edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Trade (Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duties) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 107New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 14Green Party 14.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Commerce Committee.
Trade (Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duties) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Appropriation (2015/16 Supplementary Estimates) Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Bill read a third time.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Appropriation (2015/16 Supplementary Estimates) Bill and the Imprest Supply (First for 2016/17) Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Bills read a second time.
11. Border Control—Dog TeamsANDREW BAYLY (National—Hunua) to the Minister of CustomsBorder Control—Dog Teams11. ANDREW BAYLY (National—Hunua) to the Minister of Customs: What update can she give on how customs detector dog teams are improving security at New Zealand's borders?Hon NICKY WAGNER (Minister of Customs): Customs dogs and their handlers play a very important role in targeting and identifying criminal activities and networks linked to drugs and to cash. In the past 3 years customs detector dogs have intercepted almost $10 million worth—[Interruption]—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am sorry; I am having trouble hearing because of the interjections of two members. The Minister has the floor to answer a question and she will be heard. The Hon Nicky Wagner—I apologise for interrupting. Hon NICKY WAGNER: Thank you Mr Speaker. In the past 3 years customs detector dog teams have identified $10 million of undeclared and concealed cash at the border. They help protect New Zealand from money-laundering and they detect movements of large sums of cash that can be linked to illicit activities.Andrew Bayly: What additional funding is the Government providing for detector dog teams?Hon NICKY WAGNER: Budget 2016 provided around $500000 for five new detector dog teams which will bring a total of 13 to 18. These additional teams will provide additional assurance to ensure that people comply with the rules around large sums of cash and it sends a very clear signal to criminals that the Customs Service can and will stop illegal cash movements at the border.
10. Schools—Teacher-student Ratios and FundingTRACEY MARTIN (NZ First) to the Minister of EducationSchools—Teacher-student Ratios and Funding10. TRACEY MARTIN (NZ First) to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by all her statements?Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education): Where accurately represented yes.Tracey Martin: Does she stand by her statement on The Nation that principals already set class sizes now?Hon HEKIA PARATA: I do yes. That is because the Ministry of Education funds to the schools on the basis of a ratio but it is the principal who decides what the actual size of classes will be. Hon Member: It doesn't actually. You know that.Hon HEKIA PARATA: Yes they do. [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order!Tracey Martin: In light of that answer can she confirm that staff funding for mainstream primary schools is currently based on a teacher-student ratio of 1:15 for year 1 1:23 for year 2 and year 3 and 1:29 for year 4 to year 8 with variations for smaller rural schools?Hon HEKIA PARATA: Indeed the member has helpfully confirmed my answer which is that we fund on the basis of the ratios that have been quoted but then how the principal decides to set the class size is the principal's decision. Tracey Martin: How can she stand by those statements that principals set class size when in reality many principals have no option but to increase class size often into the mid-thirties in our senior school while they wait to reach her ministry's predetermined teacher-student ratios over which they have no flexibility?Hon HEKIA PARATA: Either the member is wilfully misunderstanding the difference between how a funding formula is determined and how the leader of a school then applies it or she really does not understand it. The member has just quite accurately said that new entrant classes are funded on the basis of 1:15 but a principal might have 20 in that class and go for a lower number in year 2 or 3. It is their professional discretion—Tracey Martin: They can't get a teacher Minister until they get another 20 kids.Hon HEKIA PARATA: —as to how they set class size. Talking over the top does not help the member listen.
8. School Buildings—Funding AnnouncementsTODD BARCLAY (National—Clutha-Southland) to the Associate Minister of EducationSchool Buildings—Funding Announcements8. TODD BARCLAY (National—Clutha-Southland) to the Associate Minister of Education: What recent announcements has the Government made about investment in school property?Hon NIKKI KAYE (Associate Minister of Education): In the last week Minister Parata and I announced over $51 million in projects to build and redevelop new schools and classrooms. This spending is part of the significant increase of $882 million in education infrastructure secured as part of Budget 2016. This budget more than doubled the education infrastructure spend of last year's budget. I am pleased to advise the House that this Government has committed around $5 billion to school property—significantly more than any previous Government.Todd Barclay: What investment in schooling infrastructure is under way in Otago-Southland?Hon NIKKI KAYE: Last week I was pleased to announced that around $37 million will be invested in school property in Otago and Southland including around $25 million for Wakatipu High School to be relocated and rebuilt for a roll of at least 1200 places; up to $11 million to redevelop Arrowtown primary school in Central Otago; $350000 for a new classroom at Donovan Primary School in Invercargill; $700000 for two new classrooms at Mt Aspiring College; and $350000 for one new classroom at Pembroke School in Ōāmaru. These investments demonstrate a strong commitment to ensure modern learning environments in high-growth areas.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: What investment in schooling infrastructure is under way in Auckland?Hon NIKKI KAYE: Last week I announced that around $14.5 million has been approved for Clayton Park School. This school has experienced issues with aged and leaky buildings and asbestos. The redevelopment will see most of the school's existing buildings replaced and will add 19 permanent teaching spaces. This is on top of the already announced $153 million as part of Budget 2016 to get ahead of growth in Auckland. I can also confirm that since 2014 the Government has invested $261 million in Auckland's school redevelopments. This shows the Government's commitment to meeting the needs of students in our fastest-growing city now and into the future. I am pleased to confirm that there will be further announcements this year delivering more redevelopments and more good news for New Zealand.
6. Trade—Impact of BrexitMARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney) to the Minister of TradeTrade—Impact of Brexit6. MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney) to the Minister of Trade: What steps has the Government taken to safeguard New Zealand's trade interests following the United Kingdom's vote to leave the EU?Hon MURRAY McCULLY (Minister of Foreign Affairs) on behalf of the Minister of Trade: The Government had sought and received assurances from the UK and the EU before Friday's referendum that the rules around New Zealand's trade access would not change until they had negotiated new arrangements with us. The process of discussions between the EU and the UK will likely take some considerable time given the large number of issues to be worked through. The Prime Minister Ministers and senior officials will be visiting the UK and Europe in the coming months and will also be meeting with key decision makers on the margins of international meetings. They will continue to work closely with the United Kingdom and the European Union to ensure our trade interests are maintained and advanced.Mark Mitchell: How will New Zealand's trading relationship with Britain be affected by the vote to leave the EU?Hon MURRAY McCULLY: Not much will change in the short to medium term. New Zealand trades with the UK under an umbrella of rules and market access conditions that relate to the UK's EU membership. The UK remains a member of the EU for the moment and it will need time to work through the implications of its decision to leave and to put new trading arrangements in place. Although there is no precedent for a member State exiting the EU the framework of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules provides safeguards for New Zealand market access and trade. The EU and the UK's WTO commitments set out our existing market access arrangements including longstanding country-specific tariff quotas for New Zealand. If the UK and EU wish to change those arrangements then WTO rules require them to notify us and to renegotiate with us.Mark Mitchell: What impact will the vote to leave the EU have on progress on the EU free-trade agreement (FTA)?Hon MURRAY McCULLY: Although negotiations between the UK and Europe will command significant attention we do not expect the time lines around a possible NZ-EU free-trade agreement to be significantly affected. It has been evident for some considerable time that New Zealand would need to build stronger relationships across the entire EU membership in order to successfully conclude an FTA and to consolidate our relationship with the European Union generally. That is the strategy that Ministers have been actively pursuing for some considerable time.
4. Immigration Policy—Comparison with the United Kingdom and Impact of BrexitRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) to the Prime MinisterImmigration Policy—Comparison with the United Kingdom and Impact of Brexit4. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements; if so how?Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): Yes; and I would have thought it was blindingly obvious.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Of these two statements: It is in New Zealand's best interests for the UK to stay within the European Union." or "The UK leaving the European Union would not have any direct significant implication on New Zealand." which one did he rely upon uninvited to poke his nose into the UK referendum process?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Both are correct. Talking of poking one's nose in I thought the member was—he was leading the campaign for them to leave. Rt Hon Winston Peters: If one of the driving forces for the Brexit vote was grave dissatisfaction with the social and economic pressures of rising immigration why does he not commit to reducing immigration to New Zealand to prevent further pressures on our housing infrastructure skills and hospitals in Auckland—and now further around the country?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Because of course migration will go in cycles. Much of what is driving the strong net migration into New Zealand is New Zealanders returning or not leaving. If we go and have a look at 2011-12 about 40000 Kiwis net went to Australia; those numbers now are a positive number about 1700. I might point out that his favourite politician in the world Nigel Farage is advocating actually that Britain has New Zealand's immigration rules.Rt Hon Winston Peters: If as he said of the UK: "We can control our migration they can't" and our rates of immigration in real per capita terms are four times that of the UK does that mean that he still believes in record immigration into New Zealand?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I certainly do support this country bringing in people who can add value and make a difference to New Zealand. But if one looks at 2015 in broad terms 650000 people went into the United Kingdom half of whom were from the European Union from where there is no control of whether they came or did not come. In New Zealand's case the only unlimited migration that can take place into this country is fundamentally from Australians.Rt Hon Winston Peters: What can the public make of his performance in Northland the flag referendum the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement debacle Brexit and now foreign trusts other than that his aspirational pixie dust is fast running out?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I am delighted in a way that the member thinks that I am so influential that I was the driving force behind Brexit one way or the other—I wish I had such influence. When it comes to TPP I hope the agreement is ratified because it will be good for New Zealand."
3. Economy—ResilienceSARAH DOWIE (National—Invercargill) to the Minister of FinanceEconomy—Resilience3. SARAH DOWIE (National—Invercargill) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on risks in the global economy and the potential implications for New Zealand?Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance): As members will be aware on Friday the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. This has created some uncertainty in financial markets particularly currency markets and also sharemarkets fell particularly in the UK Europe and Japan. Government bond yields fell to low levels and oil prices fell. Although substantial these market movements have been orderly so far although financial market volatility is expected to continue in the short term at least and may have some impact on New Zealand. We have already for instance seen the New Zealand dollar rise against the pound but fall against the US dollar.Sarah Dowie: How well placed is New Zealand to deal with international uncertainty?Hon BILL ENGLISH: Global economic uncertainty is pretty much the norm these days whether it be due to the exit of Britain alongside the uncertainty about the outlook for the management of credit in China or the timing of interest rate rises in the US or the forward track for dairy prices. In New Zealand though New Zealand businesses particularly our exporters were forced to become more competitive when the exchange rate was US88c and they are now reaping rewards despite global uncertainty. We are seeing New Zealand companies with the confidence to continue to grow and invest knowing that they are able to adapt and respond to the international economy as it changes. We are an open and confident country and our businesses back themselves on the world stage.Sarah Dowie: How is the Government's programme of economic reform supporting the resilience of the New Zealand economy?Hon BILL ENGLISH: The Government approach is not to respond to every shock. As I have outlined there is any number of sources of economic stability although we will be pragmatic if the impact of those shocks is major. However we do work to support the resilience of the economy through responsible fiscal management continuing independent monetary policy sustained investment by the Government in infrastructure and in skills and the Business Growth Agenda which is focusing on supporting businesses to invest to grow and to diversify.Sarah Dowie: How does our economic resilience compare internationally?Hon BILL ENGLISH: There are any number of measures that can be used for our ability to withstand further destabilising in the global economy if that is what occurs. Treasury has collated a list of the countries that have a broadly balanced budget net Government debt less than 40 percent of GDP economic growth greater than 1.5 percent and scope to further reduce interest rates. These are all criteria that New Zealand meets and only three other OECD countries—that is Australia Iceland and South Korea. So by these measures we are in as good a position as most developed countries to withstand any destabilisation in the world economy.
1. Tax System—Overseas Trusts and Disclosure RegimeJAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime MinisterORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSTax System—Overseas Trusts and Disclosure Regime1. JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements?Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): Yes.James Shaw: Why then did he tell me in April that foreign trust disclosure requirements on registration were broad and deep" when John Shewan described them this morning on Radio New Zealand National as "absolutely minimal and tells nobody anything"?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Because I believe that to be an accurate reflection. If you look at what Mr Shewan is actually saying it is not the amount of information that is being collected; it is where it is actually placed. He believes that it should be more fully in the hands of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) as opposed to the trustees. But broadly speaking he is not recommending significant changes in the amount of information that is collected.James Shaw: When he said that our disclosure requirements were "broad and deep" why then did the Shewan inquiry find that foreign trust disclosure rules are "inadequate" "not fit for purpose" and therefore likely to be abused?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: As I said if you look at what Mr Shewan was also saying on Radio New Zealand National this morning he was saying that essentially the issue here is where that information is kept not what is collected. He made the point that he thought that it should be at the level of the IRD with a register that can be searched by relevant agencies. The Government agrees with that and will continue to do that.James Shaw: Given that John Shewan has suggested that dodgy foreign trusts will quietly withdraw under the new disclosure rules will the PM ask the Minister of Revenue to ensure that those trusts are investigated?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Those are not the words Mr Shewan used.James Shaw: When Todd McClay told the Finance and Expenditure Committee last year that none of the reports that he had received from the Inland Revenue Department drew any conclusion on foreign trusts did he mislead the select committee?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: No.James Shaw: When revenue Minister Michael Woodhouse ruled out making any changes to foreign trust rules in April saying that they were world class did he just get it wrong?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: No. In fact actually as John Shewan pointed out in the report New Zealand's international reputation is rightfully so very strong. What he has recommended are a few changes that in light of the Panama Papers and the international focus not on New Zealand but the broader issue it is appropriate for New Zealand to make. The Government will follow those.James Shaw: When the Prime Minister insists that our foreign trusts have full disclosure despite warnings to the contrary from first the Inland Revenue Department in 2012 and now John Shewan is he not misleading the public and this House?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: No and I refer the member to John Shewan's interview on Morning Report this morning where he made it quite clear there is full disclosure."
Ngaro AlfredALFRED NGARO (National): I rise to take a call on the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill. I want to acknowledge the previous speaker David Cunliffe the son of an Anglican minister and surely that was an evangelical hermeneutical preaching sermon about I suppose the supposedly sanctimonious position of this Government to this bill. But this is not about religion. This bill is about the issues around the freedom of choice. But let us go to that point because the point was made in regard to this bill on the impact that it has on families—the impact that it has on the fact of imposing employment and of trading on an Easter Sunday and the realisation of that. If the previous speaker actually thought and looked hard into the aspect of what the religious observance is of Easter Sunday—it is absolutely the most important day for those of the Christian faith. Inside of that it talks about sacrifice it talks about service and it talks about the aspect of redemption that is actually important to that faith. But the most important thing it also reveals is this: it is the freedom of choice for every single person to choose if they so choose to the fact of receiving the revelation the redemption and the resurrection of the Son of God—as is part of Easter Sunday trading. If that is the key principle of Easter then that is the same principle that lies in this bill. I have some sympathy with and understanding of the comments that have been made. I myself of the Christian faith do understand the importance of Sunday and the role that it plays for families and the observance of that. I do not oppose that. I think that is absolutely important. But inside of this bill what it does talk about is dealing with the next step. Others of the Opposition have said to us: Well why do we not just make it universal legislation that demands that every single territorial authority that everybody else—actually that there will be a compliance towards trading on Sunday?". It takes a step back because it allows this clause the freedom to choose—the freedom for territorial authorities which will engage with their communities. If you read the regulatory impact statement why it also talks about this is—Iain Lees-Galloway: Pontius Pilate!ALFRED NGARO: It is not the washing of the hands of Pilate. I know that is what he was referring to. It was the fact of this. Even Pilate knew that the people of Israel the Jews themselves had to make a choice. He let them choose. So if Mr Lees-Galloway wants to read further read it as it says in context. If you know your hermeneutics he allowed the people to choose. This bill will allow communities to choose as they wish whether they should have trading or shopping hours. There has been some talk about the impact on those who may be affected for employment reasons. I am going to wind this up just in a few comments. There already currently exists the Human Rights Act of 1993 the Employment Relations Act of 2000. Those things are important. I know my time is short. I am getting notice of that. I do stand in this second reading. I look forward to the Committee stage of this bill. I commend this bill to the House."
Bakshi Kanwaljit SinghKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): Thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill in the second reading. First of all I would like to acknowledge the officials who supported us during the Commerce Committee deliberations. Even though we could not come to a resolution at least they worked hard and assisted the select committee in the process. The previous speaker Sue Moroney mentioned that the National Party does not care about families. This is the only party that cares about families. That is why we are debating this bill. We want to ensure that businesses have got the choice of what they want to do. This country has a growing number of tourists and they come from far away to enjoy our hospitality. If we do not give them the opportunity when they come to go out and do shopping buy some souvenirs buy some memories from here to take back home then we are doing an injustice to them. As I said we care about families. Think about the family—the bread earner works from Monday to Friday. The only time he gets to go and do some shopping is over the weekend and if he plans to go somewhere like Rotorua during the holidays he does not get any opportunity to shop over there with his family. I would like to give my own example. Normally I go out on Sunday to do shopping with my family. If on Easter Sunday some of the shops that want to open—we are not compelling them to; they have got a choice whether they want to open the shop or not. If that opportunity is given then a lot of shops will open up. Because the country is getting diverse a lot of people—I am not saying that Christianity is not a good religion or anything—from different religions who do not go to Church on Sunday can open their shop and can offer good opportunities for families to go out and shop together. So this bill is a real opportunity for businesses to grow. We want to ensure that places like Rotorua have got the competitive market. Whereas Taupō can open up Rotorua cannot so this bill will give an opportunity for them to decide to open. With these words I commend this bill to the House.
Tisch LindsaySHOP TRADING HOURS AMENDMENT BILLSecond ReadingDebate resumed from 16 June.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): When we were last on the second reading of the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill Dr David Clark had the call and has 8 minutes remaining.
Bakshi Kanwaljit SinghKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): Thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Trade (Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duties) Amendment Bill's first reading. New Zealand is a signatory to many World Trade Organization agreements and this bill addresses one of those—which is where according to the World Trade Organization agreements anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties can be imposed if New Zealand feels that there is a dumping of some products. The Government wants to ensure that New Zealand has a competitive market where consumers get the best value for money. As a counterpart we also want to protect our manufacturers so that the products that are produced overseas cannot be sold under value in New Zealand. The bill introduces a test to the anti-dumping regime that will better balance consumer interest with those of the manufacturers threatened by unfairly priced imports. By introducing a public interest test the regime can now consider whether consumers are benefiting from the lower price and greater choice availability and quality and whether this outweighs the effects on the industry. It is very important because we have got a very small manufacturing base in New Zealand and we want to protect that. We also want to protect that consumers should get the best-quality product at the cheaper price. We need to understand that these are the things that affect our economy.The example that most of the speakers have given is of construction. You might remember that some time ago the Government asked for this study to compare the pricing of construction products in New Zealand and Australia and it was found the Australian products were much cheaper than New Zealand. That is why the Minister at that time recommended that we should reduce the duty on imports of construction materials so that construction in New Zealand could be competitive and the pricing of housing—which was skyrocketing—could be controlled. These are some of the measures that the Minister can do with this bill's introduction. Once the select committee process is over and the bill is passed through Parliament the Minister will have more tools to ensure that there is the right competition in the market. With these words I commend the bill to the House.
O'Connor Simon; Tisch LindsaySIMON O'CONNOR (National—Tāmaki): I am very pleased to follow a call here. I will wait for counter-heckling. I am very pleased to talk on this Trade (Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duties) Amendment Bill. I am very pleased to hear that New Zealand First is supporting this to first reading. I think—and I assume like all members of the House actually—I am looking forward to the select committee process. We are engaging not only with the public at large but particularly with those in manufacturing who will be able to come in and speak to us for us in turn to be able to hear and make some decisions.I am not going to belabour the points around this bill; they have been well traversed by colleagues before me. The long and the short of it is that this is an attempt to put in a public interest test when it comes to dealing with dumping and duties. The long and the short of it is that at the moment our law basically allows duties to be put on to obviously protect manufacturers—rightly and understandably so. But there are circumstances and times where it is felt that the wider public good needs to be taken into account. One only needs to think of issues around housing particularly residential housing where we note that a number of products actually in New Zealand are relatively expensive. So this bill amongst other things is an opportunity for the Minister to be able to take a slightly wider view and not simply view the placing or replacing of duties from a manufacturing point of view but to also look at what is good for the public.What has not been touched on so much is a smaller but not unimportant provision within the bill and that is around the whole natural disaster aspect. The long and the short of that is that at times of natural disaster in this country provisions would kick into place if this bill becomes an Act where duties can be removed to ultimately allow produce and materials to come in to help us rebuild. But as I said I do not intend to belabour this. This is a relatively simple bill in terms of its intentions but I certainly acknowledge that how it becomes expressed introduces a number of complexities and I like others who have spoken am looking forward to the select committee process. I commend the bill on its first reading to the House.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I call David Clendon—5 minutes.
Tisch LindsayTRADE (ANTI-DUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTIES) AMENDMENT BILLFirst ReadingDebate resumed from 15 June.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Members when we were on the first reading of the Trade (Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duties) Amendment Bill Mojo Mathers had the call and she has 2 minutes remaining if she wishes. Does the member wish to take it? No. Very good.
Bennett PaulaIMPREST SUPPLY (FIRST FOR 2016/17) BILLThird ReadingHon PAULA BENNETT (Associate Minister of Finance) on behalf of the Minister of Finance: I move That the Imprest Supply (First for 2016/17) Bill be now read a third time.Bill read a third time.
Bennett PaulaAPPROPRIATION (2015/16 SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES) BILLThird ReadingHon PAULA BENNETT (Associate Minister of Finance) on behalf of the Minister of Finance: I move That the Appropriation (2015/16 Supplementary Estimates) Bill be now read a third time.
Brownlee Gerry; Tisch LindsayBUSINESS OF THE HOUSEHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): Subsequent to discussions at the Business Committee I seek leave for the sitting of the House today to be extended through tomorrow morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the second reading of the Ngāruahine Claims Settlement Bill and the remaining stages of the Hineuru Claims Settlement Bill.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Imprest Supply (First for 2016/17) Bill — First Reading
Urgent Debates — Government Inquiry into Foreign Trust Disclosure Rules—Release of Report
Motions — United Kingdom—Death of British Member of Parliament Jo Cox
Visitors — Fiji Niue Samoa Tonga and Tuvalu—Delegations Parliaments
English BillIMPREST SUPPLY (FIRST FOR 2016/17) BILLFirst ReadingHon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance): I move That the Imprest Supply (First for 2016/17) Bill be now read a first time.Bill read a first time.
Dyson Ruth; Mallard TrevorHon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I am sorry to interrupt the Minister. During the contribution by Andrew Little David Bennett interjected an unparliamentary comment. I could tell from your body language that you did not hear it but I certainly did. I ask you now to call on him to withdraw and apologise.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Unfortunately for the member raising the point of order it is a requirement for points of order of that type to be taken immediately; therefore I am not going to require Mr Bennett to withdraw and apologise. He may want to anyway.
Carter DavidURGENT DEBATESGovernment Inquiry into Foreign Trust Disclosure Rules—Release of ReportMr SPEAKER: I have received a letter—[Interruption] Order! I have received a letter from Andrew Little seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the release of the report on the Government Inquiry into Foreign Trust Disclosure Rules. The release of the report is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. The subject of the report is a significant one and the Government has stated it will implement most of its recommendations. It is not clear however from the Government's response which recommendations it will implement and whether it will involve changes to legislation. Therefore this may be the only occasion for the House to debate this issue. The matter has attracted significant media and public attention in the past few months raising potential risks to preserving New Zealand's reputation. Having carefully considered this application I believe it does require the urgent attention of the House. I therefore call on Andrew Little to move that the House take note of an urgent matter of public importance.
Twyford PhilMOTIONSUnited Kingdom—Death of British Member of Parliament Jo CoxPHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū): I seek leave to move a motion without notice or debate on the death of British member of Parliament Jo Cox.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is none.PHIL TWYFORD: I move That this House express its sympathy for the family friends and colleagues of British member of Parliament Jo Cox who was attacked and killed as she went about her duties as a local member of Parliament on 17 June and pass condolences and solidarity to t1he British Parliament. Jo Cox was a friend of mine and a colleague. She was the best of what we all want elected representatives to be.Motion agreed to.
Carter DavidTUESDAY 28 JUNE 2016Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.VISITORSFiji Niue Samoa Tonga and Tuvalu—Delegations ParliamentsMr SPEAKER: I am sure that members would wish to welcome parliamentarians from Fiji Niue Samoa Tonga and Tuvalu who are present in the gallery.
Thursday 16 June 2016 - Volume 715
Coroners Amendment Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Coroners Amendment Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 88New Zealand National 59; Green Party 13; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 32New Zealand Labour 32.Bill read a third time.
11. Emergency Housing—Loan ForgivenessJAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentEmergency Housing—Loan Forgiveness11. JAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Social Development: When she said that emergency accommodation motel debt could be forgiven where there's a genuine reason that they've suddenly found themselves in a crisis situation" what did she mean by that genuine reason or crisis situation?Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Social Development): Under the Social Security Act the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has the discretion to write off debt in exceptional circumstances. This may include when an error is made by the ministry when a debtor has died and the estate is insolvent or already distributed or in some cases when a debtor is declared bankrupt. It is also worth noting that for victims of family violence a non-recoverable special-needs grant is available to cover the costs of immediate relocation. I would also point out to the member that when MSD lends people money it does not charge interest and staff ensure that any repayments are affordable starting from a few dollars a week.Jan Logie: Will a family with a sick child unable to afford to heat their house because they are repaying motel debt have that debt forgiven?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: As I have said that would be a question for the chief executive. However the important point to make is that when people do incur a debt as I say there is no interest and repayments are set at an affordable level.Jan Logie: Is it the Minister's expectation that a family that has left a motel and moved into a garage—because that is all they can afford—will have that motel debt forgiven?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: Under the Social Security Act it is a decision of the chief executive of MSD to make such decisions. Jan Logie: Is it the Minister's expectation that the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development will forgive the motel debt for families that are sleeping on a relative's floor because they cannot afford rent?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: It is my expectation that the chief executive of MSD will follow the law. Jan Logie: What kind of crisis will it take for the Minister to forgive the debt of desperate New Zealand families made homeless as a result of her Government's failure to provide affordable housing?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: As has been explained on many occasions to the member asking the question the Minister for Social Housing announced that from 1 July—and we have brought that date forward from September—the special-needs grant for emergency housing of up to 7 days will be non-recoverable. However where people have incurred a debt it would be unfair on those who are repaying their debts to go back and pick and choose who is going to have to repay their debt and who is not."
9. Students with Special Needs—Teacher-aides and Other FundingTODD MULLER (National—Bay of Plenty) to the Minister of EducationStudents with Special Needs—Teacher-aides and Other Funding9. TODD MULLER (National—Bay of Plenty) to the Minister of Education: What is the Government doing to help schools make the best use of teacher aides?Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education): Teacher-aides work alongside teachers in our classrooms to enable students with additional learning needs to become more independent and confident. We have created an online resource that draws together practical ideas and strategies from New Zealand and around the world. It will also help school teachers and leaders ensure that the role and responsibility of aides is clear and that there are good systems support and training in place. Additional resources will be added to the guide in the coming months. They will include online training modules videos of effective practice and a self-review tool which might also be handy for other members of the House.Todd Muller: What else is the Government doing to support students with special education needs?Hon HEKIA PARATA: The online resource complements the $15.3 million Budget increase in funding for teacher-aides over the next 4 years. As part of Budget 2016 we have invested an additional $42.1 million of operating funding over the next 4 years into services for students with special needs. Under this Government spending on special education has increased 29 percent. This investment will help some of our most disadvantaged students get the qualifications they need and ensure that they get the opportunity to be included with their peers and study in their local schools.
8. Television New Zealand—Potential Merger with MediaWorksTRACEY MARTIN (NZ First) to the Minister of BroadcastingTelevision New Zealand—Potential Merger with MediaWorks8. TRACEY MARTIN (NZ First) to the Minister of Broadcasting: Has the Government had any involvement in the rumoured merger between TVNZ and MediaWorks; if so why?Hon AMY ADAMS (Minister of Broadcasting): No because there is no merger between Television New Zealand Ltd (TVNZ) and MediaWorks.Tracey Martin: If the reported rumour about this union is unlikely to happen according to the Prime Minister's statements—[Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am just having difficulty hearing because of the noise from my right-hand side. Would the member start the supplementary question again.Tracey Martin: If this union is unlikely to happen according to the Prime Minister's statements then why has her Government been informed of talks again according to the Prime Minister's statements between TVNZ and MediaWorks about potentially merging?Hon AMY ADAMS: Well as I have confirmed to the member in my primary answer there is no merger between TVNZ and MediaWorks.Tracey Martin: Is it not a fact that the National Government has been grooming TVNZ to be sold since October 1997 when Jim Bolger stated that he would consider the sale of TVNZ because no one could tell him the advantages of the State owning a TV network that it has no control over other than to pay bills and collect profit? Hon AMY ADAMS: No. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! I just need a bit of assistance.Tracey Martin: Why should the New Zealand public believe anything she says when her Government prides itself on selling State assets and as everybody knows hates public broadcasting?Hon AMY ADAMS: The member needs to get a grip. I have made it very clear that there is no plan to merge with MediaWorks there is no plan to sell TVNZ and continuing to cast around wild misrepresentations and inaccuracy does not change any of that.
7. Social Housing Minister—Staff Member's Release of Personal InformationPHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū) to the Minister for Social HousingSocial Housing Minister—Staff Member's Release of Personal Information7. PHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū) to the Minister for Social Housing: Does she stand by all her statements?Hon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Prime Minister) on behalf of the Minister for Social Housing: Yes within the context in which they were given.Phil Twyford: What was her motivation for briefing her staff on the police investigation into Hurimoana Dennis?Hon BILL ENGLISH: Her motivation was that the staff should know what the Minister had been discussing and the matter moved on from there.Phil Twyford: Are the media reports correct that the three to four staff she said that she briefed on the police investigation included Lucy Bennett Clark Hennessy and her senior political adviser Belinda Milnes?Hon BILL ENGLISH: I think those people are among her staff; that is likely. But of course Ministers are not constrained by any particular rules about briefing their staff and that is because staff are a pretty important part of getting a lot of things done.Phil Twyford: Was she surprised given her reputation for leaking information about her critics that her staff took the same approach with the information that she gave them about the police investigation?Hon BILL ENGLISH: I refute the statements made by the member. I am surprised to see the Labour Party members outraged by what they call a leak to the media which turns out to be discussion around the dinner table about something that apparently everyone already knew about but that the media had decided not to run until they could use it to attack Paula Bennett.Phil Twyford: Why after the Human Rights Commission told her that she had breached Natasha Fuller's privacy by releasing her private information did she say she might do it again and it would depend on the circumstances"?Hon BILL ENGLISH: The two events are not connected in any way—[Interruption] Well in this case apparently as I am advised the person concerned told the Minister himself and I am told that "everyone knew". Phil Twyford: Are the journalists correct who tell me that her office regularly releases this sort of information to discredit critics and shut down stories; if not why does she believe they would make that up? Mr SPEAKER: Either of those two supplementary questions—the Hon Bill English.Hon BILL ENGLISH: No those journalists are—well I do not know exactly what they said to the member because I would not want to rely on his description of it but I think that if the member was familiar with how this story apparently became a story it was a matter of about third-hand gossip through a series of social events that ended up as a story. [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! Mr Twyford and Mr English the series of questions has now concluded. I am calling Tracey Martin. [Interruption] Order! Would both members please—if they want to carry on the interchange I suggest that they try it in the lobby."
4. Economic Growth—Economic Growth Per CapitaGRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) to the Minister of FinanceEconomic Growth—Economic Growth Per Capita4. GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all his statements?Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance): Yes.Grant Robertson: Does he stand by the statement in Budget 2016 that growth in average income … per person (i.e. GDP per capita) is what matters for achieving higher material living standards"?Hon BILL ENGLISH: Yes in the long run.Grant Robertson: In the long run we are all dead.Mr SPEAKER: Order! You do not need to remind us. [Interruption] Can we just have the supplementary question.Grant Robertson: Given the focus in the Budget documents on the importance of GDP per capita and given his answer can he inform the House what the annual growth in GDP per capita is in the Statistics New Zealand figures released today?Hon BILL ENGLISH: I cannot tell the member for sure. I think it is either—I think it is pretty low actually somewhere between zero and 0.5 percent growth. I would point out to the member that in the world of low growth even that number which is a product of a drop in terms of trade and a surge in population is a much better performance than the Australian economy where a somewhat similar measure—real net national disposable income per capita—Grant Robertson: You know the Australian one but not the New Zealand one.Hon BILL ENGLISH: A somewhat similar measure—the member should listen. [Interruption] The member should listen.Mr SPEAKER: And the Minister should hurry up and complete his answer.Hon BILL ENGLISH: —a somewhat similar measure has been dropping for 4 years.Grant Robertson: How will higher living standards be delivered for New Zealanders after today's GDP figures showed a 0.5 percent per capita increase in growth—and that is the New Zealand number?Hon BILL ENGLISH: First that number is better than most developed countries for a start. As I said in Australia it has been dropping for 4 years and in New Zealand it has been rising for those 4 years instead of dropping. So the per capita income gap between Australia and New Zealand is closing. And the possibility that it might rise is indicated by the fact that in the last quarter it went up 1.6 percent. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Question No. 5—[Interruption] Order! Dr—[Interruption] Order! There is considerable interjection from both sides. I would be grateful if it could cease."
3. Teina Pora—CompensationRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) to the Minister of JusticeTeina Pora—Compensation3. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) to the Minister of Justice: Does she stand by all her statements on the Teina Pora settlement; if so why?Hon AMY ADAMS (Minister of Justice): Yes; because I believe them to be true.Rt Hon Winston Peters: How can she stand by her statement that Teina Pora has suffered considerably" and that the compensation amount is "fair" when her Government ignored the recommendation of Rodney Hansen QC retired High Court judge that compensation should be inflation-adjusted to at least $4.5 million?Hon AMY ADAMS: Mr Hansen's recommendation was that Cabinet should consider the matter. We certainly did but Cabinet was comfortable that that aspect of the compensation payment which was only one of the three aspects remained at an appropriate level when we considered a range of factors.Rt Hon Winston Peters: What persuades her that she knows more about the issue of fairness than the good retired High Court judge or for example that she should hide behind her leader who believes "the Crown doesn't have to pay Teina Pora anything."?Hon AMY ADAMS: The Prime Minister would be correct in that all payments are at the discretion of Cabinet. Cabinet is not obliged to make any payment. Cabinet and our Government make payments that are transparent and in a principled way and that means following the guidelines that have been in place for some time and that have been used for the last eight people who have been compensated under them.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Why is her Government being so blatantly mean-spirited not to give Teina Pora a fair go which contrasts with its entitlement mentality towards its own friends like South Canterbury Finance—$1.6 billion; hundreds of millions to Hollywood's Warner Bros; and $42 million per year as benefits to Skycity Casino; what is fair about that?Mr SPEAKER: Order! In as far as there is ministerial responsibility for the first part of the question—the Hon Amy Adams.Hon AMY ADAMS: Our Government as I have said believes in following transparent consistently applied processes which means following the guidelines put in place in 2001 and making sure that those goalposts are not moved mid-process and that we do not make ad hoc decisions thinking we know better than following a clear-cut process.Rt Hon Winston Peters: What about South Canterbury Finance?Hon AMY ADAMS: I have got nothing to do with South Canterbury Finance."