence and we've heard enough examples today to show that a change is justified and certainly necessary. But while extending the time to raise a grievance involving sexual harassment the bill will leave other allegations of grievances at 90 days and we think this is the right thing to do. Sexual harassment is different to other workplace issues and it should be looked upon and treated that way.Some submitters wanted a longer reporting time and some thought that there shouldn't be a reporting time limit and that all grievances should be extended—that this bill should include all grievances—but we believe that this is a good compromise for the nature of this offending.There are always going to be concerns and despite the many people in this House that won't believe it the grievance process is sometimes abused and false and vexatious complaints need to be treated very seriously. Lives can be turned upside down through false accusations and these need to be actively discouraged. However this is a good bill and one that will ensure specific incidents of sexual harassment can be dealt with appropriately within a fair and reasonable time frame. ACT supports this bill and I commend it to the House. Thanks.
Crimes (Child Exploitation Offences) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Mooney JosephJOSEPH MOONEY (National—Southland): Thank you very much Madam Speaker. I rise to speak on behalf of the National Party in respect of the Crimes (Child Exploitation Offences) Amendment Bill. I commend Ginny Andersen for bringing this bill before the House and guiding it through to this point in time.This bill has had a little bit of a journey through the Justice Committee and we now have new section 131AB—in clause 4—inserted into the Crimes Act. There is currently a section 131B in the Crimes Act which is a sexual grooming offence that requires the groomer to meet or attempt to meet the young person. The new offence new section 131AB would similarly capture grooming for sexual conduct but would not require the groomer to meet the young person.Under this bill a person aged 18 years or over will be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years if they communicate by words or conduct with a person under the age of 16 years and they do so intending to facilitate the young person engaging in or being involved in conduct that would be an offence against this part. It includes Part 7 of the Crimes Act relating to Crimes against morality and decency sexual crimes and crimes against public welfare" and paragraphs of section 98AA of the Act relating to sexual exploitation of a young person.National supports this bill which draws on an example of recent Australian legislation to protect children and young people across New Zealand for those who look to do them harm. Its journey has been focused on trying to address the issue of children being contacted by online groomers although I note that it's not limited just to that now the way it is phrased.Our kids certainly are becoming more connected and engaged with technology than ever before. Unfortunately that does mean there are also predators online who take advantage of those tools and there need to be rules in place to capture the people who would do harm to our children. While social media has given our kids many positives—such as the ability to make new friends and learn remotely and play games online etc.—it has also opened doors unfortunately for people with bad intentions to prey on young people. A NetSafe and Ministry for Women survey revealed that seven in every 10 teens have experienced some form of unwanted digital communication over the last year and nearly 19 percent of teens had experienced unwanted digital communication which negatively impacted them.So online predators unfortunately do have the ability to target children through tools available online. This is a small but important little change that will make it easier to hold people to account who try to prey on our young people. So with that I commend this bill to the House."
Hipkins ChrisSITTINGS OF THE HOUSEHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move That the sitting of the House today be extended into the morning of Thursday 10 November for the third readings of the United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Legislation Bill and the Apple Transitional Export Quota Bill the first reading of the Inspector-General of Defence Bill consideration in committee of the Plant Variety Rights Bill and the second readings of the Natural Hazards Insurance Bill and the Statutes Amendment Bill.
Rurawhe AdrianPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.CLERK: Petition of Morteza Sharifi requesting that the House urge the Government to expel the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iranpetition of Bernard Schofield requesting that the House urge the Government to hold fortnightly press conferences to inform the public on the country's progress in reducing greenhouse gases.SPEAKER: Those petitions are referred to the Petitions Committee. Ministers have delivered papers.CLERK: Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs Long-term Insights BriefingReal Estate Authority annual report 2022.SPEAKER: Those papers are published under the authority of the House. No select committee reports have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation. The Clerk has been informed of the introduction of a bill.CLERK: Sustainable Biofuel Obligation Bill introduction.SPEAKER: That bill is set down for first reading.
Dean JacquiWEDNESDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2022The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSHon JACQUI DEAN (Assistant Speaker): Almighty God we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests we acknowledge the King and pray for guidance in our deliberations that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom justice mercy and humility for the welfare and peace of New Zealand. Amen.
McDowall JamesDr JAMES McDOWALL (ACT): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'm afraid I'll have to keep my remarks short this evening. From our perspective with regards to the position of my friends and colleagues in the National Party look I don't disagree with any of their sentiments and comments—certainly a lot of valid points—and quite clearly issues such as attrition and morale and recruitment are major problems for the Defence Force; things that we've been talking about. And I'd also say yes it would be nice to be here this evening talking about something bigger and bolder for the Defence Force something that would actually contribute more than what we are doing. But nevertheless this bill does stand on its own and I'm afraid I can't quite go along with the red herring argument this evening but nice try!I would say this bill doesn't negate those issues. It is a mechanism for accountability as has been well canvassed. I think one good way to look at this bill is that it's an eye to the future. It's not about a witch hunt. It's not about going back to the origins and finding blame and relitigating issues. It's a view to the future particularly in a very complex world which is unfolding in unpredictable ways. I would also make the comment that I put faith and trust in our Defence Force personnel—incredible people doing incredible work—and I think particularly in respect to the previous speaker Golriz Ghahraman look just compare our armed forces with that of the likes of Russia and what they're getting up to in terms of human rights. So I think we're doing pretty well.Nevertheless from our perspective this evening we see this working both ways. Systems can be improved conditions for personnel can be improved issues can be highlighted and we do commend the bill to the House. Thank you.
Omer IbrahimIBRAHIM OMER (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the Inspector-General of Defence Bill. The sole aim of this bill is to establish the office of the inspector-general as well as the deputy inspector-general of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)—nothing more nothing less. The rest is just details. Our Defence Force is a critical institution so therefore its activities and operations must be subject to independent scrutiny. Therefore establishing this office of an inspector-general outside of the NZDF organisational structure is important and also speaks to the reality of the Government's ambitions to lay a foundation for a better institution.This bill stems from the recommendation of the Operation Burnham inquiry which identified serious shortcomings in the way that the Defence Force dealt with the accusations that came through and subsequently the way that it briefed Ministers as well. The expert panel made a number of recommendations which were all accepted by the Minister of Defence as well.Having an Inspector-General of Defence who has the necessary power and authority to provide oversight of NZDF activities is essential support dedicated to men and women who are sacrificing a lot to protect New Zealand and the interests of New Zealand overseas. As like-minded countries also have this it's not exclusive to New Zealand and it's very surprising to see that the Opposition is actually pushing back on this—and pushing back they're not making any sense. They're not making any critical points; it's rather they're just opposing. One thing that I hear them saying is that it's additional bureaucrats and that's the only thing that I've heard. So it's disappointing to see that. Yet the Defence Force has both sides as well; it should be off politics off limits. But yet again there's nothing surprising about this Opposition.Just to repeat what both Ministers Henare and Parker said: our Defence Force must be democratic accountable and functional. This can only be ensured through an independent body and this bill ensures that. I've been just talking to Dan Rosewarne who's got very extensive experience on this—and he has two overseas deployments in his pocket. He's just been telling me how surprised he is with the Opposition pushing back on this and that it shows the lack of critical understanding of this institution.This bill is a good bill. I thank Minister Henare for his hard work. It's going to change a lot of things. I commend it to the House.
McLellan TraceyDr TRACEY McLELLAN (Labour—Banks Peninsula): Thank you Madam Speaker and thank you for the chance just to say a few words tonight on this Business Payment Practices Bill as we consider it at its first reading. To start with I must agree with my colleague Jamie Strange—very wise man—when he correctly points out that this Government has a long history of supporting small business. We're certainly very focused—absolutely focused—on it as a priority as we have been in particular over the last couple of years. When we recall the last couple of years certainly the wage subsidy the resurgent support payment the small business cash-flow loan scheme and the digital boost even spring to mind as really obvious and demonstrable examples of how this Government prioritises sustaining small businesses and valuing small businesses and helping small businesses through hard times.We see this particular bill as yet another example. This new reporting regime is part of that focus. It's been described tonight as a simple bill something that's simple yet meaningful and I agree with those sentiments.I think there's four particular things that are worth noting from the various contributions from this side of the House tonight the first one being that the register will include information relating to late payments information relating to the length of time between the receipt of invoices and the full payment. This is information that we've heard already exists. It's information—it's data—that's commonly supported by modern software. It's not a huge imposition on anybody to make this available. What this bill says and proposes is that the information will be disclosed and publicly searchable on a register managed by the Government as a means by which to increase transparency and accountability.The second thing is that we're not making any judgment about when an invoice must be paid. It's about the firm's payment practices being transparent as I said and being available to anybody who simply wants to consider therefore whether that's someone that they wish to do business with.Thirdly businesses certainly won't be required to publish information that's in any way sensitive or that you know compromises them in any way shape or form. In fact you know the whole payment regime will absolutely comply with New Zealand privacy laws.And lastly other jurisdictions as we've heard tonight particularly people that we commonly compare ourselves with—Australia and the UK—have very similar disclosure regimes in place.As I said we're focused on supporting businesses and because of that I commend this bill to the House.
Bennett GlenGLEN BENNETT (Labour—New Plymouth): Kia ora Madam Speaker. I rise to continue the conversation this evening obviously around this piece of legislation as we keep hearing the numbers of 97 percent of New Zealand businesses are small businesses—of course the rhetoric that comes that yes we are here to ensure that we support them and ensure that they are paid on time.Now a slight digression from me but recently I had a dear friend pass away and sorting out his affairs—I guess an example of often the big businesses that you know get away with things: I remember ringing up to cancel the accounts which you know instantly that service was stopped within the end of the phone call; that was about six weeks ago and I'm still waiting for the money to come back through from that large business that large corporate in terms of the refund and the money that is owed to his estate. Slightly different to this bill but it demonstrates the challenge that often small players and small businesses play when they're dealing with the big corporates and the big businesses that have the leverage have the opportunity because you know as we speak with business often it is that fear to put your head above the parapet because if you do you might be treated differently and you might not be in their favour.This legislation very much is around the transparency as we've heard about shining that light and ensuring—for example countries like Australia have the Payment Times Reporting Scheme which obviously again is ensuring that those larger entities are paying on time. In the United Kingdom again there's another business model over there that they have to report at least twice every year.So this is simple legislation it is good legislation and I am glad to be a member of the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee a busy committee with significant and purposeful Ministers that are making changes for our businesses and our small businesses around Aotearoa.
Utikere TangiTANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'm happy to rise and take a brief call on the Business Payment Practices Bill because it's a bill that will make a difference.The member who's just resumed his seat Sam Uffindell cited that the threshold for larger businesses is that of a turnover of $33 million a year. This will mean that for 97 or thereabout percent of businesses in New Zealand—small businesses—for them it will give them an opportunity to think about the way in which they go about engaging with those larger businesses. This is about transparency. It is an important issue that I'm sure the select committee will hear from submitters—I hope that the select committee does hear from those in small business who understand the various issues that they may have faced and the corrective way in which this bill will address those particular needs. So with that I'm delighted to be able to commend this bill to the House.
Chen Naisi; Salesa JennyNAISI CHEN (Labour): I found that last speech very very confusing but I think I should probably continue with the content that I've prepared and then hopefully somewhere down the line—maybe one day—I can reconcile with some of the ramblings that we just heard.This is a bill for small businesses. New Zealand is a nation of small businesses—small businesses that we have defined as those who employ less than 20 employees. They make up 97 percent of all of our firms 29.3 percent of all employment and one-quarter of our GDP. So this bill is extremely important.Actually I don't think it's a coincidence that both me and my colleague Chlöe Swarbrick have once owned or operated a small business or have become a sole trader in our time prior to Government as being some of the youngest members of this House. That is because a lot of these small businesses actually start when the entrepreneur or the business owner themselves are quite young. So we often know that the power imbalance between small businesses and firms actually is disproportional in terms of those who we're seeking payments from and the bargaining that we can do is actually very limited—often it's a take it or leave it situation.It was really fitting that I was here talking to my colleague; I was trying to think of the phrase that I know the Minister often uses is that Sunlight is the best disinfectant." As we were coming up with that phrase I know Chlöe also mentioned that and that is indeed true: that when we bring about transparency into a lot of these regimes then I think this is where people and businesses start to behave themselves.It also really confuses me that throughout this debate those who claim to be parties for small businesses seem to miss the concept of digital accounting or accounting software. Literally in the year 2022 many many softwares—those that we use: Mind Your Own Business Xero—they actually just with a press of a couple of buttons there you go voila. All of your accounting data can be displayed can be made transparent. So there's a lot of effective tools out there. I would encourage all the big firms—actually I know all the big firms use all of that accounting software.Finally talking about big firms often in our select committees we see a lot of big businesses coming to submit to us because they often have Government or corporate relations teams. But this bill is for small businesses so can I encourage all the small businesses to come and submit. Come and make your voices heard in the select committee process as well. I commend this bill to the House.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): I call on Sam Ooffindell for five minutes."
Swarbrick ChlöeCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green—Auckland Central): E te Māngai tēnā koe. Tēnā koutou e te Whare. Holy Toledo! Quite a range of speeches this evening including from Andrew Bayly the National Party's lead spokesperson on this issue. Jeanette Fitzsimons regularly said that sunlight is the best disinfectant and from that we can take that it's transparency and getting into that kind of power imbalance that exists where there's an asymmetry of information. When we have that transparency and when we deal with that asymmetry of information we start to see some of the problems that might emerge.It's interesting that despite some of the speeches that we've heard that seem as though they are in opposition all of us are generally in agreement that this is baseline a good principle; that it seems as though all of our Parliament agrees on progressing to the select committee stage where of course it's really important that we'll pull apart some of the features of this legislation. Interestingly enough—although probably coming from a different perspective—the Greens are really interested in that $33 million threshold; a concern that was shared by the National Party but again probably for different reasons and it is very much the case that with this kind of data being made publicly available good practice can be celebrated but more so than that bad practice can be identified. That really gets to the core of that issue around the asymmetry of information and that power imbalance particularly amongst smaller players in the so-called free market because you don't have a free market when you have an asymmetry of information; when you're not quite clear on the reputation or the way in which some of those actors in that market may operate.As others before me have laid out this is actually something that is really important to small businesses. It's important to small businesses in my community of Auckland Central. It is actually something which I've experienced in my background before coming to this place—engaged in running a few different small businesses—and it's the reality for many of my friends as well in speaking about their kinds of issues and concerns with getting their invoices paid from some of the bigger players in town. And as of course the Minister identified it's very much the case that the small-business working group that he's pulled together again identified this as a key priority.I found it really fascinating—and I'll just leave it on this point because I spent some time googling as particularly members of the Opposition were doing their speeches—to hear them say that this is a small bill and it will do nothing and it's therefore a waste of Parliament's time whilst they were using up all of the time that they possibly could in their speeches. And through that wee google I found that the Parliamentary Library did some estimations of the cost of running this place—of running Parliament—and it was estimated that during the 2000 to 2014 term for every minute that Parliament was in operation it cost approximately $5500. So to the next National Party MP that decides to use their full 10 minutes that's $50k of taxpayer dollars. Kia ora.
Strange JamieJAMIE STRANGE (Labour—Hamilton East): That was a rather strange speech from a member whose party is supporting this bill in the first reading. A series of ramblings from that side of the House.I'm delighted to take a call on the Business Payment Practices Bill as a member of the party for small business Labour. Labour has always been the party that supports small businesses across New Zealand. The National Party traditionally from the big end of town; Labour we support small businesses hard-working Kiwis and this is another example of that.We have supported our small businesses through the wage subsidy recently and the feedback on that was overwhelming. We've recently supported businesses through the retail payment surcharge. This is another example the Business Payment Practices Bill. We have a pretty small market in New Zealand and it is quite common for power imbalances to emerge within that market. When those power imbalances do emerge it is incumbent on the Government to address those imbalances.This is a clear example of a power imbalance between the large businesses and small businesses. The small businesses often contract to the large businesses and it's reasonable that those large businesses pay for those contracts pay for that work in a reasonable period of time. We have heard from other speakers around that power imbalance and the fact that the small businesses it's very difficult for them to meet—you know it's impossible for them to force a large business to pay. It's very difficult for them to even ask a large business to pay within a reasonable period of time because there's an inherent fear there that if they damage the relationship then they won't get further work. So it's the power imbalance. There's another aspect around the competition which links in to that.It's important that as a Government we continue to foster fair competition within our country and that's something we're doing here. Transparency in aspects around cash flow for small businesses. Look there's a lot more I could say but the Minister for Small Business covered it very well in his speech. I commend this bill to the House.
Halbert Shanan; Dean Jacqui; Henare PeeniSHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'm pleased to be speaking to the Customs and Excise (Arrival Information) Amendment Bill this evening. Essentially what this debate has discussed is a digital arrival card coming through Customs.Can I just acknowledge the work of the Hon Meka Whaitiri. I was here in the House prior to dinner listening to her opening speech—and equally the energetic contribution from Simon O'Connor who was pleased to have a speech for his shadow portfolio in customs come before the House for him to have a good debate over. So it was a wonderful start to this particular debate.Essentially this bill does a few things. It provides an explicit obligation on arriving passengers to provide prescribed arrival information. It includes two new offences: one for failing to provide prescribed arrival information and one for providing arrival information that is erroneous in a material particular. And it creates new regulation-making power to set the time by which arrival information must be provided to the New Zealand Customs Service.I guess what we're discussing tonight is the timely arrival of a digital platform for Customs. There are some challenges as we transition from paper or manual through to digitalisation. We now are in that generation. It's important to start to make these types of moves but support people along the way to make that transition. So without further ado thank you for accepting my contribution in the House tonight. I commend this bill to the House.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): The question is that the motion be agreed to.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): The question is That the Customs and Excise (Arrival Information) Amendment Bill be considered by the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee.Hon Stuart Nash: I present a legislative statement—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): No.Instruction to Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade CommitteeHon PEENI HENARE (Minister of Defence) on behalf of the Minister of Customs: Madam Chair—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Speaker".Hon PEENI HENARE: Madam Speaker—I apologise. I move That the Customs and Excise (Arrival Information) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 27 April 2023.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): This is like comedy hour! The question is that the motion be agreed to.Motion agreed to."
Customs and Excise (Arrival Information) Amendment Bill — First Reading
Boyack RachelRACHEL BOYACK (Labour—Nelson): Thank you Madam Speaker. It's a pleasure to take a short call on the Customs and Excise (Arrival Information) Amendment Bill. I wanted to just pick up on some comments that my colleague Teanau Tuiono from the Green Party made earlier around the importance of people being able to understand what was being asked of them when they arrived at the airport and that if we are going to be introducing two new offences which this bill does—one for if a person provides some false information or if they omit some information—it needs to be provided to people in a way they can understand. I just wanted to note how useful my Plain Language Act will be in ensuring that Customs are followed—the principles of having plain language within the documentation and the information that they're providing to people arriving in New Zealand. So I want to reassure him that the House has recently passed legislation that will require the Government to ensure the information is presented in a way such that those who are arriving in New Zealand understand their obligations in terms of the declarations that they complete.This is an excellent bill. I look forward to observing the select committee in terms of the submissions that come through. It's great to have the support from across the House for this bill. It will make a real difference and I commend it to the House.
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Kia ora Madam Speaker. I stand to take this call which would usually by taken by Te Paati Māori but once again they've chosen not to speak on an important piece of legislation in this House for whatever reason.I must say that's a pretty good speech by Penny Simmonds. It covered a lot of the issues I must say and that we do need to have a secure system but we also need to move into the 21st century in respect of how we deal with this information. We do in fact know that electronic information can be dealt with more effectively and actually more securely. Obviously we need to have a good examination of this and I'm sure the select committee will do that.Other than that to be perfectly honest I think Ms Simmonds for once said it all. So I will commend this bill to the House.