edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Upston LouiseHon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō): Well that's a very nice sentiment that Mr O'Connor has just talked about about the fact that it's being sent to a select committee to make sure that we get the legislation right. Well newsflash Mr O'Connor if you weren't listening: this is yet another piece of legislation introduced by this Government that abuses and does not allow a select committee process in its entirety to take place—yet another piece of legislation with a shortened report back: 27 May. The Minister doesn't even have the courtesy when there's a piece of legislation that is supported across this Parliament to even discuss it with the Opposition. It's unbelievable that we're seeing this yet again. So this is a shortened report back to 27 May. Yes it's a technical bill. That's even more reason to ensure that the people who have an interest in this legislation have the ability to pick it apart and to ensure that as a Parliament we get this legislation right. So for those that have just tuned in to this this is the Oranga Tamariki Legislation Bill. This is a technical bill. This is legislation that in terms of the significant overhaul of the work that the State does with children my colleague the Hon Anne Tolley was significantly involved in with very strong engagement from the public iwi from organisations from the Parliament and young people sharing their stories to ensure that we got the policy right. The very idea that this Government is then trampling on all of that critical engagement that took place in the earlier versions of the policy design to then jam it through—to jam it through—a select committee process to say 27 May is the report back for legislation that comes into effect on 1 July—what's the Government been doing? What has the Government been doing? This is a technical omnibus bill—a technical omnibus bill—that covers off how many pieces of legislation? How many pieces of legislation? Twelve one of my colleagues says. That deserves the full scrutiny of the select committee to ensure a complex bill is delivered properly.But I want to talk very briefly about the people that are served by this particular bill because it relates to the procedures and policies relating to 17-year-olds within the youth justice jurisdiction. I think this is a particularly vulnerable group of New Zealanders and we do have the opportunity to put them on a different path. So it is critical this legislation. It is critical we get it right. We owe it to them—we owe it to them. We owe it to their victims. But actually we owe it to them to ensure that they have a different future. So it is critical that we get this legislation right. Just last week I met with a number of organisations who are providing services for these children for these young people. Yes we are lifting the age so that they can be dealt with in this system not the adult system. They deserve for us to get it right and it's absolutely outrageous to have a shortened report back on yet another piece of Government legislation.
Robertson GrantAPPROPRIATION (2017/18 CONFIRMATION AND VALIDATION) BILLSecond ReadingHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I move That the Appropriation (2017/18 Confirmation and Validation) Bill be now read a second time.
Nash StuartHon STUART NASH (Minister of Police): I move That the Arms (Prohibited Firearms Magazines and Parts) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by Monday 8 April 2019 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 in which there has been a sitting of the House and on a Friday in a week where there has been a sitting of the House and outside the Wellington area despite Standing Orders 191 193 and 194(1)(b) and (c).Motion agreed to.
Arms (Prohibited Firearms Magazines and Parts) Amendment Bill — Procedure
Hipkins ChrisQuestion No. 1 to MinisterHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I just want to raise an issue with regard to your ruling on the first question. You ruled that because the question was a yes/no primary question that limited the further supplementaries that could be asked. The question as lodged was changed by your office to remove the word how" from it. If you are going to change members' questions to narrow them to only a yes/no question and then restrict the supplementaries that can be followed up that is going to inhibit members on both sides of the House—SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat. First of all there's a question of timeliness. The second is that I don't change questions; members agreed to them as changed. Your office agreed to them."
Hipkins Chris; Mallard TrevorTUESDAY 2 APRIL 2019The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.ARMS (PROHIBITED FIREARMS MAGAZINES AND PARTS) AMENDMENT BILLProcedureHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I seek leave for the Arms (Prohibited Firearms Magazines and Parts) Amendment Bill to be set down for first reading after general business today despite Standing Order 285(1)(b); for there to be no debate on the instruction to the select committee to consider the bill despite Standing Order 290; for the bill to be available for second reading on Tuesday 9 April despite Standing Order 296; should the member in charge desire for the bill to be set down for the committee of the whole House forthwith following the second reading despite Standing Order 299; and for the bill to be set down for third reading forthwith following the committee stage despite Standing Order 310.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that process being followed? There appears to be none.
Tuesday 19 March 2019 - Volume 737
Ministerial Statements — Mosque Terror Attacks—Christchurch
Hipkins Chris; Mallard TrevorSITTINGS OF THE HOUSEHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I seek leave for the House to now adjourn as a mark of respect for those people affected by the Christchurch mosque terror attacks.SPEAKER: Leave has been sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is none. The House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. tomorrow.The House adjourned at 2.55 p.m.
Ardern JacindaRt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister): Mr Speaker I conclude by acknowledging the statements made within this House. I acknowledge the grief that has been expressed directly and on behalf of communities and I acknowledge the representation of those communities in the gallery here today. The discussion the words here have been honest. They have been direct. They have been focused on the terrorist attack against our Muslim community the ideology that surrounded it and what we must do to prevent it from ever happening again. We are united as New Zealand is united. But this week as others have said is a time for the dignity of those who have passed support for those who have lost and comfort for all those who mourn.My final words I wish to express directly to the women and children of the Muslim faith. As I left the mosque I visited on Sunday here in Wellington a child a very young boy called out my name and asked Prime Minister will we be safe now?" Mr Speaker I hear in this House today that we are all collectively committing to telling that young boy a resounding yes as I told him. And we will do all we can do. We will do everything in our power to ensure that that is the case. Tātau tātau. Al salam alaikum."
Wednesday 20 June 2018 - Volume 730
Appropriation (2017/18 Supplementary Estimates) Bill & Imprest Supply (First for 2018/19) Bill — Second Readings
Tuesday 14 August 2018 - Volume 732
Appropriation (2018/19 Estimates) Bill — Third Reading & Imprest Supply (Second for 2018/19) Bill — Second Reading
Tuesday 12 February 2019 - Volume 736
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That this debate be now adjourned. Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8. Noes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Motion agreed to.Debate interrupted.
Crown Minerals Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Patterson MarkMARK PATTERSON (NZ First): Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker. Unfortunately I've only got a couple of minutes. I actually need far more time than that to address the seething mass of contradictions we've heard from the National Party over the last couple of speakers. I have sat here for weeks and weeks and months and heard them talk about banning oil and gas exploration and Jonathan Young just tells me there's a rig turned up off the Taranaki coast to continue on the transition that we're doing. There will still be as we know 100000 square kilometres of permitted prospects that are eligible to be drilled for oil and gas and much of it—about the size of the North Island I understand is the land mass. So they've absolutely contradicted their own spin that they were putting out and the scaremongering that they were doing.Of course New Zealand First support this bill. This bill the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill is a sensible piece of legislation. It is largely technical and it does look to plug some gaps and of course it is very important. We are a very mineral-rich country.Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 10 p.m.
Social Workers Registration Legislation Bill — Second Reading
Walker HamishHAMISH WALKER (National—Clutha-Southland): This is a very interesting bill and one close to my heart: my sister is a social worker. She's been a social worker for the best part of 15 years. It is a very very interesting bill—I mean the Government had time to scrutinise this bill to go over it with the select committee. The thing that really disappoints me about this bill—National supports this bill but we oppose Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) 187 in the name of the Minister for Social Development. The Government had time but they chose not to use the time to go over the bill and one thing I've learnt in my short 17 18 months as a member of this Parliament is that select committees improve bills. It's a chance for members from all sides of the House to panel-beat the bill to make it the best bill possible. And unfortunately this Government—which is very common very typical of this Government—has chosen not to. This bill was introduced by the last National Government and was intended to help to increase the status and professionalism of social workers. I just want to acknowledge all the social workers out there. They do a fantastic job and just over this recent summer talking to my sister some of the cases some of the people that she helps—it's just incredible and they deserve a lot more credit than they currently get. And as a result of this bill people would like to know basically when they're dealing with a social worker. There are a number of different social agency providers across New Zealand so it's good once this bill passes which was introduced by the previous National Government that people the members of the public will have a very simple easy process to follow so they know when they're dealing with a social worker.Because of the restricted time frame and the fact that this Government chose to not put it through the select committee submitters' concerns were unable to be fully addressed and this bill really needed more time to come back in front of this House. So it's very disappointing. In saying that we support the bill but we oppose SOP 187 and in future for the better of people of New Zealand if the Government can follow proper process and put it through the select committee.
Earthquake Commission Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Rurawhe AdrianEARTHQUAKE COMMISSION AMENDMENT BILLThird ReadingDebate resumed from 18 December 2018.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Members when the House last discussed this bill Alastair Scott had the call and he has nine minutes and 40 seconds remaining to speak should he so wish.
Robertson GrantHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I move That this debate be now adjourned.
Mallard TrevorSPEAKER: I would normally put the amendment at this stage and when I have an amendment in the proper form I will put it—possibly after the right honourable gentleman's speech. I call the Rt Hon Winston Peters.
Ministerial Statements — Nelson—Bush Fires
Appointments — Deputy Clerk
Visitors — Republic of Korea—National Assembly
Bridges SimonHon SIMON BRIDGES (Leader of the Opposition): I want to thank the Prime Minister for the update on the progress of emergency services in managing the fire in the Nelson-Tasman region and I'd also like to echo all of the sentiments that she's made. I'd also like to pay tribute to the heroic work by so many in the Nelson and Tasman districts over the past week: those in the local communities who have worked around the clock in preventing the loss of life saving dozens of homes and providing refuge for animals. We thank you.There have also been so many levels of support involved in the recovery and the rescue efforts from assisting people in evacuation procedures to getting access to care for animals income support alternative schooling and transport. My strongest praise goes to those directly involved in fighting this wild fire. The volunteers from the local Richmond Stoke Māpua Motueka and Tākaka brigades have been outstanding; so too have the Brightwater Appleby Hira Upper Tākaka and Ngātimoti rural fire forces. Many of the firefighters in the region are rural volunteers and we owe them a debt of gratitude for the prevention and assistance work they are undertaking. These firefighters have been doing the hard dirty job on the ground. We should be equally grateful for the skilled helicopter pilots in the air and the workers driving the water trucks bulldozers and excavators that are containing the fire. They have been doing extraordinary hours in tough conditions. I also acknowledge the work of the local mayors civil defence police army and Ministry for Primary Industries. This fire is the largest in New Zealand in some 64 years and is a tough test for the newly merged Fire and Emergency New Zealand. This response has been well led and is a credit to them. I applaud the efforts of national incident controller John Sutton and our local Principal Rural Fire Officer Ian Reade.The volunteer effort to support our emergency services has been unbelievable. Red Cross St John's Rotary Helping You Help Animals and our local marae and churches have stood out. I'd also like to acknowledge the hard-working local MPs in the region who have all been involved in the response efforts particularly in coordinating assistance for constituents.As we speak emergency services are still battling the wildfires in the region. It's good news that most people are back in their homes but we are not out of the woods yet. I'd encourage ongoing vigilance on any activities that could spark another fire given the extreme conditions until we get significant rain. There are weeks of work still required on this fire and I wish those hard-working officials and volunteers all success as they continue to battle the fires.
Mallard TrevorAPPOINTMENTSDeputy Clerk of the House of RepresentativesSPEAKER: Honourable members I'm pleased to announce that pursuant to section 7 of the Clerk of the House of Representatives Act 1988 the Governor-General has appointed Suze Jones as Deputy Clerk of the House of Representatives for a term of seven years commencing on 11 February 2019.
Mallard TrevorVISITORSRepublic of Korea—National AssemblySPEAKER: I am sure members will wish to welcome Representative Pyo Chang-won from the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea who is present in the gallery.
Mallard TrevorTUESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2019The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Karakia.RESIGNATIONSHon Christopher Finlayson NationalSPEAKER: I wish to advise the House that I have received a letter from the Hon Christopher Finlayson resigning his seat in the House with effect from Wednesday 30 January 2019 at 11.59 p.m. LIST MEMBER VACANCYSPEAKER: I have been advised by the Electoral Commissioner that pursuant to section 137 of the Electoral Act 1993 Agnes Loreta Loheni has been declared to be elected to the House of Representatives in place of the Hon Christopher Finlayson. I understand that Agnes Loheni is present and wishes to take the Oath of Allegiance. Would she please come forward to the Chair on my right.MEMBERS SWORNAgnes Loheni was called forward to the Chair by the Speaker took the Oath of Allegiance and took her seat in the House.
Wednesday 13 February 2019 - Volume 736
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That this debate be now adjourned.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Motion agreed to.Debate interrupted.
12. Question No. 12—TourismHon JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister of TourismQuestion No. 12—Tourism12. Hon JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister of Tourism: What was the date he first found out about the need to postpone the China - New Zealand Year of Tourism opening ceremony?Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Minister of Tourism): The Chinese Embassy informed the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) on 28 January. I was informed by MBIE officials shortly after.Hon Jacqui Dean: Why did he not make a public announcement on the postponement?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: The event is being organised by the Chinese Government and it would be silly for me to upstage them.Hon Jacqui Dean: When did he inform the Prime Minister of the postponement and what was her response?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: I informed her immediately.Hon Jacqui Dean: What actions has he now taken to secure a new date for the opening ceremony?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Again this is down to the Chinese Government. It's down to their scheduling and coordination so I'll leave it up to them and MBIE officials to organise this.Hon Jacqui Dean: Does he agree with the Prime Minister in question time today who said that there are challenges in the relationship with China"?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: I agree with almost everything the Prime Minister says especially when she says that the numbers of Chinese tourists continue to rise: 8.4 percent growth in the last year and we're expecting those numbers to continue to rise."
11. Question No. 11—Social DevelopmentDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentQuestion No. 11—Social Development11. DAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT) to the Minister for Social Development: How much did the Government transfer in social security and welfare payments according to the Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the Year Ended 30 June 2018 on a per household basis?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): The Crown spent $25.99 billion on social security and welfare in 2018 according to Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand 30 June 2018. However this includes spending on departmental expenses and so is not the amount provided for transfers on social security and welfare payments. The Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update 2018 records the amount provided for the benefit expenses which was $24 billion in the fiscal year to 30 June 2018. The majority of that spending actually relates to New Zealand superannuation: 56 percent of that. According to Statistics New Zealand the estimated households and private occupied dwellings on average over the year ended 30 June 2018 were 1735200. I've been provided with Treasury advice that based on those two figures the total spend is approximately $13834 per household.David Seymour: Given that the Government is spending $13834 per household on cash transfers why does the Salvation Army say this morning in its State of the Nation Report that there are few signs that government policies are beginning to address seemingly entrenched aspects of poverty in New Zealand."?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: With all due respect I have received the Salvation Army's report but I do not have responsibility for the Salvation Army's State of the Nation Report.David Seymour: If transferring $13834 to the average household every year in social security and welfare payments is not enough to end poverty how much does the Government plan to transfer each year?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Can I just remind the member that 56 percent of the spend that we have just discussed is actually allocated to superannuation. I think it's a really important point to make. Seventeen percent of the transfers with regards to the benefit amount is spent on main benefits. The information I have in front of me shows that for the last few years that's been fairly static. I'm unsure of where the member is trying to take this House; however I've laid out the information I have in front of him."
7. Question No. 7—EducationJAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 7—Education7. JAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of Education: Has he released any proposals to strengthen and grow trades training and other vocational education?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): The Government has released three proposals for consultation to transform trades training and other vocational education. Under these proposals industry and employers will be given a much greater leadership role in setting skills standards and overseeing qualifications and programmes across the entire vocational education system including off-job training. The New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology will bring together 16 polytechs into a robust regional network to offer high-quality vocational education throughout New Zealand and a new unified funding system will remove barriers to collaboration and flexibility.Jan Tinetti: What are the problems with the current model of vocational education?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: There are many and I won't go into all of them but it's clear that many learners are not getting the skills that they need. We have significant skills shortages and we also know that the need for training and retraining is going to increase. We know that the system makes it hard for education providers and industry training organisations to work together and clearly our polytech sector is unsustainable when the Government has to spend $100 million in one year alone simply to keep the lights on. We cannot continue to tweak the system when we know that the model is fundamentally broken and it isn't delivering our workforce the skills they need to thrive.Jan Tinetti: How would the proposals for reform support learners to get the in-demand skills that they need?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: One of the biggest benefits for learners is that they will be able to move from campus to workplace and around the country without disrupting their studies. This is the step change that's needed to shift from the idea that the ultimate goal of secondary school is to prepare young people for university. Large national employers will be able to deal with a single organisation to arrange consistent training and education across the country. We want industry to take a leadership role and to have a greater say in the provision of trades training and other vocational education so that learners are getting the skills that they need for the workforce.Jan Tinetti: How would the proposals for reform support regions to play a leadership role in the delivery of trades training and other vocational education?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Ultimately these proposals will increase the amount and the range of education and training available in regional New Zealand. Campuses will continue to offer a wide range of delivery. The courses on offer in each region won't be limited to just what the local campus can provide on their own because each campus will be able to draw on the resources of the whole nationwide network of polytechnic provisions and their offerings will be able to be tailored to regional needs through the establishment of regional leadership groups.
3. Question No. 3—Prime MinisterHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 3—Prime Minister3. Hon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements policies and actions?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister): Yes.Hon Paula Bennett: What will the question be that the public will vote on in the binding referendum on legalising marijuana in 2020?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Of course what sits behind the question around the potential legalisation of cannabis is a level of detail that is still being worked on by the Government.Chlöe Swarbrick: Join the cross-party group.Hon Paula Bennett: What process is her Government going through to come up with the question?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Again that's detail that is being worked through led by the Minister of Justice. Again I hear that there is an invitation. Given this is a referendum being put to the people of New Zealand we would welcome the engagement of the Opposition as we develop up the question and the work that sits behind it.Hon Paula Bennett: Will the cross-party group on drugs be deciding what the question is?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: You'll appreciate that we have to add the rigour of advice from the Ministry of Justice but no question we welcome input.Hon Paula Bennett: When will the public know what the question is?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Obviously in good time. There needs to be relevant debate in the lead-up to the general election so that people are able to genuinely engage in the question. This is an issue that we want the public to give full consideration to which is why it's important we get both the question right and the detail that sits behind the question.Hon Paula Bennett: Will there be a yes/no question as to whether or not marijuana should be legalised?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Even if you have a binary question like that people need to understand of course how the law would change as well alongside that. So even simple questions like that have to have a level of detail underneath it and that's what we're working through now.Hon Paula Bennett: In the context of that answer then when will the public know what the question is and have the level of detail as the Prime Minister has just pointed out?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Obviously well in advance. We need to give the preparatory time for the Electoral Commission which is why we've flagged our intent this early out. Obviously we are some way off a general election. We will as a Government be maximising every month we have between now and then. But we will ensure that there's enough time for the public to properly engage. But again the detailed time line is something we're working on presently.
1. Question No. 1—FinanceDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Finance1. Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of Finance: What progress is the Government making on implementing its economic plan?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): The Government has a plan for a more resilient economy by transitioning to a more productive sustainable and inclusive growth path and as outlined by the Prime Minister yesterday we are making excellent progress on implementing this plan across a number of fronts. We are modernising the New Zealand economy. We have introduced a research and development tax incentive that will come into effect this year. Tens of thousands of young people will benefit from fees-free. We will continue to invest in our regions through the Provincial Growth Fund and invest record levels in our infrastructure and continue our negotiations on important trade agreements. As I announced this morning we will also deliver our first well-being Budget on 30 May which will be a significant step in ensuring that the well-being of New Zealanders is at the heart of everything that we do.Dr Deborah Russell: What factors has the Government taken into account in formulating its economic plan?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: While the New Zealand economy is forecast to grow solidly over the next few years at around 3 percent and our strong economic fundamentals mean that we are in a position to deal with the emerging challenges we face from the downturn in the international economy there is still a lot of work to do. We have developed a plan to adapt and modernise our economy to be more resilient but we must be realistic that global growth is predicted to ease largely because of rising trade tensions and political uncertainty. Advanced economies are forecast to grow at only 2 percent a year compared with our forecast growth of nearly 3 percent.Dr Deborah Russell: What feedback has the Government received on its economic plan?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: From informed commentators we've seen very positive feedback particularly from international ratings agencies. Just a couple of weeks ago Standard & Poor's upgraded New Zealand's credit outlook to positive. Standard & Poor's specifically identified that the Government's proactive policy-making supports sustainable public finances and economic growth. At the end of last year Moody's said that given our commitment to robust finances the Government had the flexibility to fund the spending on families infrastructure affordable housing and education while maintaining fiscal surpluses and debt reduction. We know that there is plenty to do but it is pleasing that the vote of confidence is coming from these agencies in the Government's management of our finances.
Social Workers Registration Legislation Bill — In Committee—Part 1
Sepuloni CarmelHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): I thought I would just take some time to respond to some of the questions that have been asked about Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) 187 in particular and hopefully I can provide adequate answers to the questions that have been put to myself and to the committee. We had questions from the Hon Alfred Ngaro with regards to the process for engaging people in formulating the scopes of practice and issues that may arise with challenging the scopes of practice. I think it's really important to note that the SOP is proposing a period of time for these to be consulted on before they commence—that's a two-year period of time. So what we're doing is putting in legislation that they must be formulated but we're doing the responsible thing and having a period of time in which the Social Workers Registration Board will take the lead in working with the sector to actually develop the scopes of practice. In terms of what's required and how they go about that consultation that's laid out in new section 5C and it stipulates really clearly that the board must consult with persons representing views of social workers with persons representing views of employers of social workers and with organisations affected by the scopes of practice. So I think that answers some of what the Hon Alfred Ngaro was asking earlier. I think it's really important to state too that the process is not set out in the SOP because it will be operational and implemented after the bill is passed. So we made that really clear—I thought I made it really clear earlier but perhaps I didn't so it's important to just go over that again.The member Simon O'Connor has asked about why the social workers' scopes of practice couldn't be included as part of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA). That was canvassed particularly between the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and I have to say that the Ministry of Health didn't think it was appropriate—they didn't want social workers included. They had a really strong rationale and MSD agreed and that was because the vast majority of social workers are not in the health system; they're operating outside. So that's why the decision was made not to include it as part of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act.But the consultation on scopes of practice—it was always designed by the sector and also the ministries involved so that it could work in a similar way and that similar models had worked for other professions. So that's how we got to the point where it ended up being deemed best that it was done in this way. So MOH supported amending the Social Workers Registration Act using the HPCA Act as a model. Due to the scope and scale of legislative changes amending the existing Act was agreed by all to be a more straightforward option than moving social work into the HPCA Act. So I think it's important to note that I think that was a really good question actually because I'm sure there may be others that would have a similar question.
Crimes Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee
Little AndrewCRIMES AMENDMENT BILLInstruction to CommitteeHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice): I move That it be an instruction to the committee of the whole House on the Crimes Amendment Bill that it consider and if it thinks fit adopt the amendments in my name set out on Supplementary Order Paper 185.Motion agreed to.
Urgent Debates Declined — Stephen Barclay—Resignation from Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
Speaker's Ruling — Written Questions—Responses
Mallard TrevorURGENT DEBATES DECLINEDHousing and Urban Development Ministry—Resignation of Stephen BarclaySPEAKER: I have received a letter from David Seymour seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the resignation of Stephen Barclay from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Mr Barclay was an employee of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development which is a department of the Public Service. A Government is not answerable to the House for the matters set out in section 33 of the State Sector Act 1988 in respect of individual employees—Speaker's ruling 160/5. In those matters which include the appointment promotion or cessation of employment of any employee chief executives have a duty to act independently. In the case of an urgent debate where decision making has taken place independently of Ministers there can be no ministerial responsibility. The application is therefore declined.
Hipkins Chris; Mallard TrevorCHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Anticipating this issue would come up my office contacted your office last week to find out how many questions you still had concerns about and was told by your office that you would not supply that information. It's very difficult for me as the Leader of the House to follow up and ensure that those questions are answered if you will not supply me with that information.SPEAKER: Just being very directly responsive to the member I do not regard it as my responsibility to ensure that ministerial offices are well managed. I indicated through my office to the member's office that there were many Ministers involved—very close to the majority of Ministers involved—and that the warning to get up to date should be a general one rather than directed at the specific individual Ministers. If Ministers' record-keeping systems are not good enough to know that they have overdue questions then I think the Minister responsible for Ministerial Services should do some sort of review of their offices to make them more efficient.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. In this case many of those questions have actually been answered. The issue is that you do not believe they have been answered satisfactorily. Therefore if you won't indicate to me in any particularity which ones you don't think have been answered satisfactorily how is the Government supposed to follow that up?SPEAKER: Ministers could go into their inboxes or their staff could go into their inboxes and review the questions in their names that are not shown as being answered.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. They are being shown as being answered. It's that in many cases you have decided that they haven't been answered sufficiently. The ruling that you gave before Christmas—in many of those cases Ministers gave an answer that said the information would soon be available and Ministers have made additional information available. If you are deeming that the information they have subsequently made available is insufficient I'm happy to follow that up and I'm sure the Government is happy to follow that up but there are thousands of questions—written questions that were covered by the ruling you made before Christmas—and unless you tell us which ones of those you're not happy with how are we supposed to follow it up?SPEAKER: As I've said before you go into your inbox and see which of them have had a final reply. None of the 172 I've referred to have had a final reply—none of them.
SpeechWEDNESDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2019The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.SPEAKER'S RULINGSWritten Questions—Overdue RepliesSPEAKER: Members towards the end of last year I ruled on overdue responses to written questions. I'm aware that some but not all Ministers are proactively releasing papers and diaries. Where they do so a reference to material that is or will shortly be available would be a satisfactory reply to a written question. I repeat Speaker Carter's ruling that such a reply must be given with some particularity to enable the member asking the question to directly locate the information—Speaker's ruling 185/1. It may be that the proactive release of information reduces the number of written questions required. However at present there are 172 written questions that have not received a final reply. Many of the replies were due in December but one was due in May last year. It appears that written questions are not working as they were supposed to as an accountability mechanism so I intend to award the Opposition 10 additional supplementary questions each day until the end of this sitting block or until all the questions due last year have received their final replies—whichever comes first. I will review the situation again in the next sitting period.
Thursday 14 February 2019 - Volume 736
11. Question No. 11—Housing and Urban Development (Māori Housing)MARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader—Green) to the Associate Minister of Housing and Urban Development (Māori Housing)Question No. 11—Housing and Urban Development (Māori Housing)11. MARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader—Green) to the Associate Minister of Housing and Urban Development (Māori Housing): Is she concerned with the finding in the Salvation Army's State of the Nation report which shows Māori are almost nine times more likely to be on the social housing waiting list?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Associate Minister of Housing and Urban Development (Māori Housing)): Yes it is really concerning and a stark reminder of why we are in Government. Forty-six percent of people on the public housing register are Māori so we can expect approximately 4300 whānau will benefit from secure warm community homes that we are building. We know we need to do more but we're starting and I think we're going in the right direction.Marama Davidson: What specific Māori housing initiatives is she working on to help more Māori into homes and does she think there'll be enough to make a real difference in time for next year's Salvation Army's report?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: Well like the member the Government recognises that it's important to address housing needs for Māori across the continuum from homelessness to public housing through to homeownership. That's why we're actively working with the Salvation Army on housing solutions and we know that more can be done. We're also working with Māori and iwi organisations to ensure that the solutions better meet the needs across our regions and that we are developing housing packages to better respond to those needs. What that will look like in a year is that we are having impact where it matters most but you can't fix things in a minute that have been left to linger for far too long under the previous administration.Marama Davidson: Does the Minister agree that it is essential to empower Māori and ensure the housing is appropriate for whānau and what are some of those specific plans to work directly with Māori providers?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: Yes we do believe that it's essential to work alongside Māori and iwi organisations. In fact if we look across the spectrum as it exists now many Māori housing organisations are participating in providing transitional housing as a step towards more secure housing options. We do understand that across the housing continuum there is more to be done especially in terms of affordable homeownership options but we're starting where the need is most and where Māori organisations have identified that they want to make a difference. In fact right now we have arrangements with 19 iwi-based organisations and are contracting with them in the areas where the need has been identified in specific communities.
8. Question No. 8—HealthANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Associate Minister of HealthQuestion No. 8—Health8. ANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Associate Minister of Health: What recent announcements has she made regarding youth mental health?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Associate Minister of Health): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. On Monday Minister Clark my colleague Chlöe Swarbrick and I launched Piki in Porirua the first community to benefit from a pilot of free mental health support for 18- to 25-year-olds. Piki will be targeted at young people with mild to moderate health needs to ensure that they get the early intervention and support that they need. Piki will help an estimated 10000 young people across Porirua Wellington the Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa.Angie Warren-Clark: How will people get access to mental health support through Piki?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: There is no wrong door. Young people can access Piki through self-referral contact through the Government-funded mental health support line 1737 seeking help from district health boards (DHBs) or their GP.Angie Warren-Clark: Why is this Government involved in early intervention?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: The mental health and addictions inquiry heard a lot about the need for intervening earlier to ensure that problems don't escalate and become a crisis. This pilot is based off a United Kingdom model which has a very strong evidence base. We need to ensure that that model works in a New Zealand context particularly for Māori and Pasifika young people who are especially vulnerable in this area.Chlöe Swarbrick: Does this Government have the intention of expanding this pilot throughout the rest of New Zealand?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: The vision that the Green Party and the Government share is that all 18- to 25-year-olds in New Zealand will have access to mental health support when they need it. I am extremely pleased that the pilot has launched and I know that we need to ensure that it works for our young people. The pilot will be working through issues like workforce shortages and peer support scalability. We know that many communities need more support and that is why this Government has prioritised mental health.Matt Doocey: Why is the Minister using the figure of 10000 young people across the three DHBs in the Wellington region when the Ministry of Health reported at the Health Committee that the pilot would be delivered to 3 percent of young people across the three DHBs in the Wellington region approximately 61000 young people—SPEAKER: Order! Order!Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: I am not aware of the specific answer given at the select committee so I don't know if the numbers the member is referring to are correct. What I do know is that the advice we have from the Ministry of Health is that this pilot is expected to be accessed and used by 10000 young people which is nearly 20 percent of the population of young people in the affected area.
7. Question No. 7—HealthHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 7—Health7. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement that National Health Targets created perverse incentives"?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): The previous Government's targets produced perverse incentives leading to what were traditionally cheaper surgeries being performed in more expensive environments. I want a health system that has honest and transparent measures. I want a system that doesn't pump up numbers by counting Avastin injections and skin lesion removals that could have been done in primary care as surgeries only if they're done in the most expensive environment. The answer to the member's question is yes. Hon Michael Woodhouse: Would he agree that the removal of the targets has created other perverse outcomes such as for cancer patient Blair Vining who described at a recent cancer conference that he would have died before the date of his first public hospital appointment?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I think everybody in this House and I think every New Zealander would feel deeply for Mr Vining and his wife Melissa in their circumstances. They wrestle with the end of Blair's life in coming months. What is really important here is that a cancer plan is developed. I was at the conference—the member was not there—and that's what Mr Vining spoke passionately about. The Director-General of Health has promised to have that cancer plan in place—an interim plan—by June this year. Hon Michael Woodhouse: Has cancer treatment timeliness improved or worsened since the Minister removed the national health targets for cancer treatment?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The member will know that the results are on the website and they are roughly in line across recent years. Hon Michael Woodhouse: Well in that case can he confirm that since removing the targets the published data on the Ministry of Health website shows four of the five targets including cancer have got worse not better and that the data hasn't been updated for the past six months?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I can confirm that across the targets one more of them has been met than was the case in quarter one 2017-18.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Is he aware that since the conference around 100 patients have contacted the Vinings to share stories of wait times for first appointments from just two weeks to more than two months and isn't this an example of the postcode medicine that health targets were designed to avoid?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: As I've said previously the previous Government's targets—some of them had merit; collectively they were too narrowly focused. I want a system that delivers better quality healthcare across the board to New Zealanders. In particular in respect to the faster cancer treatment target I note that it didn't cover all cancer types. I want honest and transparent measures that drive better outcomes across the wider health system."