edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Bayly AndrewANDREW BAYLY (National—Hunua): Thank you Madam Speaker. Excellent to be talking on the Films Videos and Publications Classification (Commercial Video on-Demand) Amendment Bill. I think most people have traversed the subject—of course we are going to support this bill and we're a little bit disappointed of course that the Government's taken so long to actually try and address it. Obviously the Minister is trying to get this bill through. It's pretty narrowly focused. It is at least something to get started in this area. We are keen that there are some provisions put in place and it's going to be an interesting process as this bill winds its way through the House. But we do believe that there needs to be an overall framework a better framework that encompasses the media sector in general and I think this bill whilst it has significant deficiencies is a way of at least starting that process of reforming and improving the situation at the moment. Thank you very much.
Sage EugenieHon EUGENIE SAGE (Minister of Conservation): Thank you Madam Speaker. The Green Party supports the Films Videos and Publications Classification (Commercial Video on-Demand) Amendment Bill. As others have said there is a well-understood R-rating system which exists for classifying films and videos and what this bill does is making it mandatory to have this same classification applied to video content that people see through Netflix through Neon and through Lightbox—those internet streaming services—to ensure that we do enable viewers to understand what they're going to see before they actually see it. We've got a voluntary regime at the moment. That's not working; it's inconsistent. So this bill will standardise that through requiring those providers that are listed in the Schedule at the back to apply a wider rating system.And just to respond to the comments from the Opposition about why this isn't part of bigger reform I think the Minister made it very clear in her speech that this is part of wider reform but it is more important to get this classification on the streaming services put in place to protect particularly children and that's why this is being advanced. We support the bill.
SpeechKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): Thank you Madam Speaker for the opportunity to stand in support of the Films Videos and Publications Classification (Commercial Video on-Demand) Amendment Bill on its second reading.I would like to acknowledge our lead person on this bill Melissa Lee and the chair of the Governance and Administration Committee Dr Jian Yang for their contribution and the contribution of the Opposition members on the select committee to improve this bill.We have seen transition in our lifespan starting from the radio to black and white TV to colour television VHS then things kept on adding and now the latest version is commercial radio on-demand. The law was a long time overdue to be updated so that the latest formats can be caught under it and this bill does that.There are some concerns which have been raised by my colleagues on this side particularly Melissa Lee. As she mentioned the biggest concern was the implementation of this bill. As the Minister said in her speech there will be a Supplementary Order Paper during the committee stage to extend the bill for its implementation. I think that's a very good idea and that shows that the feedback is reaching the Minister and the Minister is listening to it.So these are some of the points which have been already discussed by the previous speakers. I don't want to repeat but particularly the concern is that the same content has to be classified by different agencies that was raised by some of the submitters and the committee paid attention to that and that has been resolved at the select committee stage.So I hope that during the committee of the whole House some more improvements will be made to this bill so that it is up to date and will last for a long time. With these words I commend this bill at this stage. Thank you.
Coffey TamatiTAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki): Thank you very much Madam Speaker. A very important piece of legislation this the Films Videos and Publications Classification (Commercial Video on-Demand) Amendment Bill. It is an amendment to the 1993 bill which lines up standards of regulation that we have and have gotten used to on our daily screens—the way that we currently consume our broadcast material these days—but actually makes it applicable for online services such as on-demand services as well. It's a good bill it gets support from us and I commend it to the House.
O'Connor GregGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu): It is often said that the next wars will be fought over water. It's good to see that peace has broken out in this House over this very good reform. I commend this bill to the House.Bill read a second time.
Taumata Arowai—the Water Services Regulator Bill — Second Reading (continued)
SpeechHon NATHAN GUY (National—Ōtaki): Kia ora Mr Speaker. This bill the Taumata Arowai—the Water Services Regulator Bill is a very important bill; National supports it. It does three things. The first one is it sets up the regulatory body which will be a Crown agency. There's going to be further advice sought on waste water and storm water and we know that that's a big issue around the country particularly in our cities. If we look here in Wellington there is an issue with storm water and sewage and what have you going into the harbour and it is an issue in Auckland which they're grappling with.It also develops a Māori advisory council and I want to acknowledge the chair of the Health Committee Louisa Wall and thank her for her good leadership on this. Not that I was on the Health Committee but I understand it worked incredibly well on this bill together and all of the recommendations from officials have been picked up. Thank you.
Russell DeborahDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn): In rising to just take a short call on this Taumata Arowai—the Water Services Regulator Bill I wish to note the extraordinary need there is for reform in the water sector as my colleague Michael Wood has spoken about and the extraordinary programme of work that the Minister of Local Government the Hon Nanaia Mahuta has started on. It is now starting to flow through into the House and further beyond. It is a large programme of work and she has undertaken it in her usual style—slowly steadily and getting it right without undue haste without recklessness about getting it right. This is starting to bear fruit now. It's coming through in good time. I commend this bill to the House.
SpeechHon NICKY WAGNER (National): Thank you Mr Speaker. As you've heard National supports this bill. The Taumata Arowai—the Water Services Regulator Bill establishes Taumata Arowai—the Water Services Regulator. It will be a Crown agency and it will provide for objectives functionings operation principles and governance arrangements and those governance arrangements include the establishment of a board and of a Māori advisory group. We are told that this is a first step in a broader package of reforms to the three waters regulatory system. I do agree with the previous speaker Michael Wood who says the time has come for this reform.That broader package of work will introduce system-wide reforms. It's about regulating drinking-water and source water and it's about new regulations to improve the management of waste water and storm water. Now National supports the establishment of an independent water regulator. We see it as a logical response to the Havelock North water inquiry. When we were in Government we had already done a significant amount of work on a water regulatory framework. But of course establishing the Crown agency is the easy part of the water challenge. The real debate will come around the scale and scope of the upcoming reform especially around potential future costs. All water supplies all councils and in fact all ratepayers are sensitive to increased costs and are concerned about ongoing expense. We're particularly concerned about the cost to smaller drinking-water suppliers and smaller communities that have a limited ratepayer base to pay for it. In a country with so much fresh water we cannot make water supplies unaffordable. We fear that some communities could be hit by huge debt in the long term.The question is really about whether the drinking-water standards need to be raised for small suppliers and small communities or whether compliance with the existing standards should be the focus. So as I said National supports the establishment of this agency but sees real challenges ahead for New Zealanders and for Taumata Arowai in delivering a fit for purpose affordable water supply and an effective management of both wastewater and stormwater.I believe we are beginning to see a pattern developing here—a pattern of small incremental legislative change when really as Michael Wood said we need real reform. We've seen it in the Government's limited amendments to the Resource Management Act. We've seen it in the Government's limited amendments to Te Ture Whenua Maori Act and we're seeing it here in the face of the need for a new water regulations system. In each case New Zealanders need and are crying out for significant reform and in each case the work is challenging. In each case the Government has spurned comprehensive reform and has brought in interim legislation which merely nibbles at the edges of these problems.In National we believe that necessary reforms should be done in a timely manner. Necessary reforms should be done efficiently and of course necessary reforms should be effective. Do it on time do it once and do it right. But as a small first step towards a bigger picture of reform National supports this bill.
Wood MichaelMICHAEL WOOD (Labour—Mt Roskill): There is little that is more basic in life or that is more central to the function of government at all levels than providing the necessities such as water in a safe manner to citizens. There are clearly problems that have been left for too long in this sector in terms of how we structurally ensure that in our country and those failings have been evident. I'm really proud that under our Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta this Government has picked up on that issue is making progress on it and that we've been able to work carefully to build a high level of political support and consensus across local government in other key parts of the sector to make these much-needed reforms. I commend this bill to the House.
Sage EugenieHon EUGENIE SAGE (Minister of Conservation): Tēnā koe e Te Māngai o Te Whare tēnā koutou e Te Whare. The Green Party is very pleased to support the Taumata Arowai—the Water Services Regulator Bill.Can I begin by congratulating the Minister the Hon Nanaia Mahuta for her stewardship of quite major reforms in this space working carefully through the issues responding to the Havelock North inquiry and working to bring a bill to the House that everyone supports. And I would also acknowledge the work of the Health Committee in hearing the submissions and making some changes. The fact that Taumata Arowai will become a Crown entity independent of the Department of Internal Affairs I think highlights the value of that independent role. The work that the select committee has done in terms of ensuring that one of Taumata Arowai's objectives is to give effect to Te Mana o te Wai integrating the reform here and drinking-water with the wider freshwater reform that Minister Parker is leading through the essential freshwater programme but really ensuring that this organisation has real scrutiny of drinking-water supplies around Aotearoa because of Havelock North—but not just Havelock North; a number of other areas: Darfield Springston Cardrona—where there have been outbreaks of gastroenteritis that have been quite severe and where the supplies have not met basic standards in terms of bacterial protozoa contamination.One of the key things for Taumata Arowai is its functions and they include in clause 11 identifying and monitoring matters that affect the safety of drinking-water … including current and emerging contaminants". This will be an increasing issue I think because of the recognition of the extensive contamination by nitrate of aquifers in areas like Canterbury and the risk that that poses to people drinking those waters the increasing scientific evidence of increased incidence of colorectal cancer when people are exposed to low levels of nitrate in water supply. Until now we've focused on protozoa and faecal contamination bacteriological contamination of our drinking-water which caused such problems in Havelock North but nitrate nitrogen is a really difficult contaminant because once it's in the water it can't be treated to remove it.So the establishment of Taumata Arowai is very timely. I look forward to the following legislation which will expand on its functions and the overall regulatory system and am very pleased to support the bill."
Bayly AndrewANDREW BAYLY (National—Hunua): It's nice to be talking on the Taumata Arowai—the Water Services Regulator Bill. I think most of my colleagues have traversed this. I'll just say New Zealand is quite unusual. If you look around the world in most jurisdictions there is some form of regulation of water and waste water. Australia has what's called the Office of the Water Regulator and certainly Britain has significant regulatory oversight powers I was involved in that reform of the water industry for many years in Britain. So New Zealand seems to be getting to the stage—obviously this is the first of two bills and I think it's very important that we set adequate regulations standards to make sure the water quality is up to speed. In time with the next bill there'll be more focus on waste water as well. But I think this is a good and important first step in that process. Obviously there are some issues around funding and how the actual office is going to work but I think it looks like it's going to be a very interesting discussion and probably long overdue.
SpeechTAUMATA AROWAI—THE WATER SERVICES REGULATOR BILLSecond ReadingDebate resumed.DARROCH BALL (NZ First): New Zealand First is very happy to be supporting this common sense piece of legislation through the House and we commend it to the House. Thank you.
Obituaries — Constable Matthew Hunt
SpeechASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Tērā e tika ana kia tuku atu te reo mihi poroporoāki ki te tangata ko Matthew Hunt me tōna whānau nō reira tēnā tātou.[It is only right that I make a special acknowledgment of the passing of Matthew Hunt and to his family therefore greetings one and all.]
Mitchell MarkOBITUARIESConstable Matthew HuntHon MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney): I seek leave for this House to observe a minute of silence in remembrance of Constable Matthew Hunt. At this time one week ago Matthew was killed in the line of duty. Police officers around the country are observing a minute's silence and I move that our Parliament stand with them as a sign of respect and solidarity—not only for them and Matthew but for Matthew's family also.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is none. Please be upstanding.Members stood as a mark of respect.Hon MARK MITCHELL: Thank you Mr Speaker.
Taumata Arowai—the Water Services Regulator Bill — Second Reading
Wall Louisa; Rurawhe AdrianLOUISA WALL (Labour—Manurewa): Tēnā koe e Te Māngai o Te Whare. Tēnā koutou katoa. I'll firstly start with acknowledging my colleague Dr Reti and also Matt Doocey who's in the House. But can I say from the Health Committee perspective we do take our work seriously to a point where we work together collaboratively. So I do want to highlight that this is not only a cross-Government agency bill—because in fact in addition to the Health officials we had local government officials work with us and Environment officials who are also part of the context of that work—but it was also cross-Ministers; Minister Mahuta has acknowledged Minister Clark. And I want to say it's cross-party actually and I do acknowledge the work and contribution of Jacqui Dean specifically who did come in and sub for the National Party as we deliberated. So this bill is one of two. And the context of this bill is it will provide for the broader reforms. We've heard about drinking-water which comes from the Havelock inquiry. It also includes waste water and storm water. And the next bill rua will be about the regulation of drinking-water source water waste water and storm water.I think the governance arrangements do need to be explained. So we have Taumata Arowai and then we have a Māori advisory board that when originally proposed you couldn't sit on both. I actually think significantly that was one of the major changes that we agreed to as a committee. So there will be shared members.But the other aspect I want to highlight is that the Māori advisory board will have their own section in the annual report and their advice to Taumata Arowai will be transparent. Also within that context if Taumata Arowai doesn't take the recommendations the Māori advisory board will be able to highlight that. So there is full transparency and disclosure. It didn't quite go to full co-governance but I think it's a step toward a model that will see iwi and Māori who obviously have an interest in water fully realising their governance responsibility. And we did respond to local government and providers and suppliers by also adding a technical advisory board which will provide obviously advice to Taumata Arowai. I am very excited about this bill being before the House today and we're also very excited Minister that your next bill will come to us as well. So I commend the bill to the House. Kia ora.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): I call Matt Doocey.
SpeechRAYMOND HUO (Labour): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. This is a good bill. I commend this bill to the House.
Rurawhe AdrianPAULO GARCIA (National): Madam Speaker firstly I acknowledge the Minister for Local Government the Hon Nanaia Mahuta for clearly a well-intentioned bill also acknowledging the chair of the Social Services and Community Committee Gareth Hughes for his contributions in that he confirmed that it is an attempt to provide an easy immediate solution for the targeted New Zealanders who will benefit from this bill. The point to consider again is whether this is the best bill—under the circumstances—for most New Zealanders. The Productivity Commission inquiry points out that the bill will lead to an unfair situation because it does not treat alike the situation of renters who are on low incomes and the targeted beneficiary of this bill and New Zealanders who are in low-income households who live in their own homes and therefore do not rent and who are not paying mortgages. The bill will create a different treatment for a like type of New Zealander making it essentially unfair to those who will not qualify for it. Now the accommodation supplement has been the Government's principal form of assistance to the low-income household where they live in their own home. However because of the very low costs of that—of living in their own homes—they are not able to secure that assistance. This bill making it easier for them but only them is something that needs to be thought out; especially because in taking on this bill the Government will take responsibility for paying out the rates rebate to the New Zealanders that are targeted to receive it.The requirement to make a statutory declaration is not difficult; as my colleague Hamish Walker has pointed out the process is accessible. The presence of people who are authorised to take statutory declarations is sufficient. If it appears that they are lacking maybe that is one area that can be looked at as well. I have been a solicitor for a while in New Zealand and have never really looked at statutory declarations as an opportunity to make money but really as an opportunity to help. The many numbers of people who come and walk into my office on a regular basis for this the citizens advice bureau themselves have made themselves always available and always always—if not almost always there will be someone who will be on hand to take a statutory declaration. The purpose of the verification of the statutory declaration really just provides a reasonable and necessary check on people making declarations. If this is considered to be too arduous then as the Productivity Commission had suggested maybe there would be a better scheme a national scheme which would have Government collaborate with local government and suitable financial institutions to design a better scheme.In fact the Productivity Commission itself suggests that this Rates Rebate (Statutory Declarations) Amendment Bill be abolished.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Order! The member's time has expired.
Wood MichaelMICHAEL WOOD (Labour—Mt Roskill): What a miserable lot they are on the other side of the House denying a group of New Zealanders mainly senior citizens a slightly easier process to access a little bit of financial support when they don't have much income. Well on this side of the House we stand the side of the Citizen Advice Bureaus we stand on the side of Grey Power we stand on the side of the Waimate District Council the Waitomo District Council the Wellington City Council who all submitted in favour of this bill because they know it'll make life a little bit easier for the people they serve. I look forward to members on the other side of the House fronting up at Grey Power during the election campaign and saying why they oppose this bill which makes life a little bit easier for those people. On this side of the House we're here to support all New Zealanders and make progress. That's what we're doing. I commend this bill to the House.
SpeechGARETH HUGHES (Green): Kia ora Madam Speaker. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora. I thank the previous members for their kind words about my chairmanship but before it goes to my head one thinks they may be simply looking for content for filibustering—but thank you very much.This might be the only opportunity I have to speak on this bill because I'm not the Green Party spokesperson for it but I do want to thank members of the select committee the Minister and the submitters. It was a really collegial process and I do thank everyone involved. A total of 103000 people applied for a rates rebate in 2019 so this is about helping people get access to support faster and simpler and over the course of the consideration of this bill I had to see a justice of the peace myself for some banking forms and the line was snaking out of the Karori Community Centre. I was near the front. It was closing in 15 minutes' time. I don't know what happened to all the people snaking behind me and these are daily experiences Kiwis face. So I'm incredibly proud of the fact that we're making it easier. There are three big points I want to very quickly talk about. One is the commencement date. In this COVID environment I'm glad we're bringing this forward because people can get access to support faster which is wonderful. The second is our comment around IRD numbers and potential data matching. That's about I think future proofing the system and making it even easier to administer in the future. The third point I'd like to raise is the National Party's objection in their minority view. Of course there are still the offence provisions in the existing Act which apply. Nothing's actually changing there. A point to the future—obviously it's owners who can apply for a rates rebate. We're increasingly becoming a rental-based society; so I think we need to have a look at that in the future as renters currently cannot access this. So I think we need to have that conversation in the future. Kia ora koutou.
SpeechMARK PATTERSON (NZ First): I rise to add New Zealand First's support to the Rates Rebate (Statutory Declarations) Amendment Bill. For those watching at home maybe a little alarmed after watching that speech and the perpetual outrage of the member opposite who has seemed to fire up over what is actually a pretty good bill and a generous bill a bill that looks to lower the barriers for low-income people who need to get access to a rates rebate it is really important for those people on low and fixed incomes and particularly in these times when we know there is going to be some increase in hardship through the COVID response and recession. So New Zealand First has no qualms in supporting the bill. Thank you Madam Speaker.
Russell DeborahDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn): I wish to pick up something which the previous speaker Agnes Loheni just said. She said that this was an honesty system this bill and it's clear that members of the Opposition simply don't trust our fellow New Zealanders. That's a very sad state of affairs.This bill makes life easier for elderly people. As an MP I have signed off these forms myself and memorably on a couple of occasions gone to visit bed-ridden people so that I could help them with this particular declaration. Why would we not make life easier for people who are finding it a little bit difficult to get about? It's a very good reason to support this bill. It is an excellent bill and I commend it to the House.
Allan KiritapuKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour): Well this is a great bill and thank goodness that we got rid of the incompetent piece of rubbish that was before us when we came into Government. Hear hear!" to this side of the House for working with stakeholders putting something in place that actually will bring about pay equity for women and to that point I commend this bill to the House.Bill read a second time."
SpeechHon NICKY WAGNER (National): Thank you very much Madam Speaker. I'll take only a short call because my message is short and to the point. National supports this bill. Of course we support this bill because it's the next step towards achieving pay equity in New Zealand and towards closing the gender pay gap. Of course we support this bill because National's pay equity equivalent bill was already in this House back in 2017. We are angry that it's taken so long to get any pay equity bill to its second reading. National and the pay equity advisory committee did this work nearly four years ago. In 2017 National's bill had already passed the first reading and was in select committee. The new Labour coalition Government dumped it. In 2018 we gave the Government another chance to get legislation done when Denise Lee's pay equity member's bill was introduced to the House and they voted it down. Finally now in 2020 very close to the end of their term in Government in urgency at last you've finally got round to the second reading. It is gross incompetence on the part of this Government that it has taken so long to get progress on a bill that is so important to women and we are still not there. Women in New Zealand are still waiting for pay equity legislation to come into law when it should have been in place back in 2017 or 2018. This Government talks a lot; it talks a lot about supporting women. This Government talks a lot; it talks a lot about being kind. This Government should be ashamed of itself that this pay equity legislation has taken so long to come. Thank you Madam Speaker.
SpeechWEDNESDAY 24 JUNE 2020(continued on Friday 26 June 2020)EQUAL PAY AMENDMENT BILLSecond ReadingDebate resumed.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson): The House is resumed. When we were debating last night we were on the split call of the Equal Pay Amendment Bill. PAULO GARCIA (National): Good morning Madam Speaker. It is a pleasure to stand first today to speak about the Equal Pay Amendment Bill. From 2008 when National came into power as Government New Zealand's gender pay gap was at 12.5 percent. By 2017 that gender pay gap had been reduced to 9.3 percent. National supports this bill. National is committed to closing that gender pay gap.After many legislative changes that paved the way for that reduction in the gender pay gap which included the right to request flexible working arrangements for all employees reducing barriers for women to work and encouraging greater work-life balance for both men and women the bill seeks to address the current shortfalls of the Equal Pay Act arising from an undervaluation of work predominantly performed by women over time. Pay equity is a significant component of that gender pay gap.The bill provides for practical and workable processes for employees and employers to follow. So once a pay equity claim is lodged the bill establishes a simple and practical process by which the employer and their employee can bargain and agree on a better arrangement better pay and better working conditions. The bill creates that framework which had been initially absent from the current Equal Pay Act which was not equipped to provide that guidance on pay equity claims once lodged. National is committed to achieving pay equity in New Zealand which is why we support the bill. It is however just important also to point out that a bill was lodged by our colleague on this side of the House Denise Lee in 2018 and that was voted down. That bill was predominantly similar to the bill that we have before us and it would have been more expeditious if what had happened was instead of being simply voted down whatever shortfalls the members of this House found in that bill could have been resolved and sorted out at the committee process which did not happen. So essentially what has resulted is this pay equity change of providing for a framework for bargaining after a pay equity claim that has been lodged has been delayed for at least two years. That's the only reason why we raise concern for that because that's two years we consider as a wasted opportunity for the very many women out there who could have benefited already through this time. Nevertheless National supports this bill in furtherance of its commitment to achieve pay equity in New Zealand and recognising that the bill is another step forward towards closing the gender pay gap.
Wednesday 24 June 2020 - Volume 747
Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Bill read a third time.
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 of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Motion agreed to.The question was put that Golriz Ghahraman's amendments to Supplementary Order Paper 512 to the proposed amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 518 to Part 2 be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments to the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 64New Zealand National 55; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8; Ross.Noes 55New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9.Amendments to the amendments agreed to.The question was put that the Minister's amendments as amended set out on Supplementary Order Paper 512 to Part 2 be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments as amended be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Amendments as amended agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That Part 2 as amended be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Part 2 as amended agreed to.Clause 1A party vote was called for on the question That clause 1 be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Clause 1 agreed to.Clause 2A party vote was called for on the question That clause 2 be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Clause 2 agreed to.Clause 3A party vote was called for on the question That clause 3 be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Clause 3 agreed to.House resumed.The Chairperson reported the Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill with amendment.Report adopted.
Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill — In Committee—Part 2
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 of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Motion agreed to.The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 518 in the name of Golriz Ghahraman to the proposed amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 512 in the name of the Hon Andrew Little to Part 1 be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments to the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 8Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 112New Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Amendments to the amendments not agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That Part 1 be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Part 1 agreed to.
Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill — In Committee—Part 1
Appropriation (2019/20 Supplementary Estimates) Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Appropriation (2019/20 Supplementary Estimates) Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Bill read a third time.
VoteThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 513 in the name of the Hon Grant Robertson be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Amendments agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That clauses 4 to 8 and Schedules 1 to 3 as amended be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Clauses 4 to 8 and Schedules 1 to 3 as amended agreed to.House resumed.The Chairperson reported the Appropriation (2019/20 Supplementary Estimates) Bill with amendment.Report adopted.
Appropriation (2019/20 Supplementary Estimates) Bill — In Committee
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That urgency be accorded.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Motion agreed to.
10. Question No. 10—HealthDr LIZ CRAIG (Labour) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 10—Health10. Dr LIZ CRAIG (Labour) to the Minister of Health: What recent action has the Government taken to strengthen our COVID-19 testing and protect New Zealanders from the virus? Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): This week on behalf of the Government I announced a renewed COVID-19 testing strategy. Under this Government's leadership the Ministry of Health the Institute of Environmental Science and Research DHBs front-line health staff scientists and lab workers stood up a COVID-19 testing programme in short order that has served us well to date. It was a key tool in eliminating community transmission of the virus and with over 350000 tests done to date we have the highest rate of tests per confirmed COVID-19 case in the world. But the COVID-19 pandemic is getting worse elsewhere in the world. Clearly the greatest risk for us now is the thousands of New Zealanders coming home from global hotspots so our new testing strategy will focus on our border while maintaining surveillance of our communities for any sign of the virus. Dr Liz Craig: How will this new strategy keep New Zealanders safe? Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Most of the international travellers arriving on our shores right now are New Zealanders returning home. The vast majority of them will be COVID-19 - free. Nevertheless we need to be able to welcome them back confident they won't inadvertently reintroduce the virus into our communities. That's why we'll continue to test new arrivals on around days three and 12 of their stay in managed isolation and quarantine and a negative result is required from the day 12 test before people are allowed to leave. We also need to minimise the risk that those who come into contact with them during their travel and their arrival and during their managed isolation or quarantine do not contract the virus and if they do that we quickly detect the infection and take appropriate action. Our new testing strategy features regular health checks and asymptomatic testing of all border-facing workers and regular testing of quarantine-exempt people such as New Zealand - based aircrew. Dr Liz Craig: So does the focus on our border mean we're scaling back testing in the wider community? Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Absolutely not. Today a record 9174 tests were carried out. Across the wider community we will continue to test all close contacts of confirmed or probable cases. Testing will continue to be available for anyone presenting to primary or secondary care with any type of COVID-19 symptom. To ensure our surveillance testing is appropriate and equitable for New Zealanders no matter who they are or where they live DHBs are now required to regularly review and take action to increase testing in population groups if there is significant variation to the national average in their region. This Government is prioritising the safety of New Zealanders with our testing approach. We are adapting this testing strategy where required and we are making sure it has the resources to do the job with an additional $89 million in funding for the next six months.
9. Question No. 9—TransportCHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 9—Transport9. CHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by his statement one of my first actions as Minister will be to have officials advised on how quickly we can start and how soon we can get it built. I would expect Queen Street to Mount Roskill within four years as a minimum. If we can do it faster we will" and when does he expect construction to begin on Auckland light rail? Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): Yes in the context it was made. I expect a time line for the start of construction will be outlined by the Government after the election after it considers options developed by Treasury and the Ministry of Transport. Chris Bishop: What are the reasons for Auckland light rail not progressing until allegedly after the election? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Because the three parties in Government were unable to agree on the way forward. Chris Bishop: Has he seen the statement from the Green Party this morning "Green Party welcomes new approach to delivering light rail" and does he agree with it? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Yes I have seen the statement and I agree that Cabinet's move to delegate the progress of the project to the Ministry of Transport and Treasury will allow a public sector - led approach. It will allow more engagement and collaboration with stakeholders like Auckland Council and Auckland Transport. SPEAKER: Order! Before the member comes in I know that Nicola Willis has recently moved closer to my hearing but I do want to warn her that she's not allowed to make noises while her colleague is asking questions. Chris Bishop: What were the estimated costs of the NZ Infra and New Zealand Transport Agency proposals for Auckland light rail? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Those costs are still subject to commercial probity so I'm unable to release that information at this time. Hon Julie Anne Genter: Can he confirm that Auckland light rail city centre to Māngere is a priority confirmed by all parties in this Government in both the Government policy statement on transport funding and the Auckland Transport Alignment Project and that that work will now be continued by the Public Service including the local authorities in Auckland? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Yes I can confirm all parts of that question. Chris Bishop: Has he received advice about whether the Crown will have to pay compensation to NZ Infra as a result of today's announcement on light rail? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Yes I have. Chris Bishop: What does that advice say? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: We do not."
8. Question No. 8—AgricultureKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of AgricultureQuestion No. 8—Agriculture8. KIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of Agriculture: What action has the Government taken to support jobs in the dairy sector? Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture): This Government recognises how important our dairy sector is to our economic wellbeing and we're backing it for the long term. We want to connect people with a rewarding life in the dairy sector and more broadly the primary industries. Today we've announced that we've joined with DairyNZ to give a $3.5 million boost to their GoDairy initiative. This is a programme that has successfully recruited and supported people into careers for the past 15 years. We are happy to support DairyNZ and this initiative. Kiritapu Allan: How does this work fit in with the wider Government employment strategy? Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: This complements the work being done to place 10000 New Zealanders into primary sector jobs by rapid retraining and absorbing workers displaced from other sectors. We've committed $19.3 million as part of the $1.6 billion Trades and Apprenticeships Training Package. We've also got as part of our $1.1 billion commitment to create 11000 jobs in the regions—that will help many of the farmers across dairy and other sectors. We've got a $100 million worker redeployment package that will create other opportunities. The primary sector is a wonderful place to have a career and we're helping New Zealanders move into that space. Kiritapu Allan: How has the Government worked with the sector to inform this support? Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: We have regularly engaged with industry groups at both agency and ministerial level. I know that many good MPs on this side of the House have been out talking to farmers to get feedback. Part of the process has been to reassess how we currently approach attracting people into the sector and ensuring that our training programmes are fit for purpose in the current environment. It has included a collaborative consultation process. We have made some adjustments to ensure that firstly we have focused marketing to get to the right people effective training to lift their skills and rewarding career opportunities.
7. Question No. 7—Economic DevelopmentHon JUDITH COLLINS (National—Papakura) to the Minister for Economic DevelopmentQuestion No. 7—Economic Development7. Hon JUDITH COLLINS (National—Papakura) to the Minister for Economic Development: Does he stand by his statement yesterday in the House construction projects are an important part of the Government's response to the recession caused by COVID-19"; if so when will projects identified by the Infrastructure Industry Reference Group that he announced with the Minister of Infrastructure be announced? Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister for Economic Development): To the first part of the question yes and as the member identified in her question the announcement she referred to was made with the Minister for Infrastructure who along with the Minister of Finance are the Ministers responsible. These Ministers will make announcements in due course. Hon Judith Collins: Does he agree with Auckland mayor Phil Goff when he said "We want and expect the Government to decide as soon as possible the projects that will be included in the 'shovel-ready' programme."; if so when will the Government announce them? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well I don't think it's a matter of agreeing with the Mayor of Auckland on that statement that he made. He made the statement; it's up to him to stand by it. Hon Judith Collins: Then how does he rationalise publicly urging Waikato councils to invest in infrastructure alongside the Government in order to develop the economy when he has yet to publicly commit to any of the projects identified by the Infrastructure Industry Reference Group? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well as I've explained to the member now multiple times it's not for me to agree with projects that were identified by the industry reference group. That's a matter for the Minister of Finance and the Minister for Infrastructure. Hon Judith Collins: Then why did the Minister have his name on their press release? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Because I and the Minister for Infrastructure were tasked with commissioning the industry reference group to solicit those projects. That's why the press statement was released. Hon Judith Collins: Is he saying that despite announcing as Minister for Economic Development the process to select infrastructure projects he now has no say in those decisions? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: As I've said repeatedly the decisions on those projects are being made by the Minister of Finance and the Minister for Infrastructure."
6. Question No. 6—HealthANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Associate Minister of HealthQuestion No. 6—Health6. ANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Associate Minister of Health: What recent announcements has she made regarding funding for our health and disability system? Hon JENNY SALESA (Associate Minister of Health): This coalition Government is lifting the support available to New Zealanders with disabilities with the largest funding boost for disability support services ever. As part of Budget 2020 the Government is investing an additional $833 million over five years to ensure people with disabilities are part of an inclusive recovery for our team of 5 million. This Government is committed to the wellbeing of all New Zealanders and this follows on from the funding increase for disability support services in Budget 2018 of $211 million and an increase of $348 million in 2019. I'm proud to be part of a Government that puts people at the heart of its decisions. Angie Warren-Clark: What support will the additional funding provide to disabled New Zealanders? Hon JENNY SALESA: This funding will ensure we keep up with the rightful expectations of the disabled community to live good lives as other New Zealanders do. Disability support services provide access to much-needed support for personal care. This increased funding is to ensure better access to support for showering and hands-on care and it includes accommodation for disabled people with high needs equipment for mobility and access and respite for whānau carers as well as rehabilitation for people following a serious illness. We've also invested an additional $12 million towards transforming the disability support system so that disabled people and families have greater choice and better control over the services that they access. Angie Warren-Clark: What feedback has the Government received on this boost in funding? Hon JENNY SALESA: This funding boost has been well received by the community who agree that it is well overdue. Dr Garth Bennie chief executive of the Disability Support Network said—and I quote—The Budget has lifted support for the disability community to record levels. This will make a real difference in people's lives after years of funding falling behind the cost of delivering disability support services." We know there are many outstanding issues in the disability sector to address. However this is a monumental step forward in the right direction in terms of the services and support for disabled New Zealanders."