edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Curran ClareHon CLARE CURRAN (Labour—Dunedin South): Thank you Mr Chair. I'll just take a short call just to point out a couple of things one of which is that when we became the Government there were significant issues in the vocational education sector. In 2017 alone the losses were $53 million. Since the coalition has been in Government we've had to put $100 million into this sector. I sat around a select committee table with members of the Opposition who agreed that there were problems in the vocational education sector and who said Oh we've got to do something." What I've heard today is a whole lot of individuals get up and ask for carve-outs for their particular region without one real acceptance and acknowledgment of the significant issues for vocational education to fill the major skills gaps that we have in this country. This is a reform bill. It's a significant piece of legislation and we had submitter after submitter—particularly the industry training organisations—come before the Education and Workforce Committee and beg for change in order to be able to fill the skills gaps that we have in this country and to be able to provide a coherent system across the country. That's what this legislation does. I'll just give the example—and there were plenty of examples—from the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation from the Primary Industry Training Organisation from the electricians and from the master plumbers and gasfitters who all said the same thing. I think the Primary Industry Training Organisation gave the example of the SPCA which offers graduations for animal care courses. It offers 13 different courses across the country with no consistency. That's a really small example but the guts of this bill is reform and to ensure that there is a consistent system across the country. Individual carve-outs aren't going to deliver that. I haven't been able to see one cohesive consistent argument coming from the Opposition on this."
Robertson GrantHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I move That this debate be now adjourned.Motion agreed to.
Thursday 13 February 2020 - Volume 744
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Electoral Amendment Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Bill read a second time.
Electoral Amendment Bill — Second Reading
VoteThe question was put that the amendments recommended by the Education and Workforce Committee by majority be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Amendments agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Bill read a second time.
Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
11. Question No. 11—Building and ConstructionMARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister for Building and ConstructionQuestion No. 11—Building and Construction11. MARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister for Building and Construction: What recent information if any has she seen about a growing construction workforce? Hon JENNY SALESA (Minister for Building and Construction): Building the homes schools roads rail and hospitals that New Zealand needs requires a growing construction workforce. It's great that this coalition Government's work together with industry is delivering a growing construction workforce. From the figures from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment and the Tertiary Education Commission it shows that the building and construction workforce is growing larger and it's becoming more diverse. In fact since we came in as a coalition Government two years ago an additional 11000 people have joined the construction sector—a huge increase—and it's proof that our plan is working. Marja Lubeck: What Government policies have helped with this increase? Hon JENNY SALESA: We've achieved this record construction workforce by working with industry through the Construction Sector Accord as well as through the Construction Skills Action Plan. This includes making trade training fees free for the first two years raising the standard of trades in our schools through the Prime Minister's Vocational Excellence Awards and prioritising apprenticeships through our new Government procurement rules. This has meant construction apprentices have increased by 20 percent since 2017 with an additional 4700 apprentices being trained at any one time. Marja Lubeck: How is the construction workforce growing more diverse? Hon JENNY SALESA: We are recruiting more women more Māori more Pacific as well as more Asian New Zealanders. In just two years 1000 more Māori have joined the construction industry an additional 2700 more women are in construction and 600 more Pacific and 2800 more Asian New Zealanders are working in construction. I'm proud of what we've achieved so far and this Government will keep delivering the workforce that our country needs.
9. Question No. 9—Regional Economic DevelopmentJENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) to the Minister for Regional Economic DevelopmentQuestion No. 9—Regional Economic Development9. JENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: What recent Provincial Growth Fund announcements has he made? Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Regional Economic Development): Consistent with being the most historically pro-infrastructure Government of the century 47 Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) projects have been announced: over $200 million to aid the cause of expanding rail into an important province in New Zealand; aiding the cause of expanding water storage to deal with changing climate challenges both in Wairarapa and in another important province in the nation; and $30 million to work practically with Māori groups to unleash the potential of their land and avoid litigation which ensnared the last Government in their poor relationship with Māoridom over water interests. Jenny Marcroft: What other PGF announcements have been made this year? Hon SHANE JONES: I speak very briefly of the opening—SPEAKER: Chance would be a fine thing but carry on. Hon SHANE JONES: Sorry I speak very modestly of the opening of the Te Rau Aroha whare taonga Te Whaka Maumahara offering testimony to the ethic of service otherwise known as the Māori Battalion museum; the National Party MPs from the South Island have privately communicated to me over their joy with the Kaikōura announcement—they have asked that I not out them because they've been advised they're not allowed to speak publicly about such good news although the mayors of those areas do—and $6.1 million for the Wairoa CBD build including a $960000 contribution to the Wairoa digital employment programme which shows that this Government works—Hon Dr Nick Smith: Why are dole numbers going up—23000 more on the dole? Hon SHANE JONES: —down at the level of the earthy interests of New Zealand society not the big end of town which crippled the vision of the last Government. I have also been advised that in the event further assistance is needed in projects in Nelson under no circumstances associate them with Nick Smith. Jenny Marcroft: How have these announcements been received in the regions? SPEAKER: Briefly. Hon SHANE JONES: Great friends of mine the Federated Farmers—their president Mr William Beetham has welcomed the Wairarapa water investment noting some of our largest companies and employers are under threat going forward as they were failed in their ambitions in the previous nine years—and the Kia Kaha programme and effecting a relocation and the development of North Port has been supported by Dr Reti and the occasionally seen Mr Matt King. Rt Hon Winston Peters: Can the Minister report to the House as to how many times he's been knocked over by National Party MPs trying to get to the openings of these projects? SPEAKER: Order! Order! I think we'll just leave that there. I think he's not responsible for being knocked over.
8. Question No. 8—EducationJAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 8—Education8. JAN TINETTI (Labour) to the Minister of Education: How are schools benefiting from the capital investment of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Around 2050 State schools are eligible for up to $400000 worth of capital investment based on their roll numbers to upgrade their classrooms and buildings. This is the largest capital injection for school upgrades in 25 years and it's part of the Government's $12 billion New Zealand Upgrade Programme which includes investments in roads rail hospitals and schools. It will modernise our infrastructure and futureproof the economy. Schools no longer have to keep deferring modernising their classrooms and their property because they have to deal with more pressing and urgent repairs instead. Jan Tinetti: When will State schools start applying for funding for their property projects? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The good news is they already have been—for example Arahoe School in Auckland who have already started the recladding of their classrooms. They have used some of the $400000 that they were allocated to modernise five further classrooms they didn't have the money to do before. Riverdale School in Palmerston North did a similar thing where they used the $285000 they received as part of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme to add two more classrooms to their existing refurbishment programme. Jan Tinetti: What other property projects in State schools have already had funding approved from the New Zealand Upgrade Programme? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I'm pleased to say that there are heaps but I'll just cite a couple. For example Rangiora Borough School who wanted a new library put it out to tender and found they didn't have enough money. They have now got that extra money and they are going ahead with their new library. Fairlie School in Canterbury was entitled to nearly $100000 from the New Zealand Upgrade Programme and by the end of last month they'd already lined up a local building company to upgrade and modernise their classroom. Murchison Area School got in there quickly too and used some of the $112000 that they have been eligible for to refit their science lab with new benches carpets and whiteboards. These are just some of the projects that are already under way around the country. Jan Tinetti: What actions is the Government taking to encourage State schools to get their projects under way with funding from the New Zealand Upgrade Programme? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The Ministry of Education has already contacted every State school in the country about the funding that is available to them. Their property advisers have been working with them to look at their current property plans and look at what they can add to or accelerate from those programmes. We have already in the first few weeks of term seen an additional 91 schools identify the projects and that rate is accelerating rapidly.
2. Question No. 2—FinanceWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 2—Finance2. WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Yesterday the Reserve Bank released its latest Monetary Policy Statement. The bank forecasts New Zealand's GDP growth to remain slightly subdued at the beginning of this year before picking up again to be at 3.4 percent in the year to March 2021 supported by low interest rates and the Government's infrastructure investments. There's good news there for workers as well where the Reserve Bank sees employment currently at around its maximum sustainable level while according to its forecasts it will remain at around 4 percent over the next four years and wage growth is also expected to remain strong. Willow-Jean Prime: What did the Monetary Policy Statement say about risks to New Zealand's economic growth? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The bank highlighted that global growth has been acting as a headwind to economic momentum through elevated uncertainty rising trade barriers and slower global manufacturing. The Reserve Bank said that despite some tentative signs of easing of trade tensions—including the signing of the US-China phase one trade deal—downside risk remains including specifically the COVID-19 outbreak. The bank's current projections assume the effects of the outbreak on New Zealand's growth to be short-lived but they stress that any economic implications remain very uncertain at this stage. Willow-Jean Prime: What is the Government doing to ensure the New Zealand economy is resilient to these risks? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Overall the Government's economic plan will ensure we're adaptable and resilient by transitioning to being more productive sustainable and inclusive in our economic growth. Obviously the recent $12 billion New Zealand Upgrade Programme is a critical part of that plan to futureproof our infrastructure create jobs and provide certainty. With regard to the COVID-19 outbreak as the Reserve Bank said it remains early days. The Government is actively monitoring the situation working closely with industries and supporting Ministers to provide advice on how we may respond to future developments. There is no doubt that there will be an immediate impact on New Zealand's first-quarter GDP as a result particularly of the impact on tourism.
Allan KiritapuKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour): It's a privilege to rise and stand for the first time this year in this House. Ngā mihi o Te Tau Hou ki a tātou those that are watching the House this afternoon. Bills of this significance whilst the Opposition might say that they are no longer relevant or aren't that interesting they're actually very critical to the operations of the way that our democracy runs. The Ombudsman is a significant office that we must all ensure is protected and I guess upheld.So I want to commend the work that the Hon Andrew Little has done and we commend this bill to the House. Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 6 p.m.
van de Molen TimTIM VAN DE MOLEN (National—Waikato): Thank you Mr Speaker. Taking a call on this at the third reading is an interesting position to be in because here we are in election year now and this is the agenda that the Government's putting forward. Now I don't doubt that there are some people who would find this particular piece of legislation to be important but on the base of it I would have expected from this Government with their failure to deliver on so many other areas that they might have prioritised some other pieces of legislation rather than the protection of the name Ombudsman".Now we've seen this Minister bring forward and try to justify exactly why this is important but in reality this minor change should be something that perhaps we see from Paul Eagle as a member's bill for example put forward given that he's quite eagerly interjecting from the other side of the House on the value of this. I'm sure he's about to take a call after I sit down on this particular topic.But this piece of legislation as I mentioned is largely unnecessary. Surely the Government in election year should have other priorities especially as we've seen time after time their inability to deliver on areas that they've promised throughout last year which was supposedly the year of delivery. Yet here we are now in election year prioritising the Ombudsman (Protection of Name) Amendment Bill. Well if that's what this Government is prioritising and looking forward to I'm sure that they won't have a long future on that side of the House to worry about what their legislative pipeline might be in the future.Look we oppose it. It's unnecessary. On that basis I look forward to hearing from someone else perhaps on that side who might actually make a contribution in regards to this."
Bakshi Kanwaljit SinghKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): Thank you Mr Speaker. It's very rare that I get a chance to speak twice in a short period of time but it's my pleasure to stand and take a call on the third reading of this bill. I have got a lot of respect for this Minister but I never expected this Minister to be wasting the time of this Parliament by introducing this bill. When introduced this was the fourth bill by this Government in the justice sector. This was totally a waste of time for this Parliament as it was for the Governance and Administration Committee.What this bill is doing is just preserving the name of Ombudsman" which I think—Paul Eagle: Sit down now.KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI: Yes I will sit down. I'll give you the opportunity to stand up and take a call. The Minister just took less than five minutes to wrap up this bill. So it shows that this bill doesn't have much content and that is the reason why we have been time and time again complaining about this bill—that this is a waste of time.This Government in its first term is known as a passionate Government a compelling Government which will be looking after the poor people and child poverty. Nothing is happening on that front but we are wasting the time of this Parliament by introducing such bills. I think this is totally ridiculous and we should not be doing this. Thank you Mr Speaker."
Smoke-free Environments (Prohibiting Smoking in Motor Vehicles Carrying Children) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
O'Connor GregGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu): Just once—just once—I would like to see the Opposition look at a bill. It does exactly what it's meant to do. It protects children in cars. I commend this bill to the House. Bill read a second time.
Andersen GinnySMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENTS (PROHIBITING SMOKING IN MOTOR VEHICLES CARRYING CHILDREN) AMENDMENT BILLSecond ReadingDebate resumed from 12 February.GINNY ANDERSEN (Labour): I wish to say that I support the bill.
Curran ClareHon CLARE CURRAN (Labour—Dunedin South): Thank you Mr Speaker. Can I just apologise to the people of New Zealand who are listening to this debate this afternoon for the appalling lack of quality of the speeches coming from the National Party. Can I just remind the House and inform the public that the essence of this debate is about a piece of legislation that will enfranchise more New Zealanders to vote at the next election because they will be able to enrol and vote on election day which the National Party heartily disagrees with. They have obfuscated and deflected told us fake stories all afternoon and it's quite frankly been pretty appalling.Paul Eagle: Disgraceful.Hon CLARE CURRAN: Disgraceful is the right word. The reason that an election inquiry has been discussed is because it took 18 months for that election inquiry to report back to the House after the 2017 election. With this bill the Minister couldn't wait in order to ensure that New Zealanders could enrol and vote on election day and I want to thank Andrew Little for the work that he's done on this bill.There have been a lot of accusations passed around. I do encourage New Zealanders to go and look for the inquiry into the 2017 general election and 2016 local elections report which is available if you google it and to please read the Government members' views on page 75 which refer to the unconscionable behaviour by former Ministers in the National Party and the previous National Government around procuring a $150000 donation from the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry that was received by the National Party and declared on 17 May 2017. I'll leave it there. I commend this bill to the House.
Bakshi Kanwaljit SinghKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): Thank you Mr Speaker. First of all I would also like to wish you a happy New Year. This is my first contribution and I would like to start with acknowledging Chlöe Swarbrick for her contribution. At least she had the courtesy to talk about the minority view given by the National Party—the viewpoint of National Party; let me correct that.Darroch Ball: Do you have one?KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI: Yes it is over here. You should have taken the courtesy of reading it before pointing out what it is. So at least she had the courtesy of talking about what we said in our viewpoint. It's not that we are in Opposition and we are trying to oppose everything whatever it is in this bill but there are a few things which are positive. I would like to touch upon those two points which we feel are positive in this bill because this is the last contribution on this second reading. Those points are that we have more polling booths where people would be able to go and cast their vote. We want to make sure people get the opportunity to enfranchise their right to democracy. We want to have more people participating in this election process.The second thing which is very important is in case there is any emergency. Then the Minister has got the right to take some points where he can make sure that people who are affected by those conditions can participate in the election process. So with these words these two points which are very important which we support from this side of the House—that's why we've mentioned in our viewpoint that these are the points we will be supporting but we won't be supporting the same-day registration and casting of votes. Thank you Mr Speaker.
Andersen GinnyGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour): Thank you very much Mr Speaker. I support this bill. This is a bill which is quite clear. The National member opposite David Bennett has just spoken to say that they don't want vulnerable people voting. This is a Government that stands up for all people and they have the right to vote on election day. The only reason they've given in their minority view is that they think that the 19000 people who didn't vote on election day outweighs the 10 days of waiting for the other general population. This is about giving people the right to vote and I support it.
Bennett DavidHon DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East): Thank you Mr Speaker. This bill is one which is traditional in the sense of an electoral cycle—that there are some changes made to the election rules that are necessary to have a better electorate representation and better electoral result—and there is one key change in this piece of legislation that the Green member Chlöe Swarbrick has identified and that is the voting on the day. Now that hadn't been done in the past because it has a number of issues with it and it has suddenly become something that the Labour Green and New Zealand First parties have mandated as being exceptionally necessary for greater governance in New Zealand. It can only be for one reason and that is because they see advantage in it for themselves.It is very clear to anybody that's been through an election campaign how especially the Labour and Green parties—and New Zealand First to a limited extent because New Zealand First doesn't have the resources of the other two parties—do try and utilise and take advantage of people during that last part of the electoral cycle. We see that quite often in how they try and round up people to vote and then tell them what to vote. That's the plain reality of what goes on. Anyone that's been in an election has seen that before and the Labour Party and the Green Party are just feathering their nests in this legislation because they know those are the tactics they engage in with vulnerable people at election time and they will continue to do that. This is just legitimising an activity that they undertake in every election that I have seen.Darroch Ball: So vulnerable people shouldn't vote? Is that what you're saying?Hon DAVID BENNETT: No no no no. It's the way that they're taken advantage of and if anybody has any doubt go into the political world go see what happens in election campaigns go see how those two parties act with voters out there how they remonstrate to them how they tell them effectively a lot of rubbish about who they should vote for and then try and dictate try and pick them all up on election day and what we will see is swaths of people being picked up by Labour and Green members taken to election booths told to register and told how to vote. That is exactly what will happen we know that will happen and that's why they are doing this legislation to feather their own nests.It will not work. It will not work because people will rebel against that and they will see through the Labour and Green parties which are just trying to take advantage of them through the electoral cycle.
Penk ChrisCHRIS PENK (National—Helensville): Thank you very much Mr Speaker. May I start by wishing you a happy New Year. Since the last time I spoke in this House we've had a New Year as marked by the Gregorian calendar the Lunar New Year and now we have the parliamentary New Year. If I have a New Year's resolution for this place it will be that I speak in shorter sentences!I stand here at the second reading and of course it's worthwhile reflecting on the select committee process as part of the second reading. I did have the privilege if we were to call it that of being a member of the Justice Committee throughout almost all of that time. The report was late to start and it was consequently and subsequently late to finish but we got there in the end.The bill is at its heart about democracy in the sense that every amendment of the Electoral Act is about democracy and so I want to acknowledge the democratic participation of many of our citizens or New Zealanders more broadly in the process whereby at select committee we received a number of excellent submissions and enjoyed hearing those and discussing those along with other aspects of our deliberation.As far as the substance of the bill itself goes a number of its provisions were pretty keenly scrutinised. The extension of the writ from 50 to 60 days was one that we discussed including in the context that more time might be needed following the counting of votes being combined with the process of enrolments on election day itself. Traditionally in New Zealand in the last several years—the last couple of decades in fact—the period following election day is used for counting votes and recounting votes and in the case of one member of our democracy counting his baubles.We also talked about the venues at which voting can take place. That was universally agreed to be a positive move whereby we have a greater range of different places at which voting can occur. Examples of supermarkets have already been given but also licensed premises. The select committee did you'll be pleased to know turn its collective mind to the idea that it might be helpful to allow a place that is licensed to supply alcohol in the case of say a country pub where that's a natural hub for the community but not for that to occur in such a way that those other activities might impinge on the democratic practice of voting.So we considered that including in the related matter of allowing votes to be counted away from the place that they've been cast. That's a change in New Zealand law but it fits really with the idea that if we're going to open up a greater range of places at which votes can be cast it will be appropriate in some cases to allow those to be moved securely for the purpose of the count. Much more detail on that; no doubt we'll get to that at the committee stage. So I'll leave my contribution there. Thank you very much.
Curran ClareHon CLARE CURRAN (Labour—Dunedin South): Goodness Madam Speaker. I am the last speaker on this bill. When we became the Government in 2017 there were huge issues in this sector and under the management of that great manager Minister for Infrastructure Steven Joyce there was a $53 million loss in 2017 alone and we had to immediately inject $100 million into the polytech sector. So there are some facts for the Opposition over there who spent nine years in Government and left our vocational sector in such disarray.Unlike the National Party the Labour Party spent its time in Opposition actually coming up with ideas in policy and one of those big projects which we're starting to see the fruits of was the Future of Work. I really want to pay tribute to the work that Chris Hipkins has done in this area. This is huge reform of our vocational sector. It attacks and addresses the change in cultural norm that we have towards vocational education as being of significant value in our country working with your hands and doing vocational work. It is something to be really valued. That's what this Government is doing with this reform making it work in a much more significant way.I also just want to point out that the supposed huff and puff of the Opposition on this issue was not borne out by their behaviour on the select committee. In fact they didn't even bother to turn up to the region when the Education and Workforce Committee went down there deliberately in Otago and Southland to hear directly from those polytechnics. They didn't even bother to turn up and hear what they had to say. I heartily commend this bill to the House. I look forward to its passage throughout the House. It's an incredible piece of work that's been done and it will bear fruit for our country.
Macindoe TimHon TIM MACINDOE (National—Hamilton West): I doubt whether there are tens of thousands of people listening to this debate at this point around the country but I am reliably informed that there are a few people who are eagerly awaiting this contribution from me including a Mrs Sally Woollams of Whitford who along with her husband Bill yesterday celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary. So I would just like to wish the happy couple a very happy golden wedding anniversary. Like you Madam Speaker and many other members of the House I've written many congratulatory cards over the years to couples with similar wonderful milestones but that was the first time I'd ever written one to a couple whose wedding I'd actually attended myself albeit as a very young fellow. Now that has very little to do with the bill so let me turn my attention to the bill. Could I thank Chlöe Swarbrick for so generously mentioning me towards the end of her speech. I have no idea why she did that other than the fact that I was smiling sweetly at her at the time. But I do want to say that I agreed with the point that she made towards the end because I too am eagerly looking forward to the Supplementary Order Papers (SOPs) that the National Party will be bringing forward in the committee stage of this very flawed bill.It is a serious matter. It has huge implications for the tertiary education sector and for industry training and throughout the course of this debate this afternoon members of the Government parties who have tried to sell its benefits have studiously avoided the very real concern and criticism that we've had from the Tertiary Education Commission and from Treasury both of whom have seen this as a very dire measure that will do enormous damage to industry training and within the tertiary education sector. So we will need to pay careful attention to the SOPs that come forward. I do hope that as Ms Swarbrick said she will be looking creatively and reasonably at all the measures that are being promoted because we have to improve this bill. Too much will be very much at risk if we get this wrong.
Lubeck MarjaMARJA LUBECK (Labour): Tēnā koe e Te Māngai o Te Whare. I'm excited to take a super-brief call on this bill because actually a lot of it has been said and it actually has all been said on this side of the House obviously. But it is so clear that this side of the House is doing the hard miles tackling all those long-term challenges facing the country that have just been lying dormant ignored by the Opposition. I would like to do a brief thankyou to our 236 submitters because as we have already heard as has been extensively traversed many changes were made by the Education and Workforce Committee that I'm also a part of as a result of all of this feedback. One particular comment though I would like to put on the record. It was made by Wintec the Tertiary Education Union branch. They mentioned unhealthy competition and we've heard it already. It was unhealthy competition that saw 13 out of 16 polytechs in deficit that needed to be bailed out by taxpayers' money.When you ask the Opposition what their plan is obviously they have no plan. They basically take their ideas from the Leader of the Opposition who spent 17 minutes on Tuesday telling us that he had no plan. So what I would like to do is I would like to commend the Minister of Education on his vision for the education sector and I commend this bill to the House. Thank you.
Stanford EricaERICA STANFORD (National—East Coast Bays): I'm pleased to rise to take a call on the Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Bill. I'd just like to briefly speak to the last speaker's contribution. Jo Luxton said that we cannot carry on as we were spending millions of taxpayers' money on some sort of failed model. And yet here we are spending as my learned colleague Simeon Brown said earlier $200 million to $400 million over six years on a policy that the Tertiary Education Commission have said quite clearly as my other learned colleague Nicola Willis pointed out will fail. The reason that it will fail is because centralisation the grand mother ship of Labour that they like to vacuum everything up into because they know best is destined to fail because it is the local people the local workforce who know best how to cater for the needs of their region.The speech from Chlöe Swarbrick which was basically based completely on contradictions and hearsay brilliantly summed that up where she talked so strongly about the need for localism and then backed a bill that does exactly the opposite. This grand centralised mother ship of Labour of we know best" they did it in education with charter schools sucking them up into the grand mother ship model because they know best. But actually all of the evidence and their own Tertiary Education Commission have said that this is a policy that is destined to fail.I don't need to say much more on this. My learned colleagues have already pointed out all of the failures of this bill so I'm not going to go into any more detail other than to say that we strongly oppose this bill."
Luxton JoJO LUXTON (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'm really pleased to stand and take a call on this piece of legislation. Before I begin my contribution I just want to reiterate what some of the other members have said that we constantly hear: this negative negative negative from the other side—it's all doom and gloom but no solution no alternatives just negative. Well actually we can't keep going as we have been going within our vocational education space because the polytechs are suffering and if we continue to go the way we are we're going to have to keep continuing to pump millions and millions and millions of taxpayers' money into them which is not going to be a very good outcome for our taxpayers.What this piece of legislation does is take into account students and employers. I will say that the previous speaker Nicola Willis is the only speaker from the Opposition that I've heard talk about students and their needs. So I would like to acknowledge her for that. What we have seen is that there's been a total mismatch between what skills employers require from their students and the skills that students are coming out from polytechs with. What this piece of legislation does is going to streamline that; the industry will have more say in the training.I'd like to commend our Minister of Education for being ambitious for our vocational education system and aspirational for our learners. I commend this bill to the House.
Hipkins ChrisHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move That this debate be now adjourned.
Hipkins ChrisTHURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2020The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Karakia.BUSINESS STATEMENTHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): The debate on the Prime Minister's statement will continue throughout next week. Other legislation to be considered next week will include the second readings of the Arms Legislation Bill and the Taxation (KiwiSaver Student Loans and Remedial Matters) Bill the remaining stages of the Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Bill and the Electoral Amendment Bill and the first reading of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill.
Wednesday 12 February 2020 - Volume 744
Ombudsmen (Protection of Name) Amendment Bill — In Committee
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That Clauses 1 to 6 and the Schedule be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Clauses 1 to 6 and Schedule agreed to.House resumed.The Chairperson reported the Ombudsmen (Protection of Name) Amendment Bill without amendment.Report adopted.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That Fair Trading Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee.
Fair Trading Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 57New Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee.
Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment Bill — First Reading
10. Question No. 10—HealthANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 10—Health10. ANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about child and maternal health facilities?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): The Prime Minister's ambition is to make New Zealand the best place in the world to be a child. To support that as part of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme announced two weeks ago $83 million has been set aside for child and maternal health facilities. We're investing in neonatal and paediatric intensive care units in Counties Manukau Auckland Hutt Valley and Capital and Coast. We're investing in better maternal facilities in Hutt Valley and South Canterbury as well as new and upgraded dental vans in Hawke's Bay Lakes and Wairarapa DHBs. These projects will make a real difference to families up and down New Zealand.Angie Warren-Clark: How will patients at Starship hospital benefit from the New Zealand Upgrade?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Starship is home to New Zealand's only specialist paediatric intensive care service. They do amazing work there. They look after the most unwell children from all over the country including those who need cardiac surgery and transplantation. So I'm particularly pleased that we are investing $25 million into the expansion of the paediatric intensive care unit—or PICU—at Starship. This will take capacity at the unit from 22 beds currently to more than 30 beds as well as provide for improved whānau spaces.Angie Warren-Clark: Why is this investment needed at Starship?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Starship's PICU currently treats around 1100 to 1200 children each year. Demand has grown by 30 percent over the past three years and is expected to continue to grow. We need to act now to ensure that we have enough beds to care for these most vulnerable of patients. Construction work is planned to begin in early 2021.
6. Question No. 6—HealthHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 6—Health6. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of Health: Is he satisfied that the response to the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak was timely and appropriate?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): Yes and it continues to be so. All the decisions we have taken have been informed by science.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Why is there no screening of passengers arriving from China who transit through another country?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: All passengers who come through from another country are being checked as they come through to New Zealand. We track who has been in China in the last 14 days and if they are permanent residents or New Zealand citizens then of course they are allowed into New Zealand and they are given advice on where to seek help if they have any symptoms. They are also given advice on health measures. Basic hand hygiene of course is one of the critical things in preventing the spread of the virus as well as making sure that they are in self-isolation for that 14-day period. So those who are not New Zealand citizens permanent residents or their immediate family are turned back.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Is the Minister telling the House that a passenger arriving from China who transits through say Seoul or Sydney and arrives at Dunedin or Queenstown international airport is given the information that he just described?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: As people come into New Zealand they are being given the public health information in simplified Chinese traditional Chinese and in English. Public health staff are at the border. We are looking to make sure that anyone who has been in China in the last 14 days is in receipt of that information.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Are passengers arriving from affected areas via cruise ships being screened for the virus?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Any passengers arriving on cruise ships are being given the same information as those who arrive at airports.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Who is correct: the Minister who advises that the screening processes are diligently followed or the New Zealander who came back from Wuhan and said Coming into New Zealand there was nothing. For me it was … like we got off [the] plane and walked through and no one really seemed that concerned."Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The provision of information at the airports is the thing that we are advised by the medical experts the science is the best and most effective thing we can do because it makes sure that when people have the symptoms—if they have any symptoms—they know where to get help to call Healthline; they know how to self-isolate effectively; they know how to do hand hygiene cough hygiene and other things that prevent the spread of this virus. So we have taken those measures that the clinical experts the doctors have recommended. At every point we have made sure that our decisions have been informed by science."
4. Question No. 4—FinanceDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 4—Finance4. Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he seen on the economic impact of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I've seen a range of reports from business leaders emphasising the significant impact that the Government's $12 billion New Zealand Upgrade Programme will have for the economy and for businesses. Business New Zealand chief executive Kirk Hope said the additional spending on roading infrastructure will be positive for business while money for commuter rail services in Auckland and the Wellington region will also help build efficiency and productivity. Fletcher Building CEO Ross Taylor said This isn't just planning. It's targeted projects that are real. Often there's quite a lot of plans and options for projects with price tags that might be years away. I can see this is the infrastructure which is needed and it will happen." I'm pleased to be part of a Government that is getting on with the job of addressing years of under-investment in New Zealand's infrastructure.Dr Deborah Russell: What reports has he seen on the economic impact of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme from the infrastructure sector?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Paul Blair said that the Government's $12 million infrastructure programme is a fantastic start towards building the infrastructure New Zealand needs to realise its potential. The additional spending and multi-year nature of the package should provide the sector with the confidence to ramp up recruitment training and capital investment with more yet to come. Along the same lines the New Zealand arm of global engineering and design consultancy WSP has said it will dramatically increase its recruitment staff hiring hundreds of planners designers and engineers to support its role in projects within the New Zealand Upgrade Programme. It is great to see the sector getting behind this package.Dr Deborah Russell: What reports has he seen on the impact of the Government's increased investment in the economy on the Crown's finances?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: According to forecasts in the Treasury's Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update net core Crown debt is expected to peak at 21.5 percent of GDP in 2021-22 as a result of the investments made in the Upgrade Programme. This is well below the 22.9 percent we inherited from the previous Government. In the last few weeks following our announcement of higher investment levels Fitch Ratings revised its rating for New Zealand to AA+ reflecting the New Zealand Government's sound fiscal management and low Government debt which to quote them "enhances the country's resilience to economic and financial shocks".Hon Paul Goldsmith: What reports has he seen on the economic impact of his Government cancelling or postponing National's road projects two years ago?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The premise of the member's question is utterly wrong because it's not possible to cancel ghost roads."
Barry Maggie; Dyson RuthHon MAGGIE BARRY (National—North Shore): I don't agree with much of what's been said on the opposing side but I do commend this bill to the House and urge everyone to get on with it—an 18-month delay. At this stage we can talk about vaping and that's what happens at second readings—you talk about things that submitters have proposed. A lot of them talked about it. The Cancer Society has just said today—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson): I'm sorry to interrupt the member but the time has come for the debate to be interrupted and set down for resumption next sitting day.Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 10 p.m.
Warren-Clark AngieANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'm delighted to stand and speak in the second reading of the Smoke-free Environments (Prohibiting Smoking in Motor Vehicles Carrying Children) Amendment Bill. I'm going to leave aside vaping and talk about the bill. I do also acknowledge what the member Nicky Wagner is saying. However we're talking about a bill that 147 written submissions were gathered for and we had 19 oral submissions. Now I wasn't a member at the time that the submissions occurred. However I was around at the first reading. One of the things I guess that is really important that we all understand about this bill is that it is set up specifically to support the most vulnerable in our country. It's around those young people who are absolutely unable to make the choice to get mum or dad or someone else in the car to stop smoking. So this bill is a very simple very small bill with very limited scope and that's what we are dealing with here—very limited scope. It essentially just says that it becomes an offence. Now one of the things that the Opposition have been talking about tonight which I would like to correct is that it does not become a criminal offence and there is no prosecution. This is an infringement. So there will not be a criminal charge against the person. It's an infringement notice so it is a very minor notice. People have talked about the fact that there will be a prosecution but that doesn't happen in the infringement system. I just wanted to clarify that because I think it is extremely important that we're talking about a long run-in time. We're talking about 18 months in order to get this set up so that they police can train their staff. We're talking about having a computer system—the ITS system—managing this infringement process. But the reality is very simply it is protecting our young children our young people from smoking in cars. It doesn't do anything more than that. It's a good start. There is more to come as the Minister said. I commend the bill to the House.