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Prime Willow-JeanWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland): E te Māngai o te Whare tēnā koe. Thank you for the opportunity to speak after our finance Minister just delivered a wonderful Budget. I'm really proud of the tough job that he has balancing everybody's wants and needs and we are here in the Chamber this afternoon passing the first piece of legislation under urgency to give effect to those Budget announcements.We are here debating the Taxation (Cost of Living Payments) Bill. I take this opportunity to take the Māori Party's call this afternoon. This particular bill is so that we can give effect to the announcement that we will be introducing a payment of $350 to help middle-income people cope with the current inflationary pressures. I have heard from my constituents about the impact that the cost of living is having on them and their whānau and so I know that this announcement today is going to make a real difference for those whānau. That is on top of the package that we already introduced and have been implementing on 1 April which boosted support for families through Working for Families the family tax credit Best Start and expanding childcare assistance. It also boosted the student allowance and the student loan living costs. We've also lifted the minimum wage reduced the cost of fuel and increased superannuation and we have kick-started once again the winter energy payment.Today those who are not receiving any of those things I have just mentioned which is approximately 2.1 million people will be eligible for a payment of $350. The income cap for that is $70000. The reason that is the cap is because that is around the average annual wage and I have heard from people who have contacted me about what we're doing for those on middle incomes. This is what we are doing to help you who we know are also impacted by the cost of living crisis. Approximately 2.1 million people are going to benefit from today's announcement once we pass this legislation through the House this evening.One thing I want to add to that is that there will be no application process. That's one of the things that I often find when we make these announcements—people straight away ask where they apply and what they have to do. The Inland Revenue Department are going to be able to use the information that they are already able to gain under the authority they have to be able to determine those who will be eligible for the payment and it will be processed.I don't want to prolong this contribution in the first reading. We've got plenty to get through over the course of this evening and possibly tomorrow. So with that I commend the bill to the House.
Mallard TrevorINTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: I understand it is the intention of the Government to introduce bills. CLERK: Taxation (Cost of Living Payments) Bill introductionIncome Insurance Scheme (Enabling Development) Bill introductionCommerce (Grocery Sector Covenants) Amendment Bill introductionCompanies Office Registers Funding Validation Bill introductionCustoms and Excise (Tobacco Products) Amendment Bill introduction andCoroners (Coronial Cap) Amendment Bill introduction.SPEAKER: The Taxation (Cost of Living Payments) Bill is set down for first reading forthwith. The remaining bills in the urgency motion are set down for first reading presently.
Hipkins ChrisURGENCYHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move That urgency be accorded the introduction and passing through all stages of the Taxation (Cost of Living Payments) Bill and the Income Insurance Scheme (Enabling Development) Bill; the introduction first reading and referral to select committee of the Commerce (Grocery Sector Covenants) Amendment Bill; and the introduction and passing through all stages of the Companies Office Registers Funding Validation Bill the Customs and Excise (Tobacco Products) Amendment Bill and the Coroners (Coronial Cap) Amendment Bill.Very briefly to summarise the reasons for urgency for these pieces of legislation there are six bills—five to go through all stages and one to have a first reading. The Taxation (Cost of Living Payments) Bill establishes the Cost of Living Payment scheme that was announced in the Budget today and the scheme comes into effect on 1 August—hence the need for urgency. The Income Insurance Scheme (Enabling Development) Bill enables ACC to prepare the Income Insurance Scheme. It does not initiate the scheme; that will be subject to further legislation. The Companies Office Registers Funding Validation Bill deals with the way the Companies Office funds its corporate registry functions and deals with an urgent issue there around the validation of the use of funding which other parties have been informed and consulted on about. The Commerce (Grocery Sector Covenants) Amendment Bill again deals with an issue announced in the Budget today which is the Government's desire to ensure that competition in the grocery sector is not blocked through the use of grocery sector covenants. That bill will have a short select committee process. The Customs and Excise (Tobacco Products) Amendment Bill deals with a particularly narrow form of tax evasion around water-pipe tobacco.And the Coroners (Coronial Cap) Amendment Bill is a small bill that just increases the number of coroners which is a Budget measure. We want to have the coroners in place as soon as possible given the level of demand there is for coronial services.
Parker DavidHon DAVID PARKER (Minister for the Environment): I move That this debate be now adjourned.
Appropriation (2022/23 Estimates) Bill — First Reading
Appropriation (2022/23 Estimates) Bill — Introduction
Robertson Grant; Mallard TrevorFirst ReadingHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I move That the Appropriation (2022/23 Estimates) Bill be now read a first time. SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.
Mallard TrevorAPPROPRIATION (2022/23 ESTIMATES) BILLIntroductionCLERK: Appropriation (2022/23 Estimates) Bill introduction.SPEAKER: The Appropriation (2022/23 Estimates) Bill is set down for first reading forthwith.
Robertson Grant; Mallard TrevorBUDGET DOCUMENTSHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I present the 2022 Budget speech; the Budget at a Glance 2022; the Wellbeing Budget 2022 including reports on the fiscal strategy on child poverty and the summary of initiatives; the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update 2022; and the Estimates of Appropriations for the Government of New Zealand for the year ending 30 June 2023.SPEAKER: Those papers are published under the authority of the House.
Robertson Grant; Mallard TrevorSUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES DOCUMENTSHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I present the Supplementary Estimates of Appropriations for the Government of New Zealand for the Year Ending 30 June 2022.SPEAKER: That paper is published under the authority of the House.
Mallard TrevorPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: A petition has been presented to the Clerk for presentation.CLERK: Petition of Barnabas Fund New Zealand requesting that the House urge the Government to officially recognise as genocide the mass murder of Armenian Assyrian Syriac and Greek Christians in the Ottoman Empire.SPEAKER: That petition stands referred to the Petitions Committee. On 17 May the Ministry for the Environment Manatū Mō Te Taiao Aotearoa New Zealand's First Emissions Reduction Plan together with Aotearoa New Zealand's First Emissions Reduction Plan: Table of Actions were presented. Those papers are published under the authority of the House. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Report of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's Financial Stability Report May 2022report of the Justice Committee on the petition of Karl Thomasreports of the Regulations Review Committee on the complaint about the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Freshwater) Regulations 2020 and on the examination of COVID-19 orders presented between 16 and 29 March 2022.SPEAKER: The reports of the Finance and Expenditure and Regulations Review committees are set down for consideration. The Clerk has been informed of the introduction of bills.CLERK:Appropriation (2021/22 Supplementary Estimates) Bill introduction.Repeal of Good Friday and Easter Sunday as Restricted Trading Days (Shop Trading and Sale of Alcohol) Amendment Bill introduction.Electoral (Strengthening Democracy) Amendment Bill introduction.Increased Penalties for Breach of Biosecurity Bill introduction.SPEAKER: Those bills are set down for first reading.
Rurawhe AdrianTHURSDAY 19 MAY 2022The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSDEPUTY SPEAKER: E te Atua kaha rawa ka tuku whakamoemiti atu mātou mō ngā karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a mātou. Ka waiho i ō mātou pānga whaiaro katoa ki te taha. Ka mihi ki te Kuīni me te inoi atu mō te ārahitanga i roto i ō mātou whakaaroarohanga kia mōhio ai kia whakaiti ai tā mātou whakahaere i ngā take o te Whare nei mō te oranga te maungārongo me te aroha o Aotearoa. Āmene.[Almighty God we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests we acknowledge the Queen and pray for guidance in our deliberations that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom and humility for the welfare peace and compassion of New Zealand. Amen.]
Tuesday 14 December 2021 - Volume 756
Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 110New Zealand Labour 65; New Zealand National 33; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 10ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the motion be agreed to.Ayes 75New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Noes 45New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Motion agreed to.Result corrected after originally being announced as Ayes 75 Noes 43 to include Te Paati Māori's votes.
11. Question No. 11—TransportINGRID LEARY (Labour—Taieri) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 11—Transport11. INGRID LEARY (Labour—Taieri) to the Minister of Transport: What progress has been made on transport projects in regional New Zealand?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): We're making progress on a number of projects around the regions to keep New Zealand moving and to support the economic recovery. I want to acknowledge the local MP for Taieri Ingrid Leary for helping to turn the sod and kick off construction on the new Beaumont Bridge over the Clutha River. This $25 million project will create jobs and strengthen an important link connecting Dunedin Central Otago and Queenstown.Ingrid Leary: Why is a new Beaumont Bridge needed?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The new bridge will replace a current single-lane bridge built in 1887 which is no longer fit for purpose. The new bridge has been designed to meet expected traffic growth including heavier trucks and modern earthquake standards. After it opens the landmark single-lane bridge will continue to serve the area by providing a link to the popular nearby Clutha gold walking and cycling trail.Ingrid Leary: What other regional projects have reached significant milestones? [Opposition members interject]Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Such enthusiasm in the House!SPEAKER: Order! Order! Order! I know it's nearly the end of the year and I know that bridges cause some excitement in here. In fact we seemed to have a by-election about them at one stage not that long ago but I'm just going to ask members to get through the—[Interruption] Oh look just a bit of leadership thank you. Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I'm very pleased to announce another regional New Zealand Upgrade Programme project has reached a significant milestone. Waka Kotahi has awarded the construction contract for a roundabout at Cromwell at the State Highway 6 and State Highway 8B intersection. A single-lane roundabout will replace the current T-intersection when completed in the second half of 2022. This project will help to make a very busy intersection safer for everyone.SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member will resume his seat. We all know what roundabouts do.
4. Question No. 4—HousingBARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) to the Minister of HousingQuestion No. 4—Housing4. BARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) to the Minister of Housing: What action is the Government taking to get more houses built in Porirua?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Housing): Today I announced the first funding agreement from the Government's $1 billion Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF) launched in June of this year. The Government's $6.1 million IAF investment for a housing development in Porirua will enable 880 homes to be built—nearly twice the original plan for the 443 homes—and contribute to a crucial transport upgrade and key three waters infrastructure. The housing crisis we inherited is decades in the making. That will take time to turn around but we are starting to make inroads. This fund will make a real difference by helping overcome a key barrier to building new homes: access to basic infrastructure. Today's announcement is yet another step our Government is taking to fix the national housing crisis.Barbara Edmonds: How will Porirua benefit from today's Infrastructure Acceleration Fund announcement?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: As well as delivering more homes faster the funding will resolve critical infrastructure constraints holding the development back. Our investment in Porirua will provide a much-needed upgrade to the Tītahi Bay Road / Kenepuru Interchange and upgrades to key three waters infrastructure. Today's investment builds on funding for the Government-led largescale project in Porirua I announced in July to provide capacity for an additional 2000 homes and improved service levels for the majority of the 19000 existing residents.Barbara Edmonds: Why was the Porirua project fast tracked?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: The proposal from Ngāti Toa Rangatira was selected because it was able to start quickly was cost-effective and enabled the delivery of a mix of affordable social and market additional 400 houses that would not have happened without the $6.1 million of funding. With over 80 responses to the requests for proposals for the IAF due at the end of this week I look forward to announcing more support around the country for much-needed house building in 2022.
1. Question No. 1—FinanceDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Finance1. Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): The jobs market is continuing to support the economic recovery. The SEEK NZ Employment Report for November showed that job ads had jumped 5.1 percent—the best monthly gain since May—and is now up 35.4 percent for the year. Compared with pre-COVID levels in November 2019 the latest numbers are 28.9 percent higher. Auckland job ads rose by 8.1 percent as restrictions were eased on retail activity while Northland jumped 17 percent as the region moved from alert level 3 to alert level 2. The robust jobs market shows that the Government's actions in response to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic to protect lives and livelihoods has proved to be the best economic approach as well as the best health approach. Dr Duncan Webb: What support is the Government providing to businesses to recover from the impact of the Delta outbreak? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Last Friday applications opened for a transition payment to affected businesses to support their move into the COVID Protection Framework. The payment is a recognition of the long period that these businesses especially those in Auckland have spent with restrictions in place prior to shifting to the new framework and it is designed to support these firms through the next few weeks. This payment is at a higher base rate than the current Resurgence Support Payment which will be $4000 per business plus $400 per fulltime-equivalent (FTE) up to a cap of 50 FTEs. So far 18861 applications have been approved totalling $93 million. I encourage all businesses who are eligible to apply. Dr Duncan Webb: What other economic support is available under the COVID-19 Protection Framework? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The Resurgence Support Payments Nos 4 to 6 remain open for applications until 13 January 2022 to help businesses with their fixed costs. So far the Resurgence Support Payment has paid out $2.3 billion to businesses. Along with the wage subsidy scheme the Government has supported businesses and workers to the tune of $7 billion since the Delta outbreak began. It's worth reminding that the leave support scheme and the short-term absence payment remain available under all levels of the COVID Protection Framework. We will monitor any economic impacts of the new COVID Protection Framework and I expect to report back to Cabinet early in 2022 on whether any further support will be required.
Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — First Reading
Belich Camilla; Salesa JennyCAMILLA BELICH (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. It's a pleasure to take the last call on this first reading of the Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. I am on the Education and Workforce Committee and I look forward to hearing the submissions that people will make on this bill. It's heartening to see support from all over the House for this proposal today.We know that the bill does four specific things that have been canvassed: extending the compensation scheme to cover birth injuries taking steps to reverse changes made in 2010 increasing the size of the ACC board and making a number of smaller technical changes. But what I would like to focus on in my speech is the main part of this bill which is maternal birth injuries and wanted to recognise also the Minister Carmel Sepuloni for seeing an issue within a portfolio she was responsible for and seeking to remedy that very quickly actually because it was the right thing to do. So I commend her for that and thank the members of the House for supporting this.We know that women make fewer ACC claims than men. We know when women make claims they're less successful at obtaining ACC cover and even when they are successful they receive less money than male applicants. Statistics like this are not an oddity. They may mean the system is not fully meeting the needs of women which is as we know over half the population.As we've heard tonight giving birth is one of the greatest health risks that women of childbearing age face. It's one of the hardest and most physical things that a person can do and birth injuries as we know are a regular occurrence. They can be extremely serious and debilitating and they can affect mental health. So I commend the Minister for bringing this bill to the House and I want to let women who have suffered birth injuries know that it's nothing to be ashamed of. I'm sure we'll hear difficult stories at select committee but it is time that we heard them. So I commend this bill to the House.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): The question is that the Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Bill be considered by the Education and Workforce Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Education and Workforce Committee.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): Members the House is suspended and I will resume the Chair at 9 a.m. tomorrow for the extended sitting. Pō mārie.Sitting suspended from 9.57 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Wednesday)
Roberts AngelaANGELA ROBERTS (Labour): It is my pleasure to take a short call on this bill this evening Madam Speaker. We've heard a lot about the significant impact this is going to have on so many women around the country but tonight I just want to speak very quickly about a small but significant aspect of the bill which brings justice to thousands of New Zealand workers.Work-related gradual process disease or infection cover such as industrial deafness will be better supported. The clarification of section 30—the test restores the burden back on to ACC to prove that such injuries aren't work related. It lowers the threshold to 5 to 5.9 percent. Those extra 200-plus workers every year who need a hearing aid will get one. This is about restoring a little bit more justice to our workers who pay with their hearing. For those freezing workers who have industrial deafness we see you and we hear you and this one's for you Dan.
Omer IbrahimIBRAHIM OMER (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. It's a pleasure to rise in support of this bill. This bill is all about fairness because it seeks to provide more equitable coverage for injuries covered by ACC. Tonight a lot has been said about this bill and I just wanted to reflect on one comment I think it was the Hon Louise Upston who mentioned that about 85 percent of women experience injuries while giving birth. This is a sobering reminder of why tonight we need this bill and that not doing anything simply is not acceptable any more. Making this bill more equitable more accessible is the right thing to do. It's about time it's a must. I also want to add my voice to others in thanking the Minister in bringing this bill tonight. Madam Speaker this bill is timely it's the right thing it's morally right. I commend it to the House.
Luxton JoJO LUXTON (Labour—Rangitata): Thank you Madam Speaker. It is what I consider a real privilege to be able to stand and take a call on this piece of legislation. I want to join others from across the House in acknowledging the Minister Carmel Sepuloni for bringing this piece of legislation to the House. It's an extremely important piece of legislation and it will impact on many many women's lives going forward.We've heard tonight and I was quite horrified when I heard and read about this that 85 percent of women experience an injury when giving birth. I was lucky enough not to be one of those 85 percent of women. But I can't even really imagine how it must feel when you are going through a time when it's supposed to be an exciting and joyous moment in your life giving birth to a child that you have wanted and been waiting for for so many months to have it potentially go quite wrong and give you life-long injuries as a result. We've heard tonight how it does and can impact also on a woman's mental health when that sort of situation occurs. It affects partners relationships families; we've heard that. What I think that this piece of legislation brings into line for women is that what they go through does matter and just because in the past ACC has been focused on more accident-related physical injuries now this will be something that will be considered just as seriously as those types of things.One of the other things that is going to be changed with this piece of legislation is that ACC board members are going to increase from eight to nine board members and that should encourage better diversity or more diversity on the board as well.Minister Sepuloni again I just want to commend you for bringing this piece of legislation to the House. It's going to mean so much to so many people going forward. Thank you.
Pallett SarahSARAH PALLETT (Labour—Ilam): Thank you Madam Speaker. I am absolutely delighted to be standing here this evening to rise in support of this bill and I'd just like to say how proud and grateful I am to Minister Sepuloni for bringing this to the House. I would also like to thank and acknowledge Mr Watts for his support for maternal injuries and for the work that we will be doing together.Because as we know a number of women experience severe birthing injuries. As I stand here I have before me in my mind's eye many of my former clients but also particularly one of my constituents who came to talk to me about a severe injury that she had experienced in the course of what we would describe as a physiological birth where treatment wasn't involved in her injuries. It was precisely those injuries that were experienced by the passage of the fetus as it was being born—and I'm struggling here not to go into too much detail but I won't. But it was that woman and many like her who are experiencing injuries and for whom that cover is not provided and that's one of the things that we're trying to correct here.There are going to be should this bill pass as we hope 17000 to 18000 women who will benefit from this bill—17000 to 18000 women is a significant amount of health benefit to those women whose permanent health has been injured: their continence affected their sex lives affected and many other specific injuries. We have described seven injuries in this piece of legislation. I really would encourage anybody who is interested to take a good look at what we're proposing here and to come forward and to submit when it goes through the select committee process. I do heartily commend this bill to the House.
Watts Simon; Mahuta Nanaia; Salesa JennySIMON WATTS (National—North Shore): I was wondering if the Minister could answer my question around the averages in terms of the asset values whether it's replacement value or averages. Happy to use my time.Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Local Government): To be assured of an accurate answer—there's so much variability amongst the councils—I'm actually happy to respond by written question to that particular question because that will be more beneficial to the member.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Members the time for this debate has expired. The question is that the current issues and priorities be noted.Motion agreed to.House resumed.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Madam Speaker the committee has noted current issues and priorities in a special debate. I move That the report be adopted.Motion agreed to.Report adopted.
Special debate on current issues and priorities - Committee of the whole House resumed
Salesa Jenny; Court Simon; Mahuta NanaiaCHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Thank you Minister. Before I call Simon Court can I just remind you that the ACT Party has 16 seconds left. SIMON COURT (ACT): We can do it—we're efficient. Thank you Madam Chair. Two questions: will Government meet with Communities 4 Local Democracy tomorrow about their concerns about three waters reforms; if not why not? And will the Government release the exposure draft for the Water Services Entities Bill and hold an inquiry in the same way as they held an inquiry into the exposure draft of the Natural and Built Environments Act? Thank you Minister. Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Local Government): I've continued to acknowledge—CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): I'm sorry Minister but the time for the Labour Party is now expired. If the National Party who is the only party with time left would like to gift some of that time for the Minister to answer questions you're welcome to.Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: I seek leave to take the National Party's time. I seek leave—Madam Chair point of order. I seek leave to take the National Party's time in order to answer the member's question.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Is there any objection to that motion? No objections.Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: The question of me was: am I prepared to meet with the mayors who are coming here tomorrow in relation to their concerns around three waters. This evening I have invited those mayors to come and meet with me. Whether or not they take up that invitation the invitation sits on the table. What I can also say is that throughout this whole process over four years I've continued to engage with councils and Local Government New Zealand around these very challenging issues that have been around for around about 20 years. This Government is putting a solution on the table; there is no alternative and I would invite every council to engage in an alternative that looks for a financially sustainable pathway so that every community big and small—more importantly their ratepayers—gets the benefits of reform.
Mooney JosephJOSEPH MOONEY (National—Southland): Thank you Madam Chair. Thank you Minister for taking the opportunity to be in the chair and to potentially answer some questions. I'm going to ask Minister will some debt have to stay on council books when the Crown transfers control of drinking-water waste-water and stormwater infrastructure from 62 councils to four new independent entities? I note that $500 million has been allocated for a no-worse-off component of a three waters reform package to ensure that no local authority is financially worse off as a direct result of the reform. However in just one example of the Christchurch District council their three waters assets are expected to be worth $6.9 billion at the time of the proposed transfer in July 2024 but the debt of the council for those assets will sit at $1.1 billion. Concerns have been raised that the council will be left holding the debt with no revenue stream and the council would have to pay millions of dollars of interest while the debt is repaid. I note that a Department of Internal Affairs spokesperson is on record saying that in some cases the debt could be transferred to the new entities but it might not be feasible in all cases. Most cases manage their borrowing on a portfolio basis rather than borrowing individually for a specific asset. For example the Christchurch District council predominantly borrows from the Local Government Funding Agency of which it is a member. I also have a question about: will the proposed new water entities have access to membership of the Local Government Funding Agency and be able to hold loans?
Cameron Mark; O'Connor Damien; Dean JacquiMARK CAMERON (ACT): Minister very quickly could you please—and I asked this question before; you didn't answer it. When were you first made aware about New Zealand's commitment to the methane pledge? And overwhelmingly again—I've asked the question again—how can farmers have confidence in the Overseer after several iterations? You know how many it's had and it's now going to be used as an accounting tool to measure on-farm emissions—i.e. methane.Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture): Look sorry there were many questions; I didn't mean to avoid them. The methane pledge look was something brought to my attention by the Minister of Climate Change—that we were going to sign up to this. Indeed we went to the sectors to Beef + Lamb New Zealand and they said Yes we want to support this." because actually it's an international challenge. We've signed up to that and we've agreed to work with the primary sectors to achieve those targets. Many of those will be achieved over time. Offshore the focus is on leakages from gas pipelines. From New Zealand it's around biological biogenic methane but we can work through that in a way that says New Zealand is committed to reduce emissions in every way we can.Mark Cameron: So you've only known this year Minister?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: So I knew about this and we endorsed it and we supported the Minister of Climate Change at COP26.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Someone has to seek the call or I'll—all right we'll change Ministers at this point."
van de Molen Tim; O'Connor DamienTIM VAN DE MOLEN (National—Waikato): Thank you Madam Chair. Look I just wanted to come back to the question I asked earlier in relation to the horticulture sector. There's been a lot of concern around the costs and the challenges of getting quarantine space for importing products and I'm really keen to understand what work the Minister is doing there. I know that the Ministry for Primary Industries commissioned the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research to do a study of importers around the post-entry quarantine requirements so has he received that report yet; if so what work is he doing off the back of that? I also understand that they're looking to move to a full cost-recovery model for those quarantine facilities which is a significant change from where we are now. So what's the likely cost implication on users is that model actually going to be where he lands and if so by when? Then lastly on the horticulture sector what workforce issues is he aware of arising in the sector over the coming season and how is he planning to address that as well? Thank you.Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture): Look very briefly just to answer that one: the post-entry quarantine facilities—look the Government has committed after years of neglect and the running down the capacity in that area to build a new facility and we hope to do that on a site that has yet to be confirmed because there are issues to work through. It is a site that is logical that will be efficient and hopefully it will minimise the cost. But there will be a cost and that should be carried by the industry. It will be user-pays as it should be but it will allow we hope the efficient facilitation of new plant material into the country biosecurity-checked ensuring no harm comes with that and enabling the industry for horticulture in particular to get on and innovate. So we're working on that to have that in place as quickly as we can.In terms of workforce issues look we're working very closely with all the sectors so that we get the figures right so that when the sectors ask for spots in managed isolation and quarantine or how we can actually get enough people into the country whether it be through the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme or through the Pacific and that actually we get the numbers right and we fully utilise those people and that we don't have them sitting around doing nothing or we have them in the wrong place. So we're working with each of the sectors to make sure we get it right.
Court SimonSIMON COURT (ACT): Thank you Madam Chair. To the Minister you described the work of He Waka Eke Noa the primary sector climate action group as a project. You describe that Tesco are asking suppliers agricultural groups to identify their carbon reductions—not methane but carbon—and to describe their pathway to renewable energy. Well fortunately New Zealand already has that pathway. It's called the emissions trading scheme. So my question to you Minister is what will the Government do if farmers reject the premise of He Waka Eke Noa to put a price on methane when there is no other comparable country in the world putting a price on methane from growing food and fibre—no other country—and if the Minister insists that the Government will force farmers to price methane what is the cost per tonne for that methane Minister? What is the cost per tonne for that methane that farmers will be required to pay when a committee established by this Government tells them this is the price they must pay? What is that cost per tonne and does the Minister think that's acceptable? What will that cost per tonne of methane add to a kilo of beef mince in the supermarket a kilo of cheese or a 2-litre milk in the supermarket? Minister we'd appreciate an answer on behalf of New Zealand consumers and families. Thank you.
Kuriger BarbaraBARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country): I thought the Minister was going to stand up. I just had a question that I did want to ask him before he does stand up to start answering the questions. How many new entrants to the industry have been attracted under the programmes that he's been telling us are going to work rather than bring the immigrants in? And just a follow up to my letter that I wrote to him and Minister Faafoi recently: what work's being done to increase the understanding in Immigration New Zealand of the seasonal nature of some of the work that goes on in our primary industries?
van de Molen TimTIM VAN DE MOLEN (National—Waikato): Well thank you Madam Chair. I think it's quite telling that we haven't had the Minister answer a single question yet when there have been quite a few come up and perhaps it's been a little bit difficult for him to keep up with all the questions or to keep abreast of the challenges and issues that are being presented in his portfolio. Now if that's a bit too much for him I'm happy to break it down and just keep it to one or two simple questions that perhaps he might be able to grace the industry with by answering.So on that basis I'd like to get an understanding from him around what advocacy he has done to ensure that Immigration New Zealand better understands the needs of rural New Zealand. We have seen far too many instances this year where we have not been able to get the workforce we need across the borders whether it's dairy workers or vets or more recently rural contractors. It's not good enough that it has taken this long and it seems clear that the Minister and his ministry haven't been advocating enough with Immigration New Zealand to get those exemptions in place for our primary sector. Those are critical roles. So what is he doing to ensure we don't have these sorts of hiccups again?Now in terms of advocacy as well rural-proofing was something we heard from the Minister early on when he became the Minister of Agriculture as being a key priority. Every piece of legislation would be rural-proof. So I'm interested to hear how that work is going what he is doing to ensure rural-proofing is occurring because we've heard from Ministry for Primary Industry (MPI) officials that they are seeing consistent issues around a lack of consultation and also increased costs being placed on the rural sector through a whole raft of legislative pieces of work going through. So what is he doing to minimise the impact on rural New Zealand if anything?Then finally from the horticulture perspective—because I'm concerned I'm giving him too many questions now—MPI have commissioned the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research to do a survey of importers in relation to post-entry quarantine requirement. I'm interested to know whether he has received that survey or report back yet and if so what action he is planning to take on that because I'm hearing from the horticulture sector a number of concerns around time frames their ability to get quarantine space how they can go through that process the lack of import health standards for a whole range of products like avocados or hops—why haven't we got those? Is he planning to put those in place? So I'd appreciate some insights into those areas. Thank you.
Cameron MarkMARK CAMERON (ACT): Thank you Madam Chair. When was the Minister first made aware of New Zealand's commitment to the methane pledge and was he made aware of New Zealand's methane pledge by the Minister of Climate Change before his departure to COP26? What will the methane pledge mean for the cost of on-farm operations and by virtue the cost of living here domestically for domestic consumables given the heightened international market prices? When will the Government and the Minister and the Government and his Ministry for Primary Industries officials seek to reconcile and fully compensate ANZCO the owners of Five Star feedlot and why after several previous attempts in select committee he still can't answer what the final compensation figures will be given the farms first became infected in 2018? Last question: how can farmers have confidence in Overseer after several iterations failed and it will now be reused as an accounting tool to measure on-farm emissions—i.e. methane and carbon dioxide?
Luxton JoAgricultureJO LUXTON (Chairperson of the Primary Production Committee): Thank you Madam Chair. It gives me great pleasure to rise as the chair of the Primary Production Committee to lead off the Estimates 2021/22 debate for agriculture. For 2021/22 the funding sought for agriculture totalled $293.8 million which is about the same as the previous year's estimated actual spend of $293 million. The committee discussed the funding of $37.2 million over four years for integrated farm planning. This initiative aims to ensure that 40000 farmers and growers have access to farm planning to improve performance and environmental outcomes. The committee also discussed Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures which has an estimated expenditure of $79.8 million in 2021/22. The Minister told the committee that Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures was created to support innovation in New Zealand's food and fibre sectors by co-investing in projects and that the fund will focus on leading new ideas and projects for the future. The committee acknowledged the difficulties that the Canterbury farmers have faced following the flooding in late May of 2021 and we thanked the Ministry for Primary Industries for their work in this area to support our affected farmers. We discussed that in June the Government allocated $500000 to assist the recovery and the Minister told us that rural support trusts councils Federated Farmers and other organisations were on the ground looking at what needed to be done and how best to distribute the money. I note that following our hearing the Government announced an additional $4 million.The committee noted that Budget 2021 provided around $68 million for the eradication and long-term management of Mycoplasma bovis and this compares with the estimated actual expenditure of $143.5 million in the 2020-21 year. The reduction in funding is the result of the prevalence of the disease reducing.As the chair I sincerely thank the Minister the officials the clerks and the select committee members for a thorough and robust set of hearings. Thank you.
Dean JacquiSPECIAL DEBATESCurrent Issues and PrioritiesIn CommitteeDebate resumed from 17 November.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jacqui Dean): The House is in committee for further consideration of current issues and priorities—Hon Members: Madam Chair. CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jacqui Dean): —seriously?—for further consideration of current issues and priorities—I've got a lot to say—in a special debate. There are 46 minutes and 12 seconds remaining in the debate. This a timed debate and the clock keeps ticking during any points of order or when Ministers swap in or out. The remaining time available for Labour is only 15 minutes and 57 seconds remaining. The remaining time available for each other party is as follows: New Zealand National 51 minutes and 38 seconds; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand nil; ACT New Zealand three minutes and 27 seconds; and Te Paati Māori six minutes and 12 seconds. The question is that current issues and priorities be noted.
Sexual Violence Legislation Bill — Third Reading
Warren-Clark Angie; Salesa JennyANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour): It's a real pleasure to take the last call on this bill; a bill that has taken so very very long to get here. I want to acknowledge everyone who has worked so very hard. I've only spoken on this bill and not worked on it. But I want to acknowledge my Minister Kris Faafoi and the Minister the Hon Andrew Little as well who previously brought this bill to the House. I'd like to acknowledge as well Ginny Andersen who has chaired a difficult and complex piece of legislation through this House.I want to finally just say to this House and at this time anything that we do here matters to the victim/survivors of violence. While this is just the beginning of a change—and a positive change—it is something that we as a House can do and every time that we stand up and say This is not OK" and that "You are not to blame." that is making their lives better. I commend this bill to the House.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): I declare the House in Committee."
Kuriger BarbaraBARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country): Thank you Madam Speaker. No one deserves to be the victim of sexual violence. So in the House tonight I want to make mention of those people who have had really tough times. Anything that this bill does to stop the re-traumatisation of those victims has to be good. It's my pleasure to commend the bill to the House.
Henderson EmilyDr EMILY HENDERSON (Labour—Whangārei): Kiwi lawyers who say that the innovations introduced in this bill will in some way threaten the trial are wrong because these are barely innovations at all. These measures that we are introducing here which I am so incredibly proud to stand here to support tonight have been in use in the UK in Australia and even little old Whangārei—in one case for 30 years and another for over 10 and in Whangārei's case since 2015. There is nothing to be scared of here. All we see is progress for the most vulnerable victims and witnesses we bring through our courtroom. I am so grateful to the work of the Minister Kris Faafoi Minister Davidson the great Jan Logie and those many many academics and women who have brought their stories to us for over 30 years. I commend this bill to the House.
Walters Vanushi; Dean JacquiVANUSHI WALTERS (Labour—Upper Harbour): Thank you Madam Speaker. I first heard the statistic that one in three women was subject to sexual violence in my late teens at a women's rights conference. Then the speaker asked us to look around the room which was full of women. The silence was profound. Women's eyes actively connected with each other and others actively looked anywhere but each other's eyes. I was horrified.But I think I'm more horrified now because the stats haven't changed. While the Me Too movement was a significant watershed moment for us what we've learnt is that calling it out isn't always enough. This is a bill that responds to two pieces of advice and recommendation from the New Zealand Law Society to make some really fundamental process changes because what we know is that when experiences can be told in safe trusted places shame dies. I commend this bill to the House.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): I call Jan Logie.
Andersen GinnyGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour—Hutt South): This bill is about balancing the ledger for victims of sexual violence in the courtroom and the criminal justice system. We know for a fact that there are a number of sexual violence incidents in New Zealand that go unreported every year. We know that there are even more that go on that are not prosecuted and after that there are even more that do not go through to conviction. That in whole makes our justice system very difficult for someone standing in the courtroom when a rape or other sexual violence offence has occurred.What this bill does is attempt to make our system fairer and make it friendlier to victims who have to go through that harrowing experience. By strengthening restrictions on evidence about a victim's sex life it'll enable victims of crime to go into that courtroom and have greater ability to have confidence that they will not be re-victimised by the very system that should be bringing justice to them. Labour is passing the Sexual Violence Legislation Bill to make our courts a better place for victims of sexual violence. The intent of this bill is that it will make the experience of attending a court and giving evidence less traumatising for sexual violence. It improves the rights for victims it makes the justice system better for women and I'm proud to see this bill here at third reading. I commend it to the House.
Warren-Clark AngieANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour): Real pleasure to stand and take a short call on this bill. Homelessness difficulties with housing—we all know it exists. It's great to have all parties across the House—most of us—joining in to support something that will make a real difference a real change for our communities. I just want to really thank the entire support crew that got in there and did a whole pile of work which really really brought this bill together. We made some significant changes. I love the transitional provisions. I commend this bill to the House.