edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Mark Ron: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMark Ron: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 10 March 2015. Volume:703;Page:2039. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]8.RON MARK (NZ First) to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by all his statements?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Transport): Yes including my statement that New Zealand First members can say all manner of weird and wonderful things but because they are not in Government they cannot achieve diddly-squat for the people of Northland.Ron Mark: We will see about that after the by-election—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I know it is an interesting time but if members could just ask the supplementary question I for one would be grateful.Ron Mark: Thank you Mr Speaker. Can the Minister tell the House exactly when did he get the approval for the extra funding required for the New Zealand Transport Agency to replace the 10 one-way bridges on Northland’s twin coast highway—exactly when?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: This has been a matter I have been discussing with Northland since early on as a Minister of Transport going up there in December and talking about it. Late last week a decision was made on this.Ron Mark: Can the Minister then enlighten the House as to what seismic change occurred last week when the regional land transport plan 2012-15 and the draft regional land transport plan 2015-21 do not say anything about replacing 10 bridges in Northland?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: It is good to see that the member cannot read. On page I think it is 34 of the draft regional land transport plan it talks about three of the bridges in the programme—Matakohe Kaeō and Taipā. Unlike that member we know the region very well.Ron Mark: Is it not a fact that there were no plans to replace 10 bridges on the Northland twin coast highway and that this is pure pork-barrel politics of the very worst kind on the back of National’s disastrous polling in Northland for the Northland by-election?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I appreciate the members are bitter because they heard about our announcement. They wanted to beat us to it and then when we got ours out they had to go with some ill-conceived port plan that no one likes. But we have been talking to the people of Northland for a long time about this and unlike that party we have been backing them for some time.Ron Mark: In light of the previous comment about the Kaeō Bridge if this by-election proves to be not the result the Minister wants and National loses will Minister Bridges accept that Kaeō Bridge which is just down the road from the National Party candidate—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Just ask the question.Ron Mark: —will be one bridge too far?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: That member may as well live in St Mary’s Bay as well because he does not know the electorate. The fact is that the candidate for National does not live near Kaeō. We are backing those bridges whatever happens in the by-election but we know and the people of Northland increasingly know that it requires a strong voice in Northland in Government to make a difference not someone whispering in the wind from the Opposition.
O'Connor Simon: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeO'Connor Simon: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 10 March 2015. Volume:703;Page:2038. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]6.SIMON O’CONNOR (National—Tāmaki) to the Minister for Communications: What recent reports has she seen on growth of fibre connections compared to other OECD countries?Hon AMY ADAMS (Minister for Communications): The latest OECD broadband portal penetration statistics show that New Zealand is now ranked first in the world amongst developed countries for annual growth of fibre connections from June 2013 to June 2014 with an annual growth of 272 percent compared with an annual growth of fibre connections across the OECD of just 12.4 percent.Simon O’Connor: How are fibre connections in the ultra-fast broadband programme progressing against expectations?Hon AMY ADAMS: On our current level of uptake with over 69000 connected users as at 31 December 2014 representing 11.3 percent uptake this is a 26 percent increase on the previous quarter and is ahead of Crown Fibre Holdings’ expectations for this stage of the project. As a comparison Singapore was at just 2 percent uptake at the same point of their build—i.e. 43 percent complete—and they did not reach 11 percent uptake until they were 86 percent complete.
Korako Nuk: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeKorako Nuk: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 10 March 2015. Volume:703;Page:2033. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]2.NUK KORAKO (National) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on the economy and particularly on New Zealand’s creditworthiness compared to other developed economies?Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance): I have seen a recent report from credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service which reaffirms New Zealand’s triple A rating with a stable outlook. Moody’s notes that despite a fall in dairy prices during 2014 New Zealand’s economy is growing relatively strongly and it expects continued growth of around 3 percent. Overall it is a positive assessment of the direction that the New Zealand economy is going.Nuk Korako: What does Moody’s say about New Zealand’s economic performance compared with other developed economies?Hon BILL ENGLISH: It makes a number of comparisons. It says that New Zealand has demonstrated a track record of somewhat faster and more stable growth in the recent past compared with other developed countries. It does point out that New Zealand is pretty focused on the agricultural sector as its main source of export revenue but points out that New Zealand demonstrates some degree of diversity of individual products within this larger segment of agricultural exports. Moody’s notes that there is also a number of other factors that reduce the risk of economic concentration in agriculture including our relatively low reliance on agricultural employment and only about 6.4 percent of total employment it points out is in the agricultural sector.Nuk Korako: What did Moody’s say about New Zealand’s current account balance?Hon BILL ENGLISH: Like all other credit rating agencies Moody’s highlights New Zealand’s current account deficit as a risk as it has done for around 30 years. However there is reason to believe that we are making progress in this area and we expect further improvements over the next few years as we implement further economic reforms. The current account deficit continues to be smaller than forecast and currently sits around 2.6 percent of GDP so it will be interesting to see whether it goes as negative as some people forecast. Household savings have been positive for the past 5 years for the first time in 20 years and the net international investment position has fallen consistently over the last 6 years. These are all some signs of moderate progress on long-term imbalances in the New Zealand economy.Nuk Korako: How is the Government’s fiscal policy contributing to New Zealand’s stable ratings outlook?Hon BILL ENGLISH: Moody’s makes the same point as other credit rating agencies—that although New Zealand has very high levels of household debt this is offset to some extent by the strength of the Government’s finances. The ratio of Government debt to GDP is well below the median of triple-A sovereign-rated countries and Moody’s believes that Government debt will continue to decline over the next few years as a percentage of GDP.
Carter David: Points of Order — Tabling of Documents—Recording of Phone MessageText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Points of Order — Tabling of Documents—Recording of Phone Message[Sitting date: 10 March 2015. Volume:703;Page:2031. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Order! I have already had a look at the decision I made on that day. The purpose of tabling a document is to inform the proceedings of the House. I needed to make a relatively rapid decision as to whether I felt that was valuable information to members and therefore I may decide to put the leave. On that occasion I decided that such a recording was not useful information to the House.
Prosser Richard: Points of Order — Tabling of Documents—Recording of Phone MessageText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeProsser Richard: Points of Order — Tabling of Documents—Recording of Phone Message[Sitting date: 10 March 2015. Volume:703;Page:2031. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]RICHARD PROSSER (NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I would ask you to give some considerationto and revisit a ruling that you made on 26 February when I attempted to table a recording of a Ministry for Primary Industries hotline message. You ruled it out of order on the grounds that any member could phone the hotline and hear the message for themselves. I attempted at the time to raise a further point of order that we believed the recording would disappear once New Zealand First had made the public aware of its existence. That is in fact what happened. In the light of that I would ask you to perhaps revisit your ruling under—
Urgent Debates Declined — GCSB—Surveillance of New Zealanders OverseasText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeUrgent Debates Declined — GCSB—Surveillance of New Zealanders Overseas[Sitting date: 10 March 2015. Volume:703;Page:2044. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Urgent Debates DeclinedGCSB—Surveillance of New Zealanders OverseasMr SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Dr Russel Norman seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 recent revelations that the Government Communications Security Bureau has allegedly undertaken spying against New Zealanders in the Pacific.In ruling on an application for an urgent debate the Speaker has to determine whether there is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. The particular case may arise sometime after the event occurred if members could not reasonably have found out about it at the time. If something occurs in secret it becomes an event for the purpose of the Standing Orders only when it becomes publicly known. However the making of allegations is not a particular case for which there is ministerial responsibility. An urgent debate cannot be granted on the basis of newspaper allegations or speculation. There must be distinct governmental responsibility for the particular case that is being sought to debate.On this basis although I accept that the case has only now come to the member’s attention it does not meet the test for me to set aside the business of the House. The application is therefore declined.
Points of Order — Tabling of Documents—Recording of Phone MessageText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePoints of Order — Tabling of Documents—Recording of Phone Message[Sitting date: 10 March 2015. Volume:703;Page:2031. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Tuesday 10 March 2015Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.Points of OrderTabling of Documents—Recording of Phone MessageRICHARD PROSSER (NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I would ask you to give some considerationto and revisit a ruling that you made on 26 February when I attempted to table a recording of a Ministry for Primary Industries hotline message. You ruled it out of order on the grounds that any member could phone the hotline and hear the message for themselves. I attempted at the time to raise a further point of order that we believed the recording would disappear once New Zealand First had made the public aware of its existence. That is in fact what happened. In the light of that I would ask you to perhaps revisit your ruling under—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I have already had a look at the decision I made on that day. The purpose of tabling a document is to inform the proceedings of the House. I needed to make a relatively rapid decision as to whether I felt that was valuable information to members and therefore I may decide to put the leave. On that occasion I decided that such a recording was not useful information to the House.
Vote: Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) (Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) (Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:2019. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) (Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 106New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; New Zealand First 11; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 13Green Party 13.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Local Government and Environment Committee.
Mallard Trevor: Drug and Alcohol Testing of Community-based Offenders and Bailees Legislation Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Drug and Alcohol Testing of Community-based Offenders and Bailees Legislation Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:2030. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): I regret that I have to interrupt the member because the time has come for me to leave the Chair.Debate interrupted.
Lotu-Iiga Sam: Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) (Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLotu-Iiga Sam: Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) (Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:2019. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA (Minister of Corrections) on behalf of theMinister for the Environment: I move That the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) (Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill be reported back to the House by 29 June 2015.Motion agreed to.
Tisch Lindsay: Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) (Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) (Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:2012. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): The next call is a split call between the Green Party and the ACT Party. I call Eugenie Sage—5 minutes.
Joyce Steven: Appropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeJoyce Steven: Appropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1996. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Associate Minister of Finance) on behalf of theMinister of Finance: I move That the Appropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) Bill be now read a first time.Bill read a first time.
Carter David: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1991. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am sorry there is just too much noise coming from my right so I want the member to start that question again.
Martin Tracey: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMartin Tracey: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1991. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]TRACEY MARTIN (Deputy Leader—NZ First): Kia ora Mr Speaker. To the Minister for Food Safety: what reports if any has she seen—[Interruption]
Dean Jacqui: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDean Jacqui: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1988. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]7.JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister for Primary Industries: What Government support is available for farmers and growers along most of the East Coast of the South Island since a medium-scale adverse event was declared on 12 February 2015?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): The Government has made an extra $200000 available to localised rural support trusts which provide advice coordination and emotional support. Rural assistance payments are also available from Work and Income and assistance from the Inland Revenue Department will give greater flexibility to affected farmers and growers around their tax obligations. History shows that farmers and growers are not interested in a handout. They want to know that the Government acknowledges that many of them are experiencing tough times right now and I know that they have the resilience to get through this.Jacqui Dean: What recent developments occurring from the drought conditions has he been advised of?Hon NATHAN GUY: Just because we announced a medium-scale adverse event it does not mean that the drought conditions are over for farmers or growers. Yesterday irrigation from the Ōpua Dam stopped. The Ōpua supports three important areas and they are social environmental and economic. It supports the Timaru water supply which as I understand will still be maintained. Fish and Game has also been rescuing fish from drying rivers and releasing them into the Ōpihi River which is fed by this storage scheme. And of course the Ōpua also underpins hundreds of jobs and the South Canterbury economy. This just highlights how much worse it could have been if we did not have decent water storage projects built in this country.Jacqui Dean: Where can farmers and growers in affected areas continue to receive up-to-date information and support?Hon NATHAN GUY: Organisations such as Rural Women Beef and Lamb Dairy New Zealand and rural support trusts are holding various events over the coming weeks where farmers and growers can meet and exchange support and advice. Federated Farmers are also operating its feed line and of course the banks have made support packages available for farmers. Of course farmers and growers can reach out and call the 0800 number for the rural support trust.Hon Damien O’Connor: Why will the Minister not provide the support that farmers and growers have been asking for in report after report and that is more resource for a better bioprotection system?Hon NATHAN GUY: Well we are. We are and industry knows that. Industry was very worried at the last election that the Labour Party could have been sitting on this side of the House on the Treasury benches because they knew that you did not support irrigation you did not support biological—Mr SPEAKER: Order! You cannot bring me into this answer.
Hipkins Chris: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHipkins Chris: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1987. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]6.CHRIS HIPKINS (Labour—Rimutaka) to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by her decision to approve the Whangaruru Partnership School; if so why?Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education): Yes; because the school is in an area where there has been longstanding concern about educational underachievement. The school was set up to give a group of the most disadvantaged kids another shot at education.Chris Hipkins: Why did she agree in September to vary the contract for Whangaruru School reducing the number of qualified teachers it is required to have at the very time she was receiving advice from the Education Review Office that its report into the school was delayed because the school was facing major problems?Hon HEKIA PARATA: Because we are trying to find successful pathways for these young people and the particular choices they were making required different skills.Chris Hipkins: How does lowering the bar or lowering the standards that Whangaruru School has to meet when it became apparent that it was having major problems fit with her earlier commitment that charter schools would be held to higher standards and be more accountable than State schools?Hon HEKIA PARATA: I reject the basis that that question was asked on. Having teachers who have a particular set of skills but are not registered does not mean lowering the standards. It means providing a pathway for the kids who are involved in vocational opportunities.Chris Hipkins: Does she believe that she made a mistake in agreeing to increase the number of untrained teachers at Whangaruru School given the Education Review Office readiness report subsequently found that adequate support for the untrained teachers already at the school had not been available?Hon HEKIA PARATA: No. I think the issue though of the level of support available is a key issue and it is one of the ones that I have identified in the performance notice that I issued to the school.Chris Hipkins: Did she or her officials know prior to making the variation in Whangaruru School’s contract that the school was having difficulty ascertaining the registration of key staff and that it was not clear that there was a sufficient appraisal process in place to be able to attest that their current teachers continued to meet the registered teacher criteria?Hon HEKIA PARATA: I do not know where the member is getting his information from so I cannot comment on it.Chris Hipkins: I seek leave to table the Education Review Office’s readiness report for the Minister’s benefit because she obviously has not read it.Mr SPEAKER: Order! If the member had just sought leave to table the document that would have been a far more appropriate way to do it. I will put the leave and let the House decide. Leave is sought to table that particular document. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1987. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]5.KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister of Transport: What work is the Government doing to provide better transport connections between Auckland International Airport and the Greater Auckland area?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Transport): Increasing population and air traveller numbers are going to place growing pressure on State Highway 20A which connects Auckland’s international airport with the Greater Auckland region. Last week I was delighted to turn the first sod of the $146 million project to upgrade the Kirkbride Road intersection on State Highway 20A near Auckland Airport. The project will support future population and business growth in South Auckland and in the Greater Auckland area and will improve travel times to and from Auckland’s international airport—New Zealand’s international gateway.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: What benefits will the upgrade of the Kirkbride Road intersection on State Highway 20A near Auckland Airport deliver for travellers and for business?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: By accelerating this $146 million project to upgrade this intersection there are at least three benefits: firstly a safer faster more reliable route into the city on for the first time ever one streamlined motorway; undoubted benefits to the local community including public transport cycleways and for walkers; and it will also undoubtedly support regional economic growth. For Mr O’Rourke who is very passionate about both light and heavy rail he will be pleased to know that that option has been included in this magnificent project.
Simpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSimpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1984. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]3.SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel) to the Minister for Social Development: What reports has she received on the latest valuation of the benefit system?Mr SPEAKER: Is the Minister going to respond?Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Social Development): The valuation measures the future cost of New Zealand’s benefit system. The latest valuation shows welfare reform is having a major impact on those costs. The total cost of the benefit system over a lifetime is now $69 billion a $7.5 billion reduction. Once you remove all the outside factors like the economy and unemployment etc. $2.2 billion of the reduction is solely due—Iain Lees-Galloway: Minor details!Hon ANNE TOLLEY: If you would just listen you might learn something. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! It was not helped by the Minister’s interjection across the House but she was responding to interjections from my left. Could the Minister just complete her answer.Hon ANNE TOLLEY: Once you remove all the outside factors like the economy $2.2 billion of the reduction is solely due to this Government’s welfare reforms and the hard work of the front-line Work and Income staff who are supporting people into work. The reductions we are now seeing will mean fewer people on benefit in the years to come which means we are going to see healthier and more prosperous households.Scott Simpson: What indicators does the valuation provide regarding the number of young people on benefits?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: This Government’s investment in youth services is having a great effect. The report shows us that 51 percent—just over half—of young people on the youth payment at 17 years are off a benefit when they turn 19 compared with just 31 percent 3 years ago and we want to keep that momentum going. There is still much work to be done particularly on intergenerational issues. The valuation showed that nine out of 10 young people who went on to a benefit grew up in benefit-dependent homes as children. This reinforces the importance of working to break that cycle of intergenerational welfare dependence which this Government is committed to doing.
Carter David: Points of Order — Written Questions—Overdue RepliesText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Points of Order — Written Questions—Overdue Replies[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1981. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: I give the member an assurance that I will look into the matter immediately when I leave the Chamber after the end of question time.
Goff Phil: Points of Order — Written Questions—Overdue RepliesText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeGoff Phil: Points of Order — Written Questions—Overdue Replies[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1981. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon PHIL GOFF (Labour—Mt Roskill): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I raise a point of order with you under Standing Order 382(4). It relates to more than 60 written questions that have remained unanswered—half of them for over 2 months—by the Minister of Defence Mr Brownlee when that Standing Order requires a reply within 6 working days. I have approached the Minister’s office and got an arrogant reply. So I am now seeking from you assistance in upholding the Standing Order on this basis in particular: that our key responsibility is to hold Ministers to account. Answers to written questions are one way of holding them to account. If they treat our written questions with arrogance or behave incompetently then we have to resort to you to uphold that Standing Order.
Bridges Simon: Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBridges Simon: Business Statement[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1981. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Deputy Leader of the House): When the House resumes on Tuesday 10 March the Government will look to progress a number of bills on the Order Paper including the Statues Amendment Bill (No 4) the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Amendment Bill and the Radiation Safety Bill.
Appropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeAppropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1996. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Appropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) BillFirst ReadingHon STEVEN JOYCE (Associate Minister of Finance) on behalf of theMinister of Finance: I move That the Appropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) Bill be now read a first time.Bill read a first time.
Points of Order — Written Questions—Overdue RepliesText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePoints of Order — Written Questions—Overdue Replies[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1981. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Points of OrderWritten Questions—Overdue RepliesHon PHIL GOFF (Labour—Mt Roskill): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I raise a point of order with you under Standing Order 382(4). It relates to more than 60 written questions that have remained unanswered—half of them for over 2 months—by the Minister of Defence Mr Brownlee when that Standing Order requires a reply within 6 working days. I have approached the Minister’s office and got an arrogant reply. So I am now seeking from you assistance in upholding the Standing Order on this basis in particular: that our key responsibility is to hold Ministers to account. Answers to written questions are one way of holding them to account. If they treat our written questions with arrogance or behave incompetently then we have to resort to you to uphold that Standing Order.Mr SPEAKER: I give the member an assurance that I will look into the matter immediately when I leave the Chamber after the end of question time.
Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBusiness Statement[Sitting date: 26 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1981. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Thursday 26 February 2015Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.Business StatementHon SIMON BRIDGES (Deputy Leader of the House): When the House resumes on Tuesday 10 March the Government will look to progress a number of bills on the Order Paper including the Statues Amendment Bill (No 4) the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Amendment Bill and the Radiation Safety Bill.
Vote: Register of Pecuniary Interests of Judges Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Register of Pecuniary Interests of Judges Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1968. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the Register of Pecuniary Interests of Judges Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 16Green Party 14; Māori Party 2.Noes 104New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; New Zealand First 11; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Motion not agreed to.
Vote: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1956. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months' Paid Leave) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 60New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 11; Māori Party 2; United Future 1.Noes 60New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1.Motion not agreed to.
Vote: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1930. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the motion be agreed to.Ayes 60New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 11; Māori Party 2; United Future 1.Noes 60New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1.Motion not agreed to.
Vote: Manukau City Council (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Manukau City Council (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1929. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the Manukau City Council (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 11New Zealand First 11.Noes 109New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Motion not agreed to.
Mallard Trevor: Social Security (Clothing Allowances for Orphans and Unsupported Children) Amendment Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Social Security (Clothing Allowances for Orphans and Unsupported Children) Amendment Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1976. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Just before I call Jan Logie the Speakers’ rulings that I was looking for before were Speakers’ rulings 47/3 and 47/4.
Mallard Trevor: Register of Pecuniary Interests of Judges Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Register of Pecuniary Interests of Judges Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1965. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Before I call the next member I think this is the third time today I have called members—in every case new members—to order. It is not the practice of members to stand in the aisles and talk to other members unless they are the leader of a party the deputy leader of a party or a whip. It is actually quite rude.
Borrows Chester: Register of Pecuniary Interests of Judges Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Register of Pecuniary Interests of Judges Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1960. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I call James Stewart.Hon Members: Shaw.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Shaw—sorry.
Borrows Chester: Register of Pecuniary Interests of Judges Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Register of Pecuniary Interests of Judges Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1958. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The point of making a personal statement by a member is to speak to specific allegations that have been made by another member. A member should refer to what those specific allegations are rather than speculating that there may have been some allegation of ill will or bad faith or such and such. The member needs to confine himself to those specific matters. However I realise that he has resumed his seat and that we have moved on.
Graham Kennedy: Register of Pecuniary Interests of Judges Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeGraham Kennedy: Register of Pecuniary Interests of Judges Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1958. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM (Green): I seek leave to make a personal statement.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that. Is there any objection? There is none.Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM: I have just come down to the House from my office. I was not intending to be here having spoken already on the bill. It is not a hugely critical point but I think it requires a personal statement.The previous speaker was expressing what he called “disappointment”—I am not sure whether he used any other word—at what he seemed to imply to be an act of bad faith on my part in withdrawing the bill from the Order Paper and then putting it back on the Order Paper for a second reading. I would not have bothered to come down to the House but it is not the first time that there has been such an insinuation. So I just wish to take the floor and explain to the House the developments that occurred to prompt that action.During the Justice and Electoral Committee’s deliberations—and I assume that certainly some if not all National Party MPs are aware of this but possibly not. During the committee’s deliberations—I was not a member of the committee at the time—I was visited in my office by the then chair of the committee who—Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Sit down please. Just by way of guidance to the member the member must address his personal statement to specific comments if he believes he has been misrepresented. So he should outline what those particular comments are and then state succinctly his response to that during the course of his personal statement. Carry on.Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM: Thank you. I am quite capable of doing it succinctly. My point was with regard to an expression of disappointment by Mr Ngaro at my putting the bill back on the Order Paper for a second reading. If there is any insinuation of bad faith then I wish to make a personal statement. If he wishes to get up and say there was no intent of any insinuation of bad faith there is no need for one.
Borrows Chester: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1953. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: You have described the letter. Leave is put for that purpose. Is there any objection? The document will be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.
Borrows Chester: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1949. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: This next call is split into two 5-minute calls.
Tisch Lindsay: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1948. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I call Iain Lees-Galloway. Five minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1947. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I understand the next call is a split call. Denise Roche—5 minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1937. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I call Jami-Lee Ross—5 minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1936. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): The next call is a split call. I call Sarah Dowie—5 minutes.
Moroney Sue: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMoroney Sue: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — Recommittal Third Reading[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1930. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]SUE MORONEY (Labour): I move That the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill be recommitted for further consideration by the Committee of the whole House.
Carter David: General DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: General Debate[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1922. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: The time for this debate has expired. As this is the first general debate for this parliamentary year I just want to remind all members of Speaker’s ruling 47/1. The general debate is a type of debate that I expect to be political and impromptu and I think it is unnecessary for any member to have to read a speech through the general debate. Today I have observed three members reading their speeches and disappointingly two of those members are senior members of this House. If a member was a new member or if a member was to use a general debate slot to state something quite technical I may be lenient. But in the future if a member comes into this general debate and proceeds simply to read a speech do not be surprised that their speech may well be curtailed.The debate having concluded the motion lapsed.
Carter David: General DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: General Debate[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1921. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member’s time has expired.
Carter David: General DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: General Debate[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1910. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Oh the member has sought leave; that is true. Leave is sought to table that particular document. Is there any objection? There is.
Brownlee Gerry: General DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBrownlee Gerry: General Debate[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1910. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery): I seek leave to table a photograph showing the Hon Rick Barker handing over the $100000 bottle of wine to Donghua Liu’s partner.Mr SPEAKER: Order! That will not help the order of this House.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: I have sought leave.
Clark David: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeClark David: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1908. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]12.Dr DAVID CLARK (Labour—Dunedin North) to the Minister for Economic Development: What was the “range of price escalation” for the New Zealand International Convention Centre as recorded in advice to the Minister dated 26 February 2014?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Economic Development): As is clear in the other released documents that were written around that same time the figure was a net $30 million to $40 million. It was the Government’s expectation at that time that any additional costs would be effectively designed out in a subsequent preliminary design stage. As we all now know the preliminary design came back on 15 October at a much wider cost differential and that was put into the public domain before the end of last year.Dr David Clark: Has he sought and received a revaluation of the land Skycity acquired from Television New Zealand for the purposes of building a convention centre and upon which Skycity now intends to build a five-star 300-bedroom hotel; if not why not?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: No I have not to this point but I have made it clear in response to questions from Green Party members that we will absolutely be taking into account any changes that are to Skycity’s benefit and calculating that into the overall value of the centre and what we will accept for the concessions that Parliament has legislated for.Dr David Clark: Can the Minister give an assurance that the originally proposed column-free design for the large convention space will be retained?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: It is interesting—I collect a lot of criticism for designing it personally and obviously in the instance I might not be designing the exact placement of columns in the convention centre. Look we will assess for the member at the time the next iteration of the preliminary design and the public will get the opportunity to assess that and we will all be able to decide whether that constitutes the international convention centre that we are all seeking for Auckland.Dr David Clark: In light of that answer did Skycity seek assurances he would not be involved in the convention centre construction process and was it because it was concerned to avoid further “Gerry-mandering” “John-mandering” and “Joyce-mandering”?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: I have news for the member: I have no intention of being involved in the construction of the convention centre. It is fair to say I am not the most adept at carrying a hammer and wielding a hammer but I would defer of course to my friend Mr Brownlee who does have some experience in that regard but I can inform the member he does not intend to be spending his time constructing the convention centre either.
Delahunty Catherine: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDelahunty Catherine: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 25 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1907. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]11.CATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement “we’re actually going to stand up for human rights…”?Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): Yes.Catherine Delahunty: Does he agree with Amnesty International that Māori and Pasifika children are suffering human rights abuses here through systemic discrimination that is forcing them into poverty?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: No I do not think I accept that characterisation. What I would say is that there is demonstrated evidence that Māori and Pacific children need more help and this Government has been giving them a tremendous amount of help over the last 6½ years.Catherine Delahunty: Will he stand up for the human rights of Māori Pasifika and other children in poverty and at least ensure that they are provided lunch at school?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: If the member is asking us whether we are going to be backing the bill introduced by Hone Harawira and transferred to Metiria Turia the answer is no.Catherine Delahunty: Does he believe that all children have the right to lunch at school?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I think it is the responsibility of parents to ensure that children are fed. I think we should congratulate the vast overwhelming bulk of New Zealand parents and caregivers who do an outstanding job of making sure that happens.Catherine Delahunty: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I asked whether the Prime Minister believed that all children have the right to lunch—Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! The member may want to design an answer satisfactory to her question; that is not the way question time occurs. On this occasion the Prime Minister has addressed the question.