edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the reports of committees relevant to the Health Sector be noted.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Reports of committees relevant to the Health Sector noted.
Annual Review Debate — Health Sector
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the report of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the annual financial statements of the Government for the previous financial year be noted.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8. Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross. Report noted.A party vote was called for on the question That the reports of committees relevant to the Finance and Government Administration Sector be noted.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8. Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross. Reports of committees relevant to the Finance and Government Administration Sector noted.
Annual Review Debate — Finance and Government Administration Sector
VoteThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 233 in the name of the Hon Andrew Little be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 237 in the name of the Hon Anne Tolley be agreed to. A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Noes 64New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8; ACT New Zealand 1.Amendments not agreed to. The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 238 in the name of the Hon Anne Tolley be agreed to. A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Noes 64New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8; ACT New Zealand 1.Amendments not agreed to.CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): The Hon Anne Tolley's amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 236 is out of order as being outside the scope of the bill and as it would be inconsistent with the deed of agreement. Parts 1 to 5 Schedules 1 to 5 and clauses 1 and 2 as amended agreed to.Bill to be reported with amendment presently.
Ngā Rohe Moana o Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Porou Bill (No 2) — In Committee
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 119New Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8; Ross.Noes 1ACT New Zealand 1.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Environment Committee.Hon JAMES SHAW (Minister for Climate Change): I move That the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 21 October 2019.A party vote was called for on the question That the motion be agreed to.Ayes 119New Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8; Ross.Noes 1ACT New Zealand 1.Motion agreed to.
Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill — First Reading
11. Question No. 11—JusticeGOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN (Green) to the Minister of JusticeQuestion No. 11—Justice11. GOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN (Green) to the Minister of Justice: What recent announcements has the Government made on family violence and sexual violence?JAN LOGIE (Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Justice) on behalf of the Minister of Justice: On Sunday we announced the largest single investment yet in tackling family violence and sexual violence. It means more prevention and more support for front-line agencies communities and whānau taking a new and collaborative approach working across 10 agencies to change how the Government responds to the needs of our communities survivors and those using violence. This is a long-term project. This package lays the foundations for a violence-free Aotearoa.SPEAKER: Does the member want a supplementary?Golriz Ghahraman: Supplementary Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: Well the member should ask it and not clap.Golriz Ghahraman: Thank you Mr Speaker. Why is it important to invest in prevention?JAN LOGIE: On behalf of the Minister preventing future violence is our greatest opportunity to improve wellbeing. That is why we're increasing funding for national- and community-led approaches; extending coverage to recognise the needs of diverse communities including rainbow disability elderly and new migrants; and putting resources into mending the harm of family violence on our youngest New Zealanders so we can break the cycle for them and us.Golriz Ghahraman: What difference will this make for people impacted by family violence?JAN LOGIE: On behalf of the Minister we're creating safe consistent and effective responses to family violence in every community. This includes extending community-based pilots which keep people safe; rolling out victim video statements which give victims alternative ways to interact with the criminal justice system; and extending training to health practitioners so that they too can respond effectively when people make disclosures to them.Golriz Ghahraman: What will this funding mean for survivors of sexual violence?JAN LOGIE: On behalf of the Minister expanding essential specialist sexual violence services will mean survivors can get help sooner and experience less trauma. Developing services for children and young people improving wellbeing for male survivors and victims of sexual violence through peer support services and restoring kaupapa Māori responses to violence will mean people can get the right kind of help.Golriz Ghahraman: What changes will be made to the justice system to better respond to victims of sexual violence?JAN LOGIE: On behalf of the Minister our focus is on doing no more harm; reducing the risk of sexual violence victims experiencing further trauma when participating in the criminal justice process. This includes enabling them to give evidence in alternative ways such as pre-recorded video providing specialist counselling and communications assistance through the criminal justice process and specialist training for lawyers.
8. Question No. 8—HealthANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 8—Health8. ANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about support for ambulance services?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): This morning I joined the Deputy Prime Minister for a pre-Budget announcement about extra support for our ambulance services to help them plan for a secure long-term future so they can continue providing lifesaving care to New Zealanders. I know everyone in this House values the work of paramedics clinicians and 111 emergency call handlers. That is something they do every day but we can't take those services for granted. So today I was very proud to announce that Budget 2019 includes a one-off investment of $21 million over two years to relieve immediate pressures on St John and Wellington Free Ambulance and provide certainty while they work with the Ministry of Health ACC and the district health boards on the long-term sustainability of their services. Angie Warren-Clark: Why is this one-off funding boost required? Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Currently the Ministry of Health and ACC fund approximately 72 percent of the operating costs of ambulances. The remainder is largely funded through part-charges and donations. We recognise the concerns raised by St John and Wellington Free Ambulance about the suitability of the current funding model. We want to work with those providers to better understand the full range of services they currently deliver and how they are best funded into the future. Today's announcement gives us time to do just that.Angie Warren-Clark: Will Budget 2019 include any further support for ambulance services? Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: More good news—more good news: on top of the $21 million over the next two years Budget 2019 also includes an extra $17.2 million of operational funding over four years. This is a significant combined investment of $38.2 million dollars in our emergency ambulance services and the lifesaving work that they do.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Can I ask the Minister does that mean that in the far-flung reaches of New Zealand way out in the provinces and the places often forgotten there'll be a better ambulance service in the future? Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Absolutely. This is a Government committed to funding emergency services more sustainably over time. They provide an amazing service to New Zealanders across New Zealand—in the regions and around the country from Kaitāia to Bluff. We salute their work and we thank them for it.
5. Question No. 5—FinanceTAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 5—Finance5. TAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Several recent reports indicate that the fundamentals of the New Zealand economy remain sound in the face of increasing global economic headwinds. The BNZ-Business New Zealand Performance of Manufacturing Index on Friday showed that the manufacturing sector expanded faster in April than in March with a reading of 53 points up from 52. The BNZ-Business New Zealand Performance of Services Index on Monday also continued its expansion in April although economists and participants noted that the Easter break and school holidays may have disrupted some usual business activity. It is worth noting that New Zealand's positive April services index reading was higher than Australia's reading suggesting that we are tracking well in a global context. Tamati Coffey: What other reports has he seen about the New Zealand economy in the context of the global economic situation? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The ASB's recent quarterly economic forecast noted how the global economic outlook had continued to weaken over recent months due to situations like the US-China trade tensions and Brexit. ASB economists said that New Zealand's trading partners were likely to grow at their slowest pace since during the global financial crisis. In this context the ASB's forecast growth rates for the New Zealand economy averaging about 2.6 percent over the next four years is solid and square with the IMF who have said that New Zealand is going to grow faster over the next two years than Japan US UK Canada and the eurozone. Tamati Coffey: How is the Government's economic plan helping to support economic activity in New Zealand? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The coalition Government has already introduced a number of policies to support the economy including the research and development tax credit reforms to our skills training systems investment in our regions through the Provincial Growth Fund and a record land transport infrastructure package. We are keeping a close eye on the global economic situation and in Budget 2019 we will continue to support the New Zealand economy through this international uncertainty. We'll have much more to announce about that on Budget day.
2. Question No. 2—CorrectionsWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) to the Minister of CorrectionsQuestion No. 2—Corrections2. WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) to the Minister of Corrections: What recent announcements has he made about reducing Māori reoffending rates?Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Minister of Corrections): Recently I announced a $98 million investment into the creation of Māori pathways inside Northland and Hawke's Bay prisons. The pathway allows prisoners to experience a kaupapa Māori and whānau-centred approach from pre-sentence to integration back into the community and beyond. It would initially focus on Māori men under 30 years of age—the group with the highest rates of reconviction and reimprisonment. One of the most important parts of this announcement is that it will be co-designed with Māori. Work towards implementation is well on its way at both sites.Willow-Jean Prime: What makes this Māori pathways announcement different from Māori programmes already running in prisons?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: This is not another programme. This is a system change and a culture change inside our prisons. Unlike traditional Māori programmes that last 13 weeks men and their whānau will walk this pathway for the entire sentence and beyond.Willow-Jean Prime: How does this announcement support the Government's priorities in this year's Wellbeing Budget?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Good question. We are taking a whole-of-Government approach to reducing Māori reoffending rates. This pathway is a result of three Government departments working together—corrections; Whānau Ora led by Minister Henare; and Social Development led by Minister Sepuloni. To improve the wellbeing of whānau we can no longer work in silos. We must work together alongside Māori to deliver the support that prisoners and their whānau need inside and outside the prison gates. This will not only have an impact on Māori reoffending rates but it prioritises the wellbeing of some of our most vulnerable whānau and tamariki. It will create safer communities and give these men the best chance of leaving prison and never coming back.
Huo RaymondJustice SectorRAYMOND HUO (Chairperson of the Justice Committee): Thank you very much Madam Chair. I rise to take a call in the annual review debate on the justice sector. The Justice Committee conducted hearings and tabled reports from 11 entities and I want to give a quick highlight of the entities and what the committee heard. We conducted hearings and tabled reports from 11 entities including the Ministry of Justice the Department of Corrections the New Zealand Police the Independent Police Conduct Authority the Electoral Commission the Parliamentary Counsel Office the Crown Law Office the Human Rights Commission the Abortion Supervisory Committee and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.The Ministry of Justice provides a wide range of justice services to New Zealand. Its core functions include administering the court and tribunal systems negotiating Treaty of Waitangi settlements and providing policy advice and administering Vote Justice. One of the highlights for the ministry was that the ministry hosted the justice summit in 2018 and the outcomes will be used in its policy work. Following the justice summit we heard that Te Rōpū organised separately its Māori summit and that the ministry's chief victims' adviser has organised a workshop on strengthening the criminal justice system for victims.One of the main focuses for the ministry in 2017 and 2018 was modernising and improving the New Zealand court system. For the Department of Corrections its total revenue in 2017-18 was $1.474 billion—about 11 percent more than that in 2016-17. In its opening statements to the committee the department outlined some of its significant achievements in 2017 and 2018 including: (a) more than 1000 prisoners have completed an intensive drug and alcohol treatment programme; (b) nearly 8000 prisoners undertook rehabilitation programmes in prison with nearly 90 percent completion rates; and (c) the department's programme called This Way For Work placed 922 prisoners and ex-prisoners into employment. Since reaching an all-time high of 10820 in March 2018 the number of prisoners had decreased to 9661 at the time of our hearing. The department told us that it is developing a new strategy to address offending by and to improve outcomes for Māori. Currently over half of the prison population identify as Māori. For the New Zealand Police the 2018 Budget included funding for the recruitment of an additional 1800 police officers and 485 support staff. At the hearing we were given an update on recruitment and we were informed of other matters such as road safety and police involvement in mental health incidents. From the Electoral Commission we heard that it is an ongoing challenge to engage and motivate young people to enrol and vote. In the 2017 general election the percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled was 72.3 percent which was less than in 2014 which was 76.5 percent. However the number of 18- to 24-year-olds who enrolled and actually cast their votes increased by 6.5 percent. The Law Commission reviews reforms and develops New Zealand law and has played a very important role in our justice system. Thank you very much.
Rurawhe AdrianANNUAL REVIEW DEBATEIn CommitteeDebate resumed from 8 May on the Appropriation (2017/18 Confirmation and Validation) Bill.CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Members we now come to the Appropriation (2017/18 Confirmation and Validation) Bill. The time remaining in this debate is five hours and 44 minutes. When we were last considering this bill we were debating the question that the report of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the annual financial statements of the Government for the previous financial year be noted and that the reports of the committees relevant to the finance and Government administration sector be noted. The Hon Ruth Dyson moved that progress be reported and the call is now available to her.
Henare PeeniHon PEENI HENARE (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector): Mr Chair thank you for this opportunity. If I can I too express our condolences to the Hon Andrew Little and echo the words of the Hon Anne Tolley—and also ours to her and her family too. The Māori Affairs Committee reported back the Ngā Rohe Moana o Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Porou Bill (No 2) to this House on 14 November 2018 and recommended it be passed subject to a few amendments set out in that report. Since then a Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) has been proposed which on behalf of the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations we'd like to discuss briefly. This SOP is SOP 233. It proposes a number of minor technical corrections to Schedules 2 and 4 of the bill. The corrections relate to geographical coordinates for hapū management areas and structures respectively. In accordance with the 2008 deed of agreement signed between Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Porou and the Crown it is necessary for the seaward coordinates for hapū management areas to proceed outwards from their landward marks at an angle of 90 degrees to the 12-mile territorial limit. Some of the coordinates presently set out in Schedule 2 of the bill define areas where the resulting lines are not exactly 90 degrees with the result that the individual hapū management areas narrow slightly as they progress seaward. This SOP amends a select number of coordinates in Schedule 2 of the bill so that they are exactly 90 degrees or due east. Schedule 4 sets out the coordinates of a number of structures including boat ramps culverts and launch markers. When the coordinates for these structures were originally surveyed in 2008 the technology at the time was not as accurate as it is today. This SOP takes the opportunity to update the coordinates in Schedule 4 to conform with the World Geodetic System 1984 which is now the internationally recognised system for GPS devices. On behalf of the Minister I'd like to thank the Parliamentary Counsel Office for its thoroughness in ensuring the accuracy of the legislation passed by this House. We look forward to hosting Ngāti Porou in the very near future on Thursday 23 May for the third reading of this bill. I commend the bill to the committee of the whole House with the minor technical changes proposed in SOP 233.
Resignations List Member Vacancy & Members Sworn
van de Molen Tim; Rurawhe AdrianNGĀ ROHE MOANA O NGĀ HAPŪ O NGĀTI POROU BILL (NO 2)In CommitteeTIM VAN DE MOLEN (Third Whip—National): I seek leave for the Ngā Rohe Moana o Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Porou Bill (No 2) to be taken as one debate.CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be not.
Mallard TrevorTUESDAY 21 MAY 2019The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.RESIGNATIONSNuk Korako New Zealand National PartySPEAKER: I wish to advise the House that I have received a letter from Nuk Korako resigning his seat in the House with effect from midnight on 15 May 2019.ELECTION OF LIST MEMBERPaulo Garcia New Zealand National PartySPEAKER: I have subsequently received a letter from the Electoral Commission—a return declaring Paulo Reyes Garcia to be elected a member of the House of Representatives—Hon Members: Paulo!SPEAKER: —Paulo I apologise—in place of Nuk Korako. I understand that the member is present and wishes to take the Oath of Allegiance. Would he please come forward to the chair on my right.MEMBERS SWORNPaulo Garcia was called forward to the Chair by the Speaker took the Oath of Allegiance and took his seat in the House.
Wednesday 29 May 2019 - Volume 738
Insolvency Practitioners Bill — In Committee—Part 1
VoteThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 240 in the name of the Hon Kris Faafoi to Part 1 be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.Part 1 as amended agreed to.Part 2 Amendments to Receiverships Act 1993The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 240 in the name of the Hon Kris Faafoi to Part 2 be agreed to.Amendment agreed to.Part 2 as amended agreed to.Part 3 Preliminary provisionsThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 240 in the name of the Hon Kris Faafoi to Part 3 be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.Part 3 as amended agreed to.Part 4 Licences accreditation and role of RegistrarThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 240 in the name of the Hon Kris Faafoi to Part 4 be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.Part 4 as amended agreed to.Part 5 Provisions relating to insolvency practitionersThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 240 in the name of the Hon Kris Faafoi to Part 5 be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.Part 5 as amended agreed to.Part 6 Solvent company liquidators miscellaneous matters and regulationsThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 240 in the name of the Hon Kris Faafoi to Part 6 be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.Part 6 as amended agreed to.Schedule 1The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 240 in the name of the Hon Kris Faafoi to Schedule 1 be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.Schedule 1 as amended agreed to.Schedule 2The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 240 in the name of the Hon Kris Faafoi to Schedule 2 be agreed to.Amendment agreed to.Schedule 2 as amended agreed to.Schedule 3The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 240 in the name of the Hon Kris Faafoi to Schedule 3 be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.Schedule 3 as amended agreed to.Schedule 4The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 240 in the name of the Hon Kris Faafoi to Schedule 4 be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.Schedule 4 as amended agreed to.Schedule 5 agreed to.Clause 1 agreed to.Clause 2The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 240 in the name of the Hon Kris Faafoi to clause 2 be agreed to.Amendments agreed to.Clause 2 as amended agreed to.The Committee divided the bill into the Insolvency Practitioners Regulation (Amendments) Bill and the Insolvency Practitioners Regulation Bill pursuant to Supplementary Order Paper 239.House resumed.The Chairperson reported the Building Amendment Bill with amendment and the Insolvency Practitioners Bill with amendment and that the committee has divided it into two bills.Report adopted.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Canterbury Earthquakes Insurance Tribunal Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Bill read a third time.
Maiden Statement
12. Question No. 12—JusticeRAYMOND HUO (Labour) to the Minister of JusticeQuestion No. 12—Justice12. RAYMOND HUO (Labour) to the Minister of Justice: What recent announcements has the Government made about reducing the backlog of coronial cases?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice): Talofa Mr Speaker. Last week the Government announced funding for eight relief coroners to reduce the backlog of coronial cases as a result of historic underfunding of this work. Relief coroners are appointed for a fixed term of up to five years and will be used to run the duty coroner process. More relief coroners will free up permanent coroners to complete their inquests. The resourcing of the coronial system needs to be improved and these relief coroners will go a long way towards reducing how long it takes for a case to be completed.Raymond Huo: How will the relief coroners improve our coronial system?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The relief coroners' main focus will be on clearing the current backlog of cases by providing support to the National Initial Investigation Office which is notified of all sudden unexplained or violent deaths in New Zealand and operates 24 hours a day seven days a week. The eight relief coroners will manage cases from the time police report the death until the body is released from the mortuary making directions on how a case will proceed such as if a post-mortem is required and liaising with families about cultural considerations. Families have recently expressed frustration over the delays in coronial decisions. The extra support that this announcement creates is aimed at reducing waiting times for grieving families.Raymond Huo: What feedback has the Minister received on the announcement?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I was pleased to see that the Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall has welcomed the announcement and has stated that reducing the workload for existing coroners will give them a chance to focus on what's before them and close cases that have been open for a long time and that grieving families will get a quicker outcome as a result. I've also seen family representatives express their support for the new funding provided by the coalition Government.
7. Question No. 7—HealthANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 7—Health7. ANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements if any has he made about mental health and addiction?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): Earlier today I joined the Prime Minister at the Newtown Union Health Service to announce the Government's response to the inquiry into mental health and addiction. The Government has accepted accepted in principle or agreed to further consideration of 38 out of 40 of the inquiry's recommendations. That includes all recommendations relating to expanding access and choice particularly for people with mild to moderate mental health and addiction needs. Building a range of new front-line services to meet the needs of these people who the inquiry called the missing middle" will take time but will transform our approach to mental health and addiction. I will have more good news on that front when the Budget is released tomorrow.Angie Warren-Clark: How will the Government ensure there are a range of appropriate services to meet community needs?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: We know that when it comes to mental health and addiction we can't have a one-size-fits-all approach. Every life matters and that means sometimes we need tailored approaches. We want services that work for Māori Pacific peoples rural and rainbow communities and we want people to be able to access them in a variety of ways through their GP or iwi health provider online via telehealth or through any number of community organisations. More details—more good news—will be announced in the Budget tomorrow.Angie Warren-Clark: Why did the Government not accept the recommendation to create a suicide reduction target?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: As acknowledged in the inquiry report views are mixed about establishing a target. We're not prepared to sign up to a suicide target—SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! Can I ask both the Christchurch members not to do those exchanges during this answer.Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: —because indeed every life does matter and one death by suicide is one death too many. This Government is committed to tackling our terrible record on suicide. The Ministry of Health is in the process of finalising a draft suicide prevention strategy and is working on the details of an office of suicide prevention."
6. Question No. 6—TransportHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 6—Transport6. Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister of Transport: What recent decisions if any have been made to start construction on the light rail project from the Auckland City Centre to Māngere?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): Talofa lava Mr Speaker. The Government is currently considering advice coming out of the market soundings and business case developments that the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has been doing as well as ongoing discussions with NZ Infra—the joint venture between the New Zealand Superannuation Fund and the Canadian super fund CDPQ.Hon Paul Goldsmith: What time frame can he give today on when a decision will be made on whether or not to proceed with the project?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: This is a major infrastructure project with a 50- to 100-year lifetime. It's a multibillion-dollar project and we're taking the time to get it right for Aucklanders both now and into the future and decisions will be made in due course.Hon Paul Goldsmith: When he confirmed in a written question yesterday that NZTA has not yet consulted with utility companies such as Watercare and Vector on the costs accompanying a specific route for the project was he in effect confirming that his agency is still a long way off from preparing a detailed business case?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Actually no. The work on the business case for the NZTA option is at quite an advanced stage. There's a parallel process of work that has involved engaging with the New Zealand Superannuation Fund and the unsolicited bid that they made. The outputs of both of those streams of work are being considered by the Government.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Well how can it be at an advanced stage when he hasn't even asked Watercare and Vector what the costs would be of shifting all their pipes in order to build it?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well this is a big and complex project. There are matters of design of governance of ownership and financing and integration with the wider transport system. There are a great number of things that have to be considered and given the kind of weight and scrutiny that they deserve.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Does he expect that after three years as Minister he will have stopped a dozen major projects including the East-West Link to fund light rail down Dominion Road and yet still not have decided whether or not to do it?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: No that's not my expectation at all. We will be making a decision quite soon about progressing the rapid transit line across the isthmus out to Māngere that Simon Bridges approved when he was the transport Minister. I know that the member is grieving for his roading project the East-West Link that at $327 million per kilometre would've been the most expensive project in the world.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Are widespread reports that the light rail project has been put on hold correct?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: No they're quite wrong.
5. Question No. 5—EducationJAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 5—Education5. JAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What steps has the Government taken to address the concerns being raised by primary and secondary school teachers?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): The teachers have raised a number of very legitimate and important issues during the last 18 months. In response to those requests and other work that we've been doing the Government has committed in the last 18 months over half a billion dollars—the biggest increase in learning support funding for a decade—which includes funding for 600 learning support coordinators. We've reduced teacher workload by abolishing national standards and the NCEA review will also address teacher workload concerns and we're spending $135 million to address teacher shortages. We have a lot to do and we are making progress.Jan Tinetti: What action is being taken to address teachers' pay requests?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The Government has offered primary and secondary school teachers $1.2 billion worth of pay rises and other improvements to their terms and conditions. This is by far the biggest offer that teachers have had in a decade and for the majority of teachers it will result in an average $10000 pay increase over two years. Salary caps for those with the lowest qualification levels are being raised so that some of our most experienced teachers can get even bigger pay rises and the bottom steps on the salary scale are being merged to remove some of the lowest rates of pay altogether.Jan Tinetti: Are all of the concerns teachers are raising covered as part of the current collective agreement negotiations?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: No and in fact many of the issues teachers raise fall outside of the collective agreement. For example the primary school teachers asked for a learning support coordinator in every school. That has not been part of the collective agreement negotiations but the Government has committed funding for 600 learning support coordinators—over $200 million to fund 600 learning support coordinators—and $135 million to retrain and recruit more teachers to address teacher shortages. These are just some of the issues that are being raised through the negotiations that are not covered by the collective agreement and fall outside or in addition to the $1.2 billion pay and conditions offer.Jan Tinetti: What has he done to take a longer-term and strategic approach to the concerns teachers are raising?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: It's important to note that many of the issues that teachers are raising will take some time to resolve. For example some of the issues they're raising around workload cannot be adequately addressed until we recruit and train more teachers. We currently have a teacher shortage. It is important that we take a medium- and longer-term view of some of these issues which is why this Government is committed to developing and is well down the path of developing a comprehensive education workforce strategy—something that New Zealand has not had and something that is long overdue.
2. Question No. 2—FinanceDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 2—Finance2. Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of Finance: Will the Government meet its Budget Responsibility Rules in Budget 2019?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): The Government's responsible fiscal management is demonstrated through our commitment to the Budget Responsibility Rules. I am pleased to be able to say that Budget 2019 will show that we are meeting all of these challenging targets as we did at Budget 2018. This means we will deliver sustainable operating surpluses across the forecast period we will keep expenses under control and we will reduce net core Crown debt to 20 percent of GDP within five years of taking office.Dr Duncan Webb: How will this affect investments made in Budget 2019?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: A wellbeing approach is ultimately about taking an intergenerational view when making Budget decisions. It's about the balance between meeting the needs of the present and ensuring future generations can do so as well. We have made and we will continue to make significant investments in New Zealand's current wellbeing but we also need to be mindful of and prepared for shocks be they economic or natural disasters biosecurity incursions or unexpected events. I believe in this year's Budget we have the balance right.Dr Duncan Webb: What does Budget 2019 say about long-term debt projections?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Beyond the expiry of the debt target within our Budget Responsibility Rules in 2022 the long-term fiscal intentions in this year's Budget will signal a shift to a net debt percentage range rather than a single figure. A debt range was the advice of Treasury. We are looking at shifting to a range of 15 to 25 percent of GDP. It is important to note that Treasury's projections in the Budget for net core Crown debt beyond the expiry of the Budget Responsibility Rules show that it remains below 20 percent out to 2032.
Hipango HareteHARETE HIPANGO (National—Whanganui): Mr Speaker good evening and to members in the House as the evening draws to a close. As is often the case when the day is long and the evening even longer sometimes things can drag on so I'll attempt to keep this brief.SPEAKER: You're telling me!HARETE HIPANGO: May I just share—I'm trying not to drag this out so if members will indulge me to be able to cut to the chase. In cutting to the chase I'm not a member on the Justice Committee. However I have canvassed and looked at this currently named the Administration of Justice (Reform of Contempt of Court) Bill—to be rebranded in a very succinct manner the Contempt of Court Bill.Look having practised in the criminal court for a number of years my eye has been drawn in particular to the provision that deals with disruption to proceedings in the court. May I just refer members of the House to Subpart 3 of Part 2 of the bill in particular clause 16. A judicial officer—in other words a judge—may cite disruptive behaviour effectively where disruptive behaviour has been incited.I share with members in the House and Mr Speaker there have been a number of occasions when I have been defence counsel and there have been clients of mine and also clients defendants of others counsel in the courts in which the proceedings have been disrupted and some of those disruptions of proceedings have not just been in the courtroom itself but in the court building such as gang fights. I particularly remember in my early days as a criminal barrister there was a punch up that happened in the days when it was very prominent between Mongrel Mob and Black Power seeking to rule supreme within the courthouse foyer waiting for their matters to be called before the courts. So there was a real disruption to the proceedings of the court not in the courtroom itself but in the waiting area. We didn't have security officers in those days and I was young and I was very much there campaigning for a cause. My concern was that there was a baby who was being held by the partner of one of the gang members so I stepped in to really appease the situation there.So the disruption to the court proceedings is very much within the judicial officer's the judge's domain but we also have the Court Security Act. It hasn't been referenced particularly but in looking at clause 16 one needs to consider what are the proceedings of the court. The Court Security Act talks about the importance of the courthouse which is beyond the domain of the courtroom.I'm conscious that my time's going to be cut short and I would like to reflect further on this with members in the House because I've got some pretty good stories to share around judges in the breach of proceedings and contempt of the court. I will leave it at that Mr Speaker because I believe you may be calling the evening to a close.SPEAKER: I'm tempted to just put the motion but I will interrupt the member because the time has come for me to leave the Chair. I will resume the Chair again at 2 o'clock tomorrow. This bill is set down for further debate at that time. Good luck!Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 10 p.m.
Ball DarrochDARROCH BALL (NZ First): Thank you Mr Speaker. It's a pleasure to rise on behalf of New Zealand First to speak in favour of the Administration of Justice (Reform of Contempt of Court) Bill. I'm not going to traverse much of what has already been said because it's got wide support throughout the House. With this bill it is very important; however it's quite simple insofar as it does—Matt Doocey: Common sense.DARROCH BALL: It is common sense and it deals with the law of contempt. The most important reason behind why there is this bill in the House going through these stages is the fact that currently the law of contempt of court is vague it's out of date and it's inaccessible for New Zealanders. I think that it's most important in a robust democracy and one of those pillars in a robust democracy is a very robust justice system. In order for the public of any society to have trust in the system they need to ensure some of the things that this bill is trying to correct and one of them is to ensure that the law is accessible. At the moment the law of contempt can be made more accessible and that's what this bill is attempting to do. Understanding what the law of contempt is I think it clarifies that for a lot of people—accessing the justice system. I think one of the most important aspects—that has been touched on by the last speaker that sat down Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi—was bringing it into the modern age in regards to specifically the digital age.I think I just want to quickly go through the five main points of what the bill does and why New Zealand First will be supporting this bill. It is common sense. It does bring into statute five areas of contempt. The first is the publication of contempt: it replaces the common law with a clearer statutory offence. The second is for disruptive behaviour in courtrooms a new standardised procedure. The third for contempt by jurors we're bringing a new offence. The fourth is it creates an offence which prohibits jurors from disclosing juror deliberations. Fifth non-compliance with court orders—and also untrue allegations of accusations against judges before the court which is of course common sense.Just lastly some key concepts of the bill. The law of contempt is essential for our democracy in New Zealand and the courts in fact need the ability to have the power and authority to punish for contempt—and that's what this bill does. Most important it maintains the rule of law and New Zealand First will of course be supporting it. Thank you.
Bakshi Kanwaljit SinghKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): Thank you Mr Speaker. It's my pleasure to stand in support of the Administration of Justice (Reform of Contempt of Court) Bill's second reading. As it has been previously mentioned originally this bill was in a private member's name the Hon Chris Finlayson but it was adopted by the Government and now stands in the name of the Hon Andrew Little. This bill clarifies a lot of things which are related to today's times and technology is one of those areas where the previous law was not able to clarify whether it could be implemented or not. The contempt of court was around many statutes and it was under the common law discussion so that's why it was hard for the court to implement this law. This bill will ensure that one law will be able to implement the contempt of court.As we know in digital technology there is accessibility for people to access social media and report what's happening in the court and that is a big challenge for fair trial in the court. As it has been mentioned by many speakers sometimes social media has reported the proceedings and identified the victims as well as the perpetrators which could not give a fair trial to the case. We also know that law in relation to new technology is currently not working and it should have a strong repercussion. The ready availability of large amounts of information online and the unrestricted ability of people to share their views creates a number of problems for the justice system including the pre-trial publicity and jeopardising the defendant for the right of fair trial. That is the main issue which is being addressed in this. The courts can order the social media that if there is any material related to a particular case it should be withdrawn and that applies not only within New Zealand but overseas also. As we have seen in recent times there has been a lot of hype around social media and what has happened in different parts of the world. I think this is the right time when we should be tackling these issues and it is not only in New Zealand but worldwide that we have seen these issues are being raised and everyone is coming around together to make sure that social media is not misused. With these words I commend this bill to the House.
Huo RaymondRAYMOND HUO (Labour): Thank you Mr Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to take a call to support this bill. The Justice Committee has considered so far 20 or so bills and this bill is one of the 19 bills that the extraordinarily busy Justice Committee has sent back to the House. Chris Bishop: What a committee. RAYMOND HUO: What a committee. For any lawyer turned MP this bill together with the Privacy Bill and Trusts Bill would have some special place for us. To that end I should say we are privileged enough to get involved in this very important legislative process. The bill as introduced was a member's bill in the name of the Hon Christopher Finlayson. It was then adopted by the Government and it is now in the name of the Minister of Justice the Hon Andrew Little. The title of the bill is a bit too long and we agree with submitters and recommend changing it to the Contempt of Court Bill. The word Contempt" is perhaps misleading but as previous speakers pointed out probably there is no other term to describe just what exactly this bill seeks to achieve. We received and considered 62 submissions from interested groups and individuals and we heard oral evidence from 17 submitters. I thank the submitters our officials and advisers. The bill seeks to reform the law of contempt to make it more understandable accessible and reflective of the digital age. Most of New Zealand's law of contempt of court is found in the common law. The Law Commission reviewed and reported on New Zealand's contempt of court law in 2017 recommending a statute to codify the law of contempt. Before that the Crown Law Office engaged Professor Tony Smith the former dean of the law school of Victoria University in Wellington who wrote a report on the subject. His report was then referred to the Law Commission. Professor Smith is the editor of the 15th edition of Glanville Williams: Learning the Law. This is a must-read for all law school students and has gained an international reputation. The bill as introduced proposes a number of provisions including publication contempt jury contempt disruptive behaviour in the courtroom and the enforcement of court orders. The bill seeks to ensure among other things that court hearings are not disrupted that trials are not unfairly prejudiced by excessive publicity and that court orders are enforced. Having said that the bill strikes the right balance between ensuring that the judiciary is protected from abuse and the integrity of our justice system where judges can be criticised and their judgments can likewise be criticised. Any law relating to contempt of court does not mean that the judges should be mollycoddled but there is a big difference between that position and ensuring that the judges are not subject to unfair and excessive abuse. Such abuse is capable of undermining the rule of law. The bill constitutes the most important reform of the law of contempt of court in New Zealand's history and I look forward to the progress of this bill. Thank you."
Building Amendment Bill — In Committee