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Genter Julie AnneHon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Minister for Women): Tēnā koe Madam Speaker. Tēnā koutou e Te Whare. I rise to support this bill on behalf of the Green Party and as Minister for Women I'm really thrilled to see this progress being made. The previous speaker referred to Kristine Bartlett and she absolutely deserves our constant recognition for her leadership in this area of pay equity and the landmark impact it had on tens of thousands of care and support workers who were being underpaid due to that profession being historically female-dominated. I also have to acknowledge Kristine Bartlett's union E tū which played a huge role in supporting her taking that case and the unions generally who have been at the forefront calling for greater action on pay equity.So of course this legislation progressing to second reading hasn't stopped us from extending the pay increase. In August last year 5000 mental health and addiction support workers received a pay increase backdated to 1 July 2017. Nearly half received an increase of more than $3 an hour which meant full-time workers were paid an extra $120 a week before tax. If you're on a very low income or earning near the minimum wage that makes a substantial difference. One in five workers received an increase of more than $5 per hour around an extra $200 for a 40-hour week.Previous speakers including the chair of the Health Committee mentioned some of the important changes that were made at the select committee and I think that it was clear that in addition to extending that settlement to addiction and support workers there was also work to be done on ensuring that people weren't missing out on hours and simply receiving a higher rate but of course that rate only results in an increase of remuneration if your hours aren't cut. So minimum hourly wage rates are incredibly important.This is just I think one more example of this Government following through on the promises that we made in the run-up to the last election. One of the first decisions that was made was to extend the settlement to mental health and addiction workers. I think in that moment during COVID-19 when we were all in lockdown level 4 it became very clear that there are a number of essential workers who do the mahi that enables the very basics of our society to survive and thrive and many of them are not highly paid. If we want—and I think most of us do—to live in a world where people are supported to do the work that we really need the important caring work then it's vitally important that we work together to correct structural imbalances and discrimination that has meant that caring work has been undervalued for far too long. We will continue making progress on that later in this week so I commend this bill to the House.
SpeechMARK PATTERSON (NZ First): Thank you Madam Speaker. It's my pleasure to rise to support this Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Amendment Bill on behalf of New Zealand First during this second reading. We do note that it formalises the pay equity that expands upon or broadens the scope from the Terranova settlement bill that was before the House in 2017 and brings mental health and addiction services staff—and we know that this is an area that's getting increasing help and assistance and awareness I think of the absolute need out there for these services. So it is pleasing to see that those workers will indeed be included within this pay equity settlement and of course the vocational disability workers at the Ministry of Social Development and Oranga Tamariki. As I said previously it means the principal Act—the Care and Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlement Act of 2017—has already seen I understand 5000 workers from 1 August last year get a backdated pay but also on average about $3 an hour and up to $5 an hour or $200 a week for some workers that had been more grossly undervalued in terms of their pay rates.So I must say the Terranova case is the famous one that has sort of brought this whole previous piece of legislation the work by Kristine Bartlett and now this amended legislation for it as well. Going through this Parliament that case has been referenced often in various pieces of legislation as I guess a marker for industrial relations and a significant marker. Kristine Bartlett is to be congratulated for her work there.It wasn't until about I guess six months ago that I actually discovered that the people that run TerraNova—who have been incredibly vilified I might say through this—is actually my cousin. So I stand here by association to defend actually what was a business that was built up over time and probably has had a little bit of a rough ride through this House in terms of being singled out as the exemplar for industrial relations. Nevertheless the broader principle applies and certainly New Zealand First and all parties in Parliament appear to be support this which I think is the right and proper thing to do. But also there is the other side of it which is the employers and the adjustments they're going to have to make to take on board these higher pay rates. And of course in this part it's primarily the Government.So without further ado we look forward to the committee stage of the House. I understand there's some Supplementary Order Papers which we will be looking at in due course but New Zealand First continues to support this bill. Thank you.
Wall LouisaLOUISA WALL (Labour—Manurewa): Tēnā koe e Te Māngai o Te Whare tēnā koutou katoa. As the chair of the Health Committee can I acknowledge firstly the 13 submitters who provided us with actually scope to amend this piece of legislation which on the face of it is actually incredibly simple. Essentially it adds two cohorts of support workers to this pay equity settlement between the Government and care and support workers. It adds mental health and addiction support workers and it also adds vocational disability workers engaged by Oranga Tamariki in the Ministry of Social Development. The principal Act supported care and support workers who are funded by the Ministry of Health DHBs and ACC. So that was the premise of this piece of legislation to expand the scope to those two cohorts of care and support workers so that they could receive pay equity which was received as Dan Bidois said through the Kristine Bartlett case.But what it also did was correct the formula used for calculating future minimum pay rates for support workers covered by the principal Act. So in fact what we are doing through this amendment bill is also amending the principal Act. And it was good for us to have done that because what it also meant we could do through this piece of legislation was look at the funding for those who receive pay or who are employed by individually funded clients. Individually funded clients previously had not been encapsulated within this piece of legislation and it was incredibly important for us to set those minimum pay rates because by default now people who are employed by individually funded clients will receive at least the minimum pay rates mandated in the relevant agreement.That is incredibly important to note because the other thing that we determined as a committee was that these individual clients should not be seen as employers. And we noted because obviously there is a relationship between those individually funded clients and the Ministry of Health who have what they term hosts" who help individual clients to manage their funding highlighting the issue through our process of making sure that those care workers who choose to be supporting people in that circumstance also have access to education and qualification opportunities as care workers.The only other point I wanted to highlight in my contribution was that we also had submissions from union representatives that made a point that we shouldn't go against the spirit of these settlements by reducing support and care workers' hours that there shouldn't be a trade-off between paying someone adequately and then cutting their hours of work because in fact what that would lead to was the same amount of pay. Obviously from their perspective it wasn't seen to be fair because they were still required to do a certain amount of work but be paid for less hours. Other than that point I will commend the bill to the House. Thank you."
SpeechDAN BIDOIS (National—Northcote): It's a pleasure to rise and kick off the debate today for the Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Amendment Bill. We are in the second reading not the first reading as the first speaker the Hon Damien O'Connor mentioned but that's OK; everybody is entitled to their own views of the world. But we are in fact in the second reading. This has been in the House before. It has then been referred to the Health Committee and as was noted there were a number of changes that were made in the select committee for us to consider today. I would like to acknowledge the Health Committee and the work that they did hearing submissions over this bill.Just to again reflect the kaupapa or the purpose of this bill the purpose of this bill really is to give effect to the settlements that have been created. Those settlements go back to—let's not forget the landmark settlement from Kristine Bartlett—the Terranova settlement that was lodged in 2012 and then passed five years later in 2017. This essentially gives effect to an agreement and makes some changes around the agreement for support care workers and mental health support care workers. As was noted in the select committee there were a number of recommendations that were made around clarifying the duties of individually funded clients with the Ministry of Social Development and there were also a number of other changes that were proposed around the minimum hourly wage rates back-pay and coverage of the amendment to include mental health and the support workers that are in the space. They weren't included in the coverage of the original agreement. So this bill is something that we are supportive of. I note that the Minister in charge of this bill the Hon Chris Hipkins has dropped a Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) just this afternoon. We have had some time to consider but not enough to indicate our support at this stage. But we will review that SOP and indicate in the latter stages of this bill how we'll be voting. But look it is a really important piece of legislation of course addressing a key issue which is pay inequities for workers that are in industries that are predominantly performed by women. I think that this is a reflection certainly of the great work of Kristine Bartlett and the movement that she has been a part of and certainly continuing down this path into other sectors and addressing inequities in that respect. Without taking too much more time in the House I just want to say that National will be supporting this in the second reading and we look forward to further discussion about the Supplementary Order Paper in the latter stages of the parliamentary process. Thank you.
SpeechSUPPORT WORKERS (PAY EQUITY) SETTLEMENTS AMENDMENT BILLSecond ReadingDEPUTY SPEAKER: It would be helpful I think if people had their dinner during the dinner hour and not in the House.Hon Damien O'Connor: I haven't had any dinner because I haven't had time. It's a Jet Plane. That's the only thing I've been able to eat.DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no eating in the House. The Standing Orders are quite clear and both you and the whip have been unable.
SpeechDEPUTY SPEAKER: The House has resumed. Kia ora tātou colleagues. When we were here last before the dinner break Lawrence Yule had the floor and he has one minute 40 seconds remaining to speak should he so desire. Are we taking a further speech? No. OK.Bill read a second time.
Infrastructure Funding and Financing Bill — Second Reading
Luxton JoJO LUXTON (Labour): Thank you Mr Speaker. I'm pleased to take a short call on this piece of legislation the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Bill. I think this piece of legislation is I would say a result of some innovative thinking. What we know for certain is that we've had a chronic housing shortage across New Zealand for many many years and one of the biggest hurdles that we find is money and finance to build infrastructure—whether it be housing whether it be roads etc. etc. What this piece of legislation does is it creates a new infrastructure funding model that will allow us to see far more houses being built far sooner than we would have without it. So I commend this bill to the House.
SpeechJONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth): Thank you Mr Speaker for the opportunity to speak on this bill something which I believe—and my colleague Scott Simpson mentioned—has been under development for a considerable period of time. And here we are in the last breathing weeks of this Parliament to see this bill go through here. At this particular point in time infrastructure is incredibly important. It adds not just connectivity to our society but value to our communities. There's no point in somebody building a housing estate if they have no supporting infrastructure. It is so important so expected so just baseline.But you know we do live in a country which is long and narrow and sparse with a relatively low-density population. So it has been an issue in terms of funding infrastructure that this country—the local and central government—has had to grapple with for a considerable period of time because we know that particularly the on and underground costs are very very high. Yet without them we cannot live in a modern society we cannot connect to a world overseas which is so important for us. Here in New Zealand though a small nation we are a particularly strong trading nation. Our infrastructure is critical. So we see that this bill proposes different mechanisms by which we can attack this problem. We can set up a process and a special purpose vehicle to enable the infrastructure challenges of our country to be met. It's very good that we have this broad support across the House and no doubt broad support between central and local government because we all acknowledge that we do have—in many places—ageing infrastructure that is looming to be a significant impediment to our society progressing. And so we are very pleased to support this bill. We understand that the beneficiaries of infrastructure will pay a levy to this special purpose vehicle and the levy will be based on rates under the Local Government (Rating) Act. The person who is liable to pay rates on a property will be responsible for also paying the levy. Look we all know that—especially in local government when local government elections come around—everybody is loath to see rates increase. Yet we all want to see services increase. We want to see the quality of our infrastructure increase. We want to see amenities continue to be improved in our local communities. All of those make our communities our towns and cities and our countryside pleasant and beautiful places in which to live. So I am pleased to support this bill along with colleagues in this House because we are indeed addressing a problem that has been around Parliament after Parliament. We want to see this succeed so that we can be very proud and very secure in a nation that we believe has the amenities and the infrastructure to support our growth going forward. Thank you.
Strange JamieJAMIE STRANGE (Labour): Mr Speaker I thank you for the opportunity to take a brief call—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Five minutes.JAMIE STRANGE: —on this bill this afternoon the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Bill. I'd like to thank the Minister for Urban Development for bringing it to the House. As a member of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee I really enjoyed shepherding this bill through the committee. We have a housing shortage in many areas of New Zealand and this bill is one of the tools to address that shortage particularly highlighting the aspect around the special purpose vehicles. One example of a special purpose vehicle is the Milldale development up in Auckland. The sod was turned in 2018 by Hon Phil Twyford Mayor Phil Goff and Marja Lubeck sitting beside me.Marja Lubeck: Oh thank you. That's right—action.JAMIE STRANGE: And this action taken by this Government enables the building of 9000 houses up in the fast-growing Auckland region. The previous Government during their nine years did a lot of talking about housing but not a lot of action. But we are seeing action by this Government. We will see more action and this bill will facilitate that and I look forward to seeing that. I commend this bill to the House.
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Thank you Mr Speaker. Look this—and it's great to hear Mr Bishop's closing words there that we do seem to have an accord in recognising that infrastructure is a huge issue. This Government is committed to addressing that on all fronts from setting up Kāinga Ora itself through to the Urban Development Bill the infrastructure bill and the infrastructure commission Act and of course now we have this Infrastructure Funding and Financing Bill—a bill which recognises that when benefits flow from development those benefits should be paid for by the people who receive them.So the levy structure here is a fantastic structure and allows those costs to be borrowed and to be spread across a long period of time. But what this really is is just another step by this Government to make sure we have a comprehensive approach to addressing all of the infrastructure issues around the country whether it be housing whether it be water whether it be transport. The fantastic Minister who's taken this bill to the House Minister Twyford has done an outstanding job in this area.I absolutely commend this bill to the House. Thank you Mr Speaker.
Ngāti Hinerangi Claims Settlement Bill — Second Reading
Mallard TrevorSITTINGS OF THE HOUSESPEAKER: In accordance with a determination of the Business Committee the sitting of the House today will be extended into tomorrow morning for members' orders of the day.
Voting — Correction—COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Bill
Mallard TrevorVOTINGCorrection—COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) BillSPEAKER: On 2 July when the House was in committee on the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Bill the result of a vote on the question that Jami-Lee Ross' amendment to Schedule 2 on Supplementary Order Paper 525 was incorrectly recorded as Ayes 39 Noes 63. The correct result is Ayes 38 Noes 64. The record will be corrected accordingly.
Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 7 to Minister 30 June
Sepuloni CarmelAMENDED ANSWERS TO ORAL QUESTIONSQuestion No. 7 to Minister 30 JuneHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): I seek leave to correct an answer to oral question No. 7 on 30 June 2020. SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that process being followed? There appears to be none. Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I stated that in 2018-19 $14.56 billion was spent on New Zealand superannuation and veterans pensions. However $14.56 billion was spent on New Zealand superannuation alone. The correct statement is that in 2018-19 $14.71 billion was spent on New Zealand superannuation and veterans pensions.
Obituaries — Hon Sir Toke Talagi
Seymour DavidDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): I'd like to join with other leaders on behalf of ACT in tribute and commemoration of Sir Toke Talagi and his tremendous leadership of Niue and the people of Niue. I was fortunate enough to visit Niue for a week last July and gained an appreciation of what a unique society it is with some incredibly warm thoughtful people and some great challenges. I was able to see how under the leadership of their Government over the past decade or so they have overcome so many challenges and developed so well. I also got an appreciation of how important Niue is to New Zealand and indeed all of our Pacific friends around whom it's critical we wrap our arms first because our relationships with our Pacific neighbours are our first and most important geopolitical relationship. I know that in such a small community people will be sensing deeply the loss of such a strong leader who had led them for so long. I think it's absolutely appropriate that as the House of Representatives of New Zealand we take the time to acknowledge their loss and reaffirm our friendship with all of the people of Niue. I commend this motion to the House. Thank you Mr Speaker.Motion agreed to.
Davidson MaramaMARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader—Green): E Te Māngai o Te Whare fakaalofa lahi atu ki a koe. The Green Party extends its support to the Prime Minister's motion wishing love and our condolences to the former Niue Premier Sir Toke Talagi.I noted with interest that he was elected president of the Pacific Islands students association and organised protests against nuclear testing and racial discrimination while he was using his time studying for a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University.I also noted with interest that he campaigned and advocated strong and hard for more sustainable use of renewable energy. People of his beloved Niue and his beloved Alofi have talked about him being always creative; that he always wanted to find creative ways to fiercely protect Niue and Niueans—the mana motuhake as we like to say or their sovereignty and independence. People have talked about being remembered for his transformation especially in the tourism sector in Niue and I note with my colleague that he was also passionate about the promotion of the Niuean language.Our thoughts too are with the people of Alofi and Niue and I finish with a tribute to his advocacy and recognition of the impact of climate change across the whole entire Pacific region. He was very clear in his advocacy that We stuffed up. It's hard for us in the Pacific to think about anything beyond climate change [that] every morning there's a chance that water will be lapping in and in our houses." I acknowledge the legacy and the continued work that we all have accountability to. Thank you."
Resignations — Andrew Falloon Rangitata
SpeechRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Minister of Foreign Affairs): As Foreign Minister we would like to express our sympathy and extend our condolences to the people of Niue regarding the passing of Sir Toke Talagi and place on record our appreciation for the contribution he made to the advancement of Niue and the wider Pacific region. Sir Toke served as a Minister first and then as dedicated premier of Niue from 2008 to 2020 the second-longest serving Premier in Niue's history. Over this 12-year period he made a serious contribution to Niue's progress including by serving as Niue's Foreign Minister. He was deeply respected across the Pacific Islands region shaping Niue's external engagement not only with New Zealand but throughout the Pacific and around the globe and his legacy within the Pacific Islands region includes establishing Niue as one of the founding members of the Polynesian Leaders Group.On a personal level he was not the easiest man to deal with. In fact in our first meeting when I was the Treasurer of this country and he was the third Minister in their cabinet we had a bit of a contretemps so to speak on how my country should be regarded after all its decades of assistance to the Islands. But we got over that and—let me say—that's an admirable thing. He always put Sir Toke the people of Niue first. So our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of Niue and his family at this difficult time. He has been a standout figure and for many of us he will be someone we remember with mixed but enduring affection.
SpeechHon ALFRED NGARO (National): On behalf of the National Party we join with the New Zealand Parliament in giving our condolences and sympathies to Lady Emeline and also the Talagi family.Fakaalofa lahi atu ke he motu ko Niue. Fakaalofa lahi atu kia Lady Fifita Talagi mo e fanau. Lahi e momoko he logona mai kua okioki taha matua Lilifu he motu ko Niue Hon Sir Toke Tufukia Talagi. Monuina e fenoga ma matua. Kia fakamonuina he Atua a mutolu oti ma Niue.Born in Alofi in 1951 Toke Tufukia Talagi was also educated in Tufukia School in Niue and then came to New Zealand to Nelson College in New Zealand. He studied at Massey University at Palmerston North where he completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science. While there he was also elected president of the Pacific Islands Students Association and organised protests against nuclear testing and racial discrimination; some would say thus began his political career.He was elected to the Niue Assembly in 1999 and was immediately appointed an Associate Minister with responsibilities for economic development and civil aviation. As finance Minister he was also responsible for the managing of the recovery of Cyclone Heta and was the subject of public criticism over the distribution—but made a huge contribution to the recovery plans. As Premier he was elected in June of 2008 on the 19th and he continued to progress relations with China and also negotiated with New Zealand for greater control of aid funding with those negotiations which were successful. He was a major driver developing policies that would develop Niue as a greater economic independence power within the Pacific region. He was knighted in 2017 in the New Year honours for his investiture over here in Niue and also too in New Zealand and for his support.Some commentary has said that he was a controversial figure. He will be remembered as one of the greatest advocates of Niue—others have said this. I think Toke was one of the most unusual Niueans. He was determined. He built himself a business enterprise from nothing and yet he was one of the strongest advocates for its people and for its country. He was always creative and fighting fiercely in many situations. I can remember on many occasions on these Pacific missions where he would welcome us warmly and then at the same time too he would give us a sharp rebuke about the things that we could do more for Niue. So he truly was a son of the Pacific. It is said that his passion was the promotion of Niuean language and education of our young people and the future leaders of Niue.A true son of the Pacific now that your light has gone from this earth may you continue to shine in the stars above your beloved Niue as a beacon of hope of inspiration to all people in Niue and around the world.
Ardern JacindaOBITUARIESHon Sir Toke TalagiRt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister): I move that this House express its sadness at the passing of the former Premier of—SPEAKER: The member—seeking leave.Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I seek leave to move a motion without notice that this House express its sadness at the passing of the former Premier of Niue Hon Sir Toke Talagi who passed away on 15 July and place on record its gratitude for the contribution that he made to the self-governing State of Niue including overseeing a resurgence of the Niuean language and culture and furthering the interests of the Realm of New Zealand in the Pacific region. SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that process being followed? There appears to be none. Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I move That this House express its sadness at the passing of the former Premier of Niue Hon Sir Toke Talagi who passed away on 15 July and place on record its gratitude for the contribution that he made to the self-governing State of Niue including overseeing a resurgence of the Niuean language and culture and furthering the interests of the Realm of New Zealand in the Pacific region.Fakaalofa lahi atu. We take this opportunity to convey our deep sympathy to the family of the Hon Sir Toke Talagi and to the people of Niue. Sir Toke passed away on 15 July in Niue aged 69. He was first elected to Niue's assembly in 1999 and in 2008 was elected the Premier of Niue serving four terms until May 2020. Within weeks of taking office in 2008 he took up the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and across the years he became an elder statesman of the Pacific as well as a great friend to New Zealand. Sir Toke will be remembered for his life-long commitment to safeguarding Niue's future security and prosperity as demonstrated by his steadfast championing of sustainable economic development education and the protection of Niue's taonga. In 2017 he was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of his many years of service to Niue and to the Realm. Sir Toke will be laid to rest on Monday 27 July and our thoughts are with Lady Talagi the extended Talagi family the people of his village of Alofi and all Niueans wherever they may be. Monuina haau a fenoga ke he kautu he Atua.
Mallard TrevorTUESDAY 21 JULY 2020The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.RESIGNATIONSAndrew Falloon RangitataSPEAKER: I wish to advise the House that I have received an email from Andrew Falloon resigning his seat in the House effective immediately.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Electoral (Integrity Repeal) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 64New Zealand National 54; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Noes 55New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Justice Committee.
Electoral (Integrity Repeal) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Local Government (Customer Focus) Amendment be now read a first time.Ayes 56New Zealand National 54; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Noes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Motion not agreed to.
11. Question No. 11—Regional Economic DevelopmentHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister for Regional Economic DevelopmentQuestion No. 11—Regional Economic Development11. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: What is the total value of projects announced as part of the Provincial Growth Fund and what is the best estimate of the number of jobs those projects will create?Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Regional Economic Development): I'm advised that the Provincial Growth Fund has approved 796 projects and contracts are in place for 658 of them. About $2.7 billion has been committed and roughly $2.4 billion announced. On the question of the number of jobs my frustration has been well documented. The Provincial Growth Fund over the COVID period and after the COVID period are undertaking a stocktake of job numbers. Early in the life of the Provincial Growth Fund a statement of 10000 as an estimate over the life of the fund was identified. I look forward to being able to provide that information once additional verification has been undertaken.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Given that the very purpose of the Provincial Growth Fund is to create sustainable jobs" does he not think it would be more appropriate to actually know how many jobs are created before those projects are committed to? Hon SHANE JONES: As I have said the number of jobs will be declared at a point in time where the weather is propitious. In addition to that I would tell the member over 11000 people have been enrolled in skills and training initiatives and obviously there are many vagaries with the ebb and flow of provincial economies. But if the member just waits at a point where a propitious wind strikes he will have the information.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Does he believe a cost of nearly $300000 per job created represents a good investment by the taxpayer?Hon SHANE JONES: As I said the member is plucking figures without full information. That may be his stock-in-trade but I would say to the House: just await the verification process and at an auspicious period of time over the next few weeks a suitable announcement will flow.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Has there been any improvement on the level of actual payments made since October 2019 when for every dollar committed then just 12.9c had actually been paid out?Hon SHANE JONES: As I said the COVID episode enabled the Provincial Growth Fund to drill deeper into the treacle-riddled process. Sadly that has unfortunately slowed down the flow of the cash and on this I have complained publicly on numerous occasions. But on one hand we have the Auditor-General's office looking at the stewardship of the fund; on the other hand we have members of Parliament demanding that the money go out. A sensible and healthy balance has to be struck.SPEAKER: Before I go on I just want to comment to the member around the tone of one of his answers where he suggested a member was plucking figures from the wind. Actually all the member did was quote the member's own figures back to him and therefore he should not be greeted with such a pejorative comment—figures that the member gave in his primary answer."
10. Question No. 10—Food SafetyWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) to the Minister for Food SafetyQuestion No. 10—Food Safety10. WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) to the Minister for Food Safety: What steps has the Government taken to increase awareness of the dangers of drinking during pregnancy?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister for Food Safety): This Government wants to make New Zealand the best place in the world to be a child and that starts in the womb. That's why we'll be moving to mandatory pregnancy warning labels on alcohol products. This was agreed on 17 July at a meeting of the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation. We share a food standard system with Australia so any decisions like this are made jointly. This label will provide a standard message that is clear and consistent on the importance of not drinking while pregnant. The label will help protect the public health of New Zealanders and it will bring us in line with other countries that require mandatory pregnancy warning labels such as the USA and France. It also complements educational and behavioural campaigns that are delivered by the Health Promotion Agency that seek to inform and reduce the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.Willow-Jean Prime: How does this label balance effectiveness with industry concerns?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: The alcohol industry has been voluntarily including warnings on some products since 2011 but there has been no consistency in type colour size and design which all play a part in reducing effectiveness. Food Standards Australia New Zealand undertook a robust process to develop an effective label that included a full consultation process and cost-benefit analysis. We now have a standard message that is clear and consistent—here it is—on the importance of not drinking while pregnant. I have just signed the food notice to bring this into New Zealand law from this week from 31 July with a three-year transitional period. Mandatory labels will be required by 31 July 2023.Willow-Jean Prime: Why do we need pregnancy warning labels on alcohol products?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: The formative months of pregnancy are the foundations for a long healthy and happy life. Science has not yet been able to determine a safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The best advice we have is to refrain. Consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder which results in a range of problems such as intellectual and behavioural deficits as well as irreversible damage to the brain and body. It is a life-long issue which significantly impacts on individuals families and the wider community. The Ministry of Health estimates that 1800 to 3000 children are born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder each year in this country alone. This Government has taken vital action to reduce that harm.
9. Question No. 9—HealthDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Associate Minister of HealthQuestion No. 9—Health9. Dr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Associate Minister of Health: What are the policies around the flu vaccine this year and how has supply been managed?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Associate Minister of Health): We started this year's influenza campaign like our COVID-19 response. We wanted to go hard and early focusing on getting vaccines out earlier than normal with a particular focus on those eligible to receive a funded vaccine because they're more at risk of hospitalisation and healthcare workers. This has been a record year for flu vaccines with more than 1.75 million vaccines already distributed to general practices pharmacists and other providers. That's 400000 more than ever before in a single year and we still have around 400000 doses in stock. So to put that in context in New Zealand we have 800000 more vaccines in the country than in any previous record year. That's a 60 percent increase. Supply has been managed in the same way as in previous years. Pharmac contracts the supplier to provide funded vaccinations for the New Zealand public. Orders for flu vaccines were placed in October last year well before there was a global pandemic. If a provider is unable to obtain flu vaccine stock they should contact their DHB immunisation coordinator.Dr Shane Reti: Is it correct that after issues with supply Pharmac ordered unused flu vaccine from the Northern Hemisphere a vaccine which only matches half of the four recommended flu strains in New Zealand this year?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: Yes.Dr Shane Reti: How many of the Northern Hemisphere flu vaccines have been given to date and are New Zealanders getting the rejects from the Northern Hemisphere?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: These aren't rejects. They've been approved by Medsafe. They protect people against the flu. I didn't mention earlier but we have record low cases of flu in addition to our record numbers of people who have been vaccinated. If he wants to put down a specific question to me in writing about numbers of flu vaccine as he often does I will be happy to answer it.Dr Shane Reti: When New Zealanders are given the Northern Hemisphere vaccine are they told that half of the vaccine does not match the recommended best-practice flu strains for this year?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: The Northern Hemisphere flu vaccine protects against some strains of flu and we have a record number of flu vaccines in the country both for the Southern Hemisphere and the Northern Hemisphere. What I would say is that there was record demand because of the COVID-19 global pandemic—and that's great because we have achieved record numbers of vaccination—and because of that and the fact that it takes six months to order the vaccines Pharmac was able to purchase 400000 additional vaccines to help ensure that everybody was able to receive a flu vaccine who wanted one.
7. Question No. 7—Workplace Relations and SafetyMARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and SafetyQuestion No. 7—Workplace Relations and Safety7. MARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What recent announcements has the Government made regarding protecting migrant workers from exploitation?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety): Earlier this week along with the Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and the Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi I announced changes that would better protect temporary migrant workers by preventing exploitation and improving enforcement of the law. The package we announced will help migrant workers to better understand their rights and responsibilities when working in New Zealand and it will also provide a clear avenue for help should they find themselves in an exploitative situation. The Government is investing $50 million over four years to support the implementation of these changes. As set out in the coalition agreement protecting migrant workers from exploitation is a priority for the Government and I'd like to acknowledge the New Zealand First Party for their support and work on this important issue. Marja Lubeck: How will the changes be implemented? Hon ANDREW LITTLE: To make it easier for migrant workers to report and leave exploitative employment we'll be setting up a new dedicated freephone number online reporting and triaging functions. Exploited migrants whose visas are tied to exploitative employers will be able to be granted another temporary visa which enables them to find alternative employment. We're also investing in additional labour inspectors and immigration investigators to ensure that robust action is taken against exploitative employers and to develop information and education so that migrant workers better understand their rights and how to report exploitation. Marja Lubeck: Why is this important in light of COVID-19? Hon ANDREW LITTLE: Due to the effects of COVID-19 many migrants who are on temporary visas and unable to return home may currently find that they are in a more vulnerable position than before the pandemic arrived in New Zealand. Exploitation is an issue which affects all of us. It causes financial and mental harm to workers. It also harms legitimate businesses who are undercut by these practices and it damages New Zealand's reputation as a fair place to work live and do business.
6. Question No. 6—Social DevelopmentHon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentQuestion No. 6—Social Development6. Hon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister for Social Development: Does she stand by all her statements and actions?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Associate Minister for Social Development) on behalf of the Minister for Social Development: Yes.Hon Louise Upston: Does she stand by her statement that New Zealanders need to be supported where able into work and that employment needs to be a focus for us."?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: On behalf of the Minister yes.Hon Louise Upston: What does she say to the owner of SteamCleanz in Blenheim who has since February been trying to fill three vacancies for cleaners and that last week the Ministry of Social Development have said to them despite 874 job seekers that they don't have anyone who can fill these jobs?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: On behalf of the Minister while I can't confirm or verify what that member claims what I can confirm is that we are continuing to perform better than economists predicted. For example the exits from benefits into work for June was around 7500 compared to 5200 the same time last year. We're helping people get into jobs. The recent infrastructure announcement helped kick-start the post-COVID rebuild creating more than 20000 jobs and unlocking more than $5 billion worth of projects up and down New Zealand.Hon Louise Upston: Does she agree that with 210000 New Zealanders currently receiving unemployment benefits a job is better than no job and if not why not?Hon Grant Robertson: It's factually incorrect.Hon POTO WILLIAMS: On behalf of the Minister—Hon Grant Robertson: Factually incorrect. Making it up.Hon POTO WILLIAMS: —what I can confirm is that this Government does have a plan. We are lucky enough to have a Minister of Employment who's developed a strategy that—Hon Grant Robertson: 210000 on unemployment benefits? Making it up.Hon POTO WILLIAMS: —outlines what we plan on doing—SPEAKER: Order! The Minister of Finance will stand withdraw and apologise.Hon Grant Robertson: I withdraw and apologise.Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Thank you. As I was saying we have a Minister of Employment that has developed a strategy that outlines what we plan on doing over the next four years—for example building a strong workforce that meets business needs and engages lifelong learning and supports provincial New Zealand and industries to be successful. We are a Government that is acting now to prepare for the future.Hon Louise Upston: Does she stand by her statement that—and I quote—"employers are looking for a level of skill that our Ministry of Social Development clients aren't always equipped with. That is why this Government is focused on upskilling and training so that people can get into meaningful and sustainable employment"; if so is she now saying that cleaners who during the COVID lockdown were deemed essential workers are not engaged in meaningful employment?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: On behalf of the Minister to answer the first part of that question yes."
4. Question No. 4—FinanceDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 4—Finance4. Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): In a report released on Monday Kiwibank economists released a 90-day performance review report looking at how the New Zealand economy has performed since lockdown restrictions lifted. Kiwibank said The high frequency data we're monitoring has been encouraging. Transactional spending data shows households are still swiping their cards and manufacturing data shows the sector is back in expansion. Our economic recovery is well and truly under way. Compared to the rest of the world we look good." Similarly ASB economists said in their economic weekly report that "the quick recovery from extreme depths of pessimism is a ray of light amid the doom and gloom and clear challenges that the [New Zealand] economy faces in rebuilding and reshaping itself." We have always been clear that the path ahead will be difficult for many New Zealanders but it is pleasing to see that the economy is performing better than expected since lockdown giving us a strong platform from which to navigate the challenges ahead.Dr Deborah Russell: What reports has he seen on challenges to New Zealand's economic recovery?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: ASB said in its report "there are still many challenges ahead given [New Zealand's] borders are likely to be heavily restricted for some time and [that] the rest of the world is having a tougher time than [New Zealand] in dealing with the pandemic." The problems other countries are having in keeping COVID-19 under control and the associated economic costs of reinstating restrictions there underscore the importance of the Government's decision to go hard and early against the virus. They also inevitably will have an impact on the New Zealand economy as an open trading nation.Dr Deborah Russell: What actions has the Government taken to ensure it is able to respond if any of these risks intensify?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Last week I announced that the remaining $14 billion of the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund is being set aside to make sure New Zealand is in a strong position to fight whatever COVID-19 throws at the economy. This is a move that Westpac economists described this week as "a sensible move". It is the responsible thing to do at a time when global infections are increasing dramatically and many countries reinstitute restrictions. Kiwi firms and workers can have confidence that we'll continue to act swiftly and decisively in our ongoing fight against this virus in these uncertain times.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Why does he think that the only solution can be more Government spending and more debt rather than allowing Kiwis who have lost their jobs to access their KiwiSaver funds to start their own business and create their own jobs and opportunities?SPEAKER: No no—that didn't start with a question."