edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Cunliffe David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Cunliffe David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:655;Page:4675] 
2. 
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Labour—New Lynn) 
 to the  
Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee 
: What progress has been made on the committee’s consideration of the Methodist Church of New Zealand Trusts Bill? 
CRAIG FOSS (Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee): 
 The committee considered the bill at meetings held on 13 May 2009 27 May 2009 and 3 June 2009. The matters discussed are proceedings of the committee and are therefore confidential to the committee. 
Hon David Cunliffe 
: Are any other bills currently before the Finance and Expenditure Committee; if so when does he expect that they will be reported back? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I am advised that it is not in order to ask that supplementary question because the primary question was in relation to the Methodist Church of New Zealand Trusts Bill and supplementary questions should relate to that. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I am not going to dispute the effect of your ruling at all; I think it is correct. But I think it is also relatively important that you take responsibility for the ruling and say that the question is out of order rather than that you were advised; otherwise you are putting the ruling on the Clerk and that is not very fair. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I accept the honourable member’s point. I was just being honest about the fact that I was not 100 percent certain about it myself.
Cunliffe David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Cunliffe David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:655;Page:4674] 
1. 
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Labour—New Lynn) 
 to the  
Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee 
: What progress has been made on the committee’s consideration of the 2009-10 Estimates of Appropriation? 
CRAIG FOSS (Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee): 
 The committee began its consideration of the 2009-10 Estimates of Appropriation on 29 May 2009. It reported to the House on the Supplementary Estimates of Appropriations for the year ending 30 June 2009 on 8 June 2009 has referred a number of examinations to other subject select committees for review and report and has heard evidence in relation to its examinations of Vote Finance Vote Audit Vote Revenue and Vote SOE. 
Hon David Cunliffe 
: When does he expect those subsequent reports will be reported to the House? 
CRAIG FOSS 
: The committee is required to report its examinations for the 2009-10 Estimates of Appropriation to the House by 28 July 2009.
Hodgson Pete: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Hodgson Pete: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:655;Page:4671] 
10.  
Hon PETE HODGSON (Labour—Dunedin North) 
 to the  
Prime Minister 
: Why did he lose confidence in Dr Richard Worth as a Minister? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Prime Minister) 
 on behalf of the  
Prime Minister 
: I refer the member to the response to question No. 12 on Tuesday 16 June. 
Hon Pete Hodgson 
: Does the Prime Minister believe that to date his handling of the resignation of Dr Richard Worth as a Minister has been spot on or does he think there might be room for improvement? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: Spot on. 
Hon Pete Hodgson 
: How many times has the Prime Minister changed his mind so far about whether he would or would not say anything about his loss of confidence in Mr Richard Worth as a Minister; and should he ever have the chance to decide this again would he try to change his mind on fewer occasions? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: No. 
Hon Pete Hodgson 
: Has the Prime Minister avoided specifically answering questions for the past 2 weeks on the grounds that it is not in the public interest or is it more true that he does not have any additional substantive information to withhold and is therefore just avoiding answering questions in the first place? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: No. 
Hon David Cunliffe 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That was an either/or question and it could not possibly be answered with a one-word rejection. 
Hon Rodney Hide 
: It is quite clear that if the Minister is asked a question with two limbs he needs to answer only one of them. It is quite clear that that is what he did. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member is quite correct. 
Hon Pete Hodgson 
: Does the Prime Minister think in retrospect that a better way to handle this issue might have been to say at the outset something like: “I have accepted Dr Richard Worth’s resignation as a Minister on the basis that he has repeatedly failed to keep me informed of matters he should have informed me on including a police investigation into matters of a sexual nature that may or may not be of substance and that my tolerance of his failure to respect my no-surprises policy has reached its limits.”? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: The Prime Minister acted decisively and swiftly. Mr Worth is no longer a Minister and no longer a member of Parliament. This Parliament has been spared the shambles that used to occur under the previous Government where even people who were accused of breaking the law hung on for years collecting their salaries.
Boscawen John: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Boscawen John: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:655;Page:4661] 
4.  
JOHN BOSCAWEN (ACT) 
 to the  
Prime Minister 
: Does he believe that a light smack for the purpose of correction should be a criminal offence; if not why will he not pledge to support my proposed member’s bill to make that point clear thus removing the need for a referendum? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Prime Minister) 
 on behalf of the  
Prime Minister 
: I believe the member’s first question is ambiguous and open to different interpretations. I note that the law already provides justification for smacking a child including in the course of good care and parenting so currently not all smacks are criminal offences. I will not be making a pledge of the sort the member describes because in my view the current law appears to be working. In any event the member’s bill is yet to be drawn from the ballot. 
John Boscawen 
: Will he have regard to the referendum results; if not why not? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: Citizens initiated referenda are an opportunity for the public to have their say; I support the referendum for this reason. There is nothing we can do about the ambiguity in the wording of the current referendum in relation to smacking. 
John Boscawen 
: Would he still regard the anti-smacking law as working if the majority of New Zealanders opposed a criminalisation of smacking? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: The Prime Minister has made it clear that if there was evidence that the law was not working then he would change the law. It is his view that up to now he has not seen evidence of that.
Brownlee Gerry: Business Statement 
Brownlee Gerry: Business Statement 
[Volume:655;Page:4655] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 I thank the shadow Leader of the House for raising that issue. The matter will be discussed by the Business Committee on Tuesday. The notice of motion itself concerns fairly important protections that are afforded to members of Parliament when they speak in the House and it relates to the freedom of speech that the House enjoys. Therefore it should have the full cooperation of the House when it is dealt with and it is our intention to negotiate some time to do that. 
I appreciate that the Opposition expresses that this is an ambitious programme but this is an ambitious Government.
Hughes Darren: Business Statement 
Hughes Darren: Business Statement 
[Volume:655;Page:4655] 
Hon DARREN HUGHES (Senior Whip—Labour) 
: 
 I thank the Leader of the House for his ambitious update for next week and I ask him about Government notice of motion No. 2 which follows on from the recommendation of the Privileges Committee and sets out a definition of a New Zealand court. I ask when the House might be able to deal with that notice of motion and complete that process.
Brownlee Gerry: Business Statement 
Brownlee Gerry: Business Statement 
[Volume:655;Page:4655] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 When the House resumes on Tuesday 30 June it is the Government’s intention to complete all remaining stages of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Forestry Sector) Amendment Bill and to make progress on the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Bill the Road User Charges Amendment Bill the Disputes Tribunals Amendment Bill and other bills on the Order Paper. Following agreement by the Business Committee Dr Cam Calder will make his maiden statement on Thursday 2 July 2009 at approximately 5.45 p.m. or when the time is convenient to the House.
Business Statement 
Business Statement 
[Volume:655;Page:4655] 
Thursday 25 June 2009 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Business Statement 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 When the House resumes on Tuesday 30 June it is the Government’s intention to complete all remaining stages of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Forestry Sector) Amendment Bill and to make progress on the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Bill the Road User Charges Amendment Bill the Disputes Tribunals Amendment Bill and other bills on the Order Paper. Following agreement by the Business Committee Dr Cam Calder will make his maiden statement on Thursday 2 July 2009 at approximately 5.45 p.m. or when the time is convenient to the House. 
Hon DARREN HUGHES (Senior Whip—Labour) 
: 
 I thank the Leader of the House for his ambitious update for next week and I ask him about Government notice of motion No. 2 which follows on from the recommendation of the Privileges Committee and sets out a definition of a New Zealand court. I ask when the House might be able to deal with that notice of motion and complete that process. 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 I thank the shadow Leader of the House for raising that issue. The matter will be discussed by the Business Committee on Tuesday. The notice of motion itself concerns fairly important protections that are afforded to members of Parliament when they speak in the House and it relates to the freedom of speech that the House enjoys. Therefore it should have the full cooperation of the House when it is dealt with and it is our intention to negotiate some time to do that. 
I appreciate that the Opposition expresses that this is an ambitious programme but this is an ambitious Government.
Carter John: Sittings of the House 
Carter John: Sittings of the House 
[Volume:656;Page:5790] 
Hon JOHN CARTER (Acting Leader of the House) 
: 
 A spate of cooperation has broken out in Parliament this afternoon to the extent that we have made particularly good progress. Rather than put that at risk it would seem an appropriate time for you Mr Assistant Speaker Roy to leave the chair. I seek leave for you to do so. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Eric Roy) 
: Leave is sought for the House to rise early. Is there anyone opposed to that course of action? It appears there is not.
Wagner Nicky: Antarctica (Environmental Protection: Liability Annex) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Wagner Nicky: Antarctica (Environmental Protection: Liability Annex) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:656;Page:5777] 
NICKY WAGNER (National) 
: 
 I am very pleased to rise to support the Antarctica (Environmental Protection: Liability Annex) Amendment Bill. As has been noted in the House already this is an important bill. It is designed to protect Antarctica that magnificent frozen continent and its very fragile ecosystem from environmental emergencies. 
It is very pleasing that New Zealand is leading the way with this legislation highlighting our strong support for environmental protection in Antarctica. New Zealand has always played an important role in Antarctica and Christchurch my home town is the official gateway city to Antarctica activities. 
It was interesting to hear from Rahui Katene that Maori were the first people to discover Antarctica. In terms of Europeans Captain James Cook reached Antarctic pack ice in the  
Resolution 
 on his second voyage to New Zealand in 1774. By 1832 whaling ships from many different countries including America Norway France and Germany were operating out of the Banks Peninsula bays and were whaling in Antarctic waters as far south as the Ross Sea. 
In 1901 and 1910 Robert Falcon Scott sailed from Lyttelton to lead expeditions to the South Pole. Tragically Scott and his four companions including Oates died on their return voyage from the South Pole in 1913. Other explorers including Roald Amundsen the great Norwegian explorer who was the first to reach the South Pole and Ernest Shackleton whose unsuccessful expedition has become a legend in human endurance and survival were linked to Christchurch and New Zealand. 
Further Antarctic expeditions were led by Admiral Richard Byrd who made seven visits to Antarctica and regarded Christchurch as his second home. In 1958 the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition led by Vivian Fuchs and including Sir Edmund Hillary achieved Shackleton’s goal of crossing the entire Antarctic continent successfully. 
New Zealand was one of the original four signatories to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. New Zealand was part of the environmental protocol that entered into force in 1998 and New Zealand chaired negotiations for annex VI to the Protocol on Environmental Protection in the Antarctic Treaty on Liability Arising from Environmental Emergencies known as the liability annex in Stockholm Sweden. The liability annex was adopted in 2005 and this bill is the outcome for New Zealand. 
Therefore it is enormously satisfying to be one of the first of 28 Antarctic Treaty consultative parties to pass legislation to implement New Zealand’s obligations for environmental protection in Antarctica and to do it just before the 50th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty signing which happens in December this year. Thank you Mr Deputy Speaker.
Norman Russel William: Appointments — Controller and Auditor-General 
Norman Russel William: Appointments — Controller and Auditor-General 
[Volume:656;Page:5764] 
Dr RUSSEL NORMAN (Co-Leader—Green) 
: 
 I stand on behalf of the Green Party to support the appointment of Lyn Provost as Controller and Auditor-General. It is seldom understood outside Parliament—and sometimes not even inside Parliament—that the Controller and Auditor-General is not a Government functionary but reports to Parliament. 
The role of Officers of Parliament is a critical part of our democracy. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment the Ombudsmen and the Controller and Auditor-General play a key role in keeping Government agencies accountable. All of us on many occasions have had cause to turn to the Officers of Parliament in an attempt to make certain parts of Government accountable to the people and to Parliament. The Green Party welcomes Ms Provost to the position. 
One of the very interesting aspects that the Auditor-General is grappling with at the moment are the International Financial Reporting Standards that have appeared before the Finance and Expenditure Committee and various other places. People may assume that financial reporting standards are a settled issue. In fact until very recently I myself assumed that the standards for the reporting of financial matters were a settled matter and that there was a set of international standards that were well and truly established and settled but that is not the case. 
One of the issues that the previous Auditor-General Kevin Brady who did a great job has been grappling with is what we do about International Financial Reporting Standards that do not work for the public sector. Canada has developed a set of reporting standards around the public sector. A different set of reporting standards I think holds a lot of promise for its application to the New Zealand public sector. 
 I hope that Lyn Provost in her new role along with other Government agencies can give some attention to this matter so that we have a set of reporting standards and financial reporting standards that make sense for the public sector. The International Financial Reporting Standards make sense for large banks large financial institutions and large businesses and corporations but do not necessarily make a lot of sense for the public sector. They certainly do not make a lot of sense for the non-governmental organisations sector which needs its own set of reporting standards and financial reporting standards. 
I welcome Lyn Provost to the job. I hope she enjoys it and I put that as one of the challenges that are now on her plate. Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker.
King Annette: Appointments — Controller and Auditor-General 
King Annette: Appointments — Controller and Auditor-General 
[Volume:656;Page:5764] 
Hon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. For the accuracy of the record of this House I just correct the Minister in what was a very good speech. Our new—once this House has agreed—Auditor-General’s surname is pronounced “Pro-vo”.
Dyson Ruth: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Dyson Ruth: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:656;Page:5762] 
2. 
Hon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills) 
 to the  
Chairperson of the Health Committee 
: Will the Health Committee be seeking public submissions on the report from the Controller and Auditor-General  
Ministry of Health: Monitoring the Progress of the Primary Health Care Strategy 
? 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (Chairperson of the Health Committee): 
 That is a matter for the committee to decide. It has not considered the matter yet. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: If no legislation is needed to implement the Horn report will the committee hear open public submissions on the proposal to gut the Ministry of Health and set up the new bureaucracy the national health board? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I point out to the Hon Ruth Dyson that a supplementary question must relate to an item of business before the committee not to an item that may possibly at some future stage come before the committee. I will give her a chance to reword her supplementary question. It needs to come within the Standing Orders. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: Does the committee’s forward programme allow it to hear open public submissions on implementation of the Horn report if no legislation is required to implement the report? 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON 
: As I said before any committee’s forward programme can allow a whole spectrum of activities to take place. When I asked the member yesterday whether she knew of any ministerial reviews that had subsequently led to a select committee inquiry she was unable to think of any such precedent. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The chair of a committee should not bring that material into an answer either.
Dyson Ruth: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Dyson Ruth: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:656;Page:5762] 
1. 
Hon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills) 
 to the  
Chairperson of the Health Committee 
: Will the Health Committee be seeking public submissions on the briefing on health promotion disease and injury prevention in relation to children? 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (Chairperson of the Health Committee): 
 That is a matter for the committee to decide. It has not considered the matter yet. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: Does the forward programme of the committee leave open the possibility of hearing submissions as part of any legislation to implement the Horn report? 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON 
: The forward programming of any committee leaves it open for the committee to take a whole variety of actions. Hearing such submissions could be one of them.
Hughes Darren: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Hughes Darren: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:656;Page:5762] 
Hon DARREN HUGHES (Senior Whip—Labour) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It is a slightly unusual point of order. Given the no doubt very busy schedule this afternoon of the Acting Prime Minister Bill English I wonder whether he could give us an indication as to what time he will come down here to correct today’s answers to questions given by— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The senior Opposition whip should not indulge in that behaviour. I will take it as having been done in good humour but he is not to do it again.
Curran Clare: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Curran Clare: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:656;Page:5761] 
12.  
CLARE CURRAN (Labour—Dunedin South) 
 to the  
Prime Minister 
: Has he his office or the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet contacted Telecom New Zealand Ltd to seek any information on its proposed maintenance contracting arrangement with Australian-based company Visionstream; if so what was the substance of any such discussions? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
 on behalf of the  
Prime Minister 
: No. 
Clare Curran 
: Why has he failed to seek any assurance from Telecom that its attempt to remove employment conditions from its workforce will not interfere with the Government’s broadband commitments? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: The Prime Minister is advised that this is an issue of contracts between private companies and it is not appropriate for the Government to intervene. Telecom is a private company having been privatised by a Labour Government that included Phil Goff and Annette King. 
Clare Curran 
: Does he stand by his election commitments to deliver ultra-fast broadband; if so why has his Government taken no serious action to ensure that this dispute does not affect Telecom’s reputation as an efficient customer-focused communications provider and a reputable corporate citizen? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I know that the Prime Minister appreciates that changes in contract arrangements can be stressful and unsettling for the engineers involved but this is a matter between a private company and its employees. 
Clare Curran 
: Supplementary question— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: It is my advice that the Labour Party has used its allocation of supplementary questions today.
Upston Louise: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Upston Louise: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:656;Page:5761] 
11.  
LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupo) 
 to the  
Minister of Civil Defence 
: What steps is the Government taking to help people be better prepared for disasters? 
Hon JOHN CARTER (Minister of Civil Defence) 
: 
 Last week I launched an updated resource to help children schools and families be better prepared for disaster. Called What’s the Plan Stan? the resource helps children to understand and prepare for disasters. What’s the Plan Stan? has been distributed to all primary and intermediate schools. As well as being a teaching resource it is also designed to help schools develop their own emergency plans. A third purpose is to provide information that families can use to plan for emergencies at home and in their communities. 
Louise Upston 
: What other initiatives are under way to improve disaster response and preparedness? 
Hon JOHN CARTER 
: What’s the Plan Stan? builds on the previous good work done by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management. All members will be aware of the Get Ready Get Thru education programme which has been run since 2006 to raise New Zealand’s level of readiness. In addition I have today released a new set of guidelines to assess damage to buildings in events such as earthquakes and explosions. [ 
Interruption 
] The Opposition might not want to take matters of civil defence seriously but this Government does. The guidelines were developed by the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering and they will help councils give homeowners an assurance and consistency after such events. For example we are taking a leaf out of the sporting field and we have these signs which we will ask local government bodies to use consistently. Where a house or a building is unsafe it will get a red card stating that it is unsafe. Where it is under investigation or restricted use we have a yellow card. Where it has been inspected and it is safe we have a green card. It is something that we believe even the Opposition will be able to understand. 
Louise Upston 
: What is the state of civil defence preparedness in New Zealand? 
Hon JOHN CARTER 
: The state of preparedness in New Zealand is at a very high level. The structure that we have in New Zealand is one that we are very proud of. It was I must say developed under the previous administration and it is a world leader. There are some strengths and weaknesses in it. We are developing the strengths and we are working with local government across the country. There is work to be done in the communities but this country is in a good state with regard to civil defence.
Dyson Ruth: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Dyson Ruth: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:656;Page:5760] 
10.  
Hon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: Does he still stand by his policy to deliver better sooner and more convenient health care? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
: 
 Despite the fact that the previous Government quietly cut $150 million from Vote Health and left district health boards delivering $160 million of health services that were not funded yes. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: Does the Minister agree with the Murray Horn report that preventing illness may not be cost-effective and is that why funding for programmes like Let’s Beat Diabetes has been cut? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: The ministerial review group report is out for public feedback. I know that New Zealanders would be concerned about any such changes to policy and I hope the member expressed concern when her bench mate Annette King cut $110 million out of health services for reprioritisation before the last election. 
Dr Paul Hutchison 
: What recent feedback has the Minister had in relation to progressing his goal of more convenient health care? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I think the most exciting piece of news on how we are improving services for New Zealanders was the record number of elective surgeries performed for New Zealanders in the last 6 months—the biggest single increase in that period of time. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: Does the Minister agree with the Murray Horn report that freezing the wages of all staff in the health sector is necessary and how will that freeze assist to deliver National’s promise of closing the wage gap with Australia? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I do not think that quote is in the ministerial review group report; I cannot recall reading that quote. I have to say that it is no secret that restraint is needed in the State services. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: Does the Minister agree with Murray Horn’s saying that helping people to live longer may not be cost-effective? Is he now telling older New Zealanders that it is better and more convenient for them to die sooner? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I have made it absolutely clear that this Government is determined to improve health services for all New Zealanders and we will not allow preference for working New Zealanders over retired or non-working New Zealanders. This Government takes seriously its responsibility to protect and improve the New Zealand public health service.
Bridges Simon: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Bridges Simon: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:656;Page:5759] 
9.  
SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga) 
 to the  
Minister of Customs 
: What steps is the Government taking to streamline border processes for passengers? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Minister of Customs) 
: 
 Today the Prime Minister announced that it will become faster and easier to travel between Australia and New Zealand through the introduction of SmartGate. It is an automated passenger processing system giving New Zealand and Australian e-passport - holders the option to process themselves through customs and immigration using biometric technology. It will be introduced in Auckland in December this year with Wellington and Christchurch to follow by mid-2010. SmartGate makes border processing more efficient meaning reduced queue times for travellers while maintaining existing border security standards. 
Simon Bridges 
: What will SmartGate mean for the traveller? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: The technology will streamline trans-Tasman passenger clearance processes. It will reduce the amount of queuing throughout departure and arrival lounges and will give visitors a very positive first impression of New Zealand—a country led by an incredibly dynamic Prime Minister ably assisted by an innovative Minister of Customs. 
Simon Bridges 
: Who can use SmartGate? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: SmartGate is totally optional. Anyone travelling to New Zealand holding an Australian or New Zealand e-passport who is over the age of 18 can use it.
Woodhouse Michael: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Woodhouse Michael: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:656;Page:5757] 
7.  
MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) 
 to the  
Minister for ACC 
: What has been the cost to ACC levy payers of the endorsed provider network contract for physiotherapists providing for free consultations since 2004 and what advice has he received on the rehabilitation benefits of this expenditure? 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for ACC) 
: 
 The cost of the free physiotherapists policy on levy payers has been estimated at $244 million. This is the cost of physios over and above what the cost would have been if the previous policy had been maintained. I am advised that there has been no identifiable rehabilitation benefit despite increasing the number of treatments by 1 million. The increase in the number of treatments was greatest in high socio-economic areas like Remuera and Fendalton. 
Michael Woodhouse 
: What reports has the Minister seen on the advice given to the then Government when the endorsed provider network funding model was suggested? 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: I have seen a briefing paper that the then Minister for ACC the Hon Ruth Dyson received in February 2003 on this policy. It advised her that there was no proof regarding the assertion that having free physios would result in earlier return to independence for patients. The paper further states that neither Treasury nor the Department of Labour supported the initiative. The Minister and the Government ignored that advice out of an obsession with complying with International Labour Organization principles and as a result wasted $244 million of levy payers’ money. 
Michael Woodhouse 
: When did the physio costs start to blow out; and what steps were taken in response? 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: The cost of free physios was estimated to be $9 million per year. In the first year it cost $18 million and it subsequently blew out to over $100 million. The indictment on the previous Government is that it not only ignored officials’ advice with the initial policy but did not review it when the cost of the policy ballooned out of control. Sadly levy payers are left with a cost of $244 million for Ruth Dyson’s expensive social experiment.
Hide Rodney: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Hide Rodney: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:656;Page:5752] 
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Let me apologise to you and the House. I have just had oral surgery. If I sound a bit funny it is not because I have a good lunch or anything like that. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I am sure the House will be sympathetic. 
Hon Annette King 
: It’s one of Tony’s statistics. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The Hon Rodney Hide has the— 
Hon RODNEY HIDE 
: I have to say the health system has improved outstandingly. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: We will just have the question thanks Mr Hide.
Carter John: Business Statement 
Carter John: Business Statement 
[Volume:656;Page:5749] 
Hon JOHN CARTER (Acting Leader of the House) 
: 
 The Government will stay with the Government’s Order Paper.
Hughes Darren: Business Statement 
Hughes Darren: Business Statement 
[Volume:656;Page:5749] 
Hon DARREN HUGHES (Senior Whip—Labour) 
: 
 The Opposition joins in welcoming the Hon Steven Fletcher to Parliament today. I thank the Associate Minister of Local Government who is Acting Leader of the House today for giving an indication of next week’s business. I inquire of him whether the Government is prepared to set aside some time next week to debate the Hon Mita Ririnui’s Electoral (Entrenchment of Maori Representation) Amendment Bill which might be of some use to the Government.
Carter John: Business Statement 
Carter John: Business Statement 
[Volume:656;Page:5749] 
Hon JOHN CARTER (Acting Leader of the House) 
: 
 Mr Speaker— 
Hon Members 
: Hooray! 
Hon JOHN CARTER 
: I am glad the Opposition appreciates the good job I have done so far. When the House resumes next week it is the Government’s intention to complete the estimates debate and make progress on the Taxation (International Taxation Life Insurance and Remedial Matters) Bill and the first readings of the bills on the Order Paper. On Wednesday 26 August the Appropriation (2009/10 Estimates) Bill will be read a third time. This is a 3-hour debate and includes consideration of an Imprest Supply Bill.
Smith Lockwood: Visitors — Canada—Minister of State (Democratic Reform) 
Smith Lockwood: Visitors — Canada—Minister of State (Democratic Reform) 
[Volume:656;Page:5749] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I have much pleasure in informing the House that the Hon Steven John Fletcher Minister of State (Democratic Reform) from the House of Commons in Canada is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish that the Minister be welcomed.
Sittings of the House 
Sittings of the House 
[Volume:656;Page:5790] 
Sittings of the House 
Hon JOHN CARTER (Acting Leader of the House) 
: 
 A spate of cooperation has broken out in Parliament this afternoon to the extent that we have made particularly good progress. Rather than put that at risk it would seem an appropriate time for you Mr Assistant Speaker Roy to leave the chair. I seek leave for you to do so. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Eric Roy) 
: Leave is sought for the House to rise early. Is there anyone opposed to that course of action? It appears there is not.
Business Statement 
Business Statement 
[Volume:656;Page:5749] 
Business Statement 
Hon JOHN CARTER (Acting Leader of the House) 
: 
 Mr Speaker— 
Hon Members 
: Hooray! 
Hon JOHN CARTER 
: I am glad the Opposition appreciates the good job I have done so far. When the House resumes next week it is the Government’s intention to complete the estimates debate and make progress on the Taxation (International Taxation Life Insurance and Remedial Matters) Bill and the first readings of the bills on the Order Paper. On Wednesday 26 August the Appropriation (2009/10 Estimates) Bill will be read a third time. This is a 3-hour debate and includes consideration of an Imprest Supply Bill. 
Hon DARREN HUGHES (Senior Whip—Labour) 
: 
 The Opposition joins in welcoming the Hon Steven Fletcher to Parliament today. I thank the Associate Minister of Local Government who is Acting Leader of the House today for giving an indication of next week’s business. I inquire of him whether the Government is prepared to set aside some time next week to debate the Hon Mita Ririnui’s Electoral (Entrenchment of Maori Representation) Amendment Bill which might be of some use to the Government. 
Hon JOHN CARTER (Acting Leader of the House) 
: 
 The Government will stay with the Government’s Order Paper.
Visitors — Canada—Minister of State (Democratic Reform) 
Visitors — Canada—Minister of State (Democratic Reform) 
[Volume:656;Page:5749] 
Thursday 20 August 2009 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Visitors 
Canada—Minister of State (Democratic Reform) 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I have much pleasure in informing the House that the Hon Steven John Fletcher Minister of State (Democratic Reform) from the House of Commons in Canada is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish that the Minister be welcomed.
Boscawen John: Road User Charges Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
Boscawen John: Road User Charges Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:656;Page:5358] 
JOHN BOSCAWEN (ACT) 
: 
 I did not intend to participate in this debate; I will probably speak only until 6 p.m. and leave it at that. 
It was very interesting to listen for the first time to Damien O’Connor speak in the House. He very proudly declared that John Key has acknowledged that there is an issue of climate change. Let me say to Mr O’Connor that of course the climate is changing. It has been changing for centuries; it has been changing for millennia. The climate is always changing. He thinks it is important to say there is climate change but that is nonsense. The issue is whether humans impact on climate change or whether it occurs naturally and it has been occurring naturally on this Earth for many many millennia. I acknowledge that there is climate change but since 2001 temperatures on this globe have been going down so I ask why we would penalise working New Zealanders when we are not certain there is an impact. 
Mr Bennett talked about the benefits of this bill and about incentivising people to buy electric cars. I noticed that Mr O’Connor was happy to acknowledge that. Mr O’Connor also talked about cross-subsidisation. He talked about the situation whereby someone who could not afford to buy an electric car at twice the cost of a regular car is subsidising someone who could afford it. It was very interesting for that member to raise the issue of cross-subsidisation because with KiwiSaver poorer people who cannot afford to save are through their taxes subsidising those who can afford to save. In particular people on lower incomes who do not get as big a subsidy from the Government as others do are subsidising people who can afford to pay more and who have higher incomes. We have cross-subsidisation in KiwiSaver. One of the first things this Government did before that member came back into this House was to reduce the level of that cross-subsidisation from 4c in the dollar to 2c in the dollar. 
Sue Moroney 
: It’s not a subsidy! 
JOHN BOSCAWEN 
: That is exactly what it was! The Government was subsidising people’s savings at 4c in the dollar and the subsidy is now 2c in the dollar. In my view we should take that subsidy down to zero and we should make KiwiSaver compulsory. 
I was also interested in Mr Bennett’s comments criticising the Labour Party for wanting a classless society. I say to him that we should have a classless society. In New Zealand we have two classes of people: the haves and the have-nots. We have the privileged and the unprivileged. We have people who can afford to save through KiwiSaver and get a subsidy and those who cannot. We have people who can afford private medical insurance and those who cannot. We have people who have access to good health care and those who do not. Those issues are confronting our society and we should be ashamed that we have a two-class society. We should be moving towards a classless society. I actually congratulate the Labour Party. I wish its vision was true. 
Debate interrupted.
Bridges Simon: Port Nicholson Block (Taranaki Whanui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika) Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
Bridges Simon: Port Nicholson Block (Taranaki Whanui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika) Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:656;Page:5343] 
SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Assistant Speaker. Tena koutou e te Whare. This will be a very short call and as someone who has had nothing to do with this settlement and no affiliations to the iwi concerned I hope it will be a speech of some humility. 
However I do appreciate the history the grievance and perhaps at times the bitterness that has gone with all of this. I acknowledge more recently the blood sweat tears and all of that as I said to get to today. Having mentioned the path I also touch on a future that I hope is filled with potential and is ripe for the plucking. I hope for a much brighter future that will include some money some ownership and an apology. But more than that I hope there is an ability to move on to a new chapter. 
Finally I agree with what the Hon Tau Henare said: this is but one chapter in a book of settlements that this country needs to write before we hopefully can move on to better more enjoyable books. Tena koutou tena koutou tena tatou katoa. 
Bill read a third time. 
Waiata
Blue Jackie: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Blue Jackie: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:656;Page:5324] 
12.  
Dr JACKIE BLUE (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: What extra funding has the Government made available for medicines this year? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
: 
 I am pleased to confirm today that the Government has increased the funding for subsidised medicines by $40 million for the 2009-10 financial year. The increase is made up of $31 million for the community pharmaceutical budget managed by Pharmac and $9 million extra for cancer medicines managed by the district health boards and the Ministry of Health including Herceptin. It takes the total community pharmaceutical budget to $694 million. That is a huge increase at the time of the worst recession since the 1930s and fulfils another election promise made by the Government. 
Dr Jackie Blue 
: What is Pharmac doing with this big increase in spending for medicines dispensed through community pharmacies and hospitals? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: Pharmac advises me that planning on how the new community budget will be spent is well advanced. It includes new spending on medicines to treat cystic fibrosis hepatitis B leukaemia auto-immune disorders heart disease and arthritis and to support smoking cessation. It is a good first step forward in the Government’s aim to achieve better access to medicines for New Zealanders. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: What additional funding for statins and insulin will be required as a direct result of his cancellation of obesity reduction programmes? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I think the member is hypothesising about what may or may not be the impact of things that may or may not be happening. I observe that the member was in a Government that cut the budget for chronic disease management which affects some of the most vulnerable New Zealanders in this country by $10 million. That Government also cut $26 million from public health promotion. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: In order to ensure that people can afford to collect their medicine from the chemist will he now guarantee that the $3 prescription charge will not be increased? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: Yes.
Goudie Sandra: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Goudie Sandra: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:656;Page:5323] 
10.  
SANDRA GOUDIE (National—Coromandel) 
 to the  
Minister of Transport 
: What progress has been made on replacing the 82-year-old single lane Kopu Bridge? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Transport) 
: 
 I am pleased to report that on Tuesday the Prime Minister and I joined 94-year-old George Williams as he turned the first sod for the replacement Kopu Bridge. The people of Coromandel and Hauraki Plains have waited a long time for this moment. This Government is honouring the commitment made in February in the half a billion dollar jobs and growth package to accelerate roading projects and other infrastructure projects around the country. This particular project has been accelerated by over 12 months. 
Sandra Goudie 
: What economic impact will this project have on the region? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: The $47 million project will employ 50 people on site at its peak and provide a further 100 jobs in downstream activities supplying material and providing support services. I am sure locals will appreciate those jobs. The project will greatly improve freight and passenger access into the Coromandel region which will boost the economy and tourism. It will also result in significant time savings of up to an hour at times for travellers. This comes on top of other recent announcements such as the Kamo bypass project which will provide 80 jobs and the Victoria Park project which will provide 300 jobs. 
Sandra Goudie 
: What feedback has the Minister received from locals on the progress now being made? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: I received much positive feedback yesterday from locals who are pleased the project is finally going ahead. I also saw the comments of Pipiroa Country Kitchen cafe owner Sydney Campbell who said that the sod-turning for the new bridge is a great advance for the whole district—work on the bridge was supposed to have started in 2006 and locals have been taking bets as to whether it would be finished in their lifetimes. I am pleased to report that under this Government the locals will have a new bridge in 3 years.
Ririnui Mita: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Ririnui Mita: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:656;Page:5321] 
Hon MITA RIRINUI (Labour) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Otira tena koe kai te Kaihautu. Tena koe e whakahaere i to tatou whakamoemiti whakawhetai i roto i te reo wairua a te reo rangatira o te motu. Otira kai te kaihautu te ahua nei kare te Minita Tuarua mo te Hauora kei roto i te Whare. No reira kei te kimi tautoko ahau mai i te Whare kia waiho ake taku patapatai ki te taha kia hoki mai ano te Minita. 
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.] 
[ 
Greetings indeed to you Mr Speaker and also for conducting our prayer in the chiefly language of the nation. Mr Speaker it appears that the Associate Minister of Health is not present in the House. I seek the support of the House to defer my question to her until she is present. 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member can seek leave to defer his question but it must be done with the leave of the House. 
Hon MITA RIRINUI 
: I do seek leave. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to defer the question to the Associate Minister of Health. Is there any objection to that? There is objection. The member will put his question.