edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
12. Question No. 12—Food SafetyCAMILLA BELICH (Labour) to the Minister for Food SafetyQuestion No. 12—Food Safety12. CAMILLA BELICH (Labour) to the Minister for Food Safety: What action is the Government taking to prevent spina bifida and similar conditions?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Minister for Food Safety): Today I was pleased to announce that New Zealand will move to the mandatory fortification with folic acid of non-organic bread-making wheat flour. This move is about protecting babies. Folic acid is safe and it is essential to the healthy development of babies early in pregnancy. Low folate levels in mothers cause neural tube defects that result in the deaths of babies in the womb or cause life-long disability. New Zealand's rate of neural tube defects remains too high compared to other countries—such as Australia United States and Canada—that have already implemented mandatory fortification.Camilla Belich: How many neural tube defects will be prevented thanks to fortification?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: It's estimated that fortifying all non-organic wheat flour for making bread could prevent between 162 and 240 neural tube defects over 30 years. Of particular note when we look at the experience of Australia that implemented this policy the benefits were particularly seen in women who were pregnant as teenagers and in indigenous women.Camilla Belich: What reaction has she seen to today's announcement?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: A very positive reaction. The Paediatric Society of New Zealand has welcomed the announcement saying voluntary fortification of some breads has been ineffective in reaching the at-risk population of pregnant women. Dr Andrew Marshall clinical leader of child health at Wellington Hospital said This announcement will finally allow New Zealand to join Australia and most of the rest of the world in fortifying food in a way that reaches the whole population." I'd also note the earlier comments from the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine which believes fortification could also help prevent as many as 200 miscarriages a year in pregnancy. Folic acid is safe proven and effective. Adding it to non-organic bread-making flour will make a real difference to the health of mothers and the wellbeing of babies."
9. Question No. 9—TransportBARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 9—Transport9. BARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements have been made on bringing New Zealand's rail network back up to scratch?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): I'm very pleased to confirm the Government is delivering on its commitment to bring New Zealand's rail network back up to scratch and support our economic recovery. KiwiRail's inaugural rail network investment programme was released today which details renewals and upgrades on the rail network over the next three years. The disruptions to the supply chain due to COVID have shown how important it is to have a reliable rail network to keep freight flowing and keep our economy moving.Barbara Edmonds: What does the programme include?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The $1.3 billion investment is about getting the bread and butter stuff done to lift our rail network to a resilient and reliable state after years of managed decline. It includes fully replacing 20 bridges around the country and improving around 25 more; replacing more than 200 kilometres of rail sleepers and more than 130 kilometres of tracks; adding active controls like barrier arms lights and bells to three level crossings; upgrading the Auckland metro network; and importantly investing in a business case for further network improvements across Wellington including looking at potentially expanding commuter services to the north of Waikanae.Barbara Edmonds: How will this work support the economic recovery?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: This work is enabling KiwiRail to take on around 150 new track staff including a pipeline of trainees and we'll also support numerous civil contracting firms and material suppliers. There'll be work happening across every region from Northland to Southland supporting jobs and the economic recovery across our country.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Do those announcements include plans to improve the Te Huia rail service where recent analysis has shown that the average passenger could each take a double-cab ute and drive to Auckland resulting in half the emissions that the train does?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: As the member knows the Government is committed to a five-year start-up service for the Te Huia service to reconnect the Waikato and Auckland regions by rail and I look forward to that member and his colleagues campaigning to scrap that service at the 2023 election if that's what they wish to do.
7. Question No. 7—WomenWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland) to the Minister for WomenQuestion No. 7—Women7. WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland) to the Minister for Women: What recent progress has she seen on the representation of women on public sector boards?Hon JAN TINETTI (Minister for Women): Four years ago this Government set a target to reach 50 percent of women's participation on public sector boards and committees. I am pleased to inform the House that we have met that target. This change has been championed by this Government but also has been about a huge drive for change in New Zealand's governance and leadership structures. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this vision.Willow-Jean Prime: What other diversity indicators were reported?Hon JAN TINETTI: This is the second year we are able to report on representation for Māori Pacific and ethnic members. The Ministry for Women partnered with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples and the Ministry for Ethnic Communities to collect ethnicity data. While I want to make sure we take time to celebrate what we have achieved going forward I've asked for a stronger focus for the underrepresentation of groups such as wāhine Māori Pacific people the Rainbow community people with disabilities and other ethnicities on our boards. It is important that our boards look like the communities they serve.Willow-Jean Prime: What else has this Government delivered for New Zealand women?Hon JAN TINETTI: As the Minister for Women I can tell you that this Government has delivered for New Zealand women. We've extended paid parental leave from 18 to 26 weeks introduced domestic violence leave provided free period products in schools passed the equal pay Act improved breast and cervical cancer screening raised sole parent benefits and reinstated the Training Incentive Allowance—this is to name just a few. This is a Government that is committed to gender equality and a Government that has delivered for women.
5. Question No. 5—HealthDr LIZ CRAIG (Labour) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 5—Health5. Dr LIZ CRAIG (Labour) to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made on the Like Minds Like Mine campaign?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health): On Monday I announced the relaunch of the internationally acclaimed Like Minds Like Mine programme. The new Nōku te Ao: Like Minds programme builds on more than two decades of work to continue to put the spotlight on stigma prejudice and discrimination against those who experience mental health and wellbeing issues. Eight million dollars over five years has been invested in a range of initiatives with Nōku te Ao: Like Minds to generate a social movement against prejudice which includes education campaigns social action grants and strengthening research and evaluation.Dr Liz Craig: So what does the campaign comprise?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The Like Minds Like Mine programme was established back in 1997. It was one of the first comprehensive campaigns in the world to counter the prejudice and discrimination associated with mental distress. This relaunched campaign addresses the inequity experienced by Māori and Pacific peoples who experience mental distress especially young men. Nōku te Ao: Like Minds is now based on kaupapa Māori principles and has a strong focus on equity. This is to ensure the initiatives within the programme are effective for those communities who are more often facing discrimination. Nōku te Ao: Like Minds adds another tool in the tool kit for New Zealanders experiencing mental distress.Dr Liz Craig: So what will this campaign do for those experiencing mental distress?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The programme focuses on the people who are most affected by mental distress and discrimination including as I said Māori and Pacific communities. Nōku te Ao: Like Minds will help change attitudes towards people experiencing mental distress. It will help to reduce discrimination and improve social inclusion experiences for priority groups. We know that one of the population groups hugely overrepresented in our suicide numbers are young Māori men and we need to reach out to them. We will go a long way as a country to address our ongoing mental health challenges if we are understanding and also comfortable talking to each other about experiencing mental distress.
3. Question No. 3—FinanceDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 3—Finance3. Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I know that this is a popular moment in the day for everybody. The Government's efforts to secure the recovery has been recognised once again by the global ratings agencies. Standard & Poor's global rating said in its mid-year update released yesterday that New Zealand's strong fiscal and monetary response to the pandemic as well as the confidence in the Government's public health measures have seen the economy recover much faster than expected. The ratings agency expects New Zealand to outpace its peers in the Asia-Pacific region noting that economic activity has returned to its pre-pandemic trend in early 2021 making New Zealand one of the first countries to do so.Dr Duncan Webb: What impact has the economy's recovery had on the labour market?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well the Government's efforts to secure the recovery are reflected in the jobs market which is going from strength to strength. The SEEK New Zealand Employment Report increased by 1 percent in June from the previous month to another record high for job advertising numbers. For the year job ads rose 115 percent while job ad numbers are now 24 percent above pre-COVID highs—Hon Paul Goldsmith: Is that why you're paying 800 bucks an hour to the conservation?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Mr Goldsmith you don't want to go there. On a trend basis job ads were above pre-COVID levels for all regions. Unemployment has fallen to 4.7 percent and while there are challenges for businesses in finding workers this is in fact a reflection of a stronger-than-forecast economic activity and the economy operating above pre-COVID levels. The Government will continue to work with businesses to support them as the recovery continues.Dr Duncan Webb: What other reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Thank you very much. The latest global dairy trade auction shows prices are consolidating and actually declining 3.6 percent. The easing in prices comes after strong gains earlier in the year which is in turn due to robust global demand for New Zealand dairy products. Economists are saying that the decline in prices is partly due to strong milk production which rose 9.3 percent in May compared to the same month a year ago. For the entire 2020-21 season production rose 2.7 percent. Commentators expect dairy payouts to farmers to retain near-historic highs in the new season which is positive for farm incomes positive for the regions and positive for the economy overall.
Special Debates — Report of Zero Suicide Aotearoa
Rurawhe AdrianDEPUTY SPEAKER: Members I'm going to seek leave of the House to end this with a karakia. If there is any objection—there appears to be not.Nō reira korōria hareruia ki a koe Ihowa o ngā mano tūauriuri whāioio. Kī tonu te rangi me te whenua i tō korōria. Nō reira ka tono atu ki a koutou kia homai piki te ora piki te kaha te māramatanga me te rangimārie. Kia manaakitia ngā whānau katoa i roto i tēnei āhuatanga i ēnei wā. Nō reira ko koutou nei hoki te tīmatanga me te whakaotinga mai o mātou tūmanako atu nei i roto i ō koutou korōriatanga mā te māngai hei tautoko mai āianei āke tonu atu. Āmine.[Glory and hallelujah to you Jehovah of the thousands the countless. Heaven and Earth is full of your glory. I now ask you all to give us vitality and strength enlightenment and peace. Care for all families in this situation today. You are the beginning and end of our wishes under your glory; may the voice support us here and now. Amen.]Members the time for this debate has concluded. The House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday 3 August 2021.Motion agreed to.Report noted.The House adjourned at 5.02 p.m.
SpeechHARETE HIPANGO (National): He aha te mea nui? He tangata he tangata he tangata. I take this call spontaneously—thank you and I shall keep it brief—to acknowledge colleagues in the House who were part of the suicide prevention workgroup and former colleague and dear friend Jenny Marcroft also to acknowledge the work that's done by our people in the gallery and the people afar who may be viewing this a space that is well known to me and close to my heart having worked with the mental health sector for a number of years in helping our most vulnerable.It's also very dear to my heart. I lost two nephews to suicide this year—two young Māori men in their early 30s. During my maiden speech the twin of my deceased nephew was here and he found his brother. And regrettably the mental health service wasn't there when he needed them. We have all lost loved ones and what we strive for to come out of this report is that it makes a difference and that it saves lives.E tama e Jordan takoto mai rā moe mai rā ka tangi te ngākau me koutou mā.[Oh lad Jordan rest in peace my heart cries as does everyone.]Our hearts cry but may their lives mean something with what we strive to achieve with Zero Suicide Aotearoa.
Rurawhe AdrianDEPUTY SPEAKER: There's a brief amount of time if some honourable member would like to take a call.
Chhour KarenKAREN CHHOUR (ACT): Thank you Mr Speaker. I stand today to talk on a topic that most people try to avoid. It's not that society doesn't care about suicide and the effects it has on our communities; it's that many just don't know what to say. I believe as a country we have become far better at talking about these issues. Only a few years ago it would have been unheard of to be having a debate like this. Suicide was a word that made people feel shame. It was a topic not many people understood. Now thanks to people like John Kirwan and Mike King and countless more figures in our communities and across this country we have a better understanding of how mental illness affects people and hopefully we've been able to get the message out that there is no shame in asking for help.I am proud of the fact that we have been able to have cross-party discussions around this issue. The purpose of these discussions was to set a future direction of mental health and addiction wellbeing in New Zealand. The decisions that came from this seemed promising. If implemented it looked like we would be heading in the right direction. It's sad to say that despite $1.9 billion being allocated to ease the burden on our struggling system we seem to be stuck with the same issues from years before. This shows that there is still a lot more work for us to do.In 2019 we lost 685 New Zealanders to suicide. In 2020 we did not do much better with a drop of only 31. We still lost a further 654 of our people. I can't speak for everyone on this—how these people get to be in a place where they felt this was their only option. But I can speak from experience of feeling like the world would be better off without me in it. There have been moments in life where the world seemed so complicated that nobody understood me and I wasn't worth being understood. There were times I was sad and could not even tell you why I was sad. I think those were the worst times because if you can pinpoint why you can solve it right?I just want to say it's OK to not be OK. Just because you don't understand and can't explain what it is doesn't make it any less. What is not OK is that we've gotten ourselves to the point where we are only funding people in crisis which means people are waiting far longer than they should to get the help they need. Every New Zealander we lose impacts many people from parents children friends wider family members and our communities.These discussions on suicide prevention have been a great start. Now we must move forward and start putting the plan into action. I look forward to future discussions on how we can work together to make this happen. I would like to acknowledge that there are many families in New Zealand right now struggling to navigate our system. I would also like to thank all the hard-working people who work within our mental health and addiction space. I hope we can get together and get you the tools you need to help our most vulnerable.
Salesa JennySPECIAL DEBATESZero Suicide Aotearoa—ReportASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): Members we come now to the debate on the report of Zero Suicide Aotearoa arranged by the Business Committee under Standing Order 80. Would an honourable member care to move that the House take note of the report?
Rurawhe AdrianPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSDEPUTY SPEAKER: Members no bills have been introduced. Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.CLERK: Petition of Brooke van Velden requesting that the House urge the Government to cease its proposed changes to interest deductibility rulespetition of Linzee McCutcheon requesting that the House urge the Government to restructure student allowance entitlements so that they take into consideration individuals' circumstancespetition of Don Wilson and Kirsty Watt requesting that the House urge the Government to review and improve rehabilitation and care of women pre- and post-birth.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee.Ministers have delivered papers.CLERK: Walking Access Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Statement of Intent 2021-2025 and Statement of Performance Expectations 2021-2022Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Statement of Intent 2021–26 and statement of performance expectations 2021/22New Zealand Productivity Commission Statement of Performance Expectations 2021–22Government response to the referral of Kate Slankard-Stone's petitionGovernment response to the Report of the Social Services and Community Committee on the petition of Mark Sainsbury.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Those papers are published under the authority of the House.Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Reports of the Governance and Administration Committee on the:2021/22 Estimates for Vote Office of the Clerk2021/22 Estimates for Vote Parliamentary Service2021/22 Estimates for Vote Statisticsreport of the Māori Affairs Committee on the petition of Kimai Huirama.
Robertson Grant; Wood Michael; Woodhouse MichaelBUSINESS STATEMENTHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Point of order Mr Speaker. For what seems to be becoming a small habit the Leader of the House and the acting Leader of the House are slightly late but they've now arrived so I'm sure he'll be about to stand up.Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Deputy Leader of the House): Today the House will adjourn until Tuesday 3 August. In that week the committee stage of the Appropriation (2021/22 Estimates) Bill the Estimates debate will begin. Other legislation to be considered will include the committee stage of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bill and the third reading of the Fair Trading Amendment Bill. Wednesday 4 August will be a members' day.Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National): I thank the Deputy Leader of the House for that update and trust that members will get some small time over the next three weeks for rest and relaxation. Can I ask the acting leader whether in light of the passage of legislation under urgency this morning extending the time period for reporting back of certain Crown entities and local government organisations he will recommend to the Business Committee an extension of time for this House to conduct its annual reviews after that.Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Deputy Leader of the House): I don't think that's particularly necessary but happy to have conversations at the Business Committee.
Interventions — Deputy Leader of the House
Karakia / Prayers
Salesa JennyTHURSDAY 8 JULY 2021The Deputy Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): Ke tau lotu. 'E 'Otua Māfimafi kuo mau taa'i mālie 'i ho'o 'ofá mo e ngaahi tāpuaki hono kotoa. 'Oku tuku homau lotó ka mau hū atu ke ke malu'i ange mu'a 'a e Kuiní mo tataki ange 'emau fua fatongia 'i he Fale Aleá 'aki 'a e poto Faka-e-'Otua 'ofa pea mo e 'ulungaanga malū ko e 'uhí ko e mo'ui mo e melino 'a e fonuá. 'Oku mau kole atu 'a e ngaahi me'á ni hono kotoa 'i he huafa ho 'aló pē 'e taha ko Sīsū Kalaisi ka ko homau fakamo'uí 'Emeni.
Wednesday 7 July 2021 (continued on Thursday 8 July 2021) - Volume 753
Annual Reporting and Audit Time Frames Extensions Legislation Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Annual Reporting and Audit Time Frames Extensions Legislation Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 87New Zealand Labour 65; ACT New Zealand 10; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 33New Zealand National 33.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.The House adjourned at 10.48 a.m. (Thursday)
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 87New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 33New Zealand National 33.Motion agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That clause 1 be agreed to.Ayes 87New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 33New Zealand National 33.Clause 1 agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That clause 2 be agreed to.Ayes 87New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 33New Zealand National 33.Clause 2 agreed to.Bill to be reported without amendment.House resumed.
Annual Reporting and Audit Time Frames Extensions Legislation Bill — In Committee—Clauses 1 and 2
Annual Reporting and Audit Time Frames Extensions Legislation Bill — In Committee—Part 2
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 87New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 33New Zealand National 33.Motion agreed to.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): The question is that Andrew Bayly's tabled amendments to clauses 6 and 7 to delete sections 67(5)(b) and 98(7)(b) be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 33New Zealand National 33. Noes 85New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10.Amendments not agreed to.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): The question is that Christopher Luxon's tabled amendment to clauses 6 and 7 to exempt a number of councils be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 33New Zealand National 33. Noes 85New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10.Amendments not agreed to.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): The question is that the Hon Gerry Brownlee's tabled amendment to clauses 6 and 7 to exempt Christchurch City Council be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 33New Zealand National 33. Noes 85New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10.Amendments not agreed to.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): The question is that Simon Watts' tabled amendment to clauses 6 and 7 to exempt Auckland City Council be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 33New Zealand National 33. Noes 85New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10.Amendments not agreed to.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): The question is that Nicola Willis' tabled amendment to clauses 6 and 7 to exempt Wellington City Council be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 33New Zealand National 33. Noes 85New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10.Amendments not agreed to.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Barbara Kuriger's tabled amendment introducing new clause 8 to extend the apple picking season is out of order as it's outside the scope of this bill.A party vote was called for on the question That Part 2 be agreed to.Ayes 87New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 33New Zealand National 33.Part 2 agreed to.
White HelenHELEN WHITE (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'm thrilled to be the last speaker on this bill because it has been an absolutely arduous task listening to the waffling and the irrelevancies from the Opposition. I commend the ACT Party and the Green Party for making constructive contributions and even holding people to account in a thoughtful way. That did not happen today from the National Party who made submissions on such things as whether apples would ripen on trees. This is irrelevant and not very helpful is it gentlemen? Thank you very much. I commend this bill to the House.
Pallett SarahSARAH PALLETT (Labour—Ilam): Thank you Madam Speaker. To accuse the Government of not engaging when the National Party couldn't even be bothered to speak on Steph Lewis' extremely important biosecurity bill is just an unfunny joke. I commend this bill to the House. Thank you.
O'Connor GregGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu): We are watching a beleaguered and isolated Opposition watching on while the rest of this House—as evidenced by Damien Smith the previous speaker—take a very pragmatic and flexible approach to getting on with the business of running this country. I commend this bill to the House.
Smith DamienDAMIEN SMITH (ACT): ACT supports this bill. This is different from Immigration New Zealand as a dysfunctional department and we don't see that in the Auditor-General's office. We do believe this should have been seen coming and we do actually believe that the Auditor-General is open but the border closure has been a significant impact on the skill shortage and in that sense the short-term contracts and insufficient auditor capacity is understandable. It's not necessarily the Auditor-General's fault. We do have some issues around the two-year period but the Auditor-General has given us confidence that if it moves statutory deadlines then the resources will be allocated to ensure that larger more significant audits are completed as outlined in the letter which I haven't seen between Mr Bayly and Mr Robertson. So the Office of the Auditor-General can also do this without compromising or breaching statutory deadlines. To conclude this is obviously a bill that probably no one wanted to have to bring to the House but it is the situation and with regards to the shortage of critical skills there may have been a planning and allocation issue that should have been addressed by the Auditor-General's office. So today we have been pragmatic about getting this work done and we've been pragmatic about the solution that's required to have the Auditor-General's office alleviate that backlog.
Genter Julie AnneHon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green): I just want to acknowledge the excellent contributions made by the Labour members including Barbara Edmonds the one who just sat down. The Green Party is supporting this legislation. We didn't support the use of urgency but we support the legislation. It would have been great if it could have been a truncated process but I understand that that wasn't due to the Government; it was due to a lack of an agreement to get a truncated process. I'm really genuinely curious to know what the National Party thinks they would do differently to have avoided this situation. I'm also intrigued by the claim by the Hon Michael Woodhouse around the use of urgency and I'd be interested to know how much of the use of urgency was directly related in the last term and this term to a COVID response as opposed to the first term of the last National Government in 2008 to 2011 when urgency was used extremely often and not to respond to a very unusual global pandemic but just—you know. I'm sure that they'll stand up and list some numbers that are questionable but genuinely speaking I don't believe that this Government has abused the use of urgency. We've been facing quite difficult circumstances with COVID-19 and of course the Government has managed that incredibly well. All around the world people look to New Zealand to see how well this Government has managed COVID-19. Again this—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Order! Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: —extension of time which is due—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Order! The member will resume her seat. This is a third reading of this bill. Speaker's ruling 128(8) provides: Members must confine themselves to the main purposes and contents of the bill; they must deal at length with matters not provided for in the bill."Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: As I was literally saying as you stood up to speak in this bill what it provides for is an extension of time for the auditors which had to be passed last time and has to be passed this time directly due to the impacts of COVID-19. That is the purpose of this legislation that is the reason we're passing it and that's all I have to say. I commend the bill to the House.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Damien Smith—a five-minute call."
Edmonds BarbaraBARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana): Thank you Madam Speaker. I just want to speak simply because this is a simple piece of legislation. At the request of the Auditor-General it has come to the House as the primary legislation does not have the discretion to allow for an extension of time. Companies have the ability to file an extension of time for their annual returns. Companies also have the ability to file an extension of time for their annual tax returns. So it's an appropriate forum that it comes to the House given it is for the Crown's accounts. I'd like to thank the members of the ACT Party and the Green Party for supporting this prudent piece of legislation. I commend this bill to the House.
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Kia ora Madam Speaker. Look I've really just one thing to say. The Opposition have raised questions about the management of the Audit Office and as the Minister said there is a committee which is set aside for examination of Officers of Parliament and it would be entirely appropriate for those questions to be put to the Auditor-General at that committee. I will look forward to seeing the report of those proceedings. I commend this bill to the House.
Dean JacquiCHAIRPERSON (Hon Jacqui Dean): The committee has considered the Annual Reporting and Audit Time Frames Extensions Legislation Bill and reports it without amendment. I move That the report be adopted.Motion agreed to.Report adopted.
Bayly AndrewANDREW BAYLY (National—Port Waikato): I think that the second title change we could have said is Make Sure that Some of the 2000 MIQ Rooms that are Currently Empty are Made Available to Allow as a Special Category Auditors to come to New Zealand Bill." I think that is a title change that we could be discussing because I think this is what this title and what the real issue of this bill is about which is that there is a shortfall of auditors. The Government hasn't allowed or been creative in terms of making sure that we can get the right auditors and one of the obvious solutions or mitigation factors is to allow auditors to come in. It is one of the solutions; it is not the only solution of course. But with managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) rooms lying vacant there could be a special allocation of 20 rooms set aside for auditors to come in from overseas provided that they can be paid and remunerated and attracted to Audit New Zealand.So I think in terms of the title whilst it identifies what the intent of the bill is I don't think it actually cuts to the core of the key issue of what this bill is all about."
Bayly AndrewANDREW BAYLY (National—Port Waikato): Thank you Madam Chair. I know Mr Woodhouse was pointing out some of the issues around the title and I think there's two core tenets of what we have been debating over the last 24 hours under urgency. I think the first one is that we could change the title actually just simply to say Fund the Audit Office So That It Can Pay Its Staff Sufficient To Make Sure They Stay Being Employed at Audit New Zealand Bill" because that is one of the issues that obviously the Audit Office is facing. It has an issue with staff being poached by the private sector. Not all of it will be related to pay but I think we need to make sure that the Audit Office are in a position that they can compete in the market for highly talented accountants and auditors. That's a pretty crucial thing especially when we have heard that they've lost 41 staff over this year although they've been able to attract 14 back. So we just need to make sure that the Audit Office is seen to be able and is—and I know that it's a good organisation—able to attract the best talent so that our audits can be completed across the Government sector and across the local government sector to ensure that we are getting our accounts in a timely manner and obviously this bill is about postponing it. The other one that I think in terms of a title—CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jacqui Dean): Order! Order! Can I just remind the member that this part of the bill is a tight debate. So can I ask the member to confine his comments around the title and commencement. ANDREW BAYLY: OK. The second title change I think we could have applied to this—[Bell rung]"
Woodhouse MichaelHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National): It's not my style generally to propose silly alternative names for legislation but I think it does behove us to reflect on what we are doing here and actually propose names of this bill that more closely align with what's actually happening here. I did actually brainstorm with some of my policy staff about what they thought would be appropriate alternative titles for the Annual Reporting and Audit Time Frames Extensions Legislation Bill and they were pretty good at coming up with I think more appropriate names. One said the bill should be the Skill-shortage Solution Grant Robertson's Magic Wand Act 2021" and oh that DHBs could have the same magic wand so that they could magic up either staff or extensions of time. I wonder how it would go if—in fact we know that it's happening every single day that the DHB entities that are the subject of the extended reporting requirements in this bill are actually telling their patients they've got an extension of time. It's not an extension of time that they look for if they wanted to have their cancer treatment in a more timely manner or cardiac surgery. So it is a magic wand that Mr Robertson is providing for himself but for no one else.I think that actually is a nice segue into the second alternative title that we have seen: the "Helpful Government But Not for Business Act 2021" because we have implored the Government to give relief to business who have severe staffing shortages of their own and the answer has been "No no no." and yet when it comes to giving financial reporting and audit relief it's a "Yes yes yes." from this Government.So that again would suggest a title that is "We Don't Have Solutions for Actual Kiwis Act 2021". I don't know about that. I think they do have solutions. They're staring the Government in the face but they are so blind to the need and the opportunity to maintain and increase economic growth in this country that they simply will not see where the need and the opportunity is.So we could go on at some length on alternative titles for this but what it really is—however it's framed whatever the bill and the Act is going to be called—is a deeply disappointing outcome and a terrible terrible process. I think it's very significant to reflect on the number of times we have been in urgency in the last 3½ or 4 years passing legislation either to fix a mess or to tidy up stuff that had been passed wrongly. This is a mess and the Government is taking the easy way out to fix it and that frankly should be reflected in the title."
Salesa JennyClauses 1 and 2CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Members we now come to our final debate: clauses 1 and 2 which is the debate on title and commencement.
Wednesday 7 July 2021 - Volume 753
Annual Reporting and Audit Time Frames Extensions Legislation Bill — In Committee—Part 1
Annual Reporting and Audit Time Frames Extensions Legislation Bill — Second Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Annual Reporting and Audit Time Frames Extensions Legislation Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 87New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 33New Zealand National 33.Motion agreed to.Bill read a second time.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Annual Reporting and Audit Time Frames Extensions Legislation Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 87New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 33New Zealand National 33.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.
Annual Reporting and Audit Time Frames Extensions Legislation Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That urgency be accorded.Ayes 65New Zealand Labour 65.Noes 53New Zealand National 33; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Education and Training (Grants—Budget Measures) 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.
Education and Training (Grants—Budget Measures) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
11. Question No. 11—TransportRACHEL BOYACK (Labour—Nelson) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 11—Transport11. RACHEL BOYACK (Labour—Nelson) to the Minister of Transport: What progress has been made on replacing the Interislander ferries?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): I'm pleased to confirm that we're another step closer to replacing our ageing Interislander fleet. KiwiRail has now formally signed a contract with Korea's Hyundai Mipo Dockyard to build two new Interislander ferries. The new ferries are expected to arrive in New Zealand in 2025 and 2026 and will help reduce transport emissions and support more goods and people crossing the Cook Strait.Rachel Boyack: What benefits will they have for our environment?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Our transport emissions are the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand so we need to start taking action now if we're going to meet our 2050 targets. These new ferries will reduce the Interislander's carbon emissions by 40 percent with initiatives like using battery power for manoeuvring. They are also futureproofed so that more batteries can be added over time and are to be modified to run on other low-carbon fuels like hydrogen as they become available in the future.Rachel Boyack: How will the new ferries cater for growth?Hon Member: They'll be bigger.Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The Cook—Mr Goldsmith has been consulting a spreadsheet and it's right for once. The Cook Strait ferries are crucial to our economy carrying 5.5 million tonnes of freight and 850000 passengers between the North and South Islands every year. The new ferries nearly double passenger capacity and triple rail freight capacity of the current fleet helping support the expected growth on this important route. Being able to accommodate rail wagons on the new ferries will encourage more freight on to trains and off roads which will also help to reduce emissions and congestion on our busy roads.
6. Question No. 6—Social Development and EmploymentANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 6—Social Development and Employment6. ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What recent expansions has she launched to support more graduates into employment?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Last night I had the pleasure of hosting the launch of the Student Job Search expansion. The expansion follows investment by the Ministry of Social Development to support Student Job Search to create a new team. This team will be solely focused on working with graduates to connect them with employers and place them in permanent employment. This expansion boosts Student Job Search's focus on helping students transition from study into full-time employment and supporting employers to scale up their businesses. The Government is committed to securing our recovery which is why we're continuing to invest in employment products and services that support people into sustainable and meaningful jobs.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: Why has Student Job Search been expanded?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The expansion is a response to a growth in inquiries from students looking for permanent work after graduating from study in light of COVID19. It signals a shift in the mahi of Student Job Search which has traditionally been a place that tertiary students can go to find part-time work and odd jobs while they study. As part of the expansion they've been working closely with Te Mana Ākonga and Tauira Pasifika. This has seen an increase in Māori and Pacific registration rates of 14.8 percent. The expansion means Student Job Search can continue to advocate for students after they've graduated. By championing their skills and qualifications and preparing them for job interviews this will help and encourage them to make the most of the opportunities available.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What impact has Student Job Search had on supporting students and graduates to get employed?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Student Job Search is a household name. It has helped to place students into 159798 jobs for 61886 New Zealand employers since 2015—that's more than 100 jobs each working day. Over the last three months Student Job Search has secured 3742 full-time roles for students—a 200 percent increase on previous years. The quality of the jobs they are sourcing has also drastically increased with the average student earnings per job increasing by 46 percent since May 2020. I'm pleased that this expansion will support Student Job Search to maximise its reach and offerings making a worthwhile impact in the lives of our young people. They were so excited that this question was being asked about Student Job Search today they are here in the House and I acknowledge them for their mahi.SPEAKER: Order! The member knows or should know that she should not refer to people in the gallery.
4. Question No. 4—HousingPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of HousingQuestion No. 4—Housing4. PAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister of Housing: What announcements has she made about transitional housing in Wellington?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Housing): Yesterday I announced the opening of the capital's largest transitional housing facility and also the biggest outside of Auckland: Wellington City Mission Te Pā Pori. The Government is providing $15 million over three years in support of these refurbished apartments and the people being housed to help them get back on their feet. This builds on the momentum of our transitional housing programme by adding up to another 100 additional beds to our stock as we deliver over 18000 new public and transitional housing places by 2024. There is much more work to do but the opening of this facility is another important milestone on our path to achieving that goal.Paul Eagle: How does this contribute to the Government's ambitions for transitional housing?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: We are committed to housing the people who need the most support through our public and transitional housing plan and we've made good progress to date. When we came into Government there were 1718 transitional housing places. In the 3½ years we've been in Government we have delivered 2553 new transitional housing places more than doubling the number of places available to 4271. This Government continues to build momentum on our public and transitional housing plan and the opening of this facility is another important step on that pathway.Paul Eagle: Why is it important that the Government partner with organisations like the Wellington City Mission?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: We know that the key to bringing on more public and transitional housing is strong leadership from central government in partnership with groups like the Wellington City Mission and other community housing partners. Since coming into office the Government has spent $471.6 million for accommodation and support services in partnership with these organisations. Having a safe and secure place to stay with provision of the right support services from these organisations is crucial to ensuring that people can transition to long-term suitable housing.
2. Question No. 2—FinanceHELEN WHITE (Labour) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 2—Finance2. HELEN WHITE (Labour) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): The primary sector is continuing to support and secure the recovery. The ANZ Commodity Price Index which was released yesterday rose by 0.8 percent in June—the ninth successive monthly increase—to leave the index at a record high. The gains were broad-based with producers benefiting from higher prices as global demand for New Zealand's commodities remains robust. Forestry extended its record highs rising by 3.6 percent in June while meat and fibre rose 1.8 percent and horticulture gained 4.3 percent. Dairy prices did ease by 1.5 percent but they are still 35 percent higher than they were a year ago. When returns to producers are converted back to New Zealand dollars the overall index rose by 2.3 percent. Nevertheless our producers are operating in a volatile market reflecting the impact of the pandemic.Helen White: What other reports has he seen on the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Data released today shows an increase in advertised job vacancies. TradeMe's latest jobs data shows the site recorded—Andrew Bayly: That's because they can't get people.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No your job hasn't been advertised yet Mr Bayly but it will be soon. TradeMe's latest jobs data shows the site recorded its highest number of jobs listed ever in the June quarter increasing by 25 percent compared with the same period in 2019 prior to COVID. It now has more than 80000 jobs being advertised. The largest increases were in hospitality and tourism which rose by 56 percent; manufacturing and operations up 52 percent; and construction and roading up 46 percent. TradeMe says the listings did not look to be slowing down and this shows just how strong and quickly the job market has bounced back.Helen White: What reports has he seen of the impact of the economy on consumer confidence?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The latest ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index shows consumer confidence remains steady. The index stood at 114 in June a little under its historical average of 120. The proportion of people who believe it is a good time to buy a major household item which is a key retail indicator of confidence rose 3 points to 22. Respondents were more positive about their own financial position: jumping seven points to 14 percent its strongest post-COVID level. The survey does however show that consumers remain cautious about the future which is completely understandable in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.