"\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=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022fa89d91c730841fa8a7262ff8afae8cb\u0022\u003EWEDNESDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 2018\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002295c59f48173844c99189af49c7b2f7f8\u0022\u003EWEDNESDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 2018\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000002\u0022\u003EThe Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000004\u0022\u003EPrayers.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022defc86853e0e48549eecf58a5cd06146\u0022\u003EMotions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00222314d695c6ca4702bfb127cf6e2dc50e\u0022\u003ESamoa\u2014Influenza Epidemic Anniversary\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022 data-id=\u0022b782399ec2454545be1a981e29e43744\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b782399ec2454545be1a981e29e43744\u0022\u003EHon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO (Minister for Pacific Peoples):\u003C/span\u003E I seek leave to move a motion without notice and without debate to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the influenza epidemic in Samoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e6a3c18f1fd641d39242dbe1bd47a4bf\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Is there any objection to that course of action? There is none.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002282ef99106ad14151a44e05c5c024d20b\u0022\u003EHon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO\u003C/span\u003E: I move, That this House acknowledge that today marks the 100th anniversary of the New Zealand ship Talune arriving in Apia from Auckland, carrying foreign passengers with influenza that subsequently infected approximately 8,500 people, more than 22 percent of Samoa\u2019s population, which is one of the most disastrous epidemics recorded anywhere in the world in proportion of deaths to population.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022843555883a85433b9f7dc054d6d6a777\u0022\u003EPrivilege\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002213bdd0df694d43cabc2dace483a14c4b\u0022\u003EParliamentary Security\u2014Threat of Cyber-Attacks\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u002230b8adbd9def4d109402bd6a445ba563\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002230b8adbd9def4d109402bd6a445ba563\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Members, I have been concerned at the possible threat that cyber-attacks may pose to the security of our Parliament. It is a concern shared with my predecessor, the Rt Hon David Carter, who began work to address it in his time as Speaker. Such attacks are known to have occurred in overseas parliaments. Whether they seek to disrupt the business of Parliament or Government or to target individual members and their constituents, it is important that Parliament is as well defended as possible from such attacks.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003ETaking steps to prevent overseas intrusions into our information systems also raises the issue of allowing high levels of access to a third party provider in the parliamentary complex in relation to member and staff devices. The exercise of such access must be balanced against members\u2019 freedom to carry out their functions as elected representatives and the House\u2019s power to control its own proceedings and precincts without outside interference.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EThe parliamentary precincts are also a workplace for both parliamentary employees and employees of Government departments. Access to parliamentary information systems must therefore also have regard to the respective rights of employers and employees, and the role of the Speaker as responsible Minister, and the Prime Minister and her Ministers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EBefore undertaking further steps to secure Parliament against cyber-attacks, I believe that we need to assure ourselves that such security measures will not obstruct members and officers of the House in the discharge of their duties. The matter is one that should be considered by the Privileges Committee. Consequently, I have determined that a general question of privilege arises. The question stands referred to the Privileges Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c72106739b5942098b745156f1b4aba6\u0022\u003EOral Questions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f2230625584040bca35a2135db00417a\u0022\u003EQuestions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002254546f44bd6e4f25942d28145d0f400c\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 1\u2014Regional Economic Development\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022 data-id=\u002285dbf1dbd71e4917abb3e785ce64f68c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003E1. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002285dbf1dbd71e4917abb3e785ce64f68c\u0022\u003EMARK PATTERSON (NZ First)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: What recent announcements have been made regarding Provincial Growth Fund support to economic development agencies?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022 data-id=\u0022a712043f8e584be39267f520c14e3481\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a712043f8e584be39267f520c14e3481\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU (Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Regional Economic Development)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister for Regional Economic Development: On behalf of the Minister, I would like to take this opportunity to address the lack of acknowledgement of the hard work of the under-secretary and his efforts around economic development agencies. He\u2019s been travelling up and down the country and doing a lot of good work, but with regard to the announcement, I have to acknowledge that the under-secretary was able to recently talk to Economic Development New Zealand and make the announcement that we are able to provide critical support through the Provincial Growth Fund, and we have done that in the way of a $985,000 contribution over three years, which will ensure that they are able to produce a comprehensive professional development programme and a suite of best-practice resources for the economic development agencies (EDAs).\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a1e6d4b2899e40e6838107c832d4f26f\u0022\u003EHon Nathan Guy\u003C/span\u003E: What\u2019s he talking about?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d88992f1634a4dc98270d93b21fb71f5\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU\u003C/span\u003E: Well, you wouldn\u2019t know.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022789a229aac6b436d8436af196a26233c\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member will resume his seat. The under-secretary will stand, withdraw, and apologise for his last comment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d0721c8b1c84404eaeaa8830a0fe5c6e\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU\u003C/span\u003E: I withdraw and apologise, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222e2d7ba2e9f64cf3ae19b958c40576f9\u0022\u003EMark Patterson\u003C/span\u003E: What work are you undertaking, as part of the Provincial Growth Fund, to help economic development agencies build capability in our regions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c7cdf5091d4242de8364f123ba977862\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, our EDAs have been doing a great lot of work over the last few years, but there have been a particular few who have shown, through their efforts and engagement with the Provincial Growth Fund, just what can be done and what can be achieved and how EDAs have made a huge contribution to the empowerment of the Provincial Growth Fund. So the work that is being undertaken to help is around the delivery of development and management programmes to help build EDA staff skill sets. We have seen firsthand how, if we have the right people in the right place at the right time, those people on the ground can make a huge difference. This Government wants to make sure that all of our EDAs are fully equipped to succeed in this way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228991fc9db6c04a8588a825520ee6a05e\u0022\u003EMark Patterson\u003C/span\u003E: What role could economic development agencies play in the Government\u2019s regional development strategy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d0ab4dbfcee04f3b9bbff36a3c923a4a\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, regional economic development agencies are a critical part of bringing together our regions\u2019 stakeholders and ensuring that everyone is on the same page. Each EDA is actually quite unique and has evolved differently over time, and they will be required to evolve as we move forward. They are not Government agencies or departments, and neither should they be. So what we\u2019re trying to achieve here is to ensure that the work that we are undertaking in the Government is about EDAs optimising their position to represent their regions in the best possible way. From Kait\u0101ia to Invercargill, EDAs have that crucial role\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ee07c86eae65405088422a8ba9b2125d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I think we have had enough, and we\u2019ll have the daily grammar lesson, as well: there\u2019s no such thing as \u201Cquite unique\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022eb4516de9a2d4abb86f1799ef70fc30e\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 2\u2014Prime Minister\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022 data-id=\u002269dab3dc129b409da357fa99eb5ab96d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E2. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002269dab3dc129b409da357fa99eb5ab96d\u0022\u003EHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader\u2014National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government\u2019s statements and actions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022 data-id=\u00220b57d6371bae4a10b89b8a3e07ec06bb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220b57d6371bae4a10b89b8a3e07ec06bb\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Prime Minister: On behalf of the Prime Minister, yes, particularly those actions which have seen our economy thrive, leading to a rate of unemployment of 3.9 percent\u2014the lowest figure since the Labour - New Zealand First confidence and supply Government a decade ago. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aa79fcaeb0ae4d6a82fdc5baf5162771\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Will new information being looked at in the Karel Sroubek case include the burglary of his estranged wife\u2019s house just days after Sroubek learnt it had gone on the market? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002260597631bbb64ea5b479c1d6d32a8382\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: All the information will be looked at that was available at the time that he should have been exported from our country, according to the evidence starting to emerge now, and was not\u2014and was not. And I can say that over 150 decisions were made by the previous Government, of that nature\u2014of that nature\u2014and after 2014, those decisions were made not by the Minister but the same officials that advised Mr Iain Lees-Galloway. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002261515fc65ec44db8814330b19b6ed41f\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Will the investigation look at whether police have questioned Karel Sroubek about a break-in at his estranged wife\u2019s house?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022372224804e7042df9036fd9a75fd9f55\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Again, all the information that should have been available to this Minister, and which will be available now, and should have been available, because of the way it was being handled by certain people in the bureaucracy, clearly\u2014maybe not\u2014and which was the reason that the 19 September letter from the Hon Iain Lees-Galloway is loaded with caveats as to whether or not he\u2019s told the truth. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b5bc6b390c04425bb869f459411db31f\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Prime Minister changed her mind from yesterday, when she declared it wasn\u2019t the officials\u2019 case, and can we take it from her answers today that she is now blaming them?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227a443c31c3f740a69d05a8280994cf40\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Let me make it very clear: the Prime Minister is not one to rush to make a judgment on other people, unlike some, but she wisely pointed to the fact that there has to be a reason for this mistake, and, personally, I think we\u2019ve found it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225fb88913034f43db82a1d58577e4027a\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I\u2019m just going to do the reminder now, on the \u201Con behalf\u201D\u2014we\u2019ve got to get the persons right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227bcbc4d86a644fc5957e2d51235c1cb2\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Has she been informed about any recent intimidation by Karel Sroubek?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f90eb726bede471b84a377b030ddc553\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: The Prime Minister is relying upon the inquiry that has been appropriately ordered by the Minister of Immigration, and when that inquiry is complete, we\u2019ll all be au fait with the information, which, we must say, should have been available to us from the word go, but was not.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a62398f06b5d41b8b8b6458359b1f00b\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022793e172ec0de4eb78b31539d966d5424\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: Because you didn\u2019t do your job, that\u2019s why.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d0c419d4e7ac42e3bbb7f994f65cdd11\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002256d9ebc5ee2a412b90e233ab11fdc63c\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Does, as she described it today, \u201Cabsolute discretion\u201D also mean \u201Cabsolute responsibility\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f9f116fa20c94e788ae7dba9ae683643\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I don\u2019t know why we\u2019re having this Philadelphia lawyer type of argument about what it means. We believe in common sense and plain facts, and the plain fact is that the Minister was relying upon the same people that made over 152 decisions of the previous Government, and he was entitled to rely upon an officialdom properly, adequately, and fully prepared to advise him. We are finding out now what happened, and when we do, rather than make some cheap political points, we\u2019ll own up to the party who was mainly responsible, and we\u2019re looking at it. It sits over there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c7aa783ab7f947b389f6bb08a3ca1e34\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: If, as the Prime Minister just described, they are looking at plain facts, isn\u2019t it the plain fact that her Minister of Immigration didn\u2019t ask the right questions and instead has given residency to someone who has committed passport fraud, forced a family into witness protection, continuously lied to officials, and has been convicted of drug smuggling?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002235b5d643498848849b89d01f8d4bbb98\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: The answers to those four questions are: no, no, no, no. The one that is a yes\u2014on behalf of the Prime Minister\u2014is: which was the party that enabled him to travel offshore, despite all of those matters of grave concern that they exhibit now? That party was the National Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d25778f6d11a49b792fed1370b891b79\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 3\u2014Finance\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022 data-id=\u0022ba075a5940be4badab268c452e71bc4d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E3. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ba075a5940be4badab268c452e71bc4d\u0022\u003EWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: What recent announcements has he made about Budget 2019?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u00224ca35ae014c944d59fe0c1d3c26ba020\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224ca35ae014c944d59fe0c1d3c26ba020\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E As widely signalled, Budget 2019 will be New Zealand\u2019s first well-being Budget. We have identified five core priorities that will define this Budget. They cover the areas where we think the outcomes will make a substantive difference to both our current and future well-being. One of these will be mental health. This coalition will finally be giving mental health the priority and focus it deserves. This will see my ministerial colleagues working together to produce initiatives that are squarely focused on long-term intergenerational improvements in mental health.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b0b0bfcca17a487db05209b9ba698deb\u0022\u003EWillow-Jean Prime\u003C/span\u003E: Why has the Government made mental health a priority?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002266e3f50d63ca415f94cd115e26bcd30f\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: We can no longer track our success as a country on just a narrow measure such as GDP growth. We are moving beyond GDP to look not just at our financial health but also the well-being of our people, the health of our environment, and the strength of our communities. Mental health is an obvious example of an issue that has a significant say in our overall well-being. What makes our approach to addressing it different is that by making it an overall priority for the Budget, all Ministers and agencies are expected to identify how they can contribute to it. We will be breaking down the silos of Government and finding a new way of working which will see, for example, education, justice, health, and other areas working together for long-term mental health outcomes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022adb429b5c4b146d19c0d109e1735de5d\u0022\u003EWillow-Jean Prime\u003C/span\u003E: What are the other Budget priorities?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d4131dcefbdd420ba302fb483d3563d7\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: The full detail of our Budget priorities will be revealed during the Budget Policy Statement on 13 December. They will include sustainably growing and modernising our economy, lifting children\u2019s well-being, and, as I\u2019ve already said, giving mental health the focus that it needs. I can also assure the House that as part of our well-being Budget I will still keep a close eye on our finances and a steady hand on the economic wheel. We owe that to future generations, but we also owe to them and to all of our communities the chance to live fulfilling and meaningful lives and to be valued more than just as numbers on a balance sheet.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002276ed7c6cd78a49f7a227aae8b5aa7e4b\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 4\u2014Immigration\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022 data-id=\u0022f4208af2153e4a8f86a7904b21ebec54\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E4. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f4208af2153e4a8f86a7904b21ebec54\u0022\u003EHon MARK MITCHELL (National\u2014Rodney)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions in relation to Karel Sroubek, also known as Jan Antolik?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022 data-id=\u0022b0c2b70daf524b3e8fd508a74d3da9c6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b0c2b70daf524b3e8fd508a74d3da9c6\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister of Immigration):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, in the context of the information that was provided to me at the time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223114e6bf6933485abd45ebdcf1484e19\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister agree with the Prime Minister\u2019s statement that there has been a mistake in the Karel Sroubek case?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002252e49e6abc53447ca973edd135628df2\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: As the member is aware, there is an investigation under way into this matter. It is important that I do not prejudice the investigation or any possible further action. Because of this ongoing work, it is not in the public interest for me to answer questions on the matter at this time. I\u2019ll be able to provide more information at the appropriate time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c7f8097d43554584838d4a458586ea27\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. In the question by the deputy leader of our party to the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister stood in this House and said that there had been a mistake made. The Minister has not answered or addressed my question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f05e227440154195bb558bf2446afae0\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: He very certainly did address the question in a way which is absolutely consistent with the long-term policy of this House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224ee75943319f488a9261a7ebe5391196\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: Is the investigation of Immigration New Zealand considering information relating to a break-in at the house of Karel Sroubek\u2019s estranged wife?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223a925bb7d1b0421c8d4ddc6bad44d42c\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: I refer the member to my previous answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a488c5912fee4b9a9f50a6c9b23ce03b\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: Is the investigation by Immigration New Zealand considering information relating to a New Zealand family being put into the police witness protection programme as a result of actions by Karel Sroubek?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eaef098780b74949bce0c4506957533e\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: I refer the member to my previous answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022797202cb1348445cbdf4d1c082a85d8c\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: Is the investigation by Immigration New Zealand considering the facts around Karel Sroubek undertaking business trips back to Europe while on bail?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec336068af794142b1536e5eea412ce0\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: I refer the member to my previous answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002212749006d19a457f946185fb2f6ac5fb\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: Is the investigation by Immigration New Zealand considering Karel Sroubek\u2019s involvement and contacts within Operation Ark?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022165271fc0b6a4ba0a7dc23217c4c4cdf\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: I refer the member to my previous answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223c5917bd-9c2f-4bdf-af2f-b13cd1a2c8bb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002250c4cff45c9441499f3bc8926856f385\u0022\u003EDr Liz Craig\u003C/span\u003E: Does he or his office have any record of Mr Mitchell asking to receive a briefing in relation to the Sroubek case?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002252178d13357d4d669177bef512f71dc0\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221ae7f2ad0a9a408e8860135b7c119e56\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: To the Minister\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002234a6c9131046412aad05c0af1ad8e1b5\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Why would you seek a briefing when the Minister can\u2019t tell you anything?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d6aa537e6fd24c5ea24659af1bfeab81\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member has started his question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a3d19b3e10774054b81c07a9e9526d8b\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: Does he believe Karel Sroubek is in any danger from the Government of the Czech Republic?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233f7c3e4be0a4b5d827894ee364f6930\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: I refer the member to my previous answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229244f156f04e48138e6b10a3a50fba1a\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. It is of course the right of any Minister not to answer a question because they deem the answer to be inappropriate as far as public interest is concerned, but there was a patsy question from the Minister\u2019s own party asking him if he had received any requests for a briefing, from the Hon Mark Mitchell, on this matter. Are we to believe from that, and could the Minister perhaps elucidate to the House, as to whether he would give Mr Mitchell any more answers than he\u2019s been prepared to publicly give to this House today?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002260fea92ea3934cad82f07479c9d80982\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, that\u2019s a very satisfactory supplementary question. If the member wants to ask it, go ahead.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225385389cf46b4ea7a93f8acea3681a4b\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: If the Minister were to receive a request from me asking for a briefing in relation to Karel Sroubek\u2019s residency, would he provide that briefing?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022af4e8854533643c391a8e3ea3144ad8c\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I\u2019m interested that the member is asking me that question, because he\u2019s already claimed that he asked for such a briefing. He has not, but if he does ask, I\u2019ll consider it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002280913bc99e594b32b8673d01f3099830\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I would just like to clarify for the House that I\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222019a9785bb54351a1bd1a5125cea118\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, is this a supplementary?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002259a572d95b6e48388d8fc5b441723e16\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s addressing\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002287851c5fa08743338a512b2bcb2242eb\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: So it\u2019s a point of order?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022db6cfa4b1e9b4f7e90e8ce4ff863dee6\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s a point of order for personal explanation, Mr Speaker. There is in fact a request\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022300c1da2e4314183a1ead81851fcfc99\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, no. You can\u2019t seek an explanation. It either a point of order or it\u2019s not.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225e268d205c914df592e3865f4261ad62\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. There is a request from my office to the Minister\u2019s office for a briefing\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002207d7781e717046c0a929ce18dc04814c\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I think that if the member wants to make a personal explanation, he may, but he must seek the leave of the House to do it. He doesn\u2019t just try and do it in an unparliamentary manner, as he did.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a9f0cad024d948d9889954b0aa19354a\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: Could I seek the leave of the House to make a personal explanation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228b61a109e814e1f947deae2215358db\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220de7f6c3d3b44953ac7c1caadeadc588\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: This morning, after a request, I wrote a formal letter to the Minister offering to attend a briefing by him and his officials on why he granted residency to Karel Sroubek. That is in the internal parliamentary mail system at the moment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e985c07030e74eeb8bab50f96ebb0999\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 5\u2014Immigration\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022 data-id=\u002220fc907fa9f6402596ca3c87977ea939\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E5. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002220fc907fa9f6402596ca3c87977ea939\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Immigration: Other than Karel Sroubek\u2019s lawyer and family members, who made representations on his behalf in respect of his deportation liability?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022 data-id=\u0022a24795bc33a04359a13d53812d4ff921\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a24795bc33a04359a13d53812d4ff921\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister of Immigration):\u003C/span\u003E Along with Mr Sroubek\u2019s legal representatives and family, a number of other people did make representations on his behalf in relation to the decision to deport him that I considered as part of my decision. As the member is aware, there is an investigation under way into this matter. It is important that I do not prejudice the investigation or possible further action as a result. Because of this ongoing work, it is not in the public interest for me to specify who made representations. I will provide more information at the appropriate time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022373299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002270afd625bfd84f3b8ca495bec2520e72\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Did Alex Swney, an inmate with Mr Sroubek at Wiri Prison, make representations in support of his application not to be deported?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bbddc41861a74ebc9f2652eb8c21360c\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: I refer the member to my primary answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002235c114267cd6443fba05602279a3bc88\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: What are you hiding?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002255db795273d045cd8fd13185c872dff6\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The Hon Nick Smith will stand, withdraw, and apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fe3c1cea09fb4382b78284edd397cb94\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: For saying \u201CWhat are you hiding?\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226f3880c88d3d4b77add812a0dfa4d099\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: And there will a deduction of supplementaries as a result of the further interjection.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d2edcb77c26e435fb48d2e0e9070a4c5\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: I withdraw and apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022517650c6ed504cf2b1abb11ac02782d2\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Did John Sinclair, Mr Sroubek\u2019s yoga instructor, make representations in support of his application not to be deported?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a8c28a3d53d14a5a8d0fda154d6edd4d\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: I refer the member to my primary answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022db30e15c80c84b80897f70c40ead413f\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Did Richie Hardcore, former martial arts champion, make representations in support of his application not to be deported?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eee377dd7e5a4339be6bf03044adeeb2\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: I refer the member to my primary answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cdc7f7547a304bada2858efa7e6889f6\u0022\u003EKieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: Does he or his office have any record of Mr Woodhouse offering to provide information in relation to Karel Sroubek?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002248dae607f21a4a3ba972c9eaa77ba997\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ed3e0c9503154fdca079ddd4380d3e40\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. One of the rules of question time is that you should not use inference in the way a question\u2019s asked\u2014it\u2019s quite clear; the Clerk will point it out to you\u2014or you shouldn\u2019t make those inferences and you should avoid that type of approach. That question\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223114e3e5eec841fd881923904c98bea1\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: You can\u2019t \u201Cmake\u201D an inference. You can take an inference; you make an implication.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e9c78ce96a9a4b85a9f985fcfdbd7f75\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, well, thank you. Every day you learn, and in this place the rules change every day, so there\u2019s a lot to learn. The point I\u2019m making is that, in asking that question, the member is trying to suggest that somehow Mr Woodhouse or my colleague Mark Mitchell should have known about the Minister\u2019s consideration of this. Now, given that the Minister can\u2019t tell us anything about what he was doing, how on earth could they possibly know to have asked for those briefings earlier?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220301724fdfb246cb9daaa1b37887056f\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I\u2019m not across all of the media, but I got a very clear indication earlier in the day today that, in fact, one of the members the Hon Gerry Brownlee has just referred to had in fact asked for a briefing, because he said so.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bb6d5b7b45354b74b1e8617ef272bf78\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: We haven\u2019t had the answer to that question, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228f9a073e07124c5dafcdcebb13a768ab\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, we did get an answer. It was a very short one.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223e408e8208084544adf1150b32c01ed4\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister denying that the request for a briefing and to offer information was made to him through an intermediary around lunchtime last Wednesday?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b8f92960210b459595aa542adfb2938b\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: I would say to the member that asking a member of the media to backchannel something without making a direct request is hardly an appropriate way to make an offering to a Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221eb4c9c85a72461dbc3085f72eaef726\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: What weight did the Minister place on the representations of supporters of Mr Sroubek who were not family members?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227d69a9e9a05142e3997147ca930bf0ed\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: Not much.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bd9f5078d3d7466ba7b951c8da89edf6\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I\u2019d ask you to reflect on the answers that we\u2019ve had to the last two questions, in that the purpose of question time is for Opposition members to ask questions of the Government. The only answers that were given any information were actually about members of the Opposition and what they might or might not have done in this case.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022041f3b786e87423693e16d687206776d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The member will resume his seat, thank you. It has long been the ruling of Speakers in this House that decisions for deciding not to fully answer questions in this House are decisions for Ministers. They make the decision as to whether something is in the public interest or not, and when they make those pronouncements, the House takes them at their word.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022bdb92167ed6c41dd83feba6689976080\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 6\u2014Social Development\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022 data-id=\u0022a4f1e76ef590462195a7492aba5b0b3c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022\u003E6. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a4f1e76ef590462195a7492aba5b0b3c\u0022\u003EPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Social Development: What announcements has she recently made regarding family violence funding?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022 data-id=\u0022202a8390b4d2455da951e49c624106f7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022202a8390b4d2455da951e49c624106f7\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development):\u003C/span\u003E I was pleased to announce today at the National Collective of Independent Women\u2019s Refuges AGM that the Government is investing $15.379 million from Budget 2018 into wh\u0101nau resilience services. These will provide long-term support beyond our current crisis support services for families who have experienced violence, and will be developed in partnership with communities, wh\u0101nau, and providers. This reflects the Ministry of Social Development\u2019s commitment to kotahitanga, partnering for greater impact, reflecting that we are stronger when we work together.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a111e686ee1c474fae2229bc83e9a717\u0022\u003EPriyanca Radhakrishnan\u003C/span\u003E: Why do we need these new wh\u0101nau resilience services?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b5aa0a0b7ccf48e188eefbb3d9b8646e\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: The majority of family violence providers have said that because most providers are funded for the short-term crisis period, they do not have the capacity to work with wh\u0101nau to break intergenerational cycles of violence. Providers have told us that they have seen the same clients over and over again and are now seeing some of the children and grandchildren of these clients. These new wh\u0101nau resilience services will provide an opportunity for providers to walk alongside these families for up to three years so they can support them toward better long-term outcomes. The sector has welcomed this announcement and the opportunity to provide the best possible services for families in their communities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c84f872423ae4150a10b72899a35e95f\u0022\u003EPriyanca Radhakrishnan\u003C/span\u003E: What will be different about the wh\u0101nau resilience services?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ca5bd723d8c949abaca70c46db84e789\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: Wh\u0101nau resilience services will be a whole new approach to getting the right outcomes and breaking down cycles of violence. We know that different communities and families have different needs, so we want to ensure that service providers have the flexibility and security to be able to provide the right support for everyone who comes through the door. Wh\u0101nau resilience services will be about providing localised solutions and building resilience in our wh\u0101nau and communities so that together we can make a difference in the lives of our wh\u0101nau and our tamariki.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022180b19e5a009471fa320b06580ba77f4\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 7\u2014Finance\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022 data-id=\u0022f574c998a35944509271972ef5c2f69b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003E7. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f574c998a35944509271972ef5c2f69b\u0022\u003EHon AMY ADAMS (National\u2014Selwyn)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all of the Government\u2019s statements, policies, and actions in relation to the economy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u0022f5eaef724a4c45f09190cd2583329e17\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f5eaef724a4c45f09190cd2583329e17\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E That is an excellent question, which the member asks me most days. Each day, I think seriously about my answer to it, and today, with unemployment at a 10-year low of 3.9 percent, I can say that the answer is yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002252f98a7d62724f3bb489595a2774e7f2\u0022\u003EHon Amy Adams\u003C/span\u003E: What advice has the Minister received on the effect that labour market capacity constraints are likely to have on the New Zealand economy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022497505d1924943229757c37a66fed56f\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: We received a lot of advice, both formal and informal, about the importance of getting skilled staff and making sure that there are people available to fill job vacancies. And just today I received advice about the increased labour force participation rate at 71.1 percent, the increased employment rate at 68.3 percent, the decreased unemployment rate at 3.9 percent, and the decrease in the underutilisation rate at 11.3 percent\u2014all important information.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220fffafe980ca474d9320895896b31c95\u0022\u003EHon Amy Adams\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister accept that our current flexible employment system has been a critical factor in New Zealand\u2019s strong employment data?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e855bd33a68244b9829681e539e8903d\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I think it\u2019s important that we have a balance in our employment relations system, to support the excellent work that is going on in businesses around the country, and it is that balance the Government is seeking to achieve.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002227c523a7b697461e964543a02dfa484d\u0022\u003EHon Amy Adams\u003C/span\u003E: Why is this Government looking to change that strong, flexible employment system that has led to today\u2019s low unemployment numbers?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229f370e1f8bb246c0883f63563e8093f7\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: The reason we\u2019re looking to change that is because we believe in fairness.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228dccf445ceb242ed9083c6c2d232f854\u0022\u003EHon Amy Adams\u003C/span\u003E: So with unemployment having fallen, how does this Government explain there being 9,000 more people on jobseeker benefits over the past year\u2014an increase not only in numbers but also in proportion of our working-age population?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224561e03887f3472f870b847a79137793\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Those are matters that the Minister for Social Development is best placed to answer, but I thank the member for her continuing questions today about New Zealand\u2019s decade record low unemployment rate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dcab8e51736b413983503953b216bf96\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: So close to the famous race in Australasia, can he confirm the economic and social quality of a surplus of $5.5 billion, best growth in two years and higher than the average of the last nine years, lowest unemployment in a decade, and some very favourable polling?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229504b1e9d20e42a29a21d49e2a4c717d\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I can confirm\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022834bc0c5b94740dfb2e80e8f35e7e3da\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, as long as the polling has to do with economic polling.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b1556662c24347918533e791de53f1cd\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Absolutely. I can confirm that New Zealanders believe the country is going in the right direction under this Government, and the other three elements of the trifecta are paying handsomely.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002290dde61804814936ac35f80061ae5d63\u0022\u003EHon James Shaw\u003C/span\u003E: Why is the Minister focusing so much on real data about the real economy and real people rather than on the ANZ business confidence survey?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002235a7fe38fa7549779a532cf0e5112ae4\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: It is tempting to look at business sentiment surveys, but, on this side of the House, we\u2019ll continue to focus on real data, such as a surplus of $5.5 billion, such as an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent, and such as a growth rate of nearly 3 percent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c990e045a7954d04901db86c0625c11a\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 8\u2014Transport\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022 data-id=\u00228b6d4140f0e348789e1563b242a7d71c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E8. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228b6d4140f0e348789e1563b242a7d71c\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by all of his Government\u2019s policies and actions in relation to the transport portfolio?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022 data-id=\u002238305454e98f46ce94a6a09f76fda123\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002238305454e98f46ce94a6a09f76fda123\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport):\u003C/span\u003E Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223d9dfe7c655f4f0587297eb5f222c041\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Is he still committed to a light-rail link from the CBD to Auckland Airport, and, if so, has a detailed business case been completed?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002241a1e9be56ec4a5b9a3ad03585eb7488\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: The detailed business case is currently being completed by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eb8b7155b9b849949396b2bed055ccbf\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Is he still committed to a light-rail link from the CBD to Auckland Airport?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002280b60ade1f4b452da52be08be38d83b0\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c4ea8197cf374a488070f36969504426\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: If the analysis showed that it would be much cheaper and more effective to connect the airport to the current rail system at Puhinui station, would he consider it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002251e65d88b68440709d2395bf5dd91f40\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: I agree with the analysis that\u2019s been done by Auckland Transport, by NZTA, and the Ministry of Transport under the former Government when Simon Bridges was the transport Minister, that light rail is the most appropriate mode to deliver a rapid transit service between the central city and the airport precinct.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226902e3b311c94579be819798885dde2a\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Does he agree with his colleague Shane Jones\u2019 statement to One News that the Marsden Point rail spur is \u201Ca done deal\u201D and that construction is beginning; and, if so, has a business case been completed?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022354ee80cca46447d9c15b428d9f4143a\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: The business case on that excellent project is currently under way, but I think it\u2019s an excellent idea, and I agree with my colleague the Hon Shane Jones.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223b92366493f64c27b5fdbd5c1a201c38\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 9\u2014Health\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022 data-id=\u0022328e42298f0c4e3c857b8700c3f22849\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E9. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022328e42298f0c4e3c857b8700c3f22849\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR (Labour\u2014\u014Ch\u0101riu)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about the new Wellington Children\u2019s Hospital?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022 data-id=\u00221ed6b374467a4e0c8ed28dc851019bca\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221ed6b374467a4e0c8ed28dc851019bca\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E Earlier today, I visited Wellington Hospital for a mauri stone laying ceremony to mark the start of construction for the new children\u2019s hospital. As members may already know, this project has benefited from a substantial donation of $50 million from businessman Mark Dunajtschik, and I want to put on record once again the Government\u2019s thanks for his incredible generosity. Today, I\u2019ve announced that the Government is also committing $45.6 million to the project to build the new Wellington Children\u2019s Hospital. This is a great investment in the health and well-being of future generations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d7a6e4fc291e4bc38ab48fdd37e29ffd\u0022\u003EGreg O\u2019Connor\u003C/span\u003E: How will the new Wellington Children\u2019s Hospital benefit patients, family, and staff?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226badb8cc6aac46da9e9ab26bbfab701d\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: The current children\u2019s hospital is almost 30 years old and has services located around different parts of the regional hospital. This is not ideal for children or families who are already going through a stressful time, nor for hospital staff who want to provide the best service for their patients. This new, purpose-built hospital with state-of-the-art equipment will provide these services under one roof. It\u2019s been designed with children and their wh\u0101nau at the centre, and will make it easier for hospital staff to provide the high-quality care they are so committed to delivering.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d51bdff1867c4683b553b78dfdc63395\u0022\u003EGreg O\u2019Connor\u003C/span\u003E: When will the new Wellington Children\u2019s Hospital be completed?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223af19d2bc3af40d2a1fb7aedb944ee59\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: This is a major project. The new hospital will be spread across three floors and will have 50 beds and 21 clinic rooms. It will feature more single bedrooms but also\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bb2ffe8c87eb4b289869cb867a10981d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! Please answer the question. It\u2019s a very simple question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d29d36dc67004492b9f360f26f53a033\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: To get to the point of the question, I\u2019m advised it will be ready to open in 2021.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ce9cbba4856b4648856017ef3e8e9fc6\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 10\u2014Internal Affairs\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022 data-id=\u002241cfb88fb2e24d40a17d66964a338965\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E10. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002241cfb88fb2e24d40a17d66964a338965\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP (National\u2014Hutt South)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Internal Affairs: Does the report of the Inquiry into the Appointment Process for a Deputy Commissioner of Police recommend that the appointment process be reopened?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022 data-id=\u00226ead7d5faf4d4b27a33f9ad603546499\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226ead7d5faf4d4b27a33f9ad603546499\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN (Minister of Internal Affairs):\u003C/span\u003E The Government is not going to talk about the findings of the report until it is publicly released. We are following the process recommended by the inquiry, which is to first provide the report to the interested parties.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a1a5250a90404c97ba45814857a0bc6f\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. This is a question on notice. The Minister may think it\u2019s not in the public interest to answer, but she didn\u2019t say that; she said that she\u2019s going to follow some process to do with pre-releases to those affected by the report.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228c9c6d012364c23a10c627eebf1c855\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I think it would\u2019ve been helpful if the Minister added the words \u201Cbecause it\u2019s not in the public interest\u201D or something similar to it. So I\u2019ll ask the Minister to do an addendum to her answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cd46454b3c044a179eed9d02b0055768\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN\u003C/span\u003E: Because it is not in the public interest, we are following the process recommended by the inquiry, which is to first provide the report to the interested parties.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022602b1fa32db445c9aa6a827204cd7552\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister know of any other times that section 15 restrictions have been used with regard to recent inquiries?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d6fc2fdc6d7946d0bc1a7c67a64b715b\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN\u003C/span\u003E: Section 15 has actually only been in existence since the National Government put in the Commissions of Inquiry Act\u20142013\u2014but section 15 restrictions have been used, for example, on the Government inquiry into allegations regarding Judith Collins and a former director of the Serious Fraud Office in 2014, and the Government inquiry into matters concerning the escape of Phillip John Smith in 2015.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c12b9423f22e4e2183a5e87dc8891fa0\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Why did she say yesterday, and is repeating today, that the reason she can\u2019t release the report is because of \u201Cpre-releases to those who need to see the report\u201D\u2014e.g. those who participated in it\u2014when it\u2019s been a public law principle since the Mahon inquiry into Erebus that people mentioned in inquiry reports have an opportunity to comment on the report before its release?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221dedd7eec1b54f5e881f93f551fc41df\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN\u003C/span\u003E: It is only fair that the people involved in the inquiry receive the report before the public does. We want to do this as soon as possible and are getting advice, including legal advice, on how best to do this. We are following the process recommended by the inquiry. There were a range of people interviewed by Mary Scholtens QC who will be affected by the report one way or another. We are very mindful of any potential impact on these people. The member may want to consider those people also.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226ef873a7678d4e07b940b6fe95b1ee95\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Does the report of the inquiry into the appointment process for a Deputy Commissioner of Police make findings or recommendations in relation to the allegations of bullying against Mr Haumaha made by the three public servants who worked with him?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ed5f23069ad04e6f9099d14ab54db619\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN\u003C/span\u003E: I refer the member to my answer to the primary question. It is those people exactly who we are trying to make sure are protected.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228d3fa2b680b3442782289cd37a1f9740\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm, in light of the report, which she has seen, that the allegations of a cover-up are just plain ridiculous?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222c109d4543584173ad12874b13eb761c\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN\u003C/span\u003E: Unfortunately, the scope of the inquiry is not around the terrible allegations put forward by members of this Parliament.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224de8e144f924424d94baa53b8c7480f8\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Will she recommend to the Prime Minister that the appointment process for a Deputy Commissioner of Police is reopened?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002282fb3c3c04d8460fada08fc1d61e1a91\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN\u003C/span\u003E: That is not my capacity. I do not have the ability to recommend to the Prime Minister. It is not within my job description to do so. There is an inquiry that has been undertaken. That inquiry will be released when it is appropriate to do so. It will be released by the Minister of State Services and then he will deal with those issues that the member raises.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022274770ffc0d945b6b2a0867fd61cfb30\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Why is the Minister of State Services releasing the inquiry when the report was to her as the appointing Minister for the inquiry?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229d6e0303d6d5434b96b6f53985a6a248\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN\u003C/span\u003E: The job that I\u2019ve had as the Minister of Internal Affairs was to make sure that the inquiry was completed independently and under the Inquiries Act as implemented by the previous Government. That has been completed. An oral item has been taken to Cabinet. It will now be handed over to the Minister of State Services as soon as we are confident that all parties involved have been given an opportunity to see the report.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002235cd240eb41f41dea60b987f1715862b\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Why has she not given a copy of the report to the Minister of Police, Stuart Nash, when it was a joint Cabinet paper in the name of him and Prime Minister Ardern that proposed appointing Mr Haumaha in the first place?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227b06589c851c40a4a02081795a08fd51\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN\u003C/span\u003E: My job was to make sure that there was an independent inquiry into the appointment process of the Deputy Commissioner of Police. I delivered an oral item to the Cabinet. The Cabinet decided that the Minister who would then be best placed to take possession of the inquiry report and release it and follow through with anything, should there need to be anything followed through with, would be the Minister of State Services.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229ef8db42fe9d45db8ac14ccded7c2542\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. That was all very interesting, but the question was why she hasn\u2019t given a copy of the report to the police Minister. It had nothing to do with what she just said.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f355b52829f0433b8cc01e45be7cd964\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I think if the member had listened, he would\u2019ve worked out that it had everything to do with what she just said.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223385be23287e40849e7c20ac1fe626d2\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Yesterday, you were quick to correct Marama Davidson when she mentioned that a particular law had been passed by the National Government\u2014a piece of law, at that stage, that we were very pleased to have recognised as being our work\u2014and insisted that she should refer to it as a law passed by Parliament, which is, of course, most correct. But today, when the Hon Tracey Martin made a similar suggestion in an attempt to, I suppose you would say, blacken the reputation of the National Party, you allowed it to stand. Can we just have a little bit of consistency when it comes to what are, effectively, political attacks from Ministers who are supposed to be answering questions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233a4ec4763724a6a8ac272f2cde893b3\u0022\u003EHon Tracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: Speaking to the point of order\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002217d445b4b9934f9e81e0fc3a7d197494\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, no, I don\u2019t think we need to. The fact that one member said a bill was passed by a Government and the other was\u2014I think, and I\u2019m happy to go back and have a look\u2014passed under a Government; they are quite different things.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022af5bd55a05dd4872ab963459bbbbc505\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s not what she said. The Hansard will show.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221fbeac9dcaef4d939c32f2cc19c989d7\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: If I got it wrong, then I apologise to the member, but my intent\u2014I didn\u2019t go off at that particular comment from Tracey Martin.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c7bdab20479d4c94b7ac6c554218161d\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 11\u2014Energy and Resources\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022 data-id=\u002296c9d1a090e54dc2be44de093134b78c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E11. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002296c9d1a090e54dc2be44de093134b78c\u0022\u003EJONATHAN YOUNG (National\u2014New Plymouth)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Energy and Resources: Does she stand by all her answers to oral question No. 10 yesterday?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022 data-id=\u00220092623e97d74502962403d54509fbf8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220092623e97d74502962403d54509fbf8\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Energy and Resources):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, in the context in which they were given.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002211aefe0f6ceb4460b15863939e705230\u0022\u003EJonathan Young\u003C/span\u003E: So when the Minister said yesterday \u201Cthis Government is intent on building a resilient energy system with more resilient forms of renewable energy.\u201D, how many megawatts of new renewable generation will be needed to reliably replace coal, gas, and diesel generation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c7ce4fca1fb3489bb65a0f80b2d461aa\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: As we\u2019ve traversed many times in this House, the Transpower report makes it really clear that we, roughly, need to, by 2050, double the amount of electricity generation in this country. That equates to a very achievable target of around the equivalent of 4.5 wind farms per year. I would point that member to the very good decision that Genesis Energy have made in recent weeks to build a 100-megawatt wind farm in Taranaki as a sign of the good things to come.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229106646c30e9446982aa43ddb8daf5d3\u0022\u003EJonathan Young\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. This question was, I think, relatively simple. The Minister has talked for weeks about the transition away from fossil fuels. She ought to know what coal, gas, and diesel generation represents\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228596809b4bd44c08db51cd209053c0a\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Does the member have a point\u2014the fact that the member doesn\u2019t like the answer is not a point of order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d2ef855421c442698540a5121d1f4bcc\u0022\u003EJonathan Young\u003C/span\u003E: Well, she didn\u2019t answer the question. I asked how many megawatts of new renewable generation would be needed to replace those elements that exist today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022800cb08e01224b4ba21d6a65de48bc88\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: And I think the Minister did say that renewable generation would have to double.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225f81323f402840e792960f2dbfa8247a\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c38015cb08ba4ff898340b5961213272\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: No, that\u2019s not right. Mr Speaker\u2014speaking to the point of order\u2014what you will find in the Hansard is that the Minister said that the Transpower report says that electricity generation needs to double by 2050. It does not exclude those other sources of generation that are not renewable, and that is why the question has been specifically asked of the Minister today. It\u2019s an important one.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226ea56ff1ed194aa289a5a29c529ce81f\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Ask the question again.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002230510d9d2e1b4078818f656b2082e1d4\u0022\u003EJonathan Young\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, sir. When the Minister said yesterday \u201Cthis Government is intent on building a resilient energy system with more resilient forms of renewable energy.\u201D, how many megawatts of new renewable generation will be needed to reliably replace current coal, gas, and diesel generation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f7007c44bde8415c98ca35ff585a2d95\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: As I said in the previous answer, the Transpower report, which talks not just about electricity but talks about the coming needs of the energy system, talks to a doubling of the need for generation in order to make that transition towards a low-carbon system. That equates to around 4.5 wind farms per year equivalency, of which the member should take great comfort. Genesis Energy announced the building of a 100-megawatt facility in his electorate of Taranaki\u2014that is, the energy and not just the electricity system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227369ee1f4dd64fdfb2703e8430048e3e\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I think the Minister has just demonstrated the point that we\u2019re making by repeating, again, that the Transpower report says doubling of New Zealand\u2019s electrical energy requirements without\u2014remember that a lot of it at the moment does come from non-renewable sources. The question is: if you take the renewable sources out, what do we need? And the answer that she has given does not give us that figure.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022756ceae42c5248468f3e2997fddd81e6\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, and that\u2019s absolutely right. It doesn\u2019t give that figure, and if the member wants specific figures like that, he should have set up his primary questions in order to elucidate them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002257bc30a8fe0142c59bb8be13d415817a\u0022\u003EJonathan Young\u003C/span\u003E: Well, how can New Zealanders be confident in her assurances that there will be no energy supply gap when she doesn\u2019t even know what investment is needed to achieve that assurance?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221766f30c621f4b5d95e613363b44335d\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: We can have confidence because, as I talked about in the reading of the legislation yesterday, there is a large body of evidence that shows that impediments to the transitions to renewable aren\u2019t either financial or technical; they\u2019re around political will, and this Government doesn\u2019t lack in that. That member can have great comfort in the fact that in this country, we have hundreds of megawatts of consented but not yet built renewable energy. We also know that technological change to store the roughly 6 terawatts of surplus energy we produce in summer that we can use in winter is coming not just through battery power but through things like molten salt, like hydrogen, and a range of other storage facilities. I invite that member to join the 21st century.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c7a0e49d61f74b93a80532085d8b0712\u0022\u003EJonathan Young\u003C/span\u003E: So what is the Minister\u2019s view, with lake levels at 62 percent of the historical average for this time of the year, with wind energy generating only 25 percent of its installed capacity over the last 13 weeks, natural gas reserves depleting, the Minister severely limiting future oil and gas exploration, electricity demand\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221e652c5f91dc48778966226b16513e82\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Question, please.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002201ccf443b7be4e498e8a1d357e8703ed\u0022\u003EJonathan Young\u003C/span\u003E: I started with a question. With electricity demand forecast to more than double, as she has said by 2050, what is her view that New Zealand will not be heading into an energy crisis as commentators are starting to say?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d2dc9d93f45347e9998dae785eaafca1\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: First of all, I wish that member would stop scaremongering. We are not in an energy crisis. We have some short-term issues around gas infrastructure and hydro lakes that are still in the normal range. So that member should not try and create a crisis. But this Government is very clear. The problems we are experiencing at the moment are short term, but we have to have a plan to transition to a 100 percent renewable system, and that is what we\u2019re doing. The problems we are seeing at the moment are that member\u2019s party\u2019s failure to act around the opportunities that were in front of them when they were in Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d0a06ee76dd84364ab177f7c318fb40d\u0022\u003EJonathan Young\u003C/span\u003E: After the Minister said yesterday \u201Cthis Government is intent on building a resilient energy system with more resilient forms of renewable energy.\u201D, how many megawatts of new renewable generation is specifically being built in the next 12 months?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002211614949c3b44af4a2c09f4d6def130c\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I can point first of all to the 100 megawatts that was announced to be built in his own electorate. But what we know is that we have hundreds or thousands of megawatts that is consented but not yet built. In terms of building it, that is over to the individual generators, and this Government is working with those generators to give them the long-term signals that there is demand for the building of that renewable energy. The member needs to understand that actually leadership is required from a Government in order to send those long-term signals, and we are doing just that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002245a10d77d12c480181d1605b80478303\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Question No. 12, Dr Deborah Russell.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d350678894e44d52bf63b8ba306e3da9\u0022\u003EJonathan Young\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, I have another supplementary, sir.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226ec2fe8cd0754c9d9e4a64280d218c76\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I\u2019m informed that the National Party has used all its supplementaries. [Interruption] Well, can I have an assurance from the National Party whips\u2014I will do a reconciliation. All right? Further supplementary.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eeef8be5f72742d3808b84c0389e2500\u0022\u003EJonathan Young\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, sir. Following that answer, considering that wind generation over the last 13 weeks was just 25 percent of its installed capacity, what level of investment would be required for wind energy to meet the requirements that she is expecting, particularly around the new Waverley Wind Farm, when she is quoting 100 megawatts?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f3282dad0a744c7982eb4faa4541c3b0\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: One of the things that we know is that wind energy on its own is not sufficient to provide the security of supply that our energy system needs. What I said in a previous answer is that we are a country that produces roughly 6 terawatts of surplus energy in the summer months and has roughly the same deficit in the winter months. So to ask that question without also including what needs to be done in terms of storage capacity misses the opportunities that sit in front of this country. What the member is asking is what the private investment will be from the generators, and they are prepared to make those investments when they see the long-term demand signals and see there is a Government that has a strategy around building a renewable and resilient electricity system, and that is just what we are doing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00222209a82f464e4b408d92d50501a90498\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 12\u2014Revenue\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022 data-id=\u002281599848c54a4b07aaf08daa29f92e33\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003E12. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002281599848c54a4b07aaf08daa29f92e33\u0022\u003EDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour\u2014New Lynn)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Revenue: How is the Government enabling improvements in the way New Zealanders interact with the revenue system?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022a867eef591c3480f8d8410b894a63b8e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a867eef591c3480f8d8410b894a63b8e\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E This week the IRD launched a major public information campaign to tell New Zealanders about the biggest changes to the tax system in a generation and what it will mean for them. Just one example: we are taking legislation through the House that will remove secondary tax codes and provide automatic refunds for 1.6 million New Zealanders. IRD\u2019s online services are being significantly redesigned to make it easier for its 2.9 million users, including businesses, who will be able to file all their returns online.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a0d302cac53a41b59c8a7023af7c82af\u0022\u003EDr Deborah Russell\u003C/span\u003E: How will the improvements to the tax system that are being implemented through the IRD business transformation programme benefit families and low-income earners?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a85102088c814e3cbf4c88357bba1536\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Because of better information. Of the 1.6 million Kiwis who\u2019ll get an automatic refund, around 530,000 individuals are beneficiaries or people who earn less than the minimum wage and who have never applied for a tax refund before, even though they may have been eligible for one. IRD will also be able to proactively manage and adjust entitlements for 330,000 Working for Families customers so that they are always getting the right amount and don\u2019t have a tax debt at the end of the year. Making sure families get what they\u2019re entitled to, and ensuring that individuals are not over-taxed, will help improve the well-being of New Zealanders and their families.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a65258cf5ff343c79e2a184cc7b9eb71\u0022\u003EDr Deborah Russell\u003C/span\u003E: How is the Government ensuring that taxpayers who work a second or third job are not being over-taxed?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022def113e5548f42959f4ddd4ec267dcbc\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: From April 2019, IRD will be receiving salary and other information faster and more frequently. We are proposing that for those Kiwis who work a second or third job, which we know is generally out of need rather than want, they will no longer have the burden of secondary tax. I am disappointed that the Opposition, who are against that bill, want to stand in the way of good, hard-working Kiwis getting their refunds faster.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a8a96d6771c24d899a7523e6b9bdfd7e\u0022\u003EGeneral Debate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022fc665a6c8614466ea303ebb69d75feea\u0022\u003EGeneral Debate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u00221c2b95fd224949e8be4474745cdd8484\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221c2b95fd224949e8be4474745cdd8484\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the House take note of miscellaneous business.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EThis Government is delivering an economic plan that is benefiting all New Zealanders. As the Deputy Prime Minister said, the trifecta is in: a $5.5 billion surplus has been delivered; we have growth rates approaching 3 percent, on average; and today, we have the release of the household labour force survey that shows New Zealand having its lowest unemployment rate in a decade, of 3.9 percent\u20143.9 percent. That is built off the hard work of thousands of New Zealanders every day building our economy, and what that is delivering is not just the lowest unemployment rate in a decade; it\u2019s also filtering through to many parts of the workforce who over the last few years have been struggling. For example, we now have youth NEET rates\u2014those not in employment, education or training\u2014down again to 10.1 percent. That is down from 10.9 percent last quarter and 11.3 percent a year ago.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EBut it gets better, because the NEET rate for women has fallen to 10.1 percent\u2014the lowest since records began in this survey. I know the Hon Willie Jackson is not a man to blow his own trumpet\u2014well, actually, he\u2019s doing it right now at R\u0101tana\u2014but I want to credit the programmes such as Mana in Mahi and He Poutama Rangatahi, which Minister Jackson is overseeing. I also want to credit Carmel Sepuloni for the work on the industry partnership with MSD that is practically getting young people into work and into training on the job.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EThis Government can be proud of its economic record. We have put in place the Families Package that\u2019s put money into the pockets of low and middle income New Zealanders, and we have made sure that the focus is on investing in jobs and in employment. Wages are growing. People are getting into work. This is the real data of the economy. This is the real story of the economy and I just wish the Opposition would cheer up. I just wish that the Opposition would say, \u201CActually, the economy is doing well.\u201D and celebrate that story. But, I can understand it, because I do have one concern about unemployment: Simon Bridges, because he is well on his way to becoming unemployed over that side of the House. I know that when Simon Bridges heard the words 3.9 percent, his heart sank. He thought it was the preferred Prime Minister rating for this month, for him and the National Party. But on this occasion, it\u2019s a good number\u20143.9 percent is a good number.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EHe is, however, I know\u2014or I am\u2014very pleased, I would say, about the under-utilisation rate. This is the idea that more people are getting into work\u2014the people who want more hours. Simon Bridges, however, was worried about the utilisation rate: the under-utilisation rate of Judith Collins. Because if she\u2019s under-utilised, we all know what\u2019s going to happen on the other side of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EBut I can say that, with the polls going the way they are, unemployment is definitely a problem over there. I\u2019d say that whole segment there\u2014out. Gone. Gone for good. I did notice that Nicky Wagner was wearing a name-tag when she came into the House today; probably good practice for Nicky Wagner for the future. All of that lot out. Maureen Pugh is at the bottom of the National Party list, but on this side of the House, we\u2019re with Maureen Pugh\u2019s mum. We\u2019re with her mum, saying, \u201CMaureen, you shouldn\u2019t go.\u201D, but the list will move just a little bit further down the aisle here at the rate National\u2019s going.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EBut, actually, in the end, I say to the National Party: keep talking the economy down. Keeping doing it, because every time they do, it gets better\u2014every time they do it gets better. Here is a tweet from the Hon Simon Bridges from just a couple of months ago. Simon Bridges says, \u201CIt\u2019s started. Unemployment\u2019s up. Is anyone seriously going to debate that this isn\u2019t because of the Arden-Peters Government\u2019s policies? It\u2019s time they acknowledge their responsibility and make serious changes for New Zealanders\u2019 sake.\u201D There is only one serious change that\u2019s required, and it\u2019s Simon Bridges getting out of that seat over there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EOn this side of the House, we are proud of the fact that more New Zealanders are in work, that unemployment\u2019s going down, that youth unemployment is going down, that wages are lifting. That is the sign of an economy that\u2019s working. That is the sign of the fact that this Government has a plan for the economy to benefit all New Zealanders. This coalition Government is on a roll.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022 data-id=\u002282631b1f96d54252af8849724499ce60\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002282631b1f96d54252af8849724499ce60\u0022\u003EHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader\u2014National):\u003C/span\u003E Well, ministerial discretion, by definition, is specific powers that Ministers have to make decisions that are provided to them by the New Zealand Parliament. These decisions are considered so important that the Minister is given power over anyone and anything else. They\u2019re often difficult, complex, and have multiple elements to them. The Minister must have known that the Karel Sroubek decision would be controversial. Let\u2019s be frank: to most people, it would be abhorrent. So when you\u2019re faced with a decision like that, you cross your t\u2019s and you dot your i\u2019s. You get officials into your office. You dig. You ask every question that you can possibly think of. You think about it in every conceivable way, and then you sit on it for a few days and you think about it some more. Then you think of some other questions that you perhaps didn\u2019t ask. One goes back to those officials and asks those questions again and digs in, because they know this will be controversial. They know that the public won\u2019t understand or agree with it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003EThere are even times when, as a Minister, you may take an oral item to Cabinet to inform them of your decision so that they understand. We hear the Prime Minister found out\u2014she told us today\u2014about this decision via the media. So his radar wasn\u2019t even working well enough that he alerted the Prime Minister to something that could be this controversial. You do not do the bare minimum\u2014the bare minimum\u2014expected from a Minister. The bare minimum is what this Minister did\u2014the bare minimum. What I am saying to the Minister of Immigration is: you are a Minister of the Crown; you should put the protection and the safety of New Zealanders first, not an individual, and that is not what has happened.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003EHere\u2019s what we know to date. I do this to help the Minister of Immigration, because we seem to know more about the Karel Sroubek case than, actually, he does.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002298f5d183f19c484b9f5a769dadd43c1d\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Everyone knows more.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022753c1662f3d349a89bdfe584c9dc30ad\u0022\u003EHon PAULA BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah. Everybody seems to know more. Even today, he had to get a patsy question from his colleagues, saying, \u201CYou\u2019re spokesperson on immigration. Please tell me what he knows, because we don\u2019t know anything and it\u2019d be really handy if he kind of let us.\u201D\u2014but, anyway. So he arrived in New Zealand in 2003 under a fake name, fake passport, fleeing from the Czech Republic after some dealings with the Czech police. He gets residency. He stays in New Zealand. Since 2010, he has a rap sheet that would make Tony Soprano think he should be a member of his gang, quite frankly, and one he would be proud of. He was arrested in 2009 on aggravated robbery and blackmail charges.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003EIn 2011, a jury found him guilty of using a false passport and giving false details. He was arrested soon after, as part of Operation Ark, a covert investigation into drugs. I reckon there\u2019s a bit more to come on that, so we\u2019ll keep digging around that one and keep watching that one. That\u2019s a watching brief, because there are a number of people that were involved in Operation Ark and a number that went through that, and the fact that Sroubek is actually part of it just does have another whole lot of links going on there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003EIn 2014, he was charged with manufacturing drugs. A few months later, he was arrested for importing drugs. He then was jailed for almost six years. The Parole Board declined early release because he\u2019s untrustworthy. So the Parole Board declined release, and then Iain Lees-Galloway cancelled his deportation less than 48 hours later. Yeah\u201448 hours later. I know it sounds unbelievable\u2014that\u2019s actually because it is unbelievable\u2014but that is the decision that the Minister made, without telling the Prime Minister and without actually going to his colleagues.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003EHere\u2019s where it gets interesting in the last few days. We\u2019ve got people in witness protection. He allegedly assaulted and intimidated witnesses. The police placed the entire family in witness protection because they were in fear of their lives. Police do not do that lightly. The police actually took this seriously enough. Now we are learning that his estranged wife is having all sorts of dealings to do with the house and that that\u2019s going on sale, and we\u2019ve heard that he\u2019s got caveats on things and everything else. Ironically, when the house goes up for sale, which he didn\u2019t want to happen\u2014because he put a caveat on it\u2014we\u2019re now finding that that house has been burgled. His character is not the type that we want in this country, and that is why he should not have been given residency like he was. There is no way the right decision has been made and no way the right questions were asked of this Minister, and it\u2019s time he took account for it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022b045a0d9772d48ffbee1b6718e252698\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b045a0d9772d48ffbee1b6718e252698\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Police):\u003C/span\u003E I remember two years ago sitting in Opposition where those MPs are sitting now and listening to the deputy leader of the National Party speak, and they were behind her. They were cheering. They were yahooing. At the moment, I listened to the deputy leader of the National Party just talk\u2014not a word. But worse than that, there were 33 National MPs here and I counted 20 of them on their phones. Twenty of them were on their phones. They weren\u2019t even listening, because they know she\u2019s gone. They don\u2019t need to get behind any more\u2014they\u2019re out of there. Chris Finlayson, the most capable National Minister in the last nine years\u2014he was there applying for a job or writing his book. There\u2019s just no energy any more. The life has been sucked out of the National Party, and it\u2019s fantastic, and it\u2019s over here.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve got to congratulate Grant Robertson: 3.9 percent unemployment. That is absolutely fantastic. In fact, as the Deputy Prime Minister alluded to, the last time that happened was when Labour and New Zealand First were in Government. We\u2019re back, and it\u2019s on the right track again. Wages are up by 3.3 percent\u2014fantastic. It\u2019s all going really well. Those over there who said it couldn\u2019t happen, it wouldn\u2019t happen\u2014they\u2019re wrong. Not only are we making it happen; we\u2019re driving it forward in a way that is making a difference for all Kiwis. The thing is that I know they don\u2019t like it, but the fact that we\u2019re not only getting along as coalition partners\u2014we\u2019re all mates anyway. It\u2019s all good fun and we\u2019re getting along really, really well. I\u2019m sorry about that, but that is the reality that they don\u2019t like.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003ELet me talk about police\u2014let me talk about police. We came in with a promise. We came in with a promise, a New Zealand First - Labour coalition promise to deliver 1,800 more police. The reason we did this is because Ron Mark and I had gone really hard in Opposition, because we knew that between 2012 and 2017, police numbers actually dropped by 70 over those five years. In the meantime, P had gone through the roof, gangs got organised and out of control, and we were in real trouble. Burglary rates were through the roof and resolution rates were down.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EI can inform you that since we have been in Government, 852 new officers are out in our communities, preventing our crime and keeping us safe\u2014852. I have been to every single graduation\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022677c659c084e4561b5e0ee12388843c1\u0022\u003EMatt King\u003C/span\u003E: Funded by us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002270332b91649e4fe0b03f1cd5ea5862bc\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014except one, and I can inform the House that the graduates who have chosen the New Zealand police service for a career are phenomenal. They are absolutely phenomenal. I must get you out there, Mr King. I must get you out to the Police College one day so you can have a look.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EWe made the promise\u2014we made a promise to the people of New Zealand. When we said 1,800 police over three years, one thing we did say is we would not drop the standard of recruits. That was our promise. What I\u2019m seeing now is no drop in the standards\u2014in fact, an increase in the standard. It is going brilliantly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EOne of the other things I would like to say is that since we got into power, the prison numbers have dropped by about 850. What we heard is that if prison numbers drop, crime\u2019s going to go through the roof and people aren\u2019t going to be safe. Well, I can tell you, prison numbers are down by 850. Do you know the number of victimisations that are down since we\u2019ve been there?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cea8ca3b600e4aa4a81442320544d421\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: Tell us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022055de41e28454f1aa5e4db7271528d84\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Over 10,000 less victimisations in the year that we have been in Government. Over 10,000 less victimisations\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc002bef07fa47dca68145ef5801065c\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Fewer\u2014fewer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022768f917b36ea4b0ba2f25ab8e6699989\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014fewer than 10,000 victimisations. Now, that is progress. That is developing a police service with the resources and the capacity and the competencies to keep our communities safe\u2014not out there fighting fires the whole time, but keeping our community safe. I thank New Zealand First for the commitment to this. It has been absolutely brilliant, because we are delivering and making a difference for our communities right up and down New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s just one area I\u2019d like to talk on, and it\u2019s something that I\u2019m very proud of. In the tax area, we passed a bill. It was called the Taxation (Neutralising Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) Bill. It gets quite complex, but what it\u2019s actually about is ensuring that all the multinationals who operate out of this country pay their fair share. One thing that we know really gets under the craw of New Zealanders is when people rip off the system. One thing that we really know is that when multinationals don\u2019t pay their fair share when everyone else does, it is fundamentally wrong. We\u2019ve changed that. The base erosion and profit shifting bill means that everyone is paying their fair share of tax.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EWell, we could also talk about the R \u0026amp; D tax credits. That is going to drive growth and\u2014we need 15 minutes, not five. That\u2019s going to drive growth in a way that we haven\u2019t seen for a long time. It is an absolute privilege and a pleasure\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u00228576a3b692784c1f95d009529eb61d90\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228576a3b692784c1f95d009529eb61d90\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! [Interruption] Order! The member\u2019s time has expired.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022 data-id=\u00225dc9bf89c32a40e7a3e9678196d12d30\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225dc9bf89c32a40e7a3e9678196d12d30\u0022\u003EHon MARK MITCHELL (National\u2014Rodney):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much. It\u2019s a pleasure to take a call in the House in the general debate today. Can I just say, firstly, to the Minister of Police: be very careful about the statements that you\u2019re making in this House, because, yes, I think you\u2019re doing a good job, and you certainly started with the confidence of the front-line police officers, but you\u2019re in great danger at the moment, standing in this House and making statements like that, especially around standards which aren\u2019t just a concern, actually, with the public; they\u2019re a concern within the police service themselves. Stay focused on standards, Minister. I assure you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EThe other thing I want to say is this: you don\u2019t stand in the House and talk about how phenomenal everyone is when you\u2019ve just had the Minister of Internal Affairs carry out an inquiry at the highest levels of the police leadership and you\u2019re not being transparent around it. If you want some feedback from the front lines, I\u2019ll give it to you, because I was with our local police in Warkworth at a function on Saturday night, which the Minister actually failed to attend\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e5ee1348263c41f4b8be483021827256\u0022\u003EHon Tracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: I was there in the back row, you ninny!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222968fa2ab323420c939173b999cd295d\u0022\u003EHon MARK MITCHELL\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014and I\u2019ll let you know. I\u2019ll let you know what they said.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fa9997b4b8954d128a0d88d6852be54b\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! [Interruption] Order! The member will resume his seat. I can accept that the member was not trying to call me a ninny, but she, effectively, did. I do require the member to withdraw and apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d36861c3f0fe4d9dae30a23165f3f2c2\u0022\u003EHon Tracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: I withdraw and apologise, sir.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022abefa589bda949a8a8e15b006f94358f\u0022\u003EHon MARK MITCHELL\u003C/span\u003E: So I\u2019ll just finish by saying to the Minister quite simply this: Minister, they have to go out every day, and they face the scrutiny\u2014and they should face the scrutiny\u2014of the public and also the officers, the sergeants, and the officers in charge of them. They face the Independent Police Conduct Authority. They have to deal with all of that. They\u2019ve just had one of their senior leaders come into this Parliament as part of a process like that, and there\u2019s no transparency around it. Their Minister doesn\u2019t even have the report. So be very careful what you do when you stand in this House\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002260b7829416bc449eaa4daeee3128a03e\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002269d92cf8b15f4cdfa00a6e7e352e9e43\u0022\u003EHon MARK MITCHELL\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014sorry, Mr Speaker\u2014when the Minister stands in this House and starts talking about front-line staff when, actually, you need to show some leadership and be transparent around things that are happening at the highest levels. Just to let you know, Minister, that that\u2019s actually\u2014get in touch with the front line and what they\u2019re thinking and what they\u2019re feeling.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EIn relation to Karel Sroubek, can I just quickly read to you a letter that was sent to the Minister of Immigration: \u201CDear Minister. This letter relates to the decision taken by you to grant permanent residency to Karel Sroubek. I believe that the briefing documents provided to you would have clearly shown that you should never have granted a residency pathway to Mr Sroubek. I can make myself available for a meeting with you on this case, but must make it very clear it will be an unconstrained meeting, and although I will respect confidentiality regarding specifics and individuals, I reserve the right to be able to speak publicly and indicate after the briefing whether my position has changed at all. As you know, there is a very high level of public interest in your decision, and I\u2019ve been very clear about my own position and the need for transparency.\u201D That letter was sent to the Minister this morning, so I\u2019ll be very interested to see what his response to that is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EThe reason why this is so serious, and the reason why this calls into direct question the Minister\u2019s ability to be able to make decisions that relate to New Zealand\u2019s public safety\u2014and there\u2019s actually two things that, inherently, a Government must pay close attention to: national security and public safety. There\u2019s been an abject failure on the part of the Minister. When you hear him say in response to the Hon Michael Woodhouse\u2019s question at the start of this process on 30 October in this House\u2014he came in here and he said, \u201CI\u2019ve taken the opportunity to reflect on the decision that I made and to consider the information that was available to me at the time of making that decision. Having done that, I absolutely stand by the action that I took.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003ESo even after the New Zealand public had come out very clearly, along with the Opposition, and said, \u201CThis is a very poor decision. On the face of it, we can\u2019t see any reason why a convicted criminal from the Czech Republic and New Zealand has been granted a New Zealand residency and is actually protected from a deportation process.\u201D, he then had time to go away and actually ask additional questions. He was on notice. He was put on notice. He came back into this House after being put on notice, after having the time to go away and seek more information\u2014he came back into this House with a very arrogant attitude and told us all that he was going to stand by the action taken.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003ENot only that; it gets worse. The Prime Minister comes into this House and stands up and says, \u201CRead between the lines.\u201D Her message to the nation was, \u201CRead between the lines.\u201D But it gets worse. Then the Deputy Prime Minister, who normally is quite sensitive to this type of thing, comes into this House and stands up and he says, \u201CI have reviewed the file, and I back the Minister on his decision.\u201D You\u2019ve got three people in New Zealand that believe that Karel Sroubek should be given the right and the honour of having a New Zealand residency\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022e47f4f8885334bd19b26d34cbb56be9c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e47f4f8885334bd19b26d34cbb56be9c\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member\u2019s time has expired.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022 data-id=\u00222e3bb807d3584ab9ac3b40fcf5f2c34c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222e3bb807d3584ab9ac3b40fcf5f2c34c\u0022\u003EPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. I almost feel a little bit sorry for members opposite who have stood up and spoken today. Such flat speeches, so much doom and gloom and grasping at straws. You would think that we have nothing to celebrate, but on this side of the House we absolutely do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022\u003EFirstly, of course, we stand alongside New Zealand Indian communities, who are celebrating this week, across Aotearoa, the festival of lights, Diwali. They are celebrating the triumph of light over darkness that symbolises the triumph of knowledge over ignorance, truth over falsehood, strength over weakness, and hope over despair and fear, and this Government is doing so much to dispel the darkness that is poverty and that is inequity with the light of good economic management and compassion for the many who have been locked out of the benefits of a strong economy over the last nine years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022\u003EToday we\u2019ve heard that unemployment is down to 3.9 percent\u2014the lowest level since we on this side of the House were last in office. A strong economy delivering strong surpluses, more jobs, and lower debt\u2014surely, that is a cause for celebration. More people in work and more young people in employment, education, or training. The economy is going well\u2014and it\u2019s hard for the Opposition to swallow that pill\u2014and it\u2019s having an impact on the lives of families and communities, and that must be celebrated. In its entirety, when you look at what this Government, a Government that I am so proud to support, has done through the Families Package, through lifting the minimum wage, through the KiwiBuild programme that will deliver on large-scale, affordable housing through the shared equity schemes that this Government is working on for those on lower incomes who wish to own a home, through more State housing and more emergency housing, through making doctors\u2019 visits cheaper for 600,000 New Zealanders, and through the Child Poverty Reduction Bill, that passed recently, as well\u2014with our Government\u2019s plan, it will ensure that we lift children and their families out of poverty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022\u003EIn my last couple of minutes, I want to focus on what we have also done in terms of addressing family violence. Just last night in this House, we passed two bills that will make a huge impact on reducing what is really a scourge on this nation. Our family violence rates and family violence homicide rates in New Zealand are sky-high, and it is absolutely something that this Government is focusing on to address. Now, very recently, the Social Services and Community Committee spoke to officials, to Government members, to MPs, to NGOs, and to researchers in Australia. At every single meeting we had with them, they recognised that family violence is not just something that occurs as well and contributes to poverty and homelessness, but is, in fact, a driver of those things.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022\u003EIf we are to ensure that we improve the well-being of our communities, it is imperative that we address family violence, as well. The two bills ensure that we take into consideration the fact that family violence affects us all but that it affects us differently. The recognition that we must expand the definition to include dowry-related violence and make things like forced marriage\u2014that the sector has been campaigning on for decades\u2014an offence shows that on this side of the House, we get it and that there is the will to ensure that we address family violence so that everyone is lifted out of it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022\u003EThis, coupled with the joint-venture approach that was recently announced\u2014the fact that we will have an integrated system, a whole-of-Government system, where every Government department will contribute to addressing and lowering family violence rates and, eventually, ending it. The fact that we have a Parliamentary Under-Secretary\u2014for the first time, internationally\u2014under whose leadership this will happen, along with the Minister of Justice, to ensure that we have leadership in that space so that everyone contributes, where they can, to address our horrific rates. The fact that in Budget 2018, there was $76 million announced to boost support services that hadn\u2019t seen that in a decade. The fact that just today, an announcement was made of $15 million to fund wh\u0101nau resilience services to break intergenerational cycles of abuse, because we know that that happens. I\u2019m proud to be supporting a Government that gets it and that is acting to improve lives.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022 data-id=\u002215dcef48ea6b4074b475cf6c297ecfae\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002215dcef48ea6b4074b475cf6c297ecfae\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National):\u003C/span\u003E If there\u2019s any measure of how quickly out of touch this Government has become with the mood of the people of New Zealand, it was in the opening comments of both Mr Nash and Ms Radhakrishnan, who indicated that because the National Party benches weren\u2019t cheering and baying behind their deputy leader, somehow we\u2019re all morose and sad. We were listening carefully to one of the most important issues facing this Government and this Parliament in the last year, and colleagues were taking it extremely seriously. And so they should, because 10 days into the publicity over the Minister\u2019s decisions around Karel Sroubek, the extraordinary revelations just keep coming, and so does the butt-covering and the throwing of officials under the bus.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s just start with those revelations and the Minister\u2019s reaction. Last Tuesday, he told the House that he had carefully reconsidered the file and that he stood by that decision. But less than 24 hours later, he claimed that new information existed that appeared to directly contradict the information which he relied upon to keep this thug in the country. By Thursday, an investigation had been announced, and that was it. The shutters are up. No questions are being asked. And, ever since that, no comments, no explanations; just, actually, a thinly veiled attack on Immigration New Zealand officials\u2014people who I know extremely well and have worked with very closely for around five years. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EThe code from the PM: read between the lines. Well, this open and transparent Government wasn\u2019t going to ask the public to read between the lines; they were going to give the public the lines. They were going to be more upfront and more honest with them. These are stories of criminal records, of witness protection, of intimidation, and of the denying of parole.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EThe Minister actually gives us the impression that this was somehow a difficult decision and that, had he had this new information, he might have made a different decision. Remember, this is information that is actually coming, mostly, from the National Party\u2014a National Party that did some basic research: fundamental due diligence. I\u2019m going to be really interested about when, actually, this file is finally revealed. Because of the terrible things that have been said about public officials, it is absolutely necessary that at some point that happens, because I know that the information that the Minister is now inferring is new information would have absolutely been put before him in the initial situation when he made his decision.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EThe PM in Dunedin on Saturday again threw officials under a bus. She was asked: does she back the Minister? The answer: yes. Does she have confidence in Immigration New Zealand? The answer: let\u2019s wait and see what the report has to say.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EThe investigation itself suggests some kind of degree of independence, but let\u2019s remind ourselves what\u2019s actually happening here. The Minister is investigating his own decision. He\u2019s actually going back and asking for some kind of apparent third-party examination of a decision that he made. In order for that to be transparent, he needs to show this House and the public what information he relied on when he made his first decision and what information now exists that was either put before him or should have been asked by him in that straightforward examination of what I believe is a straightforward case.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EI have seen a number of these cases. I have seen some pretty amazing submissions in support of what I call a Hail Mary request to stay. A lot of it is relevant but not determinative. I don\u2019t actually care if Mr Sroubek has found God and been nominated for a Nobel Prize. He has committed serious offences, and in this country the right of residence and citizenship is a privilege that we should hold dear. The price of entry into this country and the price of being able to stay in this country has gone down, has been cheapened, by this decision. Other members are going to talk about how hard it is to gain that prize, that privilege, and it\u2019s been cheapened by this Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022 data-id=\u002256b553d5fa4c423cb2ee16303e46496d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002256b553d5fa4c423cb2ee16303e46496d\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN (Minister for Children):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora, Mr Speaker. Can I start my contribution by just acknowledging the Toastmasters of Warkworth and the great debate that took place on Friday last week. I\u2019m not sure what the local member, Hon Mark Mitchell, was talking about. I was there. My husband was in the team. The moot was \u201CShould New Zealand invade Australia?\u201D The police team were in the negative, and they resoundingly won the evening. I apologise to my husband now, but they showed more wit, they showed more stamina, and they had shiny medals, which I think actually swayed the women in the audience, which was their rebuttal.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EThe other thing that the police informed me of that evening was the fact that the Warkworth police station is going to go 24/7\u201424/7\u2014in the next so many months. And that is because of the increased police numbers referred to by the Minister of Police just earlier this evening. They were thrilled to know\u2014and so were the people of that community\u2014that they are now going to have police officers on the beat 24/7, ready for them and available for them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227b395694bdea45b9afc35ee76708510e\u0022\u003EKieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: When was the last time?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b8e49360bda0472ab6e84191c7c006dd\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN\u003C/span\u003E: I don\u2019t know when the last time was, Mr McAnulty, but I know that it wasn\u2019t the reality over the last decade. I\u2019m fairly confident about that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003ECan I move on to another topic? Just quickly though, I am very interested in the conversation coming from the Opposition benches that was raised by the Leader\u2014sorry, just a bit quick there\u2014the Deputy Leader of the National Party, and that was around a series of dates that the member put forward: dates around being let into the country, dates around residency, dates around crimes being committed, dates around people being arrested. All of those dates were in the period of time that she was in Government. All of those dates\u2014all of the dates\u2014that have been articulated by the Opposition were during the period of time that they were in power. So it\u2019s an interesting argument that they\u2019re running, but let\u2019s hope they continue to run it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EOn the weekend, the Prime Minister announced $217 million over the next four years for the first tranche of 600 learning support coordinators to be inside our schools. This was not a fly-by-night political announcement; this was a piece of work that Catherine Delahunty and Chris Hipkins and I started back in 2016\u2014and if the Hon Judith Collins was here, I would acknowledge her also. This piece of work came out of the dyslexia, dyspraxia, and children on the autism spectrum inquiry at the Education and Science Committee in that year. There was a majority report that came into this House, but the Government of the day decided that no more money would be put inside this sector\u2014no more money. Any recommendation that came from the majority of the select committee had to have a zero price tag. This Government and the members of it\u2014Minister Hipkins, myself, and, as I say, Catherine Delahunty, who we, unfortunately, no longer have in this Parliament\u2014put in 26 further recommendations that we made sure we started to work on the moment we sat in the seat\u2014the moment we had the opportunity to move forward.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EThis, however, is only step two of a five-step process. The first step was to actually change the delivery model. The system for supporting our young people with complex and even moderate learning needs is completely broken. There is no point continuing to pump money into it. Even though we knew the need was so neat, we placed funding in as immediately as we could during the Christmas period, and then began work on changing the delivery model. The delivery model has been trialled for the past year and is currently being rolled out across New Zealand and will be across New Zealand by the end of 2019. The learning support coordinators now have a financial commitment for the first tranche, and they will be in place in 2020.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EThe next thing we are working on is screening tools: to screen at school entry and to screen at seven years old for dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculics, and those on the moderate end of the autism spectrum, because we have no data to tell us the need. So we\u2019re also developing a way to essentially collect that data. We can then use that data to create workforce planning so that we do not run into the shortage that we have run into after a decade of neglect.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EI am thrilled that we were able to make that announcement on the weekend, but it is only a part of a longer piece of work, and I will commit to making sure that the further five steps are in place before we get to 2020. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022 data-id=\u0022165782b099524fbdbdfbf3256f79161d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022165782b099524fbdbdfbf3256f79161d\u0022\u003EHon SCOTT SIMPSON (National\u2014Coromandel):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s a privilege to take a call in this general debate, and normally I have some degree of admiration for the member from New Zealand First that\u2019s just resumed her seat. Normally she\u2019s well-briefed, well on top of her case, but today, I\u2019m sorry, she really wasn\u2019t. She was completely off the boil.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EMaybe it\u2019s because there are things afoot amongst the coalition Government at the moment that they don\u2019t really want anyone to be talking about. If I was a conspiracy theorist, I\u2019d be saying that all the beleaguered aggro that\u2019s going on with the Minister of Immigration is all part of a smokescreen and a deliberate ploy to stop him talking about his other portfolio responsibility as Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety. Iain Lees-Galloway has been charged with guiding through this Parliament the opportunity to the new Government to repay its political debt to the trade union movement. And they thought that when they introduced the workplace relations changes back in January of this year, that it would be plain sailing. They thought, \u201CAha! Here we go. There\u2019s our opportunity to increase union membership, to give unions more power, to make them a bigger player in industrial relations in this country.\u201D, and it hasn\u2019t quite worked out the way they thought.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EIt now seems, after a Cabinet meeting on Monday, that changes are afoot, and that the bill as reported back from select committee is going to be significantly and radically changed, watered down\u2014a flip-flop back-down. And we knew that some of this was coming, because a few weeks ago, senior members of the trade union movement decided to have a flick\u2014indeed, actually to launch a full frontal missile attack on Winston Peters and the New Zealand First Party. Those leaders\u2014Richard Wagstaff and a fellow by the name of Robert Reid from FIRST Union\u2014decided to have an attack on Winston Peters, because they saw him as having had a play in this industrial relations legislation, in a way that was going to water down the union-friendly, pro-union changes that the new Government wanted to introduce.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EWell, I think, actually, it\u2019s a question of New Zealand First having listened\u2014just like the Government is having to listen too\u2014to the opposition that the National Party has put forward on this bill. At every inch of the way, at every turn, at every corner we have opposed it, and we\u2019ve opposed on the basis that it is fundamentally and absolutely wrong in terms of growing the New Zealand economy, of creating better workplace opportunities for New Zealand workers, that it\u2019s bad for employees and it\u2019s bad for employers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EBut I think that the New Zealand First Party has actually decided to listen to what the National Party has been saying. They\u2019ve listened to business, they\u2019ve listened to the Employers and Manufacturers Association, they\u2019ve listened to Business New Zealand, and they have listened to the chambers of commerce and their submissions. At select committee, all those organisations made very staunch and strong submissions about how bad this piece of legislation was going to be\u2014that it was going to take us back to the militant trade union scenario and landscape that we had back in the 1970s. Every indication we\u2019ve had this year\u2014the last 12 months\u2014has been that that\u2019s exactly the course upon which the trade union movement wishes to take New Zealand at the moment. In fact, it\u2019s fair to say, in my opinion, that when this bill comes back to the House, probably in the last sitting block, just before Christmas, when the public\u2019s attention is diverted away from it, we will see a significant backdown in terms of the big promises that the Labour Party made to their trade union friends, and they will have to swallow a very significant dead rat. I think we\u2019re on the eve of seeing an embarrassing and humiliating backdown from the Government in terms of the promises they\u2019ve made to trade unions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EAnd why is this important? Well, it\u2019s important because this is a Government that relies on the leveraging of New Zealand First in order to get any legislation passed. And when Winston Peters said a few weeks ago that this was \u201Ca work in progress\u201D, we all know around this Parliament that that is Winston Peters speak for \u201CI\u2019m going to have a fiddle. I\u2019m going to have a play. I want to use it as a branding exercise.\u201D And so that\u2019s exactly what I think is going to occur.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EAnd when the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions president Richard Wagstaff says \u201CWe are incredibly disappointed by New Zealand First\u2019s attempts to duck the commitment they made.\u201D, we know, in fact, that that is a concession from the trade unions that they\u2019ve heard from the Labour Party\u2014\u201CWe\u2019re not going to be able to deliver on everything we promised to you.\u201D Winston Peters has decided to have a play, has decided to have a fiddle, and we can just hope that the worst, sharpest aspects of this have been softened by New Zealand First in their input.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022 data-id=\u00223f798203be434cf695f3c91da9e762e9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223f798203be434cf695f3c91da9e762e9\u0022\u003EANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f91728a1c24749249f0c6eb966a1760b\u0022\u003EKieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: Not even a clap.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a5f383d39d2d4e86adbb3d913834feed\u0022\u003EANGIE WARREN-CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: Ha! Not even a clap. Mr Simpson, you usually make a bit of sense, but today, alas, the conspiracy theory that you\u2019ve brought up is, indeed, a sad indictment on how far the party has sunk. It\u2019s not possible to just stand here and make stuff up in a way that actually creates your\u2014it is amazing and cute, and please don\u2019t use the term \u201Cfiddle\u201D any further. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003ELook, I\u2019m delighted to stand today. I had real trouble with my speech today in that I wasn\u2019t sure\u2014we had so much to talk about, right? I wasn\u2019t sure what I wanted to speak about. Yesterday I missed the opportunity for the passing of the Family Violence Bill, as I was speaking in my own home town in regards to fund-raising on behalf of the refuge and an organisation called Homes of Hope, and so I missed that opportunity. I feel that the member Priyanca Radhakrishnan has covered that extremely well, however.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EI\u2019d also like to acknowledge the Hon Tracey Martin. I\u2019m going to speak and pick up on your theme today. I mean, there is so much\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002229b283dccb9943dab904005de40ff8b1\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Her theme today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224b1087cd0a8049718ae63170165b729c\u0022\u003EANGIE WARREN-CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, sir\u2014her theme today. I\u2019m going to have a talk about education today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003ESo over the weekend, our coalition Government announced 600 new positions in the Special Educational Needs Coordinator position. Not only have we acknowledged 1,500 more teachers and hundreds more modern classrooms\u2014my own local \u014Ct\u016Bmoetai school received $65 million to fix its leaking and mouldy classrooms to create a modern learning environment\u2014but we have 8,000 more children accessing learning needs and special support. The reason I wanted to talk to this today is that it affects me personally and my family personally. In fact, all of us are teachers in some way, are we not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003ESo over the weekend, 600 learning support coordinators\u2014I have listened to the stories of families for a very long time, talking about how difficult it is to access support and services. Our Government has listened. Our children deserve better. They have spent the last 10 years fighting, and these teachers and parents have spent the last 10 years trying their hardest to find the funds to support these children.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003ENow, in my own experience, I had to personally fund $800 to enable my daughter to access dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia assessment. I had that $800. There is no place in this country\u2014no place\u2014for cheque-book education. Her friends fell by the wayside because those parents were not able to afford that. My daughter was able to access those services. As far as I\u2019m concerned, as a Government, we\u2019re actually listening to those parents.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s also about our gifted children, who deserve to be uplifted more than they are. It\u2019s about our children\u2019s teachers, who shouldn\u2019t have an additional task stuffed on the end of their already busy, busy workloads; our principals having to do this job alongside our deputy principals or another senior teacher. These children deserve\u2014and we desire as a Government to actually address that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EMy Prime Minister, when she made this announcement\u2014it was amazing. Six hundred\u2014and that is only the first tranche. That is only the beginning of what we here in this Government are doing. We have heard you, parents. We have heard the children\u2019s stories, and we have acted. So Tracey Martin and our coalition Government, I absolutely applaud you, as a parent, and I also am so proud to stand here today and to acknowledge what we are doing for children in this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022 data-id=\u0022d263d873ea414f489d4ca6cbd03bef4e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d263d873ea414f489d4ca6cbd03bef4e\u0022\u003EBARBARA KURIGER (National\u2014Taranaki - King Country):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will acknowledge what the last speaker, Angie Warren-Clark, said around the dyslexia and special needs, and we have welcomed that announcement, but we are carefully monitoring its delivery, because we would like to see that all that has been promised has been delivered. But that\u2019s not going to be the main focus of my speech today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve heard a lot of comments from the other side of the House, the Government, this afternoon about the mood of the National Party caucus. Well, let me tell you that the National Party caucus is just fine, but we don\u2019t consider this issue around Karel Sroubek to be a laughing matter. We were subdued because we understand the seriousness of what is going on here. Starting right through from Minister Nash to all of those others that have commented on the way through, we\u2019d like to make it clear that we would like the Government to realise that this is a serious situation, as we do. So we are not cheerleaders in some TED Talk; we are actually listening to the conversations, we\u2019re listening to the seriousness of the situation, and it is serious. When a Minister receives some information, it\u2019s really important, when they\u2019re asked to make a decision, that they dig into the information and do the homework, because sometimes the information can be complete. Sometimes, the information may in fact be incorrect\u2014not intentionally, but it happens. It happens that sometimes it\u2019s misinterpreted, and so, as a Minister, nothing should ever be assumed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve heard the Prime Minister making statements about reading between the lines. We just think, on this side of the House, that reading the lines would be a good piece of advice. Reading the information, reading the lines\u2014don\u2019t worry about what\u2019s in between the lines, because a lot of the time, that\u2019s actually blank. Reading the lines is as important as anything, and it might help.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003ENow, the other thing that I do want to touch on today\u2014because, following this general debate, we are going to be debating the third reading of the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill. This would have to be the worst case of not listening that I have seen in\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ae40e7408ee3434684fe9a5bd6ee4adc\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! The member will resume her seat. It is absolutely against the Speakers\u2019 rulings and the conventions of this House to anticipate a debate which is on the Order Paper for that day. The debate happens during that debate and not before it. The member can\u2019t refer to it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a16064c65e7445b393305565c5d4a8d7\u0022\u003EBARBARA KURIGER\u003C/span\u003E: Apology, Mr Speaker. So, just to clarify, it\u2019s OK to speak about yesterday\u2019s debate on the same issue?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022de8abf494808422788e9d101460177c8\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, not if the member\u2019s talking about the bill\u2014no.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022322a0417baa942b49c9007748ed918e2\u0022\u003EBARBARA KURIGER\u003C/span\u003E: OK\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002289052685275443259f63d98315938c95\u0022\u003EKieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: The member\u2019s a whip. Come on!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227c711de338cb4a00920c459676f74571\u0022\u003EBARBARA KURIGER\u003C/span\u003E: Excuse me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229fe99682f11848b89af02bc86a37e0e7\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I\u2019m actually not the whip.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226696abf02b644c059624f1464f94e471\u0022\u003EBARBARA KURIGER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, thank you Mr McAnulty for your piece of advice. So, look, it\u2019s really important, I think\u2014and we\u2019re focusing a lot this week on the competency of this Government and the focus on information and the focus on how we receive it. It\u2019s very important, as we go and we talk about what\u2019s been going on in this House over the last week. I\u2019ve seen some legislation when Mr Stuart Nash also got up and spoke, when we were speaking about the country of origin labelling bill the other night\u2014I saw some interesting dynamics where Mr Gareth Hughes was sitting in the chair during committee stage and Minister Stuart Nash got up and spoke. Gareth Hughes actually said to him \u201CI wish I\u2019d had a chance to speak to that Minister before he took his call.\u201D So when we\u2019re looking at three parties in a coalition Government where one person gets up and speaks and the other one says \u201CI wish I\u2019d had the opportunity to talk to that person before they got up and spoke.\u201D, then I think it\u2019s probably a good opportunity to talk to each other about what\u2019s going on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EI also saw some angry behaviour in the House the other night from Andrew Little around some members\u2019 bills\u2014in fact, Simeon Brown\u2019s psychoactive substances bill\u2014where the Minister got extremely angry because the support around that piece of legislation wasn\u2019t going his way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003ESo we\u2019ve seen some really interesting and different behaviour from this Government, and we\u2019re questioning their competency. We would like this Government to step up. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022 data-id=\u00223e3d807813d5423cb0aa12e9a21748c5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223e3d807813d5423cb0aa12e9a21748c5\u0022\u003ECHL\u00D6E SWARBRICK (Green):\u003C/span\u003E E Te M\u0101ngai, t\u0113n\u0101 koe. The synthetics crisis, as was just referenced, continues to grip this country, and today I invite all members of this Parliament to live up to their rhetoric. There is consensus here, at least as far as words go, that we do not want to criminalise users. We want to see harm reduced. We want to stop unnecessary deaths. So let\u2019s prove that with action. I am calling on MPs across this House in all parties today to support sensible drug regulation that stops harm and prevents unnecessary deaths. If politicians aren\u2019t willing to do that, then we cannot pretend that we are treating this as a health issue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s be honest with ourselves: increasing penalties, the punishment pathway, the war on drugs, simply has not worked. In 1998, when I was four years old, member States of the United Nations signed up to eradicate all drugs by committing to strong, unsympathetic penalties. We told ourselves that if we played by this rulebook, we would get rid of drugs on planet Earth by 2008. That was 10 years ago, and drugs still exist. While we\u2019ve been ratcheting up criminal penalties, we\u2019ve done nothing to reduce the harm that drugs are causing in our community. Drug use flourishes in the shadows, providing billions of dollars internationally in funds for violence and organised criminal activity, leaving destruction in its wake.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003ELast year, synthetic drugs were implicated in 27 deaths in Aotearoa New Zealand, and this year the death toll has risen to at least 45 lives lost. If these deaths were caused by anything else, anything other than those evil, scary, illegal drugs, we\u2019d be stepping in immediately to regulate harm. Instead, we\u2019re stuck in this punishment feedback loop. We\u2019re seeing more of the same political thinking that got us into this mess in the first place.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003ESo I want to appeal directly to members\u2019 consciences on this issue. Every few months, MPs in this House are asked by the media when they last smoked cannabis. There\u2019s a wee chuckle and a few \u201Cums\u201D and \u201Cahs\u201D, and then we all gaze off into the distance and refer back to our university days. But what about our fellow New Zealanders? What about those who weren\u2019t so fortunate to go to university? What if you can\u2019t choose to leave illegal drug consumption in the mists of time? What if those drugs had killed us? What if we were strapped with drug convictions? What if it took away our future? But it didn\u2019t for us, and we\u2019re here, a substantial number of us who have personally admitted to breaking the law and consuming illegal drugs, and now we preside over that law which penalises people who engage in exactly the same behaviour for doing what we did. Some people are ending up in jail, and now some people are dying, but we are in Parliament with the ability to do something. So what are we going to do?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003EWe can, of course, continue to pretend that everything is fine with a criminalisation that is applied on an ad hoc basis and disproportionately against the poor, against the young, and against M\u0101ori. But what exactly is the purpose of penalising drug users? Is it that we want to stop people using drugs? Well, if that\u2019s the case, we\u2019re failing\u2014big time. New Zealand is reported to have amongst the highest drug-use rates in the world, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Is it that we somehow think that illegality will spur people to access help for abuse and addiction issues? Well, Ministry of Health data shows that 16.5 percent of New Zealanders who sought help for drugs couldn\u2019t access it for fear of law or the police. Is it that we think that we\u2019re somehow getting cost-saving measures out of locking people up who use these drugs? Well, the evidence in independent fiscal modelling released today shows that criminalising drug users alone costs between $34 million and $83 million a year.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003EI am calling on MPs across this House to move to support an end to punishment for people who use drugs and to provide them with resourcing and support, because if politicians aren\u2019t willing to do that, we cannot pretend that we are treating this as a health issue and we cannot pretend that we care about people who use drugs and the harm that they experience. If we continue to criminalise drug users, we are condemning them\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002214848be0c59944d3b97ef803d626f384\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cb03fcaa58b540518671a1b897a4397d\u0022\u003ECHL\u00D6E SWARBRICK\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014for not living up to the moral standards that we ourselves admit that we are not able to meet. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022 data-id=\u0022014d798531af4ef7a75572ee13f89df6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022014d798531af4ef7a75572ee13f89df6\u0022\u003EMATT KING (National\u2014Northland):\u003C/span\u003E A little over 10 days ago, I was flicking through my news feeds and I read this rather disturbing story about this Czech criminal\u2014this gangster\u2014who is in jail in New Zealand for drug dealing. The Minister of Immigration, Iain Lees-Galloway, had granted him residency, and I could not believe this. I thought that there must be some sort of mistake and the media must have got it wrong\u2014that\u2019s not uncommon, in my experience. But we were asked to read between the lines: maybe he\u2019s at risk if he\u2019s deported, or maybe he\u2019s not that bad\u2014he\u2019s just a little bit misunderstood. And then we asked a few questions and we found out that, no, he\u2019s been back to his homeland twice, that witnesses that are involved in the case that he\u2019s involved in are on the witness protection programme, and that his estranged wife has taken out a protection order against him. So this gangster\u2014this criminal gangster\u2014is a nasty piece of work, and I\u2019ve met a few of them in my time. I\u2019ve arrested a few.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EIt made me think about some of the constituents that have come into my office. I thought of a Filipino woman called Juliet Garcia, who has had 11 years in New Zealand and works at the Switzer rest home. She\u2019s just shy of her residency points because they won\u2019t take into account a couple of years of her work experience in New Zealand, so she\u2019s been told that she can\u2019t get residency. So they\u2019ve advertised her position in preparation of the fact that she\u2019s going to be kicked out of the country, and they\u2019ve had no applicants\u2014for two years. They cannot replace her, and the Minister has the authority to grant a waiver to let her stay in the country. There are about an estimated 3,000 Juliet Garcias in this country, and aged care is in crisis, so I would imagine that she\u2019d be a great case in which to grant a waiver.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EI have the English woman\u2014a sole child, who came here as a resident. Her mother has died and her father is alone in England. He has the means to come out here and the means to support himself. That\u2019s her only surviving relative\u2014it\u2019s just her and him on this earth. She wants him to come out and live in New Zealand with her in her house, and he can support himself. He\u2019s a little bit old and they won\u2019t give him a waiver. He can\u2019t get residency. He doesn\u2019t qualify under any categories, but they can let him in\u2014this is heartbreaking stuff.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve got a Fijian Indian farm manager. He\u2019s been here eight years. His employer values him and is desperate for him to stay. He\u2019s paid international fees for his son to go through university here. He\u2019s bought his own house. He is two years over the age limit. The Minister has the ability to give him an age waiver to allow him to apply for residency, but they refuse to intervene.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve got South African people wanting to escape South Africa because of the violent crime there. Their Government is seizing their land without compensation, and they want to get out of that country\u2014they have good grounds. One of them, he owned a business over there. The sales rep that delivered the chainsaws to his factory\u2014his truck got robbed and he got shot dead. A couple that they have a barbecue lunch with every second weekend\u2014intruders broke into her house while the husband was away, shot her eight times through the bedroom door, ransacked the house, and left her for dead, basically. She lifted her son\u2014her three-year-old son\u2014out of the window, and he ran the kilometre down the road to get her help. Stories like this are genuine. They\u2019re happening right now in South Africa, and we\u2019re turning a blind eye. We have the ability to accept these people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003ENow, I\u2019ve got people that come here on visitor visas from South Africa looking to make New Zealand their home. They are professional people\u2014doctors, teachers, chefs, engineers\u2014but they can\u2019t get residency. It\u2019s heartbreaking stuff, and I see it every day. I understand that we can\u2019t open the floodgates and let these people in willy-nilly, but we certainly can kick an oxygen-thief of a Czech gangster out of this country\u2014hell, I\u2019d do that job for free.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\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\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022fb77a5634c8646059d1c6382d31f102a\u0022\u003ECrown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00224289283994574c0db218f3d554ff3bb8\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022 data-id=\u002244c140cba61d4e278ee15c17e7253ac5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002244c140cba61d4e278ee15c17e7253ac5\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Energy and Resources):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003EI am proud to rise in support of this bill, which makes a strong statement and a transition away from a reliance on fossil fuels, and towards affordable, renewable electricity and energy. But, first, I would like to acknowledge the Environment Committee for its consideration of this legislation. I thank the members for considering more than 7,000 submissions that were lodged, and I would like to thank those who took the time to lodge a submission and those who appeared before the committee. The submissions came from a wide range of sources: from those in the oil and gas industry, from environmental groups, from community groups, from iwi, from students, from businesses, and from everyday New Zealanders. The vast majority of those submissions were either in favour of the bill or felt that it did not go far enough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003EThose submissions sent a very clear signal. New Zealanders want to see a future for their country where we take action on climate change, where we have a long-term economic plan for our country, and where we have the courage to look beyond the three-year political cycle and plan for the next 10, 20, 30, and 40 years. That is the time frame we are talking about for the changes that this legislation will bring.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003EThis bill will not end oil and gas exploration overnight, nor will it halt existing production. Existing rights and existing privileges for permit holders are being explicitly preserved within this legislation. This preservation of rights is about ensuring a managed transition to a low-emissions economy and easing the impact on affected businesses, communities, and workers. There are 100,000 square kilometres of permits out there for exploration. That\u2019s about the size of the North Island. Indeed, there are a number of exploration wells due to be drilled in the coming years, and one is currently being drilled. If they are successful, those permit holders will have the same rights and privileges that they do before this legislation comes into force.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003EI would like to take this opportunity to address some of the issues raised by submitters during the select committee process and highlight some of the changes subsequently made in the final form of the bill. The first of those was clause 4, the interpretation clause. The issue was raised about the definition of the \u201Conshore Taranaki region\u201D\u2014in particular, that this area follows the political boundary of the Taranaki region rather than the geological boundary of the Taranaki sedimentary basin. I would like to make two points in response to that. The first is that the area in the bill catches all areas of current onshore petroleum production. The second is that the intention around allowing exploration to continue in onshore Taranaki is to support a transition, which includes the potential for new discoveries to make use of existing production and transmission infrastructure.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003EClause 6A\u2014the grant of a permit\u2014was also something that received a great deal of attention from submitters, and I\u2019d like to highlight one of the changes recommended by the Environment Committee. Clause 6A has been inserted into the bill, which would prevent the Minister from granting new permits outside of the onshore Taranaki region. It eliminates the scenario where an application is made inside the onshore Taranaki boundary, but a future Minister might, in considering where the petroleum resources are likely to be located, decide to grant a permit that extends beyond this boundary. This change reflects a belt and braces approach, and I support it and thank the select committee for their work on this issue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003EClause 8\u2014restricted access to conservation land\u2014was also an area in this bill that received some attention. A number of submitters raised concerns around the provisions that will apply to access to conservation land for new permits inside the onshore Taranaki region. Some considered that these provisions might decrease the protection from mining activities that applies to Egmont National Park or other high-value conservation land. This is not the case. The bill does not make it easier to obtain access to conservation land for activities associated with a petroleum permit; it will only make it more restrictive for some kinds of conservation land which do not already have a high level of restricted access. Egmont National Park itself is already excluded from any petroleum permitting.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003EThe Environment Committee made a number of technical changes to the new clauses 22 and 23 in new Part 2 of schedule 1, to be inserted by the schedule. These changes clarify the Government\u2019s policy position that the changes in the bill are only intended to apply to new petroleum permits and not to existing permits. The policy intention of the bill is to ensure that those with existing petroleum permits, subsequent permits to those existing permits, and applications relating to either, are unaffected by this bill. As such, new clause 23 was amended and new clauses 23A and 23B were inserted to make sure that that was made crystal clear. That is important, because this bill does preserve the rights and privileges of existing permit holders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003EThe passage of this bill today will be a proud day for New Zealand. It continues our long progressive history of leading on the world stage. New Zealand has shown time and time again through the years that it\u2019s not afraid to make the hard decisions, to raise our sights, and to do what is right. This is what this bill does.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003EIt helps to set us on a new path. It doesn\u2019t say, \u201CIt\u2019s too hard. Therefore, we should not try.\u201D It\u2019s a path towards a low-emissions economy, where future generations will have the chance of inheriting an environment that hasn\u2019t been wrecked by the decisions that our generation refused to make. We are taking action right now to help move New Zealand\u2019s economy in the right direction. The just transitions unit has been established within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to help prepare for a future that will look different from the world we live in today. We\u2019ve already invested in the Taranaki region. The Provincial Growth Fund has already earmarked more than $21 million in funding for that region, including almost $1 million in support for developing hydrogen as a zero-emissions fuel and storage facility, as well as support for other clean-energy technology projects.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003EAs our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has said, climate change is this generation\u2019s nuclear-free moment\u2014our chance to make a stand, draw a line in the sand, and lead the world once again. It\u2019s our chance to raise our sights as a country, to chart a new course for our economy, and to do our bit to protect our planet. I commend this bill to the House. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022 data-id=\u0022c3aa565729ac4471b872c91b2afd9cb1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c3aa565729ac4471b872c91b2afd9cb1\u0022\u003EJONATHAN YOUNG (National\u2014New Plymouth):\u003C/span\u003E Well, I think we have heard there the driving impetus behind this bill: that we want to lead on the world stage. In fact, as I look at this bill and I look at the intent of this bill and its general principles, as I sum up the effects of this bill for Taranaki and New Zealand, and as I look at what the alternative approach would be that we would initiate, I see a huge, huge gap between these two sides of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003EThe intent of this bill is, in fact, quite varied. Frankly, it\u2019s confusing. The commentary on the bill says that the bill is \u201Cone of several initiatives that seek to aid New Zealand\u2019s transition to a low-carbon economy\u201D. Well, I think that we would support that. That\u2019s one of the guiding principles of this bill. The regulatory impact analysis\u2019 opening statement says, \u201CThe Government has stated that it is committed to acting on climate change. It has said that it wants to show global leadership\u201D, and the Minister has reiterated that this afternoon. Yesterday, recorded on the Hansard, the Minister also said that the underlying principle of this bill is that \u201Cwe cannot afford an economic shock in this country.\u201D, and she refers to making hard decisions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003EWell, I doubt very much whether this Minister will have to pay a high price for her decision. The people of Taranaki will pay a high price for her decision, and I do find that those words do not give any comfort.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003EI believe that this bill will not achieve a transition to a low-carbon economy. When the Minister was asked for evidence, for research, she was unable to present it to public commentary. Wanting to show global leadership? Well, honestly, it\u2019s hard to get one\u2019s head around that\u2014it really is\u2014because I don\u2019t see us being able to offer global leadership.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003EWhen I look at countries around the world, I would say Norway offers global leadership. They\u2019re a country that is 100 percent renewable. In fact, they have such an excess of electricity, they send it into Europe. We have about six to eight weeks of storage in our lakes; they have three to four years. They have a trillion-dollar sovereign fund generated out of the hydrocarbon industry, which they are using to invest in education and development and innovation around renewable activities. They are investing into massive offshore wind farms. Yes, they are involved in the development of hydrogen, but they are doing it as one of the wealthiest countries in Europe. They have the highest level of drivers of electric vehicles, and they have been able to afford it because they have not made their country poorer by decisions like this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003EWhen this Government considered taking their steps, they did not seek analytical advice or information around the cost of it. They did not seek environmental evidence. They did not seek any consultation with the industry. I think that if we were wanting to not create economic shocks in our nation, then going more slowly and being more considered, taking further advice, and getting analysis would be an important step to take. All of the advice and the analysis has come after the fact of the decision, and it\u2019s an embarrassment of how process works.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003EI think that\u2019s a damaging part of what\u2019s happened here, because offshore investment and investors have looked at New Zealand and they have lost their confidence in us, not just in the hydrocarbon sector and not just those businesses that want to invest in that sector but IT businesses, people who want to come here to this country who have been shocked by the process, by the suddenness, and by the lack of consultation. So when it comes to a driving principle of this bill\u2014which the Minister spoke of last night\u2014of averting an economic shock in this country, I think that the process has created its own economic shock, and I think that\u2019s a particular issue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003EI struggle to see how New Zealand can show global leadership. I think my colleague Todd Muller has often said that the problem about what\u2019s happening in this sphere is that we want to be first, fast, and famous. I don\u2019t know whether this is a small-country syndrome, but I think that we should be fast followers. We should not be reckless leaders. I think that we ought to learn from countries that have innovation and R \u0026amp; D that is well ahead of us and adopt their discoveries, adopt their principles. Yes, we have got the ability to maximise our renewable resources, and I am not saying that we should not do that\u2014we should\u2014but what we are seeing here through this bill is a loss of revenue to the Crown, a loss of revenue and economic impact to a region, and potential for an unemployment increase.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003EVenture Taranaki said that there are 7,000 jobs at risk. No, it may not be today\u2014although, I do note that today it has been announced that TAG Oil are exiting the country. I do know other companies that have closed down, and I do know of people who have lost their jobs, and I know people who have sought to get finance for house purchases and have been pushed back. So to say that the effect of this is going to be in 20 or 30 or 40 years\u2019 time is not true. I think that if the Government had taken their time and consulted, had said, \u201CThis is where we want to go. We want to aim for a low-carbon future.\u201D, you know, we would have supported that. But let\u2019s do it in a way that doesn\u2019t create harm but actually becomes part of a transition that is well planned. I think that we are missing that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003EI want to talk about\u2014just in the few minutes left\u2014Taranaki being a focus of this bill, because it is. The bill focuses on the onshore Taranaki region as the only area available now for block offers. The counterfactual is that this now excludes any new permits anywhere else. So what it does is it denies opportunities for regions that have potential, such as Northland, such as the East Coast. There\u2019s a very good reason why Taranaki has the highest average wage of any region in the country: it is because of this industry. It is because there is investment coming in. Now, for the Minister of Energy and Resources to say, \u201CDon\u2019t worry, that will continue on.\u201D\u2014I know that when companies come to invest in New Zealand, they want to look more broadly than just in one specific region, because they certainly want to look more broadly across the whole country. That has now been denied.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003EWhen we\u2019ve lost TAG Oil for New Zealand, we have got to understand that some of the rationale\u2014well, in fact, maybe, if not all the rationale\u2014has been because of the initiative and the speed and haste with which this Government has driven this bill through. If I could quote Max Murray, he said the Government\u2019s April announcement of restrictions on future exploration activity would discourage foreign investment. TAG Oil is a company that comes from Canada. He said the policy created uncertainty for overseas jobs. I know they apply. They sought to get senior managers into positions in New Zealand, and the people that they approached said, \u201CWe don\u2019t know how long our jobs will last in your country.\u201D, and they declined the offer. So they are some of the issues that are there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003EWe know that New Zealand Oil and Gas, an excellent company, are finding it particularly challenging to find joint-venture partners for their work in offshore Canterbury\u2014a prospect, if it was successful, that would create 3,000 jobs in the South Island. This bill has created uncertainty. The Government has said that they\u2019ve wanted to create certainty. They\u2019ve created uncertainty\u2014certainly for the short term, certainly for the medium term\u2014and I think it\u2019s tragic.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003EWell, the alternative we offer\u2014let me first say that we will reverse the Government\u2019s decision to ban new offshore explorations. We believe it is poorly planned. It will not achieve emission reductions but will potentially increase them. Just a final couple of comments: we will consult with the sector to see a planned, effective, and smooth reduction of emissions to agreed levels that is technology-led and, I believe, evidence-based and scientifically based. We would want to make a decision and bring leadership in such a way that the New Zealand people would have confidence. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022 data-id=\u00226c1be68b6ef04faa9c248ab0e1683207\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226c1be68b6ef04faa9c248ab0e1683207\u0022\u003EDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour\u2014New Lynn):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Just as I begin my remarks on this third stage of the bill, may I thank the members of my select committee, the Environment Committee, who worked very hard to hear from all the submitters who wanted to be heard. I appreciate the effort they made to do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EI want to start by quoting something that my colleague Clare Curran said in the House the other day. She said, \u201CIf not now, when? If not us, who?\u201D I submit it does need to be us. Over on the other side of the House, we have heard that the other side supports moving to a low-carbon economy. But if not this, what? It doesn\u2019t seem that there is any plan other than being what is called a \u201Cfast follower\u201D. But it turns out, if you listen to what speakers on the other side of the House, or what the one speaker so far, Jonathan Young, has said, they\u2019ve said that they would reverse this policy\u2014they would reverse this policy. So where is the commitment to at least making a start towards a low-carbon economy? I submit that there are fine words on the other side of the House but no action. This bill, the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill, represents a start\u2014a start that is being made by this transformational Government to get under way with the work of mitigating climate change.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EI wish to continue with some of the things that have been said already. If I may start with something that Mr Young referred to in the Minister of Energy and Resources\u2019 speech the other day about not wanting an economic shock\u2014Mr Young has submitted, I guess, that this represents an economic shock to New Zealand. That is an odd claim, I submit. It\u2019s a very odd claim. We remember the 1980s and 1990s and the economic shock that was administered to New Zealand at that stage, and remembering that economic shock, on this side of the House, we have opted for a slow start. We want to get there. But the slow start\u2014we\u2019re not shutting down oil exploration; we are not shutting down the industry. All that we are saying is that we will not open up further areas of exploration. The existing areas remain. The existing 100,000 kilometres of offshore exploration areas remain. All that is happening is that oil companies or fossil fuel companies may not ask for new areas to be opened up for exploration. This is, in fact, a very slow start.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EI guess one of the things that came through in many of the submissions to this bill was that many people want it to be much, much faster. What they wanted was for all existing permits to be shut down straight away. We have chosen not to do that, because we know that the industry needs time to plan, and that\u2019s what we have given them\u2014plenty of time to plan, plenty of time to explore that 100,000 kilometres of offshore area that is still available. So we are taking it slowly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EMr Young talked of the impact on Taranaki and the worry about jobs there. But there\u2019s some interesting news out of Taranaki just today. The unemployment rate in Taranaki just today is 4 percent, only 0.1 percent above the national average. That\u2019s a significant drop since this announcement was made, from 5.3 percent down to 4 percent\u2014since the announcement to stop oil and gas exploration was made. There was a peak unemployment rate of 6.8 percent in Taranaki, but it is now down to 4 percent, even with this announcement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EIn the quarter ending September 2018\u2014the quarter since this announcement was made\u2014the workforce has grown, with 2,300 jobs added in Taranaki despite this announcement. And the underutilisation rate in Taranaki has dropped from 14.4 percent down to 12 percent since this announcement was made. We\u2019ve heard a lot of scaremongering from the other side of the House, saying that Taranaki would never survive, that it was a terrible shock, and that the region was reeling. The figures\u2014the figures\u2014on employment out today show that that is simply not the case. It is simply not the case.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EMr Young talked of investors having lost confidence in New Zealand. That\u2019s simply not the case, either. There are investors queuing up to get involved in the KiwiBuild projects, investors queuing up to get involved in the infrastructure projects, and even as TAG Energy is leaving, it is being replaced by Tamarind, who seem to have no fear about coming into New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003ESo I suggest that, in fact, there has been no shock to business confidence. There was talk of a loss of revenue to the Crown, and wild figures have been bandied about in various statements. In fact, it has been said that our officials said there might be a loss of up to $7 billion. I submit that those figures have in fact perhaps been miscalculated. I offer you the submission from Sam Warburton, a Socratic gadfly if ever I met one, but he is someone whose numbers are relied on, and he says, \u201CActually, if you do the calculations correctly, we\u2019re talking something more like about, oh\u2014maybe about $1.8 billion.\u201D He says that\u2019s because the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment have used a super-low risk-free rate, and perhaps if you\u2019d used a higher and more reliable discount rate then the figures would have been better.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000380\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003ELet me offer you Mr Warburton\u2019s submission. In paragraph 39 he says: \u201CAccording to the RIS, the oil industry does the exploration, then all the labour and capital involved in drilling\u201D\u2014so the oil industry is doing all the work\u2014\u201C[and then] takes home only 20% of the benefit with the Crown 80%.\u201D You\u2019d think the oil industry would be up in arms if that was really the case, but actually, they seem to still want to be here. Mr Warburton\u2019s analysis is compelling and interesting.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EMay I also submit that what was compelling was the weight of submissions: over 7,000 submissions, of which 86 percent supported ceasing new offshore exploration\u201486 percent in favour of the bill. And even if we take out the form submissions, the submissions that were facilitated by Forest \u0026amp; Bird and by Greenpeace, we are left with 2:1 support in favour of this bill. That is the weight of the submissions and that was from people all over the country, including people from Taranaki. What we had from the oil and gas industry was that it was pleased to allow fossil fuel exploitation to continue, pleased to allow more carbon-heavy fuels to be burnt, and pleased to allow global warming to continue because it suits the bottom line.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EI wish to refer to submissions that I have already referred to once, but I want to go back to them. From Richard Middleton is a submission that I picked out because it quotes Adam Smith\u2014one of my favourites. He says, quoting from Adam Smith from book one of The Wealth of Nations, published in 1776, that any proposal from business \u201Cought always to be listened to with great precaution, and ought never to be adopted till after having been long and carefully examined, not only with the most scrupulous, but with the most suspicious attention.\u201D He goes on in this submission, which I have not quoted previously, to say, \u201CThe task before the governments of the world is not to facilitate economic growth which we now know depends on cheap and abundant energy supplies, but to prevent the worst problems of it, and to establish an economy in which more modest lifestyles ensure our children have a future.\u201D That is what Richard Middleton advised us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EAbbie Jury advised us to walk away from the oil and gas industry which pollutes her own home in Taranaki, and Sam Netherclift, a young person who submitted to the bill\u2014one of the many thousands of people\u2014said something very simple indeed. He said, \u201CI am 18 and I think it is very unfair that my generation is inheriting a world affected by climate change because of older generations.\u201D It is time for us to start. It is time for us to take action. This is a first step, and I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022fdb01002-a7cf-4a77-8f05-678d24a36849\u0022 data-id=\u00226ddbb8318dc5488e8e37d6af54ad3c76\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdb01002-a7cf-4a77-8f05-678d24a36849\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226ddbb8318dc5488e8e37d6af54ad3c76\u0022\u003ETODD MULLER (National\u2014Bay of Plenty):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Governments are defined by the legislation they put forth. When you listen to the speakers on the Government side, they seek to convince New Zealand and this House that this is legislation that is leadership personified. This legislation is shambolic and it\u2019s sanctimonious and it\u2019s shabby, and it talks to the incompetence, in my view, that sits at the core of this Government, on this issue in particular.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdb01002-a7cf-4a77-8f05-678d24a36849\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s step through this process. Was this commitment referenced by the Prime Minister in the Speech from the Throne? No\u2014no specific reference at all. Was the oil and gas industry assuming it had another block offer, as it had been signalled under that Speech from the Throne? Yes. Did the Prime Minister, without any warning, stand up and say to students of Victoria University, \u201CWe\u2019re with you. This is a global issue. There is to be no more oil in the medium to long term in the world and, indeed, in this country. Therefore, we\u2019re banning exploration\u201D? Yes. Without any reference or any consultation, no Cabinet paper, no assessment of the costs to the New Zealand economy and to the Taranaki economy\u2014nothing. Then hop on a plane and then stand beside Macron and Trudeau\u2014who, by the way, is quite comfortable, it seems, to expand their oil and gas reserves to serve the North American market.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdb01002-a7cf-4a77-8f05-678d24a36849\u0022\u003EThis is a shambolic piece of legislation and it deserves New Zealand\u2019s rejection. Let\u2019s just step through, because after they got to that point, they then realised that, actually, they needed to have legislation. So perhaps that was a time to reflect and ask New Zealand to come on the journey. Oh no. \u201CWe\u2019re gonna run a shortened process. We\u2019re going to give people two to three weeks to be able to submit. We\u2019re going to run a two-week submission process. We\u2019re going to give individuals five minutes to talk on something that supposedly is the most substantive issue of our time.\u201D But the opportunity for people to actually reflect on what it means was, in my view, seriously truncated and taken away.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdb01002-a7cf-4a77-8f05-678d24a36849\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s extraordinary, the process that this Government has followed\u2014their own advice, which they skim over. In fact, what the Government has done this afternoon is reference individual submitters who echo their own perspectives. Their own officials that say the data doesn\u2019t support this, the cost on the New Zealand economy is anywhere between $7 billion and $23 billion dollars, it doesn\u2019t deliver against your climate change objectives\u2014they don\u2019t give voice to that. Their own officials\u2019 advice has been discarded because of their own desires to be able to stand on a certain stage and pitch New Zealand\u2019s leadership in climate change through the lens of ending oil and gas, despite the fact that, as a country, we still use it, and despite the fact that it\u2019s not going to have any impact on our own internal consumption. They frame this up through the lens of climate change leadership.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdb01002-a7cf-4a77-8f05-678d24a36849\u0022\u003EThis is not climate change leadership\u2014this is not climate change leadership. There is significant demand for gas, in particular, as a transitional fuel around the world\u2014significant demand. We\u2019ve traversed this conversation, but they are not interested in engaging in it, because it is all symbols, it is all rhetoric. The opportunity exists for New Zealand to participate in that global transition, for developing countries to move from coal to gas\u2014and no doubt renewables is part of the mix\u2014but they do not want New Zealand and our economy to participate in that opportunity. It is a disgrace and one that this party entirely rejects. It does not have the coherence that is needed for a policy of this substance. Because, as we have discussed before, this is not theoretical; it is impacting regions and will continue to, particularly in a Taranaki context, over the medium term.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdb01002-a7cf-4a77-8f05-678d24a36849\u0022\u003ECan I deal with this view that is expressed consistently, that somehow we have to get in front of the global move away from oil and gas and begin now because we don\u2019t want a shock like New Zealand had in the 1980s. In the 1980s, when we went through that structural reform, there was no consultation. There was no reflection of how we actually can do this at a pace that works for New Zealand. There was none of that. It just happened. And they have done exactly the same thing. They did not speak to the people of Taranaki\u2014they did not speak to them. This was not in your Speech from the Throne, Government members.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdb01002-a7cf-4a77-8f05-678d24a36849\u0022\u003EThe Government did not signal this as a priority. The Government did not campaign on it. The Prime Minister did not say it was going to be a priority. But here we are, because of the backroom machinations between the Green Party and the Labour Party to get a certain waka-jumping bill passed between the Labour Party and the New Zealand First Party. With respect, when you are dealing with the economic fortunes of 4.5 million people, you need to be more motivated than nice slogans and backroom deals with New Zealand First and the Green Party. This is the lack of authority of this Government exposed for all time. The opportunity for New Zealanders to be truly consulted about what is being discussed has been taken off the table. This view that, somehow, because existing permits have been protected, that means that normal transition resumes proves two things, actually: that, depending on who the audience is, the Government will say, \u201CLook, we see no future for oil and gas. We are the party that hears the clamour to ban oil and gas, and we will lead.\u201D Then, in another audience, they\u2019ll say, \u201CBut don\u2019t worry. We\u2019re still going to extract domestically for the next 30 or 40 years.\u201D You can\u2019t be right on both of them. It doesn\u2019t work like that\u2014it does not work like that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022467487945cf54982b53f358d63791a94\u0022\u003ETamati Coffey\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Can I just seek your clarification, Madam Deputy Speaker? I\u2019ve been in the House before when you\u2019ve noted that stray, random folders sitting on desks by themselves aren\u2019t allowed. Can you just confirm\u2014is that a ruling?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000392\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a84b7e4a0dad4e84ad4622ada93576ea\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, that is a ruling. I just warn the member that it\u2019s not one that you would generally expect to interrupt a speech.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000393\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdb01002-a7cf-4a77-8f05-678d24a36849\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222892d98f7fb4432ba4ff4f2e8af313a1\u0022\u003ETODD MULLER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, there you go. You have a conversation around the future of New Zealand\u2019s economic interests, and Tamati Coffey gets up and says, \u201COh, by the way, there\u2019s nobody behind a blue box.\u201D I mean, if anything describes that disgrace of a Government\u2014I mean, that is absolutely pathetic\u2014absolutely pathetic. So, Taranaki, as you watch this debate unfold, be assured that the Government members have got their eyes on the prize. They want to know that there\u2019s a National Party person behind a blue box. I mean, I ask you, if that\u2019s the level of your intellectual rigor, I can\u2019t wait till 2020\u2014you\u2019ll all be gone.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000394\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221c37d9acc0dc4b00b344d8c76b9de7d1\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Actually, it\u2019s not my rigor.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdb01002-a7cf-4a77-8f05-678d24a36849\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221183ba9374754409861e70a40e0a7d9b\u0022\u003ETODD MULLER\u003C/span\u003E: I understand, Madam Deputy Speaker. I understand. I\u2019m sure. Now, with respect to this view that, somehow, domestically we have all this opportunity in front of us, submitter after submitter who actually deploys their capital\u2014there\u2019s a bit of interest on the Government side for this, because they don\u2019t really connect with companies that actually deploy capital and understand risk\u2014turned up to the submission process and made it very clear that there was a significant impact already, in terms of their lack of appetite to pursue those opportunities. Because of the ridiculous and, in our view, unjustifiable snap decision that this Government made, now reinforced by this particular legislation, the sovereign risk is significant. As those submitters unpacked why they were going to make different capital decisions over the short and medium term, what was absolutely clear was that on the Government side they didn\u2019t even understand what was being discussed. They didn\u2019t understand how the oil and gas sector works. They didn\u2019t understand the long-term capital signals that are required and the regulatory certainty. They didn\u2019t understand that. They didn\u2019t understand what was at stake.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdb01002-a7cf-4a77-8f05-678d24a36849\u0022\u003EThat is what is hugely disappointing from our side: that as we\u2019ve gone through this process, New Zealanders\u2019 views were not tested, regardless of what they said. This was not a campaign issue. This was not debated by New Zealand or reflected on by New Zealand; we weren\u2019t told. This was not in a campaign. This was not a Speech from the Throne. This came out of the blue. There was no consultation. There was no connection with those who will be affected. A significant loss of economic opportunity is taken off the table, and, worse than that, from a climate perspective, we have allowed this debate to be captured by those who talk in symbols and rhetoric and waving flags of ending big oil, as opposed to the sensible, evidence-based, slow transition that needs to happen in this economy in a way that actually protects jobs and protects people\u2019s opportunity to contribute and actually sustains New Zealand. This is a huge fail that will come back to haunt this Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022 data-id=\u0022e512f74604eb463db982b5e2530a42db\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e512f74604eb463db982b5e2530a42db\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU (Deputy Leader\u2014NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. First, I\u2019d like the opportunity to address some of the comments made by the Opposition there. I suppose, first of all, I\u2019d like to congratulate Mr Young and Mr Muller on their impassioned contributions. They\u2019ve kind of decided where they want to position the National Party, and they\u2019ve stuck to their guns\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229c6b91c959274f8b81dcb1cd81580b74\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, on the side of jobs and growth.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002258b40c8d102f4952bcc30664bb85c64e\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014and they\u2019ve sent a message to the country. To Mr Bishop\u2014who is doing his usual thing, but anyway\u2014to the National Party, and to the country, I would like to say to the country, please don\u2019t listen to those members of Parliament opposite. Please don\u2019t hear the words that they are saying, because they are not what this Government is trying to achieve. This is not the future of New Zealand, and I hope now to outline what the future of New Zealand looks like.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003EI think Mr Muller spoke about legislation defining a Government. Well, I stand up on behalf of New Zealand First, in this coalition with the Labour Party, supported by the Greens, to say I am happy to be defined by this legislation, because what we are doing\u2014and there are so many things that need to be addressed from the other side. It kind of piles on top of one another, so forgive me if I jump around. In fact, Mr Muller himself said we were \u201Cbanning exploration now\u201D. Those were the words he used in his contribution to the House, despite the very fact that every Minister and every member on this side of the House\u2014and the reality of the legislation is that this is that line in the sand which I spoke about in the last contribution, about a transition. It is a transition that 7,000 submitters in the Environment Committee said to this Government, \u201CMove in that direction.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003EIt is a transition where I personally engaged with New Zealand Oil and Gas prior to the announcement to talk to them and ask them\u2014[Interruption] Are you guys all right over there? What they did was\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e9c0c5f1bfbc4acfb006f7cb48e0fcc4\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: I should ask you the same question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ccf497b7ffce4d77b7fd2314342f37f6\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU\u003C/span\u003E: Well, actually, as I said, there\u2019s so many wrongs being, kind of\u2014[Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002260bed8a0e22e4cc4b030d25d2fe0d725\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Can we just focus on the bill in front of the House?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000405\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b18393e7e5094e8f9a2ddf8fbafa357f\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU\u003C/span\u003E: Well, it\u2019s hard with all the distractions. Perhaps if you keep those guys in line, Madam Deputy Speaker. Sorry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223a21b293cd4b4ef5b070ad4ed4abe385\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: At their risk. It\u2019s your speech.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226b06d2c64b2745f5852935954dc36a3d\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU\u003C/span\u003E: Yes. My apologies, Madam Deputy Speaker. Anyway\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226a4f16bb523d4ae6aa9eb3c8c08a669f\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Just try and make a speech. Make a point.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222548199a3221464aa0fca4b54db43c9e\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, good advice. Thanks, mate. They spoke of being fast followers. What I want to say is that New Zealand isn\u2019t trying to keep up with Europe; we can\u2019t keep up with Europe. They\u2019re so far ahead of the curb, in terms of the transition to renewable energies.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003EMr Young spoke about employment in Taranaki, and yet we had statistics enunciated in the House from one of our previous speakers: in this quarter, about two thousand more people being employed, unemployment decreasing, employment increasing, and the region itself going from 5.3 percent, I think it was, to 4 percent unemployment. That is actually what\u2019s happening here. We are a Government that has deployed the just transitions programme. We are working incredibly hard to make sure that we transition forward in this renewable energy space. Can I actually take this opportunity to shout out to the local council there. They understand how hard this is right now for their town, and we all do, right? But it\u2019s a 30-year transition. They are working with this Government because they know that this is the way forward. I commend them for that, because what they\u2019re being told by those members opposite\u2014and they certainly have a voice in that district, so, by goodness, it\u2019s frustrating sometimes to hear what\u2019s repeated back to us. It is a transition where we are working through this legislation on making sure that it is fair and just over time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003EIn fact, I think the Minister Megan Woods spoke of 10, 20, or 30 years, and I think in this House, actually, if the petroleum companies come to us and talk about a good reason to extend their permits, I think we\u2019re talking about the opportunity to extend that even further. This is the opportunity now for New Zealand to move on. But to allay the fears of those members opposite, I want to point out the reality that what we have is an opportunity for those oil companies to drill now. I wrote down the numbers for the contribution last week: 20 wells going down now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022353509b0d96a48608b5c345457cb79e8\u0022\u003EJonathan Young\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, I know. Approved by us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002212b9a87694e24f9f9b6773158dd114c4\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU\u003C/span\u003E: And then 31 on the books confirmed going down now. He says approved by him\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225adef22ab5ca4009b1c77562d9fb9fb8\u0022\u003EJonathan Young\u003C/span\u003E: Well, it\u2019s the previous Government work.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002242545bb7be3241d08fd4c4e41b916017\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014and yet\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000416\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002263662dbbc6ec42d3a514a78b9688714b\u0022\u003EHon Dr Megan Woods\u003C/span\u003E: No, he was never a Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000417\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bcce9cbdcddf44c6a98eb8e9669eaf40\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU\u003C/span\u003E: No, no\u2014not. But they continue, Mr Young\u2014they continue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000418\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc9c47c0-4409-44ca-ad2f-498707f27d69\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224d5c2ee238db4c30979eac3ae4562206\u0022\u003EJonathan Young\u003C/span\u003E: Business as usual.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227874787f5b6c4676a43054a04b731df3\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, thank you. There, he said it himself: \u201CBusiness as usual\u201D. What an insightful observation from the member opposite.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003EI spoke in my previous contribution about how exciting the transition to these renewable energies is. It was only last week that I met with a big transport company who were talking about hydrogen now\u2014now. Hydrogen, right now. They are going to generate it themselves. They\u2019re going to deploy it within their own fleet, and they\u2019re going to do it now. That\u2019s the commitment that they are making. I tell you what\u2014to have that conversation firsthand was incredible. It was an opportunity. The Minister has just returned from Japan, engaging with Ministers and big business in Japan about the transition into hydrogen. She\u2019s also been speaking about the construction of wind farms, and I acknowledge the construction this year, Minister, of the wind farm being built now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eba9bb4b91c5487bb197e85cc88e6b89\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Well, it\u2019s not her call.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b01dfdf10c0446fd84160ca85f527146\u0022\u003EFLETCHER TABUTEAU\u003C/span\u003E: So\u2014no. I acknowledge the construction. Thanks, Mr Bishop. So we are transitioning now. It\u2019s an exciting time. So, for me, Madam Deputy Speaker, it is a pleasure to stand and commend this legislation to the House. Thank you very much.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022 data-id=\u0022596fe611c45b424d80f5cdee138132c3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022596fe611c45b424d80f5cdee138132c3\u0022\u003EBARBARA KURIGER (National\u2014Taranaki - King Country):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s a shame that the last speaker could not fulfil a 10-minute slot to allay the fears\u2014and we on this side of the House, as well as those people from the Taranaki industry who came to Wellington to submit, have not heard anything that will allay the fears of what is going on with this bill. We heard the words \u201CBusiness as usual\u201D come up. There\u2019s a real lack of concentration if you think that this is going to be business as usual, long term. This is short-term business that\u2019s going on. There is nothing long term about this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EI have to ask\u2014Deborah Russell, when that member got up to speak, she said, \u201CIf not now, when?\u201D Well, I would say when we have a real transition, and right now we don\u2019t have a real transition. She said, \u201CIf not us, then who?\u201D Well, the industry is more than capable of developing a transition if they are given enough time to do so.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EI would like those speakers in the Government who have speeches left to come to tell us: where are the renewable resources? All we\u2019ve heard in question time today from the Minister, and we\u2019ve heard it again this afternoon\u2014yes, there\u2019s a wind farm which is going to be developed in Waverley. Well, wow! That wind farm is great in and of itself, but it is not going to keep the lights on for very long if that is the only thing that the Minister can point to in terms of a long-term transition renewable source of energy. So we would like to know from the Minister: when will there be enough alternative energy sources to cover energy security for New Zealand, and who is going to develop this?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EThis is not a proud day for New Zealand. It is idealism, and idealism comes with consequences. The consequences of doing this with no plan are absolutely going to come back and bite this country in the future. This lack of plan came together from a Government who is incompetent, with no plan, they had no consultation, and the submission process left much, much, much to be desired.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EIt denies opportunities for other regions in New Zealand, but the disappointing thing was that Jonathan Young, myself, and others worked hard to try and ask the select committee to bring the select committee process to Taranaki so that people in Taranaki could come along and have a listen, and even that was denied. So, you know, we\u2019ve heard members get up and make bold statements about blue boxes this afternoon and try to distract from the whole conversation. Well, actually, it would be nice if\u2014actually, they\u2019re not going to see any other coloured boxes when they come from Taranaki, because there are none there, because no one on the Government side of the House is brave enough to come to Taranaki, other than Andrew Little, who turned up at the time of the announcement and said that there was going to be a consultation, which actually turned out not to be the case. When the Prime Minister and the Minister came, there were no open meetings. It was all behind closed doors because they didn\u2019t want to have conversations with the public.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EWe support greater coordination across Government to address climate change. We have no argument about this. We just have not seen any arguments in any of this debate that go to show that climate change will be improved globally in any way, shape, or form from this decision. In fact, we\u2019re hearing a lot of debate and a lot of good discussion points that tell us that this is probably going to have the opposite effect.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003ESo this bill sat in the Environment Committee as a pretence that this bill has got something to do with affecting climate change and having some positive effect on the environment. Deborah Russell herself has accused National of wanting the earth to burn. It\u2019s all been a bit dramatic, and, actually, we\u2019re finding out from all our sources that this is probably unlikely to have any positive effect on climate change at all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EWe don\u2019t dispute, and we support, on this side of the House, having greater investment in research and development\u2014no argument there. But who\u2019s going to do the research and development? The people who are best placed to do the research and development are the energy industry companies themselves. No one understands energy better than the energy companies. No one has a greater interest in securing their future by finding alternative sources, because they know\u2014they don\u2019t need this Government to come along and tell them that the world is changing and we need to move to some more renewable sources. They know that. They are working through transition processes in their own right, and they are using the most effective fuels, such as gas, to work through this issue to allay us having to use more products such as coal or more unsustainable products. They will be working under their own steam to provide a transition to the future. They don\u2019t need to be forced into this situation. So there\u2019s no argument about that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EBut we can be all good and virtuous here, and we can make big announcements on the world stage, as the Prime Minister did\u2014flying on jet fuel to make her announcement. There\u2019ll be other countries now that will be rubbing their hands together because\u2014guess what? There are signals up that say New Zealand\u2019s closed for business. So why would we close our own economy down at the risk of having no improvement in climate change at all? It just seems like a pretty ridiculous thing to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s think about it for a moment. We know that from the extractive industries, particularly from the industries that we\u2019re discussing today\u2014a lot of the components that we use to make up electric cars come from this industry. We know that a large proportion of those components that are used to make up electric cars come from the extractive industry. So I don\u2019t see a long-term future in terms of these idealistic goals that this Government\u2019s putting in place. Yes, we\u2019re all going to be driving around in electric cars. Well, guess what? If our own extractive industries are ruined in this country, someone else\u2019s extractive industries will provide those electric cars, in due time and with the right incentive. But then how are we going to run those cars? If we go to a completely electric fleet of cars, we\u2019re going to need 22 more Clyde Dams, I think it is, Jonathan Young. It\u2019s the discussion around driving more energy or the equivalent. So one wind farm in Waverley, as a plan from this Government to ruin these industries, is not going to cut the mustard.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228287cf4c6c44347bb9fa55cf96fdc99\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: They have no plan.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cd87a2ef7e174942a55775a12417d4f9\u0022\u003EBARBARA KURIGER\u003C/span\u003E: There\u2019s absolutely no plan. I was really disappointed with the whole select committee process. The times were cut so short. There were people coming in there, really concerned about their jobs, who were refused to get the last sentence out in their five-minute submission. We spent two minutes having a debate one day about whether a submitter who was left off the order could have had an extra five-minute presentation to make his own submission. This is poor process, this is bad legislation, and this is not going to achieve anything that this current Government thinks it\u2019s going to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003ESo when this National Party caucus on this side of the House is back in Government, we will reverse this Government\u2019s decision. We will be looking to build linkages with significant countries, because we have a lot of intellectual property with our oil industries in this country. We will be looking at putting proper research and development in advanced fuels, in energy resources, and in a process that is going to make sure that this country stays in a viable state. With the help of our knowledgable climate change spokesperson, Todd Muller, we will put the right incentives in place for climate change to make sure that we do get a proper answer. We will be working to make sure that the lights stay on in this country, because, so far, from the Minister we are getting no-end answers, no answers at all about energy security in this country. It is a bad day for Taranaki. It is a bad day for New Zealand. It is a bad decision, and on this side of the House we will never support this piece of legislation. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022 data-id=\u002225008c5b0c354859bfa3391ea6113773\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002225008c5b0c354859bfa3391ea6113773\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW (Minister for Climate Change):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I\u2019d like to start my contribution on the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill by acknowledging the previous speaker, Barbara Kuriger MP, and her colleague in the Taranaki region Mr Young, who I think have advocated strongly and well for their local constituencies and their constituents, and the industries that are represented there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019d like to start in that spirit, responding to a question that Ms Kuriger raised about what is the future of the energy system. I think that there are a number of things that have been conflated here. One is the present and the other is the future\u2014those two things have been conflated. So right now there is a problem, and part of it is due to the fact that there is gas infrastructure that is damaged, and so supply is not getting through. Now, what that demonstrates, actually, is that gas infrastructure isn\u2019t always resilient, so the answer isn\u2019t necessarily more gas infrastructure to solve a problem of the existing infrastructure.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EMs Kuriger is absolutely correct that one new wind farm will not be able to solve our energy requirements in the year 2050. That\u2019s right. Over the course of the next 30 years we need to build a lot more generation, as we have in the last 30 years and the 30 years before that and, actually, in the 30 years before that. Something that we tend to do when there is a requirement for more generation is we build more generation. So the fact that there is only one new wind farm announced this year is absolutely no indicator that there will be no new generation for the next 30 years. There will be plenty of new generation. Yes, as we simplify our fuel supplies towards electricity and away from fossil fuels, that will mean a lot more electricity generation is required. There are vast amounts of new energy and new investment going into this field right now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EIf we were to transition our car fleet to electric vehicles\u2014the easiest way to solve that problem is through rooftop solar and battery, the price of which is coming down enormously. So there won\u2019t be any additional drain on the grid, because you\u2019ll be actually generating your electricity at the point of use, which is at your carport or on your garage at home.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EWe do have an issue in this country, due to the unique sort of pattern that we have where we have this winter dip. It\u2019s a very valid question: what happens during that three-month winter period? A battery isn\u2019t going to keep us going for the three-month period. You don\u2019t have to use fossil fuels to cover that dip. I was at an energy conference in Wellington the other day, which Mr Young was also at. One of the options that was being put around there was the idea that, actually, what you do is you massively overbuild wind\u2014right\u2014so that you\u2019ve always got that baseload, even in the winter. Then you use the spare capacity in the other nine months of the year to create hydrogen, which you then export to Japan and other countries that are making a major play in hydrogen, and you turn energy into an export market in New Zealand for the first time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EAt the moment we import something like $5.5 billion of fossil fuels to cover our energy needs\u2014we import that\u2014and that is almost exactly the same as our balance of payments deficit. We could turn that around. We could actually turn energy into an exporter, reverse out our balance of payments deficit, and actually turn energy into one of the great wealth creators for this country, entirely from renewables.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EThe next question that was raised was: what about the idea of gas as a transition fuel? I have to say, at the energy conference\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224bfc9789caf94dc3a06f05ac93a0a84e\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m sorry, to the member, but we are actually speaking to a particular piece of legislation. Just because issues are raised, we\u2019re still focused on the third reading of this bill. So if the member would then relate all that back to the bill in front of us, that would be extremely helpful.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e93796ecfc9f47b1b258a9d7d62f5807\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: Certainly, Madam Deputy Speaker. So one of the questions that was raised in the debate prior to me taking the floor was the question: will this bill prevent gas from being used as a transition fuel? So the question is: what does that transition look like?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EOne of the points that we have made a number of times\u2014so many times, I\u2019ve lost count\u2014is that we actually, over the course of the next 30 years, still have a huge amount of exploration and extraction of fossil fuels in this country. There are 100,000 square kilometres of existing permits that are being explored. Onshore exploration is still open. If any of the existing exploration permits come up with a find, then those can turn into new extraction, which is in addition to the current extraction, and that could go out for decades\u2014decades and decades, well beyond 2050, and well beyond, I might say, when the world will be wanting it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003ESo when the National Party says that we need to keep exploring on the basis that we need to use this as a transition fuel\u2014if you think about it as a transition, a transition has an end point. And my question to the National Party is: when were you planning to stop exploring and extracting fossil fuels? What year did you have in mind for when we were going to stop that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ac42461d37f548c9aeaa346287fbdab8\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Actually, first of all, you\u2019re using \u201Cyou\u201D and you\u2019re bringing the Speaker into the debate. And, second of all, I refer you to Speakers\u2019 rulings 121/6 and 121/7. The third reading is the summary of the bill. We are summarising the bill on the floor of the House\u2014not what another party might do in place of that, but the bill on the floor of the House. I\u2019ve given you six minutes and I really would like you to discuss the third reading of the bill in front of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f6323b5f3ead4f0ca7301f2ee08ec130\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: Certainly, Madam Deputy Speaker. My point about gas as a transition\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022de9b18e1a9a245a5b642b49eba18ee21\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, don\u2019t argue with me. Would you please comply with what I\u2019m asking of you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f7ea720efdfc402e8cf7d50d3ccd38f4\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: My point about gas as a transition fuel is that this bill actually starts the transition. It actually says, \u201CWe need to make that transition.\u201D It actually gives an incentive to companies to start doing things other than what they were doing last year.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EI have to say, at the energy conference over the course of the last few days, it was extraordinary the number of proposals that were floating around for liquid biofuels, for new hydrogen exploration, for a number of different ways that we can solve this problem\u2014the point being that all of those things can come on stream over the course of the next decade or two while we phase out the use of fossil fuels, which is the whole point of this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EI have to say, one of the other criticisms that\u2019s been levelled at this bill is the idea that New Zealand should be a fast follower rather than a leader. I have to say that we are a fast follower. France went first, and they, actually, have gone further than New Zealand. We are following them, fairly quickly, so we are by definition a fast follower. France\u2019s version of this legislation is not just to phase out exploration but also to phase out extraction by the year 2040. We\u2019ve actually put no end date on when extraction would finish. What we\u2019re saying is that we need to start this transition simply by not looking for more fuel.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EOne of the other criticisms that\u2019s been levelled at this bill is the idea that it somehow does nothing about climate change. The question has been asked a number of times: do you know how much this is going to change global temperatures? I can tell you this: 100 percent of the fossil fuels that you do not burn will not add to global warming, and 100 percent of the fossil fuels that you do burn will add to global warming. That is the nature of fossil fuels.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EThe recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report into where the world was at in relation to our target of holding global warming to 1.5 degrees said that we literally have 10 years to turn this around, and the fastest thing that we need to bring down is fossil fuel use. That is what we have to do in the next 10 years. That is a shorter time frame than what this bill envisages. You cannot burn something like 80 percent of the world\u2019s existing reserves of fossil fuels and remain anywhere close to within the temperature goal that we have set of between 1.5 degrees and 2 degrees of global warming. The idea that you want to supplement those existing reserves by going and looking for new reserves when you cannot burn all of the existing reserves\u2014and we know that. It is absurd to actually consider that you would say, \u201CActually, it\u2019s a good idea to go and add to those reserves, on the off chance.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EI have to say, some of the submissions talked a lot about the risk of stranded assets. I\u2019m really worried about the risk of stranded assets, because we know that we cannot burn our existing reserves and remain under 1.5 degrees to 2 degrees of global warming. We cannot. What that means is that those assets are already stranded, and the idea of adding to that asset base, contributing to it, and saying we\u2019re going to expand the pool of stranded assets\u2014that is the most economically absurd idea and argument that I\u2019ve yet heard.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003ESo I have to say that I understand the concerns that have been well represented\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022 data-id=\u0022386f5a2684ad48519870000e314ac979\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022386f5a2684ad48519870000e314ac979\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: I apologise to the member. Your time has expired.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022 data-id=\u0022729b5142776c44699cc7143383d22c9b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000458\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022729b5142776c44699cc7143383d22c9b\u0022\u003EERICA STANFORD (National\u2014East Coast Bays):\u003C/span\u003E This Government\u2019s number one environmental announcement to date is a complete sham. This bill is a complete sham. Jacinda Ardern\u2019s nuclear-free moment is \u201Cgreenwashing\u201D at its absolute worst.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000459\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EJames Shaw comes up here today and tells us that 100 percent of what you don\u2019t burn doesn\u2019t create emissions, and it all sounds very good, but the problem is we\u2019re not dealing with demand, and he knows it very well. All we are doing is cutting supply. We\u2019re doing nothing to stop demand. He knows that. We will be burning exactly the same amount; it just won\u2019t be produced by us. It\u2019ll be produced by someone overseas with a far worse environmental record. We will be shipping it here, creating more emissions, and doing nothing. That is why this bill is complete and utter \u201Cgreenwashing\u201D. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000460\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EAs much as members opposite want to paint us as some kind of ecoterrorists for opposing this bill, they know full well there is not a single shred of evidence that has been produced to date to show that global emissions will be reduced by this bill. I sat on the Environment Committee, and there was not a single report that we were presented with that showed a reduction in global emissions\u2014not a single one. In fact, the Government\u2019s own eventual advice showed that the intent of the bill, to reduce global emissions, would actually not be the case. And yet here we are at third reading.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000461\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EThe Prime Minister, in her overwhelming desire to be seen as some kind of eco - warrior princess on the world stage, announced this policy to a bunch of university students in Wellington\u2014we know, without any scientific advice or reports and without a cost-benefit analysis. She didn\u2019t consult with the region, with industry, or with experts. She didn\u2019t go there. There wasn\u2019t a single working group, which we know they love so very much because there are 170 of them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bcc7963401354897a6a4fad75229c328\u0022\u003EMatt King\u003C/span\u003E: 80.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d556d061250f4a60ac9311868eda6e43\u0022\u003EERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: 180. Oh my gosh! There have been 10 more since I wrote this speech. Education, Justice: millions of dollars spent, fancy croissants; here, absolutely nothing. All we have is puffery. Virtue signalling\u2014\u201CIf not us, who?\u201D! \u201CIf not now, when?\u201D!\u2014for goodness\u2019 sake!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EThis is absolute \u201Cgreenwashing\u201D, and it sets a terrifying precedent. At the whim of our \u201Cgreat leader\u201D, in her quest to improve her image and nothing more, here we have thousands of high-paying jobs at risk, halted investment, and an entire region at risk of ruin, throwing away anywhere from $9 billion to $23 billion dollars of revenue. On the advice that we now have from their own officials, we will be increasing global emissions rather than reducing them, which was the whole intent of the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EThe Prime Minister sure is putting that communications degree to good use. Communicating about the environment\u2014she\u2019s great at it; really good. But when it comes to actually acting to protect our environment, it\u2019s where she fails miserably, and this bill is proof of that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EAnd the Greens are the worst kind of accomplices\u2014the worst kind. They bellowed and they rode that high moral horse in Opposition, objecting at every possible opportunity about process and the erosion of democracy when the legislative process was truncated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223c3f59e24c3241608af26d9bfb3a2ca6\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Sorry. You\u2019ve done about four minutes with general principles. You actually should be talking to the principles of the bill as they were returned by the committee of the whole House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000468\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002278c1e3544e3d42ceb2d9a116385aa91b\u0022\u003EERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you for your wise guidance, Madam Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000469\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EThe fact is that the entire world, including countries like Norway that the Greens like to hold up as leaders in the green space, know well that natural gas, in the transition that this bill talks about, is a great transition fuel to move us along the energy continuum from coal\u2014filthy coal\u2014at one end, to renewables like hydro, solar, and wind at the other. Natural gas will reduce our reliance on coal. It will allow us to rely on a fuel that has half of the emissions of coal while we build renewable energy and while we wait for that technology to deliver us these new energy solutions, because, without gas, when the sun ain\u2019t shining, when the lakes are low like they are now, and when the wind ain\u2019t blowing, under this bill, we will be burning more coal.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000470\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EWe heard from David Seymour in question time yesterday about Genesis ordering four shipments of coal from Indonesia\u2014120,000 tonnes of coal to be delivered between December and February. We know that we don\u2019t have energy security with renewables alone, and this bill puts at further risk our increase of creating more emissions, because this bill will make us burn more coal.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EIf this Government were actually concerned about the environment and reducing emissions in their nuclear-free moment, we\u2019d be asking them some questions. Why aren\u2019t we dealing with coal in this bill\u2014the dirtiest and worst form on the transition continuum? We haven\u2019t heard a peep from them about coal. Why isn\u2019t coal included in this bill? Why are we concentrating on gas? That\u2019s got half the emissions of coal. Why aren\u2019t they dealing with coal?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EAnd, secondly, why are they not dealing with demand? There\u2019s nothing in the bill as reported back to deal with demand. As I said earlier about James Shaw\u2019s contribution, logic tells us that simply stopping a fuel source but not changing the behaviour will mean only one thing. We don\u2019t change any of our emissions. We import more oil and gas from countries with far lower environmental standards; we ship it here. All this bill is going to mean is an uptick of fuel tankers into Marsden Point. And hey, for all we know, maybe that was the deal that was done with New Zealand First to increase economic activity up in Northland.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003ECarbon leakage is a serious question that we have asked so many times at select committee and in this House. All it is is a transfer of emissions from one country with far lower environmental standards. This Government are not willing to look at things in this bill like vehicle efficiency. They\u2019ve done nothing about the increase of electric vehicles or infrastructure in the bill. Of our emissions, 49 percent come from vehicles, and this Government should be focused on fixing the demand problem. Cutting off New Zealand\u2019s supply in this bill\u2014cutting off supply\u2014will only increase, as I said, the number of tankers coming into Marsden Point. So what this Government are doing is saying they\u2019re not going to fix consumption, they\u2019re not going to worry about New Zealanders\u2019 use of oil and gas, they\u2019re just going to cut off the supply, and that\u2019s what this bill does. It just transfers the importing of those fuels into New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EOne of the worst things about this bill was the process, and it started with Megan Woods at the conference earlier this year, where she indicated to the parties who were at the conference that she would be consulting with the industry, that she would be consulting with the region, and that she would go the greatest lengths to make sure that happened\u2014and they believed her.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EA month later, we had the announcement and everybody was taken by surprise. Many people complained about the fact that, in coming up with this bill, the industry and the region weren\u2019t consulted. So not only were they not consulted before they made a decision but they weren\u2019t consulted before this bill was brought to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000476\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EThen we had this truncated process, where we sat in select committee and heard from submitters who only had five minutes and who\u2019d travelled a really long way because we refused to go to Taranaki.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dca3ab96622d4e229e05d82fc33f6e7a\u0022\u003EMatt King\u003C/span\u003E: They wouldn\u2019t let them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e9baea5a11af4eedbf36ff3f44950c46\u0022\u003EERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Wouldn\u2019t go there. We tried our very best to make this as democratic a process as we possibly could, and we were stopped from doing that. Every other bill that we\u2019re looking at\u2014we\u2019re going to be travelling the West Coast, we\u2019re going to be travelling to Canterbury, and here we are with one of the biggest decisions that this Government can possibly make, and we wouldn\u2019t travel to Taranaki. I apologise to the people of Taranaki, because this is going to ruin your economy and ruin your region. And I\u2019m sorry that we couldn\u2019t go. We tried\u2014we did our very best\u2014but Government members refused. And then they cut speakers off\u2014to the second. We had CEOs of major companies of industries who were cut off to the second.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022909fd726844e4ac8bb6cae29f4580d11\u0022\u003EAngie Warren-Clark\u003C/span\u003E: Everyone treated the same.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222bb2dc2787bf4ab1b86d1c15f1b9221e\u0022\u003EERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: They were all treated the same and they were all treated extremely unfairly. A massive decision that is going to affect our economy and a huge region, and they were all treated extremely unfairly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EThis bill is about virtue-signalling, \u201Cgreenwashing\u201D, and image-building for a Prime Minister who cares more about how she\u2019s viewed on the world stage than anything that will improve our environment. This bill is pure and simply environmental vandalism and we will not support it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022 data-id=\u0022685f16f7bee349da9d55e4e7aac83c11\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022685f16f7bee349da9d55e4e7aac83c11\u0022\u003EJO LUXTON (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. I\u2019m pleased to stand and take an opportunity to speak to this, the third reading of the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill and, I have to say, such passion\u2014such passion from the Opposition today. If only we\u2019d seen so much passion from them in the last nine years. But, anyway, I digress. I will get on to talking about this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EWe had Todd Muller speak before. He said, \u201CGovernments are defined by the legislation they create.\u201D Well, I tell you what, I am proud of all the legislation that we\u2019ve created\u2014passed and created\u2014but, boy, am I especially proud to be a part of a Government defined by this legislation. It is bold. It is forward-thinking. It is future-focused, and we are focused on making things better for our future generations, for our children, our children\u2019s children, our great-grandchildren, and the environment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EWe heard also from Barbara Kuriger, who talked about all the things that they would do when they were back in Government around this space. But my question around that is: why didn\u2019t you do anything in this space in the last nine years? [Interruption] Anyway, that\u2019s just my question to you. I didn\u2019t hear anything previously. She also passed the comment that we haven\u2019t seen anyone in Taranaki. Well, I\u2019m pretty sure\u2014but I\u2019m happy to be corrected\u2014the Minister and the Prime Minister have both visited Taranaki. But that\u2019s OK, I stand to be corrected.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EAnyway, so I want to congratulate the Environment Committee for all the hard work that they\u2019ve put into this piece of legislation, and I want to thank the submitters. I heard today that there were 7,000\u20147,000\u2014submissions, and 86 percent were in favour of this bill, and if that is not a mandate to move forward, and that you\u2019re on the right track, then I don\u2019t know what is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003ESo climate change is happening. It is happening whether we like it or not. What is important is how we adapt, and how we plan for it. We must not be a fast follower. That is not good enough. We must be leaders in this space, and being effective leaders doesn\u2019t mean sitting on your hands and doing nothing. You have to make bold decisions. Sometimes they are hard decisions, but they are the right decisions. And this piece of legislation is the right decision.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000487\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003ESo this Government is committed to being a leader, not a follower on climate change, and to transitioning and moving to a low-carbon economy. And I just want to read a submission that stood out for me from Gabrielle Pankhurst, who said, \u201CNew Zealand is a small emitter on the Global Stage but can have a big presence encouraging other nations to take action. New Zealand has led the way and had an outsized effect in the past on the nuclear threat, apartheid in South Africa, votes for women and many other policies. Let\u2019s lead the world again when facing the existential threat of climate change.\u201D And that just reiterates what I\u2019ve said.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000488\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003ESo this legislation will mean that future block offers will exclude new offshore exploration permits, and that block offers will be limited to onshore Taranaki. We\u2019ve heard from the other side of the House about the risk to employment, but I want to talk about the fact that this Government has passed legislation\u2014future-focused legislation\u2014enabling people to transition from certain types of work into others with our first year fees-free getting people into trades\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000489\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b360fa11aeee46a79e2b43f7e54f324f\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Back to the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000490\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223351bf50d1f3493a88ce9ed16fb0c426\u0022\u003EJO LUXTON\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, Madam Assistant Speaker. I would also like to quote from Minister Wood\u2019s speech initially, where she said we\u2019ve already invested heavily in the Taranaki region. I quote this: \u201CThe Provincial Growth Fund has already earmarked more than $21 million\u201D, which includes the potential for new discoveries to make use of existing production in transmission infrastructure, and it\u2019s with things like that that we will ensure that people are able to transition, in a just and fair manner, into new employment, should things change for them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000491\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re not talking about stopping this overnight. This is about a 30-year transition. This gives industry\u2014it gives people\u2014time to plan, to adjust, and to change their way of thinking. We have to be sensible about it. We have to give people time to change. I am proud that our small country Aotearoa is leading the way boldly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022 data-id=\u00227743513940f546e78124f93055521662\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000492\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227743513940f546e78124f93055521662\u0022\u003EANDREW FALLOON (National\u2014Rangitata):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. It\u2019s with disappointment I rise to speak this afternoon on a failure of Government. With this bill, with this Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill, this Government has failed New Zealanders in four ways.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000493\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003EThe first way they\u2019ve failed New Zealanders is with the economy\u2014it\u2019s a failure of the economy. This bill will affect 15,000 jobs across New Zealand\u201415,000 jobs. Of those jobs, 4,500 are direct and 11,000 are in related industries. The vast bulk of those people are employed in the Taranaki region. This bill has put them on notice. This bill is the letter in the post saying, \u201CYou\u2019ll be out of work.\u201D This bill will end 15,000 pay packets across the country, particularly in Taranaki.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000494\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s not just a failure of the economy; it\u2019s a failure of potential. In my electorate of Rangitata, this bill will end the prospect of 3,100 new jobs around PrimePort in Timaru. The Barque gas development would have created 3,100 new jobs and a billion dollars in activity in the South Canterbury and North Otago regions. We know that\u2019s the case because the permit holder has told us that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003EThe Government opposite has said, \u201COh, no, it doesn\u2019t affect the existing permits; it doesn\u2019t change anything for existing permit holders.\u201D Well, the permit holder themselves has told us that it does. The permit holder and New Zealand Oil and Gas say that this bill makes the development of the Barque prospect materially less likely\u2014materially less likely. They\u2019re now struggling to find investors for this prospect because the bill has had such a chilling effect on the international oil and gas industry, and people overseas have said, \u201CNo, New Zealand is closed for business.\u201D The way we know that is because they\u2019ve quoted three large investment companies who\u2019ve said that. One of them has said, \u201Cgiven [the] state of play in NZ at the moment I don\u2019t think we\u2019ll get much airplay internally. So will pass on this one.\u201D Another said, \u201CI\u2019m sorry to inform you but [we\u2019ve] excluded New Zealand from our area of interest\u201D. The third one has said, \u201CIt\u2019s been an education for me seeing the reaction by even discussing NZ here!\u201D This bill has had a chilling impact on investment in oil and gas in New Zealand, even for existing permits.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000496\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003EThe third failure of this Government is process. This bill was meant to go off, or should\u2019ve gone off, to select committee for six months, in the way that every other bill goes off to select committee. Instead, this Government have said, \u201CNo, we\u2019re not interested in hearing from people. We\u2019re not interested in running a proper process. What will we do? We\u2019ll do it for four weeks.\u201D\u2014four weeks. It went to the Environment Committee. They had two weeks of consultation and two weeks of consideration. Within that, they didn\u2019t even bother to go to Taranaki\u2014didn\u2019t bother to go to Taranaki. The one region that relies on oil and gas in this country, and they didn\u2019t bother to turn up. The majority of those 15,000 jobs are in the Taranaki region, and the Government refuses to go there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000497\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003EThe fourth failure is a failure of the environment. Deborah Russell has said at length, as the chair of the select committee, in the first reading, that we are burning the planet. She\u2019s referred to climate change\u2014in fact, many members opposite have referred to climate change as the reason for passing this bill. Well, what does their advice tell them? What does the Government\u2019s own evidence about this bill tell them? It says the net impact on global emissions is uncertain but more likely to be negative rather than positive. It goes on to say that the bill \u201Cwill result in a likely increase of greenhouse gas emissions in the short to medium term.\u201D So the very reason\u2014the very reason\u2014that this Government has put forward this bill, they\u2019ve failed on. On the very reason that this Government has said, which is climate change, the Government\u2019s own evidence shows that they are wrong. Not one member opposite has ever contradicted that, because they don\u2019t have the evidence. It\u2019s a failure by this Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022 data-id=\u0022c0c77c6872be45ce84bfdcb8a6b4d336\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000498\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c0c77c6872be45ce84bfdcb8a6b4d336\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: I understand this is a split call. You have five minutes, Angie Warren-Clark.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022 data-id=\u0022e3f3521b05924397930672ac975bebbc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000499\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e3f3521b05924397930672ac975bebbc\u0022\u003EANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. When I think about controversial issues that have come to this House over the years and I think about where people sit and whether they\u2019re on the right or the wrong side of history, I think about the Springbok Tour and our nuclear-free stance, and I think about what our grandchildren will think of this conversation that we\u2019ve had today in this House. Absolutely\u2014absolutely\u2014this is the beginning of change in this country. I have a very short time today, but I am proud to stand here and speak on behalf of this Government in regards to the beginning of the transition away from oil and gas. The Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill is putting in place something that we have strongly looked at across many years, and that is putting in place something for the environment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000500\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EThe market\u2014the market\u2014has not managed to do this; the Government has to step in and do this. There have been many years where there has been the opportunity for gas companies to make a change, and they talk now of stranded assets, yet climate change has been coming at us like a slow-burning train. It is here, and we need to act\u2014we need to act. Our world is changing, and we have a crisis with global warming. What will happen to our whakapapa, Mr M\u00FCller? What will happen when our community of Tauranga no longer has half of its environment because of global warming? What will happen when the food chain breaks down? Can we eat money\u2014can we eat money? We cannot.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000501\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EWhat I would like to address\u2014very quickly, because I have very short time\u2014is leakage. Ooh, not that kind of leakage\u2014carbon leakage. What we\u2019re talking about here, and the argument we\u2019ve all heard from the Opposition, is that \u201COoh, we\u2019re going to buy from somewhere worse, and it\u2019s going to be terrible.\u201D Well, guess what? The world isn\u2019t sitting still. The world is moving on, and the world is looking at alternatives\u2014looking at alternatives to oil and gas and coal\u2014and that is the argument that the Opposition have failed to take into account when they consider that carbon leakage will occur. Carbon leakage does not sit in a context of not moving forward. The world is moving forward, and we have to keep up. We have to lead. We have to be honest, that, actually, if we don\u2019t support our environment, if we don\u2019t move to a just transition, of 30-plus years, people\u201430-plus years. We have to do this, because the market has not, and we are prepared to be bold and to do this. I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022 data-id=\u00220fb272bfae754fdc9ae146bf6de352d9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000502\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220fb272bfae754fdc9ae146bf6de352d9\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: Just before I call the honourable member, I just want to remind members: if we\u2019re going to refer to other members, we should do our best endeavours to make sure we get the names right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022 data-id=\u002243f07953cb5e434085e375cf1e65b78f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002243f07953cb5e434085e375cf1e65b78f\u0022\u003EDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader\u2014ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Something I wholeheartedly agree with: that we should all treat each other with the respect of using our names as accurately as possible. For the member who just resumed her seat, I think that she actually captured\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000504\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002294d479d3dd09404bac5f5516cc37c22b\u0022\u003EAngie Warren-Clark\u003C/span\u003E: Angie Warren-Clark.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000505\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002292c66924f9484793a380101b624b0b27\u0022\u003EDAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: I know Angie Warren-Clark, but I think she captured something about this bill that in turn captures something about this Government. She drew on the imagery of the Springbok Tour. She talked about New Zealand\u2019s declaration of being a nuclear-free country. She has learned the lesson of Jacinda Ardern, the woman who became the Prime Minister of New Zealand without changing a single policy and getting a 20-point bump in the polls. She learned the lesson that the way to do politics has nothing to do with the importance of how public policy works, or this bill. She learned the lesson that, somehow, spin and symbolism can overcome substance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000506\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EThe substance of this bill is that it is going to be an environmental, economic, and procedural disaster, with adverse consequences for the country\u2019s international reputation, for the way that we look after our environment, for the way that we become wealthy and invest, and for the way that we are seen in this House to respect parliamentary procedure. Let\u2019s just tick off the reasons why this bill that is all about symbolism rather than substance will backfire on its stated intentions. It\u2019s not going to be good for the environment. It is going to narrow the range of fuel options that New Zealanders have in decades to come. We will have one fewer option. We won\u2019t have oil and gas found off the coast of New Zealand, because no one will have been able to look for it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000507\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003ESo if it just happens to be that these magical new sources of energy, peak load electricity generation that doesn\u2019t use thermal fuels, have not come to pass, what will the options be? Well, it won\u2019t be relatively clean-burning gas off the coast of New Zealand, and it won\u2019t be relatively clean oil off the coast of New Zealand; it will be doing what Genesis are doing right now: importing 120,000 tonnes of coal from Indonesia\u2014hardly a country with the kind of environmental record that we want to be patrons of.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000508\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003ESo we\u2019re going to end up with fewer options, and we\u2019re going to end up using fuels that are worse for the environment and worse for climate change than the options we would have if people were allowed to look for oil and gas off the coasts of New Zealand on the possibility that it might be the best option for the economy and the environment in the future. By the way, if this Government was really serious about climate change, here is what they would do: they would ask what carbon price our trading partners are facing, and they would say, \u201CWe\u2019re going to beat them by 10 percent, and if they increase it, we\u2019ll increase it too.\u201D That would actually put a real carbon tax on consuming energy and fuels, not just kneecap one industry. What does it do to the economy? What does it do to our international reputation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000509\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EWhen people look at New Zealand, they used to see a country that followed due process, a country that was beyond reproach for corruption, and a country where you knew that people would keep their word and your property rights would be safe. Now they look at this Government, shaking their heads in astonishment, to see a New Zealand Parliament that, with a four-week consultation, with a bill rammed through this House under extended sittings, and with all the urgency in the world but no care, can take away years of expectations of investment opportunities, can take away the certainty that investors require\u2014and it won\u2019t just be oil and gas; it\u2019ll be the international business community across a range of sectors looking at New Zealand, shaking their heads, and wondering why.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000510\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EThis is a bill that is underlining and putting on display, for everybody to see, the politics of symbolism over substance for which this Government will become known. It\u2019s bad for the environment, it\u2019s bad for the economy, it\u2019s bad procedure for the reputation of this House, and it\u2019s bad for the whole country\u2019s international representation as a safe place to invest, but, well, apparently it is good PR and marketing. I suspect that in the long term, the people of New Zealand will conclude differently. I proudly oppose this bill on behalf of the ACT Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022 data-id=\u002224e2a96b7bf744e7869a79190d41b1a5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000511\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002224e2a96b7bf744e7869a79190d41b1a5\u0022\u003EMAUREEN PUGH (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. I too stand with great disappointment today to speak to the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill in its third reading. This is\u2014and I support Mr Seymour\u2014a sad day for Taranaki. It is a sad day for New Zealand, a sad day for our democracy, and certainly a sad day for our country\u2019s economic future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000512\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EI thought this Government was going to be the main meal: New Zealand First and Labour with a side of Greens. But what we\u2019ve actually got is a salad with absolutely no substance inside of it. If I was Winston Peters now, I\u2019d be wondering what on earth I\u2019d signed up for with this Crown minerals bill before us today, because it\u2019s clear that this is a Jacinda Ardern and James Shaw show. All poor old Winston Peters has done is being\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000513\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002253d58d38b7dd46f385add599913ac00a\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member will resume her seat. I want to remind the members of Speakers\u2019 rulings 121/4 and 121/5. At the third reading, one must discuss the bill as it emerged from the select committee. The member hasn\u2019t started. She\u2019s had her introduction and she\u2019ll now address the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000514\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c8632bf3a4dc4a82a197521d3d1b2683\u0022\u003EMAUREEN PUGH\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. For the Taranaki region, in relation to the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill, I feel that the Prime Minister is like the Grinch who stole Christmas. But, unfortunately under this Government, we won\u2019t even have a lump of coal to be able to give to the naughty children\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000515\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c53cbebab3774e0fb91f8fc02b54103b\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Second warning\u2014address the bill or I will terminate the member\u2019s speech.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000516\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022af270b4df35340e7b8ac41b3e8218c26\u0022\u003EMAUREEN PUGH\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019d like to run through some of the risks to New Zealand from the passing of this bill today. As James Shaw eloquently put it, the reputational damage to New Zealand from the passing of this bill is a chronic shame for us. It is part of the reputation that this country has built up over many years. Another one of the consequences and the risks that we face from this bill is the consistency that business needs. It needs a firm and level playing field for the years ahead, where they have to plan and evaluate their long-term investments. So we need great big long lead-in times, and, unfortunately, the uncertainty of this passage of legislation that is going to be created across the investment sector is going to damage our reputation and that consistency that business needs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000517\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003ENow, the other risk from this bill is to the investors. Now, investors\u2014they\u2019re probably our biggest risk of all. We need that major investment coming here into New Zealand. A classic example of the result of this bill passing through this House was the decision from Methanex, who were the second major natural gas consumer. They called a halt to their major investment of a $100 million expansion of their plant in Taranaki. The other major investment that we have seen withdrawn as a result of this legislation is Ballance Agri-Nutrients shelving a billion-dollar rebuild of their Kapuni factory. This type of legislation, this Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill, creates uncertainty in the sector, and this is the type of damage that we are seeing. That is before the bill has even passed through and become legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019ve talked to the loss of income as a consequence of this bill, and we\u2019ve heard that the Crown revenue alone is $7.9 billion. As an example of what that type of Crown revenue could have created here in this country: it could have built all of Auckland\u2019s light rail, it could have built all of Waterview Connection, it could have built all of Transmission Gully, it could build the new Dunedin Hospital\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u00225648915de4c64e348d245c70569b76d6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000519\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225648915de4c64e348d245c70569b76d6\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member will resume her seat. I am now going to read to her Speaker\u2019s ruling 121/4: \u201CMembers must confine themselves to the general principles of the bill as it emerged from the committee.\u201D Speaker\u2019s ruling 121/7: \u201CMembers must confine themselves to the main purposes and contents of the bill; they must not deal at length with matters not provided for in the bill.\u201D The member hasn\u2019t actually discussed either the purpose or the content of the bill in half the time that she had available. The member\u2019s speech is terminated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022 data-id=\u0022ccc251901c0043e9959811bfe0293e70\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000520\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ccc251901c0043e9959811bfe0293e70\u0022\u003EWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Tuatahi m\u0101ku e Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare, he mihi poto t\u0113nei pea, koin\u0101 te mea, ko t\u0113nei t\u014D tau tuatahi, kotahi, i roto i t\u0113nei Whare. Hari huritau m\u014D t\u014D whai t\u016Branga hei M\u0101ngai m\u014D Te Whare.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000521\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E[Firstly, for me, to the Speaker of the House, this is a short acknowledgment, because this is your first year, one year in this House. Congratulations on your anniversary of being appointed Speaker of the House.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000522\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022246fe342f625474b936c6d34b1032ca2\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: And now to the bill. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000523\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223786f917aadd46bfa208c09d7f946c46\u0022\u003EWILLOW-JEAN PRIME\u003C/span\u003E: \u0100e, ka huri ahau ki te pire in\u0101ianei, e rongo atu ana ahau i w\u014D whakatau. E mihi ana ki Te Minita n\u0101na i kawe mai t\u0113nei pire ki roto i Te Whare P\u0101remata. E mihi hoki ana ki Te Komiti m\u014D te Taiao me te heamana, ar\u0101 ko Dr Deborah Russell, me te nui o ng\u0101 kaitono. Neke atu i te whitu mano t\u0101ngata i tono mai m\u014D t\u0113nei kaupapa, m\u014D t\u0113nei pire. Te nuinga o r\u0101tou, neke atu i te 86 paiheneti, i tautoko i t\u0113nei pire. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000524\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EN\u0101 e hiahia ana ahau ki te k\u014Drero m\u014D t\u0113tahi o ng\u0101 kaitono, ar\u0101 ko Te Patu Harakeke, he iwi n\u014D roto o Te Tai Tokerau, \u014D r\u0101tou \u0101wangawanga m\u014D te whakamahanatanga o te ao. He hap\u016B noho ki te takutai moana. E \u0101wangawanga ana r\u0101tou m\u014D ng\u0101 r\u0101 kei te heke mai. E kaha tautoko ana r\u0101tou i t\u0113nei pire. Engari ko t\u0113tahi k\u014Drero, me whakawh\u0101nui ake pea. Hei whakaarotanga; whakaarotanga t\u0113n\u0101 m\u014D Te Minita. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000525\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003ET\u0113tahi atu o ng\u0101 kaitono n\u014D Te Whare W\u0101nanga o Wikit\u014Dria, n\u014D te r\u014Dp\u016B tauira, ko Tamatha Paul te kaik\u014Drero. Ahakoa ehara ahau i te mema i runga i Te Komiti o te Taiao, i reira ahau i taua w\u0101. I rongo ahau i a r\u0101tou e k\u014Drero ana m\u014D \u014D r\u0101tou \u0101wangawanga m\u014D ng\u0101 r\u0101 e heke mai ana. Me p\u0113hea t\u014D r\u0101tou ao ki te kore e whakature t\u0113nei ture, t\u0113nei pire i te r\u0101 nei? E hiahia ana ahau ki te mihi ki a r\u0101tou m\u014D t\u014D r\u0101tou t\u016B kaha ki te tautoko i t\u0113nei kaupapa, i t\u0113nei pire. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000526\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EKo te kaupapa o t\u0113nei pire ko te kaitiakitanga, ko te manaakitanga; ko te kaitiakitanga m\u014D ng\u0101 r\u0101, m\u014D ng\u0101 uri e whakaheke ana. N\u014D reira i runga i t\u0113r\u0101 e kaha tautoko ana ahau i t\u0113nei pire. E tautoko ana ahau i te whakairinga o t\u0113nei pire ki Te Whare. He h\u014Dnore t\u0113nei m\u0101ku, ko t\u0113nei te p\u0101nuitanga tuatoru o t\u0113nei pire. N\u014D reira e tautoko ana ahau, e whakairi ana ahau, ko te pae tawhiti whakamaua kia tata, whakamaua kia tina. Haumi e, hui e, t\u0101iki e.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000527\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E[Yes, I will now turn to the bill\u2014I hear your direction. I acknowledge the Minister who has brought this bill to Parliament. I also acknowledge the Environment Committee and its chair, Dr Deborah Russell, and the large number of submitters. Over 7,000 people submitted on this topic, on this bill. Most of them, over 86 percent, were in support of this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000528\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003ENow, I would like to speak about one of the submitters, namely Te Patu Harakeke, a tribe from within Te Tai Tokerau\u2014their anxieties about global warming. They are a subtribe living on the coast. They are concerned about the future. They strongly support this bill. But there is one statement to make: it should perhaps be broader. Food for thought\u2014this is food for thought for the Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000529\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EOne of the other submitters was from Victoria University, from the student group. Tamatha Paul was the spokesperson. Albeit I am not a member of the Environment Committee, I was there at that time. I heard them speaking about their concerns for the future. What would their world be like if this legislation was not passed, this bill, today? I want to thank them for their strong stand in support of this matter, this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000530\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EThe focus of this bill is guardianship and protection; guardianship for tomorrow, for the descendants who are coming. Therefore, on that note, I strongly support this bill. I support it being passed in this House. This is an honour for me; this is the third reading of this bill. Therefore I support, I uphold it, bringing the distant horizon closer, so that we can grasp it and make it manifest. We are ready to progress together.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u00225e464c5f0b9b4bdd907948361bd1950a\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 Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 63\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 56\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000531\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d9f19a87837640f5a7e38465188eef4b\u0022\u003ECourts Matters Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000532\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d9f19a87837640f5a7e38465188eef4b\u0022\u003ETribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000533\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022480c344aa2cf4a2181fa052ba907e00c\u0022\u003EThird Readings\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022 data-id=\u002297c625b4e8b84dbd92cb690c5d7e8634\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000534\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002297c625b4e8b84dbd92cb690c5d7e8634\u0022\u003EHon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO (Associate Minister for Courts):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Courts Matters Bill and the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill be now read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000535\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EThese two bills are part of our Government\u2019s efforts to provide New Zealanders with a more modern, fair, and effective justice system. I\u2019d like to take this opportunity to thank members of Parliament from across the House for their cross-party support for these important bills and for the hard work of the Justice Committee members in examining these bills.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000536\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EI will start off by highlighting some of the many changes that these bills will make, and I begin with the changes that the Courts Matters Bill is making to 16 Acts governing the operation of the courts. The amendments to the Courts Security Act will help to provide the safe, secure, and orderly court environment that people are entitled to. Court security officers will be able to deny entry to or remove disruptive people whose behaviour is causing distress to other people. They will also be able to detain people who commit minor crimes such as disorderly behaviour, wilful damage, or the possession of illegal drugs in court or tribunal buildings.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000537\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EThe amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act will improve the efficiency and timeliness of the criminal courts. For example, the reclassification of offences with a maximum penalty of a community-based sentence as a category 1 offence will enable defendants to plead guilty or not guilty in writing, instead of having to appear in court, and it reflects the low-level nature of offences.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000538\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EThe amendments to the Summary Proceedings Act will enable fines and reparations to be collected sooner. This will enhance their credibility as penalties. Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice will be able to use automated decision-making to set up arrangements to pay fines in affordable instalments. This will provide a much more efficient and effective means of setting up several thousand arrangements each year. Most people pay their fines in instalments because they cannot afford to pay them in full.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000539\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EThe amendments to the Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act will reverse the order of the two judicial inquiries that are undertaken to assess if a defendant is fit to stand trial in a criminal court. In future, victims and witnesses will only have to give their evidence once, instead of sometimes having to do so twice.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EThe amendments to the Juries Act will provide for people who are not fluent in English with a quick and simple way to defer their jury service.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000541\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EI will now describe some of the changes in the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill. For brevity, I\u2019ll refer to this bill as the tribunals bill. The tribunals bill will amend 22 Acts governing the operations of tribunals. These tribunals resolve disputes, deal with occupational discipline and regulation, and review the decisions of Government agencies. Around 40,000 people access these tribunals each year.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000542\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EThe tribunals bill will improve access to justice for people affected by the case backlog that has developed in the Human Rights Review Tribunal since 2015. I have previously spoken about one of the most challenging issues facing the Human Rights Review Tribunal, with that being the unacceptable backlog of cases and the actions this Government has taken to address this issue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000543\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EThe House will know that the Human Rights Review Tribunal provides important services for people who may have had their human rights, rights to privacy, or health and disability services rights breached. Since 2015, the number of claims filed with the tribunal has exceeded its resources, and this has caused a significant case backlog to develop. What we know is that between the 2014-15 and the 2016-17 financial years, the number of new cases received by the tribunal grew by 92 percent. This led the backlog of cases to grow by 144 percent, from 52 cases, as it was at the end of 2014-15, to 127 cases at the end of 2016-17. As of 31 October 2018, there were 124 active cases on hand. In August 2017, the previous Government appointed a second chairperson for a period of 12 months to help with the case backlog, but that alone has not worked. Every day, people are waiting two years for a hearing and up to three years for a decision. Earlier this year, I reappointed the second chairperson for the same reasons.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000544\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EFurthermore, and more importantly, I took a paper to Cabinet this year to amend the Human Rights Act 1993. This was needed to enable the permanent appointment of additional deputy chairpersons to the tribunal, which I know was incorporated by the Justice Committee, and I thank the committee members for doing this as it will increase the public\u2019s ability to access justice. So the tribunals bill now authorises the appointment of more than one deputy chairperson. The new deputy chairpersons will be able to perform the same functions as those of the chairperson. This will help reduce the significant backlog.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000545\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EThe tribunals bill will now also include procedural changes to help further reduce the Human Rights Review Tribunal backlog. For example, the chairperson or deputy chairperson will be able to decide minor matters on the papers instead of a hearing being held. The tribunals bill will provide better consumer protection and redress. For example, the monetary threshold of the disputes tribunals will be doubled. People with disputes of $15,000 to $30,000 will have access to a quicker, simpler, and cheaper process than a court case.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000546\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EThe Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal will be able to award monetary compensation of up to $100,000 for financial losses arising from a real estate agent\u2019s unsatisfactory conduct. At the moment, the tribunal can only provide compensation for poor behaviour that meets the higher-threshold misconduct.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000547\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EThe Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority will be able to discipline unsatisfactory conduct such as bullying. The authority can currently only discipline misconduct which meets a very high threshold.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000548\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EThe tribunals bill will provide 21 tribunals administered by the Ministry of Justice with the tools they need to resolve cases faster and more effectively. More tribunals will be able to strike out meritless cases and decide minor matters on the papers\u2014that is, without having to hold a hearing to consider the matter. These tools will enable, for example, the Legal Complaints Review Officer to significantly reduce the case backlog that has developed over many years, and to decide substantive matters more quickly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000549\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EIn conclusion, I know this bill may have started under the other administration, but the bill before this House is substantially more meatier and with significant changes to address the backlog that has become an issue over the past number of years. So this coalition Government, with support from its support partners, has moved with efficiency and with as much haste as is humanly possible to move this as quickly as possible through this House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000550\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b398827c-6bf5-403e-90dc-ff03205302a5\u0022\u003EFinally, the Courts Matters Bill and the tribunals bill will improve people\u2019s experiences of the courts and tribunals system. I commend these bills to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022 data-id=\u00226666e86be13b467e997b44579997c1c3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000551\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226666e86be13b467e997b44579997c1c3\u0022\u003ECHRIS PENK (National\u2014Helensville):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to lead off on this side of the House in relation to the Courts Matters Bill and Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill. I talk about this side of the House rather than the Opposition, because in relation to this piece of legislation\u2014technically pieces of legislation as cognate bills\u2014we are in agreement with the Government. Indeed, our side of the House, when we were on the other side of the House, so to speak, did lead off that work, so I acknowledge both the present Minister and his Government but also the previous Government and, indeed, the previous Parliament\u2014acknowledging the work of that institution\u2019s select committee that has brought us to this place today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000552\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EI\u2019d like to touch on a few of the themes that run through both of the bills. I\u2019ll then comment on a couple of the aspects in particular on each of those individual ones. I don\u2019t think I need to take up too much of the House\u2019s time on that, but I think it\u2019s worth noting that some of the very detailed work that\u2019s gone into the legislation does reflect a number of broad themes that are worth encouraging. So whereas previous stages\u2014for example, in particular, the committee stage\u2014have been worthwhile exercises in thrashing out some of that detail, and, again, the select committee processes prior to that, I will focus on a pretty high-level response and acknowledgment of the work that has gone on to get us to this place.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000553\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003ESo in general terms, we have some legislation that recognises that our court systems must constantly evolve if we are to regard them as modern, fair, and effective places of justice within the overall justice system and framework that we have. In relation to the\u2014well, actually, in both pieces of legislation, these cognate bills, we emphasise in particular the time frames for hearing and resolving matters. It\u2019s a fundamental aspect of justice that matters are heard and resolved in a timely fashion. It\u2019s acknowledged across both sides of the House and, indeed, at all levels of the justice system, I think I\u2019m right in saying, that the system could be and should be and indeed must be much more timely. The truism, almost, that justice delayed is justice denied is no less true today than when that phrase was first coined, and to be able to make a contribution in this Parliament to ameliorating that situation somewhat is something that we are very pleased to be able to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000554\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EUsers\u2019 experience of the courts and tribunal system in general\u2014perhaps, following on from the timeliness theme\u2014as well as just user-friendliness for those who are actively caught up in the justice system, whether by choice or otherwise, is a very important thing for citizens and people of New Zealand. It\u2019s important for them to be able to rely upon that when they have a stressful moment in their life\u2014or a long moment or series of moments, as often is the case\u2014so that the stress of the litigation, whether it\u2019s a criminal or civil matter, need not be accentuated by procedural difficulties in addition to, obviously, the contentious matter\u2014the substance of that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000555\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003ESo talking about, then, the ways that this will apply in terms of the Courts Matters Bill\u2014that half of what we\u2019re looking at\u2014I\u2019d like to just, perhaps, by way of example, focus on the security aspects. So the powers of the court security officer, actually, were touched upon by Minister Sio in leading off his contribution. He\u2019s right to emphasise the matters that are strengthened in terms of security provisions. Security of these places of justice is a fundamental aspect of our rule of law. It goes to the question of access to justice, because New Zealanders must be able to feel as though they can access our courts in a way that sees them free from physical and other forms of intimidation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000556\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EIt also goes to open justice, so that those who wish to observe as well as participate in the justice system can do so, again, without threat of intimidation or physical interference, and with equality before the law, as well, such that all who would come before our courts have the right to a fair opportunity to do so without external influences that are unhelpful and indeed unfair in the process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000557\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003ESo in the committee of the whole House we talked about some specific details, acknowledging contributions that had been made by the Law Society and, I think, also the Auckland District Law Society in relation to where the court security officers\u2019 powers would apply\u2014not just at the actual physical courtroom itself but in the surrounding environment\u2014and so too the time at which those would apply; being beyond the period of the actual proceedings. I don\u2019t intend to rehash that except to note that that\u2019s an example of the constructive manner in which this process has been conducted by submitters, officials, and, dare I say it, the members of Parliament themselves as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000558\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EEfficiency has been touched upon by the Minister in relation to criminal procedure, and I\u2019ll just make that the theme of my brief remarks on the tribunals\u2019 powers side of the legislation, and just note that the general theme of desiring to standardise procedures across more than 20 tribunals is a worthy one. It\u2019s been achieved well, it seems to me\u2014not to say that we can\u2019t continue to make those ongoing improvements as this Parliament and the future Parliaments proceed, but for now, at least, there\u2019s been a lot of work that\u2019s gone into that standardisation project that\u2019s helpful for people to understand how the system coheres as a whole and, indeed, those who are practising within it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000559\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EWith a final specific mention to the disputes tribunal, there\u2019s the ability of that body to be able to hear disputes of a larger scale. So a jurisdiction being expanded in that way is very helpful. In my professional life, immediately prior to entering into this House, as a lawyer I was always very keen to encourage clients not to go to court if they could at all help it, and having the ability for claims to be heard without the help\u2014all assistance short of actual help, as we used to say\u2014of lawyers is a worthwhile thing indeed. It\u2019s encouraged by the operation of this legislation, which enlarges the ability of the tribunal in that way, and so that\u2019s a very commendable aspect, as are the other ones. Hence I have no hesitation and my colleagues have no hesitation too in commending this legislation to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022 data-id=\u00228ac536907e964e6b86bdf6709d405ec1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000560\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228ac536907e964e6b86bdf6709d405ec1\u0022\u003ERAYMOND HUO (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. These must be the ninth or 10th bills that the Justice Committee has sent back to the House. It is very difficult to see the exact number because some of the bills were divided into different bills, so it\u2019s very hard to tell the exact number which this extraordinarily busy Justice Committee has sent back to the House. We have had about 18 bills, in addition to inquiries, financial annual reviews, and Estimates. I want to follow the Minister and thank our officials, advisers, and submitters. I thank them for their knowledge, experience, and input. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000561\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022\u003EThe Justice Committee received 48 written submissions and heard 15 oral submissions. The submissions came from the judiciary, professional organisations, and interested groups and individuals. Many of the points raised by those submitters are valuable to us not only on these particular bills but also on other bills as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000562\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022\u003EFor instance, the Justice Committee is currently considering the Privacy Bill. One point raised so far concerns the jurisdictional aspects between the Privacy Commissioner and the Human Rights Review Tribunal. That would bring us to an issue that the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill seeks to address, which is the significant case backlog that has been building up over the past years and, as such, what kind of impact it may have with regard to the tribunal\u2019s roles and functions in relation to the Privacy Bill, etc. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000563\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022\u003EThe issue relating to case backlog has existed for a while now. Since 2015, the number of claims filed with the tribunal has exceeded its resources. The chairman, Rodger Haines QC, made a very powerful submission. We are very glad to report that through the changes under this bill, we will get what he described as artificial restrictions in the Human Rights Act 1993 addressed. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000564\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022\u003EAnother example that I\u2019d like to cite\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000565\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223fb61e9031ab41859ec9a97f32ee383c\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I apologise for interrupting the member, but it\u2019s kai time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000566\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003ESitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000567\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002288490c164784479ca8dace85ee2dd5de\u0022\u003ERAYMOND HUO\u003C/span\u003E: Another example that I\u2019d like to cite is the Government\u2019s Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) 134, relating to inserting a new Subpart 9A in Part 4 of the Courts Matters Bill. The SOP amends the Senior Courts Act 2016 to restore the ability of a single Court of Appeal judge to decide minor contested matters in civil cases, instead of having three Court of Appeal judges to decide cases on those applications. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000568\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022\u003EThe third example is concerning the use of audiovisual facilities. In the modern era of smartphones, computers, and social media, it\u2019s common sense\u2014isn\u2019t it\u2014for the courts to be equipped and adapted to the reality. Part 4 amends the Courts (Remote Participation) Act to enable judicial officers and court registrars to allow any participation in a criminal procedural hearing via audiovisual link (AVL) technology, if AVL is available and its use is not contrary to the interests of justice. This will also enable participants such as lawyers and witnesses to appear via AVL facilities during criminal procedural hearings. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000569\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022\u003EThe final example I wish to cite is relating to our jury service and some language issues that potential jurors may have experienced. The Juries Act will be amended to authorise court registrars to defer jury service for potential jurors who are not confident in their understanding of the English language. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022\u003EThese two bills introduce a large number of amendments that will help improve people\u2019s experience with courts and tribunals. Efficiency, business efficacy, productivity, and improved users\u2019 experience are the keywords, and the two bills will contribute to a modern, efficient, and effective courts and tribunals system. Thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022 data-id=\u002224c72296325a4500b2cdd2665f5b4fe5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000571\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002224c72296325a4500b2cdd2665f5b4fe5\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP (National\u2014Hutt South):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Madam Assistant Speaker. I was commenting to one of my friends and colleagues before that it feels like we\u2019ve been debating this legislation for ever. It seems like every time I come down to the House, we\u2019re debating the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill and the Courts Matters Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000572\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225b6b1d74-9e5e-42ba-a922-85b0ea7f5ab6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e6aae3cae1c747309b3517e6f2d0e87e\u0022\u003ESimon O\u0027Connor\u003C/span\u003E: Career defining.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000573\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a7b5b4f908ba4b5889bfb7c8e764a7e9\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: Well, \u201CCareer defining.\u201D, my colleague Simon O\u2019Connor says. I\u2019m not sure about that, but they are good pieces of legislation that the Opposition wholeheartedly supports. The genesis of this legislation goes, actually, back to the last Parliament and the last Government. They progressed through the Parliament as a cognate package, really, because it makes sense to bring all the changes in together and to consider them together. It came out of very good work by the officials. I do, in our third reading of these bills, want to pay tribute to the good work of the officials, both within the Ministry of Justice but also the Parliamentary Counsel Office.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000574\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EAs you can see, this is a weighty tome, the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill\u2014162 pages. It\u2019s fair to say it makes the operation of our tribunals and our court system more efficient, and it makes a whole series, a whole suite, of changes that will generally make things more efficient and more effective. Just to give you one example, if you go to subpart 11 to do with the Legal Services Act, we\u2019re talking about changes like the insertion by clause 133 of new section 55A \u201CProcedure\u201D: \u201CForms for use in the Tribunal may be approved by the chief executive of the Ministry after consulting the Tribunal.\u201D Very small, very discrete changes\u2014a lot of the time they\u2019re clarificatory changes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000575\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EWhen we were on the Justice Committee in both the last Parliament and, latterly, in the new Parliament, we did hear about a series of changes\u2014a lot of clarifications and a lot of \u201Cfor the avoidance of doubt\u201D provisions, I think it would be fair to say. Look, it\u2019s been through a thorough process. We did consider it extremely thoroughly at the Justice Committee. I think it\u2019s fair to say the Justice Committee is the hardest working committee in the Parliament, and I\u2019m not just saying that because I see Greg O\u2019Connor waving at me across the House; I am saying that because as much as it seems like we\u2019re always debating this bill\u2014and finally we won\u2019t be, because it\u2019s going to get its third reading\u2014it feels like the Justice Committee is always sitting. It\u2019s like rust: never sleeping. We\u2019re always sitting, and we\u2019re always on the go. I know that there\u2019s more legislation coming from this activist Government, but we will give it the due consideration that it deserves in due course.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022 data-id=\u0022b40a1e1ecd6d4e0c9242d98eb9b9e579\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000576\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b40a1e1ecd6d4e0c9242d98eb9b9e579\u0022\u003EMARK PATTERSON (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. It\u2019s actually my first opportunity to address the House and, indeed, the nation in my new role as chief whip of New Zealand First. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000577\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c81d803a9f0f4958b520d74104521cca\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: Hooray! \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000578\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223b8e921907004fa59c656d5ee206467c\u0022\u003EMARK PATTERSON\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you\u2014enough. I am aware of the convention around discussing the whereabouts of other parliamentarians, but I will say that it has not been a naked grab for power. It is a temporary, acting position. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000579\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EIt is a pleasure to rise on behalf of New Zealand First in support of this bill. I commend Minister Sio on shepherding it through. As has been referenced, this is a bill that started under the previous Government. I believe the Hon Amy Adams may have been in charge of the early part of this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000580\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EWhen I first looked at it\u2014just sort of the headline\u2014I thought this must be some sort of reasonably trivial piece of legislation, but, in fact, it is not, as Mr Bishop referenced in his last presentation. The cognate nature of these two bills, the Courts Matters Bill, which actually amends 14 Acts, and the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill, which amends 20 Acts\u2014within them, there are some fairly significant changes to our laws and some pretty important clarifications. I would also like to commend the Justice Committee, under Raymond Huo, who is the chair, and\u2014as Mr Bishop said in his previous address\u2014the officials, because I think to trawl through the detail of these amendments and changes is pretty mind-numbing, actually, and it speaks to the calibre of the officials that we have that they can come up with tidying-up legislation of this sort. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000581\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EThe Courts Matters Bill\u2014to start with that\u2014there\u2019s a couple of high-level matters I\u2019d like to touch on there. I\u2019ve actually never been in a court, it occurred to me when I was preparing for this bill, and I\u2019ve never had an ambition to be a lawyer\u2014for good reason\u2014but the powers going to the court security officers are I think a really important provision within this bill. Giving the court security officers the ability to remove and detain people, and increasing those powers since the Act of 1999\u2014that meant that courts were manned by security guards more, and more so than by police officers. There were actually 78 weapons intercepted in courts in 2014-15, and 327 people were removed from courts. It\u2019s really important that courts, of all places, are safe and secure places, where people feel free to express their opinions. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000582\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EThe other one within the Court Matters Bill is the audiovisual provisions within the court system, and I think that\u2019s really just bringing this up to date with the 21st century. There are already audiovisual provisions for defendants, but now witnesses and counsel can also beam in through audiovisual means. So I think that\u2019s a really important step up, because justice not only needs to be done but it needs to be seen to be done, and I think this is a good example of us advancing that cause. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000583\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EWith the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill, there are actually 21 tribunals under the Ministry of Justice, and 30,000 New Zealanders access those services every year. Some of them are quite significant ones, like the disputes tribunals and the Tenancy Tribunal. Of course, one we focused on here within this bill is the Human Rights Review Tribunal, and we have seen quite a backlog building up. As of June this year, there were 135 cases waiting to be heard, and that backlog has jumped by 144 percent since 2014. So this was a building problem, and this legislation bolsters the ability to deal with those backlogs. We have brought in the new role of deputy chairpersons so that we can clear that backlog, and we can add some efficiency and speed into our disputes tribunals. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000584\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EAlso, the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal\u2014they\u2019re lifting the threshold for fines in that to $100,000 for losses incurred through poor performance, and I think that\u2019s a really significant lift. When we look at the value of real estate transactions now, where even a modest home is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars\u2014and pushing towards a million dollars, I see in Wellington during the week\u2014$100,000 is not unreasonable, I would have thought, in terms of losses incurred through shonky real estate dealings. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EIt also provides for District Courts to oversee cases for fines under $350k and I think that\u2019s up from $12k\u2014anything over $12k used to have to go through the High Court. Now, the District Court can deal with cases under $350k. So I think that\u2019s a step forward in the right direction too, to add flexibility to our system. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000586\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019m only really giving a very short, high-level overview of what is an incredibly complex set of clarifications and changes to regulations. It is actually really impressive work by the officials and the select committee, to wade through that. We\u2019re accepting that you\u2019ve been very accurate with your job, because there\u2019s a lot in there\u2014hopefully, nothing\u2019s slipped through. I don\u2019t think there are any New Zealand First members on that committee, so we\u2019ll take your word for that, surely. I\u2019m glad\u2014actually, I\u2019m not, because it looks dry as old chips, the stuff that\u2019s going through there. But, with that confidence in the select committee and confidence in the parliamentary process and the officials who have got this bill in good shape, I will, on behalf of New Zealand First, commend this bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022 data-id=\u00221994b701e310422387b7bf467c58e106\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000587\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221994b701e310422387b7bf467c58e106\u0022\u003EHon MARK MITCHELL (National\u2014Rodney):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. It\u2019s a pleasure to stand and take a call on this, the third readings of the Courts Matters Bill and the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill. I just want to start by acknowledging a couple of fine young security officers that are down working in the Gisborne court. I was down there about six weeks ago with the Hon Anne Tolley. We went to the court and we met all of the staff there, and they were telling me about some of the issues that they have to deal with\u2014bearing in mind that there\u2019s plenty of unsavoury characters, also, that have to actually access and use our courts. They are often carrying\u2014and the last speaker made reference to it\u2014all manner of weapons, knives, etc. They carry a fair bit of risk in their job.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000588\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge Cary Walker, who is working there as one of those guards and actually had a long and distinguished career in the Gisborne police as a police dog handler, and I was lucky enough to work with him as well. He is now working at the courts as a court security officer. They were very happy and very pleased to see the changes that were being made to extend the powers of court security officers to deny entry and to remove and detain people who possess illegal drugs or who act threateningly or abusively, or commit minor crimes on court premises. Up until now, they didn\u2019t have the powers to be able to actually act and detain and to be able to deal with those people. So this is a very, very good change that is contained within this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000589\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EI\u2019d just very quickly like to also refer to the change that\u2019s being made around the threshold for a claim that\u2019s going to the disputes tribunal. The monetary limit has been has been lifted from $15,000 to $30,000. The reason why I really like this is because this was my member\u2019s bill that I brought to the House, and it was picked up and it was included in this bill that we\u2019re now speaking to. It actually originated with one of our policy groups, with one of our National Party branches in Auckland. They brought this as a remit to our regional conference and we thought it was a very, very good bill. We picked it up and I had it in the biscuit tin as my member\u2019s bill. The reason why it is so good is because, actually, the disputes tribunal means that essentially small to medium sized businesses can have access to a tribunal process which is much quicker and more efficient, and it\u2019s also a lot less costly than having to take a claim to court. Often, if they had a claim under $15,000, when you think about it, it really didn\u2019t probably make sense for them to take it to court, because the costs of actually going through that process were probably going to cost them more than the actual claim and the money that they were trying to get back. So it also, by increasing the threshold, means that, again, instead of them giving up a claim, they can now have the confidence that they can actually bring that claim to the disputes tribunal and it can be dealt with\u2014anything under $30,000.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019m very happy to stand, take a short call, and support and recommend this bill to the House. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022 data-id=\u00229d55cf26560b4bdbaa3e8760545bdd2e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000591\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229d55cf26560b4bdbaa3e8760545bdd2e\u0022\u003EGOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN (Green):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you. It\u2019s a pleasure to rise to speak to this omnibus of laws that we are passing tonight, given that they fix a lot of longstanding gaps and holes and areas of the criminal justice system where we\u2019d fallen behind, so as to make our system more efficient, more productive, and, hopefully, more fair as well, since we should always be prioritising interests of fairness over expediency. There are some interests of expediency that do serve fairness, and we\u2019re addressing those in these bills, as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000592\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003EEveryone has said repeatedly that these are technical and complex changes, but one of the ones that jumped out at me, because I\u2019ve had experience of it in the criminal justice system, is the reversal of the procedure whereby a defendant might be found unfit to stand trial. This was always a really problematic area, especially in defending someone that might be unfit to stand trial for mental health reasons, where the court required that the person essentially go through a hearing where they\u2019d be found, on a balance of probabilities, to have committed the offence before they could access the two psychiatric assessments that they needed to show that they couldn\u2019t, in fact, fairly stand trial. So it was always difficult and felt almost unethical as a lawyer, in dealing with someone that might have really serious mental illness, to take them through that process where they, effectively, had to admit that they might have committed an offence\u2014where you are dealing with people, for example, with dementia, where the fairness issue arose because they couldn\u2019t tell you if they had an alibi and they couldn\u2019t tell you where they were at a certain time. So to put them through that process before they could even get the psychiatric assessment seemed a little bit perverse. But we\u2019re correcting that with this bill. So that\u2019s one thing that, even though it\u2019s very technical, is a real fairness issue that we\u2019re addressing tonight.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000593\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re giving security guards powers to detain people for disorderly behaviour. I think it might look, on paper, like something that\u2014and it is a very minor charge, but when we bring it into the context of the court and we look at the very sensitive issues and the really traumatic process that people are going through, whether they\u2019re a defendant or a witness or a victim, that disorderly behaviour can really mean that our process is unfair. It might mean that a defendant is unable to properly process what\u2019s happening and instruct counsel. It may mean that a witness is intimidated and isn\u2019t able to give evidence in the way that they should. For victims, it can cause lifelong trauma. So it is important that we have powers to conduct proceedings in a way that\u2019s safe, and we\u2019re providing for that as well tonight.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000594\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003EApart from all of that, there\u2019s the audiovisual link (AVL) and some of the more, sort of, technology-based changes that we\u2019re making. So hearings might be held through a screen, essentially, zoomed into the courtroom. We\u2019re still living in the 20th century in most New Zealand courts. Some people have to physically come in, even for the most minor appearances. So two changes that\u2019ll help with expediency there are the AVL systems, and I would guard against expanding that beyond the very minor hearings that we\u2019re applying them to in this bill, given that, of course, people do have a right to be present at their hearings and to properly instruct counsel and to be involved in the hearing in real time. But where there is a very technical appearance, requiring someone to come to court can be really arduous and time-consuming as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000595\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003EThe other change that we\u2019re making on that kind of level is that pleas can be entered for offences that carry only a maximum of a community-based sentence in writing. So to bring someone to court to enter a plea, they can wait around for hours, it adds to the court list of oral hearings that day, and our courts are hugely overworked. We\u2019ve seen court staff go on strike only this week, and that is because most courts are now sitting well beyond hours because of the caseload and the backlog. So for people to be able to enter pleas in very minor types of charges is going to really help with that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000596\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003EMoving on to the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill, one thing that I would celebrate hugely is that we are about to address the backlog in the Human Rights Review Tribunal, and again we\u2019ve heard over and over again that now the backlog is up to about two years\u2014so people are waiting\u2014and there\u2019s 135 cases in waiting. And it\u2019s really important to remember the kinds of cases we\u2019re talking about. You know, it\u2019s discrimination. and it\u2019s members of very vulnerable communities. My personal experience of dealing with people that have been through the tribunal has been in the family carers\u2019 case, where family members of profoundly disabled persons took a fair pay claim against the Government and won. They won at the High Court and won at the Court of Appeal, and the Government kept appealing, but they won. They had a right to be paid fairly, because members of the disabilities community have a right to choose to live at home in the community and to have their care provided for. Of course, we know that the previous Government passed a law to cut them off from the Human Rights Review Tribunal\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000597\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229881f65160984b009042088a28a33607\u0022\u003EHon Ruth Dyson\u003C/span\u003E: Under urgency too.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000598\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cd2d5896f89f48f39e8e7ad70e33e9dd\u0022\u003EGOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014under urgency, with no consultation, to cut this vulnerable community off from the Human Rights Review Tribunal. But this bill is addressing just that kind of issue. People have a right to access that tribunal. The right to justice includes the right to timely access to justice. And tonight we\u2019re providing for that, and, of course, we have committed to repealing that little piece of legislation that cut the families off, as well. So I commend this bill to the House. Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022 data-id=\u00223df36afbff45415386cb61046acb6128\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000599\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223df36afbff45415386cb61046acb6128\u0022\u003ESIMEON BROWN (National\u2014Pakuranga):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. Look, thank you for the opportunity to be able to take a short call on\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000600\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225b6b1d74-9e5e-42ba-a922-85b0ea7f5ab6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c39223d386ae472e980a298958a0d72d\u0022\u003ESimon O\u0027Connor\u003C/span\u003E: No, take a long one.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000601\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220b67158f16cd43c3b5006a35fe9de638\u0022\u003ESIMEON BROWN\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014I\u2019ll take a long one then, shall I? I\u2019ll seek leave for another five minutes as well, shall I? No, I won\u2019t do that\u2014the Courts Matters Bill and Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill, which are going through their third readings. I think these are bills which are cognate and cover a range of different issues, but the issue that I\u2019m keen to touch on is the issue regarding the Courts Matters Bill, which in particular is about ensuring that we have open justice but we also ensure the safety and security of our court systems. I think the principle here, which is important to note, is that we have open justice. Justice must be done but also seen to be done. But we also must ensure that our justice system is kept safe and is kept secure so that it can work on behalf of all New Zealanders and make the decisions which are required.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000602\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003EI think some of the very important changes that it makes here are really around clarifying the powers that court officers have in being able to enforce the rules and to ensure that our court system operates in a fair and appropriate manner. It also ensures that those who do seek to disrupt the courts are able to be held to account for doing that. It is a serious offence to be holding our courts in contempt, whether it\u2019s disrupting what they\u2019re doing or the important work that they\u2019re doing, and there\u2019s a range of different players in that who could be trying to cause that disruption.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000603\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003EThis bill gives some clarity around the area of the court definition, in terms of the space that it holds between the building and the road. Now that will be included. It ensures that the court officers have more powers around what they can do, giving them the ability to use reasonable force when pursuing an escapee. Court security officers will be required to allow persons removed to re-enter if the officer is satisfied. So all of these are, I think, well balanced in terms of saying that we want to ensure that those who do offend are held to account but that we also allow them access back to the courts if there is an issue. I think also, importantly, it adds drug paraphernalia from the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 to the list of offences allowing court security officers to act.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000604\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003ESo, essentially, this is updating what it allows our court officers to do. It allows them to intervene where necessary and to be able to ensure that the smooth running of the court isn\u2019t disrupted, and, where it is, that appropriate action is taken to ensure that those who are disrupting the courts are held to account, but then they are allowed to have that access back into the courts as soon as possible once they\u2019re satisfied that person won\u2019t reoffend.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000605\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003ESo I commend this bill to the House. There\u2019s a whole lot more involved in these bills, in the cognate bills, which I won\u2019t be covering here tonight. But I just want to thank all those who have played a part in bringing this legislation to this stage, and I commend the bills to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022 data-id=\u002242a876f267b84851901bb6d184cb4955\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000606\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002242a876f267b84851901bb6d184cb4955\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: I understand this is a split call. Greg O\u2019Connor\u2014five minutes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022 data-id=\u00221790785d2e014e3187bdc1fcbf6234c4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000607\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221790785d2e014e3187bdc1fcbf6234c4\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR (Labour\u2014\u014Ch\u0101riu):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. I must start by endorsing the comments of Chris Bishop, the member from Hutt South, who talked about the very hard-working Justice Committee. We do have rather a lot of work going through, but it\u2019s quite good to consider a bill like this, because it does cover quite a range of issues. I was quite surprised when I saw it. The Court Matters Bill and Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill\u2014before I opened them for the first time I thought this is going to be pretty dry and this is going to take a long time. But, actually, it was quite interesting, because so much of what life goes about it was actually dealing with\u2014so many of the things that do irritate people on a day-to-day basis.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000608\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EI would just like to sort of point out two parts of it that particularly those listening at home will wonder how we can get sort of so excited about such a bill, get so interested, and wax lyrical for so long about such a bill. One of the issues was the Human Rights Review Tribunal. Clearly, in our modern age, so often people do seek redress for those things that they find offensive or irritating or merely annoying, and they look for review, for tribunal, for some sort of redress, and the Human Rights Review Tribunal often is that place. As a result, there\u2019s been quite some backup under the current legislation. There\u2019s a chair. Last year there was the ability to appoint a deputy chair, but that didn\u2019t seem to make any headway. So Minister Aupito William Sio took a paper to Cabinet, a very sensible paper, which has now been included in this bill, which gives the ability to appoint one or more deputy chairpersons\u2014something that you might imagine is very commonsensical\u2014and that is designed for one reason: to reduce the backlog. I\u2019m not in any way casting aspersions on any of the cases that have come before that tribunal, but it certainly means that those cases that perhaps do need a little more time than others do get the requisite attention\u2014so, again, a very sensible part of the legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000609\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EThe second is to do with the Courts Security Act. As a younger police officer, it was always almost something of a disciplinary duty to end up in court looking after court duty. It was actually a good time. We actually built a relationship with those that came through the courts. It often held one in great stead later on. But that\u2019s been replaced now, and it\u2019s court security officers. In fact, you may have read, Madam Assistant Speaker, just over the last couple of days that there was quite a major incident in New Plymouth court that had to be sorted out by court security\u2014and, of course, ably assisted later on by police. So it is a very volatile environment, and it\u2019s important that we give those that are looking after that environment the powers to do so.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000610\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EAgain, this Act, the Courts Security Act, is to be amended to make sure that those court security officers who are tasked with a very difficult task of keeping warring factions apart\u2014it sometimes, some of those, makes the Middle East look like almost like a boy scout playground with some of the incidents that can happen there. So we do need to empower those people, and that\u2019s what this legislation actually does: giving the ability to seize drugs and to seize weapons, and, interestingly enough, also it includes\u2014because a lot of these things can go outside, and, of course, inadvertently it means that the court security officers lose their security as soon as things move outside\u2014verges and grounds outside. So it\u2019s a very commonsensical piece of legislation that I have no hesitation in commending to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022 data-id=\u00222b667e1de25f454a8fb27b6a1b0bae15\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000611\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222b667e1de25f454a8fb27b6a1b0bae15\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT (National\u2014Hamilton East):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. I just want to thank you for your great role as an Assistant Speaker of this House as well. That\u2019s two Speakers in two days that I\u2019ve praised\u2014the first one I didn\u2019t really want to have to, but I had to\u2014but this one\u2019s genuine praise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000612\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EWhen we come to this bill, it\u2019s very good to see that there is support amongst the House for this, because when it comes to the courts and tribunals of this country, they play an important role in making our justice system work. I just want to first of all pay tribute to all those people that are involved in our courts and tribunals system, whether it is the advocates on the prosecution or defence side, or the judges, or all those staff that make sure they tick along nicely. You deal with some of our most difficult situations that can be quite personal and can be quite difficult to deal with in the heat of the moment. I think this Parliament owes those people a moment of gratitude and thanks for the good work they do. Anything we can do in this Parliament to assist them in their work to make their job easier is something that I think we should be very proud of.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000613\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThis bill has, essentially, got two main parts to it. One is the Courts Matters Bill and the second one is in regards to the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill. So, basically, together those pieces of legislation really simplify and enshrine a better system so that we have a more effective courts and tribunals system. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000614\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EI also wish to pay tribute to Chris Penk, who is an exemplary new member of this House, who has done a lot of work in the courts area. As we go into the election campaign in a few months\u2019 time, I\u2019m sure that you will see Chris Penk\u2019s\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000615\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002256fc566da29e496989548e698615354a\u0022\u003EHon Tracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: A few months\u2019 time? A by-election! A by-election!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000616\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c34ad140aecb40bfbaabf257dd6eade9\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: Is that something over there from New Zealand First?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000617\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f04143e8343f470ab9283a5e77a843c5\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: Hang on\u2014settle down. Settle down. Let\u2019s carry on with this debate, thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000618\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ff0db44c0b8c4a4b96d6b87e604ae68b\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: Yes. It\u2019s a shame when New Zealand First has to interrupt speeches, when their great leader would never do such a thing. But I\u2019d like to pay tribute to Chris Penk, who\u2019s doing a great job in this area as well. I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll see many more reforms come through under his name that will be just as good as this but, actually, better, more advanced, and for the betterment of our system. Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022 data-id=\u0022ec29fe865e614b47911fe0d05fb2a9ee\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000619\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ec29fe865e614b47911fe0d05fb2a9ee\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour\u2014Christchurch Central):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. I was a bit upset with the whip for New Zealand First who said that this material was as dry as old chips, when in fact this is just like a steaming piece of fish, really, because it\u2019s a fantastic bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000620\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EIf I could just say that particularly the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill is really, really important. What I want to really focus on here is the central place that tribunals play in access to justice. In particular, the disputes tribunal here is really being brought up to date with, for example, its own registry so that it can be managed separately from the District Court, have its own training and management of its referees, and so on\u2014and also the ability to use audio-visual links as well. This is simply modernisation. As a member on the other side said moments ago, the increase of the jurisdiction to $30,000 is really, really important because, for many people, the disputes tribunal\u2014a very simple, very straightforward tribunal with no lawyers\u2014is really the only way they\u2019re going to access the justice system in a speedy way and a cost-effective way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000621\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EThe other thing the bill does is tidy up a number of things around things like vexatious litigants, litigants that don\u2019t turn up, and really the ability to move things along. So Subpart 4 of Part 1, that deals with disputes tribunals, is one little part of this bill, but it really is indicative of what the bill does as a whole, which is to modernise tribunals, which probably serve one of the most important parts in our justice system for many New Zealanders who don\u2019t see the higher courts at all. So well done to Minister Sio. I absolutely commend this bill to the House. Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022 data-id=\u002223cfa9b6025249d3a94d3396eb8f0fa6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000622\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002223cfa9b6025249d3a94d3396eb8f0fa6\u0022\u003EHon MAGGIE BARRY (National\u2014North Shore):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. I rise to speak in brief to the third reading of this Courts Matters Bill. I\u2019ve spoken at the previous readings and don\u2019t intend to take up too much time in the House. But I think it is worthwhile to emphasise that this is a bill, along with similar pieces of legislation, which is seeking to streamline, to get rid of the old and the unnecessary, to ensure that courts run efficiently and well and safely. I think many of the measures that have been brought in are what I would describe as very common sense. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000623\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022\u003ESo the Courts Matters Bill amends 14 Acts governing court security. In particular, with this bill and hearing the submissions, I remain surprised that it hasn\u2019t been done many years earlier. The idea that people would come into a courtroom environment in possession of drugs, possibly under the influence of drugs, doing violent acts and illegal acts within the court area, and that there wasn\u2019t really the power of any of the court officials or security officers to deny entry and to remove or detain\u2014how foolish is that. This is a bill whose time has come.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000624\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022\u003EIt is a group of bills that enjoys cross-party support, and was indeed begun under the last Government. A great deal of work was put in by the Hon Amy Adams in ensuring it was in a state of readiness. I commend also the Ministers on the Government side now who have ushered it through, because it is important that these sorts of sensible reforms really do get done because, I think, it improves the public\u2019s perception of the justice system. It was said earlier that justice delayed is justice denied, and I think there have been a lot of instances where, particularly with tribunals\u2014and the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill has made a number of common-sense recommendations that are going to free up 21 tribunals. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022\u003EWhen I was the Minister of Conservation there were a number of entities whose time had passed. This is a bill that, for example, enables the Birdlings Flat land to wind up. The commissioner has finished the work. There is no need for it to continue. Similarly, with the Real Estate Agents Act, there are strike-out powers that are inserted across 13 Acts, but they can only be applied if a party was not present or represented at a hearing where they were required to be. So adding in the transitional provisions and making the changes means that the public will get better justice from real estate agents who have not done what they ought to have done. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022\u003ESo I think that, in all, the way that this bill has been put together makes perfect sense. It clears up things that should have been done long ago. It makes things more efficient, safer, and more cost-effective. Who would not agree with this bill? I commend it to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022 data-id=\u0022cae28cce2d354ddead0cb8c04c548de0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000627\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cae28cce2d354ddead0cb8c04c548de0\u0022\u003EJAN TINETTI (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E As a member of this Parliament who has not sat on the Justice Committee, who went through this\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000628\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e07e567c80d042ffb3f4fe2297f4ec22\u0022\u003EHon Ruth Dyson\u003C/span\u003E: Bet you wish you were now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000629\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229baf5462aa6a4b37a894197098abf509\u0022\u003EJAN TINETTI\u003C/span\u003E: I do wish I had been on that select committee when I read this bill. I have to commend that select committee for the work that they have done, and also the Minister. The reason I say that is that I don\u0027t think this bill is like either steamed fish or old chips. I really believe this is a very, very good bill\u2014I don\u0027t like either of those things\u2014I think it\u2019s a really good bill. The reason I say that is because I think that a test of a bill is if someone like me, that has not sat on that select committee and actually understands it, the essence of it\u2014having read it today, I actually think this is incredible, the work that this particular select committee has done. I commend all of the members on that committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003EThe fact that this bill will improve people\u0027s experiences with courts and tribunals is absolutely critical to the ongoing work of the court system in this country. Most importantly, the reduction of time that it will take to resolve matters in the courts and the tribunals, and for people to feel safer in those situations, is just a wonderful, wonderful addition that this bill is actually making.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000631\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003EThe one area that I actually read through that I was most intrigued with was the work that the select committee did around the Human Rights Review Tribunal and the fact that they have taken on the Minister\u0027s paper\u2014the recommendations that he took to Cabinet\u2014to actually make that work now go through a lot quicker. We had such a backlog in that particular area that it was quite worrying, because that is an area that is critical for many, many people. We\u0027ve heard those arguments here tonight and I don\u0027t need to re-go over those at all. So I\u0027m really delighted with this particular bill and I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000632\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003EBills read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000633\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002257818b8befee4c6c93271e9ded376a2a\u0022\u003EFire and Emergency New Zealand (Levy) Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000634\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00227c5e38ad1e224806b22547575d519e3c\u0022\u003EFirst Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022 data-id=\u0022ddeb6ae6b8b043bfb7cbbe6c6876a348\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000635\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ddeb6ae6b8b043bfb7cbbe6c6876a348\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN (Minister of Internal Affairs):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Levy) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Governance and Administration Committee to consider the bill. At the appropriate time, I intend to move that the bill be reported to the House by 1 April 2019.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000636\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EThis is not a very large bill, to be perfectly frank, but it does a couple of things that are very, very important. So if you don\u2019t mind, I will every now and then just check my notes to make sure that I don\u2019t say that it does something that it doesn\u2019t do, or forget to say something that it actually does do, just for clarity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000637\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EFor more than 150 years, the fire service organisations have played a critical role in the safety and protection of our New Zealand communities, but the role of the organisations has changed and it has grown. Fire services have become our first defence to the effects of climate change\u2014responding to flooding, land slips, and bigger and more intensive wildfires. They increasingly attend non-fire emergencies, such as motor vehicle accidents, medical incidents, hazardous substance emergencies, and natural disasters. A modern fire and emergency service is also central to the resilience of our communities, not only leading the response in times of emergency but through community recovery as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000638\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EFire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) came into existence on 1 July 2017 to better meet New Zealand\u2019s changing emergency needs. To create a unified organisation has been no mean feat. Forty organisations have come together, bringing with them a total workforce of 14,000 people. Of these people, 11,000 are volunteers who give their time for free to serve their local communities. Despite the challenges of unification\u2014it is a large job\u2014Fire and Emergency New Zealand has continued to seamlessly deliver services in communities around New Zealand. They have attended 82,567 incidents in their first year.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000639\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EThe main purpose of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Levy) Amendment Bill is to amend the commencement date for the new levy regime that funds those activities. It is essential that this change be made prior to 1 July 2019, as this is when the new regime would have come into force. I therefore recommend that the time-critical amendments in this bill progress through the House as quickly as possible.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000640\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EFENZ is funded by a levy on property insurance. This is implemented by insurance companies and insurance brokers. At the moment, the levy regime that existed before the fire services were unified last year is still in place, with a transitional levy rate to fund FENZ\u2019s initial few years and some of the costs of the reforms. Under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act, a new levy system is set to take place on 1 July 2019, as I previously mentioned. It also makes some changes to the way that the levy is calculated, and this is part of the concern and the reason why we need also to take a delay, as the current levy system does not reflect the scope of services that Fire and Emergency New Zealand carries out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000641\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003ETo implement the new levy regime, insurance companies and insurance brokers will need time to change their systems and their business processes. Since the passage of the FENZ Act, officials at the Department of Internal Affairs have worked closely with insurance companies and insurance brokers on planning for the implementation of the new levy. This work has revealed that a number of changes to the new levy regime will be required for it to work properly. The time needed to complete this work and to ensure that the new levy regime operates properly means that the current date of 1 July 2019 is not achievable for the commencement of the new levy. It has also highlighted some serious concerns about the unintended consequences of the levy calculation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000642\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EIf I can just mention, for example, a very large national property portfolio insured at, say, $4.5 billion against fire and $25 billion against material damage will have their levy rise from $4.7 million per year to $18.5 million per year under the current levy calculation. A large national portfolio of older building stock insured with the indemnity value of $1 billion and replacement value of $3.8 billion would see their current levy rise from $1 million to $2.81 million. This is a problem, and this is the problem that I inherited when I came and sat in this seat, and this is the problem\u2014why I brought this bill to the House now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000643\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EThe levy calculation was always going to be complicated. This is not a comment or a criticism of anybody in particular; this is merely an explanation about why we need the time. To dramatise that, this would be the increase for large property owners in New Zealand, and these would be our supermarkets, many of our churches, and so on and so forth. This is too large an increase for any major business or our churches and so on to be able to manage in the time frame that we have been given. We need more time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000644\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EThe Department of Internal Affairs and Fire and Emergency New Zealand need more time to work with these businesses and these organisations to make sure that we get what is a fair levy across all of the people of New Zealand who will need Fire and Emergency New Zealand services, because that is what this is supposed to be about. This is about making sure that Fire and Emergency New Zealand has the amount of money it needs to provide what is the expectation of New Zealanders for the service that they will provide. So the extra time will also provide more information about what FENZ\u2019s costs are before setting the levy rate to fund it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000645\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EThe Government therefore intends to move the commencement date back by one year, to 1 July 2020. The bill achieves this by setting a backstop for transition to the new levy regime at 1 July 2021. The backstop date of 1 July 2021 will ensure that if it later becomes apparent that the commencement of the new levy regime by 2020 is not achievable, we can change that date by Order in Council. This will save the need to come back to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000646\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EThe bill will also make a number of other changes. It will exempt the collections of public museums, public art galleries, and whare taonga from the levy from 1 July 2019. Cabinet approved this exemption in 2017, which was intended to be made through levy regulations in July 2017. As these levy regulations are tied to the commencement of the new levy, without an amendment delaying that regime by a year it would also mean delaying this exemption for those collections. We are therefore bringing the exemption forward, as we could see no reason to continue charging the levy on collections insurance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000647\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EThe bill also makes amendments to clarify that the FENZ levy rate may be set for a period other than three years, and that the surpluses or deficits of levy income in a previous levy period must be taken into account when setting the levy. I would like to emphasise it is essential that this bill pass prior to 1 July 2019. If that date is not achieved, there is a material risk to FENZ revenue that FENZ revenue will be disrupted. This was a date that was set in by the prior Parliament, and, again, it is not a criticism of anybody at that time; this is merely a recognition that the work that needed to be done was more complicated than recognised by the Parliament at that time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000648\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EFENZ needs revenue certainty so that it can continue to deliver its fire and emergency functions uninterrupted. This is important for the safety of our communities across New Zealand. Providing certainty about the rest of the levy regime will require some legislative amendments. The Government is currently working through the drafting of these amendments and intends to introduce a second FENZ Act amendment bill in the new year. The amendments in that bill will be technical and will finalise the detail of the new levy regime. We have to get these right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000649\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EI move that the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Levy) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 1 April 2019. I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022 data-id=\u0022e9eccdbdf78846b3b84f57cd57cfefde\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000650\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e9eccdbdf78846b3b84f57cd57cfefde\u0022\u003EHon JACQUI DEAN (National\u2014Waitaki):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. National is pleased to support this bill through to select committee. I do have a question already.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000651\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228313661daf9e4aff9f3f0a58304be0b3\u0022\u003EHon Nathan Guy\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, that\u2019ll be a goody.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000652\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022301b1faec8174c98b367d28469f22c02\u0022\u003EHon JACQUI DEAN\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, well. The Minister very well set out the provisions in the bill and the necessity to extend the date out by three or maybe two years. The question I have\u2014and it\u2019s something we will explore in the select committee process and when we come to the committee of the whole House\u2014is: has the Government thought about the impacts on the insurance contract law reform work that is being undertaken by the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs at the moment? I don\u2019t know, but that was a piece of work which was generated under our Government and should be bringing some improvements into insurance contract law in New Zealand, and I do wonder whether that has been taken into account by officials. So that is something that absolutely the National Party will be looking out for when we open for submissions on this bill at the select committee. But we do support it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003EThe commencement date, 1 July 2019, is\u2014what?\u2014seven months away now. The Government have had a year\u2014yes, the Government had a year\u2014and here we are some months out from the commencement date and suddenly they realise that that date is not achievable. And that\u2019s fine. We support the bill and we support pushing out the date of commencement, because Fire and Emergency New Zealand has our support. From every little corner of New Zealand, Fire and Emergency New Zealand turn out on weekends, and at midnight, and in the middle of family celebrations and weddings and funerals; they turn out for us and so we, of course, will support them in the passage of this bill, which really pushes out\u2014it\u2019s not a big bill\u2014the commencement date by three or two years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000654\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003ESo, there\u2019s not much to say because I think, apart from the matter I raised initially around \u201Cdoes this work interface well enough with insurance law reform work\u201D\u2014and I think that is a critical question and consideration and I do look forward to contributions from the Government side of the House. That aside\u2014and we will look carefully at that\u2014we do support this. Of course we support Fire and Emergency New Zealand and doing all we can\u2014after all, it was this Opposition\u2019s legislation initially\u2014to bring this bill through with amendment, if need be, but we do look forward to supporting it through to select committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u002277b912f4d21941039b8a6478a69a930f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000655\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002277b912f4d21941039b8a6478a69a930f\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Police):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Let me first start by saying that I think Minister Martin has actually done a fantastic job of taking a bill that did actually need quite a lot of work and shepherding it through the Cabinet process and bringing it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000656\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe member who just spoke, Jacqui Dean, asked some questions and I have no doubt Minister Martin, in the very, very thorough way she does things, has thought of this because, I can tell you, that she does approach these issues in a very, very thorough way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000657\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EUnfortunately, this is one of these bills\u2014as the previous speaker alluded to\u2014that was put forward by the previous Government. We have had to pick it up and we have had to make changes. I think what happened is perhaps there was a level of consultation which wasn\u2019t robust enough to actually get to the bottom of the issue, and that is the fact that this is a fantastic idea, but if you don\u2019t give those who are responsible for implementing the bill enough time to actually get their systems sorted, then we end up back in Parliament with an amendment bill trying to make it right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000658\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EBut we are here doing this and, as mentioned, Minister Martin\u2019s done a great job. I would, however, like to reiterate Minister Martin\u2019s point where she said that these small volunteer fire brigades are the backbone of our communities. I\u2019ve got an electorate with rural communities and usually, without exception, you go to the smallest ones\u2014Matawai, for example, at the top of my electorate\u2014the fire station there, the volunteer fire brigade, is the backbone of the local community. The fire station is where everyone gathers, they meet, and you have your barbecues, and you find out what\u2019s going on. The men, and the women these days, are out there helping and the thing that most people don\u2019t realise is\u2014they probably do, actually\u2014in fact a lot of the work, the majority of the work, that the fire brigade does is not actually putting out fires in these in small rural communities, it\u2019s actually attending motor accidents and all of the other emergency events that go on, when in fact the volunteer fire brigade is really the only, and certainly the first, responders in any community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000659\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe new levy system will be an improvement on the current system. It includes new, modern provisions such as anti-avoidance mechanisms, and improves audits and information powers for Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). This is important, not only for transparency for those who pay the levy, but also for FENZ themselves. What we do know is that if there\u2019s a transparent regime and there are processes in place that allow those who pay the levy, or who are interested in what happens with the levy, to find out what goes on, then it makes for the much better running of an organisation. So that\u2019s happening.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000660\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s one other point I would like to make, and that is that\u2014[Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000661\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d23e6202c585469dab441b5104388efb\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! I\u2019m sorry to interrupt the member. Could you get closer together if you want to have a conversation? Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000662\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f3992ab7ff3b4abd8e4f854e5db9f04b\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: The bill also exempts public museums, public art galleries, and whare taonga from paying the fire and emergency levy, from July 1, 2019, in keeping with the original plan.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000663\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe Minister gave an example; let me give another example if I may, and that is Te Papa. For example, under the proposed structure, their levy was going to go from $3 million to $4.5 million. So a 50 per cent increase, and we just feel that\u2014well one thing in Labour, of course, is that we love a strong cultural and creative sector, to the point that the Prime Minister herself has taken on this portfolio. Labour believes that this sector is vital to our national identity. Helen Clark\u2014the previous Prime Minister, of course\u2014had this portfolio as well. The economic development around museums and galleries deserve support, and certainly from government, to maintain its sustainability, hence the reason why we are exempting museums and galleries and whare taonga from the levy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000664\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThis is a good bill. It\u2019s a necessary bill. As mentioned, the Minister\u2019s done a fantastic job of shepherding this through the Cabinet process. Her papers have been fulsome. The rationale is very sound. It is good\u2014it is good\u2014the Opposition is supporting this bill because it\u2019s one of those ones that actually cuts to the heart\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000665\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002262d7fb1ad4c046afa3584aa0b74e99e5\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: It is our bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000666\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022992b630de3e64b40ada4ea0e068990e0\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Well, Mr Bayly is right. The original bill was the previous Government\u2019s bill, but they got it so wrong to the extent we\u2019ve had to bring it back. We\u2019ve had to bring an amendment bill back, unfortunately. Unfortunately, it\u2019s up to this Government and Minister Martin to actually get it right and make sure it\u2019s able to be implemented. That\u2019s what we\u2019re doing. In fact, this is one of these bills\u2014[Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000667\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fbca6aef409d4afcb87b5497d6ee87bc\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! We were doing so well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000668\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bb0a8d01dc4e432abe0408e9dd7de32b\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: It is one of these bills that shouldn\u2019t be in the House, because they should have got it right the first time. But it is up to Minister Martin. She\u2019s doing a fantastic job. We support this, and there we go. Thank you very much.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022 data-id=\u00226da1d6d8d6eb430bba40ac60f67572d2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000669\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226da1d6d8d6eb430bba40ac60f67572d2\u0022\u003EHon NATHAN GUY (National\u2014\u014Ctaki):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. It\u2019s a great opportunity to take a call on the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Levy) Amendment Bill\u2014one that we do support. We\u2019ve just heard an interesting contribution from Stuart Nash. I won\u2019t bother debating a whole lot of things that he said, because some of it made sense, but I must say some of it didn\u2019t. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000670\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EThis bill is an important one. When I think back to when I was the Minister of Internal Affairs, from 2009 to 2011, it was a great, responsible job to be the Minister of Internal Affairs because it was such a wide ministry. In fact, at the time, we brought in Archives New Zealand and the National Library, so we made it even bigger. But, importantly, the engagement that I had with the New Zealand Fire Service at the time was very important, and the thing that I liked most about dealing with the team at the New Zealand Fire Service was the focus that they had on the volunteers. Yes, paid firefighters are important, but so are the thousands of volunteers up and down the country. I have numerous small fire stations in my \u014Ctaki electorate. In fact, on Saturday night, I will be at a celebration for the Paraparaumu Fire Station, where they have a fire service gold star. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000671\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EBut what officials used to tell me when they came into my office was that the Act was out of date and needed modernising, because when they turned up to motor vehicle accidents\u2014and a lot of the 111 callouts that they have are, unfortunately, to motor vehicle accidents\u2014they wanted to know if they were mandated to do that ahead of the ambulance, because on some of occasions, particularly in rural communities, they would get there a lot quicker than ambulances. Then we think about the USAR\u2014the urban search and rescue. They are a great organisation, and they really stepped up for the Christchurch earthquakes. Were they mandated to do the role that they played? In fact, when we put the call out internationally, we had numerous numbers of USAR teams that came to Christchurch from around the world, and then what happened was we had requests at various events\u2014tsunamis, earthquakes\u2014around the world for our New Zealand USAR team to travel and be deployed into these various countries. Were they mandated to do that? Well, as it turned out, they weren\u2019t. So modernising the Act was very important. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000672\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge Paul Swain, who did a huge amount of work at that period of time to do the review. Actually, interestingly enough, he is now the chair of the New Zealand Fire and Emergency\u2014what are they called now? New\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000673\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d49fdfa04b164a999bbcff031e6e49df\u0022\u003EHon Tracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: Fire and Emergency service. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000674\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cab0b045223d4b1785655099b797cddf\u0022\u003EHon NATHAN GUY\u003C/span\u003E: Fire and Emergency New Zealand\u2014and I thank the Minister for that. Paul Swain, I think it\u2019s fair to say, has a huge amount of support right across the House for the work that he did in terms of the Swain review, as it\u2019s commonly known now, and, indeed, what he\u2019s doing in his leadership of this relatively new organisation. The other person I want to acknowledge is Peter Dunne, who chaperoned through the new Act in 2017. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000675\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EFocusing now on this amendment bill this evening, there\u2019s really a couple of aspects to it. It\u2019s clear that Minister Dunne might have been a bit ambitious on his time frame for setting the levy, so it\u2019s only fair that that gets pushed out a little bit to give the insurers and the brokers time to upgrade and, potentially, resize their hardware and software, which they need to do to have a mechanism to collect the levy. The other one is the importance of allowing some exemptions for public museums and the like\u2014we support that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EAlso, it\u2019s interesting\u2014Minister Martin will have some work ahead of her in terms of setting the levy. She\u2019ll need to be considering the number of motor vehicles and the number of properties that are insured, and we know that, actually, those numbers\u2014well, motor vehicle numbers are going to continue to grow in New Zealand. Insured properties\u2014a lot of properties are insured because they have mortgages. But, as they get through the period of having a mortgage, then they don\u2019t\u2014often, they let their insurance lapse. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000677\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EThe exemptions, as I\u2019ve talked about\u2014and I know from my experience as a Government Minister in the past that setting levies is always a bit of a headache, because if you set it too high, then, effectively, you\u2019re taking too much money off the taxpayer, and if you set it too low, it\u2019s difficult for Fire and Emergency to do their job. So those things will be teased out and debated in the committee stage. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000678\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EOn this side of the House, we support the bill. Thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022 data-id=\u00229581c63caf88406cbd5e74cc2b4dd38b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000679\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229581c63caf88406cbd5e74cc2b4dd38b\u0022\u003EHon CLARE CURRAN (Labour\u2014Dunedin South):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. Actually, I think it was July last year when the bill that created Fire and Emergency New Zealand went through the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000680\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228c52c9d41c94412788e5c3b945cf6bb0\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Is that all?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000681\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e6425606604944d39679c26be27be23e\u0022\u003EHon Tracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: Yep.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000682\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d06236883e11463f9afcde2a0004cf3c\u0022\u003EHon CLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, it feels like a while ago, actually. I remember speaking in one of the stages of that bill, and it was the night of the Christchurch fires, which gave a certain significance to this bill\u2014the importance of our fire service, for one thing, but it also brought into sharp relief the importance of getting it right, the importance of getting our emergency services right, the importance of having our civil defence systems working effectively, and the importance of having good decision-making structures in place and chains of command. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000683\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EMadam Assistant Speaker, I\u2019m sure that you\u2019re very well aware of all of these issues, coming from Christchurch yourself, but, actually, that night spurred an inquiry, which took place before the election, into those very things. Now, I know it didn\u2019t directly impact on this bill, but the fire service, which\u2014I was just looking at your speech, the Hon Tracey Martin: 40 organisations, a total workforce of 14,000 people, 11,000 of whom are volunteers, which is the most extraordinary thing, you know. Big ups to Fire and Emergency Service New Zealand. But what a massive feat to bring all of that together, so I want to acknowledge Peter Dunne for the work that he did around that, but now Tracey Martin has to take that and make that work, and make the financial side of it work, which is this levy system. So that\u2019s why we\u2019re in the House tonight talking about increasing the transitional arrangements for the levy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000684\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EObviously, that\u2019s important. We\u2019ve got to get it right, just as we have to get our civil defence system right, and behind that sits the decision-making processes. So I am very much in support of this\u2014an improvement on the current system. Thankfully, sense was seen, and the exemptions that a number of speakers have mentioned tonight around the museums and galleries\u2014and I just want to make reference to my own city and an impassioned plea from the director of the Otago Museum, alongside a whole lot of other directors of our museums who appeared before the select committee last year and talked about the impossibility of putting a value on our cultural collections. The financial impact if the levy applied to them, which would\u2019ve been a 300 per cent increase, was completely unsustainable. So thank you for seeing sense across the country on our cultural collections.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000685\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EI just want to end on the note of giving a shout-out to the volunteers and the fire service in my own city, particularly in Portobello down the Otago Peninsula, where they spend most of their call-outs attending car accidents and emergencies that affect people, whether it\u2019s\u2014you know, other than car accidents, but accidents of some sort; sometimes, it\u2019s fires. Consequently, their training and their responsiveness\u2014and they mostly have day jobs\u2014are extraordinary, and I think that\u2019s fantastic. Also, as far as the other end of my electorate, Middlemarch, and all of those in between\u2014they\u2019re the people that turn up that are incredibly professional, that are flexible and able to attend to any emergency, really. We need them, we need to value them more, and we\u2019ve got to get the system right that sits behind them. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022 data-id=\u00226747549cabe547d0ad49fd2b78750fba\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000686\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226747549cabe547d0ad49fd2b78750fba\u0022\u003EHon SCOTT SIMPSON (National\u2014Coromandel):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. It\u2019s a pleasure to take a short call in this first reading debate on the amendment bill that\u2019s before the House in the name of the Hon Tracey Martin. It\u2019s a small, technical bill, and, as my colleagues on this side of the House have already indicated, National will be supporting this bill through to select committee. In doing so, I think that we will be keen to see what kinds of submissions come through the select committee process. I suspect that they won\u2019t be too numerous, because the bill, as I said, has a fine and detailed aspect to it. It\u2019s not a particularly controversial or, indeed, complicated piece of legislation. It simply amends the time frame for the setting up of the new levy-based system, because it became apparent that more time was needed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000687\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EI don\u2019t think that there\u2019s any question of blame about how this was required. This change to Fire and Emergency New Zealand was the first significant change to our fire and emergency service structure since the 1970s, and, before that, much of what was already in place had been there for a good deal longer than the 1970s. So it\u2019s quite a big piece of change for those people involved in Fire and Emergency New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000688\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EI\u2019m very pleased to see that a small change that has been included in this bill relates to an exclusion from the levy liability for public museums, galleries, and those sorts of places where high-value collections are stored and protected for the benefit of citizens, for visitors, and, of course, for the future heritage of the country. It became obvious, I think, when the bill was first introduced and passed, that the prospect of incredibly high insurance premiums on antiquities of immeasurable value would mean that an exclusion was required for organisations like museums and galleries. So I\u2019m pleased to see that that has been included.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000689\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EI have the pleasure and honour of representing the Coromandel electorate in this Parliament. It\u2019s an electorate that is dominated by a range of beautiful towns and communities across the region. In each of those towns and communities, there is a volunteer fire service, and I am always humbled by the work and the commitment and the effort that is put in by volunteers. Throughout my entire electorate, all the fire services are provided on a voluntary basis, be they traditional volunteer fire brigades or rural brigades. They, of course, are now going through a transition phase of merging into the new entity. That at times can be challenging and is a bit of a journey for all those involved, but I\u2019m pleased to say that so far so good. Yes, there are some challenges to get through, but I\u2019ve been very impressed with the level of goodwill in terms of moving this service forward.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000690\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EAs somebody else mentioned earlier on in the debate, the nature of the service has now changed considerably, and I know that in my electorate these days, regrettably, increasingly the work done by Fire and Emergency New Zealand is actually for road accidents, road crashes, and that sort of thing. So the service needs to change in order to accommodate those changes to the work that is being done, but I just wanted to place on record my grateful appreciation to volunteers not only in the Coromandel electorate but nationwide. They do a sterling job on behalf of their communities and us as New Zealanders. I commend this bill to first reading.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022 data-id=\u0022a67cf19a638e4975a6ad8e49109d9928\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000691\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a67cf19a638e4975a6ad8e49109d9928\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE (Minister of Conservation):\u003C/span\u003E E Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare, t\u0113n\u0101 koe. I don\u2019t always agree with Mr Simpson, but I agree with every word he said then, because, similarly, living in an area where the 11,000 volunteers who are part of Fire and Emergency New Zealand are out attending to road crashes, you hear the siren go off in the middle of the night and you think of the volunteers who are leaping out of bed to get down to the fire station, to get the trucks out, to go off to the equivalent of ambulance call-outs, as well. They do an extraordinary job on behalf of all of us throughout New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000692\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EThis exercise, which took place as a result of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand legislation in 2017, of merging the urban and rural fire services, of merging fire and emergency, was a massive one. I congratulate all of those involved in terms of developing into a single organisation and bringing all the back-office people together with the service personnel. They are often in very challenging situations that I personally wouldn\u2019t want to be in, where people have been injured in road crashes and the like, and I really express my appreciation for the huge work that they do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000693\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EThis bill is not changing the way Fire and Emergency New Zealand is funded, but it is ensuring that the levy which has been carried over, the transitional levy provisions, have a longer lead-in time before the new levy is implemented. It changes what\u2019s called the back-stop date to 1 July 2020 so that the new levy system must be implemented by 1 July 2020 or, if it is ready to go, earlier. That can be done by Order in Council.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000694\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EI note that the principal Act, the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017, provided for a levy regime which ensured that there was a stable source of funding for Fire and Emergency New Zealand, that the levy system was universal so that costs were shared amongst all of those who benefit, that it was equitable and commensurate with the benefits, that it was predictable, and that it was also sufficiently flexible to adapt to change. So, of course, ensuring that the new levy fits all of the criteria which are in the principal Act, that the Government works with the insurance industry, is a big exercise. The reason for this bill is because the insurance industry\u2014because, of course, the levy is applied to property through insurance contracts and brokers\u2014made it very clear that they needed more time in terms of looking at the way their services work, the way their contracts were designed, and the way their IT systems operated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000695\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EAs the Minister Martin said, we need to get this right, because Fire and Emergency New Zealand costs around $460 million annually, and the levy needs to be appropriately set. As the Minister also noted, there will be further legislation introduced into the Parliament early next year, which will be more comprehensive in terms of how the levy will actually operate, but this bill is a small and simple one which is simply seeking to clarify the current regime so that you don\u2019t get uncertainty with the carry-over of the transitional provisions. There\u2019s a clear deadline for when the new levy regime is to be introduced, and it is quite critical that it passes the Parliament before 1 July next year, when originally the new levy was planned to come into force.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000696\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003ESo it\u2019s a small, perfectly formed bill. As others have said, the Minister is doing a very good job in picking up this very complex amalgamation of the services, fire and emergency, to deal with all sorts of situations\u2014not just fire but flooding, road crashes and the like\u2014and ensuring that they function to the best of the capability of everybody involved and provide services that are very challenging and that a lot of us wouldn\u2019t want to be doing. So, again, I express my gratitude both to the professionals involved in Fire and Emergency New Zealand and to the 11,000 volunteers, and commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022 data-id=\u00228e514040d4084f21b2a87a1d258d572d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000697\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228e514040d4084f21b2a87a1d258d572d\u0022\u003EANDREW BAYLY (National\u2014Hunua):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It\u2019s a pleasure to be talking on the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Levy) Amendment Bill. I\u2019ve got to say that it\u2019s a lovely night, isn\u2019t it, Madam Deputy Speaker? This is one of these rare occasions when this House comes together. It\u2019s a beautiful thing, and I know what the common denominator is\u2014that is, this is a good National Party bill, and everyone\u2019s coming together over it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000698\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve got to just acknowledge all the members of the Government and thank them for supporting our bill. Of course, it\u2019s a pretty simple amendment, this bill, which is about pushing out the levy. I think many people have canvassed what it\u2019s about, because, basically, it\u2019s giving a bit more time for the insurers and the brokers to put in place the right arrangements before they impose the levy. The other aspects are that we\u2019re going to exclude galleries and those types of entities from paying a levy, which, in my view, I think is very good.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000699\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve got to say that, like the rest of us before, I just want to acknowledge the fine people, the men and women of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand, but also, more importantly in many ways, their families\u2014their families who have to watch their loved ones go out late at night, early in the morning, or even during work. They down tools\u2014and they might be self-employed\u2014and go out to sometimes some quite horrific occasions. It\u2019s not only the accidents that the previous members spoke about but also the fires, and also just those small things in the community that help. To me, they are the heart of the small communities of New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000700\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EIn my electorate of Hunua, I\u2019ve got 15 of these fire brigades. Only just the weekend before last, I was up in a beautiful part of my electorate called \u0100whitu at Pollok celebrating the \u0100whitu fire brigade annual medal awards. Of course, many of them were receiving them, and I always make a point of going there if I can, to these medal awards, because in my view, they deserve it\u2014much like the police. They do a fabulous job on our behalf.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000701\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EI can only just commend this bill. I think it\u2019s an excellent bill, and I think it\u2019s just some tiny recognition of the wonderful thing that these men and women do on our behalf in our communities. Thank you very much.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022 data-id=\u0022eccf6ad675ca4566b9f50c062f35254e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000702\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022eccf6ad675ca4566b9f50c062f35254e\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: We now have a split call.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022 data-id=\u0022dcd9aa84d3ef400ba27c9965cb9aa4dc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000703\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022dcd9aa84d3ef400ba27c9965cb9aa4dc\u0022\u003EMARJA LUBECK (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. T\u0113n\u0101 koe e Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare. It\u2019s a real pleasure to take a call on this first reading of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Levy) Amendment Bill. Before I get into this bill and the details of it, I\u2019d like to congratulate my colleague Mark Patterson on his promotion to chief whip. Mark is an absolute top bloke, and I know he\u2019ll do a great job in keeping his team whipped and in check.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000704\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c5dcb162bbfb4ae7bbbe1119ab7c6ae6\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: Acting.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000705\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a4f07daba692479bb003e914af987e81\u0022\u003EMARJA LUBECK\u003C/span\u003E: Acting. This bill amends the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017, the FENZ Act. All the bill\u2019s amendments are all levy-related to fund FENZ. As we have already heard, rural and urban fire services were unified across the country into a national organisation, Fire and Emergency New Zealand\u2014FENZ\u2014in July 2017. I also would like to acknowledge that fire service organisations have kept our communities across New Zealand safe for more than 150 years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000706\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003EIn fact, many of us MPs would have learnt firsthand during the International Firefighters Day on 4 May this year that, increasingly, these people not only do things like putting out fires and helping rescue people and animals but deal with issues such as road accidents, medical accidents, slips, floods\u2014you name it, they\u2019re doing this. That\u2019s a workforce of 14,000 and, as we\u2019ve heard, 11,000 volunteers dedicating their time and their families\u2019 time to play a critical role in keeping our communities safe.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000707\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003EMinister Nash previously mentioned these organisations as the backbone of our communities, and he mentioned a particular station at the top of his electorate. I too would like to do the same thing. In Leigh, right at the top of Rodney, is the Leigh fire station, with an incredible volunteer group that is keeping our community safe.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000708\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003ESo at the time that the urban and rural fire services were unified, there was a transitional levy regime established, and the planning was\u2014as we\u2019ve heard\u2014that this new levy would take place from 1 July 2019, but, obviously, this particular date is not achievable. So what this bill does, again, is it amends the commencement date for this new levy-based system. As we have already heard from Minister Martin, that is because insurers and brokers will need more time to make considerable changes to their particular systems, but we also want to have more information to understand what FENZ\u2019s costs are before we are setting any new levy rates to fund it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000709\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003ESo, again, this is a very short bill. Apart from extending the transitional levy rates for FENZ and delaying the commencement date for the new levy regime, the bill also deals with levy exemptions, and they have already been mentioned, so I won\u2019t repeat those. Lastly, the bill also makes some amendments to clarify that levy rates can be for periods shorter than three years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003ESo, all in all, it\u2019s a very sensible, practical bill. Thank you, Minister Martin, and I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u00226a3bd2656f4b4447909da55fabd68e62\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000711\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226a3bd2656f4b4447909da55fabd68e62\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s a privilege to take a call on this bill, and I agree with all the nice things that have been said about the fire service and all those people that give their time voluntarily, and all that sort of stuff, in the name of supporting our communities. It\u2019s a fantastic organisation. However, I have some interesting issues\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000712\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bf98e4340b2b4e75958e9c08a0c547f6\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: \u201CHowever\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000713\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227c485c8bdedd404e94b83f3a441911aa\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE\u003C/span\u003E: Well, first of all, we are supporting this bill to the select committee. But, having come from a long period of experience in the insurance industry and, I think, some 15 years on various insurance boards, and being an ex-mayor who\u2019s watched this very difficult topic raised with councils as well, my view on the bill is slightly different, and I think there\u2019s room for some discussion on it in the future, because it is extremely difficult to levy insurance companies when people don\u2019t insure things. I guess the challenge I\u2019ve got with this is that\u2019s going to become more and more prevalent as it gets more and more difficult to get insurance, and I think we\u2019re going to have half of our community, in due course, not insured. We\u2019re seeing that already with earthquake insurance. We\u2019re going to see it more and more frequently with other forms of insurance. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000714\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003ESo I think the difficulty in the future is going to be\u2014not in my time, and I\u2019m not going to die in a ditch over this, but I have had significant experience in the insurance industry and I understand the challenges that this bill creates. My view is that it should be applied to rates, but that\u2019s certainly not National Party policy\u2014that\u2019s my personal view. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000715\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003ESo I think that there are some challenges in the course of this bill, and it will be very interesting to see where we get to in the course of the select committee discussions on it. It is an important issue for our community. It is an important issue for all\u2014particularly those in rural New Zealand, interestingly, because we are more isolated, more fraught, and have more challenges with some of this stuff. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000716\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EThe other thing I\u2019m concerned about with respect to this bill is the manner in which it\u2019s being applied, and the manner in which the fire and emergency services have been reformed, in my view, is going to lead to significant increases in cost, and I would be a little nervous as to where the costs might get to in the course of this levy situation. So I think there\u2019s a couple of things that I find interesting with it and find quite concerning, and I\u2019m sure it\u2019s an issue that the select committee will need to get its head round in the course of considering the discussion on the bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000717\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003ESo whilst I absolutely support the fire service\u2014or Fire and Emergency New Zealand, as it\u2019s now known\u2014and all the activities they undertake, I do think there are some challenges in the way we set these levies. I do think there are some challenges in the potential future costs, particularly to those people who are paying the levy\u2014in other words, the people of New Zealand who are insured. So I\u2019ve got a great deal of pleasure in supporting this bill to the next stage, and I look forward to the discussion in the select committee on it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022 data-id=\u002284d4366278404cc187ec06a1ad16e185\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000718\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002284d4366278404cc187ec06a1ad16e185\u0022\u003EMICHAEL WOOD (Labour\u2014Mt Roskill):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. In October of each year, I conduct a heritage tour around the streets of my community of Three Kings in the electorate of Mt Roskill, walking around sites of certain built and cultural heritage significance. One of the buildings that is a highlight of that tour is the old Mount Roskill fire station, and what is notable about that is that it was one of the earliest and first public buildings in the growing community of Three Kings. It was built in about 1930, and at that time there really weren\u2019t any other public buildings around. What that points to is the fact that fire and emergency services are totally central to the safe operation of our communities. In the case of my community, it was the first building you built, because your community was vulnerable until you had that service. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000719\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s something that I think about a bit. My family has many roots in the community of Thames, and the Kenney side of my family has about seven or eight generations of voluntary firefighters going back in that community, and that\u2019s something that my family has been immensely proud of. So, along with other members of this House, I\u2019m very pleased to be supporting the bill this evening. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000720\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EThe work that we in this House have gone through over a number of years, and it was primarily led\u2014let\u2019s acknowledge him\u2014by the Hon Peter Dunne, in bringing together the fire and emergency services was a pretty monumental piece of work, actually, but probably a necessary one, and what we\u2019re doing in this bill, really, is ensuring that we get the implementation right. There are a couple of issues which have popped up. The first one is around the setting of levies and the ability of insurers and brokers to adapt to the new regime, and I don\u2019t think there\u2019s any particular reason that I\u2019m aware of that we would look to hold anyone to account for the fact that we\u2019re not able to get those set as quickly as possible. That was envisaged to happen in 2019. This bill looks to extend that out to 2020 or 2021, depending on the circumstances, and it seems that there are just pretty fair reasons for that. It\u2019s simply very difficult to get the systems in place to have levies set appropriately by insurers and brokers. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EI\u2019m quite interested in the second major change in the bill, and that is the change to have an exemption in respect of the collections of public museums and public art galleries and whare taonga. I think this is a really important one. It\u2019s interesting to look back to when the original legislation first took effect. I think Te Papa\u2019s insurance levy jumped from something like $3 million per year to $4.5 million per year\u2014it was a 50 percent increase. Of course, if you think about it, the collections of many of these cultural institutions are incredibly valuable, so that has a flow-on effect to how much the levy increase might be, but at the same time as having a stock of incredibly valuable goods, these are institutions that don\u2019t necessarily have a commensurate amount of revenue coming in to support those kinds of increases. So I think the change within this bill\u2014and this is in new clause 25A in schedule 1, to be inserted by clause 8, which, effectively, exempts the collections of museums, public art galleries, and whare taonga\u2014is an important one, just to make sure that while we are getting this regime right, we\u2019re not unfairly penalising cultural institutions that are very, very important. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000722\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003ESo I think those two small changes are very sensible. They\u2019re about making sure that this legislation, which has wide support, continues to be supported by being responsive to those needs that have been identified. Because of that, along with my colleagues and, I think, everyone else in the House, I\u2019m very happy to commend the bill to the House. Thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022 data-id=\u002246d6014e04e74f698b01b1bef4b2e112\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000723\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002246d6014e04e74f698b01b1bef4b2e112\u0022\u003EMATT KING (National\u2014Northland):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Look, I\u2019d like to talk about\u2014in relation to this bill\u2014this levy that pays the bills. Being a former volunteer firefighter myself, only for two years\u2014I can only claim two years\u2014I\u2019d like to acknowledge\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000724\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c70620b9b6a74a35b125e82176524d26\u0022\u003EMarja Lubeck\u003C/span\u003E: 11?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000725\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022908b92f1328541dc87357a764458f84e\u0022\u003EMATT KING\u003C/span\u003E: Oh yeah, OK. A couple of guys over there have done a bit more than me. I\u2019d like to acknowledge the volunteers. I went to an award ceremony for a guy called Luers Crump from Kaikohe and he was getting his 50-year medal for service to the Fire Service. So he\u2019d been supporting the community as a volunteer firefighter for the same amount of time that I\u2019ve been on this earth. Another guy, Richard Penney\u201425 years\u2014a guy of similar age to me, or maybe a bit younger; I don\u2019t want to offend him. He got his 25-year medal. And then another guy Jack Winwood from my local brigade, whose done 50 years, not continuous. He\u2019s probably done about 60, but it was broken up, so he got his 50-year medal a while back too.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000726\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019d like to acknowledge those volunteer firemen and the communities that they serve in my little patch up North. They do a great job. They get called out in the middle of the night all the time. I had the pager on me for two years and it drove me nuts, so I acknowledge the work they do. They attend all manner of accidents and structure fires, and that sort of thing. So the levy will be paying for this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000727\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EI remember the day I first rolled up to training and I got given all this expensive firefighting gear and breathing apparatus to try on and all the kit. I had no idea what to do. I was a junior in the \u014Ckaihau Fire Brigade with a whole lot of very experienced people around me, including my neighbour, who\u2019s been the chief there for a few years and does great work. I recall going down to training in Christchurch. It\u2019s invaluable training. It\u2019s lifesaving sort of training. One thing you don\u2019t want to be if you\u2019re a volunteer fireman is scared of heights, and you don\u2019t want to be scared of confined spaces. I tell you what, that\u2019s what I\u2019m scared of\u2014heights and confined spaces.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000728\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003ESo we had to climb up the ladder at this training facility in Christchurch. It was two or three storeys up. As you can imagine, I was very scared. They ask you a question at the top to try and clear your head, and I couldn\u2019t answer anything. I couldn\u2019t even speak. I was so scared. But I got over it. I managed it. I fought the battle. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000729\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ccaba284409d44ed9a892a14f08d5933\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s a really interesting story but it has absolutely nothing to do with the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000730\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cf3d085d54bd49ed834c66cf26498f74\u0022\u003EMATT KING\u003C/span\u003E: OK. I\u2019ll finish up with one short story, one tiny story: structure fire\u2014my first structure fire. I went there with all these volunteer firemen and fought a huge structure fire for six hours, until I was exhausted, with all these amazing men and women around me in the middle of the night. The next day, I was called out to investigate the cause of that fire, because I was an investigator, and what had happened was this young fella had gone into a shed at the back of the building and was sniffing petrol, using a lighter as a torch. So that\u2019s what caused the fire. So, anyway, I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022 data-id=\u00222dc15f8666f7481a903591da1eff0f35\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000731\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222dc15f8666f7481a903591da1eff0f35\u0022\u003EKIERAN McANULTY (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. Here I was thinking we were going to hear from Matt King about levies. Instead, he shamelessly used this opportunity to tell us about his two years in the fire brigade. So let me tell you about my seven years\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000732\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ff30bdfb01ca40e3b7cdb215a9f56355\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000733\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226d451e22c03a4909b0675e6c27f0398b\u0022\u003EKIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: No. No, I\u2019ll weave it in so it\u2019s relevant to the speech, because that\u2019s what a good MP does. But it is wonderful and I do want to acknowledge Matt King and all the other volunteers that serve our communities, and don\u2019t be so hard on yourself, sir\u2014two years is still two years more than most, and so good on you. But it is wonderful to be able to stand here and say that my service record is bigger than Matt King\u2019s, so that\u2019s marvellous. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000734\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EBut, anyway, our communities rely on volunteer firefighters, and it\u2019s not just to fight fires, as we\u2019ve heard many times tonight. Even in my short tenure of seven years, I noticed a lot more of an increase in the demands on the time on the fire service, be it for a motor vehicle accident or assisting with a medical incident\u2014including, I regret to say, many suicides\u2014and for our communities that rely on the service, it needs to be properly funded, and the system that funds it needs to be up to scratch. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000735\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EI think of those communities in the Wairarapa electorate, where the Hon Ron Mark and I live\u2014I think we\u2019re the only MPs in here that live in Wairarapa. So stretching all the way up the Central Hawke\u2019s Bay are those very small communities like Norsewood and Pah\u012Batua that revolve around those services, or our rural firefighting services that were brought in amongst the wider Fire and Emergency New Zealand restructure, who up until recently have had to share essential things such as boots and helmets, and who used trucks that are older than many of the MPs in this House. It was not a situation that was sustainable, and it was not a situation that could ensure the safety of our rural communities or our smaller communities that rely on volunteers. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000736\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EThe fact is that that change\u2014you won\u2019t hear me arguing against it, on the whole, but the bill that originally brought it in did not bring in a structure that actually, over the test of time, was fit for purpose. I commend the Hon Tracey Martin for identifying that and bringing forward this bill to the House to make the changes that are necessary. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000737\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EFor 150 years, this country\u2019s been relying on volunteers to look after their communities. Now, obviously, with my background, I\u2019ve been focusing on the volunteers, but it\u2019s not just them. It is those that actually are employed in fire and emergency services, as well\u2014our comrades in the service\u2014who are dedicated and, for pretty relatively low levels of pay, given the risk that they put to their lives, are doing it because of their love of the role and their love of their community. The reason they have so many people signing up to become a firefighter\u2014a permanent firefighter\u2014way more than there are places demonstrates people\u2019s commitment to the role and the opportunity to serve the communities. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000738\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s not an easy role, and that\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to fund these things properly. These people put their lives at risk, at no notice. Those that work full-time do so on a roster system. Those that volunteer are on call 24 hours, seven days a week, and any situation where those services are not adequately resourced and those resources are not adequately funded, I think, is a shame on this country. We, as a country, should not rely on the goodwill of people and then not adequately resource them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000739\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003ESo I do stand in support of this. I stand in support of the pragmatic approach to fixing the previous legislation and to take the opportunity to send a message to those who serve our communities, be it through paid positions or volunteers. I invite members here, if they haven\u2019t had an experience or who have perhaps an opportunity to go find out more about their local volunteer services, to go and do so. Even here in Wellington, go down to the waterfront when the next firefighter combat challenge is under way. They call it the toughest two minutes in sport. I went down this year to watch Bevin Wolland and my cousin Bryce O\u2019Donnell take part\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000740\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cbed6028a29c4e4f83fa41cd1730672f\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Can we come to the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000741\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220d0e28087ff842c4a4a1c1077f8938dd\u0022\u003EKIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014and they were talking to me about this bill, Madam Deputy Speaker. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000742\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a49a8f48b34f461e879213a8edc441d2\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I don\u2019t think so. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000743\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a13a713ba29349d1bc5f2962b7674dd7\u0022\u003EKIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: No\u2014you caught me out there. Look, I may as well take the cue and congratulate the Minister again, and I very proudly commend this bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000744\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EBill read a first time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000745\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EBill referred to the Governance and Administration Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022 data-id=\u00229a68a8095b9a4acba060d14bf52be1be\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000746\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229a68a8095b9a4acba060d14bf52be1be\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN (Minister of Internal Affairs):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Levy) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 1 April 2019. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000747\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000748\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002200c63e37d926453fac3a6cc4667aaa13\u0022\u003EEarthquake Commission Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000749\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022401b5d365e8642c5add3bddf59bb5962\u0022\u003ESecond Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u002284ba064d2f0948b3abea581b17fd697b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000750\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002284ba064d2f0948b3abea581b17fd697b\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Attorney-General)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister responsible for the Earthquake Commission: I move, That the Earthquake Commission Amendment Bill be now read a second time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000751\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EI\u2019m proud that New Zealand, despite our high level of risk, has amongst the highest, if not the highest, rate of residential insurance in the world. The Earthquake Commission Act contributes to this by providing affordable insurance against natural disasters. The series of natural disasters across New Zealand in the last eight years has emphasised the importance of insuring property against such events. Many households with damaged property have been able to repair their houses and move on with their lives only because they were insured. The Canterbury earthquake sequence has been one of the world\u2019s costliest natural disasters, and the Kaik\u014Dura earthquake added additional strain on the system. The $6.1 billion in the Natural Disaster Fund in September 2010 has been all but depleted with the Earthquake Commission (EQC) recently needing to call on the Crown guarantee for the first time since its inception in 1944.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000752\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EAs the natural disaster insurance system, including EQC, has been put under considerable strain in the last years, we\u2019ve learnt that the system isn\u2019t perfect. This Earthquake Commission Amendment Bill proposes a set of changes to the Earthquake Commission Act. The changes are common sense and can be made before we undertake a full review of the Act.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000753\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EI would like to acknowledge the previous Minister, the Hon Gerry Brownlee, who in 2012 began a review of the Earthquake Commission legislation. I\u2019d also like to thank members of the Finance and Expenditure Committee, officials, and submitters for their contributions and work on the reported-back bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000754\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThe changes we\u2019re seeking to make are the first substantial changes to be introduced since the current Act was introduced in the early 1990s. The public inquiry into the Earthquake Commission, which will commence shortly, is the first step in a fuller review of the Act. Learning from the experiences of the people of Canterbury, the biggest test of the Act in its 74-year history will identify further areas for improvement. I anticipate that a further, more substantive EQC amendment bill will be developed following the Earthquake Commission inquiry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000755\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThis bill, as reported back from select committee, proposes four amendments to the Earthquake Commission Act 1993. These amendments will increase the cap for EQC building cover to $150,000 from $100,000 currently, both plus GST; secondly, remove EQC cover for personal property and home contents; thirdly, lengthen EQC claim notification time limits; and, fourthly, clarify EQC\u2019s authority to share and publish information, including to facilitate the settlement of EQC and private insurer claims. The proposed amendments will improve the operation of the EQC Act by simplifying the speeding up of claims handling while retaining the overall scheme. It also resolves issues with the EQC Act previously identified by the Ombudsman and the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000756\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EIncreasing the cap\u2014the changes proposed will increase the monetary cap on EQC residential building cover to $150,000, plus GST. Despite rising building costs, the cap hasn\u2019t been adjusted from the current level of $100,000, plus GST, since the EQC Act came into force in 1994.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000757\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EOn the removal of content cover\u2014EQC insurance cover for personal property being removed will free up scarce organisational resources, increasing EQC\u2019s ability to cope with major disasters to houses themselves\u2014homes. Diverting resources to claims from personal property contributed to delays in resolving higher-priority residential building and damage claims. I understand that private insurers are willing to take this cover on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000758\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003ETerms of the claim notification period\u2014these changes enable EQC to accept claim notifications for up to two years after a natural disaster, rather than the current inflexible three-month time limit. EQC will be able to accept notifications between three months and two years from the date of damage if EQC is satisfied that the insured person\u2019s failure to make a claim within the three-month time limit has not materially prejudiced EQC\u2019s ability to assess the claim. The bill as reported back with the support of the majority of the committee proposes that the bill provide for regulations to be made to either extend the two-year deadline or, alternatively, EQC can consider accepting claims in exceptional circumstances more than two years after the damage-causing event. Some members have expressed concern about the impact of this proposal on EQC and insurers\u2019 reinsurance contracts. This specific proposal affects EQC claim deadlines, not insurer claim deadlines, so I\u2019m advised it should not affect reinsurance for insurers. EQC\u2019s discussions with its insurers indicate that the changed claims deadline is not expected to have any significant impact on EQC\u2019s reinsurance contracts.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000759\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EOn information sharing, changes clarify EQC\u2019s authority to share information. These changes will support effective implementation of the EQC Act and settlement of insurance claims. Specifically, EQC may release information that it holds for the following purposes: to prevent or lessen a threat to public health or public safety or to the life or health of any individual; for the administration of the EQC Act or the performance by EQC of its functions; to facilitate natural disaster preparedness, response, or recovery, including the settlement of insurance claims by insurance companies; and, lastly, by making property-related information publicly available. In response to concerns expressed by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner in submission to the select committee, the drafting of the information-sharing provisions has changed significantly between the bill as introduced and the bill reported back now. The bill also requires EQC to have appropriate protections in place to maintain the confidentiality of personal information. These information-sharing provisions also address recommendation 94 of the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000760\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EWhen will these changes take effect? That\u2019s covered by the bill. The bill proposes that the changes to contents and building cover will apply to insurance contracts entered into from 1 July 2019. Insurers have been consulted on and support this implementation and the associated transitional provision. This will enable both insurance companies and those who seek insurance to protect their interests with alternative arrangements in respect of their contents. The changes to claim lodgment deadlines and information provisions are proposed to take effect from enactment. On behalf of the Minister, I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022 data-id=\u0022d4b2dd28ba244c1f974be4f6bc31cecd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000761\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d4b2dd28ba244c1f974be4f6bc31cecd\u0022\u003ESTUART SMITH (National\u2014Kaik\u014Dura):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It is a pleasure to speak to the Earthquake Commission Amendment Bill. It was a good process that we went through in the Finance and Expenditure Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000762\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EAs the Minister said, we have a very high penetration rate of insurance in the New Zealand market. That is largely due\u2014particularly for residential property\u2014to the Earthquake Commission (EQC), and that is for a very good reason. So you could be forgiven for thinking that there is cross-subsidisation by having a flat rate for EQC, which is actually true. It\u2019s called flat pricing, or it can be a community rating that it can be referred to as. High-risk buildings and buildings in high-risk areas pay the same rate as low-risk buildings and buildings in low-risk areas, and that\u2019s for a very good reason. If we don\u2019t have that system in place, then we won\u2019t have the level of penetration in the market which, inevitably, when we have an event\u2014say, a Christchurch event\u2014will lead to the Crown having to step in to ensure that the city gets back on its feet in a very timely manner. So the Earthquake Commission was brought in for very good reasons, and it works really well. However, it does need to be updated, and this amendment bill is very timely.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000763\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003ENational will be supporting the bill, as you might well have guessed by now, but there are a couple of caveats that I would like to point out as we go through. Removing the contents cover and extending the residential building cover to $150,000, perhaps counterintuitively, actually lowers the exposure to EQC in a Wellington-type event, and that is because in an earthquake a lot of buildings suffer from minor damage right through to catastrophic damage, whereas in a tsunami or volcanic event, buildings tend to be destroyed and not so many suffer only minor damage. By removing that contents cover and increasing the cap to $150,000 plus GST, it is a much better situation for those people who suffer damage, but, as I said, it is, counterintuitively, a little less exposure for EQC.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000764\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EGetting that number right is about balancing where you shift the risk from the insurance companies to the EQC, or the other way around, and if we don\u2019t get that balance right\u2014if it\u2019s too much risk on EQC\u2014then that\u2019s bad for everybody in New Zealand. If we put it all on the insurance companies, that raises the price of insurance, making it unapproachable for many people, who won\u2019t get involved. So I think $150,000, when we looked at it in the select committee, was the right number. There were a number of people who submitted who wanted it to be at $200,000. However, that, I believe, would not have been the right number. It would have put too much risk on EQC and taken it off the insurance companies. I think that the balance that we struck was right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000765\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EWith regard to extending the claims limit\u2014the period in which you can make a claim\u2014it was 30 days, and it was extended to three months during the Canterbury earthquakes. This bill will extend it to two years. We had reservations about that and the submitters at the select committee also had significant reservations about that, and I think for very good reasons. I think that what will have to go with this is a very good campaign to ensure that people realise they are really putting themselves at risk if they don\u2019t make a claim in a timely manner. There is the materially prejudiced caveat for the insurance companies\u2014for EQC, at least\u2014and there\u2019s also the issue with their own insurance companies. If a claimant leaves their claim for a significant amount of time, it can be quite difficult to ascertain what damage was caused by an earthquake and which particular earthquake, and where the liabilities lie, and that would be quite dangerous ground for a claimant to go down.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000766\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EAlso, I think, in most insurance contracts, an insured person, if it\u2019s their dwelling, and if they vacate that dwelling for more than 60 days\u2014well, it varies, but in most cases it\u2019s 60 days\u2014without informing their insurance company, their insurance is, in fact, not valid. So the insurance company may not accept the claim. If they\u2019re a landlord, they usually have to visit and inspect their property every 90 days. So this two-year period doesn\u2019t actually line up with industry practice, and I think it is a bit dangerous, going down that track. I understand totally the reason why we might want to do it\u2014we all feel sorry for people who fall outside that\u2014but we look at what happened in Kaik\u014Dura; where 99 percent of claims were all lodged before the three-month date. So it\u2019s a very small number that would be affected. However, it\u2019s not good when it is, and I accept that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000767\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EWhat isn\u2019t in the bill which I think I would like to highlight is that in the Kaik\u014Dura event, we had a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Earthquake Commission and insurance companies that wished to sign up to it, where the claims were made to an insurance company which was then a claim to EQC. Currently, as the law stands, a claimant goes to EQC and makes a claim, EQC assesses the claim, and if it\u2019s over the cap, they then have to go and join the queue and talk to their insurance company. It\u2019s a really silly process and it\u2019s slow, and it slows everything down. In Kaik\u014Dura, that was all worked around with the memorandum of understanding. It was recommended to be in the bill\u2014a lot of submitters came to the select committee saying it should be in the bill. However, as the Minister alluded to, it will be, apparently, put in a later bill. However, natural disasters don\u2019t wait for bureaucratic processes, and I argue that it should be in this bill, and I\u2019m drafting an amendment to put it in there. I think it\u2019s really important that it be in there for everybody\u2019s sake.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000768\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EAlso, having insurance companies run the process and manage it is a much more efficient system, where they actually have a far greater standing army than EQC does. So when a large event happens, the insurance companies have all the processes in place to ramp up their effort to get around and assess those claims. But, of course, at the same time when that happens, if we don\u2019t have that ability, insurance companies are going to be competing with EQC for the same resources. Insurance companies are far better placed to do this, and I would argue that we should have that in this bill. There\u2019s no reason to delay it. It\u2019s not that hard. All of the reasons that EQC put up against it were, basically, around audit and accountability processes. But insurance companies are not insurers on their own; they also take reinsurance, so they have audit and accountability processes. Reinsurance companies from Switzerland or the UK, where, often, they\u2019re based, have very strict processes on their insurance assessments. They are randomly audited and all of the paperwork is gone through, because those reinsurers don\u2019t want to pay up what they don\u2019t have to, either. It\u2019s exactly the same as it would be for EQC, so I think that\u2019s absolutely a silly argument because it\u2019s all covered, and it was covered in the MOU. I know there were lots of random audits on those processes, as there should be. Everyone should have those good processes in place to ensure that we all have confidence in the system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000769\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003ESo, as I said, I\u2019ll be putting that amendment forward in the committee stage, but we do support the bill with those caveats, and I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022 data-id=\u0022bbda06a145d742a49235add8a449a7bf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000770\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bbda06a145d742a49235add8a449a7bf\u0022\u003EMARK PATTERSON (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It\u2019s again a pleasure to get up and speak on behalf of New Zealand First in support of the Earthquake Commission Amendment Bill, and a thoroughly sensible piece of legislation and amendment it is. Of course, we\u2019re amending the Earthquake Commission Act of 1993, but the genesis of this Act goes back to the old Earthquake and War Damage Act of 1944. Every time I consider this piece of legislation, I think of those far-sighted legislators back in the 1940s who put in these provisions to protect our economy from major shocks\u2014excuse the pun with the quakes\u2014and to futureproof our insurance systems. It was just those far-sighted provisions that saw us have $6.1 billion in the bank when the Christchurch earthquake struck\u2014the first of them\u2014on 4 September 2010. But, of course, as we heard from Minister Parker before, we\u2019ve just recently had to trigger the Government guarantee. I think we were down to about $240 million - odd in the kitty after a series of quakes\u2014obviously the Christchurch ones, but then, more latterly, the Kaik\u014Dura sequence.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000771\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EI think the bill has been relatively well traversed. It\u2019s quite a simple bill. This is, in fact, the low-hanging fruit. Of course, there is a wider review under way, and there will be a more root and branch overhaul of this Act, but this is the low-hanging fruit. There are just these four sensible changes. Of course, the raising of the cap to $150,000, up from $100,000\u2014that cap was set in 1994, and property prices, obviously, have gone up considerably since then. But there is, as the previous speaker Mr Stuart Smith alluded to, some moral hazard in this. We require people to be insuring themselves, so we don\u2019t want to set the threshold too high, where individuals consider that they do not have to take responsibility for their own actions. So I think that we\u2019ve got that\u2014the Finance and Expenditure Committee have come back reinforcing that $150,000 limit.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EThe removal of the cover for contents is, once again, thoroughly sensible. The complexity of that\u2014trawling through people\u2019s vases and televisions and microwaves\u2014just clutters the whole process and also probably does open itself up for a little bit of fraud too. Of course, being a Cantabrian, I know that Cantabrians wouldn\u2019t have indulged in that sort of behaviour, but it may be possible to occur in other places. I think removing that $20,000 cap for contents is a sensible measure. Of course, there has been quite a lot of deflation with household items, too, over the ensuing years. The claims notification period from three months to two years\u2014I think that again just takes some of the pressure off getting the claims in, and I do note there is provision under exceptional circumstances to extend that again beyond the two years, so that is again pretty sound thinking, I think.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000773\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EThe information-sharing provisions: now, there were 470,000 claims in the Christchurch sequence and 38,000 in the Kaik\u014Dura sequence. So the volume of claims and anything we can do to simplify that process and the sharing of information\u2014I did actually note in my first reading speech that I thought that was the area that the select committee would have to look at hardest. I note that the Privacy Commissioner made some reasonably significant recommendations to the select committee that have been picked up on in part. There are provisions like that public health has to be under threat, or public safety. It does allow property-related information to become publicly available, but it does also have some safeguards to protect individual privacy. So once again I think the Privacy Commissioner will have been a very useful contributor to that select committee process and, no doubt, his views carried some weight.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000774\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EI note the implementation of the bill from 1 July 2019, and I think that can\u2019t come too soon. The run of misfortune we\u2019ve had with these significant natural disasters means that the low-hanging fruit that these amendments represent needs to come in sooner rather than later. So I think that\u2019s also a thoroughly sensible course of action. So, without further ado, I will commend this bill at the second reading stage to the House on behalf of New Zealand First. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225e6b7aaa-8157-4d5e-9940-1bdbcd61ae95\u0022 data-id=\u00226c25c298577d46c7beb663ea2ee9f7bf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000775\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e6b7aaa-8157-4d5e-9940-1bdbcd61ae95\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226c25c298577d46c7beb663ea2ee9f7bf\u0022\u003EALASTAIR SCOTT (National\u2014Wairarapa):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. I too have pleasure in supporting this bill in the second reading, the Earthquake Commission Amendment Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000776\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e6b7aaa-8157-4d5e-9940-1bdbcd61ae95\u0022\u003EI\u2019d like to kick off by acknowledging all the work that the Earthquake Commission (EQC) have done in the past since the Christchurch earthquakes. The last speaker mentioned 470,000 claims\u2014a huge amount of work, a huge amount of resource that had to go into the process of dealing with these claims, and, as noted previously, many of these claims were claims regarding contents. As we\u2019ve heard, this amendment bill will exclude contents from the EQC\u2019s liability, if you like, or obligation. That burden will fall on the private sector, and the residents will pay their premiums through the private sector with regard to their contents. That\u2019s OK. That\u2019s a good thing. It makes the EQC focus on what it\u2019s good at. If we look at the number of buildings, the number of claims for buildings, as I understand it, was 167,000. So we can see a huge number of those claims were regarding contents, which will no longer be the case.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000777\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e6b7aaa-8157-4d5e-9940-1bdbcd61ae95\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve also touched on the cap increasing from $100,000 to $150,000 plus GST, and that has not been adjusted since 1993-94, but, looking at the CPI index as I was coming in this afternoon, the real number should really be around $160,000 if you allow for inflation. So it hasn\u2019t really changed. The number hasn\u2019t really risen, and I wonder whether the Finance and Expenditure Committee gave some thought to the fact that inflation will continue and the number $150,000 will continue to be eroded in real terms. So we\u2019ve seen no real increase in the cap, but we have seen a decrease in the obligations that the EQC has to the public of New Zealand vis-\u00E0-vis the removal of contents. I just thought I\u2019d point that out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000778\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e6b7aaa-8157-4d5e-9940-1bdbcd61ae95\u0022\u003EThe other change has been the time for claiming increasing from 30 days up to two years, and even beyond in certain circumstances. But, as has been noted, that flexibility is there to give flexibility for people in unusual circumstances. As has already been noted, most people\u201499 percent of people, I think, was mentioned\u2014claim within the three months, and for good reason: for certainty to enable their claim to be real, to be justified, and to be credible to the insurer. So while most will continue to claim within that 30 days to three months, let\u2019s say, it is a good thing that that period of time has been given to allow for some flexibility. I take on board what the Minister has said, that that uncertainty really makes very little, if any, difference to the reinsurance market\u2014the cost of reinsuring these claims that might be over, say, three months.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000779\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e6b7aaa-8157-4d5e-9940-1bdbcd61ae95\u0022\u003ESo it is a very good bill because it enables the processes that the EQC is obliged to participate in to be much more efficient and effective, and to be much leaner and meaner, if you like, and much less of a burden on the taxpayer and the administration of the EQC. For that reason, I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022 data-id=\u00226f73ceb26d5b431e82d95308f0a813d3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000780\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226f73ceb26d5b431e82d95308f0a813d3\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour\u2014Christchurch Central):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It was a real pleasure to sit on the Finance and Expenditure Committee, which considered this bill. It was good for a number of reasons, but, most importantly, so that we could get the Earthquake Commission in shape for the future, because its performance historically in respect of the Canterbury earthquakes left something to be desired.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000781\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EIt is important to note that that $150,000, as the member who just spoke observed, won\u2019t do what originally the Earthquake and War Damages Commission was intended to do, which was to replace, more or less, an entire average house. Really, it is just a first level, a first layer of insurance. But it has gone up significantly, and that is important because what we found in the Canterbury earthquakes was that by far and away the vast majority of houses, in fact, were dealt with entirely by the Earthquake Commission, and increasing that amount by 50 percent will be proportionately another significant number, meaning that people won\u2019t have to deal with their private insurers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000782\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003ECan I just say that I think the greatest improvement in this bill at the select committee was the extension of time for claims. Now, it is quite correct to say that 99 percent of claims are made within three months, and obviously there\u2019s a real incentive to do that, but it was a real concern in the committee that there would be people who didn\u2019t make a claim for very valid reasons. Perhaps they were not particularly able, didn\u2019t realise that their house had been damaged, or didn\u2019t see the magnitude of the matter. Or perhaps they were ill or in hospital or even overseas. Conceivably, they could even have died between the time of the earthquake and the time for making a claim, and the matter was left to their estate. So all of those kinds of situations are really quite valid reasons where the claim might not have been made. To have that hard cut-off was really quite inappropriate. So it was very, very good to see a little bit of indulgence\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000783\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ad0ce6fa20d74cbdb7df2a212f9461dc\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: Didn\u2019t know they needed more than one claim for more than one earthquake.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000784\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a0386495a5054637bf7de7022d158145\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB\u003C/span\u003E: Minister Parker makes a very good point that in multiple events they may not have realised they had to put multiple claims in. So it is for all of those kinds of situations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000785\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EWhat this bill actually does is make this much more aligned with the insurance industry, which in fact has no particular limit on the making of claims. They can only bar a claim when the insurer can point to prejudice in that delay.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000786\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EThere are some other important points in there. In terms of information disclosure, the Privacy Commissioner was extremely helpful. It is absolutely appropriate for the Earthquake Commission to gather data on things like land quality or how foundations respond in earthquakes, but they need to do so in a way which is entirely consistent with the privacy principles whilst at the same time pursuing one of their objectives under the Act, which is to ensure preparedness for earthquakes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000787\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EThis is a bill which, to my mind, was greatly improved at the select committee. It is an amendment bill. If I could say one small thing about the contents matter, contents, in fact, are easily insured by private insurers. They were covered for $20,000, which is not a catastrophic loss for most people. So, once again, there\u2019s a tidy-up to streamline the process, to make claims resolution much quicker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000788\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003ESo look, the next event that comes once this bill has passed into law will be managed more quickly, more fairly, and more effectively, and the Earthquake Commission will be much better placed to be a great insurer of first resort into the future. I utterly commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u0022b572dde6714f4b82bf8a182e2ea19a8d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000789\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b572dde6714f4b82bf8a182e2ea19a8d\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to speak to the Earthquake Commission Amendment Bill in its second reading. I, unfortunately, didn\u2019t get the opportunity to participate in the select committee process, but none the less I\u2019ll have an opinion, as I usually do. Interestingly, I live in a house that had the chimneys bowled off it in 1931 by the Napier earthquake. They didn\u2019t learn, because it got bowled again in 1942 by the Wairarapa earthquake\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000790\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228db1e5b8cedc476da5806760cde1279b\u0022\u003EDr Duncan Webb\u003C/span\u003E: How old were you then? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000791\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002262d8721433d043dfbf5d8c951bcaeaf6\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014can\u2019t believe that, can you\u2014and not a cent of that was covered by the Earthquake Commission, because it wasn\u2019t there. None the less, the Earthquake Commission is one of those gems that we have in New Zealand\u2014and I guess ACC is another example of a gem that we have in New Zealand\u2014that is hugely valuable to our society and to our community. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000792\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EOne of the interesting things about the Earthquake Commission is that if it wasn\u2019t here, we\u2019d probably find it extremely difficult to get private insurance for earthquakes\u2014we\u2019d find it extremely difficult to get private insurance for a lot of things, probably\u2014because it gives the insurance companies the certainty that they require to participate in our market, and anyone who tries to insure anything other than a house in Wellington will have found in recent times that that\u2019s not that simple. I guess\u2014as I pointed out in the debate on the last bill\u2014it could become more and more difficult to collect the money that\u2019s required to run these things if we were to run it on an insurance-rated base because, as I stated earlier, more and more people are not insuring. More and more people are finding it difficult to get insurance, and so, eventually, we might not get the cover we require to ensure that these bits of legislation are covered and that things like the Earthquake Commission are covered by these things in the future. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s an issue at the moment, but it may well become one in the future. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000793\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EI think lifting the cap is eminently sensible. I think removing the cover for contents is also sensible, and it probably should never have been in place. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000794\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EAlso, Stuart Smith made some really interesting points, which I tend to agree with, and I think that at some stage in the future, that will inevitably be considered in the course of this bill. As I said earlier also, I spent a lot of my life involved in the insurance industry and have looked at a lot of these things from an insurance company perspective, not necessarily from a Government or a public perspective. I think that his point he made around the point that insurance companies may well be better to administer this thing from start to finish was sensible. I also think that they are in a much better position to manage this. They have the infrastructure and the people in place to do it, and I think the first Christchurch earthquake most certainly proved that in most cases, they were better equipped to deal with these issues than the Earthquake Commission was. So I like the ideas that Stuart Smith raised in the course of his speech\u2014I think they do have a lot of merit. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000795\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EWe do, of course, live in one of the most fragile parts of the world from the perspective of events, whether they are storms or earthquakes. You could well call it the Shaky Isles. As Dr Seuss once said, \u201CToday was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.\u201D, and they come pretty quick in New Zealand, so things change from day to day and change very rapidly. So I do think this is a good start, to bring this piece of legislation up to speed, and I certainly support that. But, as I said, I do think there\u2019s the opportunity for us to review these things further, and no doubt it will\u2014like a lot of other things we have to do in this country\u2014be reviewed pretty frequently, because we do seem to have these events. Of course, it was only last week that this place shook a fair bit, and so they come pretty quickly. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000796\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019ve got a great deal of pleasure in commending this bill to the House. I look forward to the debate on Stuart Smith\u2019s proposal in the committee of the whole House stage, and we\u2019ll see how it goes. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022 data-id=\u0022a1b8e7435dc54ba3a4d0e821acfab8e6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000797\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a1b8e7435dc54ba3a4d0e821acfab8e6\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE (Minister of Conservation):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I\u2019m pleased to have a brief call on the Earthquake Commission Amendment Bill. The previous speaker, Ian McKelvie, referred to future inquiries. Well, of course, Minister Parker noted that the Minister responsible for this bill, the Hon Megan Woods\u2014there is a further major inquiry into the Earthquake Commission (EQC) planned, and there will doubtless be quite significant changes to the principal legislation as a result of that. But, in the meantime, this bill is typical of the work that the Minister, the Hon Megan Woods, is doing. It\u2019s a very good bill. It\u2019s a common-sense bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000798\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s good to see that National is supporting it, because, of course, two of the changes that are in the bill in terms of both the increased cap and the removal of EQC insurance cover for contents were part of the recommendations that came out of the review in 2015 and were flagged by the previous Government. The removal of the requirement for EQC cover for contents is a good measure to ensure that claims are dealt with more speedily after natural disasters, because of the huge number of claims that came in after the Canterbury quakes that related to contents, and, of course, it recognises that while the loss of belongings and damage to those is extraordinarily stressful, it is a lot less than the loss and damage to homes. So that makes sense. The increase in the cap on residential building cover from $100,000 to $150,000, plus GST\u2014that also makes sense because it hasn\u2019t changed since the Act came into force.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000799\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EOne of the other major changes was enabling a much longer limit for the lodging of claims, and it was really pleasing to see the work that was done by the Finance and Expenditure Committee here, because the bill as introduced provided for that limit to be extended up to two years, but the select committee proposed that there be an ability for Government to pass regulations to allow EQC to accept claims beyond that two-year limit if the damage couldn\u2019t reasonably have been discovered within the time or if there was absence, incapability, or other disability. It also allows the ability for Government to pass regulations that in exceptional circumstances, EQC could also accept claims longer than two years. Of course, the claims still do have to be lodged as soon as practicable, but it was something that the Ombudsman had said several times\u2014that the limit for lodging claims should be extended. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000800\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EAgain, in the area of information sharing, the changes in the bill here are to assist the EQC in sharing information to reduce the risk to public health or public safety. Again, the select committee adopted some useful changes as a result of the submissions. There were only a small number of submissions on the bill\u2014some 16, and I think only about nine of those went to a hearing. But, again, it showed the benefits of the work of the select committee, ably chaired by Parliamentary Under-Secretary Michael Wood. The new framework in the bill for requesting information from EQC and encouraging EQC to share claim-related information will encourage more proactive release by the commission.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000801\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003ESo it\u2019s a small bill but it is a good bill, and it presages further work that will come out of a much wider review of the legislation and recommendations there. So I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022 data-id=\u00225dde9bc15fdc43a382c445abdccd2f45\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000802\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225dde9bc15fdc43a382c445abdccd2f45\u0022\u003EHon NICKY WAGNER (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. I\u2019m really pleased to speak in the second reading of the Earthquake Commission Amendment Bill. I\u2019m pleased because the legislation does need to be amended. Having fit for purpose legislation in a country like New Zealand, which is so earthquake-prone, is actually essential.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000803\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003EThe work that underpins these amendments began back in 2012 to 2015 under the previous Government. At that stage, it was a response to the Canterbury earthquakes. There was developed a discussion document to update the 1993 legislation to update it in light of our experience, which was considerable. That discussion document was a significant piece of work. It covered nine quite broad areas, and, unfortunately, this bill only covers four of them. So the most complex, the most difficult, and the most challenging areas haven\u2019t been dealt with.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000804\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003EThe legislation does need to be updated urgently. It needs to be modernised and it needs to be streamlined because it is absolutely essential that the Earthquake Commission (EQC) can respond as effectively as possible to support New Zealanders in case of an earthquake but also under other natural disaster conditions. So this bill covers the most obvious, the most straightforward, and the simplest issues\u2014in other words, the low-hanging fruit. That\u2019s useful, but, unfortunately, it doesn\u2019t do the job properly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000805\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003EI, like anybody else who\u2019s lived through a significant earthquake sequence, was reminded for the need for this legislation last week when we had our little shake in the House. The Earthquake Commission is a unique organisation. It\u2019s a really Kiwi organisation, begun in response to the Napier earthquakes, and it\u2019s served New Zealand well over the years. I\u2019m very aware that it needs to continue to provide that service, and do it better if possible. So I think we\u2019re duty-bound to as quickly and as effectively as possible incorporate all the learnings from the Canterbury earthquakes. It\u2019s interesting, because in Canterbury over the past few years, we\u2019ve learnt to love to hate EQC, and I say that it\u2019s because\u2014it is only because\u2014of the Earthquake Commission that New Zealanders are so highly insured.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000806\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003EPretty close to 100 percent of New Zealanders are insured, and that\u2019s generally because the banks won\u2019t give you a mortgage unless you\u2019ve got insurance, but that is out of step with the rest of the countries around the Pacific Rim. When you look at places like Japan or the United States of America, it can be that their households\u2014only about 15 percent of them are insured, and so I\u2019m very grateful to the Earthquake Commission, particularly when we had significantly large meetings straight after the earthquakes, where people were very agitated about what was going to happen to their homes, and because virtually everybody was insured, the questions were things like \u201CWhen is my house going to be fixed? How can it be fixed? How can it be repaired?\u201D In contrast, in other countries, where perhaps 85 percent of the people aren\u2019t insured, it would have been a totally different conversation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000807\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003ESo, getting back to the bill, the four amendments that are there are a step forward, but they don\u2019t go far enough. The first, which is removing the EQC insurance cover for contents, is an absolute no-brainer. In times of a major disaster, the Earthquake Commission needs to be absolutely focused on the big picture\u2014in other words, looking after people and their homes, and getting them fixed or repaired or rebuilt. The insurance industry\u2019s perfectly capable of covering contents and personal effects, and I think this amendment will help streamline services and improve the effectiveness of EQC, so it\u2019s the right thing to do. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000808\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003ERaising the limit of the EQC residential building cover cap is also a sensible thing to do. Presently, it\u2019s $100,000, plus GST, but that was set way back in 1993. So, to increase it to $150,000, plus GST, is appropriate and the right thing to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000809\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003EOne of the problems that we had during the Canterbury earthquakes was getting sufficient and accurate information about damage to settle claims as quickly and as effectively as possible, and so the amendments to this bill allow for more transparency in terms of sharing information to facilitate settlements and to inform disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Basically, it will enable a much more proactive release of information for the public good. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000810\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003EThe fourth issue, which is extending the time of claims from 30 days to three months and then, under regulation, to two years\u2014and even longer under exceptional circumstances\u2014at first glance, seems to be a pretty good thing to do for EQC customers, but there are significant issues around this that really haven\u2019t been dealt with in this bill. One of the most difficult and challenging areas in the Canterbury experience was about reinstatement of cover after a seismic event. We had over 15,000 earthquakes, so some people had significant damage at several or more seismic events, and to get the accurate apportionment of damage costs in each event was a huge and difficult problem.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000811\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003EThe apportionment of damage is absolutely fundamental to EQC and private insurance costs, and any extensions of the time frames for claims will have an impact on these responses and the dollars that are involved. So this is a significant area that needs to be looked in further amendments to the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000812\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003ESo, as I\u2019ve said, National is pleased to support this amendment bill. It will improve the Act, but there is still an awful lot more work to do, and the most difficult issues need to be wrestled with because they haven\u2019t been included here. So yes, we support the bill, but more work needs to be done. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022 data-id=\u0022abd3b8eb776f43a48b9b519588f77223\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000813\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022abd3b8eb776f43a48b9b519588f77223\u0022\u003EJO LUXTON (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I\u2019m really pleased to rise and take a call on this, the Earthquake Commission Amendment Bill. I think it\u2019s probably fair to say that the people of the South Island, particularly in the Christchurch area, have been\u2014some of them especially\u2014to hell and back in the last eight years at least, and I can only imagine, or begin to imagine, the stress that they have been under when making their claims for their earthquake damage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000814\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EAs my colleague Duncan Webb said before, the amendments that are going to be made to this piece of legislation are going to ensure that\u2014he says\u2014when this happens again, it will enable these things to be acted on or managed more quickly. I really do pray that that doesn\u2019t actually happen any time soon, but I think it\u2019s really important that people will be able to know that their claims and worries will be able to be dealt with in a much more timely manner, given this piece of legislation. Obviously, there\u2019s going to be a far larger review under way, but what these particular changes do is make some immediate amendments that will ensure that things can happen in a far quicker and more managed way, and I think that that is very important, particularly for people who have been through this issue before.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000815\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EOne thing I would like to talk about is removing the contents cover. Now, we know that your personal belongings are very personal, very precious, and very special, but I think the priority has to be around ensuring that there is the money available to fix people\u2019s homes and dwellings, because people need those. They\u2019re essential\u2014we need to have homes and dwellings to live in. Our contents, although precious, can at some point be replaced.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000816\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EI don\u2019t want to hold up the House any longer. Everyone that has spoken before me has pretty much said all that needed to be said, so, without further ado, I wish to commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022 data-id=\u0022766f89fbf5f14b3a90462df06011b151\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000817\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022766f89fbf5f14b3a90462df06011b151\u0022\u003EJO HAYES (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you. It is my pleasure to stand and speak on the Earthquake Commission Amendment Bill, a bill that is a good first-steps type of bill. As my colleagues have already traversed quite a lot of the area that I wanted to talk on, I just want to acknowledge the people of Canterbury and the devastation that happened through the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, and also the people from Kaik\u014Dura. I think that, as I said, this is a really good first-steps bill. There are, as the Hon Nicky Wagner said, a few other areas that could have been included in this bill around the points\u2014the hard parts around the role of the Earthquake Commission. I think they did a grand job, and this bill will actually help, hopefully, to improve the way that they deliver their services to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000818\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EI too, like the previous speakers, will be short with my delivery, with my contribution tonight, because I think that there are so many people out there who are waiting for this bill to receive its Royal assent, and I\u2019m not going to stand in the way of that. So I\u2019m very privileged and proud to commend it to the House. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022 data-id=\u0022f592681a3c774f839e666f6190f1c69c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000819\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f592681a3c774f839e666f6190f1c69c\u0022\u003EKIERAN McANULTY (Junior Whip\u2014Labour):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s been a long day\u2014it\u2019s 9.58 p.m.\u2014and therefore I seek leave for the House to rise early.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u00222eea2ca3bec2478caec9bce9bc40b0dd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000820\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222eea2ca3bec2478caec9bce9bc40b0dd\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, leave is sought; I\u2019ll put the leave. Does anyone object to that? There is objection.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022 data-id=\u0022d889286e30564f6ba281489f662e3ef6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000821\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d889286e30564f6ba281489f662e3ef6\u0022\u003EHon RUTH DYSON (Labour\u2014Port Hills):\u003C/span\u003E What a sad way to end what has otherwise been an incredibly positive debate on an issue that there\u2019s clear agreement on. I want to say to the junior whip for the National Party that he\u2019s part of the Canterbury team that understands not just why this is needed but why a much more comprehensive review of the operation and the scope of the Earthquake Commission is needed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000822\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003EThis is a great start. I\u2019m delighted that it\u2019s received such rigorous attention from the Finance and Expenditure Committee. It\u2019s come back in very good shape. I was a bit disappointed that the Hon Nicky Wagner said it wasn\u2019t going far enough, because we\u2019ve had all those opportunities, but I certainly look forward to this legislation being well-supported and being implemented. It will be of great benefit to the people who need cover in the situations such as we\u2019ve found ourselves in in Canterbury.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022 data-id=\u00225c402c65d45f44be93ffd1849ebd0200\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000823\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225c402c65d45f44be93ffd1849ebd0200\u0022\u003EMAUREEN PUGH (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I too tonight take a very short call on this Earthquake Commission Amendment Bill in its second reading. As has been traversed tonight, this bill is including some of the content of a discussion document that was actually released in 2015 and\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u0022726111672a5c4d3b865dd00d8b7b1130\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000824\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022726111672a5c4d3b865dd00d8b7b1130\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m very sorry to interrupt the member.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000825\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EDebate interrupted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20181107cd0ef587492042e4a63d175013b9b022000826\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 10 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"