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Patterson MarkMARK PATTERSON (NZ First): The second reading of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2)—New Zealand First rise to support this as well despite the melodramatics that we hear across the floor. This is indeed a functionary bill. We're looking to roll over legislation that has been in play for the nine years that that previous Government was in office and as my colleague Kiritapu Allan pointed out this provision in the South Island was triggered in 2015 so all of a sudden they seem to care a little bit about the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA) belatedly.We have a clear alternative. We have the alternative that was put up by the National Party which was a series of half-measures and as Mr Bennett pointed out some of those were perfectly good provisions. The foreign ownership one was one of them and I'm sure that that will come under scrutiny and that will be a thing of the past. But it is time for a thorough review and we totally agree with that—a root and branch review. I think that what we've heard from contributions over that side of the House is like listening to dinosaurs. You're talking volume mentality. We've got to start adding value.Hon David Bennett: This is just a value-add.MARK PATTERSON: We've got this freight train of synthetic proteins coming up. If you don't want to have those conversations Mr Bennett they're coming at us anyway. We have to have those conversations and we have to make sure that we give Fonterra the right tools to adapt to that environment.We need to foster New Zealand competitors and that will be something that we will have to look at. That will all be part of this review but we cannot just carry on doing what we've done in the past. That commodity mentality is where we got and I hate to be lectured by the National Party about proactivity in this space. I came here time after time lobbying the National Party to take some interest in the meat industry and they were nowhere to be seen and that is why I stand here—nowhere to be seen. So we need to get this right. We need to get this right. This is our most important company. It needs the tools for the future. We will give them some certainty by rolling over the existing legislation for the next 12 months but after that—after this thorough review—we will have a company that's fit for purpose well into the 21st century.So this is the sort of contribution we can expect from the National Party. If they are just going to sit in the past and expect to do what we've done it's not going to work. It is absolutely not going to work and you're going to have to lift your game over there if you want to continue to pretend that you're representing the best interests of farmers because from what I've heard tonight you have got no idea what's coming down the pipeline at you. On this side of the House at least we're prepared to address those issues. We are going to address those issues and we are going to see some future-focused legislation come out of this and not a half-measure.
O'Connor DamienSecond ReadingHon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture): I move That the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2) be now read a second time. The Dairy Industry Restructuring Act's automatic expiry provisions were triggered in 2015 as we've heard in this House—and dairy processes other than Fonterra where they have collected more than 20 percent of the milk solids in the South Island. I think this House has heard some interesting questions put down on the table by both the Opposition and by the Government themselves. These are questions that are for the most part legitimate. There are a few extreme ones that probably don't bear any consideration. But they are questions that will be thoroughly canvassed through the review process that will be conducted over the next 12 months.I have to say that it would've been good to bring the terms of reference for the review to this House. The reality is that all those in the Ministry for Primary Industries committed to the dairy industry and knowledge of it are basically focused on the control of Mycoplasma bovis and that's where they should be focused.We will arrive at a position very soon. We will have the terms of reference out. It will be more far-reaching than that of just a simple Commerce Commission review and it will ensure that the industry that we are legislating for and making amendments for is the one that is fit for purpose moving into the future. And that is the objective of this Government. This is our biggest and best company—bar none—and we need to ensure that it can operate efficiently effectively and in a fair way for its shareholding suppliers.I applaud the members in the House who have raised legitimate issues and as I say they will be addressed. The necessity to pass this bill through under urgency is to give effect to the protection for Fonterra that would otherwise go at the end of May. And so we were unable to do that—that is to protect Fonterra and have a comprehensive hearing through the select committee process because we would've simply run out of time. And I know there will be—whether it's a small piece of legislation or a comprehensive review—many people in this country and in the industry who will want to come and have their point of view heard. So that is what we are effectively laying the groundwork for.The Labour Government put in place the legislation to set up Fonterra. We are passionate about its success. There have been minor adjustments. There is another roll-over provision in this bill that then allows us to look at the more significant issues surrounding not just Fonterra but the dairy industry. I therefore commend this bill to make progress as quickly as possible through this House. Kia ora.
Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading
Luxton JoJO LUXTON (Labour): Thank you for the opportunity to take a call on the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2). As the Hon Nathan Guy alluded to earlier this is a very important issue and as the previous speaker Andrew Falloon mentioned Rangitata is one of the premier dairying areas in New Zealand and that is why this bill is so important to dairy farmers in that region to provide certainty going forward. It is intended to amend the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001 to prevent efficiency and contestability provisions from expiring in the South Island in May 2018.The Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001 originated to allow for the creation of Fonterra. In its infancy at the time Fonterra collected approximately 96 percent of New Zealand's milk production. There was concern and rightly so around a cooperative having such a dominant market position. It could potentially lock in its suppliers by declining applications for new supply or by paying higher milk prices to existing suppliers. As a way to address these concerns the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act placed regulatory requirements on Fonterra through Subparts 5 and 5A of Part 2. Subpart 5 of Part 2 of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act ensures that the activities of Fonterra are regulated and thus promotes the efficient operation of dairy markets in New Zealand. Subpart 5A provides for the monitoring of Fonterra's Farmgate Milk Price and this is a way of managing Fonterra's dominant position within dairy markets until more competitors were on the scene.Because Fonterra has now reduced their market share in the South Island the automatic expiry provisions in the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act were triggered in 2015. When this triggered it also meant that there was a review of the state of competition in dairy markets done by the Commerce Commission. The commerce report was completed in March of 2016 and the findings of the review by the Commerce Commission were that there was simply not enough or not sufficient competition within the industry to let the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act expire in the South Island. This Government also believes that the market conditions have not changed significantly enough since the Commerce Commission's review and therefore that expiry be prevented at this time. This bill moves to remove or repeal the provisions that provide for the expiry of Subparts 5 and 5A of Part 2. As mentioned earlier the default expiry of efficiency and contestability provisions was triggered and that was because of the fact that 22 percent of milk solids were collected by independent processors in the South Island in the 2014-15 season. Therefore based on the findings of the Commerce Commission that there is insufficient competition to allow expiry provision regulations to be enacted and that the markets are currently more efficient with the regulations in place an amendment to the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act is certainly required. This is the bill we have before us in the House today in the name of the Hon Damien O'Connor and I commend this bill to the House.
O'Connor GregGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu): Madam Deputy Speaker can I assure those on the opposite benches who are doubting the bona fides of the Minister around his dairy-farming background that I have milked in his father's cowshed. He has milked in my father's cowshed as we were young men growing up together and has learnt the niceties of milking in a West Coast spring. So you can be reassured he has. On the question of having a choice of pick up I would have chosen a provider who stopped picking up just before the May holidays started and started picking up just after the August holidays to avoid having to milk through those holidays. However we didn't have that choice. Perhaps fortunately as a result of this legislation that choice may remain. But look can I just say listening to the Opposition the scaremongering that's going on particularly from the member Mr Bennett—that is the same scaremongering that we saw in Morrinsville prior to the election where there was an attempt to turn country against city to try and leverage for some cheap political points to have some ignoramus stand up in Morrinsville and actually backfire badly. There is some very good work going on in farming—some very good work around the ecology and around the environment. However the ability for us to see that work is being clouded by this absolutely ridiculous attempt to leverage against city and farm. So can I say have a look at this. Look at the legislation for what it is. It is going to be a review that is going to enable and ensure that a few facts come into this not the stupid emotion that was leveraged and fortunately didn't work in the last election.This is an absolutely necessary piece of legislation. I know of farmers in the South Island now who are extremely afraid that they are not going to get their milk picked up because they are on the extremities of the current milking and those people are extremely worried. This will give an opportunity for an industry that is changing very quickly as the member very well knows to ensure they have some certainty at least for the next 12 months. Thank you.Sitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.GREG O'CONNOR: Madam Assistant Speaker thank you for the invitation to speak again on this bill. Yes just as I finished I was advising my colleagues across the House against their policy of dividing city and country in the manner in which they have been doing—for very cheap political gains which fortunately didn't work for them—and to cease and desist their practice of trying to score cheap political points by continuing on this urban - rural divide which will not work.Just finally I speak on the matter of the advantage of having competition in the dairy industry. I think every New Zealander who goes to Europe finds it very attractive to go around the small villages of the Alps and other parts of Europe and see each village having its own little cheese its own dairy products. That's the sort of industry that we can develop when we get good competition into the sector. So I commend this bill to the House.
Hipkins Chris; Mallard TrevorURGENCYHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move That urgency be accorded the passing through all stages of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2). The Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2) is a very short eight-clause bill that does one thing. It prevents the expiry of key provisions in the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001 which supports the efficiency and contestability in one of New Zealand's most significant industries the dairy industry.Without this bill these provisions as they affect the South Island will expire on 31 May this year. The bill needs to be passed as soon as possible to give South Island farmers dairy businesses and the wider dairy industry certainty about the regulatory environment that will apply to them in the coming dairy season which begins on 1 June. In particular it needs to be passed under urgency to provide certainty for dairy farmers prior to the closure of the Fonterra shareholder application period on 28 February 2018.I note the provisions of this bill were originally contained within the larger Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill introduced to the House by the previous Minister in March 2017 but not progressed any further. The bill removes any additional provisions that were contained in the original bill and simply strips the bill down to only continuing the status quo while further consideration is given to other matters.SPEAKER: Can I just remind members that the moving of an urgency motion is effectively a point of order and not subject to interjection.
Child Poverty Reduction Bill — First Reading
Radhakrishnan PriyancaPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour): Thank you Madam Assistant Speaker. I am absolutely delighted to stand up and take a call on the Child Poverty Reduction Bill and I'm going to begin with a quote by Nelson Mandela: There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children." Well I'm actually really proud that thanks to this Government's leadership on this bill our society's soul is back on track.This Government is ambitious; we're ambitious for New Zealand and it's actually been quite heartbreaking to stand here and listen to members opposite talk about how disappointed they are in this bill how it falls flat and how we need to lift levels of aspiration when they had nine years to do just that and didn't. What we're seeing now the reason that the need for this bill is actually so dire is an increase in homelessness. We've seen the gap between the rich and the poor widen—it's the widest that it's ever been. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. We've seen the crises: the mental health crisis and the housing crisis.As I reflect on what this bill will achieve I think back to what I've seen in the Maungakiekie electorate where I've been based. I've seen the impact of transient housing of substandard housing—the impact that those things have on health on educational achievement on employment; not just the number of jobs that have been created but the quality of jobs that people have and the impact that that has on the children who live there. I think back to specific children I've met and talked to: a nine-year-old boy at a school that I visited who had been through subsequent or successive foster homes who had been subjected to horrific levels of sexual abuse who didn't have shoes to go to school. That's what we're talking about; that's the face of child poverty. It's a phrase that hides immense pain struggle and suffering. Members on this side of the House have gone into what that looks like; what that looks like for families who live in that poverty—entrenched intergenerational poverty where children are living without hope. That's why I'm proud of the ambitions of this Government.Now members opposite have brought up social investment as well. Let me tell you why we think that is so lacking in ambition—it's all about limiting liabilities; it's about cost-cutting. It's not about what we can do as a Government to ensure that our children thrive and that New Zealand is the best place to be a child.That's what this bill will do. This bill will encourage successive Governments to focus on child poverty reduction. It actually is an invitation to New Zealand to hold us to account. It's about political accountability. It's about published targets. It's about setting measures targets and a strategy that will reduce child poverty. This Government is ambitious for our environment and our people.Manaaki whenua.Manaaki tāngata.Manaaki wāhine.Manaaki tamariki.Haere whakamua.Care for the land care for the people care for the women and the children and together we will go forward. Thank you."
Lee Denise; Williams PotoDENISE LEE (National—Maungakiekie): Thank you Madam Assistant Speaker. I'm happy to take a call on this the first reading. The country has proved that we care about this topic and we have a heart and we want to do right together as a nation. Anyone can talk about being ambitious but the proof is always of course in the pudding. But let's not break out the pavlova just yet. The details are where this bill falls just a little flat so we're going to be putting up some amendments with some incredible detail in order to beef up the bill. Those amendments are conditional on our further support of the passage of this bill.The first reading today has some coincidental timing for the team on this side of the House. We all know of Bill English's announcement today. He is the architect and the champion of the social investment approach—a key and personal pillar for him and his personal journey and now that of the National Party. I've been in live debates where senior members of the Government sitting across the House from me today have decried social investment as bad targeting bullying punitive and overreaching. Well do you know what's overreaching? Letting families slip by because the Government wants a one-size-fits-all approach throwing up new targets while at the same time getting all the good ones gone.Our amendments to this bill will restore frameworks that are not overreaching; they are reaching out to specific families in a compassionate and in a careful targeted way. Will the Government argue with our amendments setting targets that require increased attendance of children at early childhood centres and at school—is there a problem with that? A substantial reduction in the number of children being physically and sexually abused—a problem with that? Getting to 100 percent of pregnant women registered with a lead maternity carer in their first trimester—yes that's right none of these are in the bill.The opening statement of this bill says and I quote Measurement is an important starting point." We have a responsibility to act. Governments—successive Governments—need to make a commitment. Well that was in place. Our team had committed to 100000 kids being lifted out of poverty. We're not in Government but we still stand by that. And how long for our team to get there? Three years. How long for this Government to get there? Ten years.Finally the purpose of this legislation is to achieve significant and sustained reduction in child poverty. You can read that in the bill. Well then—grow the economy. Targets are good but the chequebook says all: $2.8 billion on free fees; winter payments to couples who will go on holiday to Aussie with them—Hon Shane Jones: A billion trees.DENISE LEE: A billion trees slush fund. We call on the Government to accept our amendments reprioritise the spending and get on with the actual detail.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): I call Priyanca Radhakrishnan—you have five minutes."
Urgent Debates Declined — Charter Schools—Announcement by Minister of Education
Mallard TrevorURGENT DEBATES DECLINEDCharter Schools—Announcement of Closure by Minister of EducationSPEAKER: I have received a letter from David Seymour seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the announcement by the Minister of Education that charter schools will be ended. This is a particular case of recent occurrence; the Minister's announcement was made on the day he introduced legislation to give effect to it which was 8 February this year. It is clearly a matter for which there is ministerial responsibility. Changes to the education system are significant matters.When considering whether a matter requires the urgent attention of the House the Speaker considers whether there is another parliamentary means of debating it such as legislation—Speakers' rulings 197(3) and 199(1). In this case the Education Amendment Bill which gives effect to the Minister's announcement is on the Order Paper and will soon be available for its first reading. The ending of charter schools will be subject to debate in the House and to select committee scrutiny. In light of that fact I'm not convinced that the matter warrants a setting aside of the business of the House today. The application is therefore declined.
Mallard TrevorTUESDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2018The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.VISITORSEuropean Parliament—Delegation for Relations with Australia and New ZealandSPEAKER: I am sure members would wish to welcome the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Australia and New Zealand led by the Chairperson Ms Ulricke Müller who is present in the gallery.[Applause]
Tuesday 19 December 2017 (continued on Wednesday 20 December 2017) - Volume 726
Iwi and Hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa Claims Settlement Bill — Second Reading
Hayes JoJO HAYES (National): Thank you. Ka nui te mihi atu ki a koutou katoa ngā whānui o ngā hapū o ngā iwi o ngā hapū o Te Rohe o Wairoa. Nau mai haere mai ki te Pāremata i tēnei rā. Tēnā koutou katoa.[Greetings to you all the hapū and iwi of the Wairoa region. I welcome you to Parliament today. Greetings to you all.]I'm pleased to stand to take a brief call in the second reading of the Iwi and Hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa Claims Settlement Bill. As the previous Minister the Hon Chris Finlayson said yes I did accompany him to the signing of the deed at Tākitimu Marae in Wairoa—it was last year. The day was hot and dusty but I tell you within the area that we were signing your deed there was just such warmth and aroha for the occasion. So I thank you for that.Most of the things that came out of the submission process—because I was not privileged enough to travel to Wairoa to listen the submissions that were spoken to. All of the main areas that there were issues on were debated at that submission process. Really at the end of the day as I stand here I just want to acknowledge the work as the previous Minister has just spoken about that has gone on to actually get you here and to this second reading. I noted in my first reading speech that I felt that the process was running pretty quickly and I think that if we'd had more time we would have actually been able to cut it straight to a third reading fairly quickly as well. But no doubt come 2018 your bill will reach the Royal assent and you will be able to just carry on growing your economic development—social and cultural areas as well.I think it's really great that the Minister for regional development is committed to opening up the railway line between Wairoa and Gisborne. I just want to say to that Minister that while he's there he may as well set up a forestry tree-growing company with you as well maybe in partnership with you while you get some of your people back from the cities and back home to actually start growing that side of your economic development—forestry.Without much further ado at the end of the day as I said when I started a lot of kōrero has happened around the issues through the submissions process. I acknowledge all the work that's gone on before we got here and I really acknowledge the work that will go on into the future. Really at the end of the day it is about future leadership. It is about nurturing the future leadership of our iwi and making sure that you have enough really good people not only from within the iwi but from outside the iwi as well to come along and actually help you to grow your economic development once the claims are settled. I've noted that most of the iwi have used outside influences—those who are skilled—to bring in those skills and to help you to actually train from within.So yes without any further ado I stand to commend this bill to the House. Kia ora.
Ngāti Tūwharetoa Claims Settlement Bill — First Reading
Mallard TrevorMr SPEAKER: Before I put the question I just want to personally acknowledge in the gallery former neighbours friends—I was going to say people who I taught—people who were in my class. I'm not sure that I taught them much. Especially Te Ariki Tumu I want to acknowledge your father your brother Timi your sister Girlie and particularly yourself for the many years of kind gentle and wise advice that you have bestowed on me personally. Thank you.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Māori Affairs Committee.Waiata
Muller ToddTODD MULLER (National—Bay of Plenty): E mihi kau ana ki a koutou Tūwharetoa iwi e tau mai ki Te Upoko o te Ika ki te taitoko i te kaupapa nei te muru o te hara nā te kāwanatanga e mahia tēnā koutou katoa. [I greet you the people of Tūwharetoa who have arrived here in Wellington to support the acknowledgment of Government wrongs. Greetings to you all.]It is with great privilege and humility that I have the opportunity to stand and say a few words in support this morning of the first reading of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa Claims Settlement Bill and to add just some small comments to some very powerful kōrero that I have been listening to.Can I first acknowledge Sir Tumu te Heuheu and all of your people who are here today to witness this very special occasion. Can I also acknowledge the Minister Andrew Little. I actually have great confidence that the quality of leadership and perspective and judgment that I think most in this House would agree has been the performance of the Hon Chris Finlayson will in a very real sense be continued by the judgment and leadership and perspective that you will bring to the role and I look forward to working with you in that role.I have been deeply moved reflecting on the historical account. Many this morning have given it greater voice than I can but when you reflect on the scale of the Crown purchase negotiations on the impact of the native land laws on the extraordinary generosity that underpinned the gifting of the Tongariro maunga and the response by the Crown and the impact of the mana of Tūwharetoa subsequent to that; to the 1890s and the introduction of trout and other exotic fish into the extraordinary precious Lake Taupō through the 20th century and the prolonged imposition orders against private alienation of land owned by Ngāti Tūwharetoa—sir the list goes on and on.The thing that I have been struck by as someone relatively new to this House and certainly new to the Māori Affairs Committee is in my case the complete lack of understanding of the history of your people and what you have suffered at the hands of the Crown. I stand here as a 48-year-old New Zealander acknowledging that my understanding of our history is woefully limited but I doubt that I am alone. One of the small but powerful benefits of your generosity in being here and resolving this settlement with the Crown is that it puts in sharp focus for all of the country an opportunity to understand your extraordinary journey of sacrifice and humility and graciousness to this country that you have endured over the last 150 years.Most people would be crushed by the experience yet somehow as a people it has made you stronger and it has never impacted your generosity of spirit to this country and I am very proud now to have a very small understanding of that process. I look forward to being in Tūrangi as part of the select committee with our chair and all parties to hear personally more of those stories and to lift my understanding and appreciation of your generosity. Tēnā koutou tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa.
Rurawhe AdrianTUESDAY 19 DECEMBER 2017(continued on Wednesday 20 December 2017)KARAKIAADRIAN RURAWHE (Labour—Te Tai Hauāuru): I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I seek leave of the House to start this session with a karakia.Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that? There is no objection.ADRIAN RURAWHE: Kia tau anō te rangimārie ki a tātau nō reira anei mātau ka whakahokia te reo whakamoemiti ki mua i tō aroaro mō ō koutou tini manaakitanga ka tukuna mai e koutou ki runga ki a mātau. Oti noa ka tono atu anō ki a koutou kia homai piki te ora piki te kaha piki te māramatanga me te rangimārie kia manaakitia hoki mātau i roto i ā mātau kōrerorero i tēnei ata i roto i te tika me te pono. Ka tuku whakamoemiti atu ki a koutou mō ō koutou manaakitanga kia tae pai ai a Ngāti Tūwharetoa me ngā hapū o rohe o Te Wairoa ki Te Whare Pāremata i tēnei ata. Nō reira ko koutou nei hoki te timatanga me te whakaotinga mai i a mātau e tūmanako atu nei i roto i ō koutou korōriatanga. Mā Te Māngai e tautoko mai āianei āke nei. Ae.[Let peace descend upon us as we return the expression of thanks before your presence for your guidance that you have bestowed upon us. We also ask that you give us increased health strength enlightenment and peace and that we may be true and righteous in our discussions this morning. We give thanks to you for your care that Ngāti Tūwharetoa and the subtribes of Te Wairoa area may arrive safely to Parliament this morning. Therefore you are the beginning and end of our hopes in your glorious kingdom. May the Divine Mouthpiece confirm this prayer now and for ever. Yes.]Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: For the benefit of visitors unusually the House is still in Tuesday. Normally we would start a session with a prayer. Because we started Tuesday's session with a prayer that's not the normal run of events so thank you very much.
Tuesday 19 December 2017 - Volume 726
Overseas Investment Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 56.Motion agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That 20 February" be replaced by "19 April 2018".Ayes 56New Zealand National 56.Noes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Amendment not agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the bill be reported to the House by 20 February 2018 and that the committee have authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting except during oral questions during every evening on a day where there is a sitting of the House and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting in the House and outside the Wellington area despite Standing Orders 191 193 194(1)(b) and (c).Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 56.Motion agreed to."
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 56; ACT New Zealand 1.Bill read a first time.The question was put that the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill be referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee.Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister for Trade and Export Growth): I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. Can I just clarify the process here. In terms of the motion in respect of the length of the select—does that come next rather than as part of this motion?The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): Yes yes we're just moving this—so I will put the motion again. A party vote was called for on the question That the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill be considered by the Finance and Expenditure Committee.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 56; ACT New Zealand 1.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee.
12. Mining on Conservation Land—Access Agreements for New and Existing MinesJONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) to the Minister of ConservationMining on Conservation Land—Access Agreements for New and Existing Mines12. JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) to the Minister of Conservation: Will access agreements on conservation land be possible for existing mining permits in the future as is currently the case?Hon EUGENIE SAGE (Minister of Conservation): This Government and this Minister act in accordance with the law and applications for access arrangements will be dealt with under the law as it stands at the time.Jonathan Young: Does she agree with the Minister for Rural Communities Damien O'Connor who said regarding mining on conservation land that current mines would not be closed down."?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: Yes.Hon Maggie Barry: Can the Minister confirm her response to the Prime Minister's statement that there'd be no new mines on conservation land when she's quoted as saying "the policy only related to new mines" and that existing mines like Te Kuha would not be affected?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: I'm not aware of Te Kuha being an existing mine.Marama Davidson: Why is the Minister committed to this Government's policy of no new mining on conservation land?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: Public conservation lands are set aside for the preservation and protection of natural resources. We have a biodiversity crisis with 4000 species threatened or at risk of extinction. This Government is committed to protecting the places they live and there is strong public support for that.Hon Maggie Barry: Can the Minister confirm that the Te Kuha application is now dead?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: That member should be aware that until the Minister has considered an access application and made a decision on it the Minister will not comment on that to avoid prejudging it. But there is no—[Interruption]Jonathan Young: Supplementary.Mr SPEAKER: I'm afraid the member's supplementary has just been used by the Hon Maggie Barry.Hon Grant Robertson: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. In the spirit of Christmas and acknowledging also the Hon Simon Bridges' recent further entry into fatherhood I seek leave of the House to table this most excellent Advent calendar which unfortunately he and Mr Joyce will have to share and we know they're not very good at that.Mr SPEAKER: The question is that the calendar be tabled—at least for a short time. Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none and it's my expectation that soon after the tabling someone who wants it will take it away."
8. Overseas Ownership of New Zealand Property—Overseas Investment Act ChangesPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Associate Minister of FinanceOverseas Ownership of New Zealand Property—Overseas Investment Act ChangesKIERAN McANULTY (Labour): I ask this question on behalf of Priyanca Radhakrishnan. She's a bit crook sir.Mr SPEAKER: Order! We don't need the details and I think the member can leave his Wairarapa habits at home.8. KIERAN McANULTY (Labour) on behalf of PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Associate Minister of Finance: How is the Government preserving the right of New Zealanders to own New Zealand homes?Hon DAVID PARKER (Associate Minister of Finance): This afternoon Parliament will debate the first reading of the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill. This bill recognises and reaffirms that it is a privilege to own a home in New Zealand. Only New Zealand and Australian citizens and permanent residents who reside here will be able to buy an existing home in New Zealand without going through screening by the Overseas Investment Office. This is another example of an active Government delivering on its promises and working in the interests of New Zealanders.Kieran McAnulty: What are the objectives behind the Government's ban on overseas buyers of New Zealand homes?Hon DAVID PARKER: Neither Labour New Zealand First nor the Greens believes that New Zealand homes are commodities to be traded on international markets. This is a clear difference between this Government and the past Government. This Government continues to welcome foreign investment which brings benefits to New Zealand including our businesses and communities. We particularly want to encourage foreign investment where it adds to our economy. Investment in existing homes by those who have no right to reside here and no intention to live here does not achieve that objective.Kieran McAnulty: How is the ban on overseas buyers compatible with New Zealand's free-trade agreements?Hon DAVID PARKER: The ban is compatible with almost all of our existing trade arrangements but has to be in law before the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement comes into effect. The past Government said it was impossible to ban overseas buyers but we're doing it. They said we had to choose between trade agreements and controlling our housing market and we've shown that was wrong. They told New Zealanders before the election trying to wedge us between our belief in open trading arrangements and our desire to keep New Zealand homes in a New Zealand market. We've shown them to be wrong and they were either incompetent or disingenuous.Hon Members: Or both.Hon DAVID PARKER: Probably both.
7. Health Services—FundingHon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (National—Northcote) to the Minister of HealthHealth Services—Funding7. Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (National—Northcote) to the Minister of Health: What measurable outcomes if any will his policies deliver?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): Better health for New Zealanders.Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman: How much money is he allowing for the specific fiscal risks listed in the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update of primary care services funding in which he's promised $8 and $2 GP consultations as well as settling the pay equity claims of mental health workers—another Labour Party promise?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The member knows that the specific fiscal risks are the responsibility of Treasury.Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman: How will he deliver his promise of a $1.4 billion Dunedin Hospital $200 million for the Hawke's Bay Hospital rebuild plus over $100 million to complete the Christchurch Hospital rebuild when there's only $500 million for all 20 district health boards (DHBs) allocated in the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update over the next five years?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I can confirm that this Government has taken a far more responsible attitude towards capital spending. Indeed I've seen a report from a member of the public expressing concern that the $1.4 billion spend could not be contained within the unallocated capital spending of $10.2 billion. The maths for me just doesn't add up and I can only assume that member of the public has been getting his advice from Steven Joyce on the numbers—because it was the former Minister of Health.Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman: What will Vote Health be in four years' time to the nearest billion dollars if it's over $16 billion today and he's promised an extra $8 billion for Vote Health over the next four years?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The member will have to wait and see in the Budget.Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman: How can the Government's fiscal plan be correct if the $846 million allowed for health in 2018 has in his words been pretty much spent" on primary care promises and DHB pressures yet he's promised an uncosted mental health worker pay equity settlement a $10 million cancer agency more palliative care and operations for everyone as well as the fact that he has a massive shortfall for DHB capital?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I don't accept the premise of the member's question.Dr Liz Craig: What concerns if any does he have about capital spending pressures in the health system and their ability to deliver better health outcomes for New Zealanders?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Finally a searching question. I have a number of concerns about capital spending pressures in health including the sequencing of asset replacements required to ensure the delivery of better health outcomes for New Zealanders. In particular I am concerned that DHBs have signalled a required capital spend of $14 billion over the next 10 years higher than at any time since the DHBs were established. This is a legacy of a failure to budget for future needs during nine long years of neglect of the health system."
6. Provincial Growth Fund—Funding Sources and ProgressHon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga) to the Minister for Regional Economic DevelopmentProvincial Growth Fund—Funding Sources and Progress6. Hon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga) to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: Does he stand by all his statements on the Regional Development (Provincial Growth) Fund?Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Regional Economic Development): Yes in the context with which they were given and my ability to recall them.Hon Simon Bridges: Does he stand by his statement to this House on 9 November that the full content structure and character of the fund will be dealt with conclusively in the Budget [Policy Statement]."?Hon SHANE JONES: Given that the meaning of the word "character" refers to the nature of a thing yes I do.Hon Simon Bridges: Well how can he when it barely rates a mention in the Budget Policy Statement (BPS)—certainly in no detail—and in the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) it is stated only as a specific fiscal risk given that no decisions have been made?Hon SHANE JONES: I direct the member's attention to page 13 and he can read the answer himself.Hon Simon Bridges: Does he agree with Grant Robertson's statement to the House on 9 November that "when the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update and Budget Policy Statement are released before the end of the year there will be significant certainty about our spending plans. If the member can't wait I'll make up a special Advent calendar for him so that he can count down to the half yearly update."; if not where's my Advent calendar?Hon SHANE JONES: I have been tempted to offer the Minister of Finance an almanac; however I can confirm that we're both working on the full extent of the fund and I direct the Opposition to read page 13—an ominous number for them.Hon Simon Bridges: Can he continue to confirm as he preciously has that the fund will be "new money"?Hon SHANE JONES: I can confirm that I have described it as not being a "fiscal hand-me-down".Hon Simon Bridges: Does the fact that the fund is not detailed in the BPS or the HYEFU mean that initiatives that he's been eager to get on with won't be able to start as soon as he would like because the money isn't flowing yet?Hon SHANE JONES: I can confirm that I have become a victim of my own political ardour."
5. Housing—Auckland Housing Relocation Grant and KiwiBuildANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister of Housing and Urban DevelopmentHousing—Auckland Housing Relocation Grant and KiwiBuild5. ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: What recent policy decisions has the Government made regarding housing?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): Yesterday Cabinet approved papers laying the groundwork for the KiwiBuild programme and the Housing Commission which will be the Government's urban development authority. This ticks off yet another of this Government's first 100 days" promises.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What will happen next? [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! I'm sort of saying that—let's take a narrow view on that.Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Thank you Mr Speaker. The KiwiBuild programme is beginning to gear up. A unit within the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment is being created so that we can hit the ground running and start building houses as soon as possible in both Government and private developments. Next year I will bring to the House legislation to enable the Housing Commission to begin its work on large-scale development to deliver KiwiBuild homes State houses and market houses at the pace and scale that we need.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What indications of interest has he received from the building industry in KiwiBuild and the Housing Commission?Mr SPEAKER: Just before the member answers I am going to just tell Michael Woodhouse that I think I heard him but I might not have—all right.Hon PHIL TWYFORD: My office has been overwhelmed by builders and experts seeking meetings coming forward with their ideas and putting their hands up to make our ambitious housing agenda a reality. I want to acknowledge all those firms and individuals including those that I haven't been able to meet with yet. We're all going to need to work together on this to get the job done and it's great to see so much positive support.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What other housing policy decisions has the Government made recently?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I've decided not to apply for new funding for the Auckland relocation grant. The figure of $2.3 million was spent on the Auckland relocation grant paying people to leave town. This panicked reaction on the eve of the last Budget just shifted people to other places that had their own housing problems. The money could have been better used building better affordable homes. This Labour-led Government isn't about sweeping the problem under the carpet; we're about building homes for families to live in.Hon Michael Woodhouse: In light of his decision around the Auckland relocation grant did he perceive the Minister of Finance to be mildly miffed or seriously annoyed that his desperate call for savings achieved just $2.5 million from the housing portfolio?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I think the member is confused because there's no savings to be made by this decision because there was no money left in the appropriation."
3. Marine Species Protection—Japanese Whaling in Southern OceanJENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) to the Minister of Foreign AffairsMarine Species Protection—Japanese Whaling in Southern Ocean3. JENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What reports has he received about increased international opposition to whaling in the Southern Ocean?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Minister of Foreign Affairs): A joint communique was issued yesterday with a group of nations expressing opposition to Japanese whaling which resumed in the Southern Ocean this summer. This statement was co-signed by New Zealand and 11 other nations along with the 28 members of the European Union and states our opposition to so-called scientific whaling by Japan.Jenny Marcroft: Does the New Zealand Government see any legal basis for Japan's whaling in the Southern Ocean?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: No. The New Zealand Government supports the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Japan's decision to resume whaling in the Southern Ocean this summer is contrary to the commission's requests. The international statement issued yesterday which New Zealand co-signed says Japan has not given due regard to the International Court of Justice ruling from March 2014 which called into question Japan's so-called scientific research.Jenny Marcroft: What actions will he be taking in response to Japanese whaling?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: New Zealand will be undoubtedly a strong voice and will work with other countries to maintain international pressure. We'll continue to raise our concerns through diplomatic channels and New Zealand will continue to remain an active member of the International Whaling Commission and support the approach taken by the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission.Jenny Marcroft: Why does the Government feel strongly about protecting species in the Southern Ocean?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Because amongst other things it's the right thing to do. We're a member of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). As a CCAMLR member we support a precautionary and science-based approach which ensures the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources. New Zealand is also a key proponent of the marine protection area in the Ross Sea which came into effect on 1 December this year—a decisive action taken by this energetic new Government.
Woods Megan; Williams PotoHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration): Thank you very much. I'm just intending to take a very quick call to answer some of the questions that have been put to me. First of all to address the very important question that Dr Nick Smith raised in his contribution and one that I think does require some explanation—The CHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams): I'm so sorry to interrupt the Minister but the time has come for me to leave the Chair and to report progress.House resumed.Progress reported.Report adopted.Sitting suspended from 9.56 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Wednesday)