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Sepuloni CarmelMOTIONSNew Zealand Winter Paralympics Team 2018—CongratulationsHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Disability Issues): On behalf of Labour and New Zealand First I seek leave to move a motion without notice congratulating the New Zealand team for their performance at the Winter Paralympics.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that process? There appears to be none.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I move That this House congratulates New Zealand's team at the recent Winter Paralympics in South Korea and recognises the achievement of our medal-winning skiers Corey Peters bronze medallist in the men's downhill skiing event and Adam Hall gold medallist in the men's slalom standing and bronze medallist in the super combined.As the Minister for Disability Issues I extend my warmest congratulations to three of this country's inspiring sporting heroes—our talented Kiwi Paralympians Adam Hall Corey Peters and Carl Murphy. We can all be incredibly proud of our high-performing Kiwi team. They exceeded expectations winning New Zealand a gold and two bronze medals over the intense 10-day competition at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang.Adam Corey and Carl gave it their all representing us on the world stage where 670 athletes from 45 countries battled it out in 80 medal events. Para-alpine skier Corey Peters led the 10-strong Kiwi team of three Paralympians and seven support staff into the opening ceremony. He put New Zealand on the medal table on the very first day of the competition winning bronze in the men's downhill sitting event adding to his silver from Sochi 2014.Snowboarder Carl Murphy gave it his all placing 5th in the banked slalom event. Alpine skier Adam Hall not only scored gold in the men's slalom and bronze in the men's super combined standing; he was also awarded the top honour of the event. He is the first Kiwi to be bestowed the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award presented to those who best exemplify the spirit and values of the Paralympics. Adam a previous gold medallist from Vancouver 2010 is an inspiration to all New Zealanders.It takes a team effort to achieve at this level. I would like to acknowledge the hard work training and dedication of Paralympics New Zealand and the Kiwi support team coaches officials and their families in helping prepare our paralympians to compete at the top of their sports. I also acknowledge Aaron Ewen who was ready to represent us but had to withdraw due to injury.Our paralympians have persevered to achieve at the highest level in their sports. They epitomise everything elite New Zealand athletes stand for and are inspirational role models to us all. Today we celebrate the success of our paralympians and at the same time reiterate our commitment to all disabled New Zealanders as articulated in the vision of our New Zealand Disability Strategy to ensure New Zealand is a place where disabled people have an equal opportunity to achieve their goals and aspirations and all … [New Zealanders work] together to make this happen."We congratulate this year's Paralympic team wholeheartedly. They have made our country proud."
Mallard TrevorRESIGNATIONSHon Steven Joyce NationalSPEAKER: I wish to advise the House that I have received a letter from the Hon Steven Joyce resigning his seat with effect from Monday 2 April.
Mallard TrevorTUESDAY 20 MARCH 2018The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Karakia.LIST MEMBER VACANCYSPEAKER: I have been advised by the Electoral Commissioner that pursuant to section 137 of the Electoral Act 1993 Maureen Helena Pugh has been declared to be elected a member of the House of Representatives in place of the Rt Hon Bill English. I understand that Maureen Pugh is present and wishes to take the Oath of Allegiance. Would she please come forward to the Chair on my right.MEMBERS SWORNMaureen Pugh presented herself to the Speaker took the Oath of Allegiance required by law and took her seat in the House.
Wednesday 31 January 2018 - Volume 727
Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA personal vote was called for on the question That the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 47AllanGhahraman (P)Prime (P)Tirikatene (P)Andersen (P)Hipkins (P)RadhakrishnanTwyford (P)Ardern (P)Huo (P)Robertson (P)WallClarkLees-Galloway (P)RurawheWarren-ClarkCoffey (P)Little (P)RussellWebbCraigLogieSageWoodCurran (P)LubeckSepuloni (P)WoodsDavidsonLuxtonSeymourDavis (P)Mahuta (P)ShawDysonMallardSio (P)Eagle (P)McAnultyStrangeFaafoi (P)O'Connor D (P)SwarbrickTeller:GenterParker (P)Tinetti (P)HughesNoes 73AdamsGoldsmith (P)MartinSmith N (P)Bakshi (P)GuyMcClaySmith S (P)BallHayes (P)McKelvieStanford (P)Barry (P)Henare (P)Mitchell CTabuteauBayly (P)HipangoMitchell M (P)TolleyBennett DHudsonMuller (P)UpstonBennett P (P)Jackson (P)Nashvan de MolenBishopJones (P)Ngaro (P)WagnerBridges (P)Joyce (P)O'Connor GWalkerBrownKanongata'a SuisuikiO'Connor SWhaitiri (P)Brownlee (P)Kaye (P)Parmar (P)Williams (P)CarterKingPattersonWoodhouse (P)ColemanKorakoPenkYangCollinsKurigerPeters (P)Young (P)Dean (P)Lee D (P)RetiYuleDowieLee MRoss (P) English (P)MacindoeSalesa (P)FalloonMarcroftScott (P)Teller:Finlayson (P)Mark (P)Simpson (P)DooceyMotion not agreed to.
1. Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill—Overseas Comparators and SupportHon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green) to the Member in charge of the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment BillQUESTIONS TO MEMBERSMisuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill—Overseas Comparators and Support1. Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green) to the Member in charge of the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill: Is the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modelled on any overseas examples?CHLÖE SWARBRICK (Member in charge of the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill): Tēnā koutou e Te Whare. I thank the member—and the Minister indeed—for her question and of course the bill that I have inherited from her. Yes this bill is. It's very similar to Canada and very much in the mainstream when it is compared to what other countries are doing—allowing production of cannabis of medicinal purposes—whereas the Government's bill which the House voted through unanimously yesterday is incredibly restrictive on the freedoms of those in chronic pain and suffering compared to jurisdictions who've moved—SPEAKER: Order! I think the member needs to be quite tight in her answers to these questions. I could've stopped her when she said Yes."Hon Julie Anne Genter: What feedback has she received from the public on her Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill?CHLÖE SWARBRICK: It's proven to have wide public support. This bill has support from former Prime Minister Helen Clark and from Grey Power who want to see this bill get to select committee so that we can have an open mature conversation about the best legislative medicinal cannabis framework for our country and of course it has support from Dylan Kelly the late Helen Kelly's son whose mother experienced and subsequently campaigned against the effects of our current restrictions. And today's Newshub poll is tracking at 81 percent support for the intention of my bill.SPEAKER: I just wanted to check now with Julie Anne Genter. She just asked question No. 2 as a supplementary question. Does she still want to ask the question? You are allowed to if you want to. [Interruption] OK.Hon Julie Anne Genter: What is the intention—SPEAKER: No no. Question No. 2—not a supplementary. You've still got to ask the question."
12. Child Poverty—Government Measures to Address and StatisticsHon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentChild Poverty—Government Measures to Address and Statistics12. Hon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister for Social Development: How many children are currently living in material hardship and how many children were living in material hardship in 2008?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): In 2008 there were 170000 children living in material hardship. In 2011 that soared to 220000. In 2016 which is the most recent date for our most recent figures it had dropped again to 135000. What I do need to say is the same report that those figures are in warn that the figures are likely to underestimate the true figures for a number of reasons including the fact that the household economic survey is light on sole parent households and on beneficiary households with children. Hon Louise Upston: How many of the children currently living in material hardship are living in benefit-dependent homes? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I don't have the figure off the top of my head but what I do need to say is that currently around 40 percent of children living in material hardship are living in working households and 60 percent of children living in material hardship are living in beneficiary households. Hon Louise Upston: Does the Minister accept that children are materially better off living in homes where a parent works and that don't depend on a benefit for income? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: What I would agree with the Opposition spokesperson on is that we need to support New Zealanders into work. However there has been a growing number of New Zealanders who are categorised as working poor and a growing number of New Zealand children who are living in poverty but living in households where there are parents or a parent that are working. Dr Liz Craig: So what does the Government intend to do to reduce the number of children in material hardship? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: We're already making progress by passing laws to ensure families can live in warm dry homes and the Government's Families Package will reduce inequality and reduce child poverty. Plus we're freeing up more than $2 billion over four years to contribute to our investments in housing health and education.
11. Civil Defence—Response System Review RecommendationsPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of Civil DefenceCivil Defence—Response System Review Recommendations11. PAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of Civil Defence: What approach is the Government taking in order to form a response to the recommendations contained in the technical advisory group's review into the Civil Defence response system?Hon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Civil Defence): I have been engaging with various interested parties on this review since it was made available to me as the Minister of Civil Defence. We have identified that we work in particular with local councils as they largely deliver civil defence emergency management to communities. It's also a high priority for me to work with iwi on their participation in emergency management before during and after an event. I'm also keen to work with my old friends in the media recognising that media have a critical role to play in how we educate and inform our communities about emergency planning and in the middle of an event. I am aiming to discuss a draft Government response with Cabinet around the middle of this year. Paul Eagle: How will the Minister ensure cross-party involvement in the engagement process?Hon KRIS FAAFOI: Today I met with a cross-parliamentary reference group. Representatives from all of New Zealand's political parties in Parliament were invited to attend and I thank those parties for attending. Given its significance to New Zealand I believe the public would be disappointed if politics got in the way of keeping New Zealanders safe in emergencies. I acknowledge the previous Government also had a cross-party group. I hope that through this forum any legislative changes will have broad support across the House. Paul Eagle: What does the technical advisory group (TAG) review recommend in regards to working with iwi to prepare for responding to emergencies? Hon KRIS FAAFOI: The TAG recommends changes to legislation to provide for iwi to work with councils. Iwi are often at the centre of responding to welfare needs given their role at the heart of many communities. They are also able—as we've seen in Kaikōura and other locations—to activate marae and to host and care for large numbers of people. The recommendation is about how iwi and hapū can be better recognised and supported to undertake their traditional manaakitanga role in times of need. I look forward to engaging with iwi groups on their response to the TAG report.
10. Government Tree-planting Programme—ProgressHon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga) to the Minister for Regional Economic DevelopmentGovernment Tree-planting Programme—Progress10. Hon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga) to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: Does he believe the Regional Development (Provincial Growth) Fund is proving a success?Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Regional Economic Development): Yes.Hon Simon Bridges: To date how many trees have been planted under the fund's billion-tree - planting programme?Hon SHANE JONES: Trees are planted when mother Nature opens the natural window. That window will open at the end of autumn and in winter.Hon Simon Bridges: Departing from the script—does that make him mother Nature?Hon SHANE JONES: Mr Speaker obviously you're going to allow that question. I was recently married. Kia ora tātou.Hon Simon Bridges: Does he accept as indicated to Duncan Garner on The AM Show on 19 January that rather than coming anywhere near the 100 million trees a year target in the coalition agreement and the Government's Speech from the Throne the forestry industry will actually plant little more—in fact about the same as the status quo this year?Hon SHANE JONES: You see the member touches on a serious point. The industry currently plant over 50 million trees. The Government has a vigorous campaign to attract land to substantially grow that over a three-year period. The industry are incredibly impressed with the Government's narrative about forestry and here's the proof. [Holds up bulletin] Thank you very much.Hon Simon Bridges: Is all of this why he described the planting programme to Duncan Garner on that AM Show on 19 January as aspirational" despite the Prime Minister in the Speech from the Throne describing it as a "commitment"?Hon SHANE JONES: I know the member is itching to get all the details. However the figure is a very serious figure. We've all moved towards New Zealand planting 100 million trees per year. Over a 10-year period that will allow us to capture the figure of one billion. But these things like mother Nature take time.Hon Simon Bridges: Well is there still a commitment to plant one billion trees in a decade?Hon SHANE JONES: Yes. The regional development strategy does include a one-billion-tree target. A significant number of those trees may prove to be native trees not all exotics. After all a tree is a tree including a lemon tree. Thank you.Hon Simon Bridges: Well isn't his tree-planting programme like his "work for the dole" pledge a case of big talk but absolutely no real action?Hon SHANE JONES: The tree-planting ambitions will be realised. The Budget figures will reveal to the member the full extent not only of our ambition but our ability to execute such a figure. The industry is solidly in support including private sector Māori sector and public sector and they point out that in the former regime the nurseries creating pine trees were ploughing them in the ground.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Could the Minister confirm for the public interest that his plans are on target and that this is not going to be another case of all Brylcreem and no socks?SPEAKER: Order! Order!"
7. Crown/Māori Relations—Iwi ConsultationTODD MULLER (National—Bay of Plenty) to the Minister for Crown/Māori RelationsCrown/Māori Relations—Iwi ConsultationTODD MULLER (National—Bay of Plenty): Thank you Mr Speaker. My question is to the Minister for Crown—[Interruption] SPEAKER: Order! Order! It is the third offence Mr English and I will take one supplementary from your team as a result of your joint offending with Amy Adams.7. TODD MULLER (National—Bay of Plenty) to the Minister for Crown/Māori Relations: Does he stand by all his statements?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI (Associate Minister for Crown/Māori Relations) on behalf of the Minister for Crown/Māori Relations: E Te Māngai o Te Whare tēnā koe otirā e ngā mema o Te Whare nei ngā mihi o Te Tau Hou tēnā tātau. Yes within the context in which they were given.Todd Muller: Does he stand by his statement where he said If Government was to honour its relationships and obligations to Māori it would consult properly and in good faith with iwi."?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: The creation of the Crown/Māori relations portfolio confirms the Government is committed to healthy Crown/Māori relations. Myself along with my colleague the associate Minister are looking at new ways of working with Māori. This includes of course working with the iwi chairs in the future.Todd Muller: So does he believe the Government is acting in good faith when the Minister for Regional Economic Development states "Halley's Comet will be back before I meet with the Iwi Leaders Forum." and "Who are the Māori they are talking for? There is no upside in bluster and threats that carry no mandate."? Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: As much as I'd like to say I have responsibility for the comments of the Hon Shane Jones unfortunately I have no ministerial responsibility.SPEAKER: But Mr Muller's team has two extra questions as a result of Mr Jones' interventions.Todd Muller: Does the Minister believe that the Government is consulting properly with iwi when the Minister of Employment states in regards to iwi leadership "I'm not interested in their strategies. They've never spoken for my constituency in Auckland so I don't need to be advocating for anything that I've been involved with."?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: I stand by the comments of a hard-working Minister of Employment the Hon Willie Jackson but unfortunately I have no ministerial responsibility again for his actions."
5. Government Tree-planting Programme—LandMARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister of ForestryGovernment Tree-planting Programme—Land5. MARK PATTERSON (NZ First) to the Minister of Forestry: What is being done to secure land for the Government's tree-planting programme?Hon SHANE JONES (Minister of Forestry): The Government has a robust campaign to attract land from iwi where possible from the public sector and from substantial numbers of people from the private sector who are responding on a daily basis.Mark Patterson: How can I as an individual farmer get involved in this important programme?Hon SHANE JONES: Well rather than using the pronoun let me talk about the figurative farmer. There are already schemes that are available such as the Afforestation Grants Scheme which was poorly managed under the last regime and the Erosion Control Funding Programme but most importantly please get in contact with Crown forestry which will morph into a separate Crown agency with a budget to begin planting millions of trees this winter.
2. Government Financial Position—Credit RatingKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of FinanceGovernment Financial Position—Credit Rating2. KIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of Finance: Has he seen any recent reports on the Government's sovereign credit rating?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Yesterday Standard & Poor's released its latest global ratings for New Zealand reaffirming our AA and AA+ credit ratings on New Zealand having incorporated this Government's policies in their economic and financial assumptions. Standard & Poor's said The stable outlook reflects our expectation that New Zealand's fiscal performance will remain sound with a slowly improving net debt ratio during the next few years." This is another endorsement that this Government can afford to tackle the big problems that we have inherited such as child poverty and the housing crisis while also being responsible with the Government's books.Kiritapu Allan: What does Standard & Poor's say about New Zealand's economic outlook?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Standard & Poor's states that the composition of New Zealand's growth will likely change as a result of the new Government's policies. The Government's policies will transition our economic growth platform towards the productive sector and growth in the regions as we build an economy that is more productive sustainable and inclusive.Kiritapu Allan: What did Standard & Poor's say about specific Government policies?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Standard & Poor's noted that the new Government's policies will not materially weaken the Budget outlook and will be expansionary. On specific policies Standard & Poor's noted the Government's KiwiBuild programme will underpin residential investment growth and help alleviate housing supply pressures. The Government is committed to tackling the social and infrastructure deficits that built up under the last Government and to managing our finances responsibly."
Local Government (Freedom of Access) Amendment Bill — First Reading
Swarbrick ChlöeCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green): E Te Māngai tēnā koe. Tēnā koutou e Te Whare. It is my pleasure to stand and talk on this bill the so aptly—and rather incorrectly—named Local Government (Freedom of Access) Amendment Bill. The reason that it is such a pleasure to stand and speak to this bill in its first reading is that it was fascinating to hear Brett Hudson the National Party MP introducing this piece of legislation into the House by asking members to vote it through to select committee where we could hear our concerns borne out.Now on that point you know I'm not renowned for my memory but that strikes me as an argument that I do remember using earlier this evening with regard to my own member's bill. That itself was a conscience vote and I think where it is important that we do see those concerns borne out in select committee is where we have those concerns where we are unsure about where legislation should be progressing. But on this point on the point of the right and freedom of protest I am not unsure and nor is the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. Aotearoa New Zealand was built on protest and so too was the Green Party of this country. There are a number of different examples throughout our history that have seen our democracy be strengthened by way of people's ability to protest to voice their dissent to organise and congregate in collective action—to occupy.Long story short there is a difference between Crown law and natural justice. Governments do not always get it right and in fact they sometimes make a real pig's breakfast of it and we all need to play catch-up as soon as we hear those issues from the people in this country that we seek to represent. I think a great example of that really is the vote experienced earlier today on my member's bill where we found that 78 percent of New Zealanders are in support. Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 10 p.m.
Yang JianDr JIAN YANG (National): I rise to speak on the Local Government (Freedom of Access) Amendment Bill first reading. I would like to support the bill to go to the select committee. New Zealand is a democracy and we are very proud of being New Zealanders here. Now a democracy means government by people. For that reason people have the right to protest and freedom of expression is a core foundation of democracy. So we all understand that.Also democracy means a state of society characterised by formal equality of rights and privileges. So that means that while we are trying to protect the freedom of expression at the same time we need to make sure the rights and privileges of other citizens can be protected. So protesters should also respect other citizens' rights and privileges. This bill is an effort to somehow have a better balance—a better balance—between people's rights to protest and demonstrate on council land and the right of councils to protect their property and to ensure that communities have freedom of access to their land.So this is needed because at the moment our law is not clear enough for people to reach that kind of balance. There is some confusion even for police over people's rights to use public land for different purposes. For instance the New Zealand Police made it clear that they do not have a clear position on enforcing council by-laws that may also appear to be repressing peaceful democratic protests. Now many councils have by-laws preventing unlawful erection of tents fences and structures on council-owned land so these by-laws can be hard to enforce because it is not clear how to strike the balance as I mentioned above.The honourable member Brett Hudson mentioned Occupy Dunedin in 2011 and I looked online actually: the protesters occupied the Octagon for 66 days. So events like this while they were exercising their rights as citizens of New Zealand at the same time could cause some issues not only in terms of safety but also in terms of health issues. So this bill specifies the conditions to seize and impound property that is not on private land.For instance here it says that An enforcement officer may seize and impound property that is not on private land if—(a) the property has been erected placed or fixed for longer than a period totalling five days in any given 12-month period; and [also] (b) that erection placement or fixture was not done with the necessary consent;" and some other conditions. So by doing so this bill actually widens the scope in which an enforcement officer may remove and seize structures that have been erected on council property.So basically this bill is an effort—a good effort—to try to strike a better balance between the right to protest to protect freedom of speech and at the same time to protect the rights and privileges of other citizens. So I commend the bill to the House. Thanks."
Huo RaymondRAYMOND HUO (Labour): Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker. There are three reasons that I do not support the member's bill. First of all the title is rather misleading. It is not about freedom of access. Instead it gives additional powers to councils and enforcement agencies to stop and remove protests on public land lasting longer than five days. So it is not about freedom of access; it is about how to stop freedom of access. Secondly and more importantly the bill appears to be inconsistent with section 22 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 which is about liberty of the person and cannot be justified under section 5 of that Act according to a report by the Attorney-General at that time the Hon Christopher Finlayson QC. The Attorney-General's report says the power to arrest without warrant is arbitrary in that it appears to be without reasonable cause. It is unclear why this power is required as it does not appear to be directly linked to the overall purpose of the Bill". Thirdly the bill in question is unnecessary as councils already have sufficient powers under the Local Government Act to attend the concerns this bill seeks to address. The bill allows police officers to arrest people that obstruct council enforcement officers without a warrant. The Local Government Act already makes it an offence to obstruct council enforcement officers but with the appropriate protections of the warrant process before an arrest can be made. Also councils already have the necessary power under the Local Government Act and are able to seize and retain property that is in a public place in breach of a by-law. So therefore I do not recommend that this bill be progressed."
McKelvie IanIAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei): Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker. Well I just want to firstly thank all those parties for the support of this bill at first reading and particularly all those members who've made a contribution to the first reading tonight. I have to say that I think anyone who was listening to this debate tonight and any farmers would have to take great heart from the knowledge that all the members who have spoken tonight displayed. I thought that was pretty impressive and I congratulate everyone who has spoken tonight because I think the understanding of the issues is extremely good.I want to comment on a couple of things that were talked about tonight. One was the issue that Gareth Hughes raised and one of the conundrums or quandaryies I faced when I introduced this bill was the issue of theft versus burglary. The challenge with that is that if you take something from a dairy it's burglary; if you take something from a farm it's theft. That's one of the challenges that the select committee will need to deal with because that's where you get the difference in the sentencing. I'd argue that a fence is the same as a locked door basically. I can't see the difference. That's one of the strange pieces of law that are a little difficult for me to get my head around.I think the other thing and Rino Tirikatene and a number of other speakers have touched on the fact is that there are a number of other factors that come into stock rustling and the same type of people commit so many of those crimes or offences. I think that's an interesting topic for the select committee to deal with as well.I want to thank the Labour Party for having my back and I just remind Iain Lees-Galloway that the next time when there's some election debate there are friends who've got my back. He often tries to have another bit of me—ha ha! But I'll remind him next time we're stuck in some hall somewhere. But I do think it was pretty impressive tonight. Kiri Allan talked about the big lights of the city and of course the interesting thing about the Rangitīkei is we have the most sheep in New Zealand and no traffic lights at all so we are a remote part of New Zealand.I won't speak any further. I think it was a very good debate tonight and I thank everyone who contributed to it and congratulate them on the part they've played. Thank you.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Primary Production Committee.
Sentencing (Livestock Rustling) Amendment Bill — First Reading
SpeechSPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! I want to warn persons in the gallery that I have some personal experience of being removed from the gallery for interfering in a debate. I know what the rules are and I know what the court says. It is very important that members have the ability to express themselves in this House on one side or the other of this issue and that people in the gallery listen but do not get involved.
Rates Rebate (Retirement Village Residents) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Brown SimeonSIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga): Thank you very much Madam Deputy Speaker and it's a pleasure to rise for my first time this year to speak on the Rates Rebate (Retirement Village Residents) Amendment Bill for the third reading. I'd like to acknowledge the Hon Ruth Dyson whose bill this is. It is a member's bill and it comes down to the luck of the draw getting one through. I understand she's had quite a lot of luck over her time here—Hon Scott Simpson: A long career.SIMEON BROWN: —in her long career in this House. But I'd also like to acknowledge the Department of Internal Affairs who have had to do the real grunt work to make this bill the bill that it is that we are looking at tonight.And it is a pleasure that National can support this bill. We initially opposed this piece of legislation for good reasons. It was full of good intentions but very light on detail—a lot like other pieces of legislation coming from this Government. But we are grateful for the work that the Department of Internal Affairs has been able to do to work through the issues in particular the issue around licences to occupy. This is where the real grunt work is in relation to our retirement villages.Of course those retirees who have a licence to occupy aren't actually ratepayers so this has had to deal with how to create a system whereby they can be identified and then have a rebate applied to them. So this has had to rely on a lot of work being done to ensure that this can be now brought through. But it's good news for those who do live in retirement villages. It's good news that they will now be treated the same as those who qualify but don't live in retirement villages and it will support those on fixed incomes to be able to afford those costs.So the National Party will support this piece of legislation as it passes tonight and we are glad that the process has developed this piece of legislation into something that I think will support our retirees up and down this country. We've heard a lot of information through the speeches around how many people this will impact the growing number of people who are living in retirement villages and how this will continue to support them.But one point also—I'd like to acknowledge that this does come at a cost. This will increase the cost to taxpayers to pay for this subsidy for ratepayers for those who will receive the rebate. I think that's something that we should be acknowledging in this House—that it's easy to pass legislation it's easy to put in place new laws it's easy to hand out money and this is one of those pieces of legislation that does but every dollar that we allocate or that is appropriated has to be paid for by the taxpayer. So I'd just like to acknowledge the taxpayer for their contribution to this scheme—a scheme that does support our elderly but a scheme that also does cost money. So Madam Assistant Speaker I thank you for the opportunity to speak on this bill and I endorse it to the House. Thank you.
SpeechDEPUTY SPEAKER: Can I ask New Zealand First again to remove their advertising in accordance with Speakers' rulings. I did give an indication when I came into the House.
Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 3 to Minister
Robertson GrantAMENDED ANSWERS TO ORAL QUESTIONSQuestion No. 3 to MinisterHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I seek leave of the House to correct an answer I gave to a supplementary question in question time today.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: In answer to a supplementary question to question No. 3 today I referred to data from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion. This was in response to questions that were regarding the ANZ business confidence survey. In order to clarify for the House the data I was referring to related to the NZIER survey rather than the ANZ survey that was the subject of the primary question. I apologise to the House for this error.
Hipkins Chris; Mallard TrevorQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 9 to MinisterHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Earlier in question time Jami-Lee Ross was granted leave by the House to table a document that he had described as correspondence to the Minister of Local Government. Under Speaker's ruling 150/4 he has until the end of the day to table that document. My question to you is with relation to Speakers' ruling 150/6 which is that if the member has tabled a document that does not meet the description that they used when they sought leave to table it do we have to wait until the end of the day to see whether they table another document before a complaint for contempt can be lodged?SPEAKER: Yes.
Genter Julie Anne; Swarbrick Chlöe; Mallard TrevorQuestion No. 2 to MemberHon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green): What is the intention of the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill?CHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green): This bill's intention is to make medicinal—SPEAKER: No. Order! Order! Let's go right back. It's a question about feedback that is question No. 2 on the Order Paper. The member did ask it.Hon Julie Anne Genter: I already asked it.Chlöe Swarbrick: And I've answered it—I've answered it Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: That's dead right. If Chlӧe Swarbrick sits down I will indicate to Julie Anne Genter that if she wants to ask a supplementary question she's got to ask that question again to put herself in the position to ask a supplementary question to it. She might just want to cut her losses. Right.
Joyce Steven; Mallard Trevor; Brownlee GerryQuestion No. 3 to MinisterHon STEVEN JOYCE (National): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to table the ANZ Business Outlook December 2017 which confirms that—SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume his seat right now. That's a widely published document.Hon STEVEN JOYCE (National): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker—a separate point of order. Can I just seek your advice—SPEAKER: No. I just want to make it very very clear here. If the member has a point of order I'm not going to require him to quote the Standing Order or the Speaker's ruling that it relates to but I do want the member to use some sort of precedent rather than using the Chair as an advisory service during question time.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This is a very simple matter. A Minister answering a question today relied on for his answer some statistical information in that report and then misrepresented it to the House. Now when a similar thing occurred last year and a case was put before you your ruling was that it was not of sufficient substance or importance for it to be considered a breach of the House's privilege. Well that might be all right but if you're saying that there is a tolerance now for Ministers being incorrect in the answers they give to the House then we would like to know what the bounds of that is. All Mr Joyce was attempting to do was table a document immediately this afternoon so that everybody could see that what Mr Robertson was saying earlier was wrong.SPEAKER: The precedents on this are long standing and I'm sure that the member as a very experienced Minister knows the proper approach and that is that the member draws to the Minister's attention not through the tabling of a document the fact that there is inaccuracy and if in fact there is an inaccuracy that will be corrected by the Minister.
Wednesday 20 December 2017 - Volume 726
11. Health and Safety—Injury PreventionJAMIE STRANGE (Labour) to the Minister for ACCHealth and Safety—Injury Prevention11. JAMIE STRANGE (Labour) to the Minister for ACC: What advice does he have for New Zealanders about staying safe and healthy over the holiday season?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister for ACC): Thank you Mr Speaker. First I wish all New Zealand families a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy holiday break but I do ask them please to take extra care at work and on the roads. I'm sad to report that there have been five workplace fatalities in the last week and four road deaths in the last 24 hours. We extend our condolences to all of the families who are grieving the loss of a loved one this Christmas.Jamie Strange: How will the Government ensure that more workers come home safe and healthy at Christmas?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I want New Zealand to be among the safest countries to work in in the world. We're making good progress on that but we still have a long way to go. Early next year the Government will consult on the workplace health and safety strategy our 10-year plan to lift New Zealand's health and safety performance. Alongside this I'm expecting ACC to continue to focus on effective injury prevention particularly in high-risk industries such as farming and forestry.Jamie Strange: Does the Minister have any particular injury prevention advice for Christmas Day?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Yes I do. In particular be careful while decorating the Christmas tree. Last year there were 137 ACC claims related to tree decoration. There were also claims related to hanging lights opening Christmas presents carving the dinner—and even popping the champagne cork resulted in eight claims alone. Stay safe have fun and please make sure you come back in 2018 because under this Government it's going to be a cracker.
10. Unemployment—MeasurementCHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of StatisticsUnemployment—Measurement10. CHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of Statistics: Can he confirm it is Government policy to review the official measures for unemployment to ensure they accurately reflect the workforce of the 21st century; if so when does he expect that review to commence?Hon JAMES SHAW (Minister of Statistics): In answer to the first part of the question yes; in answer to the second part of the question no decision has been taken in respect to the timing of that review.Chris Bishop: How does he reconcile the Labour - New Zealand First coalition Government policy to review the official measures of unemployment with section 15(1) of the Statistics Act 1975 which says The Statistician shall have the sole responsibility for deciding the procedures and methods employed in the provision of any statistics produced or to be produced by the Statistician"?Hon JAMES SHAW: The Government can ask for a review. It is up to the Government Statistician to define the terms of that review and the methods to conduct it. So we can ask for a review but we can have absolutely no influence over Statistics New Zealand or the chief statistician in terms of what it is that they look at.Chris Bishop: Well given that what is the purpose of doing a review if the department can ignore it and the independence and the credibility of the department are to be guaranteed as he's just said?Hon JAMES SHAW: I think it is extremely important that we continue to maintain the independence and credibility of Statistics New Zealand. It is a vital Government function and its independence is completely important to its ongoing function in Government and public trust.Chris Bishop: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The question was: what is the purpose of the review? He just talked about the independence of the department. What's the purpose of the review?Mr SPEAKER: I think between that and previous answers it had been approached. Do you have a further supplementary?"
9. Government Tree-planting Programme—Crown ForestryCLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First) to the Minister of ForestryGovernment Tree-planting Programme—Crown Forestry9. CLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First) to the Minister of Forestry: What announcements has he made today about Crown forestry?Hon SHANE JONES (Minister of Forestry): In characteristically modest form I have announced a renewed mandate for Crown Forestry to enable it to kick-start the Government's ambitious one-billion-tree tree-planting programme. Crown Forestry has been given the green light and Government will hand on $14 million to this agency to support the planting of trees during the winter planting season.Clayton Mitchell: What feedback has he received from the forestry sector about the tree-planting programme?Hon SHANE JONES: There has been an enormous amount of positive feedback ever since my good self was made the Minister of Forestry. This has caused people to acknowledge that at long last there is a genuine and a well-resourced Minister of Forestry. They support the clear direction reflected for forestry in the mix of policies driving our Overseas Investment Office approach and more importantly people from the regions are approaching me with land to begin the tree-planting programme.Clayton Mitchell: What work will Crown Forestry do with natives? [Interruption]Hon SHANE JONES: I'd like to seek leave of the House to make a personal explanation: I'm both Māori Dalmatian and Welsh. In so far as the native nephews go boots will be laced spades will be handed out and they will stride across the landscape planting as they go. In so far as the native trees there will be a significant improvement so that we don't suffer the further political pathogens from the other side of the House as kauris die before our eyes.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Is the Minister still proposing to count the 15000 million planted every year for the last decade for restocking as part of his new" planting programme?Hon SHANE JONES: In the Prime Minister's speech the term that was used in relation to our one-billion-tree strategy was "programme". The programme comprises efforts that the industry is already engaged in. It includes improvements to the emissions trading scheme and hopefully with the acquiescence of the Minister of Finance improvements to the tax system. In so far as that particular member is concerned I hope that someone plants hemlock.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Point of order Mr Speaker.Mr SPEAKER: No I'm going to deal with that one first. That was an unparliamentary comment and will be withdrawn and apologised for.Hon SHANE JONES: I withdraw and apologise.Clayton Mitchell: How does the tree-planting programme that Crown Forestry will kick-start contribute to New Zealand's climate change targets?Hon SHANE JONES: In 2030 as a consequence of the last Government's inattention we are likely to face an expense of $34 billion due to the 200-million-tonne carbon deficit. By planting trees we believe that an expanded size of the nation's lungs will reduce that cost and decrease our reliance on having to go to the international market and buy international credits."
6. State Housing—Housing Stock RetentionGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu) to the Minister of Housing and Urban DevelopmentState Housing—Housing Stock Retention6. GREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: What recent announcements has he made regarding State houses?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development): Today the Prime Minister and I announced that the previous Government's State house sell-off is over. This is yet another of our first 100-day promises fulfilled by the Labour-led Government. The last Government spent millions shuffling an ever-dwindling public housing stock between the Government and community providers. That is no solution to the housing crisis. This Government is focused on building more and more houses through KiwiBuild State housing and by backing councils iwi and community housing providersGreg O'Connor: Why has the Government made this announcement now?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: We felt it was important to get this piece of work complete before Christmas so that we could give families living in State houses particularly in Christchurch peace of mind over the holiday period. Letters are in the mail to thousands of affected State House tenants in Christchurch letting them know that under this Government there will be no mass sell-off of their homes. Making this announcement at 12 Fife Lane in Miramar the first State house built by the first Labour Government 80 years ago symbolises the rebirth of State housing under this sixth Labour-led Government.Greg O'Connor: What are the Government's plans for Housing New Zealand now the State house sell-off has been cancelled?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: We are working with Housing New Zealand on multiple fronts: first we want to increase the number of State houses being built; second as a major land owner and builder Housing New Zealand will play a major role in KiwiBuild; and third we are working to transform Housing New Zealand into a compassionate world-class public housing landlord not a cash cow for the Government.
Adjournment — Sittings of the House