10. Question No. 10—Prime MinisterGARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 10—Prime Minister10. GARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements policies and actions?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister): Yes in the context in which they were made.Gareth Hughes: When the Prime Minister says she wants to bring kindness back to Government does that extend to animals forced to perform in rodeos who are scared hurt and killed for entertainment? Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I am concerned to have read and heard about the death of several animals that have occurred this season. I have in fact raised this issue directly with the responsible Minister. He's advised me that the Ministry for Primary Industries is looking into the deaths that have occurred and I intend to continue to stay in contact with him on this issue.Gareth Hughes: Thank you. Does the Prime Minister agree with the position to ban the use of animals under 12 months old and the use of flank straps as called for by former Labour Party leader Andrew Little in 2017?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Yes. Actually the Labour Party's position was one of the reasons why the then Minister Meka Whaitiri fast-tracked some of the work that went to the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC). I believe that happened in March of last year. They reported back in October. They've reported that some areas of concern are already covered by a range of protocols but they also made some recommendations around industry-led non-regulatory improvements. To be honest with the member I'd be really interested in the aftermath of this season in hearing the feedback from the advisory committee and their reflection on what has happened over the past season.Gareth Hughes: So no more animals die will the Prime Minister support my member's bill that outlaws the worst rodeo practices as identified by NAWAC and as was the very position of the Labour Party advocating before the last election?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Yes and as I've said that was one of the reasons why the then Minister did ask the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to look into those very specific issues. Again they reported back and they've sat down with the industry. I would actually like to hear from the committee again. They are our experts that provide that advice. They have been working alongside industry and I do want to hear their reflections on the last season.Gareth Hughes: Given that these animals can't consent they can't complain and they're actually being killed for entertainment will the Prime Minister commit to re-establishing a specific Minister for animal welfare?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Look that's obviously something that has existed within this term of Government and I wouldn't rule that out. I do have to say that actually the ongoing role of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee is one of the most probably important features that we have within our system. We have to make sure that we have great representation there that they're feeding into the Government on a regular basis and that they have that oversight of industry and I just want to hear back from them after this season. But I wouldn't rule out bringing back that portfolio no.