Carter David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Carter David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:607;Page:4287] 
11.  
Hon DAVID CARTER (NZ National) 
 to the  
Associate Minister of Health 
: Does he support the banning of smoking in all pubs clubs and RSAs as recommended in the Health Committee’s report on the Smokefree Environments (Enhanced Protection) Amendment Bill; if so why? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Associate Minister of Health) 
: 
 Yes because 4700 New Zealanders die each year from smoking-related illnesses and a further 388 from second-hand smoke. My goal as Minister responsible for tobacco control is to reduce those tragic figures significantly. 
Hon David Carter 
: Is the Minister aware that his colleagues including Ministers are already telling the hospitality industry that the bill will be considerably softened and does he support that approach? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: No I am not aware. While I have seen such claims made in the media this is a member’s bill not a Government bill. Any MP can move amendments to the bill and they will be assessed by the House on their merits. I expect that members will take up that opportunity when the bill is in the Committee stage. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Why can the Minister and his colleagues not keep their big noses out of the ordinary lives of New Zealanders particularly the downtrodden working-class people who used to vote Labour and why are those attitude cops so beset with stopping ordinary New Zealanders getting on with their lives? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: This Government cares about the people of New Zealand. If we were to ignore the road toll in this country and not take any action we would be deemed negligent. If we were to ignore the outrageous and tragic figures from smoking in this country we would be deemed negligent also. 
Heather Roy 
: Why does the Minister not concede— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I am sorry. There is something wrong with the member’s microphone. Perhaps she could start again. Members should just be a little more sensible. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I did hear her and she was out of order in her initial comments. Perhaps you could give her some guidance. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I will certainly be listening. If there is anything that is out of order the member will not be proceeding with the question. Please ask the question inside the Standing Orders. 
Heather Roy 
: Why does the Minister not concede that that ban is just pandering to Labour voters and that it will have a devastating effect on sporting clubs workingmen’s clubs and Returned Services Associations—[ 
Interruption 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
:. I will now ask the member to start again. 
Heather Roy 
: Why does the Minister not concede that this ban is just pandering to the chardonnay socialists and will have a devastating effect on sporting clubs— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: No. That was not the question asked by the member that I heard. The member talked about Labour voters or something like that. She is now getting into the area of adding in material so as not to render the question effective. I will give her one more go. Please ask the question and I will not have any interjection. 
Heather Roy 
: Why does the Minister not concede that this ban is just pandering to Labour voters and will have a devastating effect on sporting clubs workingmen’s clubs and Returned Services Associations and is a blatant attack on the freedom and choice of law-abiding New Zealanders? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: I do not agree with that member. I remind her that the bill was heard by the select committee and there were 397 submissions. The changes made to the bill were made unanimously. Members on the select committee included two from National one from New Zealand First one from ACT one from the Greens alongside those from the Labour Government. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Why does the Labour Party seem obsessed with attacking the hard-working men and woman of this country many of whom have very few pleasures including smoking and if that is the case why stop with smoking; why do we not have one on eating for example or lack of exercise? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: We are a Government that is prepared to facilitate hard calls to protect our people when necessary. This is a member’s bill and that member’s party voted for this bill to go to a select committee and all the changes were made unanimously. 
Heather Roy 
: I seek leave to table the report of the bill that shows that ACT New Zealand submitted a minority report on the bill. The Minister said it was unanimously supported; it was not. 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: I have a point of clarification. I did not refer to the report. I referred to the bill itself and the changes made that were supported unanimously. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: But leave was sought. Is there any objection? There is objection. 
Hon David Carter 
: What reports has the Minister commissioned to establish the adverse economic impacts that this legislation will have on our tourism and hospitality industries as evidenced by the fall in Sky City shares yesterday? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: The international evidence that we have for such moves made in a number of countries including Ireland Norway and more particularly in the state of California indicates that over time there is no adverse effect on businesses.