edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
9. Children in State Care—Historical Abuse Royal CommissionANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of Internal AffairsChildren in State Care—Historical Abuse Royal Commission9. ANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What were her key considerations when establishing the inquiry into historical abuse in State care?Hon TRACEY MARTIN (Minister of Internal Affairs): The key consideration was to establish an independent process to listen to those affected and allow the truth to be heard. We want those New Zealanders to know that their Government cares about what happened to them. We want to learn from what happened to them. I hope we can ultimately provide some closure. That means making sure that the truth comes out and that everyone—those involved and the public—feels confident that it has. As the Children's Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft has rightly said today survivors of abuse in State care will have the deep hurt they experienced investigated and acknowledged by this new inquiry.Angie Warren-Clark: What will the process for the inquiry be from here?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: The inquiry was formally established today. The first phase will include a period of consultation on the draft terms of reference led by the Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand. The inquiry will be supported by an independent secretariat which Sir Anand will establish soon. As the Minister of Internal Affairs I will report back in late April on the final terms of reference additional inquiry members the budget for the inquiry and details of the survivor advisory panel. The inquiry is then expected to begin to consider the evidence.Clayton Mitchell: Why did the Government choose a royal commission of inquiry?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: Royal commissions are reserved for the most serious matters of public importance. Cabinet agreed to establish a royal commission to acknowledge the seriousness of this issue and to signal that this Government is committed to investigating at the highest level. This also provides the best assurance to survivors and their families—[Interruption] SPEAKER: Order! I am going to ask the Minister to sit down. I can understand why members got agitated by the interjection. This is a very serious matter and I understand why members were offended. But I think it is also important that the Minister is given a chance to outline the process for persons outside the House who aren't as familiar with it as some members.Hon TRACEY MARTIN: Kia ora Mr Speaker. So Cabinet agreed to establish a royal commission to acknowledge the seriousness of this issue and to signal that this Government is committed to investigating at the highest level. This also provides the best assurance to survivors and their families of the independence of the inquiry process.
4. Native Freshwater Fish—Preservation and ProtectionGARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Minister of ConservationNative Freshwater Fish—Preservation and Protection4. GARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Minister of Conservation: What plans does she have to protect freshwater fisheries and their habitats?Hon EUGENIE SAGE (Minister of Conservation): Under this Government the Department of Conservation (DOC) will be able to do its job and implement its statutory responsibility to protect and preserve indigenous freshwater fish. The Green Party's confidence and supply agreement includes a commitment to significantly increase DOC's funding so that it can protect freshwater habitats and the threatened native fish species that rely on them. It's part of this Government's effort to tackle the biodiversity crisis.Gareth Hughes: What actions are needed to protect the 72 percent of our native fish that are at risk or threatened with extinction?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: DOC needs to be involved in much more local restoration work especially in relation to fish spawning sites ensuring culverts and river works don't obstruct fish passage and migration. It needs to protect and restore wetlands and ensure river flows are adequate for fish to thrive. We've inherited a regime from the previous Government where there is no explicit Government funding that focuses on protecting freshwater biodiversity. That needs to change because our native fish are in crisis.Gareth Hughes: What role will the Department of Conservation take in Resource Management Act advocacy for freshwater fish protection?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: I've asked the Department of Conservation to ramp up its work to implement its statutory function to advocate for conservation and in fresh water that means getting more involved with council planning and resource consent processes because councils need DOC's science and technical expertise on native fish if they are to make good decisions so that our native fish thrive.
1. Fiscal Strategy—Living Standards FrameworkDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSFiscal Strategy—Living Standards Framework1. Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of Finance: What role will the Living Standards Framework play in the Government's economic strategy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): This Government is committed to pursuing productive sustainable and inclusive economic growth that improves the well-being and living standards of all New Zealanders. As part of the confidence and supply agreement with the Green Party we are committed to the creation of sustainable development indicators. The Living Standards Framework will help put the well-being of people and the environment at the centre of our policies and lead to policies that will allow for an economy where we work smarter make better use of our resources and where the benefits of growth are spread across all New Zealanders and indeed all regions of New Zealand.Dr Deborah Russell: What difference will this make to how we measure success?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The Government will measure its success by assessing whether all New Zealanders' living standards rise together and that they are all sharing in the dividends of growth. As the Prime Minister said last night the Living Standards Framework will inform the prioritisation of Budget proposals as well as measure the success of the Government's programmes. An example of this are the child poverty indicators contained in the Child Poverty Reduction Bill introduced to Parliament this week which future Ministers of Finance will report on as part of their obligations under the Public Finance Act.Dr Deborah Russell: What are the next steps in further developing this approach?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: We're building towards the Living Standards Framework being a core part of both the preparation and the delivery of Budget 2019. This will be New Zealand's first true well-being Budget. As part of this Statistics New Zealand under Minister James Shaw's leadership is working with Treasury to develop the new measurement and success indicators. Further today I'm pleased to announce that as part of these efforts we've given the go ahead to Treasury to co-organise an international conference on well-being in September with Victoria University of Wellington and the International Journal of Wellbeing. This conference will draw to New Zealand the leading organisation and thinkers who are working on this topic to share their research. This will put New Zealand at the forefront of making sure that Budgets are truly about well-being and living standards—something the Opposition clearly opposes.
Tolley AnneEDUCATION (TEACHING COUNCIL OF AOTEAROA) AMENDMENT BILLFirst ReadingDebate resumed from 30 January.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Now when we were last debating this Erica Stanford was speaking and she has 5 minutes 55 seconds remaining to speak. I take it by the fact that she's not here that she's not going to continue so I call the last speaker Jamie Strange.
Seymour DavidDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker. I rise in support of these motions. I think that we're very lucky in New Zealand to have a pretty good solution to the problem of who watches the watchers. And of course it needn't be said that various States at various times in history have fallen into tyranny due to a failure to solve that problem. I think the people on the committee will do a fine job in the tradition of New Zealand of being those who watch the watchers.I can't help but reflect on Golriz Ghahraman's comments regarding the size of the committee and give my thanks ironically enough to the Leader of the House who very magnanimously offered to expand the committee to a membership of seven in order that there might be an ACT Party member on the committee. I think it won't have escaped members that from time to time despite its small size ACT brings to the House a unique perspective that sometimes makes debate more interesting and dare I say it a little bit better. There was an opportunity for that to occur on the Intelligence and Security Committee as well. It's unfortunate that the Leader of the Opposition decided for reasons best known to him that he would rather block or veto that expansion. If he could not have three National Party members then he would rather have only five members on the committee overall—an odd decision for the Leader of the Opposition to make but I'm sure that a lot of his colleagues will be reflecting on decisions like that in months to come.So Mr Assistant Speaker I commend these motions to the House and thank you very much for your time.Motions agreed to.
Peters WinstonRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister): In our country's democratic system one of Parliament's most important functions is to serve as a check and balance on the actions and behaviour of the executive. This debate is not meant to be a backslapping exercise but to deal with the realities of the truth. There is no area of greater sensitivity or secrecy within the executive's various operations than intelligence and security matters. The Intelligence and Security Committee serves therefore as a crucial guardian of the guardians of New Zealand security. Too long under the last Government the guardian was sidelined—not asleep but just left out. The committee barely met even as more intelligence-related issues raised massive concerns about the conduct of those core institutions. Once secrecy becomes sacrosanct in this respect it invites abuse. That laissez-faire approach will end and it needs to and it will under the new membership no longer continue. New Zealanders need to know that their parliamentarians are keeping a check on the policies administration and expenditure of the intelligence agencies. The leadership of the newly constituted committee will ensure this function is performed diligently.There's an old saying that the success of democracy depends on the enlightenment of its people. The people should know what's going on and public officials should keep the people informed in the area of intelligence and security. This concept is a most challenging one so it's been encouraging to see for example the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security exhibit leadership over some of the conduct of our intelligence agencies and their policy interpretations or misinterpretations. The Intelligence and Security Committee will offer strong support to the Inspector-General in her role. In the famous words of John Philpot Curran The condition [in] which God [gives] liberty to man is eternal vigilance;" and that's what we're going to do."
Hipkins Chris; Bridges SimonBUSINESS STATEMENTHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): Today the House adjourns until Tuesday 13 February when the Child Poverty Reduction Bill will have its first reading. Other bills to be considered in that week will include the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2) and the Customs and Excise Bill. Additional bills will be introduced and will receive their first readings.Hon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga): I just inquire from the Leader of the House at what point is it likely we'll run out of Government work and we'll be able to get on with more members' bills?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): Just before Christmas the member who just spoke was criticising the Government for not following proper Cabinet and Cabinet committee processes. I can assure him that there are a number of bills completing the Cabinet and Cabinet committee process as he will see over the coming weeks.
Visitors — Vanuatu—Minister of Foreign Affairs International Cooperation and External Trade
Mallard TrevorTHURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2018The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.VISITORSVanuatu—Foreign Affairs International Cooperation and External Trade MinisterSPEAKER: I am sure members would wish to welcome the Hon Ralph Regenvanu Minister of Foreign Affairs International Cooperation and External Trade from the Parliament of Vanuatu who is present in the gallery.
Tuesday 30 January 2018 - Volume 727
Electoral Integrity Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 56; ACT New Zealand 1.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Justice Committee.
10. Mental Health Services—Inquiry and PoliciesDr LIZ CRAIG (Labour) to the Minister of HealthMental Health Services—Inquiry and Policies10. Dr LIZ CRAIG (Labour) to the Minister of Health: What steps has the Government taken to improve mental health in New Zealand?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): On 23 January the Government announced details of our ministerial inquiry into mental health and addiction services. The inquiry will report back to the Government by the end of October. It represents an important step in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of our community response to mental health and of the response of the broader mental health system.Dr Liz Craig: What's the scope of the inquiry into mental health and addiction services?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The terms of reference of the independent inquiry are deliberately broad. It will have a particular focus on equity of access to quality service and better outcomes. Nothing is off the table. We know that we have a problem with mental health in this country and that our suicide rate is shameful. This inquiry will look at all factors that may contribute to this.Dr Liz Craig: Apart from establishing an inquiry into mental health and addiction services what other plans does the Government have to improve mental health for New Zealanders?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The inquiry is a vital step towards improving our approach to mental health and addiction but we won't just wait in the meantime. Where we have evidence-based policies that can help right now we will act. This includes pushing ahead with our plans for more school-based mental health services and lowering the costs of visiting a GP by $10 for all New Zealanders. We know that GPs are often the first port of call when people face these issues. It will not take us nine years to make meaningful gains in mental health.
8. Education National Standards—RemovalHon NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) to the Minister of EducationEducation National Standards—Removal8. Hon NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) to the Minister of Education: As of the start of the 2018 school year how many schools are keeping National Standards in place?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): National standards are no longer an instrument of Government policy. The Ministry of Education does not require schools to fill in paperwork about any tools they might choose to use to assess and report on students' progress whether they be AsTTle PaCT national standards or any other tool. I have been clear that schools should choose an approach that works best for their communities whilst ensuring that parents receive clear and regular reporting. Hon Nikki Kaye: Is he now saying that no school is allowed to keep their system of national standards? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: No. Hon Nikki Kaye: Given that he can't tell the country how many schools are keeping national standards what information enabled him to make the claim that the vast bulk of them do agree with getting rid of national standards? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Because I read the newspaper I watch the television and I receive a huge array of feedback from those working in education. Hon Nikki Kaye: When does he expect to give a clearer direction to schools about what will actually replace national standards given the statement by Sandra Smith principal of Linwood North School who said We haven't [had] any clear direction from our new Government as to what is to replace national standards."? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I'd advise her to open her email because she received advice from the Ministry of Education's regional director before Christmas about the removal of national standards and what schools should do in place of them. She also received a range of advice from other professional organisations in the educational community about what should replace national standards. Hon Nikki Kaye: In light of his answer and his statement in response to the criticisms of the Government by the principal of Linwood North School that "Well it could be a communication issue I suspect. Or it could be a bit of politics. Not every school in the country is going to agree with this." is he accusing all schools that have chosen to keep national standards of failing to understand him or being political? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: No and no."
7. Teachers—Teaching Council of AotearoaJAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of EducationTeachers—Teaching Council of Aotearoa7. JAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of Education: Is the Government committed to raising the status of the teaching profession and giving it more control of its own affairs; if so what actions is he taking to fulfil this commitment?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Absolutely yes. Today the House will be debating the first reading of the Education (Teaching Council of Aotearoa) Amendment Bill. This bill restores democracy to the teaching profession giving teachers the right to elect the majority of members to the governing body of their own professional organisation. This is yet another step this Government is taking to begin to restore trust and confidence within the teaching community.Jan Tinetti: How will the different parts of the teaching profession be represented on the Teaching Council?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: There'll be seven elected representatives on the Teaching Council. They are a representative of primary teachers secondary teachers and early childhood teachers; a representative of teacher educators; a representative of primary and secondary principals one each; and a representative of early childhood leaders. Teaching is a diverse community and the membership of the council reflects that. The balance of six members will be appointed by the Minister.Jan Tinetti: What advice has he seen about the merits of the current provisions for the Minister to appoint all members of the Education Council? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: When these provisions were introduced they were overwhelmingly opposed. We saw quotes including Democracy appears to be so inconvenient for [the previous Government that] the only way they can control and corporatize education is to legislate [it]." This Government believes that the teaching profession deserve to have the same autonomy that we give to doctors to lawyers to nurses and to many other professions. We trust teachers we respect them and we believe that they should have a say in how their profession is governed."
4. Government Financial Position—ReportsTAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki) to the Minister of FinanceGovernment Financial Position—Reports4. TAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on the state of the Government's finances?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Last week Treasury released the financial statements of the Government for the five months to November. These showed core Crown tax revenue of $30.4 billion—$530 million higher than forecast. The operating balance before gains and losses (OBEGAL) was a surplus of $125 million against a forecast deficit at the time of the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) of $457 million. When gains and losses are added to the OBEGAL result the operating balance was a $2.4 billion surplus—$0.7 billion higher than forecast.Tamati Coffey: What does the increased core Crown tax revenue indicate for the wider economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: It's early days and as Treasury states it is too early to establish with certainty whether this will persist. However it's pleasing to see business profits and economic activity holding up as the end of the year approaches. This is in line with a positive business sentiment regarding their own activities which history tells us correlates to future GDP growth.Tamati Coffey: What do the financial statements show in terms of core Crown net debt?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: This Government is committed to a responsible debt reduction track so that net debt is below 20 percent of GDP within five years of this Government taking office. The Government accounts showed core Crown net debt was 22.2 percent of GDP at the end of November against the HYEFU forecast of 22.5 percent.
Lee Denise; Williams PotoDENISE LEE (National—Maungakiekie): The increase in council membership—a 45 percent increase to be precise—will of course have an increased cost attached to it but I'm not going to talk about that tonight. I'm going to talk about how seven of those 13 spots will now be elected. If the Government has a problem with ministerial appointments why aren't all of the 13 new positions going to be elected? Why keep still nearly half as ministerial appointments? Why not go the full distance? If it's about lessening ministerial influence then why allow the Minister to appoint the chairperson? The Minister of Education said in question time in the House today that he wanted to restore democracy. Well why not let democracy take place amongst the council itself and let them elect their own chair? And why is there no representation from the New Zealand School Trustees Association? Want to cover the bases? Then where is the parent rep on this body? It has been the Minister's reputation to date that the right people be appointed and pushed for next-level performance. The Minister of course has been and is responsible and accountable and there has been a very tight safeguard regime in place to prevent cronyism in the current council make-up. It is interesting is it not—especially in light of what's been said on the other side of the House—that 66 percent of the current council make-up are teachers. Sixty-six percent currently are teachers. That doesn't sound like cronyism to me. In fact it's definitely not punitive control as one speaker on the other side of the House said tonight. So where is the need for change? Does the Government think that the current council isn't professional enough doesn't know the profession or doesn't have enough depth? Would it be of interest to the Government to know that on the current council some of the make-up of that body right now includes a professor at Auckland University who is a member of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority brainstorming trust. There's one who is a Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award recipient for Māori development in education. Another is head of an audit division at BDO. Another is someone shortlisted for the overall New Zealander of the Year Award for her services to education. Does that not sound like expertise? Does that not sound like expertise enough? We do not need to shake up things again. The expertise is there. ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): I understand this is split call. Jo Luxton—five minutes.
Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill — First Reading
Yule LawrenceLAWRENCE YULE (National—Tukituki): I just wish to take a short call. I acknowledge that this is within the 100-day plan and I congratulate the Government on bringing it forward and the Minister of Health on bringing it forward.I also acknowledge that while this wasn't National Party policy this side of the House is in principle supporting this legislation. And while I've heard a lot—and I acknowledge the leader of the ACT Party in his recent comments because I agree with him—there is a lot of in this bill talk about compassionate grounds and we've heard other speakers talking about cancer and suffering. But actually this bill does not deal with what I'm most concerned about on top of that which is pain release from seizures and other things that people have on an ongoing basis.So Minister Clark as you sit here in the House and as the bastion to nurse this through select committee I think we have a unique opportunity here where every single party in this House actually supports the essence of this legislation and we should use the select committee process to get it right. And I think you can probably get the whole House's support if we can find a way of allowing for medical marijuana to be used for chronic pain relief as well as on compassionate grounds. And I think various colleagues have spoken about treating this as another medicine and I think that's how we should look at it. I'm very moved by anecdotal evidence of the difference it can make to certain types of suffering.As a newbie coming into this House I'm going to watch with interest how this particular bill goes through the select committee and how it comes out the other end because I am optimistic that we can find a solution that all parties will support. I think—to the Minister—if the select committee does its job properly we can have a medical cannabis scheme and we can deliver medical marijuana in a very cost-effective way.I thank you for the opportunity to speak and I look forward to the bill going through the select committee process.
Peters WinstonRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): The first thing I'll do is congratulate my colleague the Minister of Agriculture Damien O'Connor for taking the measures that he has taken with the speed that he's taken them and for having full regard to the fact that out there in regional New Zealand and in farming New Zealand they'll be grateful that they've got a Government that actually doesn't just talk but does something when it's required and far more expansively than what we've been hearing from some members in this House today. For example the freezing works in Southland will also be—Hon Simon Bridges: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. You made a ruling it had to be right on point as to what this specific announcement was today and not wider issues. He's now talking about freezing works.SPEAKER: Well I'm sorry I'm not across the exact effect on freezing works of these grants. There may or may not be an effect and I'm prepared to listen.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Mr Speaker thank you very much for that—Hon Simon Bridges: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. SPEAKER: Sorry Mr Peters. Mr Bridges.Hon Simon Bridges: I think this goes back to the earlier discussion before. You are across irrigation issues and you entered the debate there and sat Mr Guy down but you're not against freezing works when Mr Peters speaks. That seems very strange to me and I'd like you to reflect on that.SPEAKER: I will certainly reflect on that and I invite the member to go back and look at the Hon Nathan Guy's speech and see the proportion of it that referred to today's announcement and the proportion that was on other matters. [Interruption] I'm pleased even if the member is interjecting that he'll do that but I do want to remind Mr Peters while I wasn't indicating that he was out of order yet that I think Mr Bridges and myself both sensed he might be heading that way.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Mr Speaker he couldn't be more wrong. The reality is that the freezing works in Southland are covered by this decision made by the Minister of Agriculture because—surprise surprise—the river levels are down. Therefore they cannot acquire the water and local bodies are now allowed a more expansive approach to ensure that they can carry on doing their business. It pays to know what's in a portfolio before you get up and make an idiot of yourself. So I want to thank Damien O'Connor the Minister of Agriculture for that and say that it's no use whingeing about what you didn't do. The reality is in the coalition agreement preparedness and irrigation for the future are covered and in the meantime we'll get on with running the country soundly in the interests of provincial and regional New Zealand.
Ministerial Statements — Drought Conditions—Government Support for Primary Industries
Obituaries — Hon James Patrick (Jim) Anderton CNZM & Gail Helen McIntosh
O'Connor DamienMINISTERIAL STATEMENTSDrought—Extension to Southland and Parts of OtagoHon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture): I seek leave of the House to make a ministerial statement.SPEAKER: No you don't. You just make it.Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: On 23 December 2017 a medium-scale drought was announced for parts of the Taranaki Manawatū-Whanganui and Wellington regions and extended to include the Grey and Buller districts on 10 January 2018. While some rain has been received in many regions alleviating some of the drought conditions Southland and Otago have received little rain and are experiencing record temperatures. Some further useful rain is predicted for this week—and I'm hoping that my announcement might bring that rain on—for much of Southland and Otago; however the impacts on farms have already occurred and will take time to recover from. Pastoral farmers in these areas have limited options to mitigate impacts of the drought including record-low groundwater and river flows irrigation restrictions stock-feed deficits for coming months and resulting loss of income.I can now announce a further extension to the medium-scale drought event to include Southland Invercargill City and Gore districts and parts of Otago which include Clutha Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts. The classification triggers additional funding of up to $130000 for the local rural support trusts and industry groups to coordinate information and recovery support to rural communities. My colleague the Minister of Revenue has welcomed the activation of the Inland Revenue Department's income equalisation discretions for this drought and Inland Revenue will also consider hardship situations. Affected farmers should contact their accountant in the first instance. Thank you.
Seymour DavidDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): I rise on behalf of the ACT Party to give our condolences to Jim Anderton's family and pay tribute to his life and career. It's no secret that Jim's early career was inextricably linked with the ACT Party's founders and much of the history that went on in that time—albeit perhaps in what you might describe as a symmetrical way.I have to say that due to that symmetrical and inextricable link we see in Jim a kindred spirit. We have a great admiration for somebody that comes to the House with a sincere and genuine belief that our role here in Parliament is to make New Zealand a better place for all people through better public policy and we have great admiration for somebody who is able to use their time in Parliament to leave lasting policy legacy—something that the vast majority sadly never achieve.So with that I'd like to leave our condolences for Jim's family and pay tribute on behalf of the ACT Party to a great man and a great contributor to this House and to New Zealand.Motion agreed to.
Sage EugenieHon EUGENIE SAGE (Green): Tēnā koutou e Te Whare. Kua hinga he tōtara o Te Wao Nui a Tāne. Kua hinga he rangatira o Te Whare Pāremata o Aotearoa.[I acknowledge all of you in this House. A tōtara from the great forest of Tāne has fallen. A chief of the New Zealand Parliament has passed on.]A mighty tōtara has fallen: a rangatira of this House of progressive politics and of Aotearoa New Zealand. It was with huge sadness that the Green Party learnt of Jim Anderton's death. He was a great defender of the underdog. He stood up for New Zealanders hurt by the economic reforms of the 1980s and 1990s and he devoted his life to public service and to ensuring a fair deal for all.When he formed first the NewLabour Party and then The Alliance which of course included the Greens for a time Jim Anderton also played a big part in ensuring greater proportional representation in our Parliament. His success in leading those challenger parties paved the way for more diverse views to be given a voice in the Parliament and in our Government.Jim Anderton made and shaped decisions affecting a huge span of life in New Zealand from establishing Kiwibank supporting regional development and more recently in the Christchurch rebuild with his work on the stadium and his work in achieving a commitment to repair and restore the Christ Church Cathedral. A deeply Catholic man he gave his all to restoring the city's Anglican cathedral.As Minister of Fisheries he stood up to the industry. He introduced regulations around the South Island that reduced the number of Hector's dolphins being drowned in set nets. He had a huge range of achievements.So our enduring memory in the Greens of him will be the stand that he took on principle—consistently passionately and effectively—to defend and advocate for a fairer and more egalitarian way of life for all New Zealanders. Our condolences go to Jim's family friends and supporters and especially his wife and political partner Carole. He was a family man as well as a huge servant of the public.Ki a koe e te rangatira e Jim moe mai moe mai moe mai rā. Tēnā tātou katoa.[To you most esteemed Jim farewell farewell rest in peace.]
Peters WinstonRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): We wish to pay our respects to Gail McIntosh's family and on behalf of New Zealand First pay tribute to the late Jim Anderton and acknowledge his remarkable service as a parliamentarian and his commitment to public life. Simply put Jim Anderton committed his life to public service from serving on city councils through to holding senior ministerial portfolios and even in later years he remained active in his home town of Christchurch or the city of Christchurch focusing on local government and on the restoration of the cathedral.Whatever you thought of his politics Jim Anderton was a man of principle and that's not common in modern politics in the Western World. He held true to his principles from the very beginning to the very end. Along the way he was a fierce critic of the ravages of the neo-liberal agenda and a strong advocate of economic development and the Government's involvement and in particular regional economic development. He believed in the sovereignty of his country and we should remain grateful for his role in Kiwibank and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund.He led an alliance of five political parties and that could not from a little personal experience have been easy. It's an irony indeed that we speak today at this time bringing the waka-jumping legislation through its first reading in the House. New Zealand First adds its voice and pays respect to Jim Anderton's contribution to this House and to the people of New Zealand. We say thank you to his wife and his family.
Mallard TrevorOBITUARIESHon James Patrick (Jim) Anderton CNZMGail Helen McIntoshSPEAKER: I regret to inform the House of the death on 7 January 2018 of James Patrick (Jim) Anderton CNZM who represented the electorates of Sydenham and Wigram between 1984 and 2011. Mr Anderton was Deputy Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002. During his membership of this House he held a number of ministerial positions including Minister for Economic Development Minister for Industry and Regional Development Minister of Forestry and Minister of Agriculture. I also regret to inform the House of the death on 4 January 2018 of Gail Helen McIntosh who represented the electorate of Lyttelton for the National Party from 1990 to 1993. I desire on behalf of this House to express our sense of the loss we have sustained and our sympathy with the relatives of the late former members. I now ask members to stand with me and observe a period of silence as a mark of respect in their memory.
Mallard TrevorTUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2018The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Karakia.VISITORSRepublic of Korea—National Assembly Deputy Speaker and DelegationSPEAKER: I am sure that members would wish to welcome Mr Shim Jae-Cheol Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and his delegation from the Republic of Korea who are present in the gallery.[Applause]
Tuesday 13 February 2018 - Volume 727
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the committee report progress.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 56.Motion agreed to.House resumed.Progress reported.Report adopted.SPEAKER: The Government has indicated that it does not wish to continue urgency so the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2) is set down for further consideration in committee next sitting day. The House adjourned at 9.59 p.m.
8. Housing—Ownership Policies and ReportsPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of Housing and Urban DevelopmentHousing—Ownership Policies and Reports8. PAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: What reports has he received on the housing crisis?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): The stocktake of New Zealand's housing prepared by three independent experts—Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman Alan Johnson of the Salvation Army and economist Shamubeel Eaqub—released yesterday makes sobering reading and shows the national housing crisis is deeper and more entrenched than previously thought. Homelessness transience and substandard housing are having a lasting and sometimes even deadly effect on our youngest and our oldest. The report is a shocking indictment on the failure of the past Government to deal with the national housing crisis.Paul Eagle: What does the stocktake report say about homeownership?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well the stocktake report warns that New Zealand is quickly becoming a society divided by the ownership of housing and its related wealth. It highlights the increasing number of elderly facing housing-related poverty because fewer and fewer are mortgage free and some are renting on superannuation alone. Homeownership rates have fallen to the lowest levels in 60 years with Māori homeownership declining to only 28 percent.Paul Eagle: What is the Government doing to fix the national housing crisis? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well the Government has an extensive reform agenda that includes KiwiBuild building 100000 affordable homes changes to the tenancy laws to provide security of tenure urban development to encourage residential developments at scale and pace the building of thousands of extra State houses and an end to the past Government's mass sell-off of State housing. We're working on reforming the financing of infrastructure for new urban development and reforming the planning system—SPEAKER: Order! Hon PHIL TWYFORD: —to allow our cities—SPEAKER: Order! That's enough.
2. Cyclone Gita—Assistance and Risk Reduction of Severe Weather EventsDARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Minister of Foreign AffairsCyclone Gita—Assistance and Risk Reduction of Severe Weather Events2. DARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What actions has the Government taken to assist Tonga and Samoa in the wake of Cyclone Gita?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Minister of Foreign Affairs): New Zealand has already taken action to support both countries in the wake of the devastating Cyclone Gita and we are standing by to do more if requested. We've just approved the deployment of an RNZAF C-130 Hercules after a verbal request from the Tongan Government to help the 5700 people seeking shelter in evacuation centres. Furthermore I've approved an initial package of $750000 to support relief efforts in Tonga. It will enable the Government of Tonga to help meet immediate needs such as emergency shelter water and sanitation. With respect to Samoa we have already approved $50000 in emergency funds for the New Zealand High Commission in Apia. The high commission can use this funding to support Samoan efforts and as we get a clearer picture of demand we'll be ready to answer and respond.Darroch Ball: What other support might New Zealand provide?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: As the situation on the ground becomes clearer we'll support Governments with longer-term recovery and reconstruction. Following previous events New Zealand has for example helped get the power network back up and running repaired schools and other Government infrastructure and ensured clean water is available.Darroch Ball: The Pacific is increasingly vulnerable to severe weather events like this. What will the Government do to help our neighbours to be better able to withstand events of this nature in the future?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: The Government is clear that climate change is driving an increase in severe weather events globally. This phenomenon is especially serious in the Pacific which is increasingly vulnerable to tropical cyclones as well as rain events. This Government will increase its efforts to invest in risk reduction in climate change adaptation in the Pacific to improve the resilience of the region to natural disasters.
Carter David; Rurawhe AdrianRt Hon DAVID CARTER (National): I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. There's another issue that I think Mr Chairman needs to seriously consider. A call was made to report progress. There's been some discussion and I note now that it's 4 minutes to 10. By convention in this House when we're in the committee stage we always then report progress to Mr Speaker at 5 minutes to 10 so I think we've gone beyond the time to do so. CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): I thank the member for his contribution but as members have been calling out on the other side we are in urgency and the vote will be put.
Hipkins Chris; Rurawhe AdrianHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move That the committee report progress. CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? Hon Chris Hipkins: No it's a vote. I've moved it. Hon David Bennett: Mr Chair I seek the call. CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Can you wait a minute? I am seeking advice on this. My mistake—there is a vote. Leave is—Hon David Bennett: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. There hasn't been enough time to debate this part of the bill. The member sought leave for a vote. I stood up and sought leave to make a call before you had made any decision. There had been no vote accepted. I seek leave for another call on this part. We've had only a very small number of calls. Until that motion is accepted it is still open for somebody to seek the call. CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): No my ruling is that there will be a vote on this.
Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2) — Second Reading
Falloon AndrewANDREW FALLOON (National—Rangitata): Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker. It's a pleasure to take my second call tonight on the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2). Since I last contributed to this debate I've had a couple of emails from dairy farmers in Canterbury. Both of them are quite confused as to why there is a need for a review. Isn't that an excellent question?This is a Government that for nine years railed against nearly everything that the National Party did in the primary sector when we were in Government. So now that they finally have the chance to correct everything that we did all the things that we apparently got wrong the first legislation that they bring to this House to affect the dairy industry is the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2).What does it do? It amends the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act to prevent the expiry of certain provisions in May 2018. So their big plan in this piece of legislation is continuing with the status quo but with a review. And doesn't this Government love reviews? They've set up reviews for all sorts of things and where they haven't they've set up committees and quangos. This Government's big plan for the dairy industry for tax for climate change for anything of any importance is to kick it down the road to set up a review a committee or a quango.It shows that they've already run out of ideas if they ever had any to begin with. I equate it with a dog chasing a car. The car has stopped they're looking at each other and they don't quite know what to do next.So instead of making changes like with this Act they're setting up reviews and committees and quangos. And who are they getting to run those reviews and committees and quangos? Seasoned experienced Labour politicians like Michael Cullen and Pete Hodgson? So it raises the question: who will run this review? My colleague David Bennett has already made I think a very worthwhile suggestion which is Sue Moroney. Can I also throw into the mix Dianne Yates or Barbara Stewart—both former members of this House.I want to end by noting the struggles that the industry is currently going through at the moment with Mycoplasma bovis. We've heard today that it's now expanded to 23 properties across New Zealand with new cases in Waitaki and in Southland and there are a further 38 properties that are under Restricted Place Notices. Mycoplasma bovis has had a dramatic effect already in my area both for the dairy industry and also for the beef sector. I've spoken to a number of farmers in my electorate who have been directly and indirectly affected by Mycoplasma bovis. All of them feel incredibly guilty and devastated and in terms of the guilt wrongly in my view because there's nothing that they could have done to prevent the situation that's happened to them. So I do rise to speak in favour of this bill despite what I've been contributing so far. We will vote for it but we do question the need for a review. It's not needed. We've been there and done that. All the Government needs to do is go back and look at what was done previously. Thank you.