edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Vote: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Vote: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17072. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 56 
New Zealand National 48; New Zealand First 7; Independent: Copeland. 
Noes 64 
New Zealand Labour 49; Green Party 6; Maori Party 3; United Future 2; ACT New Zealand 2; Progressive 1; Independent: Field 
Amendment not agreed to. 
The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 209 in the name of the Hon Annette King to Part 1 be agreed to.
Vote: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Vote: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17072. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 56 
New Zealand National 48; New Zealand First 7; Independent: Copeland. 
Noes 64 
New Zealand Labour 49; Green Party 6; Maori Party 3; United Future 2; ACT New Zealand 2; Progressive 1; Independent: Field. 
Amendment not agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of Peter Brown to clause 31 be agreed to: 
to omit this clause.
Vote: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Vote: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17072. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 49 
New Zealand National 48; Independent: Copeland. 
Noes 71 
New Zealand Labour 49; New Zealand First 7; Green Party 6; Maori Party 3; United Future 2; ACT New Zealand 2; Progressive 1; Independent: Field. 
Amendment not agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Rt Hon Winston Peters to clause 31 be agreed to: 
to add to new section 65A(1) the following paragraph: 
(d)subject to the stabilisation of international fuel prices.
Vote: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Vote: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17071. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 56 
New Zealand National 48; New Zealand First 7; Independent: Copeland. 
Noes 62 
New Zealand Labour 49; Green Party 6; Maori Party 3; United Future 2; Progressive 1; Independent: Field. 
Amendment not agreed to.
Vote: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Vote: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17071. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the question be now put. 
Ayes 62 
New Zealand Labour 49; Green Party 6; Maori Party 3; United Future 2; Progressive 1; Independent: Field. 
Noes 56 
New Zealand National 48; New Zealand First 7; Independent: Copeland. 
Motion agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of Pita Paraone to clause 5 be agreed to: 
to omit from new section 4 the words “principles of the”.
King Colin: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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King Colin: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17071. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
COLIN KING (National—Kaikoura) 
: 
 I seek leave to take a call. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Leave has been sought for that purpose. Is there any objection to that course of action being taken? There is.
Brown Peter: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Brown Peter: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17070. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
PETER BROWN (Deputy Leader—NZ First) 
: 
 I seek leave to take a call for no longer than 30 minutes. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Is the member being serious? Is he seeking leave for one 5-minute call? 
PETER BROWN 
: I seek leave to take a call. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Is there any objection to that course of action being taken? There is none.
Tremain Chris: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Tremain Chris: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17070. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
CHRIS TREMAIN (Junior Whip—National) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I just wanted to note that Colin King came down to the Chamber specifically to talk about Part 1 in relation to an issue in his own electorate in Blenheim. He is keen to take a call on this. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: I just say to members that I have accepted the closure and the only way this can happen now is for the member to seek leave to take the call.
Brown Peter: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Brown Peter: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17069. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
PETER BROWN (Deputy Leader—NZ First) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I am a little bit slow on my feet nowadays. It has been a long day and I was beaten by the two members opposite who were seeking the call. Had I thought you would give me the call I certainly would have sought it because I have not yet had a call in this debate. It is a very important bill. There is a whole range of aspects to it that have yet to be touched on. I urge you— 
Chris Tremain 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. 
PETER BROWN 
: I had not quite finished my point of order. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: I am sorry Mr Brown. 
PETER BROWN 
: I was simply urging you to reconsider. If you will not reconsider then I seek leave to have at least one call. To be honest I would like more than one call. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Thank you Mr Brown.
Barnett Tim: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Barnett Tim: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17069. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
TIM BARNETT (Senior Whip—Labour) 
: 
 I move  
That the question be now put 
. [ 
Interruption 
] 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: The question is that the question be now put.
O'Connor Damien: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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O'Connor Damien: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17068. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon DAMIEN O’CONNOR (Minister of Tourism) 
: 
 I move  
That the question be now put 
.
O'Connor Damien: Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 10 to Minister 
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O'Connor Damien: Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 10 to Minister 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17066. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon DAMIEN O’CONNOR (Associate Minister of Health) 
: 
 I wish to make a correction to statistics that I read out in answer to a question in the House earlier today. I have just been alerted to figures that were provided to me by the Ministry of Health. I have quoted a figure from 2001 of 123943. That figure is right but it applies to a 6-month period not to the 12-month period.
Williamson Maurice: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Williamson Maurice: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17065. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (National—Pakuranga) 
: 
 I am highly surprised that members of some other parties are not taking a call. However I would like to follow through on a couple of other issues. One thing we heard in terms of the justification of the regional fuel tax was that people in Invercargill will not want to pay for things in Auckland. I think there is some merit to that argument. In New Zealand we should always recognise that some things are in the national interest and that we will all in some way contribute to them. I am sure that all New Zealanders’ taxes paid for Te Papa; I am sure all New Zealanders’ taxes have paid for a number of national things along the way. Let me just take up that argument and use my constituency Pakuranga as a good example. 
A number of people have raised with me their anger at the proposed regional fuel tax. At the time of its announcement with the suggestion that we should be moving to it and allowing it the argument was that it would help Aucklanders to get out of their cars and on to public transport. I want to make it clear to the Minister that the people who live in the eastern suburbs—in my electorate out in Botany further out in Flat Bush and so on—have a number of questions about that. If people in my electorate end up paying 10c a litre extra for their fuel tax and the alternative is to move to rail our question is: where is that rail in the eastern suburbs? Out in the west not only is the rail being double-tracked but also a lot of money is to be spent on electrification. So the people out on the west of Auckland will say it is OK to pay the regional fuel tax because they can either pay it or use the double-tracked electrified rail system. The people on the North Shore can say they have a dedicated busway that cost $130 million so if they do not like paying the regional petrol tax they can move on over to the dedicated bus lane on the North Shore. 
I ask the Minister again what the people of—not just my electorate because it goes quite a long way down and around other electorates: the new electorate of Botany certainly; the new electorate of Papakura; the new electorate of— 
Sitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. 
Debate interrupted.
King Annette: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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King Annette: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17064. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Transport) 
: 
 I take just a brief call to reply to two points made by Maurice Williamson. With reference to the regional fuel tax I tell him a truck that fills up with diesel would not be running a second system. The tax is paid by the distributors before the diesel gets to the pump so in fact truck owners will not have to run a second system. If for example they are paying a regional fuel tax on diesel in the Auckland district when they fill up at the pump it will already be paid for by the distributors. There are two systems: if they are on the road they pay a regional fuel tax; if they go off the road they already collect information to be off the road so the situation is no different. 
The second point Maurice Williamson mentioned was the increase in road-user charges. I say to the member that we have today had just the second increase in road-user charges since 1989—the second increase. I tell the member to compare that situation with that facing every petrol user in New Zealand who have had the petrol price adjusted in terms of the CPI nearly every year. It is impossible to give notice of an increase in road-user charges at this stage for a simple reason. Last year when we had the first increase in road-user charges since 1989 3 days’ notice was given and truck owners forward-purchased $17.5 million of road-user charge certificates at the old price. That represented money that did not go into the National Land Transport Fund which was not fair on other road users. 
So the issue is about being fair. The only way to change it would be to change the Road User Charges Act. Changes to that Act will be made in the future to allow a finite period for the road-user charge license to run. That policy work has not been completed. So to have allowed a month’s notice would have allowed every big truck owner to forward-purchase road-user charge certificates for as long as they wanted because those certificates have no end period. Would that have been fair to the road users of New Zealand? Would it have been fair to the motorists that Maurice Williamson says he cares about? We have to have a fair approach and that is exactly what those who pay road-user charges and those who drive petrol vehicles got today.
Robertson H V Ross: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Robertson H V Ross: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17059. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: In accordance with the decision of the Business Committee for Dr Russel Norman to give his maiden statement at 5.30 I will report progress and ask to sit again presently. 
Progress reported. 
Report adopted.
King Annette: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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King Annette: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17058. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Transport) 
: 
 I will take just a very brief call to answer the member’s questions particularly around the Government policy statement. One of the issues that has been of concern to Local Government New Zealand is that our transport planning has never lined up with local government planning and of course it is a major partner in transport and has a major responsibility for its ratepayers’ funding. So the Government policy statement lines up with local government’s long-term council community plans. Local government is on a 3-year funding planning cycle and the Government policy statement actually lines up with that. We will put out a Government policy statement that local authorities can then take into account in their long-term funding proposals. This is something that local government has asked for and something that the Government policy statement enables. 
The first Government policy statement will be issued in July. The consultation has taken place with many stakeholders by first issuing what we called a trends and issues paper. Through that consultation which we did with many of the stakeholders including Local Government New Zealand we have been able to include the issues that local government would like to see addressed in a Government policy statement. We release that and then local authorities can use it for their long-term planning for local government. It finally lines up a whole lot of issues that are not taken into account now when we are planning for transport and I think it is a very sensible move.
Simich Clem: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Simich Clem: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17051. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Thank you. I thank the Committee for enabling the House to sit again. When I was last in the Chair I neglected to put the question on the matter that we were debating. I do that now and the question is that it be an instruction to the Committee of the whole House on the Land Transport Management Amendment Bill that it have the power to consider and if it thinks fit adopt the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 211. 
Motion agreed to.
Simich Clem: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Simich Clem: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17047. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: I thank the member for raising that point. I have considered all of those issues as we have gone through the debate. We have had six speakers and throughout the debate there has been some encouragement for them to stick to the instruction that is before the House which is that the Committee should have the power to consider this matter adopt it etc. They were not warnings; they were just guidance to bring members back to discussing those issues. All of the members who have spoken have gone much wider. I think that three members now have asked that the question be now put and I think that the right place to discuss the issues that you and others have raised is in fact in the Committee. So I accept what Mr Parekura Horomia has asked for. The question is that the question be now put. 
Motion agreed to.
Henare Tau: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Henare Tau: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17047. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon TAU HENARE (National) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The recent transaction by the Government is worth around $800 million. There has not been one speaker from the Government on whether— 
Hon Members 
: It’s not about that. 
Hon TAU HENARE 
: Actually I thought there was supposed to be quiet when we have a point of order for goodness’ sake! 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Yes that is true. 
Hon TAU HENARE 
: Supplementary Order Paper 211 is important and it is an important issue as to whether we should allow the Committee to deal with the matter or whether it should be dealt with in another forum. That is all that this debate is about and I think it is incumbent on the House to listen to as many people as possible; members opposite should not just sit here and push things through willy-nilly without any debate. It is called the House of Representatives and this side certainly is about representing those people whom maybe the Government does not want to represent. We should have our fair share and our fair say on an issue the cost of which is going up and up.
Horomia Parekura: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Horomia Parekura: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17047. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Minister of Maori Affairs) 
: 
 I move  
That the question be now put 
.
Swain Paul: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Swain Paul: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17045. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon PAUL SWAIN (Labour—Rimutaka) 
: 
 I move  
That the question be now put 
. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Not quite. I take it Mr Bennett that you will talk about why the Committee should have the power to consider the Supplementary Order Paper and if it thinks fit adopt it. All future contributions must relate to that or I will take the question.
Simich Clem: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Simich Clem: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17044. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Thank you. Thank you for raising those matters. It is true that this debate is a restricted debate; it is as to whether the Committee should have the power to consider this matter. The debate should not wander too widely. It certainly does not extend to the principles the objects or the provisions of the bill that is before the Committee. It is not relevant that all of the speakers after the person who introduced the motion happened to come from one party; it might even show that that party is very interested in this matter.
Connell Brian: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Connell Brian: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17043. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
BRIAN CONNELL (National—Rakaia) 
: 
 Before you rule Mr Deputy Speaker I think there is a very serious principle at stake here and that principle is the right of the workers to be heard. I know it is a delicious irony that this comes from a National MP but members of the Government who thump the table time and time again in defence of workers are not prepared to stand up and debate this issue. I think we owe it to the workers of New Zealand to debate this issue fully.
Moroney Sue: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Moroney Sue: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17043. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
SUE MORONEY (Junior Whip—Labour) 
: 
 We have had six calls now on this motion. The last five calls have all been from the National Party. There is no debate occurring on this motion. The National Party has said it supports it and I would like you to take that into account Mr Deputy Speaker.
Guy Nathan: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Guy Nathan: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17043. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
NATHAN GUY (Senior Whip—National) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. We are here this afternoon debating the motion on the Land Transport Management Amendment Bill that under instruction the Deputy Prime Minister has moved. It is a serious matter that needs worthy attention of the House particularly when Labour members bestow upon us the view that they are the ones who look after workers’ rights. Well you have heard some contribution from this side of the House this afternoon but we would like to make further contribution on Supplementary Order Paper 211 because it is very important. If you could Mr Deputy Speaker please look at the Standing Order I think it is 137(3) to do with moving a closure motion which states it has to be reasonable to do so.
Cullen Michael: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Cullen Michael: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17034. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) 
: 
 I move  
That it be an instruction to the Committee of the whole House on the Land Transport Management Amendment Bill that it have the power to consider and if it thinks fit adopt the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 211 
. This amendment is outside the current scope of the bill although the current scope of it does refer in one instance to the Government Superannuation Fund. All that this amendment does is to provide that the rights in respect of Government superannuation of existing employees of Toll NZ who are within the Government Superannuation Fund are unaffected by the change in the ownership of that company. It does not of course open up the whole issue of the change in ownership; it is simply about preserving the rights of those existing members of the fund and follows previous legislation in this form.
Cullen Michael: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Cullen Michael: Land Transport Management Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17034. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) 
: 
 I seek leave for the Committee of the whole House on the Land Transport Management Amendment Bill to have the power to consider and if it thinks fit adopt the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 211. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Is there any objection to that course being followed? There is objection.
Dunne Peter: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
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Dunne Peter: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17034. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
1.  
Hon PETER DUNNE (Minister of Revenue) 
 to the  
Chairperson of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee 
: When will the committee report on the bill in my name the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment Bill? 
Hon MARK GOSCHE (Chairperson of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee): 
 The Transport and Industrial Relations Committee currently has a report-back date for the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment Bill of 6 October 2008. 
Hon Peter Dunne 
: Will the chairperson confirm that that effectively means the bill will not be reported back before the House rises for the general election and will he further confirm that the reason for this is pressure of work within the committee on other matters not a desire to keep a contentious matter from coming back to the House pre-election? 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I think the first part of the question can be answered but not the second. 
Hon MARK GOSCHE 
: I cannot confirm that. The committee will determine its work in accordance with the workload which is heavy at the moment but some of the bills we are working on are near conclusion.
Fairbrother Russell: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
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Fairbrother Russell: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17032. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
11.  
RUSSELL FAIRBROTHER (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Housing 
: What Government initiative to help first-home buyers starts today? 
Hon MARYAN STREET (Minister of Housing) 
: 
 Applications open today for the shared-equity pilot and the first loans will be granted at the end of the month. Eight hundred and thirty inquiries have been received to date and 470 information packs requested. Meanwhile the National Party is refusing to tell the public whether it intends to scrap the scheme. 
Russell Fairbrother 
: How will the Government be delivering the shared-equity scheme? 
Hon MARYAN STREET 
: The Government has signed up Kiwibank to deliver the scheme—the same Kiwibank that just like KiwiSaver and KiwiRail New Zealanders support and National opposed.
Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
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Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17026. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
7.  
DARIEN FENTON (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Labour 
: What changes helping workers take effect today? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister of Labour) 
: 
 The maximum parental leave payment will increase from $391.28 per week to $407.36 a week from today. The minimum parental leave payment for self-employed people also increases from $112.50 per week to $120.00 per week before tax. Parents already receiving payments will automatically receive a higher payment from today. For the year ended 21 March 2008 over 22400 Kiwi parents received parental leave payments. Since the scheme was introduced in 2002 more than 130000 parents have received paid parental leave. I am glad the National Party has promised to abolish it. 
Darien Fenton 
: What other changes is the Minister supporting to assist workers? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I am supporting a raft of changes in the employment relations environment. These include entitlements to flexible working hours which are available today thanks to Sue Kedgley’s initiative; enhancements to protect casual and temporary workers; amendments to ensure the transferability of public holidays for shift workers; entitlements to meal and rest breaks; and entitlements to facilities and time for infant feeding where that is appropriate and reasonable. I find it quite interesting that the National Party has not figured out how it can support any of those changes. It is sad that it thinks that working people should just be ground into the dirt. 
Sue Kedgley 
: Has the Minister seen the comment posted on the  
New Zealand Herald  
website today by Kim H from Australia who writes: “I had the misfortine of working for a couple of companies in NZ that refused to allow flexible working hours (along with a very rigid do-as-you-are-told" culture and they sucked. Invariably run by fearful short sighted management staff moral was low turnover high with everyone looking on job search sites during the day and a strong culture of blame. Typical NZ company unfortunately.”; and does he agree that that is yet further evidence that the new flexible working right which comes into effect today as a result of a Green Party member’s bill is sorely needed in New Zealand? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: To the second part of the question yes. To the first part I have not seen it. But I have been reading the  
New Zealand Herald  
blogs today and there is a very good one about the man who says “Yes” when he means “No” “No” when he means “Yes” “Right” when he means “Wrong” and “Wrong” when he means “Right”. I recommend that people look at the political blog on the  
New Zealand Herald  
website today because it describes John Key very very well. 
"
Chauvel Charles: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
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Chauvel Charles: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17020. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
2.  
CHARLES CHAUVEL (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Finance 
: What reports has he received on the Government’s plan to revitalise New Zealand’s rail system? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 Today 15 years after New Zealand’s rail system was sold off it is back in the hands of New Zealanders. The rail assets of Toll NZ have been transferred to the Government and will be managed by a transition board headed by a former Prime Minister the Rt Hon Jim Bolger. The organisation is now called KiwiRail. 
Charles Chauvel 
: What reports has the Minister received on the benefits of a strong rail system? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: At a time of rising concern over climate change and the huge increases in the price of petrol it is clear that rail has a big role to play in the future of our transport system. The fuel efficiency of diesel-powered trains is four times better than that of road transport used to carry the same load; electric trains when they can be used for freight are 10 times more fuel efficient. With the price of oil passing US$140 a barrel recently I think all members of the House know that it is time that something must be done to make the transport system more efficient—particularly more environmentally efficient. 
Charles Chauvel 
: What reports has the Minister received on opposition to Government ownership of New Zealand’s rail system? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: I have seen reports that suggest that the Government purchase of the rail track was a bad idea; then later that it was always “a pretty sound idea”; that Government ownership of the rail network is “a dumb idea”; that rail is not at all superior to bus transport; that the Government should not be buying the rail network; and that any future Government should wait 3 years before selling it off. All of that collection of confusing reports comes from Mr John Key who must have thought he was being push-polled at the time he was being asked those questions.
Wilson Margaret: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
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Wilson Margaret: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17017. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I refer members to Speaker’s ruling 138/1. The reason for that ruling is that it is not for the Speaker or the House to determine the Minister who has responsibility for the question. As the Deputy Prime Minister has said the Government has assigned the question to the Minister it feels is responsible. It is not for the Speaker to determine who the responsible Minister is in any particular circumstance. That is why we have those rulings.
Cullen Michael: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
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Cullen Michael: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17017. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) 
: 
 If it is to be taken that the Prime Minister is primarily responsible for all Government business presumably all questions should be addressed to the Prime Minister which would make question time interesting for the Prime Minister and rather boring for the rest of us within Cabinet. I am in fact the Minister who has been responsible for carrying the issue of negotiations with Toll. I am the shareholding Minister in all State-owned enterprises and indeed Crown companies. I am the Minister primarily responsible in this matter. I am delighted that the Prime Minister thought it was important enough to issue a joint press statement with me.
Brownlee Gerry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
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Brownlee Gerry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17017. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I wonder whether you could turn your attention to Speakers’ ruling 137/6 then subsequently to Speakers’ rulings 138/3 and 138/5. Speakers’ ruling 137/6 talks about the Minister primarily responsible. The Prime Minister is the Minister primarily responsible in all matters relating to the Government. When it comes to Speakers’ ruling 138/3 the Speaker does have the option of requiring that the Minister who is asked the question does answer it effectively refuting that there should be a transfer in this case. Speaker’s ruling 138/5 states: “The Speaker would only refuse to permit a transfer of a question in very exceptional circumstances—”. We understand that that would of course be the case. But this is a major purchase. As Mr Key has said the Prime Minister was there to unveil the new livery colours of the new rail this morning. She has taken all the publicity on this. Surely it is not so exceptional that the Prime Minister might answer a question in the House about such a very large purchase or do we refer further to that Speaker’s ruling which suggests that the question might better go to another Minister who might know more about it?
Key John: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
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Key John: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17017. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
JOHN KEY (Leader of the Opposition) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. Question No. 1 was put down to the Prime Minister and transferred to the Minister of Finance. Although I understand that the Government may at any time transfer a question I put it to you Madam Speaker that the Prime Minister announced this deal the Prime Minister was at the unveiling of those shiny red and grey trains this morning and the Prime Minister put out the press statement after the unveiling of the trains this morning. I think this is a clear situation where the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government has responsibility—or is it that she like every other taxpayer in New Zealand thinks we paid too much— 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I understand the member’s point of order. He will please be seated. The member has made his point. As the member made quite clear himself the rulings are that the Government can assign the question to whomever. The member will please ask his question.
Brownlee Gerry: Points of Order — Privilege—Heather Roy 
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Brownlee Gerry: Points of Order — Privilege—Heather Roy 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17016. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. Just on this matter I wonder whether you might consider also giving the House a ruling on how the application of Standing Order 400(n) would play out in this case. It states that “reflecting on the character or conduct of the House or of a member in the member’s capacity as a member of the House:” is a contempt of the House. That is exactly what David Parker has done.
Wilson Margaret: Points of Order — Privilege—Heather Roy 
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Wilson Margaret: Points of Order — Privilege—Heather Roy 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17016. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I understand the member’s point. Would the member please be seated. You are relitigating what you have already said. I thank the member. The member knows quite well what the process is. He has followed it himself on many occasions. He makes an allegation of privilege he releases it to the media then I send it to the member who is involved—or it has already gone to the member. There has been nothing improper as far as I can see in the process that has been pursued. I will look at the matter—as I always look at these matters—after receiving a reply from the member.
Hide Rodney: Points of Order — Privilege—Heather Roy 
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Hide Rodney: Points of Order — Privilege—Heather Roy 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17016. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) 
: 
 I think the Rt Hon Winston Peters is making my point entirely. It should be—[ 
Interruption 
] If the member wants to interrupt now— 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Please continue with your point of order. 
RODNEY HIDE 
: My point is precisely that it is a communication to you Madam Speaker. I can assure you—
Peters Winston: Points of Order — Privilege—Heather Roy 
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Peters Winston: Points of Order — Privilege—Heather Roy 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17016. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) 
: 
 The totality of Mr Hide’s complaint lies with a private communication to you Madam Speaker and that is how this kind of matter has always been handled. To come to this House and seek to litigate it in front of the public is simply wrong. The member should have been stopped in his tracks the moment he intimated to you that that was the cause of his complaint. The plain fact is that as every member here knows the Speaker would on such occasion write to whichever member is the subject of the complaint and ask that member what his or her side of the story is. A lack of notification is of course something that Mr Hide can raise with you then. But to get up posture and waste this House’s time should not be allowed.
Cullen Michael: Points of Order — Privilege—Heather Roy 
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Cullen Michael: Points of Order — Privilege—Heather Roy 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17016. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) 
: 
 There are two quite separate issues here. One is whether a member who is raising a breach of privilege matter may release that fact into the public arena. That—unfortunately in my view—has been a longstanding practice of members in this House on all sides over a considerable number of years. The second matter is whether a breach of Standing Order 395 has occurred. It would appear from what has been said that I think it has to be accepted that a breach of that Standing Order has occurred because as a matter of courtesy a member should really send a copy of the complaint— 
Hon David Parker 
: It was sent. 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: It was sent? According to my colleague the letter was in fact sent. If that is so then the problem may lie in the office of the member who raised the allegation in Parliament.
Hide Rodney: Points of Order — Privilege—Heather Roy 
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Hide Rodney: Points of Order — Privilege—Heather Roy 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17015. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I rise to raise a serious matter under Standing Order 395. Late yesterday afternoon I was rung by the  
New Zealand Herald 
’s Audrey Young and asked about an allegation of a breach of privilege being made against MP Heather Roy. I knew nothing of the matter. I asked Heather Roy about it and she knew nothing of it. We contacted our office and I am sad to say we had received no letter about a breach of privilege and in fact we did not get the letter until this morning. What I am concerned about is that we have had a Minister of the Crown make a very serious allegation against a member of Parliament. There is a requirement under Standing Order 395 to make the member aware of the allegation “as soon as reasonably practicable”. What we have had is this Minister running around and telling the media about the breach of privilege but not actually telling the MP. I have looked at the alleged breach of privilege. The Minister did not even bother to explain what the breach is. He has made a very serious allegation against a member of this House. He has not made it as required to you and made it available to the member but he has rushed off and politically made that allegation against the member in the media. I say that for a Minister of the Crown to be using such a tactic against an MP is disrespectful to you because you are the sole arbiter; it is disrespectful to MP Heather Roy; and it is certainly disrespectful to this House. I suggest you say that you expect MPs and Ministers of the Crown to follow proper process.
Wilson Margaret: List Member Vacancy 
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Wilson Margaret: List Member Vacancy 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17015. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I have been advised by the Chief Electoral Officer that pursuant to section 137 of the Electoral Act 1993 Russel William Norman has been declared to be elected a member of the House of Representatives in place of Nandor Steven Tanczos.
Wilson Margaret: Resignations — Nandor Tanczos Green Party 
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Wilson Margaret: Resignations — Nandor Tanczos Green Party 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17015. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I wish to advise the House that I have received a letter from Nandor Steven Tanczos resigning his seat in the House with effect at the close of 26 June 2008.
Wilson Margaret: Visitors — Cook Islands—Parliamentary Delegation Australia—Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Commonwealth Parliament 
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Wilson Margaret: Visitors — Cook Islands—Parliamentary Delegation Australia—Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Commonwealth Parliament 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17015. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I also have much pleasure in further informing members that the Hon Dr Mike Kelly Parliamentary Secretary for Defence from the House of Representatives Commonwealth of Australia is present in the gallery. I am sure members would also like to give him a very warm welcome.
Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 10 to Minister 
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Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 10 to Minister 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17066. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Amended Answers to Oral Questions 
Question No. 10 to Minister 
Hon DAMIEN O’CONNOR (Associate Minister of Health) 
: 
 I wish to make a correction to statistics that I read out in answer to a question in the House earlier today. I have just been alerted to figures that were provided to me by the Ministry of Health. I have quoted a figure from 2001 of 123943. That figure is right but it applies to a 6-month period not to the 12-month period.
Event: Member Sworn 
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Event: Member Sworn 
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Member Sworn 
Dr Russel Norman was presented to the Speaker made the affirmation required by law and took his seat in the House.
Member Sworn 
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Member Sworn 
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Member Sworn 
Dr Russel Norman was presented to the Speaker made the affirmation required by law and took his seat in the House.
List Member Vacancy 
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List Member Vacancy 
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List Member Vacancy 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I have been advised by the Chief Electoral Officer that pursuant to section 137 of the Electoral Act 1993 Russel William Norman has been declared to be elected a member of the House of Representatives in place of Nandor Steven Tanczos.
Resignations — Nandor Tanczos Green Party 
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Resignations — Nandor Tanczos Green Party 
[Sitting date: 01 July 2008. Volume:648;Page:17015. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Resignations 
Nandor Tanczos Green Party 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I wish to advise the House that I have received a letter from Nandor Steven Tanczos resigning his seat in the House with effect at the close of 26 June 2008.