edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
10. Question No. 10—TourismHon TODD McCLAY (National—Rotorua) to the Minister of TourismQuestion No. 10—Tourism10. Hon TODD McCLAY (National—Rotorua) to the Minister of Tourism: Does he stand by all the Government's policies in relation to the tourism industry? Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Minister of Tourism): Yes in the context they were made but the member is aware that times have changed. COVID-19 has had a massive impact on the tourism industry and we need to adapt and change our approach to tourism in response. Hon Todd McClay: Does he agree with the statement of the CEO of Tourism Industry Aotearoa that up to 100000 jobs will be lost in the tourism and accommodation sector and in respect of the wage subsidy That cap of $150000 per employer means you can subsidise no more than 20 jobs. We've got businesses who are looking to lay off 50 100 300 workers at the moment."? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Yes we've said that there will be job losses. What we're doing is making sure we're cushioning the blow for the economy as we respond to the economic impacts of this global pandemic. Yesterday's package and in particular the wage subsidies announcement will go some way to support tourism businesses. We're making sure we're protecting those at risk of losing their jobs by supporting businesses. For those who do lose their jobs we're making sure there is more support available for them and their families. Hon Todd McClay: What specific support is he considering given that thousands of tourism and accommodation businesses are facing many months if not years of little if any income and how will he help these businesses and their workers specifically to survive? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: That question has been answered many times in the House in the last two days—I mean as we've said there are the wage subsidies. Treasury has been directed to work on support for large and complex businesses that need support above the $150000 cap. This would likely be on a case by case basis and we'll have more to announce shortly. We've got to remember that yesterday was the first tranche and there's another tranche coming up—the Minister on my right has announced that—that will be happening around Budget time."
9. Question No. 9—Social DevelopmentPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentQuestion No. 9—Social Development9. PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development: What initiatives is the Ministry of Social Development undertaking as part of the economic package announced yesterday responding to COVID-19? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): As announced yesterday the Government is implementing an employer wage subsidy as well as a COVID-19 leave payment scheme. Both of these initiatives have been administered and implemented by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) with support from the Inland Revenue Department. We also announced the lift of main benefits by $25 per week and the doubling of the winter energy payment for 2020. These initiatives are on top of what we have already put in place like the stand-up of the Government Helpline deployment of rapid response teams and the removal of stand-down periods for main benefit. As I said in the House last week our focus has to be on ensuring MSD remains poised and ready to respond to COVID-19 and we are. Priyanca Radhakrishnan: What response has the Minister received about these initiatives? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The response to date has been positive from across the sectors. Kirk Hope chief executive of Business New Zealand said This is a really strong and balanced response from the Government to help support New Zealand businesses—and the economy." Dennis Maga from FIRST Union praised the Government's response because it looks after people not just businesses. He said "So far this [has been] the best response that I have seen from a Government regarding this coronavirus outbreak" and Darryl Evans from Māngere Budgeting Services agreed: "I'm actually really impressed to be honest … Benefits will go up $25 a week that's been needed for a very very long time. I'm absolutely a supporter of that." He went on to say he believes it will help people buy another three or four meals a week. The broad spectrum of support we are receiving demonstrates that we are delivering on our commitment to act decisively and with compassion. Priyanca Radhakrishnan: Why are these initiatives integral to the Government's economic response? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Our immediate goal is to support people and businesses as we weather the impact of COVID-19. The package includes $5.1 billion in wage subsidies for COVID-19 - affected businesses—that will cushion the blow and position businesses for recovery—and $2.8 billion in business tax changes to free up cash flow. We also know that initiatives like benefit increases are a tried and true mechanism for economic stimulus because we know this money goes straight into the purchase of goods and services. Ensuring that workers and those on low incomes are supported during a time like this is incredibly important to a well-rounded economic response. The Government is pulling out all stops to protect the health of our economy and at the centre is the wellbeing of New Zealanders. As was said by our Minister of Finance now is the time for us to look out for each other our communities and our businesses."
6. Question No. 6—Regional Economic DevelopmentMARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister for Regional Economic DevelopmentQuestion No. 6—Regional Economic Development6. MARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: How can the Provincial Growth Fund assist the economic response to COVID-19? Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Regional Economic Development): I shall read a prepared answer. The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) the largest of its type in the OECD is already on track to see some of its major project milestones delivered. I've asked officials to report back on projects that are not yet contracted—about 140—and provide advice to Ministers as to how they can be better prioritised and indeed funding rebadged as a part of the broader package to deal with the consequences of coronavirus. Mark Patterson: How will the PGF interact with the $100 million redeployment fund announced yesterday? Hon SHANE JONES: All going well this Friday a number of Ministers will be accompanying the Minister for Economic Development Mr Twyford to the Tai Rāwhiti. The $100 million obviously can be conceived as an extension of the Provincial Growth Fund and the officials over the last 2½ years have been working with regions and indeed I have instructed them to use some shoe leather and visit every single local government body to ensure that where there may be projects that did not meet the immediate criteria of the fund they are brought to our attention so that they can be conceived as part of a local response given the expectation there will be great dislocation and volatility in firms and in workforces. The situation is something that we have to face together as a nation and it will not be subject to politicking or divisiveness by my good self. Mark Patterson: How much funding will the PGF disburse in coming months? Hon SHANE JONES: From now until June $300 million will be paid out into regional economies and based on agreed contract milestones by the end of the year an additional $700 million on top of the nigh on $500 million that is already out there. This is a significant injection of cash into provincial economies at a time where it is sorely needed. Mark Patterson: What existing PGF initiatives could help cushion the blow in our regions? Hon SHANE JONES: As I've said there are 480 projects under way; nigh on $500 million has already been injected. A large percentage of that putea is in forestry—that will create employment opportunities. Further details as to what assistance we can offer the forestry sector will be elaborated in Tai Rāwhiti on Friday. To the tourism sector we've already committed $360 million and I have been encouraging every Kiwi that I see to get out in their own backyard and support their fellow Kiwis that run tourism businesses. As well as the 10000 people who are receiving training through Te Ara Mahi and He Poutama Rangatahi schemes that represents nigh on $200 million. These amounts of money are not an exclusive answer but they show a sense of urgency so that firms and communities have access to this funding to tide themselves over as we deal with the transitional challenges of coping with the virus.
4. Question No. 4—FinanceHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 4—Finance4. Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all of his policies and actions? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Yes. Hon Paul Goldsmith: Allowing for the fact that around 600000 people work for businesses with fewer than 20 staff and there are 15000 businesses employing more than 20 staff does he agree that there's roughly speaking a maximum of around 900000 workers that could be covered by the wage subsidy announced yesterday? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The member is welcome to do his own calculations on this. What we're seeing in real time is the number of businesses who want to apply for this scheme and who are being processed to do so. This is a wage subsidy scheme. It is about giving employers certainty for the next 12 weeks. Alongside the wage subsidy scheme I implore businesses—and indeed I implore the Opposition to support businesses—to go and see their banks. That is the normal situation. We are here in abnormal circumstances supporting people through the wage subsidy scheme. Hon Paul Goldsmith: What is his figure if he doesn't agree with mine—or if he does—for the number of workers that will be covered by the wage subsidy scheme? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: We have been focused on developing this scheme and getting it up and running within a week. We are having thousands of businesses—and therefore thousands of employees—who will be eligible for it. I'm sure I can take some time to give the member an estimate of the number he wants. Hon Paul Goldsmith: Well does he agree that to spend $5.1 billion on subsidies for 12 weeks would require at least 730000 workers to be subsidised? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The estimate of $5.1 billion as we covered yesterday was based on 50 percent of businesses taking this up. The member is slightly confusing and muddling the issue here because what is happening is that some businesses who have significantly more than 21 employees will take the scheme up in order to support themselves through the 12 weeks. Hon Paul Goldsmith: What I'm trying to work out is does he think that roughly 700000 jobs out of roughly 900000 eligible jobs will need to be subsidised? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I say I'm not spending my time doing the kinds of calculations the member wants; I'm spending my time making sure—making sure—that businesses can access the scheme in real time and they are. SPEAKER: Order! I'm just going to ask people to settle down a little bit more from both sides. Hon Paul Goldsmith: Will he commit today to releasing the Cabinet paper that explains all this? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The Cabinet paper will be subject to the normal rules for release. Hon Paul Goldsmith: What is the Government doing if anything to make it easier for public companies to raise extra capital on markets so they have more money to save jobs? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I said yesterday and indeed in days before that the Reserve Bank and the Government are coordinating our actions. There are ongoing discussions about matters to do with liquidity and capital-raising as we speak.
3. Question No. 3—FinanceTAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 3—Finance3. TAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he seen on the Government's economic response package to the global COVID-19 pandemic? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I've seen a range of reports that acknowledge the significant scale and the necessity of the package of measures I announced yesterday. This has come from banks from employer organisations and from union organisations as well as economists. Economist Shamubeel Eaqub said the package increases the capacity in the health sector to deal with the pandemic a huge effort to avert job losses and business failure [and] provides more money for those who need it most and will spend it". I have also seen reports from individual business owners welcoming the package including Nickii Cui the owner of the Shanghai Restaurant in Auckland who said "It's good that the Government has this policy. I feel confident … I'm hopeful because this Government is concerned about small businesses" and indeed from Michael Hollings the Wellington employer of 70 people who said "The Government's relief package means we will be able to keep most of our workers in place." Tamati Coffey: What reports has he seen on the Government's wage subsidy scheme announced yesterday? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I've seen a number of reports emphasising the support that the Government's wage subsidy scheme will provide businesses through this uncertain period from as diverse organisations as Business New Zealand and the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions. Many thousands of businesses have already contacted the Ministry of Social Development about the scheme. The ministry is processing applications as fast as possible and is deploying additional resources to support this work. Businesses should ensure that they take the time to fill out the form accurately to ensure that their application can be processed as quickly as possible. I'll repeat my request from yesterday that we understand the pressure that public servants are working under in these trying times. Mistakes will be made but they will be corrected as soon as possible. Tamati Coffey: What reports has he seen on the need for continued fiscal support from the Government throughout the COVID-19 pandemic? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I acknowledge the commentators who've identified that the package I announced yesterday will need to be built upon as we move forward. This is exactly what we said yesterday. I absolutely acknowledge that this is a rapidly evolving situation which will need to go beyond these measures and I intend to reorientate this year's Budget to be the second phase of the broader recovery package. But we also have to acknowledge the scale of the package announced yesterday: 4 percent of GDP—bigger than the three new operating allowances for this term of Government and larger per capita than almost any other country in the world."
Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Justice Committee
Smith NickHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Deputy Leader of the House): I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I just want to check that an amendment was actually moved. I didn't hear a form of words that suggested an amendment was moved.DEPUTY SPEAKER: He began with the moving of the amendment and he will now be asked to table that so that you can check it.Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson): I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Are speaking—is it a new point of order or—Hon Dr NICK SMITH: A related point of order. Can I just confirm that the amendment that has been moved by my colleague providing it is tabled with the Clerk of the House prior to the vote being put is in order and that my colleague has in fact complied by the Standing Orders by moving it when he first started his contribution and by the signed written motion that he's provided to the Clerk of the House?DEPUTY SPEAKER: I believe that the amendment is in order. We have a signed copy. It is an altered signed copy but it has been signed by the member who moved it.Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 10 p.m.
Little AndrewInstruction to Justice CommitteeHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice): I move That the Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 2 June 2020 and that the committee have authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting (except during oral questions) during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House and outside the Wellington area despite Standing Orders 191 193 and 194(1)(b) and (c).The reason for the shortened select committee time frame for this bill is that it's appropriate considering the need to ensure that the Electoral Commission and the Department of Corrections have sufficient time to operationalise changes in the bill—Brett Hudson: You should have introduced it earlier. Do your job.Hon ANDREW LITTLE: —in time for the 2020 general election so that eligible prisoners can enrol to vote. For the benefit of Mr Hudson I can point out that the Justice Committee when it heard submissions—Brett Hudson: You've had two and a half years Andrew.Hon ANDREW LITTLE: —on the most recent Electoral Amendment Bill heard a lot of submissions—DEPUTY SPEAKER: Full names.Hon ANDREW LITTLE: —on just this very point. So the Justice Committee will have heard submissions from the public on the very points that are in this bill so the Justice Committee has already given consideration to many of the issues in this bill.Submissions on the issue of prisoner voting were made to the committee in that bill and indeed at the time of that committee's inquiry into the 2017 general election. So this is not a new issue to the House not a new issue to the Justice Committee and therefore the committee will be well placed and will have already given thought to the issues in this bill. I invite the House to support this motion.
SpeechHon CLARE CURRAN (Labour—Dunedin South): Thank you Madam Speaker. I just want to remind the House that this is a bill that means that people who are sentenced to less than three years in prison will have their voting rights restored. Why is that? It's because the threshold of a three-year jail sentence means that those prisoners will be able to vote on the Government that will be in power when they are released. It undoes what was done by the then National Government in 2010.Hon Dr Nick Smith: It was a member's bill.Hon CLARE CURRAN: And it was a member's bill—and this is an interesting window into the National Party actually because it came out of a member's bill by National MP Paul Quinn which passed through the House. At the time the former Attorney-General Chris Finlayson warned the House warned the National Government that it was likely against the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. It still went ahead. It's really interesting listening to the predictable constitutional outrage of Nick Smith who predictably gets up and gives the same speech he gives over and over again while he conveniently forgets and ignores the history of this bill which was followed by a report from the Waitangi Tribunal that said that the 2010 law disproportionately impacts Māori prisoners is inconsistent with the Treaty of Waitangi and also follows the High Court's declaration upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court that the current law is inconsistent with the right to vote in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. Nick Smith ignores all of that ignores the advice that was given by his own former Attorney-General. I bet he's thankful that Chris Finlayson is no longer in this House because he would be getting up and having a good say about this bill tonight. Unfortunately the National Party is now dominated by people that consider a punitive response a punishing response and what could even be considered a racist response to this sort of legislation is the right way to go. Thankfully we don't. We've done what we promised we would do we've turned it around and we're going to get rid of it. I absolutely commend this bill to the House.
Jackson WillieHon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister of Employment): What a stupid idiotic pathetic ridiculous speech. The reality is the underlying—Hon Member: Tell us what you really think.Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Ha! What a ridiculous pathetic speech. The—Alastair Scott: Answer the questions.Hon WILLIE JACKSON: No no here's the point because the underlying philosophical message that we get there is the National Party don't give a damn about prisoners or Māori—that's undeniable they don't give a damn.Tim van de Molen: The member's an embarrassment.Hon WILLIE JACKSON: No the embarrassment is the National Party and the people who want to lock up people for ever and a day. It's always Lock 'em up. Throw the key away don't give a damn about the Māoris." Well you see the tribunal that Nick Smith chooses to ignore—the Waitangi Tribunal—has come out very clearly. Nick Smith's not interested in that because he's not interested in Māori rights. It's come out very clearly that this is a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi but no one cares in National when they're in Opposition. In fact they didn't even care when they were in Government. But the reality is here is that some of us who've had a lot to do with prisoners through the years who've had gang members work for us at different times believe in one thing and that's that they have to be given an opportunity—they have to be given an opportunity.Now I get it Nick Smith I'm not into supporting murderers rapists paedophiles—not at all.Hon Dr Nick Smith: This includes rapists.Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Not at all—no no. The reality is Minister Little has thought this out we've thought this out and we're going down the middle ground. Some of our Māori advocates out there are saying this should be open slather but no we're not doing that. A bit of common sense has come to the table from Minister Little.Alastair Scott: It's not about race Willie. It's not about race.Hon WILLIE JACKSON: It's all about race and the National Party don't give a damn about what's happening in prisons. Fifty percent of prisoners are Māori—50 percent of prisoners are Māori—and we have a tribunal ruling that's very clear. We want some of these people to be given an opportunity to come back into society to come back into New Zealand to get access to become normal New Zealand citizens not just elite National Party members. We care about the people. We care about some of these prisoners who you don't give a damn about. We care about Māori. Well done Andrew Little. I congratulate the Minister and absolutely support it. You just throw away the key; that's why no one's going to vote for you come September. Kia ora Madam Speaker.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson): Kia ora. I omitted to say that that was a split call—Dan Bidois."
Mallard TrevorSPEAKER: Order! Order! Before I call the next member I'm aware that there are three members who during the afternoon session had been repeatedly seeking the call who have all indicated to me that they would like five-minute slots. If we could by leave extend the debate by five minutes all of those members and one other member who's made a big contribution to the debate would be able to speak. So I seek leave for the debate to be extended by five minutes. Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none.
Mallard TrevorSPEAKER: Before I call the next member the result of the vote on the question of the recommittal of the Abortion Legislation Bill was incorrectly announced as Ayes 43 Noes 77. The correct result is Ayes 43 Noes 76.
SpeechPAULO GARCIA (National): Thank you Mr Speaker. I begin my contribution to this abortion decriminalisation bill by reminding myself that New Zealand is a democracy; a democracy with a Parliament of 120 elected members elected on the basis of securing a majority vote from the constituents in their own electorates. Election means a majority of people from the electorate believe that their member of Parliament well and truly represents their values and are mindful of their concerns of what is important to them.Having said this the fact is that over 25000 submissions have been received in Parliament from all over New Zealand with a great majority of them against the law change that this proposed bill wishes to effect. This large number of submissions was not even considered by the Abortion Legislation Committee and positions have been taken in support of a bill that places New Zealand on a path that I believe many New Zealanders do not agree with. It is a path with unfettered access to abortion to 20 weeks a path of abortion that is open to the full term abortion that may be used to discriminate against the disabled abortion that is open to the selection of Down syndrome babies abortion that is open to sex selection abortion that allows for minors to consent to an abortion without requiring that their parents be made aware abortion that does not recognise the need for culture and values and family background of women seeking abortion to be considered and abortion that completely disregards the involvement of the father in the decision.This debate has seen a deliberate determined effort to change and alter reality; an effort through words and invoking that time—that much time—has passed between now and the previous law. Words have changed from the unborn child" to "a fetus" from "a baby" to "a fetus" from the existence of life to a denial of it. But so supporting such a law change in the face of the unprecedented public outcry against the change does not indicate a representation of the people of New Zealand; it does not illustrate the democracy that we all believe in.I would like to spend a little time on the inaccuracies of some of the debates that you would've heard. Of particular interest—glaringly inaccurate—was mentioned by a member in saying that the Contraception Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977 was the result of a bias in a male-dominated Parliament pointing out that there were only four women members at that time. It is important for the public to know that the Act of 1977 was largely and substantially the result of recommendations of the Royal Commission on Contraception Sterilisation and Abortion which sat from June 1975 to March 1977. The royal commission was comprised of three men and three women. Time does not change their considerations then and time does not make their considerations then any less than the considerations we have now in looking at this legislation."
Mallard TrevorThird ReadingSPEAKER: Members before I call the Hon Andrew Little I want to indicate that for the third reading of this bill I will follow the normal practice on conscience votes and give some preference in the allocation of calls to members who indicate to me that they would prefer a five-minute call and thereby provide the opportunity for more members to participate.
Mallard TrevorA personal vote was called for on the question that the motion be agreed to.SPEAKER: Order! Order! Order! Even though the House is sitting members in the gallery cannot participate. That member will now leave. [Interruption] Having not left the member is now banned for a year.
Davidson MaramaABORTION LEGISLATION BILLRecommittalMARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader—Green): I move That the Abortion Legislation Bill be recommitted for the purpose only of considering Supplementary Order Paper 485 in my name which relates to safe areas.
Appropriation (2018/19 Confirmation and Validation) Bill — Second Reading
Hipkins ChrisAPPROPRIATION (2018/19 CONFIRMATION AND VALIDATION) BILLSecond ReadingHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House) on behalf of the Minister of Finance: I move That the Appropriation (2018/19 Confirmation and Validation) Bill be now read a second time.Bill read a second time.
Motion Not Put — Abortion Legislation Bill—Recommittal
Mallard TrevorABORTION LEGISLATION BILLRecommittal—Motion Not PutHon ALFRED NGARO (National): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I move That the Abortion Legislation Bill be recommitted for the purpose of—SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume his seat. For goodness' sake the member should at least wait until the Clerk has completed his call of the appropriate bill. I call on the Clerk to call the bill—which isn't even that one.
Hipkins Chris; Mallard TrevorWEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2020The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Karakia.BUSINESS OF THE HOUSEHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): Following discussions at the Business Committee and across the House I seek leave to table a Government notice of motion setting out a sessional order with special procedures for the House during an epidemic and for it to be set down as Government notice of motion No. 1 on tomorrow's Order Paper notwithstanding Standing Orders 97 through to 99. By way of explanation this will allow members to scrutinise the notice of motion before it is put as Government order of the day No. 1 tomorrow. SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that process being followed? There appears to be none.
Tuesday 17 March 2020 - Volume 745
Abortion Legislation Bill — In Committee—Part 2
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 55; Ross.Motion agreed to.
Appropriation (2018/19 Confirmation and Validation) Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the bill be now read a first time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Bill read a first time.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the motion be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Motion agreed to.
12. Question No. 12—RevenueDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of RevenueQuestion No. 12—Revenue12. Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of Revenue: What tax measures has he announced to support businesses affected by COVID-19?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Revenue): In addition to the wage subsidy announcements today the Minister of Finance and I announced a number of tax measures that will help support businesses who are affected by COVID-19. These measures are reinstating building depreciation for new and existing industrial and commercial buildings and this includes hotels and motels; immediate deductions for low-value assets; increasing the provisional tax threshold from $2500 to $5000; writing off interest on late payments for tax for those who cannot pay their tax because of COVID-19; and information-sharing agreements with other agencies so they can help administer COVID-19 entitlements. These are tangible signs of action and we are leading by example in our response to this global issue.Dr Deborah Russell: How do these tax measures help support businesses affected by COVID-19?Hon STUART NASH: The measures announced today will help support businesses by stimulating investment in new and existing buildings and increasing cash flows for businesses. Reinstating building depreciation for industrial and commercial buildings was identified as a key priority for improving productivity by the Tax Working Group. It will have a near immediate impact on a business's cash flow as it reduces the provisional tax payments for the income year which begins next month for most taxpayers. Expensing low-value assets will incentivise taxpayers especially small businesses to invest in capital assets for their businesses and in the long term will reduce their compliance costs. Waiving interest on late tax payments for those taxpayers affected by COVID-19 will provide similar relief to taxpayers as seen in other adverse events or emergencies and increasing the threshold for provisional tax means that around 95000 taxpayers many of whom are small businesses will have more cash in hand during the year and it will reduce their compliance costs. We have taken a targeted approach so we can be more—and this is likely to keep more people in work.Dr Deborah Russell: What responses has he seen in reaction to these tax measures?Hon STUART NASH: Overall this package has been positively received. Buy New Zealand Made's Ryan Jennings commented that the package is a positive move for businesses and it is a rescue plan to—and I quote—save businesses and their employees in the face of significant economic uncertainty." The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions' president Richard Wagstaff has said—and I quote—"This package provides an immediate boost to get through these challenging times." And Kirk Hope from Business New Zealand says the package "will substantially help businesses keep operating". The wage subsidy and tax measures were—and I quote again—"well-focused on key areas of need" and "would provide much-needed breathing space and support for all businesses." The rainy day is here and this Government is providing the umbrellas."
10. Question No. 10—HealthDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 10—Health10. Dr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of Health: Is he confident that the health system is well prepared for a coronavirus outbreak?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): COVID-19 is putting pressure on even the best-prepared health systems around the world with Italy and some other countries overwhelmed. In New Zealand thanks to our early and decisive action we have so far had relatively few cases. We've been working from our comprehensive pandemic plan since January to flatten the curve and today we've announced a $500 million health fund to combat COVID-19. But we know we will see more cases here. As I've noted many times in this House there has been under-investment in health but our health services are prepared; our doctors nurses and other health staff have had time to plan. I have huge confidence in their skills and professionalism and their ability to respond to COVID-19.Dr Shane Reti: Have robust primary care inventories been undertaken for coronavirus protective equipment in general practice and if so when were they completed?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: General practice has been issued with personal protective equipment (PPE)—of course much is being held at the centre in order to ensure that it is available for any hot spots. We have 9 million of one type of face mask and 9 million of another as the member knows and those are being held to ensure that they are in the right place at the right time.Dr Shane Reti: How many suspected coronavirus patients a day does an average general practice have protective equipment on hand for?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I don't have that exact number in front of me. The member will know that currently we have only very few COVID-19 cases in train and that PPE is used in those practices best where we have more cases.Dr Shane Reti: Will Healthline reconnect with people who were told a week ago that close contact was 1 metre face to face now that the New Zealand definition has been changed to 2 metres and why did New Zealand not align with the international definition from the very start?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I reject the premise of the member's question.Dr Shane Reti: Does New Zealand coronavirus testing align with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to test all older people with symptoms who also have heart conditions; if not why not?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The member will have heard from the Prime Minister earlier in today's House session that all primary care workers who are so qualified are being encouraged to test if they have any clinical suspicion.Dr Shane Reti: What is the weakest point in the health system for coronavirus management and how can we help?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: It's misinformation and members of the Opposition can help by making sure that they are pointing people toward the Ministry of Health website where the most up-to-date and correct information is on hand. They can share that widely and I would appreciate it. Thank you.
9. Question No. 9—Workplace Relations and SafetyMARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and SafetyQuestion No. 9—Workplace Relations and Safety9. MARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What is the Government doing to support people to self-isolate to stop the spread of COVID-19?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety): From today we have introduced the COVID-19 leave payment scheme to provide support for people unable to work because they are in self-isolation sick with COVID-19 or caring for dependants in either of those situations. The payments will be $585.80 per week for full-time and $350 per week for part-time workers. This is one of the most important tools to prevent community transmission of the virus. We need people to self-isolate appropriately and we recognise that this burden should be shared between workers employers and the Government.Marja Lubeck: Who does the scheme apply to?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: This applies to all people working in New Zealand including employees contractors and the self-employed. We have designed the scheme to be easy to access and use. We've also built safeguards into the scheme. The scheme applies to those acting in accordance with public health guidance and registered with Healthline. People who leave New Zealand now knowing that they will be required to self-isolate on their return will not be eligible. Those who are caught intentionally abusing the scheme will have to repay the money.Marja Lubeck: Why has the Government introduced the scheme?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: This is a global issue and New Zealand is part of the global response. Protecting New Zealanders' health and stopping the spread of the virus is our number one focus. The best protection for the economy is containing the virus. Everyone has a responsibility to help us get through this. We want to ensure that people who do the right thing are taken care of and that includes helping them meet their essential costs.
7. Question No. 7—FinanceHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 7—Finance7. Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all of his statements and policies?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): In the context in which they were made and given.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Why is it the policy today to limit support to businesses effectively to 21 full-time staff?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: It is a wage subsidy scheme. It is a scheme to support businesses to be able to make adjustments at this time. It is set at a cap which would cover most small businesses in New Zealand.Hon Paul Goldsmith: So what would he say to the owner of a hotel in Queenstown for example with 200 staff whose revenue has dropped by more than 50 percent and is facing very substantial lay-offs in terms of how this subsidy will help?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: What I would say to that business is that they should be talking to their bank in the first instance. I'm sure the member appreciates it is not possible for the Government to fund and run every business in New Zealand. The package contains significant benefits for that business in terms of the tax changes around depreciation and around provisional tax. There also is the possibility for larger businesses to be talking to us as well but in the first instance it is the bank that that business needs to talk to.Hon Paul Goldsmith: So what was the rationale for prioritising roughly half of the $12 billion package to longer-term issues and roughly half the package to short-term focus on subsidising workers?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I reject the premise of that question. I think the member might be putting depreciation issues for example into that category in terms of longer term; actually that's available for people from next month.Hon Paul Goldsmith: What job losses is he expecting in the medium-sized business area?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I don't have a specific number available for that but as the Prime Minister has said earlier today the advice that we have had is that the effect of this will be greater than the global financial crisis. During that time unemployment reached 6.7 percent. This will have a significant impact. The good news is that the package we announced today will help cushion the blow.
6. Question No. 6—HealthANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 6—Health6. ANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of Health: How is the Government supporting public health services in New Zealand to respond to COVID-19?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): COVID-19 is a global challenge. Thanks to early and decisive Government action we have had comparatively few cases in New Zealand but we know we will see more and we are prepared. Today the Government announced an initial $500 million fund to strengthen our health services to fight and contain COVID-19. This package makes sure that health services are there for those who need them the most. This is an initial investment. From the outset it has been made clear to me by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance that financial resources will not be a constraint. The Government will ensure the health sector has the support and resources it needs to fight and contain COVID-19.Angie Warren-Clark: What services will be boosted as a result of this new $500 million fund?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The COVID-19 health package will boost health services across 11 priorities but let me draw attention to three of those. Firstly Healthline will receive an additional $20 million to deal with the more than 5000 calls they're receiving every day. Secondly $40 million will be going to public health units. These are the crucial people who are contact tracing every single person who has come into contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. And thirdly $32 million will be set aside for intensive care capacity and equipment.Angie Warren-Clark: How will primary care clinics like general practices be supported by the $500 million fund?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Alongside our contact tracers our general practitioners nurse practitioners nurses iwi and Pacific providers and all other primary care workers are on the front line of the fight against COVID-19. That's why we're investing an additional $50 million in primary care including funding for community-based assessment centres equipment and logistics. We're also investing a further $20 million to improve the capacity of general practice and community health providers to use technologies such as video conferencing and Telehealth to conduct consultations.
3. Question No. 3—FinanceKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 3—Finance3. KIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of Finance: What recent announcements has he made about the Government's economic response to the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Today I announced the Government's $12.1 billion economic response package aimed at supporting cash flow and confidence in the economy. This represents around 4 percent of New Zealand's GDP and is larger on a GDP basis than Australia the UK Singapore or Ireland. It also comes on top of the $12 billion New Zealand Upgrade Programme announced earlier in the year. The intent of the package announced today is to fight the virus and smooth the curve cushion the blow on businesses and workers and position the economy for recovery. It represents the first stage of Government support to New Zealand businesses and workers and Budget 2020 will be re-orientated to be a recovery Budget. We are taking bold and decisive actions to respond to uncertain and unprecedented times. There are tough days ahead but we will get through this together.Kiritapu Allan: What measures has he announced today to support businesses and workers in the near term?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Under our $8.7 billion business and worker support package we are introducing a wage subsidy scheme to help people stay attached to their workplace so that both workers and businesses are in a better position to adjust to the difficult prevailing economic conditions. We're also introducing a COVID-19 leave payment scheme to incentivise people to undertake self-isolation if they are required to do so and this applies to employees the self-employed and contractors. In addition we're implementing a significant number of tax changes to increase business cash flow and stimulate investment.Kiritapu Allan: What measures has he announced today to help New Zealanders' recovery from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: We recognise that the Government must provide further support to the economy to ensure that a recovery will take hold. The measures we announced today are aimed at boosting demand and supporting households through the first phase of the recovery. The package comprises a $25 across the board increase to main benefits scheduled for implementation on 1 April 2020; a doubling of the amount paid through the winter energy payment for 2020; and removing the hours test from the in-work tax credit to assist those who may face variable hours as a result of the virus. Ultimately the recovery package will go well beyond these measures. These measures represent the first phase of an ongoing commitment from the Government to New Zealanders to support us through this time.
1. Question No. 1—Foreign AffairsJENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) to the Minister of Foreign AffairsORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Foreign Affairs1. JENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: How is the Government working with other countries in its response to COVID-19?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Minister of Foreign Affairs): Among a raft of measures New Zealand is jointly funding the World Health Organization Pacific-wide regional coronavirus response with Australia. Due to the nature of the virus when we help the Pacific we help ourselves in New Zealand. Only by ensuring public health and establishing economic security across our Pacific region can New Zealand overcome its effects. This is because Pacific countries' health systems and economies are expected to be more severely impacted by COVID-19 outbreaks than in our countries. In times like these it's essential to work with our partners. New Zealand has taken the appropriate measures to protect the health of its own people while maintaining close working relationships with our neighbours.Jenny Marcroft: What has the international response been to New Zealand's measures to combat COVID-19?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: The response from our partners upon hearing of our global travel restrictions announced by the Prime Minister on Saturday has been understanding and positive. This is a testament to the hard work we have put in from the first day that COVID-19 came on to our horizon to keep our friends around the world abreast of our intentions. This was not an easy decision to make but we are a Government which is not afraid to make those difficult choices. The health and safety of New Zealanders will always be our paramount concern and that is why we are advising New Zealanders to avoid non-essential overseas travel.Jenny Marcroft: How does the Government's work with other countries build on its wider efforts to combat the impact of COVID-19?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: The Government's response both at home and abroad focuses squarely on those most vulnerable to COVID-19. Older people are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and that will guide this Government's response to the virus. Naturally many older people will be concerned about the ramifications of COVID-19 both as a health and economic risk. Rest assured the Government is helping: included in our $12.1 billion economic package announced today is a doubling of the winter energy payments and this will now equal $1400 for couples and $900 for single people. We live in unprecedented times but just as our forefathers triumphed in their own battles we expect New Zealanders will work together to defeat this virus and move forward to build a better New Zealand.