edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2760. Text is subject to correction.] 
4. 
KATRINA SHANKS (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Justice 
: What steps is she taking to improve access to criminal history information for New Zealand employers? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Justice) 
: 
 This week I signed a memorandum of understanding between New Zealand and Australia that will allow four New Zealand agencies to benefit from being able to check job applicants for any criminal history in Australia. The Ministry of Social Development Child Youth and Family the Teachers Council and IHC New Zealand already operate in potential high-risk sectors and with vulnerable individuals. They already undertake high-risk employee checks through the New Zealand Police. The trial between New Zealand and Australia will give them even more certainty about client safety. 
Katrina Shanks 
: How will the trial work? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: When a person is offered a job with these organisations they provide written consent for a criminal history check to be carried out. The trial does not change that requirement. Instead it means that the organisations—via the New Zealand Police—can check whether that person has a criminal history in Australia. The trial will last for 6 months after which time we will review how it has worked before looking to extend it to other New Zealand employers. This is an important step in supporting border control and law enforcement. 
Andrew Little 
: What steps will the Minister and her office take to ensure that information managed under the scheme will be accurate and treated with integrity or will she apply the same standards of personal information management that she permits in ACC? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: That question is absolutely ridiculous. The New Zealand Police has the highest levels of integrity and I am astonished that that member would make such an allegation.
Smith Lockwood: Points of Order — Questions for Oral Answer—Speaker’s Evaluation of Answers 
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Smith Lockwood: Points of Order — Questions for Oral Answer—Speaker’s Evaluation of Answers 
[Sitting date: 31 May 2012. Volume:680;Page:2755. Text is subject to correction.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Not at all. The Speaker sometimes tries to assist in the interests of making progress by elucidating why he is not requiring a Minister to answer further. But that is the only standing of anything the Minister might say. The answers are absolutely up to the Ministers. That is why yesterday when there was concern over an answer given I enabled the member Chris Hipkins himself to repeat his question so that the Minister could answer herself in person with an actual answer to the question asked. That is why I did that—to avoid any confusion.
Draft transcript - Friday 25 May 2012 
Published as advance copy. 
Draft transcript - Friday 25 May 2012
Draft transcript - Thursday 24 May 2012 
Published as advance copy. 
Draft transcript - Thursday 24 May 2012
Draft transcript - Thursday 31 May 2012 
Published as advance copy. 
Draft transcript - Thursday 31 May 2012
Draft transcript - Wednesday 30 May 2012 
Published as advance copy. 
Draft transcript - Wednesday 30 May 2012
Draft transcript - Tuesday 29 May 2012 
Published as advance copy. 
Draft transcript - Tuesday 29 May 2012
Vote: Building Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading 
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Vote: Building Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:651. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Building Amendment Bill (No 3) be now read a second time. 
Ayes 63 
New Zealand National 59; Maori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Mana 1. 
Bill read a second time.
Borrows Chester: Building Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading 
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Borrows Chester: Building Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:647. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon CHESTER BORROWS (Minister for Courts) 
: 
 I want to commend the previous speaker Dr David Clark for the delivery of that speech. Ten minutes can seem like an awfully long time in such circumstances—called to your feet a little bit impromptu—and your former occupation has served you well. I want to speak in endorsement of the Building Amendment Bill (No 3). 
Hon Member 
: Was that a compliment? 
Hon CHESTER BORROWS 
: That was a compliment and they flow fast and furious from my lips.  
It is only a week since I attended a meeting of a development group in Whanganui that was experiencing extreme frustration with trying to get subdivisions and create employment which Whanganui desperately needs at this time. It was being frustrated by an inconsistent approach from councils. Some of the frustrations will be dealt to with the passing of this legislation around the granting of consents for similarly designed buildings built on repeat scales on the same land by the same builders who have been proven to be trustworthy in the past. I commend this bill to the House and look forward to its smooth transition. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: I am going to call Kris Faafoi but before I do is this a split call with the Greens or is this a— 
Kris Faafoi 
: Not that I am aware of Mr Assistant Speaker. 
Hon Tau Henare 
: It should be. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: I call Kris Faafoi.
Barry Maggie: Building Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading 
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Barry Maggie: Building Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:643. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
MAGGIE BARRY (National—North Shore) 
: 
 I am very happy to speak briefly in support of the four main changes in the Building Amendment Bill (No 3). It is No. 3 not No. 4. I talked to a few builders about this on the North Shore my home electorate. This is a place where building and the construction industry are highly valued. It seems to me that really the four pieces that are in this legislation—clearer accountability; a new building consent system which is very much risk based; that code of ethics which is an encouragement and that is the carrot; as well as the do-it-yourself guy not being very hard-done-by by this legislation—are four measures that have appealed to my electorate a lot and also appeal to me.  
I had a bit to do with DIY in 12 years on the garden show and I would have to say that for the guys who are handy with the hammer—and the women too—it is important that they are able to continue on with their work but they have to keep the standards high. They cannot go out and afford building inspectors and really crank it up too much. That would stifle the great Kiwi pastime. So I am very pleased with the provisions in the bill because the safeguards are still there. They still have to meet the requirements of the building code like all professional builders and they still have to be accountable for the work that they do but they do have to watch out for themselves.  
The do-it-yourselfers will be prevented from working on more than one home within a 3-year period because there will always be I guess the cowboys who decide that they want to try to get in under the guise of DIY. I think that the provisions in the bill make it very difficult for them because you are not allowed to actually pay anyone who gives you assistance. So I think the measures are there.  
I like the bill and I am very happy about its checks and balances. I am very happy to support this Building Amendment Bill (No 3).
Vote: Corrections Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Vote: Corrections Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:636. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Corrections Amendment Bill be now read a first time. 
Ayes 69 
New Zealand National 59; New Zealand First 8; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 51 
New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; Maori Party 2; Mana 1. 
Bill read a first time. 
Bill referred to the Law and Order Committee.
Vote: Building Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading 
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Vote: Building Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:650. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the amendments recommended by the Local Government and Environment Committee by majority be agreed to. 
Ayes 63 
New Zealand National 59; Maori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Mana 1. 
Question agreed to.
Huo Raymond: Medicines Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Huo Raymond: Medicines Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:613. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
RAYMOND HUO (Labour) 
: 
 I rise to take a call on the first reading of the Medicines Amendment Bill. Labour supports this bill to go to the Health Committee. We are supporting this bill because it provides an opportunity to amend some specific provisions of the Medicines Act in order to streamline the legislation.  
However some important aspects raised by my colleagues the Hon Maryan Street and Iain Lees-Galloway who both spoke this afternoon are worth reiterating. This bill reminds us of two important phrases. The first one is “naked politicking” and the second one is “flip-flop”. Had National not flip-flopped on the issue of natural health products and opposed the Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill most of those amendments we are repeating now could have been passed in 2007. Many of the changes as pointed out by the Hon Maryan Street covered by the amendment bill were consulted on during the development of the Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill and the select committee’s consideration of that bill.  
Among other measures the bill seeks to modernise the definitions of “medicine” “medical device” and “therapeutic purpose” to align the boundary between medicines and medical devices with international norms. The expansion of the regulation-making powers in the Act will help to provide for new standards and innovative practices such as electronic prescribing. These changes will support initiatives that are under way in the sector including electronic prescribing pilots and the Safe Medication Management programme.  
Labour supports a more comprehensive overhaul of the Medicines Act in the future to modernise and recast the medicines legislation and to address issues such as the regulation of medical devices and cellular therapies and controls on advertising. Thank you.
Dean Jacqui: Building Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading 
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Dean Jacqui: Building Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:649. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) 
: 
 The Building Amendment Bill (No 3) provides for clearer accountability for building practitioners building consent authorities and consumers in making sure work complies with the building code. It is an excellent bill and I commend it to the House.
Brownlee Gerry: Address in Reply — Presentation to Governor-General 
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Brownlee Gerry: Address in Reply — Presentation to Governor-General 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:601. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 I move  
That Mr Speaker accompanied by the Mover and Seconder and other members of the House do present the said Address to His Excellency the Governor-General at a place and time to be appointed by His Excellency 
. 
Motion agreed to.
Vote: Address in Reply — Presentation to Governor-General 
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Vote: Address in Reply — Presentation to Governor-General 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:601. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Address be adopted. 
Ayes 64 
New Zealand National 59; Maori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Mana 1. 
Address adopted.
Smith Lockwood: Address in Reply — Presentation to Governor-General 
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Smith Lockwood: Address in Reply — Presentation to Governor-General 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:601. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER 
:  
Address from the House of Representatives 
to 
His Excellency Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae Chancellor and Principal Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit Principal Companion of The Queen’s Service Order Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Realm of New Zealand. 
Your Excellency— 
We the House of Representatives thank you for the speech addressed to us when you opened this Fiftieth Parliament. 
We assure you that the matters referred to in your speech will receive our careful consideration. 
Ko te tumanako nei kia mahi tahi tatou katoa.
Mallard Trevor: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Mallard Trevor: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:576. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I know there has been some concern and suggestions about the need for a global positioning system so I would like to report that Mr McCully has been found in the buildings. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! [ 
Interruption 
] Order! I am on my feet. Fortunately I am in a good mood today because members should not raise points of order like that.
Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:578. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
10. 
KATRINA SHANKS (National) 
 to the  
Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations 
: What progress has recently been made towards the completion of historical Treaty of Waitangi settlements? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
: 
 Very good progress. In fact the Human Rights Commission recently reviewed the last 5 years of Treaty settlements and noted that the pace had increased dramatically from 10 milestones achieved in 2007 to 60 in 2011. In January the Crown signed its first deed of settlement with far north iwi in the Te Hiku Forum with Te Aupouri. This represents a very important step toward resolving that region’s complex and longstanding grievances. It demonstrates this Government’s commitment to achieving historical claims in a just a timely and a final manner for the benefit of iwi and the country as a whole.  
Katrina Shanks 
: How has this progress been assisted by recent changes to the Standing Orders? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: Under the new Standing Orders the Business Committee extended sitting hours on Thursday 16 February without the House going into urgency in order to progress eight bills including six Treaty bills and a number of very important bills received their second readings. I think it is a great credit to this House and its members that they have agreed on innovative approaches to address the issue of delay in legislating these settlements and I want to record my gratitude and that of the iwi concerned for this approach.
Ngaro Alfred: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Ngaro Alfred: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:576. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
8. 
ALFRED NGARO (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Justice 
: What progress has been made on the MMP review triggered by the referendum at last year’s election? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Justice) 
: 
 In the referendum last year the majority of voters elected to keep MMP triggering a review. Recently the Electoral Commission launched that review which will consider a number of issues that affect how Parliament operates. These include the 5 percent party vote threshold whether a list MP should be able to stand as a candidate in a by-election and whether a candidate can stand both for an electorate seat and on the party list. I encourage all New Zealanders to take part in this review which is an important function of our democratic system. 
Alfred Ngaro 
: How can New Zealanders get involved in the MMP review? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: There are a number of ways. The Electoral Commission will hold public meetings around the country in April and May for people to make submissions in person. Alternatively New Zealanders can make either a full submission or a 5-minute submission online at www.mmpreview.org.nz. They can also send submissions via email or post. The Electoral Commission has also prepared a consultation paper which can be downloaded from the MMP review website. This gives a full outline of the issues being considered. New Zealanders are already having their say and submissions on the review are open until 31 May.
Yang Jian: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Yang Jian: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:575. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
6. 
Dr JIAN YANG (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: What improvements have there been in the National Health Targets? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
: 
 I am very pleased to advise the member that the latest national health targets show record achievements in all six areas. Of the 16600 kids who turned 2 in the last quarter 15200—that is a record 92 percent of them—were fully immunised against the target of 95 percent. That is virtually no gap between Maori Pacific and Pakeha children. In fact on Thursday I visited the Porirua Union and Community Health Service in Cannons Creek and they told me that 94 percent of their 2-year-olds are now fully immunised in that community. It is clear that the district health boards are focusing even more strongly on patients and they are benefiting from the Government’s $1.5 billion of extra funding over the past 3 years. 
Dr Jian Yang 
: What improvement has there been to hospital services in the national health targets? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: Emergency departments recorded their best result ever: in the last quarter 238000 New Zealanders turned up at hospital emergency departments and 92 percent of them were treated or transferred within the 6 hours which is a very significant achievement. Every cancer patient ready for radiation treatment started within the world gold standard of 4 weeks. The district health boards are treating and caring for a record number of patients and I think we would all like to thank them for the outstanding work of their management and clinical teams in meeting the health targets.
Vote: Address in Reply — Presentation to Governor-General 
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Vote: Address in Reply — Presentation to Governor-General 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:601. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the following words be added to the motion: “and the National-led Government will sell New Zealand’s assets against the will of the public; the Government has no ideas to create jobs or a clean and innovative New Zealand; that the Government is widening the gap between the very rich and the rest and therefore this House has no confidence in the National-led government.” 
Ayes 57 
New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Mana 1. 
Noes 64 
New Zealand National 59; Maori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Amendment not agreed to.
Wagner Nicky: Building Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading 
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Wagner Nicky: Building Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:639. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
NICKY WAGNER (National—Christchurch Central) 
: 
 The Building Amendment Bill (No 3) is about building quality and building affordability both of which are critical for New Zealand. This bill is part of a Better Building Blueprint a blueprint that will make it easier and cheaper for New Zealanders to build good quality homes and buildings.  
The bill is a result of a comprehensive review of the Building Act 2004. That review began at a time when the construction industry was slowing. Now of course there is a real growth in the sector focused on the rebuild of Christchurch. We are expecting to build over 10000 buildings in Christchurch per year every year for the next few years and people are estimating that that rebuild will cost up to $30 billion. So there are important savings to be made with this legislation.  
The construction industry is a very important contributor to the growth of our economy right across the country and it needs to be as efficient and as effective as possible. This bill is part of a package to improve standards and productivity. With the pace that is required for the rebuild of Christchurch it is particularly important that we reduce red tape lift performance and increase throughput so we can rebuild our city quickly and efficiently. But let me make this clear: this is not about cutting costs or corners; it is all about getting the rules right and increasing the skills and capacity of the industry so we can build right first time. Christchurch is expecting over 20000 tradesmen to come into our city for the rebuild so we must ensure that the work that they do is of good quality.  
I believe that everybody in this House will support the value of delivering better quality for less money and I believe that this bill will improve the productivity of our building industry which is lagging against other countries and as a result increase the affordability of housing and building in New Zealand. With the enormous amount of building that has to be done in the next few years across the country and particularly in Christchurch this is an important piece of legislation and I commend this bill to the House.
Woodhouse Michael: Medicines Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Woodhouse Michael: Medicines Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:616. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) 
: 
 In my very short call at the end of the first reading of the Medicines Amendment Bill I will resist strongly the temptation to debate the rewriting of history by my friend on the other side Darien Fenton in respect of the health care system.  
What I do particularly want to just touch on and commend is the work of a friend of mine Dr Andrew Bowers. He is a specialist physician at Dunedin Hospital and he has been running an electronic prescribing project there. It has made a dramatic positive impact on safety particularly for in-patients at Dunedin Hospital but the 31-year-old legislation that prescribes for prescribing does act as a constraint on that so I am particularly interested in exploring the possibilities for greater flexibility around electronic prescribing. I look forward to the Health Committee’s report on that particular issue which is one of many very very positive changes to the Medicines Act. I look forward to seeing how the select committee goes. I commend the bill to the House.  
Bill read a first time.  
Bill referred to the Health Committee.
Dunne Peter: Medicines Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Dunne Peter: Medicines Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:617. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon PETER DUNNE (Associate Minister of Health) 
: I move  
That the Medicines Amendment Bill be reported back to the House by 2 July 2012. 
Motion agreed to.
Sabin Mike: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Sabin Mike: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:573. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
4. 
MIKE SABIN (National—Northland) 
 to the  
Minister for Social Development 
: What changes has the Government recently announced for those on welfare? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development) 
: 
 We have announced that we will fundamentally change the way welfare is delivered in New Zealand. We will work with youth and parents on welfare far better than we currently do. These changes do set clear obligations but they also offer substantially more assistance. 
Mike Sabin 
: Is the Government privatising welfare and if so why? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: I hear lots of reports that we are wanting to privatise welfare. Let me say that if you call contracting out to service providers—as we currently do and will continue to do to support those young people on welfare into education budgeting their finances and attending parenting classes—privatisation then yes I suppose we are. Every year Work and Income spends more than $280 million on contracting out services predominantly to those community organisations—such as the Salvation Army Presbyterian Support local iwi and our chambers of commerce—that are best placed to work with those who need these services. 
Mike Sabin 
: How will the changes ensure young people complete education budgeting and for teen parents parenting courses? 
Hon PAULA BENNETT 
: Overall the package will work with up to 14000 teens; 3000 of them are on a benefit. From July young people on a benefit will be able to earn incentives for making the right choices. This will include an extra $10 per week when they have shown 6 months’ continued commitment to education training or work-based learning; $10 for undertaking a budgeting programme; and for parents $10 per week for undertaking a parenting programme. I think that this will make a big difference to them and that bit of money can make a difference as well.
Vote: Address in Reply — Presentation to Governor-General 
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Vote: Address in Reply — Presentation to Governor-General 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:601. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the motion that a respectful Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor-General in reply to His Excellency’s speech. 
Ayes 64 
New Zealand National 59; Maori Party 3; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1. 
Noes 57 
New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Mana 1. 
Address in Reply agreed to.
Stewart Barbara: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
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Stewart Barbara: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:579. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
11. 
BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: Does he agree with the proposal by Pharmac to limit diabetic New Zealanders’ access to subsidised glucose-testing equipment? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
: 
 As the member knows Pharmac makes independent decisions. However I understand that look any potential change can be unsettling for people. I am advised that Pharmac is currently consulting on having a sole supplier of blood glucose meters and test strips and that more people with diabetes will have fully funded access under its proposal. The Pharmac board will make a decision in late March or April after considering all the advice and submissions. Pharmac estimates that moving to a sole supplier as well as providing fully funded access to increased numbers of people will save approximately $10 million a year which will go towards funding better access to new and existing medicines for patients.  
Barbara Stewart 
: Why should New Zealand’s 200000 diabetics be forced to use the CareSens glucose monitor when the only possible benefit will be greatly negated by the cost of implementation? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: As I said earlier Pharmac is currently consulting on a proposal and it takes into account all those matters. If the proposal is agreed by Pharmac there will be comprehensive education and training for clinicians pharmacists and patients. That will certainly be a big feature of any proposed transition. However the board has yet to make a decision on that. 
Barbara Stewart 
: Is the Minister not concerned about comments from the Diabetes New Zealand President Chris Baty that “no-one uses these meters” since they have been available in New Zealand since at least 2009? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: As I said to the member it is always unsettling whenever there are these sorts of changes. But what we do know is that there is an opportunity for Diabetes New Zealand to make submissions and comments about the process as there is for clinical diabetologists to have their input. The Pharmac board will make a decision and it is my understanding that if it proceeds with that proposal there will be full training and education support for those who use these meters and strips.
Calder Cam: Medicines Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Calder Cam: Medicines Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 28 February 2012. Volume:677;Page:613. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Dr CAM CALDER (National) 
: 
 It is a pleasure to rise and have a brief call on this bill the Medicines Amendment Bill. In 2008 the National Party promised that we would offer better sooner and more convenient health-care should we become the Government. This is indeed what has happened. We have got proof of that and we heard the Minister of Health just this very afternoon outlining the success in increasing immunisation rates increasing the number of people seen at accident and emergency more quickly and of course the gold standard of starting treatment for diagnosed malignancy within a 4-week period—the global gold standard.  
In my own area of interest Manurewa 3000 more elective surgical procedures were performed—27000 around New Zealand with 3000 of those in the local community. And of course a move is afoot to address the Third World levels of rheumatic fever; unfortunately Manurewa is a hotspot in New Zealand for that. We are working on that with school nurses and more will be rolled out in the future.  
This bill is yet another way of addressing that promise of improving our health services that we deliver to the people of New Zealand. We are committed to delivering high-quality services and modern public services and unfortunately we are in an area of tight budget constraint. We all know what those problems are so we need to work more efficiently and this bill will allow us to do so.  
I am particularly keen on the expansion to nurse practitioners and optometrists of the designated authorised prescriber. That will free up and make more flexible the whole business of getting the medicines to the necessary patients more swiftly and more expeditiously. 
 I must say I regard it as a privilege to prescribe. My first degree was in medicine with a postgraduate qualification—an interest in oral surgery. That gave me the ability to prescribe within my scope and then in qualifying as a medical practitioner that scope of practice was widened. And that is what we are allowing the nurse practitioner and the optometrist to do: to prescribe within their scope of practice.  
But the other area that excites me is the delegated prescribing order. I have worked in general practice I have worked in accident and emergency and I have worked in hospitals. I can just imagine that many general practices where they have nurses within the clinic could form a framework wherein that nurse could see a patient and make the necessary prescription available to them. I am thinking of somebody coming in with a bladder infection.  
There are many other areas that excite me about this bill. It is a brief contribution this time. I am privileged to be on the Health Committee and I look forward to hearing submissions on this bill in due course.
Turei Metiria: Election of Speaker 
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Turei Metiria: Election of Speaker 
[Sitting date: 20 December 2011. Volume:677;Page:4. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
METIRIA TUREI (Co-Leader—Green) 
: 
 On behalf of the Green Party I want to congratulate you Mr Speaker-Elect on your re-election surprise as it was and to say we do also look forward to working with you further in the future.  
You and I have not always agreed on all issues to do with the management of the House and Parliament but where we have we have worked together and achieved a great deal. I want to acknowledge particularly your reform for transparency that you were part of as part of your last term as Speaker. I certainly look forward and the Green Party does too to your continuing work to reform the parliamentary process to make it more transparent to recognise and respect our history to honour and respect the Treaty of Waitangi and to reform towards a state of modernisation that perhaps better reflects the 21st century modern progressive nation that Aotearoa New Zealand has become. I look forward to working with you closer on those issues in the future. Congratulations Mr Speaker-Elect.
Smith Lockwood: Election of Speaker 
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Smith Lockwood: Election of Speaker 
[Sitting date: 20 December 2011. Volume:677;Page:5. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER-ELECT 
: My colleagues thank you so much for those very kind comments and for the confidence you have shown in me. I just hope I can live up to that confidence you have shown in me today.
Dunne Peter: Election of Speaker 
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Dunne Peter: Election of Speaker 
[Sitting date: 20 December 2011. Volume:677;Page:5. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon PETER DUNNE (Leader—United Future) 
: 
 Mr Speaker-Elect as one of the now dwindling band of fellow 1984 intake members may I congratulate you Mr Speaker-Elect most warmly on your re-election to the most elevated post in this Parliament. You showed in your first term that you were prepared to take on the challenge of treading the very fine line between upholding the standards dignity tradition and history of this place and starting to modernise and make more transparent and open many of the processes by which we operate. You succeeded admirably in that task and I think that for those who doubted your resolve your determination and your dedication you also showed very quickly that you were not going to be trifled with on that score. I think most members of the House would acknowledge the huge contribution you made in that respect.  
A new Parliament has been elected and with it come new challenges. The composition of the House has changed somewhat. Those of us who are familiar with your ways will no doubt slip comfortably back into cooperating with you and acknowledging you as appropriate. There will be others who will have to be guided and educated. I am sure that we who have been here for some time will stand by ready to assist you in that process. But I suspect that our assistance will be superfluous because your ability to win the confidence of the House to impose a standard of order and conduct that befits this place was well established in the last term.  
Like the House has unanimously I have confidence that you will continue to impose that same standard and that same level of performance during the coming term. My warmest congratulations.
Banks John: Election of Speaker 
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Banks John: Election of Speaker 
[Sitting date: 20 December 2011. Volume:677;Page:5. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon JOHN BANKS (ACT—Epsom) 
: 
 On behalf of the ACT caucus can I congratulate you on your reappointment. We have known each other a long time and I am very grateful for that. Your mother and father would be very proud of you today Dr Smith that in this exalted role you have done so well and served the country so well. You have brought a lot of grace and dignity to the role of Speaker and to this place for which the whole country is grateful. While in exile I got a lot of opportunity to witness this place in action. You have done a remarkable job.  
Finally can I thank you for the enthusiastic welcome that you gave me when I arrived back here this morning. It was surpassed only by a security guard on day one when I arrived here 2 weeks and 2 days ago when he said: “It’s so good to see you again Winston.”
Harawira Hone: Election of Speaker 
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Harawira Hone: Election of Speaker 
[Sitting date: 20 December 2011. Volume:677;Page:4. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
HONE HARAWIRA (Leader—Mana) 
: 
 Kia ora tatou. Hoi ano hai korero tuatahi me mihi atu ki a koe e te Kaiwhakawa o to tatou nei Whare i tenei ra. Tautoko ana au i nga mihi katoa kua tukuna atu ki runga i a koe me te mea ano hoki tautoko ano hoki i te korero a Metiria kia noho tahi tatou a tona wa kia korero i nga korero mo tetahi oati pai e pa ana ki a tatou o roto o Aotearoa i tenei wa. 
[ 
Greetings to us. Indeed the first thing for me today Mr Speaker-Elect of this House of ours is to acknowledge you. I endorse all the acknowledgments bestowed upon you and support Metiria’s statement as well for us to sit down together in the near future to discuss a more fitting oath that is relevant to us of New Zealand at this point in time 
.]  
Congratulations Mr Speaker-Elect on taking on that most onerous of tasks: trying to keep that side and this side acting in the best spirit of the House. I look forward to the opportunity to sit down with you and others in the very near future to talk about the way in which we might advance the notion that the oath better reflect who it is we are in Aotearoa our Treaty and the people we represent. Tena koe huri rauna kia ora tatou katoa.
Sharples Pita: Election of Speaker 
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Sharples Pita: Election of Speaker 
[Sitting date: 20 December 2011. Volume:677;Page:4. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES (Co-Leader—Maori Party) 
: 
 A tena tatau. Kai te Rangatira he honore maku ki te mihi atu ki a koe kua whiwhi i tenei turanga ki a koe i tenei wa. Harikoa te ngakau o to matou pati ara te Torangapu Maori.  
[ 
Greetings to us. Mr Speaker-Elect it is an honour indeed for me to acknowledge this role that has been bestowed upon you at this stage. Our party the Maori Party is ecstatic about it 
.]  
I join the other members and leaders of the parties on behalf of Mrs Tariana Turia me and the party to congratulate you Mr Speaker-Elect once again. I think your acknowledgment of Maori pronunciation and things Maori in this House and getting the translation automatic have been wonderful. So kia ora. Thank you.
Stewart Barbara: Election of Speaker 
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Stewart Barbara: Election of Speaker 
[Sitting date: 20 December 2011. Volume:677;Page:4. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) 
: 
 On behalf of New Zealand First I would like to congratulate you Mr Speaker-Elect on your role and on reluctantly accepting it and to tell you that we look forward to working with you in the future. We know that you honour and respect Parliament and we will be doing the same. Thank you.
Shearer David: Election of Speaker 
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Shearer David: Election of Speaker 
[Sitting date: 20 December 2011. Volume:677;Page:4. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
DAVID SHEARER (Leader of the Opposition) 
: 
 Mr Speaker-Elect on behalf of the Labour Party can I also extend my congratulations and our congratulations to you on this position and welcome you back to the role in which you conducted yourself so well in the last term. As you said being fair and impartial is the most important thing and you showed that in your last term and we very much appreciated it. I think we appreciated also the way that you when a question was considered and a tight question was asked insisted on the other side the Ministers actually giving a proper answer and I hope that will continue. I also want to acknowledge the management that you showed to the shadow Leader of the House. I might come and meet with you and get some advice on how I can do that better as well. Once again from the Labour Party congratulations and thank you very much.
Key John: Election of Speaker 
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Key John: Election of Speaker 
[Sitting date: 20 December 2011. Volume:677;Page:3. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) 
: 
 Mr Speaker-Elect on behalf of this House can I be the first member to offer you my congratulations and the congratulations of all members of this House. You came into this Parliament in 1984 and in that time you have represented the people of Rodney very well. You have been an outstanding member of Parliament and a Minister in previous Governments. I think in that time you have shown New Zealanders that you are a person with good judgment of great wisdom and someone with the courage to fight for the causes that you believe in and to represent this Parliament and the people of New Zealand extremely well. 
In the 49th Parliament you were elected the Speaker of this House. In that time you proved that you would be a person of great impartiality and that you would restore the respect to the New Zealand Parliament and I believe that you served this House with great distinction and represented us with great pride. So can I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election in the 50th Parliament and to wish you all the very best for the challenges that lie ahead. 
We are of course the recipients of the Rugby World Cup and so at that great moment can I take this opportunity to throw in the analogy that the Speaker of the House is somewhat like a good rugby referee. We saw in the final between the All Blacks and France Craig Joubert using his great judgment not to blow up the game too often to allow the free flow of the sport and to not award the penalty in the last 9 minutes which I can honestly describe as being the worst 9 minutes of my life.  
Mr Speaker we wish you all the very best for your time ahead and we wish you of course all the very best for a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Smith Lockwood: Election of Speaker 
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Smith Lockwood: Election of Speaker 
[Sitting date: 20 December 2011. Volume:677;Page:3. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Mr SPEAKER-ELECT 
: My colleagues I am deeply honoured that you have elected me to be your Speaker for a second time. I want to particularly thank those of you who were in the last Parliament for the extraordinary courtesy that you extended me. To you goes great credit for the better-natured tone and the effectiveness of that last Parliament.  
For the Speaker it is not always easy telling senior colleagues on either side of the House to desist or resume their seat when they are in full flight delivering some telling political point that happens to be just out of order but to me the standard was set by a Speaker at the House of Commons at Westminster many many years ago when in 1642 Charles I forced his way in and demanded that the Speaker assist him in locating some senior members of Parliament whom he wanted to arrest. Speaker William Lenthall not only bade the King desist but sent him packing with the immortal words: “May it please your Majesty I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this place but as the House is pleased to direct me whose servant I am here.” To me that is the key—that as Speaker I am the servant of this House. If you like I am Parliament’s person. I will not always get things right but I will do my utmost to be impartial and fair.  
As before I today commit to upholding the rights and privileges of this House for all its members and to strengthening the effectiveness of this Parliament for those we represent. As Speaker-Elect I will at 2 o’clock comply with the request and go to the Governor-General to seek his confirmation and to lay claim on your behalf to the rights and privileges of this House. Again I thank you all.
Mallard Trevor: Election of Speaker 
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Mallard Trevor: Election of Speaker 
[Sitting date: 20 December 2011. Volume:677;Page:3. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) 
: 
 Madam Clerk I second the nomination of Dr The Rt Hon Alexander Lockwood Smith for the office of Speaker. 
The CLERK 
: Are there any further members wishing to nominate others for election as Speaker? There being no further nominations Dr The Rt Hon Lockwood Smith is declared elected. 
Dr The Rt Hon Lockwood Smith was elected as Speaker.
Brownlee Gerry: Election of Speaker 
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Brownlee Gerry: Election of Speaker 
[Sitting date: 20 December 2011. Volume:677;Page:3. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) 
: 
 Madam Clerk I nominate Dr The Rt Hon Lockwood Smith for the office of Speaker.