edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Boyack RachelRACHEL BOYACK (Labour—Nelson): Thank you Mr Speaker. It's a pleasure to take a short call on the Electoral Amendment Bill. As previous speakers have noted it makes a number of changes to the Electoral Act 1993 to increase public trust in the transparency of the political donations and loans framework as well as extending eligibility for voters overseas to vote in the 2023 general election. This is an excellent bill and I must say it's disappointing to hear Opposition contributions and parties saying that they can't even bring themselves to vote for this bill to go to select committee to hear the views of the public through that important process.We live in a time and a world that is growing in complexity with multiple challenges such as COVID-19 climate change and the undermining of our rules-based system. It is critical that we as parliamentarians do all that we can to support trust and confidence in our political system. Opposition speakers have tried to downplay the views of the public and the results of a Victoria University study—which to me is quite bizarre: that Opposition members would seek to undermine one of our upstanding universities. Victoria University found that 70 percent of respondents indicated they did not have a reasonable amount of trust in party funding. Some Opposition speakers have suggested that neither $15000 nor $5000 is a large sum of money so it shouldn't matter where the line is set. Well for the people I meet $5000 is a very large sum of money. In the Government's view the public have a right to know who is funding our political parties because it is about transparency.We've had some unique challenges over the past couple of years that have stopped many of our citizens and permanent residents from being able to return to New Zealand because of COVID and so I'm pleased that New Zealand citizens and permanent residents will have an extension of that time frame so that they can participate in the 2023 general election. It is the right thing to do. This is an excellent bill. I look forward to seeing the submissions through the select committee process and I commend it to the House.
SpeechMARJA LUBECK (Labour): Kia orana Mr Speaker and thank you for the opportunity to take a call on the Electoral Amendment Bill. I think it's rather telling that the National Party makes a comment like it is against the ethos of this House to talk about transparency and I think it's quite off to actually think that people in New Zealand are not going to like these changes to our electoral law because if you look in fact at a survey that was undertaken by Victoria University in 2021 it found that almost 70 percent of the respondents indicated that they didn't have a reasonable amount of trust in party funding. So in fact it's hugely important work that our Minister of Justice is bringing to this House to improve transparency around political donations and around political funding in general. So this bill will make those changes to electoral law on donations to political parties. It will strengthen our electoral law and it will do such things as have been spoken to already in detail by my colleague Arena Williams as lowering thresholds at which donations have to be declared.But it is also very important to look at another issue that this bill tackles which is of course the overseas voting eligibility and extending that eligibility for voting for overseas voters to six years for citizens and four years for permanent residents. It's really important because of course we have recently had quite significant challenges for our New Zealand citizens and permanent residents to exercise those votes because of our borders but the good news is it's all open for business now. Our borders are open but we still need to make some changes in the meantime. All in all this is an important change. We do want to have that transparency in these donations. I commend this bill to the House.
SpeechInstruction to Social Services and Community CommitteeHon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister for Disability Issues): I move That the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill be reported to the House by 16 May 2023.Motion agreed to.
Secondary Legislation Confirmation Bill — First Reading
Hipkins ChrisSECONDARY LEGISLATION CONFIRMATION BILLFirst ReadingHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move That the Secondary Legislation Confirmation Bill be now read a first time. I intend to move that the bill be reported to the House by 5 December 2022.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Regulations Review Committee.Instruction to Regulations Review CommitteeHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move That the Secondary Legislation Confirmation Bill be reported to the House by 5 December 2022.Motion agreed to.
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 Wednesday 3 August for the first reading and referral to select committee of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Bill and consideration in committee of the Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Bill the New Zealand Bill of Rights (Declarations of Inconsistency) Amendment Bill and the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill and the second readings of the Screen Industry Workers Bill and the Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Bill.Motion agreed to.
SpeechPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: No bills have been introduced. Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.CLERK: Petition of Lydia Chai requesting that the House ban the export of plastic waste to developing countriespetition of Pete Young requesting that the House legislate to require public reporting of all Deaths with Vaccine".SPEAKER: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee. Ministers have delivered papers.CLERK: Ngāi Tahu Ancillary Claims Trust Annual Financial Statements 30 June 2021Government response to the report of the Petitions Committee on the petition of Lucy Mclean.SPEAKER: Those papers are published under the authority of the House. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Report of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on Overseas Investment (Forestry) Amendment Billreport of the Health Committee on the Petition of Dr Shane Reti and Matt Kingreport of the Justice Committee on Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Billreports of the Petitions Committee on thePetition of Barbara Ann JoycePetition of Conrad Petersen andreport of the Regulations Review Committee on the Complaint about the Coroners (Pathologists Fees) Regulations 2007.SPEAKER: The bills are set down for second reading. The report of the Regulations Review Committee is set down for consideration."
Uffindell SamMEMBERS SWORNSPEAKER: Kia orana members. I understand that Sam Uffindell is present and wishes to make the affirmation of allegiance. Would he please come forward to the chair on my right.SAM UFFINDELL (National—Tauranga): I Samuel Julian Uffindell solemnly sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Her heirs and successors according to law.
Utikere TangiTUESDAY 2 AUGUST 2022The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSTANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North): Te Atua Mana te akameitaki atu nei matou iakoe no toou takinga meitaki taau i riringi mai ki runga ia matou. Te akaruke nei matou i to matou tu tangata te akamaara nei matou i te ariki vaine e te pure nei matou kia arataki koe i ta matou uriuri anga manako kia rave matou I ta matou angaanga i roto i teia ngutuare na roto i te pakari te tuatua tika e te akaaka no te meitaki e te au o to matou basileia Niu Tireni. Amene.
Thursday 28 July 2022 - Volume 761
12. Question No. 12—YouthDr ANAE NERU LEAVASA (Labour—Takanini) to the Minister for YouthQuestion No. 12—Youth12. Dr ANAE NERU LEAVASA (Labour—Takanini) to the Minister for Youth: What recent announcements has she made about Youth Parliament?Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Minister for Youth): Recently I announced the commencement of the tenth Youth Parliament. While this is a six-month programme the two days that participants spend here in Parliament is a crucial component of that and often cited as a highlight. Last week almost 140 young people aged between 16 and 23 travelled to Wellington to participate in mock debates caucus meetings select committees and oral question time. These were all our Youth MPs Youth Parliament press gallery members and for the first time ever a Youth Clerk. I just want to recognise the contribution of the young people who travelled from across the motu members from across this House who supported them the press gallery and the staff from the Ministry of Youth Development and the Office of the Clerk for the tremendous effort that collectively has been put in to making Youth Parliament 2022 a success.Dr Anae Neru Leavasa: Why is Youth Parliament such an important event?Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN: I've met many young people who are incredibly passionate about a number of issues that impact them. Youth Parliament gives them the opportunity to better understand how Parliament's processes work and for their views to be heard by decision makers other young people and the general public. It's an excellent way to encourage an apolitical civic engagement with youth across the motu. I met with many of them while they were here and listened to their speeches and I'm pleased to report that the future of our democracy looks bright.Dr Anae Neru Leavasa: What has the Minister heard about the diversity of this year's Youth Parliament?Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN: From the start I wanted us to collectively ensure that young people from a range of diverse backgrounds had the opportunity to be part of Youth Parliament. This year's Youth Parliament was one of the most if not the most diverse Youth Parliaments in the event's 30-year history with around 35 percent of participants either Māori or Pasifika 23 percent identifying with an ethnic community 48 percent female and 6 percent identifying as gender diverse. This is an increase all round from the Youth Parliament held in 2019. I understand from conversations with the Minister for Diversity Inclusion and Ethnic Communities that she was also very pleased with the diversity of this event.
10. Question No. 10—TransportSHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 10—Transport10. SHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has the Government made about supporting public transport users?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): The Government recently announced an extension to cost of living support for Kiwi commuters through the extension of half-price public transport and continued reductions to fuel excise duty and road-user charges. The cut to fuel excise reduces the cost of filling up a 40 litre tank of petrol by over $11 and for a 60 litre tank over $17. Half-price public transport sees an average person who pays two $5 dollar fares a day save $25 a week. Inflation is rising across the world and cost of living pressures are making it tough for New Zealanders right now. As a Government we continue to recognise and respond to the level of need; in this case I'm very pleased that we're particularly able to support those New Zealanders with the increased transport costs they face. Shanan Halbert: How is the cost of living support consistent with the Government's response to the climate crisis?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: It is important that the transition to a low-emissions high-productivity economy is fair and equitable for all New Zealanders.Hon Gerry Brownlee: This is so wide of the wickets.Hon MICHAEL WOOD: By reducing the cost barrier for using public transport we're demonstrating a commitment to providing New Zealanders with more options for how they live work and move around. In doing so we're providing more opportunities to embrace mode shift and to tackle the climate crisis head on by making a dent in our transport emissions. And I've received very good feedback when I was using the buses in Christchurch last week Mr Brownlee when everyone was enjoying those half-price public transport fares. [Interruption]DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Order!Shanan Halbert: What continued support will the Government provide to promote increased use of public transport?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: From the beginning of February Community Connect will be available nationwide and permanently enabling those people with community services cards to access half-price public transport. This will mean around about 1 million Kiwis will have access to cheaper transport and it will also help us to reach our climate change targets. This is a Government committed to investing in accessible affordable and convenient public transport services right across New Zealand.
5. Question No. 5—RevenueGLEN BENNETT (Labour—New Plymouth) to the Minister of RevenueQuestion No. 5—Revenue5. GLEN BENNETT (Labour—New Plymouth) to the Minister of Revenue: How can eligible New Zealanders ensure they receive the first Cost of Living Payment on 1 August?Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue): The Government's cost of living payments are the latest step we're taking to help New Zealanders pay their bills. The first of three monthly cost of living payments is due to be made on Monday at around $116. Around 2.1 million people are eligible to receive the payment if they earned $70000 or less in the 2022 tax year and are not entitled to the winter energy payment. There is no need to apply for the payment and it will occur automatically if Inland Revenue has the recipient's bank account details. Therefore I'm urging people to make sure Inland Revenue has their up-to-date bank details. I encourage all eligible New Zealanders to log into myIR on the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) website and check their bank account details are up to date. This will ensure they receive the payment on 1 August if they're eligible.Glen Bennett: How many people are eligible for the cost of living payments and when will the payments be made?Hon DAVID PARKER: There are an estimated 2.1 million Kiwis eligible for the cost of living payment. This sits alongside the Government's winter energy payment and together these payments will support 81 percent of New Zealanders aged 18 and over with their bills this year. For eligible New Zealanders that have lodged their bank account details with IRD the three main payment dates are 1 August 1 September and 3 October. Each payment is $116 roughly totalling $350. This equates to a $27-a-week increase in take-home income for 2.1 million New Zealanders over this three-month period. Glen Bennett: Will people still receive the payment if they lodge their bank account details with IRD after 1 August? Hon DAVID PARKER: We already have bank account details for 90 percent of those eligible but we're seeking details for the rest. If for some reason eligible people do not get their bank account details lodged with IRD before Monday they will still receive the $350 worth of payments if they provide bank account details at a later date. While eligible New Zealanders will have until 31 March next year to provide their bank account details I would encourage eligible people to do this soon—it's not compulsory but it is encouraged—either online at ird.govt.nz through their myIR account or by phone.
3. Question No. 3—Social Development and EmploymentTANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 3—Social Development and Employment3. TANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What announcements has she made regarding He Poutama Rangatahi?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): I recently announced that funding has been approved for nine new He Poutama Rangatahi programmes across the North Island. These programmes will work with 880 young people who are not in education employment or training and are at risk of long-term benefit dependency. The Government is focused on helping our rangatahi get the skills and support they need to choose a career and life pathway that gives them and their whānau a better future. We recognise that some of our rangatahi need more support than others. He Poutama Rangatahi is unique and it works.Tangi Utikere: What results has she seen from He Poutama Rangatahi?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The basic principle of He Poutama Rangatahi is that local communities are best placed to reach our rangatahi and help them work through the barriers they face to move forward with their lives. Since it was launched by my colleague the Hon Willie Jackson in 2018 8378 rangatahi have enrolled in the programme with only 12 percent having withdrawn or unenrolled. The programme has also seen 3869 rangatahi move into employment education or training with many more still enrolled in the programme and working towards achieving their goals. Additionally 76 percent of the young people on the programme are Māori emphasising the importance of that local approach. Tangi Utikere: What other Government initiatives will have an impact on people participating in He Poutama Rangatahi?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Of the 8378 people enrolled in He Poutama Rangatahi only 35 percent have a driver's licence at the time of their enrolment. We know that having a driver's licence is a basic prerequisite for up to 70 percent of jobs. Additionally not having a driver's licence is frequently a young person's first interaction with the justice system. This is why the Government invested $86.5 million into helping 64000 people obtain driver's licences as part of Budget 2022. This important investment will help many people but it will particularly help our rangatahi on their journey to achieving their full potential.
1. Question No. 1—EducationCAMILLA BELICH (Labour) to the Minister of EducationORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Education1. CAMILLA BELICH (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What reports has he seen about trends in training and apprenticeships?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Good news. I've seen the latest figures from the very successful Apprenticeship Boost initiative part of our COVID-19 support initiatives that have been helping employers to keep their early stage apprentices employed and in training: 18507 employers have now been engaged 26000 apprentices are currently eligible for an Apprenticeship Boost payment and in total 49000 apprentices have so far benefited from the scheme. As part of this year's Budget Apprenticeship Boost has now been extended through to December next year.Camilla Belich: Is the overall number of apprentices increasing and if so by how much?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Even more good news. I'm advised that there are now 56965 active apprentices. That's a 61 percent increase on June 2019 prior to the pandemic and a 90 percent increase since June 2017. Vocational education is back on the mat and it is thriving in New Zealand. Camilla Belich: What other information has he received on other vocational COVID support initiatives that the Government has put in place?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As a temporary measure until the end of this year we put in place free vocational training and apprenticeships under the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund. The latest enrolment data shows that 215375 people have been supported though that fund since July of 2020; that includes 98000 apprentices. The Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund makes a range of qualifications in targeted areas and all apprenticeships free until 31 December this year. It is another example of the real work that this Government is doing to tackle the skill shortages that we inherited.
Special Debates — Petition of Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand—Report of the Petitions Committee (continued)
Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 4 to Minister 28 July
Parker DavidAMENDED ANSWERS TO ORAL QUESTIONSQuestion No. 4 to MinisterHon DAVID PARKER (Associate Minister of Finance): Point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to correct an answer. ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ian McKelvie): Leave is requested for that purpose. Any objection? There is none. Hon DAVID PARKER: Thank you Mr Speaker. In answer to a supplementary on question No. 4 I made reference to a former Governor of the Reserve Bank reaching an arrangement in respect of a party list. In a slip of the tongue I said the Labour Party being the party. That was incorrect. It was the National Party.
Special Debates — Petition of Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand—Report of the Petitions Committee
Rurawhe AdrianPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSDEPUTY SPEAKER: No petitions have been presented. A paper has been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Lakes District Health Board 2021-22 annual plan incorporation statement of performance expectations.DEPUTY SPEAKER: That paper is published under the authority of the House. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation. There are quite a few of them.CLERK: Reports of the Education and Workforce Committee on the 2022/23 Estimates for Vote Education Vote Education Review Office Vote Tertiary Education and Vote Labour Market.reports of the Environment Committee on the 2022/23 Estimates for Vote Conservation Vote Environment and for Vote Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.reports of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the 2022/23 Estimates for Vote Audit Vote Finance Fiscal Strategy Report 2022 and Budget Economic and Fiscal Update 2022 and for Vote Revenue.reports of the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee on the 2022/23 Estimates for Vote Customs Vote Defence Vote Defence Force and Vote Foreign Affairs.report of the Health Committee on the 2022/23 Estimates for Vote Health and for appropriation within Vote Building and Construction isolation and quarantine management.reports of the Justice Committee on the 2022/23 Estimates for Vote Justice Vote Police and Vote Serious Fraudreports of the Māori Affairs Committee on the 2022-23 Estimates for Vote Māori Development and Vote Te Arawhitireports of the Regulations Review Committee on the examination of COVID-19 Orders presented on 27 June 2022reports of the Social Services and Community Committee on the 2022/23 appropriation within Vote Public Service – supporting implementation of a Social Wellbeing Approach2022-23 appropriations within Vote Internal Affairs that are the responsibility of the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector and the Minister for Diversity Inclusion and Ethnic Communities2022/23 Estimates for Vote Arts Culture and Heritage2022/23 Estimates for Vote Housing and Urban Development2022/23 Estimates for Vote Oranga Tamariki2022/23 Estimates for Vote Pacific Peoples2022/23 Estimates for Vote Social Development2022/23 Estimates for Vote Sport and Recreation2022/23 Estimates for Vote Womenreports of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee on the 2022/23 Estimates for Vote Building and Construction excluding the Isolation and Quarantine Management appropriation2022/23 Estimates for Vote Transport.DEPUTY SPEAKER: The report of the Regulations Review Committee is set down for consideration. The Clerk has been informed of the introduction of a bill.CLERK: Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill introduction.DEPUTY SPEAKER: That bill is set down for first reading.
Hipkins Chris; Bishop Chris; Shaw JamesBUSINESS STATEMENTHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): Thank you Mr Speaker. Legislation to be considered next week will include the first readings of the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill the Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill and the Local Government Electoral Legislation Bill; the committee stages of the Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Bill and the New Zealand Bill of Rights (Declarations of Inconsistency) Amendment Bill; and the third reading of the Data and Statistics Bill. There will be an extended sitting on the morning of Wednesday 3 August. The balance of Wednesday will be a members' day.CHRIS BISHOP (National): I thank the Leader of the House for that. I wonder whether he could give the House an update on the time line for the Water Services Entities Bill given the very very very large number of public submissions on that bill.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): That'll be a matter for the select committee.Hon JAMES SHAW (Green): Thank you. I noticed that the Organic Products Bill has dropped from No. 8 on the Order Paper the last time we discussed this to No. 12 on the Order Paper now. Last time we asked how that was going he said it would depend on how fast the House moved but obviously if it's dropping back on the Order Paper that's going to mean it's going to take even longer. So I just wondered if he had any insight into when that might come to the House.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I'm very happy to offer the member some hope and to say to him that I do think it's likely we'll make some progress on the bill in the next few months.
SpeechTHURSDAY 28 JULY 2022The Deputy 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 Queen 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.
Wednesday 27 July 2022 - Volume 761
Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People's Commission Bill — Second Reading (continued)
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People's Commission Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 65New Zealand Labour 65. Noes 54New Zealand National 32; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Motion agreed to.Bill read a second time.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2) be now read a third time.Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 42New Zealand National 32; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.
Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the motion be agreed to.Ayes 75New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Noes 42New Zealand National 32; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.
9. Question No. 9—JusticeDr EMILY HENDERSON (Labour—Whangārei) to the Minister of JusticeQuestion No. 9—Justice9. Dr EMILY HENDERSON (Labour—Whangārei) to the Minister of Justice: What legislation is the Government progressing to reduce delays in the Family Court?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN (Minister of Justice): The Government is committed to improving access to justice. It's one of our primary objectives. The Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill was introduced in the House on 5 July 2022 and it establishes a new role in the Family Court to help free up judge time to enable judges to focus on progressing case work and progressing substantive matters more quickly. The bill is based on one of the recommendations made in the 2019 report Te Korowai Ture ā-Whānau which found that judges' high administrative workload was a contributor to delays in the Family Court. So we want Family Court judges to be able to concentrate on progressing cases through the court instead of on time-consuming administrative matters and the Family Court Associate roles will help them to do just that. Dr Emily Henderson: What will these changes mean for those going through the Family Court process? Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: Delay in the Family Court can have negative effects on parents and their tamariki including uncertainty stress and deepening parental conflict that can have long-term mental health impacts on children. The Family Court Associate will take on work at the early stages of proceedings in administrative work known as box work"—for example appointing a lawyer for child or a lawyer to assist the court in various interlocutory matters. By taking on some of the judges' workload this new role will help reduce delay and its harmful effects with the Ministry of Justice estimating that the Family Court Associate role will save up to 25 percent of judicial time. Dr Emily Henderson: What other work is under way to improve the Family Court system? Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: Work on the Government response to Te Korowai Ture ā-Whānau report is well advanced including the reinstatement of legal representation in the early stages of a Care of Children Act 2004 proceeding in the Family Court establishing the Kaiārahi - Family Court Navigator role to help parents and whānau to navigate the family justice system increasing lawyer for child remuneration to support the retention of skilled practitioners giving children and young people better opportunities to participate in decision making which affects them and a multi-year work programme to improve the court experience for people affected by family violence and sexual violence. Budget 2022 also provided a significant and transformative investment of $148.7 million over four years into the legal aid system to improve access to justice including the Family Court."
2. Question No. 2—FinanceHELEN WHITE (Labour) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 2—Finance2. 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 resilience of the New Zealand economy and the Government's responsible financial management are reflected in the latest Crown accounts. For the 11 months to the end of May the operating balance before gains and losses OBEGAL deficit was $7.7 billion $5.5 billion below that forecast in Budget 2022 in May. Net debt was 16.6 percent of GDP $4.3 billion higher than forecast mainly due to weaker market conditions affecting the financial portfolio held by the New Zealand super fund and ACC derivatives. The Treasury did note that when the new debt measure was put in place it would move around more than our previous measure and New Zealand's level of debt remains one of the lowest in the OECD. New Zealand is in a strong financial position to support New Zealanders as we face a number of global challenges.Helen White: What other reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well Statistics New Zealand reported that exports rose 7.7 percent to $6.4 billion in June compared with the same month a year ago. The main contribution came from the red meat sector with overseas sales rising 19 percent to $964 million on the back of higher beef and sheep prices. Dairy products rose 7.1 percent to $1.7 billion—Barbara Kuriger: Primary sector does it again.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: —led by higher prices for milk powder butter and cheese. I'm pleased Ms Kuriger's listening! On an annual basis exports rose 11.9 percent to $67.6 billion. The export sector is continuing to show its resilience in a volatile global environment.Helen White: What reports has he seen on the international context for the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The IMF released updated projections for the international economy overnight revising down its global growth forecast for 2022 and 2023 and raising its inflation estimates. The IMF have said that this reflects weaker growth in the United States China and the euro area due to the pandemic the war in Ukraine and tightening financial conditions and the IMF raise the prospect of a more pronounced slow-down. As I've said previously slowing growth among our trading partners will affect New Zealand's prospects. Economists are currently forecasting that New Zealand's economy will slow from what we have experienced and these forecasts will continue to be updated as new data comes in. But despite a declining outlook for the global economy New Zealand does find itself in one of the strongest positions in the world to support New Zealanders as we navigate our way through these uncertain times.
Data and Statistics Bill — In Committee—Part 1
Salesa JennyHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National): Thank you Madam Chair. That's a fascinating answer and lies at the heart I think of some of the confusion of people who have submitted both through the select committee process and afterwards and the consequent concerns that they have about the use of data for research. Now up until that answer I expected to hear that there was a both proactive and reactive element to information or data which is that the Statistician collects certain data for statistical purposes for the publishing of regular demographic and trend-based analysis and that research would primarily but not entirely be academic—for example where a researcher from the university might come along and say to Stats New Zealand We'd like to drill into some of the datasets that you've got in order to establish trends." One of the very good examples of that is in our mutual home city and that is the Dunedin multidisciplinary study which has not only contributed to the statistics database but they've actually drawn on it for the purposes of academic research.Now the reason that is important is because if one of the primary purposes as clause 33 I think it is says is that data can be collected for a primary purpose which is research then that really opens up the scope of what the power of this Act would do in terms of collecting just in case. And one of the disciplines that is set out as Mr Mooney said in respect of UN guidelines and the disciplines that we've had over the last 47 years is that data is a taonga. It is collected for a specific purpose and inferred in that is that we need to know what that purpose is. Subsequent to that research could be done on it as a secondary purpose but not a primary purpose. I think if we are opening up the purpose of statistical legislation to be that broad that potentially gives the power of the Statistician to go and collect anything just in case it might be researchable in the future. I think that's what's giving the Council for Civil Liberties and Transparency International New Zealand concern. But noting the time I'm sure that's a conversation we'll continue tomorrow.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Members the committee is suspended until 9 a.m. tomorrow morning. Pō mārie.Sitting suspended from 10.02 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Thursday)"
SpeechHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National): I support the request but I know we're approaching a time when we will be adjourning this debate until tomorrow morning and I would encourage the Minister to have a chat with his officials to answer Mr Seymour's question because I think it's going to be fundamental to the discussion we're going to have on both Part 1 and Part 3—and the Minister is ready to answer; that's great.Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Statistics): Yes thank you Madam Chair. Yes sorry I was just trying to make sure I had correctly understood the question—because it seemed frighteningly simple and it is—I think the member's asking. So official statistics are those statistics held by Stats NZ produced by Stats NZ and research done on the basis of those statistics by researchers. For clarification I mean the Act doesn't enable sharing of data for research. The data continues to be held by Stats NZ and is accessed through a secure portal. So Stats NZ holds on to data for the purposes of ensuring that it is protected appropriately. I think I've already answered the member's question so I'll try and be succinct in my answers.
Seymour DavidDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): Madam Chair I asked a pretty straightforward question—What's the difference between collecting data for official statistics and research?"—and would really like the Minister to give a succinct definition of those two concepts because they're fundamental to one of the most significant changes in this bill."
SpeechHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Statistics): I just want to address a point raised by the member Mr Mooney. The UN provisions—it's laid out in the guidelines the implementation guidelines for the UN's Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics the aspect that relates to research. You asked the question about clause 3(b)(i) which is the purpose of the Act to promote consistent and collaborative practices across government in order to—(i) enable the trusted collection and use of data for the production of official statistics and for research;". That's in the implementation guidelines laid out associated with those. Just a clear fact to clarify for the member."
Salesa JennyASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): I declare the House in committee for consideration of the Data and Statistics Bill the Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Bill the New Zealand Bill of Rights (Declarations of Inconsistency) Amendment Bill and the Plant Variety Rights Bill.HOUSE IN COMMITTEECHAIRPERSON (Ian McKelvie): Members the House is in committee on the Data and Statistics Bill the Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Bill the New Zealand Bill of Rights (Declarations of Inconsistency) Amendment Bill and the Plant Variety Rights Bill. I remind members that they are able to participate remotely. If you're on Zoom and want to take a call please type call" into the chat. You should also use the chat if you want to raise a point of order. Please give us a couple of minutes' notice if you want to take a call on Zoom.DATA AND STATISTICS BILLIn CommitteePart 1 Preliminary provisionsCHAIRPERSON (Ian McKelvie): We come first to the Data and Statistics Bill and Part 1. This is the debate on clauses 3 to 9 and Schedule 1 Preliminary provisions. The question is that Part 1 stand part. I call the unusually frequent attender the Hon Dr David Clark. You're always there!"
SpeechVANUSHI WALTERS (Labour—Upper Harbour): Tēnā koe Madam Speaker. What an absolute pleasure to round out the debate this evening on this important bill. I congratulate the Minister the select committee and our expert in the room Sarah Pallett for shepherding this bill through the House.So how do we know when a system and laws need to change? Well we listen to the simple truth of bones. There's a profound power in hearing people's accounts of their own experience and I'm an advocate for maturing our domestic legislation so it develops on the foundations of international law such as UN conventions that protect the quality that protect the highest attainable standards of health.But it's people's accounts and experiences which tell us whether rights are actually being upheld; it's people's experiences that help us navigate our understanding of what section 65 of the Human Rights Act means when it prohibits indirect discrimination.Given how many people are affected by these injuries I suspect many of us have heard these simple truths in quiet circles with our friends with constituents with professionals. For some in the select committee room the changes we are making through this bill are rights-affirming changes. They're included in 3A and I'm also very pleased to see that they affirm the right to protect mental health when it arises from one of those injuries that's resulted in the list as well.Again the changes in this bill will make a difference for thousands of people in New Zealand. I commend this bill to the House.Motion agreed to.Bill read a second time.
Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
SpeechSARAH PALLETT (Labour—Ilam): Thank you Madam Speaker. I rise with enormous pride this evening to speak on the Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Bill and wanted to add my gratitude to the Education and Workforce Committee who very kindly put up with me for a few meetings whilst we worked through this piece of legislation together. I commend its chair enormously my colleague Marja Lubeck and of course acknowledge Minister Sepuloni who from the very beginning has been absolutely determined that this legislation will ensure that all birthing injuries be covered. This is why so many of us are here. We want to be here I hope to work together to ensure that things are made better for the people that we serve. What I saw in this committee was total commitment across all parties to ensure that the overall aim of this bill was fulfilled. That aim as I've said was to ensure that all birthing injuries are covered by ACC and I truly believe this bill will do that. It's intended as a pragmatic bill and it will enable 28000 birthing parents a year to receive prompt and effective care that is long overdue. That's 76 a day who will get the care that they need as a result of our work over the past few months and of our time here this evening.We deliberated long and hard as you've probably gathered. The officials deserve medals or sainthoods at the very least for the amount of work that they put into ensuring that every question that we had was answered. We deliberated long and hard in particular over whether or not we should land on a list or a more broad form of cover. We landed on creating a list of covered injuries which we expanded substantially in the course of the select committee process. This was done with extensive consultation with obstetricians physiotherapists midwives gynaecologists and obviously taking into account the very many moving and courageous submissions. We futureproofed this with a review clause in the bill and we also called for a briefing with the anticipation of the 54th Parliament also calling for a further briefing to ensure that this legislation is doing what we hope it will do. We also intended as I said that it would cover consequential injuries following a listed injury. Incontinence for example will be covered as a result of a listed injury. We did this so that court processes wouldn't be engaged with. We didn't want to have delays caused by arguments about eligibility. We wanted to ensure that the pathway for birthing parents was clear to get the care that they need while we address the embedded sexism. Thank you so much. I commend this bill.
SpeechDr EMILY HENDERSON (Labour—Whangārei): Kia ora Madam Chair. He was an undiagnosed giant—5.14 kg. The words are massive shoulder dystocia". The result was I was on crutches for eight weeks. I had at that stage a very active 2½-year-old and a very sleepless newborn. It was pretty horrific. And there was no ACC cover. I remember asking my midwife "Do you think there might be ACC?" "No dear." We underestimate how extraordinary ACC is and how much it protects us. I am so deeply grateful to the select committee and to my colleague Sarah Pallett for the work that has been done. But to Minister Sepuloni for picking this up and protecting 27000 more New Zealand mums a year thank you. I commend this bill to the House."
Brooking RachelRACHEL BROOKING (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'm delighted to be able to take a call on the Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. This is a bill that will improve lives. I want to acknowledge the submitters who—we've heard quite a few speeches now on obviously the trauma that many submitters have faced and how harrowing that was at the Education and Workforce Committee. So well done to everyone across the House on the select committee. It seems like it was a very engaged select committee and also had the benefit of Sarah Pallett and her expertise as a midwife. So well done to all involved and of course the officials who obviously responded to that work.I want to focus on the maternal birth injury part of this bill rather than the other matters. I just want to take a moment to go back to the principal Act in section 3 of that where the purpose is to enhance the public good … by providing for a fair and sustainable scheme for managing personal injury". How that Act operates is that at section 20 this relates to who is covered by the compensation scheme it applies to (2)(a) "personal injury caused by an accident". That word "accident" is a key definition and that comes in at section 25. Now what this bill does is it adds a new subclause to that section 25 new subclause (1)(f) and so that inserts "an application of a force or resistance internal to the human body at any time from the onset of labour to the completion of delivery that results in an injury described in Schedule 3A to a person who gives birth." So that's what this bill does.And then we have this new Schedule 3A of the Act and that schedule lists what a maternal birth injury is. We've heard from some other speakers a bit about what's in that list and also that the select committee revised the detail of what was on that list and it sounds like a very fine process. In addition I want to note that at new section 25A there'll be a review of these provisions within three years.And so really I'm very proud to be part of this Labour Party and just supporting the Government that's providing for women who have previously missed out on the benefits of our very important and world-renowned ACC scheme. I really want to thank Minister Carmel Sepuloni for bringing it to us and I commend this bill to the House."
Belich CamillaCAMILLA BELICH (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. It's an honour to take a call on the second reading of this bill. It was one of the highlights of my parliamentary career so far to sit on the Education and Workforce Committee to consider this bill. We heard so many submissions and it wasn't easy. Some of the submissions that we heard were very difficult to hear. Some of them were absolutely heartbreaking. We had 800 submissions in total and I want to take this opportunity to thank the submitters who came to our select committee and bravely shared their very difficult stories of some very very difficult injuries that they suffered at a very difficult time in their life.I also want to acknowledge the Minister. This is a very important bill that came about because there was an issue that was raised about the equity of the ACC scheme and the fact that these particular types of injuries weren't covered. She saw this issue and she addressed it very quickly and I want to commend her for that. I also want to commend my colleagues from across the House on the Education and Workforce Committee. We did work very collaboratively together. There may be some areas of disagreement but in general I think that we all agreed that this was a step in the right direction.Many people who submitted to this bill wanted it to go further and so the three things I would just mention are that the Minister has clearly said—and I state this for the record as well—that the intention is for this bill to cover all birth injuries. It also covers mental health associated with birth injuries and it is a first step in this regard. So I think these are really important steps to consider and issues to mention when considering this bill. Also we have the review in three years and the additional briefing that the committee has looked into.So we did take this really seriously. We did scrutinise this list as the Minister requested of us. We heard from obstetricians we heard from nurses we heard from physios but most importantly we heard from the women who were affected by birth injuries. We made improvements and as a result of that 28000 more New Zealand women will receive the help they need after suffering a serious injury. So I commend this bill to the House.