edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Burton Mark: Business Statement 
Burton Mark: Business Statement 
[Volume:638;Page:8899] 
Hon MARK BURTON (Deputy Leader of the House) 
: 
 I appreciate the shadow Leader of the House’s compliment to the Government on the effectiveness of its conducting of the House’s business. I can only say to the member that there will be plenty for the Opposition to chew on following a very full Budget in due course.
Business Statement 
Business Statement 
[Volume:638;Page:8899] 
Thursday 3 May 2007 
Madam Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Business Statement 
Hon MARK BURTON (Deputy Leader of the House) 
: 
 Next week in the House priority will be given to the remaining stages of the Social Security Amendment Bill the Arbitration Amendment Bill the Wills Bill the Succession (Homicide) Bill the Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill and the remainder of the debate on the performance and current operations of Crown entities public organisations and State enterprises. Priority will also be given to the first readings of the Education (Tertiary Reform) Amendment Bill and the International Finance Agreements Amendment Bill. 
GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) 
: 
 If the House is to take the information given to it today by the Deputy Leader of the House as being correct then we would expect by the end of next week to be down to an Order Paper of perhaps eight items if we include the five Government notices of motion on the Order Paper. I am wondering whether the Deputy Leader of the House may in fact tell us whether the Government intends at any point shutting up shop and having a bit of an extended break after the last extended break in order that Parliament might accumulate some work to do and the Government may be able to create some semblance of actually governing. 
Hon MARK BURTON (Deputy Leader of the House) 
: 
 I appreciate the shadow Leader of the House’s compliment to the Government on the effectiveness of its conducting of the House’s business. I can only say to the member that there will be plenty for the Opposition to chew on following a very full Budget in due course.
Brownlee Gerry: Business Statement 
Brownlee Gerry: Business Statement 
[Volume:638;Page:8899] 
GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) 
: 
 If the House is to take the information given to it today by the Deputy Leader of the House as being correct then we would expect by the end of next week to be down to an Order Paper of perhaps eight items if we include the five Government notices of motion on the Order Paper. I am wondering whether the Deputy Leader of the House may in fact tell us whether the Government intends at any point shutting up shop and having a bit of an extended break after the last extended break in order that Parliament might accumulate some work to do and the Government may be able to create some semblance of actually governing.
Burton Mark: Business Statement 
Burton Mark: Business Statement 
[Volume:638;Page:8899] 
Hon MARK BURTON (Deputy Leader of the House) 
: 
 Next week in the House priority will be given to the remaining stages of the Social Security Amendment Bill the Arbitration Amendment Bill the Wills Bill the Succession (Homicide) Bill the Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill and the remainder of the debate on the performance and current operations of Crown entities public organisations and State enterprises. Priority will also be given to the first readings of the Education (Tertiary Reform) Amendment Bill and the International Finance Agreements Amendment Bill.
Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:639;Page:9042] 
8.  
DARIEN FENTON (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: What recent investment has been made into the health of our children? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON (Acting Minister of Health) 
: 
 The Minister of Health has recently announced that $68 million over 4 years will be invested in the fight against pneumococcal meningitis with the vaccine Prevnar being added to our children’s immunisation schedule. 
Darien Fenton 
: How was this announcement received and why? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: Not surprisingly Fiona Colbert the manager of the Meningitis Trust said: “ ‘This is a proven life-saver … We applaud the government for its support and that it has recognised the benefits of this vaccine. This is a major step forward for the health of our children.’ ” 
Barbara Stewart 
: Would the Minister concede that his statement about pneumococcal vaccine that “This type of ‘herd protection’ may result in direct medical savings in terms of reduced hospital stays and treatment costs” could apply equally well to Gardasil and can we expect some action on that front; if not why not? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: As someone who has come through a fair few epidemics in the history of New Zealand I can say that immunisation is clearly a very beneficial programme for all New Zealanders and the more of this kind of protection our young people can get the better it will be. I am sure the Government is aware of that and the Minister will make progress just as soon as he possibly can. 
Dr Jackie Blue 
: What is the Government’s target immunisation rate for Prevnar and how confident is he that that is achievable when our current national vaccination rate is lower than that of Niue Tonga Samoa the Cook Islands Fiji and most of the Western World? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: I cannot give the member the exact date of that but I will check it out and make sure that I can supply her with the information. Let me just say that in terms of comparing vaccination rates the vaccination rates in New Zealand during the term of the previous National Government were incredibly low—much lower than they are now—and this Government has made enormous progress and invested vast sums of money which National previously never even contemplated. New Zealand’s children are much safer under the Labour Government and its support parties than they ever were when National was in power.
Wilson Margaret: Visitors — Korea—Parliamentary Delegation National Assembly 
Wilson Margaret: Visitors — Korea—Parliamentary Delegation National Assembly 
[Volume:639;Page:9031] 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I have much pleasure in informing members that a parliamentary delegation from the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea led by the Hon Lee Sang Bay is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish to welcome the delegation.
Benson-Pope David: Social Security Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Benson-Pope David: Social Security Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9116] 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) 
: 
 Well that was a really interesting contribution. What my colleagues and I have been waiting for is for any member of the Committee to explain why the National members on the Social Services Committee supported this legislation while they were in the select committee but voted against it when it got to this Committee of the whole House. Can I just explain for those members who talked about their so-called concern for youth a little while ago—their crocodile concern—that when National was last in Government the number of 18 and 19-year-olds on the unemployment benefit was 17500. That number is now 1424. The National Party in Government presided over 17500 18 and 19-year-olds not in work on the unemployment benefit and National members fail to acknowledge that now that number is an extraordinary 1424. 
Progress reported. 
Report adopted.
Vote: Arbitration Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee 
Vote: Arbitration Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9105] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That 
it be an instruction to the Committee of the whole House on the Arbitration Amendment Bill that it have the power to consider and if it thinks fit adopt the amendment in the name of Te Ururoa Flavell relating to the arbitration of disputes concerning Maori land. 
Ayes 59 
New Zealand National 48; Green Party 6; Maori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 2. 
Noes 61 
New Zealand Labour 49; New Zealand First 7; United Future 3; Progressive 1; Independent: Field. 
Motion not agreed to.
Arbitration Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee 
Arbitration Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9104] 
Arbitration Amendment Bill 
Instruction to Committee 
TE URUROA FLAVELL (Maori Party—Waiariki) 
: 
 I move  
That it be an instruction to the Committee of the whole House on the Arbitration Amendment Bill that it have the power to consider and if it thinks fit adopt the amendment in my name relating to the arbitration of disputes concerning Maori land. 
Firstly I advise that the proposed amendment of my colleague Hone Harawira has been removed and replaced by my amendment. Having taken more advice on the wording I am hopeful that the new wording makes the intent far clearer. 
 The key issues I wish to flag in presenting this amendment are around the Maori Land Court. The court has been charged with the responsibility to adjudicate on matters relating to Maori land and it is under these circumstances that where there is a dispute we put this in its hands. The second key point—just as a part of the preamble to hopefully the later discussion—is the more important point that the Arbitration Amendment Bill potentially cuts across the jurisdiction of the Maori Land Court so it is right for the debate on the amendment to occur at this time. I ask for your consideration on this. 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That 
it be an instruction to the Committee of the whole House on the Arbitration Amendment Bill that it have the power to consider and if it thinks fit adopt the amendment in the name of Te Ururoa Flavell relating to the arbitration of disputes concerning Maori land. 
Ayes 59 
New Zealand National 48; Green Party 6; Maori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 2. 
Noes 61 
New Zealand Labour 49; New Zealand First 7; United Future 3; Progressive 1; Independent: Field. 
Motion not agreed to.
Flavell Te Ururoa: Arbitration Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee 
Flavell Te Ururoa: Arbitration Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9104] 
TE URUROA FLAVELL (Maori Party—Waiariki) 
: 
 I move  
That it be an instruction to the Committee of the whole House on the Arbitration Amendment Bill that it have the power to consider and if it thinks fit adopt the amendment in my name relating to the arbitration of disputes concerning Maori land. 
Firstly I advise that the proposed amendment of my colleague Hone Harawira has been removed and replaced by my amendment. Having taken more advice on the wording I am hopeful that the new wording makes the intent far clearer. 
 The key issues I wish to flag in presenting this amendment are around the Maori Land Court. The court has been charged with the responsibility to adjudicate on matters relating to Maori land and it is under these circumstances that where there is a dispute we put this in its hands. The second key point—just as a part of the preamble to hopefully the later discussion—is the more important point that the Arbitration Amendment Bill potentially cuts across the jurisdiction of the Maori Land Court so it is right for the debate on the amendment to occur at this time. I ask for your consideration on this.
Vote: International Finance Agreements Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Vote: International Finance Agreements Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:639;Page:9104] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the International Finance Agreements Amendment Bill be read a first time 
. 
Ayes 111 
New Zealand Labour 49; New Zealand National 48; New Zealand First 7; United Future 3; ACT New Zealand 2; Progressive 1; Independent: Field. 
Noes 9 
Green Party 6; Maori Party 3. 
Bill read a first time.
Vote: Education (Tertiary Reforms) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Vote: Education (Tertiary Reforms) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:639;Page:9087] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Education (Tertiary Reforms) Amendment Bill be now read a first time 
Ayes 70 
New Zealand Labour 49; New Zealand First 7; Green Party 6; Maori Party 3; United Future 3; Progressive 1; Independent: Field 
Noes 50 
New Zealand National 48; ACT New Zealand 2. 
Bill read a first time.
Benson-Pope David: Points of Order — Question No. 9—Tabling of Document 
Benson-Pope David: Points of Order — Question No. 9—Tabling of Document 
[Volume:639;Page:9049] 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. At the end of question time Judith Collins asked for the leave of the House to table a document and there was apparently some objection to that. I ask for leave to invite her to repeat that request. I am sure there will be no further objection from my colleagues. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: You cannot seek leave for anyone else. 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: I did not seek leave for anyone else to do anything. I sought leave of the House to invite Mrs Collins to ask that question again. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: We are going to continue with the general debate. Thank you for raising the issue Mr Benson-Pope. It is no issue.
Collins Judith: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Collins Judith: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:639;Page:9048] 
JUDITH COLLINS (National—Clevedon) 
: 
 I seek leave of the House to table a transcript of an interview with Christchurch doctor Alisdair Webb who has reported that Work and Income is sending people along to get benefits when it should not be. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Clarkson Bob: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Clarkson Bob: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:639;Page:9045] 
BOB CLARKSON (National—Tauranga) 
: 
 I am sorry; there was so much noise. Point of order— 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Be seated. The member of course could not hear because his colleagues and colleagues on this side were making too much noise. We will hear the rest of question time in silence.
Wilson Margaret: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Wilson Margaret: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:639;Page:9045] 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I am moving to Question No. 12 since Question No. 11 has not been asked—I have called it.
Pettis Jill: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Pettis Jill: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:639;Page:9045] 
10.  
JILL PETTIS (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Communications 
: Has he received any recent reports on financing improvements to New Zealand’s broadband network? 
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister of Communications) 
: 
 Yes I have seen it reported that Mr John Key indicates he is happy to use taxpayers’ money to fund broadband infrastructure when private profits in the sector run into many hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Mr Key is clearly pre-emptively rushing in to privatise the profits and socialise the liabilities.
Mackey Moana: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Mackey Moana: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:639;Page:9037] 
4.  
MOANA MACKEY (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Finance 
: What reports if any has he received indicating support for the interest-free student loan policy? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 I have seen numerous reports indicating support for this policy and I was surprised but delighted to see a report today also indicating support for the policy from the National Party. I welcome National’s conversion to yet another policy of this Labour-led Government even if it has not yet been consulted on by the National Party caucus. 
Moana Mackey 
: What reports has he seen suggesting an alternative assessment of this policy? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: I have seen reports from the same source describing the policy that is now supported as ill-considered and poorly designed and “an irresponsible election-year bribe”. But given flip-flops over KiwiSaver Working for Families 4 weeks’ annual leave income-related rents and climate change nothing should surprise us even when none of it seems to go near the National Party caucus first. 
Hon Brian Donnelly 
: Would it not be fairer to the taxpayer if student loans had a consumer price index interest rate so that students would be required to pay back the real value of their loans rather than being given a monetary handout that the interest-free policy effectively provides? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: No I think what we now have is a scheme that is fair to all and that serves to encourage involvement in tertiary education particularly in those higher-cost courses at the upper end of the system. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: Tena koe Madam Speaker. Kia ora tatou. What investment will the Minister make towards reducing student debt particularly in light of the 2006 report of the UN special rapporteur which stated that the “Maori students in tertiary education of Aotearoa complained to the Special Rapporteur that a limitation to their progress to higher programmes in tertiary education is the high burden of student debt and decreasing public funding to support Maori students.”? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: There is certainly not decreasing public funding to Maori students; I am not surprised the UN special rapporteur managed to come to that conclusion—he managed to come to a number of conclusions that I do not find justified by the facts.
Wilson Margaret: Speaker’s Statements — Chamber—Behaviour 
Wilson Margaret: Speaker’s Statements — Chamber—Behaviour 
[Volume:639;Page:9031] 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I have received a letter from the leaders of the Green Party the Maori Party United Future and ACT expressing concern about behaviour in the House. After meeting with party leaders I have decided to refer the letter to the Standing Orders Committee. A copy of the letter is available to all members in their boxes.
Visitors — Korea—Parliamentary Delegation National Assembly 
Visitors — Korea—Parliamentary Delegation National Assembly 
[Volume:639;Page:9031] 
Wednesday 9 May 2007 
Madam Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Visitors 
Korea—Parliamentary Delegation National Assembly 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I have much pleasure in informing members that a parliamentary delegation from the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea led by the Hon Lee Sang Bay is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish to welcome the delegation.
Points of Order — Question No. 9—Tabling of Document 
Points of Order — Question No. 9—Tabling of Document 
[Volume:639;Page:9049] 
Points of Order 
Question No. 9—Tabling of Document 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. At the end of question time Judith Collins asked for the leave of the House to table a document and there was apparently some objection to that. I ask for leave to invite her to repeat that request. I am sure there will be no further objection from my colleagues. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: You cannot seek leave for anyone else. 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: I did not seek leave for anyone else to do anything. I sought leave of the House to invite Mrs Collins to ask that question again. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: We are going to continue with the general debate. Thank you for raising the issue Mr Benson-Pope. It is no issue.
Speaker’s Statements — Chamber—Behaviour 
Speaker’s Statements — Chamber—Behaviour 
[Volume:639;Page:9031] 
Speaker’s Statements 
Chamber—Behaviour 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I have received a letter from the leaders of the Green Party the Maori Party United Future and ACT expressing concern about behaviour in the House. After meeting with party leaders I have decided to refer the letter to the Standing Orders Committee. A copy of the letter is available to all members in their boxes.
Vote: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9157] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendments be agreed to. 
Ayes 61 
New Zealand Labour 49; New Zealand First 7; United Future 3; Independent: Field; Progressive 1. 
Noes 59 
New Zealand National 48; Green Party 6; Maori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 2. 
Amendments agreed to.
Brownlee Gerry: Business Statement 
Brownlee Gerry: Business Statement 
[Volume:639;Page:9117] 
GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) 
: 
 Can the Leader of the House tell us how much legislation is likely to flow from his Budget initiatives whether any of those will need to be dealt with under urgency and whether he intends moving some of the raft of bills that appear to be deadlocked on the current Order Paper meaning the Government has only about eight Government bills available to it at the moment?
Jones Shane: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Jones Shane: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9168] 
SHANE JONES (Labour) 
: 
 Kia ora notatou. Firstly Mr Chairperson I must repeat what I said last night: you were a fantastic representative of that great mix of the Dalmatian and the Maori on national television. Sitting at your side is a great mix of the Scottish and the Maori and both of you actually improved the quality of television for that brief period of time. 
Secondly what a load of misleading nonsense we have heard from the Opposition over their fears that microchipping failure in terms of the security information is on its way—as if they have no credit cards as if they have no access to financial institutions through cards. 
The member for Coromandel drives around in that smoke-belching greedy road-hogging machine that she calls her electorate vehicle running on fish oil possibly orange roughy. She needs a card. Opposition members say they have no fears about their cards. I tell you what they may not have had cards but they had taxi chits the other night on May 3 at Ohakea air force base. They are no strangers to these instruments. They are no strangers to these devices. 
So it is absolute nonsense that they should come in and undermine through their rhetoric the work of this fine and proud politician from Ngati Wai—our very good friend the leader of Aotearoa Tuatahi—who is looking after the interests of the kaumatua by ensuring that although this card does not contain the device the Opposition fear it provides an example of the efficiency—because we search for efficiency in the administration of the State—that is sought so they will not have to come back and listen to Sandra Goudie or suffer the tired misshapen rhetoric of Miss Collins. No they will be saved all of that. 
This legislation enables them to proceed with the card and enjoy all the entitlements and benefits that senior citizens desire—desire and deserve. They will get it only from the current Government. They will never receive it from National. Kia kaha. We wish the bill well. 
Part 2 agreed to.
Paraone Pita: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Paraone Pita: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9167] 
PITA PARAONE (NZ First) 
: 
Tena koe Mr Chairman. I make no apologies for standing on behalf of New Zealand First to support the Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill because this debate has arisen from the confidence and supply agreement that New Zealand First has with the Government. I preface my comments by acknowledging Mrs Reene Peach up in Cambridge Mr and Mrs Jim Stewart in Howick Barry and Alison Hegley also in Howick Mona Bloom in Howick and all those other superannuitants who are waiting for this legislation to be passed. 
Of all the scaremongering that has gone on over this legislation much of it has been fostered by the Opposition. It should not be missed that the  
New Zealand Herald  
has also contributed to the scaremongering with its lead article today. Of course all that does is to highlight the support that that particular paper gives to a particular party in this House. The contributions that the members on the Opposition side of the Chamber have made to this debate have added to the trivialising that the member from the Green Party alluded to earlier in her speech. 
Part 2 is all about ensuring that the required information that we want on these entitlement cards including the SuperGold card is a necessity. I suggest to those on the opposite side of this Chamber that all they need to do is to look at their computers every day. The number of unsolicited messages they get on their PCs is an indication that the information we are talking about protecting is already out there. 
 I just want to say—because time is going on—that New Zealand First is again proud of its so-called baubles of office. I want to remind those who have been critical of us that Part 2 is an example of the baubles that we have provided for the superannuitants the elderly and the senior citizens of our country. They deserve everything that they get. Kia ora.
Peters Winston: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Peters Winston: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9164] 
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. There is a Standing Order and numerous Speakers’ rulings that say that members cannot move to another seat and thereby take advantage of that relocation to interject and shout across the Chamber in the way that someone in this Chamber has. If members want to recognise who that person is I tell them it is the person who was behaving like a fishwife on market day shouting from the start of that last speech by my colleague Russell Fairbrother to the end of it. She never stopped. I have not mentioned her name. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Clem Simich) 
: I understand your point of order. I do not agree that that person has changed seats for the specific reason of being more effective at interjecting. She did change seats but that was to have a better position from which to make her contribution.
Vote: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9157] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That Part 1 as amended be agreed to. 
Ayes 118 
New Zealand Labour 49; New Zealand National 48; New Zealand First 7; Green Party 6; Maori Party 3; United Future 3; Progressive 1; Independent: Field. 
Noes 2 
ACT New Zealand 2. 
Part 1 as amended agreed to.
Vote: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9157] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment to the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 59 
New Zealand National 48; Green Party 6; Maori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 2. 
Noes 61 
New Zealand Labour 49; New Zealand First 7; United Future 3; Progressive 1; Independent: Field. 
Amendment to the amendment not agreed to. 
The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 111 in the name of the Rt Hon Winston Peters to Part 1 be agreed to.
Vote: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9156] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 59 
New Zealand National 48; Green Party 6; Maori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 2. 
Noes 61 
New Zealand Labour 49; New Zealand First 7; United Future 3; Progressive 1; Independent: Field. 
New subclause not agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of Heather Roy to the proposed amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 111 in the name of the Rt Hon Winston Peters to clause 5 be agreed to: 
to omit from the substituted subclause (2) “or a microchip embedded in them”.
Vote: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9156] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the question be now put. 
Ayes 61 
New Zealand Labour 49; New Zealand First 7; United Future 3; Progressive 1; Independent: Field. 
Noes 59 
New Zealand National 48; Green Party 6; Maori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 2. 
Motion agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of Taito Phillip Field to clause 5 be agreed to: 
To add the following subclause after subclause (2): 
Section 132A is amended by adding the following subsections: 
(3) An Order in Council providing for the embedding of microchips in entitlement cards may not be made under this section except on the recommendation of the Minister. 
(4)The Minister must not recommend the making of an Order in Council referred to in subsection (3) unless to ensure privacy and personal information are fully protected adequate consultation concerning the privacy and security of the information to be contained in the microchip has taken place with— 
(a)the State Services Commission; and 
(b)the Privacy Commissioner; and 
(c)any other State agency department or organisation the Minister considers relevant.
Henare Tau: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Henare Tau: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9155] 
Hon TAU HENARE (National) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I just want to bring your attention to the fact that the Minister in the chair and the member from New Zealand First are doing hand signals to each other. I am just wondering what that is all about. Is some sort of secret deal going on here? You said that it was a Government bill not a New Zealand First bill. What is the deal with the hand signals? 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Clem Simich) 
: I thank the member for raising that. As the member has gone down that track and there was the issue raised by Mr Brown from New Zealand First—and what the member is saying runs counter to that—I see my way clear to accepting the motion which I will do.
Brown Peter: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Brown Peter: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9155] 
PETER BROWN (Whip—NZ First) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I draw your attention to the fact that apart from the Minister in the chair who is the leader of New Zealand First there has been only one call from New Zealand First on this part. As you can see Mr Chairperson it is quite a controversial issue and I seek the call. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Clem Simich) 
: It says here that it is a Government bill. It has nothing to do with New Zealand First per se. But I take the member’s point— 
Peter Brown 
: I am just saying that we’ve had only one call. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Clem Simich) 
: I take the member’s point. The motion was that the question be now put. I am of a mind to put the question because this is a very small part. There is another part and clauses 1 and 2 are yet to come.
Soper Lesley: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Soper Lesley: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9155] 
LESLEY SOPER (Labour) 
: 
 I move  
That the question be now put 
.
Smith Nick: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Smith Nick: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9147] 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) 
: 
 In contradiction to what Mr Peters has said I seek leave to table the statement: “… New Zealand First says the cards would not be functional without microchips …”. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: No you’ll find out at question time. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: That is what New Zealand First said I say to Mr Peters. I seek leave to table that statement for the record. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Clem Simich) 
: Leave has been sought for that course to be followed. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Turner Judy: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Turner Judy: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9144] 
JUDY TURNER (Deputy Leader—United Future) 
: 
 I want to make a contribution to this part of the debate on this bill regarding the SuperGold card. United Future along with some of the other parties on the Social Services Committee did register—and we certainly included a minority view in the commentary on the bill—some concerns around microchipping. But I want to be clear that our concerns about microchipping were not really to do with the microchipping provisions in this bill. In the bill it is very very clear what information can be stored. It is very mainstream information and we would have to return to this House to extend those provisions at any stage for any mechanism used to store information. 
So our concern was not sufficient to support the amendment by Heather Roy. However we did discuss this issue at caucus and our concern as I mentioned at question time today was whether we were progressing this idea of the Government use of microchip technology without having had the wider debate about the kinds of privacy issues that may need to be considered into the future around the use of this technology. The fact that we are including the provisions by stealth it would seem was of concern. 
So because we do not feel that there is any need to pull the provisions out at this stage as they are very limited in respect of what information can be stored we have written to a series of people. We have written to the Minister of State Services the Minister of Justice the Privacy Commissioner and the Law Commission asking them to take this matter into consideration and to provide some ongoing advice to the House about any of the ethical considerations around Government use of microchip technology into the future. We have asked them to provide this advice so that in future when bills like this come up in which there is a provision for the use of microchipping we have some clear guidelines and protocols and we can proceed with the use of this technology knowing that we are keeping New Zealanders safe from any use of invasive information that may be to their detriment. 
 We have weighed the issue up very sincerely. Unlike the previous speaker Ruth Dyson I believe that Heather Roy’s attempt is sincere. I do not believe she is trying to grandstand or do anything in a politicking sense. I think she is genuinely concerned and we have looked very closely at her concerns. We feel that this bill is safe in its use of microchipping but we think that it has raised a very important issue. We in the United Future caucus have certainly taken action to contact the bodies that give advice to the Government and to Government departments. Those bodies should have a say and give serious consideration to this and we have taken action to ask them to do some further work. 
I think the amendment in the name of Taito Phillip Field is a good amendment. It goes a long way to addressing our concerns and we are happy to support it.
Collins Judith: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Collins Judith: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9138] 
JUDITH COLLINS (National—Clevedon) 
: 
 One of the concerns we have raised in relation to this bill is the issue of the microchipping of entitlement cards. We are particularly concerned that if we have that sort of technology put in place we should be very upfront and honest about its purpose. Certainly at the Social Services Committee we heard that this is effectively a card to allow commercial entities to give discounts to seniors and to veterans. We do not see any problem with that; we just do not understand why we need to have technology such as microchips to enable that to happen. Most of us know that these sorts of things happen anyway and no commercial entity would be lawfully required to provide those discounts—certainly not under this legislation. So this is a concern that we raised at the select committee and we will continue to raise it in relation to this bill.
Stewart Barbara: Personal Explanations — Anzac Day Ceremony—Attendance 
Stewart Barbara: Personal Explanations — Anzac Day Ceremony—Attendance 
[Volume:639;Page:9138] 
BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) 
: 
 Last week Sue Moroney stated that she was the only member who attended the Anzac Day dawn ceremony in Cambridge. That statement was incorrect. I attended the ceremony together with my husband and my son who was wearing his great-grandfather’s medals from World War I. Therefore I have sought to make this statement to correct the record. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I thank the member.
Hereora Dave: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Hereora Dave: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:639;Page:9136] 
11.  
DAVE HEREORA (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Communications 
: Has he received any further reports on financing improvements to New Zealand’s broadband network? 
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister of Communications) 
: 
 Yes I have seen reported today in the  
New Zealand Herald  
Bill English opposing Government investment in this country’s broadband infrastructure—contradicting his co-leader John Key who last week proposed doing exactly that. 
Dave Hereora 
: Has the Minister seen any reports on investment by local authorities in New Zealand’s broadband infrastructure? 
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE 
: Yes in the same  
New Zealand Herald 
 report Bill English is quoted as being concerned at local bodies investing in broadband infrastructure for their citizens. So he is undermining not only his leader but also the efforts of hard-working self-sacrificing New Zealand communities that are doing their bit to bring faster broadband to the people. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Will the Government implement the policy of the Australian Labor Party and promote a Government-funded national fibre network in light of Bill English’s statement in the  
New Zealand Herald 
 that National will look at adopting this policy; if not why obviously is it to be not? 
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE 
: In response to the member I find it immensely amusing that the National Party should look to adopt the policy of the Labor Party of another country. The Government is at a delicate stage in implementing the Telecommunications Amendment Act—legislation that miraculously both Mr Key and Mr English voted for at the same time. Now even if they could agree on their own policy it would be totally inappropriate for them to wade into this matter at such a delicate time. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Will the Minister stick to the question please. Superfluous comments lead only to disorder.
Hobbs Marian: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Hobbs Marian: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:639;Page:9133] 
9.  
Hon MARIAN HOBBS (Labour—Wellington Central) 
 to the  
Minister of Transport 
: What recent developments if any have there been in providing environmentally friendly bus services in the Wellington region? 
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Transport) 
: 
 This afternoon I will attend the signing of a contract between the Greater Wellington Regional Council and New Zealand Bus Ltd which will result in the complete rebuilding of Wellington’s 60 electric-powered trolley buses. 
Hon Tau Henare 
: When are you going to use the bus yourself? 
Hon ANNETTE KING 
: That is a good question. Actually I have a bus ticket and I do use the bus on quite a regular basis. Funding for this project is shared between Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Government through Land Transport New Zealand. The contract will ensure that larger more comfortable trolley buses will continue to provide an essential transport service to Wellington residents while contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and reduced local air pollution. 
Hon Marian Hobbs 
: I thank the Minister—I am really delighted—and ask: what are the environmental benefits of trolley buses? 
Hon ANNETTE KING 
: That is a very good question and I pay a compliment back to the member and to Sue Kedgley who have been strong advocates for the trolley buses in Wellington. Trolley buses produce no local air pollution which makes Wellington inner city a great place in which to work and live. I am advised that the new buses will also save over 1600 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year compared with their diesel bus equivalents. The amount of electricity used by the fleet of 60 buses—and this will be very interesting to Mr Brownlee the Opposition spokesperson on energy—is equivalent to that produced by about half of one new windmill installed at TrustPower’s new Tararua wind farm.
Brownlee Gerry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Brownlee Gerry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:639;Page:9124] 
GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) 
: 
 I am pleased that Dr Cullen has finished his answer to the previous question. He has managed to put his Associate Minister of Finance to sleep. [ 
Interruption 
] Have a look down there. How is that? 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Members know that when they are asking questions if they preface them with comments that are irrelevant to the question it is likely to cause disorder. Would the member please just ask his question.
Choudhary Ashraf: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Choudhary Ashraf: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:639;Page:9123] 
3.  
Dr ASHRAF CHOUDHARY (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister for Tertiary Education 
: What is the Government doing to ensure high-quality tertiary education and training? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister for Tertiary Education) 
: 
 I have recently announced—last week and today—increased funding including $127 million over 4 years for the institutes of technology polytechnic industry training and wananga sectors; $129 million for the university sector; and a further $199.5 million for the whole sector. Together with the tertiary reform legislation this will ensure the tertiary education sector fulfils New Zealand’s needs and provides better value for money for taxpayers and for students. 
Dr Ashraf Choudhary 
: How do these announcements show that the Government is achieving value for money in the tertiary education sector? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: Much of the money available for this investment has come through savings in other tertiary education spending. We have been able to engage in that reinvestment because our reforms have stopped the out-of-control expenditure inherited from National’s failed experiments in uncapped tertiary education funding driven by student choice. 
Hon Brian Donnelly 
: Does the Minister consider that sufficient time is allowed for those tertiary education organisations which confront significant variation in funding to respond to that variation given that the Tertiary Education Commission board of commissioners will not consider the plans until October or November 2007 and funding will occur in January 2008 according to the Tertiary Education Commission’s investment guidance document? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: I think that it is true that the final sign-off will be late this year. We have already released the investment guidance and there have been extensive meetings with the sector on its implications. Discussions between the Tertiary Education Commission and the tertiary education organisations will take place starting at the end of this month. So the organisations will have a much earlier indication of likely funding than the final sign-off would indicate. 
Hon Brian Donnelly 
: Could the Minister explain to the House the purpose of the tripartite forum process and how it has been operating? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: The purpose of the tripartite forum is to look at improvements to quality and at upskilling within the university sector particularly at how it is possible to lift relative incomes amongst the academic staff given that over a long period of time these have tended to fall behind and have put us at a disadvantage in terms of international comparisons. Both last year and this year we have been able to feed some extra money into the university sector with the assurance that that will flow through into salaries.
Cullen Michael: Business Statement 
Cullen Michael: Business Statement 
[Volume:639;Page:9117] 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) 
: 
 No I cannot give the member any information about that at this point.
Business Statement 
Business Statement 
[Volume:639;Page:9117] 
Thursday 10 May 2007 
Madam Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Business Statement 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) 
: 
 Next week in the House priority will be given to the next stages of the Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill the Social Security Amendment Bill the Arbitration Amendment Bill and the Succession (Homicide) Bill. Wednesday is a members’ day and Thursday is Budget day. 
GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) 
: 
 Can the Leader of the House tell us how much legislation is likely to flow from his Budget initiatives whether any of those will need to be dealt with under urgency and whether he intends moving some of the raft of bills that appear to be deadlocked on the current Order Paper meaning the Government has only about eight Government bills available to it at the moment? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) 
: 
 No I cannot give the member any information about that at this point.
Cullen Michael: Business Statement 
Cullen Michael: Business Statement 
[Volume:639;Page:9117] 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) 
: 
 Next week in the House priority will be given to the next stages of the Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill the Social Security Amendment Bill the Arbitration Amendment Bill and the Succession (Homicide) Bill. Wednesday is a members’ day and Thursday is Budget day.
Personal Explanations — Anzac Day Ceremony—Attendance 
Personal Explanations — Anzac Day Ceremony—Attendance 
[Volume:639;Page:9138] 
Personal Explanations 
Anzac Day Ceremony—Attendance 
BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) 
: 
 Last week Sue Moroney stated that she was the only member who attended the Anzac Day dawn ceremony in Cambridge. That statement was incorrect. I attended the ceremony together with my husband and my son who was wearing his great-grandfather’s medals from World War I. Therefore I have sought to make this statement to correct the record. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I thank the member.
Vote: Taxation (KiwiSaver and Company Tax RateAmendments) Bill — Second Reading In Committee Third Reading 
Vote: Taxation (KiwiSaver and Company Tax RateAmendments) Bill — Second Reading In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:639;Page:9495] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Taxation (KiwiSaver and Company Tax Rate Amendments) Bill be now read a third time. 
Ayes 61 
New Zealand Labour 49; New Zealand First 7; United Future 2; Progressive 1; Independent: Copeland; Independent: Field 
Noes 50 
New Zealand National 48; ACT New Zealand 2. 
Abstentions 3 
Maori Party 3. 
Bill read a third time.