edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Browning Steffan; Mallard TrevorSTEFFAN BROWNING (Green): Just as I start I suggest that the previous speaker the Hon Nick Smith get some of his names right. He was mentioning the head of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and I am afraid his pronunciation would be a little bit embarrassing if it was in town this week. Maybe I could lead him in terms of the President of the European Council Donald Tusk so that he does not call him Tuhsk". I am hoping that when Bill English was over there in Europe meeting with Jean-Claude Juncker supposedly missing out on holidays he was talking about climate change among other things. Maybe the Minister for the Environment might want to hear this: New Zealand's effort around climate change is going to hell in a handcart. Unfortunately it has been intentional in part by this Government for quite some time. It goes down the unsustainable in terms of agriculture—it is emissions paradise in agriculture and yet there are good alternatives. Clearly often I have spoken in this House about the organic alternative: way less emissions way less leaching and spoiling of our rivers but this Government carries on intent to go down the high-production course rather than the high-value course in agriculture. But there are other areas where it fails in climate change as well. Clearly transport is one. We have heard from James Shaw in the House today the reminder that this Government would rather go down the diesel propulsion direction for trains rather than electric. It is crazy stuff. Just at the end of last week the Environment Court from Auckland made a decision around the emissions of methyl bromide by a new applicant for discharge to air of methyl bromide at the Port of Tauranga—the biggest user of methyl bromide probably in the world. Methyl bromide is an ozone depleter. It is worse than some of the fluorocarbons that we work together internationally on to reduce the level of damage to the ozone layer. The Port of Tauranga uses 2.5 percent of the anthropogenic part—the human part—of methyl bromide production in the world. That is 2.5 percent but it is actually by volume something like 7.5 percent on a per-capita basis. New Zealand should be embarrassed.The judge saw that we were not doing our bit—as we agreed as a country in the Montreal Protocol—in reducing our emissions of methyl bromide. Yes there is an out for New Zealand. You can use it for phytosanitary purposes and we must. We must use methyl bromide if there is not a good alternative for killing insects snakes or whatever coming into New Zealand in imported goods and we must use it for exporting to some countries but we must recapture it. That judge pointed out that the applicants and other users of methyl bromide in this country—and the forestry industry is totally at fault here along with the Environmental Protection Authority. We must stop emitting methyl bromide. We must recapture it. So there is a decision that is admirable. This Government must take notice of it and quickly starting recapture of methyl bromide fumigations. Thank you.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): This is a split call—Denise Roche."
Motions — Queen Elizabeth II—Sapphire Jubilee
Points of Order — Tabling of Documents—Reports by Solid Energy
Points of Order — Health and Safety Immunity for Pike River Recovery Bill—Leave to Introduce
By-Election — Mt Roskill
Resignations — David Shearer Mt Albert
Peters WinstonMOTIONSQueen Elizabeth II—Sapphire JubileeRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): I seek to move without notice a motion in respect of the sapphire jubilee of our monarch which is today. I seek leave to move that motion.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that course of action. Can I just clarify: it is a motion without notice and without debate?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: That is right yes.Mr SPEAKER: That is what the member is seeking. [Interruption] Order! I just need to put the leave and get it clarified. Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is not.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Thank you very much Mr Speaker and I thank the House. I move That this House congratulate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II the Queen of New Zealand and Her Other Realms and Territories on becoming our first monarch to reach a sapphire jubilee marking 65 years on the throne.Motion agreed to.
Smith Nick; Carter DavidTabling of Documents—Solid Energy Reports on Pike River Mine Re-entryHon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave of the House to table the 650 pages of reports prepared by Solid Energy as to why re-entry of the Pike River mine was not possible for sound safety reasons.Mr SPEAKER: Before I put the leave is that information freely available to members? If it is not I will take—[Interruption] In that case I will put the leave. Leave is sought to table that voluminous report. Is there any objection to it being tabled? There is objection.
Little Andrew; Carter DavidPOINTS OF ORDERLeave for Introduction and Setting Down as Members' Order of the Day No. 1—Health and Safety Immunity for Pike River Recovery BillANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave for the Health and Safety Immunity for Pike River Recovery Bill a member's bill in my name to be introduced and set down on the Order Paper as members' order of the day No. 1.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Carter DavidBY-ELECTIONMt RoskillMr SPEAKER: I have received from the Electoral Commission a return declaring Michael Philip Wood to be elected a member of Parliament to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the Hon Phil Goff. I understand that Michael Wood is present and wishes to take the Oath of Allegiance. Would he please come forward to the chair on my right-hand side.
Carter DavidTUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2017Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.RESIGNATIONSDavid Shearer Mt AlbertMr SPEAKER: I wish to advise the House that I have received a letter from David Shearer resigning his seat with effect from 31 December 2016.
Wednesday 8 February 2017 - Volume 720
12. Education Minister—Reports on NCEA Results and Māori and Pasifika AchievementJOANNE HAYES (National) to the Minister of EducationEducation Minister—Reports on NCEA Results and Māori and Pasifika Achievement12. JOANNE HAYES (National) to the Minister of Education: What recent reports has she received on NCEA achievement for 2016?Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. I was pleased to see that the 2016 provisional National Certificate of Education Achievement (NCEA) results show that more students are achieving NCEA level 2 the recognised minimum qualification for success. The provisional role-based data shows achievement in NCEA level 2 has risen to 77.4 percent or 43911 young New Zealanders. This means that over 9000 more Year 12 students achieved NCEA level 2 in 2016 compared with the 2008 year of the Opposition.Joanne Hayes: What do these reports show about Māori and Pacific achievement in NCEA?Hon HEKIA PARATA: One of the highlights of the provisional results is the significant increase in Māori achievement of NCEA level 2. It lifted by 2.9 percent in just 1 year which is a reflection of the year-on-year increase under this Government. It is now at an impressive 73.5 percent. Hon Member: Cherry-picking. Hon HEKIA PARATA: I know Māori success is making the former Minister unhappy but Māori are very happy with that because it is a lift from the parlous 51.6 percent under that Labour Government. For Pasifika NCEA level 2 has risen to 77.6 percent from 50.5 percent in 2008. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order!Question No. 11 to MinisterRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to table a letter between myself and Nathan Guy inviting him to come to Northland dated 16 January and a chronology of contacts with Nathan Guy's office showing what a venal bumptious bunch they are.Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am very tempted not to put the leave because of that final comment. The member should factually describe the document without embellishment. To move the matter forward leave is sought to table the letter dated 16 January and then a chronology of interaction with the Minister's office. Is there any objection to those two documents? There is objection.RON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! I need to remind members that points of order are to be heard in silence.RON MARK: Thank you Mr Speaker. For my edification could you explain to me why when the Hon Nathan Guy made such a blatant and venal comment you did not bring him into line—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I did not—[Interruption] Order! Can the member resume his seat immediately. I did not hear such a comment but I will study the transcripts later to see whether it is in the Hansard.
11. Primary Industries Minister—ConductRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) to the Minister for Primary IndustriesPrimary Industries Minister—Conduct11. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) to the Minister for Primary Industries: Is he able to explain all his actions as Minister for Primary Industries; if so how?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): Mr Speaker happy New Year to you and to the Parliament. In answer to the question yes; and by speaking. Rt Hon Winston Peters: The Ewen McKenzie lookalike! Why having received a letter from me on 16 January inviting him as Minister to visit drought-affected farms in Northland did he play silly games when on 25 January at 3.57 p.m. in the afternoon he pretended to invite me to come the next morning to a farm in Northland and yet he and his staff did everything not to advise where when and at what time the morning meeting would be held up north?Hon NATHAN GUY: I do not need to be invited by that member to go and visit drought-stricken farms in Northland; I go and visit them on my own accord. My office did alert the member that I was coming to Northland to meet farmers but it is commonly known up there that the member is hardly ever in his electorate. Rt Hon Winston Peters: What in the Minister's past incompetent behaviour as the Minister of this portfolio and as the Minister for Racing gives him the idea he can play these stupid games by claiming to invite another member of Parliament to come to a meeting and refuse to give any details as to where the meeting was held and then claim that he is familiar with what is going on up north?Hon NATHAN GUY: As I understand it my office alerted the member that I was coming to Northland and as I say I stand by my comments: I do not need to be invited by that member to visit Northland. I take my advice from farmers on the ground rural support trust and my officials and that is why in the last couple of weeks I have visited Northland twice and I have declared a medium-scale adverse event in terms of drought to support those farmers to get through that. And we will support those farmers. Rt Hon Winston Peters: Why when he was asked on 16 January to come to the north and examine the serious situation which would constitute a drought did he stoop to such stupid venal political games as to tell the media and the National Party candidate about the meeting and yet think he could refuse to tell me the place date and time—[Interruption] All right if they are the venal politics you like that is fine by me but when we get to power you are gone.Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! The question has been asked and now can be addressed by the Minister.Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I have not finished. Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! The member has finished because I have cut him off. Supplementary questions are meant to be concise. Hon NATHAN GUY: I think this questioning is a circus and I have already addressed it.
9. Broadband Ultra-fast and Rural—Extension and TargetsMATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri) to the Minister for CommunicationsBroadband Ultra-fast and Rural—Extension and Targets9. MATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri) to the Minister for Communications: What recent announcements has he made on the Ultra-fast Broadband programme?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister for Communications): Last month I was very pleased to join the member in North Canterbury to announce that the Government is investing over $300 million to extend ultra-fast broadband (UFB) to more than 151 additional towns across New Zealand plus 43 suburban fringe areas around the largest centres that were covered by the first phase of the programme. This extension will provide up to 85 percent of New Zealanders in both rural and urban areas from Ruatōria to Reefton with access to world-class broadband by the end of 2024.Matt Doocey: How will UFB2 support economic development in regional and rural communities?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Phase two of the programme is a significant investment in our regions and forms part of the Government's commitment to helping our regional economies grow and diversify. More than $30 million will be spent on installing fibre in Canterbury alone and it is estimated that the UFB initiative will generate more than $33 billion in economic benefit. While the full fibre roll-out will be completed by 2024 we have prioritised 29 towns in Northland Bay of Plenty Gisborne Hawke's Bay Manawatū Wanganui and the West Coast which will have their UFB builds fast tracked to be complete by the end of 2020. We are working closely with councils businesses and iwi in these areas to help them thrive and realise their full economic potential.Rt Hon Winston Peters: If any of that is remotely true why is it that in Northland the rate of investment is a fraction above 50 percent of what is being spent in Auckland?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I doubt in fact that on a population basis that is even true and I am saddened that the member does not believe me but let me give him the facts: over $33 million by 2020 is being invested across Northland. I appreciate he is not going to but if he just said thanks I would take it.Matt Doocey: How does UFB2 help achieve the Government's ambitious targets for connectivity?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: The first phase of the programme is ahead of schedule in delivering fibre to the premises of 75 percent of New Zealanders by 2019. The second phase of installations will start in 2017 and be completed between 2018 and 2024. Phase two of the build will see each build area completed within a 12-month period in order to provide as little disruption as possible. By 2024 approximately 85 percent of New Zealanders will have access to fibre far exceeding our original target of 80 percent by 2022. This will put New Zealand among the leaders in the OECD for access to fibre and means that more Kiwis will be able to tap into the benefits of fast and reliable internet right across the country.
6. Police—Increase in Police StaffKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister of PolicePolice—Increase in Police Staff6. KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister of Police: What announcements has the Government made about investing in police to make our communities safer?Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister of Police): Thank you to the member. Last week the Prime Minister announced that we will be boosting the number of police staff by more than 1100 over the next 4 years. This $503 million package which includes 880 sworn police and 245 non-sworn staff is about getting the worst offenders off our streets as well as preventing crime. The package is just another step on from the 600 extra police put in place since National came to Government and our investment in mobile technology which has freed up the equivalent of 350 front-line officers.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: What areas will the new police target?Hon PAULA BENNETT: This package has been carefully put together to target both crime prevention and catching the worst offenders. Five hundred officers will be out in the community responding to emergencies dealing with youth crime and investigating burglaries; 140 will be dedicated to our rural and regional areas; another 140 will investigate serious offending such as child abuse sexual assault and family violence; and 80 will target organised crime gangs and methamphetamine. The new police will be spread around the country where each district will get a share.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: What results can New Zealanders expect from this significant investment?Hon PAULA BENNETT: The investment of more than half a billion dollars comes with challenging performance targets for police to make a real difference in real New Zealanders' lives. The targets include: 98 percent of home burglaries will be attended within 48 hours; 95 percent of New Zealanders will live within 25 kilometres of a police presence 24/7; $400 million worth of assets will be seized from organised criminals up from $230 million in the last few years; and a reduction of deaths from family violence. These are among some of the targets that we expect them to achieve.Stuart Nash: What convinced her merely 7 months after the Government's 4-year plan stating no new police until at least 2020" was signed off that an increase in police numbers was so important that it became the first election promise made by the Government in the new year?Hon PAULA BENNETT: It would be fair to say that a number of issues did. As has already been identified by many including in this House the good work of the former Minister of Police had already started progressing that work in that way. We had already committed the equivalent of over 900 police in the last 8 years so now was the time to look at the next investment into police and into our communities. So that is exactly what we did but we were really really clear that we wanted to make sure that the targets that those police achieved were for the betterment of all New Zealanders."
4. Police—FundingRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) to the Prime MinisterPolice—Funding4. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements; if so how?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH (Prime Minister): Yes.Grant Robertson: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. There were two parts to that question. I am very interested to know the answer to the second part.Mr SPEAKER: I will invite the Prime Minister if he wishes to address the second part. [Interruption] He does not. [Interruption] Order! It should be very obvious even to the member that how it was addressed was by rising and answering the question. It has been addressed.Rt Hon Winston Peters: If the Government has been working on a package to boost police numbers since last May" why as Minister of Finance did he deliberately starve police of funding when that was being requested by then Minister of Police Hon Judith Collins?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: You would need to talk to the Minister of Finance about whatever discussions those were. I can assure the member though that for the Government the safety of our communities is a top priority and that in the last Budget significant funding was allocated to police to pay their consistently increasing wages. After that discussions began on how we could use the police better in order to achieve safer communities where police can catch more criminals now and prevent more crime in the future.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Why if the evidence shows the Hon Judith Collins having multiple meetings with former Prime Minister John Key and Mr English's Treasury officials pleading for more police funding did he do his best to make sure she did not get that funding when he was the Minister of Finance?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: Ms Collins was a very competent police Minister and like all Ministers was advocating for greater than her fair share of the Budget which is always the case. I am sure the current finance Minister is finding that that is what is happening. There is absolutely nothing unusual about Ministers putting forward bids and not getting what they want.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Does his stopping his rival for leadership of the National Party from getting funds for her portfolio because it might make her look good and then having her sacked as the police Minister see him rakishly last week finding extra police funds not point to National being a tawdry cesspit of internecine internal fighting?Mr SPEAKER: In so far as there may be some prime ministerial responsibility the right honourable Prime Minister.Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: The member should not talk about the deputy leadership contest in New Zealand First like that. We think it is a very worthy and tough fight which everyone seems to know about."
3. Finance Minister—ReportsCHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister of FinanceFinance Minister—Reports3. CHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he received on the performance of the New Zealand economy?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Finance): While the House was away I received a number of reports highlighting the strong performance of the New Zealand economy. Standard and Poor's has made a recent decision to affirm New Zealand's AA foreign currency and AA+ local currency sovereign credit ratings with a stable outlook. That reflects international confidence in New Zealand's economic and fiscal performance. They also noted improvement across a range of measures such as our current account deficit our net Government debt and our overall fiscal performance. This follows the release of GDP figures in December showing a higher than expected 1.1 percent growth rate for the September quarter for the New Zealand economy and 3.5 percent over the last year.Chris Bishop: How does New Zealand's economic performance compare internationally?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Statistics New Zealand's latest growth figures for New Zealand show our economic growth in the year to September at 3.5 percent was the fifth-strongest in the whole developed world ahead of Australia on 1.8 percent the USA on 1.6 percent Canada on 1.3 percent and the euro area on 1.7 percent.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Take out your mass immigration and you've got nothing.Hon STEVEN JOYCE: I am sure Winston has alternative facts. This demonstrates how New Zealand's focus on developing a strong and open economy is delivering good results for Kiwi families especially relative to most of the rest of the developed world.Chris Bishop: What reports has he received on the performance of the labour market?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Last week's household labour force survey showed a continuing strong growth in the labour market. With 137000 jobs now created in the last year the employment rate for New Zealanders has reached an all-time high of 66.9 percent of all adult New Zealanders while the labour force participation rate has also reached an all-time high of 70.5 percent. With Treasury's half-yearly fiscal update predicting a further 150000 jobs over the next 5 years New Zealanders will continue to see the benefits of a growing economy.Chris Bishop: What reports has he received on inflation?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: New Zealand along with many other similar countries has been operating in a period of historically low inflation and historically low interest rates. Statistics New Zealand's recent figures show the Consumers Price Index inflation rate has risen slightly in the year to December 2016 to 1.3 percent for the year with the bottom end of the target band for the Reserve Bank being reached for the first time in 2 years. This compares to an inflation rate of just 0.1 percent in the year to December 2015. It may signal a return towards more normal levels of low inflation but we will have to see how the year unfolds.
Lees-Galloway IainIAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Labour—Palmerston North): As my colleague Ruth Dyson has already said Labour supports this bill. The Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Bill is a much-needed update to the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966 which has become completely outdated outmoded and reflects the attitudes of the time. It reflects the knowledge of addiction of the time and was in desperate need of being brought into the 21st century which this legislation does.We certainly acknowledge the sensitivities that need to be addressed with this type of legislation. This is legislation that does allow for people's freedom to be taken from them for people to be compulsorily taken into treatment—perhaps in some cases against their will; often perhaps against their will—so there has to be a very very high bar. There has to be an extremely high threshold for the application of this legislation. In fact the advice that members had at the select committee was that it should lead to or is likely to lead to around 200 orders per year. That is an increase on the number of people who are usually taken in for compulsory treatment of addiction and as has been pointed out that requires some resource to go alongside it.I guess the concern on this side of the House is that not only is the overall health sector underfunded—we know that because of the Government's failure to keep pace with inflationary costs and the growth in population there is about $1.7 billion missing from the health sector overall—but also the fact is that for the entire 8 years of this Government mental health and addictions have not been one of its health priorities. That has meant that district health boards (DHBs) have focused on the priority areas—the ones that are published in the newspapers with those big glossy advertisements—and have not been able to put the focus that they want to into mental health and addiction services because they are starved for cash they have to prioritise the Government has made it clear what its priorities are and mental health and addictions have not been a priority for this Government.So it is one thing to change the law—we applaud the Government for changing the law and we support changing the law—but for this law to be effective the Government has got to ensure that DHBs have the resources that they need.Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 10 p.m.
Wildlife (Powers) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Doocey MattMATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri): It is an honour and a pleasure to rise in support of the Wildlife (Powers) Amendment Bill in its third reading. It is a bill that seeks to reduce offending against wildlife and when you look at some of the statistics offending against wildlife seems to be very much a persistent problem. From 2004 to 2011 there were 19 prosecutions for the illegal hunting and killing of our endangered and protected wildlife. Also alarmingly since 2010 seven foreign nationals have been convicted for the attempted smuggling of our wildlife. When you think about that for us on this side of the House engaging in a globalised world is very much an opportunity and a strength but some of the limitations threats and weaknesses are about whom we expose our wildlife to. In the days of internet and international air travel the link between smuggler and customer becomes greatly reduced and there are far fewer obstacles in their way to committing these crimes. So this bill is very much about supporting our wildlife. Many of the speakers tonight around the House have talked about the unique wildlife we have in New Zealand whether it be the kiwi or the tuatara. Being a North Canterbury resident and a proud Cantabrian I am a big fan of our cheeky kea but what we must do is always look to give the Department of Conservation rangers the tools they need. This bill is about enabling them to have the tools they need to succeed but very much about listening to them. All of the improvements that have been talked about tonight are based on consultation feedback and listening to the people on the front line for the tools they need. Before I finish I just want to take note of Scott Simpson our Local Government and Environment Committee chair and his promotion to be a PPS or a parliamentary—a private parliamentary secretary for the environment and conservation. So I did not manage to get that right but I think everyone knows what I mean. So congratulations to him and I wholeheartedly support this bill.
Taxation (Business Tax Exchange of Information and Remedial Matters) Bill — In Committee
Ngaro AlfredParts 1 to 3 schedule and clauses 1 and 2Hon ALFRED NGARO (Minister for Pacific Peoples): I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. Under Standing Order 330 I move to rule out Supplementary Order Paper 259 as the amendment proposed to be moved appears to have more than a minor impact on the fiscal aggregates and 24 hours' notice has not been given.
Macindoe Tim; Tisch LindsayTAXATION (BUSINESS TAX EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND REMEDIAL MATTERS) BILLIn CommitteeTIM MACINDOE (Senior Whip—National): With the agreement of the whips across the Committee I seek leave for the Committee to consider all parts of the Taxation (Business Tax Exchange of Information and Remedial Matters) Bill in one debate with the voting on the different parts to be taken separately.The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): Leave is sought for that matter. Is there any objection? There is no objection. So the question is that Parts 1 to 3 the schedule and clauses 1 and 2 stand part.
Maiden Statements
Brownlee Gerry; Carter DavidMAIDEN STATEMENTSHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. There was a set time for Mr Wood's maiden statement. We should follow that. I just assume that we are going to go on to other Government business in the next 4 minutes to make that happen. Is that right?Mr SPEAKER: Order! Let me assist. The debate is now interrupted—[Interruption] Order! The debate is interrupted and is set down for resumption next sitting day. In accordance with Standing Order 360(3) I call on Michael Wood to make his maiden statement and I am assuming that it is the will of the House that it will suspend for the dinner break at the conclusion of the speech.
Brownlee GerryHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): I move That this debate be now adjourned.Motion agreed to.
Voting — Correction—Education Legislation Bill
Points of Order — Member's Bill—Leave to Introduce
Visitors — Australia—Former Prime Minister
Carter David; Peters Winston; Seymour DavidVOTINGCorrection—Education Legislation BillMr SPEAKER: On 14 September 2016 when the House was considering the Education Legislation Bill the result of the vote on David Seymour's Supplementary Order Paper 220 was incorrectly recorded as Ayes 96 Noes 25. The correct result is Ayes 95 Noes 25. The record will be corrected accordingly.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That is an extraordinarily long time ago for this House to be correcting a matter about a member's personal vote and frankly I have not heard of reaching so far back into our history. Perhaps the member should be told to take the dummy out of his mouth when he is speaking.Mr SPEAKER: Order! I have made a New Year's resolution that I will try to get through this year of Parliament without asking members to leave the Chamber but for me to be able to achieve that I do need some cooperation from members. Silly points of order like that one will not assist me in meeting my New Year's resolutions. I ask the Rt Hon Winston Peters for a little more cooperation.DAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. In the spirit of that can I assist the member. It was not my vote that was corrected; it was someone else's. It was my Supplementary Order Paper. Perhaps instead of talking about me spitting the dummy he should go to Bay Audiology.Mr SPEAKER: Thank you for tidying that up.
Shaw James; Carter DavidPOINTS OF ORDERLeave for Introduction and Setting Down as Members' Order of the Day No. 1—Member's Bill in the Name of Barry CoatesJAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to introduce a member's bill on behalf of Barry Coates that would increase and put into legislation New Zealand's refugee quota to be set down as members' order of the day No. 1.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is objection.
Carter DavidWEDNESDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2017Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.VISITORSAustralia—Former Prime MinisterMr SPEAKER: Honourable members I have much pleasure in informing the House that the Hon John Howard former Prime Minister of Australia is within the precincts of the Chamber. I am sure that members would wish that he be welcomed and accorded a chair to the left.
Tuesday 13 December 2016 - Volume 719
Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill — Second Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 57New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Bill read a second time.
Children Young Persons and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Children Young Persons and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 61New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 59New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2.Bill read a first time.The question was put that the Children Young Persons and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill be referred to the Social Services Committee.A party vote was called for on the question That the question be agreed to. Ayes 75New Zealand National 59; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 45New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 14.Question agreed to.
12. Superannuation—Eligibility and Calculation PolicyDENIS O'ROURKE (NZ First) to the Prime MinisterSuperannuation—Eligibility and Calculation Policy12. DENIS O'ROURKE (NZ First) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his reported statement on New Zealand Superannuation Key's promise not to tinker with the pension age was a product of its time"?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH (Prime Minister): I stand by my full statement which was "That was a product of its time where there was a need to establish trust and I think it was a sound decision then because the election was followed by a recession which could have caused real insecurity for older people."Denis O'Rourke: Why should anyone approaching retirement trust him not to change the age of eligibility means testing or universality for New Zealand superannuation?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: Because Government policy is clear that national superannuation will remain in the current way it is calculated and actually through some pretty tough times the Government has been tested on that. National superannuation has risen at twice the rate of inflation during the period that this Government has been in place.David Seymour: Can the Prime Minister confirm that raising the age of entitlement for New Zealand superannuation would not affect Denis O'Rourke or anyone else over 67?Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! I just want to hear the point of order.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Because I suspect that the nature of that question is a personalised attack on certain members of Parliament here which is likely to lead to disorder—and very quickly—if he carries on in that line that question should be stopped. It is not in the Prime Minister's purview to consider any personal circumstance here when the question is about a category of people who have retired. He is talking about members of Parliament which is not part of his authority or ambit of operation.David Seymour: Speaking to the point of order.Mr SPEAKER: I will hear from David Seymour.David Seymour: Far from it. I was simply seeking to illustrate the question by reference to a fine upstanding member of Parliament who happens to be a bit senior.Mr SPEAKER: I was hoping that that point of order might have helped. But the question in my mind was not derogatory of any member; it was not delivered in that way. The question is in order and it can be addressed by the Prime Minister.Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: There is no possibility of that.Denis O'Rourke: Why should anyone trust him not to reduce the amount of New Zealand superannuation when in 1998 when he was Associate Minister of Finance there was a reduction from 65 percent to 60 percent of the average wage?Mr SPEAKER: In so far as there is prime ministerial responsibility—the right honourable Prime Minister.Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: The legislation in this House sets out the formula by which national superannuation is calculated and there is no intentional policy to change that."
10. Building Financial Capability—KiwiSaver Reports and Legislative ReformJOANNE HAYES (National) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer AffairsBuilding Financial Capability—KiwiSaver Reports and Legislative Reform10. JOANNE HAYES (National) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What announcements has he made recently that make it easier for New Zealanders to understand their KiwiSaver statements?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs): Today I announced that all KiwiSaver providers will have to disclose the total fees paid in dollar terms on KiwiSaver annual statements from 2018. For many New Zealanders KiwiSaver is the only direct interaction they have with financial markets. It is important that we ensure New Zealanders are able to get the key information about their KiwiSaver investments so that they can make informed financial decisions about their retirement savings. All KiwiSavers" will see the total dollar fees disclosed in their annual statements from 2018. In 2017 those providers that cannot disclose dollar fees will be required to disclose total fees as a percentage.Joanne Hayes: How will this change help Kiwis to prepare for retirement?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: Around 2.6 million New Zealanders have invested in KiwiSaver and collectively they have around $35 billion in funds under management. What we hope to avoid is a generation of New Zealanders retiring having not thought about their KiwiSaver for 30 years and discovering that they have been in an inappropriate fund or have paid excessive fees so that the result of their savings is less than otherwise might have been the case. The changes I announced today will ensure that the annual statements that Kiwis receive will include better information so that they can make informed decisions about their investments.Joanne Hayes: What else is the Government doing to help New Zealanders get ahead financially?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: Earlier this year I announced changes to the regulatory regime for financial advice. These changes will simplify regulation enable advisers to have sensible conversations with clients and encourage more people to seek high quality advice tailored to their needs. We will release draft legislation shortly. I have also completed a major reform of New Zealand's financial market laws under the Financial Markets Conduct Act which came fully into force this month. This change included standard regular reporting for all KiwiSaver and other managed funds to allow New Zealanders to make more informed comparisons about a fund's performance over time. We are also working to raise levels of financial capability among New Zealanders by expanding financial capability programmes in schools communities and in workplaces."
9. Child Poverty—Government Measures to AddressMARAMA FOX (Co-Leader—Māori Party) to the Prime MinisterChild Poverty—Government Measures to Address9. MARAMA FOX (Co-Leader—Māori Party) to the Prime Minister: How does he intend to attain the goal of halving poverty in New Zealand by 2030 that the Government signed up to in September 2015 through the UN sustainable development goals?Mr SPEAKER: Order! No the last part is not part of the question that has been published. The Prime Minister can address the question as written.Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH (Prime Minister): Yes the Government does intend to work towards that goal. New Zealand is among the best in the world at transparently using data to measure hardship. The latest household incomes report shows that trends in child poverty and material hardship have been flat or falling in recent years. However too many children still experience hardship and as I said in answer to earlier questions the Government will address that issue through—as it has done in the past—increasing incomes and focusing on supporting our most complicated and vulnerable families.Marama Fox: What new measures will the Government employ to reduce the 155000 New Zealand children who live with material hardship given current measures have not made a considerable difference to those numbers?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: We believe that a number of measures taken since this most recent data will have some impact—that is the insulation of more houses free doctors visits for under-13s a $25 increase for all families on a benefit. And of course the Māori Party has the opportunity to be part of the Government's discussions as we go into Budget 2017 about what further measures could be taken and I would expect that as usual it will advocate strongly and occasionally unreasonably.Marama Fox: Given that answer what proportion of the Budget in 2017 can we expect to see spent on alleviating extreme material hardship of the 85000 New Zealand children identified?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: The Māori Party in my experience bids for all of the Budget to start with but I am sure that we can come to some kind of reasonable accommodation. But I just make this point which is that a lot of the advantage—a lot of the progress we can make is not actually about more money. It is about dealing with the issues that are challenges for families stuck in deprivation more effectively—for instance the family violence pilot in Christchurch which is revealing that more timely action taken immediately after a family violence incident can have a big impact on reducing the negative outcomes from family violence.
8. Fisheries—Orange Roughy FisheriesTODD MULLER (National—Bay of Plenty) to the Minister for Primary IndustriesFisheries—Orange Roughy Fisheries8. TODD MULLER (National—Bay of Plenty) to the Minister for Primary Industries: What reports has he received on the status of New Zealand's orange roughy fisheries?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): The international Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has recently announced it has certified three of our orange roughy fish stocks. This means that stocks meet the high bar of sustainability as set out by the MSC fisheries standard. A huge amount of work has gone into rebuilding this fishery over the years by industry and successive Governments. Other New Zealand species certified by the MSC are hoki hake ling southern blue whiting and albacore tuna.Todd Muller: What is required in order for a stock to be certified under the MSC standard?Hon NATHAN GUY: MSC is an international non-profit organisation that recognises and rewards sustainable fishing practices around the world. The certification follows 2 years of rigorous reviews and assessments by an independent team of experts. Many international markets are now demanding MSC certification as a baseline requirement. In 2015 orange roughy was estimated to generate export earnings of more than $53 million and this certification will certainly help to add a premium for this fishery stock.
5. Pharmac—Funding and Access to MedicinesDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of HealthPharmac—Funding and Access to Medicines5. Dr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of Health: Can he confirm that as a result of the Government's increased funding of $124 million over 4 years Pharmac has recently announced a funding package for three new treatments including for metastatic breast cancer?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Health): Yes. Last week Pharmac announced a significant funding package which includes three new treatments: for metastatic breast cancer chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This is Pharmac's third significant funding package following Budget 2016 and it also includes widened access to three existing medicines and considerable savings on five existing medicines. This new package demonstrates Pharmac's world-class model for increasing subsidised medicines and treatments for New Zealanders.Dr Shane Reti: How else is Pharmac delivering better access to medicines for New Zealanders?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: Earlier this year Pharmac announced two new funding packages including widened access to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations funding for two new hepatitis C medicines as well as treatment for advanced melanoma. Under this Government Pharmac's budget is now a record $850 million and it has increased by $200 million since 2008. As a result over the last 8 years nearly 170 new medicines have been subsidised and access has been broadened to 245 medicines directly benefiting over 800000 New Zealanders.Hon Annette King: Does he think it is fair that breast cancer patients already on Herceptin and chemotherapy will not be able to access this new funded medicine but they are in Australia?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: This drug pertuzumab is an excellent drug for metastatic breast cancer and my advice to the member is actually not to make the science up but to listen to the experts.
Tabuteau FletcherFLETCHER TABUTEAU (NZ First): Thank you for this opportunity to stand up and say merry Christmas to everyone by the looks of it. It is probably wise of me to end it there—Sue Moroney: You can say happy New Year as well. FLETCHER TABUTEAU: —and say yes merry Christmas have a happy New Year. I will surprise the members on the other side of the House by saying that in this the second reading we will be supporting the legislation. But I have—[Interruption] Aw Mr Assistant Speaker!Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 10 p.m.
Bishop Chris; Mallard TrevorCHRIS BISHOP (National): I quite like Mr Clark the member who just resumed his seat because generally he is a sensible and pragmatic contributor to the Finance and Expenditure Committee—well chaired by my colleague David Bennett. But every now and then Mr Clark does let his mouth get away on him a bit. With Mr Clark—and this has become a bit of a calling card I guess you could say for Mr Clark in the Parliament—he lets his mouth get away on him a bit and sensible comments are mixed with a lot of rhetoric and a lot of kind of very political comments and that was very much indicative of that speech. There was lots of talk about wealthy tax-dodgers and casinos and the National Government caring only for the rich and the property speculators and filthy lawyers and things like that.The reality is actually nothing could be further from the truth. This is a sensible bill. It implements as other speakers in this Parliament have said so far the recommendations from the Shewan inquiry but more importantly than that it actually makes a series of changes around making the taxpaying process simpler for businesses and that is something that I know has gone down extremely well with small businesses around the country—our very important small to medium sized enterprise (SME) sector. I know it has gone very well with the SME sector in the Hutt Valley. I know that Alastair Scott was saying to me earlier today that it has gone down very well in his very large electorate of the Wairarapa. In the Hunua electorate—Andrew Bayly: Very important—very important.CHRIS BISHOP: —Andrew Bayly is saying to me it is very important and I completely agree with him. It will do a series of things. It is tied into the Business Transformation programme. It will for example introduce another option for calculating provisional tax—the accounting income method—to allow people to pay provisional tax as they earn their income. That sounds like a small thing but actually will make a huge difference to the thousands of SMEs out there.I heard an attempt by Grant Robertson—I was sitting in my office and I heard his speech—to claim that we had stolen the Labour Party's tax policy. Well the National Government is not in the business of stealing anyone's policies let alone stealing the Labour Party's policy. So I find that remark from Mr Robertson quite laughable. The reality is this is a very good bill and I commend it to the House. [Interruption]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Order! Well if the member is sitting down it probably does not matter but I do want to remind my colleagues that the Assistant Speaker of course has read his party's policy. The question is that the motion be agreed—James Shaw.