edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
3. Fiscal Strategy—Settings and FrameworkDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of FinanceFiscal Strategy—Settings and Framework3. Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of Finance: What actions if any has he taken to enhance New Zealand's fiscal settings and framework?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Today I announced our plan to update and enhance a key part of the Government's financial framework. In particular this means embedding a well-being focus into the Public Finance Act. The proposed changes would require New Zealand Governments to set out well-being objectives alongside fiscal objectives that will guide budget decisions and would also require Treasury to report on the well-being indicators alongside traditional economic and fiscal indicators. Thirty years on from the establishment of both the State Sector Act and the Public Finance Act it is past time for us to modernise these pieces of legislation to reflect not just fiscal accountability but also ensure that the Government takes an approach that takes into account the overall well-being of all New Zealanders.Dr Duncan Webb: What other actions has the Government taken to enhance New Zealand's fiscal settings?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Today we have also released more details on the Government's planned independent fiscal institution as foreshadowed at Budget time. This institution would monitor the Government's adherence to its Budget responsibility rules and provide political parties with the opportunity for independent costings of their policies. This type of institution is common across the world including in 26 OECD countries. It would add to the quality of debate in New Zealand by providing an independent authoritative voice on matters that affect public finances.Dr Duncan Webb: Why are these changes necessary?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The primary goal of this Government is to enhance the well-being and living standards of all New Zealanders. The changes we are proposing put this goal at the heart of how Governments make fiscal decisions whilst also strengthening a responsible approach to fiscal management as required under the Public Finance Act. These changes are part of the Government's wider modernisation of our institutional framework including reforms of the State Sector Act and the Reserve Bank and these will ensure our economy and its systems are fit for purpose for the 21st century.
Tuesday 11 September 2018 - Volume 732
Education (Teaching Council of Aotearoa) Amendment Bill — In Committee (continued)
Sittings of the House — Motion to Extend Sitting
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the motion be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 56; ACT New Zealand 1.Motion agreed to.
2. Education and Workforce Committee—MeetingsHon NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) to the Chairperson of the Education and Workforce CommitteeEducation and Workforce Committee—Meetings2. Hon NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) to the Chairperson of the Education and Workforce Committee: Did she call a committee meeting in Auckland on Wednesday this week?Dr PARMJEET PARMAR (National) Chairperson of the Education and Workforce Committee: The request for leave to meet in Auckland—SPEAKER: Order! The member will answer the question—directly.Dr PARMJEET PARMAR: Yes I did. The request to—SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume her seat.Hon Nikki Kaye: I seek leave for Government orders of the day Nos 3 and 4 to be moved to the bottom of the Order Paper.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that? There is.Hon Iain Lees-Galloway: Mr Speaker—SPEAKER: No it's my turn.
1. Education and Workforce Committee—Quorum at MeetingsHon NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) to the Chairperson of the Education and Workforce CommitteeQUESTIONS TO MEMBERSEducation and Workforce Committee—Quorum at Meetings1. Hon NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) to the Chairperson of the Education and Workforce Committee: What will she do if the committee does not have a quorum for its meeting this Wednesday for hearings in Auckland?Dr PARMJEET PARMAR (National) Chairperson of the Education and Workforce Committee: I'm really concerned that there may not be a quorum for this meeting—SPEAKER: Order! It's a very direct question. The member will answer it.Dr PARMJEET PARMAR: The fact that two education bills have been put on the Order Paper for this Wednesday means—SPEAKER: Order! The member will answer the question.Dr PARMJEET PARMAR: It will be embarrassing for the whole parliamentary and—SPEAKER: Order! Question No. 2.
11. Employment—Statements and CommitmentsHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of EmploymentEmployment—Statements and Commitments11. Hon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Employment: Does he stand by the Government's statements and commitments with regard to employment?Hon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister of Employment): Yes—in the context of course in which they were made. Hon Paula Bennett: Does his Government remain committed to abolishing starting-out rates as previously stated or has he done another deal with a coalition partner?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Mr Speaker—SPEAKER: Order! I just want to make sure that this is an area that the Minister is responsible for.Hon WILLIE JACKSON: No I have no ministerial responsibility for youth rates. The member will need to direct that question to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety.Hon Paula Bennett: As he stated on Q+A that there's huge investment in terms of the regions" and "there is going to be more employment—there has to be" was he referring to projects like the Kawakawa tourism hub which is predicted to cost $2.4 million and produce just three jobs?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: No. Hon Paula Bennett: When he said on Q+A in relation to abolishing starting-out rates that they would no longer be abolished and that that was simply a campaign and not something that this Government stood by had he seen the press release by Iain Lees-Galloway in December which clearly stated it was a Government intention?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: I can't remember that press release.Jo Luxton: What other Government commitments does he stand by?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: I stand by this Government's commitment to our rangatahi our young people and I stand by that commitment to reduce the constant deficit between the unemployment rate of the general population and that experienced by Māori and Pasifika communities. I think it's an outrage when you look at the average wages of Pākehā Māori and Pasifika. For European it's $69056 for Māori it's $54000.80 and for Pasifika it's $48256—SPEAKER: Order! The member's answered the question and might be answering questions to other Ministers.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Is he conflicted by the fact that you've got Northland MPs from all parties backing the Kawakawa project to the hilt yet the front bench of the National Party's opposing it? And which one would he prefer?SPEAKER: Order! None of that is the member's responsibility."
9. Justice Minister—Cost of Criminal Justice SummitHon MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney) to the Minister of JusticeJustice Minister—Cost of Criminal Justice Summit9. Hon MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney) to the Minister of Justice: Does he still defend the cost of the coalition Government's two-day Criminal Justice Summit of $1.5 million?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice): Tēnā koe e Te Mana Whakawā o Te Whare. While the costs seem somewhat excessive I can say that the summit which was held over three days was an important first step to fixing our criminal justice system to ensure that we have less offending less reoffending and fewer victims of crime and thereby safer communities. What stuns me is that the members opposite were quite happy to preside over an increase in locking up prisoners to the tune of $500 million a year and more and didn't bat an eyelid.Hon Mark Mitchell: Does he support the Prime Minister's opinion that the cost of the justice summit is indefensible?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I agree with the Prime Minister that the costs are excessive and that departments should stick to their budgets.Hon Mark Mitchell: Does he think a budget of $2500 per participant represents value for the taxpayer and what lessons will he take from this exercise as he starts planning more summits?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I'm very glad that the members opposite are now concerned about the cost of our corrections system given the massive increase in it during their time in Government. But for the cost of locking up 15 prisoners a year to try to reduce the number by over 3000 you've got to start somewhere and you've got to start with getting the ideas out and engaging with people who have a contribution to make and that's what the summit achieved.Hon Mark Mitchell: What does he think is a better use of taxpayers' money: funding croissants and luxury pies or supporting victims and their families through the Integrated Safety Response pilot his Government refuses to fund?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I think what would've been a better use of money—if that member and his three colleagues who attended for less than one hour on one of the days—[Interruption] Should've been there for the whole lot. But I actually think it's a waste of money to be locking up thousands more people and seeing our reoffending rate at the same level that it was 20 years ago because those members opposite were happy to lock people up and ask no questions about what was the cause behind it.
8. Energy Market—Electricity Pricing Review ReportANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of Energy and ResourcesEnergy Market—Electricity Pricing Review Report8. ANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of Energy and Resources: What recent announcements has she made about the review of electricity prices in New Zealand?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Energy and Resources): Tēnā koe e Te Mana Whakawā. Today I was pleased to release a report following the conclusion of stage one of the electricity price review. The review formed part of the coalition agreement with New Zealand First and was initiated because we're well aware that for many New Zealanders power bills are becoming unmanageable. The report is a clear demonstration that many New Zealanders aren't getting the benefits from the retail market and it appears a two-tier structure is emerging. The report also highlights the major changes that are facing the sector in coming years and the need for the Government to be planning ahead. The report has been deliberately written to be accessible to a wide audience to ensure everyone can have a say and I encourage people to do so. Angie Warren-Clark: What steps has this Government already taken to help vulnerable people with high power prices?SPEAKER: No that does not relate to the review.Angie Warren-Clark: How does the Government intend to respond to the report?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Obviously we're keeping an open mind about changes that may be needed until we receive the final report. Once that comes in we'd expect to consider those recommendations and make changes that we believe appropriate. We're committed to affordable power for Kiwi families. The report is just one part of the Government's aim to help address the high cost of living for many New Zealanders.
6. Economy—ForecastsHon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of FinanceEconomy—Forecasts6. Hon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of Finance: Has he seen the latest NZIER consensus forecasts; if so can he confirm that the September forecast for GDP has been revised down compared to the June forecast for both the remaining full years of the Government's term being the current 2018/19 year and the 2019/20 year?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Yes and in addition the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's (NZIER's) consensus forecasts still show very close to 3 percent growth over the two-year period.Hon Amy Adams: Is the reason his answer to the primary question is seemingly unconcerned about the drop that he is unconcerned or unaware that these forecasts indicate that the economy will now be $2.2 billion smaller by the end of this Government's term than was predicted in this year's Budget?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No the answer to that question is that I continue to be concerned about working with business and getting a strong relationship and getting the economy growing on a productive and sustainable basis.Hon Amy Adams: Is he aware that when this Government's policies contribute to reducing the likely size of the economy by $2.2 billion in 2020 that's a loss greater than the entire size of the regional Tai Rāwhiti or West Coast economies?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The member is at risk of catastrophising here. The economy is still growing. The economy is forecast to grow at around 3 percent. Unemployment is forecast to come down to around 4 percent. We're getting on with the job of building an economy fit for the 21st century after a near decade of sitting on the sidelines by the previous Government.Hon Amy Adams: Is he concerned that the NZIER consensus forecasts have not only further revised GDP growth down over the last quarter; they've now also significantly reduced the forecast Government surpluses over the remainder of this term and they're predicting smaller wage growth and the only things that they've revised upwards were the cost of living and unemployment?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No. In fact unemployment is forecast to fall to 4.1 percent over the next four years. Employment growth is forecast to be stronger than in the previous forecasts. Wages are forecast to grow by more than 3 percent on average over the next two years.
5. Provincial Growth Fund—AnnouncementsJENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) to the Minister for Regional Economic DevelopmentProvincial Growth Fund—Announcements5. JENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: What recent announcements has he made regarding the Provincial Growth Fund?Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Regional Economic Development): Ngā mihi i roto i Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. Recent provincial growth announcements were made in Gisborne where provincial fortune met capital intervention. The capital intervention reflects not only the quality of the thinking and the policy but also the $152.7 million which was announced by the Prime Minister in an area that has been neglected overlooked and has finally enjoyed the attention that it deserves from this coalition Government.Jenny Marcroft: How many jobs will be created in Tai Rāwhiti as a result of the Provincial Growth Fund announcements?Hon SHANE JONES: Tahi rua toru whā—hundreds of jobs. The reference to the jobs is at least 100 and they were created the moment that the Prime Minister made her announcements. Many more will come as a consequence of the New Zealand Transport Agency reflecting the revamp of the principles governing the allocation of that independent transport fund into the regions. The Gisborne District Council has already begun working on developing cadres of workers to be trained to take on the roles of the opportunities that will come from mount Titirangi Cooks Landing. It's Māori Language Week: Titirangi means to pierce the heavens"—somewhat like our aspirations.Jenny Marcroft: How will this Government funding improve the economic and social well-being of the region?Hon SHANE JONES: The Tai Rāwhiti area comprises about 49000 people and it's important that we understand—and we will repeat it with great regularity—that as a consequence of regional transportation funding changes and the Provincial Growth Fund nigh on $390 million has now been committed to the Tai Rāwhiti over the three-year period possibly a bit longer. This represents a pipeline of infrastructure activity. It represents an opportunity to turn around the fortunes of that part of the economy because without robust well-funded infrastructure where will tertiary investment come from? That was the nature given with my characteristic modesty of the delivery in Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa—Gisborne—last week."
2. Economy—ReportsKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of FinanceEconomy—Reports2. KIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): He pai atu te kōrero—more good news. I have seen ManpowerGroup's employment outlook survey released this morning of over 600 New Zealand employers which showed a net 16 percent of employers expecting to increase staffing levels in the final quarter of this year. This result is up 6 percent on the previous quarter and up 4 percent on a year ago. The outlook is positive across all organisation sizes particularly medium and large businesses whose expectations of increasing employment are at a net 26 and 27 percent respectively.Kiritapu Allan: How do the responses of New Zealand employers compare with their international peers?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The survey results show the continued positive outlook of businesses in New Zealand when compared with other countries. New Zealand's net 16 percent employment outlook puts us in the top 10 countries surveyed—ahead of counterparts including Australia Canada Singapore Germany and the United Kingdom. This shows a healthy economic environment in New Zealand where it is a good time for businesses to invest and employ more people and for job seekers to find employment.Kiritapu Allan: What other reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I've seen a number of recent reports showing the continued strength of the New Zealand economy. Statistics New Zealand's latest data on wholesale trade for the June quarter showed a seasonally adjusted rise of 2.6 percent for the quarter. The largest rise was in machinery and equipment—Rt Hon Winston Peters: It's ka pai then.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: —suggesting increased capital investment by New Zealand businesses. Yes Mr Peters it's all ka pai. Today Statistics New Zealand released retail card spending data for August showing a seasonally adjusted 1 percent rise in total spending and ANZ released its latest Truckometer indexes today with the heavy traffic index rising 1.1 percent in August. We all know that the economy needs to go through a transition to be more productive and more sustainable but there are plenty of examples of it going along at a steady pace.
Thursday 6 September 2018 - Volume 732
Tariff (PACER Plus) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Tariff (PACER Plus) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 112New Zealand National 56; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; ACT New Zealand 1.Noes 8Green Party 8.Bill read a third time.
9. Police—Deputy Commissioner of Police Allegations AgainstCHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of PolicePolice—Deputy Commissioner of Police Allegations Against9. CHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of Police: Has a formal complaint of alleged bullying been made against Deputy Police Commissioner Wally Haumaha and has an employment investigation commenced?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice) on behalf of the Minister of Police: The police advise that they have received two formal complaints in relation to bullying allegations against Deputy Police Commissioner Wally Haumaha. These have been notified to the Independent Police Conduct Authority in accordance with the usual process for these complaints. Chris Bishop: What does the Minister's diary indicate he is doing between 2 and 3 o'clock on Thursday 6 September?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: On behalf of the Minister I cannot answer that question because I do not have that detail in front of me.
7. Primary Sector Development—Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures and Extension Service ModelKIERAN McANULTY (Labour) to the Minister of AgriculturePrimary Sector Development—Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures and Extension Service Model7. KIERAN McANULTY (Labour) to the Minister of Agriculture: How is this Government helping our vital primary sectors get more value for the products they produce?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture): I recently launched the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFFF) programme. The SFFF fund will make $40 million a year available for funding requests to help our vital food and fibre industries. The primary sector is the backbone of the New Zealand economy delivering more than $42 billion in export revenue last year and we are committed as a Government to getting more sustainable value for the great products our farmers and our growers produce.Kieran McAnulty: What are the key goals of the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: The new SFFF fund will provide greater strategic focus for research and move away from just focusing on volume to achieving higher sustainable value for our primary exporters. The SFFF fund provides a single gateway for farmers and growers to apply for investment in a greater range of products that deliver economic environmental and social benefits that flow through to all Kiwis.Kieran McAnulty: What programmes alongside the SFFF will help farmers get the most from their hard work?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: I recently also launched the Extension Service Model which will be rolled out over four years by the Ministry for Primary Industries with $3 million of funding. We're not starting from zero. There are a range of good extension programmes under way but there is opportunity for us to play a stronger role in partnering with industry to support better coordination and targeting of services that focus on sustainable and profitable farming. The extension service programme sits alongside our investment in tools like OVERSEER that will help farmers make good on-farm decisions.Hon Nathan Guy: Does he agree with his $100000 review that has confirmed National's Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) is delivering new jobs increased exports higher-value products and higher on-farm incomes?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: One would hope that the expenditure of $350 million of taxpayer funding would deliver some benefits for the country. However the review found three things. Firstly the report noted that since 2009 the PGP fund was underspent by $150 million as the last Government raided it for other things. Secondly the independent report said that PGP did not have a clear and agreed long-term strategy. And thirdly the report noted that PGP needed to focus on becoming more transformational.
4. Auckland District Health Board—Infrastructure InvestmentANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister of HealthAuckland District Health Board—Infrastructure Investment4. ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about investing in Auckland District Health Board's hospital infrastructure?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): On Thursday 23 August I accompanied the Prime Minister on a visit to Auckland City Hospital where we announced a $305 million investment in the district health board's (DHB's) essential infrastructure. The funding will be used to repair replace and upgrade everything from lifts water systems ICT cabling to new fire protection systems and new electrical substations. The project will also improve energy efficiency and help reduce operating costs.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What difference will patients at Auckland City Hospital Starship and Greenlane see as a result of this work?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: In the short term patients whānau and staff will not see a lot of difference and everything will be done to minimise disruption to ongoing work. Ultimately they will experience fewer operational failures greater efficiency and responsiveness and improved safety and resilience. This work will also provide a solid foundation for the DHB to plan for the future healthcare needs of its communities and it's necessary as a precursor for any future development of the Auckland City Hospital and Greenlane Clinical Centre sites.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: Why was such a large investment needed?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: We have great staff in our public hospitals. We deliver great care that people expect and indeed deserve in facilities they can rely on. Unfortunately a lot of the infrastructure at Auckland City Hospital and Greenlane is approaching the end of its life or is at capacity. We're addressing a legacy of deferred maintenance and an ageing infrastructure after nine long years of under-investment.
1. KiwiBuild—ProgressPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of Housing and Urban DevelopmentORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSKiwiBuild—Progress1. PAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: What progress has he made towards the Government's target of building 1000 affordable KiwiBuild homes in 2018/19 5000 in 2019/20 and 10000 in 2020/21?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): Malo e laumalie. On Sunday I announced that the first KiwiBuild homes have been completed. [Applause]SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume his seat. Can I just make it clear to members on both sides that we're here to listen to answers and not to act like a performing seals circus.Hon PHIL TWYFORD: The 18 warm modern and architecturally designed stand-alone homes made up of 12 three-bedroom homes selling for $579000 and six four-bedroom homes selling for $649000 will go on sale next week. A generation of young Kiwis with good jobs are priced out of homeownership. They made good choices but they still cannot afford the security of their own home. KiwiBuild is providing—SPEAKER: Order! The member has completed his answer.Paul Eagle: What other announcements did the Government make about the McLennan development?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well I also announced that a further 12 properties are under construction at the McLennan development and will be completed before Christmas including seven terraced two-bedroom homes and five four-bedroom homes and next year another 58 KiwiBuild homes will be built at McLennan the majority of which will be three-bedroom homes.Paul Eagle: How will an interested family purchase a KiwiBuild home at McLennan?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well a ballot opens next week and families will have four weeks to decide whether they want to enter into the ballot. Families can come and have a look and when the show home opens on Saturday this weekend they can talk to the agents and get an idea of whether it would work for them and their family.Paul Eagle: What other KiwiBuild developments are getting under way?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: The buying off the plans initiative which will provide the majority of houses in the first few years of KiwiBuild is making great progress and I'll be making more announcements on houses to be built under this scheme this year very soon. We're also preparing to ramp up building with large-scale developments including Unitec Northcote and Māngere and today the KiwiBuild unit has called for expressions of interest on the establishment of a large-scale offsite manufacturing industry in New Zealand.
Wednesday 5 September 2018 - Volume 732
Arms (Firearms Prohibition Orders) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Arms (Firearms Prohibition Orders) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 56New Zealand National 56.Noes 64New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8; ACT New Zealand 1.Motion not agreed to.The result corrected after originally being announced as Ayes 57 Noes 63.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Dog Control (Category 1 Offences) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 112New Zealand National 56; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; ACT New Zealand 1.Noes 8Green Party 8.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Primary Production Committee.
Dog Control (Category 1 Offences) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Electoral (Entrenchment of Māori Seats) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 56; ACT New Zealand 1.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Māori Affairs Committee.
Electoral (Entrenchment of Māori Seats) Amendment Bill — First Reading
11. Employment and Skills Training—Fast Track Partnership ProgrammePRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentEmployment and Skills Training—Fast Track Partnership Programme11. PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development: What recent initiatives has she announced that provide opportunities for people looking for work?Hon Carmel Sepuloni: Mr Speaker? [Minister sitting in wheelchair]SPEAKER: Order! I think the member has to indicate that she wants the call.Hon Carmel Sepuloni: Mr Speaker? [Minister raises hand]SPEAKER: The Hon Carmel Sepuloni.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): Last week Accor Hotels Tourism Industry Aotearoa and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) announced that they would be extending their Fast Track Partnership Programme to Christchurch this month. The programme currently operates in Rotorua and provides unemployed people with hospitality and industry training and employment opportunities. The five weeks of pre-employment training offers a mix of classroom-based and hands-on training as well as the opportunity to earn New Zealand Qualifications Authority level 3 qualifications. This is yet another example of how this Government is working with business to create better job opportunities for New Zealanders.Priyanca Radhakrishnan: What feedback has she had on the success of the programme?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The Fast Track Partnership Programme was established in 2017 when Tourism Industry Aotearoa came on board. Whilst the programme is still new it is already showing promising results. Of those who took part in the first training 90 percent got employment contracts as a result. Of the most recent cohort 89 percent will start work this week in new careers in hotels across Rotorua. I'm looking forward to the programme's continuing success as it is rolled out in Christchurch.Priyanca Radhakrishnan: Why are these programmes and partnerships so important?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Strong partnerships with industry leaders and employers are essential for developing training valued by employers which leads to sustainable and meaningful work for MSD clients. Through MSD's broader partnerships with Accor Hotels the Ministry of Social Development have placed more than 800 clients into employment across the country. Every day we are working with business to grow these opportunities and I'm looking forward to seeing these expand in the future.
7. School Buildings—UpgradesVIRGINIA ANDERSEN (Labour) to the Minister of EducationSchool Buildings—Upgrades7. VIRGINIA ANDERSEN (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What announcements has he made about upgrading the condition of classrooms in New Zealand?SPEAKER: I call Chris Hipkins and wish him happy birthday.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): On Monday the Prime Minister and I announced a major upgrade to the redevelopment of Wainuiomata High School. The Government will be doubling the $12 million committed by the previous Government to the redevelopment increasing that fund to $24 million so that the school can have a full redevelopment rather than a partial one. This is a sign of the Government's commitment to providing its over 600 students with safe modern classrooms to learn in.Virginia Andersen: What other recent announcements have been made on the rebuild of new classrooms around the country?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Last week the Prime Minister and I announced $47 million to repair Otumoetai College's buildings in Tauranga which suffered from leaks and deteriorating classrooms. This will provide them with 57 new classrooms and a new library for the up to 1950 students that attend that school.Hon Member: Where did the money come from Chris? Where did the money come from?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: We also provided $6 million to redevelop the classroom block at Tauranga Girls' College which is also leaking. In answer to the questions from the members opposite—they're welcome to ask one if they want to—the funding all came from this year's Budget.Virginia Andersen: How many expansion rebuild redevelopment and roll-growth announcements have been made since Budget 2018?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Heaps. I won't go through all of them but we have committed to a rebuild of Onepoto primary school—SPEAKER: Order! The question asked for a number not a list.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Mr Speaker I'm happy to count them up. Heaps—I did answer heaps". SPEAKER: All right well the member's finished then.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I haven't got a numerical count for those—SPEAKER: The member's finished.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Sorry Mr Speaker I do. There are 111 roll-growth classrooms. There are five redevelopments two expansions one relocation and rebuild one rebuild one new State build and one new school and site for a wharekura."
5. Budget 2019—Well-being ApproachDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of FinanceBudget 2019—Well-being Approach5. Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of Finance: What progress if any is being made on the coalition Government's well-being approach to Budget 2019?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): This Government wants a well-being focus to drive the decisions we make about Government policies and Budget priorities. This means adding to traditional measures such as GDP a wider set of indicators of success: the health of our environment our people and our communities. Our approach includes Treasury's Living Standards Framework and its four capitals human financial natural and social; Statistics New Zealand's Indicators Aotearoa New Zealand project which will have indicators across all dimensions of well-being for New Zealanders; and the programme of State sector reform announced by Minister Hipkins yesterday which will also include reform of the Public Finance Act. Together these tools and processes will help us put together Budget 2019 and future Budgets on the basis of a rigorous framework that will include a wide range of issues and measures of success.Dr Deborah Russell: How is this approach different to previous Government Budgets?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Budget 2019 will be focused on initiatives that support long-term intergenerational well-being. It requires Ministers and agencies to work together on funding bids aimed at those long-term outcomes rather than their individual needs. We will always have a careful and close eye on our fiscal performance but New Zealanders have told us that that is not sufficient. A Budget needs to reflect the importance of the health of our people our environment and our communities and that is what will begin in Budget 2019.Dr Deborah Russell: Why is this approach necessary?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I told the international well-being conference this morning it is necessary because New Zealanders are rightly concerned that despite enviable GDP growth we've found ourselves being reported as having the worst homelessness in the world. A narrow approach to value and purpose will not allow us to meet the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world of work mitigate climate change or address inequality. This Government wants a country that's prosperous but cares about who shares in that prosperity where we will look after our land and water and where we make our communities stronger. We need to use the Budget process to make that happen and that is what we are committed to.SPEAKER: I just advise the member that he's getting the Bill English approach to his collar. It's not a Minister of Finance thing; I think it should cease.
4. Refugees—QuotaHon TODD McCLAY (National—Rotorua) to the Minister of Foreign AffairsRefugees—Quota4. Hon TODD McCLAY (National—Rotorua) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Does he stand by all his statements?Hon DAVID PARKER (Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs) Yes in their context.Hon Todd McClay: Why did he say this week that it was not Government policy to increase the refugee quota to 1500 per year when the Prime Minister confirmed the same day that it remained Government policy?Hon DAVID PARKER: Because the Deputy Prime Minister and the Prime Minister are both correct. The Prime Minister is saying that it is Labour Party policy to double the quota to 1500. It is the New Zealand First policy that they are not yet across the line on that and both agree it's a Cabinet decision.Hon Todd McClay: Has he informed the Prime Minister that she is wrong when she said on Monday that the Government remained committed to increasing the refugee quota to 1500; and if not why not?Hon DAVID PARKER: The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister both agree it's a decision for Cabinet.Hon Todd McClay: What message does it send to the public when the Prime Minister and her foreign affairs Minister are at odds on the Government's policies to increase the refugee quota to 1500 per year?Hon DAVID PARKER: The message it sends this week as last week and as at the time of the last election is that this was a policy of the Labour Party that this is a coalition Government and that these decisions are for Cabinet.Hon Todd McClay: Well what message does it send to our international partners when the Prime Minister and her foreign affairs Minister are at odds on fundamental foreign policy issues like refugees?Hon DAVID PARKER: They're not.Hon Todd McClay: Is it any surprise that business confidence levels are at record lows when the Prime Minister and her deputy and foreign affairs Minister are at odds with each other on so many important issues and the Government is a shambles?Hon DAVID PARKER: They're not; you're making it up. Sorry not you Mr Speaker. The member is making it up.
3. Animal Welfare—FeedlotsGARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Minister of AgricultureAnimal Welfare—Feedlots3. GARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Minister of Agriculture: Does he stand by his statement about the current use of feedlots Clearly it is not the mainstream type of production for New Zealand. But we are open to innovative ways to produce good quality beef. This is one of them"; if so does he see any brand risk to New Zealand agriculture?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture): Thank you Mr Speaker. Yes I stand by my statement. The feedlot in question has been run well over the 27 years of its operation and is recognised for the quality of product it sells to the market. That feedlot's pens consist of straw bedding on a stabilised base. It is situated close to the coast because it provides more of a temperate climate for the animals. I'm unaware of there being any animal welfare issues at that site; however I'm acutely aware that whatever there is in terms of poor environmental stewardship across our country or poor animal welfare or bad working conditions that could result in risk to our agricultural brand.Gareth Hughes: Does he agree with the New Zealand Animal Law Association that say that feedlots are a breach of section 10 of the Animal Welfare Act as the cows are not provided with adequate shelter and cannot display normal patterns of behaviour such as grazing?SPEAKER: Well it's sort of a legal opinion but we'll say it's a policy matter.Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: No. For the most part the primary sector and farmers are working hard alongside the Government to improve sustainability and find new ways of doing things that get them more value from what they produce. The Government's commitment to a new way of working was highlighted a couple of weeks ago when I launched a $40 million a year Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures fund which will help the sector invest in projects that get more value for their exports and produce them in a more sustainable way.Gareth Hughes: Does he agree with Fish & Game New Zealand who call the continued existence of feedlots an indictment on New Zealand?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: No.Gareth Hughes: Is the Ministry for Primary Industries investigating concerns raised about the ANZCO feedlot farm in Ashburton which intensively farms 14000 cattle?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: I'm aware of accusations but no investigations at all.Gareth Hughes: Will the Minister ask his ministry to review the animal welfare code on the use of feedlots to ensure high-quality animal welfare standards environmental protection and the safeguarding of our agricultural export brand?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: No I don't believe so. I think the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee has been through all the codes of animal welfare. They have a very good independent oversight of animal welfare standards in this country and I'll make sure that they do everything necessary to uphold them."
Thursday 16 August 2018 - Volume 732
Education (Teaching Council of Aotearoa) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the amendments recommended by the Education and Workforce Committee by majority be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1.Amendments agreed to.Bill read a second time.
11. Electric Vehicles—Uptake and Government Initiatives AnnouncementsANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of Energy and ResourcesElectric Vehicles—Uptake and Government Initiatives Announcements11. ANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of Energy and Resources: What recent announcements has she made to help facilitate greater uptake of electric vehicles in New Zealand?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Energy and Resources): Last week I travelled to Porirua Motors with the local member Kris Faafoi where I announced funding of $3.87 million for 19 new projects across New Zealand as part of the latest round in the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund. The fund is administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority and encourages innovation and investment to accelerate the uptake of electric and other low-emission—SPEAKER: That's enough thank you.Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: —vehicles in New Zealand which might not otherwise happen.Angie Warren-Clark: Supplementary.SPEAKER: No we're not going to have any more supplementaries on this question. The Minister was instructed to sit down and she didn't. She continued. We'll move on to question No. 12.Hon Chris Hipkins: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I think it does set somewhat of a dangerous precedent for the House and for you as Speaker where you prevent members from asking questions based on the conduct of Ministers. I think it's fair to sanction a Minister. I don't think it's fair to take away the right—I think the Opposition would have a huge concern if an answer that I gave therefore meant that they weren't allowed to ask a question.SPEAKER: Yes and I clearly didn't do that. What I've done is stop the further promotion by way of Dorothy Dix or donkey-drop type questions which are overall undesirable where everything that the Minister had said was in the paper last week. I asked her to sit down and she did not. There is no question of a reduction in the accountability of the Government through the decision that I have just made.Hon Chris Hipkins: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. In the last Standing Orders' review a recommendation was considered to remove the right of Government backbench members to ask questions of Ministers and that was clearly rejected. It is the decision of the whole House to continue to allow Government backbench members to question Ministers.SPEAKER: Question No. 12 Dr Parmjeet Parmar.Hon Chris Hipkins: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. A backbench member of the Government was seeking to ask a supplementary question.SPEAKER: And I have indicated to the House because of the behaviour of the Minister and the nature of the question that the questioning on that question was curtailed. Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Not wishing to contest your ruling but can I suggest that your ruling be taken as a warning on this occasion rather than absolute and final and give the backbench member a chance to ask her question.SPEAKER: I think it can be taken as a warning to Ministers for the future to sit down when I tell them to.
8. KiwiBuild—Pre-qualification ProcessTAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki) to the Minister of Housing and Urban DevelopmentKiwiBuild—Pre-qualification Process8. TAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: What progress if any has been made in implementing the Government's KiwiBuild programme?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): On Monday pre-qualification opened and the first families have now fully completed the KiwiBuild application process ahead of the first ballots next month. So far more than 1800 applicants have started their applications and have taken the first step to owning their own KiwiBuild home. This comes on top of the now over 40000 Kiwis who have expressed an interest in owning their own home through KiwiBuild.Tamati Coffey: What does the pre-qualification process entail?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: The pre-qualification process is where potential KiwiBuild buyers show that they meet the eligibility criteria declare that they will live in their home and organise finance. There is no rush and families should take their time to organise their finance and documentation. There will always be plenty of notice and the KiwiBuild unit will let them know as new homes come on to the market in the coming months.Tamati Coffey: Are banks supporting the pre-qualification process?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Yes they are. The major banks have been very supportive of KiwiBuild and have been willing and open to help make the dream of homeownership come true for more New Zealanders. On Monday Kiwibank also announced it is putting itself out there as the first choice for KiwiBuild participants. They will pre-approve customers for up to 90 percent of the value of a KiwiBuild home meaning that Kiwi families will only need a 10 percent deposit on these new builds. Kiwibank has also announced that it will contribute $2000 to moving or legal expenses.