4. Question No. 4—Prime MinisterDEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Pāti Māori) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 4—Prime Minister4. DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Pāti Māori) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's policies and actions?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Prime Minister): Yes.SPEAKER: Now can I just make a point? I'm not going to stop the questions but when you ask a question like that—stand by all his Government's policies and actions"—and he says yes how many more questions can there be? So I think we just need to all think a little bit about question time and its purpose.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: What opportunity will the public be given to weigh in on projects that will be approved in their community as a result of the Fast-track Approvals Bill?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Again what I'd say is that we have a great fast-track process. It's designed to get things built in this country but a key component of it is an independent expert panel that will weigh up considerations economically environmentally and socially and inform Ministers.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: How can the public have confidence in this Government's Cabinet overseeing the decisions of the hundred projects in the Fast-track Approvals Bill when Ministers are not disclosing their conflicts of interest?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well there are no projects that have been approved.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: What actions will the Prime Minister take to ensure that his Cabinet Ministers will adhere to the Cabinet Manual around the conflict of interests if given for the Fast-track Approvals Bill?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: We have well-established processes on managing perceived or real conflicts of interest; but again we make no apologies about introducing fast-track legislation. It is important that we get things done in this country. We are over the talk and discussion. We need to get things built.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Has the Prime Minister got any register of current conflicts of interest before the beginning of the Fast-track Approvals Bill as it hits the select committee or after the select committee process?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Again we have well-established processes for managing ministerial conflicts of interest the Cabinet Office and Ministers; but again we have not yet got a full set of projects. We haven't got any projects that are approved yet. That's the point of introducing this legislation: so we can get some projects approved and done and building.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Supplementary question Mr Speaker—sorry point of order. That questioner said that Ministers are not disclosing conflicts of interest. Now sir that is a very serious allegation. There's not one shred of evidence to back it up: no proof whatsoever just an insinuation of deceit by parliamentarians in this House. That sir is not acceptable under Standing Orders. It's going to lead to a serious disorder and a few armed troops if she goes any further down that track.SPEAKER: The Standing Orders you refer to are "dishonourable allegations made against members"; I can't remember the number. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Point of order. At no time did I make any allegation; I was seeking clarity of process but I do seek guidance on your ruling and then am quite happy for Hansard to be checked—i.e. I think Te Pāti Māori needs to and deserves to clear their name if we've been alleged of making some gross untruth.SPEAKER: Oh good. Well I'll have a look at the Hansard and just come back to you. Do you have another supplementary?Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: What is the response to the Waitangi Tribunal's urgency on his Government's plan to repeal section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act released yesterday which stated it would cause "actual harm" to vulnerable children?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Our Government is going to make sure that the wellbeing of children comes first but that issue is before the courts and it's inappropriate for me to comment.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Does he agree with Tama Potaka on 26 July 2023 regarding the repeal of section 7AA that "It would be contradictory of us to dismiss this provision entirely which is intended to be a genuine option to address and meet the best interests of the child in State care."?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Again this Government is focusing on making sure the wellbeing of a child comes first and foremost as the important thing that we have to do but this matter is before the courts and I won't be commenting any further on it.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Does he agree with Harete Hipango on July 2023 regarding section 7AA that "If the National Party gets into Government we would not be repealing it"; and if so what has changed since then?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: We are going to make sure that we prioritise the welfare of our most vulnerable children so they end up in loving homes. That is job number one. But I will not be making any further comments given that this is under appeal through the courts this week."