edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Rurawhe AdrianPetitions Papers Select Committee Reports and Introduction of BillsSPEAKER: Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.CLERK: Petition of Hāpai te Hauora requesting that the House pass the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Harm Minimisation) Amendment BillPetition of Eye Health Aotearoa requesting that the House recommend that the Government fund the first ever Aotearoa New Zealand Eye Health SurveyPetition of Morgan van Loggenberg requesting that the House urge the Government to provide more well-trained counsellors in secondary schoolsPetition of Darrin Cassidy requesting that the House urge the Government to undertake a full and thorough royal commission of inquiry into the Family Court and its practices.SPEAKER: Those petitions are referred to the Petitions Committee. A paper has been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Report of the Remuneration Authority for the year ended 30 June 2022.SPEAKER: That paper is published under the authority of the House. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Report of the Regulations Review Committee on the Complaint about the Social Workers Registration Board (Section 13 Fees) Notice March 2022Report of the Social Services and Community Committee on the 2020/21 annual reviews of the New Zealand Film Commission the New Zealand Artificial Limb Service and Drug Free Sport New Zealand.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: Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) Bill introduction.SPEAKER: That bill is set down for first reading.
Hipkins Chris; Bishop ChrisBUSINESS STATEMENTHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): Thank you Mr Speaker. Today the House will adjourn until Tuesday 18 October. In that week legislation to be considered by the House will include the first reading of the Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) Bill the second readings of the Fair Pay Agreements Bill and the Māori Purposes Bill and the third readings of the Fisheries Amendment Bill and the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Hazardous Substances Assessments) Amendment Bill. Wednesday 19 October will be a members' day. There will be an extended sitting on the morning of Thursday 20 October and later that day the Rt Hon Trevor Mallard will deliver his valedictory statement.CHRIS BISHOP (National): I thank the Leader of the House for that update. I wonder if he could advise the House as to whether or not the Government has any intention of adopting as a Government bill the Rotorua District Council (Representation Arrangements) Bill which is currently a local bill.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): That bill will continue to be a local bill.
Rurawhe AdrianRESIGNATIONSRt Hon Trevor Mallard New Zealand Labour SPEAKER: Members I wish to advise the House that I have received a letter from the Rt Hon Trevor Mallard resigning his seat in the House with effect from midnight on Thursday 20 October 2022.
Rurawhe Adrian; McDowall JamesTHURSDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2022Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSSPEAKER: Members in further celebration of New Zealand Chinese Language Week Dr McDowall will say the prayer in Cantonese.Dr JAMES McDOWALL (ACT): 全能的上帝為你賜給我們的恩惠獻上我們的感恩.拋開所有個人利益我們承認國王並祈禱在我們議案的討論與決策中得到主的指導.使我們能夠為了新西蘭的福祉與和平以智慧、正義、仁慈和謙遜的態度處理國會事務阿門.
Tuesday 16 February 2021 - Volume 749
12. Question No. 12—TransportKIERAN McANULTY (Labour—Wairarapa) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 12—Transport12. KIERAN McANULTY (Labour—Wairarapa) to the Minister of Transport: How is the Government keeping critical airfreight and exports flowing?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): As part of the COVID-19 aviation support package our Government's International Airfreight Capacity scheme is making sure we're keeping airfreight and exports flowing including critical personal protective equipment and COVID test kits. The Government has agreed to extend the International Airfreight Capacity scheme until the end of April 2021. The extension gives businesses that rely on airfreight an airline certainty while the Government reviews its support for international air connectivity during the economic recovery.Kieran McAnulty: How is the scheme supporting the economic recovery?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The scheme means we can keep getting time-critical freight like medicines into New Zealand and enable our exporters to get their goods to international markets. It has helped airfreight return to 90 percent of pre-COVID levels and has supported 5544 flights in and out of New Zealand carrying over 100000 tonnes of airfreight. Having these international flights continuing also means we can keep bringing Kiwis home and get critical workers into New Zealand to support our economic recovery.Kieran McAnulty: Why is this scheme currently necessary?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Normally airlines rely on a mix of passenger and airfreight revenue to make international flights viable. [Interruption]SPEAKER: Order! The member knows—he hasn't been a whip for a long time but—he's not allowed to do that. Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Around about 80 percent of air freight tends to sit in the holds of planes underneath passengers. Unfortunately the pandemic has almost completely eliminated revenue from international passenger services. That's why we have agreed to provide targeted funding for international airfreight flights to make sure they can run. The Government is still reviewing New Zealand's critical air transport requirements for the future to ensure appropriate levels of air connectivity are maintained and the Government is getting value for money. I expect to make further announcements on next steps in the coming weeks.
10. Question No. 10—HealthPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 10—Health10. PAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has the Government made on funding rainbow youth mental health supports? Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health): Over the weekend the Prime Minister and I announced that for the first time the Government will provide targeted and nationwide funding to services that provide mental health support to rainbow young people. This announcement fulfils a manifesto commitment to allocate $4 million specifically targeted to rainbow mental wellbeing initiatives aimed at young people. There has not previously been ongoing and nationwide targeted support to organisations operating in this area. Paul Eagle: What types of support will this funding provide to the rainbow community? Hon ANDREW LITTLE: Funding of $3.2 million will for the first time directly fund the expansion of mental wellbeing services currently available for young rainbow New Zealanders. The remaining $800000 will be allocated to topping up the existing Rainbow Wellbeing Legacy Fund which will increase the annual allocation of that fund by $200000 a year so it can support more initiatives and more organisations. Paul Eagle: Why is additional funding for mental health for the rainbow community important? Hon ANDREW LITTLE: Members of our rainbow communities are at greater risk of social marginalisation and of discrimination and are more likely to experience harm associated with bullying and harassment than the general population. As a result members of our rainbow communities have poorer physical and mental health and addiction outcomes and are at greater risk of suicide. Matt Doocey: Can the Minister confirm if the welcomed $4 million for mental health support in our rainbow communities is part of the $455 million that was announced for front-line mental health services almost two years ago as Budget 2019? Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I can confirm that this money is part of the $455 million package announced in 2019.
8. Question No. 8—Social Development and EmploymentIBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 8—Social Development and Employment8. IBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What recent announcements has the Government made about supporting more New Zealanders into work?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Prime Minister) on behalf of the Minister for Social Development and Employment: This morning I announced that the Government will be lifting abatement thresholds from 1 April 2021. This means that people getting a benefit will be able to keep a greater proportion of their earnings as they can work more hours before their benefit is affected. This announcement is about backing people and families to get ahead as part of our response to COVID-19.Ibrahim Omer: How many people will benefit from lifting abatement thresholds?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Minister today's adjustment means that around 82900 low-income people and families will be better off by $18 a week on average. Of that figure 29500 individuals and families who currently receive a working-age benefit would be on average $29 a week better off. We're making it more worthwhile for these people to work and improving the financial incentives to work part-time. This adjustment is steady progress towards growing people's incomes and wages particularly for low-income people. The changes announced this morning sit at the core of making our welfare system fairer.Ibrahim Omer: Why have the Government prioritised lifting abatement thresholds?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Minister there has not been an adjustment to income abatement thresholds as substantive as this in over two decades. This has meant that as wages went up over time people were working fewer and fewer hours before their benefit was reduced. Today's adjustments mean people can work more earn more and keep more of what they get. This gives people more incentive to work while they're receiving a benefit which will go a long way to supporting New Zealand's labour market and our economic recovery. This also delivers on an election commitment made by the Labour Party to back people and their families to get ahead.
4. Question No. 4—COVID-19 ResponseDr SHANE RETI (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister for COVID-19 ResponseQuestion No. 4—COVID-19 Response4. Dr SHANE RETI (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: Has the Government made daily COVID-19 saliva testing compulsory for border workers; if not why not?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): No not at this stage. As the Prime Minister has just outlined saliva testing is not currently an accredited diagnostic test. It's currently accredited as a surveillance test and that is how we are using it. Saliva testing is under way at the Jet Park as a complement to the nasopharyngeal swab which is our diagnostic test. It's also been rolled out at the Commodore facility in Christchurch and the Grand Mercure in Wellington. Saliva testing is being progressively rolled out and the numbers will continue to increase over coming weeks.Dr Shane Reti: How does he respond to Professor Sir David Skegg who said yesterday in relation to daily saliva testing: We need to stop dragging our feet and get on to that quickly."?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I think as has already been extensively canvassed in this question time the Government is interested in saliva testing. We will use saliva testing as a complement to rather than a replacement of our nasopharyngeal PCR testing. The issue is that at this point it is not accredited to be used in the way that some are suggesting it should be used.Dr Shane Reti: Why when the Simpson-Roche report recommended in September last year that saliva testing should be introduced as soon as possible have we not made it compulsory for all border workers?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I indicated it's not currently accredited to be used for the purposes of diagnostics; it's only accredited for the use of surveillance. We are using it in that capacity at the moment. We are rolling it out more broadly but there are still some additional hurdles to go through including validation of the test results to give us confidence that we're not going to miss cases or give people false confidence if they get a negative result when perhaps they shouldn't.Dr Shane Reti: Does he agree then that a combination of daily saliva tests and regular nasal tests for border workers would increase our chances of detecting coronavirus and if not why not?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Potentially it can add something to our testing regime and that's one of the reasons why we are using it in the highest-risk facilities that we have and we will continue to increase the number of places where we're using it.Dr Shane Reti: Do official documents obtained under the Official Information Act show that in September last year statements were made that saliva testing could be ready in two months?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The advice that I've had over the time that I have been looking at this has been contradictory in terms of when it could be rolled out reliably and so we'll continue to follow the science on that one."
3. Question No. 3—FinanceBARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 3—Finance3. BARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) to the Minister of Finance: What financial support is available to businesses when alert levels are raised as a result of a resurgence of COVID-19?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): The Government stands ready to support businesses affected by any extended alert level increases. We have introduced legislation today to bring in a new resurgence support payment. If alert levels are raised for seven days firms that experience a 30 percent drop in revenue over a seven-day period will be eligible. The payment would include a core per-business rate of $1500 plus $400 per employee up to a total of 50 fulltime-equivalents representing a total cap of $21500 per firm. This payment recognises that some businesses face one-off costs or impacts to cash flow when we step up an alert level and when they are following our public health advice.Barbara Edmonds: What other support is available for businesses and workers?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The wage subsidy scheme will also be available nationally when there is a regional or national move to alert levels 3 and 4 for a period of seven days. The scheme as we know has been very effective in keeping people in work so far with more than $14 billion paid out to protect 1.8 million jobs. Other support includes the enhanced loan products through the Business Finance Guarantee scheme and the Small Business Cashflow (Loan) Scheme. Barbara Edmonds: What financial support is available for workers who need time off while they wait for the results of a COVID test?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The Government recently announced a new short-term absence payment to cover eligible workers needing to stay at home while awaiting a COVID-19 test result. This is a one-off payment of $350 to employers to pay workers who need to stay home while awaiting a test or while someone who is their dependant is doing so in accordance with public health advice. The Government is managing the Crown accounts carefully to ensure that there is a buffer in the event of a COVID-19 resurgence and we are in a solid position to be able to share the burden with businesses if that is needed. Chris Bishop: What is the reason behind the bill that the Minister has just referred to only being furnished to the Opposition at 10.33 this morning when it's due to go through all stages under urgency this afternoon at approximately 3 o'clock?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The bill was provided as soon as it was possible to do so. The bill is a relatively uncomplicated piece of legislation.
Taxation (COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payments and Other Matters) Bill — Third Reading
Sage EugenieHon EUGENIE SAGE (Green): Thank you Madam Speaker; it will only be a brief call. Just in terms of the issue of urgency the Green Party is always very hesitant about urgency as well. But I do note that the bill was developed through consultation over some months with Business New Zealand the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions the Auckland chamber of commerce and Pacific Māori and iwi business leaders. And so it has been the need to respond quickly that has been a hallmark of this Government's approach to COVID and as Mr Seymour noted the fact that this assistance will be available very quickly is what businesses want because of the huge impacts of the changes in alert levels. So yes we are putting this through under urgency but I have been heartened by the support across the House for ensuring that we do provide that assistance. I think other speakers have also suggested that perhaps it could be loan assistance rather than a grant. But I think if you read the regulatory impact assessment that highlights the waning enthusiasm for debt for loan-related schemes and the fact that a grant scheme like this—because of the waning social capital around supporting some of the restrictions in the increased alert levels a scheme like this which does provide that assistance quickly which provides businesses with certainty that they can apply for it does help bolster the social capital that sees all of us working together as team Aotearoa New Zealand" to ensure that we minimise the chances of further community transmission.So the Green Party supports this bill and congratulates the Minister of Revenue and officials for developing the scheme in consultation with key stakeholders to provide really valuable assistance. Kia ora. Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.The House adjourned at 6.05 p.m."
Seymour DavidDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): I rise on behalf of ACT in support of this third reading. As I've said in earlier readings I think Government should be an insurer of last resort particularly when it's the Government's policies that are putting severe costs on some businesses for the wider public good of maintaining our eradication strategy. So we support the underlying principle.I reiterate comments I made in the first reading that this urgency would not be necessary had the Government been more prepared and an outbreak such as this could've been anticipated. In fact the Government itself has said it's been preparing a resurgence plan for months and months and months and I think it's a real shame that the Government has chosen to use urgency so casually because it ultimately erodes the faith New Zealanders have in the laws of this Parliament. We expect them to carefully follow the laws but they expect us to carefully make the laws and this is not a good example of that—the way that this has been done.I'd reiterate my comments about the effect of debt. You know money is not free. Interest rates may be low but in the long term debts must be repaid. It's one of the few constants of human history. And the amount of money being borrowed through COVID for the future generations and the amount of money printed to get through COVID and the effect that's had on asset prices from a generational perspective hugely important that it would be remiss of us not to recall that.Finally I thought it was very useful in the committee stage to get an understanding of what this legislation means in practical terms. We all hope that tomorrow we'll get the signal—I think it's 4.30 p.m. we're expecting to hear—that all the tests have come back negative the Government's managed to trace all the casual and close contacts of the case and we can go back to a more enjoyable level of alert and none of this will be necessary. But if the alert level stays high for seven days then it means this legislation will be in place and by next Thursday the Minister tells us the IRD—and good on them—will have very rapidly operationalised so people who've lost more than 30 percent of their revenue from their business will be able to apply for up to $21500 to make up for the loss of business during a seven-day-plus lockdown and I think understanding what this practically means is a really important outcome of this debate because previously I don't think it was that clear. So with those few comments I commend this bill to the House on behalf of the ACT Party and I wish the Minister and his officials all the best in making it work smoothly and quickly. Thank you.
Woodhouse MichaelHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'm not a fan of urgency generally. I think it should be used sparingly and there has been I think some creep over the last three and a bit years—COVID notwithstanding—into the use of urgency. But I support this process for this purpose. What I want to do also is commend the Speaker—well I commend the Speaker of course but commend the Minister actually for the constructive manner in which he has engaged in the questions and the speedy resolution of those notwithstanding that I do think that these documents could have come to us a little earlier. There's a process that officials follow and I don't think politics would die in a ditch if we short-cut that sometimes in the interests of fuller or earlier disclosure. But with that very slight rebuke I do commend the manner in which the House and the Minister has conduct itself over this which I know will be an important assistance to particularly small business and I commend it.
Robertson Grant; Dean JacquiTAXATION (COVID-19 RESURGENCE SUPPORT PAYMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS) BILLThird ReadingHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance) on behalf of the Minister of Revenue: I move That the Taxation (COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payments and Other Matters) Bill be now read a third time.I thank all members of the House for their very constructive contributions during the debate that we have had. We have moved quickly here but I think that is justified in these circumstances to ensure we give certainty to businesses and workers around New Zealand about what they can expect in the event that we have a COVID resurgence that lasts seven days. The bill that we have debated tonight puts in place a resurgence support payment and the mechanism for that to ensure that we do provide support for those fixed costs beyond wages that businesses have in the situation where alert levels lift. Obviously the bill has also increased the minimum family tax credit too. I think this is a good piece of legislation. We will continue to work on how we provide support to businesses and may well return to the House in the future on that. I look forward to working with members across the House on the support we can provide and commend the bill to the House.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): The question is that the motion be agreed to.
McAnulty Kieran; Dean JacquiSITTINGS OF THE HOUSEKIERAN McANULTY (Chief Whip—Labour): Point of order. Thank you Madam Speaker. After consultation with other parties and assurances that a small number of calls will be taken I seek leave that we continue the business of the House into the dinner break until the conclusion of the third reading of this bill.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): I'm just searching for the words. OK. All right. Is there any objection to that course of action? The House is—Hon Grant Robertson: Madam Speaker?ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Thank you. Hon Grant Robertson.
Woodhouse Michael; Robertson Grant; Rurawhe AdrianHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National): A very quick final question and it's in relation to the exchange between Mr Seymour and the Minister in respect of the increase in the minimum family tax credit. The answers from Mr Robertson appear very normalised—kind of stuff that happens all the time. The previous Government changed the abatement rates as well in the minimum tax credits. Except we're here in urgency and what I don't understand is why this bill includes this part and what would have happened otherwise in order to get these changes made in time for 1 April 2021 because it hasn't fronted up in any of the other taxation or remedial matters bills before the House.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Well what would have been required is a bill before the House to do it and this is a bill before the House—Hon Michael Woodhouse: So you would have had to have done it under urgency anyway.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Theoretically it could have been tacked on to another tax bill depending on where those are at the moment and as I am not the Minister of Revenue I don't have my finger on the pulse of exactly where each tax bill is. But quite clearly—and I talked about this I think in my first reading speech—this is a tax bill; this will enable the 1 April deadline to be met. There is absolutely nothing tricky going on here. This is a logical consequence of the abatement changes. If we believe in the minimum family tax credit and I respect the fact that there may be members of the House who don't but if you do believe in it—i.e. that you should always be better off in work than not—then the minimum family tax credit is actually quite an important lever to be able to achieve that. It doesn't affect a massive number of families but it is an important element of making it worthwhile to be in work.Part 1 agreed to.Part 2 agreed to.Clause 1 agreed to.Clause 2 agreed to.House resumed.CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Madam Speaker the committee has considered the Taxation (COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payments and Other Matters) Bill and reports it without amendment. I move That the report be adopted.Motion agreed to.Report adopted.
Taxation (COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payments and Other Matters) Bill — In Committee
Seymour David; Robertson GrantDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): Thank you for that clarification. Just on the second part of this bill the minimum family tax credit increase I was under the impression that this was in order to create some sort of I guess co-linearity with the benefit changes that were made during last April's lockdown or last March's lockdown. You've said in passing in your speech that that was not the reason that it was actually to do with an adjustment to abatement rates. Can you please explain abatement rates of what exactly and when were those changes made?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I'm disappointed that the member was not glued to question No. 8 in the House today! I believe it might have come immediately after his questions where he was probably working his way through the outcome of that. But on behalf of the Minister the Hon Carmel Sepuloni I reiterated today the announcement the Government has made to lift the abatement rates for those who are on main benefits. What that means is that you can retain a little more of your income before your benefit starts to reduce. As I said today there hasn't been a substantive change to those levels for a couple of decades. When it was originally set all that time ago it effectively equated to about eight hours' work at the minimum wage and at that point if you worked beyond that your benefit would start to reduce. Over time the value of that has eroded and so we've now announced the change which lifts the amount of work you do again with the basis being about eight hours' work at the minimum wage. The flow-on consequence of that is that in order to ensure that for a certain—it's not a very large number of families but for a certain number of families in order for it to continue to be worthwhile for them to be in work rather than on a benefit we have the minimum family tax credit. Now this has existed since Working for Families was created in the early 2000s. Governments of both sides have tweaked it from time to time as benefit rates have changed. That is the purpose of tonight's minimum family tax credit increase.
Rurawhe Adrian; Woodhouse MichaelIn CommitteeParts 1 and 2 and clauses 1 and 2CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Members the House is in committee on the Taxation (COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payments and Other Matters) Bill. The question is that Part 1 stand part.Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National): Point of order Mr Chair. I seek leave for all parts to be taken as one debate with the questions put separately at the end of it.CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Leave has been sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.
Taxation (COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payments and Other Matters) Bill — Second Reading
Dean JacquiASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): I declare the House in committee for consideration of the Taxation (COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payments and Other Matters) Bill.
Taxation (COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payments and Other Matters) Bill — First Reading
Genter Julie AnneHon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green): Tēnā koe Madam Speaker tēnā koutou e te Whare. The Green Party will be supporting the Taxation (COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payments and Other Matters) Bill. As the Minister outlined the point of this bill is to put in place some longer-term ability for there to be support for businesses when there is the inevitable move into different alert levels and we think that the resurgence support payments for business are very reasonable make a lot of sense make it easy for those that could be vulnerable to having fixed costs and struggling with reduced revenues. We particularly like the fact that it can be applied for by any business in any part of the country not just where they're in a higher alert level.One point of difference I suppose we do have is with the minimum family tax credit. What's proposed in this bill makes perfect sense. It's great that they're implementing that particular recommendation from the Welfare Working Group to make it possible for people to get into work without having their pay significantly reduced. However the overall approach is one that is insufficient to address poverty and systemic child poverty in this country. The Green Party would prefer something different to the minimum family tax credit. We think it's discriminatory because it only applies to families that have at least one person working and earning wages or a salary. That means that families that are entirely reliant on a benefit or those who might be in a self-employed household don't benefit from this particular tax credit and there is the possibility of overhauling this even more and creating a kind of family tax credit that is available to all those whatever their source of income whether it's wages and salaries whether it is a benefit and whether it is that they are self-employed.I think that one thing the COVID-19 response has shown us is that we are all in this together and some of the ideology of the 1980s and 1990s—which is still very much alive in the party to my right—was wrong and that actually slashing State support for people isn't better for the economy isn't better for us as a society; it just means that we have people who are trapped in long-term cycles of poverty that end up costing all of us. All the evidence shows that the best way to end child poverty in this country will be to raise benefits and to make sure that that financial support that we're sending out to people isn't just to those who happen to be in paid work at any given time but to all of us as human beings who have a right to live in dignity and that as a society we are all better off if we provide that support to everyone particularly children. That will enable them to achieve more in their lives and enrich our society more rather than growing up struggling in poverty which ends up costing us an enormous amount of the lifetime of that child. So the Green Party is supporting the bill. We'll continue to advocate for a further and faster approach to welfare overhauls so that we can end child poverty in this country and that is something that will benefit all of us.
Edmonds BarbaraBARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana): I rise in support of the Taxation (COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payments and Other Matters) Bill. I want to echo the sentiments of previous Ministers before me and previous speakers. Like the wage subsidy the Small Business Cashflow (Loan) Scheme and recently announced short-term absence payment this policy is another tool in the Government's kit to help businesses during what is an uncertain and certainly an anxious time. So I acknowledge the support of this bill from across the House and thank you for your facilitation of this bill through the House.The purpose of this payment is to ensure businesses remain viable keep people employed and recognise the fixed costs associated with escalating alert levels. Through the explanatory note of the bill this new grant aims to limit the economic and social impacts of public health restrictions. Previous speakers have spoken to how to qualify for these payments so I'll focus my contribution to the draft legislation itself—and that is to note that this is a smartly drafted bill. It balances certainty by inserting a legislative framework or parameters so that IRD can actually administer the payment but at the same time provides flexibility around who is eligible when they're eligible what they're entitled to how you can apply and so forth as set out in clause 5 of the bill.The beauty is that this is all activated by Order in Council so that this legislation is futureproofed because pandemics are unpredictable. It means as a Government we can respond quickly and provide certainty around the nature of Government support in the event of resurgence. So it gives me great pleasure to commend this bill to the House.
Clark DavidHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs): I do want to acknowledge the Opposition member and his constructive engagement with this bill and of course welcome the support of the National Party for the measures that we are taking. The uncertainty that COVID can bring to the business environment is something we are trying to counter here as best we can because the consistent feedback that we have heard from the business community is that certainty about support measures that will apply at future alert levels and when escalations occur is absolutely critical for ongoing investment and hiring activity. We in the Labour Party want to ensure that the employment statistics the kind that we've seen today where wages have risen quite dramatically in our official statistics for the period prior to COVID and where overall household earnings are rising—that's something we want to see continue because we recognise that when New Zealand prospers including our wage earners including our businesses and across the spectrum people can continue to enjoy the lifestyles that come with that. Of course the business confidence is a part of that picture and the certainty around the operating environment is critical to that.Now the Minister of Finance who introduced the bill has spoken to the categories—who will be able to access this payment. Businesses will need to declare a drop of 30 percent or more in income over a seven-day period as a result of an increase from alert level 1 to alert level 2 or higher to receive the payment which as has been said is a $1500 payment plus $400 per fulltime-equivalent (FTE) up to a total of 50 FTEs or four times the experienced revenue drop over a seven-day period. That's the formula. Of course businesses will have to have been in business for at least six months in order for them to be able to qualify under the order for those payments. But I think as we've seen demonstrated in the debate that's happened to date—the fact that there will be support for this measure around the House as has been indicated—it is not a particularly complex bill but it is one that's likely to be widely welcomed. I am very happy to support this bill from this side of the House.
Hipkins Chris; Rurawhe AdrianURGENCYHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move That urgency be accorded the passing through all stages of the Taxation (COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payments and Other Matters) Bill.This bill amends the COVID-19 resurgence support scheme which aims to limit the economic and social impacts of the health restrictions put in place as a result of our COVID-19 response. It does so by providing financial support to businesses in the event of alert level escalations following further outbreaks of COVID-19 in the community. I think it would be reasonably obvious to members around the House why the Government believes that this bill should be subject to urgency. At this point we do not know when we may need to trigger this particular piece of legislation but it does seem a very sensible time to be putting it through the House in all stages under urgency so that it is available should it be required.DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to.Motion agreed to.
Urgent Debates — COVID-19—Alert Levels
Mallard TrevorURGENT DEBATESCOVID-19—Alert LevelsSPEAKER: I have received a letter from David Seymour seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the decision of Cabinet to raise the COVID-19 alert levels to level 3 in Auckland and to level 2 across the rest of the country for a period of three days. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. The matter is an important one that warrants the immediate attention of the House. Therefore I call on David Seymour to move that the House takes note of a matter of urgent public importance.
Mallard TrevorTUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2021The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.PETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: No petitions have been presented. Ministers have delivered papers.CLERK: Determination of a question of privilege arising from the use of official television coverage of the HouseGovernment response to the report of the Regulations Review Committee on its inquiry into parliamentary scrutiny of confirmable instruments Government response to the report of the Regulations Review Committee on its review of secondary legislation made in response to COVID-19Government response to the report of the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee on its inquiry into New Zealand's aid in the Pacific 2019-20Government response to the report of the Social Services and Community Committee on matters related to forced adoptionsGovernment response to the report of the Primary Production Committee on the petition of Clive Barker Annual Reports for 2020 of the: Counties Manukau District Health BoardSouth Canterbury District Health BoardWaikato District Health BoardIndependent Police Conduct AuthorityAccreditation Council Office of the Children's Commissioner Statements of performance expectations for 2021:Office of the Children's CommissionerCounties Manukau District Health BoardSouth Canterbury District Health Board andWaikato District Health Board Statement of strategic intentions 2021-25:Treasury. SPEAKER: Those papers are published under the authority of the House. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Report of the Environment Committee on the petition of Kerry Worsnopreport of the Office of the Ombudsman on the Official Information Act compliance and practice: Department of Conservationreport of the Office of the Ombudsman on the Official Information Act compliance and practice: Ministry for the Environmentreports of the Health Committee on the petitions of Joshua Perry Judy Killalea Kim Robinson and Marion Pilmerreports of the Māori Affairs Committee on the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill and on the petition of Toni Boyntonreports of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee on the petitions of Chris Teo-Sherrell Steffi August Tim van de Molen and Tim van de Molen: Safer Community Access for Tamahere and report of the Attorney-General on the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 on the Land Transport (Random Oral Fluid Testing) Amendment Bill.SPEAKER: The bill is set down for second reading. The reports of the Office of the Ombudsman and Attorney-General are set down for further consideration. The Clerk has been informed of the introduction of a bill.CLERK: Taxation (COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payments and Other Matters) Bill introduction.SPEAKER: That bill is set down for first reading.
Tuesday 6 April 2021 - Volume 751
Social Security (Subsequent Child Policy Removal) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Social Security (Subsequent Child Policy Removal) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 43New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): The question is That the Social Security (Subsequent Child Policy Removal) Amendment Bill be considered by the Social Services and Community Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Social Services and Community Committee.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): The House stands adjourned until 2 o'clock tomorrow. Good evening. The House adjourned at 9.55 p.m.
Financial Market Infrastructures Bill — In Committee
VoteCHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): The question is that the Minister's amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 19 be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.Parts 1 to 6 Schedules 1 and 2 and clauses 1 and 2 as amended agreed to.House resumed.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Madam Speaker the committee has considered the Financial Market Infrastructures Bill and reports it with amendment. I move That the report be adopted.Motion agreed to.Report adopted.
Local Government (Rating of Whenua Māori) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
VoteLOCAL GOVERNMENT (RATING OF WHENUA MĀORI) AMENDMENT BILLThird ReadingDebate resumed from 25 March.A party vote was called for on the question That the Local Government (Rating of Whenua Māori) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10;Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 43New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.DEPUTY SPEAKER: I declare the House in committee for consideration of the Financial Market Infrastructures Bill.
Ngāti Hinerangi Claims Settlement Bill — In Committee
VoteCHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): The question is that the Minister's amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 25 be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): The question is that Parts 1 to 3 Schedules 1 to 4 and clauses 1 and 2 as amended stand part.Parts 1 to 3 Schedules 1 to 4 and clauses 1 and 2 as amended agreed to.House resumed.CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Mr Speaker the committee has considered the Ngāti Hinerangi Claims Settlement Bill and reports it with amendment. I move That the report be adopted.Motion agreed to.Report adopted.
11. Question No. 11—SeniorsGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu) to the Minister for SeniorsQuestion No. 11—Seniors11. GREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu) to the Minister for Seniors: How are older New Zealanders benefiting from increased income support which came into force from 1 April?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Minister for Seniors): The nearly 830 New Zealanders receiving New Zealand superannuation or the veteran's pension saw a 3.1 percent increase in their pension rates after tax. Single superannuitants now take home almost $437 per week after tax a more than $13 per week increase. A superannuitant couple now receives $672 per week between them more than $20 extra per week.Greg O'Connor: How does the 1 April increase in national superannuation levels compare with previous increases?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: The 3.1 percent increase in pension rates reflects wages continuing to increase faster than inflation as measured by the Consumers Price Index. It's the biggest increase to New Zealand superannuation and veteran's pension rates in 10 years and demonstrates this Government's ongoing commitment to supporting older New Zealanders.Greg O'Connor: What other measures have the Government put in place to support older New Zealanders?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: In addition to their superannuation or veteran's pension superannuitants also benefit from the Government's winter energy payment which this year is worth an extra $20.46 a week for a single superannuitant and $31.82 a week for couples from 1 May to 1 October. Superannuitants whose partners have large overseas pensions benefited last year from the removal of the so-called spousal deduction. The Government also continues to work with businesses to help superannuitants make the most of their money through the SuperGold card.
9. Question No. 9—Workplace Relations and SafetyMARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and SafetyQuestion No. 9—Workplace Relations and Safety9. MARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Will the increase in the minimum wage to $20 per hour help the economy; if so how?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety): Yes. The rise to $20 per hour is estimated to boost wages across the economy by $216 million. Having a good minimum wage for our lowest paid workers is one of the most important things that we can do to stimulate local economic activity because it gives the New Zealanders most likely to spend it more money to spend in local businesses.Marja Lubeck: Why is an increase in the minimum wage important?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: We have just come through one of the most challenging years in New Zealand's history and one of the things that many of us observed is that it was people who have been historically undervalued like our cleaners our bus drivers our hospital orderlies and our checkout operators who kept our economy and our society going. And I believe it is only fair and just and reasonable that those people receive a fair wage for the important work that they do. It is also good for our economy. As the Young Workers' Resource Centre business manager Tony Stevens said recently: higher minimum wages stimulate the economy. We know that the lowest paid workers … spend every dollar they earn because they have to."Marja Lubeck: How many people will be better off as a result of the minimum wage increase?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The increase to the minimum wage will lift the incomes of around 175000 working New Zealanders which means around $44 more each week before tax for Kiwis working full time on the minimum wage. I know that's going to make a big difference for those people and their families.Hon Scott Simpson: What was his rationale for not heeding Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment advice provided to him that the minimum wage increase be postponed until 1 August this year and be set at a figure not higher than $19.15 per hour?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: In making the decision that I made along with Cabinet colleagues I took into account a wide range of factors including the fact that every single year we receive advice and we receive views from that side of the House that an increased minimum wage might hurt economic activity or jobs growth. Actually the record of this Government every single year is that we have increased the wages of working New Zealanders on the minimum wage at the same time as bringing about one of the lowest unemployment rates in the developed world."