edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Smith Stuart: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSmith Stuart: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 30 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4840. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]3.STUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: How is the Government helping to support young New Zealand families through paid parental leave?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety): Good news. Tomorrow paid parental leave payments will increase across the board with the maximum weekly rate for employees and self-employed—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order!Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: They do not like good news do they? The maximum weekly rate for employees and self-employed parents is going from $504.10 to $516.85. This increase comes on top of changes that came in on 1 April this year that extended the provision of paid parental leave from 14 weeks to 16 weeks and increased the parental tax credit.Stuart Smith: What further changes can New Zealand families expect around paid parental leave?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Last year the Government announced a $172 million—Hon Annette King: It’s a Labour Party policy.Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Shh!Mr SPEAKER: Order! The level of interjection from one particular member is now unacceptable.Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE:—a $172 million package over 4 years to boost paid parental leave. Another extension that will take place from 1 April next year will see a further increase to paid parental leave to 18 weeks. In addition I will soon be introducing legislation to the House that will extend eligibility to include other than biological or formal adoptive parents a wider range of non-standard workers and primary carers such as permanent guardians Home for Life carers whāngai parents and grandparents. More than 26000 New Zealanders take paid parental leave. Tomorrow’s increase and the further extensions that this Government has committed to will further help families and carers to give our youngest New Zealanders the best possible start in life.Sue Moroney: Will he honour his commitment to ACT leader David Seymour to introduce 26 weeks’ paid parental leave for babies born with disabilities for those born prematurely and for multiple births in exchange for David Seymour withdrawing support for my bill delivering those outcomes?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: I will certainly honour all commitments that I have made to our confidence and supply partner. That was not it. I am corresponding with Mr Seymour about what is already in place and about the supports that are being provided by this Government to multiple birthparents and parents of prematurely born babies and that is what we will do.
Vote: Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4829. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the questionThat the Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill be reported to the House by Monday 17 August 2015 and that the committee have authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting (except during oral questions) during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House despite Standing Orders 191 and 194(1)(b) and (c).Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 53New Zealand Labour 28; Green Party 13; New Zealand First 12.Motion agreed to.
Tisch Lindsay: Harmful Digital Communications Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Harmful Digital Communications Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4835. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I am sorry to interrupt the honourable member. The time has come for me to leave the Chair.Debate interrupted.
Martin Tracey: Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMartin Tracey: Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4825. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]TRACEY MARTIN (Deputy Leader—NZ First): I rise to make a small contribution on behalf of New Zealand First. We cannot support the shortening of the democratic process with regard to input by the citizens of New Zealand into a bill particularly a bill as substantial as this.As has been mentioned already by other Opposition colleagues it has been suggested by the Government that this is part of a silver bullet solution to quite a substantial problem facing the New Zealand public. With regard to that we believe that it is easier for the Government to shift its implementation date than to actually suggest that the citizens of New Zealand shift their whole lives to fit their democratic rights and democratic opportunities into a shortened period of time so that it suits the Government.It also in our view smacks somewhat of arrogance or a suggestion that Government members already think they have got it right and so there is no need to listen to people that they go through the motions but there is really no need to listen to the people out there in New Zealand who have a vested interest in this legislation. It is their legislation. It is their law. We merely sit here for a short period of time and participate in bringing forward these ideas. So from the New Zealand First perspective we absolutely cannot support any shortening of the democratic process particularly around something as important and as vital as this piece of legislation.Does the bill really do what the Government says it is going to do? Is it really an answer in any way shape or form to a crisis that we currently face? I think Jan Logie made a particularly good point in terms of the shortened time period. Organisations are working out there now to just survive in this environment let alone be asked to stop everything and hurry up and submit on this bill if they want to because the Government has a 1 October implementation date which it wrote into legislation and it now needs everybody else to hurry up and get there.The individual citizens of New Zealand work from day to day. They actually have lives and things they are doing that they are being asked to put on hold to participate in this process. We need to give them an appropriate amount of time to do that. So again New Zealand First would suggest—along with all other Opposition parties I am picking—that the Government allows the process that has been set down quite rightly and with very valid reasons to take its course as opposed to attempting to shut down any debate from the New Zealand public and keep it quiet so that the Government can push through what it thinks is going to hide in our view what is really going on out there. Kia ora.
Logie Jan: Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLogie Jan: Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4824. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JAN LOGIE (Green): The Green Party although supporting this bill again also shares Labour’s view in that we do not support the truncation of the select committee process. Our understanding is that these set time frames we have for the consideration of legislation are there for a reason. They are not dependent on the bills or the need of the Government; they are there to ensure proper scrutiny and the ability of New Zealanders to be able to properly with warning participate in this democratic process. Those principles stand in the instance of this piece of legislation. This is not as has already been outlined the smallest piece of legislation that has ever been in front of this House. It is not a piece of legislation without complexity. We support it but we support good legislative process and scrutiny as well.It has already been indicated to the public and to this House that there are some concerns about this piece of legislation and based on those indications we believe that time must be given for the public to be able to choose whether to participate and to comment—and for the full range of people too because organisations often are very busy and individuals are very busy and very pressured in their lives these days. Giving people a short time frame often means that they cannot participate because they just cannot make time to make it happen in that shortened period. We believe their voices are important.We want this House to make the best possible legislation particularly when it is legislation we are being told is a critical component of helping solve our housing crisis. We need to get this stuff right. We need to make sure that people are involved in ensuring we get the right decisions and the right laws. So although we support the legislation we do not support a shortening of the select committee process.
Upston Louise: Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeUpston Louise: Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4821. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Land Information): I move That the Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill be reported to the House by Monday 17 August 2015 and that the committee have authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting (except during oral questions) during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House despite Standing Orders 191 and 194(1)(b) and (c). The measures introduced by this legislation are to be implemented by 1 October 2015. To ensure the legislation can be passed through all stages by 1 October a shorter-than-usual select committee process is necessary.As I said during my speech this bill will authorise some of the measures announced as part of Budget 2015. This package of measures will ensure that people buying and selling residential property for profit including overseas buyers and short-term speculators pay their fair share of tax. In particular it will be important to align implementation of these measures with the brightline test announced by the Government in Budget 2015. The brightline test will require income tax to be paid if a residential property other than the main home is bought and sold within 2 years and the brightline test will apply to properties bought on or after 1 October. The early report-back date will allow us to put in place regulations that are necessary to support this legislation by 1 October. These regulations will describe land transfers and parties that are exempt from providing tax information in addition to the main home exemption. Such exemptions will only be made where the requirement to comply is impractical or involves high compliance costs or where there is a low risk of tax avoidance.
Borrows Chester: Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4815. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I call Peeni Henare—a 5-minute call.
Borrows Chester: Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4813. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I call Julie Anne Genter. This is a 5-minute call.
Barclay Todd: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBarclay Todd: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4796. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]12.TODD BARCLAY (National—Clutha-Southland) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What steps is the Government taking to improve financial advice laws?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs): The Government is reviewing the laws that regulate financial advisers and how they give advice to ensure that they are working well for New Zealanders. We want to make sure that New Zealanders can access good quality financial advice that is tailored to their needs and it is time to take stock and identify where our laws can do better. This review is aimed at identifying opportunities to limit complexity to balance regulation against benefits and to ensure that appropriate levels of consumer protection are in place. The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment is currently consulting on an issues paper that will inform this review.Todd Barclay: What questions does the issues paper address?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: The issues paper asks a number of key questions such as whether people feel they have access to good quality financial advice and whether they understand how advisers are regulated. Also we want to find out whether the complexity of the regulations has prevented people from considering advice and whether compliance costs have made advice less accessible. We encourage all those with an interest in this issue to get involved in this process and to have their say. It is important that we understand the industry’s perspective and the needs and expectations of consumers when seeking financial advice. Consultation on the issues paper closes on 22 July after which an options paper will be produced for public release.
Carter David: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4794. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Order! The latter part only damages the point of order that is made. Leave has been sought to transfer this question to the next sitting day. Is there any objection? There is. [Interruption] Order! I have called the Hon David Parker.
Parker David: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeParker David: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4794. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon DAVID PARKER (Labour): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to carry my question over to another day given that the Minister who was at the select committee this morning—
Carter David: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4793. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Question No. 11 the Hon David Parker.
Naylor Jono: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeNaylor Jono: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4793. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]10.JONO NAYLOR (National) to the Minister of Justice: What progress can the Minister report on the role of the Chief Victims Advisor?Hon AMY ADAMS (Minister of Justice): I am pleased to advise that last week I called for expressions of interest for the newly created role of Chief Victims’ Adviser to the Government. The Chief Victims’ Adviser position has been created to provide independent advice to the justice Minister about victims’ experiences in the justice system. They will ensure that the victim’s perspective is at the heart of the advice that I and other Ministers receive in the development of policy affecting the justice sector. This will complement existing lines of advice including victims’ advocacy groups and Government officials and will improve the information that Ministers have available when making decisions on how we can best support victims.Jono Naylor: How does the Minister foresee the Chief Victims’ Adviser operating and what sorts of skills is she looking for in this role?Hon AMY ADAMS: The role of the Chief Victims’ Adviser to the Government has been created initially as a 2-year fixed-term 0.3 fulltime-equivalent role. The adviser will need to be someone with a good understanding of and links to victims’ networks. We are looking for someone who can connect effectively and sensitively with those who have experienced first-hand the trauma that crime creates for victims. They also need to be someone who can take those views and experiences and convey them effectively through the systems of Government at different levels and who can build relationships across the justice sector. The application process is currently open with information on the Ministry of Justice website. Applications close at the end of next week and I would encourage those who think that they can fill this important role to put themselves forward for consideration.
Carter David: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4791. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: I am going to put the leave and the House will decide. Leave is sought to table those series of tweets. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Mark Ron: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMark Ron: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4791. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]RON MARK (NZ First): I seek leave of the House to table a series of tweets dated 24 June 2015 between media and Marama Fox one of which says that the Speaker ordered Te Ururoa Flavell to change his Hansard.
O'Connor Simon: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeO'Connor Simon: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4790. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]7.SIMON O’CONNOR (National—Tāmaki) to the Minister of Tourism: What reports has he received about the increasing number of tourists visiting New Zealand?Hon PAULA BENNETT (Associate Minister of Tourism) on behalf of theMinister of Tourism: Here is some good news. The tourism sector is in great shape with more people visiting New Zealand than ever before. What is even better is that they are continuing to stay longer and spend more. Recent reports show international visitor numbers were up 7 percent to 2.98 million for the year ending May 2015. That is the highest-ever annual total. Estimated international spend was up 21 percent in the year ending March with good growth across most of our markets including a 61 percent increase in spend from Chinese visitors.Simon O’Connor: How is growth in tourism contributing to our export markets?Hon PAULA BENNETT: Tourism is a major export-earner for New Zealand making up 15 percent of our total exports. In the year ending March tourism exports were worth more than $10.3 billion which is more than our meat exports our wood exports and our oil exports. This is up from $9.8 billion in 2011. Total international tourist spend is expected to reach $11.1 billion by 2021.Simon O’Connor: How is the growth in tourism benefiting the regions?Hon PAULA BENNETT: More good news: tourists are coming not just to the main centres. They are visiting towns and regions which are also benefiting from the growth in numbers. Almost half of the $7 billion spent by international visitors in the year ending March 2014 was spent outside Auckland Wellington and Christchurch. For example international tourism spend in the Otago region has shown a cumulative annual growth rate of 4.7 percent since 2009. The Waikato and Taranaki regions saw estimated total spend from international visitors of $408 million and $57 million respectively for the year ending March 2014.
Lee Melissa: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLee Melissa: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4785. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]4.MELISSA LEE (National) to the Minister of Education: What announcements has she made about driving innovation across the education sector?Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. I am pleased to announce that 41 projects have won funding worth a total of approximately $2.6 million in the first round of grants from the Teacher-led Innovation Fund. This fund is part of our Government’s $359 million Investing in Educational Success initiative and is aimed at developing innovative practices that improve learning outcomes. The first round of funding involves more than 80 schools as well as several early childhood centres. I look forward to releasing the detail of these successful collaborations in the next few weeks.Melissa Lee: How can schools participate in this initiative to develop innovation in their community?Hon HEKIA PARATA: The Teacher-led Innovation Fund is worth $10 million over 4 years and I encourage all schools that consider that they have innovative practice to apply for future rounds. It is open to primary and secondary teachers and State and State-integrated kura and schools and it is designed to encourage schools to look at different approaches to learning particularly for students most at risk of failing. This fund reflects our Government’s significant investment in keeping the best teachers teaching encouraging schools to work together and strengthening school leadership.
Finlayson Christopher: Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFinlayson Christopher: Business Statement[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4781. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) on behalf of theLeader of the House: When the House resumes on Tuesday 30 June the Government will look to progress the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Amendment Bill the Environmental Reporting Bill and a number of other Committee stages on the Order Paper. The House will sit in extended hours on Tuesday 30 June effective on the morning of Wednesday 1 July to progress a number of second readings including the Hawke’s Bay Regional Planning Committee Bill the Te Hiku Claims Settlement Bill and the Te Kawerau ā Maki Claims Settlement Bill.
Carter David: Visitors — Pacific Parliaments—Presiding OfficersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Visitors — Pacific Parliaments—Presiding Officers[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4781. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members I am sure that you would wish to welcome the Rt Hon Lord Tu’ivakano Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga; the Hon Dr Jiko Luveni Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji; the Hon Niki Rattle Speaker of the Parliament of the Cook Islands; and the Hon Agafili Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa. I am sure that members would wish to accord them seats to the left and right of the Chair and that the delegation in the Speaker’s gallery be welcomed.The honourable Speakers accompanied by the Deputy Speaker and Assistant Speaker Tisch were accorded seats alongside the Chair.
Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBusiness Statement[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4781. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Business StatementHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) on behalf of theLeader of the House: When the House resumes on Tuesday 30 June the Government will look to progress the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Amendment Bill the Environmental Reporting Bill and a number of other Committee stages on the Order Paper. The House will sit in extended hours on Tuesday 30 June effective on the morning of Wednesday 1 July to progress a number of second readings including the Hawke’s Bay Regional Planning Committee Bill the Te Hiku Claims Settlement Bill and the Te Kawerau ā Maki Claims Settlement Bill.
Visitors — Pacific Parliaments—Presiding OfficersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVisitors — Pacific Parliaments—Presiding Officers[Sitting date: 25 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4781. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Thursday 25 June 2015Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.VisitorsPacific Parliaments—Presiding OfficersMr SPEAKER: Honourable members I am sure that you would wish to welcome the Rt Hon Lord Tu’ivakano Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga; the Hon Dr Jiko Luveni Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji; the Hon Niki Rattle Speaker of the Parliament of the Cook Islands; and the Hon Agafili Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa. I am sure that members would wish to accord them seats to the left and right of the Chair and that the delegation in the Speaker’s gallery be welcomed.The honourable Speakers accompanied by the Deputy Speaker and Assistant Speaker Tisch were accorded seats alongside the Chair.
Vote: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4763. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the SuperGold Health Check Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 60New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2.Noes 61New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Motion not agreed to.
Vote: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4749. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Noes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Motion not agreed to.
Vote: Underground Coal Mining Safety Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Underground Coal Mining Safety Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4732. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the Underground Coal Mining Safety Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 60New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2.Noes 61New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Motion not agreed to.
Lees-Galloway Iain: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLees-Galloway Iain: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4774. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Labour—Palmerston North): There has been considerable debate this evening on this bill which has just one operative clause. I do not want to delay its passage unnecessarily just suffice to say that it is difficult to tell exactly where the public outcry was that generated this legislation. As best as I can tell it actually represents a personal vendetta by Maggie Barry against a fellow North Shore politician. Nevertheless the content is perfectly sound. Let us get on with it.
Sage Eugenie: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSage Eugenie: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4769. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]EUGENIE SAGE (Green): I am pleased to take a short call—and it will be short—on the Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3). The Green Party will be supporting this bill. It is a small and uncontroversial bill that prevents someone serving on more than one local board in Auckland at a time. The Supplementary Order Paper ensures that it does not affect any board members who are currently on more than one board and I understand that there are four people in that position each of them on two boards. I do not expect that there will be a lot of submissions. I think it is a useful bill because it ensures that people are fully engaged with one board rather than spreading time and effort over several and we will be supporting it. Thank you.
Borrows Chester: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4765. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Exactly right and I will be the judge of how the House is going to be conducting its affairs. The fact that the Hon Michael Woodhouse happened to agree with the ruling that I had already made did not sway my mind one way or the other.
Peters Winston: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePeters Winston: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4765. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Thank you very much. If you are going to take the advice of the National Minister by reciting McGee—Hon Todd McClay: What’s the point of order?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: The point of order is that the—Ron Mark: Silence.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: The point of order is—first of all you will hear this point of order in silence. But the real issue is this: the Standing Order is clear. If it was not you would go to McGee but he is not the authority where the Standing Order is so precise as my colleague Ron Mark said. Now that any lawyer will tell you is a fact. So therefore to have heard that argument and give it credence simply is not the way this House should be conducting its affairs.
Borrows Chester: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4764. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: No I am not going to take any further comments or further points of order in respect of this matter. I know the matter has been controversial I know it has been well canvassed and I recognise that in a—Rt Hon Winston Peters:I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: No I am not accepting a point of order. [Interruption] I am still giving a ruling. The member will be seated. I was still speaking when he stood and sought a point of order. He should sit down now.Rt Hon Winston Peters: No. I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This is a new point of order and I am entitled to put it.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: No the member will be seated. The member will recall that he started speaking—making this point of order—while I was still speaking. I have not finished yet. He should stay in his seat. [Interruption] The Speaker’s word is paramount. The National Party whip has cast the vote. There is no reason why there should be any doubt whatsoever and if the member wants to restate his point of order—that it is 60-61 it could not be closer—he may well make his point. But in this Parliament—the member should be seated while I am speaking. I have shown the member as the elder in this House due regard so I would expect him to show the person seated in the Chair due regard. The member will recall that in this House especially under MMP votes have often been close and I am not going to call a personal vote on the basis of closeness. If the member has a new point of order he may well put it.
Woodhouse Michael: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeWoodhouse Michael: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4764. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Minister of Immigration): Mr Deputy Speaker in support of your decision I want to draw the House’s attention to McGee’s Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand page 208 which goes directly to this matter. “The Speaker has emphasised that closeness on a party vote result cannot by itself be enough to justify holding a personal vote. Depending on party standings in the House every party vote might be close.” It goes on to describe a number of scenarios where—perhaps due to confusion—there may be a reason; closeness is definitely not one of them.Ron Mark: Speaking to the point of order Mr Deputy Speaker.
Borrows Chester: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4764. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you. The member has made his point.
Mark Ron: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMark Ron: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4764. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]RON MARK (NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Well I hope the member is not going to challenge on some frivolous basis but I will hear his point of order.RON MARK: I do hope that you do not rule this as frivolous. It is not intended to be at all. But in your deliberation you said that where the party believes that a member is absent—Standing Order 144 clearly states: “A personal vote may be held following a party vote” which has been called for “if a member requests one” which the member has “and the Speaker considers that the decision on the party vote is so close that a personal vote may make a material difference to the result.” It makes no mention of us having to believe that someone is not present in the House or may not be here. The vote could not be closer. It is a vote of 60 to 61 and we are exercising our right under Standing Order 144 in asking for a personal vote.
Borrows Chester: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4764. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: No I do not require any assistance in respect of this matter. I have given my ruling on it and nothing the right honourable member has said has caused me to change my mind from that call.
Peters Winston: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePeters Winston: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4764. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I realise what you have just said. But when a vote is that close—Hon Member: Not close.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: No no. When it is that close with respect there have been times in the past and it goes back a long time when people have given their votes and they have not been here. I have got an example where one night three people did not make it here into this House but they were counted and then it was found that they were not here. I think with a vote that close on an issue so critical we should have a personal vote and that is what I seek to move.Ron Mark: Speaking to the point of order—
Borrows Chester: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4764. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no reason to hold a personal vote. The member must in calling for a personal vote have good reason to believe that members are absent and so the vote is invalid.
Peters Winston: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePeters Winston: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4763. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Because I thought I had misheard what the National Party whip had given for another party we did not go for a personal vote. But this is so close that I believe we should have a personal vote and I am moving that.
Mallard Trevor: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: SuperGold Health Check Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4751. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): The question is—Simon O’Connor: Mr Speaker—The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Simon O’Connor. I thought we were going to have a very short debate.
Mallard Trevor: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4749. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): I just want to remind members of what happened to the last member who was caught interjecting during a vote and I am sure the member who interjected then would like to stay for her leader’s speech.
Tisch Lindsay: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4746. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): No no. I am sure anyone who wants to know Mr Bishop’s views will probably be able to find that. [Interruption] No; the matter is finished. I have dealt with it. I am calling David Clendon.
Lees-Galloway Iain: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLees-Galloway Iain: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4746. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Labour—Palmerston North): I seek leave to table a document titled Representation vs Stability: The Five Per Cent Threshold in MMP written by one Christopher Bishop which advocates for removing the party vote threshold altogether.
Tisch Lindsay: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4743. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is objection. I am calling the next speaker.
Peters Winston: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePeters Winston: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4743. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): I seek leave therefore to table not the comment that was offensive as the member just said but the photograph that was the offence. I seek leave to do that.
Tisch Lindsay: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4743. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): No I have dealt with this matter Mr Peters. [Interruption] I have dealt with it and I do not want to hear any more. Will the member—[Interruption] We are moving on.
Tisch Lindsay: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4743. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Look this has got nothing to do with this. The member will sit. We are not delving into it. I am going to call Denis O’Rourke as the next speaker. Denis O’Rourke.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Point of order.
Tolley Anne: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTolley Anne: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4743. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Social Development): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I just think it is important as we discuss this—and I am not trying to relitigate but in fact the matter that the Rt Hon Winston Peters raised was absolutely incorrect. And I would hate that to stand on record because in fact Ron Mark denied that he had made that unparliamentary comment and was caught out simply because someone was signing—
Tisch Lindsay: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4743. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): That is right. Well that is exactly—[Interruption] Order! Thank you. And that is—[Interruption] The member will sit thank you. That is exactly—[Interruption] Order! Order now! I heard the comments made by Mr Iain Lees-Galloway on two occasions. At the time I indicated to Mr Lees-Galloway that that was unacceptable. He acknowledged that. At the time of the two points of order first by Jacqui Dean about barracking I dealt with that matter. Chris Bishop then indicated his point of order which was in reference to what Mr Lees-Galloway had said and I ruled on that matter at the time—end of story. Now we are moving to the debate.
Bishop Chris: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBishop Chris: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4743. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CHRIS BISHOP (National): I was reflecting back what Mr Lees-Galloway was saying to my colleague Jacqui Dean and pointing out that the reference to you—
Tisch Lindsay: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4743. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I thank the member. I will ask Chris Bishop when he made a comment that someone might have taken offence that is—Hon Anne Tolley: Point of order—The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): No I am just asking first whether Chris Bishop said something that I was unaware of and it was directed at me I understand. If he did—Chris Bishop: Mr Assistant Speaker I think—The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): No just answer my question. Did you or did you not make a comment that reflected on the Speaker?
Peters Winston: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePeters Winston: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4742. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I have ruled on this matter Mr Peters and I hope that this is a new matter.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: It is a new matter.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Then I will hear the new matter—the Rt Hon Winston Peters.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: It is your very reputation we are seeking to defend Mr Assistant Speaker. Do you recall that there is a precedent that is opposite to the one that the Clerk has just given you? It was when my colleague made a sign in this House which was later picked up by a camera and then long after the event long after the time frame that we have got here it was raised in this House as being improper behaviour. Mr Assistant Speaker I have heard the Clerk’s ruling but there is a precedent outside of that ruling and my colleague unfortunately is the centre of that precedent. That is why I am asking you—is the Clerk sure of his facts here?
Mark Ron: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMark Ron: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4742. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]RON MARK (NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It is a separate point of order.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I hope you are not going to relitigate what I have just ruled on.RON MARK: I am not going to relitigate that incident but I am going to make a request of you.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): What is the point you are making?RON MARK: The question is if an incident such as the one just described occurs and a person is unable to get to the House for some time is that not considered to be the earliest possible moment? Could you please deliberate on that and give us a ruling because this means that if no one else heard it but one person and that person was on the motorway driving and it might take half an hour or an hour for that person to get to the House—if you are saying that because it was not raised at that very—[Interruption] Points of order should be heard in silence Anne Tolley—The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Order! [Interruption] Order! The member will sit—[Interruption] Order! The member will sit. [Interruption] The member will sit. I have ruled on this matter and as the Clerk has just informed me if there are matters where someone feels aggrieved or an indiscretion has happened they have to be brought up at the time by someone who was present. You cannot come back at a later stage and then indicate that you feel aggrieved because one heard something by way of audio or by way of television. I have ruled on this matter and that is the end of the story. We are now moving on to the next speaker.
Mark Ron: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMark Ron: Electoral (Adjustment of Thresholds) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4742. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]RON MARK (NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I hope you are not going to be—RON MARK: Just to be sure are we talking about the same incident? This was not clearly audible to you. You gave no sign. My reports from the people who had been listening and watching were that you did not act on this particular occurrence from Chris Bishop because you did not hear it.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Well if a member in the House had heard something at the time they would have brought it to my attention. There was nothing brought to my attention at the time. You cannot at a later stage come in and say something happened. It has to be dealt with at the time. I did deal with an issue that came up. A point of order did come up from Chris Bishop and I dealt with that at the time just as I did with Jacqui Dean at the time. [Interruption] Order! I am trying to rule here. At any point if some indiscretion has happened it must be dealt with at the time not at a later stage. So as far as I am concerned that matter is over and we are now moving on with the debate.