1. Question No. 1—Prime MinisterHon SIMON BRIDGES (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime MinisterORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Prime Minister1. Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements policies and actions?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister): Yes particularly the New Zealand investment fund the legislation for which will have its first reading in the House today. This will see $300 million invested in supporting start-up businesses to get to the next level. It is yet another example of the Government ensuring we have an economy that is growing and working for all of us.Hon Simon Bridges: Does she say that because she's defensive about the National Party's outstanding economic discussion document?Hon Member: That's in order.SPEAKER: No it's not in order. It's asking the Prime Minister to take responsibility for something which she doesn't have responsibility for.Hon Simon Bridges: Is she aware that the New Zealand Government collects the fourth-highest share of tax from businesses in the OECD and does she support tax relief for New Zealand businesses?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: We have no policy to change the corporate tax rate in New Zealand. The member may have seen that we explored a range of options in the Tax Working Group. We even looked at comparisons with what Australia has done with their differentiated rate for small businesses. They came back with a rationale that suggested that wasn't the best way to go. So we have no proposals in this area. However we do have a plan that is about supporting innovation skills and trade training; diversifying our trade; supporting our exporters—things that will support our businesses particularly some of the issues that they have raised proactively with us. The thing that gets raised most significantly with us from business is things like getting the skilled people they need. Those are the things that we're focused on as a Government.Hon Simon Bridges: Does she agree with Jacinda Ardern MP who said in 2012 that if this Government was genuinely interested in the issue of sustainability it would look first at superannuation … Politics can't just be about making decisions that anger the least number of people … it has to be about doing the right thing."?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: If that member and the last Government were focused on sustainability and doing the right thing they would have kept up their contributions to the super fund. They did not. When we came into office we restarted those contributions. In the next five years that will cumulatively grow to $9 billion. That is what a Government focused on the sustainability of superannuation would have done and it's what we're doing.Hon Simon Bridges: Is superannuation still as Jacinda Ardern MP said in 2012 the "Zimmer frame in the room"?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I wouldn't mind going back and checking the context in which I came up with that nifty little statement. It was with some frustration of course that we had to deal with a Government who would not continue to secure the future of his own generation by continuing to invest in the super fund. By turning off that tap I think they were saying that they weren't interested in ensuring that that generation can retire at 65. On this side we are.Hon Simon Bridges: Has the Crown had any discussions regarding a loan to the Kīngitanga or Tainui so either can purchase land at Ihumātao?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I'm not going to undermine the discussions that are currently taking place between Kīngitanga and mana whenua. They are seeking a by Māori for Māori solution and I'm going to respect that process and allow that to occur.Hon Simon Bridges: Has the Crown discussed a loan with anyone in the Kīngitanga or Tainui?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Again unlike that member I actually want to see a solution for Ihumātao. I care what happens to that land. I care what happens to the many young people who have convened to try and find a solution for that land and I care about getting an outcome for mana whenua that they can support. I'm not going to undermine the conversations that are happening between Kīngitanga and mana whenua. I respect that process and I'm going to allow that conversation to finish.David Seymour: How would it undermine negotiations between mana whenua and the Kīngitanga if the Prime Minister stood up in this House and said that the Government hasn't discussed a loan with either of them?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I am not going to discuss in this House negotiations that are occurring between the parties at the table in any form. That member may not be interested in seeing a solution; this side of the House is. I respect the process that is happening between them and I'm going to allow it to conclude between them.Hon Simon Bridges: Isn't the reality that the Crown is in discussions about an interest-free loan from the Crown to Kīngitanga?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: No.Hon Simon Bridges: Has her Government received any advice on the effect of a loan to the Kīngitanga or Tainui on New Zealand's full and final Treaty settlement process?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Again I'm not going to get into a speculative conversation in this House. I've ruled out the statement that the member last stated but I am going to allow this negotiation between mana whenua—this conversation this discussion this seeking of a resolution is between mana whenua and Kīngitanga and I am not going to disrupt that process. It's one of the reasons why I've been so cautious about the timing of my visit and I am certainly not going to destabilise that conversation in this House with speculation. Hon Simon Bridges: Is it in fact a discussion between the Crown and Tainui not Kīngitanga? Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: The member is completely disrespecting what Kīngitanga is trying to do and I will not do that.David Seymour: Why doesn't the Prime Minister put an end to any speculation by simply stating that the Government will not loan or give any money to any third party with the intention of that third party purchasing the land at Ihumātao off Fletcher's?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Because the Crown is not a party in the primary discussion that is occurring at the table between mana whenua and Kīngitanga. I want to see them conclude their talks. It is a matter for them and then beyond that I'm not going to enter into speculation.Hon Simon Bridges: Does she agree that if Ihumātao is unpicked with any sort of financial arrangement involving the Crown then all Treaty claims will be up for renegotiation?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: The Crown of course is aware of its obligations as a Treaty partner. Hon Simon Bridges: Was Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern correct in 2017 when she said that light rail down Dominion Road would be delivered within four years "But actually we hope to deliver the entire project earlier than that".Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Pick an issue any issue just an issue. SPEAKER: Order!Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Traversing broadly now on to Auckland light rail—the member of course I know hasn't got an actual position on whether or not he supports light rail to the airport. We have been consistent that we absolutely do. What has changed of course since the period prior to the election is we have had a second party interested in delivering that project. It is in the form of NZ Infra. It is significantly different. That means we need to allow the differences both in terms of how it would be financed and how it would be delivered to be properly explored and that is what we're doing. Hon Simon Bridges: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I asked the Prime Minister about four years; she didn't come close to addressing that.SPEAKER: She certainly did address the question. The member asked quite a general question in that area based on a statement that the member had made as an Opposition member. That gives her a lot of flexibility in her answer especially given the primary question. Hon Chris Hipkins: Has the Prime Minister seen statements that route protection for light rail in Auckland was a significant step for Auckland and would secure better transport options for both Aucklanders and visitors to the city and if so which former Minister of Transport does she think made those statements? Hon Simon Bridges: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That's simply not correct. I've never referred to light rail; I've talked about a transport corridor. SPEAKER: Well first of all I'm going to indicate that the member should not interject while questions are being asked. A second point I'll make is that—the Minister of State Services might want to remind me but I don't think he named Mr Bridges. Hon Members: No.SPEAKER: Well in that case denying that he said it is hardly a reason for ruling it out. Does it need to be asked again? Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: No. Mr Speaker yes my understanding is that a past Minister of Transport in the last Government—Hon Gerry Brownlee: Which one? Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: —and I believe it was Simon Bridges—advocated as well for a staged integrated transition to light rail along the preferred Auckland to city route.Hon Simon Bridges: Will the project be delivered by 2021 as Labour leader Jacinda Ardern said and how does that reconcile with transport Minister Phil Twyford who said just last week "We won't have spades in the ground in 2020."? Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I've just explained to the member—at the time of course that we were talking about this some two years ago we did not have NZ Infra coming forward with a substantially different proposal that would be delivered differently that would be financed differently that actually in very tangible ways is a very different proposition. That doesn't mean that work won't be ongoing. Negotiations consenting design and property acquisition is of course likely to start this term. Hon Simon Bridges: When will construction start on the light rail?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Once the consideration of those different proposals has concluded.Hon Simon Bridges: Has she got any idea on when construction will start on light rail?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Again I've already said that negotiations consenting design and acquisition are likely to start this term. But in terms of spades in the ground we've already said that it wouldn't be before 2021."