1. Question No. 1—Prime MinisterHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Prime MinisterORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Prime Minister1. Hon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements policies and actions? Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Deputy Leader—Labour) on behalf of the Prime Minister: Yes. SPEAKER: The smile's not quite as good though. Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Sorry? SPEAKER: The smile wasn't as good. Hon Paula Bennett: Will New Zealand have a legal drug-testing regime at music festivals in place for the upcoming summer? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: On behalf of the Prime Minister I don't have that level of detail and it would be good if the member could put the question on notice so that we could actually give a detailed answer. The thing is that this Government does take the drug issue very seriously and we hope that the Opposition does too. Hon Paula Bennett: Does she agree with Stuart Nash who said he thought drug testing at festivals was—and I quote—a fantastic idea and should be installed at all … festivals" or does she agree with David Clark who said "There is a danger with such approaches that they encourage or are seen to encourage drug use."? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: I have to say that I get on and agree with both of my colleagues because they're very hard-working Ministers in both the police realm and also in health. Hon Paula Bennett: Does she agree with New Zealand First's Darroch Ball who said that allowing drug testing at festivals was "blurring the lines between right and wrong and what's illegal and not illegal"? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: What I would like to say in terms of the wider work that we do on drugs is that Budget 2019 included significant funding for drugs. In terms of what Mr—Hon Nathan Guy: What a shambles. SPEAKER: Order! Hon KELVIN DAVIS: In terms of what the member—SPEAKER: Sorry I'm just indicating to the member down there that his interjections are coming through my mike which are echoing back very loud in my ears. Hon KELVIN DAVIS: In terms of what the member from New Zealand First said I tend to agree—like I said in the previous answer—with my ministerial colleagues. Hon Paula Bennett: Does she think that when testing drugs at festivals and it proves to be 100 percent authentic the drugs should then be given back to individuals who can take them?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Those are matters of detail that will be worked out in time.Hon Paula Bennett: Has she seen the advice from officials that marijuana edibles "are often much more appealing to new and young users and could therefore increase cannabis use" and the subsequent recommendation that these products should not be manufactured commercially; if so why has her Government decided to allow the commercial manufacture of edibles in the recreation cannabis proposals?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: On behalf of the Prime Minister this is all a matter for the referendum. It will all be dealt with over time.Hon Paula Bennett: So does she think it is right that active gang members can get a licence to grow cannabis under the proposed medicinal cannabis scheme?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: On behalf of the Prime Minister anybody who's working in that field will need to be police vetted and it will be looked after in that instance.Hon Paula Bennett: How does she expect New Zealanders to understand the Government's proposed medicinal cannabis scheme or their proposals for recreational cannabis use if she can't even explain the detail of it?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: On behalf of the Prime Minister there's plenty of time for New Zealanders to get to understand what is going to happen in this area.Chlöe Swarbrick: Is the Prime Minister aware that there is currently public consultation out on the proposed 98-page medicinal cannabis scheme that is available for public submissions until 9 August?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Yes and that's exactly the point I've been making. There is the discussion document; there is plenty of time for New Zealanders to get to grips with what's going to happen.Hon Paula Bennett: Does she accept that these are the proposals put forward for the Government and as such they have responsibility for what they are putting forward?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Sorry Mr Speaker could she repeat the question?Hon Paula Bennett: Does she accept that these are proposals put forward by the Government and as a consequence they have responsibility for them?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: In terms of the whole issue we have put out the consultation document. We know people have views and we welcome their submissions; that's the point of consultation. We don't want to pre-empt the outcome of the consultation so we'll be working with industry and stakeholders following consultation. And in terms of police vetting which we've already spoken about police vetting would be required of the producers. Any criminal history will be considered and approval is explicitly ruled out if they have been convicted of a drug-related or dishonesty-based offence.Chlöe Swarbrick: Is the Prime Minister aware of whether or not the Opposition National Party has taken up the opportunity to be engaged in cross-party work on cannabis reform?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: On behalf of the Prime Minister I'm not responsible for the attitude or the work of the Opposition.Hon Michael Woodhouse: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Word for word that question started with a phrase that is ruled out by Speaker's ruling 175/4 an area we traversed at length yesterday and I just draw that to your attention.SPEAKER: No I'm going to pull out 175/4 again and after our problems with having it read yesterday I will read it: "It is irregular to preface a supplementary question with the words 'Is the Minister aware' and then proceed with a massive statement of fact." I think I'm absolutely happy to rule that there was no massive statement of fact in this case which is in absolute contrast to yesterday.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Speaking to that point Mr Speaker in that case I would draw your attention to 175/5 which does not require a "massive statement of fact" as you put it—albeit that I would question the definition of that; it is a value judgment—but Speakers Jack and Wilson simply described the prefacing statement "Is the Minister aware" as not appropriate.Hon Chris Hipkins: Speaking to the point of order Mr Speaker 175/5 says that they are "Seeking to inject information or propaganda a member wishes to be heard" but it doesn't rule the questions out. SPEAKER: Well I think it all depends on whether the members are seeking elucidation or not and that was occurring now. [Interruption] Is this a supplementary?Chlöe Swarbrick: It's a point of order. SPEAKER: No I don't want any more on the point of order. Hon Paula Bennett: Would she be surprised to hear that New Zealand First is not taking up the offer to join a cross-party group on drug reform? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: On behalf of the Prime Minister it is up to each party to make their own decisions. Hon Stuart Nash: Would she be surprised to learn that when I as police Minister came out in favour of drug checking at festivals at the beginning of this year a number of National Party MPs came out in support of that stance? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: No I wouldn't be surprised at all.Hon Tracey Martin: Can the Prime Minister confirm that New Zealand First backbench MPs and Ministers have worked constructively with both Government coalition partners and supply and confidence partners on many areas that this Government is addressing including around drug reform? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Yes I can confirm that New Zealand First has been most constructive in many many areas of policy work."