edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Lee Melissa: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Lee Melissa: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4074. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
11. 
MELISSA LEE (National) 
 to the  
Minister for Ethnic Affairs 
: What reports has she received about the Office of Ethnic Affairs working with the Red Cross? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister for Ethnic Affairs) 
: 
 I am pleased to advise the House that the Office of Ethnic Affairs’ Language Line service is now available through the Red Cross. Language Line offers interpreters in more than 40 languages to more than 80 agencies including Government departments hospitals and city councils. The Office of Ethnic Affairs has been working with the Red Cross in Christchurch since the earthquake in February last year and recently trained a number of workers and volunteers so that they can access Language Line when they talk to or visit people who do not speak English. This is a positive practical contribution to helping people access services and information. 
Melissa Lee 
: What other agencies is the Office of Ethnic Affairs working with to improve access to information and services for non - English speaking people? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: The office is working with the New Zealand Home Health Association to promote Language Line to its members which are home help providers. Forward Care Home Health has signed up to use Language Line as a result of this work. Clear accurate information is essential when assessing people’s needs. I am very pleased that the Office of Ethnic Affairs is helping agencies to improve the services they provide for non - English-speaking people.
Peters Winston: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Peters Winston: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4073. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
10. 
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) 
 to the  
Minister of Finance 
: Does he stand by the statement made on his behalf that there are no plans to sell KiwiRail? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 Yes. In fact the Government is investing heavily in KiwiRail to help the business become sustainable. Overall the Government and KiwiRail are investing around $4.5 billion over the next 9 years to put the business on a sound footing. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Is the Minister of Finance aware that KiwiRail is considering offers to purchase Tranz Scenic; if so is the privatisation of long-term passenger services part of the Government’s turn-round plan for KiwiRail? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: I have not seen any particular proposal there but KiwiRail and its predecessors in the past have looked for other parties who can help them particularly with their passenger business. For instance they have done significant transactions with local government to the extent that metro rail is now owned by regional councils. It used to be owned by whoever the predecessor of KiwiRail was. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Is the Minister of Finance aware of the outsourcing of jobs including to Australian company John Holland that is also part of the Government’s plan to prepare KiwiRail for sale? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: I am not aware of the detail of any outsourcing of jobs that KiwiRail might have done. What I can say is that between the Government and KiwiRail we are putting $4.5 billion behind this company to try to do what has proven to be very difficult over the years and that is create a sustainable rail system in New Zealand. Of course KiwiRail has to play its part in the bargain. If it is going to use $4.5 billion of taxpayers’ money it needs to clean up its own act and be the world’s most efficient small rail company. We expect them to be decisive and aggressive about that.
Vote: Biosecurity Law Reform Bill — In Committee 
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Vote: Biosecurity Law Reform Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4091. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendments be agreed to. 
Ayes 98 
New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Maori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 23 
Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Mana 1. 
Amendments agreed to. 
Schedule as amended agreed to.
Robertson H V Ross: Biosecurity Law Reform Bill — In Committee 
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Robertson H V Ross: Biosecurity Law Reform Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4085. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: We now turn ourselves to Part 3 debate on clauses 79 to 83 and the schedule. I advise members that this is a very narrow debate.
Collins Judith: Juries (Jury Service and Protection of Particulars of Jury List Information) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Collins Judith: Juries (Jury Service and Protection of Particulars of Jury List Information) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4104. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Justice) 
: 
 Yet again I am rising to speak about what is already in the Juries Act which in fact allows people aged 65 years and over to ask to be excused from jury service every time they are summonsed. That is already the law. So what we have in the Ministry of Justice is we get thousands and thousands of requests each year from people to be permanently excused. This provision is not an insult to people aged 65; this is not ageism. This is actually recognising that people are asking for this. This is a privilege that is currently in the law now in the Juries Act— 
Denis O’Rourke 
: It shouldn’t be. 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: —which Mr O’Rourke will have read which says that if you are 65 years and over you can write in and ask to be excused. 
Mr O’Rourke says that it should not be. Well it is in the law now and we do not propose to change it. What we do propose is that people can in fact say: “Look I don’t want to have to write in every single time. You’ve got me on record as not wanting to do service any more under the current Juries Act.” and we want to be able to say: “Fine you don’t have to keep writing in every time.” This is a privilege that is being granted for people aged 65 years and over. The bill provides just another benefit to people in this sector of New Zealand society. 
 It is all very well for Mr O’Rourke and the Labour Opposition to speak about ageism. Well actually the SuperGold card and transport discounts are all based on age and I do not think that is ageism. This is just another privilege that is being given to people who are 65 years and over. Frankly they do not have to take it up. They do not have to have it. With the Supplementary Order Paper amendment I am putting in after the very good idea from Mr Clendon actually they can change their mind. I do not think many will take up the option to change their mind but I do think there will be some people some hundreds of people who will wish to take up the permanent recusal because at the end of the day it is their decision; they know themselves. 
I do not think that is being ageist. I think that is giving yet another privilege as we do with New Zealand superannuation as we do with the SuperGold card and as we do quite a lot to people aged 65 years and older who have contributed to their country and wish to contribute in other ways sometimes.
Ngaro Alfred: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Ngaro Alfred: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4071. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
8. 
ALFRED NGARO (National) 
 to the  
Minister for Social Development 
: What announcements has she made on the release of the White Paper for Vulnerable Children? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development) 
: 
 We have announced that we will soon be releasing a summary document of the nearly 10000 green paper submissions on 14 August. The white paper itself is on track and will lay out a way forward for better protecting our vulnerable children and will now be released on 12 October. 
Alfred Ngaro 
: What will be released as part of the green paper submissions? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: The public submissions are an incredibly rich resource. A team of people have read analysed and collated every submission. The summary document is over 180 pages in length. In addition to this there will be a full summary released from around 600 Government and non-government agencies. 
Alfred Ngaro 
: Meitakimaata Mr Speaker. What issues are being considered as part of the white paper’s development? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: We are currently considering a range of issues as part of the white paper’s development. We are looking at the research and use of predictive analytics particularly for the protection of our most vulnerable children in our most vulnerable families. The white paper will reflect the issues raised and commented on in the green paper submissions.
Smith Lockwood: Visitors — Niue—Delegation Legislative Assembly 
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Smith Lockwood: Visitors — Niue—Delegation Legislative Assembly 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4061. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Honourable members I have much pleasure in informing the House that a parliamentary delegation from the Legislative Assembly of Niue is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish that the delegation be welcomed.
Tirikatene Rino: Biosecurity Law Reform Bill — In Committee 
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Tirikatene Rino: Biosecurity Law Reform Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4077. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
RINO TIRIKATENE (Labour—Te Tai Tonga) 
: 
Tena koe Mr Chairperson. I am pleased to continue my contribution at this Committee stage on Part 2 of the Biosecurity Law Reform Bill. Just to recap: Part 2 deals with amendments relating to ballast water in particular with managing the risk of marine pest organisms being introduced to New Zealand in ships’ ballast water. The discharge of ballast water is one of the main ways marine pests can be introduced to New Zealand. Each year almost 3 million metric tonnes of ballast water sourced from outside our exclusive economic zone are discharged into New Zealand ports. If unmanaged this water is more likely to contain eggs and larvae of harmful marine organisms which may be able to be established here. So it is vitally important that we beef up our defences in the marine area. 
Labour supports the provisions in Part 2 of this bill in particular the alignment with the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments. The definitions in the bill align with that international convention. That brings our line of defence in line with best international practice and international control regimes. We also commend the provisions relating to the imposition of a ballast water management levy that can be imposed by Order in Council because that will help fund the administration inspection and enforcement of our biosecurity workers controlling and keeping an eye on ballast water discharge. Likewise we support the offence provisions. It is important that we do actually create very strong deterrents to ships’ owners and masters in terms of discharge so that if they do discharge there will be stiff penalties. We support those offence provisions. They are very strong. We also commend the wide powers that the director-general will have to investigate cases where there has been a discharge of ballast water. 
As I have mentioned we want to protect our pa; we want to make sure that our biosecurity laws do protect our industries and our livelihoods. If we look at the marine environment we mention names like  
Undaria 
 and didymo. We know what harm they have caused to our waterways and potentially to our marine industries. Just in terms of Maori we are significant stakeholders in our fisheries industries and our marine-farm aquaculture industries so any introductions of unwanted harmful and invasive organisms that could potentially impact on the property rights and the industries could have a huge economic impact on those industries and on our country. So it is vitally important that we do protect the pa as I said and that we do manage the risk of these marine pest organisms.  
We commend the measures that are contained in this Part 2 that relate to the discharge of ballast water. Thank you.
Smith Lockwood: Urgent Debates Declined — State-owned Assets Sales—Waitangi Tribunal Interim Report 
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Smith Lockwood: Urgent Debates Declined — State-owned Assets Sales—Waitangi Tribunal Interim Report 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4075. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I have received a letter from the Hon Clayton Cosgrove seeking to debate under Standing Order 386 the Waitangi Tribunal’s recommendation that the Crown ought not to commence the sale of shares in any of the mixed-ownership model companies until the Waitangi Tribunal has had the opportunity to complete its report for the first stage of its inquiry and the Crown has had its opportunity to give this report and any recommendations it contains in-depth and considered examination. The Waitangi Tribunal has issued an interim report recommending that the sale of shares ought not to commence until it has had the opportunity to complete its report on stage one of its inquiry. The Government has taken no action. The absence of action on the part of the Government is not a particular case of recent occurrence. The time for such a debate is when the Government has examined the tribunal’s recommendations and announced its response. The application is therefore declined.
Woodhouse Michael: Biosecurity Law Reform Bill — In Committee 
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Woodhouse Michael: Biosecurity Law Reform Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4089. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Senior Whip—National) 
: 
 I move  
That the question be now put 
.
Vote: Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Vote: Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4143. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That clauses 1 to 5 as amended be agreed to. 
Ayes 117 
New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 4 
Maori Party 3; Mana 1. 
Clauses 1 to 5 as amended agreed to. 
Bill reported with amendment. 
Report adopted.
Genter Julie Anne: Juries (Jury Service and Protection of Particulars of Jury List Information) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Genter Julie Anne: Juries (Jury Service and Protection of Particulars of Jury List Information) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4110. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green) 
: 
 I will take just one more very short call on the Juries (Jury Service and Protection of Particulars of Jury List Information) Amendment Bill. I feel compelled to point out that if we did not think there was any need to have arbitrary ages for things that would raise a question about all these other things we have like the age of consent the driving age and the age when we vote. I just find that a bit—I just do not— 
Charles Chauvel 
: They don’t exclude old people. 
JULIE ANNE GENTER 
: Well I do not see how this excludes old people because it does not— 
Charles Chauvel 
: They don’t assume that after a certain age you’re past it. 
JULIE ANNE GENTER 
: I just do not see anything in the legislation that says that after the age of 65 citizens are no longer welcome on juries. But I just have to point out that the actual effect of Supplementary Order Paper 33 based on the Juries Act would not be to change anything about the fact that people over the age of 65 would now have the ability to apply for excusal from or permission not to attend jury service when they were summoned. It would not enable them to do it just once; they would have to do it time and time again every time they were summoned. 
Although I think there is a case to be made that 65 is too young for a lot of things now that our health is increasing and perhaps the age for many things should be put up above 65 as long as that is the age at which we are considering superannuation and the SuperGold card I do not see what the problem is because it is certainly not compelling anyone over the age of 65 to not participate in jury service should they want to. The practical effect of voting for Supplementary Order Paper 33 would simply be that people over the age of 65 who would like to permanently excuse themselves from jury service would have to apply every single time they were summoned and that just seems to me to be imposing a sort of annoyance on people who maybe have decided that they have made their contribution. So I really do struggle to see the point of view of the Labour members and New Zealand First on this particular issue. That is all I would like to say. Thank you.
Visitors — Niue—Delegation Legislative Assembly 
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Visitors — Niue—Delegation Legislative Assembly 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4061. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Tuesday 31 July 2012 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Visitors 
Niue—Delegation Legislative Assembly 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Honourable members I have much pleasure in informing the House that a parliamentary delegation from the Legislative Assembly of Niue is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish that the delegation be welcomed.
Roy Eric: Juries (Jury Service and Protection of Particulars of Jury List Information) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Roy Eric: Juries (Jury Service and Protection of Particulars of Jury List Information) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4121. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy) 
: The question is that the question be now put. 
Andrew Williams 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. We have our member here from New Zealand First who was the first in this Chamber at 7.30 p.m. tonight whose Supplementary Order Paper is before us which has been discussed. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy) 
: Order! Please sit. If the member is challenging the fact that I have put the question to the Committee for closure he is out of order. 
A party vote was called for on the question that the question be now put.
Foss Craig: Commerce Commission (International Co-operation and Fees) Bill — In Committee 
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Foss Craig: Commerce Commission (International Co-operation and Fees) Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4094. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon CRAIG FOSS (Minister of Commerce) 
: 
 Very briefly—and I do acknowledge the previous speaker Clayton Cosgrove and the spirit of the way this bill the Commerce Commission (International Co-operation and Fees) Bill has progressed over quite some time. I will talk very briefly to Mr Parker’s points. Part 2 amends the Commerce Act and clause 13 talks about section 108 of the Commerce Act. So the bits that he was interested in are actually separate from what is in Part 1. They are the normal fees and course of events in the existing Commerce Act. As the Commerce Committee pointed out in its commentary on the bill the intent of perhaps exempting some of the small and medium sized enterprises from such fees is why that clause is as it is. 
I intend to acknowledge some of the other points in the debate on the title and commencement clauses.
Vote: Biosecurity Law Reform Bill — In Committee 
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Vote: Biosecurity Law Reform Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4090. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendments be agreed to. 
Ayes 98 
New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Maori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 23 
Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Mana 1. 
Amendments agreed to. 
Part 3 as amended agreed to.
Chauvel Charles: Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Chauvel Charles: Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4136. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
CHARLES CHAUVEL (Labour) 
: 
 Just to explain to colleagues what we are doing here there is a bill before the House entitled the Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill in the name of the Minister of Justice. The purpose of the bill is to ensure that an offence committed against a police officer or prison officer acting in the course of his or her duty is taken into account as an aggravating factor at sentencing. When this proposal was considered by the Labour Opposition we thought that it was a sensible provision. We are fully supportive of ensuring that police officers or prison officers in the course of their duty have the maximum protection that can be provided by the law. We accept the case that there has been an increase in risk against both professions by reason of their having suffered greater threats and actual violence in the course of their duties. Those duties are important—
Collins Judith: Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Collins Judith: Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4136. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Justice) 
: 
 I seek leave of the Committee for this matter to be taken as one question so we can have a wide-ranging debate.
Tisch Lindsay: Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Tisch Lindsay: Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4136. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: Leave is sought for the debate to be on clauses 1 to 5. The question is that clauses 1 to 5 stand part. Is there any objection? There is no objection. I will allow the member to start his 5 minutes starting now.
Vote: Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
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Vote: Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Sitting date: 31 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4142. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendments be agreed to.  
Ayes 56 
New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8. 
Noes 65 
New Zealand National 59; Maori Party 3; Mana 1; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Amendments not agreed to. 
The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 14 in the name of Charles Chauvel to clause 5 be agreed to.
Smith Lockwood: Rongowhakaata Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
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Smith Lockwood: Rongowhakaata Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4026. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I think the member makes a useful point of order in that on an important occasion like this it is unhelpful if we commence the debate while so many members are moving around the House and while visitors are entering the gallery. We cannot wait indefinitely but I certainly think we can wait a moment while members who are leaving the House do so. These third readings are important occasions and have very great significance to people visiting Parliament on the occasion of these third reading debates so the House will pause for just a moment. I would ask those who are intending to leave the Chamber to please do so so that once we start the debate the House is not further disrupted by people moving about. I will defer calling the honourable Minister for just a moment longer. Just so the public knows what is going on I have just deferred the commencement of the third reading debate on Government order of the day No. 1 while members are leaving the Chamber to give the Minister a more dignified environment in which to make an important speech on this very important Treaty settlement legislation. I think the House is now in a rather quieter state so I now call on the Hon Tariana Turia.
Flavell Te Ururoa: Rongowhakaata Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
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Flavell Te Ururoa: Rongowhakaata Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4025. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
TE URUROA FLAVELL (Maori Party—Waiariki) 
: 
 He ra nui tenei mo nga iwi kua tae mai i te ra nei. Kei te haere atu kei te hoki mai etahi mema. He inoi noa atu kia paku whakata mo te wa poto kia ngawari to tatou Whare kia taea ai e to tatou Minita te whakatakoto i tenei korero kia rongo nga taringa o muri ake nei i nga korero. 
[ 
This is a great day for the tribes who have arrived here today. Some members are leaving and returning. I am just seeking leave for a small recess to allow our House to settle down and to enable our Minister to make this statement so those remaining can hear what is being stated 
.]
Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4025. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I appreciate the spirit in which the point of order is raised but we have made very significant changes to the process for seeking leave to table documents and members can no longer seek leave to table clippings from newspapers records of radio transcripts or anything like that that are readily available to members. We have also made a requirement that members identify the source of the document before making any comment about what it contains. I think that is a mechanism of avoiding the opportunity for members to just get extra speeches in. I think for members of the House to be able to make a decision on whether or not they should allow a document to be tabled they need to know the source of the document and they need to have a brief summary of what it contains—some idea of what it contains. I accept that I must not allow members to go on too long there but I think it is not unreasonable that there can be some brief explanation of what the document contains since we have eliminated so much of the wasteful tabling of documents. I think it is unreasonable to expect members to make a judgment about whether they should allow a document to be tabled if they do not know what is in it. But I do accept the point the member makes that I must not allow members to use it as a chance to make an extra speech.
Hipkins Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Hipkins Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4025. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
CHRIS HIPKINS (Senior Whip—Labour) 
: 
 Although many of the Speakers’ rulings do indeed refer to that since some of those rulings were made you have made a further ruling that members need to explain with some particularity what the document is that they seeking to table so that you can assess whether it is already publicly available for example among other things.
Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4024. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I will hear Chris Hipkins on the point of order.
Ross Jami-Lee: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Ross Jami-Lee: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4023. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
11. 
JAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany) 
 to the  
Associate Minister of Transport 
: What recent changes has the Government made to improve the safety of fishing boats? 
Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Associate Minister of Transport) 
: 
 Today I announced changes to the maritime rule covering the design and construction of fishing boats and the equipment used on them. The rule applies to vessels less than 25 metres in length which make up more than 90 percent of the fishing fleet. The fishing industry is one of our most dangerous and structural and equipment failures count for approximately one-fifth of fishing industry injuries. The new requirements will mitigate the risks such as of fire and flooding and substantial new structural requirements will be applied to newly constructed vessels. 
Jami-Lee Ross 
: How do these changes reinforce the Government’s focus on better and less regulation? 
Hon SIMON BRIDGES 
: These changes are part of a bigger story in transport where we are working with industry on reducing both unnecessary compliance costs and red tape while improving safety as well. Other recent examples include regulations regarding jetboat licences and passenger service vehicles. Industry involvement on these changes has been essential to ensuring that rules are appropriate and workable for the sector.
Graham Kennedy: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Graham Kennedy: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4021. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
9. 
Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM (Green) 
 to the  
Minister for Climate Change Issues 
: Is the $328 million additional cost of the Government’s recent Emissions Trading Scheme proposed amendments consistent with the National Party election pledge that the amendments would be fiscally neutral? 
Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Associate Minister for Climate Change Issues)  
on behalf of the Minister for Climate Change Issues: Yes because we do not want the emissions trading scheme to be a tax-grabbing revenue earner from households and the productive sector. We also wanted to amend our scheme in globally fragile conditions in the interests of the wider economy rather than on the basis of some narrow Government interest. 
Dr Kennedy Graham 
: Why is the Government increasing subsidies to emitters in these globally fragile conditions to the tune of several hundred million dollars rather than strengthening the emissions trading scheme so that it will actually reduce emissions? 
Hon SIMON BRIDGES 
: I do not agree with the basic premise of the question. They are not subsidies; they are the absence of a cost imposed on households and businesses in this country. 
Dr Kennedy Graham 
: Why does not the Government follow the UK model which has a binding 80 percent cut by 2050 with 5-yearly carbon budgets for reducing emissions instead of simply stating a weaker target with no credible plan to get there? 
Hon SIMON BRIDGES 
: I have not examined the UK scheme in any great detail but it is fair to say we do not want the economic mess that they are in today. 
Dr Kennedy Graham 
: Rather than weakening the emissions trading scheme why does the Government not introduce a plan such as the British one—and I recommend that the Associate Minister read it—that is described as providing “a clear credible long-term framework for a move to a low-carbon … economy [giving] businesses and individuals the … certainty they need to play their part.”? 
Hon SIMON BRIDGES 
: I believe that in our emissions trading scheme we have that clear credible scheme and we are also of course wanting to make sure that in these fragile economic conditions globally we do not ratchet it up unduly at this time.
Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Smith Lockwood: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4019. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Robertson Grant: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Robertson Grant: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4019. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Leader—Labour) 
: 
 I apologise; I meant to table this after question No. 5. I seek leave of the House to table a letter from the New Zealand Police dated 26 July 2012 referring to complaints about the Hon John Banks’ mayoral election spending which notes that he solicited donations from Skycity Entertainment Group an anonymous radio ad provider and Kim Dotcom.
Prosser Richard: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Prosser Richard: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4010. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
2. 
RICHARD PROSSER (NZ First) 
 to the  
Minister for Land Information 
: Can the public have confidence that the Overseas Investment Office is taking prompt action in relation to all breaches of the Overseas Investment Act 2005; if so how? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Acting Minister for Land Information) 
: 
 Yes. The Overseas Investment Office promptly investigates all suspected breaches of the Overseas Investment Act 2005. I have some good news for that honourable member: in the period 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012 100 percent—100 percent—of public alerts about potential breaches were assessed for possible investigation within 10 working days. 
Richard Prosser 
: Given that answer will he tell the House what action the Overseas Investment Office has taken in respect of the four Crafar farms sold to an overseas investor without consent; or alternatively will he explain why no action has been taken? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: I do not have particular information about particular applications or particular concerns to hand. If the member wants an answer to a particular question I suggest he either ask it as the primary question or put it down as a written question to the Minister. 
Richard Prosser 
: How can the public have confidence in the Overseas Investment Office when UBNZ Assets Holdings a company associated with May Wang who failed a good-character test was able to purchase four of the Crafar farms without permission and get away with it? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: The same principle applies: if the member wants direct answers to specific questions he should either ask them as a primary question or put them down as a written question. 
Brendan Horan 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Did we not determine a number of weeks ago that if a Minister did not know the answer the Minister should simply say that they do not know the answer? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Well I think the Minister basically said that but he was a little more helpful in suggesting that maybe if members want detailed information in answers they need to make it clear in the primary question what they are asking. I do not think the Minister was being unhelpful.
Mallard Trevor: Business Statement 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Mallard Trevor: Business Statement 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4009. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) 
: 
 In the absence of my friend and colleague Russel Norman I will not read a response.
Finlayson Christopher: Business Statement 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Finlayson Christopher: Business Statement 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4009. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
 on behalf of the Leader of the House: In the absence of both the Leader of the House and the Deputy Leader of the House I am required to read this statement to the House. I do apologise. I have not had time to memorise it. When the House resumes on Tuesday 31 July—[ 
Interruption 
] never call me petulant—the Government will look to progress the Committee stage of the Biosecurity Law Reform Bill the Juries (Jury Service and Protection of Particulars of Jury List Information) Amendment Bill the Commerce Commission (International Co-operation and Fees) Bill the Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill and the Appropriation (2012/13 Estimates) Bill. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I call the honourable shadow Leader of the House who will not need to read it at all.
Personal Explanations — Mothers—Interpretation of Comments Made by Member 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Personal Explanations — Mothers—Interpretation of Comments Made by Member 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4025. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Personal Explanations 
Mothers—Interpretation of Comments Made by Member 
Dr RAJEN PRASAD (Labour) 
: 
 I seek leave of the House under Standing Order 354 to make a personal statement relating to comments made about me in the House last night. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to make a personal explanation. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Dr RAJEN PRASAD 
: Last night in the debate on the first reading of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill the member for Taupo Louise Upston said that in a debate in this House last week I had implied that mothers were not capable of doing two things at once. I made no such statement and believe nothing I have said on the risks of work-testing solo parents with a 1-year-old child could be construed in this way. As a former human rights commissioner and a former Chief Families Commissioner  I have always taken a respectful approach to women and would not in any way denigrate their abilities or interests and did not do so during the debate on the Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill last week.
Business Statement 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Business Statement 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4009. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Thursday 26 July 2012 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Karakia 
. 
Business Statement 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
 on behalf of the Leader of the House: In the absence of both the Leader of the House and the Deputy Leader of the House I am required to read this statement to the House. I do apologise. I have not had time to memorise it. When the House resumes on Tuesday 31 July—[ 
Interruption 
] never call me petulant—the Government will look to progress the Committee stage of the Biosecurity Law Reform Bill the Juries (Jury Service and Protection of Particulars of Jury List Information) Amendment Bill the Commerce Commission (International Co-operation and Fees) Bill the Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill and the Appropriation (2012/13 Estimates) Bill. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I call the honourable shadow Leader of the House who will not need to read it at all. 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) 
: 
 In the absence of my friend and colleague Russel Norman I will not read a response.
Woodhouse Michael: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Woodhouse Michael: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4024. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Senior Whip—National) 
: 
 In your reflections on question time today and yesterday I wonder whether you would consider the application of Speakers’ rulings 147/4-6 regarding the tabling of documents. It may be just my perception but it seems to me that the convention around succinctness may be being relaxed at the moment whereby a number of documents are being described following which there is a commentary that starts “which shows they have” or “which says that”. In particular your own ruling among other things says: “Seeking leave is not an opportunity to convey information while members are on their feet;”. It may be me but it does seem that over the last few days that has become elongated. It would be helpful if you would reflect on that.
Prasad Rajen: Personal Explanations — Mothers—Interpretation of Comments Made by Member 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Prasad Rajen: Personal Explanations — Mothers—Interpretation of Comments Made by Member 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4025. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Dr RAJEN PRASAD (Labour) 
: 
 I seek leave of the House under Standing Order 354 to make a personal statement relating to comments made about me in the House last night. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to make a personal explanation. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Dr RAJEN PRASAD 
: Last night in the debate on the first reading of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill the member for Taupo Louise Upston said that in a debate in this House last week I had implied that mothers were not capable of doing two things at once. I made no such statement and believe nothing I have said on the risks of work-testing solo parents with a 1-year-old child could be construed in this way. As a former human rights commissioner and a former Chief Families Commissioner  I have always taken a respectful approach to women and would not in any way denigrate their abilities or interests and did not do so during the debate on the Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill last week.
Dean Jacqui: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Dean Jacqui: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 26 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:4019. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
7. 
JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) 
 to the  
Minister for Economic Development 
: How is the Major Events Development Fund contributing to building New Zealand’s profile overseas? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Economic Development) 
: 
 The Government is using the Major Events Development Fund to partner with organisers to attract retain grow and deliver high-quality major events for New Zealand. The purpose of the Government funding is to ensure lasting benefits for New Zealand from hosting events promotion of the country overseas international media exposure increased tourism and job creation. For example last week I attended the media launch of the 2013 Winter Games which will receive $1 million in support from the Major Events Development Fund. In return for this Winter Games NZ will provide extensive international television opportunities to promote this country as a premier winter destination across our key tourism and trade markets. It is estimated that the 2013 event will deliver around 33000 visitor nights and reach a global television audience of around 800 million viewers. 
Jacqui Dean 
: How will the development of the Winter Games benefit New Zealand? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: The Government investment is designed to provide a platform for the event to step up to another level in 2013. It is intended to become one of the world’s top three snow sports events and to deliver the quality expected of a world-leading event. It will be one of the biggest winter sports events in fact outside the Winter Olympics. It is expected to increase the number of participants spectators and international tourists attending the event. The Winter Games is just one of the many major events that the Government has backed. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Hang on—who backed it first? Who backed it first? You’re just a follower just a follower. 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: We have also got behind the Rally of New Zealand the Triathlon ITU World Championship Series and the World Masters Games. Trevor is having a bit of attention deficit disorder. All these events will help raise New Zealand’s profile overseas and lead to increased tourism and business opportunities Mr Mallard.
Horan Brendan: Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill — Third Readings 
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Horan Brendan: Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill — Third Readings 
[Sitting date: 25 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:3990. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
BRENDAN HORAN (NZ First) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It is important that the whanau up there know that they are also welcome to stay. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: That is true. I thank the member for his point of order. I was not aware that the whanau for the second bill were already seated. They are welcome to stay if they wish to. I am not requesting that anybody leave so if I have inadvertently given that message I do apologise. Whanau are welcome and there is plenty of room. There is plenty of room around the sides. Given that explanation and that I am now aware that the whanau from the second bill are present I will call Government order of the day No. 3.
Roy Eric: Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill — Third Readings 
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Roy Eric: Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill — Third Readings 
[Sitting date: 25 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:3990. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: As has been customary when we are progressing settlement bills there is another group who wish to enter the gallery. If I can ask the whanau who have been here for these particular bills to exit the gallery to allow the whanau for the next bill to come in. There will be a delay in proceedings while that does happen.
Vote: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Vote: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 25 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:3959. 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 first time. 
Ayes 61 
New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Maori Party 3; Mana 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 60 
New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1. 
Bill read a first time. 
Bill referred to the Government Administration Committee.
Hughes Gareth: Sittings of the House 
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Hughes Gareth: Sittings of the House 
[Sitting date: 25 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:3970. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
GARETH HUGHES (Musterer—Green) 
: 
 Since the debate on Holly Walker’s bill the Lobbying Disclosure Bill has finished I seek leave for the House to suspend a few minutes early so we can resume at 9 a.m. tomorrow. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Is there any objection? There is.