edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Luxton JoJO LUXTON (Labour): Thank you Mr Speaker. I'm pleased to rise and take a call on the Maritime Transport (Offshore Installations) Amendment Bill. What this piece of legislation does is it increases the level of insurance that offshore oil and gas installation owners are required to hold. I guess for a worst-case scenario where we would have a serious oil spill it is important and essential that we know that these people are going to be insured adequately to help with the clean-up etc. of this. So I have no hesitation in commending this bill to the House.
Young JonathanJONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth): Mr Speaker thank you for the opportunity to speak to this bill the Maritime Transport (Offshore Installations) Amendment Bill. This is a bill which we support. We see the sense of it. We see the absolute necessity for our marine environments to be protected and in fact having the world's best practice in terms of permitting is something which I think New Zealand is proud of. But if there was any eventuality that there was an oil spill from an offshore installation not only would we want to have that assurance of the companies and their associated arrangements for capability to be able to mitigate and work against and do the appropriate actions that any spill would require but behind all of that and backing all of that there is of course the financial capability for that to occur. We understand that there is massive expense. This bill actually had its genesis in the previous Government. The work was done the research was done and the preparation for it to come to Parliament was done interrupted only by the 2017 election. So it is good to see that this work is carried on and we certainly do support it. The regime's primary focus is of course to ensure that financial capability. Having third-party insurance and the access to that is absolutely vital. It is a common practice around the world and is something that this bill enables and we appreciate that. The changes that the select committee did we support. The fact that a claimant can now put in a claim on alleged liability is important because we don't want to have any work any compensation or any mitigation held up by due process that may go through a legal proceeding but it does need of course the leave of the court for that claimant to go forward. I think that's a very sensible mix. I'm not part of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee but I do have an interest in this particular area so I want to commend the committee on the work that they have done. We are very happy to support this bill through the House in its second reading.
Venture Capital Fund Bill — In Committee
Collins JudithParts 1 and 2 Schedules 1 and 2 and clauses 1 and 2Hon JUDITH COLLINS (National—Papakura): Thank you Mr Chairman. I'll just take a short call just to signal that the National Party will be supporting the bill. We think that we have very much at the moment quite an economy that is slowing. We've seen business investment's fallen from 5 percent to 0.6 percent job growth's fallen from 10000 new jobs a month to 3000 we've got 22000 more people now on the unemployment benefit and we have a per person GDP growth which has fallen to just 0.5 percent. It is clearly a situation where we can actually support a bill that is designed to try and encourage a venture capital fund and encourage investment. We understand that economic growth is the surest way to prosperity by lifting living standards in New Zealand. It is also quite clearly the surest way to promote good environmental outcomes because what we see in the world is the countries that have the most money to spend on cleaning up waterways are the countries that have more money than those that don't. We recognise the need for greater development of venture capital funding in New Zealand's capital markets. There is one thing that we can agree with the Government on and that is that we don't have enough capital in this country. We are concerned of course that the Government has not been able to encourage investment in the way that they should have been. In fact in some areas such as in housing and particularly in having apartment buildings actually being built it has discouraged investment so much that earlier in their term they needed to actually do a quick reverse so that some apartment buildings that were part-built could actually be completed. What we know is that New Zealanders are great innovators but the number eight wire mentality of which we are so proud and inordinately proud is also a recognition not only of our physical distance from the rest of the world but also of our distance in terms of access to large amounts of capital and in many cases the means to retain in New Zealand the best and brightest who can help to grow the economy and help to grow science for instance. So this is something that we believe is useful and that will go some way to assisting the situation that the country finds itself in with lower business investment confidence and also more people now unfortunately not in work and on benefits. So it is a bill that we think is a useful thing. It's one of the only policy papers that we can see from Budget 2019 that is actually pro-growth and on that basis we will be supporting it.
van de Molen Tim; Rurawhe AdrianVENTURE CAPITAL FUND BILLIn CommitteeTIM VAN DE MOLEN (Third Whip—National): I seek leave for the Venture Capital Fund Bill to be read as one debate. CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.
Mark RonHon RON MARK (Minister of Defence): Thank you Mr Speaker. I just rise on behalf of New Zealand First to say that I have listened with interest to the discussion read the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee report back and do note with a degree of consternation that on a matter as important as this there is such a serious divide in the House and just state that New Zealand First has agreed to support the second reading of this bill.
Carter DavidRt Hon DAVID CARTER (National): Thank you Mr Speaker. I recall those infamous words of the Rt Hon Helen Clark in 2001 when she said—and I quote We live in a benign strategic environment." and in a matter of weeks we had the 9/11 terrorism attack on the World Trade Center in New York. And if issues were severe in 2001 they are now more severe in 2019. A number of Labour members have risen in this debate and said they can't understand why National wouldn't support legislation that ensures the security of New Zealanders. And that's the point they're missing in this debate: this legislation is so weak it does not ensure the safety of New Zealanders. I think it is sad. I've seen many pieces of legislation passed on national security and inevitably they have been on a bipartisan basis with National and Labour whether in Government or in Opposition supporting such legislation. But what we have in this case is legislation that because it required Greens' support has been so weakened that it now will not fulfil its purpose.I listened with intense interest to the speech by Marama Davidson the co-leader of the Greens and she effectively said the human rights of a terrorist come before all other New Zealanders and the security of all other New Zealanders. And I strongly disagree with that. I think when you're dealing with people who have chosen to leave New Zealand to go to places like Syria to partake in jihadi activities as terrorists and then those people come back into New Zealand their human rights should be curtailed because I want to live in a safe benign strategic environment. I strongly disagree that this legislation will fulfil its purposes and it is with some sadness that we find a piece of national security legislation being presented to the House tonight that National is unable to support because it is simply not fit for purpose."
Andersen GinnyGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour): Mr Speaker thank you for the opportunity for speaking on the Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Bill. It's great to see a Government supporting and moving ahead with a bill that protects the safety and security of New Zealanders. I think this is an excellent bill that gives New Zealanders the confidence that we are considering our position internationally and acting on the concerns that have been raised more than once on the international stage and that affect us here in New Zealand and I commend this bill to the House.
Garcia PauloPAULO GARCIA (National): Thank you Mr Speaker. I'd like to start by saying that our hearts go out to the victims and the families of the eruption at White Island.Speaking as a member of the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee in respect of the Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Bill I can confirm that 101 submissions were received 18 were made by oral evidence and many expressed their concern and their questions about why the bill was being rushed through the legislative process. We also heard from the Law Society and Amnesty International when they also raised concerns about the bill going into the civil and not criminal jurisdiction as well as whether the control orders could adequately protect New Zealanders.I can confirm that the National Party takes terrorism very very seriously. National believes that terrorism will not and shall not be tolerated in New Zealand and that we need to protect our communities at all costs. We believe that this bill does not adequately offer this protection at this time.Among the most glaring shortfalls I refer as many who have spoken before me to the age when control orders may be issued. We propose lowering it from 18 to 14. This is in recognition of the situation the global situation and also in recognition of what has happened in Australia and the UK. And we also want to increase the time for detention of people arriving at the borders thinking quite clearly that four hours is entirely insufficient should control orders be in the process of being secured. The Greens propose a review after two years. We believe that dealing with terrorism now cannot be left to an experiment. Thank you Mr Speaker.
Lubeck MarjaMARJA LUBECK (Labour): Thank you Mr Speaker—a short call on this bill. I found the messages from the Opposition in this debate quite confusing because on the one hand they seem to advocate for safer communities; on the other hand they have members standing up and saying things like they never thought they would be opposing a bill that is about the safety and security of our country but then they oppose it. As our honourable Minister Andrew Little has clearly outlined this particular bill addresses the benefit and safety of our communities and I commend it to the House. Thank you.
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): This is a great piece of legislation. I must say that I did have the opportunity of sitting on the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee on a number of occasions and there was a lot of discussion around two things. One was around detention without arrest and that's not something which this Government would contemplate in this context. The other was around the age at which detention should be possible or at which it should be possible to surveil these people—there was a suggestion that it should be 14 but we know that Oranga Tamariki has every ability to do this.On that basis this is an excellent piece of legislation. I commend it to the House.
Luxton JoJO LUXTON (Labour): I'm pleased to stand and take a short call on the Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Bill. Can I firstly acknowledge the Minister the Hon Andrew Little for bringing this to the House and I also would like to acknowledge the chairmanship of Simon O'Connor. I am not a member of the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee but I have sat in on it a couple of times and he does do a very good job of chairing. I'd also like to acknowledge the select committee because I can imagine this has probably been a fairly robust select committee. I think the fundamental purpose of this bill is ultimately to keep our communities and New Zealanders safe. So I have no hesitation in commending this bill to the House.
Huo RaymondRAYMOND HUO (Labour): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. On the occasion of the Whakaari tragedy it's not appropriate for us to take long calls on any bills actually. Having said that I do want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Minister of Education the Hon Chris Hipkins. After listening to his and other members' contributions I don't have anything further to add. I commend the bill to the House.Amendments recommended by the Education and Workforce Committee by majority agreed to.Bill read a second time.
Education (Pastoral Care) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
van de Molen TimTIM VAN DE MOLEN (National—Waikato): Thank you Mr Speaker. This bill is derived from a situation which arose in tragic circumstances. Loss of life in university halls is something that everyone regrets and I just want to extend my condolences to the family of Mason Pendrous during that difficult time that they have gone through.Now any young person going off to university who ends up in the halls has a significant change in lifestyle and whilst that generally is fun and exciting it can be challenging and daunting and at times lonely as well. So what we've proposed here is to put in place appropriate measures that will help to reduce the likelihood of any such repeat of the horrific event we saw down at the Canterbury University earlier this year.In that regard I think we've landed in the right space with this. The balance is appropriate enabling students to still have a level of independence whilst giving some additional support in that pastoral space because at the end of the day they are still in our university halls. There is an expectation that comes with certain controls and support as opposed to a flatting situation for example in the open market. So on that basis it's good to see the position we've got to here. We support this bill. Thank you.
Prime Willow-JeanWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour): E Te Māngai o Te Whare tēnā koe. I rise to stand in support of the Education (Pastoral Care) Amendment Bill. I acknowledge that this came out of a tragic event. I want to commend the Minister of Education the Hon Chris Hipkins for his swift action on this and also to mihi to the Education and Workforce Committee. I commend the bill to the House.
O'Connor Greg; Rurawhe AdrianGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu): Thank you Mr Speaker. I was recently lucky enough to be on a delegation to Indonesia and India and meeting with locals in those places one of the things they found attractive about New Zealand was the students and they were very keen to have their family members come here. The reassurance that those people will get from knowing that there will be a regulated overview of their offspring when they're here will go a long way to ensuring that that industry continues to be a productive part of our New Zealand economy. I therefore recommend this bill to the House.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Simeon Brown—five minutes.
Stanford Erica; Rurawhe AdrianERICA STANFORD (National—East Coast Bays): Thank you Mr Speaker. Please allow me also to add my sincere condolences to those families who have lost loved ones and also those who were injured in the horrific events of yesterday at White Island. I rise today just to take a very short call on the Education (Pastoral Care) Amendment Bill. I think it's been obviously clear at both the first reading and again today that National supports the bill. The tragic event that led to this bill should never have been able to happen. University is a time for students to experience a level of freedom and independence that they may not have experienced prior but with this freedom and this independence and a right to privacy must come a level of care in what can be a very challenging time for people who still need to be looked after who are often away from home for the first time. I must acknowledge the very good work of the Education and Workforce Committee and also of the Minister for bringing this bill to the House. This bill is good policy that seeks to strike a good balance between that wonderful freedom and independence that university life offers and the care and right level of welfare checks on those who are away from home. While I didn't sit on the select committee for this bill I note that there were some changes that were made around the definition of serious harm" as mentioned previously by my colleague Denise Lee and removing of references to types of treatment. I'm also pleased that the issue of privacy was well traversed in select committee as well as issues around proper consultation. This bill should provide parents and families with the assurance that they need that university students and their welfare will be more satisfactorily monitored from here on in and I commend this bill to the House.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): This is a split call. I call Greg O'Connor—five minutes."
Davidson MaramaMARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader—Green): The Greens support the Education (Pastoral Care) Amendment Bill. Every person deserves a safe place to live and for wellbeing to be a focus and a priority. Unfortunately a gap in care from student accommodation providers and a gap in clear expectations on universities meant that the recent death in Christchurch in a student hall of residence highlighted that this gap has failed to see everyone cared for in a way that they should be cared for. So we are supporting this bill as part of a solution which amends the Education Act and will enable the Minister of Education to issue a code of practice for the pastoral care of domestic tertiary education students. It will set out those expectations that up until now have been non-existent and unclear so providers know that there are standards to meet for students in tertiary student accommodation. We are very pleased to see this bill progress through this House. Thank you.
Lee DeniseDENISE LEE (National—Maungakiekie): Thank you so much Mr Speaker. I too join Parliament's corporate call acknowledging those affected by yesterday's tragedy. Of course this particular bill was brought on by a different kind of tragedy. So we do once again acknowledge here at the second reading Mason Pendrous the 19-year-old young adult who lost his life in a hall of residence. It was a privilege to be part of the select committee process that dealt with this bill and particularly the subcommittee that traversed some of the really quality submissions—noting the varied and wide-ranging opinions that came in and also acknowledging particularly the rather voluminous number of opinions that proved to be out of scope of this bill. It's not the first time in the education realm that we've had to hear a lot of submissions that stray outside the scope and we understand why but this was another case where people wanted to get on to the actual elements of the code and not stick with this particular enabling the bit of legislation. We are supporting the changes that the Education and Workforce Committee recommended. We want to acknowledge in good faith the decision to pretty much double the time frame and that was of particular importance to us. We negotiated for that so we're grateful for just a slight increase in time frame. We also would like to wish at this point in the process to point out that we still have ongoing issues around needing transparency for costs that may come and be associated with this particular legislation. So the two bits of the bill that I'll point out—Dr Shane Reti outlined six changes but the two particular big ones that I listened to in terms of submissions were around changing the definition of serious harm". I'd like to commend the Law Commission particularly. They really went to town on that particular point and we ended up removing references to the types of treatment. If we get practical the reason—well one of the reasons—why we did that and I think this is a good practical comment to raise is that we didn't want to disincentivise resident advisers from sending students for treatment. So there may have been a perverse effect by defining certain types of treatment and medical interventions—best to keep it broad so that medical professionals not politicians can decide the type of treatment that someone needs. The second point that I wish to raise is changing "safety" or "wellbeing" of the student to "ongoing welfare". We think that that particular term "ongoing welfare" was the right one to take.I'll leave it there. We've still got a way to go through this particular committee but what we're trying to do here is find balance. We want to encourage and incentivise good practice. We know that the current self-regulating approach hasn't worked. So somewhere along the line we want that balance to be achieved and it's been a good cross-party process so far. Thank you."
Jones ShaneHon SHANE JONES (Minister of Forestry): I acknowledge the chairperson of the Education and Workforce Committee Dr Parmar and largely agree with everything that she said which may come as a surprise. The code which has been introduced into this legislation now has enforceability. It arose from a tragedy down in Canterbury. It is something that has been well traversed by the select committee in a spirit of collaboration. I stand to support the bill.
Salesa JennyHon JENNY SALESA (Associate Minister of Education): Thank you Mr Speaker. The Education (Pastoral Care) Amendment Bill will improve the wellbeing and pastoral care of our students living in university halls of residence and other tertiary hostels. There's currently no consistent approach to the wellbeing of our domestic tertiary students and this bill addresses that. I commend this bill to the House.
Faafoi KrisHon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Broadcasting Communications and Digital Media) on behalf of the Minister for Racing: I move That the Racing Industry Bill be reported to the House by 17 April 2020. Motion agreed to.
Racing Industry Bill — First Reading
Huo RaymondRAYMOND HUO (Labour): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. I want to echo those members who spoke before me and I feel for the victims and their families of the Whakaari tragedy. The racing industry is important to us. I commend the bill to the House. Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee.
Motions — Parliamentary Service Commission Appointment—Chlöe Swarbrick
Ministerial Statements — Whakaari/White Island—Eruption
Visitors — Parliament of Australia—Joint Committee on the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity
Prime Willow-JeanWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour): E Te Māngai o Te Whare tēnā koe. Tuatahi e tautoko ana ahau i te āhuatanga o ngā mihimihi i tēnei rā mō ngā whānau pani ā otirā rātou katoa kei raro i te kapua pōuri mō tērā aikaha aituā aroha mai ki Whakaari.[Greetings to you Mr Speaker. Firstly I support the nature of the acknowledgments today of the bereaved families and indeed of all those who are enveloped by sadness from the tragedy at Whakaari / White Island.]I am pleased to stand and support the Racing Industry Bill. I want to acknowledge the Rt Hon Winston Peters for bringing this bill forward. There is a need within the industry and therefore I commend this bill to the House.
Walker HamishHAMISH WALKER (National—Clutha-Southland): As we've previously heard National supports this bill to the select committee stage. We do have some concerns but before I outline those concerns can I just acknowledge all the people across New Zealand and especially in rural New Zealand who take part in the racing industry. Quite often in small towns it is the social occasion of the year. I have been known to have a wee flutter every now and again but not successfully so I haven't done so in a couple years. I'd better not mention here considering we live in a PC world the fancy dress that I wore to some racing events when I was younger. I just want to use one example which is the Gore Racing Club. This is a racing club in one of the most beautiful parts of the country and it's not used just for racing—Andrew Falloon: Gorgeous. HAMISH WALKER: Thank you Mr Falloon. It is gorgeous but it's actually used by the Scout club and the bridge club they have an A and P show there and they have shearing champs every second year there. Years of dedication and hard work has gone into the racing club by the local community. One aspect of the bill that we're not too happy about—and I acknowledge Minister Sage she did sort of make reference to this—is around Subpart 2 in Part 1. This means the transfer of assets and surpluses if the Minister closed down clubs. What does that mean? Basically the Minister can come in sell up the club sell up the land and use those assets and put it in a greater pool which in Gore's case could be used for clubs or the industry in the North Island. We don't agree with that. You only need to look at the quote from the Gore Racing Club president Justine Abernethy. This comment was made about a year ago: Our worst-case scenario if we go down what the Messara Report wants us to do is we're going to have to sell all our assets"—all that goodwill built up over the generations by hard-working farmers in Southland—"and that money should go back to the community." That was their worst-case scenario. Unfortunately under this—under Subpart 2—the Minister can come in use his hands and use that money elsewhere. This is not good and for that reason we will support it to the select committee stage but we hope the Government works with us on this for the good of New Zealand racing and ensures that Subpart 2 is worked out because it's not fair. A local community builds up a racing course assets and surpluses for generations and often donating stock to raise money for the club and often donating a large number of assets only for the Minister to come in and use that money elsewhere."
O'Connor GregGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu): I'll be one of many New Zealanders who will be enjoying the races—in my case the Westport Boxing Day races—this year. This year when my colleagues—who I've known for many years—start lamenting the state of the track the state of the crowd and the state of the stakes I'll be able to reassure them that finally we have a Government that is trying to address that and that if we get this right we can restore the stakes we can restore the crowds and we can restore the number of horses in that field. Therefore I have no hesitation in commending this Racing Industry Bill to the House.
van de Molen Tim; Rurawhe AdrianTIM VAN DE MOLEN (National—Waikato): Thank you Mr Speaker. I'd firstly like to start by acknowledging the terribly tragedy that's occurred at White Island as well and thank the first responders for the work they have done and continue to do and extend our condolences to the families impacted by this. Now with this particular piece of legislation the Racing Industry Bill in its first reading here today we are supporting it. You've already heard today some of the concerns we have but actually I just want to touch on the fact that the racing industry is an important sector and speaking particularly as the MP for Waikato it's a very proud part of the success of the Waikato. We see every day the benefits that industry brings to our communities so we absolutely need to be doing more to support them and I am encouraged by the attempts to do so although within this bill there are some very significant concerns. The biggest one of those is around the potential transfer of assets and we simply can't support the Minister for Racing's capacity under this legislation to do that. There are countless volunteers who contribute massive amounts of time to the racing sector volunteering at their local tracks in whatever capacity and making the day a real success for those communities. It may only be a couple of race meets a year that they have but it's a big event for the community. To lose that would be a real shame but more so to have their assets—all that hard work that's been built up over years of volunteer contributions—be stripped away and reprioritised at the Minister's discretion. So that is a concern and we certainly hope to be able to address that through the select committee process. So we are supporting it to that stage initially but under its current form it just gives too much power to the Minister and we've actually seen that trend in a number of pieces of legislation put forward by this Government where it's the attitude that they know best rather than the industry being able lead in whichever particular field it is. This is a fine example in the racing industry where again the Minister wants to have all the power without being required to consult the industry or come back before this House. So we have concerns about that. We're hoping to address that so we are supporting it because we do want to see some positive change for the industry and see them better off as a result of it. So we'll do what we can to ensure that happens. Thank you. ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): This is a split call. I call Greg O'Connor—five minutes.
McAnulty KieranKIERAN McANULTY (Labour): Thank you Mr Speaker. I too like other members would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge those that are suffering and grieving as a result of the explosion at Whakaari / White Island. Today is not the day for grandstanding or cheap political points and indeed I will not be taking the opportunity to correct some of the scaremongering that we're hearing on the other side of the House. The Labour Party's proud to support this bill. It is a bill that is needed and it is a bill that will support an industry that many of us love. I love nothing more than sitting there on a Saturday afternoon listening to Tony Lee cheering on the field down the long straight at Trentham inevitably to see the final leg of my multi fall over. It is a fantastic industry that supports many regions and provinces where many of us here in this House live and I think that this bill under the leadership of the Minister for Racing the Rt Hon Winston Peters will be seen and looked back on in history as the thing that rejuvenated this industry. I commend it to the House.
Peters Winston; Mallard TrevorRACING INDUSTRY BILLFirst ReadingRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Minister for Racing): I move That the Racing Industry Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Transport and Infrastructure Committee to consider the bill. At the appropriate time I intend to move that the bill be reported to the House by 17 April 2020. SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to. Rt Hon Winston Peters: In April—SPEAKER: No no. The member sat down. [Interruption] Order!
Hipkins ChrisPARLIAMENTARY SERVICE COMMISSIONMembershipHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move That under sections 15(1)(d) and 17(2)(a) of the Parliamentary Service Act 2000 Chlöe Swarbrick be appointed as a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission in place of Gareth Hughes. Motion agreed to.
Bennett PaulaHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National): Thank you Mr Speaker. I rise on behalf of Simon Bridges and the National Party to join the Government and to thank the Government actually for the update and for the work that's been going on. I don't propose to know half as much as the Prime Minister has just laid out for us in this House and as such won't be traversing the same facts as what she has put on the table.It is for us to show our respect to all of those that have been working at this very traumatic time to acknowledge what is a personal sacrifice for those professionals who put themselves forward and in the face and those volunteers that do it on a daily basis. At times like this it makes us recognise the extraordinariness of them.But now is about those victims. It is about the family members. It is about those that have gone through probably the worst 24 hours of their lives as they have wondered if their loved ones were there and if they were the ones that got off or not and if they were going to be OK. It is hard for us to imagine as people around the world are now discovering the grief that they must be going through with somewhere that is so far away for them and unknown.As the Minister of Tourism—about 2½ years ago it must have been—I actually went on to White Island. I had fished around it quite a bit in my time; my parents were in Ōpōtiki and we used to go out from there. But walking on it it is quite incredible: the power and the beauty of it. Our earth has opened up and exploded and taken some lives in with it. For those that are not from New Zealand understanding that our land has taken them; our land now looks after them and will always show that kind of respect.So on behalf of the Opposition we would like to recognise those that are suffering we'd like to recognise those that are working so closely behind it and we'd like to thank the Government for the work that they're doing at the moment. Thank you.
Mallard TrevorTUESDAY 10 DECEMBER 2019The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Karakia.VISITORSParliament of Australia—Joint Committee on the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement IntegritySPEAKER: I am sure members would want to welcome members of the Joint Committee on the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity from the Parliament of Australia led by Senator Catryna Bilyk who are present in the gallery.
Thursday 5 December 2019 - Volume 743
Education and Training Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Education and Training Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 63New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.Noes 56New Zealand National 54; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Education and Workforce Committee.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson): And a Minister's going to move the report-back date.Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister for Economic Development) on behalf of the Minister of Education: I move That the Education and Training Bill be reported to the House by 4 May 2020.Motion agreed to.
11. Question No. 11—Local GovernmentHon JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister of Local GovernmentQuestion No. 11—Local Government11. Hon JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister of Local Government: Does she stand by all her statements and policies?Hon DAVID PARKER (Attorney-General) on behalf of the Minister of Local Government: Yes.Hon Jacqui Dean: What advice has she received on the cost-benefit analysis for the wellbeing framework?Hon DAVID PARKER: I haven't got that information before me. If the first question had been more specific I would be able to answer that question. I suggest she puts that question down in writing and the Minister will answer it.Hon Jacqui Dean: Thank you. What are the mechanisms proposed for central government to engage with local wellbeing priorities" and does this amount to a central government takeover?Hon DAVID PARKER: In response to the second part of the question no.Hon Jacqui Dean: If when she said in answer to oral question No. 10 on 23 October quoting several examples of councils working effectively with the community including on stream enhancement and with training providers why does she believe that a whole new wellbeing framework will need to be added on top of all that?Hon DAVID PARKER: Again I can't answer that on behalf of the Minister who is not present. I'm sure she'd be happy to answer that question either orally or pursuant to a written question.Hon Jacqui Dean: Which councils are not acting in the best interests of their ratepayers and therefore need to implement the wellbeing framework?Hon DAVID PARKER: I'm aware that the prior Government narrowed the wellbeings that councils were responsible to address and this Government thinks that was unwise."
9. Question No. 9—ImmigrationSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister of ImmigrationQuestion No. 9—Immigration9. STUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister of Immigration: Does he have confidence in Immigration New Zealand's ability to process visas in a timeframe that prevents people from being in New Zealand unlawfully?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister of Immigration): Thank you Mr Speaker. Timely visa processing is important to me. Officials are working hard to address the issues that we inherited from the previous Government. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is making good progress in reducing processing times across key categories. I'm confident that the extra 177 staff that Immigration New Zealand has employed will continue to improve processing times. For those on expiring interim visas INZ has issued new visas for nearly everyone affected; the remainder will be issued in the next 24 hours. INZ have also instituted a new process to ensure that new visas are issued to anyone approaching the limits of their interim visa.Stuart Smith: Why were 108 people given an option by his officials to remain in New Zealand unlawfully once their interim visas expired due to their visa applications not being processed on time?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: That was the wrong thing to do. Immigration New Zealand has apologised and that process has been changed.Stuart Smith: Did his officials advise these 108 applicants their unlawful status will almost certainly affect their ability to get visas to enter other countries?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: The people who were affected by this are getting new visas issued. They will no longer be unlawful and that will no longer be a problem for them.Stuart Smith: Why were his officials whose job it is to enforce immigration law advising people they could break immigration law?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: As I said that was the wrong thing to do. Immigration New Zealand has apologised and the situation has been sorted.Stuart Smith: Will he apologise for overseeing a situation that allowed the reputations of at least 108 people to be compromised due to becoming unlawful persons who will now face difficulty when they apply for visas to other countries?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Immigration New Zealand has apologised and that's the right thing to do.
7. Question No. 7—DefenceDARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Minister of DefenceQuestion No. 7—Defence7. DARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Minister of Defence: What recent announcements has he made regarding infrastructure at Ohakea air base?Hon RON MARK (Minister of Defence): On Friday I turned the first sod of earth commencing the first phase of the infrastructure work at Ōhākea—Hon Gerry Brownlee: Biggest day's work ever as a Minister.Hon RON MARK: —for the new P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft fleet Mr Brownlee. Phase one will prepare Ōhākea for the arrival of the P-8s—work which will include earthworks site preparation roads utilities and runway aprons and will be delivered by the defence industry member Fulton Hogan at a cost of $64.5 million. This announcement reinforces this coalition Government's commitment to its men and women of the Defence Force through providing them with the necessary tools and infrastructure to maintain New Zealand's security respond quickly to events and to ultimately save lives.Darroch Ball: What are the next steps in the P-8 infrastructure project?Hon RON MARK: Phase two will focus on building and construction with work expected to start in the second quarter of 2020. This will deliver crew maintenance simulator buildings an operations centre hangars warehousing and maintenance facilities to ensure the P-8s are fully supported in the performance of their very valuable role. All infrastructure work is expected to be completed by early 2022 at a cost of over $200 million in time for the arrival of the first aircraft in 2023.Darroch Ball: What benefits will this project deliver for the Manawatū region?Hon RON MARK: There's so much I could—SPEAKER: Briefly. Pick one or two.Hon RON MARK: At peak this project is going to deliver 300 jobs employing people in the local region. It will bring about 450 to 500 people into the surrounding region. Every dollar that Defence invests in the region is expected to deliver a twofold boost in GDP meaning that the investment in the infrastructure alone will add an estimated $400 million to the region's GDP. These major boosts in the economy will assist the surrounding regions once again reinforcing this Government's commitment to the regions. I have to say—SPEAKER: Order! Order! That's enough.Hon RON MARK: Oh—SPEAKER: No you don't have to say it all.
4. Question No. 4—FinanceWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 4—Finance4. WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on New Zealand's economy and financial system?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Today the Reserve Bank released the final decisions of its review into bank capital which began in May 2017. It is important to note that the Reserve Bank operates independently in these matters. It carried out four phases of consultation during the process and commissioned three independent reviews. Compared to the draft proposals earlier this year the Reserve Bank is giving banks seven years instead of five to meet the new capital requirements and greater flexibility on the specific financial instruments that they can use with a more cost-effective mix of funding options. I am pleased that the comprehensive consultation process has seen interested parties listen constructively to each other as they work through the process. The bottom line here is ensuring that consumers know their money is safe and the banking system is effective.Willow-Jean Prime: What analysis has he seen on how the new proposals will affect bank lending?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: New Zealand's banking system is one of the most profitable in the world. Over the past 10 years the four large Australian-owned banks generated $39 billion in profit after tax and distributed $22 billion of that to their parent companies. I am advised that the Reserve Bank thinks the seven-year transition period will allow banks to meet the new requirements through retained earnings and that the Reserve Bank sees no need for them to reduce lending growth. While I am advised that some banks will be affected more than others as a whole banks will be able to meet the new requirements and still maintain some dividends to their shareholders. At the end of the seven-year transition under this scenario the Reserve Bank estimates lending would be no more than 1 percent lower than if the changes announced today were not made.Willow-Jean Prime: Why is it important for the economy to have a strong and stable banking system?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: A strong and stable banking system is essential for the confidence of New Zealand consumers. This process is about protecting the money New Zealanders have in the bank. New Zealanders said during the consultation process that they wanted a safer and more secure banking system and at the end of the day it is about protecting their money. I am confident that the proposals today will mean our banking system will be able to withstand a one-in-200-year event like a serious global financial crisis. It's also worth noting that the proposals allow for more competition between banks. A more secure and competitive banking system ultimately supports a stronger economy over the long run. By reducing risk there will be more confidence in the economy. I know that this process has been a difficult one but now is the time for everyone who believes in the importance of New Zealand having a safe and secure banking system to work together to make sure the changes are implemented practically and fairly.
1. Question No. 1—Commerce and Consumer AffairsDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer AffairsORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Commerce and Consumer Affairs1. Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What recent announcements has he seen on the retail fuel market?Hon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs): Today the Commerce Commission has released its final report on the retail fuel market sector. It confirmed that (a) fuel companies have been making persistently higher profits than we would expect from a competitive market; (b) wholesale supplier relationships including restrictive contract terms between major fuel companies and resellers limit the resellers' ability to switch supplier which hampers competitive pricing for people at the bowser; and (c) an active wholesale market for fuel does not exist in New Zealand. The report confirms our concerns that consumers are paying higher prices for petrol and diesel than they should be in a competitive market. We accept the commission's findings and the Prime Minister has said we are ready to act on them.Dr Duncan Webb: How will the Government respond to these findings?Hon KRIS FAAFOI: The Commerce Commission study found a lack of competition in wholesale markets. We'll be introducing the best options to increase competition which will make prices fairer on the forecourt. The Government will take the Commerce Commission's findings to Cabinet with a view to swiftly implementing changes such as a more transparent wholesale pricing regime greater contractual freedoms and fairer terms to facilitate competition in the wholesale market introducing an enforceable code of conduct for the industry and improved transparency of premium-grade fuel pricing. The Government intends for these changes to be implemented by the middle of next year.Dr Duncan Webb: What difference will this make to consumers at the pump?Hon KRIS FAAFOI: This is about breaking the big—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Order!Hon KRIS FAAFOI: This is about breaking the big fuel companies' stranglehold on supply and getting more competition into the market to benefit consumers. We know that in parts of New Zealand where there is better retail fuel competition prices are lower. The changes we are working on will make it easier for new entrants to compete in more parts of New Zealand. This view was driven home yesterday by Rangitata MP Andrew Falloon who told The Timaru Herald When new entrants like Waitomo and Gull enter local markets the effect on reducing fuel prices is stark." I thank him for his support."
Allan Kiritapu; Dyson RuthKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour): It's a delight to be able to round this fantastic week out with a riveting contribution in the time that I have on the Farm Debt Mediation Bill (No 2).ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson): I'm sorry to interrupt the member but the time has come for me to leave the Chair.Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 6 p.m.
Bennett David; Dyson RuthHon DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East): Madam Speaker I won't take all that time. I just want to say that it's been canvassed quite a bit during the earlier debates on the bill. It's not going to really achieve a lot but it is something that the Government has put forward and the Primary Production Committee worked together to get the best bill out of it as possible and we commend it to the House.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson): Thank you for that contribution.
Dyson RuthFARM DEBT MEDIATION BILL (NO 2)Third ReadingDebate resumed from 3 December.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson): Members when we were last debating the Farm Debt Mediation Bill (No 2) the Hon David Bennett had the call and has eight minutes 50 seconds remaining to speak should he wish to take it.