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Hudson BrettBRETT HUDSON (National): Firstly I would like to join with other members of the House in offering condolences to those people who have lost friends and family members in those dreadful quakes in the early hours of yesterday morning and also to commend not only the resilience but also the good nature of those people who opened their homes and their hearts to neighbours and to visitors to New Zealand in need. It is a great disaster but it also does bring out the very very best in people.I do rise in support of the Patents (Trans-Tasman Patent Attorneys and Other Matters) Amendment Bill in this its third reading. The bill has always had one fundamental objective and that is about creating a trans-Tasman patent attorney registration system along with some associated code of conduct and disciplinary matters. It also had—and retains—an element of wanting to remove an error from the earlier Patents Act that was about opposition on the grounds of lack of unity. It also has a couple of other matters that in the scheme of the bill as a whole are minor. The single application process and the single examination process were introduced as ideas that might help to speed the application for and examination of patents across Australia and New Zealand. The reality is that given the time from when the idea was first put forward to now when this may be enacted much has changed. Much has changed in the area of technology and other systems available to the rest of the world as well as to New Zealand and Australia which yields those processes no longer as beneficial as they may have looked a number of years ago. Through the select committee process it was determined that it was appropriate that they be removed. That does not change the heart of the bill. The heart of the bill was always around the joint registration process which would see a single definition of services for patent attorneys across Australia and New Zealand a trans-Tasman governance body a single disciplinary regime and code of conduct and a single disciplinary tribunal.That was the heart of the bill when it was introduced and it remains the heart of the bill as we now debate it in its third reading and hopefully—hearing of the support from across the House—through to its enactment. In that respect nothing has changed. We will achieve the regulation of the professional body that was sought. There will be a new set of regulations which I think will offer benefits to patent attorneys across both New Zealand and Australia. It will certainly help I believe our patent attorneys to be more competitive not only in our own market but also certainly in the Australian market. I am very pleased that along with that we are removing opposition on the grounds of lack of unity of invention. I think it was an oversight in the previous bill and it is good to see it removed now. I have nothing further to add but to commend this bill to the House.
Visitors — United States—American Council of Young Political Leaders
Brownlee Gerry; Carter DavidMembers' Observations—Members' Conduct During Question TimeHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): Anyone who is a regular observer of question time here in this Parliament may have found today a little quiet and may have found today a little overly constructive. But as Leader of the House I just want to acknowledge the various parties that have asked questions in the House today. They have been asked from a very genuine point of view and do express the widest support that this House can give to those who are facing difficult times at the moment.Mr SPEAKER: I thank the honourable member for his comment.
Seymour DavidDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): I would also like to quickly thank the Prime Minister and the House for giving leave for all party leaders to participate in debate on this statement—thank you. From the point of view of the ACT Party our thoughts are primarily with the two who were lost to their loved ones and to their friends and family on Sunday night and then with all of those who face uncertainty who may have had damage to their homes and livelihoods and who fear the prospect of further aftershocks isolation due to absence of or damage to infrastructure and the lack of basic necessities at this time. But it is also worth paying tribute to the fact that as unfortunate and frequent as they are these natural disasters also bring out the best in the Kiwi character not just from the emergency services and the military—which I think everyone will agree have been excellent and have gone above and beyond throughout this event—but from everyday Kiwis reaching out to each other including those on the marae whom we have just heard about from Marama Fox and the community centres right across the affected areas in New Zealand.Of course in stark contrast to that fine Kiwi character are the very few who have actually taken advantage of the natural disaster and have committed crimes taking advantage of the vulnerability of the New Zealanders who have been forced from their homes. I think as a Parliament we should be responsive. I actually agree with the Rt Hon Winston Peters on this and I hope that the House will support legislation such as the Sentencing (Civil Defence Emergency) Amendment Bill which would make it an aggravating factor in burglary to take advantage of a victim of a natural disaster. I look forward to all parties' support on that.Without further ado our thoughts in this House should be with those who have lost their lives with those who are suffering uncertainty and with the great many New Zealanders who have shown the best of Kiwi character in dealing with this tragic emergency. Thank you.
Sage EugenieEUGENIE SAGE (Green): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. The Green Party joins in supporting the sentiments expressed by the Prime Minister and the leader of the Labour Party. No matter how many thousands of earthquakes one has experienced they are still enormously scary—that rush of adrenalin the pounding heart when you go through it—and this one was different because so many New Zealanders felt that hideous aftershock and the quake itself in the early hours of Monday morning.We have seen already a tremendous response by volunteers in North Canterbury Kaikōura Marlborough Wellington and elsewhere. We have done this before in Christchurch. The community and professional emergency services have responded. They have reached out to deal with the broken homes and the broken-hearted people and to provide support and reassurance. We live in the Shaky Isles. We have come through the Christchurch quakes—those thousands of quakes—and we are thinking now of the North Canterbury and Marlborough communities and what support they need.The Green Party joins with the Government joins with the Labour Party and joins with all the parties present in this Parliament to be open to requests for assistance and for changes to legislation. Some of the legislation that we have recently debated in this Parliament—the building and earthquake-strengthening legislation the civil defence and emergency management legislation—is intended to improve the way in which we respond.Nature's forces are awesome to everyone who has seen those photos of the rock slides the damage and the land separation that the earthquakes have caused. But we get through this by acting as a community by opening our hearts and reaching out to others and by connecting and working together to respond to people's needs—the urgent ones and the longer-term ones. We will get through this together. We will do whatever we can to support those who are experiencing the distress post-quake. We can rebuild better. Thank you.
Carter DavidTUESDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2016Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.VISITORSUnited States—American Council of Young Political LeadersMr SPEAKER: Honourable members I am sure that members would wish to welcome delegates from the American Council of Young Political Leaders exchange present in the Speaker's gallery.
Wednesday 9 November 2016 - Volume 718
Education (Charter Schools Abolition) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Education (Charter Schools Abolition) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 57New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Noes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Motion not agreed to.
11. Women—Gender Pay Gap and Representation in ParliamentJAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for WomenWomen—Gender Pay Gap and Representation in Parliament11. JAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Women: Does she support Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Jackie Blue's proposal for companies with more than 250 employees to declare gender pay gaps?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Women): I fully support organisations voluntarily reporting on their gender pay gaps and I am pleased that the Public Service is leading the way.Jan Logie: Does she support the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner's call for three more women Ministers in Cabinet to achieve gender balance?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: These are of course matters for the Prime Minister and I am sure he is making great decisions on them. Jan Logie: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I was not asking whether she was going to make the decision; I asked whether she supported the call.Mr SPEAKER: No when I consider the question the answer has addressed the question. It is the Prime Minister who decides who is in Cabinet.Jan Logie: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I am just seeking some clarification around the role of the Minister as an advocate for women—Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member can certainly do that and the way to do that is to continue to ask good concise supplementary questions of the Minister.Jan Logie: What does she plan to do in response to Dr Jackie Blue's observation: we've asked nicely. We've implored. We've pleaded. Not much is happening. Women's representation in Parliament has actually gone static."?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: As that member will know one of the priorities for the Ministry for Women is developing and progressing women in leadership. One of the areas that I am most proud of is that on State sector boards this Government has the highest percentage ever. Jan Logie: Point of order Mr Speaker.Mr SPEAKER: Supplementary question—Jan Logie: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Sorry I know it is frustrating. That quote applied specifically to women's representation in Parliament and I am not sure—Mr SPEAKER: Order! No again the question started with "What is the Minister planning to do" and her answer definitely addressed the question.Jan Logie: Why is she absent from so many public discussions including just this weekend on The Nation with Dr Jackie Blue on issues that are critical for women like representation violence and pay?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: I am proud of our record in Government in terms of achievements like the highest levels of women's participation in the workforce and in leadership like State sector boards. There is a range of work that this Government is doing. I am proud of our record and I am proud of the work that I am doing as the Minister for Women."
10. Biosecurity Management—Government Industry Agreement Biosecurity PartnershipsIAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei) to the Minister for Primary IndustriesBiosecurity Management—Government Industry Agreement Biosecurity Partnerships10. IAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei) to the Minister for Primary Industries: How many industry groups have now signed up to a Government Industry Agreement (GIA) biosecurity partnership?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): Yesterday in Parliament Vegetables New Zealand became the 12th industry partner to join the Government Industry Agreement biosecurity partnership. The group represents over 900 growers who produce over 50 crops with a farm-gate value of $390 million per annum. This agreement means that this industry now has a seat around the table with the Ministry for Primary Industries and other groups on managing and responding to biosecurity risks.Ian McKelvie: Why are GIA biosecurity partnerships so important?Hon NATHAN GUY: Biosecurity funding is now at a record high of $223 million; however we will always be at some risk from unwanted pests and diseases. Having a GIA allows those industries with a direct stake in biosecurity to be involved in decision making and overall funding. This will help with prioritising resources to where they are most needed both to prevent incursions and to eradicate and manage them if one does occur.
9. Police Resourcing—Numbers and Crime RatesSTUART NASH (Labour—Napier) to the Minister of PolicePolice Resourcing—Numbers and Crime Rates9. STUART NASH (Labour—Napier) to the Minister of Police: Does she agree with Detective Senior Sergeant Blair Burnett that more staff is the only way to combat the growing crime rate?Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police): For a start Mr Burnett is no longer a detective senior sergeant. He left the Police and he is now apparently a real estate agent. But I would say that clearly more—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order!Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I am just trying to be accurate because clearly the member is not. Clearly having more police is one way in which to combat crime but it is certainly not the only way. In fact it is what you do with police that makes a real difference and that is one of the reasons that New Zealand has recently been noted by the Global Peace Index as the fourth-safest country in the world.Stuart Nash: Is the reason that burglaries rose by 17.8 percent in the last year because of more widespread use of drugs" as the Prime Minister stated last week or does she stand by her own statements that drug use is going down?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: It depends on which drugs we are talking about but I think the Prime Minister is always right and occasionally I have been too.Stuart Nash: Does she agree with the Prime Minister that technology such as iPads is "a far better investment" than more police on the beat?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I think the member has taken the Prime Minister's comments completely out of context given that he has used only a couple of the words of the Prime Minister's and then inserted them into his own allegation and statement. Actually I believe the Prime Minister was absolutely correct when he noted that we have provided to police the technological assistance to help them be more efficient and effective. But clearly more police is something that does help.Stuart Nash: Does she agree with both the current and former Police Association presidents and police themselves that we need more police; and if not why does she think she knows more about policing than the police?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I think that the Prime Minister and I have made it clear on numerous occasions that going into the future we are going to need to address the issue of police numbers. We have made that very plain.Stuart Nash: Does she think that perhaps detective senior sergeant Blair Burnett left the Police because over 55 percent of police themselves report that they have undue work stress in their jobs?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I cannot tell the member why Mr Burnett might have left the Police but certainly I know that police have always left the force. The attrition rate at the moment is around about 3-and-a-bit percent which is a very low attrition rate. It is about the same as Labour MPs."
7. Health Services—Colonoscopies and Bowel ScreeningMARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney) to the Minister of HealthHealth Services—Colonoscopies and Bowel Screening7. MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney) to the Minister of Health: Can he confirm that 3850 patients received a colonoscopy in August 2016 – an increase of 45 percent compared with 2649 colonoscopies carried out in July 2013?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Health): Excellent question. Yes. This is the result of the extra $15 million that the Government has invested since 2013 to deliver more colonoscopies and reduce colonoscopy waiting times. That has resulted in a 65 percent decrease in the number of patients waiting longer than recommended for a colonoscopy and 92 percent of urgent cases were carried out within 14 days compared with only 51 percent back in July 2013.Chris Bishop: What progress is being made with the roll-out of a national bowel-screening programme? [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! No. Order! I cannot hear the question. It will be asked again with less interjection from my left.Chris Bishop: What progress is being made with the roll-out of a national bowel-screening programme?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: The national bowel-screening programme remains on track for roll-out next year starting with the Hutt Valley District Health Board (DHB) as well as the Wairarapa DHB. It is expected that there will then be a progressive roll-out across the country in 6-month blocks over 2018 and 2019 in line with international best practice. Once implemented it is expected to screen over 700000 New Zealanders every 2 years with about 700 cancers expected to be detected each year during those early screening rounds. Hon Members: Who's next?Hon Annette King: Supplementary question. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: The member knew who was next.Hon Annette King: It is a late bid. Does the $39.3 million over 4 years that he has allocated to the national bowel-screening programme include funding for treatment of patients; if not why not? Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: No because it is funding for a screening programme. I would point out that it is $39.3 million more than the Labour Party ever allocated. It talked about a programme but never did anything. It just sent 700 people to Australia for cancer treatment instead.Hon Annette King: I seek leave to table a press release from 2007 in the name of David Cunliffe announcing the bowel-screening programme which was then put on hold until last year.Mr SPEAKER: Now that the member has so adequately described it members will be able to find it if they find it interesting. I will not put the leave.
6. Mt Eden Corrections Facility—Fight ClubsKELVIN DAVIS (Labour—Te Tai Tokerau) to the Minister of CorrectionsMt Eden Corrections Facility—Fight Clubs6. KELVIN DAVIS (Labour—Te Tai Tokerau) to the Minister of Corrections: Does she stand by her statement that her department's behaviour regarding their handling of reports into fight clubs at Mt Eden prison was disturbing and secretive"?Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Corrections): The member is wrong; I did not say that. What I did say was "Work is going on to make sure that there is not a continuation of secrecy around issues that should not be secret." and I absolutely stand by that.Kelvin Davis: When was she or former Ministers Tolley or Lotu-Iiga first made aware formally or informally of the existence of the report of the 2014 special monitor's investigation into allegations of fight clubs at Mt Eden?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I cannot speak for other Ministers but I can certainly say it was around the time of earlier this year that I found out about it which is all detailed in the report.Kelvin Davis: Can she guarantee that Serco is not understaffing units at Auckland South Corrections Facility by rostering on guards who are on leave or have quit as it was at Mt Eden Corrections Facility; if not why not?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I understand that the member has made numerous allegations to the Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections and these matters are being investigated. His complaints which apparently he has held for some months are being investigated by the inspectorate. I would also say that corrections officers do not like being called "guards". They are corrections officers and they deserve to be given the correct title.Kelvin Davis: Why does she believe there is a disturbing and secretive culture at the Department of Corrections?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I think the member may have missed my answer to the first question. I did not say that. I seek leave to table an email from Radio New Zealand confirming that what I said was "Work is going on to make sure that there is not a continuation of secrecy around issues that should not be secret."Mr SPEAKER: Can I just clarify whether it is a transcript or an email from Radio New Zealand.Hon JUDITH COLLINS: It is an email.Mr SPEAKER: It is an email. On that basis—[Interruption] Order! I will put the leave and members can determine. Leave is sought to table that particular email from Radio New Zealand. Is there any objection to it being tabled? There is objection."
5. Child Protection—Information-sharing FrameworkMAUREEN PUGH (National) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentChild Protection—Information-sharing Framework5. MAUREEN PUGH (National) to the Minister for Social Development: What recent announcements has she made regarding information sharing and the care and protection of vulnerable children and young people?Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Social Development): Last week along with the Minister of Justice Amy Adams I announced that a bespoke information-sharing framework is to be established as part of the radical overhaul of care and protection. New legislation will be introduced to Parliament to promote the safety and well-being of vulnerable children and young people which will enable information to flow between those who need to know. This will support the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children Oranga Tamariki to take early preventative action rather than simply to respond to a crisis once a child has been harmed.Maureen Pugh: How will this new framework improve the current legal settings?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: The expert advisory panel noted that New Zealand is one of the few jurisdictions that do not have a bespoke information-sharing provision for children at risk. The new framework will ensure that the new ministry will have the power to require information from other agencies organisations and individuals when performing statutory investigations or responses to reports of concern. At the same time the new framework will provide certainty to professionals that they will not face criminal civil or disciplinary proceedings if they share that information in good faith.Maureen Pugh: How will the new information-sharing framework help to protect and support vulnerable children at risk?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: Too often in cases of child neglect and abuse we find out too late that a whole range of different agencies and individuals had information that alone may not have raised concerns but that when brought together showed that the child was at risk and the system of care could have been much better for that child. This new framework will form part of the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children Oranga Tamariki and of the Government's commitment to creating a child-centred care and protection system that improves the outcomes for vulnerable children young people and their families.
4. Inequality Economic—Measurement and RatesGRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) to the Minister of FinanceInequality Economic—Measurement and Rates4. GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement there is no evidence that inequality in New Zealand is increasing"; if so how can he continue to argue that when Statistics New Zealand data shows the cost of living for the poorest groups and superannuitants has risen almost twice as fast as for richer households since 2008?Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance): As I said in the answer to the same question in June and July yes. In answer to the second part of the member's question it shows he fundamentally does not understand how inequality is measured because the inequality measures are income measures and the data published yesterday is about expenditure. Of course if your expenditure is going up inequality is not rising if your income is going up as well. The cost of living for superannuitants went up but so did their income. In fact their income went up faster than their cost of living. That is why inequality is not increasing.Grant Robertson: In light of that answer can the Minister of Finance confirm that since 2008 incomes for beneficiaries in real terms have fallen by 4 percent?Hon BILL ENGLISH: No. I think the person who did those numbers for the member was the same one who did the numbers for his job scheme which was—actually I think it was probably him. He probably did both of them himself. All the measures of inequality show that income inequality in New Zealand is about the same now as it has been for the last decade or so. Actually this year households on a benefit with children had a $25 a week increase well above consumer price inflation for the first time in 42 years.Grant Robertson: Can he confirm that Statistics New Zealand earlier this year said that wealth inequality in New Zealand has grown by their data set that showed that the top 10 percent of New Zealanders now have 60 percent of the wealth up from 55 percent?Hon BILL ENGLISH: I think I can confirm they said that. There was some debate over whether that was a correct assessment of what was going on but it is not surprising that in a phase where you had inflation of asset prices driven by very low interest rates around the world some wealth went up. Of course the question now is what is going to happen when interest rates start rising. What is likely to happen is those asset prices will flatten out and maybe drop and of course the member like me should be pleased about that.Grant Robertson: In light of that answer can the Minister confirm that wealth inequality in New Zealand has grown on his watch?Hon BILL ENGLISH: No."
3. Jobs—ReportsALFRED NGARO (National) to the Minister of FinanceJobs—Reports3. ALFRED NGARO (National) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on job prospects in the New Zealand economy?Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance): Job prospects in the New Zealand economy are so positive that almost any report—in fact every report—I have read lately indicates that. For instance the Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion of the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) the ANZ Business Outlook and Statistics New Zealand's labour market statistics show that the job numbers are growing and expected to keep growing. NZIER reported last month that companies' hiring intentions have been at their highest level in this survey since 1973. The ANZ reports that 21 percent of businesses expect to take on more staff in the next 12 months.Alfred Ngaro: What is driving the increase in job numbers and hiring intentions?Hon BILL ENGLISH: At the highest level businesses are confident that if they take the risk of employing another person and creating a new job that is likely to work out well for their business. They have confidence in the direction of the economy. The Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion showed a strong expansion of business activity in the September quarter and a lift in confidence in the construction and tourism industries both of which are job-rich industries. This is backed up by other indicators such as household spending and consumer confidence which points to continuing growth.Alfred Ngaro: What is the Government doing to increase employment opportunities for New Zealanders?Hon BILL ENGLISH: Ultimately it is the businesses that provide the employment opportunities but the Government make rules for and funds a number of the pathways particularly for younger New Zealanders to those employment opportunities. As the Prime Minister has mentioned we have announced today a new target of 50000 people to be in apprenticeships by 2020—up from the 42000 that we currently have. This is part of a wide range of pathways that have been vastly improved for young people including trades academies the Youth Guarantee the Youth Service and trade training programmes for Māori and Pasifika. There is now such a wide array of programmes that have been well constructed. It is really a matter of getting the young people on to those pathways and supervising them until they get to work.Alfred Ngaro: What other proposals has he seen about employment?Hon BILL ENGLISH: I have seen proposals for creating work for young people at a time when the unemployment rate has dropped below 5 percent which means that there are significant numbers of jobs out there. Already it is a matter of getting young people on a path that allows them to take those opportunities. As my colleague the Hon Steven Joyce has helpfully pointed out this particular proposal shows a complete lack of understanding of the positive nature of our job market.
1. Saudi Agri-hub—Funding TransparencyJAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime MinisterORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSSaudi Agri-hub—Funding Transparency1. JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his answers to Oral Question No. 4 in the House yesterday?Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): Yes.James Shaw: Does he stand by his suggestion to me yesterday that New Zealanders should not be concerned about funding for Mr Al Khalaf's secret agri-hub in the desert because they are also kept in the dark about money spent in the security intelligence area?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Not the way the member phrases it but I stand by what I said in the House yesterday—yes.James Shaw: Well can he explain further in what ways Mr Al Khalaf's showcase of New Zealand business and innovation is comparable with the New Zealand security and intelligence area?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I was simply drawing an analogy that says that we do not always go into every component part but as the Auditor-General said yesterday The arrangements entered into were a lawful use of public resources and public money was spent with appropriate financial authorities in place."James Shaw: Does he stand by his statement that he agrees with all of the findings in the Auditor-General's report including the finding that the Cabinet paper of February 2013 was drafted by Minister McCully and his office without consulting his ministry or officials?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I stand by all the findings by the Auditor-General yes.James Shaw: How many other instances is he aware of when a Cabinet paper has been drafted by the Minister and their office without input from the relevant ministry?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I do not have that information with me.James Shaw: Does he believe that Minister McCully's behaviour was ethical?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Absolutely and I think so does the Auditor-General who shot down in flames the arguments put up by that member that there was something untoward.James Shaw: Would the Prime Minister hire an accountant who had "significant shortcomings" and who used creative solutions even though they were not legally corrupt? [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: As far as—[Interruption] Order! I cannot see any prime ministerial responsibility for that question."
Dyson RuthHon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills): Can I say what a pleasure it is to have brought a bill to the House tonight—particularly tonight—on something that has united every member of Parliament particularly after the division that we have seen in politics elsewhere.I want to acknowledge the Retirement Village Residents Association of New Zealand for the support for this bill that it has given on behalf of all residents throughout the country. I want to also acknowledge the Retirement Villages Association of New Zealand the body that represents the owners of the villages which has also given it 100 percent support. I want to acknowledge the support of Grey Power the advocacy organisation that is often in our ear about very important matters and I hope they stay that way for a long time. I just want to finally acknowledge members of the House who have indicated their support.I have confidence that the Local Government and Environment Committee will listen to submissions made on this bill. It knows that the Retirement Villages Association has already prepared the operationalisation of this because it has been sent to every member. So when members queried how that would operate I assumed that they were saying it in a rhetorical way because they would have read their correspondence I am sure. I look forward to hearing the progress of the deliberations of the Local Government and Environment Committee. I am sure it will find improvements—you can always improve a bill—but I am glad that it has the principled support for this legislation and I look forward to it coming back to the House for further progress. Thank you.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Local Government and Environment Committee.The House adjourned at 9.51 p.m.
Rates Rebate (Retirement Village Residents) Amendment Bill — First Reading
Coates BarryBARRY COATES (Green): I will take a short call in the interests of time this evening. As my colleague from the Green Party said we support this bill and congratulations to the Hon Ruth Dyson on her work in preparing the bill and getting it this far. We are very cognisant of the fact that 60 percent of older citizens are dependent on New Zealand Superannuation for 70 percent or more of their income and are in a vulnerable situation. Although most senior citizens own their own homes there is a sizable and growing number of senior citizens who do not. Māori and Pasifika are overrepresented within that group. With the housing crisis and speculative bubble in housing the number of senior citizens who will not own their own homes is due to grow significantly. The situation is being made worse by the sell-off of State housing and social housing and we note that 9 percent of those on the waiting list for social housing are senior citizens. Homeownership is at its lowest level in 64 years and as we have recently heard senior citizens have been hit hard as shown in the latest Statistics New Zealand report.We think that this measure will help those who should be qualifying for rates rebate but currently are not. We support this bill. Thank you.
Hayes JoanneJOANNE HAYES (National): I rise to take a brief call on the Rates Rebate (Retirement Village Residents) Amendment Bill. I too want to congratulate the Hon Ruth Dyson on having this bill drawn out of the ballot—out of the biscuit tin as they say. I think that it has some real opportunities there for those who are in retirement villages and have the right to occupy their village homes. In the east there are a number of retirement villages and this particular issue has been brought to my attention on a number of occasions so I am pleased to see that the bill is here in the House. I look forward to it coming to the select committee. I think there is a lot more detail that needs to go into the bill around how the scheme is going to be administered with the retirement village owners and the local authorities. Everybody needs to have their say on how this bill will be implemented in the future. We have heard what the bill's aim is and we also have heard that the Government supports moving this bill into the select committee. The Minister of Local Government also said that there had been issues around the rates rebates for people in retirement villages and went on to explain which we have heard here in the House tonight just how that all works out with the operators of these retirement villages. So really without any further ado I look forward to the bill coming to the select committee. I look forward to hearing the submissions and as the previous speaker Ron Mark said having a positive outcome to what this bill will eventually achieve for those in retirement villages. I commend the bill to the House. Thank you.
Mark RonRON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First): I rise with a couple of things on my mind. Firstly I am very conscious of the time of the evening and the fact that if we can get to a vote then we will make progress for some other lucky person with their member's bill on the Order Paper as well which will be a really good thing. This is a very short bill. The other thing I am very conscious of is that this bill which New Zealand First supports—and we congratulate the Hon Ruth Dyson and her fortune in getting this legislation drawn from the parliamentary members' bills lottery and we can go further than that to congratulate her on the thought that she has put into this particular issue—we know it has been around for a while. We know that there is a simple anomaly.Looking at the bill—it is only one and a half pages—it basically deals with the definition and by doing that makes it possible for some superannuitants to get a little bit of relief on the charges that they are incurring in the premises that they occupy in these retirement villages. We would say this: pretty much everything that needs to be said about the bill has been said so I will not rotary hoe that paddock again. What I will say is why New Zealand First supports initiatives such as this.I think we could not do better than to refer the House to the media release from Statistics New Zealand yesterday which highlights the plight that our elderly people our superannuitants are suffering right now. In the light of the fact that their overall costs have increased 19 percent—when it looked at typical spending patterns—that is more than double the rate of inflation experienced by New Zealand's highest spenders. That is the first paragraph. We also look at the fact that these same people are being hit with a double whammy with a reduced income through reduced interests on their savings and investments if they indeed have any. When we also look at the cuts that have been made to the SuperGold card and the extra fees that have been levied back on them it just seems like there is one thing being piled on top of another for superannuitants at this point in time.We in New Zealand First are not happy with that and this legislation provides some relief and alleviates some pressure for those people who are the New Zealanders who built this nation. They are the people who have contributed to developing this nation and giving us the privilege and the lifestyles that we lead. We do have a debt and a social obligation to those people and this little piece of legislation is one simple way in which we can make a difference to their lives and compensate them rightfully because they are—no matter what the Government members might think—indeed paying an element of rates in the fees that they are paying and we can compensate in some way for that. I will just conclude by saying to the Hon Ruth Dyson well done. We will be supporting you through the select committee. I look forward to reporting back positively at the second reading and advancing to a third.
Whaitiri MekaMEKA WHAITIRI (Labour—Ikaroa-Rāwhiti): Tēnā koe Mr Assistant Speaker. It is my honor to take a very short call on the Rates Rebate (Retirement Village Residents) Amendment Bill—not because I do not support it. I think it is a very good piece of legislation and I want to commend the member the Hon Ruth Dyson but I do not want to go over the points that she raised. Clearly this bill is designed to address an anomaly that was created back in the early 1970s—which she covered—and I guess to ensure as we have a growing aged population in New Zealand that those who choose to live in licence-to-occupy premises are accorded the same rights when it comes to rates rebates. This is a very short piece of legislation. The general policy statement talks about it being a scheme. As I said it was introduced in 1973 with the intention of allowing ratepayers of residential properties who are on low incomes to receive a rebate on their rates. This was before the expansion of retirement villages as earlier indicated and occupation right agreements or ORAs. Residents of retirement villages with ORAs pay rates but in most circumstances they pay indirectly to the retirement village owner rather than directly to the local authority. Under the Rates Rebate Act 1973 these residents are not entitled to a rates rebate and this is like I said the anomaly that this bill is intended to address. The bill like I said is quite a short bill. It has four clauses. Clause 4 is where we get I guess the meat of the sandwich. It basically talks about amending section 2 of the principal Act by replacing the definition of ratepayer" with one that recognises as ratepayers not only those persons defined as ratepayers under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 but also those residents of retirement villages who pay rates directly or indirectly in connection with the occupation right agreements. Clause 4 amends section 2 of the principal Act by providing definitions of terms related to retirement villages that are used in the replacement definition of "ratepayers". The last point is that some councils have recognised the anomaly and have granted retirement village residents a rates remission but unfortunately this is paid out of council ratepayers money. We believe this money should actually come from central government. I am looking forward to this bill coming to the very hard-working Committee of which I am a member—well chaired. Now that we have got a bit of a gap in our work with the  I know that we have some spare time to give this bill the due consideration it definitely deserves. I commend the member Ruth Dyson again and again Labour supports this bill. Kia ora."
Faafoi Kris; Mallard TrevorSITTINGS OF THE HOUSEKRIS FAAFOI (Labour—Mana): I seek leave for the House to rise at the conclusion of the debate on the Rates Rebate (Retirement Village Residents) Amendment Bill.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): I just want to make it absolutely clear that the member is not suggesting that we work overtime if we have not completed it.Kris Faafoi: That is correct.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Right so the member is seeking leave that the House if it completes the next item of business before 10 o'clock rises. Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none.
Salesa JennyJENNY SALESA (Labour—Manukau East): I welcome this bill on behalf of my colleague Chris Hipkins. This bill would abolish the charter school model in New Zealand. Charter schools are a blight on our educational system they bring nothing to the table and they should not be something that we would continue. Labour has been clear: when we are in Government we will repeal the charter school model. Charter schools undermine teacher quality and they threaten student safety by permitting unregistered and unqualified teachers to teach our children. Our parents and the public deserve the right to expect their children to be taught by teachers who have undergone rigorous professional training and a robust registration process. Charter schools therefore should be abolished entirely. Charter schools are an ideological experiment that was cooked up by the Prime Minister John Key and the ACT Party during the election campaign of 2011. Labour has been very clear right from the beginning that we will get rid of them. Charter schools as of October 2015 had a total of only 680 students in nine charter schools across New Zealand. That is an average of 76 students per schools. Charter schools however get funding that is up to five times more than the funding that State schools receive. They also get a guaranteed minimum roll which means that they keep getting money even if students do not enrol. In terms of student achievement charter schools' student achievement varies considerably to the point that one of the charter schools as we know in Whangaruru up north has been closed. Charter schools have been a failed model. They are a failed model from overseas and we see here in Aotearoa New Zealand that they have also failed here to the point that we have actually closed a school down. There is a lack of accountability at charter schools but they get bonus payments. In addition to the very generous base funding that they get in 2015 four out of the five charter schools received bonuses of over $60000 despite only one of them meeting all of their contractual obligations. This is something as I say that Labour will abolish. Charter schools are a thing of the past. Thank you very much.
Mallard TrevorEDUCATION (CHARTER SCHOOLS ABOLITION) AMENDMENT BILLFirst ReadingDebate resumed from 19 October.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): When we were last discussing this bill Stuart Smith had the call and he has 4 minutes and 45 seconds remaining.
Compensation for Live Organ Donors Bill — In Committee
Sepuloni Carmel; Tisch LindsayCOMPENSATION FOR LIVE ORGAN DONORS BILLIn CommitteeCARMEL SEPULONI (Junior Whip—Labour): I seek leave for all provisions of this bill to be taken as one debate.The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): Leave is sought for that provision. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Papawai and Kaikokirikiri Trusts Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Visitors — Kiribati—Ministerial Delegation
Carter DavidWEDNESDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2016Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.VISITORSKiribati—Delegation MinisterialMr SPEAKER: Honourable members I am sure that members would wish to welcome a ministerial delegation from Kiribati present in the gallery.
Wednesday 2 November 2016 (continued on Thursday 3 November 2016) - Volume 718
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Amendment Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 104New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 31; New Zealand First 12; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 16Green Party 14; Māori Party 2.Bill read a third time.
Wildlife (Powers) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Geographical Indications (Wine and Spirits) Registration Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Dyson Ruth; Mallard TrevorSTATUTES AMENDMENT BILLIn CommitteeHon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills): I seek leave for all provisions to be taken as one question for the purposes of debate and then voting.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): I am sure there is no objection to that. There is no objection. That will be the process.
Dowie SarahSARAH DOWIE (National—Invercargill): It is an absolute pleasure to rise in support of the Wildlife (Powers) Amendment Bill in its second reading and in support of the Department of Conservation (DOC) which is one of the most popular Government departments in New Zealand. It has a very wide-ranging brief and it executes those functions exceptionally well. It has dedicated staff on the front line and in its back rooms going in to bat for our wildlife and for conservation efforts and it should be commended for that.As such I commend the Minister the Hon Maggie Barry for introducing this bill which is well overdue—it is now 60 years that the Wildlife Act has been in existence and it requires updating to give our wonderful rangers full-time DOC rangers and full-time Fish and Game rangers enforcement powers that are modernised and that are balanced with respect to individuals' civil liberties but that are necessary to protect our wildlife.Obviously New Zealand is synonymous with its wildlife with its parks and with the nature of recreation in New Zealand and one of the beauties of that is that New Zealanders can go into the bush we can enjoy nature and we can get to witness interactions or interact with wildlife in situ. Unfortunately as my colleagues have mentioned some of those species are very highly valuable on the black market so we need to protect our ecosystems and make sure that those species are there for the enjoyment of all people. Notwithstanding that of course with New Zealand being synonymous with nature our tourism industry is built on that—over 3 million visitors to New Zealand in 2015 and most of them visiting our national parks and wonderful spaces which hold some of these wonderful rare wildlife. And let us face it: New Zealand holds about two-thirds of the world's biodiversity so we need to protect that and we need to give our rangers the powers to be able to seize evidence and arrest people whom they reasonably suspect of committing an offence by taking these wonderful species.So I am very pleased that this legislation has been brought to the House. It was a robust select committee process and I am pleased to be supporting the Department of Conservation in these efforts to give it powers that are modernised in order to help protect our wildlife. So I support this bill.
Tisch LindsayGEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS (WINE AND SPIRITS) REGISTRATION AMENDMENT BILLSecond ReadingDebate resumed from 12 October.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Members when we were last debating the second reading of the Geographical Indications (Wine and Spirits) Registration Amendment Bill Stuart Smith had the call and has 7 minutes remaining should he wish. Are there any further speakers?