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Mallard TrevorWEDNESDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2020The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Karakia.SPEAKER'S RULINGSOral Questions—Number of Legs to a QuestionSPEAKER: Members last year I issued a ruling by email on the application of the convention that a question may only have two legs. Since this matter still arises frequently I thought it would be useful putting this ruling on the parliamentary record and therefore making it available through Speakers' Rulings.Members are supposed to ask a single question. Questions that attempt to ask two or more questions disguised as one are out of order—Speakers' ruling 165/3. Where I consider that a question has more than two legs I invite members to choose the two they wish to retain in the question. My general rule of thumb is that if an element of a question could be answered separately then it is a separate question. The question asking whether a Minister stands by all of his or her statements policies and actions can be answered separately about standing by statements standing by policies and standing by actions. That is in effect three questions in one. I have asked members and I ask members to limit themselves to asking two legs only—for example statements and policies.Added to the end of many primary questions that ask whether a Minister will do something is the question if not why not?" That is a distinct question and must be answered separately from the main part of the question. If a question ends with "if not why not?" then it must only have one preceding leg. There is precedent for this approach. In 1998 Speaker Kidd ruled that the question "Is he proposing to convene a meeting of the multiparty accord on superannuation; if so when and if not why not?" was not in order. I intend to resume that approach. A question that asks "If so when and if not why not?" as a second leg is not in order."
Tuesday 1 September 2020 - Volume 748
11. Question No. 11—HealthMICHAEL WOOD (Labour—Mt Roskill) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 11—Health11. MICHAEL WOOD (Labour—Mt Roskill) to the Minister of Health: What reports has he seen on New Zealand's COVID-19 contact tracing systems?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Health): Last week I released the final report of the Contacting Tracing Assurance Committee. The report recognises the progress that's been made on New Zealand's COVID-19 contact tracing systems and it concluded that New Zealand is now in an increasingly strong position with an improved contact tracing regime. More than three weeks on from the Auckland outbreak contact tracing continues to be effective. As of yesterday teams have identified 2743 close contacts of which 2676 have already been contacted and were isolating. That's a very high strike rate and while the figures vary day to day the teams are consistently performing at around or above the 80 percent benchmark of close contacts identified and contacted within 48 hours.Michael Wood: Has the Ministry of Health met the recommendations of the Verrall audit of the contact tracing system?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Dr Ayesha Verrall's audit included eight recommendations to strengthen the contact tracing response to COVID-19 and the ministry has implemented all of those recommendations and that was what was found in the audit report of July 2020. Those actions include things like increasing public health units' capacity for contact tracing case management—we're seeing the results of those; establishing a national close contact service within the ministry to provide leadership and surge capacity and we're seeing that working; implementing a comprehensive IT solution the National Contact Tracing Solution across the system—that's been implemented and it's working; and developing and implementing a monitoring framework to track and report on progress.Michael Wood: How is the national contact tracing centre supporting quick turn-round between a newly identified contact in relation to a confirmed case and isolation and testing?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The National Contact Tracing Solution is an information technology solution that ensures that the oversight and management for all COVID-19 cases and close contacts are drawn together. All public health units have now moved on to that single cloud-based platform. Since the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the community the National Investigation and Tracing Centre and the public health units have been able to test the capability of the system to respond to a community outbreak and it has performed incredibly well.
Urgent Debates Declined — Cyber-security — Activation of National Security System
Mallard TrevorURGENT DEBATES DECLINEDCyber-security—Activation of National Security SystemSPEAKER: I have received a letter from David Seymour seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the activation of the National Security System in response to cyber-attacks. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. The test for whether a particular case requires the immediate attention of the House is a high one. I am not convinced that this matter is urgent enough to warrant a debate today. The application is therefore declined. In accordance with a determination of the Business Committee the House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. tomorrow.The House adjourned at 2.59 p.m.
Mallard TrevorAdditional Question—Leave Not PutRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I thought seeing as there's no question No. 12 and we're all accountable I'd seek by way of the leave of the House the National Party a chance to ask me some questions because they've barely asked me a question for the last three years or this year. So perhaps I could move that Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: Order! There are methods for Ministers to move things as the Deputy Prime Minister is well aware of. If he chooses to move something which would probably involve a suspension of the Standing Orders it's his right to do so but I think he also knows that it is not his role to seek leave for another party to do anything no matter how much he desires it. Rt Hon Winston Peters: Can I signify that I'd be very happy for me to do so?SPEAKER: I think the member has already done that in a way which is out of order.
Tabling of Documents — Pledge on Family Violence
Williams Poto; Mallard TrevorTABLING OF DOCUMENTSPledge on Family Violence—Ken Clearwater Vic Tamati and Tim MarshallHon POTO WILLIAMS (Labour—Christchurch East): I seek leave to table a pledge made by Mr Ken Clearwater Vic Tamati and Tim Marshall declaring Aotearoa New Zealand the family violence - free sanctuary of the world and in partnership with SafeMan SafeFamily we will achieve this with a strategic cross-party plan aimed at making Aotearoa New Zealand Human Predator Free by 2050." SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that? It is so tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House."
Privilege — Misrepresentation — Reply to a Written Question
Mallard TrevorPRIVILEGEMisrepresentation—Reply to a Written QuestionSPEAKER: Members I have received a letter from the Hon Chris Hipkins raising with me a matter of privilege: the alteration and misrepresentation of a reply to a written question posted by the National Party on social media. The content altered a reply purporting to be from the Minister of Health and is on the face of it misleading. In normal circumstances I would be inclined to find that a question of privilege is involved and refer the matter to the Privileges Committee. The post purports to be authorised by the Leader of the Opposition although she has assured me that she did not see it before publication. The general manager of the New Zealand National Party has taken responsibility for it. The post involved the manufacture of fake ministerial letterhead to lend authenticity to the misrepresentation. However the Leader of the Opposition has apologised I have been assured that the material has been removed from social media and in light of the impending dissolution of Parliament I do not intend to take any further action.
Mallard Trevor; Kanongata'a-Suisuiki AnahilaTUESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2020The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.PRAYERSSPEAKER: Mālō e lelei. Because it's Tongan Language Week later this week I've asked Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki to say the prayer for us today in Tongan.ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour): Mālō e lelei. Ke tau lotu. 'E 'Otua Mafimafi kuo mau tā'imālie 'i ho'o 'ofá. 'Oku tuku homau lotó ka mau hū atu ke ke malu'i mu'a 'a e Kuiní mo tataki 'emau fua fatongia 'i Fale Aleá 'aki 'a e poto faka-e-'Otua 'ofá pea mo e 'ulungaanga malú ko e 'uhí ko e mo'uí pea mo e melino 'a e fonuá. 'Oku mau kole 'a e ngaahi me'á ni 'i he huafa 'o Sisu Kalaisi ko homau fakamo'uí ka ko ho'o 'aló. 'Emeni.
Wednesday 26 August 2020 - Volume 748
11. Question No. 11—Social DevelopmentPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentQuestion No. 11—Social Development11. PAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister for Social Development: What support has the Government made available to assist communities in response to COVID-19?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Associate Minister for Social Development) on behalf of the Minister for Social Development: The Government has opened a $36 million Community Capability and Resilience Fund for community groups seeking funding for initiatives that support the rebuild and recovery from COVID-19 over the next two years and $1.7 million has already been approved to support a broad range of local initiatives like building marae IT capability safe distribution of food packs amongst community groups and initiatives that support young people to access mentoring counselling and online services. There are also a range of groups who have sought funding including 19 Māori and 10 Pacific providers. The majority of funding has been distributed into the Auckland region and the fund has pivoted to include a focus on providing immediate funding to support groups to respond to people in need in Auckland following the level 3 restrictions. Paul Eagle: What other support has the Government provided to support communities to respond to COVID-19? Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Answering on behalf of the Minister $27 million was also provided to non-governmental organisations and community groups during level 4 to support the provision of food and essential goods to those in need. Social services are key to promoting wellbeing in our communities and our most recent investments build on the $267 million investment to address cost pressures within our community sector. On top of this we also invested $79 million towards social services as part of COVID response plus an extra $8.6 million for family violence services. This Government remains committed to both the longer-term sustainability of our social service providers as well as to supporting local solutions to address more immediate needs for our people whānau and communities through different COVID alert levels. Paul Eagle: Why is it important to include community and social service support as a key part of our COVID-19 response? Hon POTO WILLIAMS: On behalf of the Minister our community organisations and social services are key to helping us support New Zealanders and improve wellbeing in our communities. This is true now but will be particularly important in our rebuilding and recovery phase in response to COVID-19. It's important that our economic and health response is supported by a robust social response. As a Government we are committed to keeping our communities safe strong connected and getting through this together.
10. Question No. 10—HealthKIERAN McANULTY (Labour) to the Associate Minister of HealthQuestion No. 10—Health10. KIERAN McANULTY (Labour) to the Associate Minister of Health: How is the Government supporting Pacific communities at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19?Hon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Broadcasting Communications and Digital Media) on behalf of the Associate Minister of Health: The recent cases of COVID-19 have disproportionately affected the Pacific communities. The response to this current outbreak has been designed and delivered in partnership with Pacific experts providers and communities. As part of this commitment Cabinet agreed on Monday to an additional $19.5 million to help boost our COVID-19 health response to our Pacific communities. This funding will ensure we continue to have the front-line capacity for the cultural and language skills and the relationships required to provide the testing and case management needed to handle this most recent outbreak.Kieran McAnulty: What support will the funding provide?Hon KRIS FAAFOI: We have seen the rapid mobilisation of our Pacific health workforce in response to COVID-19. This new funding allows Pacific health providers in Auckland to meet increased demand for testing and support services. It also enables Auckland metro DHBs to expand their mobile outreach services. It also allows for an enhanced Pacific priority outreach service as part of our National Close Contact Service. It funds additional support for intelligence gathering and analysis and includes flexible funding to assist disability support services in their Pacific COVID-19 response.Kieran McAnulty: Why is a specific response for our Pacific communities so important?Hon KRIS FAAFOI: The recent resurgence of COVID-19 has almost entirely been in the Auckland region where more than two-thirds of our Pacific communities live. The proximity and connection of this outbreak within our Pacific population has required a targeted response and we're achieving that through our health response and just as importantly through our information campaign. This has included translations of key official messages into nine Pacific languages an extensive social media campaign and regular digital fono between key community leaders. Only by working together with our Pacific communities can we get on top of this virus in our Pacific communities.
5. Question No. 5—FinanceHon JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 5—Finance5. Hon JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green) to the Minister of Finance: Is the Government taking steps to ensure the economic recovery from COVID-19 contributes to New Zealand's zero carbon 2050 target?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Yes the Government is committed to a zero carbon 2050 target and in rebuilding from the current economic crisis will build on the progress we've already made including through the zero carbon Act. We are focused on futureproofing the economy including through investments in new technology and productivity enhancements that contribute to a more sustainable economy.Hon James Shaw: Has the Minister seen reports showing that 86 percent of New Zealanders believe that climate change should be a part of our COVID-19 recovery plan?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well I have. According to IAG's 2020 climate change poll 86 percent of New Zealanders want climate change to be part of the Government's economic response to COVID-19. Fortunately for that 86 percent of New Zealanders I can assure them that on this side of the House that is indeed the case.Hon James Shaw: Has he seen reports showing low-carbon stimulus spending generates far more jobs and long-run economic activity than carbon-intensive spending?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well I have because the member sent it to me. It's an Oxford University study which identified five policies with high potential for both economic multipliers and climate impacts. These are: clean physical infrastructure building efficiency retrofits investment in education and training natural capital investment and clean research and development. The Government agrees with both the economic and environmental benefits of these policy areas and that's why they are areas where we have provided significant investments through the COVID response and recovery fund.Hon James Shaw: What projects have been funded this year which reflect the wishes of New Zealanders who wish to see climate change tackled head-on?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Mr Speaker there are a number and I will run through as many as you'll let me get away with: investment in the Hiringa hydrogen refuelling network; $120-plus million invested in waste infrastructure; $220-plus million invested in cycleways; $200-plus million invested in climate resilience—SPEAKER: All right. The member invited me to interrupt him. I have. Question No. 6 Dr—oh! Further supplementary?Hon James Shaw: I was wondering if it would be possible to ask your permission to allow the Minister to table the remainder of his response for the House's information.SPEAKER: Well in fact if the member has it in his official document—he must—but he can seek leave to table it anyway.Hon Grant Robertson: I seek leave to table the list that I didn't get even halfway through.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none. It may be tabled. Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.
Brownlee Gerry; Mallard Trevor; Woods MeganQuestion No. 8 to Minister 25 AugustHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader—National): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I raise this now because of the relatively short time that the Parliament has to run before we adjourn again and because I think it possibly is a mistake that's just been inadvertently made. In question No. 8 yesterday the Minister the Hon Dr Megan Woods speaking about the Institute of Environmental Science and Research testing referred to the Southern Interceptor. In written question No. 15360 the Hon Chris Hipkins referred to the Southern Interceptor. But in questions today the verge point appears to be with the South Western Interceptor which is quite a different matter and a different line of questioning could have been pursued. So I'm really wondering: is that a mistake or is it a new piece of information?SPEAKER: It is an unusual approach—not one that I'd normally allow—but because of the relatively short time and the importance which the members clearly place on this I'm asking between the Minister who answered the question yesterday and the Minister who answered the question today for a response to clarify that—if the member's able to otherwise it can be done next week. Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Research Science and Innovation): I will send the member a written response to that this afternoon.
7. Question No. 7—EducationKIERAN McANULTY (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 7—Education7. KIERAN McANULTY (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What action is the Government taking to support distance learning while Auckland is at alert level 3?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): I can report that the Ministry of Education is making strong progress in getting support to schools and to students. For instance in the area of hardcopy packs of materials for different year levels over 16000 packs of materials in the English language have been dispatched to schools and students while over 2500 packs in Māori language have been dispatched to schools and students so far.Kieran McAnulty: What progress has been made with digital devices?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I told the House last week the Government's committed further funding to enhance distance learning support for schools particularly focused on Auckland's secondary school students. The Ministry of Education is using this firstly to meet the unmet demand of students in year 9 and above in secondary schools in Auckland: 3281 devices have now been sent to Auckland secondary schools and kura from this second wave of funding and the Ministry of Education is currently confirming the final demand for Auckland secondary schools and these orders are being placed right now.Kieran McAnulty: Is Home Learning TV also making a contribution to connecting with Auckland students?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes definitely; we've had great feedback about it. Auckland viewership of Home Learning TV remains reasonably consistent with the previous lockdown. For the week of 17 to 24 August Home Learning TV had an Auckland viewership of 128000 viewers.
Hipkins ChrisHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Health): Just very briefly picking up where David Seymour began I think he misunderstands the escalation process around alert levels. We moved up the alert levels at the beginning for a defined period of time in order to scope the extent of the problem—how far had the virus spread how many people were involved. The extension was then for a full infection cycle which is two weeks. Our decisions here have been made based on science. The continuation of that period is because we have not yet found the absolute outer limit of the cluster. We're still seeing new cases in the cluster but the recent ones have all been linked to the cluster which does give us confidence that we're getting on top of things.But I want to reiterate the most obvious point: it's a virus. You know viruses can't be completely controlled. If it was a matter of snapping our fingers and controlling it we wouldn't be in this position in the first place. It is a virus and at this point there aren't any definitive answers as to how this latest cluster came about so we have to continue the contact tracing and testing regime in order to get those answers and responsible leaders will withhold their judgment until they actually see what they are.
Ministerial Statements — COVID-19—Re-emergence in Community
Mallard TrevorSPEAKER: Well the member doesn't have a call.David Seymour: It was a ministerial statement. It was agreed at Business Committee. Is that not the case?SPEAKER: Well the member might want to seek leave but if he wanted a Business Committee decision he should have asked the Business Committee decision for—David Seymour: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. SPEAKER: The member's seeking leave to have a call. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.
Reti ShaneDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei): Thank you Mr Speaker. I want to thank the Minister for advising us of the Government's position and plans. Just here and now there is great uncertainty for all of us. To use a game-day framework—and coronavirus is no game—the question is: where are we in the coronavirus journey for New Zealanders? Are we at quarter-time? Are we at half-time? Are we at golden overtime? We don't know. The Government doesn't know. None of us can possibly project where we are on that continuum. That is our uncertainty and where there is uncertainty very quickly anxiety fills that vacuum and then fear. New Zealanders can never let this virus lead us with fear. Respect and caution yes; fear no. We can never be afraid in our own country. While uncertainty springs from the unknown there are things we do know that can fill that void. We do know the answers to the eight criteria the eight steps that the Prime Minister said would determine if we move levels or not. We do know all of the options that health officials presented to Cabinet on Monday from which one was chosen. We do know the economic and health implications of every choice that was made as we crossed levels. So we ask the Government to share that information with New Zealanders. Let us have some control of our own destiny and fill the void of uncertainty with knowledge and understanding. Crowdsource this problem. Bring all the imagination into one room.To conclude the outcome for this current four-day extension will be better and more durable if we take New Zealanders with us and so we say to the Government: please share this information.David Seymour: Mr Speaker.
Wednesday 19 August 2020 - Volume 748
4. Question No. 4—HealthDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 4—Health4. Dr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of Health: Did he receive reports on coronavirus testing of staff at Jet Park Hotel Auckland; if so from what date? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Health): Yes. I've had many conversations with officials regarding testing at managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities since becoming Minister of Health. In general reports and advice were not facility-specific and covered all of the sites. It's important to note that testing for Jet Park staff has been available since 26 March when that facility was first stood up. On 22 July I was advised that rolling testing was being implemented at MIQ facilities and had commenced at the Jet Park in Auckland and Christchurch on Friday 10 July. This was the first written report I received specifically describing the testing of Jet Park staff. In addition as late as 11 August—the day before the current outbreak—my office was advised the programme of testing of asymptomatic MIQ and border workers had been ramped up to commence weekly testing for staff at the quarantine high-risk facilities in Auckland Jet Park and Christchurch and fortnightly testing for staff working in managed isolation low-risk facilities. Of course by the time I had the opportunity to read that and ask questions about that we were already dealing with the current cluster. Dr Shane Reti: How many reports or updates did he receive indicating incomplete weekly testing of staff at Jet Park from the date he was told they were being tested weekly? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I did not receive a facility by facility breakdown of the testing of staff. Dr Shane Reti: Given he said yesterday that several weeks ago the Ministry of Health notified him in writing that all staff at Jet Park were being tested weekly when did he relay that information to Cabinet if at all? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The 22 July memo that I was referring to was specifically provided in the context of the Cabinet committee meeting that was happening that morning. They were the talking points that I was given by Health for that meeting. Dr Shane Reti: When did he relay the information on incomplete weekly testing of all staff at Jet Park to Cabinet if at all? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I think if the member had listened to my last question it would be very evident that it was on 22 July I reported that to the relevant Cabinet committee. Dr Shane Reti: Can I confirm that on 22 July he notified the Cabinet committee that all staff at Jet Park were being tested weekly and that there was incomplete weekly testing? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: No I think I have literally just told the member what I told Cabinet on 22 July—that I was advised that rolling testing was being implemented at MIQ facilities and had commenced at the Jet Park in Auckland and Christchurch on Friday 10 July. Dr Shane Reti: What is the first date that he received Jet Park - specific testing information? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: It would have been within the last week in the context of the investigations around this current cluster.
Tuesday 18 August 2020 - Volume 748
11. Question No. 11—Attorney-GeneralGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour) to the Attorney-GeneralQuestion No. 11—Attorney-General11. GINNY ANDERSEN (Labour) to the Attorney-General: How has the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 supported the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic?Hon DAVID PARKER (Attorney-General): The COVID-19 Public Health Response Act has enabled the Government to implement the resurgence response plan quickly with democratic oversight. The orders made provide for different rules for different levels of risk in different regions. The 1956 Health Act did not adequately provide for this.Ginny Andersen: How does the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 improve upon the Health Act from 1956?Hon DAVID PARKER: Despite misrepresentations about the Act spread on social media including by some in this House the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act allows more targeted responses with greater democratic accountability than the Health Act provisions. The Act confers the power to make orders on Ministers—accountable to Parliament—acting on advice from officials rather than orders being made directly by officials. The Act must be renewed every three months by this House. It is important that New Zealanders especially under alert levels 1 and 2 enjoy as much freedom as possible while still taking actions to halt any resurgence of the virus in ways not allowed for under the Health Act.Ginny Andersen: What reports has he received on the appropriateness of the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic?Hon DAVID PARKER: A select committee inquiry found the Act was necessary and appropriate". The Law Society in its submission to the inquiry into the Act said "The new bespoke framework provided by the Act is a significant improvement." and that it is "appropriate for the power to make orders to be exercised principally by Cabinet minister accountable to Parliament rather than officials." The Finance and Expenditure Committee also noted that among submitters "legal academics and others including the [Legislation Design and Advisory Committee] support the COVID-19 Act and consider it [is] a clear improvement on the Health Act."Ginny Andersen: Why was it important that Parliament renew the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 earlier this month?Hon DAVID PARKER: The COVID-19 Public Health Response Act allows more targeted messages that impinge less on freedoms and economic output than Health Act orders. An example is level 2 restrictions on large gatherings while normal work and social interaction is largely allowed. If the new Act had not been passed or had not been renewed earlier this month this would not have been possible. I was accordingly surprised to hear the Opposition claiming yesterday they had supported all COVID legislation when they actually voted against the Act both when originally enacted and again when it was extended. That is an interesting series of facts.Hon Member: Cheap.Hon Member: But correct.SPEAKER: Well I think there's not much left to the afternoon and therefore I won't do what I threatened to do and Mr Peters warned or asked me to do as well."
9. Question No. 9—Internal AffairsHon RON MARK (Minister of Defence) to the Minister of Internal AffairsQuestion No. 9—Internal Affairs9. Hon RON MARK (Minister of Defence) to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What recent announcements has she made regarding lottery funding and local communities in light of COVID-19?Hon TRACEY MARTIN (Minister of Internal Affairs): Today I have announced that a new lottery fund worth $40 million has been established to focus on community and social initiatives in the wake of COVID-19. The Lottery COVID-19 Community Wellbeing Fund will support groups that have lost access to funding sources have extra demand on their services or are now working in different ways in responding to COVID-19. Community groups responded incredibly to the initial lockdown and continue to play a vital role in supporting most of our people and communities. The Lottery Grants Board wants to help these groups as they provide support to rebuild and strengthen our communities and help with the recovery. Hon Ron Mark: How is this fund made possible?Hon TRACEY MARTIN: The new Lottery COVID-19 Community Wellbeing Fund is possible as Lotto New Zealand has been able to maintain the levels of funding provided to the Lottery Grants Board through the COVID-19 period and its 2021 forecast profit remains the same as last year. These types of one-off funds are established as and when required to respond to unexpected needs. Specific lottery funds were created in response to the events in Tasman Kaikōura and Edgecumbe over the last few years although they provided localised funding whereas the COVID-19 fund will be rolled out nationally.Hon Ron Mark: Can the Minister tell the House will this new fund affect the allocation of funding into other lottery distribution committees at all? Hon TRACEY MARTIN: Given Lotto New Zealand has been able to maintain its levels of funding this COVID-19 fund will not affect the allocation of funding to other distribution committees. Today I also announced that the Lottery Grants Board has allocated $178 million to the core distribution committees for 2021. This is the same level of funding as they received last year. This funding will support a range of social initiatives marae community facilities heritage environmental activities outdoor safety and health research. Another $117.6 million of lottery funding for 2021 will go to the board's statutory bodies: Sport New Zealand Creative New Zealand New Zealand Film Commission and Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. This funding continues to make a significant contribution to these sectors.
7. Question No. 7—HealthDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 7—Health7. Dr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement regarding testing of border staff that it has not been happening at the rates (a) we have asked for and (b) we were told"?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Health): Yes.Dr Shane Reti: When he said on The Nation that he had been told several weeks ago that all staff at Jet Park Auckland were being tested weekly who told him that and did he receive that in writing?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I was told that by the Ministry of Health and yes I did receive that in writing.Dr Shane Reti: Did he receive information showing incomplete weekly testing of staff at the border prior to the current outbreak and if so when?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Since I became the Minister of Health and it's been I think by my count roughly seven weeks now I have been receiving regular updates on the scaling up of testing at the border. I've been receiving that information primarily to inform my Cabinet colleagues each Monday but also to be prepared for the regular press conferences that I've been doing on Tuesdays and Thursdays where I've answered extensive questions on the rate of testing at the border. Right the way through that members who have been watching that will know that I have been continuing to work on that and I've been continuing to say that the testing rates have not yet been at a level to meet my expectations.Dr Shane Reti: So did those regular weekly updates demonstrate incomplete testing at the border?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes.Dr Shane Reti: When the Director-General of Health said about the lack of testing of border staff "There was clearly a dissonance between what the prime minister thought was happening and what was happening on the ground" what was the cause of that dissonance?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: That's something that the member would have to ask the director-general.Dr Shane Reti: Will he release all relevant information he's received on incomplete border testing and if not why not?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes of course the Government will be releasing all of the relevant information as we're obliged to do."
1. Question No. 1—FinanceHon JAMES SHAW (Associate Minister of Finance) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Finance1. Hon JAMES SHAW (Associate Minister of Finance) to the Minister of Finance: Is the Government supporting working people who need to take leave due to COVID-19; if so how?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Yes we are. Yesterday I announced that Cabinet has agreed to remove the revenue drop and negatively impacted tests for the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme. This means businesses with workers who have been told by health officials or their medical practitioner to self-isolate will receive the equivalent of the wage subsidy to help cover that person's wages for the time that they cannot be at work regardless of those businesses' current financial position. Our focus is on doing everything that we can to support our strong public health response. That means removing barriers to a person getting tested including fears that a positive result would put their employment at risk or that they wouldn't receive income while they couldn't work because they had used up their sick leave.Hon James Shaw: Will the leave scheme help support the principle that The best economic response is a strong health response."?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Yes we continue to believe that the best economic response to this pandemic is a strong public health response. The leave scheme will remove barriers to a person getting tested which will help to ensure more people get tested so that we can get a track and isolate the virus bring it under control faster and get the economy moving quickly.Hon James Shaw: Should employers be asking people who need to self-isolate to use up their annual leave?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No. The leave scheme is available so that businesses with workers who have been told by health officials or their medical practitioner to self-isolate will receive the equivalent of the wage subsidy to cover the person's wages for the time they cannot be at work. Therefore there is no reason for employers to ask workers to take annual leave in such cases.Hon James Shaw: Has he received advice about leave options for people who need to look after symptomatic children?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: We have asked officials to look into this matter further and I look forward to receiving that advice.Hon James Shaw: What is his view on whether the current support settings are suitable for people who work multiple jobs and need to get tested and self-isolate or enter quarantine?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: This is also a matter on which we are seeking further advice. Cabinet has asked officials to look at further modifications to the scheme to ensure that it is sustainable flexible and appropriate."
Reti Shane; Mallard TrevorDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei): Thank you Mr Speaker. We will be supporting this legislation but to support what the previous speaker David Seymour was saying we just have concerns as to how we come to be here again so late in the piece that it sort of needed a wake-up call with this second wave to finally nudge us along.If we look at the development of the app which we're completely supportive of we do think that this is an important tool. In fact probably there are other things that need to go with this particular tool—you know for those who don't have smartphones etc. It's not clear to us it's actually working across all sorts of operating systems either so there's probably some work that needs to be done there. But if you look at the copyright of the app and look at the two developers who gifted their intellectual property to it a few weeks ago they were reported as saying Look this doesn't represent the functionality that we thought we were coding when we first contributed our coding and we have significant concerns with it." Now I take on board that that functionality has been improved and we're hoping that there'll be further updates. I'm pleased that probably the most significant functionality that was improved with the app was the ability to manually enter a location when you weren't able to actually scan. I think that was a good thing. But just to talk to that point about the importance we see with the app and why we needed this second wave to do these things we're doing today why could we not have anticipated as we're hearing that it will be a matter of when not if? Well if that's the case this legislation could have been 30 days ago or 60 days ago. If that was the case why are we doing it here today? Again we'll be supporting it but you know we've sort of been pushed here and driven here in a little bit of a hurry if you like to form these regulations and to support these regulations that actually could have been done sooner. They might well have benefited from more views or possibly more scrutiny and yet here we are.We will still be supporting this because we think the fundamentals of the legislation are important but we just say that maybe it could have been better if we had more time and could have got here sooner. Thank you.Motion agreed to.SPEAKER: In accordance with a determination of the Business Committee the House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. tomorrow.The House adjourned at 4.03 p.m."
Seymour DavidDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): Thank you Mr Speaker. I rise in support of the motion that the Minister has moved with a couple of comments. As he rightly mentions the Government has had the power to make mandatory the testing of people working at the border and in isolation facilities people who are the only people in New Zealand who are habitually in contact with the only people in New Zealand known to have COVID-19. I applaud that those people are going to be mandatorily tested but the question is: why now when the Government's had the power to do it since the legislation was passed months ago?Hon Chris Hipkins: Which he voted against. DAVID SEYMOUR: Second of all—SPEAKER: Order! Order! I just want to warn the Minister of Health I did not vote against it.DAVID SEYMOUR: Thank you Mr Speaker.Secondly when it comes to the testing of those at the seaports of course that is something that should have been done long ago. The question is: is the capability there to do it? So not only did the Government have the power to do it but they haven't used the capability. And again I ask you know if they had the ability to do this why now?Finally on the topic of belatedness incredibly belated is the issuing of QR codes. The Minister himself on Q+A this weekend admitted that he hadn't been using the Ministry of Health's app. I have to admit neither had I because it had been given up on. As I said in my speech earlier it's all very well to make it mandatory but just as with the availability of testing at the seaports the app didn't work. The QR codes weren't there because people had given up on it. So it's all very well to be making the order but let's just remember that the Government has had a huge amount of time with these powers where it could've used them but it got engaged in complacency victory laps and indolence and as a result it finds itself taking this action at a time when Parliament wasn't even supposed to be sitting. And I think that there's a salutary lesson in that: when we say that Government has done a great job and New Zealand has done so well we just have to remember that these orders and these powers are only being used too little too late when there was no capacity to actually fulfil them and only because it all went wrong. That's what we need to remember and I think it's salutary that we just mark this time because this Government hasn't been going hard and going early; it's been caught napping—that's why we're here now. Thank you Mr Speaker.
Ministerial Statements — COVID-19—Response
Mallard TrevorTUESDAY 18 AUGUST 2020The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.MINISTERIAL STATEMENTSCOVID-19 Outbreak—Government Economic and Health ResponseSPEAKER: I understand that the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Health wish to make ministerial statements.
Thursday 6 August 2020 - Volume 748
11. Question No. 11—PoliceGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 11—Police11. GINNY ANDERSEN (Labour) to the Minister of Police: What reports has he seen about the impact on police diversity of the growth in recruitment over the past three years?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Police): Reports that I have seen confirm that the roll-out of new police has smashed all sorts of recruitment records. There are more women more Māori more Pasifika and more Asian police officers on the front line and that includes 266 new constables deployed in that member's Wellington district alone. Almost half the growth in the police workforce is made up of female officers. As at the end of June there were 1193 Māori officers an increase of 22 percent; 605 Pasifika officers an increase in 41 percent; and 462 Asian officers an increase in 85.5 percent. This marks a generational shift in police recruitment training and deployment. It has changed the face of modern police and created a more diverse organisation that better reflects the communities our fine police officers serve.Ginny Andersen: What reports has he seen about how police are supporting the cultural diversity of new recruits?Hon STUART NASH: With greater diversity and a 14.5 percent increase in front-line police officers comes a responsibility to ensure the wider organisation has support structures in place for new recruits and constables in the workforce. Following the precedent set in 2008 when a Sikh turban became part of police uniform in 2020 female Muslim officers will for the first time have access to a hijab as part of their uniform. Police have collaborated with the Christchurch and Auckland Muslim women committees to design a bespoke hijab for female Muslim officers. Police have already smashed records with the first female Muslim district commander in Waitematā and this new uniform affirms that diversity is celebrated by all.Ginny Andersen: What reports has he seen about the police recruitment pipeline?Hon STUART NASH: With a new wing every month in the Police College and 4000 applicants currently being processed there is no shortage of Kiwis who are putting up their hands to join the police service. A report I've seen on the most recent wing—No. 341 inducted into the Police College just recently—is that this wing is one of the most diverse in New Zealand Police history with 53 percent female 25 percent New Zealand Māori 16.3 percent Asian and 6.3 percent Pasifika. The youngest in the wing is 19 and the eldest is 56 years old. Recruits in this wing hail from a number of employment backgrounds including farmers stable hands swim instructors stay-at-home parents and also includes an applicant who was recently made redundant as an Air New Zealand loader. There are also 20 different languages spoken fluently in this wing such as Te Reo Māori Croatian Mandarin French Spanish Punjabi Japanese Korean Macedonian and Italian. I'm extremely proud to be part of a coalition Government that has invested over $500 million in police recruitment since Budget 2018. We have delivered.
5. Question No. 5—EducationMARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 5—Education5. MARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What is the Government doing to make it easier and more attractive for employers to train people?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): We're supporting employers to keep New Zealanders working keep them training and to help them find work particularly in areas where there are skills shortages. We recognise that apprentices need more support from employers in their first two years while they're in training and they're developing their skills. That's why the Apprenticeship Boost initiative which commenced yesterday will provide cash support to employers to help to keep their first- and second-year apprentices employed and training towards their qualifications. We've also provided extra funding to ensure that people in apprenticeships and other targeted areas of training don't have to pay fees until the end of 2022.Marja Lubeck: What initial take-up has there been for the Apprenticeship Boost initiative?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Shortly before question time I was advised by my colleague Carmel Sepuloni the Minister for Social Development that the Ministry of Social Development are implementing this programme and that as at 10 o'clock today 798 businesses have already commenced the application process for the Apprenticeship Boost initiative which of course was only officially launched yesterday.Marja Lubeck: Have these initiatives had any success in broadening the range of employers taking on apprenticeships?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes very good news. For example in the first six months of this year the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation signed up 301 new employers who had never trained before. Compare that to since 1 July when they've signed up 246 new employers. In other words 45 percent of the new employers in the building and construction industry taking on new apprentices have joined and signed up for that since this initiative was first announced. For the skills organisation that number from 1 July is 149. From the primary industry training organisation that number is 49 new employers. These are all employers who have not previously taken on apprentices and who are now going to be doing so.