edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Korako Nuk: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeKorako Nuk: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 21 October 2015. Volume:709;Page:7419. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]5.NUK KORAKO (National) to the Minister for the Environment: How will the Environment Aotearoa 2015 report released today strengthen the integrity of New Zealand’s clean green brand?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment): Independent reporting of how clean our air is what the state of our waterways is and the progress we are making in areas like marine protection is in my view actually really important to New Zealand living up to its “clean green” brand. Actually we were the only country in the OECD not to have a system of statutory environment reporting and I think today’s report is a really important benchmark in terms of this being a country that does not want just to market itself but that is prepared to be open about areas where we are doing well and areas where we need to lift our game.Nuk Korako: What was the origin of the new system and how does it progress from today’s published report?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The policy of having regular independent statutory reporting was part of National’s blue-green agenda which we developed in Opposition. In 2010 we went out with a Government discussion document to refine the model. Today’s report is a dry run of that new Act which Parliament passed last month. We do want feedback on it in developing the regulations to support the new reporting systems. From there there will be 6-monthly reports on each of the key areas like fresh water marine atmosphere climate change air and land and then once every 3 years there will be a comprehensive report like the one published today.Nuk Korako: What areas of the report point to improvements in the state of our environment and what areas are identified as requiring greater attention?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The report does note that we have made very substantial progress in the area of air quality with a lot fewer New Zealanders dying as a consequence of particulate pollution and in fact we have some of the cleanest air in the world. That has come about because we have tightened fuel standards. We have set a tougher mark in terms of vehicles in New Zealand and there has also been a real programme of converting people’s heating systems as well as this Government’s very aggressive programme around home insulation. If you take an area like the ocean area it shows that New Zealand has made very good progress in reducing the number of our fishing stocks that are overfished—for instance we have reduced by about 40 percent the number of seabirds that are killed in the fishing industry. The areas where—Mr SPEAKER: Order! The answer is miles too long.
Scott Alastair: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeScott Alastair: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 21 October 2015. Volume:709;Page:7419. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]2.ALASTAIR SCOTT (National—Wairarapa) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement regarding the Government’s fiscal approach that “the Government will focus on what we can control and maintain prudent expenditure management—just as we’ve done to return the books to surplus”?Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance): Yes I do stand by the statement. Over the last seven Budgets the annual cost of new initiatives has averaged around $600 million. By comparison the average cost of the last seven Budgets of the previous Government was almost $3 billion. Revenue will always fluctuate outside the control of the Government and revenue flows are heavily influenced by international economic developments. Our focus remains on what we can control and that is ensuring precious taxpayers’ dollars are spent wisely and effectively.Alastair Scott: What impact will the current global and domestic economic outlook have on Government revenue?Hon BILL ENGLISH: We have yet to see when Treasury updates its forecast prior to Christmas but since the Budget forecasts in the middle of this year we have seen significantly lower dairy prices very low inflation and interest rates lower than were expected—and these are now expected to persist for some time—and a weaker world economic outlook particularly in emerging markets. But because we are confident about the medium-term improvement in the Government’s finances it is unlikely that changes in the growth forecast will change the Government’s fiscal approach. We are unlikely to cut services or income support even if forecasts show lower tax revenue.Alastair Scott: What steps has the Government taken to control spending?Hon BILL ENGLISH: We do not set out so much to control spending as to make sure that each dollar is spent effectively. Much of the focus of our spending is on ensuring that we invest early to assist those who are more vulnerable and need more Government services and that requires understanding our customers much better understanding what works to meet their needs and adjusting services accordingly. I must say that public servants are carrying out these sorts of functions extensively across the whole range of Government services and we are starting to get better results.Alastair Scott: What other steps is the Government taking to ensure ongoing improvements in its books?Hon BILL ENGLISH: Government debt levels are driven not just by operating deficits but also by the Government’s capital investment programme and we are making sure that we make better use of our capital. The Government’s share offer programme has provided funding for valuable public investment without more borrowing from overseas. As at Budget 2015 investments from the Future Investment Fund include $635 million in education $684 million in health and $990 million in transport.
Carter David: Business of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Business of the House[Sitting date: 21 October 2015. Volume:709;Page:7419. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is none.
Brownlee Gerry: Business of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBrownlee Gerry: Business of the House[Sitting date: 21 October 2015. Volume:709;Page:7419. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): I seek leave for the House to adjourn at the conclusion of the new Green member’s maiden statement on Wednesday 4 November 2015.
Brownlee Gerry: Business of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBrownlee Gerry: Business of the House[Sitting date: 21 October 2015. Volume:709;Page:7419. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): Following discussions in the Business Committee yesterday I seek leave that the business of the House for Wednesday 4 November 2015 be the consideration of Government orders of the day and that the business for Wednesday 11 November 2015 and Wednesday 2 December 2015 be the consideration of private and local orders of the day and members’ orders of the day despite Standing Order 76(1).
Carter David: Visitors — Kenya—Delegation Parliament Cook Islands—Delegation ParliamentText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Visitors — Kenya—Delegation Parliament Cook Islands—Delegation Parliament[Sitting date: 21 October 2015. Volume:709;Page:7419. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: I am sure that members would wish to welcome a parliamentary delegation from the Cook Islands who are also present in the gallery.
Carter David: Visitors — Kenya—Delegation Parliament Cook Islands—Delegation ParliamentText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Visitors — Kenya—Delegation Parliament Cook Islands—Delegation Parliament[Sitting date: 21 October 2015. Volume:709;Page:7419. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: I am sure that members would wish to welcome a parliamentary delegation from Kenya led by the HonJohnson Sakaja who are present in the gallery.
Business of the HouseText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBusiness of the House[Sitting date: 21 October 2015. Volume:709;Page:7419. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Business of the HouseHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): Following discussions in the Business Committee yesterday I seek leave that the business of the House for Wednesday 4 November 2015 be the consideration of Government orders of the day and that the business for Wednesday 11 November 2015 and Wednesday 2 December 2015 be the consideration of private and local orders of the day and members’ orders of the day despite Standing Order 76(1).Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is none.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): I seek leave for the House to adjourn at the conclusion of the new Green member’s maiden statement on Wednesday 4 November 2015.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is none.
Visitors — Kenya—Delegation Parliament Cook Islands—Delegation ParliamentText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVisitors — Kenya—Delegation Parliament Cook Islands—Delegation Parliament[Sitting date: 21 October 2015. Volume:709;Page:7419. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Wednesday 21 October 2015Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.VisitorsKenya—Delegation ParliamentMr SPEAKER: I am sure that members would wish to welcome a parliamentary delegation from Kenya led by the HonJohnson Sakaja who are present in the gallery.Cook Islands—Delegation ParliamentMr SPEAKER: I am sure that members would wish to welcome a parliamentary delegation from the Cook Islands who are also present in the gallery.
UrgencyText is subject to correctionUrgency[Sitting date: 23 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:32. Text is subject to correction.]UrgencyHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House):I move That urgency be accorded to the introduction and passing through all stages of the New Zealand Flag Referendums Amendment Bill. No doubt people will be aware that there was a move this afternoon by the Green Party to seek provision for this bill to be introduced and passed through all stages immediately upon the end of the general debate. That leave was denied by the House. For those who are not familiar with the process any member of this House can deny a motion for leave for a particular parliamentary process.I think the merits of this bill and the proposal are found in the fact that so many people have expressed the view that this particular alternative to the New Zealand flag should be included on the sheet for consideration at the first referendum and then perhaps at a subsequent referendum. Therefore the Government has decided to take the opportunity for the bill to be put through the House in time for the Red Peak flag to appear on the ballot paper. It would be appropriate to take urgency and see the bill go through all of its stages today so that there can be a clear instruction to those conducting the referendum.Urgency is something that this Government has not used a lot of in the past few years but it is I think appropriate in this case because there has been such a large statement by the public and also there is a considerable desire within the House to see this particular provision effected. Those are the reasons for us moving the urgency motion this afternoon.A party votewas called for on the questionThat urgency be accorded to the introduction and passing through all stages of the New Zealand Flag Referendums Amendment Bill.Ayes 109New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 12New Zealand First 12.Motion agreed to.
Vote: Construction Contracts Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Construction Contracts Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party votewas called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Motion agreed to.The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 106 in the name of the Hon Dr Nick Smith to Part 1 be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.Part 1 as amended agreed to.
Vote: Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Motion agreed to.Clause 1 agreed to.Clause 2 agreed to.Clause 3 agreed to.Clause 4 agreed to.Clause 5 agreed to.Clause 6 agreed to.Clause 7 agreed to.Clause 8 agreed to.Bill to be reported without amendment presently.
Vote: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the motion be agreed to.Ayes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Noes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Motion not agreed to.Bill to be reported without amendment presently.
Vote: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That clause 1 be agreed to.Ayes 109New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 12New Zealand First 12.Clause 1 agreed to.Clause 2 agreed to.Clause 3 agreed to.
Vote: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That Part 2 be agreed to.Ayes 95New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 26Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Part 2 agreed to.
Vote: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the amendment be agreed to.Ayes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Noes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Amendment not agreed to.
Vote: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That Part 1 be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Part 1 agreed to.
Vote: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the amendment be agreed to.Ayes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Noes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Amendment not agreed to.The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 123 in the name of Sue Moroney to clause 5 be agreed to.
Vote: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Motion agreed to.The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 123 in the name of Sue Moroney to clause 4 be agreed to.
Hudson Brett: Construction Contracts Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHudson Brett: Construction Contracts Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]BRETT HUDSON (National): I move That the question be now put.
Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): I move That the question be now put.
Ross Jami-Lee: Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoss Jami-Lee: Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip—National): I move That the question be now put.
Tisch Lindsay: Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): The question is that all provisions of the bill be taken as one question for the purposes of the debate and that separate questions be put at the end. Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection?Hon Phil Goff: Can we apply it retrospectively?The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): No. All right there is no objection.
Macindoe Tim: Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMacindoe Tim: Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]TIM MACINDOE (Senior Whip—National): This will come as the surprise of the century. I seek leave for all clauses of the Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill to be debated as one question with the votes on each clause to be taken separately.
Tisch Lindsay: Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): Order! I am going to take a point of order in a moment but before I do when we are in a clause by clause debate we have to follow the clauses as per the bill. [Interruption] Order! Although it is good background material that you have given us clause 1 is actually the title and in a clause by clause debate we actually have to speak to the clause. I know what is going to come—[Interruption] All right I did not want to interrupt your 10-minute speech because it was very informative and it certainly set the scene.
Tisch Lindsay: Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): We now turn to the Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill. The question is that clause 1 stand part. I will just remind members that this is a clause by clause debate and the clauses are very narrow.
Mallard Trevor: Passports Amendment Bill (No 2) — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Passports Amendment Bill (No 2) — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Is there any objection to that process? There appears to be none. We will go that way.
Hayes Joanne: Passports Amendment Bill (No 2) — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHayes Joanne: Passports Amendment Bill (No 2) — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JOANNE HAYES (Third Whip—National): I seek leave for all parts of the Passports Amendment Bill (No 2) to be debated as one question with each part to be voted on separately.
Moroney Sue: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMoroney Sue: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]SUE MORONEY (Labour): I do want to take just a short amount of the Committee’s time to explain why I have put Supplementary Order Paper 124 forward in my name. It is a little unusual. It is normally the Minister in charge of the bill who seeks to divide the bill but on behalf of the Labour Party I am seeking to divide the bill for this purpose.Increasingly it has become a tactic of the Government to put forward bills of which the Opposition will support one part but not another. This is the situation that the Labour Party finds itself in with regard to this bill. We are strongly of the view that Part 2 should proceed and we have voted in favour of Part 2. So we are seeking for Part 2 to be divided off as its own separate bill—as its own entity—so that we can bring forward our full support for that bill at the third reading. However we do have some strong objections to Part 1. That is the reason why I sought to amend Part 1. The Government may have felt that it was some sort of political trickery that the Opposition was up to but in fact what we were trying to do was to actually strengthen Part 1 and to make it the sort of bill that we could truly support. We attempted to do that by putting forward an amendment that would make it absolutely clear that ACC levies in this financially responsible and transparent way could not be used for any purpose other than to treat injuries and accidents or to prevent injuries and accidents. After all that is the purpose of the Accident Compensation Act which this bill amends and we were simply wanting to clarify that.The Government has blocked that clarification. It probably has its own reasons for doing that but it certainly has not explained them to this Committee. This leaves the Labour Party in the situation where we are not in support of Part 1—we have voted against it—but we are in support of Part 2. That is the reason why I have sought on the Labour Party’s behalf to divide the bill so that the parties across this Parliament can express what they firmly believe in with regard to the two quite distinctly different parts of this bill. It is a tactic that we find the Government is using more and more frequently. It puts some measures into a bill—sometimes it calls them an omnibus bill—that it knows the Opposition does not want to support alongside ones that the Government knows the Opposition will want to support. I want to make that very clear by dividing this bill into two distinct parts as two distinct bills so that the Labour Party can express its votes appropriately when it comes to the third reading.
Mallard Trevor: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): The question is that the motion be agreed to. Those who are of that opinion will say Aye—Sue Moroney: Is it a debatable motion?The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Yes.Sue Moroney: I am seeking the call Mr Chair.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Well the member did sit down. Have I put the question? I think I have. Yes I have.Sue Moroney: I think you were halfway through.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): I am going to ask for just a little bit of tolerance on the part of the Committee because I might have done this a little bit quickly. I am going to seek the leave of the Committee for Sue Moroney to take a call on her motion which she is entitled to do because it is debatable and I may have cut her off. Is there any objection to that? There is no objection.
Moroney Sue: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMoroney Sue: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]SUE MORONEY (Labour): I move That the Committee divide the bill into theAccident Compensation (Financial Responsibility) Amendment Billand the Accident Compensation (Residual Levies) Amendment Bill pursuant to Supplementary Order Paper 124.
Mitchell Clayton: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMitchell Clayton: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First): Thank you Mr Chair—it is the quick or the dead before we stop for some dinner very shortly. I will be doing my utmost to stay standing throughout these proceedings and to make sure that I stay on cue. I think that the Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill would have to be far more aptly renamed the “Accident Compensation (Financial Compensation For Those Overcharged And Sincerely Sorry) Amendment Bill” for New Zealand First to be able to support it as it stands here today. Nothing of what we have seen in here redresses the issues that have been going on for a number of years—the overcharging of ACC levies to those small and medium sized businesses and in fact to all businesses and people involved around the country. That is one of the biggest issues that we have some severe issues with.I think the other apt name that we could actually come up with in light of how quickly this has been turned round through the select committee and been rushed through Parliament is the “Whiz Boing Bang Bounce Amendment Bill” which of course was a game that we used to play in the surf lifesaving movement when we were young kids and which is a very fast paced game. That would certainly summarise the speed at which this bill has been brought through all stages to be here in front of us today. Without any further ado Mr Chair I bid you a farewell and a thankyou.
Twyford Phil: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTwyford Phil: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]PHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū): I know that it is a bit trite and a bit of a cliché in this stage of the Committee of the whole House when we are getting on to the title clause to litigate the precise words in the title clause and to suggest what the bill should more properly have been called. In this particular case it does tempt the speaker—in the case of a bill where the very title of the bill is a provocation to any sense of integrity about the process of naming bills.The very use of the words “financial responsibility and transparency” in the bill title is such a blatant attempt to repair by bringing in a bill that purports to introduce a set of principles and processes for the good management of ACC and to introduce more financial responsibility and transparency the political damage that has been done by the Government’s handling of the Accident Compensation Corporation. As we have rehearsed in this debate no sooner had the bill gone to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee and as Jonathan Young so candidly explained no sooner had the Insurance Council shown up at the select committee and expressed some reservations about this did we see some pretty rapid back-pedalling from the very principles that underpin the Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill.There was back-pedalling and dilution of the principles of financial responsibility and transparency so they are no longer required of the Government. This is the difference between treating a stop sign or a red light as a rule or as a mere suggestion and in this case the changes that have been made in the select committee—the last minute watering down that is coming to be a bit of a behaviour pattern with this Government—basically suggest that those core principles that are enshrined in the title of the bill are a suggestion or a guideline rather than a requirement. So it would be much better if the bill were called the “Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency If You Feel Like It) Amendment Bill” because that is basically the guts of what this bill does. It sets down some useful principles. It delivers transparency that is long overdue—and that is why we are supporting the bill—but unfortunately the Government has significantly weakened the provisions of the bill and as a result it is delivering a lot less than it could have.
Mallard Trevor: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): I think it is fair to say that we have had debate on all of the debatable points and the House is now in a position where it can make a decision.Motion agreed to.The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 123 in the name of Sue Moroney to Part 2 be agreed to.
Macindoe Tim: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMacindoe Tim: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]TIM MACINDOE (Senior Whip—National): I move That the question be now put.
Mitchell Clayton: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMitchell Clayton: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First): I rise to take a very short call on Part 2 of the Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill. It really is around clause 7 “Repeal of and amendments to provisions relating to residual levies” which inserts new section 336A part 1(a) and (b) around the effective date of the residual levies coming to an end. It is a finish to those residual levies that I am sure will please many New Zealanders.I have to say that 1 April 2019 is April Fool’s Day and to that end we have some concerns that if the later time takes effect—I am talking about running those residual levies through to that date in 2019—in that time this Government will have over-collected $852 million from the work account $155 million from the earners account and $468 million from the motor vehicle account. We take that very very seriously.I think anything that could be done to prevent that from happening would certainly give a fair amount of relief to those ACC levy payers back home who are out there slogging it out and finding it very very tough in their businesses. We would like to see done whatever can be done. That is a total of $1.475 billion over the next 4½ years until 1 April 2019.I have to say that the consultative process that this has gone through has been a very very quick one and I think there has been some oversight from the Government in respect of this. We would urge that this be looked at more clearly. Thank you.
Mallard Trevor: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Dr Nick Smith will leave the Chamber. [Interruption]Hon Dr Nick Smithwithdrew from the Chamber.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Order! Dr Nick Smith will take a seat now. I am sorry. Minister Foss cannot take the seat because he cannot take it while Dr Nick Smith is here. The Serjeant-at-Arms will find Dr Nick Smith and ask him to return to the Chamber please. What I am going to do is I am going to ask Mr Foss to take the chair until such time as Dr Smith can be found. I make it clear to those in the Government whips’ chair that if he is not found within the next half an hour I will proceed with the measures that I am minded to do in any case.
Smith Nick: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSmith Nick: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment): Part 2 of the Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill is about Parliament bringing forward the date on which the residual levy which is paid by thousands of businesses around New Zealand can be brought to an end such that ACC levy payers are then having to pay only for the costs of the accidents that occur in a particular year. That is something that this Parliament should celebrate: after over 30 years of the ACC scheme in this year and the next—this financial year—for the first time ACC will be fully solvent and fully funded. That is something we members of the National team are very very proud of.I must respond to claims around where this residual levy has come from.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Order!Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Oh look Mr Chairman!The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): The member will stand and apologise.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: For saying what? I apologise for saying “Mr Chairman”.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): The member will now stand withdraw and apologise without reservation or he will leave the Chamber.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I unreservedly apologise.
Bayly Andrew: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBayly Andrew: Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]ANDREW BAYLY (National—Hunua): I move That the question be now put.
Smith Stuart: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSmith Stuart: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]12.STUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister for Primary Industries: How is the Government supporting sustainability in aquaculture?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): Last week I attended Aquaculture New Zealand’s conference in Nelson where it launched the A+ Environmental Sustainability Management Framework. This programme will deliver a set of strong measurable progressive standards which will be independently audited verified and widely recognised. The Government has contributed $256000 towards the A+ programme through the Sustainable Farming Fund—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Sorry to interrupt the Minister but the level of noise to my left now means that I cannot hear the answer.Hon NATHAN GUY: —with co-funding and in kind contributions of $189000 from Aquaculture New Zealand. This is a great example of industry and Government working in partnership to further enhance the value of already high-quality premium New Zealand products.Stuart Smith: How will this programme support the aquaculture industry’s aspiration of growing to more than a billion dollars by 2025?Hon NATHAN GUY: As a nation we are never going to be the biggest producer of seafood in the world but we can indeed be the best. This new standard will help inform consumers who are increasingly interested in the integrity and environmental footprint of premium products. Proving our high standards in overall environmental sustainability will help our products such as salmon mussels and oysters to stand out in the global market. The latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries shows that aquaculture export revenue is expected to grow by 19 percent by 2019 lifting its total share of seafood export earnings to 28 percent. This is fantastic.
Ardern Jacinda: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeArdern Jacinda: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]11.JACINDA ARDERN (Labour) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements after almost seven years as Prime Minister?Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): Yes especially the statement I made that when Jacinda Ardern becomes the leader the cool thing is that I will have faced more Labour leaders than Australian Prime Ministers.Jacinda Ardern: Does he stand by his statement that “A small majority of New Zealanders will say that they will change the flag.” when the latest poll shows that after seeing his options almost 70 percent have rejected change?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Yes and what is rapidly emerging after 7 years of being Prime Minister is not only do I have to run the policies that the Government has I now have to try to implement the policies that the Opposition has as well.Jacinda Ardern: Is his claim that the polls are not granular enough the reason he has started his own poll by asking every audience at every speech he gives whether they want the flag to change including at a cancer fund-raiser; if so is this granular scientific or—most important—is it appropriate?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: All of the above.Mr SPEAKER: The answer was not heard. Could the Prime Minister—Rt Hon JOHN KEY: All of the above.Jacinda Ardern: Are the rumours true that his chief of staff is trying to get him to stop doing straw polls on the flag in every single speech because his audiences are angry at having to waste their time on his pet project?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Far from that being correct I think record numbers of people are turning up.Mr SPEAKER: Order! Both front benches again are interjecting and carrying on a conversation. If they wish to do so I invite them to go out to the lobbies.Jacinda Ardern: When he claimed on Radio New Zealand National that “I haven’t had an audience yet where more than 50 percent wanted to keep the flag.” was that a reference to a straw poll of his National caucus?Mr SPEAKER: The right honourable Prime Minister in as far as there is ministerial responsibility.Rt Hon JOHN KEY: No but I will tell you what I have not done and that is come to Parliament and claim I am opposed to changing the flag but go down on to the forecourt waving Red Peak. This is a Labour Opposition that has a policy that it wants to change the flag. Now all of a sudden those members do not want to do it. The only single question is: how long will it be before they change the leader?Hon Gerry Brownlee: Has he made any statements about the helpfulness or otherwise of the coordinated approach to question time from the Labour Party and the Green Party today?Mr SPEAKER: Order! No there is no ministerial responsibility.
Naylor Jono: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeNaylor Jono: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]10.JONO NAYLOR (National) to the Minister for Social Development: What progress has the Government made on implementing the Children’s Action Plan?Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Social Development): This Government has made significant progress on implementing the Children’s Action Plan a year into its third term. Recently I launched the Hamilton children’s team which is expected to work with approximately 650 vulnerable children and their families at any one time once it achieves full scale. Four children’s teams are already established in Rotorua Whangarei Horowhenua Ōtaki and Blenheim and they are already making a difference in the lives of 450 children and their families. A further five teams are being rolled out in the coming months. This is in addition to other work that we have been doing such as introducing child protection guidelines and new screening and vetting regulations for the children’s workforce.Jono Naylor: What other initiatives have been announced to support vulnerable children?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: In Budget 2015 we announced a $790 million child hardship package which will mean firstly more childcare support for low-income families; secondly a $25 a week increase in benefit rates for families with children—the first increase above inflation in 43 years—and thirdly an increase in Working for Families payments to low-income families not on a benefit. This is balanced with new obligations to support and encourage people into work. We are ensuring that there are more resources for children in hardship and families who are struggling while continuing the Government’s emphasis on paid work as the best route out of poverty.Darroch Ball: With the child sex offender register being part of the programme led by the Vulnerable Children’s Board set up by the Children’s Action Plan how much of the $150 million is her Government providing in new funding to make it work effectively?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: The member has asked several written questions of me around that budget and will be aware that the budgets are done for 4 years so there is sufficient funding out for the next 4 years and subsequent funding will be negotiated in the following budgets.Darroch Ball: Why is her Government prepared to let the register fail by funding less than half of the $150 million needed and then expecting the New Zealand Police the Department of Corrections and the Ministry of Justice to try to make it work by making “efficiency gains … [by] more effective utilisation of existing staff” also known as cutting other services?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: There are several parts of that question that I absolutely refute. Making better use of resources is not about cutting. Secondly I would say that it is a 10-year cost that has been identified as the policy was developed and we have 4-year budgets. So I say to the member that our expenditure for the following 6 years will appear in the following 6 years’ budgets.
Simpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSimpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]8.SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel) to the Minister of Health: Can he confirm this Government has expanded the number of children who are benefiting from free GP visits and prescriptions from 400000 children to over 750000?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Health): Yes I can. In the 12 months since National’s re-election this Government has worked hard to expand free GP coverage and prescriptions for all under-13s. We are spending $90 million to ensure that parents can take their young children to see their GP and have access to the prescription medicines they need. This policy means that over 750000 children are now getting the health care they need before their condition deteriorates and it helps to keep them out of our busy emergency departments.Scott Simpson: How is National’s careful economic management contributing to improved health services for children?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: The National-led Government’s ability to successfully manage the economy provides us with opportunities to invest in improving health services where they are needed most. Providing free under-13 GP visits and prescription medicines gives families a helping hand to manage their household finances as well as improving health outcomes for New Zealand children. Free GP visits come on top of the other child health work that we are doing to increase immunisation rates decrease rheumatic fever rates and increase before-school checks.