edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Bridges Simon; Parker David; Peters WinstonQuestion No. 11 to MinisterHon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It's in relation to question No. 11 to the Associate Minister of Finance. The Associate Minister of Finance doesn't have delegations yet. They're certainly not published. I hesitated about this because I wanted to ensure that delegations didn't go up. They certainly haven't as at the time of this question and so it's quite clear under Speakers' rulings that this question is out of order.Mr SPEAKER: I've obviously accepted it and I wouldn't have accepted it if it was out of order. Can the member refer to the Speakers' ruling that makes it clear that it's out of order?Hon Simon Bridges: Yes certainly: Speakers' ruling 161/5. I've just checked—I checked throughout the morning. Speakers' ruling 161/5 makes clear that Associate Ministers cannot be questioned about matters for which they have no formal delegated responsibility. As I've made clear factually he certainly doesn't as I understand it—Mr SPEAKER: OK we can solve this pretty easily. Has the Associate Minister of Finance received a delegation letter giving him formal responsibility in this area?Hon DAVID PARKER (Associate Minister of Finance): I don't think the formal delegations have been filed but I do make the point that the Clerk's Office accepted the question.Mr SPEAKER: I was the person who accepted the question and I do take responsibility for it. I have made a mistake and therefore we'll go on to question No. 12.Hon DAVID PARKER (Associate Minister of Finance): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The mistake being yours sir could I suggest that the appropriate way forward would be to ask this question of the Minister of Finance. He being absent I am in a position to answer on his behalf.Mr SPEAKER: That might have been the case if we'd had some prior notice of this issue. We could have changed it but unfortunately we haven't and it is a very specific question to a specific Minister who does not yet have those delegations. Therefore I think it is appropriate not to continue with it.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The House being the master of its own destiny I seek leave for the suggestion made by Mr Parker to become a reality in question time today.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for the question to be addressed to the Minister of Finance. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Peters Winston; Bridges SimonOral Questions—Reflections on SpeakerRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.Mr SPEAKER: Separate point of order Mr Peters ?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: It's a separate point of order. I'm concerned about your comment about for example one member of the House expressing demur to a suggestion being put up by another member of the House and that that would also transport all the way to the Speaker. Now we all remember in somewhat more chauvinistic days when the Speaker was described as Parliament's man. That sort of meant that the rest of us might demur but that you would not unless you were making a ruling on the Standing Orders and Speakers' rulings. What I'm concerned about is if you could perhaps explain to us how you got there sometime—not today but sometime by next week.Mr SPEAKER: No no I'm quite happy to do it now. While I am Speaker and I am I think we could probably say Parliament's person" and generally will reflect the view of other members I am also a member of the Parliament. I retain many of the rights that members do and that includes not giving leave to particular things.Hon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. While I understand and respect your semantic point in relation to question No. 5 today—for example about reports received—what I am trying to do though is make a wider point in relation to both questions and answers from both Government members and Opposition members really about it cutting both ways. And that's where I'm—Mr SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat. Twice at least yesterday or twice this week the member has made comments that have reflected on me. Last week the Hon David Parker did and received I think a relatively severe dressing down for doing it. The member can receive an assurance that I look very carefully at these questions and I do spend time contemplating the supplementaries that come. Members on both sides of the House are getting used to some new rules for them because they're playing different positions if you like and it will take some settling down. But the member can be assured that I am very unhappy with suggestions of uneven treatment whether they come from a relatively senior Government Minister or the shadow Leader of the House.Hon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I've only raised with you—I don't think I have ever sought to make that allegation or suggestion. I'm simply trying to through points of order clarify and ensure that we understand and we're getting there on the way forward. But I'm certainly seeking to—Mr SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat. I suggest that the first thing the member does if he's unsure about these things is that he doesn't raise it on the floor of the House and that he has a good read of Speakers' Rulings."
Mallard TrevorSPEAKER'S STATEMENTSMotions—ScopeMr SPEAKER: Before we come to the next member—and it's reflecting on the motion that we have just passed and the series of motions that we've passed this week across a variety of topics—there have been at least two decisions of the Business Committee to tighten up in this area and frankly I think that 124th anniversaries of receiving the assent to particular bills and 70th anniversaries not in recognition of a country but a UN resolution on a particular issue at the United Nations do not come within what I would consider to be the tight definitions expected by the Business Committee even for non-debatable motions.I want to thank the member who is supporting me even though he shouldn't be at this time and I just want to indicate that if we get many more like this—and I will give this example to the Minister for Sport and Recreation: we had a motion for the Black Ferns for winning the Rugby World Cup; that may or may not have been within the rules. Having something a week or so later because they win an award is not in my view a good use of the House's time. I'm just giving notice that even if no other member objects I may.
Ngaro AlfredMOTIONSIsrael—70th Anniversary of Recognition as StateHon ALFRED NGARO (National): I seek leave to move a motion without debate to recognise the 70th anniversary of Resolution 181 in the United Nations regarding the recognition of Israel as a State.Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none. The member may so move.Hon ALFRED NGARO: I move That we recognise the 70th anniversary of Resolution 181 in the United Nations regarding the recognition of Israel as a State and acknowledge that New Zealand was one of 83 countries and nations that voted for the motion which set in train the international recognition of the State of Israel which came into being on 14 May 1948.Motion agreed to.
Hipkins Chris; Bridges SimonTHURSDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2017Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Karakia.BUSINESS STATEMENTHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): Next week the House will consider a range of Government bills including the first readings of the Autonomous Sanctions Bill the Births Deaths Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill and the Legislation Bill and the committee stages of the Electronic Interactions—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Order! Members of the Opposition will hear the rest of the Business Statement in silence because I am interested and I cannot hear it even with a very good sound system. The Leader of the House will start again.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Thank you Mr Speaker. Next week the House will consider a range of Government bills including the first readings of the Autonomous Sanctions Bill the Births Deaths Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill and the Legislation Bill and the committee stages of the Electronic Interactions Reform Bill Maritime Crimes Amendment Bill and the Maritime Transport Amendment Bill.Hon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. In addition to business of the old Government is the Government intending to take urgency on any of its 100-day plan and if so when can we see that legislation given the importance of that to the Opposition?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): The Government has no plans to take urgency next week. There may be urgency prior to Christmas to progress some of those bills and we'll certainly ensure that the Opposition's fully informed of our intentions in that regard.
Wednesday 29 November 2017 - Volume 725
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Rates Rebate (Retirement Village Residents) Amendment Bill be now read a second 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 second time.
10. Schools—TruancyDARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Associate Minister of EducationSchools—Truancy10. DARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Associate Minister of Education: What reports has she received regarding truancy rates in New Zealand?Hon TRACEY MARTIN (Associate Minister of Education): In Parliament yesterday the Ministry of Education's annual report for 2017 was tabled and I was concerned to see that the number of students regularly attending school fell from nearly 70 percent in 2015 to 67 percent last year. In term 2 last year the report tells us only 57 percent of Pasifika students were attending school regularly and that figure for Māori students was only 55 percent. As acknowledged in my public statements around this issue there are nuances inside these numbers that need to be addressed but this level of regular attendance cannot be ignored.Darroch Ball: What is behind this rise in truancy?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: That's something I'll be seeking more information on. I am meeting with the chief executive from the Ministry of Education this afternoon and will be asking if the ministry has more nuanced data to flesh out our understanding of these numbers. I will specifically be asking questions around the changes made to the truancy service by the previous Government in 2012 and how they impacted on truancy levels particularly in rural and semi-rural schools.Darroch Ball: Does the Associate Minister have any other concerns around young people and their participation in school?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: I do. As part of our work looking into these numbers I will be seeking a strong focus on the group of 12600 children aged eight to 14 who have unexplained absences of more than 20 days per year or who have enrolled in more than three schools in the last four years. While the gender balance of these young people is evenly split we already know that 6300 are of Māori descent 2050 are of Pasifika descent and 3100 are of European descent. To ensure that we provide these young people with the best possible tools for their future we need to have a more in-depth understanding of the reasons for their non-attendance.
8. Provincial Growth Fund—Funding Sources and Decision MakingHon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga) to the Minister for Regional Economic DevelopmentProvincial Growth Fund—Funding Sources and Decision Making8. Hon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga) to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: Does he stand by all his statements in relation to his $1 billion-a-year Regional Development (Provincial Growth) Fund?FLETCHER TABUTEAU (Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Regional Economic Development) on behalf of the Minister for Regional Economic Development: In the context in which they were given yes.Hon Simon Bridges: Does he agree with his statement last week on the fund that his expectation is that it will be fresh capital?FLETCHER TABUTEAU: Could he repeat that?Mr SPEAKER: Yes the member's being really good; he's talking to me but he's not quite getting the mike.Hon Simon Bridges: Does he agree with his statement last week on the fund that his expectation is that it will be fresh capital?FLETCHER TABUTEAU: For the most part.Hon Simon Bridges: Well is the reason he's being somewhat equivocal that he has been promised new money but behind the scenes Grant Robertson is desperately trying to unwind that agreement?FLETCHER TABUTEAU: No.Hon Simon Bridges: How does he reconcile his statement that the fund process will be rigorous and independent with a statement to the Otago Daily Times that advocates for the regeneration of Dunedin's waterfront would be pushing on an open door with me as minister" because "Anything to do with harboursides … is likely to get a tick from me."?FLETCHER TABUTEAU: In the words of the Minister: easily.Hon Nathan Guy: Will his $1 billion fund support regional water storage and irrigation projects that can grow jobs and exports plus enhance the environment?FLETCHER TABUTEAU: The final criteria for this fund have yet to be determined and have yet to go before Cabinet.Hon Nathan Guy: Why won't his $1 billion fund support water storage projects that can indeed support Northland where a recent report concludes that 92000 hectares could be under irrigation and employ 3400 jobs?FLETCHER TABUTEAU: When did that member first discover Northland for goodness' sake! As we have said and made very clear the criteria for all projects including water storage have yet to be determined and have yet to go in front of Cabinet."
7. Tertiary Education—Living CostsJAMIE STRANGE (Labour) to the Minister of EducationTertiary Education—Living Costs7. JAMIE STRANGE (Labour) to the Minister of Education: How many students will receive additional assistance with living costs in 2018?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Good news: more than 130000 students will be $50 a week better off from 1 January as a result of this Government's commitment to increase student allowance base rates and the amount that students can borrow for living costs. This Government understands the pressure that students and their families are under as they seek to gain the skills and qualifications they need to get ahead in life and we will back them.Jamie Strange: Will this support go only to university students or will other tertiary students benefit as well?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I'm advised that more than half of student allowance recipients and more than a third of students who borrow for living costs come from outside the university sector including polytechnics and other tertiary education providers. This is a broad-based change that benefits a wide range of students studying in all kinds of occupations.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Can he tell the House why if the student allowance remains targeted to those most in need his free-fees policy is not?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The Government's made a very clear commitment to progressively remove the financial barriers to participation in education and we will continue year after year Budget after Budget to make more steps towards that. The introduction of a first year of free post-school education and training next year is the first step of what I'm sure will be many over a very long period of time that this Government is in office.
6. Partnership Schools—Potential ClosuresDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT) to the Minister of EducationPartnership Schools—Potential Closures6. DAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT) to the Minister of Education: Can he still say with some confidence that the four partnership schools contracted to open in 2019 will not go ahead; if not what reassurances has he given the sponsors of those contracts that their contracts will be honoured?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Officials are currently in discussions with some partnership school sponsors and will soon be in discussions will all of the others. I don't believe it's in the public interest to release further information legal or otherwise on the implications that the removal of the charter school model could have for those schools while those discussions are taking place.David Seymour: Is it not in the interests of the parents and children considering those schools and other partnership schools to know at least what sort of time line the Minister might have for a decision?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes that is a reasonable thing for them to ask and I have been very clear that we won't be rushing that discussion process. We won't be pre-empting it either. And we will certainly give plenty of notice before any change is made or implemented.David Seymour: Why did the Speech from the Throne say that all pre-committed irrigation projects would go ahead while partnership schools face such uncertainty; to wit does this Government put culverts ahead of kids?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I don't have any ministerial responsibility for irrigation projects.David Seymour: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I was asking about partnership schools simply with reference to another policy—Mr SPEAKER: The member tried a relatively smart approach and got a relatively smart answer. It's more or less what would be expected.David Seymour: Thank you. I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I just wonder if the Leader of the House might be generous enough to give ACT another supplementary so that I might continue this rout of the Minister of Education.Hon Chris Hipkins: Go on then.David Seymour: Will the Minister visit any partnership schools before he closes them?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I don't want to pre-empt the discussions that we might have with them as the member did in the final part of his question.
4. Housing Market—Financial Stability ReportMARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister of Housing and Urban DevelopmentHousing Market—Financial Stability Report4. MARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: What reports has he received about the impact of the Government's housing policy?Mr SPEAKER: Before the member starts I am going to indicate that the National Party has two further supplementaries.Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): I have received the Reserve Bank's Financial Stability Report which announces an easing of loan-to-value (LVR) mortgage restrictions. The Reserve Bank says that this move is possible in part due to Government housing policies that are and I quote expected to have a dampening effect on the housing market." Members on this side of the House have long highlighted the way that LVRs lock first-home buyers out of the market and we welcome this decision.Marja Lubeck: What else does the Reserve Bank's Financial Stability Report say about the Government's housing policies?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: The Reserve Bank says and I quote "the Government has announced a number of policies that are likely to reduce housing demand and increase housing supply" "they are likely to reduce house price inflation expectations and weaken demand for housing particularly from investors seeking capital gains" "this is likely to see the gradual reduction in housing market risks" "If sustained slower house price growth should lead to a continued moderation in household credit growth and reduce the potential for a significant house price correction."Marja Lubeck: What did the Reserve Bank have to say about housing under the previous policies?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I thank the member for that question. This time last year the Financial Stability Report said and I quote "Vulnerabilities in the housing market—Mr SPEAKER: I am going to interrupt the member. The member has responsibility for neither the time period nor the organisation.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Has the Minister seen a report that despite the Minister saying that Treasury advice to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to inform its Monetary Policy Statement was incorrect and that he'd called them into his office the Reserve Bank had not received any other advice and are standing beside their working assumptions?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: We respectfully disagree with the commentary that the Reserve Bank made about the suggestion of a private sector offset for KiwiBuild policies. We have had discussions about that and about the full impact of the KiwiBuild policy. I'm confident that we're proceeding on the same page."
Peters WinstonRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister): I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. In the interests of putting this matter to bed or to rest or to sleep I move an extension of time for that last member that was speaking.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): Members I must remind you about order in the House. I have to say that members on this side of the House with their constant interjections have actually caused disorder. I was allowing the member to continue with his speech rather than disrupt him to make that very point. So I would ask members on this side of the House please to retain some order and to allow people to continue with their debate.Stuart Smith: Can I speak to the point of order please?The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): Speaking to the point of order.STUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura): I actually thought that he'd been asleep all the way through that. I'm just surprised he was awake.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): The member will resume his seat. That's not—[Interruption] Please if you would put the leave again.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister): Could I remind you before you sanctioned the House for its behaviour that I sought in the interests of putting the matter to bed or to sleep to seek leave for the House to give extended speaking time to that member because it's working.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): I think that's a frivolous motion. The member will resume his seat.
Private International Law (Choice of Law in Tort) Bill — Third Reading
Hughes GarethGARETH HUGHES (Green): Kia ora Mr Assistant Speaker. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora. I should have yielded to the member. It was a very good contribution and a valuable one to the House.I will admit to the House that I am a little bit daunted speaking about torts in Parliament. I worked for Greenpeace for 10 years before entering Parliament and I spent more time in front of a judge than making tort- or constitutional-based arguments in front of a judge. But look it's been a fascinating debate. I'd like to single out the member for Christchurch Central Duncan Webb. He made an incredible contribution explaining the history.Not being familiar with tort law I would point out that this is actually one of the most substantive debates we've had in Parliament for a while and anyone watching I think maybe learnt a thing or two about the international legal norms.I would like to congratulate the member Sarah Dowie for navigating this legislation through the House. If you listen to Chris Finlayson it was all his work of course but I acknowledge the work of the member sponsoring the bill.The Greens have supported this legislation all the way through. We want to see our legal system which can be for many people a daunting process as well—it can be overly complex. We want to clarify and simplify law and here's a pretty common-sense area where we could improve it. We know other jurisdictions around the world such as the UK are going down this path to abolish—I guess you could make the argument—the archaic double actionability rule.What I learnt from the member Duncan Webb's contribution was the broad range of tort law—everything from motor accidents to defamation law and even to constitutional issues. Now there's going to be some implementation issues as we saw with some pretty archaic laws—tort laws that we got rid of decades and ages ago that are still on the statute book in other countries—and how we navigate this area. But in a nutshell this common-sense law change to simplify and make our legal system easier to access more able to be understood and hopefully delivering better outcomes for Kiwis is a good thing and that's why we've supported it all the way through.I acknowledge the submissions—the small number of them. It has the support of the New Zealand Law Society. We want to thank the House for progressing this very constructive positive bill. Kia ora koutou.
King Matt; Williams PotoMATT KING (National—Northland): Madam Assistant Speaker I'd like to acknowledge you for your appointment since this is the first time I've appeared before you. Well done.It's a pleasure to take a call on this bill. It's a mouthful—wait for it—Hon Member: You can do it.MATT KING: Ha ha! The Films Videos and Publications Classification (Interim Restriction Orders) Amendment Bill. What a mouthful.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Time's up!MATT KING: Time's up!Darroch Ball: Do you support it or not?MATT KING: Absolutely—100 percent. Twelve ten-minute speeches; I get to do five minutes on a bill that totals nine pages from cover to cover. We support this bill in National because it's common sense for one and secondly because my colleague Chris Bishop is running it.It's a bill that went before the former Justice and Electoral Committee of which there are a few members in the House but as my colleague noted some have left. And as a newly appointed member of the Justice Committee and along with some very talented people from both sides of the House—and I mention my colleague from my former profession Greg O'Connor in that—it falls on us to speak about it. I look forward to getting my teeth into this justice area. It's an area that I have personal experience in.Now this bill it's about flexibility. It's about providing the President of the Film and Literature Board of Review and the High Court flexibility when making interim restriction orders. There are two significant clauses: clause 4 which essentially allows the president of the board when making interim restriction orders the flexibility to restrict the availability to a particular age—14 16 or 18—or a class of person like tertiary students or for a particular purpose like film festivals and clause 6 a new clause which introduces new offence provisions for interim restriction orders.I'd like to acknowledge some of the speakers that have spoken before me and the ones that are going to speak after me for taking up their allotted 10 minutes of time—ha ha!—because it's a nine-page bill and I'm struggling. This is a simple but essential bill that improves freedom of expression in New Zealand—a core National Party belief. So we support this accordingly and I commend it to the House at two minutes and 50 seconds. Thank you.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): I call Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki. You have 5 minutes.
Speaker's Statements — Speeches—Roster for Interrupted Debates
Points of Order — United Nations—70th Anniversary of Resolution 181
Mallard TrevorFILMS VIDEOS AND PUBLICATIONS CLASSIFICATION (INTERIM RESTRICTION ORDERS) AMENDMENT BILLThird ReadingDebate resumed from 9 August.Mr SPEAKER: Sorry can I just indicate to Amy Adams before we start that we're having a little bit of a problem with the clocks at the moment and it may be that the clock goes up rather than down—all right?
SpeechSPEAKER'S RULINGSDebates Interrupted—Speaking RosterMr SPEAKER: I think I'll indicate to the House the approach to be taken for the interrupted speeches for the forthcoming debates as I indicated to the Business Committee yesterday. There were a number of members who were part-way through speeches on bills and the normal practice would be to resume them. What I have decided because we have quite a different balance in the Parliament is to adopt a new rotation and to come in at the point of the interrupted speech. So those speeches are effectively wiped and another member has the ability to take that. So we're not starting the bills again. All we're doing is saying if we're at the third speech we'll have the third speaker according to the new roster and go from there. If members are interrupted and want to start again when it's their time that's fine enough but obviously people who've completed their speeches can't have another one on the same question because that would be against the Standing Orders. So I call on members' order of the day for member's bill No. 1.
Ngaro AlfredWEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2017Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.POINTS OF ORDERLeave to Move Motion without Notice—United Nations Resolution 181 70th AnniversaryHon ALFRED NGARO (National): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to move without notice and without debate a motion to recognise the 70th anniversary of Resolution 181 of the United Nations regarding the recognition of Israel.Mr SPEAKER: That has not been circulated in a way to me and leave will not be granted.Hon Simon Bridges: That's a new rule.Mr SPEAKER: Well Mr Bridges any member can object; one has. It will continue and I do want to say to Mr Robertson and other members that there is going to be a tighter arrangement around whether or not the House debates motions without notice. There have been previous agreements in the Business Committee and it is my intention—especially with quite a lot of support from the Deputy Prime Minister—to make sure that the motions that are debated are ones that are serious and infrequent.
Thursday 16 November 2017 - Volume 725
11. Research and Development Business Investment—Government SupportMARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister of Research Science and InnovationResearch and Development Business Investment—Government Support11. MARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister of Research Science and Innovation: How does the Government intend to support businesses to invest more in research and development and what are the benefits of this to New Zealand?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Research Science and Innovation): The Government intends to support businesses by introducing a tax credit that rewards spending on R & D. We have a goal to raise New Zealand's expenditure on R & D to two percent of GDP in 10 years and the tax credit will be critical to reaching that goal. Investing in R & D supports economic diversification raises productivity creates high-value jobs and improves social and environmental well-being. I thank that member's party for their commitment to research science and innovation.Mark Patterson: What is the current state of R & D in New Zealand and how does this compare to other countries?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Business expenditure on R & D was $1.6 billion in 2016 or 0.64 percent of GDP. This compares poorly to other OECD countries where the average is 1.65 percent. The member along with many other New Zealanders may be surprised to learn that 45 percent of all business R & D expenditure was carried out by just 30 firms that spent $10 million or more on R & D and 26 percent by just six firms that spent $25 million or more. That's not the sign of an innovative economy. We can and must do better.Mark Patterson: What reports has she seen showing support for the Government's R & D policies?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: I was pleased to see a report from the business and farming communities welcoming our proposals. I note ManufacturingNZ's comment that businesses would happily welcome back tax credits and take on board their comment about the need to minimise associated compliance costs. I also note reports that Federated Farmers is fully behind our goal of boosting R & D to 2 percent of GDP. We look forward to engaging with them and others in the near future.
10. Tourism—PoliciesHon JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister of TourismTourism—Policies10. Hon JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister of Tourism: Does he stand by all his statements?Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Minister of Tourism): Yes in the context they were given.Hon Jacqui Dean: Does he stand by his opening statement to the Tourism Industry Association conference where he said that his Government's programme outlined in the Speech from the Throne is ambitious?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Yes.Hon Jacqui Dean: How can then the Minister have confidence in his Government when there were no references at all to tourism in the Speech from the Throne?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: You can be very confident and it's still early days. I'm keen to hear the views of the tourism sector on the key challenges and opportunities for the tourism sector so that we can work together to address them.Hon Jacqui Dean: How does he expect tourism to maintain the highest standard of service to our guests if his Government's stated policy is going to reduce the number of overseas workers available to work in tourism?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Skilled labour is a key challenge for the tourism sector. I'm keen to hear the views of the people in the sector so we can work together to address that challenge.Hon David Parker: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. You've been policing the issue of interjections very fiercely in respect of Government interjections during Opposition members asking questions. Sir it's very tempting to make interjections when the people asking the questions put little irrelevant snide remarks and insults at the start of their questions and sir order will not be maintained in this House if that is not similarly policed.Mr SPEAKER: Well I'm not that happy with the approach and the tone of that point of order. If the member wants to reflect on my chairmanship of the House I suggest that at least in the first instance he come and do it directly with me. I am trying to be even-handed but I think it's fair to say that not all of the answers that have been received have also been within the Standing Orders. If I interfered on every occasion a question or an answer was out of order we'd be here until about 5 o'clock on questions.Hon David Parker: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I wasn't meaning to imply that sir. I apologise if that was implicit in my tone. But I do sir make the point that was made.Hon Simon Bridges: You're in Government now son; suck it up.Mr SPEAKER: Mr Bridges you should not address me in that way. I'm certainly far too old to be your son.Hon Simon Bridges: I withdraw and apologise.Hamish Walker: How many tourism operators has he spoken to in Queenstown about how hard it is to find New Zealanders to fill tourism roles?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: In the three weeks that we've been in Government I haven't been down to Queenstown yet.
9. Prisons—Prison PopulationSIMON O'CONNOR (National—Tāmaki) to the Minister of CorrectionsPrisons—Prison Population9. SIMON O'CONNOR (National—Tāmaki) to the Minister of Corrections: Does he stand by all his Government's statements in relation to corrections?Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Minister of Corrections): Yes in the context they were given.Simon O'Connor: How does he stand by his statement that he is seeking a 30 percent reduction in the prison population given that only 25 percent of the prison population has a non-violent background?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: One of the problems about crime is that we need to address the drivers of crime such as child poverty such as the housing crisis left behind such as unemployment such as the housing crisis and the crisis in mental health.Simon O'Connor: Will he inform the public in advance which violent offenders he will be releasing to meet his target or will he come up with a new target instead?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: No. Look we're looking at all the options for reducing crime in the first place. That's really where we need to look instead of looking at letting people out of prison. That's just absolutely ridiculous again.Simon O'Connor: We're back to ridiculous again. Is it a contradiction—Mr SPEAKER: Because the Prime Minister wasn't here when I made my rulings I will make an exception for her as I made an exception for Paula Bennett a couple of questions ago. We now let people ask questions without interjecting.Simon O'Connor: Is it a contradiction that the Minister of Justice is promising to be tough on crime while the Minister of Corrections is promising to reduce the number of people being punished for committing crimes?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: The two ideas aren't mutually exclusive.Simon O'Connor: Philosopher in the House! Can he tell the House who will ultimately win: the Minister of Justice who promises to be tough on crime or the Minister of Corrections who promises to reduce the number of people being punished for those crimes?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: If we reduce the prison population all of New Zealand will win.
8. Erosion Control—PoliciesPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister for Regional Economic DevelopmentErosion Control—Policies8. PAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: What announcements has he made relating to erosion control?Mr SPEAKER: I'm just waiting for Paula Bennett to be quiet.Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Regional Economic Development): On the question of erosion control—in particular in the Tai Rāwhiti district—I will be making numerous announcements. One that the Minister of Forestry has made is to facilitate tree planting to stop the erosion of land. That's enough Paula. I'll accelerate erosion where you're concerned. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: And pretty unnecessary.Paul Eagle: What is the current susceptibility to severe erosion in Gisborne and how does this Government hope to improve this?Hon SHANE JONES: Erosion in the Gisborne district long since overlooked in terms of the last nine years is 42000 hectares—42000 hectares etc. And there is another 4900 that will be remediated under the hard-working Minister for Regional Economic Development and Minister of Forestry.Paul Eagle: What will be the other benefits of this Government's forestation targets?Hon SHANE JONES: By being imaginative and robust with the soil erosion work. In real terms it will mean the doubling of trees planted every year from 50 million 100 million—well on our way to 1 billion trees.
5. Minimum Wage—IncreaseVIRGINIA ANDERSEN (Labour) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and SafetyMinimum Wage—Increase5. VIRGINIA ANDERSEN (Labour) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Why is the Government planning to raise the minimum wage to $16.50 per hour on 1 April 2018?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety): This Government is committed to ensuring that people get a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. For most Kiwis their wages are their main source of income and they need enough to provide a decent life for their families. New Zealanders have been working long hours for low wages for too long and this coalition Government is committed to addressing this.Virginia Andersen: Who will benefit from the minimum wage increase?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: An increase to $16.50 an hour will give 164000 working Kiwis a pay rise. Women Māori and Pasifika work disproportionately in low-paid industries and will benefit the most from an increase. Lifting the minimum wage reduces inequality and less inequality benefits everyone.Virginia Andersen: Does the Minister have a view on the relationship between the minimum wage and productivity?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Yes I do. New Zealand has seen no growth in labour productivity in the last four years. In fact right now we're going backwards with Treasury seeing a 0.03 percent drop in productivity. This Government will work with New Zealand businesses and workers to lift productivity along with wages including the minimum wage.
Address in Reply
Mallard TrevorBUSINESS OF THE HOUSEMr SPEAKER: I want to apologise to the House. I shared Ms Bennett's enthusiasm to get to oral questions and we skipped over papers. No petitions or select committee reports have been presented and no bills have been introduced but Ministers have delivered papers.Papers presented.
Points of Order — Personal Explanation—Timeliness
Bridges Simon; Mallard TrevorPOINTS OF ORDERAmended Answer to Question No. 1 14 November—TimelinessHon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It is in fact in relation to the explanation made by Mr Davis.Mr SPEAKER: No no. That was—Hon Simon Bridges: Well it was only simply because—Mr SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat. Mr Davis has made an explanation; that must be accepted by the House. I'm wondering what possible relevance to the Business Statement—I know that his deputy leader is waiting to have a point of order I think on the substance of the other matter. She will have priority if that is the subject of her point of order.Hon Simon Bridges: In terms of Davis?Mr SPEAKER: I think Ms Bennett shortly after Mr Hipkins called for a point of order slightly belatedly called for one that is relevant to Mr Davis. Is that right?Hon Paula Bennett: Yes.Mr SPEAKER: Yes so she'll have precedence. Has the member got anything more to say about the Business Statement?Hon Simon Bridges: No that's fine.Hon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I just wanted to check that if someone has made an error is it not in the Standing Orders that they actually correct that as soon as possible?Mr SPEAKER: Yes and my understanding is that this has been corrected as soon as the member was aware of the error.
Hipkins ChrisBUSINESS STATEMENTHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): The House will next sit on Tuesday 28 November. The Address in Reply debate will conclude on that day. Government business on Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon will include the third readings of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill and the Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2). Wednesday 29 November will be a members' day and will feature the first general debate of the new Parliament.
Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 1 to Minister 14 November
Davis KelvinAMENDED ANSWERS TO ORAL QUESTIONSQuestion No. 1 to Minister 14 NovemberHon KELVIN DAVIS (Acting Prime Minister): I seek leave to make a personal explanation under Standing Order 358 relating to an answer I gave to a supplementary question during oral questions on Tuesday.Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that process? There appears to be none.Hon KELVIN DAVIS: In answer to a supplementary question on oral question No. 1 on Tuesday I stated Yes those costs have been finalised." I should have stated "Those costs have yet to be finalised.""
EventTHURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2017Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Karakia.MEMBERS SWORNGareth Hughes was presented to the Speaker made the Affirmation of Allegiance required by law and took his seat in the House.Rt Hon Winston Peters was presented to the Speaker took the Oath of Allegiance required by law and took his seat in the House.
Wednesday 8 November 2017 - Volume 725
Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 115New Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 45; New Zealand First 8; Green Party 7.Noes 1ACT New Zealand 1.Bill read a first time.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That urgency be accorded.Ayes 60New Zealand Labour 45; New Zealand First 8; Green Party 7.Noes 55New Zealand National 55.Motion agreed to.
EventMEMBERS SWORNMunokoa Poto Williams was presented to the Speaker made the affirmation required by law and took her seat in the House.Mr Speaker administered the Oath of Allegiance to Priyanca Radhakrishnan who then took her seat in the House.
Reinstatement of Business
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 58New Zealand Labour 43; New Zealand First 8; Green Party 7.Noes 56New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1.Motion agreed to.The question was put that the amendment in the name of the Hon Simon Bridges to reinstate the Employment (Pay Equity and Equal Pay) Bill and the Regulatory Standards Bill be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendment be agreed to.Ayes 56New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 43; New Zealand First 8; Green Party 7.Amendment not agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the motion to reinstate business be agreed to.Ayes 58New Zealand Labour 43; New Zealand First 8; Green Party 7.Noes 56New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1.Motion agreed to.Sitting suspended from 1.09 p.m. to 2 p.m.
State Opening
EventSTATE OPENINGA message from Her Excellency the Governor-General desiring the immediate attendance of honourable members in the Legislative Council Chamber was delivered by the Acting Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.Accordingly Mr Speaker and honourable members preceded by the Serjeant-at-Arms proceeded to the Legislative Council Chamber and after a short absence returned.
Dyson RuthHon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills): This is actually a fantastic way to end the first proper sitting day of the House by getting such widespread agreement and support on the extension of paid parental leave. So the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill is going to get as much support through this House as it did through the two submission processes that Sue Moroney led it through. I think that's a really excellent thing for parents it's an excellent thing for babies and it's an excellent thing for this Parliament to be doing.I want to repeat the congratulations I made earlier to the Minister Iain Lees-Galloway—great start to your ministerial career and don't slow down. There's lots to do and you should keep doing it. And also I want to give a tribute to my former colleague Sue Moroney who introduced this legislation twice before in the Parliament. On the first attempt despite being overwhelmingly supported by submissions the National Party voted against it and it was defeated. The second time with the support of the majority of members of Parliament the National Party issued a financial veto. I'm glad they've come to their senses and will support it tonight. I look forward to its third reading soon.Bill read a second time.
Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Woodhouse MichaelHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National): Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker and look having had a decent old rant only an hour ago I don't intend to take the House's time too long except to thank the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety for his generous offer—I think he extended it to Sarah Dowie—on an amendment in the committee of the whole House and I think the Minister and the Government can expect that the Opposition will take up that offer in the spirit in which it was offered and I appreciate that.It will also I expect offer some other suggestions that were based around the flexibility provisions that we campaigned on—in particular that both parents could take paid parental leave at the same time particularly now that we are going out to 26 weeks—and I look forward to that being carefully considered in the committee of the whole House.
Curran ClareHon CLARE CURRAN (Minister of Broadcasting Communications and Digital Media): Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. Very quickly congratulations—huge congratulations—Barbara Kuriger: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. The split call was the last one. That was Jo Hayes'. We actually do have call number 11.Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: We are actually on call number nine at the moment.Hon CLARE CURRAN: Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. Firstly a huge congratulations to you as Madam Deputy Speaker"—an enormous step forward in New Zealand—for that appointment. Sue Moroney if you are listening huge congratulations to you and also to Iain Lees-Galloway on the conclusion of this sorry saga in this House. Every argument that this Opposition the former Government has used against this bill tonight has been comprehensively shot down by this new Government. I am enormously proud to support this bill. Its time has come. Women work parents and children are what this Government is supporting. I commend this bill to the House."
Tolley AnneMadam DEPUTY SPEAKER: That was a split call between Labour and National and National have indicated they don't wish to take their call so I call the Hon Clare Curran.