Smith Nick: Estimates Debate —  
Smith Nick: Estimates Debate —  
[Volume:610;Page:7209] 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (NZ National—Nelson) 
: 
 In the Budget and this appropriation we see a Government programme that does nothing to address the fundamental issue of standards in education. I want to point to three particular issues that the Government and the Minister are ignoring. In April we saw the release of the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study on literacy standards around the world. That study showed that New Zealand had the second-bottom ranking of any English-speaking country whereas in 1972 New Zealand was the very best in the world. We heard the disgraceful comment made by the Minister that being 13th second bottom was a “very pleasing result”. I say to the Minister “Shame.” What sort of dumbing-down standards is he setting for New Zealand that we are second-bottom in the world? I guess as Minister for Sport and Recreation he will say when we come second-bottom in the rugby world cup that the result is “very pleasing”. Well National says it is not good enough. We should be aiming to be the very best in terms of those literacy standards. 
The second issue I want to raise in terms of standards is the disgrace of students being able to receive National Certificate of Educational Achievement credits for picking up litter. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority the agency that is meant to set the benchmark for standards in education is saying that it is going to provide credits for picking up rubbish. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: No it didn’t. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: I have the quote. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority has backed up Cambridge College in allocating credits for picking up litter. I want the Minister to explain how that in any way provides this country with a robust qualifications system because it does not. 
The third issue I wish to raise which was also raised by the Minister in the chair Trevor Mallard is truancy. Why has the Minister in the chair not made any provision at all for increased funding for truancy services even just to keep up with the 10 percent inflation since he has been the Minister? That money has been frozen and it means that it is going backwards in real terms. New Zealand has a truancy crisis yet we have a Minister and a ministry doing absolutely zip. Do members know how many prosecutions there were last year of parents failing to get their children to school? Absolutely zero. A raid in Auckland identified 900 truants but there has been no response and the report from the select committee shows serious concern about that issue. 
With those serious education issues what do we see in the Government’s estimates for new education expenditure? A package for treaty education. That is what the Minister in the chair has put up as the great way in which standards will be raised. What sort of sickly political correctness is that? 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Madam Chair. I think the member is aware and you are aware that the treaty information campaign is part of Vote State Services not this vote. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Ann Hartley) 
: That is correct. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: It is in his name. He is the Minister of State Services and the Minister of Education and I want to know— 
The CHAIRPERSON (Ann Hartley) 
: Would the member please be seated. The point of order was correct. We are not debating State services in this vote. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: I find it extraordinary that this Government has all the serious education issues of literacy standards in secondary schools and truancy and the Minister’s big promotion this year is $6.5 million for treaty education. I just say— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Madam Chair. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: He is embarrassed. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Ann Hartley) 
: Please be seated. The member knows that he is not to speak during points of order. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: I wish you would apply that to the other side. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Ann Hartley) 
: The member will withdraw and apologise. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: For? 
The CHAIRPERSON (Ann Hartley) 
: A ruling was given on a point of order. I am asking the member— 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: I withdraw and apologise. How many times are you going to interrupt my speech? 
The CHAIRPERSON (Ann Hartley) 
: The member will withdraw and apologise correctly. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: I withdraw and apologise. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: My point of order is relatively simple. You ruled about 30 seconds ago on the question of whether we are debating Vote State Services or Vote Education. The member deliberately defied your ruling and continued to debate a vote that is not before the Committee. I am quite happy to get to that vote soon but my gut feeling is that that lot would not even have the spine to debate it. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: Are you going to allow that? 
Hon Ken Shirley 
: I raise a point of order Madam Chair. I have to say that I am somewhat surprised you did not reprimand the Minister in the chair and call on him to withdraw and apologise. To accuse another member or group of members in this House of being spineless or lacking courage in any way is a definite breach of the Standing Orders. I would ask that you call upon the Minister in the chair to withdraw and apologise. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Ann Hartley) 
: I ask the Minister to refrain from— 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: What? You asked me to withdraw and apologise for a simple innocuous interjection saying that something is different and now you are going to allow the Minister in the chair to— 
The CHAIRPERSON (Ann Hartley) 
: Please be seated. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: Madam Chair I am saying that you are being deliberately— 
Hon Chris Carter 
: What’s your point? 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: My point is that the Chairperson is setting different rules for different sides of the House. I have been required to withdraw and apologise for making extremely innocuous statements but the Minister is allowed to make statements like “spineless” and the Chairperson does not make him withdraw and apologise. That is inconsistent. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Ann Hartley) 
: As I said I counselled all members on moderation. The time has come for me to report progress. 
Progress reported.