edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Mallard Trevor: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 29 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:3046. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): The question now is that the reports of committees relevant to primary industries—primary industries agriculture fisheries forestry horticulture biosecurity and food safety—be noted.
Tisch Lindsay: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 29 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:3034. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): We now move to the next theme and the question is that the reports of committees relevant to natural resources—conservation environment and lands—be noted.
Bindra Mahesh: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBindra Mahesh: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 29 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:3028. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MAHESH BINDRA (NZ First):This Government has built a brand new prison in South Auckland spending $350 million of public money when there was no need for a prison. We had 1861 spare beds in our prison system as at 31 October 2014 and that includes those that were made available as emergency accommodation. That $350 million could have been used to fund or upgrade schools or hospitals. But now this Government’s priority is towards building a brand new prison that is not required—not educating Kiwi kids or providing better health-care services. This is not even close to common sense.The South Auckland prison was built with a view to be handed over later to a corporate to run so that the corporate—principally Serco which is known to carry out shonky financial deals in the UK—could improve its bottom line. Prisons for profits: this in spite of the fact that the rehabilitative programmes provided by that company are in no way comparable with the ones provided by the public prison service. The public do not get any value for money. The staff do not get the benefits. The prisoners do not get the benefits. The only one to see any benefit is the company called Serco.Staff and prison safety: the Minister of Corrections admitted that private companies are not required to maintain the prisoner to staff ratio that is required in public prisons. This has had a detrimental effect on the safety of both staff and prisoners as evidenced at Mt Eden prison. There have been some serious assaults on staff at the Serco-run Mt Eden Corrections Facility and the Minister is aware of those. The number of prisoner assaults on staff and on other prisoners is relatively high in that prison and the reason for that is that there are fewer staff to manage violent incidents in that prison—that is when the prisoners are unlocked there are fewer staff to manage those units which results in prisoners getting violent and staff getting hurt. This has had a demoralising effect on staff and there has been a high staff turnover in that prison. New Zealanders do not feel safe working in privately run prisons.The next thing this Government does is close down units in publicly run prisons in order to fill the privately run prisons because that is what the contract says. We see no wisdom in this. In fact it is pure folly. This is the only way that the Government can justify the building of a new prison—shut the ones that we already have and move the prisoners into the new one at Wiri. It might seem like sense to this Government but to New Zealanders it makes no sense at all. This move is likely to render around 260 staff jobless—this from a Government that prides itself on creating jobs. It makes no sense at all. Our thoughts are with those staff and their families who will be affected by this new prison and with the communities that face an uncertain future. Thank you.
Mallard Trevor: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 29 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:3025. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): I am just checking that the Green Party is choosing not to take its call on this. OK.Reports noted.
Mallard Trevor: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 29 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:3018. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): The House is in Committee for the Appropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) Bill. The Committee is debating the question that the reports of committees relevant to services for infrastructure—Canterbury earthquake recovery communications energy and transport—be noted. Many of the supplementary calls available for the debate have already been used by parties. National has five supplementary calls remaining. Labour has one. The Greens have one. New Zealand First has three. The Māori Party and ACT have one each.
Carter David: General DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: General Debate[Sitting date: 29 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:3009. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! The member’s—[Interruption] Order! The member’s time has expired.
Simpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSimpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 29 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:3001. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]10.SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel)to the Minister of Health: What recent reports has he received on improved access to first surgical assessments?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Health):I have received a recent report confirming that over the last 6 years the number of first surgical assessments has risen from 267000 a year to 317000. This increase means that now 50000 more patients each year are seeing a surgeon for a first assessment than in 2008. That contrasts dramatically with the 8 years prior to 2008 where access to first specialist assessments was actually cut in real terms.Scott Simpson: Has the increase in the number of first surgical assessments resulted in reductions to waiting times?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: Yes it has led to significant reductions in the time that patients have to wait to see a surgeon. In 2006 there were over 15000 patients waiting over 6 months for their first surgical assessment. Today there are only two patients waiting over 6 months and only a small number waiting over 4 months. That is the result of the hard work of our dedicated health workforce and the Government’s commitment to increasing health funding despite tough times.Hon Annette King: How many New Zealanders have received letters in this last year telling them that they cannot have a first specialist assessment because they do not reach the threshold set by the district health board even though they have not even been seen by a specialist?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: District health boards have always set thresholds. We are the first Government that has ever attempted to count what the member is referring to and we are in the process of doing that. But what I can say is that we are not going to be removing 30000 people from waiting lists which happened when Mrs King was the health Minister.Mr SPEAKER: Question No. 11 Iain Lees-Galloway.Iain Lees-Galloway: Thank you. My question is to the Minister for Workplace—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am sorry to interrupt the member. If the member Annette King was unhappy she should have risen to her feet on that occasion not by interjecting subsequently after I called her colleague.Hon Annette King: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker—if you believe I need to get to my feet. If you go back and look at the answers of the Minister of Health today at the end of nearly every answer he has referred gratuitously to the time that I was Minister of Health. I was not—Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume her seat.
Parmar Parmjeet: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeParmar Parmjeet: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 29 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2999. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]8.Dr PARMJEET PARMAR (National)to the Minister for Social Development: What reports has she received on welfare numbers in New Zealand?Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Social Development):Thanks to a growing economy and this Government’s welfare reforms benefit numbers are at a 6-year low. There are 11000 fewer people on a benefit compared with this time last year. Over 5000 of those people were on job seeker support at that time. This is extremely positive and continues the downward trend in the number of people on welfare. Getting off a benefit and into employment or study reduces long-term welfare dependence and allows individuals and families to thrive.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: How have the Government’s welfare reforms supported sole parents off benefits?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: The number of sole parent support clients reduced by 5471—7 percent—which is the lowest number since 1988. Even better results were achieved for those sole parents aged 18 to 24 years with a 10 percent reduction. That is 1700 young people no longer on sole parent support. We have invested millions into intensive support and training as well as helped with study and childcare for those sole parents so that working while raising children alone is achievable and rewarding. The evidence is very clear that this means far better outcomes for those parents and the long-term prospects for their children.Darroch Ball: Will the Minister stand by her Better Public Services target results of reducing benefit numbers and have them independently scrutinised by the Office of the Auditor-General; if not why not?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: Yes I do stand by the targets that have been set under the Better Public Services targets. But actually the best audit of those results is by the public and that is done on a constant basis.
McCully Murray: Motions — Indonesia—Death PenaltyText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMcCully Murray: Motions — Indonesia—Death Penalty[Sitting date: 29 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2989. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon MURRAY McCULLY (Minister of Foreign Affairs):I seek leave to move a motion without notice and without debate regarding the recent executions in Indonesia.Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.Hon MURRAY McCULLY: I move That this House express its dismay at the executions carried out today by Indonesian authorities despite the vigorous representations on behalf of the condemned prisoners by Australia and other Governments reiterate its condemnation of the death penalty in all cases and strongly urge the Government of Indonesia to reconsider its use of the death penalty.Motion agreed to.
Carter David: Visitors — France—Delegation SenateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Visitors — France—Delegation Senate[Sitting date: 29 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2989. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members I am sure that members would wish to welcome a parliamentary delegation representing the French Senate led by Senator Jean-Marie Vanlerenberghe official representative of the President of the French Republic for Anzac Day who are present in the gallery.
Appropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeAppropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 29 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:3071. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Appropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) BillThird ReadingHon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Health)on behalf of theMinister of Finance: I move That the Appropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) Bill be now read a third time.A party votewas called for on the questionThat the Appropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Bill read a third time.
Motions — Indonesia—Death PenaltyText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMotions — Indonesia—Death Penalty[Sitting date: 29 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2989. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MotionsIndonesia—Death PenaltyHon MURRAY McCULLY (Minister of Foreign Affairs):I seek leave to move a motion without notice and without debate regarding the recent executions in Indonesia.Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.Hon MURRAY McCULLY: I move That this House express its dismay at the executions carried out today by Indonesian authorities despite the vigorous representations on behalf of the condemned prisoners by Australia and other Governments reiterate its condemnation of the death penalty in all cases and strongly urge the Government of Indonesia to reconsider its use of the death penalty.Motion agreed to.
Visitors — France—Delegation SenateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVisitors — France—Delegation Senate[Sitting date: 29 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2989. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Wednesday 29 April 2015Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.VisitorsFrance—Delegation SenateMr SPEAKER: Honourable members I am sure that members would wish to welcome a parliamentary delegation representing the French Senate led by Senator Jean-Marie Vanlerenberghe official representative of the President of the French Republic for Anzac Day who are present in the gallery.
Borrows Chester: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2987. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): I am sorry members but the time has come for me to report progress to the House.Debate interrupted.Progress reported.Report adopted.
Borrows Chester: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2983. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): Members the question now is that the reports of the committees relevant to infrastructure—Canterbury earthquake recovery communications energy and transport—be noted.
Tisch Lindsay: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2964. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): The question is that the reports of committees relevant to services for citizens—education health housing senior citizens and social development—be noted. We need a—[Interruption] We cannot move if we do not have a Minister in the chair. All right.
Tisch Lindsay: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2947. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): The question is that the reports of committees relevant to services for business—accident compensation commerce and consumer affairs customs economic development foreign affairs and trade immigration labour science and innovation and tourism—be noted.
Tisch Lindsay: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2946. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): We now turn to the second part of the debate. This is a debate on the annual reviews of departments Officers of Parliament Crown entities public organisations and State enterprises as reported on by select committees. The time allocated by the Business Committee for this debate is 7 hours. I remind members that this debate now includes the reviews of performance of Crown entities as well as departments. The Business Committee has determined that this part of the debate be structured as seven themed debates. A list of the entities covered by each theme is available on the Table. Each debate will be led by a call from the chairperson of the select committee nominated by the Government as the major committee reporting on the theme. The Labour Party will have two calls. The Green Party will have one call. New Zealand First will have one call. The Minister in the chair will have three calls in response. All calls are 5 minutes in length.In addition there are 28 five-minute supplementary calls which may be taken by parties as they see fit during the seven themed debates. At the end of the each debate the question will be put that the committee reports relevant to the theme be noted. The time taken on each question is in the hands of members depending on parties’ use of their allocation of supplementary calls. However this part of the debate expires after 7 hours.At the conclusion of the debate a single question is put on the provisions of the bill. There is no amendment or debate on this question. When the chairperson reports the bill to the House it is set down for third reading forthwith. There is no debate on the third reading.
Tisch Lindsay: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2946. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): I am sorry to interrupt the honourable member. The time for this debate has expired.Report noted.
Woodhouse Michael: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeWoodhouse Michael: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2946. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Minister of Immigration):As we round off this debate on the Finance and Expenditure Committee’s report—it has been 2 hours of “My statistic’s bigger than your statistic.”—I just want to follow up on a couple of the statistics that Mr Parker raised because they were indeed quite right. He did say that when this Government came to office net debt was zero. Well that is not quite right. It was $10 billion but it would be churlish of me in the context of that to say that that was a significant error. It was 5 percent of GDP. It was certainly much lower than when the Labour Government first assumed office although the point around gross debt is misunderstood. Gross sovereign debt actually went up under the previous Labour Government not down.Stuart Nash: No it did not.Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Yes it did. It went from $34.4 billion to $34.7 billion. Net debt certainly went down. Here is something Mr Parker also said: he said that that debt has now ballooned out to $60 billion. Mr Parker is right. What he did not say was that had this Government continued the trajectory left by the previous Labour Government that debt would have been much more than $60 billion as Mr McClay pointed out. Net debt was going to go to 60 percent of GDP unless—
Mallard Trevor: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2937. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Order! I did invite the member to give a passing reference in order to bring herself within the rules and she has declined to do that.
Borrows Chester: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2919. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is objection. The motion is lost.
Peters Winston: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePeters Winston: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2919. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First):I seek leave for New Zealand First to have for a start a fairer ratio of speaking time than that laid out by you in your little preamble.
Borrows Chester: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2919. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): I do not need any further help from the member on this matter. Sit down. [Interruption] Take your seat. The point is that the protocols for this debate have been determined by the Business Committee. If the member wishes to seek leave to change that he can.
Peters Winston: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePeters Winston: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2918. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First):I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. You may say that a committee outside this House has decided this and has decided that but the fact of the matter is that this House is the master of its own destiny and we will not be ruled out because of some arrangement made outside the House with which we do not agree. If you could tell me how 14 members get 15 minutes and 12 members get 10 minutes and that is fair then I would like you to explain it to me mathematically. But it is not. [Interruption] I beg your pardon? Have you got a problem with actually working out the mathematics on that? If 14 members—The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): The member should make his point of order or complete it.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: My point of order is simply that that ratio cannot be fair that 14 members—[Interruption] Sit down. Fourteen members getting 15 minutes would surely mean that 12 members are entitled to more than 10 minutes. It is just axiomatic. So there for a start I do not think it is reasonable—
Borrows Chester: Annual Review Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Annual Review Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2918. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): This debate is the Committee stage of the Appropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) Bill. The time allocated for this debate is 9 hours and comprises two distinct elements in accordance with determinations of the Business Committee. The first is the debate on the annual financial statements of the Government as reported on by the Finance and Expenditure Committee. The time allocated by the Business Committee for this debate is 2 hours. The second is the debate on the annual reviews of departments Officers of Parliament Crown entities public organisations and State enterprises as reported on by select committees. The time allocated by the Business Committee for this debate is 7 hours.We turn first to the 2-hour debate on the Government’s 2013-14 financial statements and the report of the Finance and Expenditure Committee. The Business Committee has determined that the first call will go to the chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee and that the total number of calls will be as follows: the New Zealand National Party 12 5-minute calls; the New Zealand Labour Party seven 5-minute calls; the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand three 5-minute calls; the New Zealand First Party two 5-minute calls; and the—[Interruption] The Chairman is on his feet. Will the member keep his mouth shut?Rt Hon Winston Peters: No I won’t keep my mouth shut.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): The Māori Party—[Interruption]Rt Hon Winston Peters: Point of order.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): No I am on my feet.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Well I am raising a point of order.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): The member will be seated.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Well I’m raising a point of order.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): I am on my feet. The point is for the members who are present that the Business Committee has agreed to a motion—particularly from the Opposition parties—so that this debate will have more meaning than it has deemed it to have had in the past. This is a new process and I am endeavouring to lay it out to the Committee of the whole House as we are now. I would appreciate being able to continue so that members are fully aware and are not ignorant due to their adherence to the ways that have happened in the past. The Māori Party ACT New Zealand and United Future New Zealand may negotiate with the New Zealand National Party for calls during the debate.
Mitchell Mark: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMitchell Mark: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2916. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]11.MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney)to the Minister of Customs: How is the Government making criminals pay for better drug screening at the border?Hon NICKY WAGNER (Minister of Customs):Money received under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act has been used to purchase a new state-of-the-art hand-held drug analyser for the Customs Service. In the past 6 months the Customs Service has used the analyser to conduct over 3200 substance tests at the borders with over 1200 substances indicating positively for drugs. This means that over 1200 packages of illegal drugs including methamphetamine cocaine and methylene dioxy-methyl amphetamine have not made it on to the streets and have not caused harm to our communities.Mark Mitchell: What are the advantages of the new border-screening technology?Hon NICKY WAGNER: The hand-held drug analyser can identify more than 11000 substances almost instantly and that means that quicker action can be taken against criminal importers and more customs officers’ time can be freed up to focus on additional enforcement work. With over 1200 packages of drugs not making it on to our streets and not causing harm in our communities I am pleased that the criminals’ ill-gotten gains are now being used to stop more drugs at the border.
Mitchell Clayton: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMitchell Clayton: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2915. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]10.CLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First)to the Minister of Conservation: Is she at all concerned about the health and safety of pāua divers and other recreational water users around Stewart Island in relation to shark cage diving permits?Hon MAGGIE BARRY (Minister of Conservation):Yes.Clayton Mitchell: Can the Minister then tell the House on this special day which marks 20 years since Cave Creek whether a full health and safety risk assessment was conducted prior to the Department of Conservation’s decision to issue permits to two great white shark cage diving operations around Stewart Island; if not why not?Hon MAGGIE BARRY: The two shark cage operators in the Stewart Island area have been operating for about 7 years. There were no restrictions whatsoever on their activities until last December at the point when the Department of Conservation issued permits to two of those groups with very strong stipulations as to how they should behave and conduct themselves to be eligible for those permits.Clayton Mitchell: Does the Minister feel that the public consultation on the conditions of shark cage diving permits was predetermined given that the submissions closed 2 days after the draft permits were released to the two operators?Hon MAGGIE BARRY: No it was not predetermined.Clayton Mitchell: Would the Minister consider halting great white shark cage diving operations at Stewart Island if it was proved that the safety and well-being of the people of Stewart Island and the sharks were in question regardless of the permits; if not why not?Hon MAGGIE BARRY: The permits have been in place since December of last year. The season as it were for sharks coming into our waters ends at the end of May and resumes again at the beginning of December. When the Department of Conservation issued the permits to the two people last year it said that it would review it at the end of the season which is what it is going to do. It will then review it again at the end of the next diving season. If there are any issues that need to be dealt with regarding the issuing of permits or regarding the safety of the great white sharks—which is why I as the Minister of Conservation am involved in this issue because it is under the Wildlife Act—then those issues will be dealt with and evaluated when the reviews are done. The department signalled that from the very beginning.Clayton Mitchell: Supplementary question.Mr SPEAKER: No the New Zealand First allocation has been used up.Clayton Mitchell: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I would ask in light of the—Mr SPEAKER: Could we have the point of order please.Clayton Mitchell: The point of order is we have just recently had a new member in the House which would entitle us—Mr SPEAKER: Order! The adjustment will be considered by the Business Committee today and may apply from tomorrow onwards.
Logie Jan: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLogie Jan: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2915. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]9.JAN LOGIE (Green)to the Minister for Women: Does she consider it her job to advocate for all New Zealand women?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Women):Yes.Jan Logie: Should female hospitality workers have to put up with unwanted touching from customers; if not why did she publicly defend John Key’s repeated hair-pulling of Amanda Bailey describing it as “light-hearted” rather than address her complaint?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: The Prime Minister has taken responsibility for his actions and has apologised to the person concerned. I want to take this opportunity to highlight the fact that it is an issue any time anyone male or female is subject to words texts messages or touching that is unwelcomed and that absolutely they should stand up they should comment and they should express that. Also it is important for anyone who sees that or who is around that behaviour whether it is in a workplace a home or in the community to speak up.Jan Logie: Then why did the Minister not speak up last week or again when asked by the media on Tuesday to make a statement in defence of the safety of women in workplaces?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: As I said the Prime Minister took responsibility for his actions and I was not going to comment on his statement.Jan Logie: Who will stand up for women’s rights in New Zealand if the Minister for Women publicly dismisses a woman’s complaint of harassment in order to protect the Prime Minister?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: At no stage did I dismiss the concerns of any individual. Actually one of my priorities is to make sure that New Zealand girls and women are safe and I have extended the hand across this House on more than one occasion to say that if any other member has suggestions as to how we can do this better I would be open with all ears. I am pleased that that member has taken the opportunity to do that and I welcome any further discussion that you might have.
Doocey Matt: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDoocey Matt: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2913. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]7.MATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri)to the Minister of Transport: What progress has the Government made on the Western Corridor which is part of its Roads of National Significance programme for Christchurch?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Transport):The Prime Minister and I recently turned the sod of the Russley Road section of the Western Corridor project. This is the second to last section to be built as part of the Western Corridor road of national significance. The $112 million project includes construction of a gateway bridge and a new interchange at the Russley Road and Memorial Avenue intersection which is ranked as the second-highest high-risk intersection in the country. The project will deliver necessary safety improvements by separating highway and local road traffic and provide a visual welcome for visitors to Christchurch as well as to those returning home.Matt Doocey: What benefits will the Western Corridor deliver for road users? [Interruption]Hon SIMON BRIDGES: It is great to see the excitement around this project. There will be many benefits in terms of quicker travel times safety and greater accessibility for walking and cycling. When completed this corridor will better connect Christchurch International Airport with commercial and industrial hubs to the north and south of the city. The project is a really important one for the economic growth of Christchurch—indeed of the South Island—and the project is also an important part of a wider $900 million roads of national significance package within Christchurch.
Ball Darroch: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBall Darroch: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2912. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]6.DARROCH BALL (NZ First)to the Minister for Social Development: Does she stand by her statement “The latest benefit figures show a further year-on-year decline as the New Zealand economy improves and welfare reforms continue to support families”?Hon JO GOODHEW (Associate Minister for Social Development)on behalf of theMinister for Social Development: Yes.Darroch Ball: Does the Minister find it acceptable that provincial areas have fallen well below the average decrease in beneficiary numbers and one case Taranaki shows an increase in benefit numbers over the last 12 months while this Government’s priorities of Auckland and Canterbury have benefit numbers decreasing at over twice the rate of regional New Zealand?Hon JO GOODHEW: Although I do not have the regional figures in front of me I am able to answer on behalf of the Minister that we are taking an approach of investing assistance and resources to those people whose future is affected by their being on benefits. This approach varies from region to region but the figures across the country do not lie. The number of job seeker support clients reduced by 4 percent over 5000 people. The number of long-term job seeker support clients reduced by 6 percent over 4000 people. These people are even if the member does not realise it found across all of New Zealand.Darroch Ball: Why has the Minister not prioritised high youth unemployment rates in our regions given that a recent study found that 15 to 24-year-olds made up a bigger share of total unemployment here than in any other OECD country and 9 percent of them are still now unemployed and looking for work?Hon JO GOODHEW: This Government has most certainly not turned its back on young people who are unemployed. Never before has a Government put so much support into young people to keep them in education to keep them in training to assist those who are sole parents—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am getting interruptions from my right-hand side here. The difficulty is that we are having trouble hearing the answer because the Minister is talking directly to the member rather than facing the microphone. Would the member please complete her answer.Hon JO GOODHEW: Thank you Mr Speaker. Yes I will stand closer to the microphone so the House can hear my answer. Unequivocally this Government is assisting young people into work. Our legislation around employment relations also gives them a chance to get into work. However it will always be more difficult for a young person to get their first job which is something that certainly has not occurred to members on the Opposition benches.
Yang Jian: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeYang Jian: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2910. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]4.Dr JIAN YANG (National)to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made that will ensure young New Zealanders get the right resources and investment they need for educational success?Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education):Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. This Government has invested the most money ever in education. Continuing our commitment to the educational success of young New Zealanders Minister Kaye and I were pleased to join the Prime Minister in making a pre-Budget announcement that there will be a further $244 million to build seven new schools expand four existing schools and add another 241 classrooms across the country. This investment is in addition to the $1.137 billion for Christchurch schools and the $450 million for business as usual in the school property portfolio. Together these commitments ensure that schools are increasingly future-proofed so that Kiwi kids can learn in modern learning environments fit for our 21st century students.Dr Jian Yang: Where will students benefit from this demonstration of the Government’s commitment to ensuring all kids can do their very best at school?Hon HEKIA PARATA: This $244 million spend includes the first phase of the Government’s commitment to invest $350 million in Auckland schools. Two of the seven schools are primary schools in Auckland at Kūmeu and Scott Point. We will also open Rototuna Senior High School in Hamilton; a primary school at Rolleston near Christchurch; and three kura kaupapa Māori in Whakatāne Gisborne and Hastings. Significant expansions are planned for Hingaia Peninsula School in Auckland Papamoa College and Golden Sands School in Papamoa and Shotover Primary School near Queenstown.Dr Jian Yang: What other investments has the Government made in education that will lead to educational success for young New Zealanders?Hon HEKIA PARATA: As well as this $244 million spend the Government committed $359 million in Budget 2014 for investing in educational success by lifting the quality of teaching and leadership in our schools. As part of that investment I was pleased to announce last week a further 129 schools forming 18 new communities of schools. This makes just over 220 schools and 85000 students participating. We are right on track with this exciting initiative.
Carter David: Points of Order — Rt Hon Mike Moore—RecoveryText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Points of Order — Rt Hon Mike Moore—Recovery[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2906. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: I thank the House.
Bridges Simon: Points of Order — Rt Hon Mike Moore—RecoveryText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBridges Simon: Points of Order — Rt Hon Mike Moore—Recovery[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2906. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Energy and Resources):I just want to join with the member opposite and also for this side of the House in wishing Mr Moore a swift and fulsome recovery.
King Annette: Points of Order — Rt Hon Mike Moore—RecoveryText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeKing Annette: Points of Order — Rt Hon Mike Moore—Recovery[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2906. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour):I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I believe the House would want to join with the Labour Party in wishing Mike Moore former Prime Minister and our ambassador to the United States a speedy recovery following the stroke he suffered several days ago. We need him back at work. There is still much work to be done Mike.Hon Simon Bridges: Speaking to the point of order Mr Speaker.Mr SPEAKER: It is unusual to do it this way but I call the Hon Simon Bridges.
Dunne Peter: Motions — Nepal—EarthquakeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDunne Peter: Motions — Nepal—Earthquake[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2905. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon PETER DUNNE (Leader—United Future):On behalf of United Future I want to join with other members in supporting the resolution moved by the Deputy Prime Minister in respect of the horrific earthquake that devastated Nepal and other countries in the region at the weekend. As the television photos have come through and we have seen the signs of the rubble—we saw the dramatic pictures last night of the avalanche on the lower slopes of Everest and the buildings collapsing in and around Kathmandu—the enormity of that event has started to sink in very deeply. At first it was just a trickle of deaths and casualties but now it is up over 4000 with 100000 homeless many more unaccounted for and even a casualty in respect of a New Zealander confirmed as having died although from a related condition as part of the earthquake drama.I suspect that a few years ago we would have let events like this simply wash over us to some extent—they happened in other places; they were horrific and tragic—but ever since the events in Christchurch they have taken on a new significance for New Zealanders. We know maybe on a smaller scale what the devastation can be what the uprooting of societies is as a consequence and consequently what the need for reconstruction and assistance at times of trouble can be as well.I support the initiative taken so far by the Government in terms of financial assistance. I agree that it probably will not be where the issue ends. There will be more calls made on our assistance in the future and we should be prepared unstintingly to provide that. In that context I acknowledge the readiness and preparedness of our urban search and rescue unit which was to have deployed to Tibet last night but is not required at this time. Those people gave up their weekend at short notice to be ready to go and that is what we would expect of them. I acknowledge their preparedness and their contribution.All of us would share a sense of deep horror at the unfolding events. We wish—I was going to say speedy; that is probably inappropriate—a clear and quick return to a sense of normalcy in Tibet. We hope that the deprivation that has been evident in recent days can be placed under some control and we look forward to working with the international community to restore the tradition of that proud country and to strengthen further the links between our two nations as we help them recover from this tragedy.Motion agreed to.
Martin Tracey: Motions — Nepal—EarthquakeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMartin Tracey: Motions — Nepal—Earthquake[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2904. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]TRACEY MARTIN (Deputy Leader—NZ First):Kia ora Mr Speaker. There is a longstanding and special bond between Nepal and New Zealand. The brigade of Gurkhas only last Friday marched with their pipes and drums alongside our own in the Anzac Day parade here in Wellington. The brigade of Gurkhas then stood alongside our own dignitaries military personnel and tens of thousands at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park to commemorate Anzac Day. We hope that they have arrived home safely. We hope that they have arrived home and found their families safe. Our bond with Nepal was enhanced and strengthened through the work of Sir Ed and his family in honour of his good friend Sherpa Tenzing.So New Zealand First stands to join with the other members of political parties in this House to add our condolences to add our best wishes. We also add our voice to the calls for more from the Government for speedy responses. I take on board the comments of the Green Party member that this will go on for some time so we need to be quick not only in the first moment; we need to be there for the long haul for our friends. So New Zealand First will participate in any way that we can to join with the rest of Parliament to support our friends and our neighbours in this time of their need. Kia ora.
King Annette: Motions — Nepal—EarthquakeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeKing Annette: Motions — Nepal—Earthquake[Sitting date: 28 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2902. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour):The Labour Party joins the Acting Prime Minister in expressing our sympathy to the people of Nepal following a horrendous 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Our thoughts go out to the thousands of Nepalese people who have lost family and friends and who have suffered injury. Over 4000 have died and the numbers are still growing. Over 7000 have been injured and 100000 are homeless. We would also want the families of the New Zealanders who are still missing to know that we are thinking of them at this time.The Himalayan Front can produce some very powerful earthquakes. In 1934 there was an 8.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal. The difference this time is that on Saturday the earthquake was relatively shallow intensifying the surface shaking and the epicentre was closer to Kathmandu. It has been reported that the earthquake ruptured under the city creating the worst-case scenario. A massive block of the Earth’s crust roughly 120 kilometres long and 60 kilometres wide lurched 3 metres to the south according to a world-renowned expert on Himalayan earthquakes.The result has been catastrophic for Nepal but the effects and the loss of life have also extended as the Acting Prime Minister said to China Pakistan Bangladesh and India. We send our condolences to the families of those countries as well. We think particularly of the five Nepalese employees of the Wānaka mountain guiding company Adventure Consultants who were killed on Saturday and we are thankful that five New Zealanders on an Everest expedition with the company were unharmed. Sir Edmund Hillary said before he died that he wanted New Zealand to look after the Himalayan people—people whom he had devoted his life to and a country that through him we feel close to. His daughter Sarah said on Sunday that Sir Ed would be horrified and saddened by the devastating earthquake. She said however that his first concern would be for the people.I urge our Government to redouble its efforts to help the Nepalese people. Sometimes as happened in Christchurch friends do not wait to be asked to help; they just go. It is not a time to think about what might be done that could be helpful; it is a time for action—to repay the generosity shown to New Zealand and to reinforce our reputation as a good international citizen.I do believe that there is more that we could and should do and I look forward to hearing what further contribution the Government will make. But I also urge New Zealanders to dig deep and to donate whatever they can. I know that Oxfam and UNICEF are collecting now. Every bit will help.