"\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=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00227372ce28841b4d308a62a76ce8c23020\u0022\u003EWEDNESDAY, 18 JUNE 2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022cf9e2b0720134a41b8003db2abbcb4f7\u0022\u003EWEDNESDAY, 18 JUNE 2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000002\u0022\u003EMr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000004\u0022\u003EPrayers.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002226cfba2e660244238e0285d88ceb45cc\u0022\u003EQuestions for Oral Answer\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022de5bd1b84b4c47019bf0aed787a464e2\u0022\u003EQuestions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000007\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 7 to Minister\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u002209294d25cf374ff1b6030fbdb5de4d4f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002209294d25cf374ff1b6030fbdb5de4d4f\u0022\u003EGRANT ROBERTSON (Labour\u2014Wellington Central):\u003C/span\u003E I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Just before we begin question time, I want to refer you to the wording of question No. 7, which was put down by\u2014[Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224fb7b7f30c6c493bacc72880dbc29a10\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! This is a point of order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c9a4b3cdef6b42d0aba20540f93b05a3\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: I hope it is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d4c0cf8f5cdb49159ea818f39478290a\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I hope it is too, but there will not be any\u2014[Interruption] Does the member still wish to raise his point of order?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222e17bda518f74513a79733491bd51be1\u0022\u003EGRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I do, Mr Speaker\u2014very much. Question No. 7, when it was originally lodged and accepted by the Clerk\u2019s Office, read: \u201CWhat concerns, if any, has he expressed regarding the progress Health Benefits Ltd has made towards obtaining the $700 million of \u201Csavings\u201D which\u201D\u2014and it now says\u2014he \u201Crequired\u201D. Originally, it said \u201Chad threatened\u201D. That was an authenticated document that your office accepted, and then it was changed after the Minister objected to that. I wonder, when we provide authentication, what the course of action is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022 data-id=\u0022011fe5e1fd854d7f86b1cd9c5aefd949\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022011fe5e1fd854d7f86b1cd9c5aefd949\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I need no further assistance. The matter was raised with me. The wording of questions is a discussion that occurs between the member who lodges the question and the Minister\u2019s office. With regards to your suggestion of authentication, I understand that was from a media report, which the Clerk did not accept as valid authentication. Questions ultimately are a matter of discussion, and then they are finally accepted and put on this Order Paper.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00226afbf4b317af4d8884311a4911b8c7d9\u0022\u003ESavings and Wage Growth\u2014Impact of Government Policies\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022 data-id=\u00228f9b04714215471293e131dceb24cd2c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228f9b04714215471293e131dceb24cd2c\u0022\u003EHon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Leader of the Opposition):\u003C/span\u003E Does he stand by his statement that \u201Cif New Zealanders saved more, the money could go\u2014[Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022 data-id=\u00227f1f1c60881643e5bcfd9f129a403eb9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227f1f1c60881643e5bcfd9f129a403eb9\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I am going to invite the member to start his question again. [Interruption] Order! It would be with reluctance that I ask a member from the Government side of the House to leave the Chamber, but if we are not going to get a reasonable level of interjection, and certainly not the barrage I have just listened to, that is exactly the course of action that I will undertake.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022 data-id=\u00224ac7afdc65e84fe6b929603c4c79dcb8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E1. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224ac7afdc65e84fe6b929603c4c79dcb8\u0022\u003EHon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Leader of the Opposition)\u003C/span\u003E to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his reported statement that \u201Cif New Zealanders saved more, the money could go into the productive sector and fund new companies and investments\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022 data-id=\u002289e8b99c011a4d31bb79d59403eb6cf0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002289e8b99c011a4d31bb79d59403eb6cf0\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH (Acting Prime Minister)\u003C/span\u003E: Yes. I find it a lot easier to stand by my statements than that member does to stand by his.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c4dc6964d51d495cbcf55080895a7b15\u0022\u003EHon David Cunliffe\u003C/span\u003E: Will he stand by his position that New Zealand needs to increase its national savings and that he is not ruling out a move to a compulsory savings system?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e5e8991490104b01b6c66a2c016add66\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: The Government has ruled out a move to a compulsory savings system because most of the people who can save effectively through KiwiSaver are already in it, and most of the people who are out of it have opted out because they are unable to save.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225f55d1c9c5e84168b8c25097dd933442\u0022\u003EHon David Cunliffe\u003C/span\u003E: Why did the Prime Minister earlier say that he was not ruling out a move to compulsory savings and has now told the House that he has?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224e174f2548fc4f8fb8047e824a51ec6c\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: There has been quite a bit of discussion about that issue, and the Prime Minister has been remarkably consistent, which is quite different from the discussion about donations in which that member has been remarkably inconsistent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dd0c8f571f064808aa826607066fc111\u0022\u003EHon David Cunliffe\u003C/span\u003E: Does he agree with his finance Minister that there is an expectation that people \u201Cwill be doing better than zero pay increases\u201D; if so, would he expect those to take effect before 1 October 2015?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222f0f7c2d09c04df9873597a43bd79460\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, the Prime Minister does agree with the finance Minister, which is a better effort than that member, who seems to have trouble agreeing with himself.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e347a1cb88f542d48796c874ac0af0a4\u0022\u003EHon David Cunliffe\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Prime Minister or, perhaps, his finance Minister put a figure on an acceptable level of a pay increase; if so, what is it, or are they taking advice from Mr Joyce?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a48b14b2e59c42b8827041a023475f88\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: I presume the member is referring to the pay increase for Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment staff, who were in industrial action yesterday. The Government has focused on managing the economy so that it can produce more growth and therefore higher incomes. Of course, the process by which any family or individual person gets a pay increase depends on their employer, the workplace they are in, or the market into which they are selling goods or services. Those are matters best worked out by them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cd5f5c615de848b8968ac4af78b87504\u0022\u003EHon David Cunliffe\u003C/span\u003E: If the Prime Minister is so worried that people are struggling to get by, why does he not adopt Labour\u2019s policy of immediately increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour, or is he just crying crocodile tears?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229be9cca489734a9d884292beb1fe2ee8\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: The Government has just recently\u2014I think it was just 3 months ago\u2014increased the minimum wage, and in an economy where there is consistent growth we will be able to continue to increase the minimum wage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225b43605dfb2a4143920b62faa91f91b0\u0022\u003ELouise Upston\u003C/span\u003E: What sorts of tax changes would have an effect on household savings in New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b59d1b4e679c4e2984a058f35f15411e\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: The Government has made a number of tax changes, which have had a positive effect on savings. In 2010 we reduced the tax on work, the tax on profits, and the tax on savings, which enables all households to get a better return to saving. Other tax changes, such as a widespread capital gains tax, could actually have the effect of reducing savings because, as I understand it, the proposition for a capital gains tax is that it would apply directly to funds managed in KiwiSaver accounts, which means that gains currently being made by the growing investment through KiwiSaver would become subject to a capital gains tax, thereby reducing future savings.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0192ed9-5715-4f6c-bd52-8db4f3466087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002234a41beb601d481bb2d2c78ed9d13908\u0022\u003EHon David Cunliffe\u003C/span\u003E: What is the Prime Minister doing to help people in the regions save when they are being punished by interest rate rises, increases that the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research says is a huge mistake and risks tipping them into recession?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022503364fd172d4b4ea49f0b357ac82d9a\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: The Government has been very supportive of the regions through policy that enables them to make the best of their resource-based economies. In fact, we have been strong advocates for the regions in a fairly similar way to the way the Leader of the Opposition was a strong advocate for Mr Donghua Liu, as we discovered today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233c95649d3a94356bc95c64b5ecefd8e\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00229f8bf56e97b1423c801b7e8268d4a09e\u0022\u003EGovernment Financial Position\u2014March 2014 Balance of Payments and International Investment Position\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002207d42dbe-f05a-4a7a-8c23-0eecc14b72aa\u0022 data-id=\u00226484c4045cd542a59f7838c809933515\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207d42dbe-f05a-4a7a-8c23-0eecc14b72aa\u0022\u003E2. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226484c4045cd542a59f7838c809933515\u0022\u003EPAUL FOSTER-BELL (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on progress New Zealand is making in improving its external trade and investment position with the rest of the world?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022 data-id=\u00229adc4283a5ac45a690bfdb7cf4193ad8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229adc4283a5ac45a690bfdb7cf4193ad8\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E Statistics New Zealand this morning issued data showing that New Zealand posted a balance of payments surplus of $1.4 billion in the 3 months to 31 March. This is the largest quarterly surplus on record, before seasonal adjustments. It helped to reduce the annual balance of payments deficit to 2.8 percent of GDP, the smallest annual deficit since 2010, and it is another indicator of progress since the Opposition parties decided there was a balance of payments crisis. Looking ahead, the deficit is likely to increase somewhat as capital investments pick up further and export prices come off their historic highs. We are working hard, though, to prevent a reversion to the deficit that was as large as it was between 2006 and 2008 under the previous Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207d42dbe-f05a-4a7a-8c23-0eecc14b72aa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c355c04f14fa4bde860c5d0f6edabada\u0022\u003EPaul Foster-Bell\u003C/span\u003E: How do the latest balance of payments and net international investment position statistics compare with the situation this Government inherited nearly 6 years ago?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cdb922b678284428896477b6a2a8b0d0\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: Both of these indicators have improved in the last 5 or 6 years. In late 2008 the balance of payments deficit was around 7 percent of GDP, having peaked at 7.9 percent in 2006. Today it has narrowed to 2.8 percent of GDP\u2014acknowledging, though, that it is likely to deteriorate over the next couple of years. Our net international investment position has improved significantly. In 2009 New Zealand\u2019s liabilities to the rest of the world were equal to 85.9 percent of GDP. The latest figures are that this has improved substantially to 65.3 percent of GDP. That is still high by international standards, but it is the lowest level of liability since 2001.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207d42dbe-f05a-4a7a-8c23-0eecc14b72aa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022497352709f0e4f6b81e2df0742bb850f\u0022\u003EPaul Foster-Bell\u003C/span\u003E: What were the main factors driving the improvement in New Zealand\u2019s balance of payments and net international investment position in March?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fd95da7b9f564701a2aee50948537de2\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: There were a number of contributing factors. There were goods exports across a range of commodities, with meat making the most significant contribution. Exports of services were also increased as overseas visitors to New Zealand spent more while they were here. Unfortunately, Statistics New Zealand was not able to count secret donations from Mr Donghua Liu to the Labour Party\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221ab6d148b7134446a21828db2c6610d1\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a4082cde2f1f408db97e1bf3561d8db9\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: Is he concerned about the conclusion of the chief economist at the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, Shamubeel Eaqub, who says that the big gaps opening up in New Zealand are across geographical, race, and education lines, and he thinks that this is one of the biggest challenges for New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225c0e0fd690d746a19b23335d58551151\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: No, I am not concerned about his conclusions. Mr Eaqub may have recently discovered that there are educational differentials within New Zealand. This Government has been working very assertively to close up those differences over the last 5 years. It is now starting to make some significant progress\u2014where, for instance, it is now much more likely that M\u0101ori and Pasifika students will reach national standards and that they will pass NCEA level 2.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207d42dbe-f05a-4a7a-8c23-0eecc14b72aa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226641bf648ca447cb8b1c400e27961287\u0022\u003EPaul Foster-Bell\u003C/span\u003E: What approaches to economic policy would put at risk the good progress being made with the balance of payments and net international investment positions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f96d08fbca54caa87bac5190a0f73bc\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: There are really two things that the Government is seeking to manage. One is that a rapid rise in Government spending has occurred up to 2008, and the Government is managing that by curbing its own spending over the next few years. The second is to work with councils to manage our fast-rising housing market, because continued inflation in the housing market will tend to force interest rates higher than they should be.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022961529f68dff4227bfcd52ce49aad968\u0022\u003EBusiness, Innovation and Employment, Ministry\u2014Pay Negotiations\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u002278207b7f6a2443aca5caf1187a6b4869\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E3. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002278207b7f6a2443aca5caf1187a6b4869\u0022\u003EGRANT ROBERTSON (Labour\u2014Wellington Central)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Economic Development: Did he meet with the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on 4 June 2014, and if so did he discuss with him the pay negotiations that were under way with MBIE staff?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022 data-id=\u002284538a54f0e54684ae8e1462625bc4e8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002284538a54f0e54684ae8e1462625bc4e8\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Economic Development):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, and yes. The chief executive briefed me on progress with the negotiations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221903e4e17df04f37bb7efcff9d29da2b\u0022\u003EGrant Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: Is it correct that pay negotiations with ministry staff were adjourned until 3.30 p.m. on 4 June to allow for his approval to be sought for the offer the ministry intended to make at a meeting held at 2.30 that day?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c0aa3588caf7406ca623465564fa1072\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE\u003C/span\u003E: I have no idea about the timing on that day or on any other. He was just briefing me with an update on the negotiations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c23cb5070bf04334b1b2c295f92108b0\u0022\u003EGrant Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: When he said to the House yesterday that the Cabinet Manual and the State Sector Act both make it clear that Ministers are not to get involved in pay negotiations, why was he approving the pay offer to be given to Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment staff, which resulted in negotiations being delayed until he had given that approval?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223bc4ba85b3474b20b0cab3b181a9583e\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE\u003C/span\u003E: The member\u2019s assertion is completely incorrect. I did not approve it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022734d237d9d914d96962d7d12057134d4\u0022\u003EGrant Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: What did he say to David Smol in the meeting on 4 June with regard to the pay offer being made to ministry staff?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002234bd11e848044e7e974273f1130234d6\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE\u003C/span\u003E: As I recall it, Mr Smol came in, he sat down, and he gave me an update on the negotiations. I do not think I said much to him at all, except I think I said to him that my only counsel to him was to keep the State Services Commission informed on progress.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225b4548028e3c495c9bfd5cca0e3b0c80\u0022\u003EGrant Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: Did he tell the chief executive at that meeting that he did not believe anything more than the pay offer that was on the table was appropriate?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228f0d19a0d157401a8783fecdd0a6ccf1\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE\u003C/span\u003E: Well, as I say, Mr Smol did not seek my advice in that regard, and I did not give it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00225c58c70eccfe483aa5fe99643f1e3b90\u0022\u003ESexual Violence Prevention\u2014Initiatives\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022 data-id=\u00226c1b5d16225a4a7a868f70a87ca7f44d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E4. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226c1b5d16225a4a7a868f70a87ca7f44d\u0022\u003EMELISSA LEE (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Social Development: What recent announcements has she made about campaigns to prevent sexual violence amongst young people?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022 data-id=\u0022039b1c5c43994a7f955e2e79381476cd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022039b1c5c43994a7f955e2e79381476cd\u0022\u003EHon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development):\u003C/span\u003E Last week I was pleased to launch the Are You That Someone? Let\u2019s Stop Sexual Violence campaign, an initiative aimed at preventing sexual violence amongst young people. One in three women and one in 10 men will be victims of sexual violence at some point in their lives, and 16 to 24-year-olds are at a higher risk of sexual assault than any other age group. Central to the campaign is a series of four posters showing situations that could lead to sexual violence, such as an intoxicated young woman being led into a bedroom by a man at a party, and a man paying unwanted attention to a woman in a bar. The posters encourage people to step in and intervene when they see someone in potential danger, or to even just ask them whether they are OK. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002265a101b1cf724572a5a6eac390c63af9\u0022\u003EMelissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: What was revealed about young people\u2019s attitudes and experiences of sexual violence when the campaign was being developed?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f529b8f3fee74dc5b45c5186c7efe8a0\u0022\u003EHon PAULA BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: What some of the young people revealed during focus groups to develop this campaign was quite shocking. They said that sexual violence was common at parties and in bars, but that there was a culture of standing back and not doing anything about it. Often they do not intervene because they are scared of being made fun of by their friends. Some of the comments that focus groups received included: \u201CBecause we have got a drinking culture, these things just happen.\u201D, \u201CSexual violence definitely happens. There\u2019s at least one creep at every club.\u201D, \u201CI have seen situations when guys are all over girls and they\u2019re clearly not into it, but the guy doesn\u2019t seem to care.\u201D, and \u201CIf you get it wrong\u201D\u2014intervening, that is\u2014\u201Cthen it\u2019s you who looks like a dick.\u201D Their feedback told us that what we needed to do was to empower them to know how to intervene and when to intervene.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227d6c6e3766c542668d3943c4dda4b47a\u0022\u003EMelissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: What success has the campaign had so far in reaching its key audience?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002267f88d6faa8d4e90857f76c8384408c0\u0022\u003EHon PAULA BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: We launched it just last Friday and, as well as the posters, the campaign is being promoted heavily on social media such as Facebook in order to reach its target, which is young people. Its reach is already wider than we expected, with 163,000 people already viewing activity on the Facebook page.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223facbb72-b3b0-464b-b24d-e6de0616f323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fcec0471bf834ebc849f27f01bf803cb\u0022\u003ECarol Beaumont\u003C/span\u003E: What are the reasons for the Government\u2019s failure to act on the recommendations of the Task Force for Action on Sexual Violence that it received in 2009, which would have meant over 5 years of focus on preventing and dealing with \u201Cthe appalling rate of sexual violence in this country\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e0406840c4f94bcda6cb95c21d37b2aa\u0022\u003EHon PAULA BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: We certainly have picked up some of the recommendations from that task force and from that report. What we have also done, of course, is just this year put another $10.4 million into sexual violence services for those at the coalface, which is making a huge difference. Also, ACC has stepped in and is also providing another whole lot of information. Actually, if you spoke with people in the sector they would say there is more going on in terms of the support for those front-line social services than ever before and that they have had their money doubled.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022cc6dd1b983d5400692635da077134800\u0022\u003EOil, Gas, and Minerals Exploration\u2014Protection of Marine Environments\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022 data-id=\u00222e48982071264ae8b1ddaa2b9771f7ea\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E5. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222e48982071264ae8b1ddaa2b9771f7ea\u0022\u003EDr RUSSEL NORMAN (Co-Leader\u2014Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Energy and Resources: Does he stand by all his decisions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022 data-id=\u0022d9a000f91cc54813b16ba2c2a4b4231d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d9a000f91cc54813b16ba2c2a4b4231d\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister of Conservation)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Resources: Yes, and particularly the decision to see nearly 300,000 more homes insulated, improving people\u2019s health, reducing energy use, and helping make their power bills more affordable.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f9f4af789f454b45b869502044ec78bb\u0022\u003EDr Russel Norman\u003C/span\u003E: How can he stand by his decision to open over 3,000 square kilometres of the West Coast North Island marine mammal sanctuary to oil exploration, a sanctuary that was established to protect the M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphin?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022597ce16ddc7f4cd498748bd8b87fa00d\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: Because it is a perfectly logical decision. The area where the M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins reside is between the Kaipara and K\u0101whia harbours, out to 7 nautical miles. The block offer is nowhere near this. There has not been a single observation of a M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphin in the block offer area and, furthermore, there has not been a single incident involving M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins in the oil and gas industry in Taranaki over the past 44 years, despite 23 wells being drilled in the closest proximity to where the M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins live. The proposals to quadruple the protected area for M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins to areas where there is evidence they do not go and to ban all activities like oil and gas would cost Taranaki over 5,000 jobs and the New Zealand economy $3 billion a year. It would be extreme Green lunacy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002214e5ad0f54884452afc76746666710c7\u0022\u003EDr Russel Norman\u003C/span\u003E: How can he propose more seismic surveying in a M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphin sanctuary, against the advice of the world\u2019s largest professional scientific body dedicated to research on marine mammals, which has specifically asked his Government to stop such seismic surveying because it is a threat to the very survival of the M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphin?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022887d02c9844b476aad99983eee345413\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: In fact, prior to this Government there were no rules around seismic survey work in such areas. It is this Government, through both the exclusive economic zone legislation and then the seismic survey regulations, that sets down very clear standards to protect marine mammals. If Parliament were to adopt the position being promoted by Russell Norman, you would have no oil or gas industry in New Zealand, because marine mammals are throughout our ocean area, and that would be an economic disaster for this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022163d0b68-eb0e-4094-9bed-99e184f063e1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eb6caab26bf6439a924f316c725a2e73\u0022\u003EJami-Lee Ross\u003C/span\u003E: What is the Minister\u2019s response to the decision today by the Environmental Protection Authority to decline the application by Trans-Tasman Resources to mine ironsands in the exclusive economic zone south of H\u0101wera?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b66deaabbfbe42c58407c57a49625e00\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: This decision of the Environmental Protection Authority confirms the robustness of the regulatory framework this Government has put in place to achieve our balanced approach of developing New Zealand\u2019s mineral resources but within the parameters of high environmental standards. I remind the members opposite there were no rules in the exclusive economic zone prior to this Government. This proposal would not have even needed a consent if it was not for our law. Members opposite have slagged the Environmental Protection Authority as a joke and as a rubber stamp. They now owe the Environmental Protection Authority an apology.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022214f58a71a7e42e6a31c1956c781d85f\u0022\u003EDr Russel Norman\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister now saying that the 2,000 expert marine mammal scientists are wrong to assert that seismic surveys can harm dolphins\u2019 hearing and drive them into unprotected areas where they are more exposed to fishing nets and hence death; if so, what is his evidence that the 2,000 marine mammal scientists who have told him not to do this are wrong?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002260b7e51b2d02419b952958bdc04ad147\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: The Minister of Energy and Resources has consulted with the Minister of Conservation and the very best advice in New Zealand in respect of protecting M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins. It shows that over 95 percent of the risk to M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins is in fact from set-netting, and this Government has doubled that area of protection. There has not been a single M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphin recorded or observed outside the area that this Government has protected. What the member is effectively advocating is that we shut down industries like fishing and oil and gas, even in areas where, despite hundreds of trips of independent observers, there is no sign of any M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphin. My challenge to the member is simple: show me the M\u0101ui. [Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002285e5cc3c939340b2b4704cab5968e8a3\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! That is a good example of how disorder is created. If the member would simply rise, without interjection, and ask his supplementary question I, for one, would be very grateful. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cdb03b6c73d84a49bd3e50cc5fdfefdc\u0022\u003EDr Russel Norman\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister understand that there is a difference between the risk to M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins from existing production wells and adding new risks to M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins from new seismic surveying and new drilling of exploratory wells, which is exactly what he has just approved?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223f8722a42ac34ec09d9e04b28bd51c13\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: I refer the member to the extensive risk management report on M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins. It said that over 95 percent of the risk to M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins was from set-netting, and that is why this Government has doubled the area of protection from set-netting. It said that the risks from the oil and gas industry were small, and actually smaller than from passing vessels. That is, if you want to take the approach that the oil and gas industry is a risk to M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins, an even bigger risk is from having boats that might hit them when they go past. If the member is seriously suggesting that we ban all boats from any movements on the west coast of the North Island, I look forward to campaigning and contesting that stupid, extreme Green point of view.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c307b1bb117a4fc3a67fec420919629c\u0022\u003EDr Russel Norman\u003C/span\u003E: Why will the Minister not just be honest and tell the people of New Zealand that he cares more about expanding the oil industry\u2014this is new oil industry\u2014[Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b55f1c217102421dab1d371269822cb5\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! If the member would just finish his question. It is a good example, again, of the member inflaming the situation with his opening remarks. Would he finish the question, so we can get on with it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022020cfb0fa28b481cb5342062a8cad2ea\u0022\u003EDr Russel Norman\u003C/span\u003E: Well, you do not quieten them down, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002207c70481a4064f77af203b7fcafde1b3\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member will finish his question, otherwise we will be moving to the next question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002295cdb78cea534365872cc544a866455c\u0022\u003EDr Russel Norman\u003C/span\u003E: Supplementary question then, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002236e28042ba3b4c3e84dafbad866f66f0\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Just finish the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228eb343c10b034d519b2f6c6727da620a\u0022\u003EDr Russel Norman\u003C/span\u003E: Why will he not say that he cares more about expanding the oil industry in New Zealand, because that is what it is all about, rather than whether or not the world\u2019s most endangered dolphin becomes extinct? He has put expanding the oil industry ahead of protecting\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022639eb710ff574306b7862f3bc067e1bb\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member will resume his seat. The question has been asked, and the Minister can answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222181a183708c4f2fab46109cbd4fd649\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: I would love to have an honest debate with the member about this issue, because there have been 23 drills for petroleum within the marine mammal sanctuary over the last 40 years, without incident. If the member\u2019s position is that there should be no oil and gas, he should be honest that that means closing the Pohokura gas field, which provides 50 percent of New Zealand\u2019s gas resource. It would mean putting 5,000 people out of work. And I point this out: it would result in the coal-fired power station at Huntly having to be turned back on again, greenhouse gas emissions going through the roof, and that would be both economically and environmentally reckless and irresponsible.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002275c77414677f45a2a5fb3d608b53c76a\u0022\u003EDr Russel Norman\u003C/span\u003E: When will the Minister simply tell the truth about this issue\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ea335c45c668440ca728811eb58e95fa\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member will resume his seat. I will give the member one opportunity to ask a supplementary question in accordance with the rules, otherwise we are moving to the next question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022beeb1750857c4c2eb971207c1f92dd40\u0022\u003EDr Russel Norman\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. In many of the Minister\u2019s answers he has said or implied that I have not told the truth. You have not pulled him up once about that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022be7bd161a72c4c20a05993f8a75d3356\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The Minister has responded, I think, reasonably in line with the line of questioning. I invite the member, if he wants to ask another supplementary question, to do so. [Interruption] He does not wish to? Then we move immediately\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002268b7a56b6bf54979be59649e2d303185\u0022\u003EDr Russel Norman\u003C/span\u003E: Supplementary question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022db0e506e924241f5973a6826ba48d65a\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, the member just shook his head. If the member wishes to ask a supplementary question in line with the Standing Orders, I will give him the opportunity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002237c3a15f737746ceac59d3c351b15956\u0022\u003EDr Russel Norman\u003C/span\u003E: How does opposing the expansion of the oil industry through new oil exploration drilling wells and through new seismic testing equate to the same thing as shutting down the entire existing production oil and gas industry, as that Minister keeps implying in his answers today and in his other public statements?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022057266c682cc48ddbe3a659a8b67cc7e\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: I think there is a logical inconsistency to be saying that about the existing 23 wells that have been drilled, as well as the Pohokura gas field that currently operates within the marine mammal sanctuary, and saying that for over 40 years there has not been a single incident of any harm to M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins. There has not been a single report. What is more, when the scientific evidence is that the primary risk to M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins is set-net fishing, it has been absolutely right and rational for this Government to focus its efforts to ensure the survival of the M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins by focusing on those things that actually cause the M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins harm and within the areas where the M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins actually exist.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b29abca4bb8742e3b69168bd401390e1\u0022\u003EDr Russel Norman\u003C/span\u003E: With regard to the scientific evidence, has he read the report from the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, which concluded that the protections he is talking about will not stop the extinction of M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins and that the \u201Ccurrent management situation falls short of that required to reverse M\u0101ui\u2019s decline.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d96e1e146b2b411f960ae60b51bc0cba\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I have read the International Whaling Commission\u2019s latest recommendation and report. It promotes that the Government increase by fourfold the area of the set-net fishing ban. But I have a simple problem: there has not been a single case of an observation of a M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphin in that quadrupled area\u2014not one. There have been over 700 fishing trips and on every one of those fishing trips there has been an independent observer. I am not going to shut down industries, whether it be oil or gas or fishing industries, in places where there is no evidence that M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins exist.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a43369b90e4943be82cd46e9deced365\u0022\u003EChristchurch, Recovery\u2014Innovation Precinct and Other Initiatives\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022 data-id=\u002246aaa350250e48dfbb93fdeb5e2748b2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E6. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002246aaa350250e48dfbb93fdeb5e2748b2\u0022\u003EJACQUI DEAN (National\u2014Waitaki)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Science and Innovation: What announcements has he made on the Christchurch Innovation Precinct?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022 data-id=\u0022c5f40ae3129c424dadd1da1123d5b439\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c5f40ae3129c424dadd1da1123d5b439\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Science and Innovation):\u003C/span\u003E During the adjournment the Canterbury earthquake recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, and I released the spatial framework for the Christchurch innovation precinct, and announced that Vodafone\u2019s new South Island headquarters will anchor that precinct. It will bring together businesses and innovators alongside residential, retail, hospitality, and professional service providers to create a vibrant and exciting new part of Christchurch. Vodafone has announced it will set up an expanded main South Island office in the innovation precinct, as well as one of its international zone incubators, which will be only the sixth such incubator that Vodafone has set up across the world. The zone incubator offers advice, support, and assistance to technology start-ups focused on mobile platforms, consumer electronics, smart charging, and automotive technologies.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fc0afac085a84ab598150c0e309d9cc9\u0022\u003EJacqui Dean\u003C/span\u003E: How will the Government support the innovation precinct?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022728bb1210dca4c5e968a9bd86efceb7c\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE\u003C/span\u003E: The Government will be supporting the innovation precinct by developing an additional innovation hub to accommodate start-up companies within the precinct. This purpose-built facility will accommodate Callaghan Innovation and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise\u2019s business-facing services, as well as one of three new information and communications technology graduate schools that have been announced as part of Budget 2014. Innovation precincts work best when they bring together a good mix of larger established companies, innovative start-ups, research, and teaching facilities. Offering a low-rent option for start-up companies in this knowledge-rich environment, among other innovative firms, will help them grow and expand, and provides an ideal mix of small and large firms within the precinct.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bb675c034cfa4d22ab22876bd5e15058\u0022\u003EJacqui Dean\u003C/span\u003E: What role will the new information and communications technology graduate schools play in the precinct?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233de2bed991945b7b776adab9a976f02\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE\u003C/span\u003E: As part of the Budget, the Government is establishing three new information and communications technology graduate schools, and one of them will be in Christchurch, in the precinct. The new schools will be provided with funding for education, research, and collaborative initiatives to attract top students and academics, and connect them closely with high-value, high-tech firms accelerating the growth of New Zealand\u2019s information and communications technology talent. We expect to see a combination of final-year undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the schools, plus an innovative use of internships and research to help improve the connections between providers and businesses and ensure a smooth transition of students into work. It is vitally important that New Zealand lifts significantly the number of people with high-level information and communications technology skills and knowledge so that they can help drive the innovation we are seeing in this rapidly expanding sector. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022048d7b5b040048de8e7d9b179d30a1da\u0022\u003EDistrict Health Boards\u2014Health Benefits Ltd\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022 data-id=\u002206c81d851ff14feab3ddab3190af7f84\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E7. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002206c81d851ff14feab3ddab3190af7f84\u0022\u003EHon ANNETTE KING (Labour\u2014Rongotai)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: What concerns, if any, has he expressed regarding the progress Health Benefits Ltd has made towards obtaining the $700 million of \u201Csavings\u201D which he required them to obtain in September 2012?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022 data-id=\u0022ec19d7401a6f4a2587f1dc7f03e938f3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ec19d7401a6f4a2587f1dc7f03e938f3\u0022\u003EHon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E I have expressed the view to district health boards as to the importance of working collaboratively to harness the power of bulk purchasing and standardisation to free up resources to invest in more front-line services for patients. By way of example, by working together the district health boards are expecting to save up to $16 million this year on banking and insurance costs, and $34 million this year on regional shared-service initiatives. The estimate is that by the end of this financial year we will have saved around $300 million, which is in addition to some other district health board savings.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002217d9b7f6b7214cc3a79061fbe297a61c\u0022\u003EHon Annette King\u003C/span\u003E: Is he aware that as recently as 2 months ago Health Benefits Ltd signalled to district health boards cost escalation and potential delays of at least 1 and up to 2 years in the implementation of his flagship finance procurement and supply chain programme; if so, what impact will this have on the $700 million saving he requires health bosses to make?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002251392795675a4a95942688508c0a757c\u0022\u003EHon TONY RYALL\u003C/span\u003E: On the finance procurement supply chain issue, the latest set of data that I have looked at is that we are running below the budgeted cost. It is now operating on the national platform at Hutt Valley District Health Board. But I have got to say that implementation is always an area of risk and it has certainly been my message to the board of Health Benefits Ltd to make sure that a lot of emphasis goes into the implementation, because if we are to generate the savings that we need to put straight back into the health service, then implementation has to be a very strong focus.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227ffe2816ff2a416f9c5bab54a2ac6a67\u0022\u003EHon Annette King\u003C/span\u003E: Has he been informed that profound concern has been expressed at the mounting risk to the delivery of health services because of Health Benefits Ltd\u2019s lack of transparent and timely information, lack of accountability for decision making, lack of timely communication, and the absence of a credible implementation plan?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022217197ca6943415aa0ac592362c77cac\u0022\u003EHon TONY RYALL\u003C/span\u003E: With change always comes worry for people, because they have uncertainty about their jobs. I am very aware that people are worried about some of these proposals, but people need to keep their eye on the real gains here, and the gains are that by working more effectively together district health boards can make significant financial savings, and those resources can go back into supporting improved front-line services, together with the average $500 million a year extra that this Government has put into the health service.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002289c16f3edafc468795c6f4a0896319ed\u0022\u003EHon Annette King\u003C/span\u003E: Would he be taking action if all chief financial officers of district health boards said they had grave and collective concerns about his flagship Health Benefits Ltd programme, its cost escalations, implementation delays, benefit erosion, and escalating risk profile; if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c567ec5bf8ce450a9915c948aa41ae6e\u0022\u003EHon TONY RYALL\u003C/span\u003E: I have been really quite keen that chief financial officers were taking an active interest in the implementation of these programmes, because they are very important and very significant. Some parts of the programme are moving ahead and ahead of budget and others are going a little bit slower because of the implementation risk. Overall, we are going to be freeing up hundreds of millions of dollars over time for district health boards and all that goes into improving front-line services. As you have seen already with the insurance and banking and other initiatives, that is money that we can save that goes into more care for patients.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cb68fe305c4d41099b0810f960f65dc8\u0022\u003EHon Annette King\u003C/span\u003E: What is the cost of funding the growing empire of Health Benefits Ltd, which now occupies four floors across two buildings in Central Park, Auckland, while at the same time district health boards are struggling to retain staff because of the uncertainty of Health Benefits Ltd\u2019s programme, leading to significant risks in continuing current services?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224047c197171a4de9af4e11d5342ed231\u0022\u003EHon TONY RYALL\u003C/span\u003E: I do not think there is any risk to the continuing of front-line services in our district health boards. This Government has put an average of $500 million a year extra into the health service. But it is not just about money; those extra services are benefiting from the improved productivity that we are seeing, where we have 40,000 more New Zealanders a year getting hips, knees, and other elective procedures than when that party opposite left Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226b72548dde9849dfa727cb7f6622d9c7\u0022\u003EHon Annette King\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table a letter from all chief financial officers of district health boards saying there was uncertainty leading to significant risk in continuing current services, that there is profound concern\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002220ca194366c5414fa455ec2d534e42ac\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member will resume her seat. The document has been described. It is a letter signed by all chief financial officers. Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is none. It can be tabled.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003EDocument, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223092b755eed94aeea3bcb70404fa961c\u0022\u003EHospitals\u2014Redevelopment Projects\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221c818ce2-6ca3-4c4a-9e6a-2e3a67d070e1\u0022 data-id=\u00226d88212ed52d4a3da941145d58a7016a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221c818ce2-6ca3-4c4a-9e6a-2e3a67d070e1\u0022\u003E8. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226d88212ed52d4a3da941145d58a7016a\u0022\u003ESHANE ARDERN (National\u2014Taranaki - King Country)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: What recent investments has the Government made in health services for the Bay of Plenty?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022 data-id=\u002240d165fd8722496eb543bcbb859c53a0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002240d165fd8722496eb543bcbb859c53a0\u0022\u003EHon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E Last week the local MP, Mrs Anne Tolley, and I were privileged to open the new $67 million Whakat\u0101ne public hospital. With more hospital beds and extra services, this building will ensure that the 50,000 people living in that region continue to receive high-quality care for many years to come. The new building includes three state-of-the-art operating theatres, a larger emergency department, a modern radiology department, bigger in-patient wards, an acute care unit for patient observation, and a 10-bed paediatric ward. This new building makes it easier for staff to provide better, faster, and more convenient care for patients in that region.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221c818ce2-6ca3-4c4a-9e6a-2e3a67d070e1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b3ead131b1f14bd6814945b902ea0c6d\u0022\u003EShane Ardern\u003C/span\u003E: What other capital investments has the Government made in health services?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002280d1bf20e3ba47ac8d1169e579508470\u0022\u003EHon TONY RYALL\u003C/span\u003E: Well, that is a very good question. The Government has invested around $1 billion, in the most difficult of economic times\u2014$1 billion\u2014into capital projects and district health boards, and we are continuing to invest more money in upgrading our New Zealand public hospitals. This includes $83 million for the revamp of Rotorua Hospital; a $190 million clinical services upgrade at Middlemore Hospital; $80 million at the Taranaki-based hospital, at which the member will be joining me at the official opening, I think, next week in New Plymouth; and $27 million for the east wing redevelopment of the Tauranga public hospital.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022690dd541d2f0476eb0db18416e3a645e\u0022\u003ESchools, Partnership\u2014Funding, Assets, and Contract Arrangements\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022 data-id=\u00223bf328a9fb804a048421a0922b497c36\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223bf328a9fb804a048421a0922b497c36\u0022\u003ETRACEY MARTIN (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E How much public money has been spent on land and other physical assets for Partnership schools up to 31 March\u2014[Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ba099f145598481ea295c3b6cd6b3582\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I am going to ask the member to repeat that question. It was being interjected on from my left. It was unable to be heard.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022 data-id=\u0022935984168572401e8bbdec67368432ea\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E9. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022935984168572401e8bbdec67368432ea\u0022\u003ETRACEY MARTIN (NZ First)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Education: How much public money has been spent on land and other physical assets for Partnership schools up to 31 March 2014?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022 data-id=\u002224bffe6c44594cad9d7b7f3f8fe3b5ba\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002224bffe6c44594cad9d7b7f3f8fe3b5ba\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE (Associate Minister of Education)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister of Education: The Government provided $6.6 million in establishment funding to five schools for 2013, and approximately $1.9 million in operational funding for the first quarter of 2014. Around a quarter of that funding is provided for property and insurance, in accordance with the partnership schools funding formula that was approved by Cabinet. What they have actually spent will vary across schools and is monitored quarterly through their reporting. One of the key aspects of partnership schools is that they have more flexibility in how they spend their total funding.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229f65cdce3a114615958e03ba64acba83\u0022\u003ETracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: To whom do these taxpayer-funded assets now legally belong?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022774ed86a39944bccbe135fb0fd3f36b6\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE\u003C/span\u003E: Obviously I am answering on behalf of the Minister of Education, but what I can confirm is that there are specific agreements in place with each of the five partnership schools. In some cases I am sure that they will own the specific assets. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228189f102a6194023aeef7658854aee9f\u0022\u003ETracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: In light of that answer, is the Minister able to tell us what ability the taxpayer has to reclaim these assets, should a partnership school close or be closed?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b1ae170618cc4578bd83c29361993df9\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE\u003C/span\u003E: That is a very good question. My understanding is that should a partnership school contract cease prior to the expiry date, the ministry would work, of course, to recover any unused funding by any means possible, and ideally through a negotiated agreement. In terms of issues around land, etc., that would go through a commercial process. Any course of action taken will depend on the circumstances contributing to the ending of the contract. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c187f562bc444238a15c99495542df4c\u0022\u003ETracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: Can she assure the public that the funding for partnership schools on a per student basis is at a no more favourable rate than mainstream State schools?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ce338a11ce1a46c581c0185062b0f1d0\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE\u003C/span\u003E: I think this a very good question as well. I think it is very unhelpful\u2014I have seen comparisons of the per student funding basis between State schools and partnership schools. The whole point of these schools is that there is an establishment phase. That means we will be spending more money in that establishment period. But also it is very important to realise that just like any other school that is being established, they will not reach their maximum roll, necessarily, in the first year. What I think is important is that we give these schools a fair go and we realise that, actually, they are dealing with some of our most disadvantaged students, and so in the first instance those comparisons are very unhelpful. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222e5ff615a75240d5b15f463af75ed84c\u0022\u003ETracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister just clarify that in her answers to the two previous questions she said that there is no set process for the reclaiming of public assets purchased by partnership schools, should they close, and that at the same time the Government is currently funding them at a higher level because they are establishing schools?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da2995ef6bc745e69f51d98087d94832\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE\u003C/span\u003E: No, that is not what I said in terms of both parts of that question. The first thing that I said is that we would seek, via the sponsor agreement, to work through what had been agreed, but we also go through the same process with any other school that closes. We look at what the commercial situation is around those assets. So there is a set process\u2014it is the same process that we go through with other schools; it is just a little bit more complicated because there are sponsorship agreements. In terms of the second issue, I said that I think it is very unhelpful to compare on a per student basis, because, yes, they are in the establishment phase, and also the whole purpose of partnership schools is that there is flexibility around what those funds can be used for, so comparisons are very unhelpful. But what I would say to the member is that I think what you can have confidence in is that they are on track in terms of their establishment roles and when you look at that overall basis, when they get to the maximum roll, we are very confident of the investment that we are making in these children\u2014some of our most disadvantaged children. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002292be0f43553a4993894ff4643d24cbaf\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The answer is long enough. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002253db6a37795c410e83ecede0aa0ca792\u0022\u003EChris Hipkins\u003C/span\u003E: Do the sponsorship agreements for partnership schools allow the Crown to recover capital from those schools in the event that they cease operating prior to the end of their contracts; if so, which clause allows that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022081291a95e4d4d8fa0ca6eca88229e22\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE\u003C/span\u003E: I do not have all of those contracts on me, but what I can say is that the advice I have had is that should a contract cease prior to the expiry date, the ministry would look to seek to recover that funding by any means possible\u2014ideally through a negotiated agreement. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223327dae2f2574f6389146b1a4913207a\u0022\u003ETracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: In light of the Minister\u2019s previous answers that partnership schools are not being given priority in terms of education spending, how can she explain that at least one of the current partnership schools is funded at a level to allow a 1:9 teacher-student ratio while mainstream State schools have a prescribed ratio of one teacher to 27.5 students? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e337e37961d54e77a05a3e70fcc598d1\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE\u003C/span\u003E: I do not agree with what the member said in the first part of the question. The second thing that I would say, though, is we have been really clear, actually, that the whole benefit of bringing innovation into the system is to enable these schools sometimes to do different things and have more teachers per student for very disadvantaged students if that is what the school thinks is best for those students. We are very proud of the fact that we are helping some of our most disadvantaged students, and we need a flexible model to do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e221205244334413a0dab42f04c722aa\u0022\u003ETracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table a speech by Hekia Parata on 16 May 2012\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229811a2ec6bba4292a6237de7a962d9f0\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! That speech will be on the web and available for all members.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ba4df159ed134db7b9f04564cc595cdb\u0022\u003EOil, Gas, and Minerals Exploration\u2014Protection of Marine Mammals\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022 data-id=\u002290300a097ce54b15b4e97b8247fa48ba\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E10. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002290300a097ce54b15b4e97b8247fa48ba\u0022\u003EJONATHAN YOUNG (National\u2014New Plymouth)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Conservation: What steps has the Government taken to improve marine protection, particularly in respect of dolphins?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022 data-id=\u0022902cb6cd54c54983b2cd1e3db19c69af\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022902cb6cd54c54983b2cd1e3db19c69af\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister of Conservation):\u003C/span\u003E This Government has approved a record number of new marine reserves. We have banned shark finning. We have passed a new exclusive economic zone law that requires the Environmental Protection Authority to robustly check proposed activities in our vast ocean area for their environmental effects. Specifically for dolphins we have also implemented compulsory regulations to protect marine mammals from adverse effects from seismic testing. I also note the recent good news that the estimated population of our Hector\u2019s dolphin on the east coast of the South Island is now at 9,000, which is significantly up from the previous estimate of 2,000. Their west coast sub-species, the M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphin, is the greatest concern, and there we have more than doubled the area of protection and banned from set netting, which actually is the greatest risk to that species out of 55.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ee32f8488fef42b1835cadb31454e1fa\u0022\u003EJonathan Young\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Minister any concerns for the M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphins from the 2014 petroleum block offer to the oil and gas industry in Taranaki? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222be026a1b9094c5db09ea0a99e3f4897\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: No, I do not. The vast bulk of the block offer is nowhere near the home of M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphin and, in fact, there has not been a single sighting\u2014despite over 885 sightings\u2014in the area of that block offer. Secondly, there has not been a single incident involving a M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphin in the oil and gas industry over the last 40 years in the Taranaki region.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b13b6bfde1bc4cc68dec08df42900d03\u0022\u003EHon Ruth Dyson\u003C/span\u003E: So is he saying that he is right and that the scientific committee of the International Whaling Commission, consisting of 200 whale and dolphin scientists, which has said for the third year in a row that these protections he has outlined are inadequate, is wrong; if so, why is he right and they are all wrong?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225b3c5140777e439a914153fe0e3de7c1\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: I rely on the scientific advice from both my Department of Conservation and the Ministry for Primary Industries. I would point out the International Whaling Commission technical committee has been absolutely up front that it had no interest in issues in respect of the economy of fishing or in respect of the oil and gas industry. It has not been able to provide me any evidence in wanting to go out to 20 nautical miles of the presence. A single report\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002248577ca0acdf444ea88a3683d57be9fe\u0022\u003EHon Ruth Dyson\u003C/span\u003E: The International Whaling Commission\u2014listen to them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c59f5e729f1241b4888e8ad2c3558ae9\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: I have a single challenge for the member. Show me a single incident or a single record of an observation of a M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphin. What members opposite are arguing is that we ban fishing and oil and gas exploration even in areas where there is no record of M\u0101ui\u2019s dolphin having ever been observed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223ff660daa0374b3dbb2bd7108ffcac0d\u0022\u003EHon Ruth Dyson\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. [Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002240991c182e4c4281b556138c055da064\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! This is a point of order, Dr Russel Norman.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022095f090e7638480780964de1069fc962\u0022\u003EHon Ruth Dyson\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table two maps. The first shows in green the nautical mile\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226e789eab872e4090b9adf0787bb585dd\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Just describe them very quickly and I will put the leave.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022058fcfc5213340788714f3572185c133\u0022\u003EHon Ruth Dyson\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014protection that is being offered and the brown existing and continuing line\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b80e067eb4e741a6be86cae5992d1885\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! OK, that one has been described. Would you describe the other.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233f2a8dcf35c43b09b4b851b93007947\u0022\u003EHon Ruth Dyson\u003C/span\u003E: The second one shows in yellow the proposed block offer\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022840a9e7c0ac346b39d825380029814ab\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! [Interruption] The member will resume her seat. Those documents have now been adequately described. Leave is sought to table those two maps. Is there any objection? There is none.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003EDocuments, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c3750f14bd184952954c6d9729322beb\u0022\u003EAdult and Community Education\u2014Funding\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022 data-id=\u00221a99f2a4d4ca4701bcee78cea561d4a0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E11. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221a99f2a4d4ca4701bcee78cea561d4a0\u0022\u003EDr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment: How many secondary schools currently receive Adult and Community Education funding compared to the 212 secondary schools in 2009 when the funding was cut?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022 data-id=\u0022a24d0cf5ba7f4ea58428a9ad542d6fe4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a24d0cf5ba7f4ea58428a9ad542d6fe4\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment):\u003C/span\u003E I am advised that 21 are directly funded and a number of others are indirectly funded through the first 21. For the member\u2019s information, there are also 26 community providers, six private training establishments, one Rural Education Activities Programme, 18 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics of New Zealand, and one w\u0101nanga funded.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224f05fea8a9914e26bc94132c8640c4bf\u0022\u003EDr Megan Woods\u003C/span\u003E: Does he think it is acceptable that since the 2009 funding cuts, there is now no school-based adult and community education provision in the Hawke\u2019s Bay and the Hutt Valley, and that in the lower North Island, where there used to be 21 adult and community education providers, there now are only two?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f1bc4323a43641fb8a9b41405a720962\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE\u003C/span\u003E: I think the member should look at the wider question of foundation education in those regions. Actually, we have unapologetically been more focused on foundation education that delivers qualifications that get people on a ladder to achievement and improved incomes. In this Government we have achieved a record number of qualifications. The member is entitled to her view, but, actually, I think we have a good balance of foundation education across all parts of New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002291d99ee53d034b9bb1d5cf0b4725fbd5\u0022\u003EDr Megan Woods\u003C/span\u003E: If foundation literacy and numeracy are his priority, as claimed, why did he in 2012 cut $22 million worth of community education funding designed to encourage embedded literacy and numeracy learning in level 1 to 3 courses?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002253757eb84e444ef1b321e453cd1843d3\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE\u003C/span\u003E: I do not have the exact information to hand but I am pretty sure the member is incorrect. There was a shift in funding from one fund to another fund at that time, but, actually, we are spending something like $69 million a year in community education, including the type the member mentioned just then\u2014$69 million a year\u2014so I invite her to go back and look through the appropriations. I am more than happy to help her find the locations of the particular sums of money.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a937d13c08464cdaa6259546069b66aa\u0022\u003EDr Megan Woods\u003C/span\u003E: How does the Minister reconcile the Hon Bill English\u2019s 2009 claim that a good proportion of those people will be able to continue to adult and community education with the fact that there are now 150,000 New Zealanders who once attended night school but do not now have the opportunity?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002270eb0dcbc6494e30ad99900cbbc819b2\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE\u003C/span\u003E: As I said to the member, if she is determined to make it simply about schools, yes, there has been a change\u2014there is no doubt about that. But there are a whole lot of other providers for both informal and formal foundation education. If the member is criticising us for cutting funding for Moroccan cooking and concrete shell mosaics and some of the other classes that were in those schools at that time, I am very happy for her to do that. This Government\u2019s record on tertiary education is a heck of a lot stronger, and if her solution is to simply go back to 2008, she is welcome to it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002297eef74a183c486a8bac8b7c85c87f7a\u0022\u003EDr Megan Woods\u003C/span\u003E: How does the Minister reconcile his comments labelling adult and community education courses as low-value and hobby courses with the view of his colleague the Hon Bill English, who in 2005 emphasised the importance of a wide range of night classes, including furniture restoration and painting, and stated that he believed that adult and community education is a place for education not aligned with Government priorities?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225c8a185974b7420fb32078f88cf14df3\u0022\u003EHon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s exactly what we\u2019ve done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220c6b22f4120d4a51bab5db4438c9f4a2\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE\u003C/span\u003E: I think that is exactly what we have done. The reality of the situation is the Government is funding $69 million a year in community education across a whole range of providers. The member, of course, is entitled to her view. I think the whole Labour Party thinks that everything that happened prior to 2008 was pretty good and everything that has happened since is pretty bad. That appears to be its view. I do not think it has got anything new to say but if it wants to go back to 2008, that is fine. We stand by our record and the number of qualifications achieved in foundation education.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00225a506c3bdbc845a1a54cae1c7cec851d\u0022\u003EFamily/Wh\u0101nau and Sexual Violence\u2014Funding for Crisis Services\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022 data-id=\u00228ddd35ca76e2450685c7806d2e3a0e05\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E12. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228ddd35ca76e2450685c7806d2e3a0e05\u0022\u003EJAN LOGIE (Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Social Development: Does she stand by her statement in relation to sexual and domestic violence that \u201Cit is actually about services on the ground that are able to address it\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022 data-id=\u00220f48f11b64ba4412959cd883dc005493\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220f48f11b64ba4412959cd883dc005493\u0022\u003EHon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development):\u003C/span\u003E Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227bc8fb63aebd41bd96013bc5ffee83eb\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: Given this focus on services on the ground, will she step in to ensure that the only 24/7 specialist sexual violence service in Canterbury has the funding to remain open after Friday, when it will otherwise close due to her funding decisions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002289f1acc2538846b494df4c7dd256f1ce\u0022\u003EHon PAULA BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: That is not correct. It is not correct that it is due to our funding decisions that it is closing. That service is currently not a Ministry of Social Development - approved provider, although officials have been working with it. That is the report that I have had. We are very keen to see it stay open, but, at the end of the day, it has to be an approved provider and it has to be financially viable for us to be doing that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002213b2b482e9d345fd9e84b3a9389bea2d\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: What is her message to the women of Canterbury, who, from Friday, will no longer have a specialist sexual violence service to go to for help, now that she has refused to fund SAFECARE?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002249725fa6813444a3956f2de38e48214e\u0022\u003EHon PAULA BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: We are not simply just refusing to fund it. There are issues with the provider that we are very keen to resolve. We will continue working with it. The member is shaking her head; she makes it sound like we do not want to fund it or that it is our desire to see it close down. Nothing could be further from the truth. When there are issues with the provider, we have a responsibility accounting-wise and auditing-wise to the taxpayers of New Zealand to make sure that that funding is being used appropriately, and that is what we are doing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c6c54524f5224a29bb5a7ee112052982\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: Has she consulted in that decision the police, who refer four victims a day to that service and are required to refer to it when somebody reports, but who, after Friday, will not even have a service in Canterbury to meet their protocol obligations for immediate support for victims?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002237a39aaeaecf47e381eb8bb98781805a\u0022\u003EHon PAULA BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: I really have nothing further to add. I am being as upfront as I can. There are issues that we are very keen to resolve. The ministry is working with that provider. We would like to see it open next week, but we have a responsibility to the taxpayer to make sure that we are doing that in the appropriate manner, and that is what we are doing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221b87710b32f34b8496e1e81ada64b223\u0022\u003EGrant Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: In light of her answer to the primary question, why did she and her ministry deny funding to Shakti to have a safe house for Asian, African, and Middle Eastern women who are victims of domestic violence in Wellington, despite Housing New Zealand having found a property for it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022690f2e55eaa44bbe87c514ba052add8b\u0022\u003EHon PAULA BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: We are still working with Shakti. We have done a review of the Wellington region. It is working with Women\u2019s Refuge\u2014and not at this time, because we think there is further work that needs to be done alongside the refuge, but we are certainly not closing the door completely.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002244027edf449f401c9f5e0bbf3cb8bc2d\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: Does the fact that services are closing and are being denied funding, and refuge funding cuts has meant that Palmerston North Women\u2019s Refuge has lost one of its two safe houses, three staff, including all of its children\u2019s advocates, and it has had to cancel its children\u2019s programme, not just show that it is not about services on the ground at all, but about saving money by short-changing women and children?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a866e39d75194de0b8278376e937fd85\u0022\u003EHon PAULA BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: It is simply not true that it is about short-changing women and children. What I can say is that yesterday I said that women\u2019s refuges are getting millions more under this Government than they were under Labour. Funding has increased from $11.6 million in 2007-08 to $15.3 million now, in 2013-14. We put an extra $10.4 million into sexual violence services, which we announced just 2 months ago, which shows a real commitment to making sure that that funding is there for front-line services. We have a responsibility as well, though, to make sure that that funding is being spent responsibly. That is what we are doing across the board. We will support those services, where we can, and where it is a responsible thing to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002279a043bb307b4a6799cb13b12c0494ac\u0022\u003EGeneral Debate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00228fa6f0fa843f4c19872ba7fa2d237d03\u0022\u003EGeneral Debate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022f264ee5eb86a463ba20fb79c9b3fc872\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f264ee5eb86a463ba20fb79c9b3fc872\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Deputy Leader\u2014Labour):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the House take note of miscellaneous business. Just last week, Pattrick Smellie said that the National Government was wise to go to the election early because the economic news from here on gets worse. In other words, this is as good as it gets. In a year when 46 percent of New Zealanders got no increase in their wages, his message to New Zealand is that National has gone early because it gets no better than this. The economic recovery is built on a housing bubble in Auckland and the Christchurch rebuild. Exports have peaked; from here, they go down.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EYou might think \u201CWell, Pattrick Smellie\u2014a trusted economic adviser.\u201D, but who else is saying this? Just yesterday, Shamubeel Eaqub, the chief economist at the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, said that raising interest rates is a huge mistake at a time when inflation is incredibly low and you are doing it only because of the housing market in Auckland. He said: \u201CIt scares the hell out of me because the collateral damage rises with each increase. You risk tipping them [the regions] into recession.\u201D He said that, yes, house prices are out of control in Auckland\u2014that is me saying that\u2014and that they have gone up by 20 percent in real terms since 2007, but in the rest of the country they fell by 21 percent during the same period. That is, of course, excluding Canterbury. He then said that the gaps opening up in New Zealand are really big across geographical, race, and education lines, and that one of the biggest issues of this generation is the widening gap between the haves and the have-nots. That is from the chief economist at the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research. That is his conclusion after 6 years of a National Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EAcross both sides of the House\u2014Labour and National\u2014we favour consistently stronger economic growth. Indeed, since World War II, the rate of economic growth in real terms has been slightly higher under Labour than under National. We both stand for economic growth. I do not deny that. National does stand for it; we do too. Of course we do. We are the party of labour and we need jobs and higher incomes. But the bigger difference lies in our desire to share that around fairly so that the economy is stronger and everyone gets ahead. It is Labour that always brings forward the long-term structural changes that reduce inequality. National is not worried about that. It denies it is occurring. Despite decreasing homeownership rates\u2014the lowest in 50 years\u2014increasing child poverty, an increasing gap between the haves and the have-nots, and the refusal to tax capital gains, National denies that inequality is getting worse, despite the fact that someone like Shamubeel Eaqub, the chief economist at the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, says that those gaps are widening in every way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E We believe that long-term solutions are important. That is why we introduced KiwiSaver, which National voted against. We believe in making long-term savings through the Cullen fund, which Bill English described as a dog when he voted against it and now says is a good idea. It is now time to move to universal KiwiSaver. New Zealand is dissaving again at the moment. We are actually borrowing more money from overseas because we are not saving. We are spending more than we earn. We are dissaving. One of the answers to that is a capital gains tax. Another important answer to that is a universal KiwiSaver scheme. That is what they have got in Australia. That is one of the reasons why they have got higher wages in Australia. It is one of the reasons why they own their banks, plus ours, plus so much of our corporate sector. They have a work-based savings scheme. Everyone in Australia has to be in it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EWe hear National saying that the low-paid should not be able to afford to save. We think differently on this side. We think that everyone needs a nest egg. We think the economy is stronger as a consequence. If people at the bottom end cannot afford to save, they need a lift in the minimum wage and a push towards a living wage. Higher wages is what they will get under Labour. Following through on that we will have higher growth rates. We will have a lower exchange rate, higher values in exports, and more high-value jobs, all at the same time as avoiding this ridiculous housing bubble in Auckland that has arisen under National.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u0022ff354de455e249b79e589412b06bb6ef\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ff354de455e249b79e589412b06bb6ef\u0022\u003EGRANT ROBERTSON (Labour\u2014Wellington Central):\u003C/span\u003E I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am just concerned that perhaps we need to turn up the heating in the House because Mr Henare is obviously very, very cold over there. I just wonder whether you might like to increase the heating so that he can take that scarf off.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022 data-id=\u0022f6121073bd91470ea0ef9e18dbf14c10\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f6121073bd91470ea0ef9e18dbf14c10\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I cannot see a valid point of order coming out of that, but I will comment that the level of interjection through that speech from David Parker was unreasonable. I hesitated over whether to assist the member, but I did not want to\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cade1a12863f48d78476f3a3e3efe060\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: I didn\u2019t need your assistance. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dc290a43e69348a08d6d42c9dabbfd2a\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I agree he did not need it. I did not want to interrupt his speech. It is a robust debate\u2014it is the general debate\u2014but the level of interjection must be reasonable.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022 data-id=\u002291ab934344b4440ca2eb9b7224f37e0d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002291ab934344b4440ca2eb9b7224f37e0d\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Prime Minister):\u003C/span\u003E In the next few days the Labour Party has to come clean about every contact with Mr Donghua Liu and every donation from him, because if it does not come clean, it may be unable to save its leader. That is where it has got to. The reason the Labour Party has to explain all those contacts and donations is that no one trusts what David Cunliffe says about the donations and the contacts with Mr Donghua Liu.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EIt is not as if this House has not had the opportunity for every member to understand that Mr Liu has been active in the political scene. Partly as a result of declarations of donations from Mr Liu, Maurice Williamson stepped down from his job, so it is not as if no one knew that Mr Liu was about. There does appear to be one person who either did not know or did not care, and that is David Cunliffe, the leader of the Labour Party. The reason no one trusts him is this: \u201CDo you recall ever meeting Mr Liu?\u201D. \u201CI don\u2019t recall ever meeting him, no.\u201D \u201CDid you have anything to do with granting his permanent residency?\u201D. \u201CNo, I did not.\u201D \u201CDid you advocate on his behalf at all?\u201D. \u201CNo.\u201D \u201CWere you aware of any advice against granting him permanent residency?\u201D. \u201CNot to my recollection.\u201D That was yesterday. Today, of course, we have the letter that he wrote advocating exactly for his permanent residency. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EAny member of Parliament can say: \u201CI don\u2019t remember writing a letter some time ago on behalf of a constituent.\u201D, but the problem is that when David Cunliffe says that, who will believe him? You cannot believe him. This is the man who set up his own personal trust as part of his leadership campaign precisely to hide donations\u2014precisely. When asked to reveal those donations, as his leadership rival Grant Robertson did, he still would not reveal those donations, so how do we know that one of the donors is not Mr Donghua Liu? How do we know? We do not know. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003ESo Mr Cunliffe has a very simple problem. If anyone trusted him before\u2014and who knows how many of those there were\u2014will anyone trust him now? I am not talking about the public. I am not talking about the Government. I am not talking about the media. I am talking about his own caucus. So as the champagne is popped in Grant Robertson\u2019s office today and David Parker wanders off on his intellectual journey across the Sahara trying to find something that might mean something to being in a future Government, do the rest of the members of the caucus trust what David Cunliffe says? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226d4c3937572243ddb2f66b60ad30a58b\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002269af17ec684c438a9829790504f4475c\u0022\u003EHon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: And you can tell that by looking at them. You can tell that by looking at them. So the Government has made up its mind, the public have made up their minds, and the media have made up their minds There is only one question left: when will the Labour Party caucus make up its mind?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022 data-id=\u0022e569b3104ec54fc2b39400d9e2559d5b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e569b3104ec54fc2b39400d9e2559d5b\u0022\u003ESUE MORONEY (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Was that not very interesting\u2014that Bill English had nothing to say about what that Government\u2019s future is for this country? All that Government members could do was get very excited about a letter about an MP advocating for a constituent. That is all they can get excited about. Well, I can assure New Zealanders that on this side of the House we are excited about the future of this country under a Labour-led Government, because it is under a Labour-led Government that we will actually get that brighter future, that so-called brighter future that that lot have been promising for year after year but most New Zealanders are yet to see. What New Zealanders see instead is those at the very top getting more and most New Zealanders going without and struggling every day to make ends meet. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003EThose are the issues that concern us. Those are the issues that concern the Labour Party. So we are doing something about it. We are not going to go into this negative sort of picture that the Government members are going into. Their politics is the politics of negativity and of trying to muddy the waters. Ordinary New Zealanders know that they will not make progress until there is a change of Government, and they know very clearly now that it is a Labour-led Government that will actually look after the interests of ordinary New Zealanders\u2014actually look after the interests of ordinary New Zealanders. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003ENew Zealanders have seen our fabulous Best Start policy. They have seen it and they know it means that families with newborn children will get $60 a week extra for the first year of that child\u2019s life, and if they are low-income families, they will continue to get that $60 extra a week until that child\u2019s third birthday. Those are the sorts of things that New Zealanders want to hear about when they switch on their TVs and watch Parliament TV. They want to know what that lot over there are doing to make ordinary New Zealanders\u2019 lives better, and the conclusion they are coming to is that most New Zealanders need a change in Government to actually get a fair go in this country. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003EIt is clear that the economy is starting to improve. It has taken far too long, but it is starting to improve, and what ordinary New Zealanders want to know is whether they are going to get their fair share. Under a Labour-led Government they know they will. They know that a Labour-led Government is one that actually knows that investing in the early months of New Zealanders\u2019 lives is going to make a big difference. That is actually smart economics and smart politics, and ordinary New Zealanders know that if we get it right in those early months and early years, all of us get to reap the benefits. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003EI was dismayed to see the games that have been going on about our bill to extend paid parental leave to 6 months. The Government has got nothing better to do than to try tricks and games to stop that bill from going through. Despite the majority of parliamentarians wanting it and despite the majority of New Zealanders wanting it, that Government is putting all of its energies into stopping that from happening. Well, here is good news for New Zealanders: the bill can go through now with a two vote majority and there is time for that to happen before Parliament rises for the election. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003EI look forward to the National Party trying some positivity for a change. Try to do something positive and stop filibustering on that bill. Stop trying all your tricks. You might think it is smart to have those tricks here in Parliament, but New Zealanders are watching. It is absolutely offensive to try that sort of trickery around a bill that is important for New Zealand families. You might think that you are funny having a go at the Labour Party, but, actually, if you get in the way of support for ordinary New Zealand families, they will not forgive you for that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003ESo I look forward to the Government actually getting its act together, using the next two members\u2019 days properly, and not trying to get in the way of a very good bill that should have its support. If the Government is trying to convince New Zealanders that it prioritises families and children, then here is its chance to prove it. It has a chance in the next 5 weeks to prove that it will let democracy take its course, that it will let children have that support of 6 months\u2019 paid parental leave in the first year of their life, and it has a chance to prove that it is worthy of leading this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003E PAGE    \\* MERGEFORMAT 1\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022 data-id=\u002282a744d878b3446bbda308276af3f96d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002282a744d878b3446bbda308276af3f96d\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Minister of Immigration):\u003C/span\u003E I ask the previous speaker, Ms Moroney, who said that we in this Parliament should be focusing on the things that matter, where on earth was that speech a month ago, when the Labour Party spent 2 weeks railing against sideshows? If there was a textbook for beginning MPs, the very first teaching in that textbook would be this, I suggest: if one is going to throw stones, be very careful to ensure that one is not standing in a glasshouse. I have run that gauntlet in those 2-week periods. I have been accused of all manner of things and I have responded with an absolutely straight bat, declaring everything, listening to people on immigration policy without fear or favour and without any knowledge of donations. So it absolutely amazed me when I heard today that the Labour Party has not been quite as consistent with the solid ground that it wanted us to be on as it should. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EApparently, the Labour Party has been receiving donations from a Mr Donghua Liu, not that anybody from the Electoral Commission would know, because it apparently has not been declared. So I ask the House whether that failure is imposture or incompetence, because either way, for a party that aspires to lead this country, whatever the answer is, it is not a good look. And it is certainly not a good look for a Leader of the Opposition who has spent not only the last week but this morning denying unequivocally having had anything to do with Mr Liu\u2014\u201CDo you recall ever meeting him?\u201D, \u201CI don\u2019t recall ever meeting him.\u201D, \u201CDo you have anything to do with the granting of his permanent residency?\u201D. I have to say I do not normally disagree with the Deputy Prime Minister, but when he said that Mr Cunliffe said: \u201CI don\u2019t remember.\u201D, actually, Mr Cunliffe said: \u201CNo, I did not.\u201D It was not as if he could not remember. He said: \u201CNo, I did not.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EImposture or incompetence? Either way, this fellow aspires to lead this country, and what we have is a man who would change his register of pecuniary interests\u2014no, he will pay the money back before he discloses who supported him in his leadership campaign. He stands in this House and says that Martians are more likely to come here than a boat from Indonesia and then he dog whistles on immigration policy, but does not say what he would do to reduce the number of migrants in this country. That is not the behaviour of somebody who should aspire to lead this country. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EBut do you know what? He is not alone. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E Five months before Mr Cunliffe advocated on behalf of Mr Liu, his ministerial colleague Chris Carter\u2014who was not the constituent MP for Mr Liu, it appears; so why he would, who knows\u2014wrote a letter to Immigration New Zealand saying this: \u201CLook, I know things are a bit slow at Immigration at the moment, but Mr Liu has put $3 million in a bank account\u201D\u2014I hope it was not the Labour Party\u2019s bank account\u2014\u201Cand is keen to purchase a particular building for redevelopment. I would be grateful for any consideration that could be given to expediting this application.\u201D That was Mr Chris Carter, on behalf of Mr Donghua Liu. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EBut here is where it gets really murky. What on earth was the Hon Rick Barker doing\u2014a Minister of the Crown on holiday in China? He did not have a ministerial responsibility for economic development. He was not responsible for immigration. He was not responsible for trade, and he went and visited a concrete factory. He took time out of his own holiday to visit a concrete factory, for a person he claimed not to know and cannot recall. Well, I can tell you there appears to me to be a lot of Labour Party members and former members who are very, very forgetful. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003ERemember about that consistency\u2014about not throwing stones if you are standing in a glasshouse? Which was the party that accused this side of being a little forgetful? Well, I am sorry, but it must be contagious in this House, because those members appear to me to be a heck of a lot more forgetful, or are they forgetful? I think the public is entitled to ask how forgetful Labour Party members really are. With the benefit of hindsight they seem to remember things only when they are publicly disclosed. This party, this Government, has played a straight bat on every single disclosure it was meant to make. When it comes to the ballot box\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002243e48c8c08b24a97840aae21d75dd975\u0022\u003EHon Annette King\u003C/span\u003E: Whose great-uncle was it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fb9c50d962ff49c0b60d6765c3b803d5\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE\u003C/span\u003E: My grandfather\u2019s first cousin. That has been absolutely cleared up. Clark knows it; Curran knows it\u2014stop telling fibs. The public has a right to know the truth, and they will make it known at the ballot box.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022 data-id=\u002241aeff41f19e49c3938cb02ec1ff26f5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002241aeff41f19e49c3938cb02ec1ff26f5\u0022\u003EMOANA MACKEY (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E That member, Michael Woodhouse, is a Minister in the Government, but his mouth so often works for the Opposition. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003EI want to talk about something that actually matters. I want to talk about jobs, because we are being told that we have a rock star economy. We have a rock star economy. As David Parker pointed out, it is lucky we are having an early election because all the indicators are that it is downhill from here. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003ESo who has benefited in this rock star economy that we are seeing so far? I think the questions New Zealanders are going to be asking themselves are: \u201CDo I feel better off?\u201D and \u201CHave I got my fair share of this rock star economy recovery?\u201D, and overwhelmingly the answer is no. Yes, there have been some people who have done very, very well out of this current Government, but for the average Kiwi family they are struggling to stand still, and too many are going backwards. That is the reality of a so-called recovery under the National Government, and it is only going to go downhill from here. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003EIf we put Christchurch aside, because we all accept that Christchurch is a special case, I sometimes feel as though this Government thinks that New Zealand ends at the Bombay Hills and that the rest of us do not really matter. It has been a long time since I have heard the words \u201Cregional economic development\u201D coming out of the mouth of a National Government Minister. I am not surprised that it took an election year for regional economic development to suddenly be paid lip-service to by this National Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003EWhen we were in Government we had a Minister for regional development. We prioritised it. As members will know, much of the wealth in this country comes from the provinces of New Zealand. If they are in trouble, we are in trouble. We recognised that 9 years of a National Government in the 1990s had put our regional economies and regional communities at risk, and so we did something about it. We invested in rural and provincial economies. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222a93add01a2a4d1488229ec9967de510\u0022\u003EHon Anne Tolley\u003C/span\u003E: Does this member read the regional development stats?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e04044bd10e04c969c0923426130e6a8\u0022\u003EMOANA MACKEY\u003C/span\u003E: Regional economies, Mrs Tolley. Well, she would not know anything about that. If Mrs Tolley thinks that things are going great on the East Coast and in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, then I suspect that shows how arrogant and out of touch she is. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003EWhat have we had in Gisborne? In Gisborne we used to have a rail line. There was a washout on that rail line, and instead, when you put this in the context of the billions and billions of dollars being spent on roads of national significance around Auckland, all we asked for was less than $4 million to fix the rail line from Gisborne to Napier. Everyone wanted it\u2014everyone except Mrs Tolley. Everyone wanted that rail line reopened, and the National Government said no. It said to the Gisborne community: \u201CNo. We don\u2019t care that you are the most isolated district in the country. We don\u2019t care that you\u2019ve had enormous success at getting traffic back on that rail line. We say no, we won\u2019t fix it, but here you go. Have $14 billion more for roads of national significance up around Auckland.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003EIn the Labour Party we think that is not fair. We think that regional New Zealand deserves the same kind of attention that Auckland gets, and it is important that Auckland gets attention\u2014it is our only international city; I absolutely support that\u2014but the rest of us matter as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003ESo, in lieu of our rail line, the National Government said: \u201CInstead of a rail line, you can have an economic development potential report.\u201D So we got this report. It cost $200,000\u2014$200,000\u2014to tell us what we already knew. It would have been better to give that $200,000 to our council to actually do some good with in terms of economic development, instead of having the Government tell us\u2014and this was great\u2014\u201CThe East Coast suffers from a perception of deprivation.\u201D No, we do not. We suffer from deprivation. That is the whole point. It is not a perception; it is a reality, and this Government is doing nothing about it. Inequality is getting worse. The gap between the haves and have-nots is widening, and unfortunately we have far too many have-nots on the East Coast and in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003ESo, basically, we knew what the report would say. It would say that if you do not want jobs in the oil and gas industry, stop whingeing about being unemployed. That is essentially what it said. Any jobs that come from that industry would be very welcome on the East Coast, provided the environmental protections are there. I think that the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment\u2019s recent report showed that there are big gaps in that, but the chances of us finding something commercial are very small. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003EDo you know what? We in the provinces think we deserve a plan B. We deserve a plan B in case plan A, which is the only plan the Government has, does not come to fruition, and it is more likely that it will not than it will. So where is the plan B for the provinces? Where is the plan for those communities that make up the backbone of this country? It is not there. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270dd644d-8bcf-40dc-998a-887d62d24a76\u0022\u003EA Labour Government would play an active role in regional economic development. We funded forestry roading in Gisborne last time we were in Government. That is the kind of thing we would look to do again. We would work with the provinces, rather than working against them, as this Government does every day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022 data-id=\u0022425de0cde4f7446eb2ed40bc74cffc14\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022425de0cde4f7446eb2ed40bc74cffc14\u0022\u003EHon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E It is a difficult day for Mr Cunliffe when the C-team is being rolled out in the general debate. We had David Parker and then we had Sue Moroney and then Moana Mackey, a list MP for Labour. They are hardly a ringing endorsement from the Labour front bench. Look, I know what they are going through. Having been in Parliament for 24 years, I have seen a lot of this\u2014leaders in terminal decline. You get your normal blusterers on the front bench who just keep chipping and chirping the whole time and not making any sense, and then the only people who will front up in the debate to back you are the people who installed you as the leader. No one else will front. No one else will take a call. No one else will defend what has gone on here. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EWhat we have seen happen in the last 2 days\u20142 hours, even\u2014is another example of the fact that David Cunliffe lacks situational awareness. He never understands the fact that you cannot say one thing to somebody one minute and then another thing to somebody else a few moments later. We have seen it time and time again. Whether it is talking to the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, whether it is talking to the teachers, whether it is talking to people in business, or whether it is talking to journalists, there is a lack of situational awareness. There is a lack of actually knowing that what you say to one group is going to be reflected upon by another. We have seen that time and time again with David Cunliffe. We are seeing it time and time again with the Labour Party. It is spiralling out of control. It has a complete lack of leadership and no moral authority. But what is worse is it has no alternative vision for the future of this country. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EThis is a Government that is focused on a plan of action and is focusing on the things that matter. This is a country where most people think the nation is heading in the right direction. This is a country where people think the Government is playing its part and New Zealand is heading in the right direction. More jobs, more opportunity, better education, better health, better targeted support\u2014that is what New Zealanders think. This country is headed in the right direction and Labour Party members hate that. The reason why they hate that is because they are completely focused on their own problems. So here is Mr Cunliffe, who only a few hours ago denied he had ever met Mr Liu and said the Labour Party never got any donations from Mr Liu. And here we have today a letter from Mr Cunliffe making representations on behalf of Mr Liu. It is just not consistent with what he has been saying previously. It is hugely embarrassing for Mr Cunliffe and for the Labour Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022927b1673399242e7a907e68c50349ac6\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Will he survive?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f5ede69c45044564b0a7532599515374\u0022\u003EHon TONY RYALL\u003C/span\u003E: Will he survive? Look, I think that when you consider the calls that have been made by senior and respected journalists, the lack of participation from the front bench in this debate\u2014in fact, the lack of participation from any bench of the Labour Party and any bench opposite in this debate\u2014speaks volumes. I will tell you what is happening. Those members are all in their little groups, in their friends\u2019 offices, saying \u201CCan he survive this? Do you believe what he said on this? What more is to come? What about these donations for the bottles of wine that haven\u2019t been declared, and is there anything more? What is going on with that?\u201D. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a83ea07a-806c-45ad-95bb-eb2c481cd0e2\u0022\u003EWhile the Opposition is focusing on its internal problems, this is a Government that is on the move. It is a Government with a plan of action. It is a Government with a vision for New Zealand. I think that every day we see the benefits of the leadership of our Prime Minister, John Key, who is out there talking to world leaders about the opportunities for New Zealand in a vast growing world. The global opportunities for trade, investment, and wealth\u2014that is what our Prime Minister is talking about. And here at home, led by our Minister of Finance, we have got a Government focused on the things that matter: creating the environment we need for people to take a risk and invest in their businesses, and to grow jobs in this country. Indeed, the contrast between the centre-right and the hard left could never be clearer than it is today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022 data-id=\u00225e1ec4b5adf74470bcd540d1aac8059b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225e1ec4b5adf74470bcd540d1aac8059b\u0022\u003EHon PETER DUNNE (Minister of Internal Affairs):\u003C/span\u003E Tempted as I am to do otherwise, I will give Mr Cunliffe the charity of my silence as he seeks to work his way out of a nigh impossible predicament. I want to talk about another couple of issues that are in a similar vein and have the potential to adversely impact upon the current election campaign. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003EIt used to be said that every New Zealander enjoyed one vote of equal value. What we are seeing through the antics of Mr Dotcom and Mr Craig is a sense of people with large sums of personal wealth to divert the political process in such a way to promote their own objectives. I think that is reprehensible, and I think strongly, particularly when you think of some of the crackpot notions they are both promoting, that it is something that New Zealand can well do without. In Australia another crackpot called Clive Palmer, the man who brings a new car to Parliament every day, spent $12 million to buy his way into the federal Parliament at the last election. An eccentric football team manager in the United Kingdom spent \u00A31.5 million funding the United Kingdom Independence Party to spread a poisonous, racist message through Britain during the last European and local elections. We are now seeing the same trend starting to appear in New Zealand. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003ESo one of the tasks that the Electoral Commission and the appropriate select committee in the next Parliament will need to confront, in my view, is examining the level and limit of personal donations to political parties. I have no objection to people supporting political parties\u2014funding them, making their donations in a way that is open and accountable\u2014but I think there is a clear line to be drawn between that sort of upfront, open process and rich boys with their toys simply funding political parties to promote their own selfish objectives. I think most New Zealanders would agree with that objection. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003EThe second point that I want to raise relates to an issue that has been around this House from time to time. It has got the colloquial name of waka jumping. We have got it on the agenda at the moment because of the Mana-Internet agreement, which actually ceases to be 6 weeks after the election. So in the event that Mr Harawira retains his seat, a whole number of Dotcom MPs arrive here and, clearly, after 6 weeks they walk away from the arrangement. They have got no legal status, no moral authority, and, yet, they sit in this Parliament, draw the privileges, the allowances, and the money, and promote Mr Dotcom\u2019s continued residence in New Zealand. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003EIt is time for this Parliament to revisit the legislation that was in place some years ago but that was stalled in the end because of high horses. Members of Parliament who are elected in constituencies are accountable to those constituencies. But members of Parliament elected on a party\u2019s list are primarily accountable to that party, and when they choose to leave that party, their moral and political mandate goes with them and they should be required to leave this Parliament. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003EWe need to revisit that situation and amend the electoral legislation again to make it clear that list members of Parliament who, for whatever reason, usually incredibly ill-founded and ill-considered, decide to leave their party during the term of a Parliament do so, but they leave Parliament as well. Otherwise, we face the prospect in the next Parliament of a loose unit group of MPs coming in here on someone\u2019s coat-tails\u2014and we have had a lot of debate about coat-tailing provisions\u2014but actually intending to desert the coat-tail as soon as they get here. What could be more reprehensible than that? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003ESo when we are talking about standards, and the debate today has generally focused on the political standards of the Leader of the Opposition, there are broader standards here in question. When we are talking about them, let us look at the system. Let us ensure that no one can buy an election in New Zealand in the way that we are seeing two characters trying to do at the moment. Let us also ensure that people who are elected to this Parliament by the voters of New Zealand serve their terms on the basis of the allegiance for which they were elected. If times move on and an electorate MP feels that they cannot do that, then they face the judgment of their electorate at the next election. They have that authority. But if a list MP does not, and we have had one case already in the term of this Parliament, then that person leaves Parliament full stop. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f555a23a-d230-4f03-80ba-a44e6ec8bd29\u0022\u003EThere ought to be a consensus around this House that that is the case, and there ought to be a move for amending the Electoral Act accordingly in the new Parliament to make sure that we deal with that aberration at the very least. Unless we deal with the former question, I think we are headed into a very sad, shoddy, and potentially corrupt period of New Zealand politics.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022 data-id=\u0022648b55186a1b4b00b8a271b2efc6633e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022648b55186a1b4b00b8a271b2efc6633e\u0022\u003EDr PAUL HUTCHISON (National\u2014Hunua):\u003C/span\u003E The tweet of the afternoon comes from Mr David Farrar and it reads that Rajen Prasad has reversed his resignation to come back as leader of the Labour Party. That is how desperate Labour is\u2014nobody wants the job. Nobody wants the job. It is a grave, grave worry for the Labour Party. Last night I was in the parliamentary cafeteria and I just happened to glance across and there was Matt McCarten, chief of staff of the Labour Party, looking very dishevelled, but next to him was an even more dishevelled, absolutely dejected David Cunliffe. I reflected to myself: \u201CWhat have they done to that once proud Labour Party?\u201D. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022\u003EFirst of all, there is a different dimension to this latest revelation and that, of course, is that Labour has shifted under David Cunliffe deeply, deeply to the left. We have, of course, the recognition that the Labour Party leader, whatever he is, must be centre-left\u2014just a little bit pink. But what we have seen on the horizon is this deep hue of red, almost scarlet, as we see the influence of Matt McCarten. We see the coalition partners: the Greens\u2014a total misnomer, undoubtedly, with their Marxist co-leader Russel Norman\u2014followed by Labour\u2019s other coalition partner Mana, led by Hone Harawira, who is to the left of Russel Norman. And then there is the newcomer on the block, Laila Harr\u00E9. Laila Harr\u00E9 and Hone Harawira are bankrolled by none other than that Germanic oddity who has certainly shown his true colours, just as David Cunliffe will in the near future. But the deep concern about this is that this group of individuals, this coalition of the left, may have the possibility of taking the Treasury benches, but the chances are fortunately becoming less and less and less. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022\u003EThe good news, though, is what a great and justified accolade Rod Oram, political economic commentator, gave the National Government in the Sunday Star-Times in the weekend. Mr Oram is not known for favouring the centre-right, but during the weekend\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002297dd34419de949b883c31eeb7dc60900\u0022\u003EPaul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: He must be unwell.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224b384a7367c2454ca4734efde3b439fe\u0022\u003EDr PAUL HUTCHISON\u003C/span\u003E: Well, that is what I was worried about. He is a law-abiding citizen, so he was definitely not on psychoactive drugs or anything like that, but he gave the National Government three \u201Cexcellents\u201D and Labour one \u201Cexcellent\u201D. In fact, Mr Oram praised the National Government and the Hon Bill English, in his words, \u201Cfor their strong [fiscal] discipline and bold strategy to help us survive the global financial crisis and build for the future.\u201D He praised the National Government, saying that since 2009 it \u201Chas improved fiscal discipline, initiated its Better Public Services programme, and set itself 10 big challenges such as reducing welfare dependency and boosting skills and employment.\u201D These are the sorts of things that that ragtag collation of the left could just simply not do, because they are destined to tax more, to borrow more, to lend more, and now to deny more. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022\u003EBut Mr Oram praised the National Government, in his words, for having \u201Cbravely tackled the incredibly complex and fraught issues of freshwater regulation.\u201D He goes on and notes that \u201CThe previous Labour Government had failed abysmally on these ...\u201D issues during the 9 years it was in office. And these are very serious issues, as Kennedy Graham would agree, but that regime would absolutely fail to address them. Mr Oram praised the National Government for changing New Zealand Trade and Enterprise from a good to an excellent support agency for many of our fastest exporters. And what better praise could Mr Oram give the National Government than when he stated that \u201CCallaghan Innovation\u2019s overall strategy represents the most intelligent ... response yet by a [New Zealand] Government to the challenge of commercialising science and developing a more sophisticated economy.\u201D? Even more, National\u2019s Primary Growth Partnership \u201Cis now delivering exciting breakthroughs such as the new technology for precision seafood harvesting.\u201D Finally, Mr Oram says that \u201CNational was right in the 2008 election to commit government investment to accelerate the development of ultrafast broadband.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022 data-id=\u00226339ea42ef6241598a77504f3c90a302\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226339ea42ef6241598a77504f3c90a302\u0022\u003EPOTO WILLIAMS (Labour\u2014Christchurch East):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Mr Speaker. Goodness, it is a lively general debate today. I just want to say, Dr Hutchison, that I think quite highly of you, but even I was a little taken aback at that speech and the swipe that you took at us. Perhaps you were getting a little out of your depth when you talked about the Labour caucus\u2019s relationship with its leader. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003EI want to bring us back to things that actually matter\u2014things that matter to ordinary New Zealanders. I want to bring us back to some basic principles and talk about housing. It is a basic human right to have housing\u2014the right to shelter. Housing in the primitive sense is about protection. It is about having protection from those things that could do us harm. It permits you to establish yourself and to have a base where you can gather those things around you that are important to you. It provides also a base for us as humans to flourish, to restore, and to recover. But when we talk about housing, it is not just the structure we are talking about. We are talking about decent housing that is warm and dry and affordable. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003EHow does warm, dry, affordable housing benefit our people? Well, there are several ways. Let us just look at the health benefits of warm, dry, affordable homes. It is well documented that a home that is in a decent condition\u2014a place that is warm and dry\u2014contributes to the good health outcomes of the population. So with Labour\u2019s healthy homes guarantee, for example, homes will have insulation and heating for those who rent, and you will have a decent standard of accommodation that will help to combat the really high rates of respiratory conditions that our children suffer. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003EThere is also something about the affordability to heat your homes. With NZ Power, we are looking at making the affordability to heat your home a reality for New Zealanders, because having a warm, dry home is a source of well-being for young children and for older citizens alike. Preventing poor health outcomes in our population has a positive impact on the cost of health to our population, not only for the country but also for the overall well-being of individuals and families\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d48b22c31cbb4bce9bead9e190c59ff2\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I am sorry to interrupt the member, but it is not acceptable for a member to be making a call on a cellphone while in the Chamber.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022afd3b42a00e0459d8583b7acdb3c4ccb\u0022\u003EPOTO WILLIAMS\u003C/span\u003E: It is well to remember that good housing is essential for a good community. John A Lee said that back in the 1930s, and it is as pertinent today as it was back then. Being able to put down roots and develop links and connections in the community and to take advantage of that community capital\u2014that social capital\u2014takes time, and people need to have time to do that, regardless of whether they own their home or they rent. There should not be barriers to long-term residency in a community simply because of your inability to purchase a home, to rent a home, or to have the support from social providers into housing. Homeownership should be available to all Kiwis who want it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003EThese are not just individual benefits, either. It benefits the community to have well-networked residents who are aware of their neighbours and the situations that their neighbours live in and who are supportive of them. Difficult times, such as a natural disaster, are times when those connections are most apparent, and recovery in communities would not be possible without there being strong connections in place. So\u2014soon.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003EFinally, I want to talk about taking a responsible approach to housing, one that considers a person\u2019s ability to pay for housing, which means not only the affordability and availability of that housing but also having the income available to pay for that housing, which for most of us is really the biggest take out of our pay packets each week. I just want to finalise by saying that we want to provide an environment that encourages saving through compulsory KiwiSaver contributions, which means we will save for our retirement but we will also have deposits for our first home, and we will have a tool to manage inflationary pressures as well. Above all, we will make it possible for Kiwi families to put down roots and fully participate in community life. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022 data-id=\u0022361e6632a5a044c9b801c6f87ee969e9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022361e6632a5a044c9b801c6f87ee969e9\u0022\u003EPAUL GOLDSMITH (National):\u003C/span\u003E I want to start by referring to the Hon John Banks, and I am conscious that we have a debate about him following this one. The court has adjudicated on Mr Banks that he did the wrong thing, and he has certainly paid a high price for that, and people will make their own judgment on that. But I do hope that, as his active public service of nearly four decades draws to a close, people will recognise that for all his faults he tried his best and he made a significant contribution. It was he who first drew me into politics 18 years ago when I began writing his biography as a green history graduate then working at the Waitangi Tribunal, for better or worse, and I am grateful to him for that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EThree months out from the election, speculation about what will happen in the seat of Epsom is picking up strongly, and commentators can speculate all they like. As we all remember, the party vote was the primary objective for us in the 2011 election, and whether that remains the case in 2014 is for another day, and the Prime Minister has said that many times. But let us not forget that under MMP it is the party with the most party votes that wins the election, and that is the simple reality in Epsom and in every other electorate in the country. The overwhelming sentiment that I hear day in, day out\u2014as my family and I live in Epsom\u2014at school functions, at the supermarket, and on the doorstep is that people want John Key to remain Prime Minister and the National Government to remain in power. This is not at all surprising, because this Government has done a magnificent job in steering the economy through these past 6 difficult years, through difficult economic times. People can see we are heading in the right direction. The economy is growing at around 4 percent, inflation is subdued, interest rates have been kept lower for longer, average wages are rising faster than inflation, and unemployment is falling. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EThis is the time to consolidate the gains and continue the never-ending challenge of improving New Zealand\u2019s international competitiveness, which is what sustains our living standards. Consistency and predictability lead to confidence, confidence encourages people to invest, and investment leads to growth and jobs. Epsom, which includes the suburbs of Remuera, Parnell, Epsom, and parts of Mt Eden, is full of wealth creators\u2014people who have their own businesses, who take risks and employ people. I meet with them every day and I celebrate their success. Their success is New Zealanders\u2019 success. They look to the Government not to solve all their problems but simply to create an environment of consistency and predictability. They expect the Government to be managed properly and for spending to be disciplined. That is why they support John Key, Bill English, and this Government in large numbers. I am proud to play a small role in that in Parliament and on the ground in Epsom. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EWhat most people struggle to understand is why on earth we would want to lurch in a new direction just as we have got the country heading in the right direction\u2014why we would want a capital gains tax, why we would want to overturn monetary policy, and why we would want to nationalise electricity and become a global leader in climate change policy. So we contrast John Key as a leader with whom you know what you get, with Mr Cunliffe, who cannot recall writing a letter in favour of\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dfa851f0-ef7b-4834-bc41-1b3b645a3495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d1eefeab375648e9897cc99c24021156\u0022\u003EDavid Shearer\u003C/span\u003E: Judith Collins? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225a770861de86465c8971b61229545a4f\u0022\u003EPAUL GOLDSMITH\u003C/span\u003E: Is that not interesting\u2014is that not interesting? Donghua Liu\u2014Mr Cunliffe cannot recall whether or not he wrote a letter to him. I remember somebody else being in a similar predicament. I am reminded of a quote from a well-known UK fictional politician that seems highly relevant to Mr Cunliffe, and it starts: \u201CAfter the smiles, after the handshakes, after the arms round shoulders and the merry, hollow laughter, after the conditional promise and the purchased friendship, after the elusive, dangling reward, the nagging threat ... After all that, the calculation of the odds, the sifting of the probabilities, and then the fear ... Fear in the smell of damp newsprint and the crackle of the radio ... Fear that this might be the day we wake to find the magic gone.\u201D And I am afraid that that is what is happening with Mr Cunliffe and the Labour Party members. They are hanging their heads in shame at the moment. All the list MPs know they will not be coming back. There is very good probability there will\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dfa851f0-ef7b-4834-bc41-1b3b645a3495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225807fb829eae446fbf742d4301705a7a\u0022\u003EDavid Shearer\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019re a list MP.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002235ecddd4c3e74c93a95d249f81938786\u0022\u003EPAUL GOLDSMITH\u003C/span\u003E: Well, at least National is likely to have list MPs after the election. Labour, under all the probabilities, will have zero list MPs, and their stunning careers\u2014Sue Moroney\u2019s stunning career is going to be coming to an end the way things are going, and I feel very sorry for her on that account.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EIt is very interesting to see John Armstrong and many of the commentators saying right now, right here today that Mr Cunliffe is in deep trouble and Labour is in deep trouble. It is a beautiful thing to watch. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002292557bd5-0e66-473c-a6df-7d108e7822e3\u0022 data-id=\u0022e74b7e9d19484d5f80fab7d1f23d18f1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292557bd5-0e66-473c-a6df-7d108e7822e3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e74b7e9d19484d5f80fab7d1f23d18f1\u0022\u003EDr KENNEDY GRAHAM (Green):\u003C/span\u003E During the past adjournment the Green Party launched its climate protection package. It is an understatement to say that this far-reaching policy has been well received. Critics of the policy have been limited to the Government, which fashioned the current scheme, and those benefiting financially from it\u2014they who are polluting with near total freedom while the taxpayer foots the bill. The Minister for Climate Change Issues, true to form, veered off-key and found that the Green policy exceeded his worst fears. That may prove to be the most prescient political statement he ever makes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292557bd5-0e66-473c-a6df-7d108e7822e3\u0022\u003EMr Groser\u2019s dismissal of the Green policy was lampooned in the Dominion Post editorial as \u201Clazy and arrogant\u201D. Overall, support for the plan is extremely positive. Business commentator Pattrick Smellie describes the tax as \u201Ca good idea\u201D and the Government\u2019s response to it as \u201Cmildly hysterical\u201D. Business commentator Bernard Hickey says that \u201Cmost people think the ETS has been a failure and that New Zealand had back-pedalled on climate action, and that a climate tax would be more efficient than the ETS.\u201D Business commentator Rod Oram said: \u201CThe ETS is a scam. The Greens\u2019 carbon tax would fix it.\u201D Business commentator Brian Fallow described it as a way of \u201Cshifting the burden from household incomes and business profits and on to polluters.\u201D Prominent economists Matt Nolan and John Small have shown support. Farmers Weekly ran with the headline: \u201CEmission plan to reward good farmers\u201D. The policy was described as a masterstroke on Radio New Zealand\u2019s Nine to Noon. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292557bd5-0e66-473c-a6df-7d108e7822e3\u0022\u003EWhat of the political commentators? Matthew Hooton concluded: \u201CEmbarrassing for all concerned, but on first glance I think I support the Greens\u2019 climate change policy over National\u2019s or Labour\u2019s.\u201D David Farrar said the policy had credibility and merit. Martyn Bradbury calls it \u201Ca brilliant political masterstroke\u201D. Political commentator Bryce Edwards says: \u201CThe Greens have shown us why they\u2019re still among the smartest operators in politics.\u201D Toby Manhire said the climate tax cut is welcome because \u201Cit puts climate change squarely on the agenda for September\u2019s election.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292557bd5-0e66-473c-a6df-7d108e7822e3\u0022\u003EWhat of the interest groups? The Taxpayers\u2019 Union said the carbon tax is \u201Csimpler, more transparent, and likely to reduce New Zealand\u2019s overall tax burden.\u201D The World Wide Fund for Nature New Zealand welcomed it. The OraTaiao: New Zealand Climate and Health described it as a \u201Cspecific, fair, and realistic plan to curb our greenhouse [gas pollutants].\u201D Forest and Bird said the Green Party is right to be making climate an election issue and to be campaigning for an end to subsidies for major greenhouse gas polluters. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292557bd5-0e66-473c-a6df-7d108e7822e3\u0022\u003EAnyone else? Yes. John Armstrong in the New Zealand Herald said: \u201CIn one deft stroke, the policy has the Greens saving the planet, helping the poor, giving big carbon users an incentive to be more efficient, while stimulating investment in more sustainable industries.\u201D Gareth Renowden on Hot Topic said: \u201CThis is a carefully considered and constructed set of coherent policies that should deliver substantial emission reductions without causing substantial economic dislocation.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292557bd5-0e66-473c-a6df-7d108e7822e3\u0022\u003ESince the launch of the policy 2 weeks ago, I have also been meeting around the country with professionals, experts, and stakeholders on the subject. They are, of course, asking penetrating questions, which is a sign of the seriousness with which they view the policy. Some are understandably concerned at the implications of change that the policy contains. Who would not be concerned at the prospect of a fundamental national economic transformation? But without exception they are all constructive in their attitude and they appreciate the answers we are giving. They know, along with the Greens, that policy to date has failed and a new course of direction is required. This is what I would expect because the days are gone when the deniers were given credence and the prevaricators could hide behind the deniers. We all know now that we must undergo economic transformation. The Greens are going to lead in that endeavour.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022 data-id=\u0022c8ea06c14511481c86ac90f035a23419\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c8ea06c14511481c86ac90f035a23419\u0022\u003EJOANNE HAYES (National):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Mr Assistant Speaker. I am pleased to stand as the final speaker in this general debate. Not long ago, I think it was about February 2013\u2014most on the Opposition benches will remember this because, I think, it was around about the time of the first Labour leadership coup\u2014Mr Cunliffe chose as his deputy to run with him the Hon Nanaia Mahuta. No doubt the wh\u0101nau of Tainui would have been ecstatic about this proposition. Yet only months later Mr Cunliffe\u2019s second run at the leadership saw him dump the Hon Nanaia Mahuta in favour of his current deputy. Yes, he dumped a M\u0101ori girl from Tainui. That is disgusting. I can imagine how much of a kick in the guts that would have been for Nanaia and how that hurt\u2014how that hurt, and how that hurt resonated through Tainui. That is absolutely disgusting, I say. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EThen we on the Government benches watched with interest as the only other Labour MP with heaps of talent\u2014we all know who that was, Shane Jones\u2014quit. He quit because he could not stomach the direction his leader was taking the party in. When it comes to working with the Greens\u2014a Labour-Greens Government, that is frightening. Then, of course, there was the T\u0101maki Makaurau candidate selection. What a farce that was. Shane Taurima was ruled out, leaving Will Flavell as the last man standing. But did the Labour leader accept Will? No, he did not. He allowed nominations to reopen, and our Will missed out. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EI have observed a Labour Party leader who quite happily tramples on his own MPs and also those who wish to aspire to be on his team, and I do not know why they want to do that. Why on earth would they want to do that? Why would any M\u0101ori MP or anybody want to be there on Mr Cunliffe\u2019s team, let alone vote for Labour? Why would anyone trust this man? We have heard all the porkies that have been said. We have read them in the newspapers. We heard them from my colleagues today. The clouds of Cunliffe are dark and uncompromising. They are dangerous. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EThis country must not let the clouds in, for if that happens, then New Zealand will go back decades. This National-led Government has worked very hard for this country, and the results speak for themselves. Under a National-led Government we are global economic leaders, and nobody\u2014absolutely nobody\u2014can argue with that. All this will be lost if the clouds of Cunliffe and his lies are let in. I reckon it is not going to be long before Labour\u2019s \u201CABC\u201D club opens its doors again. But then, who wants to drink from the Labour Party chalice, which has been filled with 4poisonous droplets from the clouds of Cunliffe? Kia ora. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EThe debate having concluded, the motion lapsed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00229dd3586f4cf846629694fe1958d5a661\u0022\u003EMember Vacancy\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227ad4fa19065b4a53879e968811a49b76\u0022\u003EEpsom Electoral District\u2014Hon John Banks\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022 data-id=\u0022c5ddca5850fc4294bb692a8f9826f909\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c5ddca5850fc4294bb692a8f9826f909\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That pursuant to section 131(b) of the Electoral Act 1993, a vacancy in the Epsom Electoral District having arisen and the House having been informed that a general election is to be held within six months of the occurrence of the vacancy, no writ be issued for the election of a member of Parliament for that Electoral District to supply the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of John Archibald Banks. What an irony it is that we are here today debating as a House, and most likely agreeing, that there should be no by-election in the Epsom electorate\u2014a by-election that is caused by the resignation of the Hon John Archibald Banks, subsequent to the findings of the court that his memory of donations around an election campaign were, to say the least, hazy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EI will speak more of John Archibald Banks in a few minutes, but the irony is that we are debating this today when there are so many rumours swirling about undeclared donations by the Labour Party\u2014donations that can total, we believe, if all is to be revealed, some tens of thousands of dollars. Today we have the allegation out there that a $15,000 donation has been made to the Labour Party and not declared. What we hear is that the Labour members have no record of it, they have no memory of it, and there is no possibility that the donation was made. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EWell, there is more to come on that, but the real point here is that the Hon David Cunliffe used that same set of excuses in the last couple of days. I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am merely pointing out that the House has dealt with matters today\u2014[Interruption] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233a02a9203e94b16949b015db44f6770\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Members on my left have been here a long time and they know the Standing Orders. A point of order is to be put tersely and there are to be no interjections whatsoever.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223dc6ec312f724683a49e16836872aee1\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE\u003C/span\u003E: I was in the middle of a point of order, I believe. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002272555a39045f47c0b767d49870af5d40\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, you were. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002248508a9bf5d14bc585da7a1e6c4bfa86\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE\u003C/span\u003E: It was that you were giving the well-known Ross Robertson signal for \u201CCome back to the topic\u201D. I was accepting that you were actually signalling a wide scope at that point\u2014I assume that it was not to get me in scope of your view\u2014but it was in fact worth recognising that many of the matters\u2014[Interruption]  \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b94fa48b646f40999eeaec4851e8e83a\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: Is this a point of order?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b5a869170bb140938c5f47cca8580654\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I am in the middle of it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc040a85e71b420db26960d9a5f83ed5\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. Look, can I just say to the honourable members on my left, whom I have known for many years, that you are well versed in the Standing Orders. All members are well versed in the Standing Orders. I call the Hon Gerry Brownlee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221fbb1fcd9d61493ab695ff9125d4740f\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE\u003C/span\u003E: To continue my point of order, I assume. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ad3763468a7e454a963ddbdf29b75f49\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: Continue your point of order. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ae91cd2f368242e9a5903e3f312e4181\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE\u003C/span\u003E: My point of order is that the matters I was discussing and that you were suggesting might be slightly out of scope are incredibly relevant to the circumstances that have caused the House to have this debate today, and I think it is not unreasonable that they are, at least in passing, rehearsed. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cb22422576254c429c3934d3af93470e\u0022\u003EHon Trevor Mallard\u003C/span\u003E: I am standing up to agree with the member but to say that comments on Speakers\u2019 rulings, even if they are descriptions of width, are something that you should not be doing in a point of order. If you are giving the member signals and making rulings in a sign-language way, then it would be most disorderly for the member to comment on it by way of a point of order. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c489e2faeb9c4f328ae4758ee4cff61c\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE\u003C/span\u003E: Speaking to the point of order, it is just that I am used to all sorts of hand signals and other gestures from the Labour Party. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002283449d99dbca46578bfd8a55ff1fe30f\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: That is not a point of order. That can actually lead to disorder.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002278c342a9f2d344318d744fde9ec8bf56\u0022\u003ETracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. [Interruption] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d4ef520a51314938b0bae7e71a5f8d55\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! We have a point of order on the floor. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002279da3912f4e9447baf901ae47e47700c\u0022\u003ETracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: This is a plea for clarification. Mr Brownlee is saying that the debate should be wide because there is some stuff in the paper about the Labour Party, but my understanding is that this debate is because Mr Banks has been found guilty of fraud. I do not understand how there is this wide debate when, actually, it is about a person who has resigned because he has been found guilty of fraud. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a61506bcbfb34eb381865f9770a74d16\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: The issue is actually sub judice. Members have to be careful what they say in this debate, because it can lead to disorder. I just ask members to be conscious of that, for when we throw mud we lose ground. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002277b8c97496f64d1dad7ea0a10a5b9db8\u0022\u003EHon Trevor Mallard\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. It is important that we get the parameters of this right, but the fact that the member has been found guilty of electoral fraud is not sub judice; that is a matter of fact and recorded by the court. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002202dccdf5e7344e8bb4ca1a41b80cacb6\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: That it is, Mr Mallard, but it is still sub judice in the sense that there has been no sentence as yet, so I am just cautioning members that we need to be careful how we couch this debate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022163b298426ce4bc8ba2c96b181a8a815\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I hear that and I do not disagree with the ruling, but we are able to say things about the Hon John Banks, who is no longer a member. The protections that exist for members do not exist for former members.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221147e3fce2654ec5b7168df1b63611ca\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: Well, can I just say to members that matters that are sub judice are subject to the discretion of the Speaker. Members are to be cautioned as to the use of parliamentary privilege to circumvent the judicial process as it can undermine public confidence when standards falter or appear to falter. We live in a democracy and although we enjoy freedom of speech, it comes with the responsibility to the common good. So I am just cautioning members about the issue. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002255b77198db4f43988ae882345ba898a6\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you for your very wise words, Mr Assistant Speaker. I appreciate them. The point is that no doubt when other members stand up this afternoon, they are going to engage in some sort of reasonably severe character assassination on the Hon John Archibald Banks. I am making the point quite simply that although he was, in fact, dragged into the courts over a local body electoral issue, and although it was pointed out to him that his recollections of events were not found to be as the court would like them, we also have a situation here in this Parliament right now where there are allegations about donations to a political party, the Labour Party\u2014tens of thousands of donations from a Mr Bill Liu. We have got a party that knows that all that is there, and it has a leader who has been found out to be someone who is, to say the very least, reckless with the truth, and it is going to put the boot into John Banks. Well, Mr Banks did the right thing. He resigned from Parliament.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002256264132451c40a69cc090a02506daa3\u0022\u003EHon Annette King\u003C/span\u003E: He had to!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b14e7df221d640a19a098ced69d39c7e\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE\u003C/span\u003E: He has not been convicted. He has resigned from Parliament. He did not have to. He has not, at this point, been convicted. But he is an honourable man. He is a friend of mine and he will remain that. The point that is made in this debate is about setting aside the need for a very, very expensive by-election, and it could be simply made by everyone agreeing in one or two sentences that spending up to $1 million on a by-election so close to a general election would be a waste of time. But I know that you are going to get the fake sanctimony from the other side of the House as the members all roll out trying to protect a beleaguered and besieged leader who has got a huge job to convince anybody that anything he says is worth listening to, let alone believing. Now we are going to see a character assassination of John Banks. I am wanting to pre-empt that by making it clear that it is not appropriate in this House for the pot to call the kettle black, which is effectively what I am sure we are going to see this afternoon. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EI am aware that Grant Robertson, the shadow Leader of the House, has said \u201CWell, all bets are off. This is an unlimited debate and so we\u2019re just going to go at it hard and the Government will be here all the way to 31 July debating this particular motion.\u201D Well, I want to make the point that that is not going to happen because there is no confidence on that side of the House in the situation that Mr Cunliffe finds himself in today. There is no comfort in the House over the undisclosed donations. There is no acceptance that there is some sort of a blunder inside the Labour Party that has meant that a donation that should have been recorded and should have been made available to the Electoral Commission has not been declared. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EI think it is going to be very, very interesting to see the positions that are taken today by our opponents. We do not think an election is a good idea at this point because it could end up being on the Saturday of the general election, the Saturday before, or\u2014even worse, if the days are extrapolated\u2014the weekend after the general election, when the public would be asked to vote for a member for a Parliament that no longer exists. In any event, on 14 August this Parliament ceases to exist, so unless that by-election were held before that date, everyone would be trotting off to the polls to vote for someone for a Parliament that no longer exists. So I think there is, in actual fact, quite a hole in the electoral law that deals with all of these circumstances. I do not think the clauses in the Electoral Act have actually got us to a point where we can\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bf4e37624da24cf2a0ec94fb233cfb7a\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: What happened?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b2725e8a122441b8b0bb9ef38d290409\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE\u003C/span\u003E: The member over there, Mr Peters, asks what happened. Mr Peters is one of those members in the House who is probably more singularly responsible for the rewrite in electoral law than anybody else here. I say that not because he has been here forever but simply because of his other interactions at various times. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EWe are, really, having a debate because the law requires us to, but it is a nonsense, because there is no way that someone could be elected to sit in Parliament for a Parliament that no longer exists. I just look forward to the contributions from those over there who are amassing, circling the wagons, around David Cunliffe. I note that, as the Leader of the Opposition, he would normally have something to say about the setting aside of a by-election. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EThat is unlikely this afternoon, and that is largely because of the contradiction in circumstances that we find here today\u2014a member, having gone all the way through the courts, and having been found to have not appropriately declared donations; and a member today found to have misled the media and all sorts of other people over his knowledge of Donghua Liu. And it gets worse than that. I will read from his letter in a minute\u2014and some of the Labour Party members should do so too. Also, that member is not prepared to deal with, or acknowledge, the fact that there was at least one donation\u2014and we know there were more\u2013from Donghua Liu. If anybody is under any doubt about whether or not it is fair for Mr Cunliffe to say \u201CI had a brain fade. I don\u2019t remember.\u201D, this letter\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e7e6a77065e540758d0753ffd150b95c\u0022\u003EDr Russel Norman\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. This is a pretty broad debate that we are engaged in here, but, really, David Cunliffe is not the subject of the debate under any interpretation of the Standing Orders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002275af78aa0da14e8b8374d87d053b2fa3\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: This is a robust debate, a robust Parliament, and it is within the Standing Orders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d236bafa96ce431e93429f9e72bc2d5d\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE\u003C/span\u003E: So here we have across the House a little bit of interplay, saying that my comments have so upset the Labour Party that it is going to make this a rough one. Well, let us see how good it is, because, in the end, it is on the back foot big time. Mr Cunliffe in his letter said \u201CIt would be very helpful to Mr Liu to be advised\u201D\u2014in others words, for him to be advised\u2014\u201Cof an estimated period of time in which he could expect a decision.\u201D That is the sort of letter that you write if the person who is being written about is well known to you. So any suggestion that it was some sort of formal thing is absolute rubbish. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EIt is going to be interesting to see how the Labour Party positions itself this afternoon. I think there are matters that it will be aware of that are going to come to light in the next few days, which I think is going to be, to say the least, interesting. Although the Labour Party thinks that we might have come down the Yangtze River on a cabbage boat, let me suggest that there are far more plush vessels that have travelled down the Yangtze River than a cabbage boat, and we will see in the next couple of days just who was on board.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u002215d93f2d787d4b479df489924076989f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002215d93f2d787d4b479df489924076989f\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Deputy Leader\u2014Labour):\u003C/span\u003E It is a sad day today, but it is also a just day. I am somewhat saddened that when the Leader of the House, Gerry Brownlee, stood to take a call he did not actually traverse what has led to the resignation of the Hon John Banks. He, instead, tried to spray accusations around against other people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002251dfea20-2244-4fc7-bd7d-ebf7a98580e1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226c7daf6f0c7c49629f8a89231eb6697c\u0022\u003EHon Tau Henare\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s coming!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fc7095cf7e414780be2c38119bf77623\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: What is that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002251dfea20-2244-4fc7-bd7d-ebf7a98580e1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226d1dd5a1e6bd42c99bf5be6469e894c5\u0022\u003EHon Tau Henare\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s coming!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223d2180a6a4664cfd8bb34d876ed88cb2\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: It is coming? Well, I am happy to traverse the facts of this. The Labour Party will be supporting the motion that no writ be issued for a by-election in the Epsom Electoral District. It would be ridiculous to have a by-election at this stage, but it is important that we have a clean democracy. One of the ways that you have a clean democracy is that you have transparency of what goes wrong and people are held to account for their mistakes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E That is what has happened here. Mr Banks failed to make declarations of donations received during his mayoral campaign some years back when he was standing for re-election as Mayor of Auckland and did not succeed. But during that period he received donations from a number of parties, including Skycity and Dotcom, he filed a declaration to say that he did not know of those donations, and a court has found that he did. That is why we are here today. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EI think this episode brings into stark relief what happens when there are what I think are, effectively, abuses of the Electoral Act. The litany of mistakes by the ACT Party, which has led it to this place, goes back a number of members and for a number of years. They were here in this place this time only because of the deal that was done with the National Party, including in respect of the \u201Ctea party\u201D, which I will come to. You have to go back only 3 years and the ACT Party was already mired in controversy. The ACT Party was on its knees because its prior leader, Rodney Hide, the so-called perk buster, was busted for perks. He had around him David Garrett. David Garrett had railed against short sentences and name suppression, and was shown to be a hypocrite because he had obtained name suppression and discharge without conviction for passport fraud. He had stolen the identity of a dead baby and obtained a passport using it. He had been pushed on to the ACT Party by the Sensible Sentencing Trust, whose members, including Garth McVicar, had supported him in those efforts to get a discharge without conviction and name suppression. It was against that background that the ACT Party was in such a terrible state of affairs that it suffered a takeover from a septuagenarian, Don Brash, who was not even a member of their party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002258ee44bc312e4cd799eb0d0781558815\u0022\u003EHon Christopher Finlayson\u003C/span\u003E: Don\u2019t be ageist.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223fab303f2c27434da6d20774fb36ec2b\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: It was actually a description, Mr Finlayson. So neither of them were members of the ACT Party at that time but they saw political advantage to help the National Party. Remember that Don Brash was a former leader of the National Party and John Banks was a former National Minister. They saw advantage for the National Party and so they took over the ACT Party even while they were not members. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThe ACT Party then stood in Epsom. I stood in the Epsom electorate. We had the embarrassing spectacle of Paul Goldsmith caught pulling out his own electoral hoardings\u2014he was photographed doing it\u2014and then the signal was sent to the electors of the Epsom electorate that they should not vote for the National Party candidate but should vote, rather, for the ACT Party candidate in an attempt to use the single-seat lifeboat provision in the MMP legislation. That legislation says that you normally have to get 5 percent of the seats in order to get representation in Parliament. If you get one seat, you get the proportion of your seats even if you get less than 5 percent. So someone can get 4 percent in an election and get no representation but someone, some party\u2014like the ACT Party\u2014could get one seat but, say, 2 percent and they would get proportionate representation, which is plainly unfair. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThat provision has been recommended against by reviews of the MMP environment. It is widely hated by electors, and, in fact, it brings democracy into disrepute, and that is a bad thing because democracy is such an important thing, but, none the less, the National Party persists in supporting that rule. We have a member\u2019s bill to close that loophole, and the bill has been drawn from the ballot. National has said it will not vote for it or advance it, and the reason for that is that National does deals such as the deal it did with John Banks. It is strange, though, that National backed him. You would think that this was the party of fiscal rectitude\u2014this was John Banks, who, on the record, had tripled council debt when he was last mayor. So he is hardly a fiscal conservative\u2014this was all about political advantage. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003ESo we then come to the \u201Ctea tapes\u201D. I was there on the day; the media tipped me off. I was standing in the electorate. I went along to the cafe. The whole thing was a stunt\u2014everyone knows that. There were about 40 journalists there with cameras clicking away. They had an interview with John Key and John Banks, and John Key told people they should vote ACT and not for Paul Goldsmith in the local electorate. Then they had a staged cup of tea behind some glass with 40 cameras there. It was a publicity stunt\u2014it was public. Ambrose, the photographer, left on the table a container that was a recording device that uploaded automatically from his camera. He did not know it was operating, according to what he said, and he got back to the office and he found that he had audio of the conversation between Banks and Key. Key then called in the police in order to use that against the media during an election. He used the power of the State against the media during an election, caused a week of controversy, which suited him, because he was the centre of attention for a week, and then, at the end of it, the police did not prosecute, but John Key deemed the photographer to be guilty. That is what John Key said\u2014he deemed him to be guilty despite the fact he always had two defences: one, that it was inadvertent\u2014if you believe what he says, and I have no reason to doubt him\u2014and, two, that it was a public event. There was no way a court was ever going to convict that journalist for what happened, because it was a publicity stunt gone wrong. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003ESo here we have it. After that, John Banks came in here and it is found out that he lied about his donations. I can say that\u2014he lied about his donations. It is true, and I can say that, and that will forever be to his shame. He pretended that he could not remember a helicopter trip to Dotcom\u2019s mansion. He pretended that he had not asked for the cheques to be split into two amounts so it was less obvious. He pretended that he did not know of the donations, and none of those lies\u2014because they were lies\u2014were believed by the court. John Key knew this at the time, because it was set out in the witness statements that were produced by the police, but he refused to read them. He did not want to know, because it did not suit his political imperative, which was to keep John Banks\u2019 vote in this House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221f3888c1513f4e9abf4b19179b246c01\u0022\u003EHon Trevor Mallard\u003C/span\u003E: So he wouldn\u2019t know he was a liar.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228715e48df11140a29694129842e54ea3\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: That is right. He refused to look at the facts that showed John Banks to be a liar. We have seen other instances of that with Peter Dunne and the Government Communications Security Bureau fiasco. We have seen other acts of unprincipled behaviour by John Key and the National Party. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThis is yet another reminder as to why MMP needs to be changed to remove the single-seat lifeboat. The Rt Hon Winston Peters agrees with this. The Green Party agrees with this. The Rt Hon Winston Peters, even though it is not in his interests to have a 5 percent threshold, says we should keep the threshold at 5 percent and not have the single-seat lifeboat for the likes of John Banks. Mr Peters is a man of principle. So is the Green Party, and so are we. We could all seek electoral advantage from this but none of the other parties does. The Rt Hon Winston Peters recognises that the threshold is appropriate to keep out the loony parties, essentially, which have very little support but could distort Parliament, which is exactly what John Banks has done for the last 3 years, and it is a shameful stain upon our Parliament that the police did not prosecute. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThe police did not prosecute. They were happy to deem Ambrose guilty but they would not prosecute John Banks. They did not prosecute John Banks. The police were politicised by\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002218877f328bfb4349b06078cd1aa0a37f\u0022\u003EHon Christopher Finlayson\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s a disgraceful allegation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a1711fbc6733406896c700d1415820bb\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, it is absolutely disgraceful that the Prime Minister used the police against the media during an election and then deemed Ambrose guilty when he would never have been convicted. This is a stain upon this House. We ought to be criticising John Banks. We ought to be criticising the things that led to this not being brought to a head many years earlier. Effectively, the Government has got away with it. The Government has got away with it. For 3 years it was able to close its eyes to what was an obvious rorting of the system. It is just that John Banks was convicted, albeit it is sad.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022 data-id=\u00223b81ad475e3b48c9b869a251c0a41b23\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223b81ad475e3b48c9b869a251c0a41b23\u0022\u003EDr RUSSEL NORMAN (Co-Leader\u2014Green):\u003C/span\u003E We are having this debate today because John Banks has effectively been found to be lying about a donation to a political party, or rather to himself as part of a local body election. He hid the source of the donation. The reason why that is important is that if our democracy is to be protected, it is important that there is transparency about the money that goes to politicians and political parties. That is one of the founding principles of electoral finance rules and all the rules we have around our democracy to try to protect it from the influence of money. What John Banks did is he took donations\u2014large donations\u2014and he lied about them in his donations return in order to try to cover up the source of the donations. Gerry Brownlee has got up in this House and said he thinks John Banks is an honourable man in spite of this. I think it is extraordinary that the Government, the National Party\u2014and I assume Gerry Brownlee represents the National Party\u2014thinks it is an honourable thing to do to break the electoral finance laws, because that is what John Banks did.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E He broke one of the founding laws that protect our democracy from the influence of money, because it requires political parties and politicians to tell the public, within certain rules, who gave them the money. That is important. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003EIf you think about what the Government does\u2014what does it do, day in and day out? It spends $60 million to $70 billion of public money. It makes a whole bunch of rules that have a huge influence on what happens in our society, who can make money, who cannot, and how they do it. So we want to know who is giving money to political parties so that we can see whether those political parties are influenced by those donations. What John Banks did is circumvent those founding electoral finance laws in order to hide the source of the donations. That is why he has had to leave Parliament, after the matter has gone to court. You pointed out, Mr Assistant Speaker, that he has not had a conviction registered against him yet, but he has lost the case, and the judge will make a decision shortly. That is why Mr Banks had to leave Parliament\u2014because he broke those laws. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003EThe National Party has come out in this debate and said that Mr Banks is an honourable man. I think it tells you a lot about the values of the National Party that its members seem to think it is OK to break electoral finance laws, and that you are still an honourable person even if you get forced out of the House when you break electoral finance laws.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022363dd91b41f64ea6b23bf32dac879135\u0022\u003EHon Christopher Finlayson\u003C/span\u003E: How\u2019s Jolyon White?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fbbe4007f9a642e3b6357306e70107f2\u0022\u003EDr RUSSEL NORMAN\u003C/span\u003E: Chris Finlayson is speaking out about it, but Gerry Brownlee just stood up in this House and said that Mr Banks is an honourable man, even though Mr Banks has just been proven to have lied in his donations return and to have hidden the source of the money that was funding his campaign. That is pretty shocking from this Government. I think it says a lot about the values of this Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003EJohn Key, of course, is implicated in this up to his eyeballs, because it was John Key who gifted the seat of Epsom to John Banks in the first place. John Key failed in his duty as Prime Minister when he failed to look at the evidence that was mounting around John Banks, the evidence that John Banks had broken the electoral finance law, and the evidence that John Banks had been lying. Mr Key, of course, is on the record in relation to a whole different issue during the Privileges Committee in 2008, which was a very high-profile issue involving Mr Peters and many others, when he called on Prime Minister Helen Clark to stand Mr Peters down, saying that that was what he would do if he were Prime Minister. Well, where are the standards? That is what Mr Key said back in 2008. Then, when Mr Banks was found, very clearly, to have broken the law, Mr Key did not even want to look at the police report. He was faced with a very similar situation, he would not act, and he would not enforce those standards. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003EWhat I want to draw attention to today are all the bills that have been passed in this House because of the vote of the disgraced John Banks. There is now a series of laws in New Zealand on the statute book only because of the disgraced vote of a disgraced MP who broke the campaign finance laws before he came to this place. Before he even got here he had broken the campaign finance laws, and he should never have been in Parliament. Because of that one vote\u2014that dodgy vote that John Key organised with the dodgy deal in Epsom\u2014a series of laws was passed. There was an amendment to the Crown Minerals Act that made it easier to mine our conservation land. Thank you, John Banks and the National Party. That amendment undermines the ability of the Minister of Conservation to carry out the protection and preservation of our conservation estate, and it gave the Minister of Energy and Resources input into the decisions on mining on conservation land. It also undermined the right of New Zealanders to protest. That was in the Anadarko amendment, which restricts people\u2019s protests at sea and criminalises protests at sea. That law exists on the statute book only because of the vote of John Banks, the man who should never have been in this Parliament and who broke campaign finance rules before he even stepped back in here again. It was his vote that delivered that law. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003EThen we had the Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill, which not only brought back youth rates, but extended them to 18 and 19-year-olds. It overturned all the hard work done by the Greens, unions, and others working with Labour when it was in Government in getting rid of youth rates in 2008. This law is a clear discrimination on the basis of age. That law only got through on the single vote of the disgraced MP John Banks. It would never have happened if John Banks had not been here. There was the Employment Relations (Secret Ballot for Strikes) Amendment Bill\u2014Tau Henare\u2019s bill\u2014which was a solution looking for a problem. The Mixed Ownership Model Bill, which is the partial privatisation of electricity companies, is perhaps the most destructive legacy of this Government. That bill got through by only a single vote, and that was the vote of the disgraced MP John Banks, a man who should never have been in this Parliament. The Government even used the vote of John Banks to help pass the Skycity legislation, despite the fact that Skycity was involved in Mr Banks\u2019 court case. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003EThe fact that Parliament ended up passing these controversial bills and that the National Government was happy to rely on the vote of John Banks to pass all of these controversial bills tells you everything about the values of the National Government. The Prime Minister had a police report sitting on his desk that told the truth about John Banks, and the Prime Minister refused to open and read that police report, because he knew that if the truth came out, Mr Banks would be kicked out of Parliament and Mr Key would not be able to pass all of these pieces of legislation through our House, because he would not be able to rely on the disgraced vote of the disgraced MP John Banks. That is the reality of what has happened in this Parliament. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003EIt is time to clean up the donations regime and the campaign finance rules. It was important that John Banks got caught and it was important that he got prosecuted, and good on Mr McCready. It would not have happened had he not done it, because, of course, the police did not pursue the case, but it was a pretty cut and dried case as it turned out. But we do need to clean up the rules. We need to clean up campaign finance rules around donations and spending caps, non-party party election activities, and the partial public funding of political parties. We also need to look at whether the current set up\u2014the electoral agencies\u2014should be able to enforce campaign finance rules, because one of the things we discovered, of course, was that the police do not seem to want to prosecute these cases, which in this case was a pretty straightforward case. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003EOf course, this also goes back to amending MMP. We just had a referendum on MMP, and the people of New Zealand wanted to keep it, by a majority, but they also wanted to reform it. The independent umpire went away and made a series of recommendations about how we could fix the anomalies around MMP, which is the coat-tailing rule in exchange for lowering the threshold to 4 percent. There were a number of other amendments proposed by the Electoral Commission. The party that blocked progress on reforming MMP was the National Party. The other parties in this House would have been able to deliver a 75 percent majority in order to fix the one thing that everyone was concerned about in MMP, which was the coat-tailing rule. The independent umpire, the Electoral Commission, recommended that we change the coat-tailing rule and lower the threshold to 4 percent, and the National Party blocked the progress of it. That is just the facts. The National Party wants to abuse that rule in Epsom with ACT and John Banks, as we saw, and with others. MMP is a great system, but like all good systems it needs to be improved. The independent umpire gave Parliament a series of improvements that it could make, and the National Party blocked making progress on those improvements, which actually would have led to a better and fairer electoral system. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb49ee66-7ca7-472d-a4a1-b099fd594dfa\u0022\u003EAs Andrew Geddis said, the National Party is acting in manifest bad faith regarding electoral reform. That is because it is acting in its own petty political vested interest, rather than acting for the country as a whole in order to improve our electoral system, as the independent umpire, the Electoral Commission, recommended to this Parliament and the other parties around here, except the National Party, which blocked progress on implementing the recommendations of that independent umpire. That is why we need to actually implement those recommendations. When there is change of Government in September this year, we will implement the recommendations of the Electoral Commission.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022 data-id=\u0022141a678f8a2c41888d548b94e058f0b0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022141a678f8a2c41888d548b94e058f0b0\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader\u2014NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E The ACT Party\u2019s recent affair is a long-running saga of political sleaze, double talk, and cant, unparalleled by any party in this country\u2019s history. The National Party can smile. The National Party can laugh, but I know what happened here. John Banks took legal advice. It was wrong and he should have turned away from it when he determined that that was the case, having looked at the charges against him, and, sadly, he has wrecked his career. But he should have known this from the start.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E The ACT Party was no party to join in the first place. Finally, justice has prevailed, and it should be without any thanks to the Prime Minister of this country. The Prime Minister, you know, has no knowledge of electoral law, he has no view that it is a cornerstone of our democracy, and if electoral law can be flouted and manipulated with apparent ease, what sort of country would New Zealand finally become? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003ERight now, as we know, next week the Conservative Party is going to launch its campaign in East Coast Bays. Tell me, when are we going to learn about the sleazy deal that is going to happen there? As it has for the ACT Party, as it has for United Future, and, sadly, as it has for the M\u0101ori Party, which has destroyed all reason for special seats for M\u0101oridom if that is the way it is going to construct its politics. The whole integrity of our system is put at risk. The law is the law, and the Prime Minister seems oblivious to why we have electoral law. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EThis party has faced these accusations in the past. I want to remind members that in 2008 it was the ACT Party and the United Future offshoot that brought charges against New Zealand First for funds for an electoral petition\u2014not a campaign, but for an electoral petition\u2014as to who was the right member of Parliament for a seat called Tauranga. The accusations, you know, went to the police, the Serious Fraud Office, and the Electoral Commission, and all turned out to be doughnuts\u2014nothing\u2014but the National Party did not stop, did it? No, no, it had a Privileges Committee hearing\u2014a total kangaroo court\u2014and sort of said: \u201CWe\u2019ll hang him in the morning, but before that we\u2019ll give him a trial.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EI want to remind those members and, most of all, the member who is the Attorney-General, because he is meant to be an expert in law, that if he goes to the three drafts from that commissioned report\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002218873d4ba7964d64b3ca338c54c235b3\u0022\u003EHon Christopher Finlayson\u003C/span\u003E: They\u2019re a great Privileges Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222ce1206ca29244938b92cefb02c204cc\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014no, do not mumble\u2014the three drafts of that committee all have this statement. Those three final drafts said that should Winston Peters have won the case in Tauranga, then he would have pecuniary interests because he would become the MP with all the extra additional electorate funding. Look at the three drafts, it is all there. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EI called up the clerk of the committee\u2014knowing full well that the chairman was Simon Power, a lawyer; they had an adviser, Stephen K\u00F3s, who is now Justice K\u00F3s, a lawyer; and the committee clerk was a lawyer\u2014and I said to her: \u201CI cannot believe with all the lawyers on that committee and your legal advice that you don\u2019t understand the law, because it is not going to be one MP out, another MP in. No, it is a by-election, and an extra cost to the member. So how can they possibly allege pecuniary interests?\u201D. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003ELook at the final draft. Out comes that clause\u2014it said that he still had pecuniary interests, and it applied it retrospectively. I know when politics stinks, and we came back from that because a lot of people in this country\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002201a0fa8a778a41b8a68fd65248fc11b8\u0022\u003EHon Christopher Finlayson\u003C/span\u003E: Ha, ha!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d2e42ec27ca444a18aa7d72e3f025d11\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: No, Mr Finlayson, they do not think it is a joke. They know that parts of our system are rotten. Despite that, New Zealand First still said that we should keep the 5 percent threshold and that we should get rid of the coat-tailing provisions, and that is the way we should run our democracy under MMP, not pervert and distort it at every move. What did Mr Key say back then? Before the committee even had the inquiry, he said: \u201CHe doesn\u2019t meet my standards.\u201D He had not heard any evidence, of course. No, no, he believed Owen Glenn, although I demolished 32 statements that Mr Glenn had made. I demolished 31, but could not find the phone accounts in 4 days, as the committee was demanding. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EIt is rotten, but we are back, and we are never going to forget it, Mr Finlayson, because your party used the whole system in a kangaroo court, in a majority report, and who were the strongest proponents? The ACT Party, the M\u0101ori Party, and United Future all stood there in condemnation. So if you think we are going to forget that\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002284564b9c0d7f42d28c4978bf3739fb7e\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224299c297720544838a12db5bb784126f\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014then you are dreaming. No, no, no, you will not forget it, Mr Assistant Speaker, because the law is the law. I say again, look at those three drafts, which all make the allegation of pecuniary interest. It becomes demolished by the\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228781a458836547208f12fc50dbc94c1e\u0022\u003EHon Anne Tolley\u003C/span\u003E: Move on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002263284e6dbbea46b892bdeb57d517fa45\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, \u201CMove on.\u201D Oh, of course she says: \u201CMove on.\u201D because she is the Minister of Police. Why she is the Minister of Police is beyond me, because she does not understand the law. I saw her the other day helping a member of Parliament, and boy, she is going to be embarrassed by that, as these facts are unfolding. It just shows why she is so unqualified to be the Minister of Police. And the Minister of Justice, as well, was doing the same thing, as was the head of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, Tau Henare. There is a day of reckoning\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226e771b7f0bd94681b57512c2a1a99325\u0022\u003EHon Anne Tolley\u003C/span\u003E: All right. Rave on. You\u2019re good at making accusations, but you never actually prove them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002226b3aca2e0254a08924cef4aa6e9990c\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, no, you will make my day. I will not be making yours, of that you can be sure. It is no use shouting out here. The point is that it is sleaze to think that you can organise all these arrangements before the election, prop up the guy in Epsom, prop up the guy in \u014Chariu, maybe prop up the M\u0101ori Party\u2014although it is wasting its time there\u2014and, last of all, do a deal with someone who says: \u201CThere is such a great demand for our brand of politics that we need a ladder from the National Party.\u201D Unbelievable. And that is the reason why MMP will soon sort itself out. It is because the public are wising up to this. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EBut what I want to ask the National Party is this: why did it apply such duplicitous standards in the case of Mr Banks? Why did the Prime Minister say: \u201CI am not going to read the police report.\u201D? Next question: \u201CWhy not?\u201D. Answer: \u201CBecause I trust Mr Banks.\u201D Likewise, do you remember when it came to the allegations about Mr Peter Dunne\u2014whose speech today, I mean, I could not believe this. I thought: \u201CThis guy is going to get struck by lightning very shortly. He is seriously going to get struck by lightning because he is talking about integrity and honour in politics.\u201D And what did Mr Key say about the leak in respect of the Government Communications Security Bureau report? He said: \u201CI would like to believe him.\u201D\u2014\u201CI would like to believe him.\u201D Then he went, and suddenly he found a renewed belief because Mr Dunne came back, and he is back now as a Minister. He leaked State secrets four times. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EThis Prime Minister has got standards that are so low, they could parachute out of the bottom of a snake on issues like this. That is how bad it is. No, do not frown. Out there, there are tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, of National Party people, who in a recent poll said that they find all of this business so distasteful, but those members will not be making allegations about New Zealand First receiving money for campaign funding, will they? No, the National Party is so bad that to get round the electoral law, it had an auction to play a game of golf against the world\u2019s most famous golfer\u2014John Key\u2014and up gets an Oravida man who pays $53,000 to play a game of golf against John Key. How do you like that? Naked, venal, sleazy, underhand\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fb48782aa04f44ae8b9cde42e219df9f\u0022\u003EMelissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: Because they won\u2019t pay to play with you, mate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f891a98ecc14ea38ae25dbb3cb8af52\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: What did you say there, the woman over there who made that statement?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ae55d30c8277431e91bc6122d62bde0b\u0022\u003EMelissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: I said they won\u2019t pay to play a game with you. That\u2019s why you\u2019re jealous.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d53322807e73427f9314b6a87285c349\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: No, nobody tries to play a game with New Zealand First. Do you know why? We have got honour. We have principles. We stand for them. Out there in New Zealand there are hundreds of thousands of people who are telling me that they seriously want us back in big numbers in 2014, and, yes, one-third of them happen to be National supporters. Oh, that took the smile off their faces. I have got great news for them. In 21 years this party called New Zealand First has never engaged in this sleazy coat-tailing, coathanger deal - type of behaviour\u201421 years. It is the only immutable, honourable party in this respect. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fdbc8f992f384f169c72e9cdb25fca59\u0022\u003EHon Christopher Finlayson\u003C/span\u003E: 1999. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022604a09d7c2ce4b35848c2208d61b701b\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: What was the deal we did in 1999? Remind me, Mr Finlayson. Remind me. What was the deal in 1999? Oh, he has gone silent. Just makes an allegation off the top of his head, opens up his mouth, lets the wind blow his tongue around, and he cannot sheet home the allegation. He is meant to be a lawyer. He tells us he is the best one Parliament has ever seen\u2014the best one Parliament has ever seen. But when he is asked the simple question: \u201CWhat was the deal that New Zealand First did in 1999?\u201D, he has gone strangely silent. Not a mutter, not a murmur, not a syllable, not a sound. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000380\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022603ae58e-47c4-46f9-bfc8-8355a48988ad\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002237bd9ba38b80453d962c592943fdfab4\u0022\u003EHon Dr Jonathan Coleman\u003C/span\u003E: Hey, what was the deal that brought Denis O\u2019Rourke in here? Tell us about Denis.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e7416c7ea9c8462aa519bd3e1ed86a3f\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, and they made the allegations, of course, about Mr O\u2019Rourke to the media, and guess who got nailed? The National Party member over there\u2014the National Party member over there, the recently imported one. Poor old Claudette, she got nailed. The allegation was against my member. Let me be honest. I thought: \u201CWe\u2019re not taking that sort of thing in this campaign. I know someone who is doing just that. Her name is Claudette. I\u2019ll tell the media.\u201D, and the rest is history.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c8e8b1b53bf14d0fbf94b4ea56aedb7d\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member must use\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228f28d18fda5748f5be116ef1c21ad67a\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you very much\u2014I know, I know, I know. But, you see, somebody over there wanted an example. Mr Coleman\u2014again, tongue engaged before brain\u2014and now he has found out, again. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e745149a331f43838364c13fa9f2896c\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: Dr Coleman.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f26d0adc8e7b43a79e96a1abdd072801\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, Dr Coleman. Well, if that is the case, it is the Rt Hon Winston Peters to you then, sunshine. I am sorry for John Banks. I personally am, because I\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e41ced8dea8a4231ab9bf2bf9d3facd3\u0022\u003EHon Christopher Finlayson\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, yeah, right!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002211109e3de0694d269c7e791b17ace16a\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: No, no, hang on a minute. John asked me\u2014or at least his team did\u2014whether I would bear witness in his case. I did not say no. That is a fact, because I think he was badly advised by the lawyers. But my real point is that he exposed the National Party for what it is\u2014a shadow of its former self.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u00229705fa987a4942b2bf7520e66b59d004\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229705fa987a4942b2bf7520e66b59d004\u0022\u003EHon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Police):\u003C/span\u003E I stand in this House to support the motion in front of us today\u2014which we might have all forgotten after that tirade\u2014that we do not have a by-election in the Epsom electorate. Following the court judgment and, of course, the resignation of the Hon John Banks from this House, that makes eminent sense, because if the normal processes were followed, we could expect to see a by-election held in Epsom probably in early August, some time around 2 or 3 August. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EI believe there are three good reasons why we should not be doing that. First of all, that by-election would have to be held on the old boundaries. As we all know, the boundaries have changed and that would be very confusing to the electors. Secondly, it would be less than 2 months out from a general election, and, of course, the House would have risen, so you would be electing someone to come when there was nowhere to go, and it would all be a bit outrageous. Most important of all, it is an enormous waste of taxpayers\u2019 money\u2014almost a million dollars to run a by-election. In fact, I think Christchurch East cost about $870,000. So the motion in front of us today is the right one, and I am sure that this House will have the sense to vote for it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EI would like to say that I want to recognise the contribution by the Hon John Banks. He gave almost four decades of service both in local government and in Parliament and, of course, he was the Minister of Police. I have a special place for him because he had been the Minister of Police for only about a month when we had the Aramoana massacre. Of course, people remember that that was by a 33-year-old unemployed man, who shot and killed 13 people in the very small township of Aramoana. The first police respondent on the scene, who was subsequently shot, was, of course, Sergeant Stewart Guthrie. That was a tragedy for the police force, for New Zealand, and for that small township, of course, which would take many, many years to recover. I think everyone in this House can appreciate the difficulty of being a Minister at a terrible time like that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EI just want to make the point that somebody said earlier that the Hon John Banks had to resign. Of course he did not have to. He could have stayed here right until Parliament rose, but he actually chose to do the right thing. He did the honourable thing by resigning, and I think that that deserves some recognition. He was a good man and he did good for a lot of people, and that needs to be remembered. Our Prime Minister, John Key, said, I think today, actually, that politics is all about trust. Well, Banksie realised that he had lost that trust and he went. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000392\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EThere are others in this House who need to take a lesson from him. It is very easy to stand and be all holier than thou, but, actually, you have got to be aware of history. So, speaking of trust\u2014and I will come back to David Cunliffe in a minute, because at the moment trust and David Cunliffe are interposed and intertwined in people\u2019s minds. I want to talk about another sort of trust. I want to talk about the trust we must have as legislators in our very excellent police here in New Zealand and our very excellent justice system. We are envied by countries around the world for both our police service and our justice system. This National Government, this John Key - led Government, trusts the police to use their independence wisely. We trust them to do that and to make their decisions independently from any politics and any politicians. We trust them to do that. The police deal with around 140,000 prosecution cases every year\u2014140,000. So this Government trusts that they have expert advice, whether it is in-house or whether they seek that from other places\u2014legal advisers who will give them good advice on cases that might be simple or that might be sensitive or, indeed, complex cases. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000393\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EActually, the Opposition over there does not have that trust. Andrew Little was very quick off the mark and he publicly called for an independent, high-powered inquiry into not just this case but the way that politically charged cases are handled.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000394\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d19ee3b734784b88927cc73019ef9fbd\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: There is one.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002286c935ddf10846fda463d17faef1b80f\u0022\u003EHon ANNE TOLLEY\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, there is. Why did Andrew Little not just say \u201CThe Independent Police Conduct Authority should have a look at this, and I am going to refer the case to them.\u201D He could have said that, but he did not. He said \u201CWe want an independent, high-powered inquiry into politically charged cases.\u201D You have to ask whether that would then have included David Cunliffe\u2019s illegal tweet on the by-election day in Christchurch. Should that have been investigated by an independent investigator? Would it include, perhaps, the Labour Party\u2019s illegal use of taxpayers\u2019 money on electioneering with its pledge card? David Parker talked in this House earlier about the abuse of the Electoral Act. That was the major abuse, so should there be a high-powered independent inquiry into those sorts of breaches? Would it also include events leading up to the resignation of the Labour MP Darren Hughes? Should that have gone to an independent, high-powered inquiry? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EYou tread very carefully when you start making statements about what the police should do and what the police should not do, and who should be looking over their shoulders, because we have good systems and this Government respects them. It is very clear that the people sitting on those Opposition benches do not, because of the very\u2014[Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226c5fb66ad3074ed39b4a9f03a474a0d9\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I am sorry to interrupt the honourable member, but we have members who do not have the floor interjecting on each other, which is out of order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227a921d52ccbe4dd297104179a5ac8779\u0022\u003EHon ANNE TOLLEY\u003C/span\u003E: My point is that members on that side of the House have made very serious allegations about police behaviour and they need to be very careful because\u2014I think someone has already said it in this House\u2014people who throw stones should not be standing in glass houses. Andrew Little went on to say that those charged with upholding the integrity of the electoral system need to be willing to account where necessary and to prove that they were independent of Ministers, but clearly that is not needed when it concerns Labour MPs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003ESpeaking again of trust, Jacinda Ardern then got involved. She not only questioned the processes used by police; she questioned their decision making and the decisions they had reached. She worked with the police union, trying to link police decisions with funding. Of course, the police\u2019s response to that was \u201CWe can however say that suggestions that resourcing issues meant police did not seek a Crown Law opinion are absolute nonsense.\u201D It is the police saying that, not me: \u201Cabsolute nonsense\u201D. It did not stop her; she went on. But, I have to say, why would the police trust either of those two MPs or, in fact, David Parker? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EReally, for the whole Labour Opposition sitting across the House here to interfere with the police independent prosecutorial role\u2014because its members have already suggested that the police got it wrong, that they know better than the police and therefore we need an independent, high-level investigation into any of those politically charged events. Just because an MP is being investigated or a politician is being investigated, it does not mean that other politicians should get involved in the process. This Government believes in the police. They have the duty of care and they have to take the responsibility. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EIf politics is all about trust, and I think that was a very, very good saying from the Prime Minister this morning, then today\u2019s revelations show that, really, we cannot trust\u2014nobody can trust\u2014this Labour Opposition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E David Cunliffe either told a lie or did not actually care enough about a constituent. This was a constituent who came to him for help. It is unbelievable to me that David Cunliffe, who has been in Parliament since 1999, does not have a record in his office of the constituents for whom he advocates. We know he advocates because Sue Moroney earlier on talked about how he had advocated\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022015715f287274d71b85090bb88659d9a\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Have you got all your records going back 15 years?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220036bce5a61b4596b1b53f712dc1df30\u0022\u003EHon ANNE TOLLEY\u003C/span\u003E: You can dance on the head of a pin, but I have heard members in this House accuse various people of advocating on behalf of constituents. In fact, a Minister lost his job when all he did was write a letter. That quite clearly was not advocating, but he fell on his sword because he knew he had lost trust. So be careful again about\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022893adc11-ce4e-419c-a079-08f04b3d75f5\u0022 data-id=\u00221dc79bee8b4f4a5f8611b52f1a0cba7d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000405\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022893adc11-ce4e-419c-a079-08f04b3d75f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221dc79bee8b4f4a5f8611b52f1a0cba7d\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch)\u003C/span\u003E: I am sorry to interrupt the honourable Minister, but her time has expired.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022f9e22ae292fe4a42a4356c677b43383b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f9e22ae292fe4a42a4356c677b43383b\u0022\u003EHon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour\u2014Hutt South):\u003C/span\u003E I am going to slightly divert at the start from what I was going to say, to answer the allegations that the Hon Anne Tolley has made with regard to the role of the police in this matter. The police got it wrong. The police have accepted they got it wrong. David Carruthers is investigating it. The Minister of Police has got to stop defending the indefensible. This is not a general criticism of the police, but I think there is a specific criticism in this case\u2014they did not do what they should have done where there is a marginal case of this sort, as they thought. They did not refer it to the Crown Law Office in the way that was appropriate and in the way that would have been an appropriate protection for them. But that matter is now being investigated by David Carruthers. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EI do want to make some comments about John Banks and say that, frankly, I have found, over the years, John Banks to be a mixed bag. In the mid-1980s, when I was advocating for homosexual law reform, there was not one more rabid person in the House on that issue than John Banks. He was absolutely awful. He was shocking. He was rude. He was obscene. He was offensive in this House and outside the House. But what I want to say is that over the years after that he grew. He began to understand the issues. He began to have some compassion and understanding in the area, to the point where he voted for the marriage equality legislation last year. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EI just want to say that I admire him. It is sometimes easier for those of us who generally have been liberal on issues to stay being liberal than it is for people who have had deep convictions to move from those convictions to what he considered in the end was a point of principle. I also want to say that I very much appreciate the leadership he has taken in the last year or so around the awful legislation that the Hon Peter Dunne was in charge of around legal highs, and in particular the leadership he has taken with regard to the position of animals being experimented on. I think that without his support we would not have been able to make the changes that we have, and I want to acknowledge Mr Banks for that and to say thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EI also want to say that his judgment has never been brilliant, and in this particular area he made a very fundamental error in that he trusted Michelle Boag. Michelle Boag designed for him a system to cut donations into $25,000 chunks and thereby pretend that they were anonymous. The Dotcom one is one where there has been a lot of publicity, but those were not the only two $25,000 cheques that were donated into this campaign. That system was designed by a fund-raiser with enormous experience in fund-raising for the National Party and hiding that money\u2014Michelle Boag. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EOne of the questions that I think David Carruthers and other people who are reviewing this case should look at is whether a case should be reopened in this area, whether in fact Michelle Boag is an accessory to John Banks\u2019 electoral fraud, and whether she has herself committed a crime. That is something that I hope is covered in one of the reports that are going to be considered. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EI also say that although John Banks has moved from very conservative to quite liberal in a number of areas, I just think it is awful that he is leaving the ACT Party to a leader who is promoting incest. I mean, it is just awful that John Banks, having come to a point of principle, is leaving a party that will have \u201CDuelling Banjos\u201D as its theme tune for the next election. I think the idea that a deal will be done whereby Paul Goldsmith continues not to run in Epsom and we will have the third failure\u2014we have had Rodney Hide, we have had John Banks, and we now have a new ACT person who I am sure will be a failure as well in that area\u2014is very sad. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EI do want to make clear that I have an interest in this matter. It was my letter of 23 April 2012 to Bruce Thomas, who was the electoral officer at the Auckland Council, that kicked off the series of investigations into John Banks. The original complaint contrasted the comment from Skycity that it had donated to both campaigns with the fact that Mr Banks did not declare. I did that on 23 April 2012, and I followed it up on 30 April because, following the publicity around it, which flowed from my letter, Kim Dotcom made some public comments, which I then added, and Mr Thomas made a quick and a proper decision to refer the matter to the police. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EThe police, for reasons that I cannot work out, decided that instead of getting one of their legal experts or one of their leading investigators from head office to deal with it, or even from Auckland, they would get a Canterbury police officer, a detective superintendent based in Christchurch, to investigate this matter. That to me was, I think, to say the least, surprising. Peter Read, who was at the time Detective Superintendent Southern, was the person who was responsible for the egregious error in this case. I think it is quite sad that that occurred. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EThe Labour Party will not force a by-election in the Epsom electorate. It is just not in the public interest to have someone elected to Parliament when the first time that they could come to the Parliament would be after the Parliament has dissolved. That is something that is just silly. It is senseless, and it would be a waste of taxpayers\u2019 money. We will not support that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EWhat has come out of this, though, is a lot of focus on the manipulation of the system that is occurring on the part of the National Party with regard to MMP. I just want to say to members opposite that in the end the public will get sick of it. They will get sick of the National Party saying that it does not matter whether Peter Dunne leaks State secrets\u2014vote for him anyway\u2014and it does not matter in Epsom.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000416\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E It appears that someone is sharpening the rusty screwdriver for Murray McCully so that he cuts his arm off, because that is what he said he would do before he gave up the seat to Colin Craig. The point I make is that I want to see people with integrity, people like Kelvin Davis, who say they are not match fixers. They are not going to rort the system. When the Labour Party runs in a seat, it runs in a seat. It does not run in a seat and say \u201CDon\u2019t vote for me.\u201D Although I will say as a final comment that I hope that Holly Walker, when she comes to speak in Hutt South, says the party vote is the most important. Thank you very much.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022 data-id=\u002280058086bd94457e8b83e8fcf842280f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000417\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002280058086bd94457e8b83e8fcf842280f\u0022\u003EHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General):\u003C/span\u003E I just want to take a brief call because some very serious allegations have been made about the course of this prosecution and I think it is incumbent on me as the senior law officer of the Crown to make a few comments about that, because they are serious allegations and this is a very serious matter. I support the motion for all the reasons that other members have referred to. We are very close to a general election. By-elections cost a great deal of money. For example, the Te Tai Tokerau one a couple of years ago is an example of where someone put the State to a lot of money to prove some principle to himself but not many other people. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000418\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003EI too want to say something about Mr Banks. I wish him all the best for the future. It has been a humiliating period for him, made doubly worse this afternoon, I am sure, by the prospect of him having to listen to and be lectured on bad judgment by someone like Mr Mallard, whose entire career or, indeed, entire life has been characterised by misjudgments. That is the person who was convicted of common assault for, I think it was said to be, punching Mr Henare in the House, but my understanding was that it was more a sort of adolescent slap. But, be that as it may, it was one of a number of convictions\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022983475c6107e40888cd898f613334fc2\u0022\u003EHon Trevor Mallard\u003C/span\u003E: He went down.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dab3cf19499c4aef85e0d62b28d68b6b\u0022\u003EHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON\u003C/span\u003E: His head went down\u2014oh yeah, right! This is the person who used to do girly weights at Bodyworks with Chris Carter, lecturing people on manliness. Oh, he is back\u2014he is back.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002265f79f9d7dc24111850165ea316a8637\u0022\u003EHon Trevor Mallard\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I did do weights occasionally, but I did not get my trainer to carry my drink bottle and towel like that member did.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dfe883dc8ff24fd9ac7bdccad5be9cb7\u0022\u003EHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON\u003C/span\u003E: I will have a bicep competition with that member any day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022893adc11-ce4e-419c-a079-08f04b3d75f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022187f4b7fc67a45dea12a42769546e6c8\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch)\u003C/span\u003E: I am sure that will read well in Hansard.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc2c47a8334a49dba0dfd21d54199dd8\u0022\u003EHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON\u003C/span\u003E: Anyway, getting away from Mr Mallard\u2019s lack of biceps and coming to the real issue, I think we need to take the House very carefully through what happened in the course of this matter. First, an important starting point, as the member for Rongotai, Annette King, will know, is the Policing Act, which she was responsible for when she was Minister of Police, and section 16(2). It makes it very clear\u2014very clear\u2014that the commissioner must act independently of any Minister of the Crown in relation to the enforcement of the law in any particular instance, in particular, in the investigation and the prosecution of offences. The law makes it clear that these cannot be political decisions. Some of the allegations that have been made over the last few weeks have suggested that it has got close to a political decision, which is a grotesque allegation in our democracy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003ESo what happened was that a complaint was laid with the police regarding Mr Banks\u2019 electoral return. The police investigated, and in July 2012 they concluded that there was insufficient evidence to consider a prosecution under the Local Electoral Act 2001. Then Mr McCready brought a private prosecution in the Wellington District Court after the police decided not to press charges. This private prosecution was brought by Mr McCready. It came before a number of judges, including Judge Gittos, who decided that there was sufficient evidence to commit Mr Banks to trial, and then the Solicitor-General, the junior law officer of the Crown\u2014utterly independently of anything to do with me\u2014took over the prosecution and instructed an independent Queen\u2019s Counsel to conduct the prosecution. The key point is that at each juncture the justice system has worked according to proper process. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003EThat is all that can be said because the decision in relation to the police is before Sir David Carruthers, and I would caution members not to get too far into that material. But I thought that given some of the, frankly, scurrilous allegations that have been made about political interference and so on, it was important to bring those salient matters to the attention of the House. It could well be that there should be a mature discussion next year in the context of the review of the electoral laws about whether or not there should be an independent political prosecutor. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003EI would be very keen to engage in that discussion with the Labour Party members, but I would say to them, with respect and affection, to be careful what you wish for. Because, for example, in 2006 the police investigated the Labour Party\u2019s pledge card and leaflet and established that there was sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case in relation to an offence under the Electoral Act, but they let the party off with a warning. In 2008 the police investigated a Labour Party pamphlet that was found by the Electoral Commission to breach the Electoral Act. They exercised their discretion, and did not bring charges. In 2011 the Electoral Commission again referred the Labour Party\u2019s electoral propaganda to the police, and Mr Robertson said the party had taken the view that the flyer was not an election advertisement. In 2011 the Labour campaign manager and former Minister Jim Anderton was referred to the police by the Electoral Commission. The police exercised their discretion and no charges were laid. In 2013 the Labour leader, David Cunliffe, decided to test the law by tweeting an encouragement to vote on the day of a by-election. No charges were laid despite Mr Cunliffe\u2019s admission of responsibility and an apology. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003EI have to say I have got no particular problem with any of those decisions. The police were operating independently. They looked at the matter, exercised discretion, and decided not to prosecute. Last year, again\u2014and this was not an Electoral Act matter\u2014Mr Goff breached a suppression order in a coronial inquiry. He was let off with a warning, although other citizens have been prosecuted for doing exactly the same thing. And, of course, I say to Holly Walker, there is Jolyon White, the social justice coordinator for the Anglican diocese in Christchurch who was investigated. It still remains an open investigation, so one should be careful with what one says about vandalising all the National Party billboards and breaching the Electoral Act. The police are independently looking at that matter without fear or favour. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003ESo maybe we do need to have a discussion about an independent electoral prosecutor. As I said, if I am privileged enough to be back here after 20 September, I certainly would contend for that. But I would say to the Labour Party to be very, very careful. Be careful what you wish for because that party\u2019s record is not all that flash. There is one party whose name is constantly being referred to the police for breaches of the Electoral Act and that is the Labour Party. I remind the House that it was a Labour candidate, Mr Singh, who was sentenced earlier this year for his involvement in a case of electoral fraud where, unbelievably, he registered 51 votes at the same address in the 2010 super-city elections. Of course, we all know about Mr Phillip Field, but, out of compassion and charity, I am not going to say anything about him. He has left this place. He cannot answer for himself here, and I think that some of the purple prose placed in the direction of Mr Banks this afternoon was pretty unfortunate, to say the least. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003ESo let us have that discussion next year. These are important issues. Let us have a principled discussion over these things in the context of the Electoral Act. I simply say to the Labour Party that it is time to get off the flea-bitten old nag because, when all is said and done, it is that party whose record over the years has caused so many complaints to the police.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u0022aff07775c787498c9ed3d62ecee7e924\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022aff07775c787498c9ed3d62ecee7e924\u0022\u003EGRANT ROBERTSON (Labour\u2014Wellington Central):\u003C/span\u003E The Labour Party is, of course, supporting this motion. We do not believe that there should be a by-election held at this time so close to the general election. As other speakers have pointed out, anyone who is actually elected in any by-election would not be able to take up their seat in this House at all. Also, I do not think that the people of Epsom should be put through the charade that National puts them through every election again and again. We have already heard from David Parker about the sight of Paul Goldsmith pulling his own electorate hoardings out of the ground, trying desperately to stop people from voting for him. The people of Epsom do not need that. We have already seen in this period leading up to the election in 2014 that Paul Goldsmith will not show up to debates and that Michael Wood, the very excellent Labour candidate in the Epsom electorate, has provided for the people of Epsom a substitute in the form of a bag of flour. That bag of flour is making some great comments compared with Mr Goldsmith recently, and that is what National puts the people of Epsom through. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EI do, on that note, want to say that I think that National members are coming across the \u201Cthree strikes and you\u2019re out\u201D law for themselves. They might want to make the people of Epsom go through the farce of an election where they do not want their candidate to win, they might want the people of \u014Ch\u0101riu to have to keep voting for Peter Dunne despite all of the murk and mess around what has happened to him in this term, but if they try it on one more time in the East Coast Bays to get Colin Craig up and push Murray McCully out, I predict that that will be \u201Cthree strikes and you\u2019re out\u201D for manipulation of the electoral system by National. The people of New Zealand, rightly, have expected National to come forward with some changes to the MMP laws and rules, because that is what the Electoral Commission got charged with doing. People worked very hard to produce a report, which was then put back to the Minister of Justice, Judith Collins, who, quite frankly, did absolutely nothing to try to get the kind of cross-party support that would be required. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EThe Minister did that deliberately because she did not want to face up to the fact that it is National that has twice now rorted the system\u2014and I predict a third time. It will try to use the system in a way that goes against what New Zealanders believe is fair and right. In that Electoral Commission report there were recommendations that could have got broad-based support across this Parliament. The Labour Party has a member\u2019s bill, in the name of Iain Lees-Galloway, to do away with the coat-tailing, to reduce the threshold for entry of parties into Parliament, and to help tidy up the MMP legislation, which New Zealanders were promised in the wake of the referendum. This is what New Zealanders were promised in the wake of the referendum. Instead, the very thing that brought John Banks to this Parliament, the very deal that brought John Banks to this Parliament, continues to be protected by National rather than be followed through on what the Electoral Commission asked and what New Zealanders were led to believe they would get. It would be a major stain on this system that we have now if National goes for three deals, three cups of tea, around the country\u2014but I predict that is what it will do and I think it will suffer for that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EI want to speak briefly about John Banks. I respect the fact that colleagues in this House who have known Mr Banks over a long period of time have said that they have mixed views about him. I do not actually have a particular desire to dance on his political grave. I will say this though. I have been prevented in this House from calling John Banks a liar because we have rules about the way we treat one another when we are members of Parliament. The problem we have had for nearly 2 years is that John Banks was lying. He lied to New Zealanders, he lied to this House, he lied to John Key, and he lied to the police. That is what John Banks did and we have not been able to say that because he was in here, so it is important to put that on record. This was not a pursuit of a matter of insignificance. This was the pursuit of a person who was a member of Parliament who has now been found guilty of electoral fraud. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EThe reason why the maximum sentence for that crime is 2 years is because it is regarded as so serious. The reason why Mr Banks would inevitably have had to resign, even though he has done it before a conviction has been entered, is because of the length of the sentence. The length of the sentence has been set in law because this is an extremely serious matter. As MPs we all know that when we sign off on our returns after an election it is us who are responsible for them. We are the people who have to stand up and say to New Zealanders that we have followed the rules. John Banks did not. He broke the rules, he knew that he broke the rules, and that is why he has had to resign. Mr Banks called it a tragedy. I think it has had more elements of a farce than a tragedy, to be honest with you. But the tragedy here is that the law was broken and the trust in all of us as politicians gets compromised when people do this. All of us\u2014we know that. Everyone across the House knows that it ends up being a stain on all politicians, and that is why it is good and right that this went through the process. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EI do want to comment briefly on the question of whether the police should have prosecuted this. Mr Finlayson in his list of what happened was factual, but he paused at a point and that is the point at which the police decided not to prosecute. The police did not take advice from Crown Law about whether they should prosecute. They made that decision themselves. As Trevor Mallard has said, they have acknowledged that decision was wrong, it was incorrect, and I welcome an Independent Police Conduct Authority investigation into this, because anybody who looks at the facts of what happened in this case would have concluded that it should have gone through to prosecution, and we look forward to the outcome of that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EThe person I want to talk about tonight is actually John Key, because John Banks\u2019 resignation should have come far, far earlier in this process. In the judgment that was brought down on Mr Banks the concept of wilful blindness is the most important concept within that judgment, and it is John Key\u2019s wilful blindness that went on here. He deliberately hung on to John Banks to prop up his Government. John Key is on the record as saying he would do whatever it takes to be in Government. Well, what it took was to cling on to somebody who he knew was not being upfront with New Zealanders, who he knew was not telling the truth when he was being questioned about this. John Key has gone on the record and said that John Banks is a thoroughly honest man. Well, the problem for John Key is that that has now been proven in a court to not be the case. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EJohn Key deliberately did not look into that. Day after day I stood up in this House and I asked John Key questions about the police report into this case, and day after day John Key said he would not read that report. He refused to read the police report because he did not want to know what was in it. That is the kind of wilful blindness that this Prime Minister is now becoming known for. That is the kind of approach that he said he would not do. He said he would lift the standards of ministerial behaviour and he has completely failed to do that. So John Banks should have resigned but he should have resigned a lot earlier. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EJohn Key actually said this. This is one of the answers he gave in the House to a question when we asked whether it was right that John Banks was still here. He said: \u201CThere is quite a wide definition of ethics. The test I have to apply is the law. I think he did exactly what he\u2019d always said, which was comply with the law.\u201D If John Key had read the police report back in 2012, he would never have said that. He would never have said that because it simply was not borne out by the facts. The Cabinet Manual tells Ministers they must uphold the law, act lawfully, and behave in a way that upholds and is seen to uphold the highest ethical standards. For months and months in this House it was clear that John Banks had not done that and, yet, John Key refused to act. John Key refused to do anything to call him to account for what he had done. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EIn November 2008 John Key said: \u201CI expect high standards from my Ministers \u2026 if they don\u2019t [meet these standards I set], then obviously I will take action \u2026\u201D. John Key did not do that. John Key hung on to John Banks for electoral convenience and that is a stain on his Government and on this whole House. John Banks has been found guilty of electoral fraud. He has resigned. He should have resigned earlier. The fact that he did not sits at the feet of John Key. The fact is that John Key was prepared to hold on to his slim majority in this House, no matter what, to pass legislation like the asset sales legislation and to pass legislation that was bad for New Zealand in the course of this\u2014charter schools coming in. The one good thing is that we will not get the employment relations law passed because of that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EThere should not be a by-election in Epsom, but this is not a happy day. This is a sad day because a member of Parliament has committed electoral fraud and National continues to stand for that kind of behaviour.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022383363d0-b05b-469f-9cf9-a990d946d1b9\u0022 data-id=\u00228fd04412cc3b46bcbba4cbd723a9e5fd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022383363d0-b05b-469f-9cf9-a990d946d1b9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228fd04412cc3b46bcbba4cbd723a9e5fd\u0022\u003EHOLLY WALKER (Green):\u003C/span\u003E Well, like the other parties that have spoken so far in this debate, the Green Party will support the motion that no writ be issued for an Epsom by-election following the sad departure of Mr Banks. Like others, we agree that it is in no one\u2019s interests to have a by-election just 3 months out from an election, with just 4 sitting weeks left in this term of Parliament. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022383363d0-b05b-469f-9cf9-a990d946d1b9\u0022\u003EWe do not want to waste taxpayers\u2019 time and we do not want to waste taxpayers\u2019 money with an unnecessary by-election at the same time as a general election campaign. It would be irresponsible to allow a by-election to go ahead. But, of course, plenty of taxpayers\u2019 time and money have already been wasted in this sad affair. In fact, you could argue that the past 3 years have been a complete waste of time and money for Epsom voters because they are ending this term of Parliament with no MP, and for much of the term their representative was under a cloud after being charged with, and eventually being found guilty of, electoral fraud relating to donations he received before he even re-entered Parliament at the last election, during his 2010 Auckland mayoral campaign. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022383363d0-b05b-469f-9cf9-a990d946d1b9\u0022\u003EThe unfortunate events resulting in Mr Banks being found guilty of electoral fraud are not good for this Parliament, as we have just heard from the previous speaker, Grant Robertson. It reinforces the perception many members of the public hold that Parliament is full of corruptible, self-interested, dishonest individuals, and it does nothing to enhance the reputation of this institution. This case not only reflects on all of us here in this House in a poor light but also brings into question much of the legislation that has been passed in this term of Parliament. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022383363d0-b05b-469f-9cf9-a990d946d1b9\u0022\u003EAs my colleague and co-leader Dr Russel Norman noted in his earlier contribution in this debate, the single-vote majority afforded to this National Government by Mr Banks has allowed this Government to pass 13 controversial bills by 61 to 60\u2014a single-vote majority\u2014during the current term of Parliament. Bearing in mind that the offence that Mr Banks has been found guilty of took place before this term of Parliament commenced, I believe that that calls into question the legitimacy of that legislation. That legislation includes the legislation that allowed the sale of our State assets. It includes the legislation that returned us to the discriminatory system of paying a lower minimum wage to young workers. It includes legislation that removed protections from our conservation estate, that gave the Minister for Economic Development decision-making power over our conservation estate, and that restricted New Zealanders\u2019 rights to protest at sea. These were controversial bills that were not supported by the majority of New Zealanders, but they squeaked across the line in this House thanks to the vote of someone who has now been convicted of a dishonesty offence that took place before the commencement of this term of Parliament. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022383363d0-b05b-469f-9cf9-a990d946d1b9\u0022\u003EThat single vote is a vote that John Key was prepared to keep casting on behalf of Mr Banks. Even after the allegations were made public, even after the police report was placed on John Key\u2019s desk, even after a private prosecution was taken and found to have merit, even after the police belatedly took up the case and it was taken up by Crown Law, and even after it was obvious that John Banks was going to stand trial in the dock for electoral fraud, this Government and its leader, John Key, were perfectly happy to keep casting the vote of Mr Banks to pass legislation like those 13 controversial bills. And for a brief moment last week, after the verdict in the case, and before his advisers had got in his ear, the Prime Minister was even prepared to keep casting John Banks\u2019 vote for the remainder of this term of Parliament\u2014before somebody had a quiet word and said it might be better for Mr Banks to simply go. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022383363d0-b05b-469f-9cf9-a990d946d1b9\u0022\u003ESo were it not for Mr Banks, none of that legislation would have been passed. It should never have been passed, and the fact that it did highlights how badly we need reforms to improve the transparency of both central government and local government and to tighten the rules on electoral donations, particularly anonymous donations. The Green Party has a bill to do just that. It is our Local Electoral (Finance) Amendment Bill, in the name of my colleague Denise Roche. That bill would bring the provisions for local elections into line with those for general elections when it comes to the declaration of donations, when it comes to filing returns, and when it comes to the limits for anonymous donations. It would lower the limits and bring those rules more into line. We went some way towards doing that earlier in this term of Parliament, but we have not gone far enough, and the case of Mr Banks in Epsom, I think, highlights exactly why that bill needs to be adopted and passed in this House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022383363d0-b05b-469f-9cf9-a990d946d1b9\u0022\u003EI also want to speak briefly about the implications of all of this for our electoral system, MMP. The Green Party is supporting this motion not to have a by-election in Epsom because we do not want to waste taxpayers\u2019 time and money. In many ways any election in Epsom is a waste of time and money because of the way that this Government has chosen to continually exploit the MMP electoral system. For the last several elections\u2014and it looks like this year\u2019s election is going to be no different\u2014the National Party and the ACT Party have collaborated to attempt to exploit the coat-tailing provision, where if a member wins a single seat, their party\u2019s party vote allows them to bring more MPs with them into Parliament in order to maximise the majority in Parliament for the National Government. That worked for them when Rodney Hide was the leader of the ACT Party in 2008. Because he won the seat, he brought several MPs into Parliament with him. It did not work so well, actually, in 2011, because despite the sideshow that was the cup of tea in Epsom, all we got was John Banks\u2014thank goodness\u2014and his single vote, allowing National to govern and to pass the kind of legislation I talked about earlier. What it showed was that voters are absolutely sick of that coat-tailing provision being exploited in that way. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022383363d0-b05b-469f-9cf9-a990d946d1b9\u0022\u003EThe sideshow that was the cup of tea in Epsom was really the nail in the coffin, I think, in terms of the public\u2019s opinion of that coat-tailing rule. So when we had the opportunity to review MMP because of the referendum and the review system that was set up as a result of a positive result in favour of keeping MMP at the referendum in 2011, voters spoke out in no uncertain terms, saying that they would like to see that provision changed. In terms of the large amount of feedback that was received by the Electoral Commission in reviewing MMP, the one-electoral-seat threshold was by far the one that received the most feedback, and it was the clearest in terms of public opinion, both in the polling that was undertaken and also in terms of the submissions received. Not only that but the members of the royal commission that recommended the introduction of MMP in the first place, back in 1987, have subsequently said they feel that the introduction of the coat-tailing rule was their one mistake in the introduction of MMP. So there is a very, very clear set of public opinion that that coat-tailing provision should no longer exist. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022383363d0-b05b-469f-9cf9-a990d946d1b9\u0022\u003EUnfortunately, though, John Banks is not the only recent example of people trying to exploit that rule, and there are new parties forming at the moment aiming to do the same thing. As the Green Party spokesperson for electoral reform, I am extremely concerned that as a result of all of this, our electoral system is becoming a political football. It never should be, and it would not have been, had the process that was set up following that referendum on MMP in 2011 been followed correctly. What happened was that a referendum was held and the public vote of 58 percent to retain MMP\u2014because, clearly, people saw that it was a good system and that it should be retained\u2014triggered a review process where changes could be made and where people could have their say on things like that coat-tailing provision, the 5 percent threshold, and a number of other aspects of the system. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022383363d0-b05b-469f-9cf9-a990d946d1b9\u0022\u003EIn good faith, many thousands of members of the public engaged with that process, thinking that this was their opportunity to make the changes to our electoral system that they wanted to see. Unfortunately, after that process was completed\u2014as Russel Norman mentioned in his contribution before\u2014we got no further because the Minister of Justice sat on it for months and months and months until there was pretty much no time left in which to make the changes before the election. Then she announced she could not get the majority in Parliament that she needed to make those changes, neglecting to mention that the only party that was not prepared to entertain those changes was her own party, the National Party. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022383363d0-b05b-469f-9cf9-a990d946d1b9\u0022\u003EWhat has happened since is that our electoral system has become a political football. We now have parties seeking to exploit the rules again. We also have parties seeking to change the rules in this House through members\u2019 bills and through other proposals from outside Parliament to amend parts of the electoral system. We have parties taking different positions on different recommendations, and I fear that this is going to continue and that the public\u2019s confidence in our electoral system will continue to be eroded. What should have happened is that the Electoral Commission\u2019s recommendations should have been adopted as a package. Until that happens, unfortunately, the sad case of Mr Banks simply continues to underline the fact that our electoral system has become a political football.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022 data-id=\u0022e797410b05bd4b2a85d4a273ed24aff9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e797410b05bd4b2a85d4a273ed24aff9\u0022\u003EHon ANNETTE KING (Labour\u2014Rongotai):\u003C/span\u003E The Labour Party supports the motion that is before the House today that no writ be issued for a by-election in the Epsom electoral district. We will not be party to forcing a by-election in this electorate, because it is not in the public interest. We all know that we are very close to a general election, and a by-election is unnecessary and would be a waste of taxpayers\u2019 money. They are expensive and it would be seen by voters to be a frivolous political stunt, and I think there have been far many of them already in the Epsom electorate. We would like to take the opportunity today in this debate to say to John Key that it is time that we did change the Electoral Act to stop the coat-tailing provision that enables parties like ACT to come in by winning a seat. It is time that we took these issues seriously, instead of looking only at the close political advantage that might be gained from them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003EBut I want to begin by saying that I think this is a very sad day in the New Zealand Parliament\u2014a very sad day. It is a day when, because of the actions of a member of this House, we are debating not issuing a writ for a by-election. It has been caused by the conviction of a member of Parliament for electoral fraud. It is a sad day for John Banks, and I feel sorry for him at a personal level. He is a man who has come from the school of hard knocks. He was brought up in a number of foster homes. He was pushed from pillar to post. He was estranged from his parents, who spent much of their lives in and out of jail. He was a man who decided to make a better life for himself and his family. He pulled himself up and became the member of Parliament for Whangarei. He was proud to be a member of Parliament. He was proud to be the people\u2019s representative, as he used to say, living in God\u2019s own country. He became a Minister and he strutted his stuff as Minister of Police. He was very proud that he could pass the police fitness test\u2014probably the only Minister of Police who has. He could be funny, he could be outrageous, he could be caring, and he could be courageous. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003EBut he has been proven to be cunning, to be conniving, and to have been careless, and, in the end, he was convicted. That is why we are here today debating this issue. So I feel sorry for him on a personal level, but I feel sorry for this Parliament as well. None of us like to be here doing this. It is not the way to end a political career. Most of us would like to have the opportunity to stand before our colleagues and make a valedictory speech, as many will come July. Some of us are sent to the wilderness for a short time when the voters vote us out; others end as John Banks has. Fortunately, that is not very often. My cousin Christopher Finlayson, when he went through the list and the litany of problems\u2014always mentioning only the Labour Party\u2014was generous enough to mention that probably there has been only one real fraud issue, that of Phillip Field. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003ESo I think it is a sad day for this Parliament, and I wish we did not have to do this. It is sad because the truth is that John Banks had been misleading this House for almost 2 years, and a blind eye was turned to that. A blind eye was turned because when you look at the evidence that was provided from the witnesses, it was as plain as the nose on one\u2019s face that Mr Banks knew he had received anonymous donations. He had solicited anonymous donations from people he knew. It has been clear to many, including Mr McCready, who lives in my electorate, and Mr Brooking, that this member of Parliament was misleading the public and knew that he had got anonymous donations. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003EThe sadness is that the Prime Minister knew that as well. It was his job to uphold the highest standards. I have listened as we have gone through the list of members of Parliament who were Ministers who have lost their jobs under John Key and how he upholds the highest of standards. And I think in the beginning he did. I think in the beginning he wanted to show that he was upholding standards and was looking very carefully at how he managed his Cabinet. But as the years have gone by, those standards have slipped, and they slipped to the very bottom when it came to John Banks. John Key knew that John Banks had done wrong, but John Key turned a blind eye because he needed that one discredited vote from the ACT Party. He needed it because he needed to pass legislation, so he did not want to know that wrong had been done. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000458\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003EI have to say that it is the sort of cynical manipulation of our democratic system that many of our old soldiers went to war to oppose. They do not like cynical manipulation of democratic systems, but that is what has happened under the leadership of John Key. Let us have a look at what he has been saying about holding on to power. He does have his motto. He has said: \u201CWhatever it takes.\u201D That is what he has said. That is a quote\u2014\u201CWhatever it takes.\u201D He said: \u201CWe are going to do what we practically can to \u2026 form the next Government,\u201D. That meant taking the vote of John Banks with a deal that was done over a cup of tea\u2014a deal that has been discredited and criticised ever since. He was so desperate to do a deal then that he is prepared to continue in that vein at this next election. He is prepared to put aside the fact that in September 2012 Colin Craig, a person he is going to do a deal with, sent out 20,000 leaflets in Mr Key\u2019s own Helensville electorate telling the voters of Helensville not to vote for Mr Key because he was \u201Ctoo gay\u201D to be their member of Parliament. That is a quote. That is a direct quote from Mr Colin Craig. I would be wondering whether I would want to do a deal with him. But the deal will be done, just as it was with John Banks. So the sadness to me is that a blind eye was turned when it should have been investigated and action taken 2 years ago. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000459\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003EWe have had enough of those dodgy deals, but they are going to happen again in this election. But what happened from that grubby deal and blind eye was that we had legislation passed with John Banks\u2019 vote that many in New Zealand had opposed. The most obvious example is asset sales. Thousands of New Zealanders signed a petition against asset sales. The vote was so close in this House because many parties also opposed it. But with John Banks\u2019 vote, the Government was able to sell off our assets\u2014a hugely unpopular policy. Of course, it was sold to the public that they had given the Government a mandate to do it. Well, I do not believe that when people vote they vote on just one thing; they vote on a number of things. There are some things they like and some things they do not like. For example, they took the Prime Minister at his word that he would not increase GST, but when he came into Government, he did. But then they returned him to power 3 years later, so they forgave him for that. So when the Government said it has a mandate to sell assets, it did not listen to the voices of the people when it came to the oldest form of talking to the Government: a petition to this Parliament. The Government relied on the vote of John Banks. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000460\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a5b71a-ca7e-4e7c-9e09-f9e63f18aa12\u0022\u003EAnother example is charter schools. I could go through a number of pieces of legislation passed over those 2 years with the vote of a person who has been convicted of electoral fraud, and the National Party knew that 2 years ago. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022 data-id=\u00228ab21bf7b8ad455cba7a01526cb3ca14\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000461\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228ab21bf7b8ad455cba7a01526cb3ca14\u0022\u003ESUE MORONEY (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E It is a pleasure to take a call in this debate about whether we should have a by-election in Epsom, given the resignation of John Banks. I think it is all about timing, really, is it not? This debate is all about timing because when these allegations first came to light, if the police had prosecuted at that point, then we would not be having a debate about whether to have a by-election; we would definitely be having one, because it would have been around about 2 years ago that this would have all occurred. And then we would have had the prospect of trying to find out whether the National Party was going to stand a bag of flour, whether it was going to stand a candidate, or, in fact, what it would do in the case of a by-election for Epsom. Because the police chose not to and made a decision not to prosecute Mr Banks at that time, we are instead here having this debate on this day where all the parties are agreeing that it actually would not be a good idea to have a by-election even though the disgraced MP has resigned, because of the timing of this now. We are running hard up against a general election, and everyone, I think, whom I have heard speak so far in the debate has seen the logic of not having a by-election at this particular point in time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003EBut I think there are questions that remain around why that prosecution did not happen 2 years ago when it should have. My colleague Annette King is quite right\u2014there are a number of pieces of legislation that have been to the detriment of the New Zealand public that would not have passed if John Banks\u2019 vote had not been used to prop up those pieces of legislation. These are pieces of legislation that have not found favour with the public, like the sale of our State-owned assets and pieces of legislation like charter schools. Just hearing Annette King speak about that reminded me that, of course, at the time when the charter schools legislation went through, supported by John Banks\u2019 one vote, the Government was not really very upfront at that time and did not tell us that, of course, the students going to these charter schools would be funded at a much higher rate than children who are going through our State schooling system. I wonder, had John Banks known that\u2014or perhaps he did\u2014whether he would have voted for that legislation and it may not have gone through anyway. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003EHere we are, some 18 months or 2 years on from when this debate could have been held about a by-election in Epsom, when it would have been in a suitable time frame for exactly that course of action to be taken. Some many pieces of dreadful legislation later\u2014propped up by John Banks, who has now departed this place\u2014and we are all saying that having a by-election would not be in the best interests of the public purse or of the public spend because we have got an election coming up. However, in the meantime, quite a lot of damage has been done by a vote that should never have been able to be used. I think that is the thing that causes me grief for democratic principles. What we have been talking about on this side of the House is that it was plain to us 2 years ago that this action should have been taken. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003EI think it was plain to the National Party as well, because I can see now in hindsight exactly why the Prime Minister chose the election date of 20 September. It was earlier than many people were expecting, but, of course, the Prime Minister, in hindsight, I believe chose that date knowing that John Banks would be found guilty and would, in fact, be prosecuted, and, therefore, would have to leave as a member of Parliament. So I find that a deeply cynical thing for the Prime Minister to have done\u2014to have been so certain that John Banks was, in fact, guilty of what he had been accused of that, I believe, the election timetable has been set around that certainty. And if I am right, and if the Prime Minister was certain that that was going to be the outcome of the court case, then why did he not do what he should have done all along and actually act on the information that he had? Why did the Prime Minister sit it out and wait it out for around 2 years, knowing what he knew, and wait for a court to make that decision? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003EI just want to place on record my view that the Prime Minister did, in fact, know\u2014that he did, in fact, know\u2014exactly the finding that the court would come to, because what other explanation do we have for a 20 September election date?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bacc2c824938440798e6f5ffb4f5a87d\u0022\u003EIan McKelvie\u003C/span\u003E: How could he know that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226dc4399abc91417db67dda5d0d787995\u0022\u003ESUE MORONEY\u003C/span\u003E: How could he know it? Ian McKelvie asks how the Prime Minister could know that. Well, just use your imagination, Mr McKelvie. The Prime Minister kept saying over and over again that he took Mr Banks at his word, and yet once he knew that John Banks was going in front of a court of law, he set about choosing an election timetable that would have us having this debate around about this time, with parties conceding that, actually, having a by-election at this point, so close to a general election, probably is not the best use of taxpayer funding. I think that the timing of that has been quite deliberate. So I am concerned about that, but I am also concerned about that one vote and I think that now New Zealanders can look at this and go: \u201CGosh, actually, this Government is hanging on by a thread\u2014absolutely hanging on by a thread.\u201D And do you know how they know that? It is because members of the public now know that the Government has not got the votes to put through some legislation it dearly wants to put through. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000468\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003EI want to speak about one of those pieces of legislation, because it is a piece that is very dear to my heart. That is the amendment legislation that the Government has in front of this House to take away the legal right to have a tea break at work. It is very dear to my heart because, actually, I wrote the original piece of legislation. It was a member\u2019s bill that I had in my name in my first term in 2005, when I came in. Fortunately, it was a Labour-led Government and the Labour-led Government chose to take up my member\u2019s bill as a Government bill. Labour actually added a little bit more on to it around breastfeeding breaks at work as well, but up until that point\u2014I think it finally got passed in about 2007\u2014there was no legal right for people to have a tea break, a lunch break, or a meal break at work. If they had it in their employment agreement, it was a legal right for them, but if their collective employment agreement was silent, then they did not have that right. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000469\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003EThat law was passed in 2007 by Labour, and that is the piece of law that is part of the piece of legislation that the Government now cannot pass\u2014thank goodness\u2014because John Banks is no longer here to prop up that very, very bad piece of employment legislation. Of course, it does other very bad things as well, like taking away the ability for people to get a decent pay rise by ensuring that employers do not have to negotiate and do not have to conclude a collective employment agreement. It does all sorts of terrible things for working people, but I am really pleased that that one vote will no longer be used to take away people\u2019s legal right to have a break at work. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000470\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003ESo I am very pleased in some ways that the Government no longer has that very\u2014what would I call it? I cannot use the word I really want to use, but the mandate that it has used, the one vote that it has used to put all sorts of dreadful laws through\u2014it should never have had the right to use that vote, because this debate has been going on for a couple of years now about whether John Banks knew what he knew and whether he did what he was accused of doing. I think the National Party knew all the way along that he was, in fact, guilty as the court has found him, and it should never have been using his vote to prop up the very bad legislation that it has been putting through in that time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003EIt is a sad day for Parliament because one of our own has had to resign. He has had to resign because, in fact, when you are found guilty of a charge such as the one he has been found guilty of, then you have no choice but to resign. The only thing that he had a choice about was the timing of that resignation. The timing of this debate I think has been constructed for some time. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003ESitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.\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=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d84ae24161a840378dca93f04d7e865e\u0022\u003ECompanies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f9370aef3228424d8aeca296d07af188\u0022\u003EIn Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000476\u0022\u003EDebate resumed from 17 June.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022651be8ace34546adac5fc0e473bcd736\u0022\u003EPart 1  Amendments to Companies Act 1993 (continued)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022659f6556-09a1-4ead-bc52-05cbdb4eaab8\u0022 data-id=\u0022e4c4f0dd6f7347f3ad2171116cb859bf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022659f6556-09a1-4ead-bc52-05cbdb4eaab8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e4c4f0dd6f7347f3ad2171116cb859bf\u0022\u003EHon CRAIG FOSS (Minister of Commerce):\u003C/span\u003E I will pick up from where we left off last time. Mr Parker had raised a few questions and I will just quickly address those. Someone else raised a question about the size of Supplementary Order Paper 465 and I pointed out that Supplementary Order Paper 465 is not quite just a stand-alone Supplementary Order Paper; it is a revision-tracked version of the Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill, including the Supplementary Order Paper. So essentially Supplementary Order Paper 465 is the new bill. I think one member was trying to measure it by weight or something, somewhat naively. Mr Parker was asking about section 135 of the Companies Act. He was concerned about that last time. I pointed out that the criminalisation in section 135 has in fact been removed and that was the part he picked up on. But, of course, that was a stand-alone offence and it has now been included as a new offence under section 380 of the Companies Act. The serious misconduct that will be caught is the director dishonestly incurring debt for a company when their company is insolvent or the director knew the company would become insolvent. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022659f6556-09a1-4ead-bc52-05cbdb4eaab8\u0022\u003EThat kind of goes to the crux of the only issue really. The Commerce Committee in its own commentary was wrestling with how to deal with the level or the measurement of criminality of directors\u2019 behaviour and how it should be described and captured. As you can see in that Supplementary Order Paper, we have landed in, I think, a relatively good space. Regardless of whatever definitions came about, of course there were questions such as: what if a company was facing difficulty and then some reckless trading issues started to arise because directors were making decisions on a company\u2019s circumstances where on one interpretation they could have been behaving recklessly and therefore facing some criminal issues, or, in fact they were behaving as their shareholders would have expected and trying to make decisions to trade or build their way out of whatever the circumstances were? And, of course, there is a distinction on a balance or a measurement of the risk involved when a director, directors, or a board are making such decisions regardless of how the company got into the position that it may have found itself in. So there was a lot of discussion, and, as I say, that is where Supplementary Order Paper 465 has landed. We really landed in a place where looking at dishonest actions with intent is the area that the criminality side of things here addresses. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022659f6556-09a1-4ead-bc52-05cbdb4eaab8\u0022\u003EAs another speaker spoke about last time, an issue is the expression of potential effect on the entrepreneurship or the willingness of directors to be directors, full stop. That was a fair comment. Again, the committee, I think, did a really good job in grappling with that amongst the other issues it dealt with. All parties, from whatever side of the spectrum, could actually see the issues that the committee was trying to deal with. I am confident that we have come to a place of balance even though we have almost come full circle about good faith now into bad faith and what that means for a company\u2019s circumstances under this new Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill. I am very comfortable and again I thank the Commerce Committee for the hard work it did dealing with some pretty complex issues. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022659f6556-09a1-4ead-bc52-05cbdb4eaab8\u0022\u003EI do note that in previous readings this bill has passed unanimously, I think, across the House, and that is fantastic. It is a credit to the select committee\u2019s work. It is also a credit to the ongoing consultation and ownership that these commerce bills and now Acts have. I asked that officials engage with the various sectors so there was strong ownership of the bills once they landed and turned into Acts. It might take a bit longer to get that process through, but when it lands across the House we tend to have pretty good support.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022 data-id=\u00229150c91c118a44febb2e96d849fd1266\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229150c91c118a44febb2e96d849fd1266\u0022\u003EKRIS FAAFOI (Labour\u2014Mana):\u003C/span\u003E I will speak to Part 1 of the Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill. Can I first of all thank the Minister in the chair, the Minister of Commerce, for taking a call to respond to some of the issues that were raised by my colleagues\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022935e9fdc0af64d379a113a5d37e07482\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: He responded quite well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225d4aac8f74d9482385ed430900482b12\u0022\u003EKRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, he did respond quite well, actually, to be fair, to my colleagues David Parker and Dr David Clark, by first of all acknowledging that the rather large Supplementary Order Paper 465 that layers over Part 1 is not in fact the big document that was claimed earlier, but is worked into the new revision-tracked version of the bill. We do acknowledge that, Minister. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EAlso there was the point that David Parker, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, raised around trying to get the balance right between companies and directors who look to take action in what you would call desperate times for some firms, where they have to consider whether their actions may be considered either reckless or actions that are needed to take a company or a partnership that is in a precarious position back into a safe position. He also talked about where the line may be drawn in terms of the willingness of those directors to take some action that they may deem necessary but which they may think may not be the wisest move if that action may be seen as a criminal action under the law as it was first drafted. Thank you very much, Minister, for taking the opportunity to answer some of those questions. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EBut, as I mentioned first\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000487\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f1a5ddd27584418a2fa826178ce2e95\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Don\u2019t worry, Kris. Remember what I said last night. You\u2019ll be all right. You\u2019ll be here after the election. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000488\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f94aca1351d54b0ba8948266507f4b53\u0022\u003EKRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you for that. But, as I mentioned first, there is a rather significant Supplementary Order Paper that layers over Part 1 of this bill. Although I was not on the Commerce Committee, I think that because of the way that the bill was presented back to the House before Supplementary Order Paper 465 was added to this bill in its current form, the select committee and the officials who were dealing with this bill did find themselves in a bit of a conundrum. They thought there were still issues about getting the balance right in terms of being specific about the criminality that may be acted and making sure that there was some, in layman\u2019s terms, wriggle room there for directors to make sure that they could take action that they saw fit if they were in dire straits with that firm. I think that in the commentary on the bill the select committee did point that out. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000489\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EIf I can take the opportunity just to quote from the commentary on the bill where the Commerce Committee says: \u201CHowever, we are aware that the bill could be perceived by directors and their advisers to criminalise legitimate business risk-taking behaviour. We have therefore sought an appropriate balance between encouraging positive entrepreneurial behaviour and imposing clear and effective sanctions on behaviour that crosses a criminal threshold.\u201D But the commentary went on to say that the committee does not recommend any changes other than minor drafting and would support \u201Cfurther consideration of the drafting of these new offences to ensure that the provisions are expressed in a way that provides clear guidance to directors and does not have a chilling effect on legitimate business ...\u201D. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000490\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ESo I think what you have got here is a strange position where the Commerce Committee identified that there was a problem, which was that it thought the legislation had to be much more specific in terms of what the criminal actions might have been, but it could not offer up a remedy for that conundrum that it found itself in, which I guess meant that Supplementary Order Paper 465 had to come into play. We have looked at Supplementary Order Paper 465. I understand that we believe that it does strike the right balance to make sure we are very specific about the criminal behaviour that can be outlined, as the Minister said, around intent where there could be actions taken by directors and where there could be criminal behaviour, and, the other side of the equation, where drastic action needs to be taken by directors to ensure that a company can stay afloat.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000491\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E This bill does have the support of the Labour Party. We know that New Zealand has a very good reputation in terms of the ability of people to come here and do business, but we also know that lately there have been instances that have gained not just local media attention but also global media attention, where people have taken it upon themselves to exploit the good reputation that New Zealand has by using shell companies to take advantage of the legislation that we have, and taking advantage of our good name. So we do believe that this piece of legislation is necessary to make sure that that reputation stays intact. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000492\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EBut we do know that this legislation has been on the Order Paper for some time. I believe it was introduced in about 2012\u2014halfway through that year\u2014so 2 years later we have got a piece of legislation that has had the support of this House, to quite a strong degree, being put forward. It does beef up the rules around the Companies Act, and gives more powers to the registrar, which has had the full support of this side of the House for some time. So we question why it has taken so long to get to the stage where it is now, where it progresses to the final stages of becoming legislation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000493\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EIt may be the fact that we are very unlikely to see any controversial legislation come through this House now because we have seen one member of the House, former ACT leader John Banks, have to resign. What we may get is a lot of what you may call rather mundane legislation that the Government may have to start putting through this House because it simply does not have the numbers to get anything controversial through any more. So what you might be seeing is a Government petering out over the next 2\u00BD months here in the House, and simply not being able to implement its far-right agenda because Mr Banks is no longer here. That is upsetting, I guess, for the Government members, but good for us on this side of the House, because we have seen the kind of legislation that has been passed with the support of Mr Banks, which has concerned the sale of quite a number of our State-owned assets and also a controversial move to introduce what the Government members over on that side call partnership schools, but that are quite well-known as charter schools on this side of the Chamber. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000494\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EOne other part of the legislation that we do support is the increase of penalties for any directors who undertake criminal behaviour, which is specifically laid out in Part 1. Those increases see a maximum imprisonment sentence of 5 years, I believe, and also a maximum fine of $200,000 for each offence that occurs. I think that does send a pretty strong message to anyone who is either here in New Zealand or overseas that if they are caught contravening this legislation, a pretty harsh penalty will be imposed upon them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EJust going back to be specific about Part 1, I think it is clause 4 that introduces a rather large new section 138A into the Companies Act, which gives quite new powers to the Registrar of Companies to investigate and deal with non-compliance with the Companies Act. This includes, I understand, the power to flag companies on the register that are under investigation. That is a new power, and it is a good power given to the registrar because of some of the concerns that I have mentioned before around overseas interests that are coming here to use New Zealand companies as shell companies, to basically act illegally under that shell company. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000496\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EIt will also allow the removal of companies from the register if they provide inaccurate information or persistently fail to comply with the Act. I guess that we hope that the Registrar of Companies is given the resources to be able to monitor that quite closely. I think that if you have got well-resourced people\u2014again, probably from overseas\u2014who are taking advantage of that loophole, you want to make sure that you are able to monitor that quite closely. Also, the registrar will be able to ban directors of those companies from taking part in the management of any company for up to 5 years. I think it goes without saying that anyone who gets themselves involved with that kind of behaviour is not the kind of person we want to be a company director here in New Zealand. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000497\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EWe do support this bill. It does contain some good measures to ensure that when doing business in New Zealand, the reputation of New Zealand is upheld. We do have some concerns, as I have said, around the timing of the bill\u2014the fact that it has taken so long, and also the fact that it is here now, so late in the piece, and why it is here. It is quite clearly because John Banks is no longer here.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022 data-id=\u0022e989112b90584667bd39c12ad3a3cc68\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000498\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e989112b90584667bd39c12ad3a3cc68\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN (Labour\u2014Dunedin South):\u003C/span\u003E Why has it taken so long for the Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill, to come back to the Committee? It is not an unreasonable question. Why has it taken so long? I have just gone today and looked back at the last time it was that I spoke on this bill, which was in July last year\u2014July last year\u2014in the second reading. Before that, it took 18 months to actually get to the House and then another year to get through the Commerce Committee. So why has it taken so long for this piece of legislation to come back to the House for the Committee stage? The next question is: how long is it going to take for it to get to the third reading and for it to actually get through? Is that going to happen, or is that going to take another year? This is a really important question and I think that everybody who is watching or listening on the radio to this debate tonight should actually be asking themselves this question. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000499\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EI do not know how many times I have stood in this Chamber and said basically these same things. Why is it taking so long for legislation that is around managing and ensuring accountability for the corporate raiders in this country\u2014for the white-collar criminals to be actually held accountable? Why is it that it is taking so long for the legislation that holds them accountable to get through this Parliament under that Government over on that side of the Chamber? Why? I would like to know whether it is a deliberate strategy, because we are seeing an awful lot of other legislation that is going through the House that is actually impacting on working people and people who are the most vulnerable in our society and making their lives harder under this Government. But when it comes to those who are responsible for white-collar crime, it takes for ever\u2014for ever\u2014to get legislation passed through the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000500\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EThat is a really important difference between the National Government and the other side, which is the Labour Party, which actually cares about the lives of ordinary working people who might invest their life-savings into a company, where they think that they will take some shares in a company, and what happens is that they get ripped off by the corporate raiders, who are supported by the National Government. They get ripped off and it takes for ever\u2014for ever\u2014for any legislation to get passed, and for them to have their rights protected or feel as if this Government is actually on their side. This Government is not on their side. This Government is on the side of the corporates. This Government is on the side of monopolies. This Government does not support the ordinary working person, and does not support the ordinary battling person, whether they are a small-business person or a person who is really just trying to make their way\u2014even a person who has got good ideas and is trying to get a good company up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000501\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226b24cf24a0b64cc1b03b809e3eb1ad6a\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, Mega.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000502\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002248007675c148472f954e541097e11340\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: Excuse me? That is what I would like to hear from the Minister sitting in the chair, Craig Foss, because I do not know how many times I have stood in this Chamber as a member of the Commerce Committee who has sat and heard submissions on this bill. We have heard, through the financial reforms that have come through in the last few years, people before the select committee who were crying, who have lost their life-savings, and who have been extremely badly affected. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E Inch by inch by inch we have seen legislation eventually coming before the House, taking years\u2014simply years. If there was urgency, why would a bill like this not be considered to be an important bill? Why would this bill not be considered a bill that could merit being passed through the House really quickly? Well, because it is not a priority. That was my first point: why has it taken so long? I would be really interested to hear the Minister of Commerce\u2019s explanation for that, because there is no explanation. If there is, it would be really good to hear what it was. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000504\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EThe second point that I want to make tonight around this piece of legislation is the work\u2014[Interruption] I know that the members on the other side of the Chamber are feeling a bit embarrassed about that because, actually, there is nothing they can say, really, to dispute the fact. The fact stands that it took 18 months to even get the legislation before the Commerce Committee, then it took at least another year once it had got out of the select committee to get before the House. No doubt it will take a long time to actually pass it into law. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000505\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EThe introduction of criminal sanctions for the very serious breaches of existing duties of directors\u2014that is my second point. I do want to comment on the important work that the select committee did on this because it was important work. There was an important balance, as the Minister said when he got up. I do appreciate the fact that the Minister did get up. This Minister, despite the fact that he does take a long time to get legislation through the House, does not resile from standing up and taking a call. I do want to give him credit for that because he does not resile from doing that. Unlike other Ministers in this Chamber who just sit there like dummies and do not say a word, this Minister actually does have the guts to get up, take a call, and try to provide explanations on issues. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000506\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c1c9b0f286bf4f828f2519249a672cd3\u0022\u003ESue Moroney\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s you, Simon.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000507\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228e2fd9e823fa41329046dd1f25630543\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, there is at least one of those Ministers sitting in the Chamber tonight. With regard to the work that was done on the criminal sanctions and the importance of creating that balance so that it was not seen to be punishing risk-taking innovative behaviour, members on this side of the Chamber are right behind the engine room of our country in terms of economic development, which is small business. That is where your innovation comes from, that is where we are going to see the greatest ideas, and what are we doing? We are actually backing small business. That Government over there actually backs crony monopolists and the big companies that are its mates. In terms of small business, which is where innovation comes from in this country, that Government is not behind it. It is really important that we do not put barriers in its way in terms of innovation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000508\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EIt is also very important that there is accountability. When it comes to the impact of corporate behaviour on investors\u2014particularly on the small investors, who get really badly done over\u2014it is really important that we have criminal sanctions. White-collar crime should be treated with much more seriousness in our country than it is. So on this side of politics, on this side of the Parliament of New Zealand, we believe that it is all about intent\u2014dishonesty with intent. If it is dishonesty with intent, then it should absolutely be penalised. That is a basic principle. It is a basic principle of law, it is a basic principle on which this country is founded, and it is a basic principle of Labour values, and that is extremely important. After the work that was done in the select committee\u2014I want to thank my fellow members of the select committee and the officials who participated\u2014on this part of the law, we have found that balance, and we should be proud of ourselves for that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000509\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EMy conundrum is: why has it taken so long? Why? Please, Minister, get up and tell us what it was that was so important that it had to be passed under urgency that might actually impact on the lowest-paid people and the more vulnerable people in our country. Why is it that we are not saying that white-collar crime is not OK? It is absolutely not OK in this country, and we are going to not only put laws through this Parliament but say that they are important, urgent laws. We are going to do it quickly and we are going to ensure that they are sorted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022163d0b68-eb0e-4094-9bed-99e184f063e1\u0022 data-id=\u00225be414c21175408585c7e98badd6aca6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000510\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022163d0b68-eb0e-4094-9bed-99e184f063e1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225be414c21175408585c7e98badd6aca6\u0022\u003EJAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip\u2014National):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022 data-id=\u00226381fba7c8a04dd6867d65d6bb1546d7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000511\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226381fba7c8a04dd6867d65d6bb1546d7\u0022\u003EDr DAVID CLARK (Labour\u2014Dunedin North):\u003C/span\u003E I rise to speak on Part 1. It is a delight to actually stand to speak in favour of the Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill. It is a positive contribution to make in this House, and we from this side of the Chamber do not always get to commend the Government for making a good step forward. It happens rarely, but it is great that here we are, debating a piece of legislation that takes the country forward through criminalising breaches of directors\u2019 duties. None of this detracts from what Clare Curran said. Why has it taken so long? The fundamental point she made in her speech is worth repeating. But here we are, passing a bill that will help to level the playing field. It is the dishonest practice\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000512\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002270ea6570cb10462685c121776aa5d7a1\u0022\u003ESue Moroney\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. I am reluctant to actually stop my colleague while he is in the middle of his contribution on this bill, but I know it is after the dinner break and I am not sure\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000513\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226527bab9da6d48898f71d29fd46770bf\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! If the member is making a point of order, she should make the point of order and not comment on dinner or any other reason. Points of order should be made tersely.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000514\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223aaf230b3e064a19a49836f8f73bcf7c\u0022\u003ESue Moroney\u003C/span\u003E: Well, my very terse point of order is that I can barely hear my colleague speak, and there are members opposite who have moved their seats in order to try to barrack at speakers on this bill. I do not know what they took in during the dinner break\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000515\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cff5dbb4260a4788929ee225bb700c17\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Now I have cautioned the member and the member has deliberately\u2014so I am going to require an apology to the Chair before I do anything else.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000516\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b2567d3e-a09c-47b4-bd50-2f5bb4049762\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f84ed41760d04f7082dad08179ac4920\u0022\u003ESue Moroney\u003C/span\u003E: I apologise to the Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000517\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d7d14cc8aac14d89b3b5cc8fafdd1efb\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002205d6ac79af8d4a349bdab47e2f7361a7\u0022\u003EHon Todd McClay\u003C/span\u003E: Speaking to the point of order\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000519\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222c6e24ae044a44e1b2845019b33b44a9\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: No, I am not taking any more, and the barracking was too much, so the point of order is upheld.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000520\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a2e30e9e441148e2a94d6cd8116716c8\u0022\u003EDr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Chair. As I was saying, I was congratulating the Government on its good behaviour and, unfortunately, those members have let themselves down, as your point of order has rightly ruled. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000521\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EBut here is the Government dealing with the criminalisation of breaches of certain directors\u2019 duties and actually making a law that helps to level the playing field a little bit, step by precious step. It is true that this bill has taken many years to get to this point in Parliament, but here it is, describing what penalties should apply for bad faith where directors knowingly act in a way that results in serious loss to a company through the incurring of debt, through fraudulent, dishonest behaviour, and so on. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000522\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EWe know that this kind of legislation is incredibly important in our democracy. If we wish to have a functioning democracy where businesses can flourish and where people who work hard and have talent can get ahead, then we do need a level playing field. We need a set of useful regulation because it is certainly true that where there is good regulation, our markets can prosper and make good decisions, and where there is poor regulation or a lack of oversight, very poor outcomes can come into play. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000523\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EWe are lucky that we continue to enjoy a reputation broadly in New Zealand as a country that has a transparent and robust democracy. We have a long and proud history of democracy. Of course, those things are under threat all the time and we must be wary, and it is very good that the court has found the honourable member\u2014or formerly honourable member\u2014John Banks guilty, because we have seen an important judicial process take place and we have a robust judicial system that can actually say when something is wrong. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000524\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EThere are other things that do not get across that line. There are decisions made in this House that we might find ethically repugnant that end up making life more difficult for many people, and we can all think of our own examples of those. But here we are, debating a positive piece of legislation\u2014a piece of legislation that will actually improve the lot overall of New Zealand and improve the health and the atmosphere in which our institutions, our businesses, can flourish.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000525\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E There are, of course, many other things that do not find their way into Part 1 of the bill, or into the bill at all\u2014other things that would help to make our environment flourish. I mention in passing pro-growth tax reform, the kind of research and development tax credits that Labour would like to see introduced, and a capital gains tax that would see money move away from the speculative housing sector into the productive sector and would actually increase exports. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000526\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EWe would like to see a growing economy. This Government seems reluctant to grow the economy where that will put at risk the interests of the wealthiest few. We know that the interests of the 1 percent that are at the very top are growing all the time, that we have the largest gap between rich and poor that we have ever had, that the majority of New Zealand citizens are going backwards, that median wages have dropped in real terms under this Government\u2019s watch, and that there is no doubt that this is the Government with the worst economic record in 50 years. So it is, therefore, a pleasure to get up and support at least one piece of legislation that makes a small step in the right direction, which has taken a long time to get here, but we certainly welcome it on this side of the Chamber. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000527\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EWe do want a more positive New Zealand\u2014one where New Zealand families can hope to own a company one day, to build up from perhaps owing a small business, starting themselves out, saving, working hard, registering a company, and all of these things. Clause 7A in Part 1 of the bill covers the nature of an application for registration of a company.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022 data-id=\u0022305452426a354c98ae25a1c494e3b4ec\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000528\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022305452426a354c98ae25a1c494e3b4ec\u0022\u003EMARK MITCHELL (National\u2014Rodney):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000529\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000530\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 465 in the name of the Hon Craig Foss to Part 1 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000531\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000532\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EPart 1 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000533\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a05f40b57c014149b48feedbce371cc6\u0022\u003EPart 2  Amendments to Limited Partnerships Act 2008\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022 data-id=\u0022308532505dbf456fbf8a87ebfec1e652\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000534\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022308532505dbf456fbf8a87ebfec1e652\u0022\u003EDr DAVID CLARK (Labour\u2014Dunedin North):\u003C/span\u003E These amendments to the Limited Partnerships Act are being made so that those misusing New Zealand companies cannot avoid the new regime by registering limited partnerships instead. So Part 2 of the Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill, if we put it really simply, is to avoid an unintended consequence by tightening up one area of the legislation that dishonest or mischievous directors might pursue by structuring their companies in order to do the kinds of ill practices that we are trying to stamp out here, the kinds of things that we discussed earlier: taking debt dishonestly, behaving fraudulently, and behaving not in the best interests of the company they are representing. So if those same people who wanted to practise those things look for a different structure to misuse New Zealand companies, they are not going to find it in the amended Limited Partnerships Act, or at least we hope, as the bill is drafted and has been carefully considered, that that will be case. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000535\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EIn this part of the bill we have also got reference to the Financial Markets Authority, which was established in 2011, I think\u2014if memory serves me right\u2014and that has authority for oversight. It has got a responsibility here for overseeing the behaviour in the sector. In clause 46 in Part 2 we have the requirements for a limited partnership. They are all laid out and stipulated. The law is changed so that the nature of those people who can take up that particular nature of organisation is quite clear, as is what behaviour might be deemed acceptable and unacceptable. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000536\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EThe better alignment of these bits of law is, of course, a no-brainer in a sense. I mean, who would oppose it? And that is why it is really good to be able to support this legislation. It is taking sensible steps forward and, as others before us have asked, we must wonder why these changes have taken so long. Those who do commit a serious breach of their duties to act in good faith will face consequences, and that will not be significantly different under this part of the bill. I would invite the Minister of Commerce, if he is willing, to speak about any changes that there might be between the Companies Act and the Limited Partnerships Act in terms of the kinds of penalties that will apply, but my reading of it is that the penalties apply under the two structures in the same way. Minister, I am looking to you for a nod of affirmation or perhaps I will\u2014I cannot see any response from the Minister there, but perhaps he will get back to us on that in due course. It would be interesting to know whether there were any differences because what we try to do, as I said at the outset, is ensure that the law is aligned across the different structures to avoid those unintended consequences. So I would invite the Minister\u2019s considered view on that. Certainly, I cannot find how it would be applied differently. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000537\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EThese new powers will give, ultimately, a power to investigate and deal with non-compliance. That is what we are asking for; that is what we have got. That will help to build that reputation New Zealand has for transparency and for being a good place to do business where people can deal fairly, and we know we need that. We know that currently the environment is lagging. For example, we heard today from Mr Brownlee in the select committee that there had been 11,000 new small businesses formed since the Canterbury earthquakes. That is higher than usual turnover. That would tend to suggest that small business is not doing well in that area. Businesses are starting and folding in Christchurch. That tends to suggest that all is not well, and we know that over the past 4 years more small businesses in New Zealand have been destroyed than created. The number of small businesses being created has dropped substantially and the number of small businesses that are not surviving has risen. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000538\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003ESo the environment is not healthy for small business. I am sure members in this Chamber who engage with small business, as I do in my spokesperson roles for the Labour Party, will have spoken to people who are struggling to get by. Often small-business owners in retail are earning less than the people whom they are employing. That is a situation brought about by an economic environment where the rewards of any recovery are not shared fairly across the population. Everybody wants to know that there is a fair environment, one in which anyone who puts their shoulder to the wheel and is willing to work hard and abide by the rules can hope to prosper. [Bell rung] So this sets up\u2014Mr Chair?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000539\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002218292f7d2d0e48a3b85691b872c3b8da\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: Are you seeking another call?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002291bcc0c3c40f406bbf996e0c633fb98c\u0022\u003EDr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, Mr Chair. So this piece of legislation sets up the rules in such a way\u2014sorry, Mr Chair, I was in the moment. This legislation sets up a fair system, a system where people can imagine that they can start a business, where they can prosper, where they can get ahead, where they can make the most for their family and for those around them, where they might hope to one day own a home. We know that, of course, homeownership is, unfortunately, at its lowest rate in 50 years in New Zealand, and this is something that the Government has not addressed. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000541\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003ELabour has a plan to build 100,000 new homes across New Zealand in order to work with New Zealanders to reach that aspiration. Of course we will do that in partnership with industry, but having that dream is part of owning a business. It is part of hoping for a fair business environment and hoping that you can get ahead to own that home, to have a family that has the things that you would wish them to have as they grow up: a good education, a good health-care system, and to be able to live in a country where there is high trust not just in business but across the society, and, of course, work. And we know many employers feel that part of what they are doing is providing a social service, actually. I talk to employers every week who acknowledge that a great part of what they do in their workplace is supporting their employees. Actually, a lot of small-business employers are very well minded about this and believe that part of their civic duty is to create a structure where they can support and encourage and grow people who might one day own their own business, or who might work somewhere else but who for the meantime are in their employ. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000542\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003ESo I congratulate the Government on finally getting the bill to this stage. I hope that it moves quickly from here because it is a piece of legislation that is worth getting into law. It makes sure that those white-collar criminals are brought to justice and that the rules for doing that are transparent. We applaud that on this side of the Chamber. We wish that some other white-collar criminals who are known closer to this place were brought to justice more promptly too. We do not always get what we want, but this is a good step in the right direction. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022 data-id=\u0022a7de3a4c58ee4d5badceeb377338b215\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000543\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a7de3a4c58ee4d5badceeb377338b215\u0022\u003EKRIS FAAFOI (Labour\u2014Mana):\u003C/span\u003E I will speak to Part 2 of the Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill, which talks to amendments to the Limited Partnerships Act. Can I just begin where my colleague Dr David Clark finished, and that is that we do support this piece of legislation and we do agree with the party on the other side on making sure there are good business conditions for New Zealand firms and that those firms want some certainty. That certainty comes about from many things. It comes from the reputation that companies have. One of those factors is obviously the laws governing companies and limited partnerships here in New Zealand. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000544\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EWe have seen of late some concern about the reputation of some of our companies, and about some people who have come to our shores to make use of our good name and to take advantage of our laws to ply their illegal trade under the guise of a New Zealand company. This bill, in Part 2, goes quite a long way in the specifics to combat some of the issues that have come about. Part 2 gives the Registrar of Companies the ability to remove a limited partnership company from the register if, in certain circumstances, the registrar believes that there are grounds that the company is not carrying out business and there is no proper reason for it to continue to trade. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000545\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EI guess that is pretty precisely what I was talking to at the beginning of my contribution, in terms of those people who come to New Zealand to ply their trade under the flag of a New Zealand business but have no proper reason to do that, and who are engaging in what we would call either scurrilous or illegal behaviour. So that is a good power that this bill has added to the registrar to make sure that that reputation and certainty is there for New Zealand firms. There are also grounds for the registrar to remove a limited partnership\u2014[Interruption] I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. We have already had one instance of some barracking from across the Chamber\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000546\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bc0295d0858540709d2d2c82e87567b7\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! You cannot refer to a previous point of order. I have already cautioned a member on your side to be terse. Please raise the point of order, or I will dismiss it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000547\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022298799357b6e416c8e51c847df935b24\u0022\u003EKRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: I cannot really concentrate on my speech, with the level of barracking across the Chamber.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000548\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221d862cf275aa495285a422d1dcd0340b\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: Let us just have a bit more decorum all round. There is a degree of agreement on the bill and there is no need for this interchange.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000549\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e655839c19724fab9217ab72ecc221b9\u0022\u003EKRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: That is right. It is a relatively good day here in the Chamber. The bill also gives the ability for the registrar to respond to requests to confirm information under its enhanced investigatory powers. There are two good instances of where the Registrar of Companies has been given more power to, I guess, increase the reputation of New Zealand legislation around our companies to protect their reputation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000550\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EI would like to refer specifically to clause 58 of the bill, which inserts sections 103A to 103G in the Limited Partnerships Act. New section 103A talks about people who are prohibited from managing limited partnerships, and subsection (2)(b) refers to a person who has been convicted of an offence under any of sections 377 to 380 of the Companies Act or a crime involving dishonesty as defined in section 2(1) of the Crimes Act. Maybe someone in Parliament with a legal background might be able to help me because I am not sure whether that is quite specific as to what Mr Banks was found guilty of in terms of his case, which sees him no longer in this House. That certainly was a dishonest act, because he declared a couple of donations as anonymous when he knew what their source was.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000551\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EMy colleague Clare Curran made a very good point in the first part of this debate as to why it has taken so long for the changes in Part 1 and Part 2 to find their way to the Committee stage, when this piece of legislation, I believe, was introduced to the House some 2 and a bit years ago. She made, I think, a very strong point, that the party across the Chamber is very vocal and very quick to pass legislation when it claims it is getting tough on what you would call street-level crime, but when it comes to crime of the white-collar nature, it seems to drag its heels to the extreme. I think that is certainly the case here. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000552\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EThis piece of legislation was, I think, first mooted by the Hon Simon Power, and then introduced in the new term of this Government, but we are finding ourselves, on 18 June, at only its Committee stage. If someone can remind me when the Commerce Committee reported this bill back to the House\u2014I think it would have been some time ago. So maybe the Minister in the chair, the Minister of Commerce, could answer that question as to the Government\u2019s attitude and its lack of urgency on this kind of criminal behaviour, which again goes to the reputation of doing business here in New Zealand, but it seems that when it wants to beat its chest around law and order on street-level crime, even when it is not really effective, it will move that through this House with great haste. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000553\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EMaybe the Minister in the chair, the Minister of Commerce, could answer that question. He has made contributions in the Committee stage that were quite useful, so maybe on that specific point Minister Foss might be able to point us in the right direction as to the different attitudes that this Government has to street-level crime and to white-collar crime. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000554\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EWe will be supporting Part 2, as we did Part 1, because it does go some way to increasing the protection around the reputation of New Zealand businesses, specifically to be more specific about who can and who cannot ply trade or manage limited partnerships. Part 2 does give the Registrar of Companies much more power to monitor those. Again I make the point I made when we debated Part 1. We need to make sure that the registrar has the resources to do that because this Government, along with the likes of the Commerce Commission, has talked about giving the registrar new powers but has not necessarily given him the ability or the backing to make sure he can effectively express those new powers. Certainly that has been the case in other pieces of legislation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000555\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ESo just to finish off, we would ask the Minister in the chair to talk to the specific question as to why this Government has a different attitude to street-level crime and to white-collar crime. I do not really rate our chances of getting an answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022 data-id=\u0022aaeab17bfeb44e968e8e140e6f9b29f8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000556\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022aaeab17bfeb44e968e8e140e6f9b29f8\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN (Labour\u2014Dunedin South):\u003C/span\u003E In speaking to Part 2 of the Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill I would just like to, I guess, remind the Committee of the actual history of this bill. It is pretty important to keep that in the public\u2019s mind. There were two Cabinet papers, as I understand it, that came before Cabinet in 2011, which was actually 3 years ago. The issue that was being considered was whether or not there was a case for criminalising directors\u2019 statutory duties. That arose within the Ministry of Economic Development and it was part of, I think, a 2010 securities law review discussion paper. The history of this legislation goes back to 2010 and then it came to Cabinet in 2011. It ended up taking 18 months to get through the select committee process, and its second reading was a year ago, in 2013. I think nobody can dispute the history of this piece of legislation, and again it would be quite good if the Minister of Commerce could get up and say why he thinks it took so long.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000557\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E I also want to remind everybody as to what one of the major issues was that really sparked, I guess, the impetus around this issue. This was in New Zealand in 2012\u2014actually, on 27 June. It is nearly 2 years ago, minus 9 days, that New Zealand got removed from something called the white list, which is a European Union list that provides guidance for EU banks and financial institutions about countries with EU-equivalent money-laundering and anti - terrorist-financing laws. It has a white list of the countries that are basically the preferred countries\u2014the countries that are transparent, that have got good laws in place, and that actually do the right thing around financing standards in terms of dealing to anti - money-laundering and counter-terrorism. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000558\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EWe got removed from that list in 2012. New Zealanders listening out there tonight, that happened in 2012. That is 2 years ago. This Government claims it is the Government for business and transparency and all that sort of thing. New Zealand got removed from that white list 2 years ago. We were basically being told we had to undertake additional measures to ensure that customers, including companies, from New Zealand are who they say they are. That essentially means that we have to be able to reassure people that businesses and business transactions that are happening in this country are actually transparent, and that we are doing everything we can to ensure that dodgy behaviour is not happening and that people are not getting away with that. Well, you would think that this Government, which claims it is the Government for business, would have thought that this was a priority. Why was it not a priority? We have been removed from a list\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000559\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f718a4b50b04a96a266c70ad1353aef\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019ve already given this speech.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000560\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e66390a11668407ba7ac4776adbf0179\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: Minister Bridges, how about getting up, taking a call, and telling us what your views are on this. Why has it taken 2 years for a piece of legislation that was already before a select committee\u2014why was it not a priority? Why was it not a priority? What is the answer?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000561\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220c99fc736eef49adb4725d51c4289d80\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: This was your first speech.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000562\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e63db86ac7434220a94452f840beb993\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, but what is actually the answer? Why was it not a priority? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000563\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002224db2069f6dc416f9625acff04152e33\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: A busy Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000564\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022047b84b72f2148d68c8e0a8514e29384\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: \u201CA busy Government.\u201D is the answer. It was a busy Government. So what was the Government actually busy with? What about our international reputation? What about our reputation and getting back on to that white list? Why is that not a priority? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000565\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002219cb7cab8f134afcad3853d7e8a41236\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, you want me to take a call?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000566\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a08fa0205a4d427c9dde7797ef32331d\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, it would be great if he takes a call because we might actually get an answer. [Bell rung] Mr Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000567\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b3138131249548f58c1bfb0b65c60770\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: Clare Curran.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000568\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f99c9db304d1401084161d9e748c57d9\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Chair\u2014a very good decision. We got dumped from that list and that was around growing publicity of New Zealand - registered companies being linked to crime overseas. There was a report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. There was a company called Tormex Systems Ltd, a New Zealand - registered company that allegedly laundered US$680 million through a Latvian bank account. That was just one of many examples of entities that exploited New Zealand\u2019s simple company registration regime. There were plenty of other examples. I know that the select committee considered many of those examples and took that issue really seriously. We were actually doing our job in this Parliament, thinking \u201CRight, we\u2019ve got to sort this. We\u2019ve been removed from this white list. We\u2019ve actually got to get the issue sorted.\u201D, yet it was 2 years down the track before the legislation came back to the House, and it still has not been passed. It still has not gone through the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000569\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EWhat has happened to our reputation? Well, members have all got their heads down over there on the other side of the Chamber, so, clearly, they actually did not think that that was that important. There were obviously other more politically expedient pieces of legislation they could put through the House that would impact on people who were actually more vulnerable, and for some reason those members just decided to take their time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EThe select committee actually did quite a lot of work on this, and we recommended\u2014and this goes to Part 2, around the requirement for directors to live in New Zealand. This is actually quite a good part of this legislation. There was a lot of work done on this. We recommended that the requirements for an agent living in New Zealand be omitted: \u201CBetter balance could be achieved by requiring a company to have a director who lives in New Zealand, or who lives in and is a director of a company in a country with which New Zealand has reciprocal arrangements for the enforcement of low-level criminal fines.\u201D This was pretty important. We strengthened the legislation before the select committee on this. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000571\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EWe put a higher test into the legislation. I am just going to read out what it says in the commentary because it is quite important: \u201CThe purpose of requiring a director who lives in New Zealand is to ensure that there is an identifiable individual with a substantive connection with the company who can be questioned about the activities of the company, and who can in certain circumstances be held to account.\u201D That is so important. It cannot be just an address. It cannot be just a shop or a door behind which there is no actual person. We heard submissions on this issue. We knew that it was really important to actually ensure through legislation that there could be actual people. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000572\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228a5bfcb3919c442ab644a13ef9908c56\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Now Phil Goff is counting the numbers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000573\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225cd8c96bd7424ed09fcce29c8236a56b\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: This is the committee working together. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000574\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EThe big problem, Mr Bridges, is that we have not actually got to the point of passing the legislation. It is important that the people of New Zealand know tonight that that Government over there is actually not that concerned about white-collar criminals. This Government drags its heels on putting this sort of legislation through. It does not consider it urgent. It does not consider it that important. This legislation has obviously been put down the pecking order because that is such a busy Government doing other things that are actually going to impact on ordinary, struggling New Zealanders, who are just trying to keep their heads above water and pay their bills every week. Instead, we are letting the white-collar criminals in this country off the hook. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000575\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EThis piece of legislation does need to get passed. It needs to get passed soon. We have got to address these issues. Thank you very much to the officials for the work that was done by them in the select committee. The work done generally by the select committee around this is important. I have no idea why this bill, as with so many bills that seem to come before the House on these sorts of issues, is taking so long to actually get through the House. I would really like to hear the Minister get up and tell us why that is. Why is it that his legislation seems to get put down at the bottom of the list\u2014at the bottom of the list?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000576\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228c0b4c0558c4ee6b1a0551c05d80c9e\u0022\u003EHon Phil Goff\u003C/span\u003E: Because he\u2019s a junior Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000577\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002255cda7c1d5e8494ea41fa320e52f86db\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: Is it because he is a junior Minister? What is it? Is it that the Minister sitting there, Simon Bridges, seems to have a louder voice and, therefore, his stuff gets put up\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00228cf0fb6b-0b8f-4327-983d-73e1166c220e\u0022 data-id=\u002232062c88bb54448c89b61f089a8ea882\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000578\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228cf0fb6b-0b8f-4327-983d-73e1166c220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002232062c88bb54448c89b61f089a8ea882\u0022\u003EDr CAM CALDER (National):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000579\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228cf0fb6b-0b8f-4327-983d-73e1166c220e\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 465 in the name of the Hon Craig Foss to Part 2 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000580\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228cf0fb6b-0b8f-4327-983d-73e1166c220e\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000581\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228cf0fb6b-0b8f-4327-983d-73e1166c220e\u0022\u003EPart 2 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000582\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00220033b089e6e342fea66e44d16e70beaf\u0022\u003ESchedule 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000583\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022860d1edba51a47efb516ff19dd2c8c0b\u0022\u003ESchedule 2\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000584\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 465 in the name of the Hon Craig Foss to schedule 2 be agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000585\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000586\u0022\u003ESchedule 2 as amended agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000587\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ff1d86fb199d425ca82d2d15436fd6cf\u0022\u003ENew schedule 2A\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000588\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 465 in the name of the Hon Craig Foss to insert new schedule 2A be agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000589\u0022\u003ENew schedule 2A agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e6ca8616e82c47b0884dcaebd28c2492\u0022\u003ENew schedule 2B\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000591\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 465 in the name of the Hon Craig Foss to insert new schedule 2B be agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000592\u0022\u003ENew schedule 2B agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000593\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00227791ea1655ce484ead4bb484a67222c8\u0022\u003ESchedule 3 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000594\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022cf198c6d61b64f04af183e76f3da6c73\u0022\u003EClauses 1 and 2\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022 data-id=\u0022bfd41f89029b4ee0be4a1ebd7ce9991d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000595\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bfd41f89029b4ee0be4a1ebd7ce9991d\u0022\u003EKRIS FAAFOI (Labour\u2014Mana):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much for giving me a call on the title and commencement date clauses of the Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill. This is usually the part of the debate where people have a bit of fun with the title of a bill. I will not do that and I will turn to clause 2, the \u201CCommencement\u201D. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000596\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EGenerally, as my colleague Clare Curran has pointed out, the commencement of this bill is going to come far too late. This is a Government that claims it is business-friendly and works in the interest of both big and small\u2014usually big\u2014business. But this piece of legislation, which is designed to protect the reputation of the legislation around our companies and limited partnerships, has languished on the Order Paper under this Government. I think it was Minister Simon Bridges who said it was because this Government has been a busy Government. Well, yes, in one respect it has been a busy Government\u2014selling our State-owned assets, introducing rank changes to our education system\u2014and, all of a sudden, this piece of legislation lands in the Committee. We have not seen it for some time and we have to ask the question around its commencement: why is it all of a sudden here? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000597\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EWhy is this, what we would call, relatively mundane piece of legislation, which has support from both sides of the House, all of a sudden arriving here in Parliament? It is because\u2014for the people at home who do not understand what is going on here\u2014John Banks is not here any more and this Government cannot pass any of the legislation that it really wanted to pass. That is really the bigger game here. That is what is going on. Because John Banks is not here, you will not see anything go through this House that the Government can just squeak through with its one vote majority, and that is the likes of selling our assets, changes to housing, and changes to our education system. You will not see much of that any more because this Government no longer has the numbers to make sure that that kind of legislation gets through. For a long time now this Government has relied on the vote of John Banks and Peter Dunne to get all that kind of controversial legislation through. But no longer will we see that\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000598\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bcb4a22f402d41dc9406a6ab898a7410\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Clauses 1 and 2.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000599\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b9c4aedda9b3496b93208eee474da484\u0022\u003EKRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014because the vote of Mr Banks is no longer here. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000600\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EThat goes back to the commencement date and why I say that this is coming in far too late. This is a piece of legislation that is very important and that has cross-party support. As you have seen, there are a number of changes that the Minister has made in Supplementary Order Papers post the select committee process that members on this side of the Chamber are very, very happy to support. So you would think that because of that relatively good working relationship on this side of the Chamber, this piece of legislation would be shuffled through pretty quickly by this Government. We have had this legislation there for the benefit of protecting the reputation of the legislation that governs our companies. But, no, the commencement date will not be for some time because this piece of legislation has sat quite a way down on the Order Paper and its commencement date will be some time into the future. It could have been, quite sadly, passed much, much sooner. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000601\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EWe wanted it to be passed much, much sooner, again, because of the protections it gives to our firms to protect the reputation that they have around the world. I have a number of small businesses in my electorate. They trade\u2014I will not mention names because they will not enjoy that\u2014and they go out there to the global market, and, because they are from New Zealand, the people they work with are quite happy to work with them because of the reputation that New Zealand businesses have. As I said earlier, there has been concern both domestically and internationally because, like in a lot of other countries around the world, there has been a fair degree of people using the reputations of firms in countries like New Zealand and taking advantage and using shell companies. So to protect the reputation of New Zealand firms\u2014and, I think, quite rightly, and with the support of this side of the House\u2014the Hon Simon Power in 2010 began work for this legislation to be improved. That is right, I did say 2010. So it was quite some time ago, and National has had quite a high degree of support from this side of the House, but it was not until 18 June 2014 that we have got to this stage, where this can get through the Committee stage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000602\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EI think that is a sad state of affairs, where the Government does not think that this kind of legislation is very important, more so for those smaller businesses that use our reputation for doing business to ensure that they can get business. Those kinds of firms are very strong around the world. They could have had a lot more confidence in going overseas and selling their products overseas with more protection from this piece of legislation months or years earlier had this Government given this piece of legislation priority. I think it is a sad state of affairs in terms of when this piece of legislation will commence. As I say, it could have happened much sooner, only this busy Government was doing much more controversial things, and now it has got to the stage where, because of the mathematical realities of the House, non-controversial pieces of legislation will now be coming through the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000603\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EI just want to talk about some of the things that will commence under this bill. I want to talk about clause 4, where, under section 131 of the Companies Act, I understand it will be a criminal offence if a director breaches his or her duty where a director knows that a breach is seriously detrimental on the interests of the company, or where, under section 135, he or she breaches his or her duty knowing that a breach will result in serious loss to the company\u2019s creditors. I am trying to think of a situation where that might be the case. It certainly might be the way that Ministers have carried out their dealings with the likes of, say, Solid Energy, because we certainly know that the direction given to that company had a detrimental effect to that company and now it finds itself in a very tricky position of trying to work itself out of a serious amount of debt because of the pressure that this Government put it under. It will be interesting to see how this piece of legislation would lie over that kind of situation, because in that situation the directors of that company were put under a fair amount of pressure to increase their gearing to make sure the Government could get a better return from what was a well-performing State-owned enterprise but is now one that is struggling to quite an extreme extent and has to force many lay-offs. That is the kind of management of our State-owned enterprises that we have had from this type of Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000604\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EIn terms of the title and commencement, on this side of the Chamber we say that it has happened far too late. We have made requests to the Minister as to why this piece of legislation, which deals with criminality in a corporate sense, was not given the same priority from the Government in terms of the other legislation that deals with criminality at a street level. Again, we think there is a degree of dog whistling going on over there from a Government that said it was business-friendly but really, in this sense, it has not walked the talk and has not given those smaller companies the protection of the reputation of doing trade in New Zealand. I think our businesses may have suffered to a degree because of that. The Government has not given what it calls its natural supporters the protection of this legislation, which could have happened much, much earlier. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000605\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EI do again offer the Minister in the chair, the Minister of Commerce, in the dying stages of this Committee stage, the opportunity to explain the Government\u2019s position on that. Again, I am not so hopeful of getting a response.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022 data-id=\u00228debbb653fe84015a09d19c67560cbf3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000606\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228debbb653fe84015a09d19c67560cbf3\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN (Labour\u2014Dunedin South):\u003C/span\u003E I do want to go back to the issue of New Zealand being removed from the white list, just in this final stage of the Committee stage on the Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill around the title and the commencement. It is important to point out that that white list includes countries such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Singapore, Switzerland, South Africa, and the United States.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000607\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E Not everybody in New Zealand would know what that white list was, but being removed from it actually means that banks and other financial institutions in the European Union, for instance, can no longer accept and acknowledge the \u201Cknow your customer\u201D identification and analysis performed in New Zealand. It would seem to me that that is actually something that we should be a bit worried about and a bit ashamed of. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000608\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EI understand that back in 2012, when we got removed from that white list, there was a flurry of activity by various Ministers, including the Minister of Justice over there and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, about trying to get us back on that white list. It would be quite interesting to know, because I just did a wee Google search on it, as to whether we are back on that white list. Can anybody confirm whether we are or not? No, everybody has got their heads down, so I am presuming that we are not. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000609\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227658cd93342f40eebe5533a6d2bc92d7\u0022\u003EHon Todd McClay\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, don\u2019t presume.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000610\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002230f4ef44900d4ac3acb8bfbc74beadaf\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: Actually, that is quite significant\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000611\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002221fcd794ce4c4dc4982f26c93bdb3a76\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Why don\u2019t you just make it up?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000612\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227e1ac2e463fd4114b34ccec3165f8671\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: So are we or are we not? Are we back on the white list? Are we back on the white list, Minister? Are we? If we are, that is a good thing, but let us actually hear from you as to whether we are or not. No answer? No. Clearly, we are not. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000613\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003ESo it is 2 years\u20142 years\u2014since we got removed from that white list. We got removed from that white list because we needed to change our laws. We needed to change our laws and put in place more restrictions on the way that businesses were operating in this country, and white-collar crime was actually being conducted. Well, we have dragged our feet. The Government has dragged its feet. It has not actually done the best it could for New Zealand businesses and, as a result, we have a black mark against us in the international environment around the way that New Zealand does its business. I think that that should be reinforced, because this Government pretends it is there for businesses and for good business practice. In reality\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000614\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cfdabe42-521a-4dca-afab-3e781731a130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022599b3e0366b246dd917b6cda1f33d004\u0022\u003EDr Paul Hutchison\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, there\u2019s no pretence about it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000615\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022247dda2cf7294c32bbcc11a747207c33\u0022\u003ECLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: Well, can you over there on the other side of the Chamber dispute the facts? We did get removed from that list. Have we actually got back on it? If we have, then that is good, but clearly we have not. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000616\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EThis bill has taken far too long to get through the House. It is really important to have robust debates. We need the time in Parliament to have those robust debates, but there has been too much time in between those robust debates, so we are not seeing the legislation actually make it through the House in the way it should, where it actually impacts on the white-collar criminals, the behaviours that lie behind them, and the behaviours that are condoned in a system that should be being fixed. The issues were identified at least 3 or 4 years ago. They have not been acted on fast enough. It is an indictment on this Government that it has not done that. It has not done it because it has been pushing through legislation that is impacting on other aspects of its agenda\u2014which is a political agenda and an agenda about making the vulnerable more vulnerable and working people\u2019s lives harder\u2014and not holding to account the behaviours in business that are behaviours that we as a country should not be condoning. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000617\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EWe support this legislation because it is important. We did a lot of work in the Commerce Committee to improve the legislation, to make it more effective. Unfortunately, it has taken far too long for it to get back before this House, and it is going to take even longer for it to get passed and then for it to be commenced and actually put into law. I think that that is an indictment on this Government and the way that it has conducted itself over the last 6 years. This Government is actually not about holding to account the white-collar criminals in our country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022163d0b68-eb0e-4094-9bed-99e184f063e1\u0022 data-id=\u00220d66728c99d54818ae9f2e386d0651c4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000618\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022163d0b68-eb0e-4094-9bed-99e184f063e1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220d66728c99d54818ae9f2e386d0651c4\u0022\u003EJAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip\u2014National):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000619\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022163d0b68-eb0e-4094-9bed-99e184f063e1\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000620\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022163d0b68-eb0e-4094-9bed-99e184f063e1\u0022\u003EClause 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000621\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022163d0b68-eb0e-4094-9bed-99e184f063e1\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 465 in the name of the Hon Craig Foss to clause 2 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000622\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022163d0b68-eb0e-4094-9bed-99e184f063e1\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000623\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022163d0b68-eb0e-4094-9bed-99e184f063e1\u0022\u003EClause 2 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000624\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022163d0b68-eb0e-4094-9bed-99e184f063e1\u0022\u003EThe Committee divided the bill into the Companies Amendment Bill (No 4) and the Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill (No 2), pursuant to Supplementary Order Paper 466.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022163d0b68-eb0e-4094-9bed-99e184f063e1\u0022\u003EBill to be reported with amendment presently.\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=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002235e353826dcf413abc46beb9d437150b\u0022\u003EVictims\u2019 Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000627\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00227df4921bf78940a0b5336f885ca11c46\u0022\u003EIn Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000628\u0022\u003EDebate resumed from 16 April.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000629\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00228c05b3c93e6a49a3b731383e4188a47d\u0022\u003EPart 2  Non-contact orders\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223facbb72-b3b0-464b-b24d-e6de0616f323\u0022 data-id=\u0022366a16d1ced9486fa9ebf6935c3e2764\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223facbb72-b3b0-464b-b24d-e6de0616f323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022366a16d1ced9486fa9ebf6935c3e2764\u0022\u003ECAROL BEAUMONT (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Labour supports the Victims\u2019 Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill. We think that Part 2 does provide, with the provision of non-contact orders, the opportunity to fill a gap that is currently there. There are measures currently in place to protect victims of serious crime. The Domestic Violence Act, of course, provides for protection orders, but that means that, basically, victims have to have been in a situation where they were in a domestic relationship, and the Harassment Act provides for restraining orders but only in circumstances of harassment. Basically, the notion here is that we are talking about a non-contact order, and these can be applied for as set out in in clause 7 of Part 2. A victim may not apply for such a non-contact order if another form of order is currently in place. That is important. It is not in addition to those other situations I have talked about\u2014protection orders and restraining orders. It is a distinct situation and it will cover the sorts of situations where somebody might, for example, as we have seen evidenced in this country, choose to live next door to somebody whom they have seriously assaulted, raped, or whatever. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000631\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223facbb72-b3b0-464b-b24d-e6de0616f323\u0022\u003EOf course we support a bill like this, where we are trying to do something to recognise the ongoing effect of serious violent offending on victims and recognising that, in fact, we do have a real problem with serious violent offending in this country. There are no two ways about it. Of course, it is interesting that we are speaking on these victims\u2019 orders this week when we have, in fact, had the Glenn Inquiry report, or part of it\u2014the part that dealt with 500 interviews with people who have had violence done against them or with people who are working with women and children, primarily, who have been victims of domestic violence. It is quite timely that we are continuing to work our way through the Victims\u2019 Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000632\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223facbb72-b3b0-464b-b24d-e6de0616f323\u0022\u003EOne of the other things I would point out at this stage is that although we support this bill, we do have significant concerns about the piecemeal approach that is being taken around dealing with violent crime. We and, I am sure, colleagues of mine will be traversing this ground tonight about what we might do in a broader sense. The Glenn Inquiry does, of course, give us the opportunity to reflect on what we need to do. They have, in that report that has been released this week, raised substantive concerns about not only the magnitude of the problem we face but also the way the justice system is actually not working for victims of violent crimes. So although this bill fills a particular gap and we support it\u2014we think it is a useful additional thing\u2014what we would really need to be looking at, if we were serious about this as a Parliament, would be this whole area. We need to look at substantial reform in the justice system particularly, we need to look at reform in our policing, and, of course, we need to look at the wider issues around, basically, trying to prevent violent crime. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000633\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223facbb72-b3b0-464b-b24d-e6de0616f323\u0022\u003EI note for the record that in response to the Glenn Inquiry we had questions in the House this week, where we were talking about what the Government\u2019s response was to that Glenn Inquiry\u2014that approach rather than a very narrow approach, as is outlined in this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000634\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223facbb72-b3b0-464b-b24d-e6de0616f323\u0022\u003E Labour suggested to the Government that we actually have some sort of cross-party consensus on issues like domestic violence; that we actually work together as a Parliament to try to look at real change across the whole range, from prevention to looking after those who have been victims of violent crimes. In the Glenn Inquiry we were looking particularly at domestic violence but we also as a Parliament are very actively raising issues around sexual violence, and the Social Services Committee is, of course, considering that issue at the moment. We really need as members of Parliament to say that we have some responsibility in this space to make change, to try to prevent violent crime, and also then to look after those who are victims of such violent crimes. We need to make sure that the criminal justice system does not revictimise them and does not make it too hard for them to get justice and to see those who have offended held to account for that offending. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000635\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223facbb72-b3b0-464b-b24d-e6de0616f323\u0022\u003EThere were very good changes made in the bill as a result of the work of the select committee. I was not on that select committee but I want to acknowledge some of those changes. The select committee, for example, amended clause 7 of the bill to allow an application at any time after sentencing, so that there is not potentially a gap at the point where the person is released from prison, and there is a wider scope to the orders than parole conditions could provide. I think that was a very positive situation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000636\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223facbb72-b3b0-464b-b24d-e6de0616f323\u0022\u003EThere is also another concern that we have got, and that is in relation to an application for an order being a civil proceeding and that victims would have to meet costs unless they qualify for legal aid. The select committee has mitigated that somewhat by allowing two types of order\u2014temporary and final. In relation to the situation where the victim has to take their case to a judge in the presence of an offender, that has been mitigated to a certain extent by allowing two types of orders, temporary and final, and the offender would be present only for the application to make a temporary order a final one. This would also assist in lowering cost and contact with the offender, but not eliminate it. So we do continue to have a concern on that particular issue. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000637\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223facbb72-b3b0-464b-b24d-e6de0616f323\u0022\u003EI think the interesting point on this, as I said earlier, is that this is quite a specific thing. The regulatory impact statement said that potentially the number of orders that are likely to be issued on average could be as few as 10 per year. That is not a reason not to do something, but I do go back to my earlier point that there is a broader range of issues that I think as a country we really do have a strong desire to see addressed. I would like to urge the Government to look more broadly at these issues; not to keep working in a piecemeal approach, which is what is happening at the moment. I would suggest that we do use the opportunity created by the Glenn Inquiry to actually acknowledge that the community certainly sees the desire for a much more comprehensive, collaborative, and committed response to ensuring that the victims of violent crimes are not further penalised. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022 data-id=\u0022c4a5c2ee12f74ed7bed991e399679518\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000638\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c4a5c2ee12f74ed7bed991e399679518\u0022\u003EHon PHIL GOFF (Labour\u2014Mt Roskill):\u003C/span\u003E Right at the start of the debate, when this Victims\u2019 Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill was introduced, Labour said that it would support the bill. The reason for that was pretty clear-cut. We need to have a system that pays more attention to the victim. Sadly, in relation to serious violent and sexual offending there are far too many victims. It is time, actually, to produce some fundamental change in the way our system works; to try to build more fences at the top of the cliff rather than try to do small repair jobs at the bottom. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000639\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003EFrankly, the bill as introduced was pretty weak. My colleague Carol Beaumont has referred to the regulatory impact statement. I say to the Minister of Justice that I was kind of astounded to read in the regulatory impact statement that the best estimate of your officials was that this bill might deal with 10 cases a year\u201410 cases a year. We are talking about thousands of cases of sexual and violent offending each year and the victims who arise from that. Each year hundreds, maybe thousands, of people are let out of prison, and there was not protection for the victims in particular circumstances. Minister, you will recall that the origin of this bill was a case in Invercargill where a woman was raped, her offender was convicted, he was sentenced to prison, he served prison, he was let out of prison\u2014as happens at the end of your sentence or when you are released\u2014and he moved in next door to the victim. The victim was absolutely powerless. Every day she faced the risk of confronting the man who had sexually violated her, and there was nothing she could do about it. That apparently was what caused this bill to be introduced. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000640\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003EThe difficulty with the bill is that when it was introduced we found that it would have had no application at all to the woman whose case sparked the need for the legislation. Why was that? Because in order to have the protection of the non-contact order, the offender had to be jailed for at least 5 years\u2019 imprisonment. He had been jailed for 4 years. There was no protection in this bill for the very person whom it purported to protect. So that was a huge weakness. We indicated at the first reading of the bill that that was utterly inadequate, and that we would fight to get that changed. In the Law and Order Committee they moved it to 3 years, and, after a discussion with the Minister personally, she agreed to move it to 2 years. I think 2 years is appropriate. It brings it in line with the definition under the Parole Act, which demarcates a serious from a less serious offence. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000641\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003EBut there are other important changes that we made in this legislation to strengthen it, and they are set out in Part 2. The first is that the way the bill was introduced, once again, meant that you could not get a non-contact order until the offender had been released from prison. That was pretty dumb. That meant that there was always going to be a gap between the release from prison and the victim being able to get a non-contact order. In fact, the victim would not always know that the offender had been released, and there was real risk in it. So we made, I think, a very sensible change in the committee that you can get a non-contact order at any time after the offender has been sentenced. That was a sensible move. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000642\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003EThe other area of weakness that we addressed really came out of the submissions that the select committee heard. It was that some offenders were reasonably cunning in the way they sought to revictimise their victims. They did not do it themselves but they got an associate to do it. So what we have put into this bill is a provision that will allow the non-contact order to apply to people other than the offender. We have put reasonably strong safeguards in there. In order to have a non-contact order made out against a person who was not the offender, they need, one, to have been encouraged by the offender to engage in the behaviour that is being prohibited; two, to have engaged in those kinds of behaviour; and, three, the person\u2019s behaviour has been, and continues to be, detrimental to the victim\u2019s ability to manage the effects of the offending. So there were three key weaknesses in this legislation that we have addressed, and I think the legislation is better for it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000643\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003EBut I want to come back to the point that I made at the beginning. We will not be dealing with just 10 cases a year now. Maybe we will be dealing with scores of cases, but the number is still pretty small. What we actually need is a substantial piece of legislation, if we are truly to protect the interests of the victims. I found out from a victims organisation in west Auckland\u2014indeed, the chief executive has just been acknowledged in the Honours List this year\u2014that maybe in one in 100 cases of sexual violation is the offender actually charged, convicted, and sentenced to prison. One in 100. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000644\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003E One in 100 cases means that 99 percent of the victims are not seeing justice done. We have helped by helping another 0.05 percent of the victims. It is worth doing in specific cases because there is a gap in the legislation where people are not covered by the Domestic Violence Act, they cannot get a protection order, they are not covered by the Harassment Act, and they cannot get a restraining order. We do address the gap but we do not address the problem. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000645\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003EThe problem lies in a number of areas. In part, it is a case of protection. We have just considered the estimates on the police, to find out that for 5 years in a row the police budget has been cut in real terms\u2014cut by $114 million dollars. If we want to protect victims, cutting the police budget, cutting police staff, and closing police stations does not appear to be a very good way of doing that. We are doing a mildly good thing here, but not offsetting a very bad thing that the Government is doing by reducing protection of victims by cutting the police budget. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000646\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003ESecondly, you need attitude change, and that is not short term; that is the change that we can make through our education system. There needs to be a concerted effort, and I do not think anybody in the Committee would be opposed to that sort of education programme being run or opposed to more effective programmes for those in prison who are guilty of violent offending. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000647\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003EThe third area is this. I really want the Minister in the chair, Judith Collins, to address this, because if this bill is about protecting victims, then we have got to face up to the fact that we have a system that is not designed to protect victims. We have a system that is adversarial. We have a system where still, even after various changes in legislation, the victim feels that they are being revictimised in court. The victim does not want to go to court. The victim feels that they are going to be revictimised because of this adversarial system. I guess the question that I have for the Minister is why she is so opposed to changing the system in its fundamentals, to having a more inquisitorial system that is better designed to protect the interests of victims and to get to the truth, in order to help the victims themselves. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000648\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003EI would have to ask the question about why we are not doing more in the area of restorative justice, because a number of rape survivors whom I have talked to said they are actually not interested in a 20-year sentence for the offender; they simply want an expression of remorse and of contrition, to confront the offender, and to actually hear the offender admit that he was wrong in what he did. That does not seem enough to me in terms of a person who has been a victim in that way, but it is a hell of a lot more than what they are getting out of the present system. In the present system\u2014I come back to the statistics\u201499 out of 100 victims of sexual violation are not going to see justice done. Although this piece of legislation is a very small help, it pales into insignificance compared with the nature of the problem that we should be addressing in this legislature. This is not enough. We need to do a lot more. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000649\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003EIn terms of the actual provisions of the bill, I have outlined the key provisions where I think we have made changes that were necessary, so that this legislation would at least have some real practical effect. I think we have closed the gap that we are talking about, but we have not resolved the problem. That is why I ask the Minister to not simply bring a series of minor pieces of legislation to the House\u2014we will always support any piece of legislation that will enhance and promote the interests of victims\u2014but to do something that will really make a difference to the overwhelming majority and the too many people who fall victim to serious sexual and violent offending.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022 data-id=\u0022c810bc79b7a94a7283e06f49d9cd3178\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000650\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c810bc79b7a94a7283e06f49d9cd3178\u0022\u003EANDREW LITTLE (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E I am pleased to take a call in this part of the proceedings on the Victims\u2019 Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill. I begin by saying that in a week in which the nation has had its attention drawn to the horrific reality of domestic violence and sexual violence, for this Committee, finding solutions\u2014real solutions, long-term solutions\u2014should be front and centre of what we do right now. As my colleague Phil Goff has said\u2014and, indeed, Carol Beaumont as well\u2014although this bill goes some of the way and provides a solution of sorts to the dreadful, embarrassing, shameful problem that this nation has, it is still a half-hearted effort. More could be done. I am going to come to two particular provisions to illustrate what I think the remaining problems are with this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000651\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003ECarol Beaumont talked about the fact that this bill still requires the victim to take the initiative. It is a civil proceeding that the victim must initiate. For impecunious victims, getting access to legal aid so they can make an application of this nature has got a lot harder under this Government. It is just harder to get legal aid. In the Budget that has just been handed down, this Government, under this Minister of Justice, has put up this outrageous proposition where legal aid is cut by another $12 million\u2014$5 million out of civil legal aid alone\u2014and now with this legislation, when this legislation is passed, the people who are looking to it for protection are somehow going to have to find the means to make the applications to court. The reality is that most of them will have to do it off their own bat. They will have to represent themselves, because getting legal aid will be too hard, and many simply will not be able to afford a lawyer. So that gap remains, and I expect that that gap will get only ever larger. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000652\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EBut this bill also, in the two types of orders that it creates\u2014the temporary non-contact order, which happens or is granted on a without-notice application, and then the final non-contact order, which is granted, or at least processed, on notice and is granted after a hearing\u2014will require adequate and sufficient resources to be available in the registries of our courts up and down the country. The reality is, after the shameful act of cutting our legal aid, the next most shameful thing that this Government has done under this Minister of Justice and her Minister for Courts is to gut the court registries of this country and put huge pressure on the remaining staff who are there to process applications. That pressure is only ever going to grow under pieces of legislation like this. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EI, frankly, despair at the thought and the prospect of victims of violent offending, violent sexual offending, and domestic violence, when they are able to collect themselves, process what has happened to them, and start to take control of their lives, then having to go through this process, most likely at their own expense, and deal with court registry staff who are under so much pressure and are probably unlikely to give them a lot of help. That is the justice system that we are developing under this Government, and it is shameful. We have a Minister of Justice who is happy to swan around London, mince around with Angelina Jolie, photobomb Brad Pitt, and talk longingly about protecting the victims of sexual violence in war zones, but she cannot do enough for the good citizens of New Zealand and those who are in the unfortunate position of being victims of that sort of offending back here. Well, we deserve better. The people of New Zealand deserve better. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000654\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EI want to talk about just a couple of provisions here, because my colleagues Phil Goff and Carol Beaumont have talked about the bill. First of all I want to point out clause 15, \u201CDischarge of non-contact order on application\u201D. That allows an application for discharge to be made by a person against whom an order was made, which could be the offender or an associate, according to the bill, \u201Cat any time\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000655\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E An application for discharge can be made at any time. So no sooner is an order issued from the court, with the victim having taken the initiative and gone to their own expense and negotiated and navigated their way through an under-resourced court registry, the offender against whom the order is made can then at any time apply for a discharge. There is no constraint on that at all\u2014no limitation on the offender, no requirement that the order is in place for a limited period of time. You would have thought that at least for orders made on notice, where there has been a hearing and the court has heard from the offender, or at least from the subject of the order, there must surely be a minimum time for the order to apply before an application for discharge can be made. But that provision opens it up for the offender to harass the victim in other ways by applying for the discharge. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000656\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThen I want to turn to clause 15B, which allows the offender, of course, once an application has been made, to require a hearing to take place. In terms of principles of justice, I do not have a problem with that\u2014I do not have a problem with that. But where I am concerned is where the registrar of the court then takes on a number of responsibilities. The registrar can take the application for a hearing, set it down, and in the subsequent clauses of the bill it is the registrar who can take the responsibility for explaining the impact and the consequences of one of these orders to a person against whom an order is made. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000657\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EI go back to my earlier point that the resources of our court registries, particularly the District Court where these applications will be made, are stressed beyond belief, right now. The court registry staff are just absolutely under the hammer. You have only got to talk to some of them to find out that that pressure is unrelenting because this Government has said \u201CWe must squeeze more out of you. You must work harder.\u201D We have got court registry staff not just working late on weekdays but now coming in on weekends just to catch up with the work they are doing, particularly in relation to civil applications, because they are often the most complex ones to process and to work out who has to be served with what, what has to go to which court official, and all the rest of it. The court registry staff in this country are under unreasonable and unremitting pressure because of this Government. When this bill gets passed they will be under even greater pressure and they will be required to deal with distressed people, and it is just unreasonable. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000658\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EMr King may think it is funny. Mr King may think that we should cut short this discussion and this debate on this very important issue. Maybe the National Party members really just do not care about the victims of this sort of abuse and the importance of these sorts of orders, because to look at them, to hear the Minister of Justice and look at her actions, which frankly speak louder than words, you would think they do not give a toss\u2014they do not give a toss. That is why we have this bill in this form. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000659\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EI want to echo my colleague Phil Goff\u2019s comments that it is well time, well overdue, for this country to have a comprehensive piece of victims\u2019 legislation setting out rights and allowing victims to look to the State to afford them the protection that the criminal justice system ought properly to offer them. It is not enough to rely on victims to take the initiative, in their distressed state, to protect themselves. That is what this bill does. It is time we had a new set of principles, so that victims can look to the State and the courts to provide them with proper protection at all stages of the criminal justice system. There is no reason, in principle, why the orders that are contemplated in this bill could not be part of either the sentencing process or the parole process, so that the victim does not have to take on the burden of that responsibility yet again. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000660\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EAs my colleagues have said, we will support this bill because, as is often the case, something is better than nothing. But the people of this country are fast demanding something a lot better, and it is the Labour Party in Government that will deliver it because this Government has shown in 6 years that it is not up to the task. It really does not care about victims, and it is not doing enough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000661\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the following amendments in the name of Hon Judith Collins to Part 2 be agreed to:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000662\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003Eadd to clause 13A the following subclause:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000663\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E(2)\tOn the hearing of an application made under subsection (1), the court may, if it thinks fit, vary any condition or direction imposed under section 11(2) in respect of a temporary non-contact order.;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000664\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003Einsert in clause 14(2) the following paragraph:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000665\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E(ab)\tvary or discharge a condition or direction imposed under section 11A(2):;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000666\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003Ein clause 20(2)(b), replace \u201C2009\u201D with \u201C2014\u201D; and\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000667\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003Ein clause 20(3), replace \u201C2009\u201D with \u201C2014\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000668\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000669\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EPart 2 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000670\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022cd1272cf29754022ab32a72f05d61897\u0022\u003EClauses 1 and 2\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022 data-id=\u00223282498ee0d7430594db339028ff696b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000671\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223282498ee0d7430594db339028ff696b\u0022\u003EHon PHIL GOFF (Labour\u2014Mt Roskill):\u003C/span\u003E This bill is entitled the Victims\u2019 Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill, and the reason we have it before the Committee tonight is that there is currently in place no long-term mechanism that the police or the courts can use to prevent an offender coming into contact with a victim, in the absence of a domestic relationship or evidence of deliberate harassment. This bill was designed to address a gap in the system. The Domestic Violence Act provides protection orders for people, usually women, who have been the subject of domestic violence. The Harassment Act provides protection for the victim against those who continue to harass them. But there is nothing in the current legislation that deals with the situation where a person who has been the offender against the victim can harass them silently, if you like, by their presence. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000672\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003EWhat this bill tries to do is prevent things such as the following or the watching of the victim and the loitering near, and the prevention or hindering of access to or from, the victim\u2019s place of residence, business, employment, educational institution, or other place that the offender knows the victim might visit. It is about stopping a person from following or accosting the victim. It is about stopping people making contact with the victim that is unwanted contact. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000673\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003ESome people might say that when an offender has served his or her prison sentence, then their rights need to be upheld alongside the rights of anybody else in the community. My view is somewhat different from that. Yes, of course offenders do have rights, but those rights cannot be superior to the right of the victim not to relive the suffering that they have had inflicted on them by the offender, by seeing the presence of that offender in their community, near their place of residence, or at their place of work or education. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000674\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003EThere was a gap in the law. This bill closes that gap, but let us not exaggerate the impact of what this legislation actually does. The Law and Order Committee found that there are 1,000 people each year released from prison who would meet the sentencing criteria for being covered by this bill, but, equally, officials have said that this bill will apply to a very small number of people. We do not know what it was. As the Minister of Justice had originally drafted the bill, it would have applied to just 10 people. I have got to say that when I read the regulatory impact statement, I was really worried about everything that I read in that statement that suggested that what the Government was doing and the officials were doing was premised on what the costs might be of extending the rights of the victims. Indeed, when you look through the options that were put up, the Government said: \u201CThis would be quite costly. We cannot do it.\u201D Well, let us start to think about the costs that are inflicted on the victim and the need to protect the victim, which is what this bill is supposedly about. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000675\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003EBut I want to say that although this bill, as the title suggests, is about orders against violent offenders, it is a drop in the bucket in terms of the actual problem of serious violent offending and serious sexual offending in our community. I had the terrible task earlier this week of visiting the family of the dairy owner Arun Kumar, who was murdered in his shop in Henderson. Talk to the family and try to find words that are adequate to match the suffering of that family\u2014an elderly dad who has lost his son; a wife, Anita, whose husband has died before her eyes and in her arms; and two children, who know that their dad will never be there to be the grandfather for their children\u2014and you realise that when we talk about victims, we are not simply talking about statistics. We are talking about people, real people, and the enormous suffering that so many people have inflicted on them in our community\u2014the suffering of violence and the suffering of sexual assault. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003EIt is time that we in this House made more than just the token effort of saying that we will patch the system here or we will patch the system there. It is time to look fundamentally at what is going wrong in our society, and to build the fence at the top of the cliff, rather than trying to make sure the ambulance at the bottom might arrive on time. When the offenders, as in that case in Henderson, are of the age of 12 and 13, you know fundamentally that something is happening that is wrong in our society, and if we think that we can fix that by passing small pieces of legislation like this, we are, sadly, wrong.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000677\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003E We have to do more to address the causes of offending. That requires much more than legislation. We have to do things that ensure that the system works. In that case in Henderson, you have got to ask the question of why a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old were not at school, and what was happening to make sure that they should be at school. You have to ask the question of why a 13-year-old whose father is in prison and whose mother is constantly before the courts is left to his own devices, and why there is nothing in the system to put him on the right track, which might have prevented him from stabbing the dairy owner in the neck, as alleged. That is why we need something more than simply this piece of legislation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000678\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003EWe need a change in the system. In terms of sexual offending, we need a system that will respond to individuals in a way that does not frighten them away from the system, but that allows them to come into the system in order to see justice done. When only one in 100 of those who are victims of sexual violation get justice through the system that we have at the moment, we know that the system is simply not good enough. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000679\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003ESo the Labour Party has come into the House at each reading of this bill and has supported the bill for the small but useful things that it will do for a small minority of victims. We will always support the victims, but this bill, as the title suggests, is no panacea, no widespread solution, and no answer to the fundamental problems that, after 6 years, have not been addressed by this Government. It is not the time to make this into a political football, but it is the time when this House should come together and say: \u201CLet\u2019s do something more than pass tiny pieces of legislation that apply sticking plasters.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000680\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003ELet us do something to make sure our system works. Let us do something to create a society that addresses the causes of offending. Let us do something to have a policing system where the police do not have their budget cut, as they have had in every Budget for each of the last 5 years, so that we now have fewer police staff out there working in the police force and fewer police stations. That is the track record. In Henderson, the thing that people told us on the ground, as we went from shop to shop, was: \u201CWhat we really needed was a community police station in this town. What we needed was to see our police out in the street. What we needed was some intervention when we could see the problem out there.\u201D They needed to know that the system would respond to that problem and prevent the problem, because after the damage has been done it is too late. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000681\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c699e7c6-53b9-470c-a14a-378cb6fc8a04\u0022\u003ESo I say to the Minister of Justice that it is fine to have this small, narrow piece of legislation. We will support it\u2014we would support it if it helped just one person\u2014but it is time to have a system that actually works for the greater good of a greater number of people. We need to address the causes of offending, have a policing system that is visible on the ground and that works properly, and have a justice system that encourages people to come into the system and see justice done, because for far too many people today, justice is not being done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022 data-id=\u002294cf41e47d34467c9bba8dd5946a118c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000682\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002294cf41e47d34467c9bba8dd5946a118c\u0022\u003EDAVID CLENDON (Green):\u003C/span\u003E I want to take a short call, and clearly the Chairperson has some enthusiasm for advancing the Victims\u2019 Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill. This legislation undoubtedly fills a gap. The Greens are supporting it, with some reservations, which we have expressed at the Law and Order Committee and elsewhere, but it does fill an obvious gap. A person who has suffered an assault or attack of some sort at the hands of someone with whom they had a relationship\u2014a domestic relationship or some other form of intimate relationship\u2014can make an appeal for a protection order. It seems perverse that there is no similar provision for someone who has been assaulted by someone who does not meet the criteria for a protection order. Undoubtedly, this new mechanism does fill that gap. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000683\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003EI would reiterate what Mr Goff has just said, and indeed, what Carol Beaumont referred to earlier, and that is that community safety and the safety of individuals will never be achieved simply through legislative instruments, statutory provisions, or, indeed, through longer sentences, more jails, or more and better policing\u2014not to say that the latter, particularly, does not have a significant role to play. Ultimately, we will achieve peaceful and safe societies when people have access to education, health care, housing, and useful and productive employment. The social situations and conditions that breed crime need to be dealt with, rather than simply the punitive and reactive mechanisms that we can deal with through legislation like this. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000684\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003EHaving said that, we certainly will support this legislation, albeit recognising that it is not a panacea; it is far short of that. We continue to have some concerns, and unlike some of our Labour colleagues, we have some concerns about the threshold having been reduced from 5 years to 2 years. That seems a significant drop. The original advice from officials was that the 5-year threshold was set because the policy intention was that the orders should be available only in the most serious and violent sexual offending. In part\u2014and I do not entirely accept the notion that it was driven by cost\u2014the Attorney-General\u2019s report on compliance pointed to some potential compromising of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act but conceded or acknowledged it was justified, given that this order would be available only in response to the most extreme and serious offending, as determined by that 5-year sentence. Regarding the fact that we are reducing this significantly to 2 years\u2014although I understand the logic of aligning it with the Sentencing Act and with other legislation\u2014information was given to us that a change in the threshold could undermine the Attorney-General\u2019s conclusion that limitations imposed by the order could be justified under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. That is not a trivial matter. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000685\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003EMy other reflection is that of course now that there are many, many more people who will be eligible to apply for these orders, the numbers will undoubtedly increase. The number of these orders could actually become quite significant not only because of the reducing of the threshold to 2 years but equally because of the other significant change, which now enables people to apply for an order immediately post-sentencing, at any time after sentencing. In the heat of the moment, in the trial process, yes, the victim is often obliged, to some extent, to relive the very traumatic and unfortunate experience. At that point, the victim is most likely to think \u201CYes, we will apply for one of these orders.\u201D, whereas 2 or 3 years later on they might be perhaps more thoughtful in their approach. Time has passed, and there is perhaps an acknowledgment that offenders can actually be rehabilitated in our prison system, on a good day or on a best occasion. So I think the likelihood of large numbers of these orders being issued is something we can reasonably expect. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000686\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003EGiven that there will be more of these orders, it does concern me that we might eventually come to a similar situation as the one we have come to with protection orders, where the efficacy of protection orders is being questioned, in part because there are a lot of them and in part because they are not necessarily respected or given weight, either by the enforcement agencies, or, indeed, by the people whom they are intended to protect. We have instances where a person protected by an order will willingly allow a breach of it, and these consented breaches, if you like, lead to more serious breaches later on. The waters get seriously muddied, the police are put into unfortunate situations, and the integrity of the protection orders is compromised, very often, and makes them less of a protection than they might be. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000687\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003EThere is also the danger that people will become overly reliant and expect too much of these orders, be it a protection order or the new victims\u2019 orders, and will assume that they will actually give them a very real protection. Unfortunately, the orders cannot be entirely relied on. Ultimately, no document, statutory device, or mechanism can provide protection. Sometimes it just requires common sense, community and family support, and all of those other things. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000688\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003E Those two substantive changes made through the select committee process\u2014the lowering of the threshold and the ability now for an order to be applied for and issued at any point after sentencing\u2014we think could actually backfire, and ultimately could put us in a less desirable situation, in ways that were not necessarily meant to be. I can understand that there were problems with not having the orders available until after an offender had been released, because there could then be a gap of time when the victim could feel threatened\u2014or, indeed, could be threatened\u2014before an order could be worked through the system, but we think that immediately after sentencing is probably too early in the piece to allow for this very serious document, this order, to be applied. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000689\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003EWith those comments, I do say again that we will support this bill, but I would echo the comments made by other people that it is part of a piecemeal approach. We do look forward to having a clean slate\u2014a new beginning, in a sense\u2014and an assessment of, actually, how you get justice and how you get community safety. That does require, I think, some more creative and zero-sum thinking than simply tacking on more and more provisions to existing provisions. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000690\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003EI had a conversation today, in fact, with a person who had long experience as a lawyer in a provincial town. He had experience in everything, from criminal law and family law through to tribunals\u2014the whole gamut of legal action and advice. He, among others, is seeing practitioners who are understanding very well that our justice sector is in many ways under stress. We are not providing for a lot of the needs of people as they arrive, and the priorities can be wrong. The system is stressed in many ways, not least of all financially, as has been mentioned. The capacity of our system to deal with people fairly and in a timely fashion is degrading\u2014there is no question about that. With the cuts in legal aid, many lawyers now simply cannot afford to function at legal aid rates, if, indeed, people are deemed eligible for it. So we have some very serious problems in the provision of justice that need to be addressed and, certainly, piecemeal approaches like this bill simply will not do it. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000691\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003EClause 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000692\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003EClause 2 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000693\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003EProgress to be reported presently.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000694\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003EHouse resumed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000695\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003EThe Chairperson reported the Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill with amendment, and that the Committee had divided it into two bills, and the Victims\u2019 Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill with amendment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000696\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e959f20f-3de7-4f54-8577-8ea78d72c3dd\u0022\u003EReport adopted.\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=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000697\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e99e42f5441642db9b542d23ffc83d12\u0022\u003ETaxation (Annual Rates, Employee Allowances, and Remedial Matters) Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000698\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c8e61fb95c4b4faeb8d45bee02b3b08a\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022 data-id=\u002283fc5cdc6427424abc8b7dda6ab19e24\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000699\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002283fc5cdc6427424abc8b7dda6ab19e24\u0022\u003EHon TODD McCLAY (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Taxation (Annual Rates, Employee Allowances, and Remedial Matters) Bill be now read a third time. The purpose of this wide-ranging tax bill is to bring greater clarity to the tax rules to ensure that they remain fit for purpose, that they support business and innovation, and that everyone pays their fair share of tax. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000700\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EThe bill therefore proposes a number of practical measures to clarify the tax treatment of employer-provided accommodation, accommodation allowances, and other payments provided by employers to employees to reimburse them for expenditure incurred. There is clarification for the treatment of accommodation provided to ministers of religion based upon a historical agreement with the Inland Revenue Department, as well as clarification for the Defence Force. Equally, there are measures to assist employees who receive a clothing allowance as well as a uniform. This will be welcomed by the New Zealand Police force and other employees in New Zealand. In particular, the measures proposed in this bill will help employers and their employees to determine where to draw the line between what is taxable and what is not when payments are linked to business travel, secondments, and projects. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000701\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EA second group of measures in the bill is designed to support business growth and innovation by clarifying certain rules and removing distortions created by the way some existing rules apply, such as those arising from the current black hole tax treatment of certain types of expenditure. Under the changes proposed, the deductibility of certain company running costs will be clarified, and the expenditure on abandoned applications for patents, resource consents, and plant variety rights will be immediately deductible. A range of technical or remedial changes is also proposed to the GST rules to make them easier to understand and to apply. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000702\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EThe acquisition date of land and agreements for the sale and purchase of property or services in foreign currency have also been clarified to give greater certainty to taxpayers, as have the tax rules for charities that have been removed from the register of charitable entities. Other proposals such as changes to tighten thin capitalisation rules and the rules relating to the tax treatment of land-related lease payments are intended to remove distortions and protect New Zealand\u2019s tax base. Finally, the bill contains revisions to allow our financial institutions to more easily comply with the intergovernmental agreement signed between New Zealand and the United States last week. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000703\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003E In reaching the third reading, I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the passage of this bill: the policy officials for their work on the detailed content of the bill, the drafters who have put the policy intent into the required legal framework, the many people in the organisations who made submissions on the proposed legislation, and the Finance and Expenditure Committee for its consideration of the bill and its recommendations for further fine-tuning. Finally, I thank members of this House for their consideration. I commend this worthy Taxation (Annual Rates, Employee Allowances, and Remedial Matters) Bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000704\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002200bc72a0c8c74bee9d4b3438454bec93\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: I rise to take a call on behalf of the Labour Party\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022 data-id=\u00221b8843cdcbc94d8a88ceeb83f577595c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000705\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221b8843cdcbc94d8a88ceeb83f577595c\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: The member is calling, is he?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022ecb26b38cc4047c7ad279303490abb71\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000706\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ecb26b38cc4047c7ad279303490abb71\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Deputy Leader\u2014Labour):\u003C/span\u003E I am. I now thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker, for allowing me to take a call on the third reading of the Taxation (Annual Rates, Employee Allowances, and Remedial Matters) Bill, which the Labour Party is supporting. I wondered what I was going to add to the earlier contributions that I had made in this debate until the Minister of Revenue spoke. The Minister\u2014and I wrote his comment down\u2014said: \u201CThe purpose of this legislation is to make sure that everyone pays their fair share of tax.\u201D Well, would that not be great if that was the effect of this bill? Would that not be great if that was the effect of this bill, because this is the Minister who in the chair last night, when asked the question that he would not answer at the select committee about how many people pay tax on their capital gains for investment property\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000707\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228b7414ffa2ea417c9677df9a94ab752e\u0022\u003EPaul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: What\u2019s this got to do with the bill?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000708\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228849bcda397341ab9aa224075450ea91\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, actually, Mr Goldsmith\u2014you are from Epsom. I am surprised that you do not know that most of your members do not want to pay capital gains, because they disproportionality earn their income as capital gains. The Minister said that this bill, about annual rates of income tax, therefore affects tax on what is taxable income. The question that is quite properly raised is what sort of economic income is caught by the regime and what is not.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000709\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022394fbb0966b54c969d59f65b3fab4b85\u0022\u003EDr David Clark\u003C/span\u003E: I hope Mr Goldsmith\u2019s not speaking.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227e4d28bf62d44454914f6afd1d3a7e42\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Goldsmith was at the Finance and Expenditure Committee a couple of weeks ago when the assertion was made initially by the Minister of Revenue, Todd McClay, that we already have a capital gains tax in New Zealand on investment property. It is true that if you buy with the purpose of resale or you are a trader, then your house becomes your stock in trade, just as it would be if you were buying and selling shoes. It is treated in the same way as stock in trade and you account for income tax on your profits over and above your cost of sales, and therefore you do pay income tax in respect of that\u2014not capital gains tax. It forms part of your income tax because it is a trading activity. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000711\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EIf it is an investment activity as opposed to a trading activity, then of course you do not pay tax on your gains for investment property. I know that. Everyone in New Zealand knows that. The National members pretend that that is not the case, because it is another of those instances where they close their eyes to reality because it does not suit the interests that put them in Parliament and keep them here. The plain truth is that the vast majority of people who buy an investment property often make deductions for their taxable losses suffered during the period of ownership because their interests and rates costs exceed their rental income. They offset those losses against their other income, but then when it comes to the sale of the property, they do not pay any tax on the economic gains they make. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000712\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EMr McClay, having made the assertion that we had a capital gains tax, was asked, I thought, the reasonable question by the Opposition: what proportion of sales of investment property attracts tax in New Zealand? He said he could not tell us; he would check. I asked him, and the Government members said it was a stunt. I actually thought it was at least a general question he might be able to answer. I said: was it closer to 100 percent than it was to 0 percent? And he said that he did not know the answer to that either. We all know it is closer to 0 percent than it is to 100 percent. So he went away. We put that question down officially to him and he was going to come back. The answer that came back to the select committee this week was they do not know. So there is no substance behind his assertion earlier that people are routinely paying tax on the profits that they make on the sale of investment properties. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000713\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003ERoll forward to today\u2014this week at the Finance and Expenditure Committee we actually deliberated on the report about that sad episode, and the day after we had a Committee stage in this House on this very bill, when we asked the Minister whether he had been able to find out since the select committee, and he did not take a call. So we thought: well, we are voting money to the Minister of Finance in respect of Treasury and he was up for an estimates hearing today. It was in a public session so I am not breaching privilege or anything. We asked him whether he had had any advice from Treasury as to the percentage of investment properties that are sold for an economic gain that pay tax. He said no, he did not have that either. So here we have the Government overseeing an economy where we have got increasing inequality, we have got the lowest\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000714\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229e49fb7c1a7d4320a6fde1f55d06a4c5\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, rubbish! Makes it all up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000715\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226a577fe9da28420d80460072f6195d04\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: So here we go\u2014here we go again. Well, actually, repetition is necessary for some of the people opposite. We have got the lowest rates of homeownership in 50 years. We have got the highest rates of child poverty, certainly in my lifetime, and we have got growing gaps between wealthy suburbs and less wealthy suburbs in Auckland, as proven by the latest census data, which is the best data that we have and which showed a very large increase in the gap in the relative well-being of peoples in Auckland. And then we have had the chief economist of the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, Shamubeel Eaqub, in the last day saying that these gaps are widening between ethnic groups, between geographic regions, and effectively\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000716\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225b6b1d74-9e5e-42ba-a922-85b0ea7f5ab6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002298f3ed8d28b948b6ade0feb2291438d8\u0022\u003ESimon O\u0027Connor\u003C/span\u003E: Be careful using his analysis. It might come back to bite you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000717\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002262c7a44debec47c4ae5ea23be109f066\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E:\u2014between the wealthy and less wealthy. Well, I suspect it is not going to come back to bite me during any term under this Government, because this is classic conservative party politics around the world: cut taxes for the wealthy. It is what it has done disproportionately in its earlier\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000718\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022332607a1dd154552938f09adf08ddea1\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Rubbish again.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000719\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222c97775ad36e403ea507065e1b5a5041\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: Rubbish again, says Mr Joyce.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000720\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002251c3caff8f8245f9b299aee871da7fb7\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: How many lies can you fit into one thing?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022889fe4c0f923445f8c94633782b6d8b2\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Mr Joyce just called me a liar. I would ask that he be forced to withdraw and apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000722\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c2e698c60af84c35896bfb4b5b5d1c72\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: If the member has used that word, it is not acceptable in the House. It can lead to disorder. If the member has used it, I would ask him to stand, withdraw, and apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000723\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222d22d13e07a24164b0f9edfe22d40ff9\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I want to point out that I did not call the member a liar. I did say there were some lies. I appreciate that is still unparliamentary and I will withdraw and apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000724\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002270d2802207d14bd08afcb7b35f453149\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: That is drawing a long bow. I would ask the member to stand and withdraw.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000725\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022630b4fa9d09042af82204427853ac9fb\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Do you want me to do it again? I withdraw and apologise\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000726\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224b870343de9d4d3bb79daa130074a32f\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: I ask the member to stand and withdraw. The member will do it properly. The member will say: \u201CI stand and withdraw.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000727\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022708dfb3fe7e744cf966f2472ab4f7aaa\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: I stand and withdraw.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000728\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f247f594e8c948439842fe9291c63ea8\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000729\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002270beb15ba7fb4dc78400ed7b9f39d8a9\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: It is true that the income tax cuts of the National Government disproportionately favoured the well-off.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000730\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226817fa8e836a4a8eba3d8134be816a08\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s incorrect.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000731\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c73ebf97e178458087bef937692ee767\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: What is that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000732\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002219e482f36db0456ab1c808848f51474c\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s incorrect.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000733\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002264b8047e71de4ba084343354b99cc980\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: That is correct\u2014thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000734\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f4ec404ae5264ea29c79fd5e3b914465\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s incorrect, I said.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000735\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002265e3917063544840864926f2695b11ed\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: \u201CThat\u2019s incorrect.\u201D he says. Forty percent of the tax cuts went to the top 10 percent of income earners. The offsets that the Government claims in respect of removing depreciation allowances on property were not paid by the same people, and the incidence of the increase in GST in proportion to income disproportionately falls on the lower-income people, relative to the higher-income people, who pay a lower proportion of their income in GST than lower income people do, because people who save their money do not pay GST on their savings. Higher-income people save more, relative to their income, compared with lower-income people. The arithmetic of this is so clear, and yet the National Party denies it. We have a country where we have got decreasing rates of homeownership and increasing rates of child poverty. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000736\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThe Government misrepresents our inequality statistics every day. It says that the Perry report shows that annual income inequality has not changed much in recent years, which is correct. The only time it has gone down substantially in the last couple of decades was actually pursuant to Working for Families, which the National Party, including John Key, called communism by stealth at the time. Other than that period, income inequality on an annual basis has not changed much in recent years, although it has changed a lot in the last two decades, from being in the best 30 percent of the world to the worst 40 percent of the world. The unfortunate reality for New Zealand is once you get to being in the worst 40 percent of the world, and when you realise that those figures do not include capital gains\u2014which are more concentrated in New Zealand than in other countries that tax capital gains, because we encourage them by way of our tax system\u2014you realise that inequality in New Zealand is, of course, getting worse every year because the consequences stack up, year after year after year. They do stack up, year after year after year, and you see it in homeownership rates that decline, year after year after year, and in child poverty rates that increase, year after year after year. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000737\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EDespite that, we have the Minister of Revenue saying that this bill meets its purpose of making sure that everyone pays their fair share, which is just patently not true. In fact, the greatest tax burden in New Zealand falls on the middle classes. The middle classes do not have that concentration of tax avoidance through non-taxable economic income in the form of capital gains. They do bear most of the burden of paying tax in New Zealand, and of course they pay a higher proportion of their income in GST than wealthier New Zealanders. So in effect, middle-class New Zealanders pay higher rates of tax than the most wealthy people in New Zealand, and that is patently unfair. Indeed, you just need to see the massive increases in the wealth of the rich listers and the small amount of tax that is paid by them as a proportion of their income, and then you look at some of the other high asset-owning classes of taxpayers, like farmers, and you see they do not pay their fair share either.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022 data-id=\u0022ccc9534662894abea8d8da1215879492\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000738\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ccc9534662894abea8d8da1215879492\u0022\u003EPAUL GOLDSMITH (National):\u003C/span\u003E It is very kind of you to give me this call on the Taxation (Annual Rates, Employee Allowances, and Remedial Matters) Bill, Mr Assistant Speaker. I must begin by saying you do have to hand it to David Parker\u2014I would never have believed how many social ills, financial ills, and general problems in the community could be solved by a capital gains tax. But he is relentless. At every single opportunity he never misses the opportunity to talk about all the problems in the world that will be solved by the introduction of a capital gains tax, notwithstanding the fact that half the capital gains are inflation anyway, and it is a bit unfair to be taxing that, and the fact that we have had endless numbers of detailed royal commissions and detailed studies on taxation in this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000739\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E The last one under the Labour Party, the McLeod Tax Review, drew the clear conclusion that a capital gains tax in New Zealand is not warranted, particularly if it exempted the family home, as is being suggested here. It would add all sorts of tax compliance and difficulties in the taxation system more broadly. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000740\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EThis Taxation (Annual Rates, Employee Allowances, and Remedial Matters) Bill does not introduce a capital gains tax. What it does cover is employee allowances, thin capitalisation rules, black hole expenditure deductions, and foreign account information-sharing agreements, as well as a number of other things to tidy up our taxation laws. We did a lot of detailed work in the Finance and Expenditure Committee, and I do want to pay tribute to the work of the members of the select committee on all sides of the House, including Mr Peters, who was very diligent in some of these matters\u2014less so in others. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000741\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EThe review of the employee allowances, in particular, was given\u2014[Interruption]\u2014well, yes, indeed\u2014a fair amount of attention. The Government listened to a number of the concerns about some of the details in this area, and a significant number of changes were made, particularly around when an employee is expected to work away from their normal workplace for up to 2 years. Employee-provided accommodation will be tax-exempt\u2014that was one area. Another area was further clarification when accommodation is provided with regard to shift work involving periodic sleepovers and fly-in, fly-out workers in remote areas. So there was a lot of detail that the committee went through, and I think that the overall result is much better as a result of that consultation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000742\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EThe other area that we heard a lot of submissions on was the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, which is the result of obligations contained in the intergovernmental agreement with the United States. A lot of submitters were very concerned to discover their tax obligations as US citizens, or people who had been born in the US\u2014who had never lived there but happened to be born there; they had been in New Zealand all their lives. They were worried that they were suddenly going to be drawn into the United States tax ambit. I suppose the important thing to say in relation to this is that this legislation does not change anybody\u2019s tax obligations if they are a US citizen or a US tax person\u2014they have always been there and they remain there. What this bill does is allow for New Zealand banks to pass information on certain people who are US citizens on to the United States. So it is an information-gathering exercise, and there are thresholds over which people have to stand before that information is passed on. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000743\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EAgain, the select committee looked at that very closely. The Opposition was most concerned about reciprocity in this, and the intergovernmental agreement that has just been signed with the United States is reciprocal. That is important because we would expect to uphold the US tax system in New Zealand and, likewise, we would expect to have the same level of assistance from the United States in the way that we collect our taxes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000744\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003ESo, all in all, this bill is one small piece in the great work of building a more competitive and productive economy in New Zealand, which is one of the overall goals of this Government. At the end of it all, increasing New Zealand\u2019s international competiveness is what sustains our living standards in New Zealand and what provides us with the opportunity to have the growth, the jobs, the health care, and the education system that we need. We do not get any of that if we do not have an internationally competitive economy. The Business Growth Agenda, which is at the heart of this Government\u2019s response to lifting New Zealand\u2019s competiveness, includes having an efficient tax system. This bill goes some way in clarifying some areas and ensures that taxpayers are treated as fairly as possible in the intricate details around employee allowances. On that basis, I commend this bill to the House. Thank you very much.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022 data-id=\u0022b16a35af25be4139bb074840d57e39e0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000745\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b16a35af25be4139bb074840d57e39e0\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader\u2014NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E This is a very important night because that was probably the last speech that member, Paul Goldsmith, is going to make until 20 September 2014. He is the phantom MP who will not put up hoardings, does not know whether he wants to stand for Epsom or not, and appears to be an absolute doormat for his party\u2019s scheming and plotting. If he thinks that is diligent, that is his view, but it is not the view of others in this Parliament who are prepared to stand on their own feet and fight their own causes without seeking a ladder from someone else all of the time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000746\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E So when I hear those free marketeers talking about the value of endeavour and free enterprise, I think to myself \u201CHow shallow is that?\u201D when in their own behaviour they evince the very opposite. No, they will not take a risk. They will not say \u201CI\u2019ll put it all on my belief in myself and my colleagues and my party.\u201D Oh no, no\u2014they have got so many fingers outside they are like a six-armed octopus trying to survive against the storm in the sea, and they will not win doing that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000747\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003ELet me say this. We in New Zealand First believe in an up-to-date, fair, and efficient tax system. We think it is fundamental to a great democracy. We have always supported a robust tax system, and, funnily enough, Mr Goldsmith got up and started talking about a capital gains tax. Has he not heard Mr English and Mr Key say that we have already got one under National? So the question is a matter of degree, is it not, and let us not have these stupid arguments in this campaign that are so shallow but obviously so beloved of innocent new members who are cannon fodder in the National Party. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000748\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EThere are aspects of the Taxation (Annual Rates, Employee Allowances, and Remedial Matters) Bill that we can support, but the FACTA, the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, is what we are concerned about. It raises aspects that are very serious in respect of this country\u2019s national sovereignty\u2014issues that have never been sufficiently and fully addressed. Worse still, this bill came before Parliament and then the Finance and Expenditure Committee when they had not even completed the agreement with the United States. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000749\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EWhat sort of public policy is it when you pass legislation dependent upon a later agreement that you have not actually resolved? That is not the way we do Government, surely, in this country, but under National if the United States says something, National says \u201CHow high?\u201D. If the United States says \u201CWe want to be able to go down to the home or the business of any former US citizens who may have been here 35 years under a sovereign nation called New Zealand, which has had an unbroken line of democracy and which has been holding elections for the last 150 years.\u201D, National says that sovereignty can be invaded by another country\u2014namely, the United States.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000750\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225b6b1d74-9e5e-42ba-a922-85b0ea7f5ab6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002291c0eafcb9924d95bb80fc34bf5b05d6\u0022\u003ESimon O\u0027Connor\u003C/span\u003E: Go back and do Constitution 101.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000751\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221cace8166c0741cdb1ed17b53e43da2b\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Go back and do what?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000752\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225b6b1d74-9e5e-42ba-a922-85b0ea7f5ab6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223726830c7d5e423db73e0d51407612df\u0022\u003ESimon O\u0027Connor\u003C/span\u003E: Go and read your Constitution 101.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000753\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228f928648971b4a59b0d4d7cc0ac26129\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, Constitution 101? What are your qualifications in the constitution? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000754\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225b6b1d74-9e5e-42ba-a922-85b0ea7f5ab6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b86dab27d7f54a8885d287b35478d89c\u0022\u003ESimon O\u0027Connor\u003C/span\u003E: More than yours.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000755\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002292f9c94aa26c4fdbbd2b6da781afa5d1\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I want to know, because I will tell you this. One thing about our constitution is that it says the New Zealand Parliament is paramount. That is the No. 1 principle. It is sovereign that this country is answerable to nobody else. That is what our constitution says. But here comes the former abbot trainee, who did not even graduate, and he comes and tells me that he is a constitutional expert. Well, what great news\u2014the National Party members over there have got themselves this shining bushel of light that we hitherto did not know about! So I am delighted that at last they have found a font of all knowledge about constitutional matters, because hitherto they had shown so much ignorance on these matters. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000756\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EYou know, the interests of the United States are not always synonymous with our interests. Allowing the US to open the door into our tax and banking system is not something that can be done lightly. I already now know of KiwiSaver providers who are saying \u201CIf you are from the US, we can\u2019t take you on. We are not opening our books to the United States and so we won\u2019t take any US former citizen on in New Zealand.\u201D I think that is appalling. I think that is abysmal. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000757\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EI know of a time when the National Party would have been shocked to hear those sorts of things\u2014and these were men, like those in Labour, who had come back from the war and had spent 4\u00BD years fighting for freedom, and they understood what freedom meant. Over there you have got a party that is posing under false pretences. It is no longer the National Party; it is the \u201CInternational Party\u201D. The United States asks for something and it says \u201CWhat did you say, Uncle Sam? What is that again? Uh, huh; we\u2019ve got it. We\u2019ll do exactly what you want.\u201D And while they do that, the people they promised protection to when they emigrated to New Zealand lose all right to have privacy, the kind of privacy that we as New Zealanders used to enjoy. I think that is\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000758\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ff70fc80174041209fc8300a4335136b\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Rubbish.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000759\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022140755dc742d4311b114825b1c6e1d59\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: I know it is rubbish\u2014I will get around to that member\u2019s specialty later, but I am talking about some serious matters here. It is a significant piece of legislation, passed by Congress in March 2010.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000760\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EDebate interrupted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618009e0f6bf13547d8b988593a772bba87000761\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 10 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b62c23d4cffb43bebeea211c1d371e4c\u0022\u003EWEDNESDAY, 18 JUNE 2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000002\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c0d6a29085fe4e0b84f509dbd44d1322\u0022\u003E(continued on Thursday, 19 June 2014)\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=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c7577f1c005a40958d43b34e0c64187c\u0022\u003ETe Urewera-T\u016Bhoe Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000004\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002237e247a60439400896274e45a320a37b\u0022\u003EIn Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022 data-id=\u0022ded6d70f4ec74a5f90e021a623952b96\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ded6d70f4ec74a5f90e021a623952b96\u0022\u003EHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations):\u003C/span\u003E I seek leave for there to be one debate on the Te Urewera-T\u016Bhoe Bill, with questions put separately at the conclusion of the debate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022 data-id=\u00222396d02cbc534eedacd12cd8d632190f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222396d02cbc534eedacd12cd8d632190f\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there anyone opposed to that course of action? There appears not. Leave is granted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022088c3360279249cd8a246d057ccf79d1\u0022\u003EParts 1 to 7, schedules 1 to 9, and clauses 1 and 2\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022 data-id=\u00228937e7abfddc47f18e3253fe801afa69\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228937e7abfddc47f18e3253fe801afa69\u0022\u003EHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations):\u003C/span\u003E I will say just a few things about the overall structure of the Te Urewera-T\u016Bhoe Bill, and then talk in particular about the longer Supplementary Order Paper, because it raises a number of matters that the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee was concerned about. The first point is that this bill will divide into two bills: Parts 1 to 4 will be the settlement bill, and Parts 5 to 7 will be the bill dealing with the governance and the status of Te Urewera. I will say something about Supplementary Order Paper 468 because that deals with two matters, and the first matter needs to be brought to the attention of the Committee, and then I want to say something about a recent High Court decision. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003EThe first is the issue of the central North Island forest cultural redress sites, and two have been added to the list of those sites\u2014Waitehouh\u012B and Korokoro o Te Huatahi. Under the central North Island deed, the Crown has the right to vest cultural redress sites in central North Island iwi, and in this case Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe have followed the same process as Ng\u0101ti Manawa, Ng\u0101ti Whare, and Te Arawa in seeking central North Island cultural redress sites as part of their Treaty settlements. The sites that T\u016Bhoe seeks are not in the same location as the sites in which Ng\u0101ti Manawa have interests, and rentals from the sites\u2014as I understand it\u2014are going to be used by Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe to benefit Kaingaroa village communities. The vesting of the sites in Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe is obviously without prejudice to the central North Island mana whenua allocation work, which is a work in progress as we speak. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003EThe second thing I want to say is just something very briefly about a recent decision of Justice Williams in the High Court, and that concerned an application for a judicial review of a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal and it involved Ng\u0101ti Ruapani and Te \u016Apokorehe. The area of interest described in the Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe deed of settlement does not represent an area of exclusive interest or tribal boundaries. The deed is very clear that other iwi and hap\u016B may have interests in those areas. Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe has customary interests at \u014Chiwa Harbour, and because of this\u2014quite a long time ago now\u2014in terms of the Maori Fisheries Act 2004 they were allocated fishing quota under that legislation. The land to be transferred to the new Te Urewera identity is currently part of the Te Urewera National Park. It will be owned by Te Urewera and not T\u016Bhoe. The tribunal declined the Te \u016Apokorehe applications for an urgent hearing on the basis that they would not suffer prejudice from the T\u016Bhoe settlement, and the High Court\u2014Justice Williams\u2014recently found that although there was a technical jurisdictional error in the tribunal decision not to grant an urgent hearing of Ng\u0101ti Ruapani and the Te \u016Apokorehe claims, the tribunal was correct in finding there was no substantive prejudice caused by the Crown settlement with Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003EThe point I want to emphasise is that there is nothing in this settlement that will prevent the Crown from engaging with Whakat\u014Dhea or its hap\u016B, or Ng\u0101ti Ruapani when they get a mandate, and achieving a just and a durable settlement of their historic claims. To suggest otherwise is wrong. There are areas of interest and the Crown is able to achieve just and durable settlements in the circumstances that I have described. So they are the key points that I wanted to raise this morning\u2014as I say, firstly, arising out of the Supplementary Order Paper, and, secondly, because of the recent decision of the High Court, I thought it appropriate to bring to the attention of the Committee the decision and its effect.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022 data-id=\u00224850fb678f414a3a90e1607805365457\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224850fb678f414a3a90e1607805365457\u0022\u003EHon NANAIA MAHUTA (Labour\u2014Hauraki-Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Mr Chair. I want to speak on behalf of Labour in favour of the Supplementary Order Papers as introduced with the clarifications that the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations has provided, and also with some clarification of the discussion that took place in the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, so that people following this debate understand why we are actually having a Committee stage for a Treaty settlement bill, which is unusual in some respects. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EIn regard in particular to the issues of Te \u016Apokorehe and the interests that were being asserted through the submission process and were generally well accepted, I as a committee member did not feel that some of the issues raised in relation to the allocation of fisheries interests were matters for this particular bill, the Te Urewera-T\u016Bhoe Bill. The allocation of fisheries interests to T\u016Bhoe were allocated under the fisheries settlement legislation. They were determined in a process preceding this, and that could not be relitigated. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EHowever, with regard to the broader land interests and the interests around \u014Chiwa Harbour, that was a matter that was considered and discussed. It was certainly something that weighed down on committee members\u2014the extent to which Te \u016Apokorehe felt that their interests were being prejudiced by the bill. We agreed on the bill proceeding on the basis that in a general sense the assurances that the T\u016Bhoe people gave were that they were sitting down and working through these issues with Te \u016Apokorehe. However, the Waitangi Tribunal process took its part and made a very clear determination that this bill should proceed because it can proceed without prejudice. It affirms, I think, the working relationship. It was continually reiterated to the select committee by T\u016Bhoe that to the largest extent possible, to the broadest extent possible, relationships matter for them within their tribe and also external to their tribe, with the other iwi bordering their domain. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EI really want that to be the pervading thought when people are considering the way in which T\u016Bhoe has tried to pull together its own interests and maintain relationships with neighbouring iwi. Yes, there are overlapping interests, but around \u014Chiwa Harbour in particular it was evident that T\u016Bhoe were quite comfortable with holding off on progressing that part of their customary interests and the overlapping nature of Te \u016Apokorehe interests until they were at a time to proceed. So with regard to that Supplementary Order Paper, Minister, I am certainly pleased that you quickly provided a media release after that determination of the tribunal, to give and affirm clarity on behalf of the Crown around this particular issue alongside Ng\u0101ti Ruapani.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E With regard to Supplementary Order Paper 468 and the transfer of the two remaining properties, again it took quite a bit of time for the committee to get its head around what was being talking about. We probably got it a little bit wrong at the select committee table. We were certainly under the impression that this was a part of a group of lands where there had to be a higher threshold of consent because it was part of a mana whenua process. We were of a mind at the time when we were receiving information that the preferred mechanism for the transfer of any properties should be by full consent. It was clear that Ng\u0101ti Manawa, for whatever reason, were not participating in some of the discussions and had objected to the transfer of these properties. We erred on the side of caution. We allowed two of the properties to transfer because there was no issue there. We remained, I guess, vigilant about the way in which these properties should transfer and we were of the belief that they should transfer with the consent of Ng\u0101ti Manawa. In fact, we went a step further\u2014probably beyond our brief\u2014and tried to suggest to the Minister that the mana whenua process should be utilised to sort this out. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EWe got that wrong. This is where information on the ground really matters. It just so happens, Minister, that on the weekend that you were visiting these properties I too was in Rotorua\u2014not for the same reason. I was certainly very pleased to hear that you took the time to go and see the area of contention, and you sorted it out very quickly\u2014more than you can do on a map or in a select committee. It was absolutely evident that the properties in question were not the same ones being talked about, and so there was a little bit of miscommunication. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003ECan I say that what was heartening all the way through this process was that when T\u016Bhoe talked about the transfer of these properties in regard to Kaingaroa, they wanted the full benefits from these properties to go back to the village of Kaingaroa. I applaud that level of intent to assure tribal members who have the ability to benefit from Treaty settlements. I applaud T\u016Bhoe\u2019s emphasis that the proceeds from these particular properties, the revenue, will be reinvested back into Kaingaroa and into the village. This is something that I understand was embraced and long awaited within that particular community. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003ECan I say that although this is an unusual step in terms of debating the context of a Supplementary Order Paper for Treaty settlement legislation, these were matters that were considered by the select committee. The Minister legitimately, and in good faith with all interests regarding these Supplementary Order Papers, I think, went through and determined the right outcome in ways that give greater assurance, certainly to Te \u016Apokorehe and to Ng\u0101ti Ruapani, and affirmed the agreements as initially expressed in the deed of settlement for T\u016Bhoe. We support this bill. We support its intent. For that reason we do not intend to delay the Committee stage. Kia ora mai t\u0101tou.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022 data-id=\u00229c044539163943539bf7ff3ace0902f0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229c044539163943539bf7ff3ace0902f0\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader\u2014NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E New Zealand First reiterates everything it said in the second reading of this Te Urewera-T\u016Bhoe Bill. This is the judgment from Joe Williams and it is very clear what he has said. He said this: \u201CI understand from Crown counsel it is expected that the bill will receive its third reading in July this year.\u201D He goes on to say: \u201CIn those circumstances there is little now to be gained from requiring the tribunal to reconsider the application but perhaps to see the tribunal commence preparations for an inquiry into the effects of the T\u016Bhoe deed on Ng\u0101ti Ruapani\u2019s Treaty interests. The Government has signalled that in 2 months the bill will be law.\u201D I noticed that the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations rushed out to give an interpretation of that to the media, and to hasten to assure M\u0101oridom and the rest of the country who believe in true process that the Government had not made a mistake here.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E You see, when the judge made that statement, the Government had signalled that in 2 months the bill would be law. He himself had no confidence that the Government would be deterred from its course and its arranged deed of settlement. But that is not the case, because this is the time\u2014the Committee of the whole House stage\u2014and this is the place for this matter to be corrected. It makes no sense, surely, to try to set right a long historical wrong that has been the fate of T\u016Bhoe, and yet create another one. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EAnyone who knows anything about legal process when it comes to M\u0101ori matters knows full well that once the boundaries have been set in a certain way, all sorts of assurances of the type that the Minister has given both here and up in Ng\u0101puhi are not worth the air they pass on. That is the effect of those matters. As someone who has studied M\u0101ori Land Court cases going back 100 years, I say that once the thing has been set in stone, it largely remains there and it is only with enormous time, cost, and perseverance that someone can have that wrong corrected. This is the place, in the Committee of the whole House stage, to set this matter right. I think that lining up behind such an authority as Sir Apirana Ngata is more authoritative than the whole Treaty process, and the settlement process, and, might I say, the Minister\u2019s officials, and, may I say also, the Minister. If he is prepared to say now that he knows more about this matter than someone so esteemed in that part of the world\u2014indeed, in all of M\u0101oridom\u2014as Sir Apirana Ngata, then it shows you just how sad parts of the Waitangi settlement process have become. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EI know that up north the Minister is now being besieged by fact. It is no use going out and saying \u201CWell, all you are doing, New Zealand First, is holding back these people from getting their rightful grievance settled and their compensation.\u201D That, of course, is really a red herring. What is more important here is that two tribes recognised long before Ngata\u2019s famous statement in 1929 are now today what they always were\u2014tribes in that area. When I hear someone say to me that T\u016Bhoe had rights to the \u014Chiwa Harbour, as someone who has lived on the coast in a tribe called Ng\u0101ti Wai all my life, I know exactly what that means. What you have got is a customary tradition that was allowed to inland tribes and is now to become set in law as an ownership right. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EThat is the fact, and we are not falling for it. New Zealand First is not opposed in any way to the settlement to T\u016Bhoe on this matter\u2014not at all\u2014but we are opposed to the boundaries being incorrect. When Justice Williams said the bill was going to be passed and would receive its third reading in July this year, he himself, with the greatest respect to him, missed the point. This is Parliament. This is Parliament\u2019s bill. This, in the end, will be given the authority and stamp of Parliament, and Parliament can set it right. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EI do not have any desire to challenge those who sat on the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, but why did they not ask themselves that fundamental question? Are we doing the right thing here and are we impinging on the possibility of these two important tribes\u2014[Bell rung] Thank you, Mr Chair. This is a very important matter. Are we impinging on that possibility of getting their grievance fixed? Yes or no? We are. That is down in the history of M\u0101oridom\u2014the long tragic story of a settlement by a Government and by a court that was based on faulty information and not based on fact. Anyone who knows anything about M\u0101oridom knows this. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EOf course, it might be that T\u016Bhoe got to New Zealand or to the centre of the North Island before the people I am talking about. Well, of course they did. They must have come by helicopter or by spaceship, because usually\u2014[Interruption] No, no. I see that woman from Christchurch over there, who knows nothing about this issue, frowning. It is appalling that they can be so darn arrogant. Unless they came by spaceship or by helicopter, then it could be assumed that people left the coast later than the original settlement and went inland. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227a01aeacef3f41119604d239c658dbee\u0022\u003ETe Ururoa Flavell\u003C/span\u003E: Where\u2019s your proof, Winston?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222799f2b9f2cf45e8b7337894405d2c51\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Where is my proof? My proof is in historical travel. Do you think Ng\u0101ti Hine got to our part of the world before Ng\u0101ti Wai?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d48b7c11ca8441c191cbb31bb0addbf3\u0022\u003ETe Ururoa Flavell\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m talking about T\u016Bhoe. Talk about T\u016Bhoe.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002278ca4956fd84435cbc5885c0ec80d13e\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Oh yes. Do you think that the tribes at \u014Chiwa got there before T\u016Bhoe? Oh, so obviously they came by spaceship. Usually people do not go inland from fish and the land of plenty to fewer fish\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220052766e63a8419e8e726e90837444dd\u0022\u003ETe Ururoa Flavell\u003C/span\u003E: What about trade?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022341af7da89fe42ca948e0070391ada31\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Of course there were trading arrangements. That is my very point. But the people on the coast never ever gave up their right. That is my evidence and there are quite a few more court cases in land law going back into the 1970s when this whole issue began. In fact, I was there at the time that the M\u0101ori Land March started, in a meeting up in Ng\u0101ti Wai, by Whina Cooper when she said: \u201CI know what I\u2019ll do. I\u2019ll start a M\u0101ori Land March.\u201D I am talking of 1975, and we should not ignore history, in any way, shape, or form. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EYou see, the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Mr Finlayson, is correct. There has been a misunderstanding about the T\u016Bhoe settlement, and he is right that there is confusion. But the Minister is the one who is confused on this issue, and, with the greatest respect, how is he going to confront those other two tribes in the future and say he has done his duty by them? How can you come along and say: \u201COh, look, don\u2019t worry. None of this impinges upon your rights, in any way, shape, or form.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EWe wrote to the Minister when this bill first came along, saying by way of inquiry: \u201CAre you not concerned about this boundary issue?\u201D. Of course, we got the usual reply: \u201CThere\u2019s nothing for those people to worry about, because none of their rights or claims are in any way upset.\u201D Really? Well, why do you not go to ask those people how they feel, because they do not feel like you do, Minister? With the greatest respect to those people who sat on the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, why did they not listen to what these people had to say? Why did they not listen to that message that passed down through history from someone as esteemed as Sir Apirana Ngata when he recognised them for what they were? So how can they be now today, because of this legislation and because of this Parliament\u2019s attitude, a lesser people?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022 data-id=\u002297ebb9ecc90a47f88b92324c919da9bb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002297ebb9ecc90a47f88b92324c919da9bb\u0022\u003EHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations):\u003C/span\u003E I think it may be helpful if I just take the member through the bill because, actually, the words are quite important. Parts 1 to 4 deal with the settlement of the Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe historical claim. Parts 5 through 7 deal with Te Urewera and the establishment of it. It is very important to have a good look at Part 5, Subpart 1, and I take the right honourable member to Part 6, which also deals with the governance and management of Te Urewera, and to clause 127, \u201CDecision making affecting relationship of iwi and hap\u016B with Te Urewera\u201D. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003EWhat the bill does\u2014and Parts 5 to 7 will become a separate bill\u2014is that it acknowledges that other iwi hap\u016B have associations with, and customary interests in, parts of Te Urewera\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228f698499056d4426b400557522615bb1\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: They own it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec5421a45a664ec987e06d2303562d31\u0022\u003EHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014read the clause\u2014so the board will have to consider and provide opportunities for the relationship of iwi and hap\u016B and their culture and traditions with Te Urewera when making decisions. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003EThere are also specific provisions that have been designed in response, for example, to the interests of Ng\u0101ti Manawa, and I refer the right honourable member to clauses 236 to 241. What they do is amend redress over T\u0101whiuau to vest the summit in Ng\u0101ti Manawa. There is a specific interest given to Ng\u0101ti Whare, and I refer the right honourable member to clauses 243 and 242 about the inclusion of Te Wh\u0101iti in Whirinaki Te Pua-\u0101-T\u0101ne Conservation Park and the requirement of relationship between Te Urewera Board and Ng\u0101ti Whare over western parts of Te Urewera. Then there is also Ng\u0101ti Ruapani ki Waikaremoana. I refer the right honourable member to clauses 234 and 243 and, in particular, the exclusion of Onepoto from the T\u016Bhoe settlement and the development of a memorandum of understanding in relation to the Waikaremoana area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E So the point I have been at pains to make is that the bill does not preclude any redress options that may be negotiated and agreed with other iwi hap\u016B who have interests in Te Urewera. The other point I would make directly to the right honourable member in relation to \u016Apokorehe and also Ng\u0101ti Ruapani is that there is nothing here that prevents the conclusion of just and durable settlements with those groups when they have a mandate and when they are ready to negotiate. I can give the member that assurance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022 data-id=\u00226133df5f1b59460ba085b22c4254a7ae\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226133df5f1b59460ba085b22c4254a7ae\u0022\u003ETE URUROA FLAVELL (Co-Leader\u2014M\u0101ori Party):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Mr Deputy Speaker. Kia ora t\u0101tau katoa i t\u0113nei ata. Kua t\u016B ake, tuatahi, m\u014D te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori, tuarua, m\u014D te w\u0101hi ki a au, te mema P\u0101remata m\u014D t\u0113r\u0101 rohe, m\u014D te Waiariki. Ka mihi r\u0101 ki te Minita m\u014D tana whakam\u0101rama i tana t\u016B i te tuatahi i t\u0113nei ata. M\u0101rama tonu tana whakatakoto i ng\u0101 k\u014Drero katoa, te taenga atu ki te k\u014Dti, \u0113r\u0101 \u0101huatanga katoa. I rongo ake ano hoki au i te k\u014Drero o te H\u014Dnore Nanaia Mahuta me tana k\u014Drero an\u014D hoki, e tautoko ana ko t\u0101ku e m\u014Dhio nei. Ka mihi r\u0101 ki te \u0101huatanga o \u0113nei k\u014Drero \u0113ngari, taihoa ake nei, ka hoki mai ki \u0113r\u0101 k\u014Drero.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EE areare ake aku taringa ki te \u0101huatanga o te k\u014Drero o te H\u014Dnore Winitana Pita me tana k\u012B mai, \u0101, m\u0113n\u0101 ka noho iwi ki uta, ka kore e whai p\u0101nga ki tai. K\u0101tahi te p\u014Dh\u0113h\u0113 ko t\u0113r\u0101. M\u0113n\u0101 ka whai ake tonu t\u0101tau i te \u0101huatanga o te k\u014Drero, ko t\u014Dku ake iwi. E k\u012B ana te k\u014Drero, mai i Maket\u016B ki Tongariro. N\u0101, kai hea a Maket\u016B? Kei te tai. Kei hea a Tongariro? Kei uta. Ka taea e te tangata h\u012Bkoi haere i te mata o te whenua ki uta, ki tai. E p\u0113r\u0101 ano hoki a Tainui, ka whai p\u0101nga ki uta, ka whai p\u0101nga ki tai. N\u014D reira, ka noho p\u014Dh\u0113h\u0113 te tangata m\u0113n\u0101 ka whakaaro ake, \u0101, kotahi tonu tana nohonga. E, k\u0101o. E p\u0113r\u0101 an\u014D hoki ng\u0101 iwi katoa o te motu. I haere i te mata o te whenua ki reira kimikimi haere whenua ai, taunaha whenua au, i a r\u0101tou e h\u012Bkoi haere ana.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EN\u014D reira, me hoki r\u0101 an\u014D ki te p\u016Btake o taku wh\u0101inga i te Minita i te ata nei. Tuatahi, ko tana k\u014Drero mai m\u014D te \u0101huatanga o ng\u0101 k\u014Dti. \u0100e, he take an\u014D hoki t\u0101 \u016Apokorehe, he take an\u014D r\u0101 t\u0101 Ruapani. \u0100e. M\u0113n\u0101 he raruraru me haere ki hea? Me haere ki te k\u014Dti. I haere ng\u0101 iwi ki te k\u014Dti. Ka tae atu ki Te Taraipiunara o Waitangi, he aha t\u0101 r\u0101tou whakatau? Kai te pai, e kore te pire e whakap\u014Drearea, whakararuraru r\u0101nei i te hiahia o \u016Apokorehe r\u0101ua ko Ruapani. Ka mutu, haere ki te k\u014Dti teitei. E p\u0113r\u0101 an\u014D te whakatau. K\u0101re he p\u0101nga, k\u0101re he raruraru o te ker\u0113me a Ruapani r\u0101ua ko \u016Apokorehe. Ka mutu i t\u0113nei r\u0101. Kua puta te k\u014Drero i te waha o te minita, e kore e whakararuraru i te ker\u0113me o ng\u0101 iwi e rua. N\u014D reira, m\u0113n\u0101 he raruraru ka puta, ka hoki mai ki runga i tana upoko, m\u0101na an\u014D r\u0101 t\u0113r\u0101 e kawe m\u014D ake nei, i te mea i puta t\u0113r\u0101 k\u014Drero i roto i t\u0113nei o ng\u0101 Whare P\u0101remata. N\u014D reira, kai te whakaae atu au ki t\u0113r\u0101 k\u014Drero, ka nui te mihi ki te Minita.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EKa rua, m\u014D te \u0101huatanga o ng\u0101 p\u0101nga whenua i tohetohengia ai e Tuhoe r\u0101ua ko Ng\u0101ti Manawa, ng\u0101 w\u0101hanga e wh\u0101 o roto i te pire. Ki t\u0101 te titiro o te Komiti M\u0101ori, e rua ng\u0101 p\u0101nga whenua \u0113hara i te mea kai mua tonu i a au i t\u0113nei w\u0101 \u0113ngari, e rua ng\u0101 p\u0101nga whenua i noho \u0101hua t\u0101rewa nei. Ka mihi ki te Minita. Tere tonu tana taenga atu ki Murupara i mua i a au, te mema P\u0101remata. Koi nei te painga o te noho hei Minita, m\u0101m\u0101 noa iho he huarahi, ar\u0101, kua t\u016Bwherahia ng\u0101 kuaha katoa ki te minita. N\u014D reira, koia i haere ki roto i ng\u0101 k\u014Drero i waenganui i a Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe r\u0101ua ko Ng\u0101ti Manawa. N\u0101, i puta te k\u014Drero, e ai ki a Ng\u0101ti Manawa, anei ng\u0101 p\u0101nga whenua, h\u0101! He rerek\u0113 te titiro o Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe ki t\u0113r\u0101 \u0101huatanga. \u0112ngari i t\u014Dna mutunga, kua puta te whakatau, k\u0101re au i rongo i t\u0113tahi k\u014Drero mai a Ng\u0101ti Manawa m\u014D ng\u0101 uauatanga ka p\u0101 mai ki a r\u0101tou n\u0101 runga i t\u0113nei whakatau.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EN\u0101 reira, ki t\u0101ku titiro kua ea, kua tau, waiho ki reira. Ko te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori t\u0113nei e t\u016B ake nei ki te tautoko i ng\u0101 paku whakapanonitanga ki te pire me te k\u012B atu, ka tautoko te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori i t\u0101 te Minita e whakatakoto nei. Ka mihi ki a ia me te \u0101huatanga o tana pai i t\u0113nei kaupapa, tukuna te pire kia haere.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003E[Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Salutations to us all collectively this morning. I stand, firstly, on behalf of the M\u0101ori party, and, secondly, as the member of Parliament for that electorate of Waiariki. I truly acknowledge the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations for explaining why he was first to rise this morning. He outlined everything clearly, up to the arrival at court and every aspect of it. I also heard what the Hon Nanaia Mahuta said and her supporting statement, according to my understanding. I acknowledge the perspective of these sentiment, indeed, but wait, I will come back to those comments. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003EMy ears pricked up at the line that the address by the Rt Hon Winston Peters was taking when he stated that, if a tribe is an inland one, it has no coastline interests. What an assumption that is, indeed. Let us follow that through, and in the case of own tribe particularly. There is a statement that says \u201CFrom Maket\u016B to Tongariro\u201D. Now where is Maket\u016B? On the coast. Where is Tongariro? Inland. It is possible for a person to traverse the face of the land from the hinterland to the coastline. It is the same with Tainui, too; they have inland and shoreline interests. So there could be doubt as to whether a person has only one place. Not at all. The situation is the same for all tribes of the land. Tribes traversed the face of the land and explored the land there, claiming it as they travelled. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003ESo let us go all the way back to the reason of my following on from the Minister this morning. Firstly, in respect of this, he commented to us on the functionality of the courts. Yes, \u016Apokorehe had an issue as well, and so did Ruapani\u2014yes, indeed. If there is a problem, where does one go? One goes to the court. The people went to the court. When they got to the Waitangi Tribunal, what was its decision? It is fine. The bill will not interfere with nor encumber the wishes of \u016Apokorehe and Ruapani. Furthermore, they went to the High Court and the decision was the same. There was no relevance and problems with the Ruapani and \u016Apokorehe claim. It ends here today. The Minister stated that it will not undermine the claim of the two people. Therefore, should a problem arise, it will come back on his head, and he will suffer the consequences of it for all time because he said it here in this House of Parliament. And so, I agree with that statement and commend the Minister greatly. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003ESecondly, in regard to land interests that T\u016Bhoe and Ng\u0101ti Manawa disputed in Part 4 of the bill, the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee noted that there are two land interests that appear to be inconclusive still. I do not have any details in front of me at the moment. I applaud the Minister for arriving in Murupara before me, the member of Parliament. An advantage of being a Minister is the ease with which a way forward can be found. A mere snap of the fingers and doors open up to the Minister. So, that was why I went to participate in the discussions between Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe and Ng\u0101ti Manawa. And it was there that the statement emerged: here are the land interests according to Ng\u0101ti Manawa. Excuse me! Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe had a different view on that. Eventually a ruling was made. I have not heard a comment from Ng\u0101ti Manawa about the difficulties and effect placed upon them by this ruling. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ec266512-9fe8-47da-883e-48f046ee5059\u0022\u003ETherefore, in my view, it is settled and accounted for, so leave it there. This is the M\u0101ori Party standing here in support of the minor amendments to the bill and, furthermore, to endorse what the Minister has outlined. I acknowledge him and the amicable manner in which he handled this matter. Let the bill proceed.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022 data-id=\u0022a8519c1c4c8843f7b002905466f547ef\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a8519c1c4c8843f7b002905466f547ef\u0022\u003ERINO TIRIKATENE (Labour\u2014Te Tai Tonga):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Mr Chair. I am pleased to make a contribution at this Committee stage on the Te Urewera-T\u016Bhoe Bill. I do note that it is sort of unusual that we have a Committee stage for Treaty bills, but I do understand the nature of the important amendments that have been put through in Supplementary Order Papers 467 and 468. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI would just like to start off with the very simple one, Supplementary Order Paper 467. When this bill initially made its journey through the House it was obviously an omnibus bill, a combined bill. That Supplementary Order Paper is now splitting out the two bills that are contained in there. The first bill, obviously, is the T\u016Bhoe Claims Settlement Bill, which deals specifically with the Crown\u2019s apologies and the historical context for T\u016Bhoe, and then also the separate bill of the Te Urewera Bill. I think it is important that we do mention that, because that is a real innovation in the evolution of Treaty settlements\u2014the fact that we are giving legal recognition to Te Urewera through its own bill. I can only think that had my relations down south had the imagination back in the day, we would have loved to have an \u201CAoraki Maunga Bill\u201D to complement our Ng\u0101i Tahu settlement. I congratulate T\u016Bhoe and the negotiators on this innovation, which is a landmark for Te Urewera, for T\u016Bhoe, and for all the iwi with associations with, and interests in, Te Urewera. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI guess that leads me on to the second Supplementary Order Paper, Supplementary Order Paper 468. It is relatively straightforward, I guess. Two Central North Island Iwi Holdings cultural redress properties were originally included, but there were concerns from Ng\u0101ti Manawa. I am pleased that there was productive k\u014Drero that went on that led to a resolution of whatever the concerns were, which has allowed the transfer of Waitehouhi and Korokoro o Te Huatahi as cultural redress properties for T\u016Bhoe. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ESo the purpose, I guess, of these Supplementary Order Papers is important. We want to make sure that for any technical matters or matters that are unresolved\u2014that we could not get resolved through the select committee consideration\u2014we now have the opportunity to resolve them. I would like to acknowledge the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and all of his team for working on these outstanding matters.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI guess the final matter that we have been discussing is around this issue of Te \u016Apokorehe and the shared interests\u2014or not\u2014of neighbouring iwi. This is prevalent right across all Treaty settlements, as we know, especially for those hap\u016B and iwi that are on boundaries. There is a lot of intermarriage and some hap\u016B can fall on both sides of the divide. So we see these issues right across the motu. In fact, I do not think there is one Treaty settlement that does not have these sorts of tricky boundary relationship issues or assertions of rights and interests that overlap or intersect between neighbours. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI think that is just the nature of our people, how we roamed and marauded around these lands and how we made peace\u2014how we takawaenga-ed\u2014and how we came together. The issue around Te \u016Apokorehe is, I believe, no different from the many others. If I could use an example, even one that is very dear to our chief the Rt Hon Winston Peters and Ng\u0101ti Wai\u2014I am thinking of Hauturu when we did Ng\u0101ti Manuhiri. For Hauturu, or Little Barrier Island, obviously the sequencing or the progress that Ng\u0101ti Manuhiri made\u2014obviously they were ahead of the queue, and so they were able to pen their settlement a lot earlier than their relations who were coming behind them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E But there was a great concern from Ng\u0101ti Wai around the rights that Ng\u0101ti Manuhiri purported to have to Hauturu, which they believed was pretty much to the exclusion of Ng\u0101ti Wai. We were pleased to work through that issue very constructively with all sides and, in particular, at the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee to make sure that it was non-exclusive, that there was recognition, and that there was room to accommodate Ng\u0101ti Wai and other interests that were yet to come through. I think that situation is no different from this situation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EThe Minister has made it very clear, and it has been provided for in the legislation, that there is room to accommodate the rights that are recognised through subsequent settlements that may come through in the future. I am thinking of another example quite close to home, which would be K\u0101piti Island. K\u0101piti Island is obviously Ngati Toa Rangatira and the headquarters for Te Rauparaha back in the day, but there is accommodation on K\u0101piti for Ng\u0101ti Raukawa and Te \u0100tiawa. Once those regions or areas of inquiry and settlements are concluded, their rights and interests can be recognised through their respective settlements. So it is not about exclusivity. I think that as much as iwi like to assert their exclusive rights to certain things, the nature of these Treaty settlements is complex, in particular when you have many different close whakapapa arrangements, neighbours, and history, which is part of us as M\u0101ori people across the motu. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ESo I just want to acknowledge the Minister for clarifying that there is the ability to include Te \u016Apokorehe, Ng\u0101ti Ruapani, or other rights that can be affirmed through subsequent settlements that may come through the settlement process. I do not want to prejudge anything, obviously. It is not my place to do that, but it is this Parliament\u2019s place to make sure that this piece of legislation is given due proper attention. Obviously, this Parliament is the ultimate authority in terms of authorising and giving mandate to this piece of legislation, and I think we have covered some very important areas here and I am very comfortable with the explanations that have been provided. Hopefully, that will give comfort to those other iwi who are further back in the pipeline of advancing their settlements with the Crown. Thank you very much.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022 data-id=\u0022fa881988c9ff4b9a8af85ffa08e87fe7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fa881988c9ff4b9a8af85ffa08e87fe7\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: I wish to make some comments about process at this point that might be helpful to the Committee. I think what is developing here is a dialogue situation. When leave was sought to have one debate, there was no instruction or change to the process of four calls per member. Because this is a lesser court to the House\u2014we are in the Committee of the whole House\u2014the normal process for that, the precedent for that, and the convention for that is that it be an instruction from the House to the Committee that there be unlimited calls, and that course has not been taken. I do not believe there was any intention to curtail, but I just want to inform those who are participating that that is kind of the structure under which we are operating, as long as members are comfortable with that. It is just a little pre-emptive process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022515dd5f890374701be92a77f5a1a2e8f\u0022\u003EHon Trevor Mallard\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. Can I take the leave? I do not think anyone thinks this is not a positive way of doing things. It is a much better way if people can go back and forth, and therefore I take the leave\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225b7cae19f08b45018084895a9f4a5de6\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: You seek the leave?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223e81e70e3386494d87a6d2c173b492ad\u0022\u003EHon Trevor Mallard\u003C/span\u003E: I seek the leave of the Committee for the four-call limit not to be used for this debate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022991eea3e310e4a2bb6ed0aa2f5f5e1a6\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: OK, we will put the leave. Is there anyone opposed to that course of action? There is not. So what we have just done is we have taken away that four-call limit if the member wishes to participate more than that, although he looked quite content. Now I will recognise the Minister who was seeking the call.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022 data-id=\u0022a11317a1ae5742d69520459b67fd3ce1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a11317a1ae5742d69520459b67fd3ce1\u0022\u003EHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations):\u003C/span\u003E I just wanted to reaffirm what Mr Tirikatene has said, because he is absolutely spot on in his reference to K\u0101piti Island. The fact that Ng\u0101ti Toa have received relief out there does not mean to say that when one concludes settlements with Ng\u0101ti Raukawa ki Te Tonga, Mua\u016Bpoko, and Te \u0100tiawa Ki Whakarongotai that there cannot be recognition of their interests in K\u0101piti. It happens all the time. I am currently in the course of negotiating with Rangit\u0101ne in the Wairarapa and Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa. They have overlapping claims. There is no magic. We are not talking about delineated boundaries that you cannot go over. Of course, there was that decision of the Waitangi Tribunal some years ago about the boundaries between Te Tau Ihu iwi and Ng\u0101i Tahu, and the tribunal had views about trying to hermetically seal off one part of the country from other iwi. It cannot be done. So I simply reaffirm that point that notwithstanding that we are settling here with Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe and we are establishing Te Urewera, it is still possible, I say to Mr Peters, to have just and durable settlements with Te \u016Apokorehe and with Ruapani. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003EThe only other point I would make is\u2014and it is worth just mentioning because of the novelty of what we are talking about, and Mr Tirikatene raised it\u2014the importance of clause 118, which declares Te Urewera to be a legal entity, with all the rights, powers, duties, and liabilities of a legal person. That all looks a bit strange on the face of it, but then last night I had an email from overseas from someone who said that, actually, in Ecuador, a river was given a legal identity so that it had all the rights of taking action under the Ecuadorian constitution. So it was an interesting piece of information. There is probably nothing new under the sun. What we are doing here, as a means of achieving a just and durable Treaty settlement, is a perfectly sensible and logical way of dealing with what has been a vexed historical issue. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022 data-id=\u00221bdf3d59417949b486943123612acc5a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221bdf3d59417949b486943123612acc5a\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader\u2014NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E Now we have got that well-known jurisdiction called Ecuador as a precedent for what the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations is thinking about. This is what is being said here, and by the M\u0101ori Party: the Minister said that these two tribes have customary association. Frankly, that is an insult. That is a massive insult to two tribes, or iwi, in that part of the world. He said they have \u201Ccustomary association\u201D, as though somehow they are there at the behest of someone else. If I was from those tribes, I would be absolutely affronted. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003EThen the Minister said that the deed affected other iwi and hap\u016B who may have interests. What on earth is he talking about? Those two iwi are what they are historically, and nothing that he or the M\u0101ori Party or anybody else says is going to change the facts of history. The idea that they were sort of wandering around there at the behest or with the permission of someone else like T\u016Bhoe is an outrage. That is my point. T\u016Bhoe would say the same if they were treated that way. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003ELet us not have this idea that somehow we are going to rewrite history in this Parliament in 2014 and have no regard to the facts. The member for the M\u0101ori Party Te Ururoa Flavell said: \u201Cand the Minister will take responsibility if there is anything wrong with the settlement.\u201D Do you not feel good about that? A Minister, not long to be here, and who has not been here long for a start, is now taking all the responsibility, should something go wrong. If I was up there in the areas of the two iwi that I am talking about and I heard that, would I be comforted, or would I be beset with anxiety? Because it means, with respect to my friend Mr Flavell, utter nonsense. Let us be very clear. The M\u0101ori Party used the example of Tainui, but there is no relativity with Tainui on the coast and the way that this issue is being put in this bill. Make no bones about it, Minister\u2014this is the time and this is the place. If it is the wish of this Parliament to ignore that, then New Zealand First will not support this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022 data-id=\u002235b334fe78454a79b38f832180894076\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002235b334fe78454a79b38f832180894076\u0022\u003EHon NANAIA MAHUTA (Labour\u2014Hauraki-Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E This debate actually shows how difficult it is to deal with some of the very complex issues that confront the whole Treaty settlement space. The M\u0101ori Affairs Committee has been very clear all the way through that the thing we cannot arbitrate on is whakapapa, and we also cannot determine the way in which history has affected the peculiarities of settlements for distinct iwi who come to the direct negotiation process. On the point around inland interests on the coastal area, in fact, my own hap\u016B is a very good example. Far be it from me to speak on the history and nature of relationships within the T\u016Bhoe area, but this is what happens for my particular hap\u016B domiciled in Huntly, which is a river iwi, and why we have coastal interests out in Hauraki in Ng\u0101ti Paoa. It is because of a gift. So we have a customary interest in an area where my ancestors have traditionally always gone to harvest kai moana, and that was because of whakapapa relationships. How that was expressed was a gift of land. Was it an exclusive gift of land? No, it was an opportunity to seasonally harvest kai moana to feed our people. Quid pro quo, if need be\u2014we would give tuna back to the people out on the coast if they needed it. That is the nature of the type of relationship that can exist for an inland tribe out on the coast, and there are pockets of these types of situations within iwi and across various iwi because of the nature of whakapapa connections. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003ENow can I come back to the particular. With regards to their customary interest that has been expressed in the \u014Chiwa Harbour, it is a non-exclusive interest, which is why when the Rt Hon Winston Peters asked whether or not the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee had asked questions, I can say that we certainly did. We were very clear at the time that the customary interest was an expression of a connection, that it was non-exclusive, and that there were other interests to be determined that were outstanding before the full, I guess, expression of what was happening around that particular part of the harbour. We were really clear in our minds that that was the case. However, the assertions of Te \u016Apokorehe put into question the extent of the overlapping interests and the need for that to be further defined. They were challenging the select committee to say that they needed to have assurance that their overlapping interest\u2014their ability to preserve their distinct interests in their area\u2014could be pursued after this settlement progressed. The Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations has given an explanation on that. There is a clarification, and we certainly accept it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe other question that the select committee was at pains to ask was: does this settlement prejudicially affect anybody who chooses to express their interest with T\u016Bhoe? No, it does not. There are whakapapa overlaps, or intermarriages, that create, I guess, connections for people who can whakapapa to both Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe and Ng\u0101ti Ruapani. Are they excluded from this settlement? No, they are not. That is a really important point to raise because people participating in this debate who, with respect, might not have been privy to the explanations that the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee was privy to would not understand this. If we believe that this Treaty settlement is so exclusive that it starts to push out people who can whakapapa both ways, then we are severely misled. This is not the case. This is an inclusive settlement. It provides opportunities for people who whakapapa through Ruapani and Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe to derive a benefit should they so desire. If not, and if they want to preserve their interests exclusively within the Ng\u0101ti Ruapani aspirations of proceeding with their claims interest, there is another path to follow. They will not be stopped. That can go ahead. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThere are other aspects of the debate that have arisen that are a larger challenge and can be dealt with within the context of this settlement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E Can I say that there are ways in which overlapping claims have been dealt with through the Treaty settlement process. Distinctly within this one there has been the establishment of pou r\u0101hui, for example, recognised by Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe and sought by Ng\u0101ti Manawa. You know, there are statements of associations and statements of statutory acknowledgments. They are all different layers of ways of recognising overlapping interests. It is really important, I believe, if we are to progress with durable settlements, that the way in which we speak about settlements in the House and the way in which they actually apply out there within tribal domains and on the ground require relationships to work, which is why I preceded my whole contribution with a very clear statement that was given to the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee by Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThis has not been a settlement that has been arrived at as easily as some might assert, because there has been toil and rigour around preserving relationships\u2014not cutting off relationships but preserving them\u2014and if people cared to dive deeper into how difficult it has been, go and ask people, but do not come to the Chamber and perpetuate a myth that relationships on the ground do not matter for Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe. They have worked very hard, there were some ups and downs within their tribe to get to this point, but they are still maintaining that, actually, at the end of the day, we have to live in our rohe, we have to live alongside other people, and we have to work with them because we want this to work for us. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThat has to be the pervading point that people walk away from this debate with\u2014that notwithstanding some of the difficulties around proceeding with the interests of Te \u016Apokorehe, Ng\u0101ti Ruapani, Ng\u0101ti Manawa, and others, the relationship to make this settlement all that is can be is absolutely at the core of why Ng\u0101i T\u016Bhoe want to proceed in a way that is inclusive, not exclusive, that looks forward, not backwards, and that determines to ensure that this promotes, I think, the greatest opportunities of what can happen, and that is actually in the second part of the settlement. You know, it is a very important debate to be had. Again, I was the one who said we were not going to take up time in this debate, but those were some very important issues to respond to, and people with no knowledge of the discussions that took place at the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee might care to listen to this particular contribution. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 468 in the name of the Hon Christopher Finlayson to Part 1 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022acec3c7c3f0a46c4b7affd007122077c\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 amendments be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 112\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; M\u0101ori Party 3; Mana 1; United Future 1. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 7\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First 7.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u002256675a14e6204eeca03e71732ccd1592\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 Part 1 as amended be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 112\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; M\u0101ori Party 3; Mana 1; United Future 1. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 7\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First 7.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EPart 1 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u00220b68a55153a5499383b80624690d415f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220b68a55153a5499383b80624690d415f\u0022\u003EHon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour\u2014Hutt South):\u003C/span\u003E I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. I know it is sort of unusual at this point, but the tradition of the House, and I think it is built into the Speakers\u2019 rulings, is that it is a requirement for votes to follow voice. So when an individual\u2014or in this case, a party\u2014votes in a particular way, then on the voices it is required, when the vote is recorded, to vote the same way. I am not arguing with any of the decisions that have been made, but I think it might be good if you advised the parties that are abstaining that they should say \u201CAbstain\u201D or something similar rather than \u201CNo\u201D, because they are obligated to vote the way they call.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022 data-id=\u002218e04a98a9f7433497281ad5614dde2f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002218e04a98a9f7433497281ad5614dde2f\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: It is an interesting point the member makes. I guess it is a somewhat semantic one. It is not unusual that someone records the requirement of a party vote. The only mechanism in the way that we actually do it is to vote against. Particularly when we have had split calls within a party, a party will\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220d3f34f91cf64a0d8d9ee0ff2bca7470\u0022\u003EHon Trevor Mallard\u003C/span\u003E: I understand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223371afbaf9ef498eb89f2615e5176673\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy)\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, so I think there is a bit of tolerance around that. I think it is probably something the Standing Orders Committee should have a look at, but at the moment I am prepared to continue with the way in which we are operating. [Interruption] No, I have dealt with the matter. The member is fine. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f4112fc5-c53f-4aa9-bf6d-5a05ce6252cf\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 468 in the name of the Hon Christopher Finlayson to Part 2 be agreed to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022370a275f6fab4dc4b6bddc47c03cb786\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 amendments be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 112\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; M\u0101ori Party 3; Mana 1; United Future 1. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 7\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First 7.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022883ead4ef84a40a78943d6a61b23e78e\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 Part 2 as amended be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 112\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; M\u0101ori Party 3; Mana 1; United Future 1. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 7\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First 7.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EPart 2 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u002275a5f2cd9be14eaeac125511fd8244c6\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 Part 3 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 112\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; M\u0101ori Party 3; Mana 1; United Future 1. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 7\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First 7.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EPart 3 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022bea2d69d89c94444befeb5b9738e0c4e\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 Part 4 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 112\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; M\u0101ori Party 3; Mana 1; United Future 1. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 7\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First 7.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EPart 4 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u002248ddc5a6b4304bb983aa1c2544cca039\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 Part 5 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 112\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; M\u0101ori Party 3; Mana 1; United Future 1. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 7\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First 7.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EPart 5 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000083\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 468 in the name of the Hon Christopher Finlayson to Part 6 be agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022a372da47a35e459a9f5142bd68839d5e\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 amendments be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 112\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; M\u0101ori Party 3; Mana 1; United Future 1. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 7\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First 7.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u00224a315debffd5484d8cef50e68709a303\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 Part 6 as amended be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 112\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; M\u0101ori Party 3; Mana 1; United Future 1. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 7\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First 7.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EPart 6 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022605b4a2231764cf9a674460f775d9412\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 Part 7 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 112\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; M\u0101ori Party 3; Mana 1; United Future 1. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 7\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First 7.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EPart 7 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022902d6c309bfb4ff6a45fd02144a2939d\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 schedule 1 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 112\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; M\u0101ori Party 3; Mana 1; United Future 1. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 7\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First 7.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESchedule 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000084\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 468 in the name of the Hon Christopher Finlayson to schedule 2 be agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000085\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000086\u0022\u003ESchedule 2 as amended agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000087\u0022\u003ESchedule 3 agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000088\u0022\u003ESchedule 4 agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000089\u0022\u003ESchedule 5 agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000090\u0022\u003ESchedule 6 agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000091\u0022\u003ESchedule 7 agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000092\u0022\u003ESchedule 8 agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000093\u0022\u003ESchedule 9 agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000094\u0022\u003EClause 1 agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000095\u0022\u003EClause 2 agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022 data-id=\u0022e0104f20a51248caa1f5e5346a9132f6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e0104f20a51248caa1f5e5346a9132f6\u0022\u003EHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Committee divide the bill into the T\u016Bhoe Claims Settlement Bill and the Te Urewera Bill pursuant to Supplementary Order Paper 467.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022e337eea8be2f4a7fbf35104a3f55e0b7\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 motion be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 112\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; M\u0101ori Party 3; Mana 1; United Future 1. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 7\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First 7.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000097\u0022\u003EBill to be reported with amendment presently.\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=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c377f95a43344f2f97cefa3aef8a9e9d\u0022\u003ENg\u0101 Mana Whenua o T\u0101maki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002266cca632d43d486486dfdac289930a8c\u0022\u003EIn Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022 data-id=\u00226baed7b2591e442a9ff8d10c52f8ecf6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226baed7b2591e442a9ff8d10c52f8ecf6\u0022\u003EHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations):\u003C/span\u003E I seek leave for there to be one debate on the bill, with questions put separately at the conclusion of the debate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022681f1b7c0a7f45abbf984e87285575a6\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: Is there any objection to that course of action being taken?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002288812252cd764168a26d8020dcf3dc50\u0022\u003EHon Trevor Mallard\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. Would the Minister just add the usual proviso for there not being a four-call limit?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002241146229-4d11-415b-a4ac-f4e2b923e95d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225b7993b8944c45b0a37170f819271b34\u0022\u003EHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON\u003C/span\u003E: The one that you moved earlier? Yes, I so move.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224c9b99af198e4ff3ba5bef7c2c26619e\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: Is there any objection to that course of action? There is not. The question is that the preamble stand part. All those in favour please say Aye, to the contrary, No. The Ayes have it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022370ba4e10dbc400b8e72aa9b3ecc2106\u0022\u003EParts 1 to 5, schedules 1 to 6, preamble, and clauses 1 and 2\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022 data-id=\u00229f9f88e392ac4df58bf2a6ef384ea537\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229f9f88e392ac4df58bf2a6ef384ea537\u0022\u003EHon NANAIA MAHUTA (Labour\u2014Hauraki-Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Mr Chair. M\u014Drena. I am not going to take a long call on any of the Supplementary Order Paper 469 amendments. We largely support them and believe that they are in the spirit of the initial settlement. There are changes to clause 30, in particular, of Part 2 of the Ng\u0101 Mana Whenua o T\u0101maki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill with regard to the maunga. We are quite happy with the way that the changes read in clauses 30 and 31, with regard to reverting ownership to the Maunga Authority. We believe that this is a further clarification and improvement of the intent of the bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThere are other aspects with regards to Maungauika, which I think clarify the nature of the vesting of the bill and the transfer of assets. I have to say it was not considered at length in the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, but, again, it provides further clarity to the intent. So, with regard to ensuring that the T\u0101maki Collective and the spirit of management around the maunga are exercised in ways that give greater voice to the people, to the mana whenua groups in this area, I think that the intention of the Supplementary Order Paper reflects this and it is a very helpful set of amendments. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EAgain, I said I really think that these are points of clarity; they are not really substantial amendments. So, in so far as recognising the spirit of the original settlement and the way in which the amendments provide greater clarity for the intent, I think those are very helpful additions to the bill. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022 data-id=\u00222e57fa550eea4d95bb86bcc9f29791a6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222e57fa550eea4d95bb86bcc9f29791a6\u0022\u003ERINO TIRIKATENE (Labour\u2014Te Tai Tonga):\u003C/span\u003E M\u014Drena, Mr Chair, and t\u0113n\u0101 koutou e te Whare. I am pleased to make a very brief contribution on this Ng\u0101 Mana Whenua o T\u0101maki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill. I am from the south. It is quite a distance away, and we may not seem to have very close immediate connections with a lot of the activities, the histories, and the maungas that are dealt with in this piece of legislation, but, actually, we do. I just refer back to our korero in relation to the Te Urewera-T\u016Bhoe Bill. There is such a broad, wonderful, and rich history for all the tribes around the country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI look at Part 3 of this bill, which deals with the T\u016Bpuna Maunga o T\u0101maki Makaurau Authority, and that body comprises two representatives from Marut\u016Bahu; two from Ng\u0101ti Wh\u0101tua; two from Waiohua, T\u0101maki; six from the Auckland Council; and one from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. It is all good\u2014pai ana t\u0113n\u0101 with that body. But when we talk about those maunga, I think we also need to acknowledge that the history and whakapapa of those maunga spans a lot broader. It goes even hundreds of years further back. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI have mentioned before in previous k\u014Drero on this bill the example of my own whakapapa from North Taranaki, south Tainui ancestors of Maki, where the name T\u0101maki-makau-rau comes from. Maki, T\u016Bp\u0101hau, and Karewa were men famous in the Ng\u0101ti Awa alliance that swept up through T\u0101maki and further north, and they held sway at Maungakiekie for a time. The ancestors of Ng\u0101ti Toa and Ng\u0101ti R\u0101rua lived among Waiohua and, indeed, Toa-Rangatira\u2019s grandfather Korokino was born at Maungakiekie. It was his umbilical cord that was tied to a t\u014Dtara sprig, and what grew from that was the t\u014Dtara tree that became tapu on Maungakiekie. That tree was chopped down by a European, one of the early settlers of Auckland\u2014not to be confused with the Mike Smith incident, which came much later with a different tree.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220a84a299195f40ffbf7bf15a18dc0165\u0022\u003EHon Trevor Mallard\u003C/span\u003E: And it wasn\u2019t the general secretary of the Labour Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002263b00778a5a64f1397a117fee41c223c\u0022\u003ERINO TIRIKATENE\u003C/span\u003E: No, no, it was not the general secretary of the Labour Party. I just make that point because we support the membership to administer these maunga, but it is important to note that the history around those maunga spreads right across the whole motu\u2014right across the country. You could say that the ancestors of the tribes in Taranaki, right down to Te Upoko o Te Ika and to Te Wai Pounamu even, and right across to the Bay of Plenty, all regarded those mountains as home at some stage. I would like to think that when we talk about the tribes and the chiefs back in those days\u2014I think it was Michael Jackson who said in a song: \u201CI\u2019m a lover not a fighter.\u201D I think it was from \u201CThe Girl is Mine\u201D. Anyway, the point I am making is that those chiefs were lovers and fighters, and they had what we call \u201Cmahi rangatira\u201D, which they did back in the day. It is a much richer history, which actually binds all the tribes together, when you go back to those t\u016Bpuna. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI just wanted to make the point in relation to this bill that we support the body and all of the technical amendments that have been made. It has been a very good rewrite from the draftspeople and everyone who has been involved. It is also good to note the connections that all tribes effectively have\u2014[Bell rung] Thank you, Mr Chair; I was just wrapping up. It is important to acknowledge the connections that all the tribes have from a much richer and more expansive history that goes back 600-plus years to the tribes that are represented in the body of the Ng\u0101 Mana Whenua o T\u0101maki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022 data-id=\u002271725fd6ca4a4f10af48fb943882ef27\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002271725fd6ca4a4f10af48fb943882ef27\u0022\u003EHon NANAIA MAHUTA (Labour\u2014Hauraki-Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E Now that I have gathered my whakaaro about this, prompted very well by Rino Tirikatene, there is one substantive part of the amendments that I would like to comment on and that is with regard to the Hauraki Marine Gulf Park. This is in relation to some things that are happening with the council in relation to the Sea Change project. There are a number of iwi interests included in the Sea Change project and a part of the Hauraki Marine Gulf Park that are not totally captured by the mana whenua interests in this particular bill, the Ng\u0101 Mana Whenua o T\u0101maki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill. From what I can determine of the intention of clause 163(2) and (3), it is amended to include three more areas in the park, and in some sense that is a prospective enabling provision. But in its practical application what it does allow for is the ability for the Sea Change project to proceed in a way that takes account of all the interests within the T\u0101maki isthmus, and this is a good thing. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe Hauraki Gulf is a beautiful part of the Auckland isthmus. Part of my electorate extends into this area. A number of the mana whenua iwi named in this bill, and certainly within my electorate boundary, are involved in the ongoing broader management of the Hauraki Gulf. There are real opportunities to be derived from having a functioning Sea Change project, which can benefit everybody who lives in the Hauraki area and the Auckland area. Often in the summer periods if you go out to Clevedon and out to Ng\u0101 Tai and Maraetai there, you have an opportunity to experience the beauty and also the recreational value derived from those areas all along the coast, right the way round to Coromandel. You see the real beauty of the Hauraki Gulf. You also have an opportunity to try some Clevedon oysters. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe quality of the marine space is quite important and the activity, both recreational and commercial, and in the aquaculture space, is a real opportunity there. So it seems to me that the provision in clause 163, in particular, which is including other areas in this space and which is to be inclusive in the way in which the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act operates, is a positive one and it is an enabling one. It ensures that the mana whenua interests expressed in the T\u0101maki Collective bill can be expressed in the management and the Sea Change project. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EI would like to just comment briefly in a general sense on other aspects, because the amendments are very technical in nature, and they are quite straightforward. As I said previously, they reflect the intent of this settlement. They amplify the ambitions around greater management for the maunga within the T\u0101maki isthmus, and they also provide greater clarity to the public about their access to maunga that many New Zealanders cherish, and which now allows mana whenua to express their history as it relates to T\u0101maki, as my colleague Rino Tirikatene so eloquently put to it you earlier in the Committee. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EWe believe that the bill should proceed forthwith. I look forward to seeing how this bill is implemented in terms of the spirit of collective relationships amongst mana whenua in T\u0101maki Makaurau. This is a new way of doing things. It is a different way. I remain to be\u2014hopefully\u2014well convinced that this is a model that others can look to about how you work together in densely populated areas where there are significant overlapping mana whenua interests and a number of key historical and heritage sites, like the volcanic cones within the T\u0101maki isthmus. With that said, again I say that I hope that the bill proceeds fairly quickly to its third reading.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022 data-id=\u0022b0f11b3030884bc6ab3700936935bddf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b0f11b3030884bc6ab3700936935bddf\u0022\u003EThe CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson)\u003C/span\u003E: I have received some advice, so because there was one debate, I am going to run past the preamble again.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EPreamble agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 469 in the name of the Hon Christopher Finlayson to Part 1 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EPart 1 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 469 in the name of the Hon Christopher Finlayson to Part 2 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EPart 2 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 469 in the name of the Hon Christopher Finlayson to Part 3 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EPart 3 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 469 in the name of the Hon Christopher Finlayson to Part 4 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EPart 4 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 469 in the name of the Hon Christopher Finlayson to Part 5 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EPart 5 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003ESchedule 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003ESchedule 2 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003ESchedule 3 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 469 in the name of the Hon Christopher Finlayson to schedule 4 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EAmendment agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003ESchedule 4 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003ESchedule 5 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 469 in the name of the Hon Christopher Finlayson to schedule 6 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003ESchedule 6 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 469 in the name of the Hon Christopher Finlayson to insert new schedule 7 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EAmendment agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EClause 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 469 in the name of the Hon Christopher Finlayson to clause 2 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EClause 2 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EProgress to be reported presently.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EHouse resumed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EThe Chairperson reported the Te Urewera-T\u016Bhoe Bill with amendment, and that the Committee had divided it into two bills, and the Ng\u0101 Mana Whenua o T\u0101maki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill with amendment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EReport adopted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20140618a9a661bc48ec4ed4b21c39a66ef3f8d3000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002270fa4cbd-9380-4916-9f2a-78da059d220e\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 10.27 a.m. (Thursday)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"