"\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=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ae0fc3a984f24851bcbefe7491de0b9b\u0022\u003Ethursday, 26 July 2007\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00225a6a56d41ee84274aee6e227be048b34\u0022\u003Ethursday, 26 July 2007\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000002\u0022\u003EMadam Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000004\u0022\u003EPrayers.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002247aaaa6ae045492287248872d793adaa\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00222cc763ee144a4887bf52a77ca2351db3\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=\u00220c6e231d1bc144c686b54e15b031bab8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220c6e231d1bc144c686b54e15b031bab8\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E Next week the House will go into a 1-week adjournment. When the House resumes, progress will be made on the remaining stages of the Mental Health Commission Amendment Bill, the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services (Remedies) Amendment Bill, the Wills Bill, the Major Events Management Bill, and the third readings of the Arbitration Amendment Bill and the Succession (Homicide) Bill. Priority will also be given to any first readings on the Order Paper.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002281c4f2c726174f3f909886dab6fa8f3d\u0022\u003EPoints of Order\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223aae861f176841c2aac566d55c6d41c5\u0022\u003EAuditor-General\u2014Officers of Parliament Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022 data-id=\u002221677698fddc482e9674303656d19375\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002221677698fddc482e9674303656d19375\u0022\u003EHon PETER DUNNE (Leader\u2014United Future):\u003C/span\u003E I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. It is one that you may wish to reflect upon and it is with regard to the Officers of Parliament Committee. Under the Public Audit Act 2001 the Auditor-General has certain powers to inquire into the use of resources by any public entity, as defined in the Act or its schedules. But he is also required to submit an annual work plan to the Speaker. The question I want you to reflect upon, Madam Speaker, is whether the annual work plan prepared by the Auditor-General this year included reference to a conflicts of interest register, and whether that has been considered by the Officers of Parliament Committee to whom the Auditor-General reports. If that has not been the case, will you be convening a meeting of the committee to remind the Auditor-General of his primary role as the auditor of the Government\u2019s books, not to be the new Senator McCarthy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022af9cb3da53a547fba68551c77beca93f\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I thank the member for raising that point. As he rightly said, I will reflect on it and report back to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022909957c978514e9d92ffe09747ca96d1\u0022\u003EQuestions for Oral Answer\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00221122cb132f23401397f7885e3b194bde\u0022\u003EQuestions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022cf959b62198947e984bde27020c3ce95\u0022\u003EHealth Care\u2014Primary Health Care Services\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c45684c6-7137-45b3-b30c-46206236e88b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228cdd9d78ef324f2084c31dbfbf94f46f\u0022\u003E1. LESLEY SOPER (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: What steps has he taken to improve the affordability, accessibility and quality of primary health care for all New Zealanders?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022 data-id=\u00220b93562ef72249f9b213b4a9d97bbfd1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220b93562ef72249f9b213b4a9d97bbfd1\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E Quite a few. On 1 July this Labour-led Government completed the roll-out of cheaper doctors\u2019 fees, halving the cost of going to the doctor, and lowering the cost of most prescription medicines from $15 to $3. We know that means New Zealanders will seek help from their general practitioner or other primary health care provider earlier than previously. Last month I doubled the number of funded places for general practitioner training, and last week I announced a $6 million innovation fund to help general practitioners and nurses to spread the remarkable innovations that are already under way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c45684c6-7137-45b3-b30c-46206236e88b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227d28046c743747f8a43605bb044841d6\u0022\u003ELesley Soper\u003C/span\u003E: Can New Zealanders be confident that they will continue to access affordable and quality primary health care?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022234daa1f973a45359d6589fdc0df0427\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: The answer to that question is no and yes. The reason it is no is that the National Party still needs to clarify its position on low fees and low prescription charges. It is on record as both supporting improvements and opposing them. The answer is also yes because National\u2019s indecision month after month, year after year, means it will not become the Government any time soon.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220daaf9fb-1a1f-4d31-848a-fd13cb1a2c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022521087dba9764044bc4613744df09324\u0022\u003EBarbara Stewart\u003C/span\u003E: Is he aware of a statement by a New Zealand Medical Association general practitioner spokesperson that the $39 payment per visit for children under 6 does not reflect true costs; if so, will the Ministry of Health be raising the level of that particular subsidy; if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220afed4c92a254ad9aa5eefe5f89996e7\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: The member asks a good question, as is often the case, and I appreciate New Zealand First\u2019s interest in this matter to the point that it is part of the agreement with New Zealand First on confidence and supply. I can say to the member publicly that the Government is engaged on this issue seriously.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaaad191-62cf-43e8-a772-63a71dbf4d4a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220bc48db324be48c5836b89d593990291\u0022\u003ESue Kedgley\u003C/span\u003E: What cross-party support has he received to widen the scope of the treatment options available in primary health care, particularly for chronic care?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229328c0a2fbb04bbbb146e35deb439e5b\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: Quite a lot. Given that the question is coming from the Green Party, I think I should say that with the Greens\u2019 support and, indeed, encouragement, we have introduced new complementary and alternative medicines capacity within the Ministry of Heath, precisely because integrated health care is an area of increasing interest both for members of the public and for an increasing number of health care professionals.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223fb2454880a141bbb718804eb99daf16\u0022\u003EHon Peter Dunne\u003C/span\u003E: As part of the possible extension of primary health care for all New Zealanders, is the Government giving consideration to an annual free health check for, initially, older New Zealanders but ultimately for all New Zealanders?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ff8490e32dec4d2a8d4b044635a02a9e\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, but not for the age group the member may have in mind. From February 2008 the Government will be introducing a free health check for children ready to go to school\u2014the ready-for-school check. That follows on, of course, from a number of free Plunket checks that they have got in. The outcome of the Well Child review currently under way is that the free health check will, I think, be reasonably comprehensive and a new contribution to health provision in this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227461eab092c44b52a4a0b29a86143246\u0022\u003EReserve Bank of New Zealand Act\u2014Powers under Section 12\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E2. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c914a6fb09d543aca41bf46e270b2312\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Leader\u2014National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: Will he invoke section 12 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989 now that the official cash rate has increased to 8.25 percent?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022 data-id=\u0022410f2907cc2449699fabe2e6fd6eed26\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022410f2907cc2449699fabe2e6fd6eed26\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022193a5cda73e2476dbbbc3cf96ea01ed5\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Why did the Minister raise the issue of intervention in monetary policy last week, when he knew that it would put pressure on the Governor of the Reserve Bank to raise interest rates this week, if only to prove his independence?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a53708bda2894feb9d605381d40a3e29\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I do not believe that the Governor of the Reserve Bank is so petty as to wonder about who has got the biggest whatsit when he comes to make a decision about interest rates.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022263be082-dd01-4ef1-9c19-d546d0174793\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227398f574d8384be2a63b96004ced61a7\u0022\u003EHon Mark Gosche\u003C/span\u003E: What is the Government doing to reduce pressure on monetary policy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002296a27bb6ffb8460884f4bdc64571de1e\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: Despite claims from those opposite, we continue to run what Standard and Poor\u2019s\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e29f4e03562f4377bacdb5a8b0db1281\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, Iceland!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227a16ec99b1b341e5b2eec1ecaf0b5fb5\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: No, actually, Iceland is twice as high in interest rates as New Zealand. Despite claims from those opposite, we continue to run what Standard and Poor\u2019s have described as a conservative fiscal policy. That is why it confirmed our current credit rating. Dr Bollard acknowledges the importance of savings, which is one of the reasons why the Government\u2019s KiwiSaver scheme is so important in the long term in redressing the imbalances in the economy. I wait to hear National\u2019s position on those extensions of KiwiSaver.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dc515c724601490997d08e7fef8c0462\u0022\u003ER Doug Woolerton\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister share New Zealand First\u2019s belief that it is time to rationally debate the failings of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act and consider introducing a far more coordinated approach between monetary and fiscal policy, both to combat inflation and to keep the economy balanced?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002287ab5285a11241099fb491c33c5f4edb\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I am very encouraged by the way the select committee inquiry is already proceeding. A number of very interesting submissions have been made to the select committee. Clearly, Mr English has not read any of them. I would recommend them\u2014for example, the submissions from ASB, the New Zealand Exchange, and a number of others. All are very interesting and very well considered, and it is quite interesting to have a debate on such matters.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022759d66f6390e41578dfa14ddad837fe6\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: After 7 years of mismanaging economic growth, what does the Minister have to say to a person with a 2-year $200,000 mortgage who now, when it is renewed, will face additional outgoings of around $45 a week, and to exporters who face an 80c-dollar\u2014a level they never imagined possible\u2014and if he wants to take all the credit for good economic management, should he not take the blame for the highest interest rates in the developed world and the highest exchange rate we have seen since the float?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225cad3442ee0548dd9b6d1fb3ec9709d7\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: We do not have the highest rates in the developed world. That is wrong, for a start. Secondly, the time when the member was the Minister of Finance was the only time we managed to get negative growth in the last 10 years. Thirdly, we have reduced unemployment to around 3.5 percent. Fourthly, we have had the longest period of sustained growth\u2014the second-longest since the Second World War and the longest in the last 30 years. We have seen strong household-income growth and strong real personal-income growth. What about that does the member not understand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224dd3eaf28cee4a90bb180c6879056ad6\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: How much less inflationary pressure would there be in the economy if the Minister had stuck to his original, and already generous, Budget spending allocation, rather than deliberately overspending it by $4 billion, as recorded in the pre-Budget Cabinet papers?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b21c927714e44049bff39e1c62481ab2\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: All the inflation measures so far are still reflecting a year in which the Government ran a cash surplus over $2 billion, took another $2 billion out by way of the New Zealand superannuation fund, and reduced demand by $4 billion - plus dollars in one year, while that member\u2019s leader was still promising a tax cut of $2.5 billion dollars.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002238568177a0f045809c4216458834a338\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister recall his own words in his own Cabinet paper, in which he stated that Cabinet should stick to the spending allowance because not to do so would \u201Crisk higher than necessary inflation and interest rates\u201D; did he then go ahead and sign off a Budget that overspent those allowances by $4 billion, and was that not sacrificing homeowners and exporters in the cause of Labour\u2019s big-spending re-election campaign?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223a75f53c2fd14a2894b0c1fb1af4fa5a\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: First of all, the shift in the spending for the current year that we are now in mirrors almost exactly the shift in the forecast revenue for the current year that we are now in, so the balance remained the same. The second thing is that the two big initiatives in the Budget were the KiwiSaver extensions to expand our savings\u2014which National cannot make up its mind about\u2014and the business tax package, which cuts taxes for the productive sector. This member keeps calling for cuts in the bureaucracy while his leader is saying that public servants\u2019 jobs are safe. They are the same people, you know.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b381e024cd134b1b9ed1bfa573dc45e9\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister now telling us that the one thing that might offset his big spend-up is the higher than expected tax revenue that arises from higher inflation\u2014the tax revenue that will be paid by the same people who will be worse off by $50 a week because of these interest rate increases?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fefda6a4beb5495380cd364e90ed5d48\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: Let me explain it again to the member. This Government will be running cash deficits over the next 4 years on forecast that are much, much less than the total transfers into the superannuation fund. In other words, this Government will continue to take money out of demand in the New Zealand economy over that period of time. I remind the member that his leader has spent the last 4\u00BD years attacking me for running excessively large surpluses, and suddenly National has decided that surpluses should be much bigger.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002268da153284b94823b617272db20d7fca\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister tell us just who has been more rattled by his erratic behaviour\u2014[Interruption] I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Government is interjecting on every question that I ask. I know we can have some interjections on questions, but interjecting on every question is going a bit far.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233811b9edd2044c795732cd9e357e67f\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Please be seated. I note that from the member, and I also noted that the member interjected constantly on the answers that were given. I just remind all members\u2014[Interruption] That member will leave the Chamber if he does that again. I just remind members that however tempting it is to comment, please keep your interjections rare.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228d3b293ccbd1443aa3db8281d0c66260\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: When the Minister looks back at the last 6 months of various proposals he has floated that have been shot down, at the various times he has been shut down by the Prime Minister, and at his threat of intervention in monetary policy last week, who does he believe is more rattled by his erratic behaviour: Japanese housewives or his own colleagues?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d526f3fe2d844bdb925990b2654d318d\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: At a time when the leader of the Opposition cannot wait to get out of this House because he is shaking so much whenever he is in it, we are not rattled at all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022aef2f41c73bd4f38aaca8a09ce9c7d1f\u0022\u003EOil Market\u2014Supply\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003E3. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bb23c6710f02419eb49ed140d70c38e8\u0022\u003EJEANETTE FITZSIMONS (Co-Leader\u2014Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: What economic and fiscal strategies is he developing to prepare New Zealand for the impact of an \u201Cextremely tight\u201D oil market within 5 years where oil production may not be able to keep up with demand, as predicted by the International Energy Agency\u2019s Medium-Term Oil Market Report earlier this month?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022 data-id=\u0022f3dcb88abaa84d719cc570c38619c245\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f3dcb88abaa84d719cc570c38619c245\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E Low debt and projected surpluses give New Zealanders as much fiscal flexibility to respond to changing circumstances as almost any other developed country has. The development of an emissions trading system, and measures to support energy efficiency, to support biofuels, and to support passenger transport will help directly. Of course, as oil prices rise, individuals also react, by, in fact, adjusting to more efficient vehicles.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e53f9018b842483faffcc03ac21a0781\u0022\u003EJeanette Fitzsimons\u003C/span\u003E: Will he discuss with his colleague the Minister of Energy the need to amend this statement in the draft New Zealand Energy Strategy: \u201CIt is unclear whether conventional oil production will peak in the next decade, or a decade or two later.\u201D so that it reflects a greater sense of urgency, given that the Government has always relied on the International Energy Agency\u2019s fool\u2019s paradise view that we still have around three decades until peak oil, despite all the other views to the contrary?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a5ee6e0103ec4eef8f29973ebebb38e0\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I do not propose to do that at this stage, at all. I am old enough to remember the report from the Club of Rome in, I think, 1975, stating that we would have run out of oil by this point. In fact, proven commercial oil reserves now are still larger than they were 20 years ago.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225cee6a89-68e3-40fd-b2d8-d8adb0ba5da0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b47b9a83788f4f9094519ab898fc72bc\u0022\u003EGordon Copeland\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm that a steady increase in oil prices to the point of an extremely tight market in 5 years also provides economic incentives for reductions in oil consumption, such as switching from cars to public transport, and for oil substitution through increased investment in alternative technologies; if so, how does the Government plan to assist that process?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220246144ada894b9ab39de93254772a97\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I think the member is right; there are basic market signals coming through, and we are seeing the results of that. When did we last see nearly all motor vehicle manufacturers or importers in New Zealand advertising diesel vehicles as part of their major offering, instead of petrol vehicles, because of diesel vehicles\u2019 greater efficiency? What the Government can do in all of that is look at areas like fuel efficiency ratings and standards, and look at doing what it has done, which is to mandate a beginning towards including, to start, minimal biofuels content within our fuels, but that can increase. The Government itself is reviewing its own vehicle fleet. It is looking to use much more fuel-efficient diesel-powered vehicles and others, and vehicles with low carbon footprints.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cafa09903545426a93bd64a45020d67f\u0022\u003EJeanette Fitzsimons\u003C/span\u003E: Does he believe that biofuels, useful as they will be when used on some scale, can provide for a continuing 4 percent annual compound growth in demand for transport fuels, given the International Energy Agency\u2019s statement in the same document I just quoted that biofuels are already running into competition with food production for suitable land, and that the economics of biofuels are still uncertain and raise doubts as to whether ambitious supply-growth scenarios can be realised?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226fd29fa566794e669a59cbbf27d1ce0f\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: To pick up on that one important point, it seems to me, the economics of biofuels is like almost anything else: dependent in large part upon the price of the alternative. In that respect, the Green Party should be welcoming high oil prices, even if the rest of us complain when we go to the petrol pump.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022acd4745d437749c2ac022ecb6954d2a3\u0022\u003EJeanette Fitzsimons\u003C/span\u003E: What plan does he have to deal with the impact on the economy of even faster accelerating oil prices, if strategies to correct the exchange rate actually work and we are no longer protected from real oil prices by an overvalued dollar?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226153e670d70840dabe133b01fb97e128\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: The member, of course, points out the conundrum that is faced at the moment; that if the dollar starts to come back to a level that is more favourable towards exporters, there will be an increase in petrol prices and, indeed, in diesel prices. That is one of those variable prices that business in New Zealand has coped with for a very long time. Petrol prices at the pump now are significantly lower in real terms than they were, for example, in the early 1980s. It is not as though we have not been through these kinds of variables before. It is important to remember that other countries are going through the same experience.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cb5d2736bc274247b16c3717df07ec7c\u0022\u003EJeanette Fitzsimons\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister place on record, then, that he expects the current rise in oil prices to be a temporary phenomenon, just as the oil price rises in the 1970s were, and that it does not signal a long-term depletion of oil supply?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022612f243235e6413ca10f24c517d70f80\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I thought it was very clear from what I said that that was not what I was saying, at all\u2014in fact, rather the opposite. I said that I expect that there are long-term pricing signals here that will lead to significant change in behaviour and practices by individuals, by business, and by others. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224b78cd6c0a4f45e8a608ea9f1393ba48\u0022\u003EJeanette Fitzsimons\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table an article quoting Goldman Sachs Group headed: \u201C$100 oil price may be months away says\u201D\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022802f95d7f0ab4d1480fed7a6f090b1e2\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is objection.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002221e2649bda7c478ea9f1d67bbae48852\u0022\u003EEnvironment, Ministry\u2014Confidence\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E4. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a9b2c72f541546729c9c371e85002953\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Leader\u2014National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Prime Minister: Does she have confidence in the Minister for the Environment; if so, why?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022 data-id=\u0022dc8fd8ac34374e6f9316b5fdaf09249c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022dc8fd8ac34374e6f9316b5fdaf09249c\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Deputy Prime Minister) \u003C/span\u003Eon behalf of the Prime Minister: Yes; because he is a hard-working and conscientious Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223f255862c40748dd9276ded000c01ed5\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Prime Minister confirm that she has told the public that the reason David Benson-Pope has not been sacked is that she believes him, that she looked him in the eye and took his word, and how does she feel about that 2 days later when he has changed his story in two significant respects\u2014firstly about whether he knew of the rumours of a conflict of interest; and, secondly, over the number of phone calls between his office and Hugh Logan?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223cf5988059db4f73a92d35854235a524\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I can confirm that that is what the Prime Minister said. She has seen no evidence at this point to change her view on that matter.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002296a4d0f9404d4c9594adef4b1b59165f\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Prime Minister not aware that despite David Benson-Pope\u2019s frequent statements that there was one phone call between his office and the chief executive of the Ministry for the Environment, it was revealed yesterday that there were at least four calls over 2 days, and how likely does she think it that a Minister would not know that a discussion about an employment matter was going on between his close friend and chief adviser, and the chief executive of his department, for 2 days?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b1522b7f17994893bc86164a083c13a9\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: The Minister has been clear that he did not know that Mr Hurring made the initial phone call to Mr Logan. He has already confirmed that Mr Logan informed him about matters the next day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223b4e3e0354d149ba9bfe45551d743cbf\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Can we take it that this is another example of the Prime Minister\u2019s slippery analysis, when she has just told the House that Mr Benson-Pope did not know about the \u201Cinitial\u201D phone call, and does that mean that she does not believe him when he said there were no other phone calls, there was only one?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002267e524ee07424ce8909f24485c318490\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: Given the nature of that question, I advise the member that one thing more dangerous than trying to put words into my mouth is trying to put words into the Prime Minister\u2019s mouth.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002255c4be9852bf4c4c9dac31f4a1c2ced5\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Given that the Prime Minister is aware that David Benson-Pope\u2019s story has changed in two significant respects, how many changes to his story does she have to hear before she will decide she does not believe him?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022132b8510941944b29abd37d298931956\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: The member clearly did not listen to my previous answer. He continues to preface a question with an assertion, then base the rest of the question on that assertion.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002213b64c5af8544331aed2e099a50d3df5\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Is it not true that David Benson-Pope has been caught out twice before with less than fulsome explanations on the public record, and why is she the only person in New Zealand who believes him on this matter?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002275190328875540cc98da50e4e1472003\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: As the Prime Minister said in the House earlier this week, a member\u2019s word should be taken unless there is clear evidence to the contrary.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022549daf70c2e84fefa5c9751b58048f5c\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Prime Minister understand that the real situation is probably that David Benson-Pope heard the rumours and said, as quoted yesterday, \u201CI don\u2019t want that woman in my office.\u201D, and his close friend and political adviser, Mr Hurring, went off and did the dirty work?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228a076ce69c964641bc90bb646ad7536d\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I think the member has already managed to exceed J K Rowling in extended works of fiction, in this House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227d28bcf588ea4b8783aa91dd9b137c73\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Prime Minister answer the question I asked earlier: how many significant changes does she need to hear from David Benson-Pope\u2019s story\u2014one of which he confirmed himself, so it is not fiction, unless that is what she thinks of everything he says\u2014that he said himself there were four calls; how many more examples of this does she need before she concludes what everyone else concludes, which is that the gentleman is not telling the truth?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226b6aad77937c4b5bab0c117728dbdd12\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: The member has come up with nothing that changes the essence of what happened.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002268ce100e050b484f89db26a91114bd34\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: What\u2019s the essence?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002272e16eefac8847f1a6560ca8246368b2\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: He does not really want to know, does he. That is the problem. Mr Hurring rang Mr Logan, to say to Mr Logan: \u201CIs this rumour true?\u201D. Mr Logan came back to respond to Mr Hurring, and Mr Logan briefed Mr Benson-Pope on what Mr Logan had done in conjunction with the State Services Commission. I might say, in fairness to Madeleine Setchell, if only the information she had originally given had been passed on to the rest of the people involved, this probably never would have got to the point where this immense pile of paranoid mystery would have been built around it by Mr English.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002275678dc081664652975132564f90b80e\u0022\u003ERates Rebate Scheme\u2014Uptake\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223a0e52c8-5bb1-4325-9870-21f4e3eb3702\u0022\u003E5. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c219fe4721b44844a6e3a330c64c5c79\u0022\u003EMARTIN GALLAGHER (Labour\u2014Hamilton West)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Local Government: What reports, if any, has he received on the uptake of the Rates Rebate Scheme?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022 data-id=\u0022f55135259e8b4aa0b81ab4e830f4d3f8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f55135259e8b4aa0b81ab4e830f4d3f8\u0022\u003EHon MARK BURTON (Minister of Local Government):\u003C/span\u003E I can advise that by the end of this week, for the 2006-07 financial year ratepaying Kiwi households will have rebated approximately $50 million. That is a seventyfold increase in Government funding, when compared with rebates for the 2005-06 financial year. The expanded scheme has proved a success for tens of thousands of New Zealand ratepaying households, particularly those on fixed or lower incomes such as the elderly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223a0e52c8-5bb1-4325-9870-21f4e3eb3702\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229484f56920264a1f91a7a93b83ddcddd\u0022\u003EMartin Gallagher\u003C/span\u003E: Has he seen any other reports on local government funding?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221182ae422837480991daae0394d1c285\u0022\u003EHon MARK BURTON\u003C/span\u003E: Yes. I have seen a report of a recent speech made by a politician to the Local Government New Zealand conference that described John Key\u2019s proposals as, to quote the Otago Daily Times editorial, \u201Cirritatingly non-committal\u201D. It said that Mr Key vaguely suggested \u201Cthere would be more money for local authorities\u201D\u2014more money, I note again\u2014\u201Cbut did not say why, where it was coming from, or how much, or what it would be for.\u201D In contrast, this Government, through initiatives such as the Rates Rebate Scheme, Working for Families, and KiwiSaver, is helping New Zealand families to build secure futures.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221a59d3ae-788b-4b19-b7dd-7d0e29a626fc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d76bded153fd4d2c932c4bcf46f146a1\u0022\u003EHon Brian Donnelly\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Minister noted within the reports on the uptake of the Rates Rebate Scheme that many eligible people were not claiming a rebate because of embarrassment at having to reveal personal income information to their local councils, often to people who live in their close vicinity, and if he has, does he believe some changes are required to the way the system operates?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022354630a3d2434dedb578b43bdc6379cd\u0022\u003EHon MARK BURTON\u003C/span\u003E: Although there has not been a high level of reporting of that concern, certainly there is some indication of it. One of the things with the massive increase in the utilisation of the scheme is that I have officials reviewing a number of factors, to look at whether we have got it just right or whether further refinements can be made in order to ensure that as many people as possible make use of their entitlement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002225e704b7aac94a8882d875e6f93ef22d\u0022\u003EEnvironment, Ministry\u2014Communications Manager\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E6. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002263f45d13142c400a8426a8c1ab479fec\u0022\u003EGERRY BROWNLEE (National\u2014Ilam)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for the Environment: Did the Chief Executive of the Ministry for the Environment ever ask him for his opinion on the appointment of Madeleine Setchell as the communications manager of the ministry; if so, what did he say?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022 data-id=\u00228289a757bf0f41a1b53ad88b7c1544bf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228289a757bf0f41a1b53ad88b7c1544bf\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for the Environment):\u003C/span\u003E No; I had one conversation with the chief executive relating to this matter before it was resolved. That conversation happened when he drew me aside in the context of a meeting about other issues and advised me there was an issue he was dealing with involving the partner of a National Party staff member, and that he had formed a preliminary view that there was a conflict of interest and that he was working with the State Services Commission to manage that issue. I noted two things: first, that this was clearly an employment issue and therefore his responsibility alone to manage, and, secondly, that from the point of view of my office I would likely be less free and frank in meetings with such a person. That was a statement of the obvious.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b89e44ee10c44c86baeced49019073ed\u0022\u003EGerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: What miraculous events have occurred overnight for the Minister to have this greater recollection of the meetings held on 29 May that he could not remember yesterday, and has he also perhaps forgotten that he did say to Mr Hugh Logan: \u201CI won\u2019t have that woman in my office.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223b9f08662f7e4b64aba014c0549f8ec8\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: No miraculous events have occurred and I did not make that statement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022406a21e4b2d24acf8ddbb77e0276a1a0\u0022\u003EGerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister expect us to believe that after the flurry of phone calls between his office and Hugh Logan\u2019s office on 28 May, which caused Mr Logan to drop everything, conduct an urgent inquiry, and involve the State Services Commission, that at a meeting the next day the Minister was neither asked for, nor offered his opinion on the actual appointment of Madeleine Setchell beyond the scant comments made by the Minister in the House today?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022364c7439852b49b8988d1d938aecd63a\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: For the benefit of the member, let me run through the chronology again. I was not aware, when my adviser began his inquiry, but I now know that it was Monday, 28 May. I was first informed of the relationship later on 28 May when it had been confirmed by the chief executive. That there was formally the possibility of a conflict of interest was notified to me after that date personally by the chief executive.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc95fe1b71c14a389c8d9cb963b3df2c\u0022\u003EGerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: When the Minister said to Mr Logan that he would be able to be less than free and frank should Ms Setchell be in any meetings in his office, what conclusion could Mr Logan reach other than the Minister was instructing him to dismiss Ms Setchell?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225dad50362e92417c90c1f09972ab412a\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: The member has misrepresented my quote. I said I would likely be less free and frank. I am sure the member understands fully that that is a statement of the obvious. He would be less likely to conduct a conversation as frankly with a member on this side of the House as he would with his own colleagues, one would assume.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b14b6875e32c43f79140dcce815715fa\u0022\u003EGerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Why did the Minister not simply make that admission\u2014this new revelation\u2014right at the start of this particular issue and the investigation into it; and is the Minister surprised that when Mr Logan was asked by the media if the Minister had said to him: \u201CI won\u2019t have that woman in my office.\u201D, he could not answer that question for himself with a simple \u201CNo\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022740edb31006947e8a58b410cafaea538\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: There are about five questions there. Can I repeat that I did not make that statement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a2cc493616094b1a94e9fa0125c53b1f\u0022\u003EGerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Can we assume from Mr Logan\u2019s refusal to deny the Minister told him: \u201CI won\u2019t have that woman in my office.\u201D with a simple one-word answer, that it is a fact the Minister did instruct exactly along those lines, and could any other conclusion be reached from what the Minister has told the House today?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e9e7a6eeaef74eed8c77afab06676104\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: No, members cannot make that assumption, and other conclusions can definitely be reached. These are the facts of the matter.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a62816db594c4598a8a863acc7e6629f\u0022\u003EGerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister assure the House that if Mr Logan were to speak in a free, full, and frank manner, and tell the media what the Minister said to him, he would keep his job?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002297556259cde042d4a89e7d5da342e50f\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: I can assure the House that I have confidence in the professionalism of Mr Logan and I have no concerns in that respect.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224ef6d6cd9d9941bba371a6d3cab22330\u0022\u003EGerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister assure the House that there will be no adverse consequences for any one either in his office or in the Ministry for the Environment who blows the whistle on what the Minister actually said to Mr Logan?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d61328f8f35146a2b529d511b56d7064\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: I am not the employer, either in my office or in the Ministry for the Environment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002232e7416e6b4b4115bad057458b7b8666\u0022\u003EGerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister give the House an assurance that he has not, in the past, pressured any Government department to remove staff because of his perceptions about their political connections?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221fa384e947b547919eef1525ee99cb2f\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: It would be totally inappropriate to do so.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022930498da0ff94c9389006980be548b1b\u0022\u003EGerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. We know that it would be inappropriate to do so. We are asking whether the Minister is prepared to say he has not done that before.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229195e61f6f274f99bf6d68c014307122\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The Minister is answering as the Minister for the Environment. That is his ministerial responsibility in this context. I also remind members that they cannot require a specific answer to their questions. In that instance the Minister addressed the question, though it may have been outside his ministerial responsibility.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002223b15b83c1064e63b7066f7299c30cea\u0022\u003EHon Dr Michael Cullen\u003C/span\u003E: In relation to the question about the employment of Mr Logan, has the Minister received any report that when Mr Brownlee was asked whether Mr Logan would have a job were there to be a change of Government, he refused to answer yes?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022330c030b-99be-4461-8aaa-9a10ee5bd889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f0c1b4cf6e894acc96e400066511d803\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENSON-POPE\u003C/span\u003E: I think it is one of the ironies of this issue that the behaviour of Mr Logan and, I believe, my staff has been honourable, and that reflection cannot be conveyed about the behaviour of those members opposite.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d6a5894a02264832bf32bd8b36cb1db8\u0022\u003EReserve Bank\u2014Price Stability\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003E7. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223860718f3bfa47578bd9ae752c0a4015\u0022\u003ER DOUG WOOLERTON (NZ First)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: What impact has the Reserve Bank\u2019s primary function to focus on price stability had on New Zealand\u2019s interest and exchange rates over the last 6 months?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022 data-id=\u002281ac9a9fbb1d4b8b8d03918b3642194e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002281ac9a9fbb1d4b8b8d03918b3642194e\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E I think that to answer the question completely would be almost impossible, because to do so would assume a series of scenarios about what would have happened if the primary focus were different. At a purely factual level, retail interest rates have risen, on average, by somewhat less than the 1 percent increase in the official cash rate over that period. The trade-weighted index of the exchange rate has risen by 10.3 percent, but much of that will be due to very strong growth in milk prices and a weakening US dollar, and cannot be assigned solely to movements in the official cash rate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d452b77dae804738a804c24a717857d8\u0022\u003ER Doug Woolerton\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Minister seen any alternatives proposed to change the status quo and widen the primary function of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act; and would he agree that a $2 billion tax cut package would do nothing to combat inflation in the short to medium term?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002254937634482d46c2af53e4ce90e3ec1a\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I have seen many suggestions for alternatives, particularly in terms of widening the focus of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act. I am yet to be convinced that that would actually help the Reserve Bank in its work. Certainly, a large tax cut, feeding further demand into the economy, would clearly place further inflationary pressure into the economy, thereby leading to even tighter monetary policy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e019f84ac9ad4eff858d3a24d81aa1b6\u0022\u003ER Doug Woolerton\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister concerned that the 20c increase in the exchange rate of the New Zealand dollar in the last year has wiped at least $2 billion from the revenues of the seafood and sheep and beef industries alone; and would he agree that our prospects as an exporting nation are grim if the level of our interest rates continues to be the highest in the developed world?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002219e84e774f2446f4bba23b23089b93da\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: There has to be major concern about that rise in the exchange rate of the New Zealand dollar. Clearly, therefore, what it tells us is that the interest rates are probably less important for the success and viability of the exporting sectors than the level of the exchange rate is, despite the obvious connection between the two in terms of the way things operate. I think that underlines the utility of what the Finance and Expenditure Committee is engaged in, which is actually a very thoroughgoing review with some very useful submissions coming in that may well assist in the further development of the operation of monetary policy in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e4579c43e8df4909afddefc127b77b69\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: You don\u2019t believe that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cf33c58771e54cde9af37a594c8b4776\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I do actually believe that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220706389afc294725b5bf100551ffd8b0\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: No, you don\u2019t.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222d9ed467ce5745b2a841393d8fce8272\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I do believe that. The member is silly enough to think that he arrived at perfection 18 years ago in his life. At least he should get a mirror, which would demonstrate that that is not true.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ef6008b9daec4cfc9269f6e274884fc4\u0022\u003EHawke\u2019s Bay District Health Board\u2014Caregiver Training Contract\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E8. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221c740f0601cf4b00ab977caa60c02330\u0022\u003EHon TONY RYALL (National\u2014Bay of Plenty)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: Was the Hawke\u2019s Bay District Health Board\u2019s $1.1 million caregiver training contract with Wellcare, a subsidiary of Healthcare New Zealand, publicly tendered; if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022 data-id=\u002293754e98412e413abc0fcdb71f6afd17\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002293754e98412e413abc0fcdb71f6afd17\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E No, the district health board did not tender for that contract. The reason, as I understand it, is that the contract was first initiated by the Ministry of Social Development, and the Hawke\u2019s Bay District Health Board then joined the contract.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e634f149c84e4f62accecf6e2df58f72\u0022\u003EHon Tony Ryall\u003C/span\u003E: Is it really believable that a department putting $72,000 into a contract has all the say over a district health board putting over $1.1 million into the contract, and is it not so that the Ministry of Social Development has confirmed publicly that the Hawke\u2019s Bay District Health Board was consulted in the selection of that provider?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002261d94653f7d6426b8ee0c3794eb89a3c\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: It may well have been; I would not know. I am not responsible for the Ministry of Social Development, and I am not a member of the Hawke\u2019s Bay District Health Board. But the fact remains that the Hawke\u2019s Bay District Health Board joined the contract after it had been first let. Why did the Hawke\u2019s Bay District Health Board put in $1.1 million? Well, because the deal was that it was to employ those people for 2 years, and most of that money has gone on wages.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221a705910-5320-43bf-aa82-027a761519f6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bdb9506d16ce43bc898de3d3f225056c\u0022\u003ERussell Fairbrother\u003C/span\u003E: Is the caregiver training contract regarded as being successful; if so, how is success measured?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6702aa1a4a37917a2608819b07b7\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: The Ministry of Social Development certainly thinks so. It is on record as stating that it has been an excellent pilot, so much so that it is trying it elsewhere in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a13095fd27294cd3893daac0e7cb4d6e\u0022\u003EHon Tony Ryall\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm that Mr Hausmann, the principal contractor in this case, and a member of the Hawke\u2019s Bay District Health Board, did not declare an interest in Wellcare Education when Annette King appointed him in 2005; and in light of this information, how can the Minister justify his advice to the House that Mr Hausmann made full disclosure when Annette King appointed him in 2005?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022311647ea3d17458fb4001ac626617727\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: As I stand here I have no knowledge as to whether Wellcare existed in 2005. But I will say that this is all part of the continuing innuendo against Mr Hausmann that occasioned him to write to me some weeks ago asking me to please review afresh his management of conflict of interest, even though it has been done before. I have agreed to examine the management of his conflict of interest afresh, and that review is under way now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222162c606f96f44bc943722724113e723\u0022\u003EHon Tony Ryall\u003C/span\u003E: So is it acceptable under this Labour Government that a district health board can enter into a $1 million - plus contract with one of its own board members, without having a public tender process, with no consultation with the board, and with that same board member declaring that interest only a few days before the contract was signed?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d9c444d8c6e94f58ae8c77bfc65de013\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: The member asks the wrong Minister. I will just say again that Wellcare Education was approached by the Ministry of Social Development, not the district health board. I am sure that people consulted with one another.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bccd065eef8b4e03b3d8cba425f712ae\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: So what?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002230e3e3f0fd9e42d1a710377a0cb338f7\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I am not the Minister for Social Development. That is what.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002289e2cb8916824f63b08ccd8ad6eab1a4\u0022\u003EHon Tony Ryall\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister aware that the person who presented the contract to Healthcare New Zealand, Wellcare, to sign was in fact a Hawke\u2019s Bay District Health Board employee, and that that employee first discussed skills and training in the sector with Mr Hausmann, following an invitation to have that meeting with him after a district health board meeting in the Hawke\u2019s Bay?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c0eba1d-17a6-44e2-a9b3-2e2535339570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002222bc3804fedf4d978fd7b87340997c1b\u0022\u003EHon PETE HODGSON\u003C/span\u003E: My best guess is that the only reason the member is able to ask that question is that all of the information around it has been put into the public arena. But what is more, there is now an independent review of the management of the conflict of interest issues surrounding Mr Hausmann, which was originally sought by Mr Hausmann. It will be looking at all of that data in the cold light of day to see whether the management was accurate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022df4dca8931ae45f9a7b0c1ecc2536850\u0022\u003EHon Tony Ryall\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table a document detailing meetings and activity pre-contract for the Ministry of Social Development and that district health board from what appears to be Healthcare New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EDocument, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022200df4248fa44b3086f30903e9b5f0b2\u0022\u003EHon Tony Ryall\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table a chronology of events on 29 May 2006 from the Hawke\u2019s Bay District Health Board.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EDocument, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022527e444fcd1f43d39a2647dbbe88f92a\u0022\u003EHon Tony Ryall\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table a memo from Diana Curtin on the Healthcare cadetship dated 30 May 2006.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EDocument, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b62b70f7e8c34ebfa2d774573864c221\u0022\u003EVolunteer Support\u2014Promotion\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9a94bf3-a948-4410-8413-403a7454114b\u0022\u003E9. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229227cafb670c4adc90a84e9952d228be\u0022\u003ETIM BARNETT (Labour\u2014Christchurch Central)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector: What is the Government doing to encourage and support volunteering?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279f87abf-aaab-44ff-96db-2e33d763670a\u0022 data-id=\u0022e9890cedf9e14306ac729c864275e18c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279f87abf-aaab-44ff-96db-2e33d763670a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e9890cedf9e14306ac729c864275e18c\u0022\u003EHon LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector):\u003C/span\u003E This Labour-led Government values the work of our volunteers, and continues to support them. The first round of 2007\u2019s Support for Volunteering Fund has just opened. It will support Volunteering New Zealand and 10 volunteer centres around the country to continue serving their communities\u2014volunteers like Hamish Hickley, who mentors disadvantaged children in Porirua, and Sonya Ford, who helps international students in Wellington.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f9a94bf3-a948-4410-8413-403a7454114b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d66be7ef0e064feba1a9bf1e155b6790\u0022\u003ETim Barnett\u003C/span\u003E: What is being done to support and encourage volunteering among Pacific peoples?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279f87abf-aaab-44ff-96db-2e33d763670a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002204955e4d489e454cae86355d7fd0c230\u0022\u003EHon LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN\u003C/span\u003E: Volunteering New Zealand has recently received funding for a new project to explore, encourage, and promote Pacific volunteering. Work is also in progress on a new study about Pacific people volunteering, and cultural obligations. This Labour-led Government promotes volunteering in our diverse communities. Volunteers contribute to our national identity as proud Kiwis.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00226ae04b05388e4cf3a7d4c88d9d877699\u0022\u003ETeachers\u2014Internet Sex Sites\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295ac7206-f497-429d-bf58-715224d5160f\u0022\u003E10. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d7757826651544cda4d20cedebeef990\u0022\u003EKATHERINE RICH (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Education: What specific steps did he or his office take last week to check whether the art teacher who posted hard-core pornographic pictures of himself and two women on internet sex sites, with messages for girls \u201Cthe younger the better\u201D, was not working in any capacity in any school, which led him to make the categorical statements that \u201Cthis person is not teaching anywhere right now.\u201D and that he \u201Cis not employed at any school.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022 data-id=\u00222f29e030ad3c4862b9556a76221bab72\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222f29e030ad3c4862b9556a76221bab72\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister for Tertiary Education)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister of Education: The Minister said last week that he had checked with the Teachers Council. More specifically, his office rang the Teachers Council, which advised that the person\u2019s practising certificate had lapsed, so he could not legally teach. After making inquiries, the Teachers Council also advised the Minister\u2019s office that the person was not employed at any school. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295ac7206-f497-429d-bf58-715224d5160f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002218ddd315e3e947e4b165780c5fd4a372\u0022\u003EKatherine Rich\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister of Education confirm that despite his assurances last week, this teacher taught in a New Zealand secondary school for around 10 days over a 3-week period, and stopped teaching only the week before last?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220d9a959f39184a1d9d628718483f3b25\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: No. The Minister\u2019s statement was correct according to the knowledge he had at the time from the Teachers Council. [Interruption] I am sure that for members opposite that is some form of conspiracy, but I think the member asking the question actually wants to investigate the issue seriously. The member is quite correct: the person was involved in teaching subsequently, and that situation is leading, obviously, to a review of the guidelines. The teaching appears to have been illegal, and the Teachers Council is investigating the breach. If proven, it will issue a warning that he has breached the Education Act 1989 and taught illegally. That offence is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 on both the school and the illegal teacher.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002238a4c1291c594b7db676c4ce06a4dc70\u0022\u003EMoana Mackey\u003C/span\u003E: What action has been taken to ensure that no similar case occurs, in which a teacher is only censored and not deregistered, due to flaws in the council\u2019s disciplinary guidelines?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f17789cce751459cbf3d77ce4bdb1125\u0022\u003EPaula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: He\u2019s still teaching!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002226450f05adc24df98f2d28c1de5454dc\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: No, he is not now, actually. The Teachers Council has reviewed its guidelines as a matter of urgency. The council board is this afternoon considering a proposal to revise the guidelines to ensure that no improper activity can fall through the cracks because it is not covered by any specific criterion, which appears to have been the problem in this case. The revised criteria will be formally drafted, and go out for early public consultation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221a59d3ae-788b-4b19-b7dd-7d0e29a626fc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228e154b79cda24ef784b565049ac0eab0\u0022\u003EHon Brian Donnelly\u003C/span\u003E: Would the Minister of Education give a categorical assurance to this House that notwithstanding his limited powers in matters relating to the employment of teachers, he would use all his influence to ensure that someone who would engage in such behaviours as described in the primary question could never again teach within a New Zealand school or, indeed, in any school worldwide?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227061079d34c34bd4af2ed99882967a12\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I am sure the Minister would use whatever powers he can, in that regard. I would go further than that and say that if it becomes clear that the powers that are available are completely insufficient in that respect, then, clearly, we would need to look at strengthening those powers to prevent a recurrence of this kind of situation, which is totally unacceptable. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295ac7206-f497-429d-bf58-715224d5160f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002262076102f38a4c0ea72ea54411a55364\u0022\u003EKatherine Rich\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm that there is actually nothing to stop this teacher from teaching in another classroom, whether as a reliever, as he was until last week, or, ultimately, as a permanent staff member; that a principal looking to recruit this teacher would have no idea what the censure was for; and that, basically, the Teachers Council, as set up by his Government, is doing nothing to ensure a high standard of professionalism of our teachers, when faced with this kind of situation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223e06417f68c4463187c687fcf12324f8\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: No, I do not think I would agree with the member in that regard. Any person whose practising certificate has lapsed can teach for only up to 10 additional teaching days from that point\u2014and this person has already taught for those 10 additional days\u2014even in any circumstance in which that teaching might have been legal. A school, I believe, should check to make sure the person has a practising certificate. That can be done, I understand, on the Teachers Council website. If something is wrong with its system, we need to follow up on that to make sure the information that goes up goes up quickly and there no delays. I am not aware of any problem in that regard, but I am happy to listen to the member further.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295ac7206-f497-429d-bf58-715224d5160f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ca2cce7ea7c3456ea523fa1a34eb9a8d\u0022\u003EKatherine Rich\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm that the Minister of Education, who stood in the House last week and denied that this teacher was working in a school\u2014only for us to then find out that this teacher has been teaching New Zealand kids in a classroom\u2014and who makes such categorical statements, has no ability to ensure that this teacher will not be teaching in a school next week, and has no ability to ensure that the Teachers Council will deny registration, and that, actually, the Teachers Council is worried that it will have to re-register this guy because of a technicality?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022181a8c8098b94604930f54516d91869f\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I cannot comment on that very final point. I do not have sufficient information in front of me, and I welcome anything the member may be able to give me about it. On the other point she made, no, I do not agree with that. The practising certificate has lapsed, and for that person now to try to teach would be illegal. Indeed, it would be illegal for the school to employ such a teacher.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295ac7206-f497-429d-bf58-715224d5160f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e7df4bb635e74665be9703e5e34655b8\u0022\u003EKatherine Rich\u003C/span\u003E: Why did the Minister of Education last week say this teacher was not teaching, when in fact he was; surely the Minister was not relying on the technical argument that last week was the school holidays and therefore there were no classes?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dc263bc12c004eaaa7b9f4c40c0c8eb6\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: No, not at all. As I explained in the primary answer, inquires were made of the Teachers Council, which advised the Minister\u2019s office that this person was not employed at any school. At the end of the day Ministers have to\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295ac7206-f497-429d-bf58-715224d5160f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022634c7cbcd62643e1acaff84662d4397b\u0022\u003EKatherine Rich\u003C/span\u003E: He was.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f8c14fb-b919-46ef-866b-8db68cfa4cf0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c20a3b5ad27747ab8634796e5581fd2f\u0022\u003EHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN\u003C/span\u003E: In the school holidays, one is still employed. Ministers have to rely upon the information they are given. That information was clearly inadequate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002281dc1e0b14a24a72ae3eb3186fd9a2a4\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 9 to Minister\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279f87abf-aaab-44ff-96db-2e33d763670a\u0022 data-id=\u0022be56d3669ec843f19d74bcda16b11ab7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279f87abf-aaab-44ff-96db-2e33d763670a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022be56d3669ec843f19d74bcda16b11ab7\u0022\u003EHon LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector):\u003C/span\u003E I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. At the conclusion of my answer to question No. 9, I heard Nick Smith make a comment that I take great offence to. I ask that he be asked to withdraw and apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cbe7f58b7d96495888320da3ba5733af\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The member should have raised that at the time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223114c49431374a0188af42a5744467f2\u0022\u003ECivil Aviation Authority\u2014Runway Safety\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E11. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022007b5a48310c4b42b6d169e370ad9277\u0022\u003ETE URUROA FLAVELL (M\u0101ori Party\u2014Waiariki)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Transport Safety: He kaha tana whakapono ki te Mana Tohu Rererangi o Aotearoa, otir\u0101, ki t\u0101na ake mahi whakamana t\u014Dpito w\u0101hi pareora o ng\u0101 taunga rererangi?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003ETranslation: Does he have confidence in the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, in particular in its work relating to the certification of runway end safety areas?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221772e9f5-5379-4bfe-9d9b-eaffb4c61b02\u0022 data-id=\u0022b9b88598ff1a43d695f4d5e66ebbecd4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221772e9f5-5379-4bfe-9d9b-eaffb4c61b02\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b9b88598ff1a43d695f4d5e66ebbecd4\u0022\u003EHon HARRY DUYNHOVEN (Minister for Transport Safety):\u003C/span\u003E Yes. I am very happy with its work in that area, particularly in the development of the runway end safety area rule.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220e078f0b3dc4426a8f21cca366aa3fd6\u0022\u003ETe Ururoa Flavell\u003C/span\u003E: He aha te Mana Tohu Rererangi o Aotearoa ki te whakaaro o te R\u014Dp\u016B Whakahaere \u0101-Rererangi o Rotorua kia tau aua waka rererangi nui nei, e haere nei i te ao p\u0113n\u0101 i t\u0113r\u0101 Airbus 320 i tutuki i Brazil in\u0101 tata nei, n\u0101, 190 te hunga i mate engari, he poto iho te papa rererangi i Rotorua, \u0101, kua tata eke te w\u0101hi here kei ng\u0101 pito ki te 90 mita e tika ana?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E[What action can the Civil Aviation Authority take over Rotorua Regional Airport\u2019s proposal to operate the same type of aircraft on international services as that used in the recent Airbus 320 crash that killed more than 190 people in Brazil but with an even shorter runway and a marginally compliant 90 metre runway end safety area?]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221772e9f5-5379-4bfe-9d9b-eaffb4c61b02\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aed6e89ada0f49df9c7802dc107eea6f\u0022\u003EHon HARRY DUYNHOVEN\u003C/span\u003E: First, at present Rotorua airport is not an international airport. Therefore, I think that the Airbus A320s, which are mostly used by New Zealand airlines in an international role, are unlikely to fly there. However, in respect of the runway length at Rotorua, there is at present a proposal by the airport authority to have it extended. If such a proposal was brought to the Civil Aviation Authority, it would obviously consider it. Secondly, if the airport runway was to be extended by more than 15 metres, runway end safety areas would be required. That is the trigger point at which runway end safety areas are required. Thirdly, if the airport became an international airport, then obviously the runway end safety areas would have to be added.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002234b43cb1c60f4ec799feff846563a399\u0022\u003EH V Ross Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: What is the Civil Aviation Authority\u2019s role in terms of runway end safety areas?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221772e9f5-5379-4bfe-9d9b-eaffb4c61b02\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022164bfa5f36604720b054625324358009\u0022\u003EHon HARRY DUYNHOVEN\u003C/span\u003E: As I said before, under the existing rule Rotorua Airport is not actually required to have a runway end safety area within the existing runway length, and I am very proud to say I did sign off on the rule, after many years of nothing having been done. [Interruption] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e8a283ecae254ae9869222fbd3238801\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Please be seated. Members in this House constantly ask Ministers to address questions fully. We have a Minister who is attempting to do that. The least we can do is to listen to him.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221772e9f5-5379-4bfe-9d9b-eaffb4c61b02\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ea947107057644f098f5ec23004934d2\u0022\u003EHon HARRY DUYNHOVEN\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. If the airport were to become an international airport, or if it should decide to increase its declared runway distance by more than 15 metres, it would be required to introduce a runway end safety area, and at that point the Civil Aviation Authority would have a role in respect of monitoring the airport\u2019s compliance with the runway end safety area rule.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224fb1f9a986ed4557b8a825d4768e7fa0\u0022\u003ETe Ururoa Flavell\u003C/span\u003E: He aha i aro kore ai ia ki te t\u016Btohutanga mai i te R\u014Dp\u016B Whakakotahitanga o ng\u0101 Kairere o te Ao e mea ana kia whakaheke i ng\u0101 raru hauora, me whai ng\u0101 taunga waka rererangi katoa e whakamahi nei i ng\u0101 waka rererangi i ng\u0101 tikanga here nei, ar\u0101, kia kore e poto iho i te 240 mita te roa o te w\u0101hi here kei ng\u0101 pito, ki te kore me whakarite i t\u0113tahi taputapu whakat\u016B i te rere o te waka rererangi?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EWhy has he ignored the recommendation from the International Federation of Air Line Pilots\u2019 Associations that in order to reduce safety risks all airports that airlines operate at should have a minimum runway end safety area of 240 metres or an engineered materials arrester system?]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221772e9f5-5379-4bfe-9d9b-eaffb4c61b02\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cbbfd430ed3b476a88778cf5b9001044\u0022\u003EHon HARRY DUYNHOVEN\u003C/span\u003E: I certainly have not ignored the issue, at all. That is one of the reasons why the runway end safety area rule was put in place\u2014and I am very pleased with that. The argument is over the trigger point at which an airport has to install a runway end safety area. It was decided that when airport runways are extended, or indeed when an airport becomes an international airport, then the extensions would have to include a runway end safety area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bc0492bf74df48ad9c5373126fc12597\u0022\u003ETe Ururoa Flavell\u003C/span\u003E: E whakapono ana ia ka whai hua tana whakaaetanga ki te whakaaro o te R\u014Dp\u016B Whakahaere \u0101 Rererangi o Rotorua ka whakakaha ake ng\u0101 raru hauora ki te hunga haere me ng\u0101 kairere ka mutu, m\u014D taua hunga e noho mai r\u0101 i raro tonu i ng\u0101 waka rererangi tae atu ki te hunga noho nei kei ng\u0101 pito o te taunga waka rererangi, ar\u0101, ko te Kura Kaupapa M\u0101ori o Ruamat\u0101 t\u0113r\u0101, ko te tupuna whare o Uenukuk\u014Dpako t\u0113r\u0101, ko te marae o Ruamat\u0101 t\u0113r\u0101, ko te wh\u0101nau o Cookson t\u0113r\u0101? Ki te kore, he aha t\u0101na hei whakatika i te take nei?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EDoes he believe that approving the Rotorua Regional Airport\u2019s plan will provide the maximum level of safety possible for passengers and crew and those immediately within the possible undershoot and overrun areas, including children at Te Kura Kaupapa M\u0101ori o Ruamat\u0101, Uenukuk\u014Dpako Wharenui, Ruamat\u0101 Marae, and the Cookson wh\u0101nau who live at the northern end of the runway; if not, why not?]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221772e9f5-5379-4bfe-9d9b-eaffb4c61b02\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c0a3ba23e5684e1a9613f709d03835b4\u0022\u003EHon HARRY DUYNHOVEN\u003C/span\u003E: The airport company is proposing a northern runway extension of 150 metres to allow for larger aircraft and international flights. That is clearly a business decision by the airport\u2019s owners. If it does go ahead, they will have to incorporate a runway end safety area, which will at least address the issues of overrun raised by the member. That will be in conformity with Civil Aviation Rule Part 139, and the physical standards for runway design and runway end safety area design will obviously have to be met. The Civil Aviation Authority will ensure that is the case; that is the role of the Civil Aviation Authority. But the commercial decision as to whether to extend the runway is properly within the purview of the airport authority, and, of course, local ratepayers will have plenty to say about that issue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b508549b96164a6aad8bf89a05e2fc4e\u0022\u003ETalented (Accredited Employers) Work Policy\u2014Applicants\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003E12. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ca38761fa62c443d9f4317cd710da5d0\u0022\u003EDr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH (National\u2014Rodney)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Immigration: What was the average time for the approval of applicants under the Talented (Accredited Employers) Work Policy in 2006-07?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022 data-id=\u0022712a87f4123f4a6fafce861164a953fd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022712a87f4123f4a6fafce861164a953fd\u0022\u003EHon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister of Immigration):\u003C/span\u003E I am advised that the average processing time for the talented accredited employer work applications for the period 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007 was just 10 days.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002219d5aac7d9de4c5185af1620e381e9aa\u0022\u003EDr the Hon Lockwood Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Is it correct that the financial information required by Immigration New Zealand for applicants for accredited employer status is considered official information by Immigration New Zealand and will be released on request to trade unions unless the applicant can prove that to do so would unreasonably prejudice his or her commercial position?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221ab5c8cdb50c41aca155c498883dd395\u0022\u003EHon DAVID CUNLIFFE\u003C/span\u003E: The member is well aware of the relevant provisions of the Official Information Act, and, of course, commercial confidentiality is a reason established under the Act for the non-provision of such information.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f6a17ebf7ff1463286a061fa5806a63d\u0022\u003EDr the Hon Lockwood Smith\u003C/span\u003E: What steps is the Minister prepared to take to ensure that Immigration New Zealand does not need to pressure applicants for accredited employer status with letters that ask applicants to clarify exactly how the release of their confidential financial information would be likely to unreasonably prejudice their commercial position\u2014what steps is he prepared to take to make sure that applicants are not pressured in that way by Immigration New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002249a200f540974d01bcd46c64cb0e6996\u0022\u003EHon DAVID CUNLIFFE\u003C/span\u003E: Quite clearly, the member concerned had the opportunity to refer to some specific information in his primary question, and that would have allowed me the opportunity to prepare a considered response. I would be most willing to prepare such a response, if he would like to send me the correspondence.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a40f5af7-f9b0-4b44-9669-9e63be1c3ced\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc97a0a9cde54f0e8da9fd9014be071a\u0022\u003EDarien Fenton\u003C/span\u003E: Why does the Government run an employer accreditation scheme, and what proportion of applications are approved?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002239564023bda74f02beb55bd7b8cc2892\u0022\u003EHon DAVID CUNLIFFE\u003C/span\u003E: The employer accreditation scheme simplifies the process for employers recruiting talented workers. Under the talented worker policy, once the employer is accredited then the process for the grant of work permits is vastly streamlined and the processing time is reduced. It is worth noting that in the last year the approval rate under that scheme was 98.3 percent of all applications.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022214a07b7f4be4ec781062b60b1b691f9\u0022\u003EDr the Hon Lockwood Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister consider it appropriate administration of a policy for which he is responsible for a Northern Distribution Union delegate to tell an applicant for the accredited employer status, during collective employment negotiations, that the union has the power to tick off or not tick off that employer\u2019s application for an accredited employer status?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022959c85501cee4c548b71ff70a62d99e0\u0022\u003EHon DAVID CUNLIFFE\u003C/span\u003E: Unions quite properly have a role in representing the interests of their workers, but it is certainly not true that unions have an automatic sign-off right on consultations around the accredited employment scheme.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f0287d99130546a2b90d01c85bedb0f5\u0022\u003EDr the Hon Lockwood Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister consider it appropriate administration of a policy for which he is responsible for the Northern Distribution Union to be able to tell applicants for accredited employer status that the union is currently sitting on nine applications that will not get the tick off unless certain union demands are met; if he does not consider that appropriate, what does he intend doing about it? [Interruption] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bc3cff6714284e5486408e653fee4c65\u0022\u003EHon DAVID CUNLIFFE\u003C/span\u003E: It must have been a slow day for them to get excited about that. As I have said to the member already, the union is not the decision maker in this case; the Immigration Service is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d983b44bbdf2494496006bd79f8f725f\u0022\u003EPeter Brown\u003C/span\u003E: Noting the subject matter of that question and the Minister\u2019s answer, will he give the House an assurance that prior to people from overseas coming into this country to work for an accredited employer, there will have been a maximum search for an appropriate New Zealander to take the job?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228b242d7194ad418698a6fa994c3d705c\u0022\u003EHon DAVID CUNLIFFE\u003C/span\u003E: The member makes an excellent point. It has been a longstanding part of our immigration policy that jobs should be available for New Zealanders first and that New Zealanders should always have the opportunity to fill vacancies where they exist. But, coming back to the other member\u2019s previous point, of course it is relevant that of all employer applications for accredited status, over 98 percent are approved. So if the Northern Distribution Union is such a big bogey, it is hard to see how that could be true.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ce5601ed75d948228309e8dae46bccb3\u0022\u003EPeter Brown\u003C/span\u003E: Supplementary question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fd32ce04c761481c82024e804cbea28b\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I do not think there are any more supplementary questions. I think we have expired the number that we are entitled to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b99304d3249041328f24fa88045491a7\u0022\u003EPeter Brown\u003C/span\u003E: I haven\u2019t expired yet, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002298ae39a89e2a4c29b34766fe62776553\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I thank the member for making that obvious.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022030226c1a710434183789854e5b0f721\u0022\u003EPeter Brown\u003C/span\u003E: I appreciate your assurance, Madam Speaker. Will the Minister give an assurance that before anybody comes into this country as an immigrant under this scheme, it will be determined that he or she is of good health and good character?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223dd3995106c24298a5137b922151623b\u0022\u003EHon DAVID CUNLIFFE\u003C/span\u003E: I can only say that in the case of the member it is good to see that he is in rude good health, and that rumours of his expiry were vastly exaggerated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224e9db0f63a17484e9cde49cdb6c9e505\u0022\u003EDr the Hon Lockwood Smith\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table a recent letter from Immigration New Zealand to an applicant for accredited employer status.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ac169d29-4849-42c2-a4a7-f344fd416503\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 id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a7a305de025b4f2a849763460202fb32\u0022\u003EPoints of Order\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022114a85cec191451e80ff4c2ef6b2c560\u0022\u003EReserve Bank (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill\u2014Leave to Introduce\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022 data-id=\u00220a9ee60e586b4e60aed9168e7a050f13\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220a9ee60e586b4e60aed9168e7a050f13\u0022\u003ER DOUG WOOLERTON (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I seek leave for the Reserve Bank (Amending Primary Function of Bank) Amendment Bill to be introduced and set down for first reading as a members\u2019 order of the day, despite Standing Orders 276(1) and 277(1).\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022022cfe6b-bae4-4028-b68a-ccffb4269442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c564c7588bb64a83ae1d7912e4140d8a\u0022\u003EMadam SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Leave is sought. Is there any objection? There is objection.\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=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002224bdf2867b284db9b2f1bf1e40232dda\u0022\u003EElectoral Finance Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022605e52f36f814c68bc227c2c67d8bd12\u0022\u003EFirst Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022 data-id=\u00227cea65eebda34b3b8cfeede6a83ff22c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227cea65eebda34b3b8cfeede6a83ff22c\u0022\u003EHon MARK BURTON (Minister of Justice):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Electoral Finance Bill be now read a first time. At the appropriate time I intend to move that the bill be referred to the Justice and Electoral Committee for consideration. I also indicate to members that I will be seeking leave, assuming that the referral of the bill to the Justice and Electoral Committee is successful, for the voting membership of the committee to be extended to mirror that of the Finance and Expenditure Committee, in order to give all members and parties the opportunity to fully participate in the consideration of this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227ff19831dec24c698a9ef9b30d1acf57\u0022\u003EGerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am wondering, in noting the comments just made by the Minister that he will seek leave for the course of action he proposes, whether the Minister has misunderstood the arrangement that has been put in place. The arrangement was that he would seek leave, and it would, of course, be a debating matter. We observe that although the Government is very keen to put this electoral bill together without consultation and in a partisan fashion, it seems very, very keen to have the bill considered in a bipartisan fashion. We cannot have one thing without the other. I think the Minister may have meant to say that he was going to move that the Justice and Electoral Committee be reconfigured as if it were the Finance and Expenditure Committee, for the purposes of hearing this bill alone. That, of course, would be a debatable motion.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224f8b74a815494cbfb12272925f3155ec\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: I thank the honourable member for that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002213a8c18c6f664b7aa2e671855f9f485b\u0022\u003EHon MARK BURTON\u003C/span\u003E: Speaking to the point of order, I say that I was clear about what I intended. I indicated to the House that at the conclusion of the debate, assuming that the House votes successfully for the first reading of the bill, I would seek leave for the voting membership of that committee, for the purposes of consideration of this bill, to be extended to mirror that of the Finance and Expenditure Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e392e79c4b374191b97e1b55fdab39fe\u0022\u003EGerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: This House usually operates quite smoothly because there is agreement about the way in which things should progress. I just indicate to you, Mr Assistant Speaker, because the Speaker obviously has an interest in the House maintaining its order, that this sort of riding roughshod approach where we have a partisan approach to a bill that affects the entire electoral process in New Zealand, and this idea that the Opposition should simply roll over and capitulate to what the Government wants to do as far as hearing the nation\u2019s views on the bill, is completely unacceptable and simply exacerbates the already ham-fisted way in which the Government has dealt with this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022449f3e40f82544fda79a530c6c5ea4dc\u0022\u003EHon Peter Dunne\u003C/span\u003E: I have been listening to the points raised by both the member and the Minister. As I understand it, the composition of a select committee is determined by the Business Committee in the first instance, and ratified by this House at a later date. The question of either augmenting the membership of an existing committee, or changing it in the way the Minister indicated he would seek leave to do, has to be cleared by the Business Committee first. I wonder whether the point that Mr Brownlee raises is really tied up with the issue of the matter being referred to the Business Committee to make the changes in the membership, which can then proceed. I think there is a misunderstanding around that point.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bc4aecc3dca5431ca33fceaf09ed70d9\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: The issue has not been discussed in the Business Committee. However, the House can seek leave to do so.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f471087a522545fd9c9157bb84fabc02\u0022\u003EGerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The point Mr Dunne makes is an interesting one. You are right, Mr Assistant Speaker, that the issue has not been considered by the Business Committee. In general, select committees are agreed on by the Business Committee at the start of a Parliament as far as proportionality and all the rest is concerned. But the formation of select committees takes place by virtue of a debate here in the House\u2014a motion on the Order Paper and a debate in the House. There has been no consultation in any significant way on the Electoral Finance Bill. There is a desire to have as many parties represented in the process as possible, but I do believe that it would be most appropriate and proper at this late stage of the proceedings for there to be a debate over the constitution of that select committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002243ae93c4d0424edd9599e08d5eafc32d\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: I just advise members that the leave that the Minister has foreshadowed can be debated by members in the course of this debate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022502b75c60d364369b74a1f73855c0292\u0022\u003EHon MARK BURTON\u003C/span\u003E: This bill deals with one of the most important aspects of our democratic system, the fairness of elections. At the heart of the bill is the principle that the public should have the highest confidence that our electoral system is honest and open, and that money spent in the run-up to an election is clearly accounted for. Alongside this, a second principle promoted by this bill is that there should be fair and equitable participation in electoral campaigning. Wealthy interest groups should not have a disproportionate influence on the outcome of an election simply because they have access to greater financial resources than the general public.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003EThe 2005 general election brought concerns about campaign financing into sharp focus. This led to debate across the public and political spectrum about the nature of the electoral finance regime. To this end, the bill is directed at reforming the rules governing electoral finances. It also responds to recommendations from successive Justice and Electoral Committees, including the committee I consulted with that reported last year. Finally, the legislation also addresses some of the unimplemented recommendations of the 1986 Royal Commission on the Electoral System.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003EThe bill is a detailed one, and I know that members will be very interested in the fine detail of its provisions. The key features of the bill are as follows. Firstly, it makes a raft of changes to the accounting, audit, and disclosure framework that applies to candidates and political parties in the run-up to a general election. Under the bill, candidates and parties will have to provide much more detailed information about their election expenditure. In tandem with this, the bill will require all expenditure and donations to go through a financial agent who is appointed expressly for this purpose and who also will be responsible for filing a candidate\u2019s or party\u2019s expense and donation returns on their behalf. These measures will create an environment of accountability and transparency in the run-up to an election, thereby making the campaign finances of candidates and parties a matter of clear public record. The proposals are also in line with other comparative regimes such as the United Kingdom and Canada, which place strict limitations on who can authorise spending and pay for campaign expenditure.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003EThe bill contains a much stricter regime for third parties that choose to enter the campaign arena. During the 2005 election it became evident that third parties could mount campaigns that had the potential to undermine candidate and party expenditure limits. It is simply unacceptable to the general public that a third party should be able to, in effect, buy an election result. The key features of the new third-party regime are as follows. Firstly, every third party will be required to notify the Chief Electoral Officer of its involvement in electoral activities when spending over a certain threshold occurs or is anticipated. The Chief Electoral Officer will keep a list of all third parties so that everyone is aware of their identity during the lead-up to an election. Alongside this, such third parties will be required to account for their spending in a detailed manner, and provide comprehensive information about any donations they receive that are to be spent on campaigning. Third parties will also be subject to strict election expenditure limits under the new regime. A third party will be limited to spending $60,000 nationally, or $2,000 in an electorate contest. This will help to guard against parallel election campaigns.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003EThe Government, in introducing these third-party proposals, is seeking to encourage full and open expression from a diverse range of interests in the run-up to a general election. Some members have already suggested that the third-party reforms unjustifiably restrict freedom of expression. They do not, and the Crown Law Office advice on this matter is clear in that regard. The aim of the reforms is to ensure that wealthy interests do not have a disproportionate voice in our electoral system; nor, for that matter, should they be able to overwhelm the speech of political parties and candidates. To this end, the bill sets a fair limit on the amount that third parties can spend and introduces much greater transparency around their identity and financial expenditure.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003EAnother important new measure in the bill is that the regulated period for election expenditure will significantly increase. The bill proposes that where a general election is held in the final year of the parliamentary term, candidates, parties, and third parties will all have to account for their expenditure from 1 January. This is a significantly longer period than the 3-month rule that currently applies, and it should provide a much more accurate picture of campaign expenditure. This is in line, again, with other comparable jurisdictions. For example, the period is less than that of the United Kingdom, which provides for a regulated period of a full calendar year before polling day. For early elections\u2014that is, any general election that is held in the first 2 years of the parliamentary term\u2014there will be a fixed 3-month regulated period for candidates and parties. For third parties, the regulated period will run from the date when the Prime Minister announces the election.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003EThe bill also seeks to clarify issues that emerged from the Peters v Clarkson election petition about the interpretation of the current law. Amongst other things, that case raised questions about the allocation of election expenses between a candidate and a party where an advertisement says: \u201CVote for me, vote for my party\u201D. These issues are clarified so that the clearly defined rules are in place for the next election.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003EThe bill also strengthens the electoral penalty regime. The penalties for the most serious electoral offences\u2014corrupt and illegal practices\u2014will be significantly increased. Alongside this, changes are proposed to the time limits for prosecution, which will make New Zealand\u2019s system, again, comparable to that in jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom. The bill provides a new penalty that will allow the courts to require persons convicted of an offence under the electoral finance regime to pay any benefit they have received from their offending to the Crown. This recognises the significance of these types of offences and ensures that people who breach the provisions cannot profit from their offending.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003EThere are also changes to the broadcasting regime. The most significant change relates to the membership of the Electoral Commission. The bill will remove the requirement for political representatives to be appointed members of the Electoral Commission when exercising their functions under Part 6 of the Broadcasting Act. The bill also simplifies some aspects of the broadcasting regime.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003EThe Government has also considered the question of the structure of electoral agencies. In 2001 the Election Framework Taskforce recommended that there should be a single electoral agency with integrated responsibility for all parliamentary electoral administration. That recommendation has, I believe, significant merit. However, it needs to be reconsidered in the context of the bill that is before the House now, which confers new functions on the Chief Electoral Office and the Electoral Commission.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003EAs part of the preparation of this reform package, the Government also looked very closely at the way in which political parties are funded. One possibility that was considered was that political parties might receive some public funding, as this system already operates in a number of other countries. The Government also looked at implementing much stricter rules around the donations that candidates and parties receive from private individuals. However, the reality is that such proposals require very detailed consideration and also a measure of consensus. In the United Kingdom, for instance, Sir Haydon Phillips was recently asked by the Prime Minister to conduct a review of political party funding. His report was published in March this year. The report, for those members who have not read it, provides a very useful examination of the substantive issues. More important, Sir Hayden has built consensus among political parties about the reform of party funding.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003ETo enable full and careful consideration of these matters, the Government is establishing a review of electoral administration and political party funding. The review will report back in December 2008. This will give time to consider the recommendations and, if appropriate and required, to introduce legislation before the 2011 election.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003EIn conclusion, I reiterate that many of the measures in the bill are consistent with those of comparable jurisdictions. Other countries are moving in a similar direction. There are some very valuable measures in the bill, and it is my view that it will enable far greater public confidence that our electoral system is open and fair, with clearly defined rules to protect it from abuse. I strongly encourage members of the public to make submissions on the bill when it is before the select committee. I commend the Electoral Finance Bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022 data-id=\u002236f67b2dae68490892e06a4ff1063cc9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002236f67b2dae68490892e06a4ff1063cc9\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Leader\u2014National):\u003C/span\u003E This advertisement that I am holding up appeared today in the New Zealand Herald and the Dominion Post. It is an advertisement from the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA), and it is the start of what I think will be a long and difficult campaign to get pay rises out of the Government. It is a vigorous kind of advertisement. I was the subject of such advertisements personally when I was an education spokesman.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EThe PPTA, with its advertisements in today\u2019s Dominion Post and the New Zealand Herald, has spent half of the annual allowance that this legislation gives to anyone in New Zealand to influence public opinion with. If the PPTA ran this ad after 1 January next year, the $30,000 it has spent today would be half of the $60,000 limit that, under this bill, any third party can spend to influence public opinion. That $30,000 for the ads does not include the posters in the staffrooms or the pamphlets it is distributing. It does not include the email, which is covered by this bill. It could well be\u2014[Interruption] That member should listen, because the PPTA is going to come kicking her door down. It could well be that this week the PPTA, with what it has spent on all the other material that goes with this ad, has spent the lot. In an election year it would not be able to do one more thing to influence public opinion.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EThat shows us just how paranoid Labour is. That is the impact it is having on its mates\u2014the people who vote for Labour, who deliver its pamphlets, and who raise its money loyally, election after election. The PPTA and the New Zealand Educational Institute, which represents 60,000 New Zealanders, will, between them, be able to run four full-page ads for 1 day each, next year. Do they know that? Imagine the size of the riot there would be on the front steps of Parliament if National said to the teacher unions: \u201CBetween you, you can run four one-page ads all election year. That\u2019s all you\u2019re allowed, because we\u2019re worried that you\u2019ll criticise us.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EThis week we have seen how deep the paranoia in the Labour Party is. We have had a long-running scandal about the sacking of a civil servant, not because of her political views but because of the political views of the person she lives with. That paranoia extends to the introduction by the State Services Commission of a register of interests for senior civil servants, whereby they will have to declare the political interests of people with whom they are associated. That is how deep the paranoia is, and this bill is a case of more paranoia. This bill represents a Labour Party that is worried that someone might criticise it. Someone might run an ad in the newspaper.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226984d661-9f65-4ed6-b29c-3285b598582d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022111ec23dc3c548049ab7224fb9e485e1\u0022\u003EJohn Carter\u003C/span\u003E: Who?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b2151c47970b413f925bdd499c316741\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: The PPTA\u2014that is who.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EWhat will happen when Greenpeace wakes up and realises what a shambles Labour\u2019s climate change policy is?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224aa881dc39ef4cd6991e880132da087d\u0022\u003ESimon Power\u003C/span\u003E: Amnesty International.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a2132955da1b45089a2e97711cd08429\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: Amnesty International, the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society\u2014they know that the climate change policy is a total shambles. The people who are opposed to battery hens hold their convictions deeply, I can tell members.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226984d661-9f65-4ed6-b29c-3285b598582d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228b4a5d609b284c8ea77c6499fd88a6b9\u0022\u003EJohn Carter\u003C/span\u003E: What does Nandor think about that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228bc9899588145098941f6def897b90d\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: All the people he says he represents are, by this bill, virtually banned from trying to influence public opinion. The $60,000 is only the start of it. They are limited to $60,000 at the top, but if someone spends $5,000, that person has to register as a third party. Labour cannot stand the idea that someone out there is spending $5,000, which is about the cost of one mail-out going to a couple of thousand homes. That sum of money could not cover Gore. A mail-out in Gore means that someone qualifies as a paranoid critic of the Labour Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EThe SPCA in Gore and the Women\u2019s Refuge are trying to raise money. Do members know why those organisations would count? Let us look at the definition of election advertising in the bill and see just how broad this paranoia goes. Clause 5(1)(ii) states that an election advertisement is any form of words or graphics, or both, that can be regarded as \u201Cencouraging or persuading voters to vote, or not to vote\u201D\u2014we are familiar with that; it is the rule now, in terms of the 3-month period\u2014\u201Cfor a type of party or for a type of candidate that is described or indicated by reference to views, positions, or policies that \u2026 are pursued (whether or not the name of a party or the name of a candidate is stated):\u201D. So election advertising is anything someone says that might persuade someone to vote or not to vote\u2014and members should listen to this\u2014that is \u201Cdescribed or indicated by reference to views, positions, or policies that are or are not held, taken or pursued \u2026\u201D, whether or not the party is named. So someone does not even need to say: \u201CThis is a National Party position.\u201D Someone can just say: \u201CI am against good climate change policy.\u201D, and that counts, because National has the position of having good climate change policy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EBut it gets worse. Clause 5(1)(iii) states: \u201Ctaking a position on a proposition with which 1 or more parties \u2026 is associated;\u201D. So if National is associated with people working hard, with self-reliance, and with getting ahead, and a person goes out and runs an ad that says: \u201CI want New Zealanders to get ahead. Please get out and vote.\u201D, then that will be covered, because it is a proposition\u2014hard work\u2014that is associated with National. Someone cannot advertise in favour of hard work, because that is associated with National. Someone cannot advertise against corruption, because that is associated with Labour\u2014it is that simple.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EThis is straight out of Zimbabwe. In fact, if members read the rules of the former Soviet Union about election campaigning, they will see that those rules were less restrictive than these ones.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226984d661-9f65-4ed6-b29c-3285b598582d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227577b9ecc88a49df9a6a265c828d1e3f\u0022\u003EJohn Carter\u003C/span\u003E: Mugabe wrote them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002267534b9b3b464525853bf76783c51640\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: Mugabe would be proud of this. He cuts out the middle man; he just locks them up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003ELabour has come up with the worst possible result in respect of electoral reform. All Labour\u2019s mates thought they would get State funding. Well, the public said no to that. The Christchurch Press said that Labour would bring in a clear, robust, and transparent set of rules that would do away with the dark and potentially corrupt practices of the past, like the pledge card. Then the Press said that that was not what had happened, and that this legislation had Dr Cullen\u2019s and Helen Clark\u2019s fingerprints all over it. Helen Clark has paranoia and Dr Cullen is bluffing. Dr Cullen sounded big and tough all through last year about what Labour would do, but the Christchurch Press said the bill was a botch-up. Well, we could have told the Press that, because Minister Burton was doing it. The bill fails to fix the obvious flaws in the present system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EThe Government is setting out to regulate political opinion for the whole of the election year. After 1 January next year nobody can have an opinion without it being counted against a spending limit. If anyone wants to have a public opinion and spends more than $5,000, that person will have to register. A person will have to register in New Zealand to have a public opinion! That is a disgrace! That is why this bill will go down. National members will oppose it with every fibre of their effort, because it must go down. The registration of Government critics is deeply paranoid, it is offensive, and it must be stopped. I say to Helen Clark that New Zealand will stop it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EHelen Clark is wrong again. She was wrong about the pledge card, she was wrong about Taito Phillip Field, she was wrong about the smacking bill, and she has totally misjudged public opinion on this. Will New Zealanders roll over and say: \u201CYes, Helen, please make me register, because I have an opinion you don\u2019t like.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022fd427be0-7196-4605-b39e-d665553240b0\u0022 data-id=\u00223dfa637f5b094c3e80b67d7f17d3f081\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fd427be0-7196-4605-b39e-d665553240b0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223dfa637f5b094c3e80b67d7f17d3f081\u0022\u003ELYNNE PILLAY (Labour\u2014Waitakere):\u003C/span\u003E I am absolutely appalled at that member, Bill English, standing in this House and saying what he did, when a select committee with National Party members unanimously pushed that we should have a change to electoral law, that we should have transparency, and that we should have accountability\u2014all the things that are really important. That member stands in this House and says the National Party will not support this bill. He does not even say National will let the public of New Zealand have a say\u2014not even that. He says it will oppose this bill. Why? And what was he frothing at the mouth the most about? It was about third-party funding. Why did that cut such a nerve? Bill English, the champion of the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA), and the friend of the unions! He is worried about the unions\u2019 ability to communicate with their members, and that they will be stymied by being able to spend only $60,000 on third-party advertising. That is just a smokescreen. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fd427be0-7196-4605-b39e-d665553240b0\u0022\u003EWe know why Mr English is so upset that he and National are not going to support the referral of this bill to a select committee. We know why he is going to insist on being part of the Justice and Electoral Committee and hearing submissions, when he is not even prepared to have an open mind and listen to what the public of New Zealand says, listen to what unions say, and listen to what the employers associations say. The Exclusive Brethren may even front up and have a view on the legislation. I know they do not vote, but they may have a view on third-party funding. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fd427be0-7196-4605-b39e-d665553240b0\u0022\u003EI am really proud to stand and speak in support of this bill. It is very, very welcome. The Justice and Electoral Committee will be delighted to have this bill before it, because at the heart of this bill is the principle that the public should have the highest confidence in our electoral system. They should have that, and I know they will when this bill has been through the select committee process and is back before this House. We need to have an electoral system that is transparent, fair, and not open to the undue influence of wealthy interest groups. We want to have a democracy that is informed, and where, in fact, interest groups can directly inform their members; where employers associations can directly communicate with their members, as can unions, churches, and any other organisation. But Labour says that when it comes to third-party funding, there has to be accountability: that the funding is declared, that it is clear where the funding comes from, and that there is a limit. We think that is very appropriate. So I am really proud to stand in support of the bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fd427be0-7196-4605-b39e-d665553240b0\u0022\u003EIndeed, it was the Justice and Electoral Committee that said this legislation was due. When the Minister was before the committee very recently, he was asked by members of the Opposition\u2014and he will confirm this\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d7f98e30145d45c8b7022b4cc0ef7f2d\u0022\u003EHon Mark Burton\u003C/span\u003E: National Party members!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fd427be0-7196-4605-b39e-d665553240b0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022592b628902544baaaa5e0a473ec37ffb\u0022\u003ELYNNE PILLAY\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014by National Party members\u2014when we would get this legislation before the committee. National members said they wanted this legislation, and now they stand in this House and say that they will not vote for it, and that it would not even go to the select committee under National. That is appalling. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fd427be0-7196-4605-b39e-d665553240b0\u0022\u003EWe are not cutting freedom of speech; we are ensuring there is freedom of speech. We are ensuring that votes will not be bought, that the public will have the information available to them, and that they will make an informed decision\u2014and they will be able to do so under this legislation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fd427be0-7196-4605-b39e-d665553240b0\u0022\u003EI commend the Minister. I know he has been very committed to this legislation. I know that the public of New Zealand are committed to it, and I really look forward, albeit at a bigger select committee, to hearing the submissions. I really look forward to the legislation coming before our committee. I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022 data-id=\u0022057a12b55bce479087d77d6f75b833a3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022057a12b55bce479087d77d6f75b833a3\u0022\u003ESIMON POWER (National\u2014Rangitikei):\u003C/span\u003E One thing that the motion Mark Burton will seek the leave of the House for later today does not deal with is replacing the chairperson of the committee that will hear submissions on the Electoral Finance Bill. After listening to that speech, I say that one thing is for sure: the current chairperson of the Justice and Electoral Committee, Lynne Pillay, will be completely out of her depth when it comes to dealing with those complex and technical issues. National will be making sure that I and Tony Ryall are on that committee for the hearing of submissions on the bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003ENational has some major concerns about the way that this particular bill has been put together. Many of those concerns have been outlined by the Hon Bill English. I have spent some time over the last 24 hours on thinking about why Labour would take such a partisan approach to what has historically been a bipartisan topic\u2014that of electoral reform. Yesterday, when we were in the general debate, I was thinking to myself, as a former chief National Party whip and as someone who has been on some of the more bipartisan committees that exist in this Parliament, that, generally speaking, senior Labour members who have been on those committees have been thoughtful about the way legislation is enacted and about the way the rules and conventions about Parliament are developed. They have been careful about that, because they realise that at some point Labour will be in the Opposition, and will have to deal with the convention, rule, or legislation that has been put in place on that basis. So I got to thinking about why Michael Cullen and Helen Clark would want to pass legislation that would, in future, limit and restrict Opposition parties as blatantly as this bill does. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003EThen the answer came to me. Actually, Helen Clark and Michael Cullen do not care about the Labour Party after they have finished with it; they are not in the slightest bit interested in the rules, regulations, and legislation that future Labour caucuses will have to work under. They are not in the slightest bit concerned about what will happen to the Labour Party in future if Labour members are sitting on the Opposition benches. All that Helen Clark and Michael Cullen are worried about is creating a legislative environment that regulates opinion that could in any way disagree with their programme, leading into this election. Those senior Labour politicians who have historically seen rule making and convention setting as being enduring and going beyond the next two or three Parliaments, because of the fact that those that fill the Treasury benches move back and forward, would have looked at this legislation and said it would disadvantage any Opposition party, no matter who was in Opposition. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003EBut Helen Clark and Michael Cullen do not care about the Cunliffe-Cosgrove years to come. They do not care about whether Shane Jones will cope with this issue when he is in Opposition. Helen Clark and Michael Cullen do not care about Maryan Street and other MPs of the same intake having to deal, from the Opposition, with what this legislation does. They are regulating and legislating for one election, and for themselves. That is what makes this legislation not only partisan but incredibly short-sighted in respect of the enduring life of Parliament. It should not be about just the political careers of Michael Cullen and Helen Clark. That should concern those members of the Labour Party who will inevitably end up in Opposition, at some point. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003EI am deeply concerned about the partisan approach that this legislation has taken, when, historically, electoral reform has been negotiated and shared between the major political parties and the other parties in Parliament, and has operated in an enduring way. The curious thing about this legislation is that on the substantive issue there has been no consultation and no discussion with the major political parties, but when it comes to the procedural matter of the make-up of the select committee, that is a different kettle of fish altogether. All of a sudden the Minister of Justice is very interested in having conversations about how those matters can be expedited. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003EWhat this bill will do, apart from the matters pointed out by my colleague Bill English, is to have Greenpeace, the anti-whaling lobby, the battery hen lobby, Amnesty International, the Post Primary Teachers Association, the New Zealand Educational Institute, the Council of Trade Unions, and the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union all limited, in any one calendar year, in terms of what they can say, what they can print, and the message they can convey, even to the Labour Party. Expression of the political opinions of those organisations will be severely restricted and regulated. Do those groups understand that? This legislation is not just about shutting out Opposition criticism of Government policy; it is also about saying to third-party interest groups who seek to influence Government policy that they will be limited in the way they put out those opinions, as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022586331f2afa34153a825d36f98b11e4c\u0022\u003EHon David Cunliffe\u003C/span\u003E: Hear, hear!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002202c6609e96ce438fbc68e30bb9c9a931\u0022\u003ESIMON POWER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I am sure that those parties that seek to influence Government policy would be very interested in that approach. This bill says to those parties and to Opposition parties that from 1 January there are limits, and that they will be regulated in what they say or do. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003EBut, in the meantime, Government departments and ministries will continue to spew out so-called education campaigns about Government policy over which this legislation, funnily enough, does not have any authority whatsoever. We know that for the last 12 months or so, with regard to the issue of KiwiSaver, for example, across the areas of TV, press, and online advertising the advertising campaigns in respect of that Government initiative have cost just under $1.3 million. We know that there will be no problem in advertising, for just under $500,000, the issues relating to the educative aspects of the so-called 20 free hours of early childhood education. We know that the $16,000 spent in recent months on advertising and promoting Working for Families will not be caught by this legislation. What do we know? We know that a Government has an unlimited capacity, through ministries and departments, to promote and advertise Government policy, but that when it comes to Opposition parties, or for that matter to any interest groups that want to convey a position on a particular issue, their opinions will be regulated. Their opinions will be regulated, but as far as Government initiatives go there will be no such limitations, at all. The New Zealand public should be deeply concerned and worried about that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003EI would ask the next Labour speaker one simple question: what happened to the tub-thumping around anonymous donations? Let us hear from the Labour members who stood in this House for 6 months in general debates, banging the table and saying they would deal to anonymous donations and expose the funders who are supposedly behind other political parties\u2014except, allegedly, the Labour Party. What happened to that tough rhetoric? Perhaps the next Labour Minister or member to speak could let the public know where that particular point is contained in this bill. I am just a simple boy from the provinces, but I could not find any reference in this bill to the hard-line rhetoric we have heard from Labour members on that issue. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022803002d1-e810-4bd8-b8e7-2e97d0d6f626\u0022\u003EIf the Government thinks it will refer this bill to the select committee and get away with the Opposition parties rolling over on those technical and thematic issues, then I say that that will not happen. The playing field in every democracy should be level, and this Government is trying to tilt it in a way that excludes not only political parties but also interest groups with genuine policy concerns and issues that they want to put before the public. We must remember that this bill is not for the benefit of the Labour Party; it is for the benefit of Michael Cullen and Helen Clark.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022 data-id=\u0022f65240c93ed64f5fab21a9368a088cf9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f65240c93ed64f5fab21a9368a088cf9\u0022\u003ER DOUG WOOLERTON (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E I have listened to previous speakers with a lot of interest. I have listened particularly to Mr Bill English and Mr Simon Power. They should be ashamed of themselves, and I have listened for that reason.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003EMr English described this Electoral Funding Bill\u2014which New Zealand First will support being sent to a select committee\u2014as like something that would come out of Zimbabwe, because he believes that it stifles free speech. I will tell members, in case they have forgotten, about something that was very Zimbabwe-like. It happened when New Zealand First was formed. In the very first election we fought, we were not only barred from getting a share of public broadcasting money, but also barred from using our own money. That is what happens in Zimbabwe, and that is what the party of Mr Bill English and Mr Simon Power did to us. It was aided and abetted by the Labour Party, whose members should be ashamed to hear that. We were barred in those years from going on public radio to send out our message. That is what Zimbabwean policies are all about, and National is guilty of doing that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003EThe other thing that those two speakers in particular talked about was 1 January being the date in an election year that the countdown of election spending clicks in. National members should be reminded that that is critical, because after the 2005 election they were the ones who called the cops, to use my colloquial language. I still have contacts in the National Party, and we know that its members spent more public money on the election than any other party in this House. [Interruption] Yes, they did. They spent more public money on the 2005 election than any other party in this House, by a considerable margin.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003EMembers of the public who are listening to this debate will be hearing Mr David Bennett saying \u201CPay it back.\u201D, and they will be wondering what I am talking about. I am talking about the 3-month rule. Nobody knows when the clock starts ticking, because nobody knows when the election will be called. National did not know, either, in 2005. Does anybody know why I say that? Because I have absolutely cast-iron evidence that National members believed that the election would be in July 2005. They started spending 3 months prior to July, because they believed that the election would be then. Mr David Bennett is quiet now; he knows that that is correct. National members started spending 3 months before July, and they poured it out. They poured it out. The ACT party was so confident that National was correct that the local ACT candidate in Hamilton went on holiday. He booked his holiday for October, because he thought the election would be in July. He had been reliably told that by the National Party, and the National Party tipped the dough out 3 months before July.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003EBut we never know when that 3-month clock will start ticking, when that 3-month period prior to the election will start. In the case of the National Party, it had spent the bulk of its money before the 3-month period, and that is why that party got away with a seemingly correctly funded election. But it was exactly the opposite. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226984d661-9f65-4ed6-b29c-3285b598582d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220be8026aa44e49c1ab656a18ecf72794\u0022\u003EJohn Carter\u003C/span\u003E: That was so bad! It was naughty!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002205a1c16adb6041cfb43b5b675be08a1a\u0022\u003ER DOUG WOOLERTON\u003C/span\u003E: Mr John Carter is saying it was naughty, and he is tapping his hand. And he is right: it was naughty. But what was really naughty was for those members to say that National was the only honest party in this House, and that they did not spend public funds. They spent more than anybody else, and that is able to be proved. They spent it before the 3-month period, by mistake.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003EI want to mention another reason\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022430d661866b94e258225d83eb4896989\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: I am sorry to interrupt the member, but there is far too much interjection. It is almost getting to the stage of being barracking, which is not permitted. I refer members to Speakers\u2019 ruling 57/3 and remind them that politics is the art of the possible, and the possible we will explore today is good order. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a05a53276e1642558e13e8c3b553c4e1\u0022\u003ER DOUG WOOLERTON\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker, for your fairness. I draw the attention of the public to another reason why New Zealand First is supporting this Electoral Finance Bill. It concerns an election campaign in Tauranga. This is the first time that I have seen people\u2019s names mentioned in a Bills Digest, and it is the first time that I have seen an issue mentioned in a Bills Digest: \u201CThe Peters v Clarkson election petition\u201D\u2014I am reading this directly\u2014\u201Calthough not upheld in court, raised questions about the interpretation of current law, for example, the treatment of dual-purpose advertisements.\u201D It was argued\u2014successfully, as it happens\u2014that a billboard and, in some cases, a whole wall of advertising in Tauranga were meant for another purpose. They were not meant for election advertising. Because the advertising had been done skilfully by Mr Clarkson\u2019s team\u2014it had not been done by Mr Clarkson personally\u2014the court could not get enough evidence to rule it out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003EWe cannot have those sorts of things happening, because that is not working to the intent of the law. It is using every damn trick in the book to get round the law, and that is what the National Party did. Its members themselves are responsible for this bill coming into the House. New Zealand First members say that it is about time, because we need clarity around these things. We need some honesty to come into electoral law, and we need to go forward being able to sell our messages without the threat of big money winning every time. Thank heavens it did not win in the last election, and we hope it will not win in the next!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First also applauds the removal of political representatives from the Electoral Commission when it comes to radio broadcasting. We think that should have happened a long time ago. That situation is an overhang from the first-past-the post system. In fact, New Zealand First members have for a number of years tried to get ourselves on to that commission, to even it up, but our first preference was always to get rid of political appointees, so we are pleased to see that that will happen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b63935ee-d78b-43a8-a3bc-996e7951fb9b\u0022\u003EI have not spoken a lot about third-party advertising and what has become known as the Exclusive Brethren contributions to political campaigns. Clearly, that is something that must be attended to. It is relatively new. Everybody understands\u2014and it is fair cop\u2014that business will give to National, will give to Labour, and will give a very small bit, I must say, to New Zealand First. We understand that that is offset on the other side by the contribution from the unions, which in the main back the Labour Party, but some unionists vote for National, New Zealand First, the M\u0101ori Party, United Future, or whatever. But it is clearly wrong for a group to come in with a completely full-on campaign, with the knowledge, as we have found, of the party that is to be the beneficiary of its largesse. It is completely wrong for a group to come in in that way, and this bill attends to that, as well, and we applaud it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022 data-id=\u0022e49fd02f6e5f41e3a985d66ff9df82c9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e49fd02f6e5f41e3a985d66ff9df82c9\u0022\u003EJEANETTE FITZSIMONS (Co-Leader\u2014Green):\u003C/span\u003E It is fundamental to our democracy that it is one person, one vote\u2014not one dollar, one vote. It is fundamental to our democracy that the election should not be bought by the biggest spender, which is the way it has always been accepted it should be in the United States. The pre-election debate needs to be a contest of policies, but in that country, which has no caps on spending, it is a contest of who can attract the most campaign donations. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EAlready, the United States presidential contenders are being ranked in the media by how much campaign funding they have been able to attract. Under that system, no party representing ordinary people could ever win an election over a party representing the very rich and the big corporates. So it has proved to be, in that country. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003E The 2005 election brought those concerns to the fore in New Zealand and highlighted a number of very undemocratic practices. The Exclusive Brethren conducted an initially secret campaign to discredit Labour and the Greens on behalf of the National Party\u2014and we know from the emails that National knew about it\u2014spending over $1 million that did not count towards National\u2019s campaign spending cap. Other non-party organisations, such as unions, spent significant money advertising on behalf of other parties, although they did so quite transparently, not clandestinely, and it did not involve anything like as much money. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EAs the book The Hollow Men made clear, National received $1.7 million of anonymous donations from trusts that were designed to disguise the origin of those donations\u2014because if they had not been, they would have been given directly to the party. But senior officials in the party knew of the source of that money and, therefore, knew whom the party was beholden to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003ELabour received $300,000 of anonymous donations, which may be why it is not keen to curb the practice. A great deal of money was spent on campaigning, including electioneering billboards, before the 3-month period before the election. Therefore, it did not count towards the spending cap. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EThe Green Party is deeply concerned that those practices should not happen again. So what is needed to ensure that? We believe that there are five areas that need immediate change, and that others should be considered in the longer term. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EFirst, there must be limits on what parties can spend, so that policies and credibility, not budgets, determine the outcome, and that must be the case not just for the 3 months before the election. Second, there must be limits to spending by proxy organisations, so that they do not just become a way for parties to get around the spending cap. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EThird, anonymous donations over a small amount\u2014we propose $1,000\u2014must be outlawed. It is fundamentally important that voters know who is funding parties and to whom they are beholden. People and particularly corporations give large donations to political parties not out of altruism but in order to influence or reward policy. That information must be before the voters when they look at the policies the parties are offering. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EFourth, there must be limits, we believe, on the size of donations. It is fundamentally undemocratic if parties representing big business or very rich individuals can raise their entire campaign budget from a few very large donations and have no need for broad-based, grassroots support. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EFifth, we must end the practice of having representatives of the two old parties on the Electoral Commission when it allocates broadcasting funding under the pretence that the largest Opposition party can represent all the smaller parties. The Tui billboard has a good expression for that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EThe Greens are voting for this bill because it goes halfway. It deals with Nos 1, 2, and 5 of the concerns I have expressed, but we are very disappointed that the Government has backed away from dealing with the other two. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EWe are supporting the bill because it implements Green Party policy on extending the pre-election period back to 1 January in an election year. That will ensure that an election campaign like the National Party billboards in 2005 can still happen, but it will be part of the capped election spending. We support the rolling disclosure of donations above $20,000 during a campaign, because it is not much help to voters to find out in April of the year following an election who has bankrolled the new Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EWe support the bill because it removes all political appointments from the Electoral Commission when it is determining broadcasting funding, leaving that to independent analysis rather than horse-trading on the commission. We have been arguing about that for many years, so it is good to see that in the bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EWe support the bill because it attempts to control the practice of re-routeing election spending via third parties. I was appalled to hear the National Party this afternoon defending the campaign by the Exclusive Brethren. [Interruption] Oh, yes. They did not mention the Exclusive Brethren. They talked about the unions, the Post Primary Teachers Association, and the environmental movement\u2014and we know they have always been strong supporters of those organisations! But we know who they really meant. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003ENumerous authorities here and overseas, including the New Zealand royal commission and many commissions on electoral campaign funding reform overseas, have supported controls on non-party participation in elections. This is not a new idea; it is New Zealand catching up with what many others in the world have proposed. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EI think that the National Party has gall to base its opposition to the bill around defending its mates in the Exclusive Brethren and their right to do what they did at the last election. However, we do believe that the way this legislation attempts to control third parties needs another look, and we will be very involved in the select committee scrutiny of the bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EThere is a fine line to tread between controlling ways of bypassing parties\u2019 spending caps and completely muzzling freedom of speech by many citizens\u2019 organisations, and this bill goes a bit too far. Does it mean, for example, that any organisation that expresses any views in an advertisement in an election year, even if it does not mention parties, voting, or the election, is breaching the rules? Organisations have an absolute right to influence public opinion if they identify themselves and if they do not do it in support of a political party. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EThe Kyoto Forestry Association has already said it will breach these rules in its attempt to change policy on the allocation of Kyoto Protocol forest credits. I do not agree with Roger Dickie that credits are a property right belonging to forestry investors, but I will stand up for their right to put forward that view publicly, as long as they do not use the opportunity to say: \u201CVote for X and do not vote for Y.\u201D And I hold that view even though they are, in fact, likely to tell people to vote for the Greens, because they said we have the best policy on forest credits, even though it is not the same as their policy. It is in this case a matter of principle for us. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EWould the Environment and Conservation Organisations of New Zealand\u2019s Vote for the Environment 2005 campaign, which invited parties to complete a questionnaire about their policies and published the results, be illegal now if it cost more than $60,000? We have to find a better way of doing this, and I look forward to the select committee debate. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EBut we in the Green Party are very disappointed that the bill goes barely halfway to giving us a fair campaign finance system. It still does not address the serious issues of anonymous donations, and it does not address caps on individual donations. There are no controls on secret donation laundering trusts, there is no cap on what a large corporation can give, and there are no restrictions on overseas donations, including donations from foreign Governments. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EI wonder whether members have ever reflected on the extent to which foreign Governments would have the capacity to influence the New Zealand elections by funding some of the participants. I refer here to Raymond Miller\u2019s book published in early 2005, Party Politics in New Zealand, where he quoted Peter Dunne as saying that United Future drew on the expertise offered gratis by an American political consultant who was put in touch with the party by the US embassy in Wellington. So the US Government\u2019s representatives in Wellington provided a US consultant\u2019s services free to the party that was trying to give the Government a way out on genetic engineering\u2014and it succeeded in giving the Government that way out. I do not think that overseas organisations should be able to participate in our elections. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EFinally, I will comment on the question of the select committee, because there was some discussion of that matter at the beginning of the debate today. The Green Party has been calling for months for this bill\u2014ever since the beginning of its development\u2014to be considered by a select committee that represents all parties. Therefore, we were keen to support the proposal that it go to a select committee that has that representation. However, at the same time, there is logic to having it go to a committee that has the background in the issues and has discussed them before, and that also has the start-up intellectual capital to deal with them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003ESo when we told the Government that we were minded to support a proposal where this bill would go to a committee representing all members, and the Government offered the way out of extending the Justice and Electoral Committee to represent all parties, we thought that was an ideal solution, and we will be supporting that. I hope that no member will be churlish enough to prevent those members from being added to the Justice and Electoral Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022 data-id=\u0022d915db02239c4c02b4d02978305a002d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d915db02239c4c02b4d02978305a002d\u0022\u003EDr PITA SHARPLES (Co-Leader\u2014M\u0101ori Party):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113na koe, e te Kaihautu. I ng\u0101 marama 18, i heke te ng\u0101kau tapatahi o te P\u0101remata n\u0101 te whakapono o te iwi t\u0113r\u0101 pea me kore r\u0101tau e whakapono, ko t\u0101tau o t\u0113nei Whare he t\u0101ngata t\u014Dtika. N\u0101 te aha? N\u0101 ng\u0101 mahi o ng\u0101 p\u0101ti tawhito e rua, i ng\u0101 mahi utu p\u0101p\u0101ho a N\u0101hinara me te k\u0101ri k\u012B taurangi a Reipa. E hika m\u0101! Ko te mutunga mai o te h\u0113, ko te w\u0101 i uru mai t\u0113tahi pire i r\u014D Whare nei hei whakatika i ng\u0101 mahi, i mahia i waho i te ture, ar\u0101, te whakapaunga h\u0113 o te $1.17 miriona. Ka taea e t\u0101tau te kite ka p\u0113hea t\u014D t\u0101tau t\u016B i te rangahau a te Readers Digest i t\u0101 r\u0101tau rangahautanga i waenganui i te 600 t\u0101ngata i Aotearoa nei. Ko te p\u0101tai, \u201CKo wai o \u0113nei momo t\u0101ngata ka whakapono koe?\u201D. E 26 ng\u0101 momo t\u0101ngata i whakar\u0101rangihia, \u0101, ko t\u0101tau kei raro noa atu i ng\u0101 kaihoko whenua, ng\u0101 kaituhi niu pepa, ng\u0101 kaihoko motok\u0101 hoki. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EHe maha noa atu ng\u0101 take k\u0101re te tangata e whakapono ana ki a t\u0101tau ng\u0101 kaiwhakaara ture, p\u0113nei i \u0113nei: ng\u0101 kaupapa Mahi m\u014D ng\u0101 Wh\u0101nau, e whakaparahako ana i ng\u0101 tamariki ko \u014D r\u0101tau m\u0101tua kei runga penihana; te Hanganga Ture Ika, i puta mai ahakoa k\u0101re i hui i te taha o r\u0101tau kei te h\u012B, kei te hoko ika r\u0101nei; ng\u0101 mahi whakaiti i a t\u0101tau an\u014D i r\u014D i t\u0113neki Whare; te takahi i ng\u0101 ingoa pai o ng\u0101 kaimahi \u0101-K\u0101wanatanga ahakoa, ko ng\u0101 Minita k\u0113 kei te h\u0113; he mahi ng\u0101wari noa iho te whakaae kia haina t\u0113tahi o t\u0101tau i te Tikanga Whanonga. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EN\u0101 t\u0113nei \u0101huatanga o te noho, ka hiahia te K\u0101wanatanga kia whakapono te iwi, ka m\u0101rama ake te titiro, whakatau tika i ng\u0101 nekeneketanga a ng\u0101 kaitono, ng\u0101 p\u0101ti, me \u0113r\u0101 atu kei te kimi p\u014Dti. Ko t\u0101ku, kare pea e ea \u0113nei wawata.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EKo ng\u0101 tikanga whakatau tika\u00A0kia mahi pono, \u0101, kia kite m\u0101rama, kia huraina\u00A0ng\u0101 mahi, koi nei ng\u0101 tohu e hiahia ana e te M\u0101ori hei\u00A0kaupapa\u00A0whai.\u00A0Ko ng\u0101 kaupapa e p\u0101 ana ki te pire, ko ng\u0101 kaupapa\u00A0e k\u012B ana, k\u0101re e taea e \u0113r\u0101 n\u0101 te nuinga i whakatau hei kaiwhakahaere m\u0113n\u0101 he mahi h\u0113 \u0101-ture, he mahi t\u016Bkino, he mahi\u00A0pirau r\u0101nei. Ko te kaupapa o te kaitiakitanga, he kaupapa kia m\u014Dhio m\u0101rama t\u0101tau me mahi ng\u0101 mahi i runga i te whakaaro pai ki te ao me te whenua, \u0101, me manaaki hoki i te iwi. Me manaaki i ng\u0101 rawa a te iwi.\u00A0N\u0101 te \u0101hua o te kaitiakitanga ka tono m\u0101tau kia kaua te moni\u00A0e whakaritea, ko wai ka wikitoria i ng\u0101 w\u0101 p\u014Dti.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EKoi nei te ahua o te New York City i whakatauirahia e Michael Bloomberg. N\u0101na i toha te $140 miriona o \u0101na ake moni kia wikit\u014Dria a ia i ng\u0101 p\u014Dti e rua m\u014D te t\u016Bnga, koro matua o Te \u0100poro Nui. \u0100, k\u0101ti, ka taea pea te k\u012B, ko te $140,000 i riro i a N\u0101hinara mai i ng\u0101 r\u014Dp\u016B tiaki moni, he koha kore noa iho te iti hoki m\u0113n\u0101 ka whakatakotohia i te taha o t\u0113r\u0101 a Bloomberg engari, ko te kaupapa k\u0113 te k\u014Drero.\u00A0Ko te kaupapa \u201Ck\u014Drero ai te moni\u201D, ng\u0101 kaupapa r\u0101nei kia m\u0101rama ake te titiro whakatau tika, kia mahi tika i raro i te ture, koi r\u0101 k\u0113 ng\u0101 kaupapa. Ko t\u0101 te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori kia kore ng\u0101 t\u014Drangap\u016B e nanakia ki te hanga \u0101huatanga \u0101-r\u014Dia nei kia kore e m\u014Dhiotia ko wai ng\u0101 kaituku moni ki a r\u0101tau. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EN\u0101 te pire nei ka taea kia riro e ng\u0101 t\u014Drangap\u016B ng\u0101 koha piki atu ki te $10,000 te rahi, \u0101, ka taea hoki te huna ko wai te kaikoha. I te mutunga, ka riro e ng\u0101 t\u014Drangap\u016B \u0113tahi koha kait\u0101 mai i \u0113r\u0101, he nui \u014D r\u0101tau rawa, \u0101, ko te waka hei kawe mai, he waka k\u0101re t\u0101tau i te m\u014Dhio n\u014D hea, \u0101, ko ng\u0101 kaikoha, k\u0101re t\u0101tau e m\u014Dhio ana, ko wai. E h\u0101ngai p\u016B ana ng\u0101 tikanga a te koha ki t\u0113nei take, kia m\u014Dhiotia wh\u0101nuitia, ko wai kei te koha t\u014Drangap\u016B. I mua o te taenga mai o te \u201Ctikanga puhera moni\u201D, ka whakatakotohia ng\u0101 koha i runga marae kia kite te katoa, tino m\u0101rama rawa ana hoki.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EHe p\u0113r\u0101 tonu te \u0101hua o \u014D t\u0101tau whanaunga o Te Puku o Te Wheke me \u0101 r\u0101tau takapau rauiti, h\u0101karu tapa hoki ka whakatakotohia hei koha i \u0101 r\u0101tau hui whakahirahira. Ka taea pea e t\u0101tau te whakarite, m\u0113n\u0101 k\u0101re te kaikoha e hiahia ana kia m\u014Dhiotia ko wai ia, t\u0113r\u0101 pea me kore ia e whakatakoto koha.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EKei te m\u014Dhio m\u0101tau o te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori ehara m\u0101 te moni anake ka wikit\u014Dria.\u00A0Ko t\u0101 ng\u0101 kaip\u014Dti he kaing\u0101kau i ng\u0101 mahi a te kaikimi p\u014Dti, \u0101, m\u0113n\u0101 ka t\u016B motuhake taua tangata m\u014D ng\u0101 kaupapa i whakaritea e ng\u0101 kaip\u014Dti. Ahakoa he \u0101whina t\u0101 te moni k\u0101re e taea e ia m\u0113n\u0101 he koretake te kaitono. Engari, ka hoki an\u014D ki te waiwai o t\u0113nei, ar\u0101, te traumata paparua. Mehemea ko te whakaaro kei muri i te pire nei kia nui ake a ng\u0101i t\u0101tau, kia whai w\u0101hi te uru ki ng\u0101 \u0101huatanga p\u014Dti.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EN\u0101 te mea, k\u0101re he aukatinga i ng\u0101 koha huna, ng\u0101 koha r\u0101nei kei te haramai i ng\u0101 ara, k\u0101re t\u0101tau i te m\u014Dhio n\u014D hea, ka puta te k\u014Drero o te R\u014Dp\u016B Huaki Mahi K\u0101wanatanga, k\u0101re i ea te k\u012B taurangi a te K\u0101wanatanga kia whakatuwheratia, kia kore ai e uru mai te pirau ki ng\u0101 tikanga p\u014Dti. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EKo t\u0113tahi ake o \u014D m\u0101tau tino take ka p\u0101 ki ng\u0101 tikanga whakam\u014Dhio, whakapiri atu ki te katoa. Ka tautoko rawa m\u0101tau i te tono kia tirohia ng\u0101 kaupapa p\u014Dti e t\u0113tahi r\u014Dp\u016B wehe k\u0113, \u0101, ka tirohia an\u014D te \u0101hua o ng\u0101 p\u016Btea m\u014D t\u0113n\u0101, m\u014D t\u0113n\u0101 o ng\u0101 t\u014Drangap\u016B. Engari, ko t\u0101 m\u0101tau he whakat\u016B r\u014Dp\u016B \u0101-iwi wh\u0101nui, wehe k\u0113 hei titiro i te \u0101hua o ng\u0101 p\u016Btea ka riro e ng\u0101 r\u014Dp\u016B t\u014Drangap\u016B.\u00A0Ko t\u0101 m\u0101tau whakapono, ehara m\u0101 t\u0101tau ng\u0101 mema P\u0101remata e hanga i \u0113nei ture i runga i te \u0101hua kua wehe atu t\u0101tau i te iwi. Ko te k\u014Drero a te kotahitanga, me kimi t\u0101tau i ng\u0101 whakaaro wh\u0101nui \u0101-iwi, kia taea e r\u0101tau te k\u012B, \u0101e, n\u0101 m\u0101tau ka mana te k\u0101wanatanga \u0101-iwi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EM\u0113n\u0101 he mana kei ng\u0101 k\u014Drero a t\u0113nei P\u0101remata kia p\u016Bmau te iwi ki ng\u0101 mahi o r\u014D P\u0101remata, me t\u012Bmata mai i \u014D t\u0101tau rangatahi. I kitea e ng\u0101 rangahau i t\u0113r\u0101 tau, e 51 paih\u0113neti o te M\u0101ori k\u0101re i te p\u014Dti i taka i waenganui i te tau 20 ki te 30. He \u014Drite te \u0101hua o te p\u014Dti a te M\u0101ori ahakoa he p\u014Dti wh\u0101nui o Aotearoa, he p\u014Dti wh\u0101iti o te rohe. N\u0101, i a t\u0101tau e kimi huarahi ana kia ng\u0101kau pai te iwi wh\u0101nui i te k\u0101wanatanga \u0101-iwi, me ako t\u0101tau me p\u0113whea te mirimiri i te rangatahi i te tuatahi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EM\u0113n\u0101 kei te pono t\u0101tau me te \u0101hua m\u014D \u0101p\u014Dp\u014D me uru pono ki ng\u0101 k\u014Drero whakawhitiwhiti whakaaro, k\u0101re m\u0101tau e whai i ng\u0101 tikanga whakam\u014Dhio a Reipa. K\u0101re m\u0101tau i te k\u012B me hui hei w\u0101nanga whakaaro ahakoa i t\u016B te hui i ng\u0101 h\u0101oro e rua i muri mai o te p\u0101nuitanga o te kaupapa m\u014D te hui i r\u014D n\u016Bpepa, ar\u0101, te Dominion Post i taua ata.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EHe mana rangatira kei muri i ng\u0101 kaupapa o t\u0113nei pire, he k\u014Drero m\u014D te tika, te pono m\u014D te kore huna.\u00A0Ko te raruraru, \u201CKei runga te k\u014Drero, kei raro te rahurahu.\u201D Ka hunaia tonu n\u014D hea ng\u0101 koha, k\u0101re e rere k\u0113 ki \u0113r\u0101 tikanga kei te mau i t\u0113nei w\u0101. M\u0113n\u0101 ka noho tonu ng\u0101 mahi huna, ka taea e \u0113tahi te whakapirau i te tangata. Kei te p\u0101 p\u014Duri m\u0101tau k\u0101re i te t\u016B t\u0113tahi hui i waenganui i te iwi n\u0101 te mea ko t\u0101 m\u0101tau wawata, kia whai w\u0101hi te iwi wh\u0101nui ki te whakatakoto i \u014D r\u0101tau whakaaro. Kia taea hoki e r\u0101tau te k\u012B, \u0101, n\u0101 m\u0101tau t\u0113nei k\u0101wanatanga \u0101-iwi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EK\u0101re m\u0101tau m\u014D te p\u014Dti m\u014D t\u0113nei pire. K\u0101re hoki he kiko i roto, \u0101, ko ng\u0101 k\u014Drero kei ng\u0101 ngutu noa iho e titi ana. Ahakoa te k\u014Drero, k\u0101re te korukoru e p\u014Dti m\u014D te Kirihimete, ko ng\u0101 korukoru kei roto i t\u0113nei Whare, kei te p\u014Dti m\u014D t\u014D r\u0101tau Kirihimete n\u0101 te mea, ko te mea p\u014Duri ki a m\u0101tau, kei r\u0101tau te mana i t\u0113nei w\u0101. T\u0113n\u0101 koe.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000329\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=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003E[Greetings, Mr Assistant Speaker. Over the last 18 months, the integrity of Parliament has been thrown into disrepute to such an extent that people\u2019s belief that politicians can be trusted has been badly eroded. The degenerating political environment arose out of the actions of both of the older parties, with their interpretation of rules over broadcasting spending, and the pledge-card fiasco. Gracious me! Events sank to an all-time low when a bill was pushed through the House to validate unlawful spending\u2014$1.17 million of misspending, to be precise. How low, can be gauged by the Reader\u2019s Digest annual \u201CWho do you trust?\u201D survey of 600 New Zealanders, in which politicians ranked at the bottom of 26 professions, scooping the barrel below real-estate agents, journalists, and car salesmen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EOf course, declining trust in politicians is also caused by things such as Working for Families proposals, which fail to highlight their discriminatory impacts on the children of beneficiary parents; Fisheries Act legislation, which emerged without the key industry sector groups having been first consulted; personal character assassinations of members across the House; besmirching the reputation of public servants for the faults of Ministers; or even as simple a thing as failing to grant leave for an MP to sign up to a code of conduct.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EIt is against this sort of setting that the Government seriously wants the New Zealand public to believe that this bill will bring about greater transparency and accountability on the part of candidates, parties, and others engaged in election activities.\u00A0I do not think so, somehow.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EFor the people of the land, the concepts of accountability, transparency, and integrity are central to the trust that iwi M\u0101ori place in others.\u00A0And particularly relevant to this bill are policies that highlight the fact that democracy cannot run when there are illegalities, abuse of power, or corruption.\u00A0Kaitiakitanga leads us towards an active sense of responsibilities in a manner that is beneficial to resources and the welfare of the people. Public moneys should be treated with respect.\u00A0It is in respect of kaitiakitanga that we would seek to prevent the undue influence of wealth on electoral outcomes.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EThat is the New York City factor\u2014epitomised by Michael Bloomberg, who spent more than $140 million of his own money to win his two mayoral elections in New York.\u00A0One could say that the $140,000 that National received from trusts pales by comparison\u2014roughly 0.1 percent of the New York factor\u2014but it is all about principle.\u00A0The principle of \u201Cmoney talks\u201D, or the principles of transparency, honesty, and integrity: that is the question.\u00A0The M\u0101ori Party believes that political parties must desist from the devious use of trusts, or lawyers\u2019 accounts, to obscure the identity of donors.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EThe Electoral Finance Bill enables political parties to accept donations of up to $10,000 without the donor revealing his or her identity.\u00A0In essence, parties are able to receive huge donations from wealthy donors funnelled through secret trusts and anonymous donors with no one being the wiser. The concept of koha is, I think, relevant to this issue, of declaring the identity of the source in political donations. Prior to the invention of the \u201Cmoney in the envelope\u201D ritual, gifts were often laid on marae for all to see\u2014and it was indeed extremely transparent. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EWe see amongst our Pasifika whanaunga, too, the very public nature of the gifting process\u2014finely woven mats or tapa cloth being laid down as a contribution to a significant ceremony.\u00A0One could perhaps conclude that if the sources did not want to be identified, then perhaps they should not gift.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EWe in the M\u0101ori Party recognise, of course, that money does not guarantee victory. What attracts the voters is the experience of candidates, and whether they are prepared to stand up for the issues the constituency expects of them. While money helps, it cannot rescue a poor candidate. But it does get back to this essential double standard, if the aim of the bill is to restore confidence and increase public participation in the electoral process. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EThe fact that there is no specific ban on donations from trusts, or ones made anonymously, prompted the Coalition for Open Government to say that it falls far short of the Government\u2019s promise to create a more open and incorruptible election system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EThe other major issue the M\u0101ori Party has with this bill is around the process of consultation, and public engagement. We absolutely support the proposal for an independent review of the structure and organisation of electoral agencies, which will also address how political parties are funded. But we would go further, and establish a publicly appointed independent body to inquire into campaign finance reform. We believe that election finance laws must not be designed and determined by politicians and parties in isolation from the people. The expression of kotahitanga would encourage all citizens to have a say, to make a contribution towards the realisation of democracy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EWe believe that if this Parliament is really serious about creating public and political confidence and participation in parliamentary democracy, then the place to start is with the hope of our future\u2014young people. Research released last year by the Electoral Commission found that 51 percent of M\u0101ori non-voters were in the 20 to 30-year-old age-group. M\u0101ori non-voters did not appear to be especially dissatisfied with national and regional politics, but are simply disengaged from it. So we are looking to create public confidence in the democracy; learning how to engage young people could be a good place to start.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EIf we are really committed to tomorrow, we need to be committed to engaging and truly involving ourselves in the debate. We do not mean consultation as Labour sees it\u2014which in our case was a briefing a couple of hours after the Dominion Post had already told us everything we needed to know. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EThe intentions of this bill are honourable, mouthing commitments to democracy, transparency, and integrity. The problem is that the fine print does not match the platitudes; the fact that donations are still anonymous in effect endorses the status quo, wherein political influence and corruption can occur through secret means. We are also greatly disappointed that consultation amounted to nothing. That is a particular concern, because we do have such a huge interest in ensuring that the Parliament is connected, responsive, and accountable to the people of the land; being able to have discussions together around that is what we would think could happen in a democracy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219767ece-60f1-4014-9855-74afaa34e699\u0022\u003EWe cannot vote for a bill that has so much rhetoric attached to it and lacks real substance. While it is said that turkeys never vote for Christmas, it appears that the turkeys in this House will be voting for their Christmas, as they have the numbers at this time. Thank you.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022 data-id=\u002237010e187e364b97a636edbcc777fabf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002237010e187e364b97a636edbcc777fabf\u0022\u003EHon PETER DUNNE (Leader\u2014United Future):\u003C/span\u003E United Future will support the introduction of the Electoral Finance Bill and its reference to a select committee, because it thinks there are, at the moment, issues relating to the way in which the financial treatment of elections occurs that need to be updated. I am one of those who think that laws relating to electoral finance and spending ought to be changed rarely, that changes should occur only when circumstances permit, and that they should occur on the basis of the widest possible consensus about what those changes might be. I am always wary of members of Parliament being seen to set out our own rules in this respect. I must say that as this debate has unfolded over the last few months United Future has been concerned that it is being conducted in an excessively partisan manner. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003EThe trick to electoral change and laws relating to electoral change is to get buy-in from the earliest stage. We have been advocating for some time that prior to the presentation of this legislation to the House it would have been prudent for the Government to involve at least the major Opposition party in the work it was doing, and we consider it to be a matter of some regret that we have proceeded to this stage without that occurring. In that regard the proposal for an enhanced select committee, albeit through some adjustments to the membership of the Justice and Electoral Committee, is a useful and positive step. It will mean, at least, that all the parties in this Parliament will have the opportunity of hearing the evidence on the bill and, hopefully, then reaching some measured conclusions about the way forward. But I repeat the concern that it would have been better, in retrospect, for that to have been the case from the time the bill was being crafted, because, in many respects, the issues that this bill deals with are not deeply contentious between the parties.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003EThere are some issues where people have strong views but, in reality, I think most of us are aware of the fact that there needs to be some tidying-up of the law in this regard. It is not acceptable in a free and open society, where free expression of opinion is paramount, that some people\u2019s opinions account for more, not because of the merit or otherwise of the opinion, but because of the financial support that lies behind it. The rules in New Zealand have generally been interpreted pretty fairly by all the players in the electoral scene. But it is fair to say that the instance of the Brethren church campaign at the last election did go beyond that element of fairness that most of us have traditionally understood to be the case. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003EI am not saying that the Brethren Church campaign is the only instance of its type over the years, because clearly it is not, but it is certainly the most blatant. Equally, I am not saying that outside groups have no role in the electoral process, or have no right to express an opinion or seek to influence other people\u2019s opinions on that process. After all, that is what political parties, which we are all about, do routinely. But where that practice occurs, just as there are constraints on the ways in which political parties must operate, and the accountabilities that apply to them, so too should there be similar constraints and accountabilities on those seeking to influence the voting choices of others. I see the changes proposed in this regard being addressed, really, to that particular point. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003EThere will be issues\u2014and I am happy for the select committee to give a lot of consideration to these\u2014about whether, for instance, the $60,000 figure that has been included in the bill is the appropriate one. If it is not appropriate, then let us devise a figure that is more appropriate but that also reflects the fundamental point of ensuring a free and fair competitive election process. I think that the changes that the bill proposes with regard to the electoral clock starting to tick from 1 January each year make some sense in an environment where we do not know until comparatively late in the piece precisely when the election will occur. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003EI do have some concern about whether the amount set in the legislation is, in fact, a fair and adequate one, noting always, because of the ways in which electoral law is interpreted, and the ways in which we as members of this House do our job, that, whatever limit is set, there will always be an inbuilt advantage to the incumbent. It is one of those matters that simply goes with the territory, because we are out there in our respective guises, day in and day out, being members of Parliament. Those seeking to be members of Parliament are simply always competing against that incumbency. So, again, if a different figure is to be set, let there be no illusion that this somehow will resolve the difficulty, because it will not. It will, perhaps, make it a little fairer in some senses, but essentially the point will remain. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003EI also note with approval the bill\u2019s provisions regarding the way in which electoral broadcast time is to be allocated, and the removal of political representatives from that process. It used to be easy in the days of a bipartisan system to have one representative from each side making that choice, or being involved in the making of that choice. It becomes more difficult in a multi-party environment, and I think it actually places grave strain on both the representative of the Opposition and the representative of the Government to have to take on other representational roles as well. Clearly, to have a broadcasting authority with eight representatives from all of the different parties would be impractical, so I think in an environment where the formula is fairly clear-cut, the understandings are clear, and people have a chance to make their submissions and to be heard before the authority, the best option is the removal altogether of political representation from that body. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003EA number of other measures set out in this bill are much more technical in nature\u2014for instance, relating to the way in which donated time is to be calculated, and how services performed that do not have a distinct financial value are to be interpreted, as well. But there are some issues that are beyond the scope of this bill. I suspect that they come into the category of still being too hard. They relate to all of the electronic communications that are now becoming far more paramount. For instance, how could we, if we ever tried, value a text messaging campaign that some parties may well choose to adopt as part of their election expenditure? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003EThe point behind this is that whatever law we put in place, and however well meaning and earnest we are about it, we will quickly find that the political parties, and the human beings who populate them, being the creatures they are, will find ways of getting around those provisions. So to that extent our electoral law is always a catch-up law. It is always taking a situation that has been found to be obviously failing and seeking to correct that. We cannot write the perfect law in this regard, and that is why I have some suspicion about the academics and the theoreticians who say: \u201CThis process should be handled by us. Set up an independent commission to run these things and make these decisions.\u201D With all due respect to their well-meaning intent, I do not think that would work, because ultimately this is a political process. It is about the way in which our political system works. Our political system comes with a lot of nuances and subtleties that the well-meaning theoretician standing on the outside simply would not understand. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003EI conclude as I began. I think this bill has some useful measures in it. United Future members will certainly be supporting its going to the select committee. We are looking forward to participating in that committee and hearing the submissions, but it is a matter of regret that will taint the passage of this bill that it has been put together in a way that has seen a bare majority involved in its construction, and a significant minority excluded. The one lesson to emerge from this process is that for robust, credible law in the future, it is best to have as many people as possible involved in its drafting, or its evolution, at the start, to get the buy-in, to get the support, and to remove the suspicion that it is being done at the behest of one group to advantage it at the expense of another. I hope that is not the case with this legislation when it comes back to the House and is eventually passed. It will be a test of the select committee, and the participation of members in that, to ensure that that is not so.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022 data-id=\u00229b7b9866582c4a5fa5d0accb190e7ffe\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229b7b9866582c4a5fa5d0accb190e7ffe\u0022\u003EHon TONY RYALL (National\u2014Bay of Plenty):\u003C/span\u003E The previous speaker talked about his suspicions about this seedy Electoral Finance Bill and how he hopes that it is not all about giving one group an advantage over all others. Well, I have to tell the member that this bill is all about giving the Labour Party an advantage over all others. The party that stole the last election now wants to buy the next one! It wants to buy the next election by having restrictions on everybody except the Government. Every New Zealander who wants to express his or her view will be restricted in how much money he or she can spend, except the members of the Labour Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EThis is a Government that has spent tens of millions of dollars in the last 12 months promoting itself\u2014Working for Families, police recruitment, and KiwiSaver. It has spent millions and millions of taxpayers\u2019 dollars promoting itself, and what has it brought to Parliament this week? It is a seedy, Louisiana, Huey Long - type bill that will suppress free speech in this country. I repeat what I told the House earlier on: the party that stole the last election intends to buy the next, through using millions of dollars of taxpayers\u2019 money. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EBut I will tell members one thing: good will overcome evil, time and time again. The evil of this legislation will not be allowed to stand. When New Zealanders find out that the Labour Party is going to restrict all public advertising and how much can be spent, for the whole year of election year, they will ask: \u201CWhat\u2019s gone wrong here?\u201D. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EWe take our democracy for granted in this country. Free elections and a free press help to protect our democratic rights\u2014our rights of free speech and our rights to criticise the policies of the Government. But these rights are not automatic. We have to stand up for them, and we have to stand up against those who want to undermine our rights to have a say. This bill does not apply just to political parties. This bill applies to any New Zealander who wants to speak out against the Labour Party. If people oppose a political party\u2019s policy and wish to publicise their opposition, they will have to register. If people want to put out an ad that says: \u201CLet\u2019s be hard-working and get ahead\u201D, and the ad does not mention a party, it does not say to vote for National or not to vote for Labour, it just says they want people to work hard and get ahead\u2014and that is associated with the National Party, and certainly not with the left\u2014they will have to register their views. If people oppose a political party\u2019s policy and wish to publicise their opposition to it, wherever their organisation spends over $100 a week they must register with the Government to exercise their right to free speech. If their organisation is going to spend over $100 a week in an advertising campaign, over a year, then they will have to go to the Government and register so that they can say what they want. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EUnder this bill it will be illegal for any third-party organisation to spend over $60,000. Well, actually, I do not think the lefties in the Council of Trade Unions, the Post Primary Teachers Association, and the New Zealand Educational Institute have worked that out yet. If we look at the advertising in most election campaigns, who do we see are the big third-party spenders? They are the unions\u2014the very same organisations who are clicking the ticket with the bargaining fee that they are cleaning up out of everybody. For instance, in the case of the Spotless Services workers, of the $16 million for low-paid workers the unions got $1 million. That is the sort of stuff that is going to fund the Labour Party at the next election. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003ELabour wants to restrict New Zealanders from criticising its policies. Labour will have unlimited Government funds. It is spending $15 million to promote Working for Families, $7.5 million for KiwiSaver, and $5 million for the Accident Compensation Corporation\u2019s Covered campaign. Imagine what it will do in election year. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EImagine that there are huge restrictions on political parties. Do members realise that if a candidate is selected in February next year, and the election is in October, all that the candidate will be able to spend is the $20,000. Do members realise that that is all they will be able to spend? We will have this situation where New Zealand First will start doing what happens in England. People there are not selected as the party candidate; they are selected as the prospective party candidate. If someone is a prospective party candidate, he or she is not a party candidate. That is why they have that phrase over there\u2014so they can avoid all the campaigning rules. That is what will happen here. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EI say to Labour that these policies simply cannot last. The unions, which will now find they are restricted, will ask Helen Clark to measure this bill against all her rhetoric about anonymous donations. I ask members to remember that this is the woman who got over $800,000 of anonymous donations when she first became Prime Minister. It was the biggest lot of anonymous donations in the history of New Zealand, and it was received by the Labour Party when it came to power. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EWhat did Helen Clark say about this issue? She said in December 2006: \u201CI think the public wants to know who is funding political parties. They want to know who is pulling the strings, if they are pulling the strings through funding.\u201D That is what Helen Clark said. Then she said: \u201CI look forward to the National Party support for clamping down on anonymous donations.\u201D Helen Clark said, on 6 September 2006: \u201CI understand that in Australia everything over $250 has to be declared. That sounds like a good idea to me.\u201D But what did she say yesterday? Ms Clark said: \u201CBanning anonymous donations in their current form without providing additional State funding would have led to parties across the spectrum struggling for funding.\u201D So this is the party that said: \u201CLet\u2019s get rid of anonymous donations.\u201D, but now she says we are not going to do that, because it would lead to parties struggling for funding. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EWhat does that mean? Banning anonymous donations would mean no money for Labour, therefore what does Labour do? There will be no money for anybody! Well, that is not what Labour is doing. There will be no money for Labour, so it will not let anybody else spend anything. That is what Labour is proposing. Helen Clark said: \u201CNo money for Labour, so we won\u2019t let anybody else spend anything else.\u201D Every member of that Labour Party should have been hanging his or her head in shame as I read that this morning. For over a year it was reported that Labour spent every day moaning about these secret donations, and, as has been noted in a publication today: \u201CThe National Party agreed that these donations should end. Helen Clark and Labour have decided unilaterally to leave it out, because Labour would have struggled for funding without such money.\u201D\u2014that is according to www.kiwiblog.co.nz. Is that not inconsistent?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ad132eb7406345edb77efa77a71d6a17\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s completely normal for Helen Clark.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228afdb879367a4970a7851d1bf1a36a9e\u0022\u003EHon TONY RYALL\u003C/span\u003E: That is right. On the one hand she was saying to get rid of these anonymous donations, but when that was going to affect Labour\u2019s funding, it was: \u201COh no, we don\u2019t think we can do that.\u201D That is completely deceitful. That is what this bill is about\u2014it is deceitful. This bill means that the Labour Government can spend whatever it likes, but no one else can. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EI have to say that the best thing about this bill going to a select committee is that all the parties will have an option to have a say. All the parties will be able to decide whether this bill is democratic. I think it is undemocratic. If anybody had stood up in this House and said that in Zimbabwe Mugabe had just passed a bill that said parties could not advertise or promote over the whole year of the election, third parties could not spend more than $60,000, but Mugabe could spend whatever he liked, Phil Goff would have frothed and his veins would have popped in outrage. The veins would have popped in outrage that Mugabe was limiting the free speech period, putting restrictions on what third parties could advertise, and making critics register with the Government. Phil Goff\u2019s veins would have popped like nothing we have ever seen before. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EBut that is what the Government in New Zealand is doing today. In New Zealand Helen Clark now wants the critics to register their conflicts of interest\u2014she did yesterday; maybe she does not today\u2014and that is the sort of Government that New Zealanders will turf out in less than 12 months\u2019 time. New Zealanders will get a Government that will respect the views of the people, one that has not become tired, arrogant, and out of touch like that aging front bench opposite.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002259e9efe2-6dea-4eeb-869a-ef5b3e48a5b5\u0022 data-id=\u00224c435ba1bd3a4cd8bfdfc170d1404dce\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002259e9efe2-6dea-4eeb-869a-ef5b3e48a5b5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224c435ba1bd3a4cd8bfdfc170d1404dce\u0022\u003ECHARLES CHAUVEL (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E I rise to take a call on the first reading of this very good bill, the Electoral Finance Bill. What a shame it was to hear and see the contributions from National members in this debate, on the radio, and in the print media over the last couple of days since this bill was tabled. The reality of this legislation is that no group will get special treatment. The new rules will limit the campaigning done by everyone, including unions, business groups, and religious organisations. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002259e9efe2-6dea-4eeb-869a-ef5b3e48a5b5\u0022\u003EAt this point we have not had State funding introduced. I personally think that is a matter for regret, but, clearly, the group that will be set up to review future directions will be able to consider that matter. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002259e9efe2-6dea-4eeb-869a-ef5b3e48a5b5\u0022\u003EI would like to deal with some of the worst examples of propaganda and misinformation that we have heard in the House today and in the media since this bill was tabled. First, I will address this shibboleth, this nonsense, that this legislation is an attack on free speech. It is not rocket science to know that where money and politics mix\u2014as they do on the other side of the House\u2014one had better have rules in place to safeguard the system from abuse. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002259e9efe2-6dea-4eeb-869a-ef5b3e48a5b5\u0022\u003EMembers know that political parties have had limits on their spending in this country since 1895. It was not until the last election, though, that New Zealanders realised that groups could pretend to be independent and then pour millions of dollars into backing a party\u2014and we know which party that was. The very people who are rallying around their hollow cries in the defence of free speech are some of the very people who were at the centre of those abuses at the last election, and it is a disgrace to hear them try to defend those practices in the House today. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002259e9efe2-6dea-4eeb-869a-ef5b3e48a5b5\u0022\u003EThen there is the misinformation being put out that Labour is trying to silence its critics and is putting in self-serving rules ahead of the next election. Well, this bill delivers a level playing field. All parties will be treated fairly, and all third-party groups like unions, business groups, and religious organisations will be covered by the same rules. That is an excellent advance and it is beyond time that we should see it. Again, the people who gained most from the abuses in the 2005 election are trying to spread misinformation and propaganda in order to block what they know are fair-minded reforms that will prevent these rorts in the future. One just needs to follow the money to realise what is going on here in this debate. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002259e9efe2-6dea-4eeb-869a-ef5b3e48a5b5\u0022\u003EThen there is this misinformation that claims Labour is giving special treatment to the unions. Of course, we are not; unions will have to abide by the same rules as everyone else. People who claim that unions are being treated differently are not being truthful. Corporates will be able to communicate directly with their shareholders, employers and manufacturers associations and unions will be able to communicate directly with their memberships, and Churches can provide information to their congregations. None of this means that they are able to put ads in the paper without playing by the rules that everyone else has to play by. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002259e9efe2-6dea-4eeb-869a-ef5b3e48a5b5\u0022\u003EThen there is the propaganda being put out that National will lose the most out of this situation. This bill will not disadvantage National; it will simply take away the disadvantages faced by all other parties that did not have access to the secret, third-party ad campaigns that helped National at the last election. This is especially true for the smaller parties, which would never have been able to compete with the millionaire financing that National had access to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002259e9efe2-6dea-4eeb-869a-ef5b3e48a5b5\u0022\u003EI would just say that one of the notable aspects of this first reading debate has been the contributions made by the third parties. I enjoyed listening to the speeches made by the leaders and representatives of those parties, and I think their contributions bode very well for our making this an even better bill in the select committee. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002259e9efe2-6dea-4eeb-869a-ef5b3e48a5b5\u0022\u003EThen there is the misinformation that claims Labour is still trying to get State funding through at the next election. As I said, this bill will not provide for State funding. It is true that the independent review foreshadowed by the Minister of Justice will look at State funding, amongst other things such as stronger watchdogs, donations, and thresholds, and that it will report back after the election. But the review will not have anything to do with what Labour prefers one way or another. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002259e9efe2-6dea-4eeb-869a-ef5b3e48a5b5\u0022\u003EIt is true that in many other countries State funding has been shown to be the best way to keep abuse out of the system and to avoid a plutocracy, where one well-funded party can simply get its way and try to snow the public. Personally I am a supporter of State funding, and I think it is important that independent people look at what it might mean for New Zealand, which is what successive reviews of general elections by the Justice and Electoral Committee have called for.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002259e9efe2-6dea-4eeb-869a-ef5b3e48a5b5\u0022\u003EIn conclusion, I say that I welcome the independent review that the Minister has foreshadowed. Clearly, it will be good to have a three-member panel\u2014with one member to act as the chairperson\u2014to publish a discussion document, invite submissions, consult with political parties, and provide a final report to the Minister of Justice with recommendations for consideration by Cabinet. It is good to see that the review will cover issues as broad as the structure of the electoral agencies, State funding, and the wider question of political party funding, including the sources of donations and relevant thresholds. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002259e9efe2-6dea-4eeb-869a-ef5b3e48a5b5\u0022\u003EI think this bill is a good start. As has been signalled, hopefully, the House will be generous-spirited and will grant leave for the select committee to contain a decent representation from across the parties in the House. I think that mechanism will be able to improve the bill even further. I hope the public are not snowed by the propaganda and the misinformation that I have mentioned in my speech, and I hope there is full participation in the deliberations of the select committee, which I greatly look forward to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u002256f4ae1960b245878cd4e7ba5948e427\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 Electoral Finance Bill be now read a first time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 65\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 49; New Zealand First 7; Green Party 6; United Future 2; Progressive 1.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 54\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 48; M\u0101ori Party 4; Independents: Copeland, Field.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a first time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000380\u0022\u003EBill referred to the Justice and Electoral Committee.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022 data-id=\u00223ba2a1ac1565427fb0d5008d8c2d2553\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002272e48ab0-e7ae-427f-bedc-793b7a91adba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223ba2a1ac1565427fb0d5008d8c2d2553\u0022\u003EHon MARK BURTON (Minister of Justice):\u003C/span\u003E I seek leave for the membership of the Justice and Electoral Committee, for the purpose of its consideration of the Electoral Finance Bill, to be increased to 13 members, through the addition of one further member from each of New Zealand Labour, New Zealand National, New Zealand First, ACT New Zealand, and United Future, with those members to be appointed by the leaders or whips of each respective party; and for Hone Harawira to have the right to vote on any question put to the committee in relation to this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220ed9ad81-05c1-4171-80c6-24fa02cade42\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fab484d55c33446bb4a73185b07679c3\u0022\u003EMr DEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Leave has been sought for that course to be followed. Is there any objection? There is not.\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=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022203c81a2631a4eedb3afa1f3c1bebdc6\u0022\u003EElectricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022774220fef2f84fbdacffdaae4e7d5f65\u0022\u003EFirst Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022c06ae06d2af14b45a7de94cbbe8102f4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c06ae06d2af14b45a7de94cbbe8102f4\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Energy):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. At the appropriate time I intend to move that the bill be referred to the Commerce Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThis bill responds to recent concerns about the disconnection practices of electricity retailers, particularly in relation to vulnerable consumers. It is designed to ensure that the Government can, if necessary, regulate the content of the disconnection guidelines that have been recently developed. This bill amends the Electricity Act 1992, as the Act does not currently contain sufficient powers to regulate disconnection processes, or to regulate the full content of the guidelines. The bill also amends the regulation-making power in the Act relating to consumer contract terms, because at present the Act requires retailers to include only the regulated matters in their contract. Once retailers have done this, they have complied with the regulation. If they breach their own contract, they are not breaching the regulations, so they are not subject to the penalty provisions in the Act. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThe Electricity Commission has been working with electricity retailers, Government ministries, and social agencies to develop new guidelines for dealing with disconnections. Retailers have been given the opportunity to follow the guidelines, and this bill will allow for the content of the guidelines to be regulated if retailers fail to adhere to the guidelines voluntarily. The new guidelines will ensure that consumers having difficulty paying their bills are advised of the assistance available from community service providers and Government agencies. The guidelines will also protect vulnerable consumers, and those reliant on electricity for medical equipment that maintains life.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EIn summary, this part of the bill improves the ability to regulate for arrangements regarding the process for disconnection following non-payment of accounts, for reconnection, for billing information and processes, and for alternative payment options such as smooth payments, redirection of income, and debt recovery. The bill also regulates for the process of identifying consumers who would be at risk if their electricity were disconnected, and includes proposals relating to mandatory terms and conditions for the supply of electricity and line function services by electricity retailers and distributors.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThe bill consists only of regulation-making powers. It does not alter any of the existing processes or requirements in the Electricity Act relating to the making of regulations. Under the Electricity Act 1992, regulations or rules can be made only if they implement a recommendation from the Electricity Commission. The Electricity Act requires the commission to satisfy itself that other options, such as voluntary arrangements, are unlikely to achieve the Government\u2019s objectives. Nothing in the bill overrides the Privacy Act, either.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EI have been encouraged by the attitude of retailers, who have dedicated time and resources in recent weeks, both internally and with the Electricity Commission, to ensure that their processes are adapted to prevent any repeat of the events in May. I am confident that they are willing to follow the guidelines. The regulation-making powers that the bill will create are important as a measure of last resort, to enable regulations to be made to ensure that Government objectives are met.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThe bill also addresses specific concerns around the regulations for the low fixed-charge tariff options for domestic consumers. The low fixed-charge regulations were introduced in 2004, with the purpose of assisting low-use domestic consumers and encouraging energy efficiency. Prior to the introduction of those regulations, low-use consumers in many areas faced unreasonably high fixed daily charges for their limited or low electricity usage. The introduction of regulations provided these low-use consumers with a tariff option that was more equitable for low-energy users, and compatible with the Government\u2019s energy efficiency objectives.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000392\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EAt present, these regulations require networks and retailers to make available a low fixed-charge tariff option to all domestic consumers whom they service, who have consumption at their primary dwellings of less than 8,000 kilowatt hours per annum. That same 8,000-kilowatt-hour threshold is used across the entire country, despite the reality that in colder parts of the South Island the average power use is higher, in large part because the climate is colder and there is little reticulated gas. Analysis of average consumption data shows that an adjustment to the low fixed-charge eligibility threshold of 8,000 kilowatt hours per year is warranted, because far fewer consumers are on a low fixed-charge tariff in the lower South Island than in other parts of the country. For example, in Auckland and the north, currently over 52 percent of domestic consumers are covered by the low fixed-charge tariff, whereas in the lower South Island, being Christchurch south and excluding Westland, that figure is only 9.2 percent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000393\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThe bill alters the definition of a low fixed-charge consumer from being a consumer with a fixed threshold of 8,000 kilowatt hours, as currently defined in the Act, to being a consumer under a definition to be provided in regulations, so that different regional locations and averages can be used. Subsequently, the regulations will be changed to set that threshold in the lower South Island, from Christchurch south and excluding Westland, at 9,000 kilowatt hours, which is the average domestic consumption level for that region. This will enable a greater number of lower South Island consumers to benefit from having a low fixed-charge tariff option. I do not want to overstate the benefits here. The differences between the tariffs are not huge, but they are material for some low-income consumers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000394\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EAnother change in the bill is the extension of the Minister\u2019s powers to grant an exemption from the application of the regulations to electricity distributors or retailers. The change is directed at small, isolated networks that are not connected to the national grid. In these small, isolated networks the cost of servicing customers can be far higher than is the norm for grid-connected networks, and in such circumstances the compliance requirements and business costs of administering the low fixed-charge tariff can be excessive. This has the potential to affect the economic viability of these small, isolated networks. In this circumstance it may be more equitable to exempt the entire network from having that low fixed-charge tariff requirement, so that the proposed amendment enables such networks to apply for an exemption. The amendment is required because the existing wording in the Act allows for only a subset of customers within the network to be exempted, not the entire network. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022 data-id=\u00221d2d9cdc798b4d1ea166be017c8527dc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221d2d9cdc798b4d1ea166be017c8527dc\u0022\u003EGERRY BROWNLEE (National\u2014Ilam):\u003C/span\u003E The National Party will support the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Bill going to a select committee, because it does not hurt to have these sorts of matters discussed. But we cannot be overly enthusiastic about what the bill actually does, because it is clear that this is the Government\u2019s response to everything that Helen Clark had to say at the time of the tragedy that beset the Muliaga family in South Auckland. Essentially, this bill appears to give the Minister the power to regulate as to how disconnections might be carried out if the industry itself does not come up with a satisfactory arrangement and put it in place in a way that means that that sort of event could not occur again. That is all fine; that is just what one would expect in a country like this. I doubt whether the Minister will ever have to use those regulations, because I think it is in the interests of the power companies\u2014which are, in the main, Government-owned anyway\u2014to make sure they have good protocols in place. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EThe issue of the low fixed charge is an interesting one, because there is no doubt that in the South Island the opportunities to heat homes are pretty much limited to either solid fossil fuel burning or the use of electricity. We do not have a large gas market down there. People do not have reticulated gas anywhere, and certainly do not have natural gas in the way that people have it in the North Island. A number of people use bottled gas, etc., but, by and large, the growing need for heating is being met from electrical energy. It is just a simple fact that it is colder in the South Island than it is in the North Island, and we still do not have, in my opinion, adequate incentives in place to encourage people to retrofit their homes with the proper insulation they would need in order for the greatest efficiency to be achieved by the use of that electrical energy. I think we also have some funny views in that regard about the use of solid fuel, but that issue is not up for comment in the debate on this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EThe Minister, quite rightly, says that the threshold at which the low-user charge applies is to be moved out by 1,000 kilowatt hours a year. On the face of it, that measure looks reasonably good. But we have to remember that people are using that 1,000 kilowatt hours, so it is only an extra 1,000 kilowatt hours at the low tariff, whatever that might be, and we are hearing evidence that that may be as little as $18 a year. So here we have legislation to give low end-users as little as $18 a year. It would be many, many years before they could possibly save enough to pay for the cost of putting this bill through Parliament in the first place. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EThe big problem in New Zealand with regard to electricity prices is that we have a scarcity of supply. Everyone says that that is not right, because the lights have not gone out and we are meeting demand, etc. But it is a fact that we are reasonably well balanced. If anyone chose to look at the retail portfolios of the generators, then they would find that the demand from their retail portfolio is pretty much balanced with their capacity to generate. We know that each year there is a further demand for another 2 percent or so on top of the electricity that is currently generated. So the market is growing and the industry is only just keeping pace with the demand that it has to supply. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EThat is not a recipe in which to see power prices fall. I know that in some parts of the South Island, at least one power company has sent out a letter in the last couple of weeks stating that on 1 October electricity prices will rise by about 4.5 percent. Even with the passing of this legislation, one can guarantee that it will mean that people at the low end of the scale, who take advantage of the low fixed-charge rate now, will in fact pay more for their electrical energy, simply because the price will go up. Until the Government does something about increasing the amount of available electrical energy and encouraging power companies to invest more in generation, then we will not make much progress as far as prices are concerned.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E I think that one of the things that is holding up decisions on where our generating industry goes is the whole issue around climate change and what it will cost, in climate change terms, to generate electricity in the future. We know, for instance, that without the Huntly power station, the lights would be out right now. This year, when we get into peak-load situations, without the E3P gas plant at Huntly we would be in dire straits. So we are heavily reliant on a sector of the industry that is likely to face significant climate change costs. We have a dual-edged sword, if you like, where we know that demand is just being met, so therefore prices can rise, but we have those other added costs about to go into the industry, which will further force prices up. With all due respect, I tell the Minister, I think this bill is a nice idea, but it is not quite enough for those people who need some help. The only way that prices will go down, in my opinion, is if we have a considerable amount more in generation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EI understand that this bill is to be referred to the Commerce Committee. It is my privilege to chair that committee, and I look forward to the submissions that we will receive on this bill. If we do not get very many, we will require various organisations to come along and talk to us about it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EI do not see in the bill any suggestion that there is a time line for electricity retailers to comply voluntarily with the disconnection arrangements. I think that without that, the general power given to the Minister means very little. It would be nice to think that there was a window of, say, 6 months where power companies themselves could come up with their proposals, and then if they did not meet those, they would know that the Minister at a fixed date would regulate on what was to happen. As I have said before, most of those power companies are State-owned, so one would think it would be pretty easy for the Minister to get voluntary compliance on that from a large sector of the industry. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EI am sorry; I have not finished, but I am just\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c437bda8-4741-4ac5-89ab-b0818e1ab9fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dc846676066e4b52b64032068771d318\u0022\u003EDarren Hughes\u003C/span\u003E: Wrong bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000405\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bd4050456f4b45aa852e1245fc672a3c\u0022\u003EGERRY BROWNLEE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014no\u2014taking a moment to consider whether we could widen this debate a little, because the issue of transmission costs is one that needs to be looked at here, as well. I do not see in this bill any particular reference to Transpower or to what its particular proposals are. The Minister, Mr Parker, is shaking his head, which leaves me wondering why he has not mentioned Transpower in the bill. A lot of the charges do come from transmission; we have to be realistic about it. A good deal of our power is generated in the South Island, and a great deal of our power is used at the other end of the country. So there is an issue, running through there, of getting the stuff out of the South Island. We know that the full capacity of South Island generation is not being fully utilised because of the constraints on the transmission lines. So although we have this bill about disconnections and low fixed charges, it might have been interesting, I would think, to have had some comment in the bill about the expectations that the Minister has of Transpower, which is the major delivery agent for electricity throughout the country. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003ENational members will consider these matters appropriately at the select committee, and I welcome the opportunity to discuss this bill with all those whom I know will be interested in making submissions to the committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227df975cd-93d2-4f55-9bc5-d2790e28e043\u0022 data-id=\u00221343cf1927cf45d1b93b090f81b1b017\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227df975cd-93d2-4f55-9bc5-d2790e28e043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221343cf1927cf45d1b93b090f81b1b017\u0022\u003EMARYAN STREET (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E In May of this year, New Zealand witnessed a tragic event when the Muliaga family had the power disconnected at their home. That brought out some glaring gaps in the operation of our State-owned enterprises. State-owned enterprises originally came out of public services, which were previously wholly operated by the Government through the Public Service. In corporatising them in the 1980s and later, commercial imperatives, which had previously been absent, were introduced so that the Crown\u2019s investment in these services could be rewarded. In some measure this bill represents a righting of the balance, if you like, a restoration of some social imperatives to services that are no longer luxuries but essentials. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227df975cd-93d2-4f55-9bc5-d2790e28e043\u0022\u003EIn the first instance, the Minister of Energy talked about the new guidelines that will apply to electricity retailers. These retailers must advise consumers who may have difficulty paying their bills of the assistance that is available from Government agencies and community service providers. They must also take steps to identify vulnerable consumers who are having difficulty paying their bills, and consult with the Ministry of Social Development and Employment before disconnecting vulnerable consumers. At no time during this process can a retailer disconnect vulnerable consumers. Retailers must also identify those consumers reliant on electricity for medical equipment to maintain life, and not disconnect those consumers. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227df975cd-93d2-4f55-9bc5-d2790e28e043\u0022\u003EWe are confident that electricity retailers will follow the guidelines to prevent a repeat of the May tragedy, but the regulating power contained in this legislation is an important last resort to ensure that the Government\u2019s objectives are met. These objectives are both commercial and social. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227df975cd-93d2-4f55-9bc5-d2790e28e043\u0022\u003EI commend the electricity industry for the steps it has already taken, as witnessed by the television advertising campaign with the inspired choice of Jonah Lomu fronting the campaign. The use of an icon such as Jonah Lomu will bring the message home very quickly and very clearly. I commend the industry for that. Clearly, that is an example of the industry responding proactively. However, as I say, the regulating power is an important last resort to ensure the Government\u2019s objectives are met. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227df975cd-93d2-4f55-9bc5-d2790e28e043\u0022\u003EIn respect of the second purpose of this bill, it is clear that as many as 70,000 households from Christchurch south could face smaller bills under the proposed changes to electricity tariff charges. The Minister was careful not to overstate that benefit, but in fact any assistance to households, particularly low-income households in respect of the provision of adequate heating during winter, is to be welcomed and not sneered at. It would appear that although 50,000 or so lower South Island households may have already benefited from the 8,000 kilowatt limit, another 20,000 should be eligible under the higher threshold, and that is helpful. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227df975cd-93d2-4f55-9bc5-d2790e28e043\u0022\u003EI trust that this bill\u2014if it proceeds, as the Minister intends, to the Commerce Committee\u2014will get an adequate and appropriate hearing. I have the privilege of sitting on that select committee, and I look forward to the discussion around the two essential items that this bill brings to the supply of electricity in this country. It should be registered that the social imperatives for the provision of electricity supply should not be overtaken again in the future. I look forward to the consideration of this bill at the committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022 data-id=\u0022c42944ff3d444c39aad08b8ce8c7dc68\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c42944ff3d444c39aad08b8ce8c7dc68\u0022\u003ECHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National):\u003C/span\u003E I rise to speak to the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Bill, and in keeping with the advice already given by Gerry Brownlee, I add that National supports this bill\u2019s referral to the Commerce Committee. There are two aspects of this bill, the first being the disconnection of electricity and the second being the low fixed-charge tariff options for consumers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003EThe Minister has just told us that this bill does not really alter the Electricity Act 1992; it just introduces more regulations. Well, well, well! What a surprise; more regulations from a Labour Government! What a surprise! How do Labour members really imagine that this will make a difference?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227df975cd-93d2-4f55-9bc5-d2790e28e043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022988780cdb24b4c1ab405763f234367d5\u0022\u003EMaryan Street\u003C/span\u003E: Don\u2019t lose sight of the purpose.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000416\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227c6dc059aa58478e9c07b5fcd92fdc8f\u0022\u003ECHRIS AUCHINVOLE\u003C/span\u003E: Indeed, let us look at the purpose. The bill ensures that the Government can regulate the content of voluntary disconnection guidelines that the Electricity Commission has recently developed in response to the sad, tragic, and avoidable death of Mrs Muliaga. These guidelines include the requirement for the following: regular communication to all consumers on their payment options\u2014is that not something that should already be built in to standard commercial treatment\u2014arranging debt recovery in time frames that are suitable for the retailer and that minimise hardship to the consumer; ensuring that consumers enter into the most appropriate contracts for their needs; providing consumers with the opportunity to identify themselves as potentially vulnerable; consultation with the Ministry of Social Development to assist vulnerable consumers who are unable to pay; a visit to a consumer\u2019s home before the final disconnection takes place; and the fact that consumers who require electricity for critical medical support will not be disconnected for non-payment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000417\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003EOne would be forgiven for saying that they look like sensible points, and that surely they are built into current practice. But do they really need to be put into legislation? Are electricity companies so far removed from reality that they have to be told every minutiae of detail? Are we simply trying to impose liability? Is this not a little like so many of the other regulations this Government loves to make? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000418\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c437bda8-4741-4ac5-89ab-b0818e1ab9fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220e373eefe6b745dd910ed4deb949623a\u0022\u003EDarren Hughes\u003C/span\u003E: Sit down and vote against it, then.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eeb3e70cfff74c299c414c61a85fbd86\u0022\u003ECHRIS AUCHINVOLE\u003C/span\u003E: No, no\u2014let us look at it. It is like microchipping dogs. How will that stop a dog from biting someone? It is like so many of the regulations that Labour members live by and stand by to give the appearance of doing something.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c437bda8-4741-4ac5-89ab-b0818e1ab9fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223f0613897bd74188a0f2b55f8d8ad530\u0022\u003EDarren Hughes\u003C/span\u003E: Vote it down if it\u2019s so hopeless.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223de1b30d745645409d2f224a617cbf17\u0022\u003ECHRIS AUCHINVOLE\u003C/span\u003E: Voting it down is not quite the point. I guess the member would prefer that. He would much prefer that, because that is his style: vote it down, do not discuss it, and do not debate it; this is it, take it or leave it. I think that that is what will happen now with the proposed legislation on changing the electoral law. We have already had an example of that. It will be rammed through. It will be a case of: \u201CLet\u2019s not discuss it, and let\u2019s not criticise it.\u201D Well, that is not my experience of working on the consumer\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c437bda8-4741-4ac5-89ab-b0818e1ab9fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229e13ee1f9d1946b4a3e63a01860e9cba\u0022\u003EDarren Hughes\u003C/span\u003E: Experience!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f9d2961efda140ccb93ce1f4484668ce\u0022\u003ECHRIS AUCHINVOLE\u003C/span\u003E: No, no, on the Commerce Committee. It has a remarkably good record for picking up Labour\u2019s legislation and turning it into something meaningful. I could illustrate that point with the bill about the drainlayers, plumbers, and electricians\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c437bda8-4741-4ac5-89ab-b0818e1ab9fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dfbe416a9e1242199a93ebf58b4de187\u0022\u003EDarren Hughes\u003C/span\u003E: Gasfitters, I think you\u2019ll find.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002243b43c38420b45b3bfe058587ea64053\u0022\u003ECHRIS AUCHINVOLE\u003C/span\u003E: Gasfitters\u2014that is the one. I think we have even had a Minister say the Commerce Committee changed that bill into something meaningful, and that was done mostly at the instigation of National members. So I say that the member should stand by, because we might be able to do something with this one, as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003EBut what background are we operating against? Can we have confidence in this Minister\u2019s administration? I really do not know. [Interruption] Did someone say no? Oh, Bob Clarkson did, and I think he is quite right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E Let us look at it. The energy policy is tied up with the shambolic climate change policy, resulting in uncertainty and investment delays. Why can people not pay their bills? I speak as someone who was brought up by a widow. Paying electricity bills was a big problem. We have seen the difficulty that can occur in a domestic situation. But\u2014here we go\u2014residential power prices have gone up by 48 percent in 5 years, from 2003 to 2007, compared with an increase of only 25 percent for industrial and commercial users. A further rise of 2.5c or 3c a kilowatt hour is required in order to deliver the steeply falling emissions profile that Labour\u2019s Energy Strategy outlined, as a trade-off between security of supply and reduced emissions. That is stark.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003EThe Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority has had $110 million in funding since its inception in 2001, yet the 2006 review of its energy efficiency strategy of 2001 concluded that a 0.4 percent gain in efficiency was less than the gain of 0.7 percent when there was no strategy. This is the background we are looking at in terms of this legislation being introduced, and it is not a very satisfactory background.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003EWill the regulations work? The power, in this case, is being given to the Minister. In other words, it is something at the bottom of the cliff, because how will he know he should enact these regulations until it is too jolly late? Surely, the State-owned enterprises can be expected to provide monitoring and acceptance of these regulatory provisions on a voluntary basis and have it as part of their commercial practice. But that would not suit the profile of the present Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003ELet us look at the eligibility threshold for the domestic low-fixed charge. I would have to say, coming from the West Coast of the South Island, that the telephones have been running hot in my little blue office, with questions about why the West Coast has not been included in this strategy. Well, having had a look at it\u2014having put the ruler across it\u2014I guess that the West Coast should be delighted that it has not been included, because the strategy will not work, at the present rate. Indeed, I think the Minister is on record as saying he would speak to power companies and others to explain how it should work.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003EIt would appear from the Minister\u2019s spin that the scheme will address inequality, but let us remember that it does not talk about discounts or amounts; it talks about margins. Yet although lower-use consumers who have not yet signed up to the low-fixed charge scheme might get a slightly lower power bill\u2014perhaps $20 a year\u2014everyone else, including people who are already on the scheme, will probably pay more as the power companies simply raise tariffs across the board to make up the lost revenue. I understand that economists call this the \u201Cwaterbed effect\u201D. Meanwhile, residential power prices are up compared with the industrial ones, which have risen by only half as much. So people should be entitled to wonder what the hang is going on. Increasing the threshold for the lower South Island may not actually be needed, given this Government\u2019s inaction over climate change, its mismanagement of deforestation, and the amount of carbon dioxide the State-owned enterprises power stations keep pumping out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003EThe industry is in a bad shape. It was interesting to attend, as one of its members, the Commerce Committee when questions were raised about Roy Hemmingway\u2019s suitability. Roy Hemmingway addressed the committee. He talked about our limited reservoirs for electricity, about our limited capacity, and about the perilous state of the transmission lines. I understand that 75 percent of power transmitted to the upper half of the South Island, including the West Coast, is generated outside of the region and has to be pumped into the region, and that there is a 30 percent loss in transmission. That is frightful. Yet does this Government permit localisation of generation? Does it hang!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c437bda8-4741-4ac5-89ab-b0818e1ab9fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220e28e5d3dac546a3af3e94ee83c157ea\u0022\u003EDarren Hughes\u003C/span\u003E: Where did the member get that 30 percent figure from?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002200294b342ba145ca8752f8b4653582ee\u0022\u003ECHRIS AUCHINVOLE\u003C/span\u003E: The 30 percent?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c437bda8-4741-4ac5-89ab-b0818e1ab9fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226d3c82f15e3e44a2ad44325e50ed87fb\u0022\u003EDarren Hughes\u003C/span\u003E: Where did he get that figure from?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220bfa5b74-8933-458a-99d4-bbd75d9898d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f7992eabbc284533a0fc021aa952cd0c\u0022\u003ECHRIS AUCHINVOLE\u003C/span\u003E: I got it from the power companies I deal with. They brought it to me as a complaint over the loss of transmission that occurs in the lines. If that figure is not correct, then I would like to hear from members opposite what the figure really is and just how good the transmission supply lines are. I think they will find that they are living, again, in a state of denial. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022 data-id=\u00223e20c23ad4a2498eabc130bb4aa89938\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223e20c23ad4a2498eabc130bb4aa89938\u0022\u003EPETER BROWN (Deputy Leader\u2014NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E Let me make it clear from the outset that New Zealand First supports the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Bill. The sad thing about it is that we have to have this bill at all. That is a sad indictment on this country. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003ELet me talk a little bit about the disconnection regulation. It is to underpin and ensure that the electricity companies actually do the job that is required of them. What happened in May with the Muliaga family was a disgrace\u2014an absolute disgrace. I listened to the Labour speaker Maryan Street who said that she commended the companies for having the Jonah Lomu advertisement. Every time I see that ad I think of sadness and ask myself why we have to pay out this money to do something that is really just decent common sense: people who are on a life-support system do not get their power turned off. Everyone has a great love for Jonah and a great respect for him, not only for what he did on the rugby field but for what he has gone through in his private life.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002273f60731-048d-4a21-81c5-52d588de2325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229d9c7dfd016d46cabc385d90aadcc7bd\u0022\u003EHon Mita Ririnui\u003C/span\u003E: He was on life support.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b30e240442fe43d9bed5779e2e588ddb\u0022\u003EPETER BROWN\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, he relied on it and he is a good man to use as an example, but we should not have had to use him. We should have contractors who, when they walk into a house and see someone on a life-support system, or even suspect that someone is on one, will say they will not turn off the power until they get the matter clear one way or another and check with their employers, or whoever gave them the contract. Now we are in the sad situation of having to produce legislation that will underpin the power companies to ensure they take a compassionate view and a compassionate attitude to this type of predicament. So New Zealand First has no hesitation in supporting this bill, for that reason alone. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003EThe second area that the bill covers, the low fixed charge, also makes common sense. The threshold of 8,000 kilowatt-hours is not enough for the colder parts of New Zealand\u2014people do not sign up to it. We need to increase the threshold, lower the line charge, and raise the charge per kilowatt-hour. At 9,000 kilowatt-hours it all balances even, and if people use less than that, they should make a saving. I do not know much that saving is\u2014I think Gerry Brownlee alluded to it being $18\u2014but the thing is, we have to deliver electricity to all people everywhere, particularly elderly people living in very cold areas, and we welcome this change. Whether it is enough, I do not know. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003EI have to say that I agree with Gerry Brownlee\u2014and this is probably a little bit worrying\u2014on his point that we do not generate enough electricity in this country. I think he is spot on. Something went wrong after the Bradford reforms. We were told at the time of the Bradford reforms that a competitive environment would get these generating companies competing, and that they would all have a surplus and the price would go down. But actually the reverse has happened; the generating companies produce just what they need\u2014what they can sell, and at the price they can sell it\u2014and the market price goes up as a result. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003EI have to say\u2014and I know people will call me a heathen\u2014that I would maximise our use of hydro power. They will not call me a heathen for that. I would maximise our use of wind power. I would maximise our use of tidal power. I would even look closely at wave power. The Minister of Energy will shudder now, but I would have a gas-fired power station in \u014Ct\u0101huhu tomorrow. Contact Energy would have a gas-fired power station in \u014Ct\u0101huhu tomorrow if it got the OK, and I would agree with it. I will go\u2014I hope, if Genesis invites me\u2014to the official opening of E3P, with glee. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003EI ask members to imagine the situation we would have if E3P had not occurred. This Government gave the go-ahead and underwrote the gas, and now \u201Cgas\u201D is a dirty word. An even dirtier word is \u201Ccoal\u201D. It is an absolute dirty word. We have one coal-fired power station, and we have all the greenies kicking up here, there, and everywhere. China brings on stream three or four coal-fired power stations a month, and we say: \u201CWhat about global warming? Close down Huntly!\u201D. Or some people say that; I do not say it\u2014I hope that the Huntly power station goes on forever. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003EI am moving into the subject of climate change and have digressed from the bill, but I know that the members opposite are learning and are finding this quite interesting. Let me say that if we want to solve climate change at a practical level\u2014never mind that we introduce carbon tax or emissions trading schemes\u2014we will have to address at a practical level the emissions that come from coal. Forty percent of the world\u2019s energy is derived from coal. In Australia, 75 percent of energy is derived from coal. China, as I said, is producing a coal-fired power station every 10 or so days. If we want to change the climate, to change the carbon dioxide emissions or the carbon dioxide equivalents, we will have to address the coal problem on a global basis.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002298e6a7e0036144f08dcfe7eb0739b2ea\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: I agree.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226607db24051240f3b1cd675670b331cc\u0022\u003EPETER BROWN\u003C/span\u003E: The Minister agrees. So I am against chastising and slagging off New Zealanders\u2014as my Green Party colleague will stand up and do immediately after me in all probability\u2014because we have one coal-fired power station delivering 1,000 megawatts. That is all we have. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003EI have digressed quite a lot on this bill. I want to see it go to select committee. I have read the bill, fairly quickly, a couple of times and I cannot see that it is in need of a great deal of amending; it seems to set out pretty clearly what it intends to do. I have no doubt that the select committee will give the bill a thorough examination and possibly find that a few adjustments are needed. But I hope, at the end of the day, and in reasonably fast order, that this bill comes back to the House and we can do something a little bit positive\u2014although, if we had done the right thing in terms of the disconnection policy, we would not need a bill like this, and it is sort of sad to think about it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e3dc3d88-a571-4ed7-a4b4-b66dedd6134b\u0022\u003EBut we do need the bill, and we do need to address the low fixed-charge rate and make it fairer all round for New Zealanders, certainly for those who live in the cold, and certainly for the elderly people who are living on fixed incomes in the cold. I shudder from time to time to think how they exist. When I was in Dunedin a few years back I met a few elderly people who told me stories of sitting in their beds all day wrapped up in blankets. There is an obligation on us to show a little compassion on the two fronts here. New Zealand First will support this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022 data-id=\u002294a4d38d6a1044b695ae95b24ae911a2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002294a4d38d6a1044b695ae95b24ae911a2\u0022\u003ETE URUROA FLAVELL (M\u0101ori Party\u2014Waiariki):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora t\u0101tou. Kia ora t\u0101tou i t\u0113nei Wiki o te Reo M\u0101ori. T\u0113r\u0101 t\u0113tahi k\u014Drero: \u201CM\u0101 te mea m\u0101t\u0101muri ka wehe atu i Aotearoa, e tinei te raiti?\u201D. I \u0113nei w\u0101, t\u0113r\u0101 pea ka kite t\u0101tau kua wetohia k\u0113 te raiti!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EKei te m\u0101rama m\u0101tau o te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori m\u014D ng\u0101 take i tae mai ai t\u0113nei pire ki runga i te Pepa R\u0101rangi K\u014Drero o te Whare, ar\u0101, n\u0101 te \u0101huatanga p\u014Duri nei i p\u0101 ki a Folole Muliaga. Ko t\u014Dna matenga, n\u0101 te wetonga o te hiko i t\u014Dna whare mo te aha? M\u014D tana nama $168.40. Ki t\u0101 m\u0101tou m\u014Dhio koi nei te \u0101huatanga m\u014D ng\u0101 t\u0101ngata e hia k\u0113 nei i Aotearoa. N\u0101 te ripoata a te Manat\u016B Whakahiato Ora o te tau 2006 i k\u012B mai, hau tekau o ng\u0101 P\u0101keh\u0101 me te hauwh\u0101 o te M\u0101ori, k\u0101ore i utu i t\u0113tahi o \u0101 r\u0101tau nama hiko, koroh\u016B, wai ranei i te tau 2004. Hei t\u0101 te p\u016Brongo, he taumaha ake t\u0113nei \u0101huatanga m\u014D ng\u0101 wh\u0101nau Pasifika.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EI te wiki kua taha ake nei kua rongo te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori i ng\u0101 karanga pakanga nei e k\u012B ana, m\u014D ng\u0101 kaute k\u0113 te \u0101huatanga mahi t\u014Drangap\u016B. K\u0101ti, ka p\u0113hea \u0113nei whika? E 26.7 \u014D-rau o ng\u0101 wh\u0101nau M\u0101ori katoa k\u0101ore i utu wawe i \u0101 r\u0101tau nama hiko, wai, koroh\u016B i te tau 2004. \u0100, e 12.7 \u014D-rau o ng\u0101 wh\u0101nau i Aotearoa, ar\u0101, tata pea ki te 266,700 mano, k\u0101ore i utu i \u014D r\u0101tau nama m\u014D te w\u0101 kotahi i te tau i mua. Ka taea pea e ng\u0101 t\u0101kuta whatiwhati k\u014Drero te hanga momo whakautu m\u014D te \u0101huatanga o \u0113nei kaute. Kei te tangata tonu r\u0101nei te tikanga ki te utu i \u0101na nama i te w\u0101 e tika ana, \u0101, me \u0101ta titiro ng\u0101 kaituku hiko i \u014D r\u0101tau raupapa mahi, \u0101, me \u0101ta titiro r\u0101nei te iwi ki te \u0101hua o w\u0101 r\u0101tau whakapau moni. K\u0101re he paku raru ki \u0113nei k\u0101rero, \u0101, he tika hoki \u0113tahi engari, kua tau te h\u0113 ki w\u0101hi k\u0113, ko te Karauna t\u0113n\u0101 e noho pai ana.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EEngari, anei m\u0101tau o te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori, te reo M\u0101ori motuhake, kei te P\u0101remata e akiaki nei i te K\u0101wanatanga m\u014D \u014Dna kawenga ki ng\u0101 nohoanga t\u0101ngata, ki te hapori, ki t\u0113nei whenua hoki. I aro ake m\u0101tau ki ng\u0101 k\u014Drero a te rangatira o Mighty River Power, a Doug Heffernan, me tana k\u012B mai i te 25 o Pipiri, ar\u0101, \u201CKo ng\u0101 take rawakore he raru ka p\u0101 ki te nohoanga t\u0101ngata, \u0101, kei a t\u0101tau katoa te whakautu.\u00A0He akiaki tonu t\u0113r\u0101 ki t\u0113n\u0101, ki t\u0113n\u0101, kaua ko ng\u0101 kamupene hiko anake engari, ko ng\u0101 tari \u0101whina t\u0101ngata me te K\u0101wanatanga hoki.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EN\u0101, ko te pire nei he t\u012Bmatanga kia uru mai te K\u0101wanatanga. M\u0101ku tonu e k\u012B i te tuatahi, ka tautoko te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori i t\u0113nei pire n\u0101 te mea, he take t\u0113nei ka p\u0101 mai ki te katoa m\u014D ng\u0101 mahi weweto kaihoko hiko. Ki t\u0101 te H\u0101hi Salvation Army, n\u0101 te kaha o te mana o nga koporeihana, k\u0101ore ng\u0101 kaimahi i te tino ng\u0101kau nui i te hapori i runga i te ng\u0101kau atawhai. Ko t\u0101 Child Poverty Action Group, ko te p\u016Btake o te raru, ko t\u0113r\u0101 e k\u012B ana, \u201CK\u0101ore e taea e ng\u0101 kaupapa o te m\u0101kete te whakarite huarahi hei manaaki i ng\u0101 wh\u0101nau.\u201D He kaha ake te kupu o ng\u0101 Uniana me t\u0101 r\u0101tou k\u014Drero i k\u012B nei: \u201CKua kitea an\u014D, ko te kaupapa nui o ng\u0101 koporeihana \u0101-K\u0101wanatanga, ar\u0101, ko te moni i mua noa atu i te tangata i Aotearoa nei.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EN\u0101 te kaha takariri, koi nei t\u0101 r\u0101tou p\u0101nui i te 31 o Haratua ki a Mercury Energy: \u201CHe momo kaiwhakaweti t\u0113r\u0101 hunga, ko t\u0101 r\u0101tau kai ko te hunga rawakore, te hunga p\u014Dhara o T\u0101maki ki te Tonga. He \u014Drite r\u0101tau ki \u0113r\u0101 t\u0101ngata tuku moni, r\u0101tau he pirau te ng\u0101kau, \u0101, kei roto i \u014D t\u0101tau rohe e noho ana. Ka whakawhirinaki r\u0101tau ki te hunga mokemoke, ki te hunga noho manene.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EKo te pire e w\u0101nangahia nei e t\u0101tou i t\u0113nei rangi he whakaaro kotahi anake, ehara ko te titiro wh\u0101nui ki te hiahia kia rere k\u0113 tonu ng\u0101 mea whai hua. Ko ng\u0101 whakatikatikatanga e whakaarohia nei m\u014D te mahi tope hiko, m\u014D te kore utu nama, ar\u0101, ng\u0101 momo huarahi hei utu i ng\u0101 nama i ng\u0101 w\u0101 ka k\u0101 an\u014D te hiko, \u0101, m\u0101 te hunga raruraru, ka tautoko katoa m\u0101tau i aua kaupapa. Engari, k\u0101ore t\u0113nei pire e muru i ng\u0101 taumahatanga whai hua o t\u0113nei w\u0101. Ko t\u014Dna tikanga, ar\u0101, ko te mahi a te K\u0101wanatanga he tiaki i ng\u0101 wh\u0101nau kia taea ai e r\u0101tou nga wh\u0101nau, te utu i ng\u0101 nama p\u0113nei i \u014D r\u0101tau ake nama hiko. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EKei te m\u014Dhio tonu m\u0101tau kua whakaritea k\u0113 e te Komihana Hiko i te tau 2005 he kaupapa hei \u0101whina i \u0113r\u0101, ar\u0101, te hunga p\u014Dhara. Kua titiro m\u0101tau ki aua kaupapa, \u0101, he mea whakam\u012Bharo \u0113r\u0101 hiahia hei \u0101whina i \u0113r\u0101 e noho raruraru nei n\u0101 te kore m\u014Dhio. me p\u0113hea e taea ai te utu i \u014D r\u0101tau nama hiko. Engari, ko te tino raruraru i whakatakotohia e te Perehitini o Grey Power, ar\u0101, e Graham Stairmand, n\u0101na te K\u0101wanatanga i wero kia ng\u0101kaunui mai ki \u0113r\u0101 kua piki atu te utu m\u014D te hiko i te 60 \u014D-rau i ng\u0101 tau e wh\u0101 ki muri.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000458\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EKa whakaatu a Child Poverty Action Group i te raru ki \u201Cng\u0101 wh\u0101nau he noho rawakore te noho\u201D, i runga i te p\u0101tai: \u201CMein\u0101 ka aukatihia te hiko, ka p\u0113hea ng\u0101 tamariki i \u014D r\u0101tau mahi ako i te kura, kia wh\u0101ngaihia i ng\u0101 kai mahana, ki te mahi i w\u014D r\u0101tau rorohiko, ki te horoi hoki i a r\u0101tau an\u014D kia kore ai e mate i ng\u0101 mate tahumaero, me p\u0113hea hoki?\u201D. Ka hoki mai an\u014D ki aua take an\u014D kua piki te utu o te hiko, o te wai, o ng\u0101 waka, i runga ake i te ekenga o te w\u0101riu, \u0101, i runga ake hoki i ng\u0101 utu mahi; k\u0101re e \u014Drite te ngahoro o ng\u0101 painga ki ng\u0101 wh\u0101nau katoa i raro i ng\u0101 painga o te kaupapa Mahi m\u014D Ng\u0101 Wh\u0101nau, ka riro i \u0113tahi, ka noho p\u014Dhara tonu \u0113tahi; he wh\u0101nau tonu k\u0101re i te whiwhi i ng\u0101 painga o te kaupapa Mahi m\u014D ng\u0101 Wh\u0101nau n\u0101 te kore m\u014Dhio kei reira tonu taua \u0101whina. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000459\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EHe whakaaro arorau \u0113r\u0101 i roto i te pire e k\u012B ana. me rere k\u0113 ng\u0101 utu m\u014D ia rohe, m\u014D ia rohe. Kua rongo nei m\u0101tau he tino wh\u0101nui tonu te rere k\u0113tanga o te take mai i t\u0113tahi rohe o Aotearoa ki t\u0113tahi, \u0101, ko ng\u0101 take iti nei he moemoe\u0101 noa iho m\u014D r\u0101tau e noho nei i ng\u0101 w\u0101hi kaha m\u0101tao, kaha m\u0101ku r\u0101nei n\u0101 reira, e whakaae ana m\u0101tau ki ng\u0101 rere k\u0113tanga kei te whakaarohia m\u014D t\u0113n\u0101 rohe, m\u014D t\u0113n\u0101 rohe. He whakaaro pai \u0113r\u0101.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000460\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003ET\u0113r\u0101 pea ko te kaha o te riri, otir\u0101, o te aroha ng\u0101 mea nui kua ngau nei i te ng\u0101kau o te motu. Ko t\u0101 m\u0101tau, ar\u0101 noa atu ng\u0101 tino p\u0101tai hei tuku m\u014D te \u0101hua o te mana o \u0113r\u0101, ar\u0101, ko ng\u0101 kaiwhakarato nei m\u014D te hiko ki te kore mahi i \u0101na mahi n\u0101 te kore utu nama ahakoa, he mea waiwai tonu. Ko te ture e akiaki nei i ng\u0101 kaiwhakarato katoa, kia noho tika te mahi, ki tau te mahi, kia ora te mahi i a r\u0101tou e kimi nei i ng\u0101 nama, he ture tau ake kia waihangatia e t\u0113nei P\u0101remata. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000461\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EKei te koa ki te kite e maumahara ana ng\u0101 t\u014Drangap\u016B tawhito ki ng\u0101 tino kaupapa, ar\u0101, kia haere te tangata i mua o te ture, \u0101, ka hangai taua kaupapa m\u014D te painga m\u014D t\u0101tau katoa o Aotearoa. Ko t\u0101 m\u0101tau wawata an\u014D, ka titiro an\u014D r\u0101tou ki \u014D r\u0101tou ake p\u014Dti, \u0101, me te kimi i te tika me te pono o te ng\u0101kau kia taea ai e r\u0101tou te k\u012B t\u016Bturu nei, ko te ara ki ng\u0101 mahi tika, he tino kaupapa nui m\u014D t\u0113nei P\u0101remata. N\u014D reira huri noa, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, kia ora t\u0101tou katoa. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E[Greetings to us all, in this M\u0101ori Language Week. There used to be a saying, \u0022Would the last person to leave New Zealand switch off the light?\u201D. In these times, we might instead find that the light was disconnected! \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EThe M\u0101ori Party comes to the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Bill acutely aware of the dire circumstances that prompted this bill on to the Order Paper\u2014the circumstances given focus through the tragic situation of Folole Muliaga and the fatal disconnection of power to her house because of an outstanding bill for $168.40, circumstances that we now know to be a common fact of life for far too many New Zealanders. The Ministry of Social Development\u2019s Economic Standard of Living report, released in 2006, found that one-tenth of European families, and one-quarter of M\u0101ori families, fell behind on at least one bill for power, gas, or water in 2004. The situation was, and continues to be, worse for Pacific families.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EThe M\u0101ori Party has been harangued over the last week with the battle cry, \u201CPolitics is all about the numbers.\u201D Well, what about these figures: 26.7 percent of all M\u0101ori families fell behind with their utility bills in 2004, and 12.7 percent of New Zealand families\u2014that is, about 266,700 in real terms\u2014could not keep up with power, gas, or water payments at least once in the previous year. The spin doctors could probably respond to these numbers in a variety of ways\u2014New Zealanders need to take responsibility for paying their bills on time; the electricity industry might be invited to review its processes; or New Zealanders need to look at their spending patterns. There is nothing very wrong with any of these versions of the truth\u2014except, of course, that they let the Crown off the hook.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EBut we of the M\u0101ori Party\u2014a proud and independent M\u0101ori advocate in Parliament\u2014are always happy to remind the Government of the responsibilities it has to consumers, to the community, and to the country. We were interested in a statement that Mighty River Power boss, Doug Heffernan, made on 25 June, when he said: \u201CFinancial hardship is a social problem and it requires a coordinated community response. It requires us all to play our part, and that includes not just the power industry but social agencies and Government as well.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EThis bill, then, is the Government starting to play its part. From the outset, I say that the M\u0101ori Party will support this bill on the basis of shared concerns from across the nation about the disconnection practices of electricity retailers. The Salvation Army has suggested that the corporate environment is so influential that staff are discouraged from making decisions on humanitarian grounds. The Child Poverty Action Group emphasised that the problem was that \u201CThe purely market-based approach is failing to provide secure access to essential services for too many families.\u201D The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions put it in even stronger terms, claiming that \u0022yet again\u0022 a \u0022so-called State-owned enterprise put profit before people in New Zealand\u0022. It issued an angry call to picket Mercury Energy on 31 May, with the following statement: \u201CThey are corporate bully boys who prey on the weak, old, and vulnerable of south Auckland, and are no better than the corrupt moneylenders who plague our communities. They rely on the fact that people feel alone and isolated.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000468\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EThe bill we are considering today is but one part of a greater picture that reflects the need for economic changes to occur. The arrangements that are being mooted about disconnection following non-payment of accounts, about alternative payment options, about reconnection, and about identifying vulnerable consumers, are honourable proposals, and proposals we will support. But this bill does not take away the responsibility of addressing current economic realities. It is surely the duty of a responsible Government to ensure all wh\u0101nau are able to meet basic costs such as electricity in the first place. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000469\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EWe know that there have been guidelines in place prepared by the Electricity Commission in 2005 to assist low-income domestic consumers. We have looked through those guidelines, and their intention to assist consumers whose income makes it genuinely difficult for them to pay their electricity bill is admirable. But the central problem lies in the facts outlined by Grey Power National President, Graham Stairmand, who challenged the Government to have some sympathy for consumers who have experienced a 60 percent increase in the cost of electricity over the last 4 years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000470\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EThe Child Poverty Action Group also highlighted the \u201Cparlous existence of many low-income families\u201D, asking the simple question: \u201CHow can children do their homework, get fed a hot nutritious meal, use the computer, or wash themselves adequately to prevent infections, when the power is cut off; how, indeed?\u201D. Yet again, it comes back to the perennial problems that electricity, water, and transport price rises are well above the rate of inflation, and certainly well above most wage increases; that Working for Families privileges certain families, while families on benefits are experiencing little change, if any, in the income support available to cover rising costs; and that even those families eligible for Working for Families may be missing out because of a lack of knowledge of the assistance that could be available to them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EThe other set of changes in this bill around the Low Fixed Charge tariff options seem to be logical, with the emphasis on being region-specific. We are told that there is wide disparity in the Low Fixed Charge tariff coverage in New Zealand; that the low-use threshold is unrealistic for many living in colder, wetter places; so the changes to recognise the different climates of New Zealand\u0027s different regions in the setting of tariffs seem sensible.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EThe moral and ethical outrage that has captured the compassion of the nation has focused perhaps too heavily on blame and shame. We believe there are very serious questions to be asked about how any utility provider has the power to withhold services on the basis of debts incurred\u2014services that we would classify as essential. Legislation that reminds all utility providers of the need for consistent, safe processes in recovering overdue amounts is thus a very positive thing for this Parliament to bring in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EIt is pleasing to see that the two older parties, in particular, are remembering the essential values of access to law and justice and to the application of the law for the benefit of all New Zealanders. We hope, too, that they may look further at their own voting record, and search their souls for the truth as to whether they can say, with all honesty, that they believe that access to justice is an essential principle of this Parliament. So to all of us thoughout, greetings to you, and thank you.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022 data-id=\u002235b64d3fa4b2480dba8854b62b43455a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002235b64d3fa4b2480dba8854b62b43455a\u0022\u003EJEANETTE FITZSIMONS (Co-Leader\u2014Green):\u003C/span\u003E The Greens will not be opposing this bill, because we see it as essentially harmless. I have to say, though, that we cannot muster a huge amount of enthusiasm for it, either. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EEveryone, of course, was shocked at what happened to the Muliaga family and wants to make absolutely sure that a disconnection can never again cause the degree of distress experienced by that family. The matter is being dealt with largely through the guidelines of the Electricity Commission, which the companies are signing up to, and of course we support a back-up power to regulate if the companies ignore those guidelines. But I think the retailers have pretty much learnt their lesson by now from the huge public outcry at what happened. I cannot imagine that that incident is going to be repeated. Nevertheless we do support a power to regulate, just in case. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000476\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EClause 4, however, is a very minor tweaking of a largely ineffective existing law. I think we ought to be bolder and start asking why just one industry out of the very many that have high fixed costs is able to charge fixed prices before it charges for use. If I drive on to a petrol station forecourt, I do not have to go through a barrier and put in $20 before I get to the pump and buy my petrol at 50c a litre. A petrol station has very high fixed costs, including storage of fuel, the checkout counter, the building, and the bowsers, and it would be in serious trouble if everybody who came in bought only 50c worth of petrol and went out again. But petrol stations do not have the right to charge a fixed entry cost. A supermarket has very high fixed costs too, but when we get to the checkout it does not say: \u201COK, that\u2019s $20 for coming in the supermarket door and now you get a discount off all your groceries.\u201D So why is the electricity industry any different? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EIn the electricity industry we pay a substantial part of our power bill just to be connected to the lines. A lot of people mistakenly call it a line charge. They think it is the lines companies that charge the fixed bit of the tariff, and the retail companies that charge the variable bit. But that is not true. The lines companies charge quite a lot of their return on a variable basis, and the retail companies charge a fixed charge for metering and billing. When did we ever have to pay a fixed cost for having our meters read before we bought any electricity?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003E The Green Party has always had a policy that there should be no fixed charges, and that fixed costs for companies should be recovered out of the unit charges. That would mean that unit charges would be higher, and the price of electricity at the margin would higher, but it would mean that using less would become cheaper. For example, it would mean that the return people got on insulating their houses, or on installing a solar water heater, or by just turning off dripping taps would be very much higher than it is now. Most people who save half of their electricity use, save only about one-quarter of their bill, and that is not a very good incentive. Getting rid of fixed charges used to be Labour\u2019s policy, as well, but that somehow went by the board. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EIn 2001 I spent a lot of time discussing with the then Minister of Energy, the Hon Pete Hodgson, the 2001 electricity legislation where Labour sought our support. I argued very hard for zero fixed charges. The best the Minister would offer as a compromise was the low fixed charge for those consumers who used less than half the average amount of electricity, because their bills would then go down without the bills of higher consumers going up. That compromise has not been particularly effective. Power companies have all kinds of ways of disguising the fact that optional low fixed-charge tariffs exist, and because it applies only to some consumers, the benefits of it are actually pretty small for most people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EThis bill tweaks this situation a little bit further, and it is the only legislative outcome of the 2006 Ministry of Economic Development study called Pricing in the New Zealand Electricity Market and its Economic Impact. That study found that electricity needed to be priced at marginal cost to prevent shortages and subsidies, and to encourage efficiency, but if all electricity was priced at this level\u2014as it is now\u2014it would be unaffordable for some, and it would make huge windfall profits for generators, which it currently does. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EThe report concluded that there were three ways of addressing this problem, but it recommended against all of them. The most sensible way to address the problem is through progressive pricing, where all households have a basic block of power at a low price per unit, and the price per unit rises with each block of power used above that. The power company receives the same total revenue, but basic needs are affordable. People do not get into the situation in which the Muliaga family found itself in respect to their power bill, but everybody has an incentive to conserve, because the last unit that people are using always costs more than the average that they are paying. However, this report advised against that because it was not consistent with the ideology of competitive market arrangements. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209278070-a54a-41e9-8a27-45166301277e\u0022\u003EInstead, the Minister proposed to Cabinet that it tweak the optional low fixed charge in the South Island to recognise that the average use in the South Island is higher. That is not a bad thing to do; it will do no harm, and it might do a tiny amount of good, but it is actually hardly worth the legislative time that it is taking. It is a huge missed opportunity to price electricity in a way that would ensure that everyone could afford to meet his or her basic needs, but would face a higher cost at the margin and have an incentive to use electricity wisely.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002260200136-9d63-4a82-b4f5-c00411adb1fd\u0022 data-id=\u002276873139c0a7488c97297e4214a44c49\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002260200136-9d63-4a82-b4f5-c00411adb1fd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002276873139c0a7488c97297e4214a44c49\u0022\u003EJO GOODHEW (National\u2014Aoraki):\u003C/span\u003E I rise to take a call on the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Bill. The National Party supports this bill going to the select committee. The previous speaker, Jeanette Fitzsimons, mentioned that this bill is perhaps harmless. I have to say, straight up, that if one reads the Timaru Herald, one would think that some parts of it are not only harmless but also useless. But I digress. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002260200136-9d63-4a82-b4f5-c00411adb1fd\u0022\u003EI will start by saying that there are, of course, two parts to this bill: the disconnection of electricity for domestic consumers and the regulation-making powers relating to that, and the low fixed-charge tariff options for domestic consumers. I want to start by talking about the first part, the disconnection of electricity for domestic consumers. In this day and age we have become very, very reliant on our electricity. We do not like being cold.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002260200136-9d63-4a82-b4f5-c00411adb1fd\u0022\u003EDebate interrupted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20070726dac894d18d594f4f8315f7092a70b6e4000486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002260200136-9d63-4a82-b4f5-c00411adb1fd\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"