7. Question No. 7—Prime MinisterBROOKE VAN VELDEN (Deputy Leader—ACT) to the Acting Prime MinisterQuestion No. 7—Prime Minister7. BROOKE VAN VELDEN (Deputy Leader—ACT) to the Acting Prime Minister: Does he stand by his Government's statements and policies?Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Acting Prime Minister): Yes and as we've just heard particularly the 10037 additional public homes delivered since Labour came into office. Investing in public housing is a priority of this Government—more than 10 percent of all public housing in New Zealand has been built under this Government. After a lost decade that left New Zealand with 1500 fewer State homes and a backlog of deferred maintenance this Government has rebuilt the State's ability to grow and provide public housing with the biggest State housing - building and improvement programme since the 1970s. Warm and dry public housing provides an important safety net for New Zealanders. It is crucial for the health security and stability of individuals and whānau.Brooke van Velden: How does the Government spend $14 million hire 750 people and still fail to get basic things right—like not giving the cost of living payment to non - New Zealanders living overseas?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Again there's members on the other side of the House that are opposed to the cost of living payment. The reality is there's 1.3 million New Zealanders and counting because when others get their tax returns filed for this year they're very appreciative of the fact that they're getting the cost of living payment.Brooke van Velden: Given that policy experts—SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member will start the question again. You don't ever start a question with a Given".Brooke van Velden: When policy experts care-experienced youth organisations working directly with children and young people and all other political parties are saying that the Oranga Tamariki oversight bill creates the risk of increased abuse and the potential for abuse to be swept under the carpet will the Government consider withdrawing the Oranga Tamariki oversight bill?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: The short answer to that is no. We believe that it will give Oranga Tamariki the oversight that it actually needs and I know that the Minister for Children believes that Oranga Tamariki needs strong oversight. Brooke van Velden: Does he stand by the Government's policy of using Shortland Street to promote nursing as a career option and how does he respond to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation president Anne Daniels who responded "Is this for real?"Hon KELVIN DAVIS: So I'd caution the member on making light of the reach Shortland Street has. With viewership of 350000 people a night that's a lot of potential future nurses healthcare assistants and allied health workforce. Hon Gerry Brownlee: Oh come on.Hon Dr Megan Woods: Oh you know you watch it Gerry.SPEAKER: Order! Who was that? Hon Gerry Brownlee: It was Megan Woods. SPEAKER: No no—there was noise from both sides and the loudest—[Interruption]Hon Dr Megan Woods: It was me. SPEAKER: Well is the member taking her mask off in order to withdraw and apologise?Hon Dr Megan Woods: Oh sorry no—I'll put it back.SPEAKER: Well I'm just trying to work out if the member pleaded guilty to causing that ruckus.Hon Dr Megan Woods: I did.SPEAKER: Right. Well withdraw and apologise.Hon Dr Megan Woods: I withdraw and apologise.SPEAKER: And I just want to warn the people who reacted to the member not to because your reaction was louder than the original crime.Brooke van Velden: What does he say to Prudence Thomson of Accent Health Recruitment who says it is "insane" that nurses are not on a tier 1 straight-to-residence pathway and does he accept that doing so could be more effective at improving the health workforce than using Shortland Street?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: There is now a clear pathway to residency for all registered nurses based on their occupation so long as they stay a nurse for two years. This is a globally competitive offer and it's also interesting to note that since 2017 there has been an increase of 4276 fulltime-equivalent nurses and also an increase in doctors by 1765. This Government has been addressing the problems in the health system; understanding as well and appreciating that the health sector has been under incredible strain over the last couple of years."