"\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=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022af3590c15ac54b78972d38cfe4acc87e\u0022\u003ETUESDAY, 9 APRIL 2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002243e7fada9bbd472485b474bf1b742152\u0022\u003ETUESDAY, 9 APRIL 2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000002\u0022\u003EThe Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000004\u0022\u003EKarakia.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022046acc67c99f467b96196f9b0e09480c\u0022\u003EOral Questions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022404d5c7deb2c4046a60c65f9517ac0e9\u0022\u003EQuestions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00225670bf54ae5e42e59e769e2523d11d5f\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 1\u2014Finance\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022 data-id=\u0022c9155e0fb4d4432c970e71f314bac0d0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E1. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c9155e0fb4d4432c970e71f314bac0d0\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour\u2014Christchurch Central)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he seen on the New Zealand 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=\u0022fb698c527a914845b76f2077c62a6a79\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fb698c527a914845b76f2077c62a6a79\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019ve seen reports which indicate the New Zealand economy continues to outperform its international peers. In its latest Markets Outlook report, BNZ economists pointed out that although both the New Zealand and Australian economies are facing into a slowing global economy, \u201CNew Zealand has a stronger-looking labour market \u2026 with a lower unemployment rate, and much higher employment rate \u2026 firmer wage inflation, CPI inflation much closer to target, and a housing market that is robust, all told.\u201D It is great to see the relevant strength of our economy recognised, but we are conscious of the impacts of a global slowdown, and we are getting on with implementing our plan for a more modern and resilient economy that is fit for purpose in an uncertain global environment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022820636af5e84408398df94b23ba86d57\u0022\u003EDr Duncan Webb\u003C/span\u003E: What reports has he seen on the impact of the international economic outlook on New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cf806a0ebd034c05bc68c02bab13d2c5\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director, Christine Lagarde, recently signalled that IMF forecasts, to be released overnight, will show slower global growth for 2019. She also noted that there are clear downside risks to the global outlook, including Brexit and China trade tensions that have affected confidence. As an outward-facing export nation, New Zealand is not immune to this global uncertainty, and we have to bear that in mind as we transition to a more productive, sustainable, and inclusive economy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dab6c41f0bd4419186577454f9c368e0\u0022\u003EDr Duncan Webb\u003C/span\u003E: What upcoming opportunities does he have to gauge how the international economic environment will affect New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f9b380cde1bb475b959dfddf1bf91efa\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Today, I will travel to Washington, DC for the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank, as well as meeting with senior US Government officials and other finance Ministers from around the world\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f436b183b0c3419780998af40a4d4a7d\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Who\u2019s going to run the Government?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223a848c33b9c8489b9363d7cab6ea6dfe\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: This will provide an opportunity to discuss current and potential challenges to the international economic outlook, including the member interjecting, and what this may mean for New Zealand. It is a timely trip to gauge thinking as these clouds gather on the international economic horizon, but also to reinforce the strong fundamentals of the New Zealand economy and our credentials as a place to do productive investment and business.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d8384d3ded02495cabda14e2e59dff06\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 2\u2014Prime Minister\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022 data-id=\u002212f28de0146c439a9fabecf53fd3f90e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E2. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002212f28de0146c439a9fabecf53fd3f90e\u0022\u003EHon SIMON BRIDGES (Leader of the Opposition)\u003C/span\u003E to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government\u2019s statements, policies, and actions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022 data-id=\u002293888457c01642d2ab9156e6b0ac4a15\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002293888457c01642d2ab9156e6b0ac4a15\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister):\u003C/span\u003E Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022467c2d73d99941b684127130f69944aa\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Does she stand by her statements last week that there is a \u201Cslow-down happening everywhere\u201D and any weakening in the New Zealand economy is due to global factors?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aa041e1ab11c4c17a41f35a7c62c45c7\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: If the member was listening to the last answer by the Minister of Finance, that is certainly a significant factor. I also pointed out, if I recall, in my answers the connection that at least you\u2019ve seen from other economies and the slow-down there\u2014for instance, Australia, 0.2 percent; Canada; also the euro area and Japan all experiencing growth at a lower rate per quarter than what New Zealand is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002271ba2dce81da4748a1653235b223f763\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Does she accept the Australian Treasury\u2019s figures where last week they forecast global growth to be 3.5 percent for the next three years, and the New Zealand Treasury\u2019s as well, who stated again recently that our trading partners will grow at an average of 3.6 percent over the next five years?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c0f27ccf17b94666ade9757d72947925\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, it\u2019s slightly marginal asking the Prime Minister\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002297d8d9476c644d39a4fb26ed050e61da\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: Happy to respond. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e605f16855384f4eae0f6a1075f03ade\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, part of it was in line. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b5819429ce1c4ad59a2418729c0af56a\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: Of course, our trading partners include our largest trading partner, which is China, which has had significantly higher growth rates on average than some of the economies like Australia and others. Even then, China itself is experiencing some softening. At the same time, trade tensions with the United States does play into the commentary we\u2019ve seen from the likes of Christine Lagarde over why there is a slowing rate of growth among economies that we liken ourselves to, like Australia. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d1c66c64345747929be9901060ef5ddd\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: Is it not a fact that global growth at 3.5 is actually down, not up? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227bb4eb3f37ac445ea8fd28f75c62a79b\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: Again\u2014and that\u2019s also taking into account those Asian economies where there has been significantly higher growth rates, but on average when compared with\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a412b97ed354408d9e59fd6359519608\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: You mean the ones we trade with? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022854f4a6fc63140d1bb620d93835dc7d6\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014the likes of Canada and Australia, also a significant trading partner\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022340d414799004767bd1a778d5c3d6b82\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s the point; our trading partners.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022626e2510398d45b7b8768902cd2748d3\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014we have good economic fundamentals, including our growth rates. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226543ccb0c02246f78003f16143626ef7\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Before the member gets a supplementary, I\u2019m going to give him his final warning about inappropriate interjections. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225d76430669cf4544a327a6d863d830d7\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. In my clear submission, they weren\u2019t inappropriate. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022693a0c09009a4b2a89305e6d1dd5de17\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: While, as Speaker, I have a lot of power in this House, I think it would be foolish to argue that I have power over the international economy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022408439d9efaf4875a60b6e8ac6f15d6f\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Isn\u2019t the chief economist of ANZ clearly correct when she said that, so far, negative implications of the global economy \u201CStill belong in the risk camp\u201D; \u201COn the other hand, the recent slowing in New Zealand GDP growth is more concrete.\u201D? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002287fccd9e336347ae880e3713eb3df15d\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m happy to draw from, again, what I assume will be the ANZ Business Outlook that the member is quoting from, where they also said, yes, \u201CGDP growth has moderated but it is still respectable\u201D and \u201CSharply lower export intentions despite a well-behaved exchange rate suggests global factors are part of it.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022deba99105712455ab2f55fde3d75c2f8\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Does she accept, in addition to global factors, that the weakening of New Zealand\u2019s economy is due to domestic factors and her Government\u2019s policies? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002219d9ce90600641a3b775d06e09cb508c\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: I, unlike the member, believe that, actually, the global environment plays a significant part in the outlook amongst our businesses and their investment decisions, and I think that\u2019s playing out in some of the commentary you see from the likes of the ANZ. I acknowledge that Westpac have also stated in their employment confidence surveys that \u201Cthe survey still indicates that jobs are more plentiful now than at any time since the \u2026 Global Financial Crisis in 2008.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022db0848ae46fc4485919ffd1f1568603b\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Does she accept Treasury\u2019s position in its March economic indicators report that businesses are telling them that factors such as weakened consumer sentiment, rent inflation, the rising cost of living, and uncertainty around the capital gains tax have all weighed on the economy? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002295c1b9c3eba443aab7ddf03ad01a2d46\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: Of course, what we do want to see is that when we have issues like the cost of living, you have a Government that is as responsive to those issues as possible, and when we have concern, for instance, around global growth rates, that we provide as much stimulus for our businesses as possible. That\u2019s why things like the R \u0026amp; D tax incentive and things like dropping ACC levies for businesses and customers make a difference. That\u2019s why doubling down on our trading base and pursuing trade agreements is important. That\u2019s why things like skills in trade training, which is equally an issue raised by the business community, is important. The $100 million capital injection to New Zealand Green Investment Finance is important; even starting again contributions into the Superannuation Fund\u2014all of this makes a difference and is the kind of investment and focus that a Government should be making and this Government is making. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222dfb1000017f49de97da457c655f5787\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Why has rent gone up $50 a week under her watch? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022093de6e599344321bea4b6b2383d21cd\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: Because of the housing crisis that Government oversaw. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226005c3fc919e4078869a5de7ffd42b01\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Does she think her policy changes, such as extending the brightline test, ring-fencing losses, imposing more regulations on landlords, or the prospect of a capital gains tax have had any effect on the rents? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222f704c51c7d14308bf6ea66f9864c52c\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: The member just asked me whether his, originally, brightline test was the cause of rental increase. That\u2019s probably more a question for him. I refer to the Governor of the Reserve Bank, who has pointed out that the most significant thing that you can do to ease rental prices, of course, is increase supply\u2014something that that Government never grasped and did absolutely nothing about. On this side, we\u2019ve invested in transitional housing, public housing, Housing First, and affordable housing through KiwiBuild. All of that is about increasing supply and is a vastly different approach than the last Government\u2019s.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222e82e82a563d42c89c09311297bf7c65\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Can she answer whether her extension of the brightline test, the ring-fencing of losses, the regulation on landlords, and the proposal of a capital gains tax have had any effect, in her view, on rents?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022420dec61ca9647b5bd6d60cd4b52a6a5\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: You don\u2019t have to rely on my opinion, which of course is no, when I can instead quote the Governor of the Reserve Bank, which is also pointing to the issue of supply.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002214176b7f6a5a495bacb03552043d09bc\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: With economic growth slowing in New Zealand, how will her Government\u2019s well-being indicators, announced today, help New Zealanders get ahead?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d585fc7d45434332af7c01ccf0195d54\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: If the member is referring to what is being released by Statistics New Zealand, the Indicators Aotearoa, then of course that is something that the chief statistician has determined is necessary to get a wider sense of well-being for New Zealanders. I actually do think it\u2019s important that we understand the value of unpaid work, that we know about our domestic violence rates, that we clearly track suicide. I think these are all meaningful measures and, of course, yes, our economic position is important and we continue to have strong fundamentals but, at the same time, how well our people do matters as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ecfecb4dd73b48fd9a0c54b249666596\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: What use will the indicator on spiritual health be?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223a17bcfdaeaf4f7aad7c9eb9b697d670\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: Again, these indicators\u2014if the members wishes to call into question the independence of the chief statistician, that is a matter for him. I would acknowledge that in the past, when there\u2019s even been a hint of that, his past Government jumped to the defence of the chief statistician and their independence. I point out that role again, but I also point out that having well-being measures more broadly is important for us to understand the well-being of New Zealanders\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227c1cc42704934be292beea1fd7bf4ad2\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: They\u2019re the Government\u2019s measures.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229eb58389d5d2415d8d050a9c3617bd83\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: That is actually incorrect, Mr Bridges.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002286ca7a32e8704962b96bdd37c8f02b5c\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: Would not spiritual health be an important indicator if your whole political strategy is based on a wing and a prayer?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224ab59c8b21454cbeb356ae4515bf33f7\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The Deputy Prime Minister knows that that question is out of order. He will stand, withdraw, and apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c2b15516d9dc4c05ae12273a997a0f40\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I withdraw and apologise. I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fa0614c29df741d7bdc2c3310db33d30\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I hope the member\u2019s not going to argue with me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bb99c05c93f247dba09ab369553a170d\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: No, no, I\u2019m not going to argue with you, but I didn\u2019t impute that question to anyone, unless you\u2019re going to believe me that when the glove fits, you wear it. I don\u2019t know quite why I\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223f2ba85517ad4077a7c396914f533108\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e7dd9190479b4344aa9aeb68716d6f52\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I\u2019m going to deal with this one first. It didn\u2019t matter to whom the Minister was referring; the Prime Minister has no responsibility for that area. The member has been here about three times as long as Mr Bridges has been, and I expect him\u2014well, he is now on his final warning for the day. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225d3f9d02b47f45979a417dee49a13b00\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: What use will the locus of control indicator be?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002274edea96ac2f4348aa2142d47ab66499\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: Again, I point out that there is actually a significant range of indicators that Indicators Aotearoa includes. The chief statistician does have independence. These are indicators generated by Statistics New Zealand and therefore I will not be calling them into question. The member clearly doesn\u2019t understand the difference between Statistics and Treasury and the fact that the living standards framework is a different thing. I\u2019m sure the department would be happy to provide to the member a briefing if he is so interested.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002236ada54b3732454c86d2f7d8fdbb43a5\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: When the economy is slowing, how will measuring New Zealanders\u2019 spiritual health and locus of control help Kiwis pay their rent?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223f78d83586f04e8784713f6090e4b90d\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: The member, unfortunately, does not understand that you can have a Government focused on strong economic fundamentals, with some of the lowest unemployment in the last 10 years, delivering surpluses, as we have, restarting investment in the Superannuation Fund, and actually caring about the well-being of New Zealanders. I\u2019m sorry; even though these indicators are the chief statistician\u2019s indicators, I have to say that I don\u2019t think it\u2019s quite fair for the member to make a mockery of people\u2019s spirituality. That is a matter for them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f3f969b680d04b63b0894a68afc4d15e\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: If it\u2019s so important, what will the indicator on spiritual health be?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002231fac90bd187420eb098d23412eb2cc5\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: Again, obviously, I\u2019m not intricately involved in the development of them, because they are not the Government\u2019s indicators. That member was part of a Government that dared not see the independence of the chief statistician questioned, and nor will this Government. These are indicators for the department. It is their prerogative, and I\u2019ll leave it at that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221195cae8290446f0a3f3ddee7af1fd8f\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Will the indicators help when people are struggling to pay 50 bucks more a week in rent each week, under her watch?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c0dd72fc0c22436694dabd8a7be2847a\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: About as much as the last Government\u2019s Better Public Services targets and indicators. It all comes down to the actions, not just what you have an indicator on. The member knows that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022895ef9d19d204b65a4d3d77d76d0a3e6\u0022\u003EHon Grant Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: In light of the earlier questions around the Australian economy, does the Prime Minister agree with the commentator who, in answer to the question, \u201CIs it true that the New Zealand economy is growing faster than Australia, though?\u201D answered, \u201CYeah, absolutely\u201D\u2014the Leader of the Opposition, that is?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022446d741ce1b04738a4d7acb6f609bf2d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! No responsibility.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00226bcc64a17a884010bef83b062bfeb4ef\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 3\u2014Housing and Urban Development\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022 data-id=\u00223109929092ce4d53978f019ff3c398fd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E3. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223109929092ce4d53978f019ff3c398fd\u0022\u003EHon JUDITH COLLINS (National\u2014Papakura)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: Does he stand by his statements that KiwiBuild has a total Budget allocation of $6.2 million for full-time staff this year, of which $4.9 million is spent on officials\u2019 salaries?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022 data-id=\u0022e8667760e4014778a09f17b8008b9d6c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e8667760e4014778a09f17b8008b9d6c\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019m advised that there is no specific Budget allocation for full-time KiwiBuild staff, as the member asked in her recent written question. The answer I gave to that written question refers to the total amount spent on full-time KiwiBuild staff currently planned to be filled this financial year. I thank the member for drawing my attention to the error and have corrected the answer to the written question with the Bills Office. The $4.9 million figure is the total annual salary spend for all full-time KiwiBuild staff employed at 5 April.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022293a09c4cfc24c8995d5b0c3d9ece1d7\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by his statement that KiwiBuild has 38 fulltime-equivalent staff, with a total salary of $4.9 million?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002232b591536eaf4bc696b41daa56568703\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ffbbbed08f8048139829a3a1d0f87980\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Is he aware that those ratios result in an average total salary of $130,000 per KiwiBuild official?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002249205d55756f4d1f964968cdf35fef23\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I am. The reason that we\u2019re investing in staff at that level is that we are building the capability of the core Public Service to do something that no Government has tried to do in this country for 40 years, and that is to get affordable houses built. Our side of the House make no apologies for intervening in a failed market to get houses built for young Kiwi families.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221a6d7cec831045e99c94b22323e5a6ea\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Why, with spending an average of $130,000 per official, did he also spend $5 million on consultants in just the first four months of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dff6da1942da48c5981e8f4bcdef8877\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: We have spent a sum on contractors in the first four months. The reason for that is that most of that spend is related to people who have been taken on on fixed-term contracts because the new Ministry of Housing and Urban Development does not yet have a Budget appropriation which would allow it to employ those people on permanent contracts. We\u2019re also dealing with a Public Service that we inherited that had no capability to implement our housing reform agenda, in large part because the last National Government ran down the Public Service for nine years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c75bfc5d3d774f048e028d8c5499626b\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Is it acceptable that he has spent over $11 million on KiwiBuild staff and ministry consultants, which is more than $300,000 per house that KiwiBuild has actually delivered?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b8f851be2c43411093877865f7e60f46\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I think the House can see that the error of the member\u2019s assumptions is that she\u2019s comparing fixed costs right at the beginning of a 10-year Government house-building programme. Mark my words: as time goes on and we build thousands and thousands of extra houses, those fixed costs per unit built will go down. Our Government is committed to building affordable houses en masse.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cd51e39b6e7e4891b0fc87063d67a479\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: How many of the staff he has hired have any experience building houses?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022023b545721fa4e85850389589a8df4cb\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: We\u2019re recruiting staff right now and attracting staff from the private sector, because we\u2019re building capability in this area that that Government had no interest in for its entire nine years. We\u2019re doing something that no Government has tried to do for decades. It\u2019s long overdue, and New Zealanders want us to do it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a92ddadef87e47bbb278c58629ece683\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 4\u2014Agriculture\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022 data-id=\u0022b58d75f39318406f9c6a1f4330911f38\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003E4. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b58d75f39318406f9c6a1f4330911f38\u0022\u003EGARETH HUGHES (Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Agriculture: What actions, if any, did he and the Ministry for Primary Industries take in response to welfare concerns raised in January this year about the live export of 2,000 New Zealand cows to Sri Lanka?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022 data-id=\u00226149aea1704b4dcbb29673911360d0d3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226149aea1704b4dcbb29673911360d0d3\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES (Minister of Forestry)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture: There have been no exports of live animals to Sri Lanka for two years, and there are no exports planned. Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) officials have been instructed to conduct a review to ensure that proposed shipments of live animals from New Zealand to any location are compliant with various obligations around animal welfare.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a18020b45b054b60a381e5786cea14e2\u0022\u003EGareth Hughes\u003C/span\u003E: Why did the Minister write in March to say that he was \u201Ccomfortable\u201D with the live export regime, when hundreds of animals exported from New Zealand and Australia have died in what\u2019s been described as an unmitigated disaster from a human and animal welfare perspective?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227a3e44b5073b4423b4ce7d64aea6e3fc\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, the reference to the fact that the export regime for live cattle\u2014I was referring to the fact that it\u2019s a strict one. The animals that passed away in Sri Lanka, I am advised, passed away over in Sri Lanka. The point, however, that needs to be made is the director-general can impose conditions on any journey to ensure that animal welfare risks during the period of time that they are in transit are attended to. I\u2019ve also asked officials to provide an analysis so we can be crystal clear about the benefit, or otherwise, to our trading partners and New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d6aeb3e0c04941679b28fb57c0f362d9\u0022\u003EGareth Hughes\u003C/span\u003E: How on earth could MPI have signed off on the live export to Sri Lanka when that country\u2019s own Auditor-General says it was poorly planned, inhumane, and many were diseased, with around 10 percent dying so far?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e32ee971e24c48c3a109b429ea2193a2\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m advised that the shipment the member refers to was well before the Auditor-General became seized of the matter, and also to remind the House that MPI does take its animal welfare responsibilities seriously and, as has already been noted, follows strict rules, and we are getting further analysis done as to whether or not things need to be improved in order for such trade to continue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e8fbb84a2fbf4c328ba00d92dc39c2ae\u0022\u003EGareth Hughes\u003C/span\u003E: Given the limited control over the welfare of the animals once they arrive in these other countries and the incredibly long distances involved in shipping from New Zealand, does the Minister think there\u2019s a reputational risk for New Zealand to continue with this practice?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c2f45f1814534a41a84dc956a023b5ff\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: As I\u2019ve said, officials have been tasked with providing analysis of the export trade, and, also, we are anticipating such analysis will arrive with us soon. We do need to weigh up the benefits of other countries establishing their own farming and growing systems to feed their people against the animal welfare issues that the member is raising. But, once again, to reassure the House, as awful as that incident was in terms of perceptions of animal welfare, they did not die in transit.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e94a05af87844097bd3c42cdc92dca58\u0022\u003EGareth Hughes\u003C/span\u003E: Will the Minister ask officials to study the EU\u2019s recent decision where they voted in February to end the live export of animals to countries with lower animal welfare standards, or, better yet, why don\u2019t we just stop the practice?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222d4099cee3584306aa2913a82abe04ed\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: Once again, the example that the member refers to goes back two years ago, and, on behalf of the Minister, there is an unwillingness to prejudge policy decisions in the House today that have implications for New Zealand and its partners. We will wait until the necessary streams of advice have been requested and Cabinet colleagues are seized of the issues.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022044f2fa0509e4881a18ce6ac997098c6\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 5\u2014Regional Economic Development\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022 data-id=\u002280ded909da0a4890acef7c336e43e9ba\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E5. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002280ded909da0a4890acef7c336e43e9ba\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: Does he stand by all his statements and actions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022 data-id=\u00226858f34493b2449f95d84e7422325192\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226858f34493b2449f95d84e7422325192\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES (Minister for Regional Economic Development):\u003C/span\u003E Yes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ecbbd28afe7e43d9a89ca8778abc8e7b\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: How does he reconcile his statement on Radio New Zealand on Thursday morning in relation to the Semenoff logging case, \u201CI don\u2019t accept that I waded into any court case.\u201D, with his statement to Newstalk ZB the same morning that he talked to the NZTA chief executive and \u201CI wanted clarification as to why they have been offering immunity and amnesty for Filipino truck drivers to, arguably, spy on New Zealand - owned businesses.\u201D? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da935f067dad47db9883cca632ebd0db\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: When I was asked last week who I had spoken to, I pointed out that never once have I spoken about the prosecution decision. I also identified the fact that I had a brief discussion with the acting CEO, Mr Radcliffe of the transport authority, and that is the issue that I referred to as to where was the legal authority coming from for the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to empower Meredith Connell to go ahead and do that with foreign workers. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226cda320d099943cfb1ea7938f2a60dd2\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: How is such a query or statement from a Cabinet Minister to an official responsible for an independent regulatory prosecution not wading in? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223593934649654f8c9bedd7e97f2ad1f5\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I mean, I\u2019m reminded of my grandmother\u2019s saying that \u201CWords once issued might be forgiven but are not forgotten.\u201D The reality is that that question, because of the large number of foreign workers we now have in regional New Zealand, is a legitimate question of the most powerful executive running the NZTA. It has nothing to do with the matters pertaining to the court case\u2014something which I\u2019ve assured the Prime Minister I will don a cone of silence over. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ddadca90d5d84735a855c869bb0a9f0c\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Is he really saying that him talking to the chief executive and saying something that he didn\u2019t want him ever to forget about the way that the case was conducted was not influencing the way that he went about his independent regulatory authority? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dda6551442ee449d8f2bd032b53cdab6\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! I\u2019ll give the member a chance to rephrase it, because I think he\u2019s introduced an assertion as a fact. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002224abeff4dd6247088fcaa9843d3aff0a\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: How is it that he thinks that talking to the chief executive of NZTA, who is in the middle of making an independent regulatory authority, and making such statements is not likely to be interpreted by that chief executive as pressure being put on him? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022718c5241ecf149b0b7eba6321549b2f2\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: Well, the member is entitled to his version of events. The reality is this was already a public matter, and I have since been provided with a memo identifying where the NZTA do derive their power to encourage foreign workers to behave in such a way towards New Zealand - owned businesses. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d5efb3a39c5a4c49a08b3e8d66b9e6b4\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: What conversations has he had with Mr Semenoff about the case? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e02e75e1822644c68f87032c15c9a179\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Semenoff is a well-known Northlander, and for the last two years, he has been raising with me and a host of other Northland MPs his desire to increase the number of workers from the Philippines. On the particular issue of the charges that he faces, that\u2019s his business, not mine. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec34216b6372483eaf9a2ec856c26ba4\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002266e67cfa77904f48b7d6dde040f617c7\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I don\u2019t think I need the point of order. I do need an answer to the question. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c09a0af2cf3e42a5b24511096e8bc7d7\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: Repeat the question, please. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cbb9b81f1dcb46bc84e0cf08ce40413f\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: What conversations did he have with Mr Semenoff about the case? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da92dd769bfc484bb6773c06f2d77bd4\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: The conversations that I\u2019ve had over the last two years pertain to the necessity in the North, from his perspective, to draw on foreign workers. I am not involved. I have not shared any content that I have or may have as a Minister with the issue before the courts. That\u2019s his business, not mine. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220e3952a1eec84e5e8b1c9cdeb30a3c08\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s\u2014sorry, it still doesn\u2019t quite answer the question. The member\u2019s answered what he said, but what he hasn\u2019t answered is what was said to him by Mr Semenoff. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022785a7b4f0a60497e939c82fc2d0793b9\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Speaker, if you want to know what Mr Semenoff says and what he\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002240ecb73f0258454787922320e50e96b2\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: About the case. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c8dc32a85bc3420483e7abb7b0edc490\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: About\u2014sorry, can you repeat that? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002282a31d12962547d1b3f66a6cdcca44b9\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I think the essence of the question is that it was about the conversations between the Minister and Mr Semenoff about the case. The Minister\u2019s made it clear to the House that he did not make comments about the case to Mr Semenoff, but there\u2019s the other half of the conversation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221a3d349a7b814a2a99b37d89f5d5d4c9\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: For the last two years, Mr Semenoff has raised with me and a host of other Northland MPs his views about NZTA. I have had no discussions that pertain to the content of whatever is in NZTA\u2019s head as to why they have gone ahead in the course of action they\u2019ve gone ahead with. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b995ca745c3f404aa028be178a8da2b4\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister saying that there are some issues to do with a court case which are sub judice and there are some that don\u2019t go to the core of the juror or judge\u2019s decision, which are not sub judice?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229d6b092185fd4eeeb6b91bd19cd11942\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I\u2019m pretty sure he didn\u2019t say that at all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b61eeaf5cf9d445195bea9077b213261\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 6\u2014Education\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022 data-id=\u0022fcf75e5ed63147bc9ceccfcef6e835c7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E6. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fcf75e5ed63147bc9ceccfcef6e835c7\u0022\u003EJAN TINETTI (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Education: What recent data has he seen on the number of people entering the teaching profession?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u0022e440413205c4451db0d39912c056324e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e440413205c4451db0d39912c056324e\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education):\u003C/span\u003E The latest provisional figures from the Ministry of Education show that the number of beginning primary school teachers increased 13 percent last year, while the number of beginning secondary school teachers increased 6.6 percent during that same time period. This is a very welcome increase in the number of people training to be teachers after a 40 percent reduction in the number of teacher trainees between 2008 and 2017.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d729d52768bd42beb608b7e0087dc55d\u0022\u003EJan Tinetti\u003C/span\u003E: What other trends has he seen in beginner teachers?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002223adaf6b4d0845d18d37ca807c3f6fb7\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Another very positive development is that we are seeing an increase in the number of primary and secondary school teachers employed into permanent full-time roles rather than fixed-term roles. The number of beginning teachers employed into fixed-term roles has been a significant challenge for many of those teachers in trying to complete their registration; so the fact that they are now moving into permanent roles, making it easier for them to finish their registration, is very welcome. Retention of beginning teachers is also very high: 90 percent in primary schools, and 82 percent of secondary school teachers had stayed on three years after starting. That\u2019s for those who started in 2014.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228602f83235e14c9c93cc9e29d762e335\u0022\u003EJan Tinetti\u003C/span\u003E: What work has the Government done or has under way to attract people into the teaching profession?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220b2b00a3e31548fca66b4030271a6698\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: There are a number of initiatives under way to get more people into the teaching profession, including addressing the issues that our current teachers have been raising by removing national standards. We\u2019ve identified over 45 opportunities to reduce red tape for teachers. We\u2019re developing an education workforce strategy. That\u2019s on top of the $40 million investment that we made in boosting teacher supply, which includes, among other things, free refresher training, more support for beginning teachers, and an expanded voluntary bonding scheme.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002287a5817e6d964b578de251851afffcd5\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 7\u2014Education\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022 data-id=\u00221dc7636dd29643229e2394816c3a3e33\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E7. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221dc7636dd29643229e2394816c3a3e33\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE (National\u2014Auckland Central)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Education: Is he confident that the Ministry of Education and NZEI Te Riu Roa will settle the primary teachers\u2019 and principals\u2019 collective agreements in the coming weeks to prevent further strikes and industrial action?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u0022a318daaab99145c1b798d6cd43709b6e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a318daaab99145c1b798d6cd43709b6e\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education):\u003C/span\u003E No. The most recent offer amounted to almost $700 million over four years, with an average increase of around $10,000 after 24 months for the vast majority of teachers. The Employment Relations Authority described the offer as \u201Chandsome and competitive\u201D and the NZEI claims as \u201Cunrealistic\u201D. The Government remains available to negotiate and to discuss other ways of doing things within the current financial envelope. We are committed to addressing the issues that the teaching profession has been raising for some time, but there is a limit to what we can do all at once.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022691695c0aaec4ced89fe670fb9942ea7\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Is he completely ruling out increasing the Government\u2019s funding envelope for primary teachers; and if not, how does he expect to break the stalemate?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224f342a73e91245269d299ed06591a1e2\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, $700 million is worth more than all of the settlements reached under the previous Government put together.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022510d7f1ca9dd4f1bb281267ec29650a2\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Why won\u2019t he reduce teacher ratios and provide the further additional learning support that he promised in Opposition; or is he just a lion in Opposition and a mouse in Government?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ff14b97ca33d42ce8709253634571c5d\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: This Government\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222da9bd3cc2d942c181f4a7452400a96d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! No\u2014the member will resume his seat. That question\u2019s ruled out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002274bc0d8ce34247eeb9b34582f239eeb2\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I should be allowed to answer the first part of the question, otherwise it becomes a very one-sided exchange.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225df1de47ee64411aad6568a0e4220daa\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: OK.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec988e81a8d449a38d92c3a1bb2fdfc8\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: This Government has already spent half a billion dollars extra on learning support; so I utterly reject the premise of the member\u2019s question. This Government is delivering where the National Government chose many, many other things to prioritise well ahead of teachers and kids.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec7ded00915541df9274b923132f2419\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Is he saying to parents and students who are facing a third round of strikes that the ministry won\u2019t settle because he refuses to shift on further additional funding for learning needs, workload, and recruitment issues?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222681360159704a10bb826556b048e60f\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223654f40bb72747f98c4f20a7715654c1\u0022\u003EJo Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: What are the pay increases currently on offer as part of the negotiations?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228808d633b4af4ed7aaf71443833e6801\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: For around 30,000 primary school teachers, they would receive three lots of 3 percent pay increases, plus an additional higher salary step for those on the top of the salary scale, which is the vast majority of primary school teachers, which amounts to an additional 3 percent\u2014so around 12 percent overall. The teachers have also been given the choice between bringing forward the timing of some of those pay increases and having additional classroom release time\u2014an extra 10 hours of classroom release time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228e73f1a9f1264cb8be004b8c9ca9932b\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: When the Prime Minister said there is no more money for primary teachers, does he agree this is because the Government has spent $2.8 billion on fees free, $45 million on education reviews, $3 billion on Shane Jones\u2019 provincial fund, $1.5 million on a justice\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d272a75fdc7641dd995a0ab807e80c8a\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: OK\u2014OK. That\u2019s enough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e28f2dc81db44f1ba0b23c202aa489ee\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: No, I don\u2019t. The Government spent about $1.3 billion on fees free, and the current offer to primary and secondary school teachers, to put that into context, is worth about $1.2 billion.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002287351a9c23204caea52d80985e1d9b4b\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 8\u2014Health\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022 data-id=\u00221a3ce1edab424699806811321bc49c1b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E8. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221a3ce1edab424699806811321bc49c1b\u0022\u003EDr SHANE RETI (National\u2014Whangarei)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statements and actions around the meningococcal outbreak in Northland?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022 data-id=\u0022b2672d9de6d5404ab86a6ba886a7019c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b2672d9de6d5404ab86a6ba886a7019c\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, in their full context.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221a6f9f86ad1349d8891ee69a3818630a\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: What does he say to Shona Whitehead and the Hikurangi community north of Whangarei, who fundraised $20,000 to buy the meningitis vaccine for their ineligible five- to 12-year-old children?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220dfd2bcd89f949868e895823e746f27f\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: The targeted vaccination campaign is designed to protect the whole community by containing the meningococcal W outbreak. There\u2019s a strong demand for this vaccine internationally, and we\u2019re targeting those most at risk from the disease and those most at risk of spreading it. That is what a responsible public health response looks like. I do want to put on record my thanks to the clinicians and staff across Northland for their concerted efforts in making this meningococcal W vaccine campaign roll out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022607323b3a9d440678bd70d5be3745beb\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Does he encourage concerned Northland parents with five- to 12-year-old children to have the meningitis vaccine?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c30d4eceb6184c828584dd54f365b03a\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I can understand why people might want to vaccinate their children. That\u2019s fine. The advice that the Government received was clear\u2014it\u2019s clinical advice\u2014that the targeted vaccination campaign was the right approach to contain the community outbreak. With respect, I do think the member needs to stop scaremongering on this issue. In his recent column in The Northern Advocate, he claims the community outbreak in Northland was declared for all under-10-year-olds. He knows full well that there was no such age reference. The outbreak was declared for a region, not an age group. As a doctor, I would\u2019ve expected the MP for Whangarei to be more responsible in his public comments. Instead, he appears to be happy to play politics.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b93e0b7487e44e98aa3c5abeb681a5c6\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Given he said in this House last month \u201CIt is heartening that since the vaccination campaign began in December, there has not been a single case of meningococcal W in Northland.\u201D, will he now fund the vaccine for five- to 12-year-old children, given that last week Northland had its first meningococcal W case?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cf2e9baf33d148d6b3073e7a795a2c1c\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: We have acted on clinical advice. What I will say is that I do think it\u2019s encouraging that there has been only one case of meningococcal W since the vaccination campaign started in December, although, as I previously said in the House, that is no guarantee that there won\u2019t be any further cases. I would also note for the member and for the House that the most recent case was of a child who was too young to receive the vaccine, highlighting the importance of a targeted campaign aimed, like in the UK and like in Britain, at the young adults who are most likely to spread the disease.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225079307b111b43dd82aba70d04419546\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Was Alexis Albert, who succumbed, ineligible for the meningococcal vaccine?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223d19ada174f54075a46d47885f26fcf3\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: Is the case the member is referring to that of the child under the age eligible for the vaccine\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022615955d66c1a485c8e4e17fb41528504\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: The seven-year-old.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c928e7a055ea46c4bb5477277bd8512b\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014the seven-year-old who died before the campaign began, before the outbreak was declared?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228a5e7c0958df4f44806706dd514168ec\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Would she have been ineligible?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d4c69a0d551e473c8583145ffde74675\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I would hope that given\u2014I\u2019m sorry; I\u2019m responding to his questions as they arise\u2014the campaign that\u2019s rolled out, she would not have contracted the disease.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223528eec00b374b519d59817e08dd4aa3\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 9\u2014Health\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022 data-id=\u0022c6a60c3b409f4a3483f811f997f0435f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E9. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c6a60c3b409f4a3483f811f997f0435f\u0022\u003EANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made implementing the policy of free primary care for 13-year-olds and cheaper doctors visits for community services card holders that came into force on 1 December?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022 data-id=\u0022f5c119d0de934a4284ade708e47fcc41\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f5c119d0de934a4284ade708e47fcc41\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E Making it easier for families to get the care they need when they need it is a priority for this Government. I\u2019m pleased to inform the House that more than 99 percent of enrolled 13-year-olds can now access zero-fees GP care. This policy was a feature of the coalition agreement between New Zealand First and Labour, and, as of 1 April, across New Zealand approximately 96 percent of community service card holders and their dependants who are enrolled with a general practice visit their doctor at low cost and won\u2019t be charged more than $18.50 a visit.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225af4ec16066542c1b7f65bd536355dd7\u0022\u003EAngie Warren-Clark\u003C/span\u003E: What are the benefits of free and low-cost doctors visits?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002244dc43d6112c461ea0b802a15451f6df\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: We know that last year cost was a barrier for nearly 600,000 New Zealanders when they needed to go to the doctor. That means people have put off seeking the help they need, and, for many, that would have resulted in them getting sicker and sicker and ending up in hospital. I\u2019m proud that this Government has stepped up and made it free or cheaper to go to the doctor for around 600,000 New Zealanders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022372f6cc6d9dc40efbc8c91508ccf2471\u0022\u003EAngie Warren-Clark\u003C/span\u003E: Are there any regions where all general practices have opted to provide lower visits to patients with a community services card?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022190ed51fb4f64b8495397094fb2ad143\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I think the member means lower-cost visits to patients with a community services card, and, if that\u2019s true\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bf06db6a3f2a42c8a0072203c522a20b\u0022\u003EAngie Warren-Clark\u003C/span\u003E: That is what I was asking.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227c89e4ea3e234e3c8f9e7562b0a9e494\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014it is true\u2014the answer is yes. All general practices in Northland, Lakes, Tair\u0101whiti, Bay of Plenty, Hawke\u2019s Bay, Whanganui, Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, West Coast, and South Canterbury district health board regions\u2014all general practices in those regions\u2014have opted to provide lower-cost visits to their eligible patients with a community services card\u2014more good news.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a2ad4a9346464f40aca0fd894f5cff53\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 10\u2014Small Business\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022 data-id=\u002276bdfb77b8634a2285229d0137519396\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E10. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002276bdfb77b8634a2285229d0137519396\u0022\u003EHon JACQUI DEAN (National\u2014Waitaki)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Small Business: Does he stand by all his statements and actions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022e4f6a3647faf4f4387a816948dfd1f4c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e4f6a3647faf4f4387a816948dfd1f4c\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister for Small Business):\u003C/span\u003E Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002231739429fe68495c8bedb3424e9607e7\u0022\u003EHon Jacqui Dean\u003C/span\u003E: Has he now asked for advice on the associated costs of valuation day on the 500,000 small businesses in New Zealand for which he has responsibility in Cabinet as small business Minister?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002209c9770f621e44afb4dac4fd9fc47a04\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: No\u2014for one reason: there\u2019s no decision been made; and for a second reason: that the Tax Working Group didn\u2019t recommend that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002214c6bb6067ec47eb9dcc5661933233b4\u0022\u003EHon Jacqui Dean\u003C/span\u003E: Is he concerned that the cost evaluation of a small business for capital gains tax purposes could be significant and running into the thousands?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ac467ce15d8a480abee6564437c45829\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Purely hypothetical.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224cca1369ab564defa2bc2a25a7c2b4f6\u0022\u003EHon Jacqui Dean\u003C/span\u003E: If it is impossible, according to the Tax Working Group report, to provide a comprehensive list of intangible property for the calculation of goodwill for small business, how will it be possible to calculate the valuation of a small business with any sense of accuracy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220571da055f514eb2982b8b4818b66686\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: The Tax Working Group provided about three methods, and they said a valuation over five years. I suggest the member read the report and understand it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002298df3187af7a4193a31df956bebe95cb\u0022\u003EHon Jacqui Dean\u003C/span\u003E: How will he guarantee the integrity of the valuation of the 500,000 small businesses across the country in the face of so much uncertainty around liable tangible property?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221b20451d68b24fbab4d231f50afabee5\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: As I said last week, the integrity of the tax system is one of my utmost priorities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fce6c3c3dfa8403db4ee1114f80985db\u0022\u003EHon Jacqui Dean\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Minister gave his answer in the context of being Minister of Revenue. He was asked the question in the context being the Minister for Small Business.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eab8641984c94ac9b08b1e42b0b60932\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s probably fair enough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226bad07162cae4bec9ac9ad3db1b64abf\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: As Minister for Small Business, the integrity of the Government in the way we deal with small business is my utmost priority.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002227c016cb857b493c90f820a4a4740b38\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 11\u2014Statistics\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022 data-id=\u002295cbcc89197348c0866832203c191256\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003E11. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002295cbcc89197348c0866832203c191256\u0022\u003EDr JIAN YANG (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Statistics: Does he have confidence in the Chief Statistician in relation to her decisions about releasing information regarding Census 2018 to the Governance and Administration Committee?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022 data-id=\u00223417dd96d51f4bc389a77616253fe33b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223417dd96d51f4bc389a77616253fe33b\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW (Minister of Statistics):\u003C/span\u003E Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022975128feb1e34b5a9772e4a70e924058\u0022\u003EDr Jian Yang\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by the chief statistician\u2019s decisions to refuse to release the partial response rate for Census 2018, which is included in the overall 90 percent response rate released by Statistics New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f8ab537af0904d0a9c2919a0d2b49941\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I\u2019m not sure that that question\u2019s in order, given the fact that it\u2019s been done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002261845fe28b084f26b59bd9fe7f9f3e0f\u0022\u003EDr Jian Yang\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, Mr Speaker, I\u2019m asking about the release of information\u2014that the chief statistician declined to release information.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022728133774b5148058bae43c2b248716d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: So, apparently, she declined in a public session, but my understanding is that she subsequently provided the information. Is that right? Is the chair of the Governance and Administration Committee here? That\u2019s correct?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d3ea1bb47d0f41aa9fc13824f67bf909\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: That is correct.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002240a2b0a8a2fc41e293768d3f175e4da5\u0022\u003EDr Jian Yang\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s correct, but this is about the previous actions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f63b50b2cb6a4467873352e0365ed717\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: OK. All right. Fine.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b876ca3d873a4775b0a529c0336eaf0c\u0022\u003EDr Jian Yang\u003C/span\u003E: Shall I repeat the question? I\u2019ll repeat the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223a28311aeee54c9a9fd5b58a7b762c2e\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, if you want to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002292c026653728408aba844fe92aaddb37\u0022\u003EDr Jian Yang\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by the chief statistician\u2019s decisions to refuse to release the partial response rate for Census 2018, which is included in the overall 90 percent response rate released by Statistics New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b0066ab7fbc8446fbbcb0a0acf1ff2a1\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002295a22f818b85404cad4fc79106bb8ec9\u0022\u003EDr Jian Yang\u003C/span\u003E: Can he confirm that the partial responses to Census 2018 were more than double that of 2013, and that, in total, one in seven, or 700,000 New Zealanders, either did not fully complete or partially completed the census?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222236f52e76384b1f939bdc9cf442d0f4\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: That is a question for the Government Statistician, who, as he should be aware, has statutory independence about the management of statistics. The Government Statistician\u2014[Interruption] Actually, for Opposition members who seem to be weighing in on this, I\u2019d just like to refer them to responses to questions in the House by the Rt Hon Bill English, who said, \u201C[this Government] refrains from attacking the impartiality of the Government Statistician.\u201D, \u201Cwe accept that the Government Statistician is statutorily independent.\u201D, and \u201CWe have our own arguments with how numbers are put together, but, in the end, that is why they are independent.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022584e608bf3e94c66a7ed02e75d1d5e00\u0022\u003EDr Jian Yang\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. My question\u2019s very simple: can he confirm or not whether the partial response rate, or the number of partial responses\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002282a9bc4cbb05404b9da9c1d51beea490\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, the member very clearly indicated that he wasn\u2019t going to confirm that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b5b143fc37a54df5a82fea8d28944660\u0022\u003EDr Jian Yang\u003C/span\u003E: Is he concerned that the quality of Census 2018 data may be compromised due to the extremely low overall response rate, which also includes a high percentage of people who did not fully complete the census?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002265dfd9752dd044ab83558071763c0910\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: I am always concerned that the quality of Government data and statistics is of the highest possible quality, and that is why Statistics New Zealand have delayed the initial release of census information. It is to ensure that the quality of information that gets released as a result of Census 2018\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002299fc89b5c7b747d7b381d78dbb650f88\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: They\u2019re making it up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002224e46bdaff504fc3a3a99641d5b81977\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014is at least as high as in previous censuses. In response to the interjection just now about making it up, may I refer Mr Brownlee, who, I think, was the interjector, to a 27 October 2015 Cabinet paper recommending that Statistics New Zealand \u201Cbe directed to actively work towards a future census based primarily on government administrative data, supported by redevelopment of its household surveys.\u201D This is precisely information that Mr Brownlee believes is now being made up, and if he believes that, then he should not have signed off that Cabinet paper in 2015.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b3c022d4cee8468cbc4043c27aca300c\u0022\u003EDr Jian Yang\u003C/span\u003E: Does he still stand by his statement, in response to my concerns last year in April over the conduct of the census, that this census was more successful than previous censuses?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022217187bf962b489f9a62498fed38a30b\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: Well, as I have said in answer to previous questions on exactly this in the House before, I was referring then to questions about the online component of the census. There was a target that 70 percent of responses would be completed online. That is also outlined in the previous Government\u2019s business case for the census, signed off in 2014, and in this Cabinet paper, signed off in 2015. Actually, the response rate online was significantly above the 70 percent target. So the previous Government\u2019s decision to switch to a primarily online census appears to have been very successful, and he should congratulate the former Cabinet Ministers who were members of that Government which made that decision.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224f1d6f9afbe3496f80dde2fc37d182e9\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 12\u2014Employment\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022 data-id=\u0022302c11146e304ad5b4cc1277877100b4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E12. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022302c11146e304ad5b4cc1277877100b4\u0022\u003EKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Employment: What recent He Poutama Rangatahi announcements has he made?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022 data-id=\u00227cbe24079c884703bb1a9a76aab65fae\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227cbe24079c884703bb1a9a76aab65fae\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister of Employment):\u003C/span\u003E On 25 March, I announced $400,000 funding for Eco Toa\u2014which means ecological warriors, for the Opposition\u2014that will provide an intensive programme for rangatahi in the South Hokianga for our young people who aren\u2019t earning or learning. They will learn skills in pest control, weed eradication, riparian planting, and forestry, and in turn, will secure long-term employment in the forestry industry. I also announced $880,000 in funding for the Whangarei Youth Space Start programme; this is a programme that will support Whangarei rangatahi into sustainable employment by providing intensive support both pre- and post-employment, and it is underpinned by pastoral care.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227a69a15db62748e49b1851f6cf4ba7f7\u0022\u003EKiritapu Allan\u003C/span\u003E: What was significant about these two announcements?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227cbfee1faea84699b5f3f49e34725ddb\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you for that question. These are the first of the He Poutama Rangatahi (HPR) programmes funded in partnership with the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF). Earlier this year, alongside the Prime Minister and Minister Jones, $13.2 million in funding from the PGF was announced for HPR projects, which was much more than was announced from the previous Government. Working alongside Minister Jones, we were able to invest in our rangatahi in the region and support jobs in key areas such as forestry, tourism, roading\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f31e1926dd5d409eb7b370ba315546be\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: And spiritual health. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002249f0372164604bd99a5eef313d51409a\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014and infrastructure as examples. Reinvigorating industry and regional communities is a key part of the PGF. At the same time, we\u2019re able to provide our rangatahi who live there with a pathway to sustainable and rewarding futures without having to move away from home. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a2fc6df12931423e9be023da62160469\u0022\u003EKiritapu Allan\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Minister received any feedback on how He Poutama Rangatahi programmes are going?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229b6059d2b83a45dcba4cd6195c23cf75\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you for that question. I want to share with the House how incredibly proud I am with the results this Government and community initiatives are getting. We\u2019re still in the early stages of He Poutama Rangatahi, and some of these programmes are over longer periods than others. As an example, in Northland, the Northland College Pine Project is now complete. We\u2019ve got a great young man up there now, Jack Johnson, who\u2019s running this, and 12 out of the 15 rangatahi are in full-time employment. In the East Coast, Tair\u0101whiti, the Eastland Wood Council Generation Programme\u2014forestry related\u201410 out of the 12 rangatahi are in full-time employment, with 11 employers engaged in the programme. And Mr Speaker, for yourself and for Mr Goldsmith, in the Hawke\u2019s Bay, the Hastings District Council youth employment connector programme has placed 45 rangatahi into full-time employment so far with 17 different employers\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002297ba238707824ecfb9fde0ab75787c6c\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I think the House has got the message.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da57394f2cdd4dfe8bab25c7777a4d27\u0022\u003EKiritapu Allan\u003C/span\u003E: If He Poutama Rangatahi is so successful, why doesn\u2019t the Government just fund it instead of having to rely on it to help spend the PGF money?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002212a3800da17b40e1864d6b4865e3108a\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ve said all along that it doesn\u2019t matter where the funding sits; what matters is that we\u2019re investing into it, into these communities, and in the lives of these young people. That\u2019s the sort of Government we are; we take questions from everywhere. It doesn\u2019t matter where it comes from; we are up for the challenge and we\u2019re not into patsies like the Opposition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d325016256c14fc5901545166df58298\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I didn\u2019t interrupt at the time, but I will say to the Leader of the Opposition that calling my spirituality into question in an out of order way just about gets me to ask for some sort of divine intervention to keep him in order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\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=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002251ada82aec0f42dc98fa947694e55039\u0022\u003EArms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00224fc949d81e2f4bbbaad1ef63b92b26da\u0022\u003ESecond Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022933b83bcbfdc4c2291b153ade62d1e6c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022933b83bcbfdc4c2291b153ade62d1e6c\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Police):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill be now read a second time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EIt is day 25 of the largest criminal investigation in New Zealand history. Not a day or a moment has been wasted as we respond to the atrocity that is testing us all. This is also true of the Finance and Expenditure Committee, and I particularly acknowledge the members of the committee, who met under great time pressure to help speed this legislation through Parliament. I thank the chair, Michael Wood, and I thank the other MPs, who have all played their part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EI thank the 13,000 or so who made submissions and the tens of thousands of others who participated in this process by signing online petitions. I thank the expert police advisers and officials. I thank the teams of public servants and policy analysts from multiple Government agencies who assisted. At least 90 extra people were drafted into work in three times eight-hour shifts and through the weekend to consider, analyse, and report on submissions. But perhaps the biggest debt of all is owed to the families and friends of those who fell at the mosques. They came to Parliament to speak for those who could not. Their bravery and dignity, their grief and their despair carry meanings that no paper submission or petition can convey. Their eloquence and compelling truths gave weight to the memories of those we have lost.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThere is one more submission I wish to single out and, in doing so, I mean no disrespect to others. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons took us to a very confronting place. The family and friends of those who died gave us their memories; the surgeons gave us the bodily presence of those who survived. Specialist James McKay saw 48 terribly injured men, women, and children arrive in less than an hour at the Canterbury Hospital emergency department. At the select committee, his description of the injuries to their chests, lungs, abdomens, and their skin and tissue and bone, was quite simply horrifying.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EFour hundred years ago, The Merchant of Venice also confronted the effects of religious and cultural intolerance for another group. If I could paraphrase for a moment, do we not have the same hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions; are we not fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EWe are hurt with weapons, but unlike that speech, we are not seeking revenge; we are seeking safety. We have to stop this happening again. There is a list of A to W Government agencies wrapped around the survivors and the bereaved\u2014from ACC to Work and Income. We have a responsibility, too, here in this Chamber. This Parliament is acting near unanimously to take these firearms and associated parts out of circulation. They cause deadly harm. They are designed to kill quickly and at scale. There is no good reason to have them outside of an extremely tightly defined set of circumstances.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EFirearms are an important tool to help prevent damage to the environment. There is an exemption in the bill for legitimate users to have access to prohibited firearms\u2014semi-automatics\u2014for the sole purpose of pest eradication. These commercial operators will need to demonstrate a genuine need for the firearm: that they cannot do the job with another type of weapon.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe committee heard a range of views about the place of semi-automatics on farms and large landholdings\u2014for example, Rural Women New Zealand made a strong case that there was no need for assault rifles and military-style semi-automatics on farms. Members of the committee believed that the exemption for commercial wild animal control or animal pest-control businesses should be kept narrow. The exemption does allow commercial businesses specialising in pest control to use a prohibited item for such purposes on private land or non-conservation Crown land. This will allow private land owners to engage a legitimate pest-control business to assist in protecting the environment. I am aware there are some in the community who believe that this does not go far enough. The fact is that we must ensure we do not create gaping loopholes that can be exploited. The right balance must be struck, and I believe this provision does just that. The purpose of this measure is to remove as many of these weapons out of circulation to improve public safety.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe select committee has made a number of recommendations which I believe should be included in the bill. Earlier, I spoke of the need to ensure we get the balance right between protecting our communities and allowing the tools to effectively protect our environment. The select committee has given extensive consideration to the conditions placed upon bona fide collectors. Currently, collectors must remove a key component of a firearm, rendering it inoperable. The committee has recommended that the bill be amended to prescribe further precautions that must be taken to prevent the theft or misuse of these vital parts. The committee has also recommended the ability for people to apply for an endorsement on their licence to keep a prohibited firearm if that item is an heirloom or memento. This will, hopefully, reduce the risk of people continuing to unlawfully possess a prohibited firearm.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe committee has agreed with the Government that there is no need for an exemption for sporting competitors or competitions. No one competing in shooting disciplines at the Olympics or Commonwealth Games will be affected by this bill. In addition, people who compete in three-gun discipline will continue to be able to compete using a .22 or lower-calibre semi-automatic. The bill strikes the right balance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EBefore concluding, I want to briefly touch on the process. In addition to 13,000 submissions, referred to in the committee\u2019s report, there were petitions signed by thousands of others. For comparison, the comprehensive Thorp inquiry more than 20 years ago considered just under 3,000 submissions. Simon Mount QC, who was special counsel advising the Thorp inquiry in 1997, has supported this process. He made a submission stating, \u201CThere are exceptional circumstances that require swift action, and this is one.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe arguments for immediate action seem compelling; the committee will be well aware of the main arguments for and against. The survivors and the bereaved have a lifetime of physical and emotional trauma ahead\u2014for them, day 25 will blur into day 26 and day 27, and every day will be a struggle. We have the responsibility to make every moment count. That is why I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022 data-id=\u002296c76ddbd9df4576a410ff3f99132fcb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002296c76ddbd9df4576a410ff3f99132fcb\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP (National\u2014Hutt South):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I rise on behalf of the National Party to support the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill. I want to acknowledge the Minister of Police for his second reading speech, and I also want to acknowledge the members of the Finance and Expenditure Committee who are present in the Chamber. It\u2019s a blast from the past for me to return to the halcyon days of the Finance and Expenditure Committee that I was on in the last Parliament. It was a temporary substitution for me, but I miss that committee, and I want to acknowledge the chair, Michael Wood, who I thought did an outstanding job, actually, of chairing the committee. It was a heavy workload for the Finance and Expenditure Committee in the last week or so, and Mr Wood did a really good job of steering the bill through the committee and hearing all the submitters in a respectful way. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge the process, because I think, actually, the last week or so has been the Parliament working really constructively and effectively. It shows, actually, what members can do when they put their minds to something. Even with the short amount of time, when members want to genuinely work in good faith in a bipartisan and constructive way\u2014even with a short amount of time and with thousands of submissions to process and hear, it actually just shows what Parliament can do, and I think, in some ways, this is a really good example of Parliament doing a good job. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EI\u2019m not one who believes that you should look too closely at the weight of opinion one way or the other when it comes to submissions to a select committee. Frequently, you hear members say, \u201CWell, 80 percent of submissions were opposed to a particular course of action. Therefore, we should do something.\u201D They\u2019re not scientific polls; they\u2019re self-selecting by definition\u2014it tends to be the people who choose to submit. In particular, when it comes to something like the End of Life Choice Bill\u2014which I know the Parliament will be debating at some point\u201491 percent of submitters were opposed. Well, that\u2019s all well and good, but, actually, that\u2019s wildly divergent from public polls on the issue. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EBut I do note for the House that when it comes to this bill, you wouldn\u2019t really know it from the media, but 60 percent of submissions were actually in support of the bill, and if you\u2019d listened to the media and some of the wild comments in previous days, one would be forgiven for not actually thinking that, from some of the comments in the media. But, actually, the majority of submitters were in favour of the bill. Again, I don\u2019t make the point as an argument as to why we should pass the bill, but I do note it for the House\u2019s record because I do think it is interesting. It\u2019s another example of where the public commentary is perhaps actually diverging from the public view. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EWe support the bill. We support the intentions laid out in the bill that the Minister has recognised. We have issued not a minority report, because in the National Party we\u2019re supporting the bill, but we have issued a National Party statement\u2014I suppose you would call it\u2014in the commentary on the bill, in the select committee commentary that we put together collectively. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EI want to outline a few issues where we think the committee could have come to a different view and where the House could come to a different view. The first is that we are concerned about the delegation of power to the executive to change the criminal law. There are quite wide, sweeping powers in this bill for the executive\u2014for the Cabinet, in reality\u2014to change through fiat the criminal law, and we in the National Party believe that is constitutionally inappropriate. To give you an example, the bill allows the executive to declare, by Order in Council, specific ammunition to be prohibited ammunition, and possession of that ammunition is a criminal offence, except the actual ammunition that is to be prohibited is not named in the bill. We received advice from the officials that things like armour-piercing bullets will be banned\u2014well, that\u2019s fine. That should be in the primary legislation\u2014I mean, if the officials know that\u2019s what they want to ban now, then it should be in the primary legislation. They talk about armour-piercing, incendiary, tracer, and other ancillary types of military ammunition. We think it should be in the bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EThen there are the so-called \u201CHenry VIII\u201D clauses which allow the Government to amend the primary Act\u2014the Arms Act\u2014by regulation, and we received advice from the Regulations Review Committee about the concerns to do with that. We have recommended as a committee a tightening up of that particular provision in the bill, but the constitutional repugnance of that position remains. The executive should not have the power to change the criminal law through fiat. The criminal law should be changed through parliamentary action only. So we are concerned about that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EThe other point I wanted to make is around international sporting competitions. Now, we went back and forth on this a lot. I can understand the argument of those who don\u2019t support the carve-out and exemption for them\u2014I can. We in the National Party have sympathy for the argument that those who compete in international sporting shooting competitions are going to be hard-done-by as a result of this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EI acknowledge what the Minister said, which was that no Olympic or Commonwealth Games sporting competitions will be affected by the bill, but that doesn\u2019t really solve the problem, which is that many hundreds of people will be affected by this prohibition. I don\u2019t believe it was beyond the wit of the committee or beyond our competence to design a regime similar to that of the pistol-shooting clubs and pistol-shooting competitions, which the officials acknowledged to us works really well. There are heavy restrictions around pistol-shooting, pistol-shooting competitions, and pistol-shooting clubs. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EI believe it must be within the Parliament\u2019s competence and ability to design a regime that allows for this very narrow class of people to compete in international competitions that involve what are now going to be prohibited weapons. I acknowledge those aren\u2019t the Olympic Games, but they are international competitions and, actually, New Zealand competes really well on the world stage in those competitions. I think that under appropriate regulation and strict scrutiny we could do that, and the officials sort of signalled and the Government sort of signalled that we might be able to look at that as part of phase two of the reforms. We will certainly be advancing that position in the National Party, because we think it\u2019s possible to design a regime.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EI want to mention antiques and mementoes. We had some critical submissions from those who were very concerned that historical antiques and mementoes, family heirlooms, guns\u2014you know, maybe World War I and World War II or Vietnam War guns passed down through the generations\u2014may be affected. We\u2019ve made it very clear as a committee that that is not the case and that with appropriate controls, they will be unaffected, and I think that is correct. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003ELikewise, too, the Airsoft people, described memorably by Ben Allen, the president of Airsoft Sports New Zealand, as just a bunch of geeks running around in the bush pretending to play soldiers\u2014they will be unaffected as well. I think that is appropriate, and likewise paintball competitions. The committee, unfortunately, did not take up my suggestion of a press gallery versus Finance and Expenditure Committee paintball game. Maybe that\u2019s something we can do once we\u2019ve passed the third reading. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EI want to draw the House\u2019s attention also to the submission of Rapid Advanced Manufacturing of Tauranga. This is a high-tech, local, growing company\u2014well, not local to here, but local to Tauranga. It is a growing company. They make firearm suppressors and other equipment using 3D metal manufacturing. It\u2019s a very high-technology company. They export to the international market\u2014to defence contractors and other countries and companies. They require semi-automatic weapons for testing. Obviously, no one is going to take their suppressors\u2014which, I\u2019m told, are extremely expensive and high-tech\u2014unless they\u2019ve been tested properly, so they require high-capacity magazines and they require semi-automatic weapons. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003ENow, we\u2019ve been assured by the officials that through the transitional regulations, they will be allowed to continue doing what they\u2019re doing. I would like to see a carve-out for them. I think it\u2019s possible, and I want to signal now that we\u2019ll be putting forward a Supplementary Order Paper in the committee of the whole House stage in order to make it very clear that they can carry on doing what they\u2019re doing. Partly, some of these issues are to do with the speed at which the Parliament was considering it, but we have an opportunity in the committee of the whole House stage to make sure that groups like Rapid Advanced Manufacturing can be dealt with as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EFinally, in my last 30 seconds, I want to make it very clear that we think the Government must come to the House soon and come to the public with details of the buy-back scheme and the amnesty and say how the buy-back will work. We want to make it clear that we think the buy-back should be at market rates for the valuations of weapons, and we also think that dealers should be included. There are some people out there who have tens of thousands of dollars\u2019 worth of stock. They can\u2019t return it to the supplier. They can\u2019t sell it into the market, or they won\u2019t be able to once tomorrow passes and the bill passes. They are going to be out of pocket through no fault of their own. We believe the buy-back should include dealers. I think the Government\u2019s signalled it won\u2019t. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EThis is a good bill. I commend it to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022 data-id=\u002255c422edb7594d548c97025ba2be52df\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002255c422edb7594d548c97025ba2be52df\u0022\u003EMICHAEL WOOD (Labour\u2014Mt Roskill):\u003C/span\u003E I rise to support and commend the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill to the House on this second reading. As chair of the Finance and Expenditure Committee, which has considered this bill, I wish to pass my acknowledgment on to both the Prime Minister and the Minister the Hon Stuart Nash who have led this legislative process. I wish to acknowledge fellow committee members from across the House, who worked constructively and in a spirit of good faith in the consideration of this bill over a constrained period of time. But, most importantly, in my remarks today I wish to pay tribute to the submitters and acknowledge the points they made to the committee in the hearings last week.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EI can\u2019t think of a better point to start than the words of Mustafa Farouq, the president of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, or FIANZ, who, when he came and presented to the committee, told us that he was there to represent those people who were not able to be with us on that day because they were dead, because they had been killed by one of the weapons that this legislation proposes to prohibit. And it was very clear throughout the course of his submission, and also the submission we heard from Anjum Rahman from the Islamic Women\u2019s Council, that while we cannot undo the grief and the pain and the huge dislocation within our Muslim community that has occurred as a result of that terrorist attack, we can, in the words of Ms Rahman, provide some solace to the community if we as a House take action on this issue. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EThose submissions and others reminded us strongly of why we are here; not simply because of that awful attack on 15 March but because of the fundamental failure of our society and this House to take action in the years before 15 March 2019. I have here a copy of the recommendations of the Thorp report in 1995, which said that we should take action and prohibit these weapons. We heard from submitters, some of whom I will mention later on, who told us again and again and again of the times in which these concerns were raised. I acknowledge Simon Mount QC, who did not appear before us but who submitted and was a contributor to the Thorp report and urged us on to action. I acknowledge the Police Association, who gave a very powerful submission and reminded us\u2014and responded to some of the criticisms that this process may have gone too quickly\u2014that in fact we have been too slow to act, and that the calls have been made by police, by the Police Association, and others for years. At this point I particularly want to acknowledge the men and women of the New Zealand Police, who have carried a huge load since 15 March in protecting our community, being a critical link, but also during this process of providing outstanding service to the Parliament and the select committee by way of advice to us to make good law.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EWe heard from Professor Alexander Gillespie of Waikato University, who is professor of law and terrorism. Professor Gillespie was one of those people who submitted to the select committee inquiry that produced a report in 2017 that recommended a range of actions in terms of firearms reform\u2014some of which were actioned but some of which, sadly, were not. Professor Gillespie reminded us that after that hearing he spoke to media and he said that if there was not change in this area\u2014this was in 2017\u2014another Aramoana was possible and foreseeable.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EPowerfully, we heard from Tim Ashton. Mr Tim Ashton served in the New Zealand Police for 18 years. He was a member of the armed offenders squad and the Special Tactics Group, and he was one of the officers who was involved at Aramoana in the apprehension of David Gray during that massacre, and he spoke to the repeated concerns that he has raised over the years, and the repeated calls for action to remove from general circulation military-style semi-automatic weapons (MSSAs).\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EAs Minister Stuart Nash mentioned, we had a very powerful submission from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and from James McKay, a general and trauma surgeon at Christchurch Hospital, who treated 48 men, women, and children who were victims on 15 March. He detailed the horrible impact of these weapons, their huge impact on the flesh and the bone of those people, and made a very powerful clarion call to our committee and to our Parliament not to let slip this opportunity to rid these weapons from general circulation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EI also wish to acknowledge all of those who submitted on behalf of the New Zealand firearms community. This was a wide range of people. I want to acknowledge that the vast majority of New Zealand firearms owners are decent and law-abiding people, that they are not the targets of this legislation. They are not bad people for owning firearms. This is a piece of legislation that aims to keep New Zealanders safe by minimising, as much as possible, the risk of serious, military-style semi-automatic weapons circulating in our society. I acknowledge submissions that were received from Federated Farmers, who support the general intention of the bill, notwithstanding some specific concerns they have around wild animal and pest control, which I will touch on shortly. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EI wish to acknowledge the Mountain Safety Council, who have a special role in our system in terms of the training and education of firearms owners and who support the direction of this bill to remove these weapons from general circulation. They noted that there is some convenience in some people holding military-style semi-automatic weapons but they are not necessary in most cases. I wish to acknowledge Fish \u0026amp; Game, who confirmed to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on questioning that in nearly all cases these weapons are not required for hunting and said that \u201CMilitary-style semi-automatics have no place in New Zealand. They never did\u201D. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EI especially wish to acknowledge the submission of Rural Women New Zealand. They made three very pithy points: that in most cases in rural New Zealand, these particular weapons are simply not needed. They made the point that rural women have raised concerns about these weapons over the years, and also that in the event of tragedies in rural communities, it is often women who are left to pick up the pieces. We heard the rural women of New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EIn response to the submissions that were raised\u2014both written and oral submissions\u2014the select committee has made a number of changes to the bill, which I believe ensure that the bill, while keeping to its original purpose, will be as effective as possible and as fair as possible. We heard from Federated Farmers that there are some particular situations in rural New Zealand where specific pest species in certain types of situations may require the use of MSSAs. Their request was for an exemption for farmers to own these weapons in those situations. The select committee, on balance, did not\u2014could not\u2014see its way to supporting that exemption but has made a narrower change to ensure that commercial operators, who will be tightly regulated by the police, who would have had access to conservation land, will now also have access to non-Crown conservation land and private farmland for the purposes of this sort of wild animal and pest control. I believe that will go some way towards meeting that concern from Federated Farmers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EI also want to touch on the fact that the committee has not seen its way to recommending a more general exemption for sports shooters. In the end, often with bills like this, people support the general direction but want a particular carve out for their particular activity. That is understandable; there is nothing wrong with that position being presented. But the challenge the select committee had\u2014whether it came to an exemption for farmers or an exemption for sports shooters\u2014is that once you start making those exemptions, you run the risk of undermining the fundamental point, which is to remove as many of these weapons as possible from general circulation in our community. So we believe, fundamentally, that that would\u2019ve undermined the core purpose of the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EThe select committee heard submissions on the exemption that went to the committee for collectors, and some of the submissions outlined a concern that collectors may become a target, as they would be the owners of these weapons, and so the select committee has put forward a small change to the rules around collectors having an exemption for these weapons in certain cases, which will ensure that a vital part is stored not just separately from the core weapon but, actually, at a different address. We believe this will meet some of those concerns that were raised. As other speakers have raised, a very limited exemption for heirloom and memento weapons has also been included in the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge all select committee members for their role in this process. This was a process of the Parliament coming together to do something in the public good. The final word that I want to provide on this bill was from Her Worship Lianne Dalziel the Mayor of Christchurch, who presented to us at the end. She noted that her parliamentary colleague from the early 1990s the Hon John Banks had said that he was haunted by the failure of that Parliament to act on this issue. She urged us to seize this moment. I believe that we as a Parliament are seizing this moment. We should pass this bill with reverence for the victims, with conviction that we are doing the right thing, and hope that we will build a safer community for all of our people. I commend the bill with its amendments to the house. Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u002226ccb7599dde45d491796f84cd75f25b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002226ccb7599dde45d491796f84cd75f25b\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. It is a pleasure to take a call on this very important bill, I think, for New Zealand, the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill, and I\u2019ll touch on the parts a little later in the course of my address. I\u2019d point out, at the beginning of this, that I am a licensed owner of a firearm. In other words, I have a licence, so I\u2019ve got some competence.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EBut I want to touch briefly on the history of this process initially, because I sat through the previous inquiry into the acquisition of firearms by gangs, basically, in the last Parliament. The thing that I noticed about this bill was that the submissions to it were of a very different tone than the submissions some three years ago, and a lot of them were from the very same organisations. I think that points to a very good reason for this bill passing through the Parliament now. I think the country\u2019s moved on, and we realise, as a country and as a Parliament, that action is needed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EThe biggest risk, I think, in the course of this bill\u2014and this was pointed out in the last inquiry as well\u2014is that we\u2019ll extract the guns from the law-abiding New Zealanders and not the rest. I think that\u2019s a challenge that this Parliament and our police forces have got to address in the future, because it\u2019s all very well to extract these dangerous firearms or unwanted firearms from those people who have throughout their history been law-abiding, but we\u2019ve got to find a way of extracting the rest of those guns that are sitting out in New Zealand and that are highly illegal and highly dangerous. That view, of course, has been reinforced by one or two of those members in the last few weeks, and we need to take some action on that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EI want to, having got through that, comment on one or two other parts of the bill, and I know my colleague Chris Bishop has already commented on the amnesty. I\u2019ve got some issues with the amnesty\u2014not with the fact we\u2019ve got an amnesty; I think it\u2019s admirable, but more so with the buy-back and the time that we\u2019ve got to initiate this in, which is, I understand, prior to 30 September. If we don\u2019t get this into action very quickly, we\u2019re going to struggle to get much action in the time that that amnesty has allowed, because I don\u2019t think we\u2019ll see many people handing guns in until they have some certainty around where that buy-back gets to and how those guns are actually stored and recorded until such time as they\u2019re paid out for them. So I\u2019d urge the Government to get this in place very quickly, as uncertainty will lead to a whole lot more challenges for this sector. I think if it\u2019s not dealt with quickly, it could even lead to some guns going underground, and that\u2019s the last thing we want to do. I also urge that that buy-back be extended to gun dealers, because there will be a large number of gun dealers in New Zealand who will be significantly out of pocket as a result of this bill, and we\u2019ve got to understand that before this bill was instigated, they were perfectly legal, law-abiding business operators in this country. We can\u2019t see them out of pocket as a result of a piece of legislation, however necessary, put through this Parliament, and I urge the Government to move quickly on that as well. The sporting use issue will be touched on by plenty of my colleagues, I\u2019m sure.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EI want to go now to the issue that Federated Farmers raised. I think it\u2019s fair to say that this bill has gone through Parliament with breakneck or lightning speed, by any standard, and I wish to compliment the officials, the committee staff, and my colleagues on the Finance and Expenditure Committee for getting through such a large amount of work, and such a difficult and technical amount of work, in such a short time. The role and the method by which this bill was put through Parliament will inevitably lead to things, as they do when they\u2019re done in a hurry, being missed out. There\u2019ll be some misunderstandings, and there will inevitably be some mistakes made in the course of this. I was pleased to read today that the next tranche or next piece of legislation will not be far away from this Parliament, because that will give us an opportunity to review any omissions and matters that have inadvertently been misunderstood, and I think that\u2019s a great opportunity for us to put right anything that we\u2019ve currently got wrong.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EBut going back to the Federated Farmers issue, I think that they had an issue\u2014as was pointed out by the previous speaker, Michael Wood\u2014particularly in the high country of New Zealand, with species that are very difficult to control and very quick to escape when under threat. I think that it\u2019s important that we think about this in a broader context in the future, because if you look at what happened with the Department of Conservation (DOC) the last time they were given an opportunity, I guess, to assist New Zealand in a cull, and you go back to the days of the initial TB outbreaks\u2014and a lot of that TB came out of the conservation estate\u2014we saw DOC very retardant in its duty, in my view, with respect to eliminating the country of that pest or helping to eliminate the country of those TB-infected stoats and possums, etc.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EWe could see the same thing in this case, because a large amount of privately held land is adjacent to DOC land, and while DOC have a licence to, effectively, cull and exterminate pests, the neighbours don\u2019t, and if DOC don\u2019t carry out their role in a reasonable manner, it\u2019s going to inevitably spread into that country next door to them, and by the action we\u2019ve taken in this bill, where it is not impossible for farmers to acquire contractors to assist them\u2014they can do that, but they can\u2019t do it themselves. I think that\u2019s something that we\u2019ll need to review in the future, but we also need to ensure that DOC and the regional councils and those agencies that are capable of carrying out pest control using these excluded weapons are able to do so in a manner that\u2019s useful to the country and useful to their neighbours.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EOur minority view also goes on to talk about the principles of the legislation and some issues that will inevitably be, I guess, traversed as we go a little further along. I want to touch on one of those, and that\u2019s the firearms prohibition orders. Those were recommended both in the last report and in the course, I understand, of the full report. That would assist us with the issue that I raised earlier, and that is of the illegal guns that have gone underground and will be very difficult to, I guess, get out and eliminate from society. So we need to make sure that if that\u2019s not included in the bill or included in future bills, it is certainly enforced by our law enforcement agencies, because it will create significant unrest in New Zealand society.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EThe other issue I want to touch on is one that I think will be a concern to all\u2014and I\u2019ve got a considerable concern about it\u2014and that is the publicity given to the amnesty and the actual law changes themselves. As strange as it may seem, many New Zealanders take very little notice of what goes on in Parliament, and many New Zealanders take very little notice of the law we put in place until it affects them and they know it affects them. I\u2019m talking now about things like magazines that are lying in drawers in people\u2019s houses, because they inevitably will be, because there\u2019s no compulsion to store them in locked, secure places. They\u2019ll be lying around properties all over New Zealand, and people will inadvertently, unless we advertise and promote this law extensively and the amnesty extensively, find these things and they\u2019ll be sitting in their properties, and under this law they could be subject to two to 10 years\u2019 imprisonment\u2014I think it\u2019s 10\u2014for that kind of possession. Now, I\u2019m sure there\u2019ll be a lot of people in New Zealand who inadvertently hold these things who certainly will hand the firearm in but won\u2019t hand the magazine in, because they\u2019ll have forgotten all about it. That\u2019s just an example of what I think could happen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019d urge the Government, when they get on to this in the next week or two, to make sure the promotion of the amnesty and the legislation and the pieces that are caught up in that legislation are broadly publicised, because there will be many gun owners in New Zealand who have pulled things to bits, whose family members have pulled things to bits, in the past and left them lying around in various places, and they certainly aren\u2019t dangerous without the firearms to use them. I think it\u2019s important that we make sure that\u2019s well promoted and that information is made accessible to everyone. We were assured during the select committee stage that it would be put out through all sorts of gun agencies, firearms clubs, and things like that, and I hope it is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EI do want to congratulate all those who submitted on it. I had, like many of you, I guess, many people approach me in the last couple of weeks about this piece of legislation. Most of them, interestingly, whilst they were, I think, a little aggravated about what they believe to be some sort of human right being taken from them, were very satisfied with the fact that we actually were banning something they felt wasn\u2019t necessary in New Zealand society at all. I think it\u2019s just the principle of this thing that gets people\u2019s backs up a little, initially. I think they will mostly get over it. So I want to congratulate the select committee. I want to congratulate the Parliament on where we\u2019ve got to with this, and there will be some more discussion in the next couple of days before it passes into law. Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022 data-id=\u0022109fdacd1e8c425dad3350b96b3e7693\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022109fdacd1e8c425dad3350b96b3e7693\u0022\u003EMARK PATTERSON (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. It is an honour, actually, to rise on behalf of New Zealand First and speak on this Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill, such a significant piece of legislation that we are bringing through with some urgency because of an extraordinary event. It was actually a privilege to sit on the Finance and Expenditure Committee and to be subbed on for this process. I think all of us on there felt the responsibility that we were under. I would like to commend the Minister of Police for his leadership and decisiveness in bringing this bill forward in such a timely manner. I would also like to commend the chairman, Michael Wood, who I think demonstrated, actually, a master class in chairing select committee. He was clear, he was accurate, he was fair, and he displayed a very high level of competence.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EI would like to also just commend the colleagues across the House. This was a collective sense of purpose that we had. We were all there to achieve the same end, and while I note in the report the other parties\u2019 minority views, they were all, essentially, around the margins. The tenor of what we\u2019re trying to do is totally supported across the House, and it was, as Chris Bishop said, a fine example of the Parliament working together. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EBecause it was such a herculean effort from the officials\u2014I think at one stage they had officials from 10 departments seconded on to this bill, with the weight of the 13,000 submissions coming in within 48 hours\u2014it behoves me to mention Steven Mitchell, Tara Elmes, and Siobhan Coffey, who fronted that for the officials. Also, I\u2019d like to commend Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny for the way that she represented the New Zealand Police and the important role that they played in shaping this legislation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EThere has been some criticism of the process. It has been very truncated, but, as we have heard, this is an issue that\u2019s been well traversed in the past. We were here in 1992, and we were here in 1995 with the Thorp report. We couldn\u2019t get Matt Robson\u2019s member\u2019s bill\u2014which that could have been picked up with the incoming Labour Government in 2005\u2014over the line, and we failed to act on the select committee report of 2017. So any criticism that we are not over this issue and that we are not fully aware of the implications is, I believe, unfounded. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EI also felt that though we were given a limited number of oral submissions, the ones we got reflected a huge spectrum of this debate. As mentioned, we had the widest social context come in from the likes of the Muslim community and from the likes of Mayor Lianne Dalziel. We had the gun interests represented. There was a spectrum there, including the colourful Mr Loder, who seemed to have quite a relationship with Ms Collins, and David Tipple, of course, who turned it into a little bit of a media sideshow, which actually was a bit of a pity, because this at its heart is a very technical bill about hardware and firearms that are going to be either in or out of the scope of use for people with an A category licence. He, of all people, had probably the most knowledge of anyone in New Zealand as to what was out there, and he could have helped us draw that line. I felt that was a missed opportunity during the submissions. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EOf course, we also had the one I really want to touch on\u2014which is pretty pertinent\u2014which was the Federated Farmers\u2019 submission. First of all, one of the things we have done in this iteration of the bill is to expand the use of restricted semi-automatic weapons on private land. As it was first drafted, it was only going to be able to be on conservation land, which is totally untenable. There\u2019s 5 million hectares of hill country out there that is challenged by pests and wild animals, so we needed to broaden that, and so we have done that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EFederated Farmers did want us to provide an exemption for farmers, under very restricted conditions, to get access to some of these higher-spectrum rifles. The committee considered that long and hard. We came down on the side of keeping it within professional pest control companies and to not widen the scope too much at this stage. But I agree with Ian McKelvie in his previous contribution, and I think we may have to revisit that. I think that we need to keep it tight at the start, and New Zealand First fully supports that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EBut there are significant challenges on our farms. It\u2019s not just rabbits and possums, but you\u2019re looking at wallabies, tahr, goats, and deer, and, of course, deer pose a TB threat as well as a threat to pasture and crops. There are geese too, of course, which sort of fall in between the cracks in some of the statutory organisations. But they are also a considerable pest and they eat a lot of grass, so we need to probably go back and look at that. I note that it must have been Miles Anderson, the spokesperson for Federated Farmers, who must have been going through his \u201CShane Jones\u2019 Book of Rhetoric\u201D, because he\u2019s described this drafting of the bill as giving farmers the equivalent of a toothbrush to paint the Auckland Harbour Bridge, which I think is not being totally fair. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EWe need to keep this clear: farmers and hunters still have access to semi-automatic weapons\u2014a .22 with up to 10 mags, and semi-automatic shotguns with up to five rounds. Pistols are unaffected by this particular clause\u2014they\u2019re already very tightly restricted, as we have already heard\u2014and there are still, of course, higher-calibre weapons available in bulk action. So for the vast majority of people, this is not going to affect them. There is a small subgroup\u2014Federated Farmers consider it to be in the low hundreds\u2014that may need some weapons, but I think we need more time to consider where we\u2019re going to draw the line there. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EIn terms of some of the others issues raised, with regard to the professional sports shooting, New Zealand First had some sympathy, as well, for that subgroup of people who are disadvantaged. There\u2019s no doubt that they will be disadvantaged by it, but it\u2019s around the proportions, and it\u2019s around the intent of taking these weapons out of circulation and the determination of this Parliament to do so. I think what concerns us as a committee, and, certainly, as New Zealand First, is that it actually does give a pathway. While it\u2019s a very narrow sport at the moment, it does then provide a pathway for individuals to get involved in this sport and to get access to these guns, and I think that\u2019s something that we really need to think long and hard about before we grant any exemptions in that direction. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EThe other thing that came up at the eleventh hour was the manufacturers. It appears we have a small arms industry, or an accessories industry rather than arms, and some quite successful small, niche businesses. We as a committee were determined not to put their businesses out of business by putting in place, essentially, a law that would have made their operations unlawful. So we have got a little carve-out for them. There\u2019s a temporary ability to put some regulations in to protect their interests so that they\u2019ve got access to some guns to test their scopes and their accessories where they have formed a niche for themselves. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EBut we\u2019ve got to go back and think why we\u2019re doing this. You know, with all these exemptions and all the submissions that are coming to us, we\u2019re doing this because there are far too many weapons out there. There was the gunman in Christchurch who had an A category licence, with a legal firearm purchased through a retail outlet. He drove a gaping hole through our licensing and arms regulations, and we have been found wanting. We\u2019ve been warned so many times in the past. Lianne Dalziel told us with genuine emotion that she had been there in 1992. She had sat where we sit. She had had the chance to do what we now have the chance to do, and it is time for us to finish the job. Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022 data-id=\u0022a73d44cfe1e54721acf1c1a1331ad736\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a73d44cfe1e54721acf1c1a1331ad736\u0022\u003EHon JUDITH COLLINS (National\u2014Papakura):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. I often say that select committees are where Parliament is at its best, and I think that the work that we have done on the Finance and Expenditure Committee on this particular bill has been Parliament at its best that I have seen in my time at Parliament. That was because there was very much a common purpose, and there was a common purpose also that enabled each party and each member of that committee to voice their views and for each to feel\u2014and I certainly felt, and I\u2019m sure my colleagues from the National Party did\u2014that our views were heard, and even when we were not successful in promoting everything we thought should go in the bill, we were given an opportunity to voice those and to have them recorded in our National Party view on the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EThis bill is not going to solve every issue around firearms. It is not going to stop someone being murdered with a firearm. But what it does do is it severely limits the ability of someone with murderous intent to go out and to get a military-style semi-automatic or a semi-automatic with a capacity to hold more than five rounds in it to then do damage. There is one reason to shoot a gun other than, obviously, target practice: the gun is designed to kill. The gun is not designed for anything else. It can kill animals, it can kill people\u2014that\u2019s what it does. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EAnd so, from my point of view, I look at the gun from the point of view of growing up on a farm, on a dairy farm. My father had been a very keen hunter before World War II, but, as he said to me when he came back from World War II, he didn\u2019t want to go hunting any more, and I can understand that. But it was certainly something that was encouraged for my brothers on the farm, and I have a brother who is a very keen collector and hunter and, obviously, many relatives like that. They are going to have what they have been able to do severely restricted, and that is because Parliament has taken the stance that we do want to restrict access to guns that don\u2019t just kill but can kill a lot of people in a very short period of time. I think that is the big difference. We can certainly understand that firearms of any sort can kill, but the big difference is a large number of people killed in a very short period of time without any opportunity for there to be a reaction or, let\u2019s say, an interruption in what they\u2019re trying to do. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EI don\u2019t see any reason why we need military-style semi-automatics or semi-automatics with very large cartridges in a country like New Zealand. Yes, we do have pests. Yes, we do have people who need to be able to shoot them, but all the people that I\u2019m aware of who shoot for hunting purposes tend to know how to aim and to shoot and to get their target. I\u2019m sure they don\u2019t need 30 rounds to kill a deer. I\u2019m sure they don\u2019t need 30 rounds to do anything. And the fact is that having the access to firearms at that level of lethality is simply totally unnecessary in a country like New Zealand. We are not a war zone and we do not wish to become a war zone. We are, in fact, a peaceful country and our peaceful life has been completely destroyed\u2014or certainly interrupted\u2014by someone with murderous intent, and that is why we have had the opportunity to come to this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve known for a long time that we have far too many high-capacity guns in New Zealand. Various reports\u2014the Thorp report, as an example, was one entered into in 1997-98. Efforts were made and stopped: too hard, too difficult, too many people to be upset\u2014all of these things. We also had various other attempts over the years, and I certainly had various attempts to bring about law changes, and two pretty minor law changes were able to be got through. Anything to do with firearms has always been met with a tremendous lobby from a group in the firearms community that I do not believe for a moment represent most firearm owners. When you\u2019ve got 240,000 New Zealanders who are licensed firearm users, those people are not all part of the groups who think that they should have very high capacity semi-automatic weapons. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EWe think it\u2019s important to look at a few things that are also not in the current bill, and we in the National Party view this as an opportunity with the promised second tranche of legislation and more detail to come to address some of those. We are concerned at the delegation of power to the executive in charge of criminal law around what can be banned in the future. We know that this is something that may have to happen, but then we are also very concerned that there needs to be a flow-on effect in terms of this House getting to change the law permanently. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EWe are also concerned about no exemption for international sporting competitions. Our concern there is that we know that there is a regime that works very, very well around weapons, and that is around pistols. I was most impressed\u2014and I think many on the committee were most impressed\u2014with the submission from the Pistol Association and also around the regime that\u2019s been in place since the 1980s around who can own a pistol and how many times they have to turn up to a pistol club, what their vetting is. It is thorough. It is so much more thorough than for any other weapon, and there\u2019s a reason that it\u2019s thorough, because of course pistols can be much easier to hide, to be able to use without people knowing someone\u2019s got them in the first place. But the other thing with pistols, though\u2014they\u2019re not talking at the moment about having the sorts of massive magazines that some of these semi-automatic weapons have had in the past. So I\u2019m concerned to make sure that we do help people in the international sporting competitions but that we do so in a very careful and very deliberate way. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EI am also concerned that there is no detail, really, on the amnesty and buy-back scheme. I think that this whole piece of legislation will work\u2014what it will be based on is whether or not the buy-back scheme works. That is crucial, otherwise why bother? We do not want to be party to criminalising 240,000 New Zealanders\u2014and of course we\u2019re not\u2014and we do not want to be party to criminalising people who have legally purchased weapons that Parliament has previously said they could. So we expect those people to have a very good and thorough amnesty and buy-back scheme. There are questions around parts\u2014whether or not there will be a buy-back on them\u2014and there are questions around dealers. I think that the Government needs to come up with a thorough scheme that works on the basis of the fair price rather than a set price. I think anything less than a fair price is going to be met with resistance that we should not want to have. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EI also think this is an opportunity for the Government to revisit its previous opposition to firearms prohibition orders, that were very much supported by the Law and Order Committee that met through 2016 and reported in 2017. Those will enable the Commissioner of Police to designate a gang member who had serious violent and firearms offences as someone with a firearms prohibition order. That would be able to be reviewed by the District Court and it would be something that would enable police, when they suspected that there were firearms being kept by that person, to be able to search the property. I would have thought that was a smart thing to do. It\u2019s the sort of thing that is available in some of the Australian states where they have very similar legislation to what we\u2019re talking about.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EThe other thing with that is that we have some gang members who have come out and said that they\u2019re not going to give up their firearms. It is important for law-abiding New Zealanders with firearms\u2014those firearms that are not subject to an exemption under this bill\u2014that they know that those people who are not law-abiding New Zealanders, who have stolen weapons or have weapons they should not have, are giving up theirs too. They will want to know that the law is being fairly applied and that they\u2019re not treated as though they are the criminals when they\u2019re not the criminals.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EI think it\u2019s really important that Parliament overwhelmingly and, hopefully, unanimously\u2014I cross my fingers as I say this\u2014supports this bill. It is really important for us to do this and it is really important that when this becomes law, we get in behind and help the Government to come up with some good decisions, particularly around the amnesty and buy-back scheme, and also the exemptions around sporting competitions. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to this bill, Mr Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022 data-id=\u00225dba6b4a1dd14c25ac442930cf38ec20\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225dba6b4a1dd14c25ac442930cf38ec20\u0022\u003EGOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN (Green):\u003C/span\u003E Kia hora te marino, kia whakapapa pounamu te moana, aroha atu, aroha mai, t\u0101tou i a t\u0101tou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003E[May the calm be widespread, may the sea lie flat like greenstone, love and be loved, all of us together, greetings to all.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003EI once again rise in remembrance of, and with deep sorrow for, the victims of the terror attack at the two Christchurch mosques on 15 March. Fifty lives were lost that day and others were unimaginably injured with injuries that they will likely suffer from for the rest of their lives. So just over three weeks after that atrocity took place, I am so proud that this House has come together, that the Government has come together, that all across the benches of this House of Representatives we have stood together to begin the change that\u2019s necessary in making New Zealand safe.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003EWe are committed to standing together with the victims in their grief and shock across this country, but we are also committed to making real change. Part of that is to acknowledge that for the affected communities\u2014for Christchurch and for our Muslim, for our migrant, and for our refugee communities right around the country\u2014that grief and that sorrow comes with very real fear as they walk their kids to school every day; as they gather at places of worship; as they send their elderly, their nanas, and their grandads off to the shops; and as teenagers catch buses at night and still face, let\u2019s admit it, a little bit of abuse, too. We\u2019ve had all of that reported, as well. Now that doesn\u2019t just feel degrading and unsettling; it comes with terror. For them, their lives are now touched by this ongoing fear. That\u2019s what terror intends to do, and it is our job to make sure everyone in New Zealand and everyone in our communities feels safe. That\u2019s what this change is about.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003EIn fact, the people in those affected communities have come to the Finance and Expenditure Committee and they\u2019ve let us know what this means to them. We\u2019ve had Mustafa Farouk, the president of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, and we\u2019ve had members of the Islamic Women\u2019s Council of New Zealand come to select committee and ask for this change, some speaking on behalf of the victims who can\u2019t speak for themselves. We heard from that community in the wake of this tragedy, even in the days following it, saying, as Saeed Ahmed did\u2014the president of the Hawke\u2019s Bay Islamic centre\u2014that while the fear was ongoing, the love and the unity in New Zealand really helped. What also helped was knowing that the Government had committed to taking action on gun control.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s also remember that other communities, other victims, will benefit from this new law. We have some of the world\u2019s highest rates of domestic and sexual violence, and we know that domestic violence victims and their families and wh\u0101nau will benefit from knowing that the very, very maximised kind of harm that this kind of weapon is designed to cause is no longer going to be something that they have to face as a legal part of our gun ownership scheme.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge the incredible hard work of that select committee. They came together at short notice. They dropped everything, sat late at night, and began early in the morning. They brought their collective wisdom and they did that mahi together. It was a mammoth task, but it showed, again, the strength and the commitment across this House to taking real action.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s acknowledge that this bill is long overdue. The cost of doing nothing has been too high. Too many people have been hurt. It has been recommended that we do this time and again by the Police Association, by experts commissioned to recommend changes on our gun laws, and by community members, and their recommendations have been ignored. It is time to make this change. I think I want to acknowledge also, at this point, that it is change that comes to this House\u2014in part, at least\u2014through people power, because let\u2019s not forget that some 70,000 New Zealanders signed a petition that was presented on the steps of this House only five days after the atrocity in Christchurch happened. Over 60 percent of the submitters to the select committee wanted this change. So New Zealand wants this change. They want it now, and we have that strong mandate to carry forward the change that they want, to make our communities safe, to acknowledge that many out there were actually shocked to find that military-style semi-automatics were so easy to obtain in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003EThis bill, as it came to us last week, will ban military-style semi-automatic firearms and any parts or modifications that would make an ordinarily legal weapon behave like a semi-automatic weapon\u2014essentially, banning weapons that do maximise harm and allow for the kind of mass killing that we saw in Christchurch. These are weapons that have no place in civilised society. The legislation will create new definitions for firearms, magazines, parts, and ammunition, and it will create an amnesty for those who already own them. I think the amnesty is the right thing to do, and I would urge all firearms owners who own any of the affected parts or firearms to consider whether they really need those and to hand them in now or as part of the amnesty. The expedited process that we\u2019ve taken has been appropriate in assuring members of the public, who actually were shocked that we live in a community where this type of military-style weapon was so easy to obtain, that actually change is coming and it\u2019s being done now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003EThe select committee process and the report have resulted in recommendations changing the bill so that pest controllers can use semi-automatic rifles on private land as well as Department of Conservation land. It has also called\u2014and this is where the Green Party does diverge from the recommendations\u2014for exemptions allowing owners of heirloom firearms, or what are called \u201Cbona fide collectors\u201D, to hold the soon-to-be-banned firearms if parts are kept in a separate location from the firearms themselves. Now, the Green Party considers that this exemption is at odds with the purpose of the amendment, and we call for collectors\u2019 firearms to be made permanently inoperable rather than just, essentially, separated into parts that can then be reassembled, giving the weapon life again in a way that the bill does not intend. We stand on that position with a number of submitters who felt that the exemption should actually be removed, or that at least the weapons should be required to be made inoperable. In fact, we agree with the Police Association in its submission to the committee, who expressed concern and said that the collectors category was at risk of expanding significantly in order to make allowance for that type of weapon to be held.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003EWe do support this change wholeheartedly, though, as the Green Party has, over many years, called for a tightening of our gun laws. That comes as part of our charter principle of non-violence and being born of the peace movement. We\u2019ve called numerous times for New Zealand to commit to building a peaceful society. I am so heartened at the community conversations that come from the atrocity in Christchurch. More than gun control, we are having conversations about the kind of inclusive, equal society that we want to be. People who have never before necessarily faced some of those hard conversations and hard truths are now facing the history we\u2019ve had with not gun violence, per se, but all of the underlying causes of violence, whether that\u2019s our colonial history, whether that\u2019s ongoing racism that we see on the rise today both online and out there on our streets.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003EWe are going to change our culture to reclaim our values of inclusion and equality. We are doing this, making this first step in that change, to honour the victims. It is a long-overdue change, and it\u2019s not where we\u2019re going to stop. Further gun law changes will come down the track, in a longer process, and we look forward to working together on establishing, finally, a gun registry and making other changes that will make tighter the regulation of our gun laws and our licensing standards. So we\u2019re making all of these changes, we\u2019re facing those hard truths, we\u2019re addressing the underlying causes of violence, and we\u2019re taking the worst of the weapons off our streets for the victims but also because that\u2019s what a responsible, compassionate society would do. Thanks.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022 data-id=\u00224e108a2e5ade413a804828dacee185ce\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224e108a2e5ade413a804828dacee185ce\u0022\u003EANDREW BAYLY (National\u2014Hunua):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. It is a privilege to be talking on the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill. Sometimes it\u2019s important that Parliament comes together to make changes, and this is such a time. But in doing so with this particular bill, there\u2019s a fine line to protect New Zealanders from the unlawful use of military-style semi-automatics (MSSAs) and SAs, or semi-automatics, and yet the need to recognise the rights of law-abiding citizens to own guns and to use them safely. This bill is about striking that balance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EBefore just talking about certain elements, I just want to acknowledge other members of the Finance and Expenditure Committee and also the officials that worked with us over the long weekend, particularly the officials from the New Zealand Police, who did a wonderful job in helping us to get through this process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EFirstly, I\u2019d just like to talk about some of the progress that was made with the bill. The first bit was around the issue of heirloom and memento firearms. This is one change that the committee didn\u2019t make: to provide a narrow exemption to allow those people who possess firearms and magazines that would normally be prohibited under this Act\u2014bill, at the moment\u2014that has special significance for that person or perhaps the family. It should be noted that the Arms Act at present provides for this dispensation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EIn looking at this, we were persuaded that this is a category that needed to be protected but have put in place some specific rules around it\u2014namely, when the police came to assess an application under this category, first of all, what type of firearm was deemed to be of heirloom or memento; secondly, the nature of the applicant themselves; and, thirdly, the significance of the event that they were claiming was important to make it an heirloom or a memento. But we also added another test\u2014a general test\u2014which was one around the reasonableness clause: was it reasonable, or is that application in the particular case reasonable? And I think those bits together provided a good exemption in the power for the police to have regard and be sensitive to the needs of family but also to be able to decline people if they thought they were inappropriate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EThe other issue was around the issue of pest control. This was an issue that was widely discussed by the committee. The initial thought was that pest control and the use of semi-automatics should be dealt with on conservation land, and we\u2019re talking specifically about pests such as tahr, as an example, or Canadian geese. At one stage, it was thought that maybe this provision should be extended to farmers, many of who are on high country farms, who have the problem of large-scale pests. We looked at the option of whether, in fact, some of those farmers should have a specific dispensation. But the committee in the end backed away from that, and the proposed approach, which is now incorporated in the bill, is that only an agency whose primary objective is in the business of undertaking pest control services should have the right to use semi-automatics to deal with those pests.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ENow, there\u2019s still the issue of farmers, and I noted the Minister of Police in his opening address on this bill noted this as a possible area where it might be reconsidered in the second round of change. But I would note that one of the arguments that we did discuss was that relying on pest agencies to undertake this operation is impractical if it\u2019s merely relying on a few agencies to do that work, because, often, there\u2019s only a very small critical period of time when those activities can be undertaken. But it doesn\u2019t preclude farmers actually joining together and creating such an entity that might work in a collaborative way but still be subject to the stringent tests and criteria in order to be able to be granted an exemption under this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EWhere we were unsuccessful\u2014and I say that from a National Party perspective\u2014is around the issue of competition shooters to use semi-automatics as part of their competitions. Personally, I disagreed with where the committee has ended up. The submissions by Pistol New Zealand and Sport New Zealand were very, very comprehensive. I think people don\u2019t realise and probably don\u2019t have proper appreciation of the requirements to be able to get a pistol licence\u2014namely, that it requires an applicant to attend a pistol club for at least six months before they are even allowed to have a pistol and to thereafter be subject to a minimum of 12 months visiting a pistol club and to be subject to stringent tests and vetting by police. Our view is that that model could have easily been adopted for competition shooters.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EAnd the other point I\u2019d make about competition shooters is that in my experience these are people who are highly skilled, are very small in number\u2014who actually undertake this activity\u2014and are very specialised and have a very deep concern about safety but are professionals\u2014absolute professionals\u2014in undertaking their sport or, in some cases, their profession.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EI think where we\u2019ve ended up\u2014that these people must only practise with a .22 semi-automatic, when, in fact, they do use higher calibre rifles to practise\u2014I was not persuaded by. But I am heartened that the Government has talked about maybe reviewing this at stage two, and I would urge them to because under the pistol arrangements that provides a very easy model to adapt and one that\u2019s been very successful.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EThe final point I want to turn my talk towards is the issue of amnesty. As the bill sets out, there\u2019s an initial six-month amnesty period to 30 September 2019. Now, it is illogical to be requiring people to surrender their weapons\u2014effectively, from Thursday this week\u2014without any clarity as to the financial arrangements for surrendering those weapons.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EOne of the very important submitters was actually the chief of staff to the Minister in New South Wales responsible for the buy-back scheme. He was a very good submitter to our committee. When we asked him\u2014in fact, I asked him\u2014about the question about the level of remuneration, it was a crucial aspect in terms of leading to the success of that buy-back scheme. Without clarity around that, that is an important illogical step at the moment. We asked the Minister during the process of the committee hearing for a further explanation and confirmation about when he might promulgate new regulations, but he was not in a position to provide that. It is absolutely essential that law-abiding people in New Zealand\u2014who are currently law-abiding, until this Act is passed tomorrow\u2014who bought these weapons should have absolute clarity as to what the buy-back provisions are of those weapons if we are to ensure that this buy-back proceeds quickly and actually gets all the weapons out of circulation that we are all so keen to see happen. So I\u2019d urge the Minister to do that very quickly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EBut I take the opportunity to thank my colleagues. I think we did a good job in working through these very crucial and at times quite difficult topics.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u0022922008da6a764c0e8899bc0c8850c375\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022922008da6a764c0e8899bc0c8850c375\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: This is a split call\u2014five minutes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022 data-id=\u0022513f9469643342e4874c6dc79fdbfbe6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022513f9469643342e4874c6dc79fdbfbe6\u0022\u003EKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E E Te M\u0101ngai, ka tangi, ka tangi, ka tangi au, te ng\u0101kau m\u014D a r\u0101tou kua hinga atu ki te p\u014D. Haere, haere, haere atu r\u0101. Hoki atu r\u0101 koutou ki ng\u0101 ringa o \u0101 r\u0101tou t\u012Bpuna. Moe mai r\u0101, moe mai r\u0101. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E[Mr Assistant Speaker, I mourn, I mourn, I and my heart are grieving those who have passed on. Go well as you pass. Return to the hands of their ancestors. Rest in peace, rest in peace.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EThe events of 15 March undoubtedly have shaped our nation for future generations and are etched into our collective memory for the duration of our lifetimes and lifetimes to come. It is through the tragic events of that day that I alongside almost every single member in this House today come together to collectively denounce the actions of that individual that perpetrated that horrendous act of violence, by, in part, the legal acquisition of a military-style semi-automatic weapon, and took the lives of 50 men, women, and children. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s not a common event where you can genuinely stand alongside almost every single person in this House. We represent multiple races, religions, cultures, creeds, urban environments, and rural environments, but we come together with a shared collective intention to denounce the use and legal purchase of those weapons that are designed to take the lives of humans, not animals.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EI want to, of course, acknowledge the leadership of our outstanding Prime Minister in the way that she commanded and led our nation post the events of 15 March, and the clarity through which she determined that there would be a wholesale ban on the legal acquisition of these firearms, and, in turn, just days after the event, used the powers accorded to her under the current arms amendment Act to use the Order in Council to ban the sale of those military-style semi-automatics (MSSAs)\u2014known as a Henry VIII power, which is in our current legislation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EI want to turn to some of the points made by my colleague Christopher Bishop earlier very shortly, but firstly I also do want to acknowledge the Minister of Police, the Hon Stuart Nash, and his team in the New Zealand Police force. I want to acknowledge the assistant commissioner, Tusha Penny, and all of her colleagues from the police and across the raft of Government agencies that\u2019ve worked tirelessly under a very tight time frame to turn around the review of over 13,000 submissions from a broad range of community members that have been impassioned by the events that have been undertaken over the last few weeks, but also by the advent of the introduction of this legislation in this House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EThere are a couple of particular amendments that have been made to the bill that was tabled in this House last week that have been as a consequence of the submissions and the collegiality of the members in the Finance and Expenditure Committee but on behalf of all of our colleagues in this House. I want to acknowledge the submissions on behalf of the likes of Federated Farmers and others\u2014Hunting \u0026amp; Fishing\u2014that addressed a very narrow exemption for the culling of pests and wild animals, and acknowledge the work by both officials and members in this House to find a comfortable medium in enabling commercial operators to legally own and acquire licences to undertake the activities of culling of significant pests in, particularly, highland areas. I just want to acknowledge the work done there. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003ETurning to the Henry VIII provisions, I also sit on the Regulations Review Committee, and we had the responsibility of looking at those provisions. I just do want to acknowledge that the right of the executive is currently in the current Act, and therefore the Henry VIII provisions are an extension of what is already there. So I want to make those two points on behalf of the Government. Thank you, sir. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022 data-id=\u00225628d3ec7a8b444d9a01ed495ad578bf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225628d3ec7a8b444d9a01ed495ad578bf\u0022\u003EBRETT HUDSON (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. I rise in support of this, the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill. I particularly want to begin by commending the members of the Finance and Expenditure Committee, who have worked so diligently under quite challenging circumstances, not simply because of the circumstances that preceded and brought about this amendment but the challenges of seeking to scrutinise such important legislation in such a compressed time frame. No matter how much the effort of officials and members, there is a simple reality that trying to do what amounts to the same amount of work under such a shortened time frame carries with it quite a number of risks, particularly that fewer voices can be heard, less consideration can be given to fewer items of consideration, and a real risk, although not a guaranteed outcome, that what the committee reports back may be suboptimal both in its extent and in its effect. Time will tell, as it always does in these shortened proceedings, as to how well the committee has done in shaping that bill and getting it back with the right form and content. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EBut I would acknowledge that while it should be not only an exception but an extremely rare exception that a select committee will scrutinise a bill in a week or less, these were indeed extremely exceptional circumstances that brought this bill about. Those horrific and tragic events on 15 March, which some have said have changed our nation, haven\u2019t necessarily changed our nation, in all, in a bad way. One of the consequences of it has been what I perceive to be unprecedented coming together across communities, across the length and breadth of this country, as Kiwis are looking to help each other and, importantly, looking to understand each other better. The challenge is that if we can maintain that into the future, we come out of this a much stronger and better society. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EBut it also brought Parliament together, and brought Parliament together in the knowledge that certain privileges, particularly around firearms ownership, were no longer tenable; that the public were very clear in their view and wish for change\u2014and a reminder that we make and amend laws under their consent, and it was appropriate that we came together and took very expedited action in this area. So I certainly do not quibble that the select committee had to operate under those trying circumstances, but I do reiterate that there is a real risk that what we are debating now is not as good as it could have been, had the committee had a longer period of time to deal with it. But it certainly did do all that it could do in the time it had. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EI had the good fortune of spending a couple of hours on the committee last Friday, but I certainly wouldn\u2019t emphasise my role at all. The members who sat on that committee for most of the last week deserve the kudos and the congratulations and acknowledgment for the effort they put in on the balance, the output, that we have now before us. They made every attempt to understand and make sure that the bill would give effect to the desire to limit the access\u2014to fundamentally ban, but then, through some limited exemptions, limit the access\u2014to military-style semi-automatics, assault-type semi-automatics, and those firearms magazines and parts associated with them that have no place in New Zealand after the events of 15 March. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EWhile we have some concerns, we certainly do agree, and we\u2019ll continue to support the bill in this, its second reading. But there are concerns, and the chief one I would mention is that we are removing a privilege to own certain firearms\u2014they will be prohibited; it will be unlawful to own them after the amnesty period\u2014but the people that currently own them for lawful purposes are having to give up that privilege, not knowing what compensation they may or may not receive for them. Whether it will be a fair value or a set value, what perhaps will come of the parts, what if the part can only be used with a prohibited firearm, what if it can be used with another but the owner may feel it\u2019s of much less value to them if they if they can no longer use it with that now prohibited item\u2014these are issues that they deserve to know, and it\u2019s really regrettable that the committee was unable to get that information. But, still, I commend this bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u0022c6c38a5f771e4206b760ac93eab44318\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c6c38a5f771e4206b760ac93eab44318\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: This is a split call\u2014five minutes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022 data-id=\u00227c12b6811654408d81a56f7f28990c76\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227c12b6811654408d81a56f7f28990c76\u0022\u003EDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader\u2014ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. I rise on behalf of the ACT Party in opposition to this bill. I want to be clear: in opposition to this bill, not to the idea that firearm laws must become more restrictive, that our laws must change, because it\u2019s very clear that any legal paradigm where such a deranged individual can get hold of such lethal weapons, and nobody that should know knew about it, must change. But if our laws are to change, this is not the way to go about it. It is difficult to think of a worse way to go about it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s only human, in times of crisis, to seek strong leadership and decisive action. We think back to George W Bush standing on the rubble at 9/11, saying, \u201CI can hear you. The rest of the world can hear you, and the people that knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.\u201D Well, the people of Iraq and Afghanistan are still hearing the aftermath of the invasions that followed. That might be why our Prime Minister received such great kudos for the way that she led New Zealand through this tragedy\u2014by appealing to the common humanity in every single New Zealander. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EYet the approach to this particular legislation is the absolute opposite of the prime ministerial approach that got so much praise around the world. By banning all semi-automatic weapons, the PM has made legal owners of such weapons pay a cost for something that they did not do. They are not bad people, and most of them accept the need for change. They could have been welcomed as part of the solution to making us safer, but trying to legislate in nine days with scant regard for the usual process of public input and parliamentary scrutiny has sent instead a message of contempt.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EAt the very time we should be celebrating the institution that represents our free society, we have instead discarded the role of this Parliament. Citizens have a right to elect a Parliament to hold the Government to account. It\u2019s not enough for those members of Parliament to simply agree, generally, to vote for a bill; they must have time to consult and to assess the Government\u2019s plan. That is democracy at its best.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EOn the other hand, trying to make complex legislation in nine days is absolute madness. You only have to ask yourself: if this was a good way to make laws, why wouldn\u2019t we save a huge amount of time and money and make all laws in nine days? Of course it\u2019s not, and that\u2019s why we don\u2019t do it, but in this very important case, the Government has, effectively, told the public: \u201CWe\u2019ve got this\u2014don\u2019t bother.\u201D I concur with the Law Society, who told the select committee that rushed procedure leads to bad outcomes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003ERight now, there is no reason to be confident that this ban will make it harder for motivated bad individuals to get their hands on dangerous weapons, because if a significant number of weapons are not handed in, we actually risk creating a larger black market for dangerous weapons outside any regulatory cordon whatsoever. Amazingly, the Government didn\u2019t even ask, before it went down this path, \u201CWhat is the likely effectiveness of the buy-back?\u201D They don\u2019t know. Well, the evidence we do have is found in Australia, where only 40 to 80 percent of the semi-automatic weapons estimated to be out there were ever returned. That might tell you why it is that the 1997 ban in Australia did not accelerate the collapse in Australian gun crime that had already begun after the peak in 1996.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003ESo what might\u2019ve been done better? We might\u2019ve taken the time to legislate properly. We might\u2019ve taken the time to see the legal gun-owning community as allies in gun control and worked together to find more creative solutions to make our society a safer place with respect to guns\u2014we haven\u2019t done it. There\u2019s a great irony that the Prime Minister, who stood on her laurels of being inclusive and consultative in the wake of our nation\u2019s terrible tragedy, has now chosen to legislate in a way that is likely to be ineffective at achieving its goals, that has eroded goodwill with potential allies in gun regulation, and that has, frankly, been offensive to the role of this Parliament. So while I support changing our laws, not this way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u002245be98a7a05245c3a6bf19f6f05adc14\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002245be98a7a05245c3a6bf19f6f05adc14\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: I call Tamati Coffey\u2014five minutes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022 data-id=\u0022d0a36af438ec42cd891b308cd976da21\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d0a36af438ec42cd891b308cd976da21\u0022\u003ETAMATI COFFEY (Labour\u2014Waiariki):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. This is an exceptional circumstance for an exceptional event. This is something that we don\u2019t undertake very lightly. It\u2019s been enlightening for me, actually, to be sitting through the committee as we\u2019ve listened to the submissions, as we\u2019ve pored over the officials\u2019 advice, and knowing that we\u2019re sitting in a room with people who have been affected by an exceptional event and exceptional circumstances\u2014and we are having to move exceptionally fast.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EIf we want to talk about the swiftness of this legislation, let\u2019s talk about swiftness, because, actually, it was very swift\u2014the killings that happened in Christchurch on that day. They happened in a very, very short time frame, and we need to act with swiftness to make sure that those kinds of things don\u2019t happen again here in New Zealand. We are lawmakers, and that\u2019s our job. There is so much that we can\u2019t do, there is so much that our community needs to do, there is so much that others need to do, but here in this House we have the ability to regulate who can and cannot own a military-style semi-automatic weapon; and that\u2019s exactly what this bill does.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003ECan I acknowledge the work of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on this. Can I acknowledge our Minister of Police, the Hon Stuart Nash, and the chair of our committee, Michael Wood; all of the officials that spent sleepless nights poring over this bill, making sure that, because we had such a short time frame, we were still making the best legislation that we could possibly make. I want to also acknowledge the submitters, of which we had a real cross-section of them from around the country\u2014some that were really supportive, some that were incredibly unsupportive as well, but it was our job to listen to them. I was heartened when I heard Hunting \u0026amp; Fishing, Fish \u0026amp; Game, Rural Women New Zealand coming to present to us, and they said to us that, actually, from their members\u2019 point of view there is no place for military-style semi-automatics in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EThe submission that, actually, left me contemplating exactly why we\u2019re doing this\u2014which kind of reaffirmed why we\u2019re doing this, despite the quick time frame, despite some of the opposition out there\u2014and the submission that really struck me, was the one that came from the Mayor of Christchurch, Her Worship Lianne Dalziel. It was because she pointed out that this isn\u2019t a new conversation; this is actually a very old conversation that\u2019s been around for quite some time. She reflected on the time when, in 1990, after the Aramoana massacre that happened down in Dunedin, there was actually a call at that time to ban military-style semi-automatic weapons. The Minister of Police at the time, the Hon John Banks, tried to get it through Parliament, but it didn\u2019t make it, because it didn\u2019t have the numbers. Here we are in 2019, having exactly the same conversations all over again. She pointed out to us that, actually, our time was now and we needed to move quickly. So I am going to be incredibly proud to go back to the people that I represent, to tell them that we made the best attempt at really good legislation to try and mitigate the impact and the shock that was felt around New Zealand post 15 March.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EThere have been exemptions made throughout the bill\u2014they\u2019ve been varied, and we\u2019ve also had to drill down into exactly what some of those exemptions are, the balance being that we don\u2019t want to create exemptions, basically, for people to all crawl in through, so that we don\u2019t actually solve the problem through the legislation. So having made exemptions for pest control and for wild animals, we\u2019ve done that. Having made exemptions for people\u2014and I\u2019m unaware of these people, but apparently they\u2019re out there\u2014that keep these military-style semi-automatic weapons as heirlooms passed down from generation to generation, or even mementoes, we\u2019ve done that. The sector that will be disappointed is the sport shooters that go out there and compete at these international events. As some of my colleagues have referred to, maybe that can be dealt with at a later stage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll leave you with a whakatauk\u012B widely used around New Zealand, but really apt right here, right now. He aha te mea nui i t\u0113nei ao, m\u0101ku e k\u012B atu, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E[What is the most important thing in this world? I say to you: it is people, it is people, it is people.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022 data-id=\u0022a1162e6e26634d238c390d8e725b5bf2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a1162e6e26634d238c390d8e725b5bf2\u0022\u003EHon MARK MITCHELL (National\u2014Rodney):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. It\u2019s a pleasure to get the opportunity to stand and take a call on this bill. I\u2019m not part of the Finance and Expenditure Committee, I haven\u2019t sat on the committee, but can I acknowledge the committee members that are in the House at the moment, and those that aren\u2019t, of course. Can I also acknowledge the chair, Michael Wood, because I understand that he has run a very good and a very fair process in what has been a truncated process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EThis isn\u2019t without precedent. I remember back in 2015, when I was chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, that because we had a rising threat of the possibility of returning foreign fighters coming to New Zealand, and on intelligence information that the Government of the day had, we decided that we needed to run a truncated process to put in place our countering foreign fighters legislation. I think we had a bit more time\u2014we might have run that over a two- or three-week period\u2014but we had support from the Opposition. I just want to acknowledge David Shearer, Phil Goff, and also the Hon Christopher Finlayson, who worked with myself in making sure that we did hear all the submitters that wanted to come in front of the committee, and that we could pass that legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EIt was important legislation because it was about protecting our country. When it comes to national security, I think that\u2019s one thing where there should always try to be bipartisan support and a spirit of cooperation and work across this House. I\u2019ve listened to the Green Party contributions, and the appeal that I\u2019d make to them is simply this: your language has changed, and I think you realise that it had to change, but I can tell you that back in 2015 you did just about everything you could to obstruct, stop, and prevent legislation that we were trying to pass in this House to make New Zealand safer. Now, we\u2019re going to have to continue to do that\u2014this is where it starts. This is just the start.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EThis is a good piece of legislation. We support it. Yes, we realise and we understand that there could be some fish hooks in there because of the speed at which it is being passed. I acknowledge the comments that have been made by the ACT leader, David Seymour, but one thing I can tell you as a Parliament is that we are committed to go back, and we will support the Government, if we need to make some changes. The important thing is that what we\u2019re saying as a nation is that we don\u2019t want to be a country in which military-style weapons can be generally available.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EI want to just go back and maybe provide a little anecdotal story. I was in Christchurch on Friday and I met up with an old friend of mine whom I served in the police with. Actually, we both deployed as part of the Christchurch Special Tactics Group into the Coromandel back in the late 1990s. There had been four prisoners who had escaped from P\u0101remoremo\u2014all dangerous, violent offenders\u2014and they\u2019d managed to get themselves on to the Coromandel.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229e8c9ee1af5f4ec6af4aa645ffd38202\u0022\u003ETim van de Molen\u003C/span\u003E: Tairua.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c2c794d1ace94d5c99074b67f9c6dd4e\u0022\u003EHon MARK MITCHELL\u003C/span\u003E: It was actually Tairua; that\u2019s right. It was Tairua. He was reminding me, actually, of the time when we had deployed in an air force Iroquois because there was a remote building at which there\u2019d been some activity, and we felt that maybe they\u2019d split up and a couple of them were there. They had me with my police dog, Zara, where they\u2019d put the harness on and they were hoisting me down on to the ground in quite a heavily dense sort of pine forest. All of a sudden, they called that there had been a shot fired, and I can tell you, Mr Assistant Speaker, that you will never feel so exposed than when you\u2019re 50 metres above the tree tops in a harness and you realise that the only target that they can really see\u2014well, I\u2019ll leave that to your imagination.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bf8e5cbc3f4e4ba497e2f9ff43b0e14a\u0022\u003EHon Scott Simpson\u003C/span\u003E: You were slimmer in those days.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229a2f87e54f474a1ebc9df392122a4fd8\u0022\u003EHon MARK MITCHELL\u003C/span\u003E: And it\u2019s not a small target, so I was a bit worried. But the point was that, on that operation, those four offenders had one objective, and that was to break into primarily vacant farmhouses or holiday baches with the objective of getting firearms. They wanted to rearm themselves, they wanted ammunition, and they were after semi-automatics because they wanted to be able to do as much damage as quickly as they could.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EWe were very, very lucky that we actually managed to find them and take them into custody, but the reason why he was reminding me of that\u2014and I\u2019m glad that he did\u2014is that afterwards we were sitting in the squad room having a beer. Basically, we\u2019d been working for about five days solid to actually catch these guys. We were sitting in the squad room, we opened a beer, and we were sitting around, and all of us, that entire squad, were saying, \u201CWhy would we have military-style weapons in New Zealand? What is the need for them?\u201D That was 20 years ago.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003ESo I actually think that although it\u2019s taken a tragedy for us to act, this was the right thing to do. We are sending a clear message as a nation that, yep, there are still going to be those who want to come here, there are still going to be those who want to create harm, there are still going to be those who will try to access a black market\u2014we accept that. That\u2019s why we have to put trust in our law enforcement agencies and our intelligence agencies to be able to stop that and prevent them. But what we are saying as a nation is this: we\u2019re not going to tolerate having military-style weapons readily available to the public. I think that\u2019s a powerful and a strong message for us to send as a Parliament and to send as a nation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EThe one thing I would say is let\u2019s maintain the spirit of cooperation that we have seen in this Parliament during this process in the work that needs to be done in the coming weeks and months and years. Threats have not gone away and, actually, the fundamental\u2014the one thing\u2014that a Government is responsible for is the safety of their people. That\u2019s the one thing that a country relies on their Government to do\u2014to keep them safe. And when I say \u201CGovernment\u201D I\u2019m not absolving us from any responsibility. Although we sit on the Opposition benches, let me make it very clear that we will support this Government to make sure that we do everything that we can to not experience another tragedy like the one that we\u2019ve just been through in Christchurch, where we know we\u2019re going to have to, as a country, continue to support the people who need to be supported in Christchurch.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003EAll the points that are being made today are that people\u2019s lives were wrecked in those 30 minutes. They will never be the same again, but what we can do is we can continue to work together to make sure we do everything possible so that we can put a hand on our heart and say that we\u2019ve done everything that we can to protect our country and to stop this ever happening again in New Zealand. Thank you very much, Mr Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u00227c058682340341d3a1a70be9d1a701f4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227c058682340341d3a1a70be9d1a701f4\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: This is a split call. I call Dr Deborah Russell\u2014five minutes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022 data-id=\u0022ad554efc60ee42db8779c463d48b55f8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ad554efc60ee42db8779c463d48b55f8\u0022\u003EDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour\u2014New Lynn):\u003C/span\u003E I begin by noting the work done by MPs across the House on the Finance and Expenditure Committee, especially the work done by our chairman, Michael Wood; the work done by Assistant Police Commissioner Tusha Penny and her team, and also the officials from New Zealand Police, who did an extraordinary job for us along with the clerks of our committee. They worked long and hard.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EThis bill is personal. It\u2019s personal to all of us in New Zealand. Let me start with some facts about firearms. About 50 of us die every year from firearms. About 90 percent of those who die are male, and the factor that is most significant for suicide is ready access to firearms. Nearly 40 percent of farm suicides involve firearms. So firearms matter in this country. Let me give you another fact to do with what happened in Australia before and after gun law reform. Between 1996 and 1997, before gun law reform in Australia, there were 13 fatal mass shootings. But from 1997 through till May 2016, the last date I have the figures for, there were no fatal mass shootings in Australia. That was the significance of gun law reform in Australia. Why is this personal? Well, these facts come from some research, some notes compiled by Dr Hera Cook and Dr Marie Russell from the University of Otago\u2014and, yes, that is my Aunty Marie. It\u2019s personal. All of us in New Zealand know about this stuff.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EThis bill is personal; it affects people in my electorate. I have here a submission from Mr Raymond O\u2019Brien, who wanted to be heard by the select committee, but we simply didn\u2019t have time to hear every one and heard only a small proportion of people. Mr O\u2019Brien is a shooter and, in particular, he likes and has a business in shooting semi-automatic weapons. He operates a gun range, and he is deeply concerned about the ability of people to participate in sports at high-level sporting events. But the committee has decided not to allow that sporting exception. This is not a Commonwealth or Olympic sport\u2014some of the recognised sporting events that we all recognise. It\u2019s participated in by a very small group of people in this country\u2014perhaps 80 to 100 people who participate in international events using semi-automatics. As the New Zealand Police have pointed out, people who want to participate in a three-gun shoot can still do so using a .22. It\u2019s still possible to do it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EAside from that, the real business is weighing up the interests of all of us in public safety. Firearms are a public health issue in New Zealand. We need to consider them in that context, and although people do enjoy that particular sport, the rest of us enjoy being safe, and we enjoy safety not just from the actuality of firearms\u2019 fire but from the threat of it. That is why we need to regulate to ensure that these highly lethal weapons are not available to us. So, Mr O\u2019Brien, your submission was read and heard and considered, but on balance we have decided that these weapons should not be allowed for sporting purposes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EThe bill is personal. We heard from Rural Women New Zealand, who pointed out that, when it comes to guns in rural communities, they are the ones who clean up the mess. They see no reason for hunting to be carried out with automatic weapons. In fact, their line was that if there is a perceived need for semi-automatic firearms, then the shooter needs to learn how to shoot. That sentiment is echoed by my Uncle Terry, who has hunted in the back country of Taranaki for decades. \u201CAny hunter\u201D, he says, \u201Cwho thinks they need a semi-automatic are wrong. Real hunters don\u2019t use them.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EThis bill is personal. My friend Anjum Rahman spoke to the select committee, representing the Islamic Women\u2019s Council. She\u2019s been my friend for a decade or so now. She says, \u201CThere are spaces in our mosques that will never be filled.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003EThis bill is so personal to the Muslim community. A man in my community was in the Linwood mosque that day. Our Muslim community have lost friends, neighbours, wh\u0101nau. We have lost friends, neighbours, wh\u0101nau. New Zealand is so small that we all will have personal connections to this bill: we all know hunters, we all know shooters, we all know doctors and medics; we all have Muslim friends, neighbours, and wh\u0101nau. This bill is personal and we must ensure that it is passed now. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022 data-id=\u0022e0e2e88b292c4815960a5cd7fd0079e5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e0e2e88b292c4815960a5cd7fd0079e5\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour\u2014Christchurch Central):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you. T\u0113n\u0101 koe e Te Mana Whakaw\u0101.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EAs the MP for Christchurch Central, it was a real privilege to sit on the Finance and Expenditure Committee that considered this. Dr Russell\u2019s contribution made it very clear that it is personal, but I, in my short contribution, want to really just make a couple of, essentially, more technical points. I think it\u2019s important to recognise that this is a law that really must work. This process is one that I think is probably, in my short time here, the best parliamentary process I\u2019ve seen, because the committee and Parliament have come together and agreed that in policy terms, this is the right step.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EBut let it not be thought that that select committee process was self-congratulatory in any way. It was one where members had vigorous discussions and did not agree on every point. I think the work that the select committee has done, coming back with its report, has significantly improved the bill. It does record dissenting views by no less than three of the parties that comprise this Parliament, and that\u2019s a good process. It sends a signal that there\u2019s more work to be done in this area, but also, I think what is a really important value underpinning this bill\u2014I think it was Mr Bayly that said it was a privilege to bear arms in this country, and I think that\u2019s right. It\u2019s not a right in any sense of that word; it\u2019s very much a privilege and one which must be balanced. The discussions in select committee seek to strike that balance in terms of the kinds of firearms that can be used and the people who are entitled to do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EI sit on the Regulations Review Committee as well, and that committee advised the Finance and Expenditure Committee that it had some concerns. It drew the committee\u2019s attention to what are called Henry VIII clauses\u2014the ability of the executive to amend the definition of what a prohibited firearm was and various other definitions in the Act, and not only to amend but also to replace. In committee that was looked at in some detail. And whilst some members of the committee still have concerns, it was amended.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003ESo the change was that it was no longer going to be possible to replace that definition, but it could still be amended by executive order. I think that\u2019s important because it shows a further constraint. If people come back and look at what happened at committee and what happened in this House, they can look at that retreat and accept that a wholesale change of what kinds of firearms are prohibited is not contemplated by that section; rather, there is a continual updating of the definitions to make sure that when nefarious people make changes to firearms not contemplated by the Act, it can be updated. We saw some very alarming video clips, I must say, showing how people could, indeed, alter firearms to make something which might not strictly break the rules be extremely lethal, and well outside of what was contemplated. So that was a good example of the process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EThe heirlooms and mementos exception that was introduced was also another good example of that process, as well as testing out and developing what that might mean. Rather than just using the words \u201Cheirlooms and mementos\u201D as the Act does at the moment, it is a case of exploring how that test might be applied. I must say the police and officials were very helpful in that process and accepted a test of reasonableness, one that looked at all of the circumstances: the significance of the firearm; the fact that it had some special, perhaps, family significance; the nature of the person, their history, perhaps\u2014they might be entitled to a firearms license per se, but this was a particularly dangerous firearm and, perhaps, this person might or might not be suitable\u2014and all of the other circumstances surrounding that firearm. So there was a really good example.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EWhat we have here is an ongoing conversation about how to strike the balance between people having firearms for quite legitimate uses, and the safety of our community. It\u2019s a conversation that\u2019s ongoing, but this is an important first step. I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022f4f6ebd6a2dc4a11a9fd4da4aacb179d\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill be now read a second time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 119\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 55; New Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8; Ross.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 1\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EACT New Zealand 1.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a second time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000380\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00221bef0064e9d84cad9e66e4123ea8a976\u0022\u003ESocial Security (Winter Energy Payment) Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022df228397de0649a9a4aa769ef9379866\u0022\u003EIn Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00224766207d71cc41f2948f5e99c0177c58\u0022\u003EPart 1  Winter energy payment for winter periods in and after 2019 calendar year\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u00223c7e459e5f0e4db88bcc551724a39618\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That Part 1 be agreed to. \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 of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 57\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EPart 1 agreed to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00227d4be2f31199460a9301047e2e113845\u0022\u003EPart 2  Purported winter energy payment for winter period for 2018 calendar year\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022 data-id=\u00227556eb1b76294acbbd3165582e345465\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227556eb1b76294acbbd3165582e345465\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development):\u003C/span\u003E I think it\u2019s appropriate that I give some context to what we are debating in the committee stage in the Chamber today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003EThe Families Package (Income Tax and Benefits) Bill that passed in December 2017 didn\u2019t fully cover all those who received winter energy payments last winter\u20141 July to 29 September 2018. All winter energy payments were made in accordance with the policy intent of the winter energy payment. The error sits with the drafting of the legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003EThe policy intent of the winter energy payment was that the following two groups of people should receive the winter energy payment: people receiving Government funding for their long-term residential care or residential care services but who are not eligible for residential care subsidy or residential support subsidy, or people who travel overseas for more than four weeks during the winter period who should receive the winter energy payment for the first four weeks of their absence. The legislation does not reflect that, hence why we have introduced the Social Security (Winter Energy Payment) Amendment Bill. With regards to the impact, approximately 3.3 percent of people who received the winter energy payment last winter were not fully covered by the legislation. However, it was intended that they receive the winter energy payment. There have been no negative impacts on clients as a result of the current legislation or the proposed amendments in the bill. The proposed amendments give effect to the original policy intent and are therefore policy neutral. The amendments also align with current operational practice.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003EThe amendments proposed ensure that people in two specific scenarios can be paid the winter energy payment lawfully, both retrospectively for 2018 and also in the future. The current legislation in the Social Security Act 2018 means that people in these two specific scenarios are currently not eligible to receive the winter energy payment even though it was intended that they be eligible. These are people receiving Government funding for their long-term residential care or residential care services but who are not eligible for a residential care subsidy or residential support subsidy. It was intended that only people receiving the residential care subsidy and residential support subsidy be excluded from receiving the winter energy payment, and then also people who travel overseas for more than four weeks during the winter period at any one time. It was intended that these people were eligible for the winter energy payment for the first four weeks of absence, up to 28 days, regardless of how long the absence is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003EI know that there has been some discussion about how this drafting error occurred. I think it\u2019s important to note that it was a drafting error, and drafting errors are never ideal, with regards to the business that we are looking to undertake within this House. It was picked up in April last year initially and work has been undertaken to ensure that the right decisions were made for how this should be rectified.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003EThe main thing was to make sure that it was rectified before 1 May 2019, when the winter energy payment starts again, so that the legislation does match up with the policy intent. I will say also that criticism has come about the drafting error and the fact that it took a while. Yes, it\u2019s taken 16 months not only to work out that this mistake has been made but then to look to addressing the mistake. But, as I discussed, I think during one of the question times that we had in the House last week, this is not the first time where there has been drafting errors. One that I pointed out was a drafting error or a change that was made and went unnoticed back in 1998 that had an impact on stand-down periods that, as I said, went unnoticed. Effectively, in 2015 I think, that was picked up and then changed so that we were acting lawfully, and there were implications to that one because, actually, there was then a period of time set aside so that people could claim the day that they may have lost from the stand-down period having been changed without anyone realising it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003ESo, with this one, can I say that there are no fiscal implications with respect to money that was actually given to those who receive the winter energy payment, because the policy intent was realised. It is the legislation that didn\u2019t match up. So, to us, it is very clear that people were not incorrectly paid, because the policy intent was realised. So now what this is an attempt to do is to make sure that the legislation matches the policy intent and, as I said earlier, now we can make sure that everything is corrected in time for the roll-out of the winter energy payment in 2019, beginning on 1 May. Thank you, Madam Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022c0e7037bfef5426fb195772dd28c3ecd\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That Part 2 be agreed to.\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 of Aotearoa New Zealand 8. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 57\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EPart 2 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00229883daee6657449da76b66f8801d637e\u0022\u003EClauses 1 to 3\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022a2864f9f30b04b2eb924e9aa54cf8966\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 clause 1 be agreed to.\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 of Aotearoa New Zealand 8. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 57\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EClause 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u00224475feb146aa4ed8803a4885c63f5bd8\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 clause 2 be agreed to.\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 of Aotearoa New Zealand 8. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 57\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EClause 2 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u00225f2287ceec3e48a1861bf6b13de5e056\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 clause 3 be agreed to.\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 of Aotearoa New Zealand 8. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 57\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EClause 3 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000392\u0022\u003EHouse resumed.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000393\u0022\u003EBill reported without amendment.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000394\u0022\u003EReport adopted.\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=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022159cc43f4af243a183b2c55ecfd0c64a\u0022\u003ELand Transport (Wheel Clamping) Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e89d2ac19f1a486c966cd9bf6c3f481e\u0022\u003EFirst Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022 data-id=\u00222b57aee2d1d042b0b8492818ad9b091d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222b57aee2d1d042b0b8492818ad9b091d\u0022\u003EHon JENNY SALESA (Minister for Ethnic Communities)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: I move, That the Land Transport (Wheel Clamping) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Transport and Infrastructure Committee to consider the bill. At the appropriate time, I intend to move that the bill be reported to the House by September 2019. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003EThis bill amends the Land Transport Act 1998 to regulate the maximum fee that can be charged by wheel clamp operators and prevents the public being charged excessive fees by imposing a cap of $100 for the removal of the clamp. It provides protection for motorists who have been subject to aggressive tactics from clampers and sets rules that provide greater clarity around wheel clamping to ensure that the requirements are properly enforced and motorists are protected from unscrupulous wheel clamp operators. The fee cap of $100 provides an appropriate deterrent to prevent people from parking on private property without permission and ensures businesses can enforce parking breaches on their premises. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003EThis bill is necessary because wheel clamping is largely unregulated, causing disproportionate financial loss and emotional distress. Wheel clamping has attracted many complaints from the public. I\u2019ve seen letters from motorists who have experienced bullying and standover tactics as well as having to pay up to $200 to $700 in cash within 30 minutes of being clamped. I consider the disproportionate fines being handed out, with the requirement to pay cash on the spot to unclamp a vehicle, as very unfair. The law is currently unclear on how much wheel clampers can charge in fees. Currently, motorists have little incentive to challenge fees, because they don\u2019t know what level of fee is unreasonable or unlawful. There needs to be a greater deterrent for wheel clampers to overcharge motorists. A fee cap will target the problem, but still strike a balance between protecting motorists and allowing business owners to enforce their rights against people who park illegally on their property.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003EThis bill applies to wheel clamping on private property, and the rules are intended for people who use wheel clamping as a parking enforcement method on private property. These people are private operators, who do not have powers under an enactment to enforce parking. The bill is not intended to provide a framework for wheel clamping by enforcement authorities on the public roads system. Our transport legislation already provides a regime for enforcement authorities, such as the police, our councils, and our parking, and they can enforce our parking breaches. I expect these authorities to use their existing powers of enforcement. The bill does not apply where an enactment or bylaw already permits enforcement authorities to clamp\u2014for example, when local councils use wheel clamping to enforce freedom camping. The bill does not authorise anyone to clamp where they have no legal authority to do so\u2014for example, where a wheel clamp operator does not have permission from the business owner to enforce parking at a place of business.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003EThe bill sets a maximum fee for wheel clampers, and they can charge only $100. This fee cap is intended to provide enough of a deterrent for parking breaches on private property while still being able to be a reasonable amount for motorists to pay. Setting the cap in legislation will enable Parliament to consider and to debate it. However, the bill provides for the ability to amend the cap through regulations\u2014if it needs to be updated to take inflation into account, for instance, or other factors in the future. The bill makes it an offence for a wheel clamper to breach the maximum fee. This will be enforced by our police. This will reduce harm to motorists and make it easier for them to dispute the fee when it has been overcharged.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003EThe bill requires clampers to remove a wheel clamp as soon as possible after a motorist has paid their fee. If the wheel clamper does not do so, the motorist is allowed to attempt to remove the clamp, provided that they minimise any damage to the clamp. A wheel clamper must also respond in a reasonable amount of time to remove the clamp from a motorist\u2019s vehicle. This will help to ensure that motorists do not have to wait for hours until the clamp is removed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003EIn conclusion, we acknowledge that there is a legitimate need to protect private property, but the practice of what has become a cowboy clamping industry is causing significant harm to many of our consumers. This bill strikes the balance between protecting private property rights and not causing unnecessary harm to motorists for parking breaches. I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022 data-id=\u0022856ed409d4e14b65ad0ed9ca0a68b5de\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022856ed409d4e14b65ad0ed9ca0a68b5de\u0022\u003EBRETT HUDSON (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. I rise to support the Land Transport (Wheel Clamping) Amendment Bill to select committee. I\u2019m sure we\u2019ve all heard or met with people who tell us stories about people they know or what they\u2019ve experienced personally themselves with respect to the behaviour of at least some wheel clamp operators across New Zealand: tales of standover tactics, tales of clamps being applied within moments of people leaving their vehicles, tales of vehicles being clamped while the occupants are still in them, and then, of course, the egregious charges to have one\u2019s own vehicle released. I saw in the regulatory impact statement examples from officials of, in one instance at least, $760 for 30 minutes of parking, or $480 for five minutes of parking.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000405\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EThe public are absolutely certain\u2014I think it does extend beyond a perception, but we can say that the public perceive that this is an unregulated industry, that there are many cowboy-type operators, and that they, the public, particularly the more vulnerable among us, those least able to afford it, are more unfairly targeted or more unfairly subject to this sort of poor behaviour. The Minister Jenny Salesa, when she introduced this bill in this reading, made the statement that there is a lack of clarity in what charges clampers are able to levy. I\u2019d contend that that\u2019s not actually the case, that through the combination of the Fair Trading Act, the law of contract, and the law of trespass, it\u2019s very clear that a private property owner, or the clamper who\u2019s been delegated to manage that parking infringement, can only charge a charge equivalent to the loss or, under trespass, the considered damage to that property. So there is not necessarily a lack of clarity on the extent of those charges.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EWhat I would contend is that there is an enormous hurdle for the user of the vehicle to be able to contest those charges and to ensure that they are only charged appropriately. It would seem that the only two avenues they really have open to them are the disputes tribunal or the court. Not only is that simply impractical given the circumstances but, quite frankly, the clampers have an enormous lever. They have immobilised the person\u2019s vehicle, and they are able to retain that immobilisation until either the charges are paid or the dispute is resolved. Quite frankly, in the real world, the vehicle owner or user has little choice but to accede to their demand for charges on the spot to get their vehicle released.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003ESo we don\u2019t have an issue with action being taken to regulate that behaviour. On the face of it, the bill, which is going to set a maximum charge of $100, looks like it is seeking to apply a level of regulation that is not too heavy-handed but one which will provide clear restrictions on what clampers do, and is seeking at least to find a balance that won\u2019t create a distortion which would occur if the return or the charge for clamping was so low that clampers wouldn\u2019t wish to undertake that enforcement and, instead, a vehicle owner or operator might be subject to far more expensive enforcement, such as towing. So I do acknowledge that the bill is seeking to do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EI also note that there appears to be\u2014and I\u2019m going to get into the process behind the bill, which is where the issues are that we certainly have. But before I do that, I will just note\u2014because it\u2019s quite telling, really\u2014that in the RIS, in the regulatory impact statement, officials were very clear that the charge that was put forward to Cabinet by the Minister was $50, not $100. Now, the first point I\u2019d make on that is no one, I think, would believe that that would be a charge that would do anything other than drive clampers out, and the distortion that that would create would mean it\u2019d be more likely that people would be paying large towing expenses instead to collect their vehicle and get their vehicle from wherever it\u2019s impounded. But I also note that, clearly, Cabinet schooled the Minister on the real world and instead had him change that capped fee from $50 to $100. That in itself signals what became apparent in the regulatory impact statement: while the intention of the bill is very well-intentioned, the procedure, the process behind it, is an absolute shambles.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EOfficials noted in their statement that all of the information around the policy thinking and the decision making is anecdotal. There is no hard data, and no hard evidence; it is all anecdote, and, as the saying goes, \u201CAnecdote is not data.\u201D The officials also point out that no formal consultation was undertaken. They go even further. Quite remarkably, they note that they were under significant time constraints and that they would have liked to have undertaken a comprehensive consultation process. That amounts to officials throwing their Minister under the bus\u2014and I hope he recovers soon\u2014because what they are clearly saying is that they were forced to bend over backwards to create a piece of legislation without undertaking the proper policy work, the sort of work that Government agencies should undertake for any legislation before it is introduced into this House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EInstead, the Government is asking Parliament to do their work for them in select committee. The reality is that the Government and their officials don\u2019t know the extent of the problem. They don\u2019t know what the full range or average charges or costs to clampers are; so they can\u2019t possibly know what is the most appropriate maximum cap that won\u2019t see a distortion and a shift towards an expensive towing enforcement instead of clamping, but they\u2019re asking instead for this Parliament to accept this legislation and to do the work in select committee that they should have given their officials time to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EJust to make this absolutely clear, I am not contesting that the officials sought to do this quickly. It\u2019s quite the opposite. They make it very clear that they would\u2019ve liked more time, and it\u2019s that the Government didn\u2019t give it to them. It\u2019s now coming\u2014I wouldn\u2019t say quite cap in hand, but that\u2019s a good enough expression\u2014to Parliament and asking Parliament, in its select committee, to do the work of its officials, with its officials, admittedly, which they should have done beforehand. We are prepared to do that\u2014we are prepared to do that\u2014but I would note that there is a slightly shortened report-back date that has been signalled when the Minister introduced this bill. It\u2019s a little over four months, by the looks of it. It is doable, of course, but I\u2019d actually encourage the Government, given they want us to do their work for them, to give us sufficient time to do it. I\u2019d also ask that the Minister instruct his officials very clearly that we will look to do the full policy scrutiny in the select committee, that we will look into every aspect that they would\u2019ve liked to have looked into, that we will seek the evidence they would\u2019ve liked to have sought, and that we will seek submissions and consultation with people from across interests: obviously, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs; obviously, other Government agencies; and, of course, people from within relevant sections of the industry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EWe will do their work for them, but this is not the way legislation should be undertaken in our Parliament. The Government has a duty to bring robust, well-thought-out, well-researched work, in bills, into the House. They haven\u2019t done so in this case. It is a travesty of the legislative process. It is terrible. Minister Faafoi, who is the responsible Minister, has cultivated something of a reputation in this term of Government as being a very sound pair of hands and a very competent Minister in this portfolio. Well, quite frankly, he\u2019s let himself and the Government down terribly by bringing this bill to the House; not in its intent\u2014its intent is good\u2014but in the lack of robust, proper work done prior to its introduction. We are prepared to stand up and do the Government\u2019s work for them. We ask for them to help us to do the work they should have done before today. We will commend this bill to select committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022 data-id=\u0022e139d0336b314822af302b19b9ce65bf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e139d0336b314822af302b19b9ce65bf\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. I\u2019m very happy to be here today supporting the Hon Kris Faafoi, the Minister responsible for bringing this bill to the House. Wheel clamping has been the scourge of so many of our communities, and predatory behaviour by the wheel-clamping companies has made life a misery. It\u2019s driven shoppers away from retail centres, it\u2019s created untold hardship for people who have fallen foul of the wheel clampers, and this bill sets out to fix that problem.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EClamping, of course, involves sticking a big metal device that immobilises the vehicle by stopping the wheels from turning. This industry is completely unregulated at the moment, and that\u2019s the problem here\u2014it\u2019s unregulated; cowboy clamping firms have, basically, been free to charge whatever they like. There are no rules, there are no regulations, and communities like Henderson in west Auckland, that I represent, have suffered because of this. In fact, their retail centres have been damaged, their reputations sullied, by the behaviour of these clamping companies. Not only is this so-called industry unregulated but it\u2019s meant that the clamping companies have been able to charge totally unreasonable fees for the release of the vehicle. It\u2019s basically a kind of extortion, and the law is completely unclear. The common law doesn\u2019t help much in determining what fees would be reasonable. So there are no incentives, or very few incentives, for clampers to behave in a reasonable way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003ENow, after much public debate and campaigning and reports by programmes like Fair Go and other news media, the former Government put in place a code of conduct in 2012. If my memory serves me correctly, it was the Hon Simon Bridges who was the Minister at the time who brought in this voluntary code of conduct. Well, it\u2019s very clear that this kind of light-handed regulatory touch, in this instance, has completely failed. It didn\u2019t do the job that the former Government hoped that it would. Clamping has continued, for the last six years, to be a curse on so many of our communities who have been subject to this kind of predatory behaviour. Some people have been charged as much as $700 to have the clamp removed from the wheel of their car. In my view, this bill strikes the right balance, and it will put an end to the predatory and aggressive behaviour that\u2019s been a feature of this industry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000416\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EI want to recall for the House a situation that one of my constituents experienced in Henderson, in west Auckland, in September 2015. A young woman by the name of Ausky Vailalo\u2014her car broke down in a retail car park in Henderson. She phoned her brother to come and collect her one-year-old son, who was in the car with her at the time, and she waited in the family car for roadside assistance. Her brother turned up and parked in a nearby business car-park because the public area where Ausky was waiting was completely full. It was pouring with rain, and Ausky\u2019s brother left his car and walked over to Ausky\u2019s car, and in the minute that he did that, in the pouring rain, to try and rescue his sister and her one-year-old child, the wheel clamper pounced and put the clamp on his car and demanded $200 for the release of that car. The distress that Ausky and her child were put through on that day was completely out of proportion to what had happened and is not atypical of these kinds of situations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000417\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EOnly in the last two weeks, another constituent contacted me, Terrence Edwards, who told me of a similar story, actually with the same clamping company. His wife Cornelia, four months pregnant, parked in an area\u2014actually, I think, in the same parking area. She stopped in to drop some children\u2019s books back to the library. The wheel clamper was in the car when she pulled up. She went across to the library, only 30 metres or so away, and in the couple of minutes while she was away, they clamped the car. She rang her husband in a distressed state. He tried to talk to the wheel clamper, who was aggressive and indifferent to the plight of Cornelia. They demanded $200 within 90 minutes or they would face an additional $200 fee. This kind of predatory, aggressive behaviour is totally out of proportion to the enforcement of private property rights that I think most of us would agree is part and parcel of regulating private parking in our urban centres.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000418\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EThis bill, which proposes that the fees for clamping, for the release of a car that\u2019s been clamped, be restricted to a maximum of $100 for release, tries to strike the right balance. It recognises that people who own car-parks have a right to be able to ensure that people don\u2019t park in them when they\u2019re not entitled to, but it tries to ensure that shoppers who fall foul of that restriction, either by accident or deliberately, are not subject to unduly onerous charges.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EThe previous Government did nothing about this, other than a voluntary code of conduct. We said at the time that that was inadequate, and I think that history has proved that we\u2019re right. We do acknowledge that there is a legitimate need for the owners of parking spaces to be able to manage the use of those private parking places, but this bill tries to strike the right balance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003ELet me run through some of the provisions in the bill. The person who is clamping cannot charge more than the maximum amount for a parking breach on private land that requires the removal of the wheel clamp. That maximum amount is $100, inclusive of GST. The breach of that $100 maximum is an infringement offence attracting up to $1,000 for an individual and $5,000 for a company, and if it goes to court, it is a fine of up to $3,000 for an individual and up to $15,000 for a company. If a wheel clamp operator has breached the maximum fee, motorists will have the right to recover payments made in excess of that maximum through the normal processes, and that\u2019s likely to be the disputes tribunal. The bill states that the police will be the enforcement agency for these provisions. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EIt also requires that a wheel clamp operator must remove a wheel clamp as soon as is reasonably practicable after the fee is paid, or on request of the motorist if no fee is charged. If the wheel clamper fails to remove the clamp as soon as is reasonably practicable, the motorist may remove or arrange the removal of the clamp, and will be immune from any civil or criminal liability. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003ESo this bill sets out to right a wrong. It sets out to protect shoppers and people who may fall foul of the wheel clampers who are acting on behalf of the owners of private property. It aims, I think, to somewhat level the playing field between the wheel-clamping industry and the towing industry, which is regulated and has licensing provisions, a fit and proper person test, and a number of other provisions in the transport rules. My hope is that this bill will restore a situation where people using our town centres and our shopping centres will no longer be subject to this kind of predatory behaviour. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EI\u2019m glad to hear that the National Opposition is supporting this bill to select committee, and I look forward to seeing what kind of scrutiny the select committee will bring to this bill and how they may be able to improve it. Thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022 data-id=\u002240fc5dd4193d4824a5c85ff14a9439b4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002240fc5dd4193d4824a5c85ff14a9439b4\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak on this bill, which the National Party is supporting at the first reading in order to spend some time at the select committee delving into the details. Obviously, nobody\u2019s very keen on having their wheels clamped, and so there\u2019d be widespread enthusiasm for doing something further about it, following the voluntary code that the previous Government instilled. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EThe question is what is the best solution. I suppose our concern is that the Government\u2019s come riding in and, obviously, a message went out from the ninth floor that \u201CWe need more legislation in the House quickly\u2014pronto.\u201D Mr Faafoi leapt up and said, \u201CWell, here\u2019s one, and we\u2019ll stick this out.\u201D, and what we\u2019ve seen with the regulatory impact statement is that officials have signalled that the procedures and the development of this legislation is somewhat shambolic. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EThere has been no formal consultation. Generally, how legislation is put together is that somebody says, \u201CThere\u2019s a problem here.\u201D and the officials go away and say, \u201CWell, let\u2019s talk to the people who are engaged in the industry.\u201D\u2014in this case, it would be the people who own car-parks and who have the very real problem of having people parking in them when they shouldn\u2019t or not paying, and so not having access to the car-parks because there are people who are in there that aren\u2019t actually paying or that shouldn\u2019t be in there. You\u2019d also talk to consumers who have been affected by this, you\u2019d talk to all the players involved in the particular industry, and then you\u2019d get a realistic idea of what the options are. But none of that happened. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EThey\u2019ve just plunged in and, almost in a kind of Keystone Kops sort of fashion, the Minister has romped in, saying, \u201CWell, I think we should put a cap of $50 in.\u201D And then, around the Cabinet table, they\u2019ve almost had a bidding process and somebody\u2019s said, \u201CNo, actually, I think $100 is better.\u201D Someone else probably piped up, \u201CNo, $150 is better.\u201D And then somebody\u2014probably Winston Peters\u2014said, \u201COK. Well, we\u2019ll split the difference between $150 and $50.\u201D, and $100 is where we\u2019ve wound up. So that\u2019s a very kind of amateur way to go about legislating. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EWhat we know is that we don\u2019t have any idea of what the consequences would be. It might well be that $100 isn\u2019t sufficient to cover the cost of the wheel clamping, effectively, and so the net result will be that people who own car-parks and who find that people are illegally parking in them might have the option of putting a ticket on the window wipers, and nobody might pay that ticket; so that\u2019s not a realistic option. The only other option they\u2019ve got is getting in a tow truck, and that creates even more costs, potentially, down the line. That\u2019s the basic thing we\u2019ve got to juggle. So we are prepared, obviously, to have that conversation teased out at the select committee process. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EThe only point we would make is that, generally, you would expect a good Government to have made a realistic effort before they introduced the bill to the House to try and understand the real trade-offs in this situation and come up with some clear analysis and detailed studies into the scope of the problem and what the potential conflicts would be before they introduced the legislation in the House. But we\u2019ll have to do that process through the select committee process, and I hope that we\u2019ll get some good, realistic assessment of the issues as it\u2019s carried through. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EI hope that the Government is prepared to listen so that you can come up with something that is actually practical and helps New Zealanders and that helps avoid the extreme examples that do get thrown up in this situation, so that people can have a little bit more confidence that they\u2019re not going to be treated in an arbitrary and unfair manner in a car-parking situation. So, on that basis, we\u2019ll be interested to see how it works in the select committee. Thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022 data-id=\u00223ab2ce4759b946b495b2cdd6e6da137d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223ab2ce4759b946b495b2cdd6e6da137d\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK (Minister of Defence):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. Well, I think over the years, this year has been blessed with people who have sat on the Government benches who have seen a practice that is wrong and have sought to right it. Over the years, MPs have on occasion taken note of the scurrilous activities of a sector in the business community who sought to take advantage of their position and to use undue, unfair practices to cause distress\u2014both financial and emotional stress\u2014to members of the public. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EIn the past, there have been issues like tow truck drivers. In those days, I recall when there was a bit of a wild west out there for tow truck drivers, and the Government of the day intervened and decided to regulate it. There have been issues around landlords, and we still have these conversations even today about the unscrupulous practices of certain landlords who don\u2019t understand their responsibility to their tenants. We\u2019ve had debates in this House around unscrupulous moneylenders. This is an issue that this Government is particularly focused on as well, and I know that the last Government tried in some ways to deal with those matters. We\u2019ve had the issues of rogue security guards, or \u201Cbouncers\u201D, as they were called back in those days, and Governments accepted the need to regulate and do something about it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EToday, we are dealing with rogue wheel clampers. Being blessed and living in the provinces, myself, in the lovely Wairarapa\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ab1e8487e5344d4ab427702aba5f801d\u0022\u003EKieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: Yep. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223633d5976e334839a223f6493b33fd0a\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014in Carterton, I can say that we are a little immune, Mr McAnulty and I, from the things that plague the city streets of metropolitan New Zealand, because we don\u2019t have wheel clampers in our district\u2014not that I\u2019ve ever seen them, Mr McAnulty. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022263ab2e30388465ab155dc93e0d1b0ae\u0022\u003EKieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: We don\u2019t have a National MP either. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022861495bebf3d435b83d7a3915172ec53\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK\u003C/span\u003E: We don\u2019t have a resident constituency MP either, Mr McAnulty, but that\u2019s off the subject so I won\u2019t go there. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223c0cd873fb0b41a6937174983af10450\u0022\u003EKieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, go on. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022814879e3be184c5ebddbbaacc6f664d4\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK\u003C/span\u003E: Oh well, later. But we have listened\u2014New Zealand First has listened\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a7cabf2688c7473da813608387e2c813\u0022\u003EHon Jacqui Dean\u003C/span\u003E: You lost, mate\u2014you lost. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fe5af14e6a644aa2bc193d1b11bc5aad\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a4d76d3aae504cbf9bcbf9e08b7f0fd4\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014to the concerns and the stories that we\u2019ve heard and the distress. We\u2019ve noted the distress felt by families as they\u2019ve not only come back to find their vehicle clamped but have been confronted with a bill of, in some cases, $600 to $750\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022090db4752a5a4087a99bdc54a84e54c9\u0022\u003EMark Patterson\u003C/span\u003E: Outrageous. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226995c399314e4884bb0db109777a6e88\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014which seems to us to be quite outrageous. Mark Patterson, my colleague, is quite right\u2014it\u2019s quite outrageous. I know that down in Gore and down in Clutha, they don\u2019t have wheel clampers down there either, do they? No, they wouldn\u2019t tolerate that sort of behaviour.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003ESo there\u2019s a lot that could be said\u2014and I think most of it has already been said by the preceding speakers\u2014but this Government does believe that the practices have been unfair. They do believe that they have inflicted harm upon citizens and have caused distress. Charges of around $700 for a family on an average income of $45,000 a year is quite stiff, and I seriously have no idea how some families in Auckland would ever pay such a fine to get their car released. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003ESo I think it\u2019s entirely appropriate that this Government has stepped forward and decided that we\u2019re going to cap those charges. I note that for those who might be concerned that that\u2019s too low and that they\u2019re not able to recover their costs\u2014for the operating costs of their business that might be too low\u2014I do note that the bill allows for changes, in time, through regulation. But right now this is a case of getting the bill to select committee; letting a select committee do its work; recognising that it is time, it\u2019s over, for these people and their quite unscrupulous behaviour; and it is time to bring an end to it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003ESo New Zealand First is quite proud to support this legislation through its first reading and off to select committee, looking forward to seeing the work of the committee, looking forward to seeing the bill come back to the House, looking forward to seeing the end of this behaviour, which is thoroughly unacceptable in a market which is\u2014it is absolute profiteering; it goes beyond that. For some of us, we cannot really get our head around how one could be clamping the car of some of the families in Auckland, in particular, who struggle to pay the rents that they pay, who might have two or three jobs just to keep their head above water, and then are slammed with the $700 bill. I just simply can\u2019t get my head around that sort of practice and that sort of behaviour. We think it\u2019s unfair, unreasonable, and it should be brought to an end in this piece of legislation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EI want to congratulate the Hon Kris Faafoi. He does tremendous work both in this portfolio and in his civil defence portfolio. I want to congratulate him for bringing this legislation to the floor and we look forward to supporting it further in the third reading. 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=\u0022f3e02d1e64754854b8205d3ad685d188\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f3e02d1e64754854b8205d3ad685d188\u0022\u003EMATT KING (National\u2014Northland):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. It is a pleasure to take a very short call on the Land Transport (Wheel Clamping) Amendment Bill, clamping down on wheel clamping. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EI can remember watching an occasional news story about these predatory-type, parasitic wheel-clamping types and watching the poor motorists being caught out and having their vehicle clamped, having the police arrive, trying to reason with the clampers, and watching the hopelessness and helplessness of the police that attended wanting to help the motorist get the clamp off and having no teeth and no legislation to deal with the problem. So we will support this. I see that the voluntary code didn\u2019t work, and there are a couple of examples here. I\u2019ve seen half-an-hour parking and you\u2019ve got a fine of $760 to get his clamp removed, which is ridiculous\u2014bordering on blackmail, really, or extortion\u2014and $480 for five minutes. So I note that that clamping target has been set at $100, but the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) wanted it at $50 and up to $100. I think that\u2019s pretty reasonable. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ll support this through to a first reading so that the select committee can scrutinise the bill, but I think there\u2019s too much rushed legislation through the House going through at the moment with this Government, and having to have shortened select committees, and select committees having to do the work that should have been done before the bill was brought to the House. So we\u2019ll support it going through the select committee, but it would have been nice to see a little bit more sort of preparation work done on this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EI note that MBIE, in their regulatory impact statement, have said there\u2019s a lack of evidence of the scale of the problem and not enough of a problem to warrant Government intervention. That\u2019s MBIE\u2019s findings. So maybe a little bit more work could\u2019ve been done in that area, but anecdotally there is a problem, I\u2019d imagine, I\u2019ve seen from news reports. So we\u2019ll support that. I see there they\u2019ve got an inclusion in there that the police can fine clampers that don\u2019t comply $1,000 and companies $5,000, and if it goes through to court, it\u2019s $3,000 for the person and $15,000 for the company. So I think that\u2019s good. I like that part of the proposal: that the police can turn up and issue an instant fine for clampers that don\u2019t play ball. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EI also note that there\u2019s a provision in there to permit motorists to remove the clamps if the clampers don\u2019t remove them, with no civil or criminal penalty or liability; I think that\u2019s another clause in the bill that\u2019s well worth keeping. So, yep, we look forward to it being under the scrutiny of the select committee and going before the House. Hopefully, some good legislation will come out of it; so I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022 data-id=\u002248f90a2b159446da950eacd45cf0481c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002248f90a2b159446da950eacd45cf0481c\u0022\u003ECHL\u00D6E SWARBRICK (Green):\u003C/span\u003E E Te M\u0101ngai, t\u0113n\u0101 koe. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou e Te Whare. It is a pleasure to follow the one and only Matt King, \u201CKing of the North\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003EI just wanted to add the Green Party\u2019s support to this piece of legislation\u2014a fantastic piece of legislation by this Government, which I would say strikes the balance. It strikes the balance between private property rights and the currently quite unnecessary harm caused to motorists through parking breaches. It\u2019s all about clarifying the law and creating these regulations, because what we have seen, and as has been alluded to by a number of speakers prior to myself, is that there is a huge amount of horror stories that have made it to the news in the past few years: the likes of cars being clamped while people dart into the shops for 30 seconds, their kids still in the car, and the thousands of dollars that these clampers, these cowboys, have tried to charge them while they have been in the shops away from their car for a moment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003ESo, in this short call, I\u2019d just like to state that we think that this is an incredibly important piece of legislation in moving forward protection of consumers but also about ensuring that we actually level the playing field and create a situation where there is proportionate enforcement and where our consumers and actually the companies that are operating this wheel-clamping enforcement can have clarity around what the kinds of behaviours are going to be when it comes to this practice of wheel clamping. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003EWe are very much looking forward to hearing what comes from the folks who come to the select committee and are interested in seeing the developments as they progress in the legislation, potentially in the committee of the whole House stage. But, at this point in time, the Green Party is incredibly proud to be backing the Government in introducing this cap of $100, because we would state that it does actually disproportionately impact those in the lower socio-economic brackets, and that is typically where\u2014we\u2019ve seen, at the very least, in the news reports\u2014this kind of cowboy behaviour is largely undertaken. We commend this bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022 data-id=\u002223a47b9b0e3a46268b43606e0b1c87b1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000458\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002223a47b9b0e3a46268b43606e0b1c87b1\u0022\u003EANDREW FALLOON (National\u2014Rangitata):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. I too rise to take a short call tonight on this Land Transport (Wheel Clamping) Amendment Bill. I was really hoping this debate was going to be one of those ones where everyone sort of stands up and declares their transgressions but, unfortunately, I\u2019ve been disappointed so far.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000459\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d326d0ae60414c65a3990cb52805a798\u0022\u003EHon Jacqui Dean\u003C/span\u003E: You can.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000460\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227ede85af9fe747fa99e2b962da4a9719\u0022\u003EANDREW FALLOON\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I will, Jacqui. I actually haven\u2019t had my wheel clamped, I\u2019ll tell my colleagues on this side, so I can\u2019t, unfortunately, speak from a position of experience. But I am aware, obviously\u2014as we all are\u2014that there are some, frankly, outrageous charges being levied: $400, $500, $600, $700 in some cases. There have also been instances where people have had their wheels clamped quite inappropriately, where even, for example, someone might be sitting in their vehicle and one of these cowboys\u2014let\u2019s call them cowboys because they are\u2014comes along and clamps their vehicle. For many people, of course, their car is their livelihood and for others, particularly in regions like mine and rural areas, it is the only real means of transport; there isn\u2019t a lot of public transport in some parts of the country. And so, without their car, if they can\u2019t pay the $500, $600, or $700 on the spot, that puts them without their vehicle and that is very much a disproportionate punishment, I guess, for what is a minor crime of parking in a park where perhaps they shouldn\u2019t. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000461\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003ESo we will be supporting this bill tonight. We support its intent. As Brett Hudson has commented earlier this afternoon, we do have some concerns around the wording and so I hope that it gets a good hearing at select committee. Thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022 data-id=\u0022618b9a893c8c4357a82974c753b447f8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022618b9a893c8c4357a82974c753b447f8\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: I understand this is a split call. I call the Hon Meka Whaitiri\u2014five minutes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022 data-id=\u0022fa60e69e35d54c7ebd5c2386f05dcecc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fa60e69e35d54c7ebd5c2386f05dcecc\u0022\u003EHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Labour\u2014Ikaroa-R\u0101whiti):\u003C/span\u003E Madam Assistant Speaker, t\u0113n\u0101 koe. E ng\u0101 mema o Te Whare nei, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa. I\u2019m proud to take a call on this bill, the Land Transport (Wheel Clamping) Amendment Bill. Can I first commend both Minister Faafoi and Minister Twyford for addressing an area of concern, and it\u2019s the job of, particularly, Ministers of commerce to address the concerns around unnecessary wheel-clamping and not having clear regulations or sets of rules to guide when it\u2019s appropriate to use it and when it\u2019s not.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThis bill is addressing a concern that previous speakers have raised from around the country. I come from the East Coast, and I can honestly say that we don\u2019t have a lot of wheel clamping up there, but probably for some of the metropolitan areas where parking is at a premium you would find more wheel clampers. But, seriously, the $100 fine and the regulations to strengthen when it can apply and can\u2019t apply must be commended. This is the first reading, and, of course, people who have concerns that maybe $100 is too much or not enough, or that some of the regulations around it aren\u2019t strong enough or are too broad, have the opportunity to come before the Transport and Infrastructure Committee. I do encourage folks who have an interest in this to make submissions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThere were some comments earlier\u2014even though the Opposition are supporting this bill\u2014and some concerns around how this bill has come to bear from officials\u2019 reports. Looking at the report myself, particularly from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the concerns in their own report\u2014and I do note that the industry themselves have issues\u2014they talk about unclear regulation and unreasonable fees. They talk about intimidating and unfair behaviour by wheel-clamp operators, and a lack of opportunity for appeal before paying the release fee. So the officials have advised that we have an issue in this area, and this bill is attempting to address those issues that MBIE officials have raised.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s also something much needed by people who probably know about cars a bit more than some of the members in this House. The Automobile Association, on 22 August 2018, cautiously welcomed today\u2019s announcement from the Government to rein in wheel clampers by regulating a maximum clamping penalty of $100, but it believes more needs to be done to regulate the industry. There was also a quote from The Dog and Lemon Guide, talking about \u201CMost wheel-clampers are parasites. While it\u2019s great that the government has limited the amount they can charge, there\u2019s still nothing to stop these crooks blackmailing ordinary motorists.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThis bill is to address an issue that many see needs addressing. Like I said previously, it\u2019s an opportunity to examine it through the select committee process and ensure that the bill fits the concerns that not just motorists but consumers themselves have raised for several years. This is an opportunity to address the concerns around whether it\u2019s appropriate to charge people $470 before they can get their clamps removed, or $700\u2014and we\u2019ve heard the stories in this House in debating this particular bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000468\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003ESo I support this bill, as I\u2019ve heard all members in the House have. We will have the opportunity to robustly scrutinise it through the select committee. It is an opportunity for folks to come and have their say\u2014and I look forward to the submitters coming to our select committee\u2014and to thoroughly scrutinise it, and to have the opportunity to present it back to this House for its second reading. I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022 data-id=\u00220443b13fdb3240e8b482bd90175067a5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000469\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220443b13fdb3240e8b482bd90175067a5\u0022\u003EMELISSA LEE (National):\u003C/span\u003E I apologise for an earlier sort of confusion as to my rise to take a call. I was under the impression that I was going straight after Mr Falloon, but obviously I wasn\u2019t; it was a split call after Meka Whaitiri. So it\u2019s a pleasure to rise to speak after her, and I have to say I am in support of my colleagues on this side of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000470\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003EI think that as, earlier, Mr Falloon talked about the experiences of some of us who have actually been clamped or not, I have to declare that I have not been clamped, but I have had my car towed once. We know what that feels like, to pay a big fine after realising that your car was parked in the wrong place\u2014not yours, Madam Assistant Speaker, but mine\u2014and actually having to pay a fine. But to actually have a car clamped on a private property\u2014I have also had a situation where people have blocked my driveway and I was unable to get out, and I wished I could clamp that car but I couldn\u2019t, and you have that feeling.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003ESo it will be a great opportunity for us to sit in select committee and hear people\u2019s stories about the clamping and what their experiences are, but it would seem to make sense that we actually limit the amount of the fine that people pay. It seems an exorbitant amount of money to charge someone $760 for 30 minutes of parking, or, for five minutes, $480. I think we shouldn\u2019t actually prevent people in a private property from actually doing what they like, but, having said that, we should actually set some guidelines as to how much they can charge.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003EOne of the concerns that I do actually have in relation to this bill is that the officials have not done a lot of consultation in relation to this particular bill as to the size of the problem. I think it will be a good opportunity for us as a select committee to realise that. It seems that the select committee will be doing the job of the Government when we actually get this through select committee. Having said that, I look forward to the discussions that we will have in our select committee, and I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022 data-id=\u00229d4ea9175da846028a5ead97d12f30eb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229d4ea9175da846028a5ead97d12f30eb\u0022\u003EPAUL EAGLE (Labour\u2014Rongotai):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker, and it looks like I\u2019m the last speaker before dinner, so I\u2019ll be in a rush, because that\u2019s very important\u2014as is this bill. Can I just say that this is more good news from this side of the House, and I am the good news speaker: every time I\u2019m in the House, I\u2019m talking about good things, and so this is yet another one of those. I heard some negativity. That\u2019s normal\u2014that\u2019s from the other side. The only negativity I saw was the wheel-clamping code of conduct, signed by none other than Simon Bridges as the consumer affairs Minister, about a voluntary wheel-clamping code of conduct. It didn\u2019t work, and that should be the only negative thing being spoken about in this House this evening, because this is all good news.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003ECan I just talk about fairness, and this underpins, I think, this party\u2019s values around fairness, because this has been completely unfair. Anyone I talk to about clamping, the first thing they say is \u201CThis is so unfair. It\u2019s so nasty. It\u2019s so mean.\u201D But that\u2019s not this side of the House, and we don\u2019t do those sorts of things. This, first and foremost, will bring a big, big smile to those people who actually don\u2019t do something that\u2019s worthy of such a nasty act and such an unfair act. There are simply other things to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003EWhen I looked at this code of practice for who was involved from when the Opposition leader was promoting this, it was never going to work, and so that\u2019s why we needed to do something far more practical. People were given the sense of \u201CIf this happens, how much will it cost?\u201D It\u2019s not up to $700 or more, not some confusing process, but a capped fee. So congratulations to Minister Faafoi, who I think has worked extremely hard on putting together something with the sector. So that\u2019s important, to bring people along with you when you do these sorts of things. They\u2019ll be thinking about the financial loss, not the fairness. It\u2019s all about the dollars for them. But this is about treating Kiwis decently and in a way where it doesn\u2019t disadvantage those people unnecessarily.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000476\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003ESo we\u2019ve heard how it\u2019s unregulated. That\u2019s a disgrace, and now it\u2019s going to be sorted once and for all. I know that the Minister talked about receiving literally hundreds and hundreds of letters from people who have experience, and the words that came up were \u201Cbullying\u201D and \u201Cstand-over tactics\u201D. That\u2019s outrageous. The people of New Zealand shouldn\u2019t be treated like that, particularly, in many cases, when people were simply unsure. I hear words like \u201CPeople are unsure. They get treated unfairly.\u201D, and that\u2019s not good enough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003EThis, of course, happens on a private property. Just behind my electorate office, in the world-famous suburb of Newtown, there is a bit of this that goes on, and I have sometimes thought maybe I need a wheel clamp to sort out some illegal parkers on private property, but I haven\u2019t had to go as far as that. I know the person who owns the land. He said to me, \u201CWell, the coalition Government are doing something around this space. What are my options?\u201D I said, \u201CLook, take the human decency line: find out who the owner is locally and just talk to them.\u201D Sometimes communication is far better than putting a big yellow thing on a tyre. That maximum fee, I know, will make people happy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003ESitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022 data-id=\u0022033d4d3805aa474783efbe05261bc33c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022033d4d3805aa474783efbe05261bc33c\u0022\u003ETIM VAN DE MOLEN (National\u2014Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Madam Assistant Speaker. It\u2019s a pleasure to pick up where we left off from before the dinner break on this fine piece of legislation being put forward by the Government\u2014or so you would think, anyway.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003EBut, unfortunately, we have a few wee concerns about this particular piece of legislation. We will support it at this first reading and see it go through to select committee, but there are a few aspects that are a little untidy. Quite frankly, we would have expected the Minister Kris Faafoi and his team to have done a bit more homework on this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003ELook, we have no concern around the fact that wheel-clamping activity happens. Yes, there\u2019s an issue around that. It\u2019s not regulated. We need to put some controls in place around it to ensure that the clampers can maintain their property rights, because that\u2019s an important aspect to consider in this. But, of course, it\u2019s the structure around how we do that, and that\u2019s where we\u2019re seeing this piece of legislation proposing fees\u2014perhaps $50, perhaps $100, or perhaps more\u2014settling somewhere around $100, we think, but that might change through the select committee process because, actually, there hasn\u2019t been much work done in the background to understand what the drivers are for that or what an appropriate setting would be.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003EAnd one of the other areas that I\u2019d just like to highlight in my remaining few seconds, it would appear, is that the legislation shows\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022421d2056d3fb4a8397c2e8bf33686bb9\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: I apologise. It would appear that the time clock is\u2014you\u2019ve got about 8 minutes, 30 seconds.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dd9bc81f680747e6a011cc61c6258dda\u0022\u003ETIM VAN DE MOLEN\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, thank goodness. I thought I\u2019d whipped through 10 minutes so quickly. So one of the aspects mentioned in here talks about the clampers having to unclamp the wheel within a reasonable time after the fine has been paid, but no definition of what a reasonable time might be. And, of course, that then is open to interpretation, and, of course, you could then see that litigated through the courts.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003ESo I appreciate that there\u2019s the expectation that fines will treble should it go through the court process and be awarded duly off the back of that, but that\u2019s an area that I think we could see tidied up, as well as some further work done around understanding the drivers in behind this. So those are a couple of key points I\u2019d like to see the select committee picking up, and I know Mr Hudson mentioned earlier that it\u2019s a hard-working committee and will do the work that the Minister should already have done, but I look forward to seeing that progressing through, and then we\u2019ll consider it in due course for the second reading. 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=\u0022449cc98edc994260a9c9ed734cdc8d6b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022449cc98edc994260a9c9ed734cdc8d6b\u0022\u003EKIERAN McANULTY (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E I always enjoy coming into this House and speaking on bills that both sides of the House agree on, but one thing that I noticed is that the National Party just can\u2019t help themselves. They have to complain about something. What a bunch of sad sacks. Here we are with a bill that makes sense, a bill that addresses the issues that they stand here today and say that they care about\u2014the unfair targeting and unfair application of a fine through wheel clamping. They can\u2019t just stand up and say, \u201CGood on the Government for doing something that we didn\u2019t do when we were in Government. We will support this bill. We will look forward to working constructively with them at select committee.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000487\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EOh no\u2014no, no, no. They have to have a whinge. They have to have a moan. They have to complain about the $100 fine that\u2019s outlined quite clearly. And you\u2019ve got the likes of Paul Goldsmith fabricating some story that may or may not have happened, a conversation that could have happened between the two. Tim van de Molen cracked on to that as well. What is the case is that the hard-working Hon Kris Faafoi has delivered a solution to an issue that is plaguing this country\u2014the unfair treatment of cowboy clampers coming along and putting an unfair fine on those that happen to have been caught.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000488\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EWhat we say in this bill\u2014and it will go through select committee, and it will have the scrutiny applied to it, like every other bill that goes through it, because that, of course, is the select committee process\u2014not if you listen to the National Party. That, of course, is something that they say the Minister should have done. So perhaps I wonder, colleagues: should we do away with select committees, if that\u2019s the approach that the National Party want to take? Is that what they are suggesting, perhaps? I\u2019m sure it\u2019s not. What I think is the case is that they just can\u2019t help themselves. They\u2019re being a wee bit petty. There\u2019s a bill here that they support, but they can\u2019t bring themselves to say it. But I have no hesitation. This is a great bill, and I have no hesitation in commending it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000489\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=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000490\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EBill referred to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee.\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=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000491\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ab8cac9200f14ebd871142c01c15b1bb\u0022\u003EAccident Compensation Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000492\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002229a848b32b4c430596aa1547c8090bf7\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000493\u0022\u003EDebate resumed from 4 April.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022 data-id=\u0022ba00a887b3af4cc997edae51528bb1b3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000494\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ba00a887b3af4cc997edae51528bb1b3\u0022\u003EJENNY MARCROFT (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Madam Assistant Speaker. Thank you for the opportunity to take a call on behalf of New Zealand First on the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill. It\u2019s a pleasure to do so in this third and penultimate reading here in the House this evening. This is a very good piece of housekeeping legislation. It\u2019s a tidy-up, and it has, generally, two broad objectives, which are to meet society\u2019s expectations and improve the Accident Compensation Act 2001.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003ENew Zealand, we\u2019re a pretty fair nation. We pride ourselves in our fairness, and restoring the historic fairness to ACC is what this bill is all about. These are sensible and timely amendments and pretty much just technical adjustments to the legislation. So we like this particular piece of legislation. We\u2019re pleased to continue our support of it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000496\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EI just note that in the Minister the Hon Iain Lees-Galloway\u2019s first reading speech, he asked the officials to take a careful look at ways to improve the accident compensation scheme, and he did note also too that at some point in the future we may look forward to a more substantive bill, which could in fact follow; noting also too that in the Minister\u2019s third reading speech last week, he described that this bill is more about the boundaries rather than the core, and therefore has significant meaning for just a relatively small number of people but significant meaning for that group of people that this bill will ultimately affect.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000497\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EJust looking at some of those who will be affected through these changes through this amendment bill, it clearly will be beneficial for some older people. They\u2019ll be provided a fairer, more consistent relationship between weekly compensation and their superannuation by allowing an injured person\u2019s financial situation to more closely reflect their income had they not actually been injured. So this bill will remove the requirement for claimants to actually choose between ACC and superannuation. There is going to be a just transition, and it\u2019ll be extended out to two years, where they\u2019ll be able to receive their ACC as well as their superannuation if they\u2019re injured around the time of their retirement\u2014the time when they get their SuperGold card. So we think that the Education and Workforce Committee landed in a really just place\u2014a pretty fair place\u2014and that\u2019s what New Zealand First particularly likes about this piece of legislation. It will be fair, particularly for those 24 percent of people over the age of 65 who continue to work and those who actually would be retiring anyway at the age of 65.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000498\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003ESome other changes to the bill: there\u2019ll be a further amendment relating to the entitlement of weekly compensation for a surviving spouse or partner. They will no longer be affected by whether or not they\u2019re receiving weekly compensation. This is now being pushed out to five years of weekly compensation based on the deceased spouse\u2019s or partner\u2019s earnings at the time of the fatal injury. So that\u2019s really fair, and we\u2019re pleased to support that. Another amendment: there was a bit of a gap in the ACC coverage for families of employees who happen to be posted overseas. So that particular group of people\u2014there was a bit of a gap for them. So we\u2019re pleased to ensure that there will be ACC coverage for them when they\u2019re working overseas in other jurisdictions\u2014that they will still be able to be covered.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000499\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003ESo in conclusion\u2014just a short call this evening\u2014I\u2019d like to make note of the Minister, the Hon Iain Lees-Galloway, for bringing this to the House; the Education and Workforce Committee for all of their work; and also, too, the previous Minister for ACC, the Hon Michael Woodhouse, for his work initially. Many submitters shared their stories, and it\u2019s always really hard for people to do that\u2014to tell their stories at select committee, particularly if they\u2019re emotional stories\u2014so I\u2019d just like to acknowledge them as well. Finally, New Zealand First is pleased to support this bill, and I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022 data-id=\u0022174ed90bf0194fc9881c66576886ff02\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000500\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022174ed90bf0194fc9881c66576886ff02\u0022\u003EDENISE LEE (National\u2014Maungakiekie):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you so much, Madam Assistant Speaker, for the opportunity to speak and take a short call on the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill. We\u2019re here at the final reading. We are in support of these changes. It\u2019s worth noting that this is a bill that started under the National Party - led Government, and we\u2019re incredibly pleased to have reported that ACC made quite a big turnaround and delivered a much better performance under our Government and under our watch. Tonight what we\u2019re doing is mostly technical improvements, not so much substantive policy changes, but none the less this is important for us to do. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000501\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003EI am on the Education and Workforce Committee. These changes came through, and it was good to team up with the committee, which has some vigorous debates and discussions from time to time. Twenty-five submissions came in on this; 15, it\u2019s worth noting, were out of scope. So the topic around ACC and fairness and equity and payments\u2014and some really heartfelt stories came out during that select committee process; some of them a little bit hard to hear, actually. But that\u2019s quite a substantial amount of out-of-scope submissions, so it might be worth noting for the work programme for this House going forward that clearly there are some heartfelt\u2014possibly even substantial\u2014feelings out there in regards to the ACC scheme. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000502\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003EThis bill\u2019s addressing fairness and sustainability issues, and I\u2019ll just finish on one rather amusing note, I guess. It\u2019s not often in this House that we disestablish things, and that\u2019s exactly what this bill does in clause 8. There\u2019s a new section 402 that deals with the disestablishment of the Accident Compensation Appeal Authority. It\u2019s on page 6 of the departmental report. And on that note\u2014that disestablishment note\u2014thank you very much, Madam Assistant Speaker. We support this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022 data-id=\u00220a4787564f1746e39087615189302799\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220a4787564f1746e39087615189302799\u0022\u003EMARAMA DAVIDSON (Green):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Madam Assistant Speaker. I\u2019m pleased to rise tonight in support of the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill. At the heart of the changes being made in tonight\u2019s legislation\u2014and it\u2019s a short call, but to make sure that the Greens are on record for wanting to support a more fair system of ACC payments. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000504\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EAs I was reading through the bill and the debate pack, I particularly wanted to acknowledge people like Mr Heads, who made a submission on the bill and said he was eagerly awaiting his chance to speak to the select committee. He outlined, as the previous speaker, Denise Lee, said, that there were some\u2014I mean, this is about human stories. This is about people already suffering from either a loss or an injury and then having to suffer again through a slightly traumatic system of ACC, where they couldn\u2019t access the payments that would just keep their lives running, let alone celebrating. So I just wanted to acknowledge some of those stories and submissions that came through, like Mr Heads\u2019. One quote in particular stood out, where he said, \u201CA lot of the people who would have benefited will be dead by now, and I feel very sorry for them.\u201D I acknowledge those losses but that we are\u2014and congratulations to this House\u2014able to put through some changes, and I absolutely acknowledge Minister Lees-Galloway.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000505\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EThe particular change that those submissions were referring to was that we would extend ACC cover to spouses, partners, and dependents of New Zealand employees posted offshore. That\u2019s one of the big changes, but\u2014sorry, my mistake. That particular change was about removing the requirement for ACC claimants to have to choose between weekly compensation and New Zealand super after receiving a year of both. I think it was, again, Mr Heads and other submitters who said those should be seen as entitlements rather than benefits. I\u2019m really pleased that this House was able to come to an agreement and ensure that that equity and those changes for a fairer system were put in place. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000506\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EI cannot stand tonight without, as other colleagues have done, looking forward to supporting a wider-scope review to make further changes, some that are quite unjust gaps and were, I think, never intended. Some of the submissions were out of scope and so I do, and the Greens will, support having a more fuller look at a proper review to make sure we are plugging some of those injustice gaps and payment gaps going forward. So thank you for the opportunity to be able to support this tonight, and we absolutely look forward to further changes. Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225b6b1d74-9e5e-42ba-a922-85b0ea7f5ab6\u0022 data-id=\u00227ed13b32a99c4921ab8f9117f4087272\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000507\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225b6b1d74-9e5e-42ba-a922-85b0ea7f5ab6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227ed13b32a99c4921ab8f9117f4087272\u0022\u003ESIMON O\u2019CONNOR (National\u2014T\u0101maki):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019m very pleased to take a short call\u2014it seems a bit of a theme tonight\u2014on this Accident Compensation Amendment Bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000508\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222d7dbefcbd584af28d139e902f4d1608\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, come on, you could make a better contribution.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000509\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225b6b1d74-9e5e-42ba-a922-85b0ea7f5ab6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224ac6863d681740adb5458f10a0736170\u0022\u003ESIMON O\u2019CONNOR\u003C/span\u003E: Look, I could\u2014a colleague says I could make a better contribution. I could, but I have assessed the risks, and there could, you know, be an accident. I could damage myself somehow, a vocal cord, trip up\u2014you never know, and I don\u2019t want to cause any injury. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000510\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225b6b1d74-9e5e-42ba-a922-85b0ea7f5ab6\u0022\u003EA good bill\u2014no surprise; this is, effectively, a National Party bill. In fact, it\u2019s becoming synonymous with the Order Paper at the moment that just about everything that\u2019s coming through the Parliament has been endorsed by the National Party and was in the pipeline. It\u2019s one of the reasons we\u2019re taking relatively short calls. First and foremost, we are in support of them. There has been a change. I mean, one must admit, when we look at this legislation, there\u2019s been a change: they\u2019ve changed the name of the ACC Minister to whoever the current one is at the moment. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000511\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225b6b1d74-9e5e-42ba-a922-85b0ea7f5ab6\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s a good bill. It\u2019s doing, effectively, two things: one is\u2014and the speaker who just resumed her seat, Marama Davidson, indicated it\u2014it\u2019s aligning superannuation and ACC much better and more fairly. It\u2019s a fairly complex\u2014well, not complex; probably more complicated. I think that\u2019s going to be good, to have that sorted out. The second is, as Denise Lee, the very good member for Maungakiekie, noted, some changes around the appeals authority\u2014reducing it to one\u2014and I think that\u2019s incredibly, incredibly positive. But, as I say, a good bill, and before I make some sort of, you know, faux pas or accident around this bill, I\u2019ll just commend it 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=\u002246cc7f7ab5a64e17b53d244780b2cf67\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000512\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002246cc7f7ab5a64e17b53d244780b2cf67\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: I understand this is a split call. I call Jan Tinetti\u2014five minutes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022 data-id=\u0022fba7bba63e974395985e33631214f184\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000513\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fba7bba63e974395985e33631214f184\u0022\u003EJAN TINETTI (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019m delighted to stand here, just as everyone else has said before me, to take a short call here this evening on this Accident Compensation Amendment Bill. Having sat on the Education and Workforce Committee, I agree with my colleagues on both sides of the House. We heard a lot of very difficult stories, at times. People saw the words \u201Caccident compensation\u201D and \u201CACC bill\u201D and thought this was the time to tell their stories. As the member over the House, Denise Lee, said, most of them were out of scope for this particular bill. That doesn\u2019t mean to say, though, that we didn\u2019t hear those stories. We absolutely did, and listened to them quite intently, and it gave us an indication that further work needs to be done after this bill goes through. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000514\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003EThis bill makes eight changes to the ACC legislation\u2014mostly, as we\u2019ve heard, minor changes, but for those people that it impacts upon, very, very big changes. We heard here this evening about responding\u2014how the bill responds to the declaration that was made by the Human Rights Review Tribunal when they said that forcing surviving spouses or partners to choose between New Zealand superannuation and ACC was discriminatory on the basis of age. This bill actually deals with that and puts that right. I\u2019m quite proud to stand here for a bill that can actually be responsive to that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000515\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003EThe one that I\u2019ve talked about before, here in this House, was the one where ACC cover will be given to spouses and dependents of people that are posted overseas with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade\u2014so our post people. We have heard stories of where that has actually been a big consideration for those people, as to whether they took up those posts, because of the fact that their spouses or dependents couldn\u2019t actually go with them, because of the medical cover that they wouldn\u2019t be getting under that. I think that this puts that right. The fact was that it used to be there, and it was only in the late 1990s that that was taken away, and the record of Parliament doesn\u2019t actually show the reason why that was actually taken away\u2014it\u2019s been lost. So I\u2019m very proud here this evening that we\u2019re going to be putting that right and making it easier for those people to take up those posts that they\u2019ve been trained in and that\u2019s been their career to be able to do. So, as I said, I wanted to take a short call. I don\u2019t want to prolong this any further. I commend this very good bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022 data-id=\u0022b87d5997a6b7478189705018de07d0d5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000516\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b87d5997a6b7478189705018de07d0d5\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS (National\u2014Northcote):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s a pleasure to take a short and brief call at the third reading of the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill. It will be a very short call because we have traversed a lot of the advantages of this bill. [Interruption] I know that will disappoint the member opposite me, Kieran McAnulty, because I know he enjoys hearing me speak. None the less, it is a very good pleasure to speak in support of this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000517\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003ELet us not forget the importance of ACC. It\u2019s a world-leading model that was developed many years ago, and it\u2019s something that we as a country should be really proud of in terms of the way it encourages people to make sure they\u2019re covered, but also encourages them to get repaired and recuperated and get back to the workforce\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a434c1eed62b4f47a05d24529b73dc51\u0022\u003EStuart Smith\u003C/span\u003E: No-fault too.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000519\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d1c9e003bee446d38599e6830e29f0e3\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS\u003C/span\u003E: And it\u2019s no-fault. It is exactly as my learned colleague\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000520\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002240405fbd323b4e9c92d2f394f4e1160c\u0022\u003EStuart Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Esteemed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000521\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022916265958aa84084919067b1764e8dc1\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014esteemed colleague Stuart Smith said: it is a no-fault scheme. It is also a world-leading scheme. This bill is a technical bill. It, essentially, makes eight core changes, and some of the objectives of these changes are very, very clear in terms of making sure that ACC is able to meet its objectives, its entitlements, in a consistent and sustainable way, but also in terms of making sure that it is going to be an efficient and effective scheme well into the future, which is what we want to have happen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000522\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003ESo it is a pleasure, of course, to speak on behalf of this. This bill addresses and meets those objectives very clearly by reducing any duplication, any waste, and also by keeping the regulatory systems up to date with respect to the needs of the workforce. So it\u2019s a very great privilege to commend this bill to the House. 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=\u0022b3a0fa7e4e5248c78d9eeb0ba24abd95\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000523\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b3a0fa7e4e5248c78d9eeb0ba24abd95\u0022\u003EJO LUXTON (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker, for the opportunity to speak on the third reading of the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill. I\u2019m very pleased to take a call on the\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000524\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225967efc899cf489f983ed449ac3a9916\u0022\u003EStuart Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Ten minutes, Jo!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000525\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cfd394ed3ace4dd09cd0ce67b1053e1b\u0022\u003EJO LUXTON\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014third reading of this bill. I don\u2019t think I need to take 10 minutes, because what I have to say is short and concise and straight to the point.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000526\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EFirst of all, I\u2019d like to thank the committee chair, Parmjeet Parmar, for her chairing of the Education and Workforce Committee through this process. I\u2019d like to thank the members of the committee, who\u2019ve done a really good job shepherding this bill through this process, through select committee, and here into the third reading. It\u2019s been a pretty collegial group around this particular piece of legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000527\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EThis is a short bill. It doesn\u2019t change\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000528\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224ed3509680d3427283c46f8a6192de58\u0022\u003EKieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: A bit like Bidois!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000529\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002223dbc48aecfc47dabe808c82e8b8e481\u0022\u003EJO LUXTON\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014any of the core parts of ACC\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000530\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ecba434b6c3c4ec0a5a1bc39fe0f3822\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I can hear you, Mr McAnulty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000531\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec6a717bf08f4242a51e7e9a29aca5e7\u0022\u003EJO LUXTON\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014but just skims around the boundaries of it. What this bill does is it provides better consistency, it\u2019s more streamlined, and it provides better continuity for people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000532\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EWhat I particularly like about this bill, though, is, for example, when you have a couple who have been married and the partner has been fatally injured, shall we say\u2014it\u2019s very, very hard for someone to lose somebody they love, particularly if that person may well be the main income earner in the family. So if that person is to pass away, this bill does allow the spouse to have a maximum of up to five years of weekly payments of compensation, regardless of their age, with regard to around 80 percent of their spouse\u2019s income, which is extremely important, particularly when I think about people as they are getting older into their twilight years. To lose a spouse is extremely hard, but at least in this situation it does provide a little bit of certainty around income stability, I guess, in a way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000533\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EHere in New Zealand, we really value the family unit. So when you\u2019ve got a person who is posted overseas for work and they do take their family with them, they now have the comfort of knowing that should something happen to a family member while they\u2019re overseas, when they do return to New Zealand that family member will be covered under our ACC\u2014and it is going to be retrospective. Prior to that, that wouldn\u2019t have happened, and so now that person who may be posted overseas has the security of knowing that their family members, should they be injured whilst overseas, will be covered by this piece of legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000534\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003ESo I won\u2019t go on for too much longer. I just want to say that I\u2019m really pleased to commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022 data-id=\u0022ea950aa3eab043b9b38d8650f4a071d0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000535\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ea950aa3eab043b9b38d8650f4a071d0\u0022\u003ENICOLA WILLIS (National):\u003C/span\u003E I rise to speak in this, the third reading of the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill. I sat on the Education and Workforce Committee, which deliberated on this bill, and I want to thank all of the submitters who came before us to share their views on how the ACC scheme can be improved. Of course, ACC is a world-leading no-fault scheme which trades on the concept of fairness, whether New Zealanders have an accident at work, playing sport, in a vehicle, or at home. So it is appropriate that in this House we have agreement on both sides about making improvements to continue to keep this Act working well for the New Zealanders that it serves.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000536\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003EIn listening to the submissions to the select committee, it was clear that there were a number of issues that fell outside of the scope of this bill, and so amendment has not been made, but we did undertake to those submitters that we would ensure that their views would be listened to by the Minister in future and that there is, in fact, room for future amendments to the scheme beyond the scope of this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000537\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003EOf course, what this bill does is make largely sensible changes which had been identified through the National-led Government\u2019s time and were in the pipeline. There was a particular process that I want to commend to this House, that was used to find those improvements, and that was having a regulatory systems work programme overseen by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, which saw a number of small but important changes that could be made to keep regulatory duplication, gaps, errors, and inconsistencies out of the way of ensuring that the services intended to be provided are.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000538\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003ESo, in conclusion, these are changes that ensure fairness for those who are injured near retirement age and that streamline the complaints process to remove confusion. They are important changes, and National supports them. Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022 data-id=\u002200c450eefa3e459997cb9f0cda5cf41f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000539\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002200c450eefa3e459997cb9f0cda5cf41f\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE (Associate Minister for ACC):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Madam Assistant Speaker, and thank you for this opportunity to speak on this particular bill, the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill. Can I point out to the House, from the outset, the irony of many of the speeches from that side of the House, where those members on that side of the House stand there and proudly pat one of their colleagues on the back for this particular bill, yet in the same breath often discuss that the submissions weren\u2019t met in the scope of this bill and that perhaps more should have been done. So my advice to that side of the House is to look inside the camp before they actually start having a go, if you like, at this side of the House on what is, essentially, a good bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EIn particular, I hear a number of the speakers talk about the retrospective look at those who represent our country in and around the world. It\u2019s fantastic to hear this particular step is being made. I speak from a very particular point of view on this matter, given I\u2019m a \u201Cdiplobrat\u201D myself. My father was a foreign affairs diplomat, and in our time overseas, I wonder if in particular this part of the Act would have come into his psyche or into his thinking when\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000541\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022395bd122994a4e3cbff9b9049390935f\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: He would have been covered.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000542\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f577a0ee682d4e2c96dffd2d470f953c\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: He would have been covered, that\u2019s right. However\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000543\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e345e410abc3459b8e17644573fdc79a\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: It was accidentally repealed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000544\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002251ec251150bc499ba606e04ee2a97824\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s right. We were getting there, Mr Parker, but thank you for highlighting that. But, as a diplobrat myself, I think these are good moves to ensure that those who do represent our country\u2014and I know they do a great job overseas, and we want to make sure that they and their families are well looked after.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000545\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EThe other side of the House also talked about the review process\u2014section 402\u2014and I want to touch just briefly on that because what we are actually doing here is making a step in the right direction to ensure that the review process that\u2019s available to clients of ACC is actually far more robust so that there isn\u2019t confusion in this space.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000546\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EAs Associate Minister for ACC, one of my delegations is around the correspondence that is received by ACC, primarily from those clients who either feel that they haven\u2019t received what they\u2019re due or are disgruntled with the review process that they\u2019ve entered into to make sure that their claim is heard fairly. I think this particular part of the bill will make sure, as well as other pieces of work that are done outside of this legislation by ACC, that that review process is far more robust and will allow for a fairer hearing for those clients, who, from my experience with the correspondence that comes through to my office, often feel that they\u2019ve been let down by the system. So I think that\u2019s an important part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000547\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EOne of the other components of the bill is\u2014and the member Jo Luxton mentioned it\u2014around when the family earner, the primary wage earner in the family, should pass away and there are discrepancies between superannuation and what they might receive as compensation through the ACC scheme. It\u2019s important that we clear that up. I recall that as this bill was going through the House, there were some questions about why the Government was prolonging the process of this particular bill when there seemed to be agreement right across the House, but it was important to make sure that when matters of eligibility are always in question\u2014and that\u2019s what this particular part of the bill sets out to do: to clear up matters of entitlement, which are really important because the majority of the issues that come through to my office with regard to ACC are all about entitlement. If we can clear up some of that with those who receive superannuation and are also eligible for ACC payments, I think that\u2019s a fantastic way forward.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000548\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EOthers in the House have already mentioned how some of the other changes are more minor and technical, but I do want to touch on a point before I conclude, and that is that this Government will be looking towards that side of the House at a future date when we consider some perhaps more substantive changes to the bill. We need a bill that is fit for purpose. We need a bill that shifts and is more fluid with the style of work and the future of work that our country looks forward to to make sure that those workers who do a great job for our economy and in their jobs actually feel covered and feel that they have a piece of legislation and a scheme that serves them well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000549\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003ESo I look forward to the support of the other side of the House. They\u2019ve already mentioned that they have been with us on this particular journey, and we look forward to that into the future. This is a good bill. Congratulations to the Minister, and I look forward to its royal ascension.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000550\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\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=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000551\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002221686cedbe474c4cb2295803d2482a0b\u0022\u003EHealth Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000552\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b31b0f389a524377be544ef31a0e10e2\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022 data-id=\u0022504d0d2fccaf43cebf5047fdca56b1a4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000553\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022504d0d2fccaf43cebf5047fdca56b1a4\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill be now read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000554\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EI wish to start by thanking members across the House for their support for this important legislation, which will amend and update the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. Colleagues from across the House have expressed their support at the first and second readings, and it is appreciated. It\u2019s an example of the Parliament working collectively on what might not be a particularly controversial piece of legislation but is actually an incredibly important piece of legislation for public safety and for public confidence in the services that our health practitioners present.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000555\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EThis bill implements recommendations arising from two reviews of the Act. The first was in 2007, and it looked at whether the Act was really operating as it was intended and whether it needed clarifying in terms of how it operated, and a number of legislative amendments were put forward. That first review, in 2007, was followed in 2012 by a more strategic review of the Act, which examined whether the underlying policy settings remained appropriate. A number of recommendations arose from that second review, which included: providing tangible evidence of responsible authorities\u2019 performance, better visibility of decisions about practitioner practice, greater recognition of the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and cooperation, and better workforce information. It\u2019s those two reviews which form the substance of the bill that is before the House. It also includes recommendations proposed by the Health Committee following consultation with the public as part of a select committee process that went from May to September last year.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000556\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EThe key provisions in the bill, though, largely remain the same as before they went to the Health Committee for consideration in September. It introduces performance reviews for responsible authorities, and these reviews will mean that the public will know if a responsible authority is carrying out its functions as intended by the Act. The introduction of five-yearly performance reviews means that there is a greater assurance that those functions are being carried out. It\u2019s part of building public confidence in the Act and in its operations and in the professions that are regulated by it. It will ensure that those respective professions are upholding public safety, as they are expected to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000557\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EChanges to the bill mean that we will have better information provided to people who\u2019ve asked responsible authorities to make investigations into decisions about professional competence or conduct. Currently, there\u2019s very limited information available to the public when an investigation is conducted, and, again, this will ensure that there\u2019s public confidence in the system. It also is true that the bill clarifies that the responsible authorities can receive and act on information from members of the public. So it\u2019s a much more, I guess, modern way of doing things and is all aimed at making sure that there is confidence in the Act and that it operates in a modern way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000558\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EResponsible authorities will be required also to promote and facilitate collaboration and cooperation between different professions, and there\u2019s plenty of evidence that shows that that is important for health outcomes. In fact, and indeed, many of the complaints that the Health and Disability Commissioner receives are about poor communication between different professions or a lack of teamwork\u2014essentially, where different professions are not cooperating. So the bill contains provisions that emphasise the importance of a cohesive team approach across the health and disability system and in order to achieve those public safety benefits that we know come from that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000559\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EAnother important thing that\u2019s in there that was in the original bill is the supply of, and collection of, workforce data on health professionals to enable better forecasting and to make sure that we have the right professionals with the right skills in the areas where they are needed. It gives responsible authorities a legal mandate to collect that data, and that includes things like their date of birth, place of employment, and so on. Equally, the bill is clear that that information will be anonymised anywhere that it\u2019s published; it\u2019s not there to identify individual practitioners but to understand workforce trends so that better forecasting can be done in terms of future health system needs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000560\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EI\u2019d also like to highlight one of the other proposed amendments that was made after the bill was considered by the Health Committee, and that is that the bill will ensure the Act allows responsible authorities as regulators to act immediately to suspend a practitioner\u2019s practising certificate in instances where there is a risk of serious harm to the public pending a prosecution or investigation. This change will help ensure increased public safety where practitioners may pose serious harm to patients. There has been a lot of backwards-ing and forwards-ing with the different regulated professions\u2014if you\u2019ll excuse my England\u2014in order to reach a point where those who are regulated are comfortable that we have the right regulation in place to make sure that we can ensure that public safety is protected whilst also trying to preserve the natural justice of those who have been complained against.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000561\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EThe bill also moves us into the electronic age. All of the responsible authorities submitted that electronic communications should be allowed in the Act. This is, in one sense, hygiene, but it is important and it means that annual practising certificates can be sent electronically and notices can be served electronically, and it will improve, ultimately, the efficiency of the operations of these regulators. Indeed, that\u2019s one of the overarching purposes: to show that the efficiency and effectiveness of these regulators is being monitored and is suitable. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000562\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EResponsible authorities will also have specific power to revoke the accreditation of an education institution\u2019s qualification if necessary. That\u2019s another change that has been made. The bill also includes cultural competence provisions, with specific mention of cultural competencies that will enable effective and respective interaction with M\u0101ori. Again, there was much submission on this, I understand, at the select committee. Others will, no doubt, speak on this during their turn in this Parliament, but it is anticipated that having an explicit mention of M\u0101ori will contribute, in part, to increasing M\u0101ori health disparities. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000563\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228345f3de0ff549c1b8366708ce2cea23\u0022\u003EHon Peeni Henare\u003C/span\u003E: Good work, Minister. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000564\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ac94943bf7cd4972b2dbeb43eb643524\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: The bill includes a discretion\u2014thank you, colleagues\u2014for responsible authorities to refer health practitioners convicted of certain offences, such as drink driving, for treatment or counselling rather than simply referring them to a professional conduct committee. Again, that seems a sensible and modern way of handling things. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000565\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003ESo, in conclusion, the Act does already provide a sound framework for protecting the public but this bill updates it. It improves public safety by fine-tuning aspects of the Act, allowing more efficient operation and making sure that it achieves its purpose and is seen to achieve its purpose through those additional transparency measures that have been introduced. The public should have great confidence in the professions that serve them, and this is one way of ensuring not only that they are operating effectively but that that can be transparently seen. So it is my pleasure to commend this bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022 data-id=\u002215847bfd18b24c4880adb33019e38db1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000566\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002215847bfd18b24c4880adb33019e38db1\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS (National\u2014Northcote):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s a pleasure to rise and speak in the third reading of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill. I do want to start out by acknowledging the Hon Dr David Clark for his contribution and for bringing this bill to the House. I would also like to acknowledge the chair of the Health Committee, Louisa Wall, for her contribution, but also the contributions over a number of years, because, as we know, this has been a bill that has had cross-parliamentary input. I certainly want to acknowledge previous National Governments for the work that they did in the reviews that were undertaken, both in 2009 and then again in 2012, that have led to some of the key recommendations that have been implemented into this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000567\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EAs the Hon David Clark mentioned, this is an important bill. It does tidy up a whole range of regulatory inconsistencies, but it is an important bill to provide the public with assurance and confidence in their healthcare practitioners, and to make sure these practitioners are fit and competent to practise their professions. So that is, essentially, the purpose of the bill. It is a procedural bill. It makes a range of 14 provisions to tidy up the Act and make sure that the definitions are clear. If there are concerns with practitioners, there is now a process in place by which those concerns can be raised with the regulatory body and the appropriate discipline can be sought\u2014but also the collaboration, the cooperation, and the delivery of these mechanisms as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000568\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003ESo just to go back in time in terms of the reviews that were conducted, probably the most significant review that was conducted was in 2012. The key recommendations that came out of that were around the responsible authorities\u2019 performance, better visibility of the decisions around practitioners\u2019 practice, but also around the better workforce information. That was really key in terms of providing us with the framework by which this bill has come to the House today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000569\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EAs the Minister outlined, this is really about improving the efficiency and the effectiveness of the healthcare practitioners in the way they go about their business, and ensuring that there\u2019s a process by which discipline can be brought on healthcare practitioners that are not living up to the standard of their profession. That could be in terms of a suspension but it also could be in terms of just a performance review as well. There is now in place a process to examine healthcare practitioners, and that is certainly very handy and very important to make sure that the public has full confidence in the people that are coming to them as registered healthcare practitioners, because that is of the utmost importance for our healthcare system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EThere were a number of select committees\u2014we won\u2019t go through them in detail\u2014but the Health Committee, of course, looked at 49 submissions and no substantial changes were made from that. So it is worth that I take the time to just acknowledge everybody who has contributed to this bill in terms of the select committee, the Minister, but also previous National Governments as well, and every official out there who has contributed to making sure that we\u2019ve got the most efficient and effective system for healthcare practitioners. This will make sure that we\u2019ve got confidence in the system but also that there are processes in place whereby we can hold healthcare practitioners to account but also make sure that we uncover any inconsistencies or any poor performance in their work. So it\u2019s my pleasure, in the third reading, to commend this bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022 data-id=\u00224aec3e32e5d3498194bcbbe7e65c74db\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000571\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224aec3e32e5d3498194bcbbe7e65c74db\u0022\u003ELOUISA WALL (Labour\u2014Manurewa):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe e Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou katoa. It is my absolute pleasure to speak on this, the third reading of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill. I want to take the opportunity to congratulate the Minister and his officials, because we actually worked incredibly diligently as a select committee, but I too want to acknowledge all the work that was done before the bill was actually presented to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000572\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003EIt was presented to the House under three areas: one was to improve the operation of the Act, the second was to protect public safety in an ever-increasing and changing health environment, and it was also to support the development of New Zealand\u2019s health workforce now and in the future. I particularly want to focus on the 2012 review\u2014so there was a review in 2007 and then again in 2012\u2014and we refer to extensive consultation, but I actually just want to briefly outline what that was.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000573\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003EThey actually received 145 public submissions\u2014and this is the Ministry of Health\u2014to a document entitled 2012 Review of the Health Practitioners Confidence Assurance Act 2003. I want to highlight that number because it saw 16 of the responsible authorities participate; it saw 34 professional associations, 28 educators of health professionals, and 35 groups of individual health professionals. That gave rise to the piece of legislation that came before this Parliament that we all supported at the first reading. Then what happened in the Health Committee is we did receive 49 submissions and heard from 23 oral submitters and, in fact, we made substantive changes, even then, to the piece of legislation that is before us tonight.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000574\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003EI just want to highlight some of those. So it was, in fact, the select committee that recommended the following amendments: revoking the accreditation of an educational institution; electronic communications; options for dealing with practitioners who have been found guilty of an offence; temporary suspension of practising certificates; professional conduct committee placing conditions on a practitioner\u2019s scope of practice; costs of Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal; wider consultation before recommending that authorities amalgamate; registration to continue when authorities amalgamate; cultural competence issues\u2014that the Minister has just spoken about; performance reviews, and ability to consult on the terms of reference, and annual reports to include information from performance reviews; workforce data should include gender and ethnicity; removal or suspension from an overseas register; orders of an authority; and date when orders can take effect.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000575\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s a huge amount of work that the select committee did. The reason I wanted to read it out was because we worked really, really hard across the House, and I do want to take the opportunity to thank my colleagues on the Health Committee. We work on issues of this importance in the best interest of New Zealanders. So the impression that we don\u2019t work like that\u2014I think this bill is testament to the fact that the work that select committees do, the importance of New Zealanders making submissions, contributing to the select committee process. I actually think this bill is a case study of the impact that those submissions can have on pieces of legislation. So I want to thank all of those involved as health practitioners in New Zealand because, for all intents and purposes, they could have rested on their laurels after the second review, but they didn\u2019t. They fronted up and they were engaged, and I hope that they have found the process satisfying and that what we\u2019ve come up with as a Parliament is something that they too are proud of, because I certainly am.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000576\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003EJust to remind all of us that the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act primarily does two things. It ensures health practitioners are competent and fit to practise their professions, and I think one of the things I have emphasised previously is that it\u2019s not just about the health practitioners; it\u2019s also about those professional organisations, the responsible authorities, the professional associations. What this bill does is make sure that they are culturally competent too. We\u2019ve seen an expansion of this theory of cultural competence from an individual to an actual sector in our society.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000577\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003ESo what we\u2019re hoping, through this piece of legislation, is that we have a fit for purpose, culturally competent health practitioner network that is willing and able to meet the needs of New Zealanders. How do we think they best do that? By reflecting the people that they serve. I think this will provide, and this Act eventually, an opportunity for our health sector to be fit for purpose, to meet the demands of this changing environment that actually has changed and is changing because of the composition of New Zealand in terms of our demography.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000578\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003ESo I just want to conclude by again highlighting the officials who worked on this piece of legislation. They were amazing, and if they can take this as an endorsement of their work, and certainly if the Minister of Health can take that as an endorsement of those who worked on this bill within the Ministry of Health, then I\u2019m happy for that to be so. 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=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022 data-id=\u0022db325b48137c45db830914364538791a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000579\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022db325b48137c45db830914364538791a\u0022\u003EDr SHANE RETI (National\u2014Whangarei):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. It\u2019s a pleasure to take a short call to progress this bill through its third and final reading. It has been quite a long course for this bill, if we reflect back on the two reviews, 2009 and 2012, that give substance to what this bill is about. And if we look at the departmental disclosure statement, it\u2019s very clear that the purpose of this bill is to protect the health and safety of members of the public by providing for mechanisms to ensure that health practitioners are fit to practise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000580\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EAs was commented on, we had 49 submissions, and what was satisfying was that it was across a whole range of service providers: 16 of the responsible authorities, 10 medical professional bodies, 17 other professional groups, two individual practitioners, two interested organisations, and some Government agencies. And, as the chair has noted, the bill was improved by those submissions. I\u2019ll come back to one in particular, but if we look at a high level as to what this bill does, or the actors that it operates on, it operates on four main groups. As a consequence of this bill, amongst other things, patients are able to inform responsible authorities of their concerns for a health practitioner. Previously only a health practitioner, employers, or the Health and Disability Commissioner were able to refer people to the responsible authority. This is quite a substantial change. This is a good thing. Providers also are improved or their work is facilitated under this bill by prohibiting the publication of their names, pending hearing charges, and that\u2019s at the discretion of the chairperson. What we found out was that sometimes because the tribunal had to meet to make that provision, which seems eminently sensible and safe, it had actually already gone into the public domain. So there\u2019s something in this for providers. Responsible authorities\u2014they\u2019re now reviewed every five years, and we also did some work on the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, on their funding mechanisms. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000581\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EI think one piece of submission, if you like, that maybe will need some future thinking and some future work\u2014and post the committee we\u2019ve continued to have submissions\u2014is in the area of tele health. The argument made to us during the select committee was that we should legislatively require those overseas individuals or organisations who, for example, view some of our X-rays or scans or whatever to be registered within a New Zealand responsible body. We looked at this quite hard. It was quite challenging to sort of futureproof the bill, and the ministry came back to us and said, fundamentally, that this shouldn\u2019t be legislative; that, contractually, district health boards (DHBs) and the ministry are able to meet the requirements that we think are safe. I think there\u2019s still some work to do with that, but what we were told was that the ministry\u2019s view is that this matter is better addressed through contracts for delivering services. The Ministry of Health can require in its contracts with DHBs and other health providers that services provided by health practitioners be registered with the relevant New Zealand authority or an appropriate authority. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000582\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003ESo there are mechanisms here whereby contractually rather than legislatively, which is the tool we have in front of us, we can require those people who are registered offshore\u2014maybe even sitting offshore\u2014to have some relationship with an approved New Zealand body. I think there\u2019s still some work to do on that, but we were satisfied with the explanation we had from officials that this was still safe, that it met the parameters and the scope of what we were looking to do with this bill, but I just put it out there that I think it\u2019s another piece of work that isn\u2019t quite resolved. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000583\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EThat aside, this is a long piece of work that comes to its conclusion tonight\u2014very good work by the officials. It\u2019s quite complex in a large number of sections that they worked on. And again, it was collaborative work by the Health Committee. So all that being said, it\u2019s my pleasure to assist and progress this bill through its third reading.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022 data-id=\u0022295e9cc291eb4386a471a912815076c5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000584\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022295e9cc291eb4386a471a912815076c5\u0022\u003EJENNY MARCROFT (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E E Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare, t\u0113n\u0101 koe. It\u2019s a pleasure to rise on behalf of New Zealand First in this final reading of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill. I\u2019d like to begin my contribution this evening\u2014I am a member of the Health Committee but, unfortunately, I only joined the committee after this bill had gone through the process of the select committee stage, so I missed out on hearing from all those that came and presented to the committee. So I would like to start off by acknowledging the work that was done inside the committee and the collaborative way that they have worked under the leadership of the chair, Louisa Wall, and deputy chair, Dr Shane Reti. It is an absolute pleasure to be part of that committee. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003ELooking at this bill now, in its third reading, and acknowledging that the Hon Dr David Clark talked originally about this bill being fit for purpose\u2014creating an Act that is fit for purpose and that is relevant to the modern day\u2014when I look at this bill what I think of first and foremost is in terms of \u201CWho does it affect?\u201D It affects New Zealanders. Ultimately, it\u2019s all about the trust that they place in the health sector, the trust that they place in their doctors and their medical practitioners, and ensuring that vital ingredient of trust between our public services and our fellow citizens who actually access that. This, in the health space, is highly important and trust and confidence that patients place in their heath professionals and how this bill impacts on them so that they can continue to have that trust, rather than just relying on Dr Google, as some people tend to do these days.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000586\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003ESo what I would like to acknowledge is the length of time that this bill has taken. There were two reviews\u2014we\u2019ve heard that mentioned already\u2014from 2007 through to 2009, and then again another review from 2012 to 2015. So it\u2019s been a long period of gestation to end up tonight finally at the third reading.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000587\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EThe Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 was ground-breaking legislation, and that has been acknowledged internationally as being significant for health professional regulation. What this amendment bill does tonight is it brings it up to date. It ensures that as we move forward, this legislation will take us, futureproofed, into the next number of years. There are a number of public expectations in terms of technology and the way that health services are delivered and will continue to be developed and changed, and there\u2019s nothing surer than that\u2014that change is inevitable, and health legislation needs to keep pace with all the changes coming at us left, right, and centre.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000588\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EA couple of the changes that were made through the Health Committee process by the committee\u2014and I\u2019ll talk to those briefly\u2014were about immediate suspension where there\u2019s a risk of harm to the public pending a prosecution or investigation of a health professional: that they can be suspended immediately. The electronic age, as I\u2019ve just mentioned\u2014making sure that this electronic age that we live in is appropriate, and that the health legislation actually reflects that as well so these organisations, these regulators, will actually be able to conduct their business electronically. That seems really obvious, and it is good to see that is in there. Also, too, the cultural competence that comes into play as well: ensuring that to enable effective and respectful interaction with M\u0101ori. That is a vital part of this: to ensure that we continue to address the M\u0101ori health disparities that we hear much about.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000589\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EIn conclusion, you know, we have this amazing thing\u2014we had the bill just prior to this one in the House, the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill that we\u2019ve just spoken to. We don\u2019t have all these tort lawyers clogging up our courts with litigation because of our no-fault basis ACC scheme. But one of those things that relate to that is we have that no-fault basis scheme, but, on the flip side, we\u2019ve got to make sure that, in practising health, practising medicine, actually, we have a competent professional who knows what they\u2019re doing and that there is accountability. This bill goes all the way in terms of ensuring that is the case for New Zealanders who engage in the health sector. So that\u2019s why New Zealand First strongly supports getting this legislation\u2014the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill\u2014passed into law this evening. T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Madam Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022 data-id=\u00220578c251889e448dbee9a8daab9c93f5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220578c251889e448dbee9a8daab9c93f5\u0022\u003EHon NICKY WAGNER (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Madam Assistant Speaker. National supports this bill at its third reading, and it\u2019s great to see it finally coming through the system, because it\u2019s been a long-time work in progress right back since 2009, and also it delivers on the review of 2012. Of course, this was all National Party work, so we absolutely support it. The bill\u2019s all about providing a mechanism to ensure that health practitioners are competent and fit to practise their professions. It\u2019s really essential that these mechanisms work well. It\u2019s essential so that the public not only have confidence in but they can trust their health practitioners, they can have confidence in their skills, in their abilities, in their practices\u2014what they need in terms of working with patients\u2014but also they can have confidence and trust that they will behave professionally at all times.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000591\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003ETo that end, I think one of the most significant changes in this bill is that it amends the provisions in the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act so that responsible authorities can receive complaints and information from members of the public: complaints about practice, perhaps conduct and competence. It\u2019s really important that that direct access is achieved, and it\u2019s been something that consumers have been demanding for a length of time. It\u2019s particularly important to family members. When something goes wrong and families feel the health practitioners have not acted competently, they feel very concerned that they haven\u2019t been able to voice their complaints, and this change will make a significant difference to that end. I think this new kind of responsiveness in the Act will improve the transparency of the process, but also the faith that the public can have in the quality and competence of their health practitioners.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000592\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003EI\u2019d just like to take a moment to acknowledge the commitment of health practitioners in New Zealand and also the quality of their work. I think this bill amends the Act so the mechanisms make New Zealanders feel absolutely confident and trustful of their health practice practitioners. If something goes wrong, there is a mechanism there that they can rely on that will give them a good result so they can be comfortable that they\u2019re going to be well looked after. So I commend this bill to the House. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022 data-id=\u00228aa5e7cc3db64116899b76fa8e7591de\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000593\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228aa5e7cc3db64116899b76fa8e7591de\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE (Minister of Conservation):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe e Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare. The Green Party is very pleased to support the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill. The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Act ensures that there are 16 responsible authorities, which provide oversight of the competence and safety of 23 health professions, including medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, pharmistry, dentistry, and midwifery. So, as other speakers have noted, this bill, in amending that principal Act, is ensuring that we have a very good health system and that those health professionals are competent and fit to practise their profession.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000594\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003ESo the bill\u2019s about clarifying the interpretation of the principal Act and improving its operation. It was interesting, just in terms of reading around the bill, the fact that in other jurisdictions, like the United Kingdom, there is more oversight of these responsible authorities than there is in New Zealand. So the changes that the bill is making are ensuring, as Minister Clark noted, that the public can have confidence in our health system, because some of the changes are about ensuring greater transparency, requiring those responsible authorities to ensure that there are provisions around the naming of practitioners who may be up in front of a disciplinary committee. As the Hon Nicky Wagner noted, the bill also enables people to make complaints directly; that also increases transparency. The bill provides requirements around where a medical practitioner has received a conviction. Then there are provisions that the responsible authority has to deal with that either by referral to a disciplinary tribunal or there are some other mechanisms by ordering that health professional to undertake medical examination or counselling for drug issues, suspending the practising certificate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000595\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s a requirement in the bill that the responsible authorities set standards of cultural competence, ensuring that our health system and practitioners respond to the diverse needs of all members of our community. There\u2019s a requirement, which my colleague the Hon Julie Anne Genter has commented on in previous readings, around ensuring that practitioners provide data to the responsible authorities, and that assists in workforce planning. If those sorts of provisions had been in the Act earlier, it may have assisted in preventing the shortages of practitioners in professions like midwifery, for example. So that is a very good initiative in enabling more workforce planning. As the Minister noted, the importance of having the different disciplines\u2014practitioners across the different health sectors, nursing, physiotherapy, and their like\u2014having these responsible authorities work together more. The bill promotes that as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000596\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003ESo it\u2019s about ensuring that the responsible authorities are looking outward to the public to ensure that the public is confident in those practitioners, rather than looking inward to the professions themselves. It is about ensuring that the legislation responds to changes in the different health professions, that the principal Act is amended in a timely way, and that the public can have confidence in all of those health professionals. So I commend the bill to the House. The Green Party\u2019s very pleased to support it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022 data-id=\u00225294bc2270524b1c85ba59d68f5fc386\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000597\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225294bc2270524b1c85ba59d68f5fc386\u0022\u003EJO HAYES (National):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe. It is a privilege to stand and take a call on the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill in its third reading. So many people to acknowledge in this bill\u2014first of all, my own party, the National Party, for the work that went on in 2009 with the Director-General of Health\u2019s review and also the strategic review of the Act in 2012. All the hard work in behind getting this bill to where it is tonight happened back then, and I\u2019m really pleased to acknowledge the Hon David Clark, Minister of Health, for bringing this bill to where we\u2019ve got it tonight, in its third reading. I want to acknowledge the Health Committee. Although I\u2019m not a member of the Health Committee, I want to acknowledge Louisa Wall and Shane Reti for their work in behind ensuring that we came to a great conclusion tonight, with all parties supporting the bill as it goes forward.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000598\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EThe Act provides mechanisms for ensuring that health practitioners are competent and are fit to practice their professions, and that\u2019s really key in this bill, because there have been, over the years, a number of, I suppose, consumers\u2014patients\u2014who have had a rough ride with some practitioners. I\u2019m pleased to see that clause 27(1) actually widens the opportunity for the public to be able to voice their\u2014if they have issues around health practitioner practice and competency. So I\u2019m really pleased to see that in this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000599\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EI was also delighted to hear tonight from the Minister around the cultural competency part in this bill and his words around ensuring that this bill is responsive to M\u0101ori health needs. I guess it\u2019s a great step forward in this bill that we see a section on cultural competency, and it\u2019s also a great start for addressing and reducing M\u0101ori health inequalities. I say it\u2019s a great start because there is a lot more to go on within the health sector around addressing M\u0101ori health, reducing M\u0101ori health inequalities. I guess also around announcing that within this bill was also the area around workforce development, supporting health practitioners through cultural competency workforce issues. So I guess around the area where there\u2019s collaboration, workforce development in this bill, I would like to be confident that cultural competency for health practitioners will be something that will be a strong focus in their workforce development.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000600\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EThere is so much in this bill. The committee, as I\u2019ve said, have done a wonderful job in bringing this bill to the House for its final reading, and as one of the speakers tonight on this side of the House, I too support and recommend and commend this bill to the House, supporting it all the way to Royal assent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022 data-id=\u0022930a8877ad974ced9022691ee8c37db2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000601\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022930a8877ad974ced9022691ee8c37db2\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: I understand this is a split call. Angie Warren-Clark\u2014five minutes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022 data-id=\u00229a6f66e40c004e44a0a73542623b0278\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000602\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229a6f66e40c004e44a0a73542623b0278\u0022\u003EANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. It\u2019s a pleasure to rise and take a short call on the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill. I\u2019d really like to acknowledge the Hon David Clark for bringing this bill. It\u2019s been many, many years that there\u2019s been review after review, and, actually, as this Government has done and the Hon David Clark has done, we\u2019ve brought this bill to the House and it has its final reading tonight.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000603\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EI would also like to acknowledge our chair, Louisa Wall, and indeed the entire Health Committee. We work in a really collaborative way, and this is an important bill. I\u2019d also like to acknowledge the number of changes that we have brought in this bill that the member Louisa Wall had outlined for us. I won\u2019t repeat that very large list, but a very good amount of changes and quite significant to the practitioner community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000604\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EThis bill, essentially, brings the principal Act, which is the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act of 2003, into the electronic age. It essentially enables the use of electronic addresses, it enables practising certificates to be issued online, and, you know, when there are thousands and thousands of these certificates, it\u2019s actually cost cutting and cost saving, and that\u2019s really important for our health practitioners.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000605\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EThe amendment also supports our consumer and patient confidence in the profession, so that if something does go wrong, besides the health and disability complaints process, there is this other mechanism which is available. The bill also outlines the process when there is a serious risk of harm to public safety\u2014that an immediate or temporary suspension is able to occur, and it\u2019s really important while these matters are being investigated, that they\u2019re very time limited and there is natural justice to be observed, because the person is, of course, not convicted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000606\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EThe other part that I particularly like is where a practitioner has been convicted of an offence\u2014that they have the option to attend counselling or therapy, etc. So that offers some compassion, the ability to manage maybe some relatively minor criminal offending, which ordinarily may have ended their career.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000607\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003ESo with that very small, very short contribution, I would just like to, finally, thank the officials for their hard work, and I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u002226207c5cb0c64d5b8616994891758308\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000608\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002226207c5cb0c64d5b8616994891758308\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: The Hon Tim Macindoe\u2014five minutes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022 data-id=\u00221cda35e5be9d45d88380786ab3c765b8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000609\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221cda35e5be9d45d88380786ab3c765b8\u0022\u003EHon TIM MACINDOE (National\u2014Hamilton West):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora, Mr Assistant Speaker, thank you. It\u2019s wonderful to see that peace and goodwill has broken out across the House this evening\u2014certainly making great progress.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000610\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b8fac99a25d74784a5cba0b40a25b463\u0022\u003ESimeon Brown\u003C/span\u003E: Always happens when Tim speaks.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000611\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f74352a64f274f4aa0047d56dded86f4\u0022\u003EHon TIM MACINDOE\u003C/span\u003E: Ha, ha! Let me congratulate Parliament\u2019s newest father, since he\u2019s taken a seat beside me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000612\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003ENew Zealanders generally have great confidence\u2014and with very good reason\u2014in our health system. I think that we are generally very well served and have every reason to feel grateful for the fine efforts of members of our medical profession. Unfortunately, however, as we all know, there\u2019s been the odd rotten egg in the system over the years who has otherwise dented that very impressive reputation for our medical profession. So while this bill is largely a procedural one, it is nevertheless an important measure in helping to ensure that health practitioners are competent and fit to practise their profession. None of us would want to be in a position where we knowingly went to see a doctor or were admitted to our hospitals or other aspects of the health system and weren\u2019t going to be treated with the highest skills of competency and professionalism.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000613\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003EPrevious speakers in this debate have outlined most of the bill\u2019s main components, so I\u2019ll just take a short call and focus on a couple. It is worth noting, if people have just tuned into this debate, that it is a bill that springs from two significant reviews, I think in 2009 and 2012, so it\u2019s evidence based and borne out of considerable research and experience. The bill amends provisions in the principal Act to clarify that responsible authorities can receive and act on information from members of the public about the practice, conduct, or competence of health practitioners. I think members of the public need to have that assurance that if they have a concern, there is a means for them to air that concern and for it to be taken seriously and acted upon, and I\u2019m pleased to see that that is here.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000614\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003EIt also amends provisions in the Act to improve the efficiency of processes, including allowing responsible authorities to delegate to a committee their power to appoint a professional conduct committee and giving responsible authorities discretion as to whether to refer notice of minor offences to a professional conduct committee. Again, that\u2019s a little bit wordy but, certainly, a significant and important requirement. Fine to give notice\u2014it amends provisions to allow a responsible authority to require a health practitioner to be examined by an appropriate health practitioner, other than a medical practitioner, which is already allowed, where the authority considers the health practitioner is unable to perform the functions required for his or her profession because of some mental or physical condition. Sadly, there are some who have previously been competent who, for various reasons, become less competent, and we need to ensure that there are mechanisms to pick that up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000615\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003ESo these are all sensible measures. I don\u2019t need to delay the House any further. I\u2019m glad to see this bill making progress and look forward to hearing that it is enacted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022 data-id=\u002262c25740172041d0abbbcf62b511142f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000616\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002262c25740172041d0abbbcf62b511142f\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR (Labour\u2014\u014Ch\u0101riu):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. I think the best way to describe this bill would be \u201CWho guards the guards?\u201D As the previous speaker, Tim Macindoe, pointed out, we generally have some faith in our medical system, but it\u2019s a system that has changed considerably over the years. Even I can remember house calls. I remember the local doctor being just that\u2014the local doctor, part of the family, someone that was very much the person you went to. You wouldn\u2019t really consider\u2014maybe the odd locum, but you had your own doctor.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000617\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003ENow, we go to medical practices, and probably we\u2019re pretty lucky if we get to see our own doctor. If we\u2019re prepared to wait, we may, but, generally, we\u2019ll be offered an alternative. It just means that we\u2019re in a system that\u2019s probably become more depersonalised, and as we do that, of course, at the same time there\u2019s all sorts of pressures from drug companies. Every night, our television is full of ads for something as diverse as Viagra, for heart remedies, for hair remedies\u2014all of which puts pressure on the medical profession. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000618\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s just one part of the medical profession, because, of course, this bill relates to 23 health professions which are regulated, which are overseen by 16 authorities, and this bill is about those 16 authorities who oversee those health professions which are regulated. It\u2019s very important that they are the guards and that they are the ones that we rely on, so that when we do go off to the doctor and, more importantly and more often probably, we are sending our dependants off to those doctors, someone is overseeing it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000619\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EOne part of it here deals with members of the medical profession who may get themselves in a little bit of an issue with the law\u2014even something like drink-driving. It just goes to the authority to make sure it\u2019s being dealt with, and if they are dealt with\u2014they are convicted of drink-driving, for example\u2014it\u2019s actually quite flexible because it also means that they can enter into some counselling or treatment. It doesn\u2019t necessarily have to go straight to the nuclear option. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000620\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003ESo, as I look through this bill, and as someone who will be\u2014probably, maybe sooner than most\u2014needing the medical authorities, I know that someone is overseeing it. Every five years, that body which does oversee it\u2014the health practitioners Act\u2014they will actually be being reviewed, and how important is that to make sure that the profession which we all rely on and that our families rely on is being overviewed and that the guards are being guarded. So I commend this bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221f651ff0-881f-4148-8631-0161f1c60f61\u0022 data-id=\u0022669a387133ca40598c08231e56092345\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000621\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221f651ff0-881f-4148-8631-0161f1c60f61\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022669a387133ca40598c08231e56092345\u0022\u003EHAMISH WALKER (National\u2014Clutha-Southland):\u003C/span\u003E The bill has been very well traversed here this evening in the House, so I don\u2019t want to go over too much detail, but I do want to start by acknowledging all the amazing health practitioners out there. I\u2019m lucky to have a few in my family. My three sisters are a nurse, a social worker in occupational therapy, and a parents carer and a GP, and I\u2019m actually fortunate enough to be married to a psychologist\u2014not for her, though. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000622\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221f651ff0-881f-4148-8631-0161f1c60f61\u0022\u003EI just want to acknowledge our health spokesperson, Michael Woodhouse, for the excellent work and contribution he\u2019s been making to our party as health spokesperson over the past year. I was just reading through the notes from the Health Committee. Mike Woodhouse has made a huge contribution in that area. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000623\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221f651ff0-881f-4148-8631-0161f1c60f61\u0022\u003EThis is, largely, a procedural bill which tidies up 14 provisions in the Act, which is otherwise working well, which is evidenced by the practitioners out there at the moment. Many of the amendments proposed in the bill arise from the two reviews of the Act. They were completed a few years ago, in 2012 and 2009. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000624\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221f651ff0-881f-4148-8631-0161f1c60f61\u0022\u003EOne of those I just want to touch on: clause 27(1), which would, basically, widen it so that any person can make a complaint and that that\u2019s followed through, not just by the Health and Disability Commissioner and the relevant authorities; clause 27(2), which inserts a provision specifying that one function of authorities is to promote and facilitate, basically, the delivery of health services; and also, lastly\u2014and in particular\u2014this bill amends those provisions to clarify that responsible authorities can receive and act on information from members of the public. I think this is a very important point, because often you\u2019ll have patients that go to see a doctor or a GP and often there\u2019s a huge imbalance of power, and some patients are a bit less likely to complain to the relevant authorities. I think this tidies it up, and for that reason, I commend the bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223c5917bd-9c2f-4bdf-af2f-b13cd1a2c8bb\u0022 data-id=\u002264a1be2037b4487e899a1060653268d5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223c5917bd-9c2f-4bdf-af2f-b13cd1a2c8bb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002264a1be2037b4487e899a1060653268d5\u0022\u003EDr LIZ CRAIG (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. It\u2019s a real pleasure to speak in the third and final reading of this bill. As we know, the original Act was passed in 2003, and what it aimed to do was to make sure that health practitioners are competent and fit to practise. The Act, as a number of people have talked about, covers a whole range of health professionals, including doctors\u2014so, the Medical Council, nursing and midwifery councils, the Dental Council, and Pharmacy Council. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223c5917bd-9c2f-4bdf-af2f-b13cd1a2c8bb\u0022\u003EThe Act has had a number of reviews, as people have mentioned. One was completed in 2009 and another in 2012. Those reviews, basically, found that the Act was pretty much functioning as intended, but what they did was they suggested just a number of improvements. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000627\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223c5917bd-9c2f-4bdf-af2f-b13cd1a2c8bb\u0022\u003ESo what I\u2019d like to touch on tonight are just a few of those that we\u2019ve looked at as the Health Committee. The first one is the five-yearly performance reviews. Up until now, it\u2019s been really difficult for people to assess how well the responsible authorities are actually carrying out their functions, and so what the bill does is it requires those responsible authorities to undergo independent performance reviews at least every five years, with the first ones starting within three years. What needs to happen is that the Ministry of Health needs to consult with the responsible authority and any other people that they think are relevant, then appoint an independent reviewer and also set the terms of reference, and then the reviewer gets on and does that independent review. But then they need to come back with a full written report, and in that report they need to outline any recommendations that need to be made. Part of this is about transparency, because once that report\u2019s given to the ministry and to the authority, then that authority needs to publish the report on their website. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000628\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223c5917bd-9c2f-4bdf-af2f-b13cd1a2c8bb\u0022\u003EWithin the select committee, there was some discussion about making sure that it wasn\u2019t just something that was done but then there was also due regard to implementation. So what the responsible authorities are required to then do is document any recommendations they propose to implement and also within what time frame, and also, if they\u2019re not going to implement some of those recommendations, then say why not. So that makes it much more transparent in terms of their performance and also where they\u2019re going with the recommendations. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000629\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223c5917bd-9c2f-4bdf-af2f-b13cd1a2c8bb\u0022\u003EOne of the other ones that people have touched on is broadening who can actually talk to or inform responsible authorities if they\u2019ve got a concern about a health practitioner. At the moment, health practitioners\u2019 employers or the Health and Disability Commissioner can inform a responsible authority, but what this does is it broadens it out so that anybody\u2014a member of the public or a patient\u2014can inform a responsible authority if they have concerns about that practitioner. So it makes it a much more straightforward process for doing so. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223c5917bd-9c2f-4bdf-af2f-b13cd1a2c8bb\u0022\u003EOne of the other ones is naming policies. So what the bill requires is that responsible authorities develop policies that outline what their decision making is around releasing the names of practitioners that they have reviewed in terms of their competence or fitness to practice. It\u2019s important that what they\u2019re doing there is balancing that need for, basically, the public interest\u2014so naming a practitioner if they have failed to meet expected standards\u2014against the rights of a practitioner to have privacy and natural justice, and getting that balance right. But there is greater transparency around that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000631\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223c5917bd-9c2f-4bdf-af2f-b13cd1a2c8bb\u0022\u003EThen, just finally, is better workforce data, because we all need to be able to look at where we are currently with our workforce to be able to be doing the planning for future projections. We\u2019ve got an ageing workforce in many areas and we need to make sure that we\u2019re one step ahead in terms of where we need to go over the next five- to 10-year horizon, and so what this bill does is it puts in requirements that responsible authorities provide better information to the Director-General of Health on the registered practitioners. So that\u2019s just things like name, date of birth, and then where they work and place of work. But also, as a select committee, we wanted extra information just on ethnicity and gender so that we could look at our workforce as a whole, and also in thinking in terms of culturally appropriate services and making sure that we\u2019ve got the workforce that we need. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000632\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223c5917bd-9c2f-4bdf-af2f-b13cd1a2c8bb\u0022\u003ESo, just summing up, what this bill does is it makes quite a number of significant improvements to the Act and, basically, makes it much easier and more efficient in terms of responsible authorities making sure that health practitioners are competent and fit to practise. Therefore, I commend the bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000633\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223c5917bd-9c2f-4bdf-af2f-b13cd1a2c8bb\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=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000634\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d36da917595d4ce794e3fece38674d88\u0022\u003ELocal Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000635\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c39ac5d8e0f645cbbbc7485746b0a023\u0022\u003ESecond Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022 data-id=\u0022bf1645317dba457aac1e6e377ae3ea04\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000636\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bf1645317dba457aac1e6e377ae3ea04\u0022\u003EHon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Local Government):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill be now read a second time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000637\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EBy amending the Local Government Act 2002, the bill represents a significant step change in the way central government thinks about local government. The bill aims to achieve three main objectives. The first is to restore the purpose of local government to promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities. These dimensions of community well-being need to be considered as a whole rather than separately, working together. Combined, they provide a mandate for the vital role of local government in supporting communities, wh\u0101nau, and individuals to fulfil their potential and be engaged in the well-being aspirations of the community. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000638\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe second is to restore territorial authorities\u2019 power to collect development contributions for any public amenities needed as a consequence of development and for reserves from non-residential development. The third is to make a technical change to the development contributions power. This clarifies the recoverable advances of financial assistance from the New Zealand Transport Agency do not prevent territorial authorities from collecting development contributions for the same projects. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000639\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EI want to thank the Governance and Administration Committee for its work considering the bill. The select committee was unable to reach agreement on whether to recommend that the bill be passed or whether to make any changes to the bill. Naturally, I\u2019m disappointed that this is the case. I will introduce a Supplementary Order Paper so necessary technical changes to the bill can be made at the committee of the whole House stage in the process. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000640\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EI\u2019d like to thank all submitters on the bill, especially the 34 submitters who made oral submissions to the select committee. The 131 submissions provided useful perspectives on the proposals. I was particularly pleased to see that the bill received a number of submissions from the local government sector and that these submitters generally supported the bill. Local authorities also expressed support for the detailed and helpful submissions made by Local Government New Zealand and the New Zealand Society of Local Government Managers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000641\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe bill will provide clear authority for local councils to shape their activities based on what their communities require and reinstate community well-being into the purpose of local government. Restoring the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities to the purpose of the Local Government Act reinstates the position that applied before the previous Government\u2019s amendments. This change restores the true purpose of local government\u2014the well-being of communities\u2014and, in fact, that\u2019s what councils get elected for. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000642\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe specific focus on functions and service delivery introduced by the previous Government doesn\u2019t accurately reflect the way local councils work or what they seek to achieve for their communities. So we\u2019re going to fix it. A high percentage of submitters supported the reinstatement of the four dimensions of community well-being to the purpose of local government. Two of the most common reasons for supporting this amendment were that it gives local councils the mandate to take a leadership role in fostering democracy at a local level and ensures better outcomes for communities. It is crucial that central government supports local government in fulfilling these roles. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000643\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe majority of local authorities who submitted on the bill support the expanded powers to collect development contributions. Local government submitters said that making all public amenities eligible for development contributions funding means that existing residents are no longer required to pay the full cost of community amenities for new residents. They said that successful and sustainable housing policy is not just about building houses and infrastructure but it\u2019s also about building communities, and I agree with those views. The expanded powers to collect development contributions reinstate the position that applied before the amendments made by the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2012. These changes are consistent with the overall aims of the bill and the wider objectives of the Government. This amendment will help councils by removing a barrier to growth. It will also enable councils to provide the services communities want and shape the liveable places communities need.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000644\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve taken note of the submissions made regarding the use of development contributions for community assets. Submitters noted that territorial authorities are increasingly providing community infrastructure partnership with third parties. They thought the law on development contributions funding should reflect this. I agree it is important to find innovative ways to provide community infrastructure. I\u2019ve asked officials to investigate this policy approach more fully.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000645\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EIn conclusion, community well-being is at the heart of what local authorities do. So it only makes sense for the legislation to recognise this important role. To work effectively all levels of government must listen to the needs of communities. This is the only way to ensure social cohesion, inclusion, and develop thriving and sustainable local communities. The bill is forward looking. The change to the purpose of local government addresses the dynamic nature of well-being so that local authorities can best serve their communities now and into the future. I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022 data-id=\u002216b99bd4fd53450d934b56b5776d22df\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000646\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002216b99bd4fd53450d934b56b5776d22df\u0022\u003EBRETT HUDSON (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. I rise in opposition to the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill. This bill, if it should pass, will undo some very good work undertaken by the previous Government to focus councils on better governance, more responsible financial management, and improved efficiency. In 2012, we undertook some local government reforms which focused councils on their core roles of providing local infrastructure, local public services, and local regulatory functions at the least cost to households and to businesses. These four well-beings reinstituted into that Act will undo that good work. It will permit councils to a much broader remit on what they choose to spend hard-working ratepayers\u2019 money on, with very diffuse sorts of justifications for why they might do that. Should this pass into law, there will inevitably be rates rises as councils feel validated and, indeed, empowered in untargeted spending. It will take away the discipline from Better Public Services and Better Local Government efficiencies. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000647\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EThe development contributions element is at least as bad, if not worse. It simply permits the council to target new-home buyers, first-home buyers, to pay a greater share of facilities, infrastructure, reserves that the council might have decided that they want in the area and which should be more appropriately levied across the broader ratepayer base. But, instead, it allows levies to be charged for such facilities and amenities, which isn\u2019t the case under law today. And what will happen\u2014will absolutely happen with those increased development contributions\u2014is they will be passed on to the homebuyer. And so if we have first-home buyers\u2014and there is at least general agreement across the House that we want greater supply of housing; we want housing to be more affordable for first-home buyers\u2014then then putting in legislation that will see an increase in developer contributions that will be passed on to those first-home buyers cannot possibly help them with housing affordability. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000648\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EOn top of that, the law\u2014the legislation\u2014would permit those same territorial authorities to levy businesses\u2019 development contributions for amenities that have got nothing to do with their businesses, their business purpose, and may not even be in the general or immediate vicinity of where those businesses are. It\u2019s simply a means for some greater taxation by stealth: putting in and enabling and empowering councils to, basically, get into the back pockets of New Zealand ratepayers, householders, and businesses. It isn\u2019t a good approach. It will undo the hard work we undertook to make sure that councils were appropriately focused on delivering the right sorts of services and infrastructure to ratepayers and businesses most effectively, and particularly cost-efficiently, for them. We oppose this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022 data-id=\u0022fe9a8d6c66734026bb5110fb575b11d1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000649\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fe9a8d6c66734026bb5110fb575b11d1\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector):\u003C/span\u003E Just when everybody thought peace reigned over the House this evening, and a number of bills were pushed through the House\u2014and I think excellent bills\u2014we come to yet another excellent bill, but, sad to say, the other side won\u2019t be supporting this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000650\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EAs the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, every community I\u2019ve been in to understands why this bill is needed. They understand that we can no longer look at simple fiscal bottom lines\u2014that as a community we must address the issues around the environment, around community well-being, around community connection, around a whole host of things that, sadly, can\u2019t be seen by the other side of the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000651\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EMany of the submitters, while some raised rather technical aspects of the bill\u2014and the Minister of Local Government, I feel, has covered that off quite well this evening, and no doubt more debate will be entered into as this bill proceeds through the House\u2014acknowledged that a focus on well-being more broadly speaking, not just by the central government but by local government, was much needed. In fact, many were saddened by the action taken by the last Government to remove the well-beings from this particular piece of legislation, and they felt that since those were removed in 2012, all that councils seemed to focus on were the three \u201CRs\u201D\u2014and I\u2019ve mentioned in the House what those are: roads, rates, and rubbish. Now, I don\u2019t know where roads, rates, and rubbish talk about community well-being, cultural connection, or environmental safety and well-being. I don\u2019t see any of that. Simply, roads, rates, and rubbish aren\u2019t good enough, and the community have spoken.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000652\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EWhat the member Brett Hudson failed to see in his contribution is that everybody is part of a community\u2014families, young people, old people, and, dear I say it, businesses too. The businesses I have spoken to are happy to contribute to make sure that the community that they operate in actually operate in a safe community, one that\u2019s connected\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223376046091124fbbb22cf783cbd91014\u0022\u003ESimeon Brown\u003C/span\u003E: Name three\u2014name three businesses.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000654\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223501bc073a4245bfbc96314f14293c3a\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: If that member could pull his focus away from his young child\u2014and I congratulate that member\u2014I can speak about many M\u0101ori businesses in T\u0101maki-makau-rau\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000655\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002253794dabbcfd4039ac6b1b3f1f159b18\u0022\u003ESimeon Brown\u003C/span\u003E: Name three.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000656\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b34622c7ee864c93af17866bd0ab4335\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014who are more than happy. Tipene funeral homes. Do you want me to carry on? That is one phenomenal\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000657\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022278dbe721da44e4697a65efa4cf28be1\u0022\u003ESimeon Brown\u003C/span\u003E: Yep; I said three.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000658\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002221d63d76b2404cc28bc6962fb70f8038\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014M\u0101ori business. Te Raukura Hauora O Tainui. Can I say another one? Wh\u0101nau O Waipareira, who I took the advantage of being with today to look at what well-being looks like in west Auckland. What is clear from all of those who are involved in the community is that well-being is an important aspect of that, and this bill enables them to do that. It enables not just local government but also community to be involved in what\u2019s important to them. I\u2019ve said it on many occasions, and some of the members might have heard this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000659\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EI visited Wairoa some time ago, and I was\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000660\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bd20812c6dd2429cbb7e80e2bc80450f\u0022\u003EHon Meka Whaitiri\u003C/span\u003E: Yay-ya!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000661\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221dffa615aa9f4e86a6d101463e704bdc\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: Wairoa\u2014good old staunch Wairoa. The member the Hon Meka Whaitiri will know the people in Wairoa well. The deputy mayor welcomed me and said, \u201CMinister, welcome to Wairoa, and don\u2019t bloody tell us what to do.\u201D Now, what that says in Wairoa-speak\u2014and correct me if I\u2019m wrong, the Hon Meka Whaitiri\u2014to me is \u201CLet communities make decisions that are good for that community.\u201D It\u2019s pretty simple, and that\u2019s lost on that side of the House. In fact, I\u2019m really disappointed\u2014I\u2019m really disappointed\u2014but not surprised that that is the position taken by that side of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000662\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003ESo what we\u2019re enabling the community to do with this type of a bill is make sure that local community have a say in what well-being is for them, because everything is important to local community. I know members on that side of the House who have actually been saddened by a decision by a local government to take away libraries and other resources in a community which, on this side of the House, we consider to be essential parts of that community. This bill will make sure that we reinstate that. So on this side of the House, we are happy to support local government and those communities within local government to actually make sure that they get what they need to thrive and be a community which is a beacon for well-being, and I commend the Minister for her work on this particular piece of legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000663\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EWe have no doubt that on the stump, at the end of the year, when local body politicians are standing up to look for the vote, they won\u2019t be talking about simply rubbish, roads, and rates. What they will be speaking to is the hearts and minds of the voters, and it won\u2019t be just about roads, rubbish, and rates; it will be about the kinds of amenities that that community wants to see in their community, and be it not the job of central government, or even a particular management far removed from that community, to tell them what\u2019s best for them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000664\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003ESo while that side of the House might jeer at what\u2019s being done on this side of the House, I\u2019m proud that in communities right across this country, we will see some positive action\u2014in particular, on the environment. That is one of the well-beings in this particular bill, and while that side might not care about the environment\u2014in fact, their environment policy is to kick the can down the road for another 20 to 30 years. What we\u2019re saying is that, actually, let\u2019s empower those communities at a local government level, at a community level, to make sure that the environment is far more sustainable and is more in tune with how that community lives and what that community wants.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000665\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EThe environment is important. This Government has made a clear stand on the environment, unlike the last Government, who kicked the can up the road for another 20 to 30 years. That\u2019s their fault, because now they\u2019re too shy to get on the bus on what is, essentially, a very good bill. I have no doubt that as this bill progresses through the House, the other side will soon see the light when they realise that not only did the New Zealand public vote for change in central government; there will be a big swing come the local government body elections towards the end of this year, one that will see good well-being, one that will see community speaking for community, and one that doesn\u2019t just focus on the three \u201CRs\u201D that have already been mentioned in my contribution.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000666\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EAs this bill progresses, there is a Supplementary Order Paper on the Table from the Minister to make sure that this bill, once again, is well received amongst the community, to make sure that community find their voice in local government. I commend this bill and the work done by the Minister to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226dc89bbf-c2ef-45c9-89e4-d2b5952d8d16\u0022 data-id=\u002208169d70619a47c4800479d698b9e3ec\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000667\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226dc89bbf-c2ef-45c9-89e4-d2b5952d8d16\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002208169d70619a47c4800479d698b9e3ec\u0022\u003EKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker, for the opportunity to stand in opposition to this bill. I would like to acknowledge the previous speaker, the Hon Peeni Henare. He is normally good on his speeches, but I am disappointed with his speech today and what he has said. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000668\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226dc89bbf-c2ef-45c9-89e4-d2b5952d8d16\u0022\u003EThis side\u2014the Opposition\u2014is in opposition because that coalition Government has been increasing the taxes time and again, and this bill is no different. It is going to increase the rates, it is going to increase the developers\u2019 contribution, and that is going to increase the prices for the houses for first-home buyers. That Government has been advocating for first-home buyers, but what we see in this bill is that the development contribution, which will be increased, will be definitely passed on through the sections, and the houses which will be built will be more expensive than what they are today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000669\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226dc89bbf-c2ef-45c9-89e4-d2b5952d8d16\u0022\u003EWhat we have seen in the past: this Government has been helping the councils to increase the rates and to increase the taxes. We saw a regional fuel tax implemented in Auckland, and that has been passed on to the consumers. It is pinching them. What we have seen in the past year: a $50 increase in the rents across the country. That is, again, pinching the back pockets of the people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000670\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226dc89bbf-c2ef-45c9-89e4-d2b5952d8d16\u0022\u003EThe previous speaker mentioned that he has talked to a lot of businesses. I would like to quote from some of the submissions made by the businesses to the Governance and Administration Committee. During the select committee process, we listened to 34 submitters out of 131 submissions, and what Business New Zealand said in their submission opposing this bill was that the bill should wait until the Productivity Commission submits their report, and the Government should wait for it. That is going to happen in November, and this bill, which was reported back last year in September, has been waiting for a second reading. They\u2019re talking about the well-being. They didn\u2019t talk about well-being for almost eight, nine months. Suddenly, they have woken up and are talking about it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000671\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226dc89bbf-c2ef-45c9-89e4-d2b5952d8d16\u0022\u003EWhat the Local Government Business Forum has said in opposition to this bill: again, they said the new mechanism is going to increase the rates of the section. They also said there is still a lot of unnecessary council activity and overexpenditure which needs to be addressed. We were hoping that this Government will be looking to those areas rather than passing on new taxes, new contributions, to the people. That is not what we want to do; that is why we are opposing this bill in the second reading.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022 data-id=\u00223a8a98f2f6984a518d84444bdb3f37d9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000672\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223a8a98f2f6984a518d84444bdb3f37d9\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK (Minister of Defence):\u003C/span\u003E Well, I have to say to my Cabinet colleague the Hon Nanaia Mahuta thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you on behalf of all of my Local Government New Zealand wh\u0101nau\u2014my former colleagues, the mayors that I worked with, and the councillors I worked with up and down the country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000673\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EI recall very, very clearly the reaction of Local Government New Zealand when the 2012 amendment bill went through, steered by the Hon Nick Smith. We who were in local government at the time remember very clearly the stigmatisation, the demonisation, the demeaning, and the belittling of local government politicians up and down the land as the Hon Nick Smith justified the removal of the four well-beings by telling everybody that local government was inefficient, was wasteful, was spendthrift, and didn\u2019t know how to manage their assets. The same man actually called 70 of us to a meeting in the Grand Hall to tell local government\u2014all the mayors and deputy mayors and CEOs\u2014what was going to happen, why it was going to happen, and that there was nothing we could do about it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000674\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EIt was interesting. I predicted at that meeting, about 15 minutes before it started, that he wouldn\u2019t be the Minister in two days\u2019 time. The Hon Fran Wilde, at the time chair of the Greater Wellington Regional Council, was astonished and asked me why. I said, \u201CWell, I just heard a speech as I came into town, given by the Rt Hon Winston Peters, where he highlighted some matters that Mr Smith had to face up to.\u201D And he was consequently removed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000675\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EWe thought, in local government, that was a jolly good thing because that Minister failed to comprehend in any shape or form whatsoever that from local government\u2019s perspective, the well-beings were fundamental to how one cared for one\u2019s community. Well, I mean: social well-being. Looking at the economic well-being\u2014we always thought that National, of all parties, would have understood that you needed to factor in the economic well-being into your annual plan, your long-term plan, and your ultra - long term plan. But, clearly, they disagreed. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EEnvironmental well-being\u2014focusing on the environmental well-being meant that as a mayor I could listen to my community, who said they no longer felt it appropriate that we continue to discharge waste water into the Mangatarere Stream. Councillor Jill Greathead, who formed the Mangatarere Restoration Society, was adamant that we needed to get out of that. Hap\u016B Hurunui o Rangi made it very clear to my council that we needed to come up with a plan that enabled us to stop discharging waste water into the Mangatarere Stream, in line with making sure we catered to the environmental well-being of our community. But oh, not Mr Smith. He said it wasn\u2019t important. Well, it was damn well important as far as we\u2019re concerned, and that\u2019s why we invested the money we invested into land-based systems. Getting out of the Mangatarere Stream became an environmental must for my council.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000677\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003ECatering for the social well-being does little things that focuses the mind of your council on ensuring, for example, oh, maybe something that central government should have been thinking about at the time, like that there are no homeless people and like that people aren\u2019t living in cars, Mr Simon Bridges. You focus on the well-being of your community in the same way central government should focus on the well-being of the nation. But these things\u2014this sort of proposition that economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being are of no significance\u2014comes from the minds of bean counters and pencil heads who know the price of everything and the value of nothing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000678\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EPeople who put big business profits\u2014Mr Kanwaljit Singh, how disappointing, raises the issue about how terrible it was that property developers had to pay a development contribution for the infrastructure they were going to tap into that had been built and paid for by previous ratepayers. Well, hell, where we came from we heard ad nauseam from Ruth Richardson in Canterbury that the market forces would meet the need. But, see, there\u2019s the irony. It\u2019s not right to have a development contribution, but it\u2019s perfectly fine to have a council-controlled organisation levy everybody with an infrastructure charge ranging from $7,000 to $27,000. Me thinks that there is a phrase that fits the description of that type of argument, but we\u2019re not allowed to use the word in this Parliament.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000679\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EThere are people all over the country right now who are deep-seated card-carrying members of the National Party who work selflessly in local government. They were overwhelming in their condemnation of the National Government of the time. In fact, the remit at Local Government New Zealand conference that year passed with an overwhelming majority to lobby central government to restore the well-beings back into the Local Government Act, and that is what this House is aiming to do. That is what the Hon Nanaia Mahuta has brought to the floor of the House, and New Zealand First supports it 150 percent. And let\u2019s look forward to the third reading of this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000680\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003ETo all of my whanaunga out there in Local Government New Zealand, you work hard and we appreciate what you do. Take satisfaction right now that this Government has listened to you and is doing exactly what you, Local Government New Zealand, asked us to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022 data-id=\u0022a7f1381dc87d42d4bab6dd4b6dd1e950\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000681\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a7f1381dc87d42d4bab6dd4b6dd1e950\u0022\u003EDr JIAN YANG (National):\u003C/span\u003E When we consider this bill, the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill, a key question we should ask is should we apply fiscal discipline to local governments\u2014should we apply fiscal discipline to local governments? We on this side of the House will say yes, and that is why we did local governmental reforms and amended the Local Government Act 2002 seven years ago. Our Better Local Government reforms achieved a lot. The reforms provided clarity around the role of councils, stronger governance, and improved efficiency and also more responsible financial management. That\u2019s what we achieved through our local governmental reforms seven years ago. We believe that ratepayers need to be assured that their council is spending their money wisely. This is their right, and for that reason local government needs to focus on services which matter to ratepayers, and they need to deliver high quality services to their ratepayers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000682\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003ELabour, however, has decided to reverse National\u2019s reforms and re-insert the four well-beings. An immediate consequence of this will be the rise of rates because councils will not be restrained in untargeted spending. So this is an immediate consequence\u2014and not only that; we will also see the rise of development levies, because development contributions will again be levied on developers for infrastructure such as museums, libraries, and swimming pools. So as a consequence of that, section prices will go up because developers will, of course, pass on their development contribution through section prices. And who will suffer? First home buyers\u2014first home buyers. So that will be a blow to the Labour-led Government\u2019s effort to provide affordable housing. So this is yet another poorly thought through Labour-led Government policy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000683\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003EWe urge the Minister to defer the bill. The Productivity Commission is conducting an inquiry, and we should wait until the inquiry is completed and the findings and recommendations are considered. Then we will see.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000684\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003EBusiness New Zealand share our view. They say in their submission the bill should not proceed at this stage, at least until the inquiry into the drivers of local government cost and its revenue base concludes. The inquiry could propose changes to the Local Government Act, including different funding options. So we do have people there asking the Minister, the Government, to defer this bill. However, the Labour-led Government will continue to push this to go through, so I oppose the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022 data-id=\u0022b02c9edca96e404fb4b1b80011780356\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000685\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b02c9edca96e404fb4b1b80011780356\u0022\u003ECHL\u00D6E SWARBRICK (Green):\u003C/span\u003E E Te M\u0101ngai, t\u0113n\u0101 koe. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou e Te Whare. You\u2019d think, listening to the National Party, and, indeed, listening to that last speaker, Jian Yang, who asked the question \u201CShould we apply fiscal discipline to local government?\u201D, that we were somehow stripping away any sense of responsibility, economically or fiscally, from local government. That is not what is contained in this bill at all. If the Opposition were to take the time to read through this relatively small piece of legislation\u2014it\u2019s pretty quick to read through\u2014you would find that the purpose of local government is being reinstated as, and I quote, \u201Cto promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities\u201D. That is absolutely the opposite of taking away fiscal responsibility. It is there, clear as daylight. Instead, what we\u2019re saying is that we want to ensure that the framework which local government is operating in is autonomous and that they have the responsibility and the ability, actually, to implement decisions that affect their local community that are not prescribed by central government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000686\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003EWho do we in this House think that we are? It is a core fundamental principle of this Parliament, of parliamentary supremacy, that parliaments cannot bind future parliaments. So who do we think we are if we as a Parliament can bind local governments\u2019 hands and say that they cannot address the needs of their local communities? Who do we think we are? We are not so constrained. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000687\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003EI\u2019d also like to address the fact, which has been raised by a number of speakers so far, about fiscal responsibility, because what we\u2019ve seen over the past few decades is that the mandate of local government has crept. They have had the finger pointed at them a lot and been told that they have to do more with less. Their responsibility, their mandate, has crept, but the coffers have not grown. Local governments are relying on rates and relying on things like dog licensing fees to pay for the services that their citizens expect. To benchmark this against international examples, it\u2019s the case that in New Zealand, local governments get about 11 percent of Government spending. They get discretion over about 11 percent of Government spending. Internationally, it\u2019s 30 percent. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000688\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003ESo the point that I\u2019d really like to drive home tonight to both members of Parliament and those members of the public who may be tuned in to Parliament TV and enjoying themselves, I do hope, with this lively debate is it is time for local government elections in October of this year, and that accountability, fiscal or otherwise, that the Opposition is talking about will be brought to bear through the magic that is democracy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000689\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003EThe Greens proudly stand in support of this piece of legislation and would like to commend the Minister in charge, Nanaia Mahuta, because this is an incredible step in the right direction towards recognising that the well-being of our communities, the mental health of our people, is seen and reflected in far more than the books. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u002225562ebb121d4a59a015ab1512ba5865\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000690\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002225562ebb121d4a59a015ab1512ba5865\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. I listened to that last speech with interest. I would very much like to invite the previous speaker, Chl\u00F6e Swarbrick, to the Rangit\u012Bkei to tell my seven councils and my dog owners that their money is being spent on roads and social enterprise. I think the dog owners would give her a fair old flea in the ear and they\u2019d give those mayors and councils a fair old flea in the ear, too, so I don\u2019t think that\u2019ll work. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000691\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EBut, anyway, I wanted to just go back to where the Minister was when she started, because she claimed this bill alters the way central government thinks about local government, and I think to some extent it will do in the future. But I want to take us back a few years, because I think this bill has its origins in 2002, in fact. If you think about 2002, we brought the well-beings into local government at a time when, frankly, the Government wasn\u2019t supplying the well-being and the services it should have done around local government. You\u2019d have to wonder whether that\u2019s not going to be repeated in 2019. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000692\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EThe other thing I want to talk about is development contributions. They were brought in the same piece of legislation, and I was a very part-time part of local government at the time. I had a little bit to do with the implementation of this, and it was a very confused process, the implementation of the development contribution regime. The reason it was confused was because there was no development happening, and anyone who was in property or in development at that time will realise that bulldozers were parked up for many years. Of course, when you bring a development contribution in, you\u2019ve got to calculate the future cost to get it to fruition, and when you\u2019ve got no development happening, it\u2019s almost impossible to calculate the future cost of developing something in advance of a development that might not happen. So there were a lot of problems with the development contribution regime in its early days, and I think there will be problems with it again, because it very much looks like we could be entering another phase where we end up with very little development taking place. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000693\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003ESo whilst I think development contributions have their place, it is a very difficult system to implement. It\u2019s difficult because you can\u2019t anticipate what\u2019s going to happen in the future. So I think that, whilst these things have a place in local government when all goes well, they are difficult to implement at times. The reason that we are not necessarily in favour, or are not in favour, of these measures being implemented is that they are very difficult to control and to get a measure on, particularly the development contribution regime. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000694\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EI just want to go back to the cultural well-being or the well-beings, because, when well-beings were brought in in 2002, they were viewed with huge suspicion by local government. They were then, gradually, over the years, picked up, and I think probably had a time when they worked pretty well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000695\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EThe problem was that local government was in a regime where they\u2019d spent 10 or 15 years picking up on a generation of lack of investment in infrastructure, basically. That\u2019s what\u2019s caused a large part of the increased costs of local government in recent years: spending money that was never spent in the days of my parents\u2019 generation\u2014because they lived through a time of zero and 1 and 2 percent rate increases for 40-odd years. They didn\u2019t need to spend on infrastructure; we now need to spend on infrastructure.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000696\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003ESo it\u2019s going to be very interesting to see what happens as a result of this bill, but we certainly haven\u2019t seen our way clear to support it. Thanks, Mr Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u0022094ffa60aae44781878f32edfe354cfe\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000697\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022094ffa60aae44781878f32edfe354cfe\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: This is a split call\u2014five minutes. I call Jamie Strange.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022 data-id=\u0022a49deeca8ced4ffc9804d70c7bcb7aab\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000698\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a49deeca8ced4ffc9804d70c7bcb7aab\u0022\u003EJAMIE STRANGE (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Mr Assistant Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to take a call on the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill in the second reading. I\u2019d like to acknowledge the Governance and Administration Committee, of which I\u2019m a member, and the chair, Brett Hudson, for the excellent work that he\u2019s done around this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000699\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EThis bill has one main objective: to promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities. We\u2019ve heard from other speakers tonight that these are commonly called the four well-beings\u2014social, economic, environmental, and cultural.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000700\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003ENow, when this coalition Government was formed, councils across the country breathed a sigh of relief. The reason they breathed a sigh of relief was because they knew they would have a Government who would listen to them, who would engage with them rather than sort of lord it over them. Councils are, broadly, very supportive of this bill because they support the four well-beings coming back.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000701\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s just have a look at some of the submissions. There were about 140 submissions. One of them came from Age Concern Tauranga\u2014that Labour Party stronghold of Tauranga. \u201CAge Concern Tauranga considers that the restoration of the purpose of promoting community well-being to the local government act is an important step forward in ensuring better outcomes for New Zealand\u2019s communities.\u201D The key word here is \u201Ccommunity\u201D. The key word is \u201Ccommunity\u201D because when we have strong communities\u2014strong healthy communities\u2014we have a strong nation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000702\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003ESo let\u2019s have a look at these four aspects. The first one is social. So we\u2019re talking about things like playgrounds, pools, parks, and reserves. We\u2019re talking about places where people come together to congregate, to build community. Have a look at the economic aspect. The greatest strength of our economy is to have strong, healthy families and strong, healthy communities, because then people can be productive. Without that base, there is no productivity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000703\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EThe environment: we have one planet. We\u2019ve been listening recently to some students who have been protesting about climate change, and we\u2019ve been listening carefully to them. Because we do have just one planet, it\u2019s important that we look after the environment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000704\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EThe next one is around culture. I\u2019d like to pick up on a submission from Creative New Zealand. This is what they said: \u201Cwe see the Bill as having a significant effect on how territorial authorities choose to support arts and culture in their areas.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000705\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EI\u2019d just like to mention my home town of Hamilton, where there is a lot of public art\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000706\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022000e08aad17d4e1ea8116505890c2f07\u0022\u003EHon Ruth Dyson\u003C/span\u003E: Isn\u2019t that a favourite tourist place or something?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000707\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f2780721dc944b7eb03ef0ff3d426666\u0022\u003EJAMIE STRANGE\u003C/span\u003E: I think it would be remiss of me to not add in here that Hamilton recently received an award for the most-visited city or town in New Zealand over the summer months. Unfortunately, I think the secret is out\u2014the long-held secret is out that Hamilton is a wonderful place to live and visit, as we know. So there\u2019s a lot of public art in the city, and people congregate around that. It creates meeting places, it creates community, and Creative New Zealand support this bill for that reason. South Waikato District Council also talk about the four well-beings and the importance of the four well-beings.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000708\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll just close on this final submission here from Economic Development New Zealand. They say, \u201Cour members are overwhelmingly supportive of the reinstatement of the 4 well-beings in the [Local Government] Act 2002.\u201D This is Economic Development New Zealand, because they understand that you can\u2019t separate economic productivity from well-being; they\u2019re connected, they\u2019re joined. \u201CMembers view the 4 well beings as [being] inseparable and encourage an alignment of effort and strategy at an organisational level, both horizontally and vertically.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000709\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EI\u2019d like to acknowledge the excellent work that Minister the Hon Nanaia Mahuta\u2019s done in the field, in bringing this bill to the House, and support it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u00229d38f8e979e74ffc87d0da0cc8739ac9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229d38f8e979e74ffc87d0da0cc8739ac9\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: I call Dan Bidois\u2014five minutes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022 data-id=\u00223bf9b8c975da4dff8627da9b9b91f444\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000711\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223bf9b8c975da4dff8627da9b9b91f444\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS (National\u2014Northcote):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s a pleasure to rise in opposition to the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill. I want to just touch on what the previous speaker, Jamie Strange, talked about before when he said that councils support this bill. I want to say to that speaker: of course they would support the bill. They support the bill because it gives them less accountability for delivering what they\u2019ve promised to do. They support this bill just like a student who is having exams and doesn\u2019t want another exam would support that move, because of course you\u2019d rather have less accountability than more. So my issues with this bill are around holding councils accountable\u2014holding councils accountable\u2014for their fiscal discipline and the promises that they\u2019ve made, particularly the elected members, for delivering on services in their constituencies.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000712\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EI want to go back to what is the function of councils. Of course, they are charged with levying rates and then, on the other side of the equation, providing services. I think the core function of councils is pretty clear in terms of governance but also service delivery and providing a regulatory function. The results are pretty clear from this bill, in my eyes: we will see more rate rises because there will be less accountability that results from this bill. I can go into, in my own electorate, misspending of council money on pet projects that can easily be classed as a cultural or a social benefit but that have not delivered any real tangible benefit to the public, and that is why I do not support this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000713\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003ELet us get to the real issues in my electorate of Northcote in terms of well-being and what affects well-being for the people of Northcote: they\u2019re issues around transportation. When you are spending an extra hour in your car, that\u2019s an hour less that you\u2019re spending with your family or less on productivity. So it goes without saying. The other is housing infrastructure. We have a huge amount of intensification going on in Auckland. What we need is a council that is going to deliver on the surrounding services around these housing developments, and we\u2019re not seeing that in terms of this council\u2014Auckland Council in particular.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000714\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003ELast is around water quality, which I know is a big issue in the area of Auckland but also around the country. We really need councils to deliver on their improvement in that, and it\u2019s all very well to include the environmental indicators, but what we need is to make sure that they\u2019re doing the investments, that they are actually making the investments in the resource allocation requirements that are necessary in order for our waterways and our beaches to remain clean.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000715\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003ESo that\u2019s what affects well-being in my electorate of Northcote: congestion, water quality, and housing infrastructure. And I\u2019ll tell you what: you\u2019re not going to get many people in Northcote who will say that council is doing a good job on any of these matters. So they really need to focus on core business, and that, really, is about levying the rates that are required but delivering as much as possible with the rates that they can, and delivering as much value as they can with this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000716\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EI do want to concur with my colleagues on this side of the House that I do think that this bill should be deferred. This Government is all about working groups, so why not wait for the productivity working group to come out with their report at the end of this year on local government regulation? Let\u2019s see what they provide as advice, because the taxpayers are paying these people to do research, and I think that that is the best course of action in this circumstance. So it is my pleasure to oppose this bill, and I urge the Government to consider deferring this bill to a later date.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022 data-id=\u0022c67dc76df463400d9e4326681ba4e2b7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000717\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c67dc76df463400d9e4326681ba4e2b7\u0022\u003EGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe e Te M\u0101ngai. The Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill\u2014as a member of the Governance and Administration Committee, it\u2019s good to be able to see we are restoring the very heart of what local government does, and that\u2019s providing to people. This side of the House, this Government, believes that there\u2019s a lot more to life at that level than simply bean counting and being able to draw up your books at the end of the day. Yes, economic accountability is important\u2014fiscal accountability, as we\u2019ve heard, is important\u2014but there\u2019s a bit more to life, and we believe that. That\u2019s why there were so many submitters\u2014so many submitters\u2014who came along to the Governance and Administration Committee to give those views. In fact, 106 of the 129 submitters who put their views forward supported the reinstatement of community well-being in the purpose of local government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000718\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003EThe reasons that were given to the select committee members can be broadly described in four key areas, which I would like to highlight because I believe that it\u2019s important to know what the purpose of local government is. The first was to give local government the mandate to take leadership\u2014to take leadership\u2014in fostering democracy, to increase people engaging with their community and voting and being aware of the issues that are affecting their lives in their daily way. As we\u2019ve already heard, there\u2019s a bit more to that than just rates, rubbish, and roading. There\u2019s a whole lot more. In my patch, in Hutt South, we see an excellent job being done by the Hutt City Council to bring families together, to provide services to children in school holidays, to give mums and dads opportunities to engage and provide support to each other, and to make sure that there are meeting places, playgrounds, and swimming pools. There\u2019s a whole lot more to life than simply making the books balance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000719\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003ENumber two: reverse the trend towards fiscal centralism and centralised decision-making, empowering our local communities to take charge of their own lives and to take ownership and to engage. That\u2019s a good idea, too. Number three: ensure better health and well-being outcomes\u2014that we\u2019re focused on outcomes, not just what goes into the machine\u2014and that we\u2019re looking at how that spills out into the daily lives of people and what differences that makes. The final one: to ensure councils are accountable for the effects of their decisions on community well-being. It\u2019s ironic that we\u2019ve heard so much tonight about \u201CThere\u2019s no accountability.\u201D when this bill does exactly that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000720\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003EI would like to look at what Local Government New Zealand submitted to the select committee. They did a fantastic submission, and you would like to think that Local Government New Zealand has a good understanding of the issues at heart. They\u2019ve argued that the reinstatement would strengthen place-based and integrated service delivery approaches, allowing local government to take a holistic approach, not putting things in silos but being able to take into account a range of factors\u2014being able to take into account, for example, our Treaty relationships, our obligations, and how we engage with iwi within our daily work in the council to make sure that that\u2019s provided for. Also, with the environment, those important interactions that iwi and environment are able to have\u2014that we\u2019re looking at our rivers, our awa, and the fish life in those and how that impacts upon local iwi and their views.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003EIt enables and empowers local government to work with communities so their interests and concerns are taken into account on a daily basis. But, most importantly, what they said, which really intrigued me, was that it gave a stronger ability to have a relationship with central government\u2014that there\u2019d been a distancing between local and central and how they worked together. It is so important, particularly in areas where central government is funding, to know that there is an area where they can communicate and that there is a consistent voice between both. They felt that the reinstatement of those four well-beings gave a mandate and a broader purpose, and that was an important statutory signal from central to local government about how we perceive their role\u2014that we are empowering them and we have confidence in their ability to deliver good things for the people that they look after.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000722\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003EThe second area that is also important is it restores territorial authorities\u2019 power to collect development contributions for any public amenities needed as a consequence for development and for the reserves for non-residential developments. Now, this is also an important area that we heard submissions on. The objective of the bill is to give that back so that it will assist in providing facilities such as sportsgrounds, swimming pools, and libraries\u2014and how important are those facilities for the community? To enable and empower local government to have a wider mandate to be able to look at those areas and fund them appropriately\u2014those are often the facilities that people use so much in their daily lives that make a difference to families who can\u2019t afford to do other things. To be able to use swimming pools, for kids to be able to learn how to swim and to be able to get access to a book, a holiday programme over the holidays\u2014those things are incredibly important.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000723\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003EI\u2019m really proud to be a member of the Governance and Administration Committee and to see the good work that was done. It\u2019s really disappointing to see that the National Party members, with their view in the select committee report, did not support that. I felt that the reasons given for not supporting were just not really substantive enough to understand why you would take that position. The only reason I could see was that this was simply seen as unpicking work that the National Government had previously done, and there was no ability to take a wider view to look at what the clear benefits are for going forward. We had so many local government representatives who do this on a daily basis coming to tell the committee that they were pleased, so proud and happy, to have those well-beings reinstated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000724\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003EI think there is far more concern about the broadened scope of amenities and development contributions being levied, which is the key point made\u2014charging businesses development contributions for amenities unrelated to their business operations. I think it\u2019s important that businesses are connected into the community and are able to have a voice as well. However, reinstating the four well-beings, quite simply, does not prevent this from taking place.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000725\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003EI think we have a really good bill here. I\u2019m proud to see local government having its voice restored, having a good connection with central government, and being able to be empowered to do the job it can do so well. The bill is forward-looking, and the change to the purpose of local government addresses the dynamic nature of well-being so that so many local authorities can best serve their communities. I therefore commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022 data-id=\u0022fdb24e656277412480164f606aeec515\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000726\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fdb24e656277412480164f606aeec515\u0022\u003EDENISE LEE (National\u2014Maungakiekie):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe. Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. It\u2019s been an extraordinary exercise to sit here and listen to other members of the House completely miss the mark on this bill. Of course there is more than roads, rates, and rubbish, as the prior speaker said, when it comes to local government. But let me outline two issues where you\u2019ve completely missed the mark. I should know because just a short 18 months ago I was a city councillor in the super-city.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000727\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003EHere\u2019s the two issues where you\u2019ve completely missed the mark. One is how ratepayers feel and the other is your timing for this legislation. On the first, this is how ratepayers feel\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000728\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022861c5869dbbd4dafa9ffb6ff1cf64a55\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: Can members refrain from bringing the Speaker into the debate, thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000729\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223be86204224d48988b2470ec21b5ac65\u0022\u003EDENISE LEE\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I can. This is how the opposite side of the House should view how ratepayers feel. There is a serious lack of trust in local government and, specifically, Auckland Council right now. I wish the other side of the House luck for introducing something where they will interpret it as wide-mark budgeting, untargeted spending, and expenditure creep. And on the topic of development levies, that scattergun approach to development levies and the spending of it on swimming pools and museums\u2014when you get your house in order, when a local government council gets its house in order, then you can go to topics like that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000730\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003EThe other bit of advice\u2014my second issue that I take real exception to is the other side of the House\u2019s timing. The Productivity Commission\u2014you\u2019ve kicked it off. The commission\u2019s final report is due in November this year, looking at drivers of local government costs, and instead the other side of the House is doing this now? It does not make sense. You\u2019ve completely missed the mark around how people\u2014[Interruption] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000731\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b8a9b2b72ae744c5a70a0afc388ef01e\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E:Order! Order! Members, everyone settle down. You\u2019ve got about three minutes left to go. Please do not bring the Speaker into the debate. And that\u2019s interjections. If members don\u2019t know how to use the personal pronoun \u201Cyou\u201D correctly, don\u2019t use it at all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000732\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220e3d6a7769c949ccad888e3f5739c1d3\u0022\u003EDENISE LEE\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. I will finish by saying that the other side of the House, their timing is off. They\u2019re not understanding the drivers of local government costs and they\u2019re certainly not understanding the lack of trust and the lack of respect and undergirding foundational trust that does not exist in many councils around New Zealand, specifically Auckland Council. If you did that, then you\u2019d be waiting for a different era in which to introduce the well-beings.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022 data-id=\u0022e14feecdf2804563aa442519acd61053\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000733\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e14feecdf2804563aa442519acd61053\u0022\u003EMICHAEL WOOD (Labour\u2014Mt Roskill):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019m very pleased to stand up and take a brief contribution in this debate. I particularly acknowledge other former elected members of local government who are in the Chamber. It\u2019s difficult to know where to begin with this debate, because that must be about the worst line-up of Opposition speeches I\u2019ve heard in this Chamber, and I sat on that side of the House in some pretty ropey statutes amendment bills debates late in the evening.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000734\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EOne interesting claim that was made was that allowing for councils to base their decisions around the well-beings of their communities is going to lead to some kind of rates blowout. We heard that repeatedly. It was clearly one of the talking points that members on the other side of the House had. Well, interestingly enough, I found some figures on the average rates increases in the years between 2014 and 2017 under the current regime. And guess what\u2014guess what. Under the current regime, which does not take account of community well-being, the regime put in place by the previous Government, rates increased at five times the rate of inflation. Yet here we are, with members on the other side having the temerity to suggest that a regime that simply allows local government to look after the well-being of its community members on the basis of its knowledge about their communities is somehow fiscally irresponsible, when that is the track record of the legislation that those members are defending. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000735\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EWhere was the fiscal responsibility and the high dudgeon calls about it then? Where was that? We didn\u2019t hear a dickey bird. Five times the rate of inflation! I would have thought that some of those members, including the previous speaker, Denise Lee, who was a member of a local authority at that point, might have been a little more informed of that point.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000736\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EThe fundamental point about this bill is that it\u2019s about a respect from this House to our colleagues in local government. It\u2019s about respecting the fact that elected members in local government know their communities. On that basis, I commend this bill to the House. Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022b906db6d0e1f4f0dbf6873dad8d9b378\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill be now read a second 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 of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 57\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 55; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a second time\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000737\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 10 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2019040900b7f3d3ea4f4f17ba4dca1c7f9e5f8b000738\u0022\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"