edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Business of the House 
Business of the House 
[Volume:659;Page:8587] 
Wednesday 16 December 2009 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Business of the House 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 I seek leave for there to be no general debate today and for the House to sit beyond 6 p.m. in order to conclude business as agreed by the Business Committee. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.
Upston Louise: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Upston Louise: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:659;Page:8616] 
LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupo) 
: 
 I stand in support of the third reading of the Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill in the name of the Minister for Tertiary Education. If I might say so she is a hard-working Minister who is relentlessly committed to educational excellence. 
I believe that the children are our future. We need to teach them well and let them lead the way. We need to show them all the beauty they possess inside and give them a sense of pride to make it easier. Our young people deserve the best education possible. This bill will ensure better governance of polytechnics. It will ensure that our young people receive higher-quality education. This bill is about students and it is about what they deserve. 
Polytechnics are extremely important to all of our local communities as well as to our national economy. We need strong institutions that are financially sound as well as responsive to the needs of their communities and their local economies—institutions that meet changing needs. This bill proposes that the membership of polytechnic councils be reduced in size from 20 to eight members. Submitters told us that they agreed that the number on councils was too high; they agreed that they wanted flexibility. That is what this bill delivers. Four members will be appointed by the Minister and four by the councils themselves. The Government will not dictate to the council how those four members are made up; the individual councils will have that choice. That allows them to choose what suits them best. 
This bill is yet another fine piece of legislation that has been passed by the National-led Government led by the fine Prime Minister John Key. Goodness I have lost count of how many bills we have passed this year! There have been over 70 bills and they are delivering the promises that we made to New Zealanders. They are delivering a brighter future for all. I commend this bill to the House.
King Colin: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
King Colin: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:659;Page:8610] 
COLIN KING (National—Kaikoura) 
: 
 It is a pleasure to speak to the third reading of the Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill. In doing so I say that good governance is the most basic of needs for a successful polytech sector. No matter how we look at it until now that has been lacking. This bill is an appropriate framework for that good governance model. The absence of good governance has seen many polytechnics lurching and staggering to perform their very basic functions. Good governance is the foundation of building a trusting relationship with others in the tertiary sector like the industry training organisations which are the industry representatives. That relationship too is lacking. 
When we look at it we can see that the Opposition members’ hissy fit is all about the reduced number of representatives on councils—going from 12 and 20 down to eight—but those members have failed to acknowledge the important role that industry training organisations have been meant to play in representing industry. Over the last 9 years of a visionless Labour Government we have observed the development of a totally dysfunctional relationship between the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics of New Zealand and the industry training organisations. It is called the “overlapping provision”. The less-than-optimum relationship has greatly hindered the performance of the skills and trade training sector. This legislation will develop the necessary framework to improve that essential relationship between industry and the industry training organisation sector. That is why we want to see a much stronger working relationship between polytechnics and industry training organisations. This Government recognises the importance of a dynamic and responsive institutes of technology and polytechnics sector and in doing so has implemented a more progressive intervention framework that I am sure we in the House all agree with. 
This intervention process has two new stages: firstly specialist help and secondly performance improvement plans before the existing Crown commissioner intervention. When enacted this bill will ensure positive working partnerships between the Tertiary Education Commission industry training organisations and polytechs. Gone will be the wasteful days when polytechs headed to Wellington asking for more and more money. Gone will be the rorts and the soft courses that did nothing but fund the wasteful appetites of dysfunctional polytechs. Gone will be the days when the Government masked the bailing out of polytechnics with cleverly named reinvestment funds to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. 
This bill is the architect of a first-class polytechnic system that will work in tandem with industry and the needs of its students. This bill is urgently required for good governance but equally as important for a first-class tertiary education system which this country needs going into the future. On that basis I commend this bill to the House.
Peachey Allan: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Peachey Allan: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:659;Page:8603] 
ALLAN PEACHEY (National—Tamaki) 
: 
 I would like to take a moment in the short time that is available to me to thank the officials who serviced the Education and Science Committee and who on many occasion were required to work under considerable pressure as indeed were the committee members themselves. It became very apparent early on that there was a sharp division between the Opposition parties—Labour and the Greens—and National and ACT about the nature of representation. But I am gratified to be able to report to the House that all members engaged in a constructive and positive manner and I believe that the submitters who were heard by the committee were given fair and considered consideration and were treated with respect. I thank all members of the committee on both sides of the House for that. 
I want to make a couple of comments about the division that exists between the two sides of the House. Labour members have in their work in the committee—and fair enough—and in their speeches during the Committee stage yesterday made a lot of the point of representation. It seems to me that the critical issue concerns what is more important: whether it is the structure of representation or the quality of the learning opportunities that exist for students in the polytechs. What this bill attempts to do is restructure the system of governance to make it more responsive to the needs of students in the lecture rooms the workshops the laboratories and that sort of thing. The big work is yet to be done and that is the appointment to councils of top-quality people who will be able to give the polytech sector the standard of governance it will require if it is to move forward. Thank you.
King Colin: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
King Colin: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:659;Page:8599] 
12.  
COLIN KING (National—Kaikoura) 
 to the  
Minister of Agriculture 
: What steps has the Government recently made to progress agricultural greenhouse gas research? 
Hon DAVID CARTER (Minister of Agriculture) 
: 
 We have taken big steps. For several months I and Tim Groser have been working extremely hard to build international support for the New Zealand concept of a global alliance on agricultural greenhouse gases. This work will come to fruition overnight in Copenhagen where a significant number of developing and developed nations will join New Zealand to formally establish the alliance. In addition New Zealand will announce a major funding contribution equalling tens of millions of dollars to the alliance. 
Colin King 
: Why is the Government contributing unprecedented funding and effort to the global alliance? 
Hon DAVID CARTER 
: The global alliance stands to be the biggest single effort that the world has ever seen aimed at practically addressing the challenge of reducing farming emissions while ensuring that food production meets the demands of a growing world population. The Government proposed the alliance and is supporting it strongly because we are committed to ensuring that farmers have practical and realistic solutions to reduce their emissions. 
Hon Damien O’Connor 
: Will this new agreement commit the dairy industry to a 25 percent cut in emissions by 2020 as the United States has just announced; if not why not? 
Hon DAVID CARTER 
: It will not specifically do so; the alliance will allow scientists from all around the world to find solutions by which not only the dairy industry but all farmers can look to reduce emissions while not reducing production.
Parker David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Parker David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:659;Page:8598] 
11.  
Hon DAVID PARKER (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Energy and Resources 
: Has he received my invitation dated 14 December to accompany me after Parliament rises on the Gillespie Pass tramping circuit in the north-eastern parts of the Mount Aspiring National Park so that he can inspect firsthand areas in the conservation estate included in his stocktake of mineral resources and will he accept it? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister of Energy and Resources) 
: 
 I have received that invitation and I say to the member that I think the itinerary that he has put together for he and I to traipse through the backblocks of New Zealand is truly splendid. So on the one hand I am deeply touched that the member wants to spend so much quality time in the high country alone with me but on the other hand I notice that all I am required to do is bring a pair of boots. I have seen that film  
Brokeback Mountain 
 
so I am afraid that I will remain unavailable. 
Hon David Parker 
: Will the Minister reconsider if I offer to carry his pack? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: Given the circumstances not even if hell freezes over. 
Hon David Parker 
: Why will the Minister not accept my altruistic offer made in the spirit of Christmas goodwill and once and for all throw off that epithet of “Minister of Stationary Energy”? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: Not even will the spirit of Christmas cause me to make such a fundamental life-change. I will assure the member that I appreciate the sentiment—well actually I do not appreciate all of the sentiment behind the invitation but I understand what he is trying to say and I will be spending time over the Christmas break enjoying some of New Zealand’s more pristine areas. Unfortunately he will not be accompanying me. 
Hon Christopher Finlayson 
: Does the Minister expect to receive any other invitations from members of the Opposition? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: Yes I do. I live in great hope that I will receive an invitation from the Hon David Cunliffe the man of the people to enjoy champagne and oysters at his Herne Bay residence where I understand the theme of the function will be “My Future; Your Best Interests.” Further I expect to receive a tramping invitation from the Hon Shane Jones to tramp up and down Queen Street and drop into McDonald’s where we will have lunch with Parekura Horomia. I also anticipate an invitation from the Hon Phil Goff but I understand that it will be a “Bring Your Own Vote” party and that not many will be going. Despite these exhortations and despite the desire of Opposition members for me to join them in these ventures I want to make it very clear that regardless of their needs I am not jumping the waka. 
Hon Parekura Horomia 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I would not like Mr Brownlee to go away ill-informed. It was Burger King not McDonald’s. 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: I hope that my slip of the tongue has not destroyed Mr Horomia’s sponsorship deal.
Quinn Paul: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Quinn Paul: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:659;Page:8595] 
PAUL QUINN (National) 
: 
 Mr Speaker―[ 
Interruption 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I apologise to the honourable member. I accept that this is the last sitting day and there is a bit of noise but I ask members to be reasonable. Members complained when―[ 
Interruption 
] I am on my feet and I expect some silence. Front-bench members complained when there was noise from the back of the House; now they are making an awful lot of noise across the House. I ask them to now show some respect to the back of the House.
Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:659;Page:8597] 
9.  
DARIEN FENTON (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister for ACC 
: What is the basis for the changes in the treatment of using holiday pay towards the costs of being injured at work in the Injury Prevention Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment Bill? 
Hon PANSY WONG (Acting Minister for ACC) 
: 
 This is a reinstatement of policy back to the pre-2008 position. It is consistent with the way other Government agencies such as the Inland Revenue Department and Work and Income treat annual leave as income for the purposes of income tax and a calculation of benefit entitlement. 
Darien Fenton 
: Why did the Minister ignore the advice from Treasury which opposed these changes on the basis that they would save just $1 million and that the savings were small compared to the fairness concerns? 
Hon PANSY WONG 
: The member said that it was a saving of only $1 million. That is typical of Labour’s loose attitude towards spending taxpayers’ money. It explains why the net liabilities of the Accident Compensation Corporation have soared from $4 billion to $12.7 billion and claim costs rose by 57 percent in 4 years under the previous Labour Government’s watch. 
Darien Fenton 
: How will the Minister justify to injured workers and their families the plan to take their holiday pay or is the Minister being a scrooge and are these changes to accident compensation just the beginning of the National Government’s plan to reduce holidays for everyone? 
Hon PANSY WONG 
: There is no such plan. That member sits on the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee which is right now considering the bill. I think she has plenty of opportunity to debate the issue there. 
Darien Fenton 
: If the Minister were injured during the summer adjournment would he expect the accident compensation scheme to demand that he use his holiday pay to recover? 
Hon PANSY WONG 
: I am pleased the Associate Minister has the delegated authority for injury prevention; she will try very hard for New Zealanders to have a safe summer holiday break. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I am sorry; I half expected one of my colleagues to take the point of order. There was a direct question about the use of holiday pay for accident compensation and the response related to the delegated authority for injury prevention. There was no link between the question and the answer. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: If the question had been an objective question that asked purely about the use of holiday pay in the event of injury I would have been able to assist the member much more. But the question was a hypothetical question about the Minister for ACC getting injured. Under such circumstances I do not think I can expect any particular answer of the Minister answering the question. We need more objective questions. [ 
Interruption 
] I am on my feet.
Brownlee Gerry: Business of the House 
Brownlee Gerry: Business of the House 
[Volume:659;Page:8587] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 I seek leave for there to be no general debate today and for the House to sit beyond 6 p.m. in order to conclude business as agreed by the Business Committee. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.
Foss Craig: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Foss Craig: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:659;Page:8589] 
2.  
CRAIG FOSS (National—Tukituki) 
 to the  
Minister of Finance 
: What steps has the Government taken to manage the economy in 2009? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 The Government inherited an economy in bad shape because it had been so badly managed. The Government has had to deal with the fall-out of many families losing their jobs and finding themselves on low incomes on benefits set by the previous Government. That is why the Government has invested in long-term infrastructure tax assistance for small businesses a large-scale home insulation programme and cutting red tape so that businesses can make positive decisions to employ and invest. 
Craig Foss 
: What has been the effect of the Government’s initiatives? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: The effect of the Government’s initiatives has been to protect thousands of New Zealanders from the sharpest edges of the recession. We have at the same time laid down the platform for lifting our economic performance because all those people who have lost their jobs because the New Zealand economy was mismanaged will not get them back until a business decides to employ them. 
Craig Foss 
: What expressions of support has the Government received for its sensible economic management? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: There have been many but there is one that I would like to quote: “We must insist on value for money from the public sector. The state must play its part in stewarding limited budgets and targeting resources to those who need them most.” That was the one useful thing that the Opposition’s finance spokesman said all year.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8543] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That clause 2 be agreed to. 
Ayes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Clause 2 agreed to.
Brownlee Gerry: Sittings of the House 
Brownlee Gerry: Sittings of the House 
[Volume:659;Page:8584] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 Mr Deputy Speaker we are about 1½ minutes away from the time when you would normally leave the Chair. The House has made a lot of progress today. I seek leave for the House to rise at this earlier point. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is not.
Vote: Electricity Industry Bill — First Reading 
Vote: Electricity Industry Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:659;Page:8584] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Electricity Industry Bill be now read a first time. 
Ayes 68 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; Maori Party 4; United Future 1. 
Noes 53 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Progressive 1. 
Bill read a first time. 
Bill referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee.
Gilmore Aaron: Electricity Industry Bill — First Reading 
Gilmore Aaron: Electricity Industry Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:659;Page:8584] 
AARON GILMORE (National) 
: 
 In the short time available to me I say that Lianne Dalziel was the Minister of Commerce under the previous Labour Government which oversaw a 72 percent rise in electricity prices over about 8½ years. It makes one wonder why the price rises were not even higher during that period of time given the lack of understanding in what was just said. That lack of understanding of the energy sector seems to occur amongst members on that side of the House. 
I am honoured to be part of a Government that understands what the problem is and that has some of the solutions that exist to deal with the problem in the electricity sector. I think that some of the initiatives in the Electricity Industry Bill will work quite well. They include the asset swaps and the ability to bring into place a little more increased competition because it has been proven that about $100 worth of advantage exists for customers swapping from one retailer to another. I think that is a good thing. The ability for that to happen will be a wonderful thing and this bill will deliver it. This Minister of Energy and Resources Gerry Brownlee will help to deliver it and I look forward to being part of the Finance and Expenditure Committee that will debate this bill at length. Thank you very much.
Lotu-Iiga Peseta Sam: Electricity Industry Bill — First Reading 
Lotu-Iiga Peseta Sam: Electricity Industry Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:659;Page:8582] 
PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA (National—Maungakiekie) 
: 
 I thank the honourable “Professor of History” across the Chamber for giving us a dissertation on the history of the electricity market in this country. 
I take a short call just to reaffirm my support for the Electricity Industry Bill and to reaffirm the principles of the bill which were not canvassed by the previous speaker Pete Hodgson. Those principles are about increasing competition and constraining future price increases. They are about improving security of supply and ensuring effective and streamlined governance. Many have already referred to those principles but those at home listening at a quarter to 10 this evening may ask why they should believe those characters in that Chamber in Wellington who are going on about that electricity market. So I will introduce a few objective statements. One is from a  
Dominion Post  
editorial: “There are reasons to believe the changes will increase competition”. Well that is funny because members opposite do not believe it. Our colleague Jeanette Fitzsimons has said that the Government’s moves to make the power retail market more competitive are good. 
I support this bill for the reasons that my colleagues have already espoused. We look forward to seeing this bill in the Finance and Expenditure Committee to discuss it in more detail. Thank you.
Bennett David: Electricity Industry Bill — First Reading 
Bennett David: Electricity Industry Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:659;Page:8579] 
DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) 
: 
 I do not want to take too long a call on the Electricity Industry Bill. I think most of its aspects have been canvassed by many of the members who have already spoken. But I think the reality is that all New Zealanders have endured large power increases for many years. Many New Zealanders feel that that is unjustified because they believe that in a country with such a renewable energy base they should have security of supply but also not an excessive increase in prices. It was something that many New Zealanders felt and this Government listened to them. It went out there and did a review. It was not a Labour Party kind of review; it was a review that was taken notice of and something was done as a result of it. That is something that the Labour Party would have no concept of anyway. It was a real review and it came out with some real solutions. The Minister of Energy and Resources has taken those solutions on board and made some real decisions. That is what Parliament has been known for in the last year and what National has put its stamp on in this political system. 
This Government is seen as a decision maker that makes real change for the benefit of real New Zealanders. It is not here just to undertake reviews and to resile from achieving any of the results that people want to see happen. This bill is good. I think of the good people of Mighty River Power in Hamilton who work hard to provide the electricity supply for the good people of Auckland. We have the ability to work on this through the bill and to provide lower prices through the restructuring that this bill provides for. Thank you.
Adams Amy: Electricity Industry Bill — First Reading 
Adams Amy: Electricity Industry Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:659;Page:8570] 
AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) 
: 
 Is that not interesting? The National Government introduces a comprehensive electricity industry reform the Electricity Industry Bill and Labour’s response is that everything is fine and we do not need to change anything. 
Let us just recap on the last 9 years under the previous Labour Government when power prices went up by 72 percent― 
Hon Members 
: How much? 
AMY ADAMS 
: ―72 percent—compared with a 28 percent rise in inflation over that time. The Labour Government took $3.1 billion of dividends out of those power companies while prices were skyrocketing―$3.1 billion. What is Labour’s response? It says: “There is nothing to fix. Why are you guys fixing it? It’s fine.” 
The electricity industry is not fine. We have had an excellent technical advisory group looking at it. It has reported to the Minister and Cabinet has come back with a series of recommendations that will focus on three things: security of supply which is fragile and is not reliable; the inadequate inflexible and overburdened governance system; and most important why prices have been going up at such an astronomical rate under the current system. 
For us those three things mean that the system is not fine and that it does need work. So for Mr Hipkins to tell this country that everything is fine and that this Government should not be fixing anything is deluded. The electricity system needs major reform and Minister Brownlee has done the hard work that that member’s party did not do during 9 years in Government. He is now putting in place the steps to ensure the industry can have a secure supply that it can have effective governance and that we will not see future price rises galloping ahead at the rate they did under the Labour Government. 
Let us look at some of the provisions in this bill. In terms of increasing competition which is one of the major factors that will lead to lower increases in electricity prices we will now see retailing by lines companies. Automatically we will see more competition in the sector as the lines companies are allowed back into the market. To complement that the strategic asset swaps between the power companies will mean there is far less regional focus. Meridian for example will not have the monopoly it currently has in the South Island. 
I am a South Island power consumer and we pay huge power bills. I can tell members right now that in the South Island we can choose any company we like as long as it is Meridian. I ask Mr Hipkins what sort of competition that is. It is no competition at all. These asset swaps will seriously address that. Along with getting the governance under control and addressing security of supply this is the first step to a much-improved power sector in New Zealand. I commend the bill to the House.
Bennett Paula: Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill — First Reading 
Bennett Paula: Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:659;Page:8565] 
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) 
 on behalf of the  
Minister of Local Government 
: I move  
That the Auckland Governance Legislation Committee consider the Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill 
 and that the committee report finally to the House on or before 4 May 2010. 
Motion agreed to.
Vote: Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill — First Reading 
Vote: Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:659;Page:8565] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill be read a first time. 
Ayes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Bill read a first time.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8536] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Noes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Amendment not agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Hon Maryan Street to clause 16 be agreed to: 
to omit section 222AA(1) and substitute the following new subsection: 
(1)The council of a designated polytechnic must comprise— 
(a)5 members appointed by a Minister one of whom is the chief executive of the polytechnic: 
(b)6 members elected by council statutes.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8535] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Noes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Amendment not agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Hon Maryan Street to clause 16 be agreed to: 
to omit section 222AA(1) and substitute the following new subsection: 
(1)The council of a designated polytechnic must comprise— 
(a)5 members appointed by a Minister one of whom is a member of the polytechnic’s academic board. 
(b)6 members elected in accordance with council statutes.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8543] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That clause 3 be agreed to. 
Ayes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Clause 3 agreed to. 
Bill reported with amendment.
Tisch Lindsay: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Tisch Lindsay: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8543] 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: I move  
That the report be adopted 
.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8543] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the report be adopted. 
Ayes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Report adopted.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8543] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That clause 1 be agreed to. 
Ayes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Clause 1 agreed to.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8538] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
that the amendments be agreed to. 
Ayes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Amendments agreed to.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8538] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That Part 1 as amended be agreed to. 
Ayes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Part 1 as amended agreed to.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8536] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Noes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Amendment not agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Hon Maryan Street to clause 16 be agreed to: 
to omit section 222AA(1) and substitute the following new subsection: 
(1)The council of a designated polytechnic must comprise— 
(a)5 members appointed by a Minister one of whom is a member nominated by members of the iwi served by the polytechnic: 
(b)6 members elected in accordance with council statutes.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8535] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Noes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Amendment not agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Hon Maryan Street to clause 16 be agreed to: 
to omit section 222AA(1) and substitute the following new subsection: 
(1)The council of a designated polytechnic must comprise— 
(a)5 members appointed by a Minister one of whom is a student member appointed as follows: 
(i)if membership of the polytechnic’s student association is compulsory being a person appointed by the association in accordance with its constitution or rules: 
(ii)if membership of the polytechnic’s students association is not compulsory being a person elected by the students at the institution at an election conducted in accordance with statutes made by the council: 
(b)6 members elevated in accordance with council statutes.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8540] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Amendment agreed to.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8537] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendments be agreed to. 
Ayes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Noes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Amendments not agreed to. 
The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 106 in the name of the Hon Anne Tolley to Part 1 be agreed to.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8537] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Noes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Amendment not agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendments in the name of the Hon Maryan Street to clause 16 be agreed to: 
to omit from new section 222AA(1)(a) “4” and substitute “5”; and 
to omit from new section 222AA(1)(b) “4” and substitute “6”.
Henare Tau: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Henare Tau: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8532] 
Hon TAU HENARE (National) 
: 
 I move  
That the question be now put 
. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Rick Barker) 
: I said before that I think I will take a couple more calls. I hope that they will be solid contributions.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8537] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Noes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Amendment not agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Hon Maryan Street to clause 16 be agreed to: 
to omit section 222AA(1) and substitute the following new subsection: 
(1)The council of a designated polytechnic must comprise— 
(a)5 members appointed by a Minister one of whom is nominated by the Council of Trade Unions: 
(b)6 members elected in accordance with council statutes.
Carter John: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Carter John: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8531] 
Hon JOHN CARTER (Minister of Civil Defence) 
: 
 I move  
That the question be now put 
. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Rick Barker) 
: I am very conscious members that Part 1 is the largest part of this bill and I am prepared to have the debate carry on a little longer as long as members understand that the debate on the second part which is much smaller and more process-oriented will be considerably shorter.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8534] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the question be now put. 
Ayes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Motion agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendments in the name of Te Ururoa Flavell to clause 16 be agreed to: 
to omit section 222AA(1) and substitute the following new section: 
222AAConstitution of polytechnic councils 
(1)The council of a designated polytechnic must comprise— 
(a)3 members appointed by the Minister: 
(b)2 members being members of the polytechnic’s academic board nominated by that board and appointed by the council: 
(c)2 student members— 
(i)if membership of the polytechnic’s student association is compulsory being persons appointed by the association in accordance with its constitution or rules: 
(ii)if membership of the polytechnic’s student association is not compulsory being persons elected by the students at the institution at an election conducted in accordance with statutes made by the council: 
(d)the polytechnic’s chief executive: 
(e)4 members nominated by members of the community served by the polytechnic and appointed by the council. 
to omit section 222AC and substitute the following new section: 
222ACMatters to be considered when appointments made 
(1)A council of a designated polytechnic must— 
(a)include at least 3 Maori members including a member nominated by the polytechnic’s academic board a member appointed by the polytechnic’s students association (or via an election by students) and a member nominated by members of the community (in accordance with section 222AA): 
(b)reflect so far as possible the ethnic and socio-economic diversity of the community it serves. 
(2)The Minister— 
(a)must have regard to subsection (1) when appointing members of the council of a designated polytechnic; and 
(b)must appoint people who have sufficient governance experience to fulfil their individual duties as members of council and the functions duties and responsibilities of the council. 
(3)It is expected that community members who nominate candidates will consult with relevant hapu and iwi.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8536] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Noes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Amendment not agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Hon Maryan Street to clause 16 be agreed to: 
to omit section 222AA(1) and substitute the following new subsection: 
(1)The council of a designated polytechnic must comprise— 
(a)5 members appointed by a Minister one of whom is a member nominated by members of the community served by the polytechnic: 
(b)6 members elected in accordance with council statutes.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8534] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendments be agreed to. 
Ayes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Noes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Amendments not agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Hon Maryan Street to clause 16 be agreed to: 
to omit section 222AA(1) and substitute the following new subsection: 
(1)the council of a designated polytechnic must comprise— 
(a)5 members appointed by a Minister being: 
(i)1 member of the polytechnic’s academic board: 
(ii)1 student member appointed as follows: 
(A)if membership of the polytechnic’s student association is compulsory being a person appointed by the association in accordance with its constitution or rules: 
(B)if membership of the polytechnic’s student association is not compulsory being a person elected by the students at the institution at an election conducted in accordance with statutes made by the council: 
(iii)1 member nominated by members of the community served by the polytechnic: 
(iv)1 member nominated by members of the iwi served by the polytechnic: 
(v)the polytechnic’s chief executive: 
(b)6 members appointed by the council in accordance with its statutes.
Heatley Phil: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Heatley Phil: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8533] 
Hon PHIL HEATLEY (Minister of Fisheries) 
: 
 I move  
That the question be now put 
.
Key John: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Key John: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:659;Page:8507] 
Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) 
: 
 I seek to leave— 
Hon Darren Hughes 
: Seek to leave? Sure. 
Hon JOHN KEY 
: Well I will be leaving pretty soon for Copenhagen but I will try to see if I can— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I suggest that members be quiet— 
Hon JOHN KEY 
: But if you’re going to let me go early— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: —and that the Prime Minister too will resume his seat for the moment please. A point of order was called and members know that they cannot carry on with that sort of noise during a point of order. It is the festive season I know but we need a little decorum. 
Hon JOHN KEY 
: I seek leave to table the Consumer Price Index which shows that for the year to September the rise in accrual rents for housing was 1.1 percent as I said in my answer. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.
Tolley Anne: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Tolley Anne: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8528] 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Tertiary Education) 
: 
 I just want to take a very quick call to answer a few of the questions raised. I want to say that it is amazing—well it is not actually amazing but it is quite typical—that when one listens to the debate from the other side of the Chamber those members have only two answers: either to throw more money at something or to throw personal abuse. That is all they know. 
First of all let us look at the polytech sector which is absolutely critical to tertiary education in this country. The previous Government ran polytechs into the ground. There was $416 million worth of propping up over the last 5 years. So Labour members did not see whether they were effective. They did not check whether they were providing good education for young people and giving them good qualifications. No they did not do any of that. They just chucked more money at the sector and hoped that it would be all right. Well it is not all right. It is not doing the job for our young people especially out in our regions. The Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill in front of us today will change that. 
The member who led off the debate from the Opposition today Maryan Street has to take responsibility as a previous Associate Minister of Tertiary Education for leaving an unfunded commitment of half a billion dollars’ worth of promises in tertiary education. There was no funding for those promises. The previous Government gave this new Government no option but to have another look at how we could fill the gaps and give tertiary education some certainty in funding going forward. That was on top of the $416 million that the previous Government chucked at the sector which was short-term propping-up funding. 
I can understand why the newer members of that caucus do not know that and why they stand up in this Chamber and ask why we are targeting the polytechs. We are targeting the polytechs because their Labour Government rammed them down financially so that they are not viable. Those members talked about representation and a whole lot of people sitting around representing groups but they did not talk about anyone making the hard decisions on behalf of students about making sure they get good qualifications and a good education to counter the amount that they have to borrow in loans. They did not talk about ensuring that they have the opportunities. That is what this bill is all about. That is what this Government is all about and we will make sure that it happens for young people.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8537] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendment be agreed to. 
Ayes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Noes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Amendment not agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Hon Maryan Street to clause 16 be agreed to: 
to omit section 222AA(1) and substitute the following new subsection: 
(1)The council of a designated polytechnic must comprise— 
(a)5 members appointed by a Minister one of whom is a member nominated by members of regional industry: 
(b)6 members elected in accordance with council statutes.
English Bill: Appropriation (2008/09 Financial Review) Bill — First Reading 
English Bill: Appropriation (2008/09 Financial Review) Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:659;Page:8512] 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 Mr Speaker— 
Hon Pete Hodgson 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I notice that there appears to be no mention of inappropriate expenditure for self-drive ministerial vehicles in the bill that is front of us and I wonder whether that means we must wait until next year for the issue to be— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I am at an absolute loss to understand what that point of order was about. I take a pretty dim view of it if it was what I perceive it might have been. We will have no more of that. 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: I move  
That the Appropriation (2008/09 Financial Review) Bill be now read a first time. 
Bill read a first time.
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Vote: Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:659;Page:8540] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That Part 2 as amended be agreed to. 
Ayes 64 
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 43; Green Party 9; Maori Party 4; Progressive 1. 
Part 2 as amended agreed to.
Brownlee Gerry: Offices of Parliament — Appointment of Auditors—Controller and Auditor-General 
Brownlee Gerry: Offices of Parliament — Appointment of Auditors—Controller and Auditor-General 
[Volume:659;Page:8513] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 I move  
That pursuant to section 38(1) of the Public Audit Act 2001 the House appoint CST Nexia as the independent auditor to audit the financial statements accounts and other information of the Office of the Controller and Auditor-General for the financial years ending on 30 June 2010 30 June 2011 and 30 June 2012 commencing with effect on 22 December 2009 
. It has been agreed that this measure is worthy of the House’s passing as it appoints an independent auditor to audit the Government’s own auditor the Office of the Auditor-General as is set out in the motion 
. 
Motion agreed to.