edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Andersen GinnyGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour): Thank you very much Mr Chair for the opportunity. As a member of the Governance and Administration Committee it was a real privilege to be part of listening to the submissions on this bill and to understand in greater detail how it would be applied within New Zealand during the election process.I have a question for the member in the chair Chlöe Swarbrick which I'm really interested in knowing a little bit more around. I know that we've had a lot of discussion around eligibility for funding but I'm interested to know if there is any more detail available now or whether that is part of the review that will be coming in the future—particularly around how we ascertain different disabilities and how the level of funding would apply to each individual as they require that.The bulk of the submissions we heard gave information around the requirement for a translator to be paid for—for example in the course of a public debate or a public meeting where it would be able to have a paid interpreter coming and translating to sign language live. But there may be a wide variety of other disabilities whether they be physical or otherwise that may be covered by this funding. So I would be really interested to know the way forward in terms of ascertaining what obstacles are in place that prevent people from either being candidates or from standing at an election and how those different levels of ability are ascertained and what types of assistance can be provided to ensure full access to democracy in New Zealand. I think that's probably one of the greatest challenges we have as a country in order to making every aspect of our community and our democratic system accessible: it's to make sure that we are aware of those obstacles understand how they present to two different people and understand what types of different mechanisms can be employed to ensure that we have full accessibility.I've said it before but I'll say it again: I'd just like to thank Chlöe as well for her excellent work in this space. To pick up another member's bill is never an easy piece of work but I would like to commend her on the fact that she has taken it up with just as much passion and determination as was done previously with Mojo Mathers. So I think that has been well and truly heard within the disability community.It's always great to have bills in this House that reconfirm our commitment as a Parliament to making sure that we are continually assessing the needs of those people in our community that don't have full access. It is always a fight to make sure that we examine everything and remember that life is a fight for a lot of people who don't have easy access to things that we might take for granted on a daily basis.So I'll defer to the member in the chair for any answers going forward but the particular issue that I'm interested in is how we ascertain those levels of different abilities and what types of support can be provided and what that role is in terms of providing financial assistance through the Election Access Fund Bill that that can happen through. Thank you.
Penk ChrisCHRIS PENK (National—Helensville): Thank you Mr Chair. I request only to take a call for a very short period of time. Others have spoken about the general worth of the piece of legislation and for what it's worth I add my voice to that. Whether we come at it from a lens of equity or equality of opportunity either way it seems a worthwhile thing to do to be able to improve access for all New Zealanders and in this case disabled persons to our democratic processes.I have one question of the member in the chair Chlöe Swarbrick and I know that she'd approve of a thorough process in this way so I'll give her that challenge or that opportunity should she wish to take it. It's a relatively minor point but none the less I am generally curious regarding the commencement date. Originally Ms Swarbrick you had a six-month period that would herald the Act coming into force but I see the Governance and Administration Committee has changed that to a calendar date of 1 July 2021. So I wonder how you feel that interacts with the fact that we don't know the timing of any elections between now and that date. It's probably a reasonably arcane point but if you care to turn your mind to it and respond that would be a matter of interest.My only other comment would just be around the point that others have made regarding the non-applicability for now of the local government elections regime to this new mechanism. I just note that as others have already commented—for example the Hon Jacqui Dean—it's helpful that there's a review of the Act that must take place and that includes a review of the scope of the Act. So I just want to place on record that I think it's a valuable thing for that review when it does take place to include under the heading of scope" the possible applicability of the bill—or the Act as it will then be—to the local government environment and that seems to be somewhere that Parliament is moving in the general direction of anyway as evidenced by the recent reporting of the election inquiry from the Justice Committee of which I have been a part.So that's all from me. Mr Chair thank you. If the member cares to respond I'd be grateful."
Williams PotoHon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector): Thank you Mr Chair. I just want to take a short call. I was actually briefly subbed on to the Governance and Administration Committee I think for maybe one or two sessions. I just wanted to make a couple of points if I could.Firstly I wanted to talk about how the select committee itself was set up to ensure that those who were either in the gallery or able to pipe into the select committee were able to have as much access to the discussion as possible. I think it's important for us to lay that out because in the discussion as people who perhaps don't have disabilities it's important for us to understand the context in which we are having this discussion. So I think it's really useful for us to know that the select committee did what it could to ensure that as many people had access to the discussion as possible.One of the interesting discussions that I was actually on was: when does a candidate become a candidate? And when we're exploring this in normal electoral cycles that's an interesting issue. Because pragmatism appears to have range over this committee and they have removed several of the provisions that were in the original bill as it was presented; it has kind of streamlined that but it doesn't mean that the conversation itself is not important. I think what we would hope to get to in the future is coming back to those conversations where in the fullness of the electoral cycle we will make it possible for people to indicate that they want to be candidates and that the material that is provided to them and the opportunities to speak and to engage in debate become much more open for everyone to participate in. The legislation that we've landed on actually removes a lot of that and just allows for the provision of funding for people who decide to become candidates but we shouldn't lose sight of the arguments and the discussion that was held. It is important for us to recognise that the Electoral Commission will be reviewing this and that's really important because there may be some provisions that were not considered that people who engage in this process and who have access to this fund will then highlight.I do want to acknowledge Mojo Mathers. She too stood in Christchurch East. I had lots of conversations with her and her whānau about the difficulties that sometimes occurred for her to be able to participate fully in the debates often in the public meetings and public forums. But she was for me a real-life example of the ability to overcome a lot of that and present really capably as a strong candidate for her party.I do want to mention too that this is part of a wider piece of work that I think that we are doing across the Parliament. I think we've got the whole of Parliament's support for the Parliamentary Champions for Accessibility Legislation. This is a step along the journey to ensuring that we all have access to democracy. Thank you Mr Chair.
Dean JacquiHon JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki): Thank you Mr Chair. I want to congratulate Chlöe Swarbrick for bringing this bill to the House and to the Governance and Administration Committee and to reconfirm her words that the committee worked very collegially on this very non-political issue. I think we've come to a really good space with this bill. We had in our mind the whole time the needs of disabled persons and their ability to stand on the hustings alongside everybody else who is brave enough to nail their colours to the mast and stand for Parliament.I want to acknowledge Mojo Mathers also who I do hope is listening in to and watching today's debate. Mojo and I did stand on the hustings together on several occasions when Mojo was representing the Green Party in the Waitaki election of 2017. I am very pleased that while Mojo has moved on to a possibly much more satisfying life than being a member of Parliament—she is a woman of very strong conviction and felt very very strongly that the needs of disabled persons should be acknowledged and legislated for so that they can all candidates who are disabled persons have a fair old suck of the sav when we're going out for the vote. I think this bill does that and I think that the committee's deliberations particularly in the committee stage brought about some very good pragmatic improvements to the bill.I think for me the eligibility for the funding which was narrowed down by the committee to be available to individual disabled persons to assist them—so this bill is not about assisting a party or an organisation for the candidate; it's about assisting a candidate to be able to foot it on the stage and often it is a stage. Often it is a stage and there are steps and microphones and there are all sorts of environments that we go in to from street corners to auditoriums and so this bill I believe achieves a great deal for disabled persons.The other point I wanted to touch on very briefly was around the review of the operation and effectiveness of the fund after the first election. I thought that was critical because as a committee we worked really hard to make sure that we had captured everything that we possibly could. We had to discard some things like by-elections and local body elections. Well maybe we can consider those in the future. So in effect we parked those issues because partly they were out of scope of this particular bill but more importantly we had a desire to get it right as much as we could. So a review in three years' time will enable the Parliament of the day and the committee of the day to make amendments to the Parliament as they see fit. I think that's a really good process.I will speak only in this committee stage of the bill—just speak once—so I want to finish by congratulating Chlöe Swarbrick for her work together with our committee. She didn't bring baking ever but—it's just a small thing I suppose.Rt Hon David Carter: That's a promise.Hon JACQUI DEAN: Yeah it is a promise; it's never too late. This is a good bill—it's a good example of parliamentarians working together—and I commend it to the House.
Swarbrick Chlöe; Rurawhe AdrianTUESDAY 10 DECEMBER 2019(continued on Wednesday 11 December 2019)ELECTION ACCESS FUND BILLIn CommitteeCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green): I seek leave for all of the provisions to be taken as one question.CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Leave is sought for that. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.
Tuesday 3 December 2019 - Volume 743
Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2) — Second Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2) be now read a second time. Ayes 119New Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8; Ross. Noes 1ACT New Zealand 1. Bill read a second time.
Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2) be now read a first time.Ayes 119New Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8; Ross.Noes 1ACT New Zealand 1.Bill read a first time.DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2) is set down for second reading immediately.Debate interrupted.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Referendums Framework Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 64New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8; ACT New Zealand 1.Noes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Bill read a third time.
Referendums Framework Bill — Third Reading
12. Question No. 12—Civil DefenceKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of Civil DefenceQuestion No. 12—Civil Defence12. KIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of Civil Defence: What recent announcements has he made about the national emergency management system?Hon PEENI HENARE (Minister of Civil Defence): Last week I announced the establishment of the new National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) from 1 December 2019 to replace the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management. Can I thank my predecessor Minister Faafoi for the hard work that he has done. I offer to the new agency the confidence of this House in the good work that NEMA does and will do into the future. Kiritapu Allan: Why was there a need to establish the National Emergency Management Agency?Hon PEENI HENARE: NEMA will provide strong national leadership putting whānau and communities at the heart of our national emergency management system. This Government is committed to ensuring that all New Zealanders can rely on a system that supports them to reduce get ready for respond to and recover from any emergency or disaster. Post significant events a review was completed. The review found that while the system was fundamentally sound it needs a number of improvements to meet today's challenges. I am pleased that this Government has been able to deliver on its commitment to establish the new agency.
11. Question No. 11—Arts Culture and HeritageDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister for Arts Culture and HeritageQuestion No. 11—Arts Culture and Heritage11. Dr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage: Does she stand by all her statements and actions around data breaches?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage): Yes.Dr Shane Reti: Can she confirm written questions that show the data breach of a sensitive unencrypted email titled Upcoming Ministry for Culture and Heritage papers for the next two months beginning 19 August 2019" was incorrectly sent by her ministry to a Victoria University email account?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: The member has used the written question system to extract the details of that; it is absolutely his prerogative to use the House to do that also but I would categorise the issue of information being sent to an incorrect email address as a result of an autocomplete error which was detected immediately and has obviously engaged the ministry's usual response to privacy breaches and it has disclosed the issue—as the member is already aware. Dr Shane Reti: Is it another data breach on her watch when as well as her answer to written question No. 35941 her ministry also sent me all the background information advising her how to answer the question?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: If the member chooses to use the House's question time for inadvertent emails being sent—as the member can well imagine back in the day when Shane Ardern was in the House I used to get a fair amount of information as well. Dr Shane Reti: I seek leave to table background information to a written question No. 35941 that is not publicly available. The source is the Minister's own ministry.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that being tabled?Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I seek for this question now to cease: everyone has the information I am about to provide the House—ha!Dr Shane Reti: Can she confirm that the background information that her ministry incorrectly sent to me reveals that the very first time her office knew about a data breach it was stated "Your office first became aware of this issue in the course of answering earlier written parliamentary questions from Dr Reti"?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: If the member is asking whether or not the first time I was told that a ministry staff member autocompleted an email address and sent an email to the wrong person—yes the first time I knew about that was then. I expect the member wouldn't be surprised by that though.Dr Shane Reti: How many data breaches have occurred in background information to written questions that have been incorrectly sent to me by her ministry? Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Given you are the recipient of information you would be better placed to answer that. SPEAKER: Well the member would be anyway."
9. Question No. 9—HealthANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 9—Health9. ANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of Health: What recent reports has he seen about the impact of cost on access to primary healthcare?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): In a country like New Zealand no one should have to put off going to the doctor when they're sick and that's why I bring more good news. In December last year the Government made it cheaper for around 600000 New Zealanders to visit their GP.Hon Member: How many?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: 600000. The latest results of the New Zealand Health Survey suggest that that is already making a real difference. The survey found that last year 57000 fewer people put off visiting their GP due to cost compared to the previous year. That's an almost 10 percent reduction in just one year and takes the rate of unmet need for general practice services due to cost to the lowest level since the survey started reporting on this in 2012.Angie Warren-Clark: What are the benefits of making primary care more affordable and accessible?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Access to primary care is a key entry point to preventative healthcare and early intervention. Put simply the more people who seek help from their doctor early the better. Not only does it mean that health issues can be picked up early when it's often easier to treat them; it can also help people to avoid the need for costly hospital treatment. We know that cost is a barrier to GP care. That's why it is so encouraging to see this sharp decrease in the number of people who have put off going to a doctor because now they can afford it.Angie Warren-Clark: What other progress has been made in improving access to primary care?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The New Zealand Health Survey also showed encouraging progress in two other areas where cost can be a barrier to care. Last year 50000 fewer adults reported that cost had prevented them from filling a prescription and 33000 fewer people avoided going to after-hours primary care because of cost. Obviously there is more work to be done but that is real progress from a Government committed to making healthcare affordable for New Zealanders.
7. Question No. 7—PoliceBRETT HUDSON (National) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 7—Police7. BRETT HUDSON (National) to the Minister of Police: Does he have confidence in New Zealand Police's ability to keep the information of firearm owners secure?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Police): Yes.Brett Hudson: Is he concerned that a claim exists that 19 people—not just firearms dealers—have accessed private information about firearms owners?Hon STUART NASH: The evidence doesn't show that and whoever makes that claim I suggest they get in touch with the police.Brett Hudson: Does he accept that unauthorised access to information about the ownership of firearms could pose a risk to affected individuals?Hon STUART NASH: My understanding according to the latest police update is 34 people had their information accessed and all 34 of those people are going to be contacted by police today.Brett Hudson: What actions is he taking to ensure that firearms owners whose information may have been breached do not have that information used against them?Hon STUART NASH: If that information is used against them or in any way which is illegal then the police will be investigating this. There is a full investigation under way at this point in time but as mentioned the 34 individuals who had their full information breached will be contacted individually by the police.Brett Hudson: Will he apologise to the firearms owners who provided their information to the Government to assist in the buy-back scheme and now face a potential breach of their privacy? Hon STUART NASH: Let me read a statement from SAP and I quote: A new security profile was incorrectly provisioned to a group of 66 dealer users due to human error by SAP. We unreservedly apologise to New Zealand Police and the citizens of New Zealand for this error."SPEAKER: Order! The member will address the question.Hon STUART NASH: I will not apologise but SAP who made this error has. Brett Hudson: Will he now agree with National who called for the Government's firearms register proposal to be separated out from the Arms Legislation Bill so that more care can be taken with protecting the privacy of New Zealanders?Hon STUART NASH: The National Party voted for the legislation that is seeing the removal of this and it would be good for once to actually see them support this."
6. Question No. 6—FinanceDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 6—Finance6. Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Atu kōrero pai—more good news. On Thursday last week ANZ released its latest business outlook survey showing both that headline business confidence and own-activity indicators jumped by double digits in November to their highest levels this year. It's pleasing to see that the business community are feeling a little bit more optimistic as we head into the festive season. And while of course this remains a sentiment survey I'd like to note the turnaround in what is a favourite measure for those on the other side of the House.Dr Duncan Webb: What reports has he seen on consumer confidence?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: We also saw the release of the ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence survey for November showing consumer confidence lifted three points to 121 above its historical average. Encouragingly confidence in the economic outlook overall lifted. Consumers' perceptions of the economy over the next year lifted seven points to a net 4 percent expecting conditions to improve while the five-year outlook rose five points—Hon Paul Goldsmith: From below bottom.Hon Simon Bridges: From ridiculously bad to really bad.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: —they're loving this over there!—to a net 15 percent expecting improvement. When viewed alongside the business outlook results this survey paints a picture of increased confidence in and a more positive outlook of the economy going forward.Dr Duncan Webb: What is the Government doing to further bolster confidence and certainty in the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On Saturday I announced that the Government will bring forward major investments in New Zealand's infrastructure. This package will help address the infrastructure deficit that we inherited boost growth and job opportunities and create certainty in the construction industry going forward. I know many in the Chamber will be very keen to hear more details of this package and I'll have more to say about the size of it and how it will support the economy at the Budget Policy Statement next week.
Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2) — In Committee—Part 1
Little Andrew; Dyson RuthPart 1 Amendments relating to overseas donationsHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice): I look forward to this very important stage of the House and the extensive time we'll have available for the remainder of this session. This bill is very important. It does a very important thing. It's meaningful it's real it deals with a serious risk and it will make a serious difference for the conduct by parties and their general secretaries to make sure that our electoral system has integrity. It's not called the electoral integrity bill; it is called the Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2) but it is about integrity. What is similar between this bill and that bill of the other name is the catastrophising that goes on by members opposite and they do it every time there's a very minor but important technical change to our law as it is in this case. But this bill and this part of the bill—CHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson): I'm sorry to advise the Minister but the time has come for me to leave the Chair. Sitting suspended from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Wednesday)
Smith Nick; Tolley AnneIn CommitteeHon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson): Given the House is at three minutes to 10 and we've been in urgency for the afternoon by the time the Chair of the committee establishes the committee of the whole House you'll have to report progress. I seek leave for the House to be adjourned until 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Actually we don't adjourn the House. We will continue in committee tomorrow morning and if we go into committee the Chair can then suspend the House until 9 o'clock tomorrow. So you withdraw your request? Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson): I'm happy to do so.
Curran ClareHon CLARE CURRAN (Labour—Dunedin South): Thank you Madam Speaker. The issue raised by Jami-Lee Ross with regard to the Inner Mongolian Horse Co." or whatever it was called which is currently under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office relates to the transmission rules for donations. I just want to point out to the House and for those who haven't done their homework and I advise that they do that it is currently unlawful—in six provisions actually—under the Electoral Act for overseas entities to give money to a New Zealander who then donates to a candidate or party. Should I repeat that? Anyway it is currently unlawful in six provisions. The problem is—and this is where the issue arises—around adequate enforcement and around the definitions of eligible business and unincorporated bodies. Now what this bill does is two things in relation to this which provide useful measures to move towards addressing these things. It lowers the bar for foreign donations to $50 and it raises the bar for due diligence of scrutiny of those donations. Now it may not deal with all of the issues but it's moving in the right direction and I would recommend that those members read the Electoral Act before they get up to speak again."
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Thank you Madam Speaker. I have just a few points I'd like to make. First of all this bill is about one very simple thing and that is that democracy in New Zealand is for New Zealanders; it's not for people offshore to meddle with. To pick up on the point the last speaker Jami-Lee Ross made the fact of the matter is that the law makes it very clear that donations from overseas can't be made by overseas people or on behalf of overseas people. So to use some shadow company—some Mongolian horse trader—is using it as a mere conduit and that is prohibited under this legislation. I would caution any member before they go down that track in future. Thirdly it is absolutely wrong of the other side to say that this should not be passed under urgency. That was the Government some years ago who ripped the guts out of democracy in Christchurch when they appointed commissioners to Environment Canterbury under urgency in the dark of night. So it does not lie in their mouths now to say that we shouldn't be improving our electoral law under urgency because this is a Government that wants a better democracy and it wants it now. I commend this bill to the House.
Strange Jamie; Dyson RuthJAMIE STRANGE (Labour): What a negative contribution we just heard then from Opposition members who are voting for the legislation—Kieran McAnulty: You wouldn't think so would you? JAMIE STRANGE: You wouldn't think so Mr McAnulty. What a negative contribution. In fact the previous member Nicola Willis spent most of her speech talking about the Green Party and that's because there are no new ideas on the other side. However on this side of the House we have a Government who are taking action. The risk of foreign interference in our democracy is a real concern and this bill counters this risk by limiting overseas donations to $50. I'd like to acknowledge the Minister for Justice Andrew Little for the excellent work that he's done on this. Now look most of the parties in this House are supporting this bill. We've had lots of discussion and I encourage the parties to get on and pass this bill rather than give 10-minute speeches constantly being negative about the bill and then voting for it. Let's get on and pass this legislation. New Zealanders want this legislation. Let's pass it. Thank you. ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson): I'm sorry I omitted to say this was a split call—so Melissa Lee.
Whaitiri MekaHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Labour—Ikaroa-Rāwhiti): This is an excellent bill that the Minister has brought to this House the Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2). I'm pleased to take a short call on the second reading. Before I address the specific questions that the member before me raised on this side there were two points I forgot in my first contribution. One was around the party secretary needing to reside in New Zealand. It's not currently in the Electoral Act so in this bill we are making sure that the party secretaries reside here and that is going to help with the process going forward. Also the online advertising must have the name and address put on it like we do normally now. Now that member that just resumed his seat Nick Smith asked this side which electoral bill we have put under urgency since 1946. I've got a response to him. The response is this one: on 17 February 2009 the Electoral Amendment Bill repealed Labour's Electoral Finance Act and reinstated the old Electoral Act as an interim measure done by the then National Government. So there's one. That bill was passed under urgency. He asked if we had a response; there's one for that speaker. It has been done—it was done in 2008. This is a really important bill. Before I end I also want to correct that previous speaker where he made reference to the bill being 20 pages. It's actually eight so it might pay that member to read the bill before we get to the committee stage. I commend this bill to the House.
Crimes (Definition of Female Genital Mutilation) Amendment Bill—Introduction
Hayes Joanne; Tolley AnneCRIMES (DEFINITION OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION) AMENDMENT BILLIntroductionJO HAYES (National): I raise a point of order Madam Speaker.DEPUTY SPEAKER: I call Jo Hayes.Hon Andrew Little: Madam Speaker you were looking over there and you were not casting your eyes across the Chamber.DEPUTY SPEAKER: No no it was a point of order.Hon Andrew Little: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I was on my feet and you had turned your head away from my direction.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Well yes I'm sorry but the member called a point of order. It is a point of order that the member is calling. My apologies.JO HAYES (National): I seek leave to move a motion without notice or debate regarding a member's bill in my name.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.JO HAYES: I move That the Crimes (Definition of Female Genital Mutilation) Amendment Bill be introduced and set down for first reading as members' order of the day No. 2 following the Election Access Fund Bill on 4 December 2019 despite Standing Orders 278 to 281 and 285(2).Motion agreed to.
McAnulty Kieran; Tolley AnneKIERAN McANULTY (Labour): I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I hope it's helpful just for the sake of clarity that I do point out that the letter in question is indeed publicly available. I found it on the Beehive website and am looking at a copy of it now. So just for the sake of clarity there we go.DEPUTY SPEAKER: All members are honourable and I believed the members.
McAnulty KieranKIERAN McANULTY (Labour): Thank you very much Madam Speaker. I'm not going to take up too much time. I mean this is a very very simple bill; a bill that will be welcomed by New Zealanders because they have serious and justified and legitimate concerns around foreign intervention or the potential for foreign intervention in our democracy. And this bill is a very good first step in that.I say it's a first step for very good reason—because the Minister in introducing this bill made it very clear that after the 2020 election he intends to direct justice officials to review and modernise the entire Electoral Act. Now we don't have time to do that between now and the next election. What would they say I wonder if we today proposed that we would do a full review knowing that there would not be any changes put in force before the next election. The message we would send to the people of this country is that we are happy with the current situation and the potential for foreign interference.What this bill does is very simple; it reduces the prospect of it occurring. It allows for small donations so that people don't inadvertently get caught up if they put money into a bucket at a conference or something like that. But on the whole it reduces the threshold so that people can have confidence in our regime going forward knowing that there will be a review ahead.It never fails to amaze me the position that the National Party team seems to take and David Seymour is exactly right. They stand up and they speak against the bill and yet they say they're not going to oppose it because they don't want to look like that they are on the side of foreign donations. But there is a very fine line to tread. The fact is that they can stand up and accuse this of being a rushed process and then the next speaker stands up and says that it doesn't go far enough etc. etc. etc.Angie Warren-Clark: They're not sure what they're doing.KIERAN McANULTY: They are not sure what they are doing.But this Government is very sure what it's doing. There are some serious questions that need to be asked around foreign donations and how the whole Electoral Act stands moving forward. This Government will address that in due course. But in the meantime in order to get things in place and give parties enough time to have measures in place before the next election—and I suppose you could also argue in order to stop a late-minute flurry of overseas donations while this goes through a long and drawn out process—we are entirely justified in putting this through under urgency. I commend this bill to the House.
Tolley AnneDEPUTY SPEAKER: The House has resumed. Colleagues before the dinner break we were debating the Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2) first reading. I understand that peace and goodwill has broken out across the House during the dinner break and we now have call No. 10 which is a split call. I call David Seymour. It's a five-minute call.
Hipkins ChrisURGENCYHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move That urgency be accorded the passing through all stages of the Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2) the third readings of the Farm Debt Mediation Bill (No 2) and the National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill (No 2) and the second reading of the Maritime Transport (Offshore Installations) Amendment Bill.The Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2) takes action to protect New Zealand from foreign interference in our elections by banning donations to political parties and candidates. It's an issue that is being faced around the world and of course it is one that we will face next year in our election year. The Government believes it's important that the measures in the bill are put in place as early as possible before election year gets under way which is the reason that we are asking the House to pass it through all stages under urgency.It's likely that consideration of the Electoral Amendment Bill (No 2) will continue into tomorrow morning meaning that select committees will not meet. In order to make optimum use of the House's time the third readings of the Farm Debt Mediation Bill (No 2) and the National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill (No 2) and the second reading of the Maritime Transport (Offshore Installations) Amendment Bill are also included in this motion. Both of the agriculture sector bills make important contributions to safeguard the future of the country's most important industry.The Farm Debt Mediation Bill (No 2) is scheduled to commence in part on 1 February next year and the Maritime Transport (Offshore Installations) Amendment Bill also commences at the start of next year. It's important that these bills complete their passage through the House this year which may not be possible without the granting of urgency.I do want to undertake publicly as I have given an undertaking to the shadow Leader of the House that the Government does not intend to progress with urgency beyond 1 p.m. tomorrow so that the House's regular business of question time and members' day can resume in the afternoon.
International Crimes and International Criminal Court Amendment Bill — First Reading
Urgent Debates Declined — Gun Buy-back Scheme—Data Breach
King MattMATT KING (National—Northland): Madam Speaker it is a pleasure to take a call—a short call. Smoke and mirrors—that's what this Government's all about. They are sneaking stuff through in bills talking about advertising and all that but we know what the guts of this bill is about and it's undemocratic it's unconstitutional. It's a little bit like the waka-jumping bill. It's typical arrogant behaviour of this Government. But we can talk all we like on this side of the House. They're going to do whatever they please. They're going to do that.We would never do this. We would never do this. This denies the public the right to consult to provide their input to provide feedback. You're meant to put electoral law reform through to make substantive improvements to the system and this does not. We've had a system that has worked really well since 1853. If it ain't broke don't need to fix it. It's worked perfectly well since 1853 and they're going to change the rules now. So what I call this I call this screwing the scrum. I call this underarm bowling. And I am very suspicious of their motives. I hope Kiwis are watching this. I want this Government to remember that they won't be in Government for long and when they get thrown out it might be for passing legislation like this. They're writing the rules to suit themselves. Kiwis like fairness. They don't like wool being pulled. And I can tell you I don't like where this Government is taking us. They claim to be the most open and honest Government ever but that's the biggest joke. Why put in a sunset clause to 2021? Why put in a clause there so it only makes it valid until the next election? So this Government are up to something and I don't trust them. Today we have legislation being introduced under urgency that we have never seen before today and that will go through the House in one day. Why the urgency? Why when it doesn't come into force until next year? Why is that? New Zealanders don't like this sort of thing. It has an odour about it. New Zealanders don't like this sort of thing.Hon Members: Ha ha!MATT KING: You can laugh. It has an odour about it that Kiwis don't like. Roll on 2020.
Peters WinstonINTERNATIONAL CRIMES AND INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AMENDMENT BILLFirst ReadingRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Minister of Foreign Affairs): I move That the International Crimes and International Criminal Court Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee to consider the bill.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee.
Mallard TrevorURGENT DEBATES DECLINEDGun Buy-back Scheme—Data BreachSPEAKER: I have received letters from Brett Hudson and David Seymour seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 a data breach in the gun buy-back registering. This is a particular case of recent occurrence. The operation of the firearms buy-back scheme is a matter for which there is ministerial responsibility. The test for whether a particular case requires the immediate attention of the House is a high one. The Police has reported that only one person had access to the data. In light of that I am not convinced that this matter is urgent enough to warrant setting aside the business of the House today. The applications are therefore declined. If the data breach however turns out to be more widespread I would reconsider the applications.
1. Question No. 1—TransportMARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Associate Minister of TransportTUESDAY 3 DECEMBER 2019The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.ORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Transport1. MARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Associate Minister of Transport: What recent progress has been made on regional roading projects?Hon SHANE JONES (Associate Minister of Transport): With characteristic modesty I would like to announce to the House that the Taipā bridge championed by the Rt Hon Winston Peters in the year 2014 was opened on behalf of the New Zealand Transport Agency the community and myself yesterday. That bridge suffered nine long years of neglect and it has now been opened in the second year—SPEAKER: Order! Order!Mark Patterson: What benefits will the new bridge bring to the local community?Hon SHANE JONES: The completion of this bridge fulfils the need for trust reliability and delivery. After two years of suitable leadership the people of Taipā have enjoyed not only a bridge but the improvements to stormwater infrastructure at the local school—SPEAKER: Order! Order! Not the responsibility of the Associate Minister of Transport.Hon SHANE JONES: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. In actual fact the development of the bridge required the relocation of a memorial to the local school which required an improvement to water infrastructure reflective of the wide-ranging responsibilities I hold.Mark Patterson: What other regional transport projects are progressing?Hon SHANE JONES: State Highway 43 otherwise known as the Forgotten World Highway a particularly symbolic name as much of the regional areas of New Zealand have suffered the Forgotten World" scenario as a consequence of neglect for at least nine years—$9.6 million from the Provincial Growth Fund will ensure not only that the unsealed section is sealed but that new opportunities will arise through improving the Tangarakau Gorge an important freight route for beef lamb dairy businesses and bees. Belonging to a party so pro-farming that's good news.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Well Mr Jones that's one bridge; what happened to the other nine bridges that Simon Bridges promised?SPEAKER: Order! There is no ministerial responsibility for that Bridges."
Wednesday 18 December 2019 - Volume 743
11. Question No. 11—Workplace Relations and SafetyMARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and SafetyQuestion No. 11—Workplace Relations and Safety 11. MARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What steps has the Government taken to increase wages for the lowest-paid workers?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety): Thank you Mr Speaker. Today I announced that this Government is lifting the adult minimum wage by $1.20 and from 1 April next year that will bring the minimum wage to $18.90 per hour. This complements work to raise wages in the State sector and major pay equity settlements. For example 30000 people working in our schools including teacher-aides librarians and therapists will get a pay rise in the new year which will see them all receive at least a living wage. This Government believes in sharing prosperity more fairly and for the right of people to get a fair day's pay for a fair day's work.SPEAKER: Before the member comes I am going to explain to our visitors in the gallery that during debates such as the one which is going to come up soon we do relax our rules a little bit for clapping at the end of speeches but we don't do that during question time. The only noise that's meant to happen is meant to be from members on the floor and I will remind the members on the floor that they are members of Parliament not seals and to stop clapping.Marja Lubeck: Why did the Government decide to increase the minimum wage?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Well there's just so much good news. The fundamentals of New Zealand's economy are strong our unemployment rate is low at 4.2 percent and our economy is predicted to add 43600 new jobs in 2020. Our GDP is growing at a faster rate than Australia Canada the USA the UK European countries Japan and others. With our economy doing well we want to make sure that our lowest-paid workers also benefit. The rise in the minimum wage is estimated to boost wages by $306 million a year across the economy.Marja Lubeck: How many working people will receive a pay rise on 1 April?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: About a quarter of a million workers will be better off under this increase to the minimum wage. The new rate will mean an extra $48 a week in Kiwis' back pockets if they're working for 40 hours a week on the minimum wage. Wages across the economy are now growing at their fastest rate in a decade a 4.2 percent increase to the rate of hourly average wages. This means more money in working people's pockets and more spending throughout the economy.Hon Tracey Martin: Can the Minister confirm that the latest step is merely still on the pathway towards fulfilling the coalition agreement between New Zealand First and the Labour Party to take the minimum wage closer to the living wage?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I can confirm that. We are well on the path to making the minimum wage $20 an hour by 2021.
10. Question No. 10—TransportCHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Associate Minister of TransportQuestion No. 10—Transport10. CHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Associate Minister of Transport: Does she stand by all her statements and actions?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Associate Minister of Transport): Yes in the context they were made and given.Chris Bishop: What actions this year if any did she take to try and resolve Wellington's bus issues described by one Wellingtonian as a lasagne of failure"?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: I agree that the Wellington bus fiasco has been unfortunate. Unfortunately I don't have ministerial responsibility for that.Chris Bishop: Will she be taking to Twitter over the Christmas break to lambast "car fascists" or has she suddenly developed new respect for the millions of New Zealanders that drive a car every day?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: I completely reject the assertion that is in that question.SPEAKER: Question No. 11—Marja Lubeck.Chris Bishop: Supplementary? Supplementary?SPEAKER: Well the member has to stand up not look at the members behind him while he's sitting down if he wants another supplementary. Because it's Christmas I will let the member have it but he's got to remember to stand up if he wants a supplementary.Chris Bishop: Thank you Mr Speaker. I appreciate your indulgence. Has she met former mayor Justin Lester recently and asked him why he was telling people she had threatened to resign if the second Mt Vic tunnel was prioritised in the Let's Get Wellington Moving plan?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: I have not.Nicola Willis: Will she provide Wellingtonians with an early Christmas present and release her secret letter to Minister Twyford?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: As the member is well aware the Ombudsman has said that we were right to withhold the letter.Nicola Willis: Will she write any further secret letters to oppose a second Mt Vic tunnel being brought forward as a priority project in the Government's new transport package?SPEAKER: That question is ruled out."