edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
12. Question No. 12—Energy and ResourcesBARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country) to the Minister of Energy and ResourcesQuestion No. 12—Energy and Resources12. BARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country) to the Minister of Energy and Resources: What is her response to Gas Industry Company consultation outlining that the most critical and urgent issues to resolve to enable gas to support the transition to 100 percent renewable electricity include a perceived lack of predictability across a range of dimensions for participants at every level of the industry to be able to plan and invest appropriately"?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Energy and Resources): My response is that I welcome the consultation on work that I commissioned late last year.Barbara Kuriger: Is the Gas Industry Company correct to say that "it is clear that without significant investment … gas reserves … in existing fields will not come to market and security of supply will be comprised." and that steps are needed to improve the investment climate so that this investment will happen?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: One of the things that we do know is that we have gas—one of the things the report tells us is that we have gas reserves through to about 2035. Beyond that we will need further investment in fields but I do note that since we made our decision not to issue any new exploration permits in 2018 for oil and gas there has been $1 billion of investment in those assets.Barbara Kuriger: Does she agree with the Gas Industry Company that policies the Government should pursue to improve investment certainty include greater use of the emissions trading scheme alongside increased policy clarity and if so has she shared this view with the Minister for Climate Change as he considers Climate Change Commission advice?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: In answer to the second part of the question the Minister for Climate Change and I speak frequently about the need to decarbonise our economy—indeed as the whole world needs to do. And I do point that member to a recent report from the International Energy Agency that actually recommends to the rest of the world that they go down a path that New Zealand did in 2018 that we cannot keep issuing new permits for the exploration for oil and gas as we face a climate emergency.Barbara Kuriger: Does she stand by her answers to oral questions in the House three years ago when she said "We have exploration permits that go out for 30 and 40 years." and "the sky isn't falling in." in light of advice from the Gas Industry Company that New Zealand explore importation of LNG?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: One point that came up in the consultation that the Gas Industry Company carried out is that we need to look at whether or not it is a fair question whether we need to look at LNG. I think that is a long way from what the member is suggesting. I have yet to receive the final report from the Gas Industry Company but I do remind that member that actually this is a Government that is looking at ways in which we can decarbonise our economy. We are investing to look at more reliable storage for dry-year risk looking at things such as pumped hydro."
10. Question No. 10—TransportSHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 10—Transport10. SHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister of Transport: How is the Government keeping New Zealand connected internationally and positioned for recovery?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): Recently I announced that the Government has awarded a new round of airline support contracts through to the end of October 2021 to help keep New Zealand connected internationally and positioned for recovery. International air travel essentially shut down as COVID-19 spread so the threat of isolation from global partners was very real. Airfreight is now at 90 percent of pre-COVID levels thanks to the International Air Freight Capacity scheme and its successor the Maintaining International Air Connectivity scheme which have helped to keep trade channels open and maintain supply of time-critical goods like medicine and high-value fresh produce into and from New Zealand.Shanan Halbert: Which carriers have agreements been reached with?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: A wide range of carriers have been announced recently to maintain our air links with the rest of the world. Those agreements have now been reached with Air New Zealand Air Tahiti Korean Air Malaysia Airlines Cathay Pacific Emirates and China Airlines supporting up to 43 flights a week that would otherwise not have been able to happen.Shanan Halbert: What has the scheme meant for New Zealand and our Pacific partners?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Since May of last year the International Air Freight Capacity scheme and the Maintaining International Air Connectivity scheme have enabled more than 7000 flights carrying over 136000 tonnes of airfreight worth around $10 billion. It's important to note that this scheme has also been important for our Pacific partners. It recently supported the delivery of nearly 200000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Fiji Nauru Samoa the Solomon Islands Tonga and Tuvalu through the COVAX Facility. Nearly 75000 people have returned to New Zealand on flights supported by the scheme 53 percent of the total number of people to pass through managed isolation and quarantine facilities. It's very unlikely that those journeys or the freight moved would've been possible without it.
8. Question No. 8—BiosecurityJO LUXTON (Labour—Rangitata) to the Minister for BiosecurityQuestion No. 8—Biosecurity8. JO LUXTON (Labour—Rangitata) to the Minister for Biosecurity: How has Budget 2021 invested in New Zealand's biosecurity?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister for Biosecurity): Budget 2021 provides the resources needed to step up our efforts to protect kauri against dieback and preserve the taonga for future generations. There is great work being done across the country but with this additional $32 million over five years we have the opportunity to do more to protect our forest giants their wider ecosystems and the beautiful clean green brand that makes us proud. It will fund the roll-out of a national pest management plan—the strongest form of protection available under the Biosecurity Act—to bring together Government councils iwi and NGOs under a new umbrella agency that will oversee all activity regarding the spread of kauri dieback. Right now these iconic trees face potentially fatal threats from kauri dieback. Stopping the spread of the disease needs increased support and resources and this Government is delivering that.Jo Luxton: How has Budget 2021 supported the Government's Mycoplasma bovis programme?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: Budget 2021 invests a further $66 million over the next year to continue the Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme. It also sees investment of $22.5 million to continue improving compliance with and enforcement of the National Animal Identification and Tracing scheme—or NAIT as it's called. Our ability to trace cattle and deer through the NAIT system is a critical factor in managing biosecurity threats including M. bovis that could have a devastating impact on New Zealand's agricultural sector. Traceability is also important for food safety and quality assurance programmes and for responding quickly to natural disasters. We've achieved increased levels of NAIT compliance in recent years and this funding will help us maintain and build on that good work.Jo Luxton: How has Budget 2021 boosted biosecurity protections at our border?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: Well more good news. Budget 2021 is investing $8.9 million for advance screening technology to detect biosecurity threats in international mail. The investment will enable the installation of new 3-D scanner technology that has the potential to automatically detect things like seeds and fruit. The Budget also provides temporary funding for the Ministry for Primary Industries to continue essential biosecurity border services in the face of revenue reductions because of COVID-19. As a country whose economy and lifestyle is linked to our unique environment this Government's focus on biosecurity is absolutely vital. Budget 2021 backs up that focus with significant investments to protect and enhance our natural heritage and our primary exporters.SPEAKER: I'm just going to remind Nicola Grigg that I noticed she had a lot of questions then. If she really wants to ask them she should stand up.
6. Question No. 6—Social Development and EmploymentTERISA NGOBI (Labour—Ōtaki) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 6—Social Development and Employment6. TERISA NGOBI (Labour—Ōtaki) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What recent reports has she seen on Ministry of Social Development employment initiatives?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Kia ora Mr Speaker. I'm pleased to report that progress has been made across our Government suite of employment initiatives which is helping us to secure our economic recovery. The expansion of Flexi-wage to support more people into work has had a total of 2469 placements since February. The Apprenticeship Boost scheme which is rolled out in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Commission has already benefited 26902 apprentices. These are only two examples of the suite of Government initiatives that we've got in place to support more New Zealanders into employment education or training.Terisa Ngobi: What progress has she seen on Mana in Mahi?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Mana in Mahi is one of a number of Ministry of Social Development (MSD) employment initiatives that are showing positive signs that our recovery is gaining momentum. Three years on from launching Mana in Mahi Mana in Mahi has reached a significant milestone having now supported over 3000 job seekers into jobs with career training pathways. Ninety percent of them are active completed or have exited early and have not returned to benefit. Of these placements it's really pleasing to see that 38 percent of Mana in Mahi participants are Māori. Mana in Mahi is continuing to go from strength to strength as evidenced by the number of people going into jobs.Terisa Ngobi: How do these reports align with the latest household labour force survey?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Unemployment employment and labour market participation all improved in the March 2021 quarter. Employment grew by 15000 with an extra 32000 people going into jobs since September 2020. Over the year to March 2021 self-employment has risen 24700. With unemployment now down to 4.7 percent and 33000 more people coming off the benefit and into work it's clear that initiatives such as Flexi-wage the Apprenticeship Boost Mana in Mahi and our other employment initiatives are assisting us to secure our recovery.
3. Question No. 3—Energy and ResourcesGLEN BENNETT (Labour—New Plymouth) to the Minister of Energy and ResourcesQuestion No. 3—Energy and Resources3. GLEN BENNETT (Labour—New Plymouth) to the Minister of Energy and Resources: What action is the Government taking to reduce emissions across New Zealand's transport fleet through Budget 2021? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Energy and Resources): We are continuing to fund the success of the Low Emission Transport Fund (LETF) by increasing the amount the Government is contributing with an even match to the fuel levy to reach $25 million a year for projects by 2023-24. Formerly the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund the name change reflects a widening of eligibility to include projects for areas like aviation maritime and off-road vehicles. We're modernising this fund to tackle the challenges of reducing emissions from our transport fleets which make up 21 percent of our overall greenhouse gas emissions and I'm excited to see what innovative projects will emerge.Glen Bennett: What kinds of new projects can the LETF fund?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: The wider scope of the LETF will enable the co-funding of a range of projects such as high-capacity electric vehicle (EV) chargers up and down the country and transport projects utilising other low-emission fuels such as biofuel and hydrogen. The fund will also see the demonstration of new technologies across a range of transport modes including low-emissions trucks maritime ferries and even aviation.Glen Bennett: What organisations benefit from this investment?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: The fund has supported some of our largest transport companies like Fuso and Hyundai Motors New Zealand to test new technologies such as electric and hydrogen demonstration trucks. It has helped put in place a network of public EV fast chargers to ensure EV owners can fuel up around the country kick-started EV car-share schemes and supported community groups like Kaibosh Food Rescue who have demonstrated how electric vans can be used for everyday logistics.
1. Question No. 1—FinanceDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Finance1. Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): The Government's continuing support to secure the economic recovery is being reflected in the overall volume of house building. Building activity rose a seasonally adjusted 3.7 percent in the March 2021 quarter compared with the previous quarter. The increase was underpinned by continued strength in home building which rose 4.3 percent led by Auckland. There was also a rebound on commercial projects. Westpac bank's economist expects strong construction activity over the year ahead given the size of the existing pipeline of work. They note that the strong pace of home building combined with a sharp drop-off in population growth as a result of the border closure means that the country is now making significant progress in addressing the housing shortage that has accumulated over previous years.Dr Duncan Webb: What other reports has he seen on the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The primary sector is continuing to support and secure the recovery. The ANZ world commodity index has lifted 1.3 percent in May the eighth successive monthly rise and I can inform the House that the index is at a record high. The gains were widespread with producers experiencing better returns due to robust demand globally and higher prices for their goods. Tighter supplies for some commodities are also playing a part. The meat and fibre index rose 1.4 percent horticulture up 1.7 percent and dairy a more modest 0.2 percent. Forestry grew at 3.3 percent in May to extend the record prices this sector is achieving. When returns to producers are converted back to New Zealand dollars the overall index rose by 1 percent.Dr Duncan Webb: What other reports has he seen on the health of the primary sector?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Rabobank New Zealand's June monthly 2021 agribusiness report is generally positive about the outlook for commodities. In the beef sector Rabobank expects farm-gate prices to lift over June due in part to reduced competition from Australia. Sheep meat prices are expected to firm in June thanks to continued demand from key markets. In the dairy sector Rabobank expects China to continue to drive global demand and support prices though it is expecting some softening of dairy imports in China in the second half of 2021. Producers continue to operate in a volatile market with Rabobank noting that uncertainties do remain over the global supply chain.
Salesa Jenny; Rurawhe AdrianCHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Mr Speaker the committee has considered the Health (National Cervical Screening Programme) Amendment Bill and reports progress.DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is that the report be adopted.Motion agreed to.Report adopted.The House adjourned at 9.59 p.m.
Verrall Ayesha; Salesa JennyHon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Associate Minister of Health): I thank my colleague for those questions. So the Treaty partnership I guess is reflected ultimately in the kaitiaki regulations which do give Māori control of wāhine Māori data. The underlying cervical screening legislation has been in place for over 20 years now and probably reflects the first such provision in New Zealand law to give control of a particular piece of health data to Māori. I think more generally these issues are being faced across the health system and you'll be aware of the conversations around Māori data sovereignty which are wider. Through addressing those we hope that Māori providers will not just have control of the data but be able to benefit from the data develop services to serve their community from the data so that the relationship is not one where they provide services directed by the Government but can propose and advocate for and seek to find the needs in their community and work towards achieving them.On the Pasifika front I mean that's lovely advice the member was given about medical practitioners should be seen as asexual but we are all embodied people and the first thing someone sees when they look at us is they're sizing us up to see whether they can trust us with their deepest secrets and concerns. Something like cervical screening is for some people surrounded by shame by different cultural values and in some cases by trauma as well. Essentially what the technology of HPV screening does is give the control of the process to the person who is being screened and screening is not something that is done to the person. The person can do it themselves eventually when we have self-screening in place. I probably defer to the member as a Pasifika practitioner but essentially it allows a whole lot more flexibility and the tailoring of how the screening programme works to different communities. The second thing is that we hope it will cost a lot less. I know that is a barrier of concern to the Pacific community. Often it's hard to get to the doctor and sometimes there's also a cost associated with cervical screening so we hope those barriers will be addressed too.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): I will report progress on this bill.House resumed.
Verrall AyeshaHon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Associate Minister of Health): Thank you and I thank my colleague for that contribution. So indeed the kaitiaki regulations are regulations intended to protect the tapu nature of data about cervical screening for Māori women and the National Kaitiaki Group and its functions are preserved in the bill and the Supplementary Order Paper. What has changed here is that the Health Committee proposed one particular way of addressing that and we have tried to keep the intent of the select committee while trying to make it a workable solution. So the concern was—and an independent group was brought in to review the proposed changes to the scope of the kaitiaki group's work—it would have probably generated several hundred referrals to the kaitiaki group a year. That would include things such as ordinary data updates of the register and just some of the information that was needed on a day-to-day basis for the quality assurance of the system because clearly it is important that we have good data good reports and good statistics—and to do all of that the employees of the programme need to be able to look up in the register and work with the data.What is preserved is that the kaitiaki group would be required to approve data being published externally on these issues—so that includes the screening programme's annual reports; monitoring reports; cancer case reviews; Parliamentary Committee reports; any public-facing component of an electronic application not that we have that at present; and other publication captured by the legislation.Also we think that the number of issues referred to the kaitiaki group will increase under this regime above where it has been at present. I think it is also true—the member reflected the experience on select committee—that there have been disagreements about whether the ministry was meeting the expectations of the kaitiaki group and that was probably I'm advised the result of ambiguous rules that were interpreted in different ways and led to distrust perhaps and disagreement. So I hope that by having gone through this independent process by clarifying it here everyone's working to the same agreed set of standards and that this will build that trust back up.Returning to the earlier question about the inclusiveness of the programme yes indeed everyone with a cervix is eligible for screening and able to benefit from the screening and should have access to it. I think it is troubling the sorts of situations that the member Elizabeth Kerekere mentioned. Certainly I will undertake to make sure that the processes used by the screening programme are what we would expect upholding the dignity of all people and the fact that they should be treated with respect in the screening programme but actually under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights and all parts of the health system.
Kanongata'a-Suisuiki AnahilaANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour): Thank you Madam Chair. It's always an honour to contribute in the House. My question to the Minister is really about the kaitiaki regulations. In the Minister's speech she identified there were some changes to the kaitiaki regulations but I remember from select committee that the submission by the Māori Women's Welfare League had made recommendations into making sure that the data collected for Māori women on cervical screening needed to be kept sacred just like when they refer to the whare tangata or the whenua of of course the womb the uterus.So I note that the Minister had said in her speech that the fourth change or recommendation by the Health Committee will introduce a new clause 6A to the bill that the clause provides a new subsection 112ZE(1) of the principal Act—does not override the requirements for the kaitiaki regulations. What I would like from the Minister is if she can explain what the changes are to the kaitiaki regulations because from memory from submitters there were I would say concerns that the ministry were not following the regulations the kaitiaki regulations.My concern is that we are adhering to the kaitiaki regulations and if the Minister can make clear what the changes are so that we understand what those changes are to the kaitiaki regulations. So that was on the fourth point on the Minister's speech on the second reading of this bill that the kaitiaki regulations provide the National Kaitiaki Group and gives the group the role of protecting the use of information on or from the register that identifies participants as Māori. If there are changes I'm not quite clear on it but it would be great if the Minister gave us what that is tonight. Thank you.
Kerekere ElizabethDr ELIZABETH KEREKERE (Green): Kia ora koutou. I want to speak to clause 5 amending section 112B(2) and the definition of what is a cervical screening service. As currently stated it means any service provided for the purpose of providing cervical screening assessment and treatment services in relation to a particular woman as part of the NCSP". So I would love to make the language in this whole bill more inclusive to acknowledge that cervical cancer does not just affect cisgender women because the problem with the definition in here as being only for women is that it actively excludes takatāpui trans men intersex and non-binary people who have a cervix and a vagina. When I spoke in the House about this last week I mentioned the concerns that had already been raised to me about the privacy of the information such as the incorrect use of pronouns by people in screening services the use of former or dead names—Hon Member: It's probably not going to kill them though is it?Dr ELIZABETH KEREKERE: —I'll get to that thank you—and invasive questions about their genitalia and gender identity or expression. After that night I was advised by members of those communities that if they were not recorded as a woman in the health system some trans men intersex and non-binary people were not allowed on this screening programme. So these are examples of institutional discrimination against members of rainbow communities because somebody shouldn't have to choose between misgendering themselves in our health system or not getting access to potentially lifesaving healthcare. I think that's shameful in this day and age. So my questions to you here then: how will you ensure that the National Cervical Screening Programme is available to all people with a cervix and a vagina? And how will you preserve the privacy and dignity of takatāpui trans men intersex and non-binary people who should have the right to use it?"
Verrall AyeshaHon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Associate Minister of Health): The proposals tonight in front of us are about the modernisation of our National Cervical Screening Programme. The Government has started this excellent work to support women's health. Through Budget 2021 we have funded the roll-out of a new cervical screening register and also the implementation of a new PCR HPV test. But in order to get the benefits of this we also need to update our legislation. So let's reorientate ourselves to this rather technical bill.The original bill enables a modern information technology register which was not anticipated when the cervical screening programme was first designed. It allows direct look-up access which currently is not possible for providers in the cervical screening programme. So for example if a new woman presents to your clinic her screening history is unavailable to that doctor or nurse and they have to obtain by fax a summary of the screening history. This introduces delays. It is itself risky because faxes just are and we want to replace it with a modern system a modern system that would cut down on the number of visits that would be required in these types of situations but also one that would potentially enable screening in new settings. So for example having this type of access would enable different types of community providers acting outside of standard clinic situations.That's the underlying bill. The select committee—and I thank them for their work—recommended four changes. First is a change to the definition of diagnostic test screening and specimen" which is a very helpful change to make it clear to enable the change to HPV testing. It recommends more specific language around the disclosure of information which is also helpful. And there is a change for consistency in the kaitiaki regulations. These were all canvassed at the second reading.The fourth change recommended by the committee was a new clause 6A or section 112ZE of the principal Act. Our view is that clause 6A would be impractical and it captures many day-to-day activities that were not intended to be captured by the select committee's changes. So our Supplementary Order Paper addresses that and makes much more workable changes that could be implemented while protecting the overall intent which is that the kaitiaki group should review information of consequence to wāhine Māori. So that's a summary of the changes and I look forward to members' questions."
Salesa Jenny; McAnulty Kieran; Court SimonClauses 1 to 9CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): The House is in committee now on the Health (National Cervical Screening Programme) Amendment Bill. The question is that clause 1 stand part. KIERAN McANULTY (Chief Whip—Labour): Point of order. I seek leave for all provisions to be taken as one debate.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection?SIMON COURT (ACT): A point of order Madam Chair. Just clarifying that we wish to have an opportunity to debate the Government's Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) separately to the main amendment bill.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): The point of order by Simon Court to debate just the SOP is actually not possible. We either do the debate clause by clause or we take the whole debate as one clause and you can debate the Government's SOP as part of clause 6.KIERAN McANULTY (Chief Whip—Labour): Point of order. On the basis of that clarification and the reassurance given to the member I seek leave for all provisions to be taken as one debate.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is no objection so we will take the debate as one. The question is that clauses 1 to 9 stand part.
SpeechHEALTH (NATIONAL CERVICAL SCREENING PROGRAMME) AMENDMENT BILLIn Committee
Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Williams PotoInstruction to Transport and Infrastructure CommitteeHon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister for Building and Construction): I move That the Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 11 November 2021.
Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Bill — First Reading (continued)
Bridges SimonHon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga): Well no. Point of order.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Are you saying we're not going to carry on?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I'm seeking a recall of the Speaker on this.DEPUTY SPEAKER: I am the Speaker.Hon SIMON BRIDGES: No well—yeah fair enough; fair point. You are in this instance—you're right.
Bishop Chris; Rurawhe AdrianCONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS (RETENTION MONEY) AMENDMENT BILLFirst ReadingDebate resumed.CHRIS BISHOP (National): Point of order. The Minister has indicated that they'll be seeking a shortened report-back time. Standing Order 295 says (1) The member moving the bill's first reading must on the commencement of that member's speech—(a) nominate the select committee to consider the bill and (b) if it is proposed to move for any special powers or instruction in respect of the committee's consideration of the bill indicate the terms of that proposed motion." That was done just at the very tail end of the speech; not at the commencement of the member's speech. The Speaker of the House essentially invited the Minister to move at the start of the speech. She declined to do so—I think on a couple of occasions—and can't do it towards the tail end of the speech.DEPUTY SPEAKER: I'll seek advice on that thank you. On a number of occasion when I've been in the House the House has been informed during the speech on— Hon Scott Simpson: When?DEPUTY SPEAKER: As I've said a number of occasions—Hon Scott Simpson: I don't recall it.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Well that's my ruling and as long as the Minister tables that with the Clerk then at the appropriate time she can move it.CHRIS BISHOP (National): Point of order. Mr Speaker the Standing Orders—this is not a Speaker's ruling—the Standing Orders says "must on the commencement of that member's speech". It was not done at the commencement; it was done 8½ minutes into the speech when the Minister got a note presumably from the whip indicating that she had not complied with the instructions which the Speaker himself actually asked the Minister to do because it was in the drill sheet presumably. The Minister chose not to do that. We're stuck with—Hon Poto Williams: Speaking to the point of order.CHRIS BISHOP: I'm still speaking.Hon Poto Williams: Speaking to the point of order.CHRIS BISHOP: I'm in the middle of saying something.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Chris Bishop can carry on.CHRIS BISHOP: The Speaker invited the Minister to move at the start. The Minister chose not to do so. The bill has to go to the committee—if it indeed passes its first-reading vote—for the full time. It's as simple as that.Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister for Building and Construction): Speaking to the point of order. Mr Speaker I did seek clarity from the Speaker in the Chair and as I understand the House can determine whether they accept that or not—and I suggest perhaps that's a way forward for the member.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Well this is not the appropriate—the appropriate time will be at the end of the debate so we're going to carry on."
Swarbrick Chlöe; Rurawhe AdrianVOTINGCorrection—Appropriation (2020/21 Supplementary Estimates) BillCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green—Auckland Central): Point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to correct a vote on the first reading of the Appropriation (2020/21 Supplementary Estimates) Bill and to cast the two votes in favour on behalf of Te Paati Māori whose proxies we now hold. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The record will be so corrected.
Appropriation (2020/21 Supplementary Estimates) Bill — Vote Correction — First Reading
Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Bill — First Reading
Robertson GrantAPPROPRIATION (2020/21 SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES) BILLFirst ReadingHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I move That the Appropriation (2020/21 Supplementary Estimates) Bill be now read a first time.
Mallard TrevorPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: No bills have been introduced. Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.CLERK: Petition of Vadim Chausov requesting that the House express solidarity with the people of Belarus and urge the Government to support democracy condemn state-sponsored violence and police brutality and impose sanctions for those responsible for human rights violations in Belaruspetition of Tyra Gabb requesting that the House urge the Government to permanently reduce the speed limit along Mill Road Helensville and install a speed camera and pedestrian crossing.SPEAKER: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee. A paper has been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Independent Police Conduct Authority Statement of Performance Expectations 2021/22.SPEAKER: I present the report of the Controller and Auditor-General entitled Working in new ways to address family violence and sexual violence.I also present the report of the Ombudsman on an unannounced inspection of Te Whare Ahuru Mental Health Inpatient Unit Hutt Hospital under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989. Those papers are published under the authority of the House. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Reports of the Education and Workforce Committee on the petition of Bailee Ryan and the petition of Josephine Andrews report of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Billreports of the Governance and Administration Committee on the Office of the Ombudsmanreport on Local Government Official Information Meetings Act compliance and practice for Buller District Council Invercargill City Council and Tauranga City Councilreport of the Māori Affairs Committee on the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill report of the Petitions Committee on the Petition of Lawrence Yule report of the Regulations Review Committee on the complaint about banking standards BS2A and BS2B incorporated by reference into the Registered Bank Disclosure Statements (New Zealand Incorporated Registered Banks) Order 2014reports of the Social Services and Community Committee on the Office of the Ombudsman OPCAT COVID-19 report: Report on inspections of aged care facilities under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989.SPEAKER: The bills are set down for second reading the reports of the Governance and Administration Committee and the Regulations Review Committee are set down for consideration.
Resignations — Hon Dr Nick Smith National Party
Mallard TrevorRESIGNATIONSHon Dr Nick Smith National PartySPEAKER: I wish to advise the House that I have received a letter from the Hon Dr Nick Smith resigning his seat in the House with effect at midnight Thursday 10 June 2021.
Salesa JennyTUESDAY 8 JUNE 2021The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): Ke tau lotu. 'E 'Otua Māfimafi kuo mau taa'i mālie 'i ho'o 'ofá mo e ngaahi tāpuaki hono kotoa. 'Oku tuku homau lotó ka mau hū atu ke ke malu'i ange mu'a 'a e Kuiní mo tataki ange 'emau fua fatongia 'i he Fale Aleá 'aki 'a e poto Faka-e-'Otua 'ofa pea mo e 'ulungaanga malū ko e 'uhí ko e mo'ui mo e melino 'a e fonuá. 'Oku mau kole atu 'a e ngaahi me'á ni hono kotoa 'i he huafa ho 'aló pē 'e taha ko Sīsū Kalaisi ko homau fakamo'uí 'Emeni.
Thursday 3 June 2021 - Volume 752
5. Question No. 5—HealthBROOKE VAN VELDEN (Deputy Leader—ACT) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 5—Health5. BROOKE VAN VELDEN (Deputy Leader—ACT) to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement I don't buy into extremist rhetoric" in relation to comments from Patient Voice Aotearoa on Pharmac funding and if so—SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! The question is finished.Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health): I stand by the statement as quoted but point out that the member is incorrect that the statement as it was presented to me at the time I was questioned about it was from Patient Voice Aotearoa. The comment I made was in response to a quote from an individual.Brooke van Velden: Does he believe that advocating for increased funding for lifesaving medicines is extremist?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: No and I think the member makes the mistake of assuming that a comment I make about one person's statement is a comment made about hundreds of other people. It simply is not.Brooke van Velden: Point of order. The comment that the Minister was making was in relation to a person who is advocating on behalf of Patient Voice Aotearoa which is Patient Voice Aotearoa.SPEAKER: It's not the member's job to try and correct a Minister's answer by way of point of order. I think the member while she's a relatively new member of the House actually knows that one doesn't argue about answers by way of point of order.Brooke van Velden: Will he apologise to the individual in question for describing their advocacy for increased funding for medicines as extremist rhetoric?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I will not criticise anybody who challenges contests opposes protests about any measure by Government but I will take a stance on people who use extreme language.Dr Shane Reti: What was the quote from the individual that he has deemed to be extremist rhetoric?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: That's an interesting question. I don't quite recall it except that at the time I made a judgment that it was extreme. It's interesting how much coverage has been given to my response and not the quote that was put to me."
4. Question No. 4—EducationANGELA ROBERTS (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 4—Education4. ANGELA ROBERTS (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What steps is the Government taking to address historical imbalances in funding for vocational education and training?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Between 2014 and 2019 the average amount of Government tuition funding per learner for vocational education and training increased by significantly less than the Consumers Price Index—in other words it went backwards in real terms. It increased by 2.4 percent which is significantly less than the average rate increase for degree-level education which was 11.4 percent over that period of time. That's why in this year's Budget we've invested an additional $279.5 million over the next four years to bring vocational education and training funding up so that it is sustainable and so that we can boost that part of our education system.Angela Roberts: Why has the Government considered it important to provide this rebalancing now?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Vocational education and training has long been undervalued in our education system. In fact—and those areas are covered by this funding—we are often talking about the areas of skill shortages that are the most acute here in New Zealand. Making sure that we make the economics of those programmes stack up and recruit more people into those training areas will go a long way to helping New Zealand rebuild from COVID-19 by tackling the critical skill shortages that have been holding us back.Angela Roberts: How will the increased funding in 2022 support apprentices and other workers learning in the workplace?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I'm very pleased to say that funding rates for apprentices and those in industry training will increase by 5 percent. That will start to align those funding rates better—the work-integrated learning funding rates—with provider-based learning funding rates as we move to a more unified funding system for all vocational education and training.
2. Question No. 2—FinanceBARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 2—Finance2. BARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) to the Minister of Finance: Fa'afetai lou Afioga le Fofoga Fetalai. What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Fa'afetai tele lava. The Government's ongoing support to secure the economic recovery is being reflected in the Crown's financial accounts. The Crown accounts for the 10 months to the end of April 2021 were released today and they show that both the operating balance before gains and losses—the OBEGAL—and the overall operating balance are better than forecast in the Budget in May. The OBEGAL was a deficit of $5 billion $3.6 billion better than forecast in the Budget. Tax revenue was $79.1 billion $2 billion above forecast due to higher than expected corporate and income tax and GST revenue reflecting the economy growing well. Net core Crown debt is—Hon Paul Goldsmith: Of course it is!Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: —33.9 percent of GDP $2.6 billion less than forecast. Mr Goldsmith I'm not taking advice on numbers from you! While the Government's books are in better shape than expected we cannot afford to be complacent. We're still facing elevated levels of debt and OBEGAL deficits for some years to come in response to the pandemic.Barbara Edmonds: What other reports has he seen on the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Securing the recovery has also been supported by industries including the export sector. Statistics New Zealand reported yesterday that the terms of trade for the March quarter 2021 remain near historical highs rising 0.1 percent. Exports continue to be resilient with global demand pushing up log prices while dairy and meat prices experienced modest declines. BNZ economists noted that the result continues a period of relative buoyancy in the terms of trade which has been a major support to the New Zealand economy. They anticipate terms of trade to rise further over coming quarters to a new record level as the likes of higher dairy prices filter into the official statistics.Barbara Edmonds: What other reports has he seen about the impact of the agricultural sector on the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Fonterra is forecasting a record-high milk price payout forecast range for the coming season. The cooperative announced an opening forecast for the 2021-22 season which started at the beginning of June of between $7.25 per kilo of milk solids to $8.75 per kilo with a mid-point of $8 per kilo. Its previous highest ever opening price was $7 per kilo. Fonterra cited an improving global economy and strong demand for dairy amid muted growth in global supply. The mid-point of the forecast would see the cooperative contributing more than $12 billion to the economy next season which is indeed very good news and we thank the sector for its contribution.
Strange Jamie; Dean JacquiJAMIE STRANGE (Labour—Hamilton East): Madam Speaker thank you for the opportunity to take a call on this bill. I think I'll keep it short and sweet. I acknowledge the support from the National Party on the other side there. A little bit of a strange contribution because I thought the National Party believed in free markets and competition and that's what this bill does. It ensures that there is competition within the gas industry. I'd like to acknowledge the key role that the gas industry plays both in our industrial and our residential areas.This bill is about stability of supply and we have heard from the Minister and the previous speaker that at times we have had gas outages in New Zealand and that's something that absolutely we do not want in both our commercial and residential areas so the regulation is important. The purpose of this bill is to strengthen the regulation-making powers in the Gas Act to provide for enhanced information disclosed requirements.We did hear from some of the submitters on the committee around that aspect around sensitive information and I believe this bill does hit the right balance on that. I believe I'm the final speaker of the night and I commend this bill to the House. Thank you.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): This debate is interrupted and set down for resumption next sitting day. The House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday 8 June. Kia ora.Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 4.57 p.m.
Building (Building Products and Methods Modular Components and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Watts SimonSIMON WATTS (National—North Shore): Thank you very much. Look I just want to take a very brief call in regards to this legislation. I tell you what firstly rising on behalf of the National Party and as the member of North Shore I just wanted to refer to the Building (Building Products and Methods Modular Components and Other Matters) Amendment Bill third reading—the National Party supports this bill.I think—as we've heard this afternoon a number of key comments in terms of the benefits of this bill—obviously we've got a significant challenge across this country at the moment in terms of the lack of houses being built. I think it'd be fair to say as my good colleague in front of me referred to in his speech the need for us to really focus on this key issue and drive it with a sense of urgency is something that on this side of the House we know is absolutely critically important but sadly on that side of the House they are all talk and no action.While we're on the third reading of this bill—you know we've been through some of the detail and obviously we've heard some of the comments from the speakers on the other side in terms of that. But I really want to refer back into—and I think it is a key component around that workforce challenge. Workforce is a key element of the building sector. Actually recently I watched and went to the building apprenticeship awards competition in Auckland at Unitec and I was very very impressed with the young and up and coming builders. These were apprentices in their second and third year of their degree. I was very very impressed with the degree of focus enthusiasm and energy that they put into their profession and their attention to detail. But what was very clear to me when I was at that training institution in Auckland was that actually the scale of the challenge and the number of houses that need to be built in this country needs significantly more workforce than what is currently in the pipeline in this country and that side of the House that Government over there has had four long years to get this right. And what have they done? Absolutely nothing and it's a disgrace—absolutely disgraceful—and I am very very disappointed. I'm very disappointed in terms of what is in effect a missed opportunity for this country. It is my children and I'm sure the children of others around here and grandchildren on the other side that are going to pay the price for this Government that it fails to deliver—it just enjoys the sound of their own voice on many occasions.I do want to get back to this bill because it is a small small part of the solution. As I said the National Party is happy to support it. However—[Interruption] I'm getting a lot of support over here thank you. But on those grounds I'm going to commend this bill to the House.