edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Dunne Peter: Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Dunne Peter: Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:674;Page:20209] 
Hon PETER DUNNE (Associate Minister of Health) 
: 
 I acknowledge the member who has just resumed his seat Iain Lees-Galloway. I am tempted to say his explanation of what has actually happened is far too charitable. He tried to imply a degree of rationality in the processes that led to this change. In fact what we are doing is correcting a cock-up; let us put it as bluntly as that. 
When the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act was passed a change was made that meant that in effect a substance designated as a hazardous substance under the hazardous substances and new organisms legislation could thenceforth not be designated as a restricted substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Some arguments were advanced at the time that things should be dealt with under their own particular bits of legislation. I have been back to have a look at the Health Committee’s report from 2005. It had in mind keeping things like ordinary commercial or household products that are also psychoactive such as butane gas from being further brought under the control of the restricted substances framework. It overlooked of course that the consequence of being very specific in that area effectively made the restricted substances regime unworkable. So we had a situation in which we have had the capacity to designate substances as restricted substances for some time but until this amendment is passed it has actually not been possible to do so given the almost countervailing provisions of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. 
Although I appreciate the very lucid explanation given by the member who spoke earlier and his charity in trying to apply some logic to the position that had developed I think it is fair to say this is a technical amendment to clear up a mistake that was made way back in 2005. The mistake was not actually seen at that time as significant because the rationale was actually about a different category of products. It was only when we started to look at a range of substances like the Kronics of this world for instance that we realised there was actually a problem and that needs to be corrected. That is what this amendment does. It is very straightforward and as I say I do not think it need delay the Committee for any great period of time. I appreciate and acknowledge the member’s very kind summary of the situation when he could have been far more vicious.
Goff Phil: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Goff Phil: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:674;Page:20170] 
Hon PHIL GOFF (Leader of the Opposition) 
: 
 I seek leave of the House to table an extract from  
Household incomes in New Zealand: Trends in indicators of inequality and hardship 1982 to 2010 
. It shows that from 2004 inequality fell because of the work of the Working for Families policy introduced by Labour. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The source of this document is? 
Hon PHIL GOFF 
: It is the Ministry of Social Development Wellington July 2011. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for this document to be tabled. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.
Borrows Chester: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
Borrows Chester: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
[Volume:674;Page:20234] 
CHESTER BORROWS (National—Whanganui) 
: 
 As chair of the Justice and Electoral Committee I say that the committee was pleased to review the estimates in this sector and engage with the Minister of Justice. 
I note that the work programme covers four specific areas: improving the function and the efficiency of courts addressing the drivers of crime across a number of portfolios in a wide spectrum following on from the very successful Drivers of Crime seminar at the beginning of this term and achieving electoral and constitutional reform. It was noted that there had been some movement in amalgamating the various electoral agencies since the beginning of this term with the last piece of legislation in respect of that having been completed recently. Also I note the preparation for electoral reform after cross-party negotiations in terms of the electoral finance legislation. Finally the fourth area of the work programme was to improve the response of the sector to the victims of crime. 
It was interesting to note a number of gains that the Government has had over this term which it hopes to complete within the next year. We were pleased to note for instance that the offender levy programme had collected $3.4 million since it was introduced in July 2010. That has launched 13 new support initiatives for victims. Many of those initiatives are for victims of sexual violence. The Minister told us that the new police safety order initiative was working well with 3600 police safety orders issued since March 2011 and only 244 breaches. That puts a lie to criticisms that these safety orders would not be abided by and would result in many more appearances before the court. 
We are interested to note too the changes to legal aid. We note that the change in folding legal aid into the Ministry of Justice is already effected but there are also legal aid initiatives within the Criminal Procedure (Reform and Modernisation) Bill which the committee recently processed. We note the changes that bill will have to legal aid in respect of some things that are contentious but are widely approved across the broader sector of legal aid providers—albeit there are some who are complaining about it. We note the expansion of the Public Defence Service which is allowing high-quality lawyers to be made available to people appearing before the court in major centres around New Zealand. We look forward to the further expansion of that. 
The committee was very pleased to hear of work that was being done in respect of child victims or witnesses. We note with some concern that there is on average a 15-month gap between an incident occurring and a child having to testify before the court. The Minister is taking initiatives to lessen that time. Some new ground is being covered in terms of the way that that evidence is taken to lessen the stress on a young child who has to give evidence before the court. Thank you.
Vote: Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:674;Page:20208] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That Part 1 as amended be agreed to. 
Ayes 105 
New Zealand National 57; New Zealand Labour 42; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 14 
Green Party 9; ACT New Zealand 4; Independent: Carter C. 
Part 1 as amended agreed to.
Event: Members Sworn 
Event: Members Sworn 
[Volume:674;Page:20157] 
Members Sworn 
Hone Harawira was presented to the Speaker made the affirmation required by law and took his seat in the House.
Vote: Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:674;Page:20211] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 105 
New Zealand National 57; New Zealand Labour 42; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 13 
Green Party 9; ACT New Zealand 3; Independent: Carter C. 
Amendment agreed to. 
Part 2 as amended agreed to.
Obituaries — Hon Tini Whetu Marama Tirikatene-Sullivan ONZ 
Obituaries — Hon Tini Whetu Marama Tirikatene-Sullivan ONZ 
[Volume:674;Page:20157] 
Obituaries 
Hon Tini Whetu Marama Tirikatene-Sullivan ONZ 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I regret to inform the House of the death on 20 July 2011 of the Hon Tini Whetu Marama Tirikatene-Sullivan ONZ who represented the electorate of Southern Maori from 1967 to 1996. She was Minister of Tourism from 1972 to 1975 Associate Minister of Social Welfare from 1972 to 1974 and Minister for the Environment from 1974 to 1975. I desire on behalf of this House to express our sense of the loss we have sustained and our sympathy with the relatives of the late former member. I now ask members to stand with me and observe a period of silence as a mark of respect for her memory. 
Honourable members stood as a mark of respect.
Cosgrove Clayton: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
Cosgrove Clayton: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
[Volume:674;Page:20229] 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Labour—Waimakariri) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I know this is an unusual situation and I know that Mr Brownlee is too modest to do it himself but I seek leave for an extension of time of that speech. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: The member can take a call if he wishes. 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE 
: It is a point of order Mr Chairperson. I have sought leave. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: You cannot seek leave for somebody else.
Smith Lockwood: Visitors — Canada—2011 Prime Minister’s Fellow Minister of Citizenship Immigration and Multiculturalism House of Commons 
Smith Lockwood: Visitors — Canada—2011 Prime Minister’s Fellow Minister of Citizenship Immigration and Multiculturalism House of Commons 
[Volume:674;Page:20157] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I now have much pleasure in informing the House that the 2011 Prime Minister’s Fellow from Canada the Hon Jason Kenney Minister of Citizenship Immigration and Multiculturalism from the House of Commons of Canada is present in the gallery. I am sure that members would wish that he be welcomed.
Kedgley Sue: Appointments — Electoral Commission Deputy Judicial Conduct Commissioner 
Kedgley Sue: Appointments — Electoral Commission Deputy Judicial Conduct Commissioner 
[Volume:673;Page:19710] 
SUE KEDGLEY (Green) 
: 
 The Green Party also supports and welcomes the appointment of Mr Alan Ritchie as Deputy Judicial Conduct Commissioner. He has had a very distinguished—indeed exemplary—legal career and I think he is very well suited to this new role. 
I agree with the previous speaker Charles Chauvel that although the Office of the Judicial Conduct Commissioner is reasonably new it has established itself as an important place of last resort that people can go to when they feel aggrieved by the court process. It is important that we have these checks and safety valves. We are very pleased that this body exists and that people as I said have a place of last resort where they can go. 
I agree also with the previous speaker that we look forward to having a judicial register of pecuniary interests. Kennedy Graham a Green MP has a member’s bill on this issue awaiting consideration by this House and we hope that it will be considered soon or taken up by the Government. 
I repeat that we very much welcome Mr Ritchie’s appointment and we believe he will bring great strengths to the important role of the Office of the Judicial Conduct Commissioner.
Tremain Chris: Sittings of the House 
Tremain Chris: Sittings of the House 
[Volume:673;Page:19721] 
CHRIS TREMAIN (Senior Whip—National) 
: 
 I seek leave for the House to rise. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Eric Roy) 
: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there anyone opposed to that course of action? There appears not to be. Leave is granted.
Vote: Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
Vote: Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:673;Page:19721] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Bill be now read a second time. 
Ayes 113 
New Zealand National 58; New Zealand Labour 40; Green Party 8; ACT New Zealand 1 (Boscawen); Maori Party 3; Progressive 1; United Future 1; Independent: Carter C. 
Noes 4 
ACT New Zealand 4 (Calvert Douglas Hide Roy H). 
Bill read a second time.
Shearer David: Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
Shearer David: Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:673;Page:19720] 
DAVID SHEARER (Labour—Mt Albert) 
: 
 I will take a very brief call on the Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Bill. It is one of those bills with an aspiration for New Zealand. It aspires for New Zealand to end smoking by 2025 which is a wonderful aspiration. 
I also praise as others have done the work of Tariana Turia and my colleague Iain Lees-Galloway in pushing this bill through. As other speakers including Kris Faafoi have said the bill builds on a lot of the work that Labour did while it was in office to outlaw the smoking common in restaurants and bars where it is now no longer common. 
The bill brings into force measures that I think as others have said will decrease drastically the incidence of smoking. Te Ururoa Flavell talked about there being 60000 fewer smokers and that is a fantastic statistic. If smoking rates continue to go down by that amount then that is something that we can be really proud of and is something that New Zealand can be happy about in terms of what this Parliament is trying to do. 
The word “happy” brings me to the point Mr Flavell was talking about in terms of today being a happy day. It is a happy day and we should enjoy that fact. I think he should enjoy it too before Saturday which will probably be a less happy day. I was contemplating as he was talking with National members my hope that voters in Te Tai Tokerau were watching and seeing that a vote for the Maori Party is ultimately a vote for National. 
With that final remark I commend this bill and I pledge once again Labour’s support for it. Thank you.
Bennett David: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Bennett David: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:673;Page:19688] 
DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) 
: 
 The truly sad day is that Labour members will not support something that is good for New Zealand’s growth good for New Zealand’s citizens good for New Zealanders who want to get an education good for the New Zealand health system and good for our country going forward. Labour members could not and would not be able to deliver high-speed broadband for New Zealanders. If they had been in Government as they were prior to this term they would not even get a proposal off the ground. When you hear that— 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson) 
: The member will not bring the Speaker into the debate. 
DAVID BENNETT 
: When there is an academic-type argument made about the theory of broadcasting—and there will be more academic arguments to come from future speakers on the Labour side—it shows that a Labour Government would never have been able to deliver broadband for New Zealanders. 
National has delivered. The National Party campaigned on that issue the National Government has delivered on it and the National Government will see the benefits of it. Labour and its Green allies would never have been able to get it across the line. That is the difference that New Zealanders need to see. This is a Government of action; it is a Government that will deliver. From the other side of the House we hear rhetoric. Labour is a party of academia. It is a party of failure that will not deliver for this country. 
We recommend this bill to the House. I congratulate the Minister on doing an excellent job in progressing this bill through the House and making a commercial decision about the delivery of service. I thank all those who submitted as part of the process; I especially thank the officials who are here supporting the progress of this bill. Thank you.
Parker David: Appointments — Electoral Commission Deputy Judicial Conduct Commissioner 
Parker David: Appointments — Electoral Commission Deputy Judicial Conduct Commissioner 
[Volume:673;Page:19711] 
Hon DAVID PARKER (Labour) 
: 
 I rise to take a brief call also in support of this appointment. Alan Ritchie is well-known to most members of the legal community in New Zealand who have held practising certificates for a while. Indeed he has a lot of experience already when it comes to running disciplinary proceedings and trying to winnow out whether there is an issue to be dealt with in response to somebody’s complaint. Of course in his role as Deputy Judicial Conduct Commissioner what he will be trying to do is ascertain whether a complaint made is founded on any basis. If it not founded on any sound basis it will be rejected pretty pre-emptorily and if it is in his view then the complaint will go a bit further and he will look into it further or create a process that properly considers it. 
Mr Ritchie had a similar role to that when he was at the New Zealand Law Society for many years and was secretary of the New Zealand Law Society I think— 
Charles Chauvel 
: Executive director. 
Hon DAVID PARKER 
: —executive director—for more than a decade I think from memory. During the period of his tenure there were some problems in various nominee companies in the legal fraternity which resulted in a loss initially to contributors but which was repaid by the Lawyers Fidelity Fund thus forcing good lawyers—well not forcing but having them do what good lawyers then had to do as a consequence of their professional duties—to top up the fidelity fund to meet what were very significant frauds. That of course then led to the Law Society taking action against those errant lawyers who had misused the money of their clients although that money had been reimbursed by other lawyers. The particular lawyers who had caused the problem were effectively brought to heel and kicked out of the Law Society and that assessment of those complaints against lawyers in that case would have been something that Mr Ritchie had a role in. 
This new role in the judicial conduct arena is probably more important and there is no doubt in my mind that Mr Ritchie is a suitable appointment to the role. I do see slight irony in the fact that the amending legislation has been promoted by Mr Finlayson who spoke so stridently against it when in Opposition. But that matter has already been covered properly by Mr Chauvel and I have nothing further to add. 
Motion agreed to.
Joyce Steven: Appointments — Electoral Commission Deputy Judicial Conduct Commissioner 
Joyce Steven: Appointments — Electoral Commission Deputy Judicial Conduct Commissioner 
[Volume:673;Page:19708] 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Transport) 
on behalf of the  
Attorney-General 
: I move  
That pursuant to section 8A(2) of the Judicial Conduct Commissioner and Judicial Conduct Panel Act 2004 this House recommend His Excellency the Governor-General appoint Mr Alan Deans Ritchie of Wellington as the Deputy Judicial Conduct Commissioner for a term of five years from the date of appointment having noted that the Attorney-General advises this House in accordance with section 8A(3) of the Act that the Chief Justice has been consulted about the proposed appointment. 
 The Judicial Conduct Commissioner and Judicial Conduct Panel Act 2004 came into effect on 1 August 2005. The role of deputy commissioner was established by section 8A of the Act as recently amended. The Act provides for the Office of the Judicial Conduct Commissioner and sets out a statutory regime for dealing with complaints about judges’ conduct. If appropriate the commissioner or the deputy commissioner may recommend the appointment of a judicial conduct panel to inquire into any matter about the conduct of a judge. 
The Act established processes that recognise and protect the requirement of judicial independence and natural justice. The deputy commissioner will perform the commissioner’s functions when the commissioner has a conflict of interest or is otherwise unavailable to address a complaint. In performing these functions the deputy commissioner will be required to act independently. 
The Attorney-General has received support from all parties for the appointment of Mr Alan Ritchie as the Deputy Judicial Conduct Commissioner. Mr Ritchie was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 1971. He practised with Spencer and Ritchie in Ashburton and Chapman Tripp in Wellington for some 12 years. He has been a consultant to the New Zealand Law Society since 2008 and was the chief executive officer and executive director from 1985 to 2008. He is also a member of the New Zealand Parole Board. In 2008 Mr Ritchie spent 3 to 4 months deputising for the previous Judicial Conduct Commissioner. The term of appointment must be for not less than 2 years and not more than 5. It is proposed that Mr Ritchie be appointed for 5 years. The deputy commissioner is remunerated at a rate set by the Remuneration Authority and the current commissioner is Sir David Gascoigne.
Kedgley Sue: Appointments — Electoral Commission Deputy Judicial Conduct Commissioner 
Kedgley Sue: Appointments — Electoral Commission Deputy Judicial Conduct Commissioner 
[Volume:673;Page:19706] 
SUE KEDGLEY (Green) 
: 
 I likewise state that the Green Party very much welcomes the appointment of Ms Huria as a member and the Deputy Chair of the Electoral Commission. As the previous speaker Charles Chauvel has indicated there is a huge task for the Electoral Commission over the next few years overseeing the referendum and a second referendum. We too are relieved that we now have full membership on the Electoral Commission. 
We are impressed by the curriculum vitae of Ms Huria. We agree that it looks as though she is extremely productive. We hope that she is not stretched in too many directions because the Electoral Commission will need a great deal of focus effort and attention to steer successfully through the next period of referendums on MMP etc. We affirm our support for this appointment.
Goodhew Jo: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Goodhew Jo: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:673;Page:19703] 
JO GOODHEW (National—Rangitata) 
: 
 It falls to me to end on a very positive note. Boosting infrastructure is one of National’s six points for a much stronger economy and boosting broadband is part of this initiative. Rural communities and schools will have access to fast broadband services via our Rural Broadband Initiative and my electorate of Rangitata says thank you. We are delivering on our election promise to bring ultra-fast broadband to 75 percent of New Zealand and my electorate has said thank you. I commend this bill to the House.
Williamson Maurice: Appointments — Electoral Commission Deputy Judicial Conduct Commissioner 
Williamson Maurice: Appointments — Electoral Commission Deputy Judicial Conduct Commissioner 
[Volume:673;Page:19703] 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Minister for Building and Construction) 
 on behalf of the  
Minister of Justice 
: I move  
That pursuant to section 4D of the Electoral Act 1993 and section 32 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 this House recommend His Excellency the Governor-General appoint Jane Christine Huria as a member and the Deputy Chair of the Electoral Commission for a term of four years. 
 The Electoral (Administration) Amendment Act 2010 passed by this House in May of 2010 established a new Electoral Commission that took on the functions of both the former commission and the Chief Electoral Officer. The Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill (No 2) currently before this House proposes transferring further functions to the commission namely those of the Chief Registrar of Electors from 2012. This will complete the amalgamation of electoral administration from three separate agencies into but one. The Electoral Commission is an independent Crown entity governed by three members. On 24 August 2010 the Governor-General appointed the Hon Justice Hugh Williams QC as the chair of the commission for 3 years and Mr Robert Peden as the Chief Electoral Officer and the chief executive of the commission for a term of 5 years. The deputy chair position was and has remained vacant while a candidate with the support of the House was being identified. 
Today I am pleased to move the appointment of Jane Christine Huria as the Deputy Chair of the Electoral Commission. I am confident she will be a strong member of the commission and will bring a variety of complementary skills and experiences to the role. Mrs Huria is a professional company director and is a director and shareholder of HSR Governance Ltd a company that specialises in governance strategy and review. Her current board memberships include the Accident Compensation Corporation the outgoing Legal Services Agency the Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission Winter Games NZ and the Ngai Tahu - mandated health and social services broker He Oranga Pounamu. She is also chair of the advisory board to trustees of the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust a lay member of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal and a mentor in the New Zealand Olympic Committee women in governance programme. Mrs Huria is Ngai Tahu and affiliates to Ngai Tuahuriri. I am proposing a 4-year term of appointment for Mrs Huria under section 32(1)(b) of the Crown Entities Act 2004. Appointments to the commission may be made for 5 years or any shorter period stated in the notice of appointment. A 4-year term is proposed in order to phase the members’ appointments term so that the review of this appointment does not occur in an election year. I commend this appointment to the House.
Lotu-Iiga Peseta Sam: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Lotu-Iiga Peseta Sam: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:673;Page:19697] 
PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA (National—Maungakiekie) 
: 
 Malo le soifua. Today is a day of thanksgiving. It is a day of thanksgiving because the Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill is a pivotal bill that will transform our country. It will transform our country because it will increase and improve the way that we are able to communicate with each other. Whether one is in a business whether one is in a health clinic or whether one is in a school this bill will improve the way we are able to communicate with one another. 
This bill rolls out ultra-fast broadband—100 megabits per second—to 75 percent of New Zealanders across this country. It will be rolled out to where they live where they work and where they study. 
We have heard today from Labour members that they are against this bill. They are against the fact that this will improve productivity in this country. They are against the fact that this bill will improve the way that we communicate. It will improve economic growth and provide jobs and opportunities into our future and the Minister for Social Development and Employment agrees with me. 
We know that this is a step change. It is part of this Government’s economic plan to improve the economy to provide jobs and opportunities and to lay down the infrastructure for this country to go into the future. I found it interesting that in the debate today we have heard from members opposite name-calling and the use of derogatory terms such as “cowboy” and “Minister of Miscommunication” but those members did not talk about the issues. They have not talked about the benefits that this bill will bring to our businesses our health services and our schools. The bill will improve the way that we communicate. It is fundamental. 
Stuart Nash 
: How? 
PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: Does that member not know what 100 megabits per second does in terms of downloading off the internet? I found it quite interesting this morning that the Labour spokesperson on telecommunications asked the Minister of Commerce whether he was in charge of competition issues for telecommunications. After 2½ years that woman does not know that the Minister for Communications and Information Technology is responsible for competition issues relating to telecommunications. Members opposite would like us to trust them but that member does not know that fundamental fact. 
I will concentrate on what this Government is doing. What we are doing is positive for our communities. This bill will bring about transformation and I commend it to the House.
Vote: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Vote: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:673;Page:19703] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill be now read a third time. 
Ayes 65 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 3 (Boscawen Calvert Hide); Maori Party 3; United Future 1. 
Noes 52 
New Zealand Labour 40; Green Party 8; ACT New Zealand 2 (Douglas Roy H); Progressive 1; Independent: Carter C. 
Bill read a third time.
Kaye Nikki: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Kaye Nikki: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19683] 
12. 
NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) 
 to the  
Minister of Customs 
: What recent reports has he received on the interceptions of drug-internal couriers at the border? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Minister of Customs) 
: 
 In the last 18 months the Customs Service has caught 10 drug couriers or mules trying to bring a range of narcotics into the country by hiding these drugs inside their bodies. That compares with only one drug internal courier interception for all of 2009. These swallowers have arrived from a variety of countries: South America Thailand South Africa Iran and the United States. The largest individual swallower on record for New Zealand ingested 175 pellets which was made up of 890 grams of methamphetamine and 104 grams of opium. 
Nikki Kaye 
: What was the most recent interception of P at the border using a drug mule? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: Most recently customs officers intercepted a Polish man who was later found to have 74 plastic pellets containing 370 grams of methamphetamine or P concealed inside him. The value of that would have been somewhere between $220000 and $370000 on the street. Intelligence work by customs officers at the border and the techniques used to detect swallowers hopefully will mean that attempted smuggling like this will happen less and less.
Kaye Nikki: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Kaye Nikki: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19683] 
NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) 
: 
 Mr Speaker— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I say to both front benches both National and Labour to please be quiet. I have called Nikki Kaye.
Beaumont Carol: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Beaumont Carol: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19682] 
11. 
CAROL BEAUMONT (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Consumer Affairs 
: What actions has the Government taken to date to control excessive interest rates or irresponsible lending? 
Hon SIMON POWER (Minister of Consumer Affairs) 
: 
 The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has been working on a review of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act since 2008. The ministry has also assisted individuals to take cases to the disputes tribunal concerning irresponsible lending practices. I am advised that the Commerce Commission has taken action against a number of parties over unreasonable fees and misrepresentations about terms and conditions of loans. In August I will be hosting a financial summit in South Auckland. This summit will have a particular focus on irresponsible lending and no doubt excessive interest rates. 
Carol Beaumont 
: Why did the Government deprioritise the review of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act which included improving security and disclosure provisions and delay it by over 12 months when financial pressures on low-income families have been increasing? 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: It was not deprioritised; priority was given to consumer law reform work. That work has now been completed and priority is now being given to credit reform. 
Carol Beaumont 
: How will another summit in August on targeting loan sharks create enforceable changes in this parliamentary term? 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: It will give communities who are affected by this issue the opportunity to have input into policy before I form a final view on this matter. Given that I have been in the role for 6 weeks as opposed to 9 years when nothing happened I think it is a considerable degree of action. 
Carol Beaumont 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I think my question was quite specific. It sought to know how this summit will create enforceable changes in this parliamentary term. I do not believe that the Minister addressed that at all. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I think it would be pretty rough for me to claim that the Minister did not answer the question. It may not have been quite the quality of answer that the member wanted but she should be aware that she has two more supplementary questions should she wish to pursue the matter further. 
Carol Beaumont 
: Why is the Minister now saying that he will consider interest rate caps; and what has changed since the Government ruled out supporting interest rate caps? 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: In respect of the first part of the question I say that my colleagues will no doubt be able to reinforce the view that I am regarded as very open-minded. 
Carol Beaumont 
: I seek leave for the Credit Contracts (Oppressive Lending Provisions) Amendment Bill to be set down as a members’ order of the day. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Beaumont Carol: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Beaumont Carol: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19682] 
CAROL BEAUMONT (Labour) 
: 
 My question is to the Minister of Consumer Affairs— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I say to front-bench Ministers and members especially members on the Labour side whose colleague I have just called to please be quiet.
Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19682] 
10. 
KATRINA SHANKS (National) 
 to the  
Minister for Social Development and Employment 
: What agreements has the Government recently made to support foster carers? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) 
: 
 Today we have signed a new memorandum of understanding with the newly named Fostering Kids which was formerly the New Zealand Foster Care Federation. This memorandum of understanding formalises further our much valued relationship. From July 1 the training that Fostering Kids provides will be aligned alongside New Zealand Qualifications Authority unit standards counting towards a national qualification in family whanau and foster care. 
Katrina Shanks 
: What other individuals have lent their support to foster carers and their children? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: I would like to take this opportunity in the House to thank outgoing Children’s Commissioner John Angus whose farewell is being held in Parliament this afternoon. John has brought great independence commitment and knowledge to the role of Children’s Commissioner and he has been a tireless advocate for foster children children in care and those amazing people who look after them. I have very much valued his considered counsel over the past few years and I would like to publicly thank him on behalf of New Zealand children for the work he has done.
Delahunty Catherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Delahunty Catherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19682] 
CATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) 
: 
 I seek leave to introduce my Equal Pay Amendment Bill which will assist women to find out whether they are getting equal pay for equal work. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to introduce that bill. Is there any objection to that course of action? There is objection.
Parker David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Parker David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19675] 
5. 
Hon DAVID PARKER (Labour) 
 to the  
Prime Minister 
: Does he stand by his statement that “we are trying to change the economic picture to encourage more New Zealanders to stay” in light of the total of 3300 New Zealanders who left New Zealand for Australia last month which topped the previous record of 2900 set in May 1979? 
Hon SIMON POWER (Minister of Justice) 
 on behalf of the  
Prime Minister 
: Yes. 
Hon David Parker 
: Does the Prime Minister accept that the 3300 New Zealanders who left for Australia in May topped the previous record for May of 2900 which was set 32 years ago under his predecessor Mr Muldoon’s National-led Government? 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: That may be the case but because of fluctuations it is better to take a year-by-year perspective and that shows that net migration of New Zealanders to Australia in the year to May was lower than in the year to May 2009 the year to May 2008 and the year to May 2001. 
Hon David Parker 
: Which factor is most behind the record surge in New Zealanders leaving for Australia: the wage gap which has grown substantially rather than narrowed under this Government despite National’s election promise to the contrary; the higher minimum wage in Australia which at A$15 an hour converts to NZ$20 an hour; or the better savings and investment record that Australia is heading for instead of the cuts to KiwiSaver here? 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: None of the above because the fluctuations on a month-to-month basis are better looked at on a year-by-year basis 3 of which did not have higher numbers to May than when that party was in Government. 
Hon David Parker 
: Why does the Government keep blaming the earthquake in Christchurch for New Zealand’s problems when the increase in departures from Christchurch over the previous year was 300 which is less than 10 percent of the total departures in May; and does he accept that even after the Christchurch increase is excluded the 3000 departures to Australia in May was still at a record level? 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: Over the last 3 months for example 1600 people left the Canterbury region permanently for overseas. In respect of the more broad numbers that the member used—a May month indicator—I can tell the member that on average over the last 2 years about 1900 New Zealanders left each month for Australia. Under that party’s last 2 years in Government that figure was over 2600 a month. 
Hon David Parker 
: Are more New Zealanders leaving for Australia despite National’s 2008 election promise “Wave goodbye to higher taxes. Not your loved ones.” because only a small proportion of New Zealanders—high-income earners—did well out of his tax cuts while the rest are worse off and are either leaving for Australia or waving goodbye to their loved ones? 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: Using year to May figures no because that number was higher in 2001 2008 and 2009. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: There will be no interruption from the gallery thank you or I will be asking the visitor to leave.
Woodhouse Michael: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Woodhouse Michael: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:673;Page:19700] 
MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) 
: 
 In about 1995 when I was at Dunedin Hospital I watched a video. It was a video of the hospital of the future. It followed a mythical day in the life of a cardiologist at a large hospital in the United States as she went around the bedsides of heart-attack patients with her handheld device. She was prescribing online taking blood tests and getting results back. A video screen would pop up and a general practitioner from hundreds of miles away would tune in to a patient with cardiac symptoms. The ECG would be uploaded in seconds and the cardiologist was able to diagnose that the patient was not in fact having a heart attack. 
All of this was at that time a hospital of the future. I can say now that that is a hospital of the past because the technologies that looked so space-age in 1995 are actually in place in hospitals all around the world except in New Zealand. The technology that this bill will hasten—and I say “hasten” because some of the fibre-optic backhaul is already being laid—is fundamental to the future of our country’s economic and social well-being. I recall that fine member of Parliament the Hon Maurice Williamson saying that backhaul fibre-optics will be the equivalent of reticulated electricity for the 21st century and I absolutely agree with him. 
We do not know the possibilities; they are vast. So it is disappointing that Opposition members are bogged down in the minutiae of things they would not do—the policy differences—and are not looking at the principles and the aspirations. While the Government is looking to the future Opposition members are looking to the details of the bill and picking holes in it often where they do not exist—including the member for Dunedin South who is scaremongering about zone 3 schools. She is talking absolute irrational nonsense about those schools when she says they will not be well served. It is a shame. But this Government looks forward to the future. This bill is a very important part of creating that future and I support it.
Parker David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Parker David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19675] 
Hon DAVID PARKER (Labour) 
: 
 I seek leave to table a Treasury report dated 21 December 2010 entitled  
Privatisation in New Zealand: An assessment of a series of company experiences 
. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.
Cunliffe David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Cunliffe David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19675] 
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Labour—New Lynn) 
: 
 Mr Speaker this may assist your reflection on an earlier ruling in relation to the use of the word “privatisation” and whether it was an emotive term. The document that I seek leave— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I do not need that lecture from the member. He will resume his seat.
Quinn Paul: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Quinn Paul: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:673;Page:19671] 
2. 
PAUL QUINN (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Police 
: What steps are being taken in the Wellington police district to improve the investigation of child abuse and the care and support provided to victims? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) 
: 
 I am pleased to report that today I opened the country’s fourth multi-agency centre which will provide one-stop access to services for child abuse victims and improve the investigation of abuse allegations. The Wellington Police District accounts for about 12 percent of all child abuse investigations nationally with more than 8000 family violence reports last year. The new centre in Petone which is called Koru House is a joint initiative by the police Child Youth and Family and the Hutt Valley District Health Board. It follows the establishment of similar centres in Auckland City Counties-Manukau and Tauranga. It illustrates this Government’s commitment to putting victims back at the heart of the justice sector. 
Paul Quinn 
: What services will be available at the new centre to help child abuse victims? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: The centre will provide a safe and supportive environment where child victims can interact with a team of police Child Youth and Family and health professionals. This will include specialised medical forensic and psychological services. It will also provide a vital link from those agencies back to the many community groups that work so hard to provide ongoing support to the victims. When a child’s life is marred by the horror of abuse or violence the child must have somewhere to go and someone whom they can turn to for help. The centre will help to ensure that they receive a caring compassionate speedy and professional response.
Power Simon: Business Statement 
Power Simon: Business Statement 
[Volume:673;Page:19669] 
Hon SIMON POWER (Acting Leader of the House) 
: 
 In respect of the second question that the member asked the Minister of Justice and Minister of Commerce are confident that the Acting Leader of the House will have his bills in mind when determining the legislative agenda for the rest of the year. In relation to the first part of the question it is very early days.
Sittings of the House 
Sittings of the House 
[Volume:673;Page:19721] 
Sittings of the House 
CHRIS TREMAIN (Senior Whip—National) 
: 
 I seek leave for the House to rise. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Eric Roy) 
: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there anyone opposed to that course of action? There appears not to be. Leave is granted.
Barker Rick: Business Statement 
Barker Rick: Business Statement 
[Volume:673;Page:19669] 
Hon RICK BARKER (Senior Whip—Labour) 
: 
 I ask the Acting Leader of the House whether it is his intention to use urgency in the first or second week of the next sitting. My second question is that in noting that the Acting Leader of the House has 10 bills on the Order Paper in his name I was wondering whether any particular attention will be given to those bills to ensure that his desk is clear before the end of the legislative year.
Power Simon: Business Statement 
Power Simon: Business Statement 
[Volume:673;Page:19669] 
Hon SIMON POWER (Acting Leader of the House) 
: 
 Next week the House will be adjourned for 1 week. When the House resumes on Tuesday 5 July the Government intends to make further progress on the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Amendment Bill the Crimes Amendment Bill (No 3) the Courts and Criminal Matters Bill and other bills on the Order Paper. Wednesday 6 July is scheduled to be a members’ day.
Tremain Chris: Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
Tremain Chris: Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:673;Page:19720] 
CHRIS TREMAIN (National—Napier) 
: 
 I am proud to say my father’s name was Kelvin Robin Tremain. He was an All Black through the late 1950s and 1960s and back then was possibly one might say the Michael Jones of the 1980s or the Richie McCaw of this century. He was a member of an All Black team at a time of greats whose names still decorate the walls of many rugby clubs and museums around the world—names such as Colin Meads Brian Lochore and Waka Nathan. 
The All Blacks in those days were serious smokers. I know that my father was a smoker right throughout the period that he was an All Black. He smoked right through his adult life. I am not proud to say this but in fact at his peak my dad smoked two packets or more a day. Unfortunately Kel died at 54—19 years ago. He died at 54. Can members believe that? At 54 years of age he passed away. He died of cancer. The thing that I want to reflect on tonight is not the fact that he died—he was a big boy; he made his own decisions—but it is what he missed out on. What he missed out on is the last 19 years and I just want to make quite clear the poignancy of what that means to my family. What that means is that yes he knew Ange my wife but he did not know my brothers’ wives Jan and Hetti and he never met his 10 grandchildren. So he has never met Sam Will and Lily who are my kids. He has never met Jan’s kids Anika Jack and Greer or Hetti’s children Anouk Edu Mela and Kully. I think that is the real loss. 
I know why members on this side of the House and around the House support this bill so much. Yes my dad was a big boy and he made his own decisions but his life was taken early. I totally support anything that brings about a change to the way that we smoke in this country. This bill makes it more difficult and reduces the opportunity to smoke. Thank you.