edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Sabin Mike: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is subject to correctionSabin Mike: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15087. Text is subject to correction.]MIKE SABIN (National—Northland): The member who has just resumed his seat the Rt Hon Winston Peters seems to apply the standard of resignation to everyone else in this House. If he was to apply that standard to himself that member should have resigned about 15 times over but what he does instead is that he actually takes a Government down to avoid his own resignation. This is another good example of thexenophobic brand of New Zealand First and absolutely nothing to do with this bill the Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2).He wants an independent inquiry. What that actually translates to when we put that through the “complicator” is that he wants an independent media platform so that he can try to stand up to get a few cheap media shots away because he has been finding that he has been struggling to get some time on air with the old Green Party talking about their recent agenda and so forth. So he is trying to squeeze himself in to get a bit of time on air. He has done it time and time again but interestingly enough I looked around this House while the member was puffing out his chest and hot air was emerging forth and no one in this House was paying any attention whatsoever other than the Minister of Immigration at whom the allegations have been levelled.What Winston Peters is going on about here is the equivalent of when a Nigerian prince emails us all to tell us we have got $100000 sitting in a bank account because we are lucky enough to have won a lottery. That member Winston Peters would be the first to say: “Look at this! Look at this! There’s $100 million in the account.” It must be true because the liars the vagabonds and the people smugglers are apparently the people Winston Peters listens to and wants to get a media beat-up over. Why is it that the Minister has to prove that that is not true although Mr Peters does not have to prove it is true? If he had any clout if he would put his money where his mouth is that is what he would do. But he will not. He will not because he cannot.
Auchinvole Chris: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is subject to correctionAuchinvole Chris: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15085. Text is subject to correction.]CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National): I support the Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2).
Roy Eric: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is subject to correctionRoy Eric: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15081. Text is subject to correction.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I call Darien Fenton.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Oh come on Darien. Give me a break here. He attacked me you know.
Bennett David: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is subject to correctionBennett David: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15080. Text is subject to correction.]DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East): I just want to join in support of this bill the Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2). I just want to thank the previous speaker Rajen Prasad for his support from the Labour Party for this going to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee. The 10-year rule is a general rule within immigration policy. If you commit a serious offence within that period of time you can be deported. I think it is just carrying that forward into the employment realm.I would just like to thank the Minister of Immigration for his special interest in this area. As new migrants to New Zealand many people face a lot of challenges and one of those is employment. Making sure that we have rules and regulations that give those people the most protection when they are in a vulnerable state is a very important thing.This Minister has taken a particular interest in that and has worked hard to deliver this result which will look after new migrants going into work and protect their rights so I would like to thank him for that.I also note that we have the New Zealand First leader Winston Peters here. I am sure he is going to get up and take the New Zealand First call and it will be another attack on people coming to New Zealand to make a better future for themselves. That is sad. We want an open and free country that has the best environment for people to make the best of their opportunities. To use these kinds of bills as a political stunt to try to attack people in vulnerable positions is something that you would expect of New Zealand First. We are soon to see it in the next half an hour I am sure. It is a very sad approach when a politician has to stoop to those levels to try to get some publicity. Thank you.
Stewart Barbara: Medicines Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is subject to correctionStewart Barbara: Medicines Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15076. Text is subject to correction.]BARBARA STEWART (NZ First): It is my pleasure to continue the debate on the Medicines Amendment Bill. This bill is long overdue. On—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Can I just ask members who are leaving the Chamber to try to do it as quietly as possible to allow the member speaking to have a reasonably fair go.BARBARA STEWART: Thank you. On this side of the House we lament the time that it has actually taken to get the bill to this stage. We are pleased to see that it has come to the House under urgency but we wonder why it never ever appeared prior to that. We are all aware that the bill is an interim measure until the Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products Agency is established when we will act in a joint way with Australia on these matters. It was interesting at the Health Committee that the submitters all generally supported the new regime proposed and the new definitionseven though it did take some time for us all to get our heads around the definitions and to feel quite comfortable with them.We were pleased to see that this bill uses the skills of the nurse practitioners and they can be more widely used. We know that nurse practitioners provide a valuable service that an increasing number of people depend on and this is particularly evident in rural areas. Again we know that pharmacists are now included in this regime and we are pleased to see the skills of pharmacists used. They are a highly skilled group of people and in every town people are very comfortable going into their local pharmacy to actually ask for advice. That is the first port of call before we go to the doctor these days.So just to quickly sum up New Zealand First supports the passing of this bill. It allows for greater flexibility where medicine and health changes are happening at an incredible rate. We believe it is in the interests of the health outcomes of all New Zealanders to keep up with the changes that are happening overseas and we believe that this should be a priority for the Government. Given that we are seeking to increase the flexibility of our health system and to make it more accessible to every New Zealander we support this bill. Thank you.Bill read a third time.
Medicines Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is subject to correctionMedicines Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15076. Text is subject to correction.]Medicines Amendment BillThird ReadingDebate resumed.BARBARA STEWART (NZ First): It is my pleasure to continue the debate on the Medicines Amendment Bill. This bill is long overdue. On—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Can I just ask members who are leaving the Chamber to try to do it as quietly as possible to allow the member speaking to have a reasonably fair go.BARBARA STEWART: Thank you. On this side of the House we lament the time that it has actually taken to get the bill to this stage. We are pleased to see that it has come to the House under urgency but we wonder why it never ever appeared prior to that. We are all aware that the bill is an interim measure until the Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products Agency is established when we will act in a joint way with Australia on these matters. It was interesting at the Health Committee that the submitters all generally supported the new regime proposed and the new definitionseven though it did take some time for us all to get our heads around the definitions and to feel quite comfortable with them.We were pleased to see that this bill uses the skills of the nurse practitioners and they can be more widely used. We know that nurse practitioners provide a valuable service that an increasing number of people depend on and this is particularly evident in rural areas. Again we know that pharmacists are now included in this regime and we are pleased to see the skills of pharmacists used. They are a highly skilled group of people and in every town people are very comfortable going into their local pharmacy to actually ask for advice. That is the first port of call before we go to the doctor these days.So just to quickly sum up New Zealand First supports the passing of this bill. It allows for greater flexibility where medicine and health changes are happening at an incredible rate. We believe it is in the interests of the health outcomes of all New Zealanders to keep up with the changes that are happening overseas and we believe that this should be a priority for the Government. Given that we are seeking to increase the flexibility of our health system and to make it more accessible to every New Zealander we support this bill. Thank you.Bill read a third time.
Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionFenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15076. Text is subject to correction.]12.DARIEN FENTON (Labour) to theMinister of Labour: Does he stand by his statement that “I am especially keen to hear what affected parties have to say on the Part 6A proposals in the Bill and will carefully consider their submissions and the recommendations of the select committee”?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Labour): Yes I do.Darien Fenton: Can the workers at Hillmorton Hospital in Christchurch be confident that he has listened to their concerns given that their lives have already been turned upside down by the earthquakes and they are now sick with worry that his changes to Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act will mean they have no job security?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: In all seriousness they can be confident that I am listening and taking this very seriously.Darien Fenton: Will he carefully consider the submissions of school cleaners who told the select committee that enabling smaller cheaper companies to clean in schools will drive down the quality of cleaning thus putting our kids at risk of unnecessary infections?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: It will not be possible as the member knows for me to read every single submission. There have been a lot. But as she knows I have met with a number of people including the Service and Food Workers Union despite harsh criticism from Whale Oil for doing that. I am taking this issue very seriously.Darien Fenton: Given his commitment to carefully consider their recommendations where the submissions on the bill from both employers and workers overwhelmingly oppose elements of his Part 6A changes will he change them?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Also as the member knows this is a very complex issue. Really there have been submissions going every way on every part of Part 6A. I have confidence that David Bennett and the team on that select committee will do a very good job.
McKelvie Ian: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionMcKelvie Ian: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15075. Text is subject to correction.]11.IAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei) to theMinister of Local Government: How is the Government improving councils’ financial reporting?Hon CHRIS TREMAIN (Minister of Local Government): Recently I announced the introduction of new financial prudence regulations that will tighten financial reporting lift transparency and encourage excellence in local government. The regulations will provide a standardised way of financial reporting which will encourage council efficiency and improve accountability to ratepayers. In next year’s annual accounts councils will have to report against a set of benchmarks around three key elements of financial prudence. These are affordability sustainability and predictability.Ian McKelvie: How will the new financial reporting requirements ensure more transparency and encourage excellence in local government?Hon CHRIS TREMAIN: Affordability will be measured through rates and debt information; sustainability will be measured through a balanced budget expenditure on essential services and debt servicing; and predictability will be measured through cashflow from operations and debt control information. Performance results will be collated in a way that recognises each individual local authority’s situation. I want to see councils measured and benchmarked against each other to help lift performance and to focus on excellence. These regulations are part of the Better Local Government reform programme and are part of the Government’s commitment to delivering better services within tight financial constraints.
Wagner Nicky: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionWagner Nicky: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15073. Text is subject to correction.]9.NICKY WAGNER (National—Christchurch Central) to theMinister of Housing: What steps is the Government taking to rebuild Christchurch’s housing stock damaged or destroyed by the earthquakes?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister of Housing): The Government is committed to a programme of having all 5000 damaged Housing New Zealand homes repaired and 700 new homes built or the equivalent of one a day by the end of 2015 and we are making good progress. Today I turned the first sod on a new $9 million 26-unit development on Manchester Street where six old damp State houses previously stood. Eleven of the new 26 homes will be retained by Housing New Zealand and the remainder will be sold on the private market. This approach of increasing the density of housing in the central city and moving to mixed housing developments of social and private housing is part of our vision for Christchurch’s future.Nicky Wagner: How is the Government addressing the housing problems of the people of Christchurch with mental health needs given the stresses this community has been through and the escalating costs of housing from the thousands of homes damaged by the earthquakes?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The Government has partnered with Comcare Trust a specialist community housing provider for people with high needs and has provided funding of $4.1 million to expanding its housing portfolio by 45 homes. We opened the first six of these in St Albans today. These tenants have complex needs that are better met by a specialist community housing provider like Comcare Trust. This initiative is a flagship of our social housing reforms underpinned by new legislation that was passed unanimously by Parliament yesterday.Phil Twyford: Does he agree with the Christchurch City Council that there is severe stress on the housing stock or does he agree with Gerry Brownlee who says it is just a housing pinch; and after 5 years in Government and 3 years since the quakes is it not about time he sorted out his failed housing policy?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I would much rather be focused on building a house a day and rebuilding those 5000 houses that were damaged by the earthquakes than have an argument that the Opposition seems to be focused on as to whether it is a housing challenge a housing crisis or a pinch which are the sorts of word games that get families nowhere.
Young Jonathan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionYoung Jonathan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 November 2013. Volume:695;Page:15070. Text is subject to correction.]6.JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) to theMinister for Building and Construction: What reports has he received regarding the state of the building and construction sector?Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Minister for Building and Construction): The Government yesterday released the construction sector report which provides what I think is a very comprehensive report card on the state of the sector and I would ask all members of this House to have a good read of it. The report will support the Government’s Business Growth Agenda by improving understanding of the economy. Currently the sector employs 170000 people and generates revenues of around $30 billion per annum. The report highlights the huge wave of work that is coming in this country with the peak expected to occur in 2016. The sector needs to be ready to ride this wave and make sure it has a skilled workforce to cope with such a tidal wave.Jonathan Young: What is the Government doing to support the sector to prepare for this boom in construction activity?Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON: We recognise that with all the work that is coming in Christchurch Auckland and the regions it is vital to have as many skilled workers as possible. That is where the apprenticeship reboot scheme comes in. Already more than 8000 people this year have signed up for a trade. It has indeed been a huge success. Yesterday the Minister for Tertiary Education Skills and Employment Steven Joyce announced that the Wellington Institute of Technology and Whitireia Community Polytechnic will invest $13 million in a new Regional School of Construction for Wellington. The Government is also improving the professionalism in the sector through the licensed building practitioner scheme for which we now have 23500 licensed practitioners. Other moves to cut red tape involve introducing risk-based consenting the uptake of building information modelling and the development of a national online consenting system which will all add to the productivity of the sector.
Peters Winston: Sittings of the HouseText is subject to correctionPeters Winston: Sittings of the House[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:87. Text is subject to correction.]Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): As you know the House is the master of its own destiny. The next piece of legislation is rather seriously important. I think most members think that. I think it should commence at a time of the day when the public of this country can hear it rather than having some important issues—and these issues tonight have been important—being discussed almost in the dead of night. So I seek leave for the House to rise and consider the bill the next time we have such a sitting day.
Vote: Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is subject to correctionVote: Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:87. Text is subject to correction.]A party vote was called for on the questionThat the Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes60New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1.Noes60New Zealand Labour 33; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 7; Māori Party 3; Mana 1; United Future 1; Independent: Horan.Motion not agreed to.The result corrected after originally being announced as Ayes 60 Noes 61.
Logie Jan: Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is subject to correctionLogie Jan: Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:85. Text is subject to correction.]JAN LOGIE (Green): The Green Party is proud to once again stand alongside workers seeking decent pay and conditions. We know that the most significant improvements in these conditions have happened through strong collective action.Therefore we will with pride be opposing this Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill.
Robertson H V Ross: Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is subject to correctionRobertson H V Ross: Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:84. Text is subject to correction.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): The member is perfectly entitled to put his call for 2½ minutes each if he wants to.Chris Auchinvole: Thank you.Hon Tim Groser: This will be a split call.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): It is a split call yes.Chris Auchinvole: Thank you. I will invite—The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): The member will receive the bell with half a minute to go.Chris Auchinvole: Thank you.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): Sorry I took it that this member was going to speak first.Chris Auchinvole: Well I will speak first if you wish.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): Because you are already on your feet—so I have called you. The member will commence.
Auchinvole Chris: Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is subject to correctionAuchinvole Chris: Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:84. Text is subject to correction.]CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I would like to inquire as to whether I may seek to divide my 5 minutes with the Minister of Trade the purpose being that we have been called upon to answer a question from New Zealand First.
Beaumont Carol: Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is subject to correctionBeaumont Carol: Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:84. Text is subject to correction.]CAROL BEAUMONT (Labour): This bill the Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill from Jami-Lee Ross is an ugly bill. It is about the ugly National Party which hates workers which hates unions which brought in the Employment Contracts Act and which has a long history prior to that. But more than that it is an unnecessary bill. There is no need for it. We have low levels of strikes. Actually probably nobody wants it except possibly one company. Even the Employers and Manufacturers Association does not want it. This is a bill that is driven by a hatred of unions and will be added to the stable of attacks by this Government on workers’ rights driving down wages and conditions. I am sickened in this House by hearing the constant attacks on unions by that side of the House. The anti-union rhetoric really just gets up my nose. This is a low-road bill. It is a race to the bottom. It has nothing about driving successful collaborative workplaces.What does it do? It just basically makes it impossible for workers to use strike action if they need to to get a collective agreement settled—a very rare event nowadays. Why? Well Jami-Lee Ross seems to think it has got something to do with the Ports of Auckland. That company seems to be part of the reason for this bill. I will not go into the details of his long opinion piece on the matter. Suffice it to say this is another bit of legislation driven by the desires and needs of a particular company.The context is a whole raft of other anti-worker legislation including the current Employment Relations Act amendments that we are dealing with. This is a Government that does not focus on jobs. This is a Government that is focused on driving down wages. I look forward to voting against this bill.
Roche Denise: Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is subject to correctionRoche Denise: Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:81. Text is subject to correction.]DENISE ROCHE (Green): Tēnā koe Mr Assistant Speaker. Tēnā koutou katoa. We will be opposing this Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill. It is draconian basically. It plays into the Government’s hysterical anti-worker and anti-union agenda. We saw an example of that this afternoon with Minister Finlayson referring to Actors Equity representatives as union thugs. He referred to Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Robyn Malcolm as union thugs. That is the type of attitude that is purveyed by this type of bill.This bill breaks international treaties and it is part of the ongoing attacks on workers that this Government is perpetrating. It is designed to overturn the Employment Court’s ruling during the Ports of Auckland dispute where the union won in court when the Ports of Auckland management basically tried to contract out the Maritime Union workers’ jobs while they were locked out during an industrial dispute. It is another go at trying to change the law once a law case has been won. This Government is incorrigible in the way it is treating workers.This bill sets us back to Dickensian times where workers are supposed to be grateful for a job for anything they can get and to be kept in heel at all times. It sets up an environment that actively encourages employers to be hostile and negative towards their employees. This bill is unnecessary. There have been very few industrial disputes over the last couple of years so this bill wants to crack a nut with a sledgehammer. It is ridiculous. We will be opposing it.
Fenton Darien: Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is subject to correctionFenton Darien: Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:80. Text is subject to correction.]DARIEN FENTON (Labour): I am going to take a brief call on this Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Amendment Bill because it is a bill that no one wants. It is not needed. It is not justified. Even that icon of left-wing business management the Employers and Manufacturers Association of Auckland what did it say? It said that it isa bridge too far. This bill could be divisive. Simon Bridges the Minister of Labour was very dodgy about it. When he was asked about it he did not want to say that he supported it and nor did John Key actually. In the end John Key was kind of embarrassed into saying “Oh well maybe we will support it to select committee.”Everybody knows that this bill is not needed or justified. The rate of strikes in New Zealand is the lowest it has ever been. This Government is already attacking workers’ rights to strike. That Minister of Labour’s Employment Relations Amendment Bill has a whole lot of attacks on strikes which is going to make it so much harder for workers. This is a stupid and silly bill. It is a waste of time. I am disappointed that the young member for Botany could not come up with something a little bit more worthwhile and productive in his first member’s bill. Thank you.
Vote: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is subject to correctionVote: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:75. Text is subject to correction.]A party vote was called for on the questionThat the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) be now read a first time.Ayes59New Zealand Labour 33; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 7; Māori Party 3; Mana 1; Independent: Horan.Noes61New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Motion not agreed to.
Robertson H V Ross: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is subject to correctionRobertson H V Ross: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:75. Text is subject to correction.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): Order! I am on my feet. Can I just remind members that when votes are being taken they are supposed to be taken in silence because any comment can be taken as intimidation and it can actually lead to a breach of privilege if someone should wish to lodge one. Thank you.
Robertson H V Ross: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is subject to correctionRobertson H V Ross: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:73. Text is subject to correction.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): No no—now the member is trifling with the Chair. [Interruption] Order! We are going to move on.David Bennett: Oh Mr Assistant Speaker! I have got 1 minute left.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): No the member has already had his call and he has resumed his seat. His time has run out anyway.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Well Mr Speaker—The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): Order! The member has not called yet.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Mr Speaker.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): Thank you. I call the Rt Hon Winston Peters in reply.
Huo Raymond: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is subject to correctionHuo Raymond: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:71. Text is subject to correction.]RAYMOND HUO (Labour): I rise to take a short call to support this bill the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2).Rt Hon Winston Peters: Take a long one.RAYMOND HUO: Indeed Mr Peters—certainly. Coincidentally theNew Zealand Heraldis today celebrating its 150-year anniversary. As its Asian affairs reporter in the early 1990s the celebration in itself has certainly brought a sense of reminiscence to me to some extent. The then editor Mr Gavin Ellis was my very first employer in New Zealand and theNew Zealand Heraldwas owned by the Wilson and Horton families—proud Kiwi families. How time flies and times have changed. This is very relevant to this current bill because times have changed. It was 1989 when the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act was enacted and the global financial crisis has changed the rules of the game. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act will have to be updated for the 21st century. I commend this bill to the House.
Goff Phil: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is subject to correctionGoff Phil: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:68. Text is subject to correction.]Hon PHIL GOFF (Labour—Mt Roskill): The Labour Party will be supporting the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2). In fact it is a policy that Labour announced 4 years ago. I want to quote Winston Peters. I heard him say earlier this week that imitation is the highest form of flattery so I thank New Zealand First for that flattery—and the man has just come in.I am one of the few members who were in this House in 1984 when we inherited an economy left by 9 years of a National Government. It was the Muldoon economy. The problem with Sir Robert Muldoon was that he applied ideas that he gained in the 1940s to the 1980s when they were no longer applicable. Although the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act which Labour passed in 1989 was a splendid piece of legislation for its time—it did succeed in bringing 8 or 9 years of double-digit inflation back to low inflation—the ideas of the 1980s are no longer applicable in the 21st century and in2013. We know that inflation is now not the problem that it was. We have got very low inflation; it is at the lower end of the Reserve Bank target.What we do have are other severe problems. We have got the problem of unemployment which has persisted above 6 percent when John Key said 5 years ago that it was on its way down rapidly. It was not; it has persisted at a high level. We have got a current account deficit that the International Monetary Fund says is the highest in the developed world—the highest. It says that our dollar is overvalued by 15 percent. We see the price of that. We see the price of our manufacturing industry in decline. We see the price of our film industry suffering the biggest downturn in two decades. We see international education a $2.6 billion industry actually in decline. We see declines in our tourist industry which is also an important source of employment. These things are aggravated by applying the wrong economic mechanisms to the problems of the 21st century.We cannot go on spending more money as we have for four decades than we earn from our exports. But the high dollar at 15 percent over what it should be is killing our exports. We are borrowing to pay the difference and we are selling off our country because we owe that debt to the people we are borrowing from overseas. That is a serious problem. It will not be resolved by applying the solutions of the 1980s. It will be resolved by adopting the policy that is standard across the developed world of ensuring that our exchange rate does not kill our productive industries. That is why Labour is supporting the bill and I commend it to the House.
Genter Julie Anne: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is subject to correctionGenter Julie Anne: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:68. Text is subject to correction.]JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green): I rise to speak on the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2). The Green Party does think that this bill is a worthwhile bill and we welcome its introduction into the House and its first reading because the reality is that despite what the previous speaker Maggie Barry was saying New Zealand is a in a pretty delicate situation. Our current account deficit is the worst in the developed world. Our current Minister of Finance Bill English used to talk about rebalancing the economy. In 2010 he said that one of the factors that was the biggest threat to the New Zealand economy in the medium and long term was our external imbalances. We no longer hear National talk about the external imbalances; it has completely given up on that. Our current account deficit is forecast to increase to 6.5 percent over the next few years which is going to leave us extremely vulnerable.It is a problem that has persisted in New Zealand because we are a small country but it is one that ultimately is leading to a hollowing out of our economy. We get into a downward spiral where our exchange rate is overvalued which leads to it being more difficult for our exporters to compete. We have heard from manufacturers and exporters that the currency is hurting them. At the same time we are importing more because our currency is too high and what ends up happening is that we actually become more and more indebted to the rest of the world. That is the situation that we are in even though the National Party would like to pretend that it is not. It is actually leading us down an unsustainable track so the Green Party does support this bill.
Roy Eric: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is subject to correctionRoy Eric: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:65. Text is subject to correction.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: We move to 5-minute calls.
Vote: Privacy (Giving Privacy Commissioner Necessary Tools) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is subject to correctionVote: Privacy (Giving Privacy Commissioner Necessary Tools) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:60. Text is subject to correction.]A party vote was called for on the questionThat the Privacy (Giving Privacy Commissioner Necessary Tools) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes59New Zealand Labour 33; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 7; Māori Party 3; Mana 1; Independent: Horan.Noes61New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Motion not agreed to.
Vote: Kaipara District Council (Validation of Rates and Other Matters) Bill — Second ReadingText is subject to correctionVote: Kaipara District Council (Validation of Rates and Other Matters) Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:57. Text is subject to correction.]A party vote was called for on the questionThat the Kaipara District Council (Validation of Rates and Other Matters) Bill be now read a second time.Ayes112New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 33; Green Party 14; Māori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1; Independent: Horan.Noes8New Zealand First 7; Mana 1.Bill read a second time.
Tisch Lindsay: Kaipara District Council (Validation of Rates and Other Matters) Bill — Second ReadingText is subject to correctionTisch Lindsay: Kaipara District Council (Validation of Rates and Other Matters) Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:53. Text is subject to correction.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I understand that the next call is a split call. I call the Hon Maryan Street.
Tisch Lindsay: Kaipara District Council (Validation of Rates and Other Matters) Bill — Second ReadingText is subject to correctionTisch Lindsay: Kaipara District Council (Validation of Rates and Other Matters) Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:50. Text is subject to correction.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): The next call will be a split call. Moana Mackey—5 minutes.
Robertson H V Ross: Voting — Correction—Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Services) BillText is subject to correctionRobertson H V Ross: Voting — Correction—Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Services) Bill[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:30. Text is subject to correction.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): Yesterday when the House was in Committee and it was considering the Members of Parliament (Remunerationand Services) Bill the result of the vote on Brendan Horan’s amendments to Part 2 was incorrectly announced as Ayes 15 Noes 105. In fact what it should have been was Ayes 16 Noes 104. The record will be amended accordingly.
Carter David: General DebateText is subject to correctionCarter David: General Debate[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:18. Text is subject to correction.]Mr SPEAKER: The member’s time has expired.
Hauiti Claudette: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionHauiti Claudette: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:14. Text is subject to correction.]10.CLAUDETTE HAUITI (National) to theMinister of Internal Affairs: What reports has he received about global trends in improved public sector performance through transparency and shared information?Hon CHRIS TREMAIN (Minister of Internal Affairs): New Zealand has been ranked an outstanding fourth in the 2013 global Open Data Barometer released in London by the World Wide Web Foundation and the Open Data Institute. This is a real coup for New Zealand. The barometer is the first survey of global trends that ranks 77countries on how they release public data and the benefits of those initiatives for citizens. New Zealand was commended for its Declaration on Open and Transparent Government for its release of open data—in particular maps land ownership data and census data—and for regular reporting. This ranking is real proof that we are lifting the performance of the public sector through transparency and shared information.Claudette Hauiti: What other work is under way to make the Government more accessible?Hon CHRIS TREMAIN: The open Government data work aligns with the Government’s Better Public Services targets where result nine measures that New Zealand businesses have a one-stop online shop for Government support and result 10 states that individuals can complete their transactions with the Government easily and in a digital environment. The Government Chief Information Officer is leading a range of initiatives through the Government ICT Strategy and Action Plan to 2017 which was launched in June of this year.
Lotu-Iiga Sam: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionLotu-Iiga Sam: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:13. Text is subject to correction.]8.Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA (National—Maungakiekie) to theMinister of Housing: What is the Government doing to improve the health and safety of its Housing New Zealand homes?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister of Housing): The latest initiative to improve the quality of our social housing is the $30 million driveway safety programme. New Zealand has an appalling record of a child being hospitalised every fortnight and a child killed every 10 weeks as a result of being run over in a driveway. This year we have audited the driveway safety of every Housing New Zealand home with young children. We are now progressively installing fencing self-closing gates warning signs speed humps and convex mirrors to prevent such accidents. This new programme will upgrade these 13000 properties over the next 4 years and complemented by the Safekids education programme save young lives.Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga: What reports has the Minister seen on this important Government child-safety initiative being undertaken through Housing New Zealand?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The initiative has been commended by the Children’s Commissioner by Safekids Aotearoa and by Starship hospital. It also won the Australasian Housing Institute award for innovation at the institute’s annual conference. It further illustrates this Government’s commitment to smarter public services that benefit families and our community.Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga: What reports has the Minister had on the state of the Government’s social housing stock in 2008 and what other initiatives are being undertaken to improve the quality of our social housing?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I am advised that in 2008 there was a serious deficit in the maintenance and quality of our social housing stock driven by policy focused on only the quantity rather than quality of our housing. In 2009 Phil Heatley initiated a major programme of home insulation which has resulted in 30000 warmer drier homes and by Christmas this year every State house that can physically be insulated will be insulated. Nor was our housing stock in great shape in respect of earthquake safety. We have a programme of upgrades that will see 650 buildings repaired or replaced by the end of 2014. That is on top of the 5000 homes that we are repairing in Christchurch. These programmes combined with the driveway safety initiative involve an investment of $1.7 billion in improving the quality of our social housing and will be further underpinned by the Housing Warrant of Fitness which the Government has under development.
Calder Cam: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionCalder Cam: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:10. Text is subject to correction.]6.Dr CAM CALDER (National) to theMinister of Health: What progress has the Government made on increasing immunisation rates?Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health): I am pleased to announce that the latest Ministry of Health data shows that there is an unprecedented increase in Māori immunisation rates over the last 4 years. The end-of-financial-year data shows that 90 percent of Māori children and 95 percent of Pacific children are fully immunised bytheir second birthday. In 2007 under the previous Labour Government only 59 percent of Māori children and 63 percent of Pacific children were fully immunised. This equates to a 50 percent increase over the term of this Government.Dr Cam Calder: How have these improvements been made?Hon Dr Nick Smith: By a change of Government.Hon TONY RYALL: Well first of all by a change of Government. Secondly these outstanding results are a tribute to the hard work of general practice teams Well Child providers community outreach groups midwives district health board immunisation staff and the National Immunisation Register teams. Immunisation rates for Māori children have improved so much in the past 4 years that the Māori rates are now equal to or better than the New Zealand European rate in more than half of the nation’s district health boards. Part of this success has been scrapping the previous Labour Government’s approach which set lower immunisation targets for Māori and Pacific children compared with European children. How indefensible is that?
Horan Brendan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionHoran Brendan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:7. Text is subject to correction.]3.BRENDAN HORAN (Independent) to theMinister of Energy and Resources: Does he stand by all his recent statements?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Energy and Resources): Yes and can I congratulate the member on asking more questions in this portfolio area than the lazy member opposite—Mr SPEAKER: Order! That sort of answer is certainly not going to help the order of this House.Brendan Horan: Why did he say yesterday that he has “real confidence” in the electricity system when Transpower’s outage left between 300000 and 400000 North Island households and businesses without power in many cases causing computer damage and loss of revenue?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Because they were connecting the South Island and North Island—a massive undertaking. They were testing it. They got the power back on within 2 hours—about an hour and a half I think. But certainly I am not complacent about this and this is why the Minister for State Owned Enterprises Tony Ryall and I have asked for a comprehensive report from Transpower so we can understand in detail what happened.Brendan Horan: The Parliamentary Library has identified over 200 reports of power outages in the past 10 months; is he happy that power cuts are virtually a daily occurrence on his watch?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Of course power cuts are not desirable. The fact of the matter is we have some of the best security of supply in the world. Under the Labour plan actually we would put that in jeopardy.
Draft transcript - Tuesday 19 November 2013Published as advance copy.Draft transcript - Tuesday 19 November 2013