edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
11. Question No. 11—Housing (Māori Housing)ARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing)Question No. 11—Housing (Māori Housing)11. ARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing): What initiatives has the Government funded through Budget 2021 to support Māori whānau to meet their housing aspirations?Hon PEENI HENARE (Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing)): Alongside the Minister of Housing and my fellow Māori housing and Māori development colleagues we have listened to the ongoing call for more action to address the housing issues our people are facing. We have secured $380 million to deliver approximately a thousand new homes for Māori housing repairs to about 700 Māori-owned homes and capability to iwi and Māori groups to accelerate housing projects and support services. In addition this Government has also ring-fenced $350 million for infrastructure to enable Māori-led housing supply from the $3.8 billion Housing Acceleration Fund.Arena Williams: How will this investment strengthen the Māori Crown partnership?Hon PEENI HENARE: Māori have an opportunity to reshape and drive the future of the Māori housing continuum and change what the statistics tell us today—this Government is here to support and enable that. We will see the Crown partner with iwi and Māori to achieve greater scale through new housing delivery models. A key benefit is that housing solutions are delivered by those who have the best understanding of the needs of their people.Arena Williams: How has the Budget announcement been received by Māori?Hon PEENI HENARE: Alongside my Māori ministerial colleagues we are currently travelling around the motu kanohi ki te kanohi to discuss Budget 2021. We have met with housing providers iwi and Māori whānau from Te Wai Pounamu Taranaki Te Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau to discuss in detail what the Budget means for them. At our hui we are cheerfully greeted and I can assure the members opposite there are many hongi shared and not one single head-butt in sight. The feedback we are hearing is Kua tae te wā—it is about time". Feedback from Māori is best summarised by Dame Tariana Turia who said "This is the best Budget we've had in a long [long] time.""
10. Question No. 10—COVID-19 ResponseCHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister for COVID-19 ResponseQuestion No. 10—COVID-19 Response10. CHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: Which district health boards are delaying vaccinations of Group 3 until at least July due to having insufficient doses available for Groups 1 and 2 populations and is he satisfied with the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in New Zealand?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): None and yes.Chris Bishop: Is he confident the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out will scale up to deliver 76000 vaccination doses per day for 49 days in a row in September and October as the Auditor-General report noted would have to be the case for the Government to meet its target of everyone being offered a vaccination by the end of the year?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes.Chris Bishop: Is there any correlation between the at least one month delay of the COVID-19 vaccine national booking system roll-out and the delay in group 4 vaccinations starting from July to the end of July which the Government confirmed last week?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: No.Chris Bishop: Why are more than 10 district health boards who are in charge of the vaccine roll-out not collecting data on which of their staff have been vaccinated and which haven't?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: That's a question for those district health boards.SPEAKER: No I mean I was sort of waiting for the point of order to come. I think the Minister is responsible to the House for those district health boards. He might want to say that he doesn't have the information from them but they can't answer in this House. He is responsible for them and I think he should have another attempt at answering the question properly.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The National Immunisation Register provides district health boards with the ability to access data on every one of their staff members who has had a vaccine.
8. Question No. 8—Economic and Regional DevelopmentTANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North) to the Minister for Economic and Regional DevelopmentQuestion No. 8—Economic and Regional Development8. TANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North) to the Minister for Economic and Regional Development: Fa'afetai tele lava Mr Speaker. What announcements has he made about supporting regional development?Hon STUART NASH (Minister for Economic and Regional Development): Fa'afetai Mr Speaker. Last week I visited that member's home town of Palmerston North to announce the launch of the $200 million Regional Strategic Partnership Fund (RSPF) to replace the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF). This delivers on the Labour manifesto commitment and it is the next step to keep up the momentum of economic recovery in the regions. Over this parliamentary term this fund has three goals. The first one is: it will work with local partnerships to enable economic and business development; the second one: it would accelerate Māori economic aspirations; and the third one is: it will support sector transformation. The creation of the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund is a significant move and represents another step forward towards creating a more productive innovative resilient and sustainable economy.Tangi Utikere: What feedback has he received on this announcement from regional leaders?Hon STUART NASH: Quite a lot of feedback. Let me give you a couple of examples. In the member's own region of Manawatū and nearby Whanganui the economic development group Accelerate25 described it as excellent news. The Horizons Regional Council chief executive Michael McCartney said and I quote To confirm central government will continue prioritising regional economic development is excellent news as we build on the next phase to establish the Central North Island as a growth centre for the New Zealand economy." The Employers and Manufacturers Association chief executive Brett O'Riley says the $200 million Regional Strategic Partnership Fund will be welcomed by its members particularly in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. I could go on but I won't.SPEAKER: You have already. Tangi Utikere: How will this fund build on existing investments?Hon STUART NASH: The PGF has invested more than $3.11 billion in regional economic development in its three-year life but we are now taking a new approach. This fund will act more as seed capital for regional priorities and will focus on building strong partnerships to help regions realise their economic potential. Central government will partner with local government iwi unions businesses community organisations and other agencies to identify priorities and co-funding opportunities. The partnership approach of the RSPF will be strategic and region-led and will continue to be supported by Government."
6. Question No. 6—HealthSARAH PALLETT (Labour—Ilam) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 6—Health6. SARAH PALLETT (Labour—Ilam) to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about adult cochlear implants?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health): The number of adults getting cochlear implants for hearing loss will almost double as part of the investment announced in Budget 2021. More than $28 million over four years will see an increase of publicly funded cochlear implants go from 86 per year to 166 per year.Sarah Pallett: How many people will be able to access these implants due to this investment?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: In our 2020 election manifesto we promised to double the number of cochlear implants to Government funds and we have. This investment means that 320 more people will get cochlear implants by 2025.Sarah Pallett: What will this mean for adults waiting for an implant?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: Severe or profound hearing loss has a huge impact on people affecting their family lives their social lives and their ability to work. I was impressed with a story from a person who stopped me in the street recently to tell me of the impact on her brother who was in his 50s who benefited from the increase in investment this Government put in cochlear implants at the end of last year. He rang her to tell her that for the first time he heard his grandkids and he was—and this was April—off to the beach would you believe not to swim but so he could go and listen to the waves. It's those simple things that make a huge difference to the enjoyment of people's lives and increases their wellbeing.
4. Question No. 4—HealthDr SHANE RETI (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 4—Health4. Dr SHANE RETI (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health): Talofa lava Mr Speaker. Yes.Dr Shane Reti: What measures had he taken if any before the cyber-security attack at Waikato DHB to reassure himself the cyber-security measures in place were appropriate?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I became aware when I became Minister of Health of the many problems in IT systems across our health sector largely because of significant under-investment by the previous Government and that is why in the Budget just two weeks ago we increased investment across the system by $385 million.Dr Shane Reti: Can he confirm reports that the Ministry of Health turned down a DHB sector-wide cyber-security platform in 2019 because of the cost; and if so what was the cost?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: No I can't confirm that. What I can confirm the Ministry of Health did following events in 2019 in relation to Tū Ora Compass a primary health organisation (PHO) which suffered a major incursion in their database and their systems was to talk to the sector about how PHOs could get better protection for their cyber-security.Dr Shane Reti: Has he checked that all cyber-security measures at Waikato DHB before the recent cyber-attack were running the latest software versions and malware signatures?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I'm satisfied that the Ministry of Health and its IT leadership were well in touch with the needs of DHBs across the country by providing guidance and standards that the DHBs had to meet.Dr Shane Reti: Can he confirm the answer to annual review questions that Waikato DHB had not undertaken a full restore from back-up in the previous year; and if so how does he explain this?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: No I can't confirm that.
White HelenHELEN WHITE (Labour): Talofa lava. I just want to make two short points about this bill. This bill will actually do something really significant for our community. It's about climate change yes but I just want to talk for a second about the health issues involved in this. The study that I read—it's called Mission Possible—showed that worldwide if we adopt this standard it will save 40000 lives a year. That's a lot of lives and it's worth remembering. I commend this bill to the House.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee.The House adjourned at 9.56 p.m.
Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Bill — First Reading
Ngobi TerisaTERISA NGOBI (Labour—Ōtaki): Fa'afetai i lau Afioga le Fofoga o le Maota. Can I first just quickly acknowledge Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa / Samoan Language Week and also Samoan Independence Day today.It's a privilege and an honour as always to be able to get up and take a call on this maritime transport amendment bill which addresses the impact of shipping emissions by aligning domestic legislation with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. This bill also provides a Minister with the power to make rules around maritime protection. But I just wanted to pick up on the push in terms of actually the full mahi that this Government is doing in terms of climate change and so this bill is part of that bigger mahi part of that bigger work. So for me and the Ōtaki electorate we have many of our Kiribati community that have had to come to New Zealand come to Ōtaki electorate and while they're grateful to be in New Zealand grateful to be able to still practise their traditions and cultures they miss their motherland. They wish they could still be in Kiribati but due to climate change and the erosion of their islands they've had to come to New Zealand. So for me on many levels the climate change—and as the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern has said this is a climate change crisis at the moment and so this bill and the other work that this Government are doing in terms of the climate change space I absolutely support and I commend this bill to the House.
Parker DavidHon DAVID PARKER (Minister for the Environment): There seems to be some misunderstanding amongst some members as to what this bill does. It does reduce particulate pollution from marine fuels it doesn't reduce carbon dioxide—carbon in carbon out. So it has virtually no impact on carbon dioxide emissions.Can I thank other members for their contributions in respect of this—Christopher Luxon Government members they all got that this was essentially about marine fuels and although there's a tangential reference in there to ballast water I was somewhat bemused by the ACT Party's constant reference to ballast water when this is mainly about gases and sulphur dioxide. In the end I thought that once again the ACT Party had to find objection to any form of regulation even good regulation and I concluded that really Simon Court is the Dennis Denuto of the ACT Party—it's the treaty it's MARPOL it's the vibe of the thing.
Faafoi Kris; Rurawhe AdrianCOVID-19 ORDERSApprovalHon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Justice) on behalf of the Minister for COVID-19 Response: I move That this House approve the following orders made under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020:COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border and Isolation and Quarantine) Amendment Order 2021;COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) Amendment Order (No 2) 2021;COVID-19 Public Health Response (Point-of-care Tests) Order 2021;COVID-19 Public Health Response (Required Testing) Amendment Order 2021;COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border Isolation and Quarantine and Required Testing) Amendment Order 2021;COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) Amendment Order (No 3) 2021;COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021.DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to.
Sepuloni CarmelHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): I move That this debate be now adjourned.Motion agreed to.
Salesa JennyASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): Before I call the next speaker I would like to remind all members to be respectful of everyone else who gives a speech. When you do get up to give your speech I'm sure you don't want everyone else to be talking and not paying attention. You may not want to hear the speeches but I actually do.
Urgent Debates Declined — Ransomware Attack—Waikato District Health Board
Mallard TrevorURGENT DEBATES DECLINEDRansomware Attack—Waikato District Health BoardSPEAKER: I have received a letter from Brooke van Velden seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the ransomware attack on the Waikato District Health Board. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. Public confidence in the health system and the confidentiality of patient information is important. When considering an urgent debate application the Speaker takes into account whether there are any other parliamentary means of debating the matter. The Budget is set to continue today with 6½ hours remaining and it provides an opportunity to debate this issue. The application is therefore declined. I will say however that this application was well framed and if it wasn't for the Budget debate I would have granted the application.
Waititi RawiriRAWIRI WAITITI (Co-Leader—Te Paati Māori): Talofa lava manuia fa'afetai i le Atua manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa. Tēnā koe e te Pīka. Tēnā tātou e te Whare. I rise on behalf of Te Paati Māori to show our aroha and support for the Canterbury region at this time as they deal with the severe storms flooding and all the stress and disruption that has been caused as a result. I want to acknowledge Ngāi Tahu for their tremendous effort to support and uplift their communities of Ōtautahi. In particular I send the mihi of Te Paati Māori to the hau kāinga of Hakatere Marae the Ashburton marae who have opened their doors to all the whānau and communities. This is a demonstration of the manaakitanga that is absolutely central to our tikanga and culture. Time and time again no matter what the nature of the emergency it is tangata whenua and it is our marae who open their doors and provide the relief and care that people need when they are dealing with emergencies and may need to evacuate their homes to ensure their families are safe. I too acknowledge local and central government for committing resources and funding to support Canterbury with the significant impacts of the flooding. No effort no pūtea should be spared in giving mana whenua whānau businesses and communities the support they need at this time. Nō reira tēnā koutou kia ora tātou kātoa.
Ministerial Statements — Canterbury Floods
Severin ToniTONI SEVERIN (ACT): ACT stands in support. We know the people of Canterbury are people who have shown time and time again their resilience in the face of adversity but this does not make events like this easier for those affected at this time. A large amount of damage has been currently seen to the local infrastructure and farming land in the area. This is particularly significant obviously for the families and farms affected but also the entire South Island who are connected to this region. Some of the affected roading includes damage to the Ashburton Bridge a transport route that carries tens of thousands of vehicles every day.I do want to acknowledge the Government for declaring an adverse event in the region to unlock a level of support for farmers and growers but we also recognise that the impact of this will not end tomorrow. The land will take time to recover and roads will take time to be repaired. Especially as we head into winter it is vital that we provide the support necessary for this region. From the ACT Party we want to especially recognise the work that has been done from the local authorities to all the people in the communities who are coming together to support those affected in this region.
Shaw JamesHon JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green): Let me start by thanking the Deputy Prime Minister for updating the House on the situation in Canterbury. All of us across the country are concerned about the impact of the flooding on the people of Canterbury.First off I would like to welcome the support and assistance that our Government is providing to local communities. Ashburton Hinds and the rural areas around mid-Canterbury including Ashburton have been particularly hard hit as well as areas around the Waimakariri District. I'd like to join with the Deputy Prime Minister in acknowledging the extraordinary response of the local community the first responders emergency and management staff the volunteer fire brigades and those who have been out in the pouring rain and cold repairing power lines and ensuring that local infrastructure holds up and the friends families and neighbours who have come together to offer others a safe sanctuary or the simple pleasure of a warm cup of tea and a hot shower. The severity of the storm is such that lives could have been lost but for the extraordinary collective effort of people on the ground. What we've seen in the response effort is the spirit of cooperation and togetherness that Canterbury is known for around the world. It's during very difficult times like this that we're reminded of the importance of community and of looking out for each other—those moments when the small frustrations that we all experience vanish into the background and we focus on what really matters: community a warm safe place to rest and family.As river levels begin mercifully to drop attention will turn to the process of recovery. There will be clean-up to do. People will still need help somewhere warm to sleep and a warm place to rest. Kids will still need to get to school. We're already seeing offers of support come in and we need to make sure that this House and our Government are there to help for as long as people need it.Marama Davidson and I and everybody in the Green Party are very proud of the people of Canterbury. When I hear stories like that of the Hakatere Marae which has operated as a welfare centre on the south side of the Hakatere / Ashburton River I'm confident that Canterbury can get through this and we will be with them every step of the way.
Reti ShaneDr SHANE RETI (Deputy Leader—National): Thank you Mr Speaker. Today we stand in support of the people of Canterbury for the weather event that has so disrupted and affected their lives. We want to thank emergency services and first responders for what they have done and what we anticipate they will continue to do so professionally going forward. We acknowledge the Government's support the mayoral relief fund and other support that has been provided to the region and the many families and friends who have opened their doors to those who have been impacted. We also want to thank marae. This is another reminder that during civil emergencies unconditionally marae open their doors and make themselves available. Ngā mihi ki a koutou.We stand here wanting to help the support to lend ourselves to the rebuilding that will be required. We can see that roads and bridges have been severely affected and however we can lend our support to getting back infrastructure that provides quality of life for the people of Canterbury that is what we plan to do.Finally our support is unquestioningly behind what is needed to serve the people of Canterbury. Please if the Government can tell us what they need from us we're here to help. Kia ora Mr Speaker.
Mallard Trevor; Leavasa Dr Anae NeruTUESDAY 1 JUNE 2021The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSSPEAKER: Members in recognition of Samoan Language Week three members will say the prayer this week in Samoan. Today I invite Dr Anae Neru Leavasa to say a prayer.Dr ANAE NERU LEAVASA (Labour—Takanini): Tatou ifo ma tatalo. Le Atua e silisili ese matou te sulaina lou alofa ma lou agalelei ona o tofiga ua e valaauina i ai matou. Matou fiafia foi e taʻutino lo matou amanaiaina o le Tupu Tamaitai o Peretania. O la matou tatalo alofa ma taitai ia i matou felafolafoaiga uma ina ia faia i le loto maualalo ma le faamaoni ia matou faaiuga i totonu o lenei Maota Fono. Faamanuia i Taitai o le Faigamalo ina ia maua le tofamamao ma le loto maualalo e taitai ai lou atunuu i le manuia ma le filemu. Amene.
Thursday 20 May 2021 (continued on Friday 21 May 2021) - Volume 752
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 43New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.The House adjourned at 12.36 p.m. (Friday)
Education and Training (Grants—Budget Measures) Amendment Bill — Referral to Select Committee
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Validation of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Validation of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Amendment Bill be now read a third time. Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 43New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Validation of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Amendment Bill — In Committee Schedule
VoteSchedule agreed to.
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Validation of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Amendment Bill — In Committee Clause 5
VoteClause 5 Regulations amendedA party vote was called for on the question That clause 5 be agreed to.Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 43New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Clause 5 agreed to.
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Validation of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Amendment Bill — In Committee Clause 4
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That clause 4 be agreed to.Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 43New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Clause 4 agreed to.
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Validation of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Validation of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Amendment Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 43New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a second time.DEPUTY SPEAKER: This bill is set down for committee stage forthwith. I declare the House in committee for consideration of the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Validation of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Amendment Bill.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Validation of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 75New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Noes 43New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Validation of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Taxation (Budget 2021 and Remedial Measures) Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 98New Zealand Labour 65; New Zealand National 33.Noes 10ACT New Zealand 10.Abstentions 10Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.
Taxation (Budget 2021 and Remedial Measures) Bill — Third Reading (continued)
Goldsmith PaulHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National): We oppose this motion here. It's just another example of a Government that isn't well organised and throws out the normal processes of this House which is to allow—so what people might not understand is normally when legislation comes into this House it gets referred to a select committee for at least six months or longer in order for submissions to be heard by the public and to have their say with plenty of warning and plenty of consideration. Then once the select committee members hear those submissions they then go back to the Government department which is advising them—in this case the Ministry of Education—get advice ask questions and then the select committee formulates an opinion and refers it back to the House. Now this Minister who claims it all needs to be rushed so that we're ready for next year—he wants to truncate that to a very short period of time and have it all done by 1 July. Well the very obvious point would be to say that if the Minister and his Government had got their act together earlier and introduced this bill at the start of the year or even late last year—they've known about this issue for a long time—then we wouldn't have to be rushing it through in this normal manner. Time and time again this Government operates this way and then just comes along casually into the House and says Well you know there's a rush. We've got to get this done because we didn't really sort of think about it. It's all a bit of a hurry. Here's the legislation. It's loose very poorly thought out no real detail that's been outlined but we'll just run it through. We'll get it in we'll pass it and then we'll talk to the sector once it's all finished and we'll iron out the details and probably we've a very good chance that we'll make a mistake. We'll come back and we'll have another piece of legislation to fix that and we'll do that in urgency because there'll be a rush." This—SPEAKER: Order! Very narrow. Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: I suppose this debate is really a debate about standards and it's a debate about arrogance because I would put it to the House and to the people of New Zealand that what we see here is an arrogant Government that's got all these numbers in the House and it can do whatever it likes and it wins every vote. "We're the king of the castle and we'll just do whatever we want."—and if people only get a few days to consult or to have their views heard on legislation that affects an important sector then so be it. The point that we would make is that early childhood education is critical to this country and we do want to see better investment so that teachers are well-paid in this sector. What we don't want to see is slip slob—what's the word again? Slobby—Matt Doocey: Slip slop slap. Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: Slip slop slap—no. No it's slipshod—slipshod legislation brought through in a hurried fashion. On that basis we oppose this motion."
Hipkins Chris; Mallard TrevorInstruction to the Education and Workforce CommitteeHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): I move That the Education and Training (Grants—Budget Measures) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 1 July 2021 and that the committee have the authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting (except during oral questions) during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House and outside the Wellington area despite Standing Orders 193 195 and 196(1)(b) and (c).The reason for moving this bill through the Parliament relatively quickly is to ensure that we can have the new funding system in place or these extra funding measures in place by 1 January next year. The bill's quite a technical one. It simply allows us to add an additional funding condition. The advice that we have received is that we can add the funding condition as we have done for some time around the minimum rate of pay for an early childhood education teacher and still be consistent with the current provisions in the Education and Training Act but to add additional steps would be stretching that existing power too far and so hence this very technical amendment that allows us to add those extra conditions. It will be very consistent with the way the minimum rate of pay condition is applied at the moment and so it's relatively technical. Once the bill has passed through Parliament we also then want some time to be able to ensure that the sector understands the conditions that will apply to them and understands how the system is going to be implemented and that there is adequate time for consultation in that part of the process hence the desire to have this bill through some time in July. So the report-back by 1 July will allow us the time to do that also recognising that we have a bit of a long adjournment during that period of time as well. It means that we can get the bill through—passed—and then the new funding conditions out for consultation. The sector has already been consulted quite extensively on the fact that pay parity is coming. They have been pushing for it. They know that it is coming. I imagine the people who will want to submit on this will be relatively narrow—probably most likely the people who run and operate the centres as opposed to the staff who are going to be receiving the extra pay increases—hence I think the committee should be able to do what is required to be done within the relatively constrained timetable they are being given. SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to.
Mallard TrevorMotion agreed to.Bill read a first time.SPEAKER: The question is That the Education and Training (Grants—Budget Measures) Amendment Bill be considered by the Education and Workforce Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Education and Workforce Committee.
Education and Training (Grants—Budget Measures) Amendment Bill — First Reading
Luxton JoJO LUXTON (Labour—Rangitata): Thank you Mr Speaker. Having been an early childhood teacher for over 20 years and an early childhood centre owner for over 10 years prior to coming into Parliament I feel that I might be qualified to be able to say a little bit of something about this piece of fantastic legislation that we have before us today.Teachers in this sector have been screaming out for this for as long as I can remember. We do the same study for the same amount of time as those teachers that qualify also and who go on to work in kindergarten centres. So it is a matter of fairness because we do the exact same work and have done for many years and so it is only right that teachers in early childhood education centres are given the ability to be paid at the same rate as their counterparts in kindergartens. Now currently for those members opposite who are obviously very unaware of how things operate in early childhood centres you have to attest that you pay your teachers a certain rate now in order to receive a certain level of funding. So in actual fact this isn't changing that aspect of it. You will just have to simply again attest that you are paying your teachers at a certain rate to receive that level of funding. Mr Brown mentioned that this Budget was disappointing and there was nothing in this piece of legislation for the public. Well I suggest Mr Brown that he go out and speak to his early childhood teachers and find out just how much this will mean to them because I'm pretty sure that for some of them it will mean they will be $16000 better off. This means a heck of a lot to the teachers in the sector and I absolutely wholeheartedly and very proudly commend this bill to the House.
Boyack RachelRACHEL BOYACK (Labour—Nelson): I rise to take the Māori Party's call and I note that the Māori Party have chosen not to speak on this bill tonight—this morning sorry. It's been a long few days. I don't need Berocca I can assure you of that! But I do note that this bill will benefit our tamariki who attend our early childhood centres. It's a pleasure to take a call on this important piece of legislation that gives pay parity—I'll just remind the members opposite of the bill that we're speaking about—to early childhood education teachers. We've had some bizarre claims from the opposite side that the sector somehow don't know about this or don't want this. I can tell you I've been meeting with members of the sector for the last three to four years about this particular issue and I want to acknowledge a woman from my electorate Virginia Oakley who has led the nation-wide conversation and campaign on this issue on behalf of the New Zealand Educational Institute. I want to acknowledge that this is a win for her and her mahi and also a special shout-out to the teachers at the Kiwi Treasures centre in Ranui Road in Stoke who teach some of the tamariki known to me. I know that they are celebrating the introduction of this legislation that they've looked across at their counterparts in the kindergarten next door knowing that they are being paid less than people doing the exact same job. That is what this bill is about. It's fundamentally about fairness. It continues with our programme of work to ensure that people doing the same job receive fair pay for what they are doing. On that note Mr Speaker I look forward to the select committee contributions and I commend this bill to the House.
Lewis StephSTEPH LEWIS (Labour—Whanganui): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. I'm delighted to stand and take a call on the Education and Training (Grants—Budget Measures) Amendment Bill. You see I have friends who are early childhood education (ECE) teachers. Not only that but my daughter is in ECE and I am incredibly grateful for the support of the ECE teachers that we have. They work incredibly hard to nurture and support our young people our future leaders to help us parents build those really strong foundations for their future. It's important that this bill recognises their hard work their study and their professionalism by ensuring that they get pay parity with their counterparts working in kindergartens. This is a matter of fairness and that is why I wholeheartedly commend this bill to the House.
Baillie ChrisCHRIS BAILLIE (ACT): Thank you Mr Speaker. I rise on behalf of the ACT Party in support at the first reading of the Education and Training (Grants—Budget Measures) Amendment Bill. The ACT Party is well aware of the importance of early education and it is of growing importance increasingly as parents become busier and unable to provide the adequate grounding that their kids need. Anyone who has children—and I've had a couple—who have put them through early childhood centres appreciates the skills and abilities of the workers in the sector. Teachers of any age group—and I've been a teacher for 22 years in secondary school—certainly appreciate the good grounding that these students have when they come through.We do have concerns however about the Government's imposing legislation. Just looking at the pay scales there doesn't really appear to be any adequate inquiry work into the sector prior to this. We believe as much as possible that schools should be run by the people on the ground with as little interference as possible from the Government; they know best where the money should go. If it's not a great centre then teachers won't want to teach there and parents won't want to send their kids there.We are rightly concerned about how the Minister could use these powers and I look forward to the select committee to flesh out a bit more of those. We've seen some pretty good examples of the abuse of power over the last six months.There was a comment this morning from the Early Childhood Council which I think is quite relevant. It said Clearly linking funding to education outcomes will benefit children parents and providers and introduce much-needed fairness and transparency." I think it is really important to have that in mind as we measure outcomes and are able to measure the outcomes with the increasing importance of this sector and how this will be monitored is quite important. Productivity or outcomes are important over the wider education sector. While we are seeing more money into the sector we've also seen declining results.So overall ACT does support this. We appreciate the great work that our early childhood teachers give our kids. We look forward to the next reading and select committee. Thank you."
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Thank you Mr Speaker. Now that was the most incoherent ramble I have ever heard. Did the member know it's the Education and Training (Grants—Budget Measures) Amendment Bill nothing to do in there—this is about early childhood education and it's about the Labour programme to make sure that our lowest-paid workers are paid better and paid fairly. This is a manifesto commitment for pay equity by early childhood teachers and we're absolutely committed to that. If ever there was an argument that members perhaps should be allowed to write a speech and read it that was it because I have no idea what it was about. A fantastic piece of legislation great Ministers great Associate Minister and Minister of Education. I commend this bill to the House.
Tinetti JanHon JAN TINETTI (Minister of Internal Affairs): I think I heard in that contribution that the spokesperson for education for the National Party was actually saying that he was very supportive of early childhood education. If that's the case then I am really pleased to hear that. But I will say that just a little bit of caution there for him because he kind of sort of intimated that the sector weren't asking for this. The sector's been asking for this for a very very long time. When we hear about that they don't have to attest to a certain pay rate or talked about attesting for paying the teachers they have to attest now for paying their teachers at a certain rate of pay. Just would be helpful I guess for this to be going to a select committee so that that member could actually learn a little bit more about how early childhood does work better.As someone who marched and fought for pay parity for primary school teachers with secondary school teachers in the 1990s I am absolutely delighted to stand in support of this bill. Education and care teachers absolutely in the early childhood sector effectively carry out the same work as those teachers in the kindergarten sector.This is a matter of fairness. This is a small but important clarification to the Education and Training Act 2020 that will make that parity happen; the journey happen. As the Minister said this is the beginning of the journey or probably I'm going to say the middle part of the journey because we did make a small step towards that in the last term of Government. But this is exciting. This is an exciting time for our teachers in that sector. This is about fairness. It's the right thing to do. I'm very excited to see where we are heading with the early childhood sector and I commend this bill to the House.
Sharma GauravDr GAURAV SHARMA (Labour—Hamilton West): It's my pleasure today to take a call on the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Validation of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Amendment Bill not only as a member of Parliament and a member of the Health Committee but also as a front-line healthcare worker last year. You know what's interesting as well? While I was working there swabbing people and this Government here was helping us set up a managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facility in the middle of a global pandemic the other side of the House couldn't figure out whether it should keep the borders open or not. We are lucky that there is an MIQ facility in place because if it were for the other side there would be COVID everywhere in this country. Parliament at the moment would probably be on Zoom and lots of New Zealanders would have died because the other side couldn't figure out who the leader of the party would be and whether the border should be open or not. So what we are trying to do is own up to our technical issues here and the things that might not have gone the right way. We are owning up to it and fixing it whereas the other side can't figure out whether the border should have been open.As somebody who was a front-line healthcare worker I want to thank the Government for doing what they have done for the MIQ system and I want to thank them for recognising that there is an issue here and fixing this loophole compared to the other side. I think you should probably look at your own ideology before you comment on the Green Party's ideology because I'm not sure where you stand on this bill. I'm not sure where you stand on MIQ. With this I would like to commend this bill to the next stage.
Bennett GlenGLEN BENNETT (Labour—New Plymouth): Kia ora Madam Speaker. Some interesting language used in the House this morning: clutching desperate Government" "bad faith" "shoddy" "disgraceful". All this is about is clarifying some managed isolation and quarantine charges for a small number of Australians and that's also critical health workers. So in that case I commend this bill to the House."
Lewis StephSTEPH LEWIS (Labour—Whanganui): Tēnā koe Madam Speaker. It is a pleasure to be able to rise and take a brief call this morning. It is the first call I've taken since the Budget was introduced yesterday so I just want to take this opportunity to particularly acknowledge the work of our Prime Minister our Minister of Finance and Minister Carmel Sepuloni as well for their contributions to supporting our most vulnerable members of the community.Look it is widely acknowledged that there is no playbook to COVID-19. There is no rule book on how to set up managed isolation and quarantine so occasionally from time to time small mistakes will be made. This bill is a sensible amendment to fix one of those little mistakes. So for that reason this morning I commend this bill to the House.
Boyack RachelRACHEL BOYACK (Labour—Nelson): That was an interesting contribution. Look it's quite funny because the previous member Simon Court has been talking about Australians but actually I think we just need to remind everyone that New Zealanders returning to New Zealand from around the globe have to pay as part of managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ). So this is not some kind of discriminatory measure against Australians. I was delighted to have dinner with two of my Australian friends—actually one of them is a Kiwi living in Australia but his wonderful wife is an Aussie—who returned the other day. They were able to come back through the trans-Tasman bubble and surprised their parents Jim and Raewyn Wiseman and some tears were shed at Nahm restaurant having some Australians return to Nelson. So I'll just get Bruce Wiseman's and Jo Wiseman's names on the Hansard today—let's do that. It was wonderful to have them return to my electorate of Nelson.I'll just put a message to Dad over the airwaves today in the UK. My dad lives in the UK and after he had his vaccination he wrote to me to say can he skip MIQ and skip having to pay for it. Of course I said No Dad just because your daughter's an MP you don't get to skip the rules. You still have to come through." So this is tidying up a piece of the rules that we need to tidy up and what I will just remind the members is that we've been building the plane a bit as we fly it. Most New Zealanders are reasonable about that and they understand that actually there have been times when we do need to tidy up some legislation. We've been operating in a global pandemic. Most New Zealanders say to me that they are really happy with the rules that the Government have brought in but they do understand that from time to time we will spot things and say "Actually here's something we haven't seen. There's been multiple pieces of legislation being passed and that we just need to do a quick tidy-up."So on that note this is a tidy-up. This is just to ensure that Cabinet's intent is followed and on that note I'm delighted to commend this bill to the House."
Court SimonSIMON COURT (ACT): Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to reflect more on the humanity or the lack of it that the Government has shown. Australians are people too. I want to take you back to a time when I was a primary school student. At my primary school we had cultural day and before cultural day our teacher asked Put up your hand if you were born in another country not in New Zealand." I put up my hand because I was born in Australia and I'm proud of it—I'm proud of it. It turned out that that made me one of the others and that was a great shock to me in fact because I'd always considered myself to be a New Zealander born in Australia but having a foot in both camps and that's pretty much how many New Zealanders and Australians with family on both sides of the Tasman feel. That is why this this amendment bill reeks of bad faith. It demonstrates again that the Government in pursuit of the crumbs that have fallen down the back of the couch in their clutching desperate need to grab that little skerrick of revenue that's going to prop up their wasteful spending their "debt for ever Budget" that we heard about yesterday is now going after a few Australian cousins fathers mothers brothers who no doubt were coming here to be with New Zealand family or to fulfil critical roles in New Zealand businesses. Yet now they're the target of a clutching desperate Government hungry for revenue looking at decades of debt and an absolute rundown of all of the systems that they purport to care about.Now this bill is a classic example of bad faith. Australians assume as we do a right to live and work in New Zealand as we do in Australia assuming we pass a good-character test which of course is a fundamental. The trans-Tasman travel arrangement sets out very clearly that Australians are not temporary migrants; they are special. They are equals even though they are citizens of Australia. That is why this bill is not just unnecessary; it is unfair. This Government lacks humanity.ACT do not support this bill. We believe in giving Australians a fair go. Thank you Madam Speaker."