8. Question No. 8—FinanceANDREW BAYLY (National—Port Waikato) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 8—Finance8. ANDREW BAYLY (National—Port Waikato) to the Minister of Finance: What will be the criteria for businesses to be eligible for business support under the new traffic light system and how many businesses if any does he expect to be operating under the red setting next week?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): As the member will recall from my answers to his questions yesterday on 22 October I announced the in principle decisions on the support to be provided under the COVID protection framework. This includes a transition grant that will particularly support Auckland businesses as they transition into the new framework. I also said on 22 October that the criteria for that would be similar to the Resurgence Support Payment. Final details of this will be announced shortly and obviously before the framework takes effect. I also noted on 22 October that we'd be looking to replace the existing economic supports when the framework takes effect as broad-based supports are no longer appropriate in a framework where businesses can operate at all levels. In answer to the second part of the member's question the decisions on which areas of New Zealand and therefore which businesses will be operating at the red level will be taken on 29 November but we have already indicated that the Auckland region will be entering the framework at the red level.Andrew Bayly: When he said yesterday that the Government was going to move towards targeted support for specific sectors what will be the criteria for selecting those sectors?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As the member will be aware there are certain sectors of the economy who cannot operate to the fullest extent possible under the conditions that we currently have. Throughout the pandemic we have targeted sectors such as the tourism sector in order for them to be able to be supported.Andrew Bayly: Will he compensate business owners for stock that goes to waste if they are told at the last minute they will be operating under the red restrictions?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well as the Prime Minister said in her earlier answer even under the red level if we take for example hospitality they will be able to operate. At every single level of the framework businesses can operate.Andrew Bayly: Why is he still figuring out the details of the system that he announced more than a month ago and is due to be implemented in eight days' time?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well throughout the pandemic we've adopted an approach of using the latest possible information making sure that we consult across the board with all affected sectors and making sure that we adapt our approach to the circumstances that confront us. As I said in my answer to oral question No. 2 today we've seen around $624 million go to the accommodation and food services sector just since 17 August. The Government stands by its record of supporting businesses through this pandemic.Andrew Bayly: When will he inform bar owner Tāmati Coffey whether his bar will be eligible for COVID support under the traffic light system and whether it will be operating under an orange or red level next week?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I can't speak for Mr Coffey but I know that he is an excellent business owner who runs an extremely profitable business and I'm sure he will take stock of all of what has been provided in terms of support and make any decisions he makes about applying for future support. On this side of the House we've been consistent about the way in which we've provided support to business unlike members opposite who can't decide whether we should put more money in or less money in. I am proud of our record of supporting businesses and supporting lives and livelihoods consistently.SPEAKER: I didn't stop the question but I just want to put a general warning to members that bringing the private businesses of other members into the question period is something which I'm not going to rule out absolutely but it could get pretty unedifying if it became common.