edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Goodhew Jo: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
Goodhew Jo: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:675;Page:21175] 
JO GOODHEW (Junior Whip—National) 
: 
 I move  
That the question be now put 
.
Hide Rodney: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
Hide Rodney: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:675;Page:21173] 
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Minister of Local Government) 
: 
 I will respond to Mr Twyford’s comments. I think he is right just on the broader aspect. This is an example if you like of Parliament helping with the shared service. I think that when we look ahead if we do amalgamate or change jurisdiction we want to do it for governance reasons not for cost reasons. I think there is a bit of pressure coming on councils as we pile more functions on as times get tougher. People say: “Well let’s amalgamate.” but we are actually trying to amalgamate to save money rather than for the reason of good governance. 
The more that I have been involved in the sector the more it has become apparent to me that there are huge opportunities for shared services thereby dramatically reducing the costs for individual councils and indeed for improving their performance. We can have a whole lot of little councils trying to maintain a very sophisticated operation each on their own. Even if they have the money often trying to attract the necessary personnel is quite tough. There is certainly a greater enthusiasm in Local Government New Zealand and within councils to start talking about shared services. We need to think as a Parliament and as future Governments about what the role is and what the barriers are to facilitating those opportunities where councils agree that it is a smart thing to do. Hopefully that will be part of the review that we have set up with the Smarter Government Stronger Communities project. We can look at that because there is definitely a huge potential of which this bill is a part.
Hide Rodney: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
Hide Rodney: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:675;Page:21167] 
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Minister of Local Government) 
: 
 To answer the member Pete Hodgson’s question the Government has set aside $5 million. It will have a shareholding stake in proportion to that $5 million. The money has not been put in yet other than $950000 as part of the costs of setting it up. The councils themselves have put in a substantial amount of money as a set-up. The councils will put in $20 million.
Upston Louise: Trade Marks Amendment Bill Copyright Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Readings 
Upston Louise: Trade Marks Amendment Bill Copyright Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Readings 
[Volume:675;Page:21162] 
LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupo) 
: 
 I am very pleased to conclude the third readings of the Trade Marks Amendment Bill and the Copyright Amendment Bill (No 2). I want to come back to the important context that sits behind the passage of these two pieces of legislation that the Minister of Commerce has brought before the House. Part of that is the fact that one of the key priorities of the Government is actually enabling better cooperation and more consistent legal cooperation across the world. Basically what that does is reduce the costs of New Zealanders being able to trade in the global market. More specifically another priority for the Government is of course to work far more closely with our Australian neighbour in the creation of a single economic market which therefore allows businesses to trade more simply and more seamlessly. 
In terms of the detail of these two bills I will not take a long call because we have heard quite a lot about it but I think it is worth pointing out in terms of looking at the size of this world problem in counterfeit trade that the World Trade Organization actually estimates that the size of the counterfeit trade across the world is at least 5 to 7 percent of all world trade. It is a significant issue and this legislation will take us a step forward in terms of being able to reduce the illegal trade. Because I was absolutely staggered and enthralled by the comments that Minister Williamson made around the harm that some of these counterfeit products cause I thought it was worth going back to the harm that fakes can cause. There have been a number of exposés in particular around counterfeit production of insulin drugs which of course we know has disastrous effects and with growing rates of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes is a significant issue across the world. Our local GNS Science scientists were the ones who discovered what is in some of the counterfeit Viagra products. Minister Williamson confirmed it by his own computing device—of course an original not a fake—to say that not only did the fake Viagra contain bird droppings but there were bat droppings as well and other nasty ingredients like arsenic hair charcoal and mercury. Those are some fairly good reasons why we would like to make sure we are able to crack down on some of these fakes. 
I will not go through the details of the bill. On the other areas like the enforcement officers my colleagues Hutchison and Dean members of Parliament spoke at length about the international treaties. That is why I am very pleased to finish this third reading on these two very important bills. It is another step forward as National creates a much stronger economy. 
Bills read a third time.
Calvert Hilary Jane: Trade Marks Amendment Bill Copyright Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Readings 
Calvert Hilary Jane: Trade Marks Amendment Bill Copyright Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Readings 
[Volume:675;Page:21162] 
HILARY CALVERT (ACT) 
: 
 I rise to commend the Trade Marks Amendment Bill and the Copyright Amendment Bill (No 2) to the House.
Hide Rodney: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
Hide Rodney: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:675;Page:21168] 
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Minister of Local Government) 
: 
 Let me do my best to answer Mr Lees-Galloway’s questions. The first thing is that the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency will succeed only if it does have a credit rating. As the member will see in the Local Government Borrowing Bill the issue with the credit rating is that the fund is guaranteed by all the local councils that together enter into it. It actually has a very very strong balance sheet in there as a consequence of that so people can have some considerable confidence. But one would not get away with not having a credit rating. 
The issue with the Reserve Bank exemption relates to the level of capital it needs to hold compared with a bank. Obviously because it has that guarantee of the balance sheet of the councils it can get away with a lower ratio compared with say a bank that is just dealing in normal loans.
Goodhew Jo: Sittings of the House 
Goodhew Jo: Sittings of the House 
[Volume:675;Page:21180] 
JO GOODHEW (Junior Whip—National) 
: 
 Given the progress that the House has made this afternoon I seek leave for the House to now rise. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for the House to rise at this stage. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Young Jonathan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Young Jonathan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:675;Page:21143] 
10. 
JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) 
 to the  
Minister of Customs 
: What reports has he received on developments to the Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement between New Zealand and Australia? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Minister of Customs) 
: 
 More good news. Recent changes to the CER rules of origin will mean it is now easier to use material from other countries in textiles and clothing headgear glass jewellery copper tools machinery and appliances vehicles boats furniture and toys. These new rules of origin determine which products are New Zealand or Australian goods and hence able to be exported between the countries free of duty therefore making trade between our two countries even more competitive. 
Jonathan Young 
: What benefits does CER bring to our exporters and manufacturers? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: These changes to the rules of origin mean that CER continues to be a world-class free-trade agreement. The new rules of origin will enhance the competitiveness of our manufacturers and reduce compliance costs. CER is possibly the world’s most comprehensive free-trade agreement. Since it was signed in 1983 total trade between New Zealand and Australia has grown at an average of almost 7.5 percent per year. In the 12 months ended June 2011 we exported over $10 billion worth of goods to Australia and imported just over $7 billion worth of goods. That proves the importance of this market to both countries.
Twyford Phil: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
Twyford Phil: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:675;Page:21177] 
PHIL TWYFORD (Labour) 
: 
 Again I appreciate those comments from the Minister of Local Government. The new Auckland Council with $28 billion of assets and a debt profile of about $3 billion or a little more perhaps obviously will have needs far and away in excess of any other local council. It makes sense that this bill the Local Government Borrowing Bill has the sort of flexibility structured in that will allow the Auckland Council to go offshore in its own right to borrow the funds it needs. 
I am interested to know—and I do not know whether the Minister knows this—what share of the borrowing by the Local Government Funding Agency is expected to end up with the Auckland Council. Presumably the Auckland Council will borrow some funds from the funding agency but also will be going offshore in its own right. I am interested to know what the proportions are likely to be. As Brendon Burns suggested Auckland will need some significant capital investment in the coming decade or so if it is going to reach the sort of aspirations that the country has for it and that Aucklanders have for it. 
The city rail link which has been hotly debated in this House in recent times will cost between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. There is a whole debate about how the city rail link should be funded and I think that mum and dad investors in Auckland would probably see it as well worth supporting and investing in. There are a number of other mechanisms—councils have the ability to raise money in various ways—but borrowing through the funding agency would be a pretty desirable way to contribute to the cost of that. It is a shame that Steven Joyce does not see the city rail link as worth investing in for Auckland’s future because I am sure most Aucklanders would see it as well worth investing in. 
I think it makes sense that the Auckland Council has the ability to go offshore in its own right. We heard at the Local Government and Environment Committee that because of the size of Auckland Council’s borrowing requirements and the undesirability of the funding agency lending so disproportionately to one council it makes sense for it to be able to borrow offshore. The Auckland Council told us—really assured us I suppose—that the borrowing would be undertaken on a fully hedged basis and that it has the capacity through its treasury unit to minimise the risk to the Auckland ratepayer. On this side of the House we are very comfortable with the provisions in Part 2. If the Minister is able to tell us anything about the likely share of Auckland Council’s lending—no all right then.
Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:675;Page:21142] 
8. 
KATRINA SHANKS (National) 
 to the  
Minister for Social Development and Employment 
: How is Child Youth and Family supporting social services to recognise and respond to signs of child abuse and neglect? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) 
: 
 We have funded the NGO Child Matters to run free 1-day workshops around New Zealand providing training to over 2000 health education and social service professionals in identifying signs of child abuse. Recognising abuse is not obvious; it is not instinctual. Unless we train people to see the signs and ask the right sorts of questions the abuse is silently allowed to continue. The training includes recognising when children and families are vulnerable and guidance on what steps to take. 
Katrina Shanks 
: Can she update the House on other initiatives that are part of the Government’s programme of action for vulnerable children? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: The Government’s Green Paper for Vulnerable Children recently released is currently receiving public submissions. There have been around 20 community meetings so far to talk about the issues the green paper has raised. Over 30 community forums are planned throughout September and I welcome anyone who is interested in holding a meeting to get in touch with the Ministry of Social Development so we can provide them with the right kind of material.
Power Simon: Business Statement 
Power Simon: Business Statement 
[Volume:675;Page:21131] 
Hon SIMON POWER (Acting Leader of the House) 
: 
 The Minister of Justice is beavering away to ensure progress can be made on that legislation. As the member knows he is a pragmatic Minister who will find a solution.
Mallard Trevor: Business Statement 
Mallard Trevor: Business Statement 
[Volume:675;Page:21131] 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) 
: 
 Is it the intention of the Minister of Justice to move on the Criminal Procedure (Reform and Modernisation) Bill; if so can he give the House an assurance that the Minister of Justice has not promised any post-election consideration to any member of ACT for voting for it?
Goodhew Jo: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Goodhew Jo: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:675;Page:21140] 
6. 
JO GOODHEW (National—Rangitata) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: What action is the Government taking to encourage young medical professionals to work in rural areas? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
: 
 The Government has made it very clear that meeting New Zealand’s longstanding health workforce challenges is a priority. That is why we have pursued policies such as the Voluntary Bonding Scheme and tax cuts which are important. I am pleased to inform the House that last week the Government launched a partnership with Otago and Auckland universities to train a variety of health students at the Whakatane and Gisborne hospitals. Up to 120 positions a year will be available to students in medicine nursing pharmacy and physiotherapy at both hospitals with Gisborne offering dentistry as an additional option. We congratulate the universities the district health boards and all those involved on making this exciting initiative a reality. 
Jo Goodhew 
: What are the objectives of this Rural Medical Immersion Programme? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: This is a $4.5 million programme over 3 years. We know that if health students come from rural areas it increases the likelihood that they will work in rural areas. But if they are trained in rural areas it doubles the likelihood of their working in rural areas. So it is a very very sensible policy from the National-led Government.
Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:675;Page:21141] 
7. 
DARIEN FENTON (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Transport 
: What action if any has the Government taken to improve road safety? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Transport) 
: 
 I thank the member very much for that question. There are almost too many to list. We took immediate action when coming into office to ban handheld cellphone use in cars we passed new legislation to crack down on illegal street racing we passed New Zealand’s first drug-driving laws we raised the driving age from 15 to 16 we introduced a zero blood-alcohol limit for young drivers and another one for repeat drink-drivers we doubled the penalties for dangerous and drunken driving causing death and we introduced alcohol interlocks amongst other actions. Although there is always more to do to keep New Zealanders safe on the road I am pleased with progress so far in terms of the road toll. We will continue to make progress with the Government’s agenda on this matter. 
Darien Fenton 
: Who was right: the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Education both of whom told media that seatbelts on school buses are not compulsory or the Prime Minister who said that it is already a legal responsibility for seatbelts to be fitted on all school buses? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: This may be weird for the member but in fact all are correct. Where seatbelts are fitted it is a requirement that they be worn but there is no requirement at this stage that seatbelts be fitted in buses. The reality is that no Government has yet decided to make that call. The reason is that on the whole notwithstanding the very sad accident in the Bay of Plenty this week buses have proven to be very safe on the way to school. In fact thankfully the last school bus fatality for an occupant of a school bus—be it a driver or passenger—was 13 years ago. 
Darien Fenton 
: What has he done to improve road rage and anger management which left unchecked can cause harm to other road users? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: Well I just think the member might want to be careful heading there. We are certainly working in a number of areas including on cycle rage road rage and in a range of areas. But I just recommend that all drivers on the road be courteous and be focused on their driving and on acting responsibly while they are doing so. 
Darien Fenton 
: Does driving around in a red Audi station wagon splashed with National Party colours constitute a road safety hazard; if so what is he doing about it? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: I think the member needs to consider whether she is in glass houses and stones territory. We could use words like “speeding” “South Canterbury” “cycle rage” and some other things that come to mind which I will not mention. I am sure that it is not very helpful to start down that track. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Is it the Government’s intention to allow a change of the law so that a plea in mitigation of bad driving can be made by people upset by their low rankings? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I do not really think that such a question can be taken seriously.
Power Simon: Business Statement 
Power Simon: Business Statement 
[Volume:675;Page:21131] 
Hon SIMON POWER (Acting Leader of the House) 
:  
When the House resumes on Tuesday 13 September the Government intends to move the first readings of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill the Natural Health Products Bill and the Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill. The Government also intends to move the second reading of the Alcohol Reform Bill as well as make further progress on other bills on the Order Paper.
Wagner Nicky: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
Wagner Nicky: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:675;Page:21169] 
NICKY WAGNER (National) 
: 
 I move  
That the question be now put 
.
Vote: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:675;Page:21175] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the question be now put. 
Ayes 65 
New Zealand National 57; ACT New Zealand 4; Maori Party 3; United Future 1. 
Noes 51 
New Zealand Labour 42; Green Party 8; Progressive 1. 
Motion agreed to. 
Part 1 agreed to.
Hide Rodney: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
Hide Rodney: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:675;Page:21172] 
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Minister of Local Government) 
: 
 I think Sue Kedgley makes a very important point—and it becomes a general one for councils—that councils do enter into investments and take on debt largely without the awareness of ratepayers. They can actually delay the impost of the consequences of that investment or that debt for some years and we are now having to deal with some councils that are being forced to put up rates. It can actually also be just the cost of a running down of general infrastructure that gets pushed forward. I accept that point. 
What we have attempted to do there is that with the changes that we made to the Local Government Act we require councils from the next election onwards to put out a financial report in plain English. We are hoping that through that report local media and interested citizens can get a much greater sense of the true financial state of their council at the time when it is most valuable to them—that is the time that they are actually voting—and also of the challenges that that council confronts. I think if we had had that reporting procedure some years back we might not have got ourselves into some trouble with councils. 
It is also the case that if we lower the cost of the debt we might expect more of it. But bear in mind that there will be considerable discipline on the funding agency because it will be representing all the councils. It will not be just sitting there like an ATM handing out money for whatever particular project a council might come up with. It will actually look with scrutiny at the debt because it will be carried by all the councils together. In a way one of my worries as Minister observing it is that quite a small council that may not be very sophisticated—we quite like the small councils because they represent the community; we have nothing particularly against them—can easily find itself borrowing on some rather unfortunate investments that get pushed into the future. 
Interestingly in going off to the funding agency councils will actually have proper scrutiny because the people they are borrowing from are the other councils. In a funny way they will have a better understanding of and more information about the situation of local councils than might otherwise be the case. Sure a particular bank will lend to a council because it knows that the council can just put rates up into the future. So we may through this funding agency actually have a greater discipline particularly with the smaller councils that may not have that level of sophistication that a larger council would have.
Sittings of the House 
Sittings of the House 
[Volume:675;Page:21180] 
Sittings of the House 
JO GOODHEW (Junior Whip—National) 
: 
 Given the progress that the House has made this afternoon I seek leave for the House to now rise. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for the House to rise at this stage. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Hide Rodney: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
Hide Rodney: Local Government Borrowing Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:675;Page:21176] 
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Minister of Local Government) 
: 
 It would be inappropriate for me I say to Mr Burns to suggest what the debt profile could be should be or would be for a particular council or the Local Government Funding Agency. Let me just explain the Auckland situation. 
What we have done is to take four large councils and combine them with four other councils into one. The situation was that the New Zealand capital market could not actually fund the debt of that new council so the council needed to be in a position whether or not we had this funding agency to be able to go offshore. Secondly because it is such a large council if it could borrow offshore only through the funding agency the funding agency would be unduly exposed to one council. So we had to provide for both mechanisms. It was always the intention from day one once we had an understanding of the debt requirements of the new Auckland Council to allow it to borrow offshore. But we were very pleased that the council and then Mayor Len Brown committed to the funding agency because it actually helps the whole system to hold. That was one of the issues that we needed to address in setting up the funding agency—that it would have sufficient support. 
Let me acknowledge the new Auckland Council and indeed Mayor Len Brown for their commitment to Local Government New Zealand and to local government throughout New Zealand. They understand that although their council is very large and for so much could go out on its own it would be counter-productive for Auckland and counter-productive for New Zealand if it basically said to heck with the other councils and just did its own thing. The council has been very committed to being an active participant in for example Local Government New Zealand so that the smaller councils do not get left behind and indeed it has been committed to the funding agency. We certainly appreciate that as Aucklanders and as New Zealanders.
Business Statement 
Business Statement 
[Volume:675;Page:21131] 
Thursday 8 September 2011 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Business Statement 
Hon SIMON POWER (Acting Leader of the House) 
:  
When the House resumes on Tuesday 13 September the Government intends to move the first readings of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill the Natural Health Products Bill and the Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill. The Government also intends to move the second reading of the Alcohol Reform Bill as well as make further progress on other bills on the Order Paper. 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) 
: 
 Is it the intention of the Minister of Justice to move on the Criminal Procedure (Reform and Modernisation) Bill; if so can he give the House an assurance that the Minister of Justice has not promised any post-election consideration to any member of ACT for voting for it? 
Hon SIMON POWER (Acting Leader of the House) 
: 
 The Minister of Justice is beavering away to ensure progress can be made on that legislation. As the member knows he is a pragmatic Minister who will find a solution.
Hague Kevin: Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Reading 
Hague Kevin: Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Reading 
[Volume:674;Page:20546] 
KEVIN HAGUE (Green) 
: 
 I rise briefly to indicate that the Green Party will continue to support the Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill (No 2) at the third reading. Thank you.
Vote: Child and Family Protection Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Child and Family Protection Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:674;Page:20543] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendments be agreed to. 
Ayes 52 
New Zealand Labour 42; Green Party 9; Progressive 1. 
Noes 67 
New Zealand National 57; ACT New Zealand 5; Maori Party 4; United Future 1. 
Amendments not agreed to. 
The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 178 in the name of Lynne Pillay be agreed to. 
Amendment not agreed to. 
The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 172 in the name of the Hon Simon Power be agreed to. 
Amendments agreed to. 
Clauses 1 and 2 and Parts 1 to 3 as amended agreed to. 
The Committee divided the bill into the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill (No 2) the Care of Children Amendment Bill and the Adoption Amendment Bill pursuant to Supplementary Order Paper171. 
Bill reported with amendment. 
Report adopted.
Curran Clare: Non-bank Deposit Takers Bill — First Reading 
Curran Clare: Non-bank Deposit Takers Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:674;Page:20540] 
CLARE CURRAN (Labour—Dunedin South) 
: 
 Labour supports the Non-bank Deposit Takers Bill. It is as my colleagues have said before me about the confidence in and the robustness of the financial markets. It is important to put the bill into context but it is important also to get it enacted which is why a short speech is a good speech. I will make just a couple of points. 
During the collapse of the numerous finance companies and the financial crisis there was considerable uncertainty and fear about the finance sector and the wider economy. The then Labour Government passed a number of pieces of legislation that helped to bring certainty. It is important to keep on reiterating that because that was the context of this bill and it is a pity it has taken so long for it to get to this House. 
In 2005 and 2006 the Labour Government carried out a Review of Financial Products and Providers and that review found that it was necessary to reform the regulatory regime for non-bank deposit takers. The then finance Minister Michael Cullen oversaw the introduction of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Amendment Act in 2008 which introduced requirements in relation to credit ratings governance risk management capital-related exposures and liquidity. But since this Government has been in office investors in New Zealand have been left vulnerable because National has not regarded it as an important issue. It is an important issue. International markets are in turmoil. People need to have confidence in the companies they invest in and confidence that the appropriate regulator has the power to protect them from negligent or plain dishonest individuals. 
If this bill had been introduced and passed as per the previous Labour Government’s time line then Kiwi investors would have been protected. It would have encouraged investment in non-property assets and it would have spurred on economic growth. The previous Labour Government had a long-term plan that would have protected investors and grown the economy and Labour still has that plan through our considerable economic strategy and our capital gains tax policy. 
Carol Beaumont’s Credit Reforms (Responsible Lending) Bill which I am sure has been spoken about in the House tonight was an attempted member’s bill that would have clamped down on loan sharks and protected vulnerable investors from outrageous interest rate charges. Our savings and monetary policies—which obviously will be announced—would have gone a long way to making a difference in this area but that bill has been blocked as we have seen in the House today. 
Labour does support this bill. We will be listening closely to all of the submissions to the Finance and Expenditure Committee. We want to hear from the finance sector directly so that any final reforms are actually practical and will positively affect the industry. That is why we are supporting this bill going to the Finance and Expenditure Committee.
English Bill: Imprest Supply (Second for 2011/12) Bill — First Reading 
English Bill: Imprest Supply (Second for 2011/12) Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:674;Page:20489] 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 I move  
That the Imprest Supply (Second for 2011/12) Bill be now read a first time. 
Bill read a first time.
Chauvel Charles: Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Reading 
Chauvel Charles: Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Reading 
[Volume:674;Page:20544] 
CHARLES CHAUVEL (Labour) 
: 
 The Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill (No 2) is a very good bill that enjoys the support of the Labour Opposition. I join the Minister of Agriculture in commending the bill to the House.
Vote: Appropriation (2011/12 Estimates) Bill — Third Reading Imprest Supply Debate 
Vote: Appropriation (2011/12 Estimates) Bill — Third Reading Imprest Supply Debate 
[Volume:674;Page:20529] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Appropriation (2011/12 Estimates) Bill be now read a third time and the Imprest Supply (Second for 2011/12) Bill be now read a second time. 
Ayes 67 
New Zealand National 57; ACT New Zealand 5; Maori Party 4; United Future 1. 
Noes 53 
New Zealand Labour 42; Green Party 9; Progressive 1; Independent: Carter C. 
Appropriation (2011/12 Estimates) Bill read a third time and Imprest Supply (Second for 2011/12) Bill read a second time.
Hawkins George: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Hawkins George: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:674;Page:20476] 
1. 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Labour—Manurewa) 
 to the  
Chairperson of the Local Government and Environment Committee 
: When will the Manukau City Council (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill be reported back to the House? 
CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (Chairperson of the Local Government and Environment Committee) 
:  
The bill has a reporting-back date of 8 September 2011. 
Hon George Hawkins 
: Has the committee decided to call for further submissions on the supplementary order paper supplied by the Auckland Council? 
CHRIS AUCHINVOLE 
: I understand the Auckland Council has developed a supplementary order paper that it will publicly advertise soon. Any decision to call for submissions on that would be a matter for the committee to consider.
Wagner Nicky: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Wagner Nicky: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:674;Page:20472] 
9. 
NICKY WAGNER (National) 
 to the  
Minister for Social Development and Employment 
: What is the Government doing to improve outcomes for vulnerable children? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) 
: 
 This Government has a plan for vulnerable children and has already taken more action on their behalf than this country has seen in decades. For example in the last Budget we announced a comprehensive support package for children in State care who are some of the most vulnerable children in New Zealand. And last month I released the Government’s green paper which will be a catalyst for long-term change. 
Nicky Wagner 
: Has the Minister had any feedback on these changes? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: Yes. There has been significant support from the public and professionals but a deafening silence from the Opposition. There are two possible reasons why the members opposite were struck dumb last night in the estimates debate refusing to take even a single call on Vote Social Development which represents more than 30 percent of all Government spend. Either they completely agree with everything that was in the May Budget for social development or— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Forgive me but I am not sure that whether the Opposition chooses to speak in a debate is a matter for which the Minister is responsible. If the Minister wishes to provoke disorder it is a pretty effective way to do it. I am not sure that it is very helpful.
Davis Kelvin: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Davis Kelvin: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:674;Page:20471] 
8. 
KELVIN DAVIS (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Education 
: Does she stand by her statement from Question Time of 6 July 2011 that “Initial assessments of 1445 of this year’s charters indicate that 87 percent were compliant”? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) 
: 
 Yes. 
Kelvin Davis 
: What number of schools as at 1 July had chosen to submit their charters without national standards targets thus making them non-compliant? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: I do not have that information in front of me. However I can tell the member that as of today we have received 2044 out of 2076 charters from English-medium schools with years 1 to 8 students. This time last year we had received only 1274 charters. Of those 2044 received 1922 have been analysed and 1389 are compliant. 
Kelvin Davis 
: Why would a Ministry of Education official write a letter to a school saying: “The charter meets the requirements of the legislation for charters contained in section 61 of the Education Act.” when the school had deliberately left out all reference to the national standards including replacing the words “national standards” and “National Administration Guidelines 2A” with the words “New Zealand curriculum”? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: Mr Speaker— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Literacy problems—literacy problems in the ministry. 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: In fact there were some problems in the ministry. It was regrettable that a small number of schools received that letter when in fact they had not complied. My understanding is that the ministry has now contacted all of those schools and informed them that they were not compliant and it is working with them to ensure that they are. 
Kelvin Davis 
: Why did it take the principal of Valley School Roger Goulstone contacting the Ministry of Education asking how his charter could be considered compliant when he had deliberately removed all reference to the national standards before ministry officials realised they had got it wrong? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: We are very grateful to that principal for actually drawing that to the ministry’s attention because in fact we found another couple of schools where the same mistake had been made and we were able to correct it. 
Kelvin Davis 
: How can the Minister assure the House that her answer to my first supplementary question is accurate when a glaring error of this sort could be so easily overlooked by her ministry? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: If the member refers to my answer he will see I did say: “I am advised”. We discovered a problem we addressed the problem and we fixed the problem.
Lotu-Iiga Peseta Sam: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Lotu-Iiga Peseta Sam: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:674;Page:20470] 
7. 
PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA (National—Maungakiekie) 
 to the  
Minister of Transport 
: What actions has the Government taken to help lower the road toll among young drivers? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Transport) 
: 
 On Saturday night at midnight the Government introduced a zero blood-alcohol limit for young drivers under 20. Improving the safety of young drivers is a key priority for the Government because they are disproportionately represented in fatal and serious crash statistics. The Government took this action because 15 to 19-year-olds make up around 6 percent of all licensed drivers but in 2010 they were involved in around 17 percent— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It is a slightly unusual thing to do but I think the question was about what the Government did. I think the Minister started off his reply saying what Parliament has done— 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: No I said “the Government”. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: If the bill was passed it was not by the Government it was by Parliament and he is not responsible for that. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: If the bill was the result of Government policy and it was a Government bill I do not think it is unreasonable to say the Government has done it. I have never heard that objection raised previously. 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: In pointing out that the Government introduced the zero blood-alcohol limit for young drivers under 20 I am saying that improving the safety of young drivers is a very big priority for this Government. I notice it was not a priority for the previous Government because it never did a single thing over 9 years so Parliament did not get the opportunity to make any changes over that period. The Government took this action because 15 to 19-year-olds make up 6 percent of licensed drivers but in 2010 they were involved in around 17 percent of all serious injury crashes. With a lowered limit the message to teen drivers from this Government is simple: if they plan on drinking they should not plan on driving. 
Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga 
: What else has the Government done to assist in lowering the youth road toll? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: The Government on 1 August arranged for the minimum driving age to increase from 15 to 16. We have done this because age matters in relation to driving. Drivers who are 16 are more mature and have better judgment on the road. That is reflected in the statistics which show that a 15-year-old on a restricted licence has a significantly higher accident rate than a 16-year-old in the same circumstances. In addition this Government is making the restricted licence test much harder to encourage more supervised practice. Although none of the individual measures the Government is taking is a silver bullet on its own together they will have a significant impact over time. Again I would contrast this Government’s approach to road safety with that of the previous Government.
Young Jonathan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Young Jonathan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:674;Page:20468] 
5. 
JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: What reports has he received about further investment in new technology to improve productivity and patient care? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
: 
 The Government is committed to protecting and growing the public health service. We are investing more into technology to improve productivity and care for patients. Cancer patients in Wellington will soon get better faster treatment with a new $5 million six-tonne Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator the first of its kind in Australasia. Treatment is due to begin in October. It will provide more advanced treatment and reduce toxicity for patients. It will be faster meaning even better access to radiation therapy throughout the Wellington region. This Government has approved 10 new linear accelerators over the past 2½ years. 
Jonathan Young 
: What investment has there been in new technology at Gisborne Hospital? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: Gisborne Hospital is leading the way with new echocardiography technology. One of the first machines in the country it produces 3-D heart scans making it easier for surgeons to treat their patients. It was recently inspected on a tour of the hospital by the local member of Parliament Mrs Tolley. This is very important for the East Coast as it has very high rates of cardiovascular disease. It is vital that these people get the care they need. We are also putting $12 million into stamping out rheumatic fever as it can lead to heart disease which is entirely preventable. 
Chris Tremain 
: What recent investment has there been in new health technology for the benefit of the residents of Napier and Hawke’s Bay? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: It is more good news. Napier residents needing X-rays will now be seen more quickly in the new digital radiology suite at the Napier Health Centre. The suite opened last week and replaced old equipment that was not up to standard. The new state-of-the-art service will mean that patients are exposed to less radiation faster turn-round times and reduced discomfort. It is also easier for the staff to use. I have to say that now that the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board is out of years of deficit and in a much better financial position it is able to invest in these sorts of important projects.
Auchinvole Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Auchinvole Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:674;Page:20467] 
3. 
CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National—West Coast - Tasman) 
 to the  
Minister of Finance 
: What measures has the Government taken to ensure New Zealand’s financial system is better placed to minimise fallout from current global market volatility? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 The Government has moved rapidly through a process of reregulating our financial system. This includes overhauling capital market regulations establishing the Financial Markets Authority and other regulations designed to give investors confidence in market rules and enforcement. We have also brought the non-bank deposit takers—that is the finance companies—under Reserve Bank supervision with minimum capital requirements and credit rating requirements. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: What additional steps has the Reserve Bank taken to strengthen our financial institutions? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: In anticipation of further financial volatility the Reserve Bank has worked closely with financial institutions and introduced several new measures. For instance it has introduced a new core funding requirement for banks that requires them to have 70 percent of their funding from stable sources such as domestic retail deposits and long-term wholesale funding. This requirement reduces banks’ dependence on volatile short-term money markets. The Reserve Bank has ensured that if there were another financial crisis the Reserve Bank can supply temporary liquidity to sound banks as it did in 2008. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: What policies will the Government adopt in future to ensure that the New Zealand economy and financial system remain sound? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: The Government will continue with its policy of rebalancing this economy away from a reliance on excessive debt and excessive Government spending and towards building our growth on investment exports and savings. This will allow interest rates to remain lower for longer which will be a benefit to homeowners and businesses across New Zealand. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: What spending restraint decisions has the Government taken since 2008 to reduce New Zealand’s vulnerability to global uncertainty? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: The Government has been preparing for more difficult times and those times seem to be arising. Over the last 2 or 3 years we have made considered and consistent decisions including reprioritising $4 billion of spending in our first two Budgets and $5.2 billion of spending in 2011 with a strong focus on maintaining front-line services at the same time as reducing deficits. We are requiring the public sector to find almost $1 billion in savings over the next 3 years in order to reduce our deficit and get to surplus more quickly.
Carter David: Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Reading 
Carter David: Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Reading 
[Volume:674;Page:20543] 
Hon DAVID CARTER (Minister of Agriculture) 
 on behalf of the Minister of Justice: I move  
That the Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill (No 2) be now read a third time 
. In transferring the functions of the Chief Registrar of Electors to the Electoral Commission this bill implements the final stage of a two-stage reform to amalgamate the electoral agencies. The first stage transferred the functions of the Chief Electoral Officer and the former Electoral Commission into a new Electoral Commission on 1 October last year. This second stage is designed to come into effect on 1 July 2012. 
Previously electoral administration was carried out by three separate agencies. Several reviews have identified benefits in having one agency that has overarching responsibility for electoral administration. The fragmentation of electoral agencies also arose as an issue during initial cross-party consultation on the reform of electoral finance. The Government decided to deal with the reform of electoral agencies separately from electoral finance reform to enable the first stage to be completed in advance of the new finance rules. This amalgamation will allow for more consistent and coherent oversight of electoral administration and will create a one-stop shop for all electoral matters. 
The bill also implements the Government’s response to three recommendations made by the Justice and Electoral Committee’s inquiry into the 2008 general election. First it allows an elector’s immigration status to be checked at the time of application rather than after enrolment; second paper enrolment records may be destroyed once secure electronic images are stored; and third information on applicants for new and renewed New Zealand passports will be provided to the Chief Registrar of Electors for enrolment purposes. Together these improvements will bring administrative benefits and enhance the integrity of the electoral roll. 
Finally the bill allows electors who are already enrolled to update their enrolment details using the internet without needing to return a signed enrolment form. It is the first stage in a process that will eventually allow full online enrolment. 
I take this opportunity to thank the Justice and Electoral Committee for its work on this bill. The bill was unanimously reported back by the committee which is consistent with the Government’s approach of achieving broad support for electoral reform. New Zealand enjoys a fair transparent and effective electoral system and this bill seeks to enhance these features. The bill will improve the efficiency of electoral administration and enhance public confidence in our elections. I commend the bill to the House.