"\u003C!DOCTYPE html\u003E\u003Chtml xmlns:xlink=\u0022http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink\u0022 xmlns:xsi=\u0022http://www.w3.org/2007/XMLSchema-instance\u0022 xmlns:mml=\u0022http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML\u0022\u003E\n  \u003Chead\u003E\n    \u003CMETA http-equiv=\u0022Content-Type\u0022 content=\u0022text/html; charset=utf-16\u0022\u003E\n    \u003Cmeta name=\u0022viewport\u0022 content=\u0022width=device-width, initial-scale=1\u0022\u003E\n  \u003C/head\u003E\n  \u003Cbody style=\u0022font-family:sans-serif; font-size:100%;\u0022\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00224dbc04f317aa49a99b3a470939996c88\u0022\u003EThursday, 8 December 2005\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002286dced9a2f1443c69db94f59cb8821df\u0022\u003EThursday, 8 December 2005\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000002\u0022\u003EMadam Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000004\u0022\u003EPrayers.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b442ddfcf3034bb9952a6a7e0984181b\u0022\u003EAddress in Reply\u2014Presentation to Governor-GENERAL\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002297761451a0cb4d07b5eb3b753c3f1349\u0022\u003EAddress in Reply\u2014Presentation to Governor-GENERAL\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022 data-id=\u0022c5dda11624984110ae23ce390b141f5f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c5dda11624984110ae23ce390b141f5f\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I have to announce that, accompanied by members, I attended upon Her Excellency the Governor-General with the Address agreed to by the House in reply to the speech at the opening of this Parliament. Her Excellency was pleased to make the following reply: \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003EMADAM SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003EI receive with much pleasure the Address which has been adopted by the House of Representatives in reply to my speech at the opening of the First Session of the Forty-Eighth Parliament of New Zealand.  I thank you for your assurance that the matters referred to in my speech will receive your careful consideration.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003ESilvia Cartwright, Governor-General.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022 data-id=\u0022fc6336c94b824f13b9f272c8f9da66e1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fc6336c94b824f13b9f272c8f9da66e1\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That Her Excellency\u2019s reply be entered in the Journals of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e00d7600e87542048c160a2f9d941c21\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224e3ac415852247d3b68055ad6a8e401d\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022 data-id=\u00224279c3aae16045449f247b6138703532\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224279c3aae16045449f247b6138703532\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E Next week the House will go into urgency, and the likely business to be included in this motion is the remaining stages of the Taxation (Annual Rates and Urgent Measures) Bill, the Subordinate Legislation (Confirmation and Validation) Bill, the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Approvals and Enforcement) Amendment Bill, the Veterinarians Bill, and any first readings of bills on the Order Paper. At the conclusion of that, of course, it is anticipated that if the business runs past 2 o\u2019clock on Thursday, the House will rise for the Christmas adjournment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022 data-id=\u00222ea918d1accd4bdd82a4954d9795b366\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222ea918d1accd4bdd82a4954d9795b366\u0022\u003EGERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader\u2014National):\u003C/span\u003E Noting that Dr Cullen expects the House to rise soon after 2 o\u2019clock next Thursday, I ask whether he can tell us what in his urgency motion is so pressing that he has to deny the Opposition the opportunity to have question time on 2 days next week.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022 data-id=\u0022b92c763b500e44af915fc2409514e0a5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b92c763b500e44af915fc2409514e0a5\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E Of course, if we finish this business by 1 o\u2019clock on Wednesday we will have question times on both Wednesday and Thursday. If we finish by 1 o\u2019clock on Thursday we will certainly have question time on Thursday\u2014an ordinary Thursday sitting. Of course, I am always open to further discussions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022269d044f3ab440baa6839beef4be2a28\u0022\u003EQuestions for Oral Answer\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00226554999285ce423daaec6bc4443fd3ea\u0022\u003EQuestions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f7a5bd8c85a74ecd9d8da8bd5ea42069\u0022\u003EPolice\u2014Resourcing\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bdf07bb35e0a4da39f4b03561e9d1531\u0022\u003E1. RON MARK (NZ First)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Police: What assurances can she give that the New Zealand Police are to be adequately resourced to cope with existing and future demands?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022 data-id=\u00223e766790f6f74f08aaf2f485eb841c07\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223e766790f6f74f08aaf2f485eb841c07\u0022\u003EHon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Police):\u003C/span\u003E In the time we have been in Government we have recruited almost 1,400 more police. Over the next 3 years, through our agreement with New Zealand First, we will recruit another 1,000 sworn front-line police to provide\u2014[Interruption] I am absolutely delighted that the National Party can see what a good job we are doing. After all, the National Party could not achieve it when it was in Government. We will recruit another 1,000 sworn, front-line police to provide the public of New Zealand with the reassurance it needs that we are committed to making its communities as safe as we possibly can. It is good news.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002229069ab0e0384202859b54c3916df5a9\u0022\u003ERon Mark\u003C/span\u003E: Having had such good news to share with the House, can the Minister now reconfirm to the House what extra resources will be needed on top of the 1,000 sworn front-line police officers?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bc1e9f65-e08b-4939-867c-22ef093e2a4e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022041ae8d2c9b44d678fc3a7c01529cc38\u0022\u003ERodney Hide\u003C/span\u003E: A front-line Minister!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c5b27ee9396a485395334afe495392ea\u0022\u003EHon ANNETTE KING\u003C/span\u003E: I am quite sure that the ACT party would like a new leader\u20141.5 percent! Old \u201C1.5 percent\u201D himself! What extra resources do we need? We are not going to fall into the trap that sometimes has happened in the past, particularly in the 1990s. There is no point recruiting 1,000 extra sworn, front-line police unless we put in extra resources around equipment, infrastructure, and non-sworn staff alongside the sworn staff. We are committed to doing that, and the details will be provided as we work through them with New Zealand First.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222f57069628464d029302fc26b7f1d89f\u0022\u003ESimon Power\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister agree with New Zealand First\u2019s deputy leader, Peter Brown, who told the New Zealand Herald on 1 December 2005: \u201Cthere is some confusion. Dr Cullen and myself have identified that and it is being worked on.\u201D, and if not, can she confirm that the confusion was actually identified by the National Party, not by New Zealand First?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002241caeb7beb9145308b30936ba477b4bb\u0022\u003EHon ANNETTE KING\u003C/span\u003E: The only confusion that members of the National Party could confirm is amongst themselves about who will be the next leader.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fae7af0d-c48d-4dd4-88f3-928ccaa3a984\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022003c8f38d7304dda8feddfb82ea77245\u0022\u003EAnn Hartley\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister satisfied with progress in recruiting the new sworn front-line staff?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c90c9b78aef64088aa1eee86682ab417\u0022\u003EHon ANNETTE KING\u003C/span\u003E: Yes; in addition to the normal recruiting approaches, the police are now working on a wide range of new initiatives. I am told that the current projections are positive, but the employment market is competitive and I certainly do not underestimate the job in hand. Where possible, police recruit people from the local community and they often are placed back into those communities. I am also told that the Royal New Zealand Police College has capacity to train the additional sworn front-line staff, as well as cope with normal attrition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002292186169e9e046359df4dd5805fcd531\u0022\u003ESimon Power\u003C/span\u003E: How much time was spent by the Minister\u2019s office drafting Ron Mark\u2019s patsy question for this afternoon?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b36b2ff97d01432994dcbc65309d682a\u0022\u003EHon ANNETTE KING\u003C/span\u003E: Ron Mark has plenty of ability himself to write whatever he wants to write.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022095a69e3c4a04739b8abf8ae34b453ef\u0022\u003ERon Mark\u003C/span\u003E: The members really struggle with good news, don\u2019t they? They will love this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c1c934ecf5b14280a3ab4536b7d42f54\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Will the member please ask his question. All members should remember that questions are heard in silence.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f8fcef68e0f747c99afc3774ac17b841\u0022\u003ERon Mark\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm to the House that the even better news is that the agreement between Labour and New Zealand First requires us to further increase front-line numbers with a view to achieving ratios comparable with those in Australia by 2010?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cd46c0689be448aeae09e9bcfdfa3fbb\u0022\u003EHon ANNETTE KING\u003C/span\u003E: More good news\u2014yes, I can confirm that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022dbcf521eb7294590a5158829431fa39e\u0022\u003EEducation, Secretary\u2014Standards-based Assessment\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E2. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002202d320d096584cc99cad4dc5680d6134\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH (National\u2014Clutha-Southland)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Education: Does he agree with the statement made yesterday by the Secretary for Education, Howard Fancy, that there had been \u201Ca move away from standards-based\u201D assessment; if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022 data-id=\u002273a2b66b06614bc5830bf71f3177bde2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002273a2b66b06614bc5830bf71f3177bde2\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Education):\u003C/span\u003E Good news\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022728c2d21a925433b98987178a5edd418\u0022\u003EHon Annette King\u003C/span\u003E: More good news.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002227ae788da56e4f918475e47a5255375e\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, more good news: the Secretary for Education says he made no such statement. I am advised by members who were present at the select committee yesterday that he said: \u201CThere hasn\u2019t been a move away from standards-based assessment.\u201D This statement was accurately reported by the New Zealand Press Association, and a correction is being sought to the report in today\u2019s Dominion Post. I am sorry to disappoint the members.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c1962aac29c745b895adef4f0c37c6f4\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm that he issued a statement on 5 December setting out an eight-step process leading to the re-marking of National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) exams, and can he confirm that all re-marking of NCEA exams is done according to the process set out in that statement?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022847b51709c6840ab88096a2dedf6408f\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: As I have repeatedly said, along with Karen Sewell, who is the chief executive of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, there is a six-step process of marking, which I have here in front of me. That is the process that is used and, yes, I understand that to be the one supplied. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224ad1b97668b048049a5fd8edda8b8f3f\u0022\u003EMoana Mackey\u003C/span\u003E: Could the Minister outline the standards-based system of NCEA and scholarship?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d871010c10624e64b4d7b6d3b0562f67\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: The process has been applied every year since NCEA was first examined, as follows. The ministry sets the standards. The examiner sets the exam and prepares the marking schedule. The exam is set to encourage students to show that they can reach the standard. The standard remains constant, but the marking schedule can be adjusted if it is not clear enough, not comprehensive enough, or too specific, to ensure fairness and consistency for all students. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222ce53a6bb1ad442189e8aa3f9fbf27fc\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Given the Minister\u2019s explanation of that process, how does he then explain the explanation given in this email from a marker, who describes it this way: \u201CThe panel leaders and check markers are hammered by the NZQA and have to instruct markers to tweak results to ease more candidates up into the \u2018achieved\u2019 category.\u201D; how does he reconcile that with the official process that he has publicly announced?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d4469ee201dc4542a7999d1375826d11\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: All markers have been fully advised of the marking process outlined yesterday and again today. As I have always said with regard to this member, if he does have evidence, he should give it to me. I always need to check it first to understand whether it has any veracity at all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220dd74e380401418998122f55a8f4d90f\u0022\u003EMoana Mackey\u003C/span\u003E: What advice has the Minister seen that New Zealanders can have full confidence in the exam system?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aef68dd4748a4602826b8fcdc32ce7f7\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: The Post Primary Teachers Association has expressed a motion of confidence in the system, as has the Secondary Principals Association. Research from the New Zealand Council for Educational Research shows that students value NCEA and have a good understanding of the assessment process. The acting chief executive said today that we have an open and transparent process to ensure that results are consistent and fair. Those who set, sit, mark, and administer NCEA are confident that the process is working. There is only one person who is not confident of that, and he is paid to oppose it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022477555b5eb6f48af8fe45860aaa36957\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister believe that this email from a check marker to a marker, which tells that marker and the others on the panel to go back over the \u201Cfaileds\u201D to see whether they could push them up to \u201Cachieveds\u201D, and which states: \u201CWe are doing this because the number of students failing is too high.\u201D, should give the public confidence in the process of re-marking an NCEA exam that is not on his official list of re-marked exams; how is that reconciled with his official list and his eight-step process?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cb7cc44670854c2cbfe349219ee6b381\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: As I have said repeatedly, the 4,000 lead teachers who were taught the teaching of NCEA, and the 2,000 markers, have been trained in what they are doing. Yes, I have faith that what is happening here is according to the steps we have set out. As I have also said, I would want to check the single email that Mr English now has in his hand, because I never believe what he says on first blush.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002262bbe86d940b46039ce261c41e8ba89e\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister aware that I am referring to two emails, not one, and that they are both regarding an exam that is not on his official list but whose scripts are clearly, according to those emails, being re-marked\u2014one of those emails being from a marker, who says: \u201CThis is making a mockery of the whole examination process. The upshot is that many below-standard candidates will pass simply because the bar has been lowered.\u201D, and the other email being from that marker\u2019s senior colleague, telling the markers to go back and find anything at all among the \u201Cfailed\u201D scripts that shows some understanding of the question, and pass them. How can the public have confidence in that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228bf0a08951714f66b5573d6aec90a161\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: To go back to the beginning of Mr English\u2019s question, no, I cannot be aware of the two emails in his hand, because he has just brought them down now; it is hard for me to be aware of them until I actually get to see them. If he wants to show them to me, we will check them out. But I want to reassure the public that this year an enormous amount of work has gone into getting NCEA working. Everybody who sets it, sits it, marks it, and administers it agrees it is working\u2014except Mr English.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220a961c6b6bd74b048a4620612c5d5cbd\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Will the Minister accept that he has put so much pressure on the Qualifications Authority to achieve results that avoid political controversy that the authority is now involved in unofficially and secretly re-marking exams, and that that directly contradicts his and the authority\u2019s public statements that it has been open, honest, and upfront, and that only the exams it has published are the ones being officially re-marked?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002258e61e666cc94269bb6c8dd9b2ccc2bf\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: No, I do not accept the first part of the question, at all. What I do accept is that the authority has been upfront and transparent, and that it is utterly committed to fairness and consistency across the marking system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cf3f0c023aa4438dbf0ba879131342b9\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: How can the Minister claim that the authority or he himself has been upfront and honest, when these emails tell a story of pressure on a panel of markers to re-mark exams to get more passes; when that exam is not on his official list; and when the method being used for re-marking is not to adjust the marking schedule but to go and find anything that shows that the student understands the question, and pass him or her? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002250615d6279094bc19c40359c12f0b7a6\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: All I can do is reaffirm that the authority has been committed to an open and transparent process. The member has come down with a couple of emails that I have not seen yet; he might like to give them to me afterwards, and we will find out. We have 156,000 young people out there sitting exams right now. The system is open and transparent. If there are any issues that can be dealt with quickly, we have utterly committed ourselves to doing so.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc084f02ffff49798141cadbea984b4e\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister accept that it was he and the authority that were deceiving the young people and the parents of New Zealand, when they went out and said there was one official process for re-marking exams, and, now, 11 exams have been re-marked; and when it is now widely understood among markers that most of the re-marking is happening because of unofficial and secret processes such as this one, of which the marker says: \u201CThis is such a professionally soul-destroying experience. I doubt that I will mark again next year. I hate seeing kids end up with what is effectively a useless qualification in this way.\u201D\u2014or is he going to dismiss this panel of markers as the only people who think there is a problem?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a56dac0ac9a744ee9b84e4c4e4cb3d03\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: In answer to the first part of the question, no; to the middle part of the question, because it is not; and to the last part of the question, if the member has brought down a couple of emails that he would like me to have a look at, then what he should do is give them to me afterwards, because we are committed to openly and transparently fixing any issue very quickly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221517fc6009374028857feba6b0d252d7\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister see the difficulty for the large number of markers who are very concerned about this process, who know that if they identify themselves, they will be subject to the normal, vindictive behaviour that that Minister is capable of; that it is extremely difficult, and therefore a very high risk for them, to blow the whistle and come forward in the way that this marker has?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224bfa693e886747f6bbae51dda87b789f\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: The only person I can remember being vindictive over issues like this is Mr English himself. I recall, for example, the cardboard box incident that almost destroyed the school.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002205900ac6c3874a5a86d6e6c8747fd418\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Why does the Minister continue to react to criticism of the NCEA by saying the critics are always wrong, or isolated, or, in this case, vindictive, when, in fact, every time the critics have raised an issue it has turned out to be right?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220e3d344f3a1a4691b71d2cdd4362006c\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: Up until this very moment the only critic has been Mr English, and every time he has turned out to be wrong.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227af9f1a2905b44a28bfb96cb198e513c\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table an email from a marker of exams employed by the Qualifications Authority, giving a point of view on how the re-marking process is being carried out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EDocument, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00221ea95f34d6e74cfa9f45265e3342b1ae\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 3 to Minister\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222a849ed4-a817-45a7-8b86-dbc9dd210193\u0022 data-id=\u00225f3bfad7d061415b9b147e6cc57cdefc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222a849ed4-a817-45a7-8b86-dbc9dd210193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225f3bfad7d061415b9b147e6cc57cdefc\u0022\u003EJILL PETTIS (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E My question is to the\u2014[Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022 data-id=\u0022b973d0402ff54e59be05230da7bf78e2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b973d0402ff54e59be05230da7bf78e2\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Does that member wish to stay in the House, or not? All members know that during question time there is to be no chipping across the Chamber when questions are being asked. It came from all sides. We will start again, but that is the final warning.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022 data-id=\u00221781aa29847246c69eb29b9911b3694f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221781aa29847246c69eb29b9911b3694f\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH (National\u2014Nelson):\u003C/span\u003E I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Whenever Government Ministers get into difficulty they have a habit of breaking a longstanding practice of this House, and that is not to bring members\u2019 families into the debate. In the course of the questioning of the Minister of Education about a quite proper public issue, the marking of exams, the previous Minister of Education responsible, Mr Trevor Mallard, chose to bring members of Mr English\u2019s family into the debate. I think we need to rely on you, Madam Speaker, to ensure that the House is not dragged down into that territory.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022 data-id=\u00225dcd189c27b244ccac76c96d0f4e852a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225dcd189c27b244ccac76c96d0f4e852a\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I thank the member for his comment and his reminder.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00221453eb5d66304966b259fbc6450ca864\u0022\u003EModern Apprenticeships Scheme\u2014Progress\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222a849ed4-a817-45a7-8b86-dbc9dd210193\u0022\u003E3. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022770bc9772dbc47d9912e7a42b2b72507\u0022\u003EJILL PETTIS (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Tertiary Education: What progress is the Government making towards addressing skill shortages through the Modern Apprenticeships scheme?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022 data-id=\u00221f2df322351247959c37129a9fa645c8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221f2df322351247959c37129a9fa645c8\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister for Tertiary Education):\u003C/span\u003E Very good progress. At the end of September\u2014the latest numbers\u20148,298 Modern Apprentices were in training, a net increase of 538 since March.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222a849ed4-a817-45a7-8b86-dbc9dd210193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221a8c4fa4ee1b45dbb4def9f46c97affc\u0022\u003EJill Pettis\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister advise further on the reports he has received on the value of the Modern Apprenticeships scheme?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f47f56fec634ee3b44446c51bee2dc2\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I have seen many positive reports. About the only negative one I have seen is a report describing the pledge to increase the number of Modern Apprenticeships as \u201Crather trivial\u201D. Of course, if one is obsessed with cutting the top tax rate, everything else in life tends to seem rather trivial. That came from the Leader of the Opposition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227509422d66d246048d6b7f74f2df491a\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Can the new Minister for Tertiary Education, who has been left with the difficult job of cleaning up the tertiary sector, explain why 35,000 secondary school children are enrolled in Computing for Free courses run by the Tertiary Alliance of polytechnics?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224f7515adca6341e999d81e2b2dda83e3\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I have no information on that, but none of those are Modern Apprenticeships so I doubt whether it relates to the principal question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220d9640b0-d861-43d8-b321-e7ba56dbe362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b25292ef3ebd40cc827e87e542bb787c\u0022\u003EJudy Turner\u003C/span\u003E: If skill shortages are being addressed, why does the Industry Training Federation report in its briefing to the incoming Minister that: \u201CThe fund that is stated to have the expectation of skills leadership saw some ITOs receiving a low nominal rate of funding, and many ITOs a real decline in funding per learner.\u201D, when the Government expanded the industry training organisations\u2019 skill leadership role precisely to address those shortages?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022acd2f262b0924c64a0eb8ef1121ed358\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: A number of issues surrounding the funding of industry training organisations and trade training in general are part of the review that is under way of the funding of the tertiary sector, but particularly of the relationship between industry training organisations and polytech funding.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220d9640b0-d861-43d8-b321-e7ba56dbe362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f229186e1fc040e4a4bf26a602243031\u0022\u003EJudy Turner\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table the Industry Training Federation\u2019s briefing to the incoming Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220d9640b0-d861-43d8-b321-e7ba56dbe362\u0022\u003EDocument, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222cea399912dd4b9eacc372c4a4a8ea2f\u0022\u003EDr Pita Sharples\u003C/span\u003E: Kei te kaha \u0113tahi Minita o te K\u0101wanatanga ki te whakakore i \u0113tahi o ng\u0101 m\u0101tauranga M\u0101ori i \u0113tahi o ng\u0101 whare w\u0101nanga me ng\u0101 whare takuira, \u0101, me \u014D r\u0101tou arotakenga o \u0113nei kaupapa n\u0101 reira, m\u0101 te aha ka m\u014Dhio a ia me t\u014Dna K\u0101wanatanga, te \u0101hua o te m\u0101tauranga M\u0101ori, \u0101, he aha \u014Dna tikanga hei whakam\u0101tautau?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003E[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003E[Given that several Government Ministers have been working hard to abolish some M\u0101ori-focused programmes run by some w\u0101nanga and community polytechs and their assessment measures, how do he and his Government determine what constitutes a M\u0101ori-focused programme and what aspects should be assessed?]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e186dff7e60044c0b6fb709ac96ae272\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The question is very wide of the original question, which relates to the Modern Apprenticeships scheme, but if the Minister wishes to address it in that context, it is within the scope. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226edd66a34c9c4955bb71913e41671aec\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, indeed, it is well wide. The recent report on te w\u0101nanga rather reminded me of the original Disney version of The Sorcerer\u2019s Apprentice in Fantasia, with a reproduction of a large number of people with brooms. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002292b758e214a54f0da2d02cc48d11da22\u0022\u003EDr Pita Sharples\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I believe that the question should be addressed properly, because it does relate to the skills section of the question. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223e293a921545448883c307277f80bbfb\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I am happy to say that I believe that the assumption made in the question is fundamentally wrong. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227f0b526b4d6740ca9c63225c98b1f004\u0022\u003EReserve Bank\u2014Cash Rate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003E4. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a13311e0f6674129b30a7cd1f93f290f\u0022\u003EJOHN KEY (National\u2014Helensville)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: Is he concerned that the Reserve Bank governor has this morning raised the official cash rate to its highest-ever level of 7.25 percent, thereby leading to higher interest rates?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022 data-id=\u00223b369e6210ac4828bafe7064ae28fc1b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223b369e6210ac4828bafe7064ae28fc1b\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E As the member should know, since the passing of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act it has been the practice of Ministers of Finance not to comment on decisions made by the Governor of the Reserve Bank, so as not to encroach upon his or her decisions. This is the highest-ever level because this is the only tightening cycle since the previous governor abandoned his stupid idea of a monetary conditions index and adopted the standard form, used overseas, of an overnight cash rate - type approach. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c83baf4e450e4cd49f19e224e0470b16\u0022\u003EJohn Key\u003C/span\u003E: Was the Minister surprised when the Governor of the Reserve Bank specifically mentioned increasing Government spending as one of the key factors contributing to inflationary pressures in the economy; if so, will he now accept that his own actions have played a significant part in the hiking of interest rates today; if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fad72d51a60c4968b8b2a963ea2ca0d9\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: The member should not confuse fiscal easing simply with Government spending\u2014the Governor of the Reserve Bank referred to fiscal easing. Of course, that suggests that the most stupid thing one could possibly do is give a $2-billion-a-year tax cut starting on 1 April next year, which was the National Party\u2019s policy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a1d1ebea6ffd4475adf4fdddd1aa2542\u0022\u003EJohn Key\u003C/span\u003E: Would the Minister be surprised to learn that today at the Finance and Expenditure Committee briefing the Governor of the Reserve Bank described the exchange rate as exceptionally and unjustifiably high\u2014the Minister may remember those terms, as they are the criteria set down for currency intervention\u2014would he read into that statement by the governor that intervention in the exchange rate is now imminent, and does he support that intervention?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d6bc9a2eaa774d47b680851449f7cebf\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: The last part about intervention is, of course, one for the governor. As to the first part, it is not appropriate for me to interpret the comments made by the governor. I am sure that financial markets will draw their own conclusion. As to the previous question, I refer the member to page 6 of the report: \u201Cfurther fiscal policy easing over and above what we have allowed for, could increase the degree of interest rate pressure \u2026\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225c48d25f9ac643b885b538f1f041efa0\u0022\u003EJohn Key\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister think that a Reserve Bank that chooses to intervene in minuscule proportions because the exchange rate is exceptionally and unjustifiably high, at a time when interest rates are high relative to all other OECD countries, at a time when it is likely that billions of dollars of hot money will pour into the currency in Uridashi and Eurokiwi issues, and at a time when his Government is increasing spending at a rapid rate, will be effective; if so, why?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222a2dbf8c90c04526be7d6335e906ebda\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: Most of the assumptions in that question were incorrect. In particular, for a previous financial market speculator to describe Uridashi as \u201Chot money\u201D when they are actually long-term investments made by Japanese housewives and others, shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the international bond market.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222163339f78c54d6482bd049a8617c3c9\u0022\u003EJohn Key\u003C/span\u003E: Can he confirm that during his tenure as Minister of Finance, nominal Government spending has increased by approximately 40 percent, interest rates have risen from 4.5 percent to 7.25 percent, and our trade balance and current account have deteriorated to the point where they are in significantly bad shape; if so, why is he continuing to increase Government spending and putting further pressure on the economy\u2014or does he not care about exporters and homeowners?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f31f035da8844f14869d5fb45d475e70\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: Coming from a member whose leader raised interest rates 51 times while he was the Governor of the Reserve Bank, that is a fairly extraordinary question. Yes, indeed, nominal Government spending has increased about 40 percent, but so has nominal GDP increased, by slightly more than that. So the proportion of Government spending as a ratio to GDP has actually gone down.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d6e9a7818fe144d18d68c051ec3125fd\u0022\u003EJohn Key\u003C/span\u003E: Why did the Minister have so much to criticise about the current account when he was in Opposition, yet he has increased spending at such a rate that it has put pressure on the exchange rate and it is forcing our exporters to the wall, and when he is in Government he is as quiet as a little lamb?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a52aca3bf0f04ab786e70fb827431e17\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I may be an old ram, but I am certainly not a little lamb. I have spoken frequently about the current account deficit in recent times and I have spoken about the overvalued exchange rate in recent times, but what I never did as the Opposition spokesperson on finance was try to intrude upon the independence of the Governor of the Reserve Bank by inviting the Minister of Finance to comment upon his decisions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d6e82cd2d5fa4d5ca2a7ae1eef4cc64d\u0022\u003EPrisoners\u2014Rehabilitation Programmes\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227883c85e-a5bb-4a12-9962-80df55af0ecd\u0022\u003E5. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002298e057c283da4969b98dcd8a52123437\u0022\u003EHONE HARAWIRA (M\u0101ori Party\u2014Te Tai Tokerau)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Corrections: He aha te take i kore ai tana tari i whakautu i te tono a Ng\u0101ti Hine ma Ng\u0101ti Hine ake e hapai nga kaupapa Maori mo nga mauhere o Te Tai Tokerau i runga i te ahua, neke atu i te waru tekau orau o nga mauhere, kei roto whareherehere i Ng\u0101wh\u0101 he uri no Te Tai Tokerau, a, i runga hoki i te ahua o nga korero a Te Tari Mauhere ka pumau ratou ki nga kaupapa a-iwi Maori? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227883c85e-a5bb-4a12-9962-80df55af0ecd\u0022\u003E[Why did his department not take up the proposal from Ng\u0101ti Hine to provide a comprehensive habilitation service, which was specifically designed to be culturally appropriate to inmates from Tai Tokerau, given that over 80 percent of the inmates of the Ng\u0101wh\u0101 prison are of Tai Tokerau descent, and the department\u2019s commitment to culturally appropriate practices?]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002273f60731-048d-4a21-81c5-52d588de2325\u0022 data-id=\u0022f72d9f2815af40359aaf5b1892aad3c1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002273f60731-048d-4a21-81c5-52d588de2325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f72d9f2815af40359aaf5b1892aad3c1\u0022\u003EHon MITA RIRINUI (Associate Minister of Corrections)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister of Corrections: He nui rawa ng\u0101 tono i whiwhi ai Te Tari Mauhere mai i a Ng\u0101ti Hine, k\u0101re \u0113nei tono i whai hua otir\u0101, kei te mahi ng\u0101tahi Te Tari Mauhere me te kaitiaki iwi o taua rohe, a Ng\u0101ti Rangi, kia heke iho ai te hunga mauhere o Te Tai Tokerau. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002273f60731-048d-4a21-81c5-52d588de2325\u0022\u003E[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002273f60731-048d-4a21-81c5-52d588de2325\u0022\u003E[The Department of Corrections received a very large number of submissions from Ng\u0101ti Hine but none were successful. Indeed, the department is working alongside the local guardians of that region, Ng\u0101ti Rangi, to reduce the number of people of the north who are ending up in prison.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227883c85e-a5bb-4a12-9962-80df55af0ecd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022729fbe6615254050bee5eb877f673780\u0022\u003EHone Harawira\u003C/span\u003E: N\u0101, kua m\u0101rama ki a t\u0101tou te rahi o te utu ki ng\u0101 kaiutu t\u0101ke n\u0101 te nui ake o te utu i ng\u0101 utu i whakaritea i te tuatahi i te w\u0101 i hangaia he whare mauhere i Ng\u0101wh\u0101, \u0101, i ng\u0101 utu kei te utua hoki hei whakatikatika i te whare mauhere n\u0101 te turi o te mauhere ki ng\u0101 whakat\u016Bpato o te tangata whenua kia kore r\u0101tou e hanga whare mauhere ki reira, ka taea e te Minita te whakam\u0101rama he aha ai i hangaia te mauhere i Ng\u0101wh\u0101 n\u0101 te mea, k\u0101hore a Ng\u0101wh\u0101 i tohua hei t\u016Bnga tuatahi m\u014D taua whare mauhere, \u0101, i runga an\u014D hoki i ng\u0101 whakat\u016Bpatotanga n\u0101 te tapu, ehara a Ng\u0101wh\u0101 i te w\u0101hi hei hanga whare herehere? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227883c85e-a5bb-4a12-9962-80df55af0ecd\u0022\u003E\u00A0[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227883c85e-a5bb-4a12-9962-80df55af0ecd\u0022\u003E[Now that we know of the massive cost to the taxpayer caused by the cost overruns in the construction of the prison at Ng\u0101wh\u0101, and the ongoing costs in the repair of the prison caused by the department\u2019s refusal to accept warnings by the tangata whenua not to build a prison there, can the Minister please explain why the prison was built at Ng\u0101wh\u0101 when it was not on the original list of preferred sites, and when he was prewarned that Ng\u0101wh\u0101 would be a culturally inappropriate place to build a prison?]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002273f60731-048d-4a21-81c5-52d588de2325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fafa2dcdb046448790d06d28e2fbf448\u0022\u003EHon MITA RIRINUI\u003C/span\u003E: \u0100, kei te m\u0101rama tonu au ki \u0113r\u0101 t\u016B momo k\u014Drero e te Kaihaut\u016B engari, tutuki noa atu \u0113nei whakawhitiwhiti k\u014Drero i te tau 1999, i raro i te K\u0101wanatanga o N\u0101hinara. Otir\u0101, i t\u0113nei w\u0101 kua whakam\u0101rama ake ki a m\u0101tou o te K\u0101wanatanga ko \u0113tahi o Te Tai Tokerau k\u0101re i whakaae ki t\u0113nei Whare Herehere. Otir\u0101, w\u0113tahi atu, kai te whakaae. Kai te whakaae a Ng\u0101ti Rangi. N\u0101 reira, n\u0101 runga i t\u0113nei whakaae, ka haere tonu te whare herehere. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002273f60731-048d-4a21-81c5-52d588de2325\u0022\u003E[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002273f60731-048d-4a21-81c5-52d588de2325\u0022\u003E[I am very much aware of those kinds of statements made during the previous National Government in 1999. We of the present Government are aware that some in the north were opposed to this prison, but some, like Ng\u0101ti Rangi, were in favour. And because Ng\u0101ti Rangi were in favour, the building of the prison went ahead.] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c047bc19f4674e8d97ea8f0d543edcc3\u0022\u003ESimon Power\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister assure the House that other issues at Ng\u0101wh\u0101 prison have also been resolved, such as the fact that windows to prisoners\u2019 cells do not close, enabling prisoners to help themselves to tea and coffee in the staff room at night, and to stroll in and out of the control room, and the fact that recent figures show that 84 out of 87 corrections officers at Ng\u0101wh\u0101 have less than 1 year\u2019s experience?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002273f60731-048d-4a21-81c5-52d588de2325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223b626af65391479386ca373dea4bb03b\u0022\u003EHon MITA RIRINUI\u003C/span\u003E: Ka huri au ki te reo hoko par\u0101oa!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002273f60731-048d-4a21-81c5-52d588de2325\u0022\u003E[I turn to the language of commerce!] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002273f60731-048d-4a21-81c5-52d588de2325\u0022\u003EI am aware of those issues. I am also advised by officials that there was one particular design fault in one of the windows of the cells. The inmate decided that he would go for a cup of tea. The fault has been repaired, and there is no longer a problem.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227883c85e-a5bb-4a12-9962-80df55af0ecd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b7e1b122096d4429b9d44a8feaf7afcb\u0022\u003EHone Harawira\u003C/span\u003E: Ka taea e te Minita te wakam\u0101rama ki te Whare t\u014D r\u0101tou p\u016Bmau ki ng\u0101 kaupapa whakapakari tangata m\u014D Ng\u0101puhi i te mea, i ng\u0101 tau 10-15 kua pahure ake nei m\u014D ng\u0101 p\u016Btea kua tohaina i roto o Kaikohe, te Manawa hotuhotu o Ng\u0101puhi, kua haere, tuatahi, kia rahi ake te tari m\u014D ng\u0101 tamariki, ng\u0101 rangatahi me \u014D r\u0101tou wh\u0101nau; tuarua, kia whakapaipaihia te whare pirihimana; tuatoru, kia tuwharetia te whare taut\u0101whi; tuawh\u0101, kia h\u0101ngai he whare herehere k\u0101hore e \u0101rikarika te utu ng\u0101 miriona taara neke atu?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227883c85e-a5bb-4a12-9962-80df55af0ecd\u0022\u003E[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227883c85e-a5bb-4a12-9962-80df55af0ecd\u0022\u003E[Can the Minister tell the House what the Government\u2019s commitment to social enhancement programmes for Ng\u0101puhi is, given that over the past 10 to 15 years the Government\u2019s social expenditure in Kaikohe, the heart of Ng\u0101puhi, has centred around, first, the expansion of the Department of Social Welfare; second, the upgrading of the police station; third, the opening of a periodic detention centre; and, fourth, the construction of a multimillion-dollar prison?] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fa131998365a4781b443c8c69c7659c3\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I am sorry; that question is out of order. It is wide of the original question, which does relate to Ng\u0101wh\u0101 prison. Unless it was specifically related to that, the question is out of order. It is too general.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002224447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229659821ddeea4bd18b896de314acdfa5\u0022\u003EHone Harawira\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. It does actually relate to the prison, in that the prison was the final construction in a series of measures in Kaikohe beginning with the Department of Social Welfare upgrade, the upgrade of the police station, the building of a periodic detention centre, and culminating in the building of a multimillion-dollar prison. In the light of that, I was asking whether that is what the Labour Government\u2019s commitment is to the social enhancement of the people of Ng\u0101puhi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022230f9cdded014409aea3098c18964c5a\u0022\u003EHon Dr Michael Cullen\u003C/span\u003E: The problem is that the last part actually reveals the difficulty that this is a question to the Minister of Corrections. If it is a general question about contribution to social welfare, then, clearly, that is a question for the Minister for Social Development and Employment, not the Minister of Corrections.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002206822d92c40d45e48ca63029f2021111\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, the question was too broad, but I thank the member for his explanation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e279fd4953f34d5aa31e64c50ae45e40\u0022\u003ENandor Tanczos\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm that the recommendations of the most significant inquiry ever done into our prison system\u2014the 1989 Roper report\u2014is totally consistent with Ng\u0101ti Hine\u2019s proposal and the philosophy underpinning it, and why does the Department of Corrections and the Government, despite their many fine words, continue to give habilitation and rehabilitation a low priority and move in entirely the opposite direction from those recommendations?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002273f60731-048d-4a21-81c5-52d588de2325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bdd400250ce44a2fbb8541d4b48cc7c7\u0022\u003EHon MITA RIRINUI\u003C/span\u003E: I am totally confident that Ng\u0101ti Hine\u2019s proposal is consistent with what is actually happening now in Ng\u0101wh\u0101 prison. In fact, I visited Ng\u0101ti Hine twice earlier this year and observed those programmes, and I am very confident that they are doing a good job.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022460595ebadfc46de892007290fe8a38b\u0022\u003ENandor Tanczos\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I did not actually ask the Minister whether he thought those recommendations were consistent with Ng\u0101ti Hine\u2019s proposal. That was the premise of the question. What I was asking was: why does the Department of Corrections give a low priority to habilitation and rehabilitation, and why have the recommendations of the Roper report been ignored by the Government, and, to be fair, by the previous Government, as well?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d4c2e00faebe46f5931ff521e4dea2a0\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The Minister did address the question. The original supplementary question was very broad, and therefore the Minister had much latitude in the way he responded to it, which happens in those instances.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c04a4f93762348858f272b41575ea19d\u0022\u003ERon Mark\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I bring your attention to Speaker\u2019s ruling 151/7, of Mr Speaker Kidd, in the interests of ensuring we have one law for all in the House. I note that in the exchange of supplementary questions from the M\u0101ori Party in relation to a number of questions in the House today, questions have been prefixed with the word \u201Cgiven\u201D, and two supplementary questions to this question have been prefixed with the words \u201Cnow that\u201D, which went on to a long diatribe. I note that the interpreter adjusted one of the answers for the member, but it was not an actual interpretation of the way in which the question had been put. I know that they are new members, and I understand, but could you possibly offer some guidance to ensure that we all do comply with the same laws in this House?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a8bf91b46b334ee58c40146d75d460cc\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I thank the member for that observation. As he also observed, the members are new to the House, and now that he has referred them to that Speaker\u2019s ruling, I am sure they will note it in the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c60db5c2710d401fa4811092a5bd4ccf\u0022\u003ESocial Development and Employment, Minister\u2014Police Decision\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003E6. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ccc7c87c221b4e1bbf1ef4046a1f5a51\u0022\u003ESIMON POWER (National\u2014Rangitikei)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does he stand by his statement to the House yesterday, in relation to his authorisation of the leaking of his police file, \u201CI gave no instruction, other than being completely honest with the media, to my press secretary\u201D; if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022 data-id=\u0022dc8349f1d15d47308ad20e53d36bafe1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022dc8349f1d15d47308ad20e53d36bafe1\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment):\u003C/span\u003E Yes. I authorised the release of information to a Sunday newspaper to provide balance to the misinformation provided to the House last week by Rodney Hide. Of course I have an expectation that my press secretary will deal with the media in a clear and truthful manner. As soon as I became aware of this issue, I arranged for it to be corrected. The staff member involved was in error. This is now a staff disciplinary matter.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d688bfbd604444818e3441aa5e7e5b20\u0022\u003ESimon Power\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister then explain why his press secretary will not confirm whether that Minister directed him to be honest to the media, and does that not leave the impression that the press secretary does not want to have to mislead the media twice in less than a week?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d465271d7a9a495d9f228007897182f2\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: I am aware that my press secretary was rung yesterday by the New Zealand Press Association and asked to comment on his disciplinary matter. My press secretary declined to comment, on the basis that it was inappropriate to comment on the matter. My press secretary advises me that the New Zealand Press Association has drawn an incorrect inference from his decision not to comment. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002223419bdd50964c7c8c2dfc41e07b24e6\u0022\u003ESimon Power\u003C/span\u003E: How does the Minister expect this House to believe that his staff member was briefed to act honestly, when that staff member leaked an embargoed police report, selectively made available quotes from that report, set up a \u201Cno comment\u201D scenario for the Minister, and even suggested that the police had leaked the report?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022802978d544e14458b02e2d166b632499\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: I do not agree with those propositions. [Interruption] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bc1e9f65-e08b-4939-867c-22ef093e2a4e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002295479158e6604e0c832a16681ffad6b5\u0022\u003ERodney Hide\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f08c146a14e4909859f06e62f4544f4\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Did the member not hear the answer?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bc1e9f65-e08b-4939-867c-22ef093e2a4e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d73f09ccd3d74208abd1050c4a21d6ec\u0022\u003ERodney Hide\u003C/span\u003E: No, and I am sure it was a good one.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002299545772180b481689b0485918da4ba7\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Members know that they have that in their own hands. I have warned the House before that there are to be no interventions during questions. Answers are a different matter. The noise level was high, and I am not surprised that the member could not hear. If the Minister would like to repeat his answer for the benefit of members, then would he please do so.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e017f8a2dc5c4c9bbc6c7eefdcf7eb0e\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: I do not agree with those propositions. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228220b0eecfcb4e95b3b061fd59f05a14\u0022\u003ESimon Power\u003C/span\u003E: Why did the Minister not agree to have the leaked material attributed to him in the first place, and why did he later that day refuse requests from the newspaper in question to comment, if he and his office were not deliberately trying to conceal that he and his office were the source of the leak?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227bdc5c1160b94f5c8045c1d72d1218ba\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: I can repeat that I authorised the release of the information to the Herald on Sunday to provide balance to the misinformation provided to the House last week by Rodney Hide. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002222fb741c9a504380890d923090e5f041\u0022\u003ESimon Power\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Minister read the numerous editorials today that condemn his behaviour, in particular the Dominion Post editorial, which states: \u201C\u2026 Mr Benson-Pope\u2019s clumsy attempts to manipulate public opinion by damning his accusers, labelling police language \u2018a bit bozo-ish\u2019, reinventing the meaning the meaning of prima facie and leaking selected extracts of the police report \u2026 do nothing to inspire anyone with confidence that he is a fit person to hold a ministerial portfolio.\u201D; if so, does he agree he is not a fit person to hold a ministerial portfolio, and will he resign?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aaef8d08b7ed48e29afe141913f94d3e\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: Yes and no. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bc1e9f65-e08b-4939-867c-22ef093e2a4e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ebd7e1006ab44f9cb07b1168d2ec8ca3\u0022\u003ERodney Hide\u003C/span\u003E: Is it not the case that there is only one person in the Minister\u2019s office who is having trouble with honesty, and it is the Minister, and why does he not do the decent thing and resign from Cabinet and, indeed, from Parliament, for having lied to this Parliament, lied to the people of New Zealand\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022978c63b5e30d49788058853de5009795\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The member knows that that is unparliamentary language. I ask the member to withdraw it and to rephrase that part of his question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bc1e9f65-e08b-4939-867c-22ef093e2a4e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224e8fdfe15d2d4badaa13864b53b0b5d7\u0022\u003ERodney Hide\u003C/span\u003E: I withdraw it. I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. What phrase would be parliamentary to describe what this Minister has been doing to this Parliament for all these months?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221c3c6118740d4a25b744d77ec11e8182\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: As the member knows, far be it for the Speaker to assume what members will ask. It is for the member to ask the question, not the Speaker. I ask the member to please readdress the question without that phrase.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bc1e9f65-e08b-4939-867c-22ef093e2a4e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228f7b423431764896a86288120c2ed510\u0022\u003ERodney Hide\u003C/span\u003E: Is it not the case that there is only one person in his office who is having trouble with honesty, and that person is the Minister; and why does he not do the decent thing and resign from Cabinet and from this Parliament for having deliberately misled Parliament, for having deliberately misled\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d49961ef78fc411bba1e91d982c1896d\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The member knows that reference to a deliberate misleading is also not acceptable parliamentary language. Would the member like to try again, please, and rephrase that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ed131aeb2f5d42d69a5c62f49f095aa8\u0022\u003EHon Dr Michael Cullen\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. It seems to me that the member has got to the point now where he must withdraw and apologise. He knew what he was doing there, and he repeated the phrase for the purpose of making sure that everybody noticed what he was doing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fe747f710ac24d8f892e3e0e5a048197\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I agree with that. Would the member please withdraw and apologise, and have another attempt\u2014the last attempt\u2014at rephrasing the question in\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c3a8d09053b149f89e91e7be77e218ec\u0022\u003ERon Mark\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002229da6ac62af44972b2c857529ab11125\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I am ruling. So would the member please withdraw and apologise, and then have another go at rephrasing his question in a way that is consistent with the Standing Orders and Speakers\u2019 Rulings.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bc1e9f65-e08b-4939-867c-22ef093e2a4e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ccca3a1d01f540cd8a590f1bfa30d12d\u0022\u003ERodney Hide\u003C/span\u003E: I withdraw and apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d591dc00926d4967a20248eca4252510\u0022\u003ERon Mark\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I appeal to you on the grounds of consistency of ruling. Yesterday the Rt Hon Winston Peters placed a number of supplementary questions on the floor of this House that were ruled by you to be out of order. Later in the day he tried to ask another supplementary question, on the basis that his questions had not been accepted and therefore he had not actually asked them. You ruled that his questions had been ruled out of order, and therefore he had lost them. Rodney Hide has had two chances to put his supplementary question. He has failed on both occasions, and he has deliberately defied your ruling. I would have thought\u2014and I appeal to you\u2014that he has had his chance. Just like the Rt Hon Winston Peters yesterday, he has failed to present an acceptable supplementary question, and therefore he should be deemed to have lost it. I ask, on the grounds of consistency and fairness, that you rule he has had his chance, and that you move on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dab85508f38e4cfc8980d46d0ba1c43a\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The questions yesterday were ruled out of order because they were not consistent with the original question. Mr Hide has yet to complete his question. He gets one last opportunity to do so.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220bb2758d3a8b466a801c0b724fce29f3\u0022\u003EHon Peter Dunne\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Mr Mark raises a very important point, and I think it requires some careful elucidation by you of the situation. The smaller parties are particularly affected by the way in which the number of supplementary questions is allocated. If a member has two attempts, gets it wrong, and then loses his or her question, for instance, that has a much more significant impact on a smaller party, which may be getting only one or two supplementary questions a day, than on a larger party. Yesterday you ruled against the leader of New Zealand First because his attempt to ask a supplementary question had invalidated his total number. You now seem to be saying that a different set of circumstances applies today in respect of Mr Hide, who is potentially equally adversely affected. This issue will come back during the course of this Parliament, and I think it would be very useful to have a careful ruling on precisely what conditions and what actions by members will invalidate their right to ask supplementary questions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022481bc73841c441e09a89a5c74e00c711\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I thank the member. In this case it was not the question that was out of order; it was the use of language in putting the question that was ruled out of order. As I said, would the member please succinctly ask his question, and this is the last opportunity to do so.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bc1e9f65-e08b-4939-867c-22ef093e2a4e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002268e9575b03414be4bc5a67a632ea7747\u0022\u003ERodney Hide\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. My point of order is not against Mr Peter Dunne, who was quite right, but against Mr Ron Mark, who was actually using a point of order to question your ruling\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f4d0fd9fb04840c49110ad1654537662\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I have already ruled on that matter. This is not a new point of order; it is, in fact, a questioning of that ruling. Would the member just ask his question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bc1e9f65-e08b-4939-867c-22ef093e2a4e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002270a27754f3ff4111b651bf64e3b191c3\u0022\u003ERodney Hide\u003C/span\u003E: Is it not the case that there is only one person in his office who is having trouble with honesty, and that person is the Minister; and why will he not do the decent thing and resign from Cabinet, and, indeed, from this Parliament, for his less than honest comments in this Parliament, to the news media, to the police, and to the people of New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002206a8034b79ea49c2990f3410555730ab\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: No, and I certainly do not agree with the member\u2019s proposition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e508379488a54e9787ec67b0d02884db\u0022\u003ESimon Power\u003C/span\u003E: Why did the Minister not take his own supposed advice that his staff should be completely honest with the media when he himself chose to release a selective and deceptive analysis of his police file, to tell the media that the release of the police report was in the hands of the police, and then to leak it himself?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c0f165648c79441780177ba76400fa4b\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: I do not agree with the propositions of the member. The material that was released was not selective. Also, as I said previously, it contained comment quite critical of myself.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bc1e9f65-e08b-4939-867c-22ef093e2a4e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228b81ebe790974e8fbd99b4079e1fa8e0\u0022\u003ERodney Hide\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I struggled to hear what the Minister was saying. He offers so little explanation that we might have actually had a good one, and I misheard it. I could not hear it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022402eab6f123f4586bb20928ad6c08f25\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: This will be the last time that I will do this, because members have it in their own hands in terms of their response. Would the Minister just repeat his answer for the benefit of the member.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002214f2e32e95ee4657b4ee2d49c591fc9c\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: I commented that the material that was released was not selective and did contain comment critical of myself.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ff2be237f84e489bb47c5c8992198373\u0022\u003EAir New Zealand\u2014Engineering Outsourcing\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f8b92f47-d078-4e6a-b4c6-136913bda55d\u0022\u003E7. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221f73712f487a44baa99583b9cdb1d9f0\u0022\u003ESUE BRADFORD (Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: What advice will the Government, as majority shareholder in Air New Zealand, seek on proposals from the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union regarding Air New Zealand\u2019s engineering capacity, which are due to be presented today?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022 data-id=\u00221cf975e79b674ca691087254f620d152\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221cf975e79b674ca691087254f620d152\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E I have been advised by the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union of its proposals. I would expect the board to advise me of its response. As a general matter of good employment relations policy, I would also expect, and am confident, that the proposals will be considered seriously.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f8b92f47-d078-4e6a-b4c6-136913bda55d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228f0d5ffc1f37488a924dcc1032daf568\u0022\u003ESue Bradford\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Minister, in light of the potential impact on shareholder value, considered seeking independent advice from outside Air New Zealand on this proposal or is the New Zealand Government shareholding simply a rubber stamp?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002262287806f08a42d8abe57efc364062a7\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: No and no.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f8b92f47-d078-4e6a-b4c6-136913bda55d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a93d51d65d3947ca80f1f0730fecbda9\u0022\u003ESue Bradford\u003C/span\u003E: When the Minister said, in response to a question from Peter Brown the other week: \u201CThe fact that the Government is a majority shareholder \u2026 is a strong reason for not intervening in a case such as this,\u201D did he mean to say that when this Government has financial control over a company it should not exercise this control to benefit New Zealand\u2019s workers?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227fd6dbd51d1c447ebe1e80b8d084a861\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: The Government, as a majority shareholder, has to be particularly careful it does not intervene in a way that might affect the interests of minority shareholders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223ec0c6da15f6418ca6a6b00140b5088d\u0022\u003EPeter Brown\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister accept that his answer to the principal question was somewhat vague where he \u201Cexpects\u201D and he \u201Chopes\u201D the engineers\u2019 proposal will be given fair consideration; can he not use his legitimate influence to assure this House that the engineers\u2019 proposal will be given fair and meaningful consideration by Air New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225d3d9eb5c10f42e69add5154f47b0648\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: No. What I can say is I would expect it will be given serious consideration.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f8b92f47-d078-4e6a-b4c6-136913bda55d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225db5d23f6c904fc786a7c16d15c13af4\u0022\u003ESue Bradford\u003C/span\u003E: Will the Minister ask Treasury and the Ministry of Economic Development to compare Air New Zealand\u2019s proposals with those from the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union from a national interest so they might help the Government decide, in a positive light, about the union\u2019s suggestions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d16aa86b7ca0471bb12bca69468cb188\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: No, because this is a decision the board must take, not the shareholders. In the end, of course, the board is accountable to shareholders for its custodianship of the company.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a0c8716a4d1d415a9b11265925092742\u0022\u003EPeter Brown\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister accept that the majority of voters who supported the Labour Party at the last election would, at the very least, expect him to use his legitimate influence to ensure that the engineers\u2019 proposal is given full and fair, meaningful consideration, rather than just expect it would?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022679e0ddd9cbd4b6583d36d399e1bbc4c\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I have stated the shareholders\u2019 expectation in my answer today. That is actually quite a strong statement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002264d5a10a3f5a48aaa7f25db720cca467\u0022\u003EWakapuaka Estuary\u2014Title\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E8. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221290e6b6c0594bf1965a39529cd91f09\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH (National\u2014Nelson)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Land Information: Does Land Information New Zealand stand by its evidence to the Local Government and Environment Committee that its Chief Surveyors concluded that the estuary at Wakapuaka was not included in the title to the adjoining block, and that the M\u0101ori Land Court vesting order could not be registered under the Land Transfer Act 1952?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022 data-id=\u0022bf4d2f77d6804895bc10c7eb58c0cee0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bf4d2f77d6804895bc10c7eb58c0cee0\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON (Minister for Land Information):\u003C/span\u003E Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e16feec73be040f79eafc8b85aee353e\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister aware that two fishers were yesterday issued with trespass notices by police on the Wakapuaka Estuary; has Land Information New Zealand advised police of the fact that iwi do not have title to this foreshore area?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ae9067de2e44481bb0b2803bd77b8251\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I was aware. Whether Land Information New Zealand has advised the police of that, I do not know. But I can say that if the police were to ask Land Information New Zealand whether that land had title, the answer would be definitely that it does not. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002231547520d6464cc1bba0bd4a786293ab\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: How can the Government claim that its foreshore and seabed legislation has provided certainty about the ownership of the foreshore when he, as Minister, says that that area is not owned by iwi, yet the police are issuing trespass notices for it on the grounds that iwi do own it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a5229a46b5dd4142b72ed8a892b001f5\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: The member will be aware that this issue significantly predates issues around the foreshore and seabed. Land Information New Zealand does not offer advice to me on whether a court order, in the absence of a title, invokes the Trespass Act. My guess is that the place to secure that opinion would be in a court.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225a1a0601dc224d04a4dcd60b11ff5a53\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister recall the statement by the Prime Minister that it was irresponsible and ridiculous for members of the Opposition to suggest that any person might ever be issued with trespass notices for the foreshore, given that we now have exactly that situation occurring in Nelson, despite the Minister saying that his department does not accept that iwi own the area?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022840cff7005254e15915315c6c050fb8a\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: The Crown is joined in a forthcoming court case, which I hope will recommence in March 2006, to try to resolve the issue once and for all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226dc81bcf7c92439cac7c586a52c51591\u0022\u003EGerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: What\u2019s the point of the legislation if it\u2019s got to go to court?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226282d9fdb67e47f2820bb94027de39c4\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: The issue has nothing whatever to do with the legislation that the interjecting member has anything to say about. It predates it by many years, and in fact the first appeal by the Crown was lodged by the then Minister of Conservation, the Hon Dr Nick Smith, in the late 1990s. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002284f4016f99c140acb09551d1ebc335a1\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: How can the public, when they go to the beaches and the estuaries this summer to enjoy their holidays, have any confidence in Landonline\u2019s information about areas that are publicly owned, which they are entitled to go to, when just yesterday two of my constituents were issued with trespass notices for an area that the Minister\u2019s own department says is publicly owned?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222b1e9709f36843548fc4a4242cfaab3d\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: I say again to the member that Land Information New Zealand does not offer advice on whether a court order, in the absence of a title, invokes the Trespass Act. I am not sure whether another piece of land of this nature exists in New Zealand. My best guess is that the way to resolve that issue would be in a court.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022435b14a554064f76882c1f00c23147f6\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave of the House to table the title for the Wakapuaka Estuary, where police yesterday issued trespass notices to people, and also the report of Land Information New Zealand, which states that the land is not owned by iwi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003EDocuments, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022828c069b6f024d54a0788e3be0717d0b\u0022\u003EBiotechnology Sector\u2014Development\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002225c22a83-ff2c-474c-a092-883be2dd63d3\u0022\u003E9. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bff0a09654df49d880d0e28520eceb28\u0022\u003EDAVE HEREORA (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Research, Science and Technology: What has the Government done to support the development of the biotechnology sector?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022 data-id=\u002293dce11af5bf406a86ec64373cc603a3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002293dce11af5bf406a86ec64373cc603a3\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Research, Science and Technology):\u003C/span\u003E The Government has a comprehensive programme to support biotechnology, covering research, commercialisation, and the encouragement of investment. This includes spending $175 million each year on biotechnology research, seed funds to support early-stage biotech companies, a dedicated biotechnology investment fund to invest in New Zealand companies, $12 million to fund commercial projects with Australia, and support for two biotechnology incubators, one in Waikato and one in the Manawat\u016B.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002225c22a83-ff2c-474c-a092-883be2dd63d3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022722d3081f5bd4800add1cd5ff07770dc\u0022\u003EDave Hereora\u003C/span\u003E: What has the Government done to ensure that New Zealanders are engaged with research in the biotechnology sector? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002277736330a8a84217b6f47939130fd559\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: The Government has a number of innovative community engagement projects, which include a website featuring examples of biotech for use in classrooms, research programmes on ways to involve the public in decision making about new biotechnologies, a network of experts to help the Government prepare for future biotech developments, and the recent Talking Biotechnology conference, which was a huge success.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225a98748618e54a84acf00f9dd42200d9\u0022\u003EDr Paul Hutchison\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister explain precisely why Nigel Kirkpatrick, the former chief executive officer of Industrial Research Ltd, resigned\u2014or was pushed to resign\u2014after he had been a consistently strong advocate for what has been described as one of New Zealand\u2019s most promising biotechnology projects?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225d2d3df353694f6cbfae5fa8df8f4636\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: I am sure Industrial Research Ltd will thank the member for his endorsement of the company, but Nigel Kirkpatrick was employed by the board of Industrial Research Ltd, and his employment arrangements are a matter for the board, not for me as the Minister for Crown Research Institutes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a8fcf65706994fe788cb81a0f3f06fbd\u0022\u003EDr Paul Hutchison\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I asked an absolutely clear question, which the Minister ducked, as to why Nigel Kirkpatrick had resigned. He has avoided the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002281c79f88595e472cb61fa9af3b7014e3\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No. The Minister very clearly, in this case, did address the question in terms of his authority.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002225c22a83-ff2c-474c-a092-883be2dd63d3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a555ded6ec8e423f8e5aa97a308482a0\u0022\u003EDave Hereora\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Minister seen any reports on the value of the contribution biotechnology makes to our country?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222b52820a019a44088adcbd18dcf8dac5\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I just happen to. A recent study commissioned by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology has shown that four biotechnologies used in New Zealand primary sectors contribute between $300 million and $400 million each year to those sectors, alone. With the recent biotech investments that the Government has made, which I outlined earlier in my reply, we expect that amount of money to rise significantly in the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d9ef6ac97274425198548145d90b3251\u0022\u003EEarly Childhood Education\u2014Kindergarten Sector\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002251dfea20-2244-4fc7-bd7d-ebf7a98580e1\u0022\u003E10. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221199e366e9fa4076b09a4a06e054a1ab\u0022\u003EHon TAU HENARE (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Education: Has he been advised of reports that the kindergarten sector is in upheaval, with compulsory fees replacing donations, and teachers taking their first industrial action in nearly a decade; if so, does he think that his Government\u2019s policies have contributed to this situation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022 data-id=\u002229edfb67d08847fe999ead97d15c339f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002229edfb67d08847fe999ead97d15c339f\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Education):\u003C/span\u003E I am advised that negotiations will continue on 12 and 13 December, and that two key issues are in dispute. The first is child contact hours and the second is pay for head and senior teachers. The sector is not in upheaval.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002251dfea20-2244-4fc7-bd7d-ebf7a98580e1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002291249a0807b446cfb708d7907dca742c\u0022\u003EHon Tau Henare\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister agree with the senior ministerial employee who, while watching the protest outside the House today, stated that hundreds of kindergarten teachers being engaged in strike action was \u201Cnothing more than an extended Christmas shopping day\u201D; if so, why?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002226e18f1dc61d4e9c904c14fbf25a4054\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: I never respond to hearsay.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022749a724d-1ef9-49cb-9ba2-2610403653ea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022515cd4b73a3942618eb7042ccb0ccba9\u0022\u003EDianne Yates\u003C/span\u003E: What major changes has this Government implemented for the kindergarten sector since 1999?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022deb1f5d91b8d43679548030bcf5785e8\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: In 2000 the Government moved all kindergartens back under the State Sector Act, giving them the benefit of a national collective agreement for kindergarten teachers. Under the previous National Government, kindergartens were undervalued, the services were rundown, and the quality was threatened. Negotiations under that Government were ad hoc, and different pay rates and conditions applied all over the country. In essence, the sector was in upheaval. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002251dfea20-2244-4fc7-bd7d-ebf7a98580e1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ea41d5ca568f48888ca1b0964318fe38\u0022\u003EHon Tau Henare\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister aware that Clydemore Kindergarten in \u014Ctara has been forced to close because Government policies mean the kindergarten can no longer afford to run a sessional-based service, and that this formerly free service will be replaced with a day-care service charging up to $180 per child a week; if so, how does he think this situation helps underprivileged, poor children in \u014Ctara? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228bcffa4f57f648e2945611c2a85192cb\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: I am not aware of that particular circumstance, but I am aware that this Government is putting $485 million a year into early childhood, and that kindergarten teachers will have pay parity with primary and secondary school teachers in the years ahead. What I am certain of is that all kindergarten teachers support this Government\u2019s strategy, not the previous Government\u2019s strategy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022749a724d-1ef9-49cb-9ba2-2610403653ea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a078148775a9401494c6dc41fd74e685\u0022\u003EDianne Yates\u003C/span\u003E: What are the key changes in the early childhood sector, and how will they affect kindergartens?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220b1009df19784e6ca21913588994360a\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: This Government has developed a funding system designed to enable all early childhood services to respond to the needs of parents and communities. A number of kindergartens are responding to those needs by offering more flexible hours, and the funding system enables them to do just that. We are also offering 20 hours free early childhood education from 2007 to increase access to early childhood services. We are continually improving quality across the sector by reviewing regulations, funding more qualified staff, and improving staff; child-staff ratios are going down, and there is funding also\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a3b0289520b44076bc94f205ece14014\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Would the member to my left please be seated. This has happened several times. While the Minister was addressing the question the member rose. The rule is that when I am on my feet, you are all seated; if another member is on his or her feet, then the rest of us are seated. I ask the member just to remember that, please.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002251dfea20-2244-4fc7-bd7d-ebf7a98580e1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002205981b9b9a0a47ef9201e664ec498cf2\u0022\u003EHon Tau Henare\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am not questioning either your authority or your ruling, but I simply rose because there was a pause in the Minister\u2019s answer. I thought he had finished. Well, you can shake your head if you want to, Madam Speaker, but I am entitled to give my reasons for rising to my feet. It was not in any way meant to be an attack on the Minister\u2019s integrity, or whatever.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ce9f7f2e9f9c47c5ab09afcb133d36a1\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Supplementary question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002251dfea20-2244-4fc7-bd7d-ebf7a98580e1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f13e346bf8344dd85ab0c5145a2cfec\u0022\u003EHon Tau Henare\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister aware that North Island kindergartens have been forced to introduce compulsory fees for their services in a bid to keep their centres open for the hours required; if so, will he take responsibility for his Government\u2019s policies ending the century-long kindergarten tradition of offering a free education service? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da6dbc425e6f4077ba15387d4f5fea3a\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: I am a member of a Government that is about to introduce 20 free hours every single week\u2014no, I do not. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b277fc87e0db434cb298e700a71e63b5\u0022\u003EH V Ross Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm that there have been ongoing negotiations to accommodate Clydemore kindy while the new facilities are being built?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022605133aa-6c88-4150-82dd-7d9fcf1824b4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022827fa2e1f7124ac99db0fa5cb8694810\u0022\u003EHon STEVE MAHAREY\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I can.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002251dfea20-2244-4fc7-bd7d-ebf7a98580e1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022273f03a4ed37496a88d241dcb3df1fd2\u0022\u003EHon Tau Henare\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave of the House to table the Early Childhood Teacher: Occupational Skill Shortage Assessment from the Department of Labour.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002251dfea20-2244-4fc7-bd7d-ebf7a98580e1\u0022\u003EDocument, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002251dfea20-2244-4fc7-bd7d-ebf7a98580e1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c7a706fc575a4990aa9db7d70c76a36e\u0022\u003EHon Tau Henare\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table a report dated July 2005 called Annual Census of Children and Staff at Licensed and/or Chartered Early Childhood Services.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c11925403e714ea38b048d8d06f1b1b7\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? Yes, there is objection.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002251dfea20-2244-4fc7-bd7d-ebf7a98580e1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b5167baeeaa6481e9f646fb26f930db2\u0022\u003EHon Tau Henare\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table a report from the New Zealand Educational Institute about why kindergarten teachers need term breaks, why the employer claim for contact time is excessive, and why head and senior kindergarten teachers are not being fairly rewarded. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002251dfea20-2244-4fc7-bd7d-ebf7a98580e1\u0022\u003EDocument, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224b73996477134574a18def01affaa8dc\u0022\u003EAthletes, Elite\u2014Government Support\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022263be082-dd01-4ef1-9c19-d546d0174793\u0022\u003E11. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002219f1d5d94a1d412797876e19f11468cc\u0022\u003EHon MARK GOSCHE (Labour\u2014Maungakiekie)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Sport and Recreation: What changes have been made in Government support for elite athletes?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u00229f175f8cf5d34bff801e9ae677e7dad9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229f175f8cf5d34bff801e9ae677e7dad9\u0022\u003EHon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister for Sport and Recreation):\u003C/span\u003E Heaps. Investment in high performance sport has grown to $30 million in 2005-06. Athletes have benefited significantly from the introduction of Prime Minister\u2019s Sports Scholarships, with around 500 athletes receiving support during their tertiary education whilst training and competing. Three hundred athletes received performance enhancement grants, to offset the costs of being an elite athlete. There has been considerable support to coaches. Unfortunately, for the member\u2019s interest, that has not quite got us to the point of having the Warriors win frequently.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022263be082-dd01-4ef1-9c19-d546d0174793\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221630dcc0d9724fae9bf5a4e53117eedd\u0022\u003EHon Mark Gosche\u003C/span\u003E: I am very sad about the last part of the Minister\u2019s answer, but what evidence has the Minister seen that these changes have made a difference?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224ebc8689c9cf432ca1f29f8f0364d051\u0022\u003EHon TREVOR MALLARD\u003C/span\u003E: The results of New Zealand athletes and teams at pinnacle events are steadily improving. We won 36 medals at world championship events in 2004-05. We have world champions in canoeing, rowing, softball, netball, cycling, triathlon, bowls, mountain running, and mountain biking.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a11ce4e-9fb3-4738-b0be-5a9f81d975da\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c637fa8dde1d459c8c903a318eafcbee\u0022\u003EHon Maurice Williamson\u003C/span\u003E: How are we going in tennis?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227047e71aea6b401194069f751ee9b394\u0022\u003EHon TREVOR MALLARD\u003C/span\u003E: We placed 24th out of 202 nations at the 2004 Olympics, and there has been a significant improvement on the 2000 Olympics, when we placed 45th. I am afraid that I cannot be responsible for all sports, although I understand that tennis is having quite an administrative review at the moment. As far as swimming and a number of other sports are concerned, when they got their administration right they started winning. I recommend to the National Party that if it gets its administration right, it might then win, too.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224d624f2cdc524e34aa9d11da92df412a\u0022\u003ETe Ururoa Flavell\u003C/span\u003E: Are elite, successful waka ama athletes who achieve international rankings funded to the same extent that other successful rowers achieve; if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226237b7524c2e43be8379d4bc23bda808\u0022\u003EHon TREVOR MALLARD\u003C/span\u003E: No, because they are not part of the group of internationally recognised sports in the way that rowing is. I know there has been quite a lot of work, especially by Dallas Seymour from Sport and Recreation New Zealand, with people involved in the events, but they do not have the same level of recognition as probably hundreds of other sports that are not true international sports.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00220abf01c5b6fc4e7fa4a7cdae7e4e9ffa\u0022\u003EBiosecurity\u2014Didymosphenia Geminata\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E12. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a7661d983eb74faa9f1cd87cee38443a\u0022\u003EERIC ROY (National\u2014Invercargill)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Biosecurity: Is he satisfied that Biosecurity New Zealand is taking all appropriate steps to prevent the spread of didymo; if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00228415e962-886d-47b9-9356-3fdce746891f\u0022 data-id=\u0022f63caf5f024d446db64b7fa66b499512\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228415e962-886d-47b9-9356-3fdce746891f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f63caf5f024d446db64b7fa66b499512\u0022\u003EHon JIM ANDERTON (Minister for Biosecurity):\u003C/span\u003E Yes. This afternoon Biosecurity New Zealand announced that it is imposing a controlled area over the entire South Island. This will make it an offence under the Biosecurity Act to enter North Island waterways with gear that has been used in South Island waterways and not been cleaned. It will continue to be an offence to knowingly spread didymo between catchments within the South Island. In addition, Biosecurity New Zealand also announced today an additional research and education campaign, bringing total expenditure on didymo control this financial year to over $6 million, to ensure that all New Zealanders know they have a personal responsibility to ensure that they clean clothing and gear used in one waterway before it is used in another, particularly in the South Island but potentially in the North Island as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bc8decb03385475b956b8fc20ad204f5\u0022\u003EEric Roy\u003C/span\u003E: If the Minister is so concerned about the spread of didymo, why is it that, 1 year after the initial discovery of this serious incursion in two Southland rivers, no information was provided to sports shops and other service providers to water users such as fishing licence purchasers?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228415e962-886d-47b9-9356-3fdce746891f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225b4a5d8599e24ccc8f743ee6e1f2b7e9\u0022\u003EHon JIM ANDERTON\u003C/span\u003E: I think members should know that very little was known about didymo when it was first discovered in October 2004. Biosecurity New Zealand immediately sought information, both here and overseas, on its likely impacts, developed tools for cleaning, initiated a public awareness campaign, and surveyed neighbouring Southland rivers. It then imposed movement controls on the rivers concerned, following a review of this other work. This year, a number of other infected rivers were identified outside of Southland, and further controlled areas were imposed while a major research programme and survey of all high-risk rivers was initiated. These have now been reviewed, in light of more recent information. Since then, Biosecurity New Zealand has become aware of the significant extent of didymo spread and has moved its response to an appropriate level, through a comprehensive strategy set in motion today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227df975cd-93d2-4f55-9bc5-d2790e28e043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e66c3a71e289464bab690ffabb04d9b5\u0022\u003EMaryan Street\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister say which countries are leading the way internationally on responses to didymo?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228415e962-886d-47b9-9356-3fdce746891f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022251d5d8a9068407bb66ecdee910ab91e\u0022\u003EHon JIM ANDERTON\u003C/span\u003E: Again, I think all members should realise that there is no treatment or technology for controlling didymo known to anywhere else on the planet. New Zealand is doing more research and monitoring of didymo than any other country. In my view, Biosecurity New Zealand\u2019s response is appropriate and realistic, given how little is known about this organism and the fact that nothing is available to control it. I note that scientific advisers believe there is a real possibility that didymo is being spread by birds, from catchment to catchment. If this is indeed the case, then there is very little anyone can do to prevent its spread within the South Island. The most we can hope for is that through education and personal responsibility we can reduce further spread while research is carried out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221c818ce2-6ca3-4c4a-9e6a-2e3a67d070e1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225bb653c506744562a7bd63b477279a62\u0022\u003EShane Ardern\u003C/span\u003E: With didymo now a permanent resident in New Zealand and spreading, and with the potential long-term damage that that will cause, will the Minister admit that he was wrong to dismiss in his biosecurity summit discussion document and speech that a pest management strategy in advance of a pest being found is a smart idea, will he now take notice of the likes of Professor Morris from Massey University, who has been advising him of this for years, and will he not continue to rely on accidents, like a visiting foreign expert discovering the sea squirt at Auckland by accident and then reporting it to his biosecurity agency, before he takes action?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228415e962-886d-47b9-9356-3fdce746891f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222843b4b2c5214f238877ad72ab988c83\u0022\u003EHon JIM ANDERTON\u003C/span\u003E: There were a number of questions there. Firstly, Professor Morris, whom the member mentioned, has not been advising me for years, because I have been the Minister for Biosecurity for only a number a weeks. Let me just say that one piece of advice I have not taken was from the member himself. Firstly, he advised us to take action against a pest that had not yet arrived. He gave his second piece of advice in a press release dated 7 October: \u201CDidymo could have been restricted to Southland\u2019s Mararoa and Waiau Rivers if appropriate action had been taken immediately. This stuff can be killed,\u201D. Well, if the member has a patent for that, he will make a lot of money. I will take shares in the company, because no one has a way to kill it. He went on to state: \u201CThis stuff can be killed, but unfortunately they have to kill the river for a few years to do it.\u201D I can just imagine, as Minister for Biosecurity, going around New Zealand and saying: \u201CBoy, have I got a deal for you. We\u2019re going to kill didymo\u2014that\u2019s the good news\u2014but the bad news is that we\u2019re killing everything else.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229dbf5ef63b044ecf8e5c79e4d6d48e75\u0022\u003EEric Roy\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister think it is appropriate that, in his own words, a new diatom, didymo, was found in the Mararoa in mid-October 2004 and it was not until 19 August 2005 that those rivers became controlled areas?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228415e962-886d-47b9-9356-3fdce746891f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002247ab03b0014f456cb8d9dc21a2b9d9b4\u0022\u003EHon JIM ANDERTON\u003C/span\u003E: I think the work of Biosecurity New Zealand has been world-class in this area, and so do many other scientists throughout the world. For the information of the member, who may not know, Fish and Game New Zealand today welcomed the announcement by Biosecurity New Zealand that it will invest heavily in constraining both the spread and the effects of this potentially devastating organism. The Chairman of Environment Southland, an elected authority, Stuart Collie, said: \u201CIt is a logical move by Biosecurity New Zealand and it does not make sense to control only the parts of the waters that didymo is in. Council was briefed about this policy last week, and while it does not have a formal policy position, I believe it will support Biosecurity New Zealand.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226d2ad83fe69f4c5fa8e534f2ba407cac\u0022\u003EEric Roy\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table a report from Environment Southland that states that didymo is now colonised in Lake Manap\u014Duri, and shows that, in fact, the horse has bolted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003EDocument, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228415e962-886d-47b9-9356-3fdce746891f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002252d3b0106c7a42fb95b00060b7dd6ede\u0022\u003EHon JIM ANDERTON\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave of the House to table the report from Environment Southland that welcomes Biosecurity New Zealand\u2019s moves, stating that they are logical and make a lot of sense. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228415e962-886d-47b9-9356-3fdce746891f\u0022\u003EDocument, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c6a5f7114b8a4c68ac9efce63347cd03\u0022\u003ETaxation (Annual Rates and Urgent Measures) Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022731d4513866940edb4860615e9fa75d0\u0022\u003ESecond Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022 data-id=\u002240b87d8da59b4519a48bb2568e1da92d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002240b87d8da59b4519a48bb2568e1da92d\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Taxation (Annual Rates and Urgent Measures) Bill be now read a second time. The bill delivers on three key election pledges that will benefit hundreds of thousands of people. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003EThe first major focus of the bill is to boost income assistance for working families and to make the Working for Families package available to a greater number of working families from 1 April next year. Additional targeted tax assistance will be available to 160,000 working families, a figure that includes 60,000 new families who will become eligible for such assistance. That is achieved by raising the income level at which the abatement of family assistance begins from $27,500 per year to $35,000 per year. At the same time, the rate at which assistance abates for income counted as over the new threshold will be lowered from 30 percent to 20 percent. The average size of the extra assistance is expected to be about $50 per week. That adds to increases that are already scheduled to come into effect on 1 April next year, and makes a significant difference to family income\u2014in many cases, by as much as an extra $100 per week. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003EThe second major focus of the bill is the removal of interest from student loans for most borrowers, and the introduction of an amnesty on penalties for borrowers living overseas. The purpose of those changes is to make tertiary education more affordable for young people and to encourage them to remain in, or return to, New Zealand and invest their skills here. As such, these are forward-looking changes designed to achieve a long-term gain for the economy. Students and ex-students have welcomed the changes proposed in the bill, which in many cases will save them thousands of dollars and knock years off their repayment times. Over 440,000 people have student loans, so the impact of the changes is huge. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003ELater, in the Committee stage, I will be releasing a Supplementary Order Paper that will amend the bill to prevent borrowers from using the interest-free changes in a way that was not intended by the proposed legislation. I am referring to borrowers who, in the lead-up to the new interest-free system, may try to claim a refund of previously paid money in order to invest it in interest-bearing accounts. The changes introduced in the Supplementary Order Paper remove any financial incentive to claim refunds of overpayments of student loans. Refunds relating to the 2004-05 and 2005-06 tax years will be subject to interest unless the claims were lodged before 30 November. It will not be possible to claim refunds for 2003-04 and prior years. Furthermore, borrowers will not be able to apply for special deduction rates below the standard 10 percent rate for the balance of the current tax year. In cases of serious hardship, the Inland Revenue Department will have the discretion to exempt refunds from interest. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003EThe Supplementary Order Paper will further ensure that there is no overlap in how time spent overseas is counted for loan purposes. It will also ensure that the objection provisions in the Student Loan Scheme Act apply to decisions made by the Inland Revenue Department in relation to the full interest write-off and amnesty. Those changes will fine-tune the proposed legislation to ensure that it works as intended. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003EThe Finance and Expenditure Committee recommended the inclusion of a further transitional provision. It would allow a full interest write-off in some circumstances for borrowers who spend time outside New Zealand during the first 6 months of the operation of the new loan scheme, and I agree that such a transitional provision is desirable. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003ESupplementary Order Paper 1, which I referred to the committee last month\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c8b133c4f8c94209af885d37db3069ff\u0022\u003EJohn Key\u003C/span\u003E: Time\u2019s up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022155b1d8219a348c59f2cc0d9c85c8bfc\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E:\u2014no, I\u2019m afraid it will not be up for some years yet\u2014will give New Zealand wine producers who export to Australia access to that country\u2019s wine equalisation tax rebate. I suspect it is one of the rare tax changes that will please everyone, and I thank all parties of the House for their agreement to include that matter in this bill. Otherwise it would have been very difficult to deliver it to New Zealand wine producers on time. The change is part of a joint trans-Tasman effort that will involve both countries in the administration of the rebate in relation to New Zealand producers. Australia will assess, pay, and duly administer the rebate, and we will assist in the registration and application processes. Australia is in the process of enacting the necessary legislation; the changes added to this bill represent our legislative contribution. They were originally to have been included in the taxation bill introduced in May, but have been moved to this bill to ensure their faster enactment. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003EProvisions fixing the rates of income tax for the 2005-06 tax year have also been moved from the main taxation bill to the present bill, in order to ensure their timely enactment. However, I assure the House that I hope the Finance and Expenditure Committee will make every effort to deal with the May bill so that we can pass that bill before the end of March, which will enable a number of its provisions to come into force on 1 April next year. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003EIn closing, I thank the committee for its timely consideration of this very important bill, and I commend the committee\u2019s report to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022 data-id=\u0022d70cc3f6e04f499dace79929166a6ce5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d70cc3f6e04f499dace79929166a6ce5\u0022\u003EJOHN KEY (National\u2014Helensville):\u003C/span\u003E Next week the House will be in urgency so that the Government, under the cover of darkness, can call on every part of its confidence and supply arrangements in order to pass this Taxation (Annual Rates and Urgent Measures) Bill. That is what will happen under urgency next week; we are debating the same legislation here today. It happens to be exactly the same legislation for which there were no public submissions\u2014not one. Labour did not want to know what the public thought of this bill and it did not care about that, even if people wrote to the Government independently, anyway. So there were no public submissions. The second point is that a number of Government agencies looked at this bill and its side effects. Although their work has not been done yet, the preliminary work that Treasury, the Reserve Bank, and others have done indicates that there will be bad news for the Government. But that advice will not be on the Table next week, when this bill is passed under urgency. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003ENext week a bill will be brought back to the House and rammed through that just covers off the election bribes that the Labour Government had to roll out in order to get itself in power for a third term. The Labour members on the Finance and Expenditure Committee were worried about one thing only. They were not worried about the implications of the bill for borrowers, the impact on New Zealand society, or the messages the bill was sending to young New Zealanders, and they did not care that it reaffirms some of the highest tax rates internationally, which will lock New Zealand into an uncompetitive environment. All those things did not matter. Only one thing mattered to the Labour members on the committee when this bill was considered last week. It was this: there were no drafting errors in the bill. That is what those members were worried about\u2014no drafting errors, so they would not be embarrassed. Paul Swain has had a couple of those errors come down to the House in the past. They were such absolute shockers that he had to have amendments made hours, days, or weeks afterwards. The bill is very nice, is it not? It looks great. That was the only thing that Paul Swain was worried about. So under the cover of darkness, that is what is to happen. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003EThe really interesting thing about this bill is that it involves something this Government is extraordinarily good at. [Interruption] That is right; I do not normally heap praise on the Labour Government. However, the one thing it is really good at is spending, and it is exceptionally good at spending other people\u2019s money. Clayton Cosgrove used to be a fiscal conservative when he was the chairman of the select committee, but now he is just another big-spending Minister with his hand in the air, passing out the dollars. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003ESomething happened today that will really affect Christmas for New Zealanders who are out there, working hard and toiling away: interest rates went up. They went up for the ninth time since 2004\u2014the ninth time. The Reserve Bank came out and said that we now have an official cash rate of 7.25 percent. Dr Cullen said, in answer to my question today, that our interest rates are the highest interest rates in the OECD, and the official cash rate is the highest it has been since it was brought in. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003EDr Cullen came into office when interest rates were at 4.5 percent and we had a current account deficit of 2 percent of GDP, and he used to go up and down the country moaning about that. Today the same Dr Cullen had the audacity to tell me that I do not understand it when a Japanese housewife buys $20,000 worth of an Uridashi issue, which was sold to her on the basis that if it all turns to custard and the exchange rate goes down, she can just come to New Zealand and have a good holiday\u2014that is, he told me that I did not understand the international bond markets. That is a really interesting statement to have come from the history professor, but we will not go there. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003EBut that is what Michael Cullen thought of today\u2019s ninth increase in interest rates, which comes on the back of the sort of legislation that is going through as the \u201CTaxation (Annual Rates and Let Us Spend Up Large) Bill\u201D, which the Government is debating today. Michael Cullen said that the increased interest rates were not his fault, and that he was actually offended that the Opposition spokesperson on finance cared enough about mortgages and the fact that exporters in this country were going to the wall to question him about that. He said it was a disgrace that the Opposition spokesperson on finance cared about the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who will have a rough Christmas. Their mortgage rates are going up because Michael Cullen does not care about that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003EBut then Michael Cullen does not think that many things are his fault, and he does not think that this bill will do much. We had to point out to Michael Cullen that when we offer an interest rate of zero percent, it becomes quite attractive. Then Michael Cullen, in another breath\u2014and on the other TV channel, when he announced this policy, he was telling off New Zealand consumers for borrowing more when somehow interest rates were lower because the banks were in a price war\u2014came out with the granddaddy of all low-interest loans: zero percent, forever. He said that that would not be a problem for him. He said there would be no behavioural changes, no one would react to that policy by borrowing more, and they would repay their loans at the same rate as previously. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003ETwo weeks ago a young chap called Thomas Banfield worked out\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002229c5788544714e0b9d5bcd134d652071\u0022\u003ERon Mark\u003C/span\u003E: Young Nat?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222afecd9e640745e085ba9ef407bb1e08\u0022\u003EJOHN KEY\u003C/span\u003E: He was not a Young Nat\u2014I said a young man. Ron Mark has a big future ahead of him because his current party leader is not doing very well. Mr Mark has a big future, so the member should worry about his future and I will worry about the young man Thomas Banfield. Mr Banfield worked out something that the Minister of Finance of this country does not understand. Thomas Banfield knows that if we get money and put it in the bank risk-fee, we will earn interest, and that it is more valuable to do that than to pay off a student loan where we would earn no interest. So Michael Cullen, as members heard in his speech just a few moments ago, said that he did not like that, and that next week the Government, under the cover of darkness, when it is ramming through this legislation\u2014legislation that no one has been allowed to discuss or have any input into, at all, except to make sure there are no drafting errors from Paul Swain\u2014will pass a Supplementary Order Paper. It will change the legislation, so that after next week Thomas Banfield will not be able to do what he did a week earlier. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003EThe real kicker of this is, though, that Thomas Banfield represents the people who made voluntary loan repayments in the last 6 months, and when this Taxation (Annual Rates and Urgent Measures) Bill is passed, I have bad news for Michael Cullen. What will happen is that student loan holders will not make their voluntary payments. They will not need his adjustment to the legislation. They will not need to go and ask for their money back, saying: \u201C Please can I have my money back so that I can put it on deposit?\u201D. They will cut out the middleman\u2014Michael Cullen\u2014and go straight to the bank themselves. Michael Cullen knows that, but if he did not believe that it was a problem\u2014because nothing is going to change after we have passed this legislation\u2014can someone, anyone, explain to me why he has to close the loophole down now? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003EI tell members this: Michael Cullen may be closing the stable doors next week for those people who have made voluntary payments in the last 6 months, but he is about to get a shotgun out and blow those doors off their hinges when he passes this legislation. But he does not care about that. Thomas Banfield knew more about interest rates than the Minister of Finance and, actually, for the record, he knew more about the law than Michael Cullen, who used to be the Attorney-General. That is the kind of leadership that the Labour Party is giving this country; it is completely and utterly wrong. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003EMichael Cullen mentioned that the Working for Families package will be extended. What he actually did was quite nifty, I suppose. By passing that measure, Michael Cullen will achieve his and the Labour Party\u2019s lifelong ambition. They will allow every New Zealander to become a welfare beneficiary; every New Zealander will be on a welfare benefit. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e9e04202050441f68ee04abdba96d648\u0022\u003EHon Clayton Cosgrove\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, you lost the election!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221eebd8e69c8d4424b138067b2c6aeff1\u0022\u003EJOHN KEY\u003C/span\u003E: There is Clayton Cosgrove. I have a message for him, to take back to Waimakariri: he can become a Cabinet Minister, earn hundreds of thousands of dollars and, if he has enough children, he too can be on the Working for Families package. Even he can get something back. He should not worry about the fact that he pays the top personal taxation rate. He should not worry about the fact that in the Budget lock-up in 2004 Michael Cullen said that the No. 1 thing he was worried about was effective marginal tax rates. Now he is rolling out that package to people who earn over $60,000 a year. Well, this is the message from people who earn over $60,000 a year: \u201CNo, thanks very much! We don\u2019t want your welfare payment; what we want is a lower tax rate. And then we\u2019ll tell you what: we\u2019ll go about our business and you, Labour, can go about yours.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220083bcaa-f44d-4b70-97de-d091a209b88c\u0022\u003EI cannot wait for the Committee stage on this bill next week; I just simply cannot wait for it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022 data-id=\u0022ef9d6533fcb24a58a7a19da73c0659ac\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ef9d6533fcb24a58a7a19da73c0659ac\u0022\u003EHon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Associate Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E For those who did not know, that was Mr Key, the so-called finance spokesperson for the National Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220b7d4f224d3b4384a3c7cd9cf1177404\u0022\u003EDr the Hon Lockwood Smith\u003C/span\u003E: No point in speaking. Not like Mike Moore.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002206ed3343e9904231b1076a89523308a0\u0022\u003EHon CLAYTON COSGROVE\u003C/span\u003E: And there is Dr Lockwood Smith, who has trolled that line out every time; it does not get any smarter, any brighter, or any better, because he is incapable of some original thought. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003EThe image makers have been out in the National Party. Mr Key, with an apricot tie like that, thinks he is on a winner. Someone, I think it was Mr Mark, asked whether Mr Key had a community services card. I tell Mr Mark that I do not think Mr Key could spell it, or maybe if he could, he could line it up with what he cites as one of the biggest achievements in his career\u2014being the only man in New Zealand, so he told the Finance and Expenditure Committee, to get a black American Express card. Apparently it is better than a platinum one; the holder can go and buy a jumbo jet or something, so Mr Key told that committee. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003EThat member said there were no public submissions on this package. Well, I say to that member that there was a major public submission on the package we are debating today. It was called a general election, where we put our policies\u2014which included the Working for Families and the extended Working for Families packages, and our student loan package\u2014up against National\u2019s. The people spoke; we have a coalition. This bill is about keeping our promises. It is about a philosophical divide between that party and us. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003ENational launched a tax policy that got rejected. It would have seen Mr Key add to his lofty estates and immense wealth, to the tune of 95 bucks a week. That is what he and every member, including his leader, would have got if National\u2019s tax package had been passed. About two thirds of other New Zealanders\u2014the people we are targeting, families with kids\u2014would have got around $10 a week. John Key would have been very comfortable, I am sure, with the black American Express card. He would have wheeled it out and had a good go to spend his 95 bucks a week, when most other Kiwis would have got 10 bucks a week. So that is where this House divides. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003EWe believe in backing 160,000 working families, and we believe in backing parents with kids, because we know\u2014unlike Dr Smith, of course, when it comes to talking about kids\u2014that it is expensive and tough to bring up a family. So we say that members of Parliament do not deserve 95 bucks a week. I do not deserve it, that member does not deserve it, and we do not need it. We in this Parliament are on good salaries, but I believe that parents with children, who are battling away to make good lives, deserve a break from the Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003EOur tax package delivers on our promises. I know that members of the National Party have a mental blockage when it comes to a Government delivering on its promises. I know that John Key, of course, who made his name as a junk bond dealer trading down the Kiwi dollar for many years\u2014that is how he showed his loyalty to the country\u2014would have no idea what it was like to be a battler out there, or that integrity is required for a Government to keep its promises. He represents a party that is short on policy, short on commitment, and seriously short on keeping any promises that it made during the election. That is why his party spent the last couple of weeks of the last sitting slowly backing away from the election commitments they had made, because they were not going to honour them. I think that was probably the reason.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003E The other measure\u2014[Interruption] Oh, not likely, especially when we have dopey Opposition members like that member, who got sacked as the trade spokesperson. He need not tell me I am running out of speed; he got usurped. The other important measure in this bill is the student loans package. It is very apt that Dr Smith sits in this Chamber. After all, it was him who saddled every student in this country with a massive debt. That man says publicly that he is still proud of the student loan policy he put in place, which now sits on the Government\u2019s books as a debt\u2014or, as we call it technically, an asset\u2014of about $3.8 billion. But, of course, he got his PhD in animal husbandry, I think it was. There may be another word for that\u2014I do not know the technical terms. But when he got his PhD, the State paid for it. The State paid for the course. [Interruption] I am told Mr Woolerton is aptly qualified in that discipline as well, so he says. He got his PhD and the State paid for it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003EOf course, Dr Smith does not give a damn about the students, the best and the brightest, whom we are trying to attract back to this country\u2014and this policy will attract them. He does not give a damn about the best and the brightest students, whom we are trying to incentivise and retain in this country. Oh no! He is on the pig\u2019s back\u2014technically or figuratively, I do not know. But he got his PhD and the State paid for it\u2014and that is neat, and that is wonderful, and good on him. Or was it his undergraduate degree? I do not know, but I know he got it under the old system. He should sit here and reflect on his legacy as an education Minister. He still sits there with pride, of course. I recall being at the Finance and Expenditure Committee during the first term we were in Government, when the students brought in a birthday cake to celebrate the anniversary of his student loan scheme, which saddles every student with a mortgage before he or she has a house. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003EWe say no to that scheme; we will incentivise and back the best and the brightest in this country. We will do something about it. We will provide interest-free loans to those students so that they in turn will show a commitment to this country, stay here, and fill the major skills gaps. We will also provide an incentive for those of our best and brightest who are overseas to come home. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003EThe reason those members over there are so grumpy is that they cannot compete with the truth, and they certainly cannot compete with a Government that actually keeps its promises. When I went on the stump during the election campaign, I did not meet one person, apart from the National candidate, who did not back this policy. I met parents. I met grandparents. Do members know what the biggest cry of grandparents was when this policy came out? [Interruption] Before this policy came out they would come to me and others, like Mr Woolerton, and say they were worried that their grandkids would not come home, that they would not see their grandchildren come back to our shores. The day we released the policy that we will pass in this bill today, that changed. They now say they will see their grandkids again because they will come home. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003EI wind up by saying\u2014and I suggest the new members take a lesson from Dr Smith and do not make the same mistakes he made\u2014I will stand by this policy, which completes an election promise. I will stand by the legacy of this Government, which has always honoured its election promises. I will stand up at the next election before those weather-beaten members over there, who could not meet a promise if they bumped into one, and debate with Dr Smith, and we will see who the country backs on this issue of student loans and the family assistance tax package.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022 data-id=\u00229d7cd244dc1d45588b00cd0f5bca9df8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229d7cd244dc1d45588b00cd0f5bca9df8\u0022\u003EDr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH (National\u2014Rodney):\u003C/span\u003E Today the interest rates in New Zealand went up. Tomorrow the mortgage rates paid by people working up and down this country will go up. They will go up tomorrow, and do members know what the Reserve Bank says is one of the reasons for that? It is what this Government is spending. It is what Michael Cullen is spending. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003EThe Reserve Bank report released today talks about the issues in the bill we debate this afternoon. The Reserve Bank specifically mentions the Working for Families package. What this Labour-led, this \u201CHelen Clark - Winston Peters - led\u201D Government, rams through this House today, thehard-working people of New Zealand will pay for tomorrow when their mortgage rates go up. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003EThe Reserve Bank report also said that people\u2019s house prices\u2014their equity\u2014will come down. The Reserve Bank report says that not only will mortgage rates go up but that people will also lose their equity, and that one of the reasons for it is this bill. This Labour Government, the \u201CClark-Peters Government\u201D, just cannot help itself\u2014it has to spend, spend, and spend hard-working New Zealanders\u2019 money. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003EWith regard to the member who just resumed his seat\u2014Clayton Cosgrove, was it?\u2014I do not think I have ever heard anything quite so arrogant. If I wrote it down correctly, he said that the public submissions on this bill were the submissions people made during the election campaign. He seemed to forget that 60 percent of New Zealanders did not vote for this policy. What arrogance to think that that constitutes public submissions on legislation! That arrogance is why Clayton Cosgrove will not go any further than he has gone already. His predecessor, the Rt Hon Mike Moore, was a much, much wiser member of Parliament than Clayton Cosgrove is. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003ENational opposes this bill for several reasons. The first is that it confirms our current tax rates, which are unacceptably high. Again, massive numbers of New Zealanders voted to see a reduction in those tax rates. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003ESecondly, the bill puts in place this Labour Government\u2019s massive election bribe\u2014the interest-free student loan. Clayton Cosgrove tried to attack me over the original construction of the student loan scheme. I just remind Clayton Cosgrove and his colleagues that before the student loan scheme was put in place, when Labour left office in 1990, New Zealand\u2019s participation rate in tertiary education was about the lowest in the OECD. It was a disaster for New Zealand\u2019s future. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003EBy the time I left the role of Minister of Education almost 6 years later, when the student loan scheme had been in place for about 4 years, we had gone to the top of the OECD. We did not have the squandering of taxpayers\u2019 money at Te W\u0101nanga o Aotearoa; we had a decent tertiary sector. We did not have COOL IT courses that were just squandering taxpayers\u2019 money in the way that Labour has. We had decent tertiary courses and we went to the top of the OECD, and only the student loan scheme made that possible. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003EFor the little twerp Clayton Cosgrove to stand in this House and say that it was a disaster\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227a6474c6442e4e0694bee535bcb7c036\u0022\u003EHon David Cunliffe\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The member clearly has nothing of substance to say, but perhaps he could restrain himself from calling people names.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fae7af0d-c48d-4dd4-88f3-928ccaa3a984\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cba3702feff2419e84752fa26197b464\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ann Hartley)\u003C/span\u003E: That is not a point of order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002206b952e9ecd440e887a422c398518816\u0022\u003EDr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: Let me come to the part of this bill that I think is the most destructive of hope. [Interruption] I ask David Cunliffe, who has been interjecting, what he thinks about this. This bill, once it has been implemented\u2014and it will be rammed through this House\u2014will increase from 1,000 to 4,600 the number of families in New Zealand who will lose more in tax for every extra dollar of income they earn. According to Inland Revenue Department figures given to the select committee, the number of families affected will increase from 1,000 to 4,600 once this measure is in place. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003EI see Doug Woolerton from New Zealand First\u2014the former president of Winston Peters\u2019 party\u2014is sitting opposite. He will vote for this. I see Gordon Copeland from United Future is sitting behind him. I want Gordon Copeland to tell this Parliament why he thinks this bill is implementing good policy. The number of families that it will affect will increase from 1,000 to 4,600. When those families earn another $1 they will lose $1.02 in tax. Maybe if those families were all millionaires it would not be the end of the world. If they were high-income families earning $50 an hour or $100 an hour, which some people can, maybe it would not be the end of the world, because the income to which this tax rate applies is $10,000. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003EOn that $10,000 these 4,600 families lose, for every extra $100, $100.20. It would not be so bad if these families were earning $100 an hour, but these are our lowest-income families who are independent of the benefit system. They are not families at the public trough on benefits. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003EI want Doug Woolerton to explain why he supports this bill. I want Gordon Copeland to explain why he will go into the lobbies and vote for this. I want David Cunliffe to explain to the House why it is good policy for our lowest-income families, in the range of annual income from $10,000 to $20,000, to face an effective marginal tax rate of 101.2 percent. This bill will increase the number of New Zealand families in that trap from 1,000 to 4,600\u2014five times as many families. Where is the hope? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003EThis bill means that, at $10 an hour, if the dads or mums in families who are not on a benefit want to earn an extra $1 for their family and they work an extra 10 hours a week to try to earn a bit more money, they do not get an extra cent in their pockets, they lose some. This bill affects people on our lowest wages of, say, $10 an hour, who are not on a benefit but who are trying to stand on their own feet. I would not mind betting that the M\u0101ori Party has something to say about that, because I know it does not want people trapped on benefits. It supports people standing on their own feet. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003EYet, once this bill goes through, in order for people from those 4,600 families to get an extra dollar, they would have to work an extra 20 hours a week first. I acknowledge that this problem is not new, but this bill, which Doug Woolerton is going to vote for, and which Gordon Copeland is going to vote for\u2014although I do not think he would if he thought about it more\u2014will increase by five times the number of families trapped in this hopelessness. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003EI want David Cunliffe to tell me why he thinks some of our lowest-income families should face a marginal tax rate of 101.2 percent. I would like him to tell us why even families on higher incomes than that face the same thing. For those earning under $100,000 with three children, the only income range where they keep more than the Government takes from them is the brief income range from $25,000 to $35,000. Outside that range the Government, under this package, takes more from them than they can keep when they earn an extra dollar. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003EThis is dopey policy. What makes anyone think that our hard-working families are better off when they lose more to the Government when they try to work a bit harder and earn a bit more money? This is a disgrace.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022 data-id=\u0022b985e4c16cd949a5abeb37f7985ea40d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b985e4c16cd949a5abeb37f7985ea40d\u0022\u003ER DOUG WOOLERTON (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E I am pleased that that speech has finished and that it was only 10 minutes long. From the way Mr Lockwood Smith was getting worked up, I thought he would hurt himself, have a cardiac arrest, and Mr Tau Henare would have to give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and I can assure members that I would not like to see that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003E The Hon Dr Lockwood Smith made a technical argument, and in the narrow confines of that technical argument he was, of course, correct. But, in actual fact, these people will be better off. These people whom the Hon Dr Lockwood Smith talks about being locked in a poverty trap at the bottom of the heap, as he called it, were put there many years ago by a National Government. They were put there by the people whom he sits with and represents in Parliament now. They were put there by a National Government under a right-wing experiment of the day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003EDuring the election campaign New Zealand First said that these people should have a pay rise, and we agree with the National Party to the degree that we think a pay rise would have been preferable to this family package assistance. But that was not to be. Labour won the election, and we support its Taxation (Annual Rates and Urgent Measures) Bill because we say those people trying to exist at the bottom of the heap need assistance. We would have preferred that assistance to be a pay increase, and we fought for that in our supply agreement, but, short of that, we will vote for this family package in order to give those people the relief they so badly need. That is why New Zealand First will vote for the bill, and that is why we believe we should support it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003EIt is true that the bill, which went to the Finance and Expenditure Committee, did not have submissions from the public, but we are prepared to support it in spite of that fact, because, as Mr Clayton Cosgrove said\u2014although he did not use quite these terms\u2014Labour\u2019s bribes beat National\u2019s bribes at the election. Both parties went to work on the student loan scheme, and they both set out to outbid each other. When National talks about the increases in interest rates that have been announced this morning, it is right again. But National does not tell us that if its student loan scheme had been put in place, and if its tax cuts had been put in place, we would have seen exactly the same rise in interest rates, because National\u2019s promises, its bribes, were as unaffordable as the Labour ones\u2014in fact, more so, in our view. I will just say that New Zealand First still believes that wage increases are the way to go on this issue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003EOne would never know it, but there are three parts to this bill. The first part sets the income tax rates. I am surprised, seeing as National made an election issue out of income tax rates, that it did not make an issue of that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002277a5744abbc14b95a27e4a11b6ce4391\u0022\u003EHon David Cunliffe\u003C/span\u003E: Or stay in the Chamber. Where are they?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ed7dffde2c0a427a8c665b0d0654f587\u0022\u003ER DOUG WOOLERTON\u003C/span\u003E: That is right. National did not even mention the income tax rates. Its members were not interested; they are back in their offices talking to each other. So that is the first part of the bill, and National, which had made an issue of that matter, did not even mention it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003EThe second part is the family package, which I have covered, and the third, of course, is about student loans, where there was a bidding war that Labour won. It was Labour\u2019s promise to get rid of interest on student loans that\u2014in my humble opinion, based on many years of experience in politics\u2014won Labour the election. I do not know what Labour\u2019s view of that is, but I think that is, in fact, what happened. That having happened, that point of view having been accepted, I think it behoves Labour\u2014and we are here to support it\u2014to put that measure in place forthwith, before Christmas, and this bill does that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003EThere is no question that New Zealand First agrees with the things that Mr Clayton Cosgrove said. Student loans have kept many of our students away from the shores of this country. We want them to be educated. We want them to go to university. We do not deny them or begrudge them an overseas trip. We do not begrudge them that experience. We want them to have that experience. But we want students, after widening their experience and building on their education, to return home so that not only do we have the benefit of their expertise and experience but also the ones we love are back home with their families, where we believe they should be, and assisting our country on to greater wealth. So, to that degree, we agree with this student loan scheme interest write-off.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003EAnother thing that is not mentioned by the National members, nor, indeed, by Labour, is that those loans, nationwide, are building up\u2014they are worth billions and billions of dollars\u2014and they are not being paid off, anyway. So one wonders how much of a gift to students this measure actually is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003ENational says, again and again, that students in this country will borrow money that is meant for their education, at nil interest, and will spend that money or, indeed, invest it in the bank. I think the National Party was quite proud that there has been one case where a person did that. I do not believe that that loophole has been fully covered off, but it has been covered off to a degree. But even if that were not so, I believe that young people in this country are more responsible than that. Some will do that; some will try to take advantage of the system. I, for one, do not admire people who take advantage of the system. There are people in this country who take advantage of every system that we have in this country, and we see that every day. However, we in New Zealand First do not laud those people. We do not hold them up as an example and say: \u201CLook at these people. This is going to happen right across the country.\u201D [Interruption] No, we do not give them knighthoods, I say to Mr Mark; we certainly do not. We believe that most people and most young people\u2014students, in fact\u2014will treat student loans honestly and make their best endeavours not only to use them as they were meant to be used but then to pay them back as quickly as possible.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022 data-id=\u0022c68a915ce98d4e39ab51541edfac9326\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c68a915ce98d4e39ab51541edfac9326\u0022\u003ENANDOR TANCZOS (Green):\u003C/span\u003E I did not sit on the Finance and Expenditure Committee for the consideration of this bill. Nevertheless, I would like to take the opportunity to speak to it specifically because of the provisions it contains regarding student loans. Student loans and student debt were a key issue for the Green Party at the last election, and at the election before that. It is an issue we take very seriously. We do that because if members take a long-term view of student loans, they will have to conclude that student loan debt is unaffordable both for the individuals who hold it and for our country as a whole. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022\u003EI have spoken many, many times in this House about the broader social and economic issues and the impact of student loan debt. No mechanism was put in place by the previous National Government, when it introduced the student loan scheme, to measure its impact, or to monitor or review it. Nevertheless, the evidence is growing that there is a significant impact on fertility rates\u2014that people are not having children or are delaying having children as a result of their student loan debt. There is evidence of its effects on migration rates. There is evidence of its effects on urbanisation, particularly of professionals. We know that it affects people\u2019s study and career choices and distorts people\u2019s academic study, and we know that it has significant effects on people\u2019s ability to buy housing. Of course, the interest rate has been a significant driver of all of those effects. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022\u003EIt seems to me that for young people\u2014and old people\u2014who have a student loan debt, the most debilitating thing must be to graduate from their courses of study and face a long future of debt, knowing that they can continue to make payments but that the impact of those payments on reducing their debt will be minimal. I am talking, in particular, not about the high-earning graduates that we hear so much about but about the people who go into socially good careers\u2014our social workers, our nurses, our teachers\u2014who require a tertiary education to practise, but who go into their careers in the knowledge that their rates of pay will be so low that they will make very little impact over a long period of time in reducing their student debt. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022\u003ESometimes I wonder why those people even go into those careers at all, given the enormous disincentives that current Government policy provides for them. Of course, they do it because of their conscience, because of their aroha, and because of their concern for the broader social good. That should inspire the members of this House, when we think about the social policy that we enact in this Chamber. For the sake of those people, I am very pleased to see this bill, which enacts parts of the agreement between the Government and the Greens, and of the agreements between the Government and other parties. We see it as moving in the direction of Green Party policy around tertiary education.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022\u003E Some people have opposed this measure, and the National Party has made much of that because it thinks it will lead to students maxing out their student loans, so they can invest the money and make a profit. Fortunately, not everyone thinks like a National Party spokesperson on finance. Students take loans because they have no choice. They have to pay their fees, their court costs, their rent, their power bill\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022adc260a9b97c4cf99b559ec05e9c2694\u0022\u003ERon Mark\u003C/span\u003E: Court costs?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224f22e9a1a93d48b7b5b61970f29eccec\u0022\u003ENANDOR TANCZOS\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, I meant course costs. Excuse me! Students also have to eat. For students aged under 25 years there is no support for living costs, and they have to borrow just to pay for their living costs. In 1999, when the Government and the Greens passed legislation to make student loans interest-free for the period of study, the National Party said that all the students would rush to take out loans, so they could invest the money and make profits. Of course, the reality is that that just did not happen. The take-up rate barely moved. I think we can take that as a good indication. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022\u003EOthers oppose the bill because they say that it is unfair on those who have already paid off their loans in the past. My comment would be to say it was good on them for being able to afford to do that. I congratulate them on having done that\u2014absolutely. But my concern is for those who cannot afford to pay off their loans: those who do not have the high-earning careers, and who are doing things like social work. I have been around the country\u2014[Interruption] I do not know whether Ann Tolley has been around the country\u2014and I have spoken to those people about the serious hardships that they face because they have chosen a career that is for the good of our country, not just for the good of their own bank account. It seems to me that it is not a valid argument to say that we should maintain an injustice because to remove it would be unfair to those who had suffered in the past. That cannot be an argument for maintaining the onerous interest rates on student loan debt. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022\u003EOf course the bill, as well as removing interest on student loans while a person stays in Aotearoa, also raises the parental income thresholds for eligibility for student allowances for under-25-year-olds. The Green Party supports that. The Greens actually support a universal student living allowance. We believe full-time students should be paid a living allowance at the level of the unemployment benefit. We see no reason why people who enter into tertiary education should be the only people who are considered to be financially dependent on their parents until they are aged 25 years, despite the obvious evidence to the contrary for many of those students. However, although we support a universal student allowance, we recognise that this bill is a step in the right direction. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022\u003EThe eligibility for student allowances was the subject of much discussion between the Green Party and the Government after the election.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022\u003E In fact, I remember when, at a New Zealand University Students Association conference, representatives of a number of parties signed a pledge to the association, stating that they would support an extended eligibility for the student allowance. It is good to see that Parliament is in the process of enacting that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022\u003E There is an argument that raising the parental income thresholds is not the right approach in terms of making steps towards a universal student allowance. Rather than increasing the parental income thresholds it would be better to lower the age limit, because, in principle, that addresses the age discrimination aspect. By raising the parental income thresholds, we are reinforcing the principle that the age of 25 is a valid and legitimate basis for discrimination, and we do not believe that. Nevertheless, although we think in principle that lowering the age limit might have been a better approach, we still support raising the parental income thresholds. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285712e72-b25f-4850-b4d9-90035064fde3\u0022\u003EThe Green Party remains absolutely committed to a free tertiary education system and to a universal student allowance, as I have said. We remain committed to capping and reducing tertiary education fees. Of course, that really raises questions about the levels of investment in tertiary education and the priorities around where that money is being spent. We also retain our commitment to a loan write-off scheme for historic debt. We say that if people stay in the country, we should be writing off their student debt year for year. If someone stays in the country and works\u2014paid or unpaid\u2014for every year that person stays we should write off the debt accumulated in a year of study. Nevertheless, we recognise that we are not the Government. We are abstaining on confidence and supply. We have an agreement with the Government on various areas, and this is one that we have discussed with it. This measure is a small step in the right direction, and one that we are pleased to support in its passage through the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022 data-id=\u00225f45b79b92bd4b83b4c89a8f7bcb8e63\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225f45b79b92bd4b83b4c89a8f7bcb8e63\u0022\u003EDr PITA SHARPLES (Co-Leader\u2014M\u0101ori Party):\u003C/span\u003E When my colleague Tariana Turia spoke at the first reading of this bill, she talked about a war that is being waged on the poor. We hoped that, in referring this bill to the Finance and Expenditure Committee, consideration would be given to the questions we raised about how to ensure the equitable distribution of wealth. We believe that it should not have to rely on a welfare benefit disguised as a family assistance package. It is what it is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EAlthough we are supportive of family incomes being supplemented in the Working for Families package, we would much prefer that the supplement be in take-home pay, rather than a welfare handout. We would rather see the smile on the face of a worker because it was take-home pay than that worker being seduced by a welfare payment. Which would the members of this House prefer?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EIf an individual with a gross salary of $32,000 who pays tax on that salary of $6,240 then receives $1,118 in family assistance, how much does it cost to get that $1,118 to that family? That is not a riddle, much as it may appear so to many economists and political commentators. Those are real questions that real families are asking us. Would it not be better for a family to pay a reduced amount of tax\u2014in this case, $5,102 rather than $6,240? Given that bureaucracy is absent from the second scenario, what is the saving to this country? I am not an economist or an accountant, but it seems crazy to me that money is taken off people, then costs are incurred in order to give some of it back. It defies logic.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EIn our minds, pride in being fairly rewarded for work is more satisfying to people than a handout from a patronising, paternalistic State machine and the expectation that gratitude can be signalled when the next ballot box needs to be filled\u2014because, believe you me, workers will be reminded at the next election of the hand that fed them. I need to remind the House that M\u0101ori have always questioned the handout mentality. I recollect a song of protest by one of my Ng\u0101ti Porou whanaunga, Tuini Ng\u0101wai, who in the 1950s wrote a song of protest at the introduction of a universal benefit. She said at that time: \u201CHe patu tikanga, he patu mahara, he patu mauri.\u201D\u2014that the benefit would undermine our customs of self-help, our concern for each other, and the very essence of our life force.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222a849ed4-a817-45a7-8b86-dbc9dd210193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228ff86ce4d05c4647a88612f60f762372\u0022\u003EJill Pettis\u003C/span\u003E: But did she take it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f162737ff68c4e1c90dc54516b02b8cf\u0022\u003EDr PITA SHARPLES\u003C/span\u003E: No, she did not. When I look around at some of our people, I can see the wisdom of the words of Tuini Ng\u0101wai. She warned against dependency, and she would turn in her grave if she knew that what she warned against has now happened. Let us not assign the coming generations to that which currently afflicts many of us. I know there needs to be a safety net, but it should not be a net that entangles the life essence of a people. We need to construct mechanisms and adopt philosophies that ensure that those in the net can see a way of getting out of it. This does not mean severing the net, as the Working for Families package does, or introducing punitive penalties, as some political commentators might suggest. The Working for Families package is targeted relief, which offers no poverty relief for benefit-dependent families. Core benefit levels have not changed since the 1991 benefit cuts, apart from inflationary adjustments.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EA better distribution of taxation might be found that allows all low-income families to receive targeted tax relief without discrimination between those in paid work and those who are not. The M\u0101ori Party finds itself in an unenviable position. Although we would want to support this bill for working families, we also know that there are many other families who will not get the benefits of increased resourcing. We have applauded the bill for introducing additional targeted tax relief to 160,000 working families, yet we also know that it is an irony that the Working for Families package is in itself a dressed-up welfare payment. It has the potential to create a nation of welfare dependants. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003E I need to ask the Government what action it is taking, or planning, to introduce specifically to address the policy deficiencies of the Working for Families package, which discriminates against parents who are not in paid work. This House must not forget the 250,000 poorest children in Aotearoa. This House must also not forget the recent findings of the United Nations expert on human rights of indigenous peoples that there are in fact significant disparities between M\u0101ori and P\u0101keh\u0101, with particular concern for \u201Cthe situation of M\u0101ori children in poverty and the problems facing sole parent households\u201D. It is our obligation and responsibility as members of Parliament to look carefully at the results of the September 2005 household labour force survey, which reported a 9.1 percent unemployment rate for M\u0101ori, and to ask ourselves why the rate is so high\u2014more than four times the P\u0101keh\u0101 rate of 2.2 percent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EThe M\u0101ori Party will continue raising this issue until it is addressed. We will not desert the poor. It is not they who have created poverty. Indeed, they do not have an investment in being poor. So if the poor do not have an investment in poverty, who does? The Working for Families package does not sufficiently address poverty or child poverty in Aotearoa. This package, along with the Government\u2019s single, core benefit system, roll out the expectation that all beneficiaries should be in, or moving towards, paid work\u2014often low-paid\u2014regardless of being full-time parents or living in areas of job shortages. The Minister of M\u0101ori Affairs has for some years now spoken about his concern for the working poor. We look forward to working with him and the Government to address this issue, which is of concern to all of us. N\u0101 reira Parekura Horomia t\u0113n\u0101 koe, anei m\u0101tou hei \u0101whina i a koe. M\u0113n\u0101 k\u0101ore e taea e koe te k\u014Drero, kai te pai m\u0101 m\u0101tou t\u0113r\u0101.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003E[So greetings to you Parekura Horomia, we are here to help you. If you are not able to address it, that is fine, we will attend to it.] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EAnother of the key issues in the taxation bill that have concerned us is the implication around the student loan scheme of 1992. We are concerned about the disproportionately high levels of student debt incurred by M\u0101ori, and the limited capacity of M\u0101ori to repay their student loans\u2014often a capacity outside their control, as I will relate. In September this year Te Mana \u0100konga, the national M\u0101ori tertiary students association, reported that the percentage of debt belonging to M\u0101ori students showed that M\u0101ori student debt had skyrocketed above $1.5 billion. That figure of $1.5 billion is more than the fiscal envelope, the capped Treaty of Waitangi p\u016Btea still existing today. Of those M\u0101ori students who studied in 1997, 18 percent have fully repaid their loans and a further 28 percent had repaid some of their loans by 2003. That compares with 30 percent and 32 percent respectively for non-M\u0101ori students. That may look as if M\u0101ori are reluctant to pay their debts\u2014a deficit approach would blame the debtor.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EA keener analysis shows that one reason for people making little or no progress with repayment is low income. The high level of non-repayment among M\u0101ori who studied for level 1 to 3 certificates, for example, is attributed to the notably lower earning capacity of those students. Average incomes for that group are just above the repayment threshold. How do we explain the fact that the average income for M\u0101ori with level 1 to 3 certificates is notably lower than that for non-M\u0101ori with the same level of qualification? What does one think M\u0101ori would be thinking when they discover this? Is there some systemic bias within the working environment? Is this one standard for all?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EThe M\u0101ori Party does not have any interest in attacking individuals whom others may think are responsible, or political parties that others may think are responsible. What the M\u0101ori Party is interested in is eliminating structural bias, which permeates our society. Let us as members of this House look at this together. Let us join together to ensure solutions that will fit for this nation. Whenever any of us here apply for a job we talk about a fair day\u2019s pay for a fair day\u2019s work. We talk about equity, we talk about a good deal, yet what I have referred to in those statistics from August 2005 demonstrates that that is not always the case for some of our citizens.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EWe are acutely aware that the Working for Families package is a flawed package, a programme to strengthen political dependency on the minority Labour Government. However, despite the dangers of dependency, we will be supporting this bill in the interests of the 160,000 working families and the students saddled with debt. We remind the Government, however, that we will not forsake the poor, and neither should it. We will continue to raise the issue of policy neglect, and to join with like minds to fight the injustice of poverty. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225cee6a89-68e3-40fd-b2d8-d8adb0ba5da0\u0022 data-id=\u0022b17f710b1bab4105b706183973295c0f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225cee6a89-68e3-40fd-b2d8-d8adb0ba5da0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b17f710b1bab4105b706183973295c0f\u0022\u003EGORDON COPELAND (United Future):\u003C/span\u003E I just want to make a few brief comments on four aspects of the Taxation (Annual Rates and Urgent Measures) Bill. Firstly, because I am continuing straight on from Dr Pita Sharples, let me just reiterate a couple of things about the 2004 Working for Families package\u2014what we might call Mark I. That measure cuts in in 2005, in 2006, and then in 2007. I just remind the member that in both 2005 and 2007, beneficiary families will be the recipients of extra money under that package. It was the National Party that, in its policy in the election campaign said it would not give those families the extra $10 per week per child that is due to kick in on 1 April 2007. So in a very real sense it is probably just as well that National is not in a position to go ahead and implement that rather draconian measure. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225cee6a89-68e3-40fd-b2d8-d8adb0ba5da0\u0022\u003EThe second thing I want to refer to, following on from the remarks made by Doug Woolerton, is the policy of not paying interest on student loans, announced as something of a surprise, a rabbit out of the hat, by the Labour Party during the election campaign. When I heard the policy announcement, my thoughts were as follows. Firstly, I thought it was a bad policy, surrounded by a huge moral hazard. Secondly, I thought it was devilishly cunning and would probably have a fantastic payback for the Labour Party in the election campaign. Thirdly, I thought it would bleed support amongst students, in respect of the Green Party, to Labour. I think Nandor Tanczos will bear out my point. I think the Greens, at that stage, had roughly a 12 percent share of the student vote in polls. I said to my wife that if she waited, she would see the student vote shift quickly from the Greens to Labour. That was borne out. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225cee6a89-68e3-40fd-b2d8-d8adb0ba5da0\u0022\u003EThe ramifications of Labour\u2019s policy announcement were quite profound. I think Doug Woolerton is probably right: it probably was the deciding factor that meant that Labour, by the narrowest of margins as Mike Williams said, having dodged the bullet, found itself back in this Parliament as the largest party. It also probably meant, in a funny kind of way, that Labour no longer had the numbers to form a coalition Government with the Greens. One might say it was a bit of a mixed blessing from that point of view. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225cee6a89-68e3-40fd-b2d8-d8adb0ba5da0\u0022\u003EThe next thing I want to talk about briefly is the wine equalisation tax rebate. Clayton Cosgrove, who is in the House at the moment, was part of the Finance and Expenditure Committee delegation that went to Canberra last year, shortly after the Australian Government announced it was going to introduce a tax rebate for qualifying Australian winegrowers. We went across as a select committee, and said that was not fair. We asked whether Australia had heard of a thing called Closer Economic Relations, and of a commitment by both our Governments to the harmonisation of taxation matters, trans-Tasman. We said that Australia\u2019s introduction of a rebate in favour of its winegrowers would hurt Kiwi winegrowers. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225cee6a89-68e3-40fd-b2d8-d8adb0ba5da0\u0022\u003EOne of the amazing things about this bill is that that has been rectified in the most amazing way. This bill now provides that qualifying New Zealand winegrowers who meet exactly the same qualifications as their equivalents across the Tasman can go to our Inland Revenue Department, apply for the Australian winegrower tax rebate, and get the rebate paid to them in Australian dollars. So this is a kind of unique win-win situation. In our tax laws we are legislating today for the Australian Government to pay money across to New Zealand winegrowers. I think that is tremendously good news, particularly given the history of things like underarm bowling and the latest incident about the Rugby World Cup, when as we know, Australia failed to support our bid. Is it not amazing that the National Party intends to vote against New Zealand winegrowers receiving a cash payment from the Australian Government, as does the ACT party and the M\u0101ori Party? All these parties are against the Kiwi winegrower receiving a cheque from the Aussie Government. I find that to be quite amazing. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225cee6a89-68e3-40fd-b2d8-d8adb0ba5da0\u0022\u003EThe last thing I want to mention is the family tax credit. There is a little paragraph inserted in the select committee\u2019s report back to this Parliament. I will read it out, because I thought that Dr Lockwood Smith was somewhat uncharitable in his comments about me in relation to this matter when he spoke a few minutes ago. The select committee report states: \u201CDuring our consideration of the bill, advice was sought from officials concerning the continuing high effective marginal tax rates which flow from the Family Tax Credit. Some of us therefore request that this matter be considered by the Government as part of its ongoing policy review.\u201D I wrote those words personally, and they were included in the select committee\u2019s report on my suggestion and by way of support for the very valid point that Dr Lockwood Smith made. I think he was somewhat uncharitable in then turning round and criticising me for voting for this bill, when I am the person who brought that matter to the attention of the Parliament. The reason I did that is that I have heard Dr Lockwood Smith banging on about the issue for some time. He is dead right\u2014I agree with his point entirely. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225cee6a89-68e3-40fd-b2d8-d8adb0ba5da0\u0022\u003EThe family tax credit was introduced into the tax laws of this country in 1986 by Roger Douglas and Trevor de Cleene. That is its point of origin. Although those guys did some good things\u2014for example, introducing GST, which I think was a fantastic move for the country\u2014they also got some things badly wrong, and this is one of them. It is patently ridiculous, as Dr Lockwood Smith pointed out to the Parliament, for very, very low-income working families to have a marginal tax rate, because of the way the family tax credit works, of more than 100 percent. That is crazy. Therefore, I want to draw the House\u2019s attention, and particularly the attention of the Minister for Social Development and Employment and of the Minister of Revenue, the Hon Peter Dunne, to the committee\u2019s recommendation that the Government reconsider its policy. As Dr Smith mentioned, 4,600 families are now the very, very dubious recipients of the family tax credit, given its perverse incentives. I would like to see that straightened out as a matter of priority. I would like, for example, to suggest to the Government that an adjustment to that be made in the 2006 Budget. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225cee6a89-68e3-40fd-b2d8-d8adb0ba5da0\u0022\u003EWith those few words, I continue to signal that United Future will vote for this bill. To those who want to dispute whether we should or should not do that, I simply remind them that we have had an election and the people have spoken.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226c1d5df8-ac1d-4ce1-a778-202845cfc69f\u0022 data-id=\u00229dd8909379e04aefb75d3c161f64566a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226c1d5df8-ac1d-4ce1-a778-202845cfc69f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229dd8909379e04aefb75d3c161f64566a\u0022\u003EHEATHER ROY (Deputy Leader\u2014ACT):\u003C/span\u003E I rise to speak to the second reading of the Taxation (Annual Rates and Urgent Measures) Bill. I do so, very proudly, to oppose the bill because it is the right thing to do. I feel sorry for the previous speaker, Mr Gordon Copeland, because he knows that opposing this bill is the right thing to do, too. The only good reason he could find to support this bill is that the Australians have agreed to give us some money for our wine. On every other issue, he is supporting it because United Future members have sold their souls to support this Labour Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226c1d5df8-ac1d-4ce1-a778-202845cfc69f\u0022\u003EThis bill is not really about the Australians giving us some money for our wine. It is about three very important issues. Firstly, this bill allows for enhancements to the Working for Families package; secondly, it allows for full interest write-off for student loan borrowers; and, thirdly, it sets the annual income tax rates for the 2005-06 tax year, which are the same as those for the current 2004-05 year. ACT is opposed to all of those measures, as is, I believe, the National Party. I think Gordon Copeland actually is opposed to all of them too, despite the fact that he will vote in favour of them. ACT is opposed to those measures. It is opposed to turning large numbers of New Zealand families into State beneficiaries. As Dr Pita Sharples put it so well, we are opposed to welfare in the guise of family assistance. ACT is opposed to writing off student loan interest, which will give some members of our society special treatment while other taxpayers foot the bill. The incentives are completely wrong. ACT is opposed to maintaining income tax rates at their present level when the Government has nearly an $8 billion surplus.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226c1d5df8-ac1d-4ce1-a778-202845cfc69f\u0022\u003EWe should not forget that the people have spoken. Sixty percent of the people of New Zealand voted for parties that were promoting tax cuts of one sort or another. It is shameful that this bill made it through the Finance and Expenditure Committee in approximately 2 hours, with no public submissions. These issues are of great importance to the future of our country, and giving them such cursory examination shows the contempt that the Government and its supporters have for the value of what New Zealanders believe in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226c1d5df8-ac1d-4ce1-a778-202845cfc69f\u0022\u003ELet us come first of all to the Working for Families package. Before the election, the introduction of the Working for Families package turned an extra 150,000 New Zealand families into State beneficiaries\u2014people who are dependent on the Government for their income. Now, with the enhancement of the Working for Families package, an extra 300,000 New Zealand families will be dependent on the Government for part of their income. An extra 300,000 families are now State beneficiaries. Is that something to be proud of, as the Labour, New Zealand First, and United Future members promote? No. We want\u2014as the M\u0101ori Party members articulated\u2014New Zealanders to be able to stand on their own two feet. The way to do that is by taking some of that $8 billion surplus and giving New Zealand workers and families the tax cuts they deserve. If this Government really wanted to help families, that is exactly what it would have done. It would have taken this opportunity to cut the personal tax rates of New Zealand families.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226c1d5df8-ac1d-4ce1-a778-202845cfc69f\u0022\u003EBefore the election, Michael Cullen was very vocal about tax cuts. He was particularly scathing about the National Party and ACT wanting to reduce the taxation rates\u2014in particular, the personal taxation rates. He said: \u201COh no, we can\u2019t have tax cuts\u2014they would be inflationary.\u201D Well, let us look at the other things that cause inflation in this country. I ask Dr Cullen, who thinks he is always right, about Government expenditure. Let me tell members about the increase in Government expenditure. Over the last 6 years Government expenditure has increased by 34.5 percent\u2014and Dr Cullen does not seem to think that is inflationary. Let us go back to the tax cuts. Tax cuts may well be inflationary, but only if that money is spent. If some of it is saved, that is not inflationary. He has looked at things from a very one-eyed, biased viewpoint.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226c1d5df8-ac1d-4ce1-a778-202845cfc69f\u0022\u003ELet us now look at the student loan scheme. The provisions in this bill will encourage students to take out bigger loans; will encourage more students to take out loans, including those students who would not have done so beforehand because they did not need a loan; and will mean that loans are repaid more slowly. To be honest, students who will not take advantage of the provisions are mad. Why would they not? Treasury had a lot to say about the issue of student loans. Dr Cullen said that they would cost us only $300 million. It is easy to spend somebody else\u2019s money, is it not? With the flick of a hand, off it goes. Treasury said that we should look at the policy carefully, and that it was more likely to cost the country around $900 million. But Dr Cullen seems not to like Treasury very much. He talks about philosophical burps and ideological burps. He thinks that Treasury\u2019s advice is not worth listening to. It was the same when he received the McLeod report in 2000: he threw it across the room and said that he had just paid $1 million for ACT\u2019s tax policy. But he is not good at taking good advice. No, Dr Cullen knows best, and he just dismisses the experts with the flick of a hand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226c1d5df8-ac1d-4ce1-a778-202845cfc69f\u0022\u003EMr Woolerton of New Zealand First talked about encouraging New Zealanders to come home. The best way to encourage our young New Zealanders to come home is to give them reasons to come here, and tax cuts are those reasons. Why would people come back to New Zealand when they are earning good salaries overseas, where taxation rates are lower? If we want them to come back here, we cannot rely any longer on lifestyle alone to attract them back. It might have been enough in the past, when New Zealand was on a level playing field with the rest of the world, but that is no longer the case. This Government has made that situation much, much worse. The way to encourage our young New Zealanders home is with lower taxes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226c1d5df8-ac1d-4ce1-a778-202845cfc69f\u0022\u003EI come to the third reason that this bill is before Parliament: the annual income tax rates for the 2005-06 year, which will remain unchanged. The Government has an $8 billion surplus. The country is awash with cash because Dr Cullen cannot balance his books. He has charged everybody far too much and we have a surplus. We should be giving back that money to the people it belonged to in the first place. We should be giving it back to the New Zealand families, the workers of New Zealand who earned it in the first place, and we should be doing that in the form of tax cuts. During the election campaign ACT campaigned hard on tax cuts. The country can afford them. We believe that top tax rates should come down to 25c in the dollar, with a second tax rate of 19c in the dollar for those earning under $38,000. That is fair, reasonable, and the way to help New Zealand families. We should be helping New Zealand families to help themselves, not turning them into State beneficiaries, and not writing off loan interest for students and giving them special treatment. I have a son going off to university next year and I do not think\u2014[Interruption] I am not. He is off to university and he would be mad not to take advantage of this new system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226c1d5df8-ac1d-4ce1-a778-202845cfc69f\u0022\u003EBut, most important, 63 percent of New Zealanders voted for parties that promoted tax cuts. They have been denied that because of the way the Government has been put together, and that is shameful. ACT will be opposing this bill for the very reasons I have outlined.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226f6e1ae1-8aa5-4f71-8e73-30bb378026c4\u0022 data-id=\u0022c0d48ebe547240e797abb24e4989bcad\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226f6e1ae1-8aa5-4f71-8e73-30bb378026c4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c0d48ebe547240e797abb24e4989bcad\u0022\u003EGEORGINA BEYER (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E The contribution from the member who has just resumed her seat really betrays the bitterness of that member, who finds herself the handmaiden to Rodney Hide\u2014full of whingeing and talking down the very good reasons why this bill should be supported in its second reading. Frankly, this bill is about assisting New Zealanders in the best way. That was certainly evidenced by the result of the election\u2014a result that that member most certainly did not benefit from as well as she might have thought she would. The party the member belongs to went from seven members down to two, and she now finds herself in a party of two. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226f6e1ae1-8aa5-4f71-8e73-30bb378026c4\u0022\u003EThe majority of New Zealanders overwhelmingly supported at least two of the key issues explained in this particular bill, one of which gives assistance to New Zealand families through the Working for Families package. As from 1 April next year the average size of the extra family assistance is expected to be about $50 a week. That amount, added to increases that were already scheduled to come into effect on 1 April next year, will make a significant difference to family income. It will be as much as $100 extra a week in some cases. If the National Party members had been on the Government benches at precisely that time next year\u20141 April\u2014those members would have cut $10 a week from the lowest income earners in this country, by dealing with their annual increases. Potentially, that would have cut the income of many thousands of New Zealanders. That is quite contrary to what is in this bill, which is positive about New Zealand families. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226f6e1ae1-8aa5-4f71-8e73-30bb378026c4\u0022\u003EIt is just like the Government\u2019s student loan interest repayment pledge to wipe off the interest, which will also be progressed in this bill. We have increased the participation rate in tertiary education in this country. Along with financial and human resources, we have now also addressed the legacy that the party that sits across the way in Opposition in this House had set in motion and that has since indebted many thousands of New Zealanders. Those young people are the future of our country, and since this Government has come into power it has always pledged to address the awful legacy of student loans that was left behind by the previous National Government. We will invest in our future New Zealanders. They will in turn reinvest, by their good will and loyalty to this country, by returning here to give of themselves in order to enhance New Zealand. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226f6e1ae1-8aa5-4f71-8e73-30bb378026c4\u0022\u003EI certainly support this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002280b11f68-6b57-4b8b-8922-aecd1d471975\u0022 data-id=\u00221b0c2bd6403244d19953538995643a00\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002280b11f68-6b57-4b8b-8922-aecd1d471975\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221b0c2bd6403244d19953538995643a00\u0022\u003EPANSY WONG (National):\u003C/span\u003E It is quite sad, because I used to enjoy Georgina Beyer\u2019s speeches; she was an outspoken MP who exercised her own independent mind, but now it is so sad to have to sit here and listen to her read out some prepared speech notes, which were no doubt dictated by the Hon Dr Michael Cullen. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002280b11f68-6b57-4b8b-8922-aecd1d471975\u0022\u003EIn the House this week the Hon David Benson-Pope is not the only one who, by selectively leaking the police investigation results to the media, has been economical with the truth. This truth deficiency syndrome is now becoming a hallmark of the minority Labour Government. One week out from the election, the Hon Dr Michael Cullen had to be ordered by the Ombudsman to release the true costing detail of the interest-free student loan policy, which is the subject of this legislation. The abuse of the parliamentary process is equally breathtaking in this instance. This legislation in effect will commit more than $2 billion worth of taxpayers\u2019 money. Can people guess how long the Finance and Expenditure Committee had to spend on examining this legislation, which will cost the country $2 billion? It had 2 hours\u2014and the Government is not even inviting public submissions. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002280b11f68-6b57-4b8b-8922-aecd1d471975\u0022\u003EWe were told by Labour MPs like Clayton Cosgrove, who was so confident, that these measures are popular with the public. But that begs the question of why the Government would not open up this legislation so all those supporters could swarm and crowd to the select committee to tell it how much they will support the Labour Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022603565f71df44cca82389ef385774eb3\u0022\u003EHon Clayton Cosgrove\u003C/span\u003E: Read the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000380\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002280b11f68-6b57-4b8b-8922-aecd1d471975\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f5c9600ba8fc4562ad89152bd5963928\u0022\u003EPANSY WONG\u003C/span\u003E: Clayton Cosgrove is still in denial. I think the only reason that Labour members are trying to rush this legislation through is that they want to help the Hon Dr Michael Cullen to be Father Christmas to the tertiary students and the so-called working families, but he will be Scrooge to the rest of New Zealanders. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002280b11f68-6b57-4b8b-8922-aecd1d471975\u0022\u003EWell, it did not work, because we have very sensible and intelligent university students. The New Zealand University Students Association co-president Andrew Kirton said that the interest-free student loan policy will make it easier for students to borrow more, and that the Government has made it easier for institutions to charge more. So Clayton Cosgrove should listen: it is not just the National Party that is saying that students will be borrowing more; the co-president of the University Students Association concurs with that opinion. Mr Kirton reckoned that universities, in particular, appeared to be setting fees on the perceived ability of students to pay, not on the true cost of those courses. Mr Kirton went on to say that there was an element of sour grapes, because the policy was at the universities\u2019 expense and there was retaliation by the universities in their fee setting. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002280b11f68-6b57-4b8b-8922-aecd1d471975\u0022\u003EHis concern is very valid, because four out of the seven universities that have set fees have adopted the maximum increase allowed. In fact, Canterbury University set its fees and has now forecast a surplus of $11.4 million. Massey University, the New Zealand College of Education, in Christchurch, and the Dunedin College of Teachers Education have applied to the Tertiary Education Commission to increase their fees by up to 10 percent. So we can see the irony of this policy. On the one hand, it will initially cost taxpayers $2 billion, and then about $400 million a year will go towards the policy. On the other hand, it will drive up student fees so that students will borrow more, and then the taxpayer will front up further. The policy is simply an election bribe; there is no other way to describe it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002280b11f68-6b57-4b8b-8922-aecd1d471975\u0022\u003EOne of the biggest problems that the Labour Government refuses to address regarding student loans is the lowering of the means-testing threshold. The number of students receiving a student allowance is fast decreasing, and that is one of the reasons why students find it more necessary to borrow. So if Labour MPs are serious about helping those students, they should address the issue of the student allowance. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002280b11f68-6b57-4b8b-8922-aecd1d471975\u0022\u003EThe second issue this legislation is trying to address is extending the benefit for working families, which, in effect, would drive up the marginal tax rate of those families to 60 percent. That is a real disincentive for people to earn more income. Labour is fast leading the country backwards, because in the 1970s New Zealand had the highest marginal tax rate of 66 percent and a two-digit mortgage interest rate. After the Reserve Bank\u2019s increase in the cash rate today, we can see that Labour is fast leading New Zealand backwards to those \u201Cgood old days\u201D with double-digit mortgage interest rates and high marginal tax rates. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002280b11f68-6b57-4b8b-8922-aecd1d471975\u0022\u003EThe last issue I want to address is about this legislation reconfirming the existing income tax rate, where the Government wants to punish 20 percent of New Zealand\u2019s income earners with a tax rate of 39c in the dollar. We can think about where that tax money is going, and I will use just one Government department to illustrate that. This morning the Commerce Committee examined last year\u2019s financial results of the Ministry of Economic Development. That is a Government department, together with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, that would have been allocated over $100 million of taxpayers\u2019 money. But a senior manager, who appeared in front of the committee this morning, admitted that there is little that the Government can do to actually transform New Zealand\u2019s economy into the so-called high-value economy about which this Labour Government has been banging the drums for the last 6 years. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002280b11f68-6b57-4b8b-8922-aecd1d471975\u0022\u003EWe were told in a report that came out from the New Zealand Institute that, sadly, New Zealand has not kept pace with transforming its economy into one of so-called high-value exports. Exports are relatively low tech, and while there has been rapid growth in some sectors, it has been from a low base, like information technology. Since 1990 New Zealand has lost market share in categories including meat, which makes up 57 percent of exports. Indeed, 42 percent of New Zealand\u2019s exports are in slow-growing categories. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002280b11f68-6b57-4b8b-8922-aecd1d471975\u0022\u003EThe solution is obvious. All members of the business community and all the thinkers of this nation know that cutting tax to encourage people, cutting red tape, and changing the attitude of envy are the way to go. I conclude by saying that this week, while we are celebrating Peter Jackson\u2019s success, let us not forget he is not just an artist\u2014he is an entrepreneur and a successful business person. So let us celebrate business success by giving businesses the tax cuts they so deserve.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022 data-id=\u00224a72b59228084c3b8cb2800156ff1ce8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224a72b59228084c3b8cb2800156ff1ce8\u0022\u003ESHANE JONES (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E I rise to support this bill, with a few brief words. Unlike the speeches of the previous speakers, the relationship is not inverse. Firstly, this bill travelled through the Finance and Expenditure Committee. Secondly, it enjoyed its time there, because we did not need to take unnecessary submissions. We knew that the largest consultation process had been entered into, and it was called a general election. This policy achieved inordinately high levels of support. It is going to turn a corner. It is going to take an approach where this assistance turns into longstanding human capital, because we have chosen a visionary road where the benefits and the wealth-creating capacities of our students will be enhanced and where they will not be burdened with unnecessarily high levels of debt, as opposed to an approach based on short-term consumption, which is what would have happened had members on the other side\u2014perish the thought\u2014found themselves over on these benches. But, rest assured, that will not be so for a long time to come. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003ENot only that\u2014while this policy supports the ambitions of students, it also expands the capacities of parents to bring more cash weekly into the household, to buy shoes, to make school trips, and to offer something that has a higher level of value within those people than would have been the case had the dear members from the Opposition supported their murky friends.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E So there have been two great outcomes. The third thing, of course, is that it introduces an improvement to the scale in terms of the tax. We see tax gathering as an investment in civil society, in the key institutions and infrastructure that will cause the economy and society to remain not only cohesive but also upwardly mobile and very powerful. Long-winded speeches from the other side of the House do not escape the fact that they have a very short contribution, fortunately, for the nation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u002207e845bbb68945d38c1e7fbee0b98e21\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That the Taxation (Annual Rates and Urgent Measures) Bill be now read a second time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 69\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 50; New Zealand First 7; Green Party 5; M\u0101ori Party 3; United Future 3; Progressive 1.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 50\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 48; ACT New Zealand 2.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a second time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022528f4d38024d4a958f3fb20c3f550020\u0022\u003EStatutes Amendment Bill (No 5)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000392\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002274f37257c08d4405bfbc2c43703c5ed5\u0022\u003EIn Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000393\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00222cf5f8262ee64ff3b6903a626a7b6d32\u0022\u003EPart 1  Animal Welfare Act 1999\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u0022683364f1e1ed4726a70af906a84122f7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000394\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022683364f1e1ed4726a70af906a84122f7\u0022\u003EANNE TOLLEY (National\u2014East Coast):\u003C/span\u003E We are here today considering the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 5) and two Supplementary Order Papers. One of those Supplementary Order Papers splits the bill. I do not really have too much of a problem with that. The other, Supplementary Order Paper 3, addresses the Child Support Act 1991. When we look at the Bills Digest explanation of what this Supplementary Order Paper is all about\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220ed9ad81-05c1-4171-80c6-24fa02cade42\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220e90a62da61b42309b2cde00772e1d7c\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Hon Clem Simich)\u003C/span\u003E: I am sorry to interrupt the member, but in this debate we must confine ourselves to the part we are dealing with and only to that part. Part 1 deals with animal welfare.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022434546eb2ac5490aab308edf1a76954a\u0022\u003EANNE TOLLEY\u003C/span\u003E: I will continue, talking about animal welfare. Part 1 amends the Animal Welfare Act by substituting a new section that extends the time for the laying of an information in relation to offences against the Act from 1 year to 2 years, if the offence was committed on or after the date on which the new section, section 167, comes into force. We here on the National Party benches do not actually have a great deal of problem with that. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has said it has difficulties in prosecuting under the Act because it is unable to lay the relevant information within the 1-year time period. Representing the East Coast, which is, of course, a rural area, I have had representations from people telling me of those difficulties and asking us to support this part of bill, and I do so on behalf of the National Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EPart 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ab3624b6f4f64f56a45253a206ad50e5\u0022\u003EPart 2  Biosecurity Act 1993\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022 data-id=\u0022374541eaafea49358eead0733f9d52b4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022374541eaafea49358eead0733f9d52b4\u0022\u003ECHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National):\u003C/span\u003E I stand to support the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 5), which provides for\u2014as I read in the commentary on the bill\u2014a number of non-controversial amendments to a number of existing Acts. The majority of the statutes that are amended will have only minor changes or drafting amendments made to them, but some statutes included in the main provisions of the bill will have significant amendments made to them. It is pleasing to be able to use this opportunity to address the Committee on a non-controversial issue. I am grateful to the whip for having such an opportunity. I have read Supplementary Order Papers 3 and 4 and the Bills Digest, and I have read the bill. I have no concerns about the changes proposed, from my study of them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003EThe fact that none of the items is controversial, however, does not mean they are of no significance. I am acutely conscious that the drafting and making of laws, statutes, and regulations are of great significance, particularly to those who have to live by them, live within them, or impose or enforce them. Many would say, and do say, that we already live in an over-regulated society, and that is a view I share.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227694cc6b90f54823b372bff4802a7d28\u0022\u003EShane Jones\u003C/span\u003E: Oh!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a122f309013b4637a4746354eff7a5d3\u0022\u003ECHRIS AUCHINVOLE\u003C/span\u003E: It is; it is. But from that point of view, I have searched the bill and have come away feeling comfortable that, as far as I can assess, it is a worthy bill that seeks to make sensible provision\u2014for example, to change such things as the Animal Welfare Act, which the previous speaker mentioned, by allowing for an extension of time for the proper investigation of cases. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E However, the fact that the bill does not contain controversy nevertheless leaves me with the very clear impression, having been a member since September, that controversy is often used in debate to cover what should be a clear explanation in answer to questions. I have often been surprised at the extent to which that has been carried out, particularly in question time, and I am delighted to be a member of a party that does not engage in such deceptive and desperate techniques. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003EI support the bill, and I am happy to support the changes it brings to the various Acts that it affects.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000405\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003EPart 2 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002290af2c4f42fa4ad3ad5809ed5cbfc3c1\u0022\u003EPart 3 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ec2f84523659475098cf57a0318b8f10\u0022\u003ENew Part 3AA  Child Support Act 1991\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u002286fe2a55417e4a699b3412ef06c0837e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002286fe2a55417e4a699b3412ef06c0837e\u0022\u003EANNE TOLLEY (National\u2014East Coast):\u003C/span\u003E I wish to speak on Supplementary Order Paper 3, which addresses the Child Support Act and the changes proposed. When I look at the proposed Supplementary Order Paper, I have to ask the Minister, the Hon Clayton Cosgrove, why we are dealing with this issue at this stage in a Supplementary Order Paper when an amendment to the Child Support Act was sent to a select committee just last week, with no time limit given, so we have the usual 6 months in which to deal with it. If these issues were so urgent, why were they not included in the bill sent to the select committee, with a time limit, in order for the normal processes to be observed?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EWhen we look at the proposed changes, we see that the Minister is talking about clarifying and correcting. So on the one hand we have an incompetent Government not able to put through legislation that does not require clarifying or correcting, but also we have a lazy Government that is determined to avoid the normal democratic processes by bringing in a Supplementary Order Paper to make changes to a bill that is already going through the democratic process at the select committee, thereby avoiding public scrutiny and public input into those changes. The public expected more from this Government despite the fact that its members spent the whole election campaign debating National Party policies. They have been back-pedalling ever since, and we have had Minister after Minister, obviously not on top of his or her portfolio, answering questions about incompetence in those portfolios and blaming staff when things go wrong. Here we have the classic example of a lazy and incompetent Minister trying to shove through alterations that could have been dealt with, if he had just got his organisation in order, by putting in place a sensible alteration through the existing processes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003ENew Part 3AA agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f52bc3e65f944e5ca8581c072d2103d9\u0022\u003EPart 3A agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f3be3df934714682ae950a0310adf5d5\u0022\u003EPart 4 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022267ea13db48c459093512d1670e29c86\u0022\u003EPart 5 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00220904b81a4a3a437d84eeefaa4c2090f5\u0022\u003EPart 5A agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00226dd06a9547ea421cb2dcea3c1463882c\u0022\u003EPart 6 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000416\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00224314219bccaf431f9a09b603e0b08a01\u0022\u003EPart 7  Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022 data-id=\u0022a6253d654fe14e06a61c6f8e12d9f21e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000417\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a6253d654fe14e06a61c6f8e12d9f21e\u0022\u003EDAVID BENNETT (National\u2014Hamilton East):\u003C/span\u003E I thank my esteemed colleague the list MP from the West Coast for his very good introduction to this session this afternoon. He showed an articulate grasp of this legislation, and it is very good to follow in his great footsteps. We are looking at Part 7, and specifically at the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act, which is a very important piece of work for the Waikato and the major industry in New Zealand, the dairy industry. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000418\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EAlthough Chris Auchinvole mentioned that we are in an environment where we are talking about legislation that does not have a major procedural impact, as a new member who has come into this Parliament I have seen that sometimes the most obvious parts of the session, such as question time, do not relate to major procedural elements. It is often a matter of being able to get one\u2019s way out of questions and answers. That approach by the Government has been very disappointing when valid questions have been asked. We hope the Government will take a better interest in this country, its people, and the legislation that it can use to govern us, and we hope that it will respond to the questions that are asked in such a valid and conciliatory way by the Opposition. [Interruption] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002288acb283b00e4e439e687aea72a8074b\u0022\u003EChris Auchinvole\u003C/span\u003E: Keep going, David. Don\u2019t take any notice of them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229eb79ba3e8484c7fbf6f98355c2f9598\u0022\u003EDAVID BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: No, we will not take any notice of that. It was interesting, in the last debate, to hear Labour members talk about student loans. Labour actually destroyed the Green vote by taking on that policy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003ETalking about green issues, I say the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry officials actually initiated the amendment to the legislation that is in this part. Although the amendment is very technical in nature, it was designed to clear up a potential interpretation issue. Fonterra has no real concerns about the amendment, which should provide greater certainty as to whether Fonterra is able to issue redeemable preference shares. But there was the potential that section 104 of the Act, as initially worded, did not reflect the legislative intention and would require Fonterra to pay out for surrendered shares in cash, unless a single shareholding that was sought be surrendered exceeded 5 percent. So Fonterra, in dealing with the possibility that it could be incurring a payout of that extent, is quite happy with the proposed amendment. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThe restructuring that resulted in the emergence of Fonterra was undertaken in response to the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act, and that was one of the major things that the Government did in relation to the dairy industry. Although in many cases the Act provided what farmers actually wanted, it did so in a very regulatory fashion. It is an example of how Governments, if they try to regulate too much, can over-regulate or miss certain opportunities. With regard to Fonterra one sees that in other ways, such as its requirement to sell off certain parts of production. Companies such as Open Country Cheese have taken advantage of those opportunities. Those examples show that a Government that makes too much legislation, or that gets it incorrect, can cause problems later on. It is important to have legislation that is flexible and not too difficult for companies to be able to interpret and use in a market economy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EWe look forward to this amendment bill being passed, so that the company, the shareholders, and the hard-working people of New Zealand who pay so much tax to this Government will actually get representation and receive a dividend for their hard work and the money they pay to this Parliament.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EPart 7 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e2ea8ab50d3a45c3b9ccff000e599642\u0022\u003EPart 8  Defence Act 1990\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022 data-id=\u00227a5111c112d846ceb10af7e3a37653f7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227a5111c112d846ceb10af7e3a37653f7\u0022\u003ERON MARK (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E I rise to support this part of the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 5), and draw the Committee\u2019s attention specifically to clause 27, which includes new section 96A. This section relates to the Nelson Rifle Prize Fund, which is being abolished, with the Public Trust ceasing to administer the fund, and with all money being handed over to the cadet forces. The terms and conditions around which the cadet forces are permitted to administer those funds are clearly stated in new section 96A, and they relate to the promotion of firearm safety in the Nelson region, the provision of firearm training, and the provision of monetary or other prizes for national shooting competitions held in the Nelson region.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EI take this opportunity to focus on why this is good and what it will do. I have never heard anyone in the House stand up and laud or applaud the work done by the parents and the community support teams that sit behind the New Zealand cadet forces. We go back to days that you will probably remember, Mr Chairperson, when the cadet forces were an integral part of our schools; indeed, many military people gained their first exposure to military service in the cadet forces at schools. Of course, that became politically incorrect, and I think it took a National Government to abolish them, to wind them down, and to see the cadet forces become a nonentity. But they still survive. In my area of Christchurch and Canterbury I have attended many parades as a member of Parliament. In fact, I attended one just last week; it was the end-of-year parade and prize-giving at which prizes were given out to the Christchurch unit of the cadet forces for, among other things, shooting competitions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EI take this opportunity to say that the cadet forces are valuable. From the cadet forces come potential recruits into our mainstream military; it does not matter whether they are Army, Navy, or Air Force\u2014they go there. Many young people who experience the cadet forces go on to serve in the police force. We as a Parliament should note that we need to do more for the cadet forces. This section is good because it will help the Nelson cadet unit. I have already had discussions with the Minister of Defence, Phil Goff, who has also expressed his view that the cadet forces are valuable, and I have also had discussions with the Secretary of Defence and the Chief of Defence Force. I look forward to progressing over the next 3 years more support, through the Government, for the cadet forces.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EI think it is good that young men and women are exposed, in a controlled manner, to firearms and firearms training. The more people who are exposed to good firearms training, the less we build up fears and unjust views of what firearms are and are not capable of. Enabling people to learn mountain safety and to hunt safely, in their private lives, and to compete both locally and nationally in military shooting events is all good stuff. It helps to promote greater self-discipline, and it helps to promote greater awareness. From that, those young men and women go out and teach those skills to other New Zealanders who are of the same age\u2014some of them are simply family members, and others are members of the cadet forces themselves.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EAt the cadet prize-giving in Christchurch at the weekend a young lady, Staff Sergeant Nation, took away a whole bunch of prizes. She is a fine example. She is going forward, I think, into the Navy of all things. Much of what she has learnt\u2014the discipline and the skills that she has been able to pass on to other cadet NCOs and other cadets\u2014has been specifically focused around firearms safety and firearms use.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EThe cadet forces are a very good starting point for our young people. I just wish more young people had the opportunity to serve in the cadet forces. One thing I lament\u2014and hope it will change\u2014is that down in the South Island there are very few brown faces involved; not many M\u0101ori are participating. On the contrary, in the North Island there is a very large contingent of young M\u0101ori entering the cadet forces, as seen at a parade attended by Brigadier Whiting and shown on Te Karere last week. The cadet forces are a good place to acquire discipline, to acquire focus, to learn about goal setting, and to be exposed to good role models.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EI must say again that I take my hat off to parents who sit behind their young people and do the fund-raising and the organising, arrange the transport, help organise the equipment and the resources, and work very closely with the military to ensure that these cadet forces continue to operate and that these young people get this exposure. This small change will help those cadet forces in the Nelson-Marlborough area and it is a good thing. It should be applauded. We should do more.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EPart 8 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022035ac0fa8f294aadbff286f176dc958e\u0022\u003EPart 9 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b25a8fec51b2431b954a7db3ead80f16\u0022\u003EPart 10  Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022 data-id=\u00220c2ab8b3fde34c619578bee15da335c5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220c2ab8b3fde34c619578bee15da335c5\u0022\u003ECHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National):\u003C/span\u003E I would like to speak on Part 10, which refers largely to the amendment of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association under the Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981. There are few organisations where I have found a warmer reception from people around Anzac Day than the RSA.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222f37d73eb7ef411fa8b565e6cb8f7c83\u0022\u003ESimon Power\u003C/span\u003E: Point well made!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ac7c7d72680a473685822aced399a713\u0022\u003ECHRIS AUCHINVOLE\u003C/span\u003E: I thank the member. However, like so many organisations associated with a particular time in history, it does need to increase its membership. Therefore I notice its change of name from just Returned Services Association to Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association. I know that the organisation is including additional people who have not necessarily had any association with the armed forces at all. It is all about community\u2014community and belonging. The National Party is particularly proud to subscribe to those aspects. Small communities have their own beliefs and practices, and they can get on and celebrate what they represent. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003EOne of the things I find fascinating, having been a member since September, is the total preoccupation of the present Government\u2014and I include the utterances from members of the Government\u2019s attendant parties\u2014with the National Party. We seem to be all they ever talk about, and I wonder why. They clearly have a deep-seated anxiety problem about their own precarious political platform. I understand\u2014and have been told\u2014that this precarious political platform is something they have arrived at after a panic pandemic over not being able to quickly form a Government as easily as they thought they could. It has been suggested to me that this panic pandemic sweeping through their ranks is what led to the baubles, bangles, and beads being buckled together to try to buy beneficence from others. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003EIt goes to show, though, that you get what you pay for. That is all you are going to get, but the rest of us have to live with it, too. In the case of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association, it is seeking to amend its membership, it is seeking to increase its membership, and it is seeking to continue its role in the community\u2014and I wish to support that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003EPart 10 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002289bce0dedbd24691b30e8826fe0f3798\u0022\u003EPart 11 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d24e773fb77742e5b745586dfa78208a\u0022\u003EPart 12  Gambling Act 2003\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022 data-id=\u00223a2182d217414814bb0c57bcc40a2c1e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223a2182d217414814bb0c57bcc40a2c1e\u0022\u003EDAVID BENNETT (National\u2014Hamilton East):\u003C/span\u003E I was not actually going to stand to speak on this part but, since Dr Michael Cullen is here, I think it is appropriate when we look at\u2014[Interruption] The Bills Digest states that the definition of \u201Chousie\u201D has changed and is now: \u201C \u2018the numbers are selected randomly and announced to participants\u2019, and \u2018the participants mark or cover the numbers announced on their own cards\u2019 \u201D. Now does that not sound like Labour Party policy when it is trying to work out student loans policy? That definition of Labour Party policy has now been incorporated through all legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EPart 12 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002268c38dc721a7495b95dbba98507df5a9\u0022\u003EPart 12A  Government Superannuation Fund Act 1956\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022 data-id=\u00221cf796a3c6a14e7397cf12f5a6dcc0d4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221cf796a3c6a14e7397cf12f5a6dcc0d4\u0022\u003ENATHAN GUY (National):\u003C/span\u003E I rise to speak to Part 12A, \u201CGovernment Superannuation Fund Act 1956\u201D. Many in the Chamber will be aware that I reside in the electorate that has the highest population of elderly constituents in the whole of the country\u2014that is, the Otaki electorate, which covers Kapiti and Horowhenua. It was once a Labour stronghold and now is the most marginal seat in the country. I rise to speak about superannuation and how it affects those hard-working New Zealanders in the Otaki electorate and right across the country\u2014those who have paid taxes, and those who in the past may not have been fairly getting their correct married entitlement. It is great to see that a gentleman presented a petition to New Zealand First people who happened to be in my electorate prior to the campaign to try to sort out that anomaly. [Interruption] Exactly. It is great to see that being sorted out. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EIt is very, very important that members acknowledge the Superannuation Fund, particularly in times of hardship. The carbon tax is due to come in in 2007, which will actually see an increase in power prices and fuel prices, and will make it even tougher for our elderly people to survive in this country. So I support Part 12A, \u201CGovernment Superannuation Fund Act 1956\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EPart 12A agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ee2bcb549049465fb6932dc17e1250f8\u0022\u003EPart 13 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002263d486aa451d4cef97da165383583dc7\u0022\u003EPart 14 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002250121420938848a5a3544d28d5f34ff3\u0022\u003EPart 15 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002267291072950c4632884eee35732e9bc8\u0022\u003EPart 16 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002297711c7e03694d06862f9fb92df6e3d0\u0022\u003EPart 17 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00227f5fd6ed0f434d49adec2f22405d2c3c\u0022\u003EPart 18 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002247695468b5074a54942d979e572f8185\u0022\u003EPart 19 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e4f42ea3386f461f8632e210d1aef14f\u0022\u003EPart 19A agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000458\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022bdbf1c6d1fdd41c3bdc7a2a92cb188f0\u0022\u003EPart 20 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000459\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00222281c6aad9784d4ca381efd6283f72ad\u0022\u003EPart 21 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000460\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022381a6067829f4e1ba088b1cbdad9f25b\u0022\u003EPart 22 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000461\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022975f09827b714abf8a4a25b169c48958\u0022\u003EPart 23 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ee8bc6801bfc49d2b67385bbe06a8ec5\u0022\u003EPart 24 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00227e68268d043847b08997831001922b99\u0022\u003EPart 25 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00226c67dadafa7a4f4fa5022a76ec04bc7f\u0022\u003ESchedule agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022883a0d05a2b34889bedff48293bd8eb2\u0022\u003EClause 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002215835f3821b24631b9a7779cc968bdb8\u0022\u003EClause 2 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022765fc6a03f3546ada9a2c7d642fd6763\u0022\u003ESupplementary  .\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000468\u0022\u003EThe Committee divided the bill into the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill, the Biosecurity Amendment Bill, the Cadastral Survey Amendment Bill, the Child Support Amendment Bill, the Civil Aviation Amendment Bill, the Commerce Amendment Bill, the Continental Shelf Amendment Bill, the Corrections Amendment Bill, the Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill, the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill, the Defence Amendment Bill, the District Courts Amendment Bill, the Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Amendment Bill, the Forests Amendment Bill, the Gambling Amendment Bill, the Government Superannuation Fund Amendment Bill, the Incorporated Societies Amendment Bill, the Judicature Amendment Bill, the Maritime Transport Amendment Bill, the Ombudsmen Amendment Bill, the Personal Property Securities Amendment Bill, the Radiocommunications Amendment Bill, the Receiverships Amendment Bill, the Retirement Villages Amendment Bill, the Ship Registration Amendment Bill, the Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, and Exclusive Economic Zone Amendment Bill, the Trade Marks Amendment Bill, the Valuers Amendment Bill, the Weights and Measures Amendment Bill, and the Wine Amendment Bill, pursuant to Order Paper4\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000469\u0022\u003EBill reported with amendment.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000470\u0022\u003EReport adopted.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022fae1441730ce4a23aab7dbb4dfbbf932\u0022\u003EThird Readings\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224edb40836dd341c2a3286ee886403e6a\u0022\u003EThird Readings\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022 data-id=\u0022b1da2d945d554daa9391f8d5bf1e4d2e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9c512a8-d532-4ef9-ad51-0fe8d752a893\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b1da2d945d554daa9391f8d5bf1e4d2e\u0022\u003EHon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Associate Minister of Justice):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill, the Biosecurity Amendment Bill, the Cadastral Survey Amendment Bill, the Child Support Amendment Bill, the Civil Aviation Amendment Bill, the Commerce Amendment Bill, the Continental Shelf Amendment Bill, the Corrections Amendment Bill, the Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill, the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill, the Defence Amendment Bill, the District Courts Amendment Bill, the Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Amendment Bill, the Forests Amendment Bill, the Gambling Amendment Bill, the Government Superannuation Fund Amendment Bill, the Incorporated Societies Amendment Bill, the Judicature Amendment Bill, the Maritime Transport Amendment Bill, the Ombudsmen Amendment Bill, the Personal Property Securities Amendment Bill, the Radiocommunications Amendment Bill, the Receiverships Amendment Bill, the Retirement Villages Amendment Bill, the Ship Registration Amendment Bill, the Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, and Exclusive Economic Zone Amendment Bill, the Trade Marks Amendment Bill, the Valuers Amendment Bill, the Weights and Measures Amendment Bill, and the Wine Amendment Bill be now read a third time. I take this opportunity to thank a number of people who have been instrumental in the passage of this statutes amendment legislation, beginning with the members of the Government Administration Committee. The legislation covers a vast area of subject matter and involved some unique challenges. I thank the select committee members for all the time and effort they put in. I thank the many officials who contributed; a total of 12 ministries or departments put forward amendments and provided advice. I thank the Minister responsible for the legislation during the term of the last Parliament, the Hon Rick Barker. He did an excellent job of progressing the legislation and enhancing the processes involved in managing this legislation and other Statutes Amendment bills. I commend the bills to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u00222402d139b0c74654977f55b65f7c6ce7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222402d139b0c74654977f55b65f7c6ce7\u0022\u003EANNE TOLLEY (National\u2014East Coast):\u003C/span\u003E I will take just a short call to talk about this omnibus legislation as a whole. Of course, the National Party supports it. I particularly thank my colleagues for their contributions in the Committee stage, and I thank the Chair for his patience. I want to say again, though, how disappointing it was, when we had this legislation put before the House and it went through the process, to be then presented with a Supplementary Order Paper in the Committee stage that makes amendments to the Child Support Act, given that just last week in the House we had the first reading of a bill to amend the Child Support Act. It is not right that the Government should seek to put through Supplementary Order Papers like that instead of following the democratic process. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EThe changes that are being made to the Child Support Act correct sloppy legislation\u2014they correct mistakes that have been made in it. It is not right that that should be done through a Supplementary Order Paper; it should be done through the proper processes of the House, so that the Government is held to account. If the Government passes shoddy legislation, then the public has a right to know that and to take part in a process that highlights that matter. I think it is poor government, and it reflects very badly on this Government, that it is quickly building a record of poor and incompetent management of legislation as it proceeds through the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000476\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EI do not make those comments lightly, but I know that the child support legislation we debated last week was referred to a select committee with no time limit for it to be reported back. In terms of the rules of the House, it has to be reported back within 6 months. It could have had a time limit put on it that would have brought it back to the House speedily, so that these amendments could have been incorporated and passed in time. We did not get that. That bill could well have been introduced to the House earlier than the week before last in the sitting programme, if it was as urgent as that, so that it was able to go through the normal processes whereby the public has an opportunity to see the mistakes that the Government has made and to comment on them. It is not right that we sneak the amendments through by means of a Supplementary Order Paper introduced in the Committee stage, and see the legislation immediately proceed to the third reading. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EAlthough the National Party is happy to support the legislation, we put it on the record that it is disappointing that the Government again shows such incompetence, poor management, and poor legislative drafting that we have to come back and correct mistakes that were made.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EBills read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c536a30d37be4cd7b01629333b7271aa\u0022\u003ESubordinate Legislation (Confirmationand Validation) Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022720df6fd903e47d7a132e15675af1a0e\u0022\u003ESecond Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022 data-id=\u00222c51af017d964767b9231751b203d3cc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222c51af017d964767b9231751b203d3cc\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Deputy Prime Minister):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Subordinate Legislation (Confirmation and Validation) Bill be now read a second time. The bill confirms and validates 18 orders and one set of regulations. The bill must be passed before 31 December 2005. The bill was referred to the Regulations Review Committee on 16 November. The committee called for explanations from the seven departments administering the 18 orders and one set of regulations. The committee was satisfied with those explanations, and presented its report on 24 November recommending that the bill be passed without amendment. I thank the select committee for its expeditious consideration of the bill, and particularly Dr Richard Worth for his excellent chairing of the committee. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u00228cefb7febc12434b906fb4d34147bb31\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228cefb7febc12434b906fb4d34147bb31\u0022\u003EANNE TOLLEY (National\u2014East Coast):\u003C/span\u003E I rise on behalf of the National Party to support the Subordinate Legislation (Confirmation and Validation) Bill. I also want to compliment my colleague Dr Richard Worth on his excellent chairing of the Regulations Review Committee, which considered this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E When Dr Cullen introduced this bill into the House not too long ago, he talked about the fact that it was confirming or validating one set of regulations and 18 Orders in Council under 11 Acts, and had to be passed by the end of the calendar year to avoid the lapsing of some of those orders. Two out of the 18 orders are movements in consumer pricing, five out of the 18 are orders under the Customs and Excise Act, four come under the Tariff Act 1988, and two are biosecurity levies. It is those levies that I particularly want to address today. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EOne of those levies is concerned with setting up a national pest management strategy for the varroa bee mite. I make the comment that this Government\u2019s record on biosecurity is abysmal. I well remember when the varroa bee mite was discovered in New Zealand. There was a huge opportunity to stop the movement south, from the Auckland region, of the varroa bee mite. The Government sat on its hands and did nothing, and we have now seen that bee mite make its way right throughout the North Island. That has had huge consequences in regions like the one I represent. That bee mite has been responsible for almost the complete eradication of feral bees, which has enormous complications for horticulturalists, kiwifruit growers, and the growers on the Gisborne flats who rely on intensive pollination by bees to supply the produce that is the backbone of the economy\u2014not only for regions such as mine but for this country. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003ESo the Government\u2019s record of dealing with biosecurity risks like the varroa bee mite is absolutely appalling. In this bill the Government is now setting up a pest management strategy. I have to say that the horse has bolted. We heard in the House earlier today about the didymo, which, again, the Government had done nothing about. It belatedly has come along and put controls and a strategy into place, when the biosecurity risk has long overtaken the country. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EOther than that issue, the only part of this bill that I want to mention is clause 12, which prohibits trout imports. Again, in the area that I represent, the Bay of Plenty, trout fishing is a very important part of our tourism industry, and we are pleased to see that it will continue under this legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000487\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EBill read a second time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000488\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002276f2b8e92e114c00a4f84b7828e50440\u0022\u003EHazardous Substances and New Organisms (Approvals and Enforcement) Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000489\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002258cde197027e452da8408b08bb46ae80\u0022\u003ESecond Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022 data-id=\u0022910d83736f7d468e85ddd0b07e09d6b7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000490\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022910d83736f7d468e85ddd0b07e09d6b7\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for the Environment):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Approvals and Enforcement) Amendment Bill be now read a second time. This debate marks another step in delivering the Government\u2019s hazardous substances strategy to improve the workability of the hazardous substances provisions of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. The strategy does three things. First, it improves the way the provisions work for business; secondly, it improves the way they work for the Government; and, thirdly, it improves the way they work for the environment, and the health and safety of all of our people. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000491\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003EThe strategy was designed to achieve these sometimes competing objectives. It is able to do so largely because of the way in which it came about. It was conceived, developed, and refined in partnership with industry. We shared our ideas and we had more ideas to bring together. It was the inclusiveness of the process that enabled the strategy to deliver on sometimes conflicting objectives. This bill is a key deliverable in that strategy. Its primary functions are to introduce a new approval mechanism, known as a group standard, to add regional councils as hazardous substances and new organisms enforcement agencies that may enforce the Act, to increase the ability to set practical exposure limits that protect people and the environment, and to improve the workability of rapid assessment and reassessment, and several other provisions including those for exempt laboratories. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000492\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003EThrough these functions, this bill will reduce costs to both the Government and industry; most important, reduce barriers to innovation; and better protect the environment and the health and safety of people in our communities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000493\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E The new group standard mechanism is the major contributor to realising those benefits. Group standards will reduce costs by reducing the number of applications that businesses need to make to the Environmental Risk Management Authority, and by providing simpler prescriptive alternatives to the technical controls and regulations. Group standards will also reduce the Government cost to transfer approximately 110,000 notified toxic substances to the full hazardous substances and new organisms regime by 1 July 2006, the statutory end of the transition period. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000494\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003EGroup standards will also be able to be made for wastes and manufactured articles that have hazardous properties that exceed hazardous substances and new organisms regime thresholds. Applying group standards to those wastes or articles will reduce risk to people and the environment associated with storage, transport, and through to disposal. Group standards have become an important tool for implementing the New Zealand waste strategy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003EThe bill was referred to the Education and Science Committee on 22 February this year. The committee received 26 submissions and thoroughly considered the bill. The committee has reported back to the House, recommending that the bill be passed with the amendments shown. I thank the chairman and the committee for their timely work on this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000496\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003ESubmitters generally expressed support for the measures in the bill. Strong support was given for the new group standard mechanism, for the involvement of regional councils in hazardous substances and new organisms regime enforcement, and for other measures that improve the workability of the legislation. The select committee has made a number of changes as a result of submissions received. I draw the attention of members to some of those changes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000497\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003EThe change to clause 6 ensures that the register of exposure limits is able to record the parts of a substance for which the exposure limits can be set. The change to clause 9 clarifies when the rapid assessment provision can apply\u2014that is, to a substance with lesser hazardous properties than any substance already approved. The change to clause 10 adds reference to the storing of a substance to the provision for containment approval that is used for substances formulated, packaged, and labelled as for export only. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000498\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003EThe change to clause 14 clarifies that a modified reassessment can only change an approval, not revoke an approval\u2014to revoke an approval would require a full reassessment. Changes to clause 20 clarify the operation of the new group standard mechanism. The first change spells out each of the four situations in which a group standard can apply. The term \u201Cproduct\u201D is defined to ensure that wastes and manufactured articles to be managed under group standards exceed the hazardous substance thresholds. Another change ensures that a proposed group standard will be notified and accessible to the public, that public input will be sought, and that full consultation will take place. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000499\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003EChanges to section 96F and section 96G, inserted by Part 2, clarify the effect and applicability of group standards\u2014that a group standard creates an approval for the substances in the group, and that a group standard transfers substances out of the traditional provisions and into the main part of the hazardous substances and new organisms regime. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000500\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003EOther changes to the provisions regarding the group standards mechanism provide improved clarity, such as the re-evaluation of the controls applying to a substance that is already approved in the light of new data or information. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000501\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003EThe amendments have tightened and improved the bill, and I commend the Education and Science Committee for its work. I will move further amendments when the House moves into Committee on this bill. The first of these amendments will remove a legal circularity that prevents New Zealand from meeting its obligations under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which includes polychlorinated biphenyl. I will also move amendments that further clarify the Environmental Risk Management Authority\u2019s consultation obligations around group standards, and provide consistency around the Environmental Risk Management Authority\u2019s powers to incorporate materials by reference in group standards and notices of transfer. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000502\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003ESome submitters argued the line that if it is good for business, it must be bad for the environment. This bill is not about environment versus economy. This bill is good for the environment and for the economy. It is very good for the people of this country. It represents a significant step in protecting the environment and improving the living standards of all New Zealanders. It will help us to reap the advantages of using hazardous substances without suffering their potentially adverse effects. It does that by managing the risks those substances present to us. This bill enables us to safely manage risks from a great many hazardous substances that have gone unmanaged before, and in a much more efficient and appropriate way. The bill significantly improves the workability of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. It is good for business, the Government, New Zealanders, and the environment. I am delighted to commend the bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022 data-id=\u00226ccc789d1fdf4bedbe055a761f1c40f6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226ccc789d1fdf4bedbe055a761f1c40f6\u0022\u003EDr PAUL HUTCHISON (National\u2014Port Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to speak on this Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Approvals and Enforcement) Amendment Bill\u2014a very technical bill but a very necessary one. I would like to congratulate the Hon David Benson-Pope on the very animated and lively way he spoke about this bill. Essentially, the bill is absolutely needed for the transference of 70,000 notified toxic substances on to the register under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act to take place. If that did not happen, they would be out there, unregistered and of considerable worry. The registration must occur before June 2006.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000504\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022\u003EI notice that the explanatory note of the first reading copy of the bill states that it offers to reduce costs to businesses and the Government, and to reduce barriers to innovation, whilst not compromising appropriate management of risks. It is very interesting to hear that come from the Labour Government, which is absolutely infamous for increasing the compliance costs of small business and New Zealanders generally. After all, have there not been 42 tax increases in the last 6 years? I am sure Mr Cosgrove could confirm that for us. There have been 42 increases in tax in the last 6 years, by this Labour Government. It is absolutely phenomenal. If we think of the Resource Management Act, we know that the added compliance costs and obstructions that this Labour Government has imposed on New Zealanders trying to get on with business is also absolutely phenomenal.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000505\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022\u003EWhen we come to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, Federated Farmers were certainly very careful to present a well-formulated paper on the huge costs imposed on New Zealand farmers by this Act. They brought out a considerably well-researched paper called Compliance Costs of the HSNO Act in September last year. They say that the total set-up cost for compliance with the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act is calculated to be nearly $105 million. That averages $2,230 per farm in set-up costs, but it does not include any ongoing costs from 2007 onwards. Heaven knows what the costs will be from then on! They go on to say that the average set-up costs imposed on the arable sector are over $3,000 per farm. That is a huge amount of money, given that our farmers are competing with farmers in Europe, who are so heavily subsidised.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000506\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022\u003ESome of the regulatory impositions that this Labour Government has imposed in relation to the new organisms part of this bill are sheer larceny in terms of the very important primary sector in New Zealand. I think particularly of the transgenic cow experiment that AgResearch tried to carry out at Ruakura. AgResearch had to spend $500,000 just to put in the consent application, and it was then challenged in the High Court. It is not only that; I think more recently of the Auckland medical school\u2019s experiment with transgenic sheep to produce a potential cure for Huntington\u2019s chorea. The medical school said it could not carry it out as it would cost too much and take too long, because of Labour\u2019s regulations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000507\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022\u003EDebate interrupted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20051208948f925bcc034c5ca509c10bab5638cb000508\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 6 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"