"\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=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002204034195055e4045b21875c24e223653\u0022\u003ETHURSDAY, 4 JUNE 2020\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022bedf022e2f0e4b8a94aafdce27842177\u0022\u003ETHURSDAY, 4 JUNE 2020\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000002\u0022\u003EThe Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000004\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00229e708326bf694677b5746ff845c752c2\u0022\u003EPrayers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00226017e9a5a2304ae693eb8f3452c23469\u0022\u003EPrayers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022cac24d847114456e8473ddf55a2020d2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cac24d847114456e8473ddf55a2020d2\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Because today is the 50th anniversary of the treaty of friendship between New Zealand and Tonga, and the fact that we will miss Tongan Language Week because Parliament will be prorogued for the election, I\u2019ve asked Anahila Kanongata\u2019a-Suisuiki to say the prayer today in Tongan.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022 data-id=\u0022e1e3a029457c4af88429c95a0434f88b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e1e3a029457c4af88429c95a0434f88b\u0022\u003EANAHILA KANONGATA\u2019A-SUISUIKI (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Ke tau lotu. \u2018E \u2018Otua M\u0101fimafi, kuo mau ta\u2019im\u0101lie \u2018i ho\u2019o \u2018of\u00E1. \u2018Oku tuku homau lot\u00F3 ka mau h\u016B atu. Ke ke malu\u2019i \u2018a e Kuin\u00ED, mo tataki mai mu\u2019a \u2018emau ng\u0101ue \u2018i Fale Ale\u00E1. Ke fai\u2019aki \u2018a e poto faka-\u2019Otua - \u2018a e \u2018of\u00E1 mo e \u2018ulung\u0101anga malu, ko e \u2018uh\u00ED ko e mo\u2019u\u00ED mo e nofo melino \u2018a e fonu\u00E1. Pea \u2018oku mau kole \u2018a e ngaahi me\u2019\u00E1 ni \u2018i he Huaf\u00E1 ho\u2019o \u2018Al\u00F3 ka ko homau Fakamo\u2019u\u00ED. \u2018\u0112meni.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u002290f34e78df1d45bdb33d50e603c90b49\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002290f34e78df1d45bdb33d50e603c90b49\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Before I ask Chris Hipkins to give the statement, we currently have some very strict rules as to attendance in the gallery, and it is reserved for a security officer and current members of Parliament only, so I\u2019ll have to ask my old friend Rick Barker to leave.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00227e83fef23ec34253946c1ab41b7448ee\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223ba1746e5e0e44afbee5744dc57795b9\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u00227439ad3236274d5eacbbb282303d161a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227439ad3236274d5eacbbb282303d161a\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E The House will adjourn today and will next meet on Tuesday, 16 June when the Budget debate will be concluded. Other legislation to be considered in that week will include the second readings of the Public Finance (Wellbeing) Amendment Bill, the Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC 2021) Bill; the committee stage of the Arms Legislation Bill; and the third reading of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Reform) Amendment Bill. The Government intends to extend the sitting of Tuesday, 16 June into Wednesday morning. On Wednesday, 17 June, there will be a general debate in the afternoon followed by a members\u2019 day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00227ecc4f23606d4326abd38accdf99792a\u0022\u003EOral Questions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b5cc60efa93e45b38a6c55dc4bee3bec\u0022\u003EQuestions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f2a9aa69a3404b52ac8371b0fba62d9f\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 1\u2014Prime Minister\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022 data-id=\u00221a4aae6a0c7f43ac9ff547a36b476519\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E1. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221a4aae6a0c7f43ac9ff547a36b476519\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE (Deputy Leader\u2014National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by Cabinet\u2019s decision not to consider lifting alert level 2 restrictions and moving to level 1 until 8 June?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022 data-id=\u0022c937af42b5f446aa8eaf9f4d6f20659c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c937af42b5f446aa8eaf9f4d6f20659c\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister) \u003C/span\u003Eon behalf of the Prime Minister: The premise of that member\u2019s question is, sadly, incorrect; in fact, by choosing a decision date of 8 June, Cabinet decided to bring it forward from 22 June. The member should be happy with the parties of this Government in that they are cooperating to move as fast as we can on this important matter.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022502ae4c3c2124b998745c534075ce3b5\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Does she stand by her Cabinet paper that alert level 1 controls are predicated upon there having been no new cases from community transmission for at least 28 days?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ade1eb3dd12b41e180b82795406a28a7\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, most definitely, excepting that was only one of eight conditions set down at the time. I\u2019d invite that member to read the full paper before coming to this House with a not complete idea of what she\u2019s talking about.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227460e1d783684c669c7ac77b547ba533\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: When was the last case of community transmission in New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224a2ee3fb618e42f39c9ba36bc19e878c\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Thirty-four days ago.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022095e38a1e30c4f15be9fc7b56af4058d\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Does she stand by her statement yesterday that the criteria for decision making on alert level 1 includes trends in the transmission of the virus, and isn\u2019t the most significant trend the fact that there has been no community transmission in over a month?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225bd6b8e1ac1740bb91a06442d84af386\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, to the first question, most definitely stand by that statement. As to the second issue and question raised by the member, it is only one of the criteria that are being considered by Cabinet on 8 June.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227735a78f1f0e49ab8b0bfb5362438b84\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Government have confidence in our border controls to enable the country to move to level 1?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec4c43b1a58349c7878f8987393eeeec\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister\u2014and, I dare say, the Minister of Customs and others here\u2014we\u2019ve done our best to secure and ensure that our borders are safe. That means it requires us to be extraordinarily vigilant; it requires us to cooperate with other countries as well. We have done everything we can, I believe, to ensure that when we come to make the decision, the security of our borders will not be one where we will be concerned about any failure or omission there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221241a647872d49708ab1fe64b87d625f\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Why has the Deputy Prime Minister failed to persuade her to move to level 1 immediately?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225206223e1c2f4d95ae9664861b6d3811\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister is one of the most persuasive people I\u2019ve met.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224f1ca83a0f6144029a18d7425cf47547\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Answer the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a1b9a2e3a3674cab97aa6e1f3fd9f92f\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: However\u2014I\u2019ll answer the question, sunshine, when I get to it, all right? But the reality is that we belong to a coalition where cooperation and debate and discussion, sometimes heated, nevertheless leads to better decisions\u2014not some discordant one-man band where the leader and the supporters are the same person. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a9afa0edf0384d2bab7d105202afb7d0\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! Before the member answers, I let it run and then I\u2019ve sort of thought about it. I know that the term \u201Csunshine\u201D is a term of endearment, but it\u2019s probably not an appropriate one to use in the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226d4d5777bf1e4eec9e0665847ab6e865\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s all right, grandpa. Is she aware of the reasons why after calling for an immediate\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002292830aaf6a5b4cdea8c86b1fbea50ab9\u0022\u003EHon Tracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. As the Minister for Seniors, I object to the ageist phrase that that member just used before he started his question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022932456eb9c2f4483bb4ec4a3e1cca50b\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Did the member use an ageist phrase?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002204137c37529641c290fda7177da88128\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: As you said earlier, it\u2019s a term of endearment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e19c11b0185344e0b94d95b37eabb514\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The member heard a warning as to the inappropriateness of using terms, even if they were of endearment. If he deliberately used a term of endearment, then I\u2019m striking the question out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022935728df6dec48f0b04e6bf07052321c\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, Mr Speaker, it wasn\u2019t deliberate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022223005462e02417f93f7c2d856e00eb4\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, if the member ignorantly used one, I\u2019m striking it out as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022622ce413b604433c820b87360c01168b\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. You frequently allow other members to ask their question, even after cautioning them about their conduct. To take a question away on that basis is grossly unfair and it undermines this House being able to hold the Government accountable.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc8cd17538314082ad20f3a49ced0dbe\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: OK, the member will resume his seat. The member, through an arrangement with another member, has had double the questions that he normally has had this week, and if he is serious about holding the House to account, he will\u2014especially after a warning\u2019s been issued\u2014stay within the Standing Orders and Speakers\u2019 rulings. He deliberately flouted them, and for members who deliberately flout them, there are consequences. And for members on both sides of the House, as both whips will indicate, I do regularly take questions from parties who deliberately breach the rules\u2014or ignorantly breach the rules, as that member did.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a76208cd3a054e67b7169e512b63b1a5\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f85b997a7f3c4538956644fdd7dbc838\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m not going to have this subject debated again. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022263fbe1697d340f88b94273d79628649\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: A fresh point of order, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d4cc5eb43a044331859dcffc28279d0e\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: On a different issue?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224dcb4a4427a44d719db699e523a5ec7c\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Yes. I seek leave to ask an additional supplementary question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022403f7a63f76a4cc587e308a567484db1\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Is there any objection to that? There is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226bef00e39afe483e8d073d46f77ec72c\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, he doesn\u2019t want it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002238ad8ad5332d43aabcfd8e44eb73af05\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: All right. The member will leave the Chamber.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour withdrew from the Chamber. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226a05943573d6471898d2e8eddb0b2e58\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Why are we not at level 1, when her Cabinet paper states that there is no need for restrictions if there is no community transmission for 28 days and we have confidence in our border controls?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229d017790d3ac4f1f9dedb1370feac3ee\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Again, the reality is, and I set it out, that there are eight criteria, not one. Now, thus far, in all these supplementary questions, I have heard of two of the pathways of judgment, not the other six. But if we wait here long enough maybe I\u2019ll get one on the other six as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002253a934a7be0740ef9627f3981891d1bf\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: What is the reason the Deputy Prime Minister gave her for wanting to move to level 1 over a week ago?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022db7632b968024605b51cd8cfe1dbf11b\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister came along and said, \u201CWe have a two-cycles target. We\u2019re going to meet that. There are other things that we are going to have to focus on, such as border security and a range of other matters as well, including the effectiveness of an app and community awareness and cooperation.\u201D But the Deputy Prime Minister, above all, stressed that it was the economy and its turn-around and recovery that were so critical in his thinking, and that was put before her as the Prime Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225856dd1dedca45788680396c361fc53e\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Is one of the reasons that she has not moved the country into level 1 the reason articulated by the Hon Willie Jackson about alert levels\u2014that another week is not going to hurt?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022036a6a36ba6a4bfb98a66a9a7e531649\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, no, it\u2019s not that at all. But the Prime Minister, you recall, just three days ago, was listening to another leader of another party who said he didn\u2019t and couldn\u2019t take a position on alert level 1 \u201Cbecause he isn\u2019t the Prime Minister.\u201D Now, I don\u2019t know where that member is getting her leadership from, but that\u2019s what the then and now and new National Party leadership said.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c9fb0cfda9f342f6be7d6ca773a12dd8\u0022\u003EHon Chris Hipkins\u003C/span\u003E: Does she believe that there would be an increased risk of community transmission taking hold in New Zealand again if we moved to reopen the border with urgency to countries like China, as advocated by the Leader of the Opposition?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022429de62b8c144c3db8edb3709091c4a7\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, that is an extremely good question because it demonstrates how dangerous the thinking of some people is, because if we were to do that, then who would know\u2014according to one of the eight criteria laid out\u2014how sound our border was. I was actually astonished when I heard it and I still don\u2019t believe that someone honestly could have put it forward as a sound addition to the Tasman bubble\u2014that proposition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f3843100770d4f8a9f5cb65d0749d186\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Does she agree with either Willie Jackson or Wellington pub owner Matt McLaughlin, who says his bar Danger Danger is still in a world of hurt at level 2?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022366f7e2808f048d5a9df43907c636295\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, of course the Prime Minister sympathises with every businessman and woman who, because of this outside intruder, has suffered so much. Everybody on this side of the House understands that and that\u2019s why we are doing our best to get back to normalcy as fast as we possibly can, and possibly two weeks earlier than was originally projected. But here\u2019s the real point: we are not going to use the misery of people caused by some outside influence for which none of us are responsible just to try and advance our miserable political careers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225533ae41383d4825ac7f1bd1c37d3910\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Why did she not listen to her Deputy Prime Minister and the thousands of businesses across New Zealand that are hurting as a result of not being in level 1?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002290dda59b2e1a4a56872becd469dd4f8c\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, she almost had me there\u2014but I\u2019ve got to say that it is a decision to be made by all of Cabinet, and all of Cabinet will be listening to the country at the same time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00226a271208a1c743cfb542b64262452c5e\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 2\u2014Research, Science and Innovation\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022 data-id=\u0022789cccc193cd46e88f861bd317b1141d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003E2. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022789cccc193cd46e88f861bd317b1141d\u0022\u003EDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour\u2014New Lynn)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Research, Science and Innovation: What recent announcements has she made about funding for the Research, Science and Innovation sector?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022 data-id=\u0022968ede6c070b4c6a882e38dc3cd7bfa6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022968ede6c070b4c6a882e38dc3cd7bfa6\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Research, Science and Innovation):\u003C/span\u003E Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting the Institute of Environmental Science and Research campus at Kenepuru to announce over $400 million in funding for the research, science, and innovation sector from Budget 2020 and the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. Crown research institutes will receive $196 million in additional funding so they can retain talent and continue their key research. A $33 million fund will enable M\u0101ori to determine and make further investments in research, science, and innovation priorities, and $150 million has been made available for a loan scheme helping R \u0026amp; D - intensive firms retain critical capability and talent and maintain their important research. This Government recognises the critical importance of a strong and well-resourced science sector and has stepped up to the plate with funding that will see that necessary work continue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002208ab3212044a4ecea0c8364b9136efcf\u0022\u003EDr Deborah Russell\u003C/span\u003E: How will this funding boost support the post-COVID economic recovery?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022855b622135c64537bcc014d5e7e66b68\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: Scientists have been at the coalface of the immediate COVID-19 response, and their critical capability will need to be maintained as more research is undertaken into the virus itself and as global efforts coalesce in the hunt for a vaccine. These investments will support the production of high-value products, knowledge-intensive high-paying jobs, and help New Zealand make a strong recovery from COVID-19. It will provide certainty to our entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers that this Government backs them and their work, and we will not repeat the mistakes of the past, particularly following the global financial crisis, by cutting funding to the sciences in response to an economic downturn.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212d74f81-b1f7-4b51-9fb4-8f9481477192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ee9ebff7ac494e29963fea4765c62ff8\u0022\u003EDr Deborah Russell\u003C/span\u003E: What other announcements has the Government made to assist entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers in response to COVID-19?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022928f4a8df52b48bc9d41581c1b4bcfd5\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: The Government moved swiftly to establish the $25 million COVID-19 Innovation Acceleration Fund, designed to accelerate the deployment of rapidly standing solutions in response to the threats posed by COVID-19. The ingenuity of the applications has, to date, been impressive and I look forward to seeing how these solutions can be utilised in our ongoing response and recovery. And, of course, the Ministers of foreign affairs, health, and I also recently announced a vaccine strategy for New Zealand, which will see $37 million of Government funding provided for the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments for COVID-19, as well as participation in international efforts and support for our Pacific neighbours.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227bb6b2c1a1b6493da31556098b2b2d84\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 3\u2014Finance\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022 data-id=\u00220ab0431b3ad04ce284f66822cb22a5bf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E3. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220ab0431b3ad04ce284f66822cb22a5bf\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all of his statements and policies?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u0022696b75c98a4c40a5a41c304401d35010\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022696b75c98a4c40a5a41c304401d35010\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, in the context they were made and delivered, including my statement welcoming the Opposition\u2019s stated policy of \u201Cmoving away from the non-specific \u2018do you stand by all your Government\u2019s policies and statements\u2019 questions.\u201D, and my later statement at 11 a.m. this morning expressing regret that the member missed the memo.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b4f8f5378339489d962dd3cb07cbfcca\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by his response to my question on Tuesday, which asked how much additional spending he had so far planned to announce before the general election in September, \u201CAs the member knows, the Government has been very flexible all the way through our response to ensure we meet need as it arises, but I don\u2019t have any specific plans in that regard.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ed1af19c14f34aaeb55aec3cc66a290c\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I stand by all of the statements I made in that answer, and I think the member\u2019s impression wasn\u2019t too bad just then.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022abd26bebc94546c0b177bae992758279\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: How did he not have any specific plans for new spending on Tuesday and then have his Government announce $400 million of new spending on Wednesday?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022330886b7c8fd4d08a52ea6d01f8ab7ef\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: The basis of that spending was in the Budget and the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund announcements we made.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f675b1749d3d4ae18cabf6212343df4e\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Why can\u2019t he give a straight answer to the question of how much additional spending he has planned to announce before the election when he clearly has large spending announcements planned for virtually every day?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002251fe02e15405473f93e4d04b9e1f4063\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I do find it difficult to give straight answers\u2014sometimes, anyway\u2014for obvious reasons. Only you and I are getting this joke, Mr Speaker, but it\u2019s good that the two of us are sharing it anyway. We\u2019ve been very clear that we\u2019ve announced $30 billion worth of spending from the response and recovery fund. The remaining $20 billion is available for spending as necessary. It doesn\u2019t mean it won\u2019t be spent, but it doesn\u2019t mean that all of it will be spent either.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ea0b97daa0b341b2b5251ea30ba906c4\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Does he think he can just dismiss questions about his intentions for billions of dollars of spending?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222c098e93e4354bec8e03569021897ec4\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: No, and I haven\u2019t. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002246259abbd4af499b94080213811b972f\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Can he assure New Zealanders that he\u2019ll keep a substantial part of the $20 billion spare from the COVID fund as a contingency in the case of a later outbreak?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228f7ec8b617534a45a4e6e33ac2465cfa\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I, in fact, talked exactly about that when I announced it on Budget day. I note that the member and his party have already tried to spend about $10 billion of it in the last two weeks.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224ed041233bc24359896e554bcd7745bf\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: How long is he planning to keep up his average of announcing $200 million of new spending a day since the Budget, and how does he think New Zealand will pay for it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002250351d4b8fc6495bb689a3cb55d61111\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I would have to go back and look at the figures that the member has just put forward there. What we have done throughout the last 2\u00BD months or so is what New Zealanders wanted us to do, which is cushion the blow of this virus on both our economy and our society, and we will keep doing that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022cf184906a77a41388e51ec7c71781d97\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 4\u2014Transport\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022 data-id=\u00222693ca9ccb154214a2797e563daebd6e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E4. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222693ca9ccb154214a2797e563daebd6e\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP (National\u2014Hutt South)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Transport: What is in the text of the email from the office of Rt Hon Winston Peters to him on Auckland light rail, and will Auckland light rail be considered by Cabinet before the pre-election period begins on 19 June 2020?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022 data-id=\u0022af34539bd2cf4f588bc4266b0d08c744\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022af34539bd2cf4f588bc4266b0d08c744\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport):\u003C/span\u003E My office received an email from the office of the leader of New Zealand First on Auckland light rail, as part of coalition consultation. It\u2019s not in the public interests to disclose cross-party discussions during the Cabinet decision-making process. And to the second part of the question, that is my intention.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002229e3e0a3ce254177abcb9aff1fef6ef4\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Did the email contain an attachment, and did that attachment contain a letter on ministerial letterhead?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b4bcc8dd96734e63887af58c92fe45c9\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: I actually haven\u2019t seen the actual email myself, but my staff have dealt with it. So I can\u2019t answer that member\u2019s question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223b902b0f8dcc40ecb1b08c39efb72c5c\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, is he saying that the office of the Rt Hon Winston Peters, in his capacity as the leader of the New Zealand First Party, has sent him an email about the Auckland light rail project and he hasn\u2019t seen the email?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ee73d155fe854d30a4012c4af55a09cb\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: So the email was sent by staff in the leader of New Zealand First\u2019s office. It went to my staff, and it\u2019s been dealt with accordingly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002281376e7a6a0444839212963ef647c11f\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Given the importance of Auckland light rail\u2014in his own words\u2014to the Government\u2019s programme for Auckland, why has he not seen the email from the office of the leader of New Zealand First relating to that project?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022caf3a0e4ffbc405691350d2279a806fd\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Because Ministers have staff who deal with these things, and I\u2019ve been briefed by my staff on what\u2019s in the email.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002281053c8a345f457194d9d62a32d4381d\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: When was the email sent to his office?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b4f79307f2f1453999a4aa2beba9366d\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: The email was sent on 29 February.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bb0ffc90ada94ea3bd39bd8081bd41d2\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Would it be fair to say that the email, albeit that he hasn\u2019t seen it, was a contributing factor to Auckland light rail not going to Cabinet in February as was agreed by Cabinet in June 2019?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dfce65d8659a4ce39676198313edeb12\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002265767a64433644509f9bf1584482e692\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 5\u2014Social Development\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022 data-id=\u00225c0baa9a390647ceb9b183afd084c509\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022\u003E5. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225c0baa9a390647ceb9b183afd084c509\u0022\u003EPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Social Development: What recent information has she seen on the impact of the wage subsidy on employers?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022 data-id=\u0022bc5391e4ba714561a15536a43dbea528\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bc5391e4ba714561a15536a43dbea528\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development):\u003C/span\u003E I have recently seen preliminary findings on a survey of businesses receiving the Government wage subsidy. The survey had high engagement, with over 90,000 respondents\u2014around a 25 percent response rate. The survey asked 13 questions on the following topics: the impact of COVID-19 on businesses, the efficacy of the wage subsidy, awareness and uptake of the supports and services available to them through Government, and likely future support needs. It has been heartening to hear the positive responses of businesses that have seen the wage subsidy as a crucial lifeline, with 79 percent of respondents saying they have benefited a lot from the subsidy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a65d4a6991654f04a28cd32d6c2e16d7\u0022\u003EPriyanca Radhakrishnan\u003C/span\u003E: What are some of the other preliminary findings from the survey? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec118623583641d8b840a52c4c6b1c84\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: One of the highlights has been seeing that the vast majority of respondents said that the wage subsidy had a positive impact on cash flow, 94 percent; staff retention, 83 percent; and being able to keep operating for the foreseeable future, 89 percent; over half\u201462 percent\u2014also said that support for wages has helped employers address other non-staff overheads. It was also a positive sign that only around 6 percent of respondents were expecting to make staff redundant over the coming months. In saying that, I acknowledge that larger firms indicated a higher likelihood of staff impacts than small to medium sized businesses. These results show that for the vast majority of respondents, the wage subsidy is achieving its intended purpose with broader positive benefits, and we look forward to how we can use these insights to support businesses into the future. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229049d6e8b9c94765a2924412822a1c25\u0022\u003EPriyanca Radhakrishnan\u003C/span\u003E: How will the findings of the survey support the Government\u2019s response to COVID-19? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222568915fd6cf415bbb242576b7dd4e2b\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: The final survey results will include important demographic information such as industry, regional spread, financial turnover, revenue from tourism, and whether the business identifies even as a M\u0101ori or Pacific business. This will be useful as we try to understand the broader impact of the wage subsidy, particularly on small businesses across regions and industries. More than this, it gives an insight into what businesses are thinking their next steps might be and where the Government can improve our support, moving forward\u2014for instance, the preliminary results show that there was less awareness around some of the other supports available to businesses, like non-government business support from councils and chambers of commerce. Over the coming weeks, we hope to learn everything we can from this feedback, and we expect to be able to share a more fulsome range of findings when the final results are available next week. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223144b2f6716b435db56670bc5713130d\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 6\u2014Health\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022 data-id=\u002294db795574a74cd28d04f9728dc6d8a9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E6. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002294db795574a74cd28d04f9728dc6d8a9\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement that \u201Cno Government had ever set up a national contact tracing system. The steps forward in terms of the IT solution that supports that is going to be incredibly valuable as we move into the future\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022 data-id=\u0022fdc5f43e102247bc8cdeb7c73965f6a9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fdc5f43e102247bc8cdeb7c73965f6a9\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eac0b3d13e694e448816684001319fde\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Well, is it concerning to him that half the country\u2019s district health boards, including those in Auckland where the biggest outbreaks occurred, are not using his \u201Cincredibly valuable\u201D IT solution?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002276b3fd1c209c4f0f91097c7c5ba00f10\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: What I can confirm is that all of our public health units (PHUs) are, for the first time, using digital platforms for contact tracing. Up until the creation of the National Close Contact Service and the National Contact Tracing Solution, many PHUs were using manual systems. The first priority was addressing that and ensuring we could gather accurate and timely national data on contact tracing; that has been achieved.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cd2f5808529d4f15800debbb281265bd\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: When Dr Ayesha Verrall stated in recommendation 6 of her rapid audit report that \u201CThe Ministry of Health should give [public health units] access to the [national contact tracing solution].\u201D, would it have been her expectation that public health units actually use it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ef8c04ea45934bd493b278f9ad5d1be1\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: She\u2019s probably best to speak to her expectation, but it is the case that all of the PHUs have access to the data in that solution.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229353ba5238dc4544a03827ec4c272a67\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Well, is it the Minister\u2019s expectation that having spent $55 million of taxpayers\u2019 money on a technology solution, that technology should be used by all public health units?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c85230be8c834524a92fc25f74501874\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: It is my expectation that, over time, those public health units that are not currently connected directly into all features of that system be integrated. I think the member would be both surprised and impressed to know that a technology solution has been set up in a matter of months to achieve this, that everybody has connection to it, and, in fact, that the historic under-investment in our health system has been rapidly rectified because this is a Government that is committed to public health, in contrast to the prior Government, which cut public health funding by a whopping 26 percent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c1063d2c80014028879e8583a06dfbfd\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: What!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eabe902216e44e28a8dbf8c920e50c6a\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: A whopping 26 percent cut in public health funding. We have invested in solutions which are ensuring that everyone is digitally connected and can get the data in a timely fashion.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227ae1581c92b845259156475b7a035cae\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Was the Prime Minister correct when she said in the House that compliance is a factor considered for the move to alert level 1, and is non-compliance with the Verrall report recommendations one reason we\u2019re not already there?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022746b1859fe454b18af9f11a7cb769ed5\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: In answer to the first part of the member\u2019s question, yes. In answer to the second part of the question, of course, all of those different PHUs are connected into the system, they are able to access the data, and they are required to report into the central solutions. At the moment, it is rather easy to read the zeros in the spreadsheet, and that is thanks to the good efforts of New Zealanders who\u2019ve made considerable sacrifice along the way, but it\u2019s also thanks to the efforts of our public health staff across the country\u2014our doctors and nurses and others who\u2019ve contributed to this extraordinary success. I think the member would do better to congratulate them and thank them, rather than talking down their superhuman efforts.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00220618034318a74c17be514eb9e4a7ebe0\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 7\u2014Health\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022 data-id=\u0022a600c06bfdd040c6a1de82d69155cb53\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003E7. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a600c06bfdd040c6a1de82d69155cb53\u0022\u003EMATT DOOCEY (National\u2014Waimakariri)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: How much of the $455 million for the Government\u2019s new frontline mental health service announced in Budget 2019 has been spent to date, and how many of the 22 delivery sites identified in his ANZAC Day press release were providing these services before the Government announced its new frontline mental health services in Budget 2019?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022 data-id=\u00226d225d739dff4e8f98774f2b2c49372a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226d225d739dff4e8f98774f2b2c49372a\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E As the member knows, the $455 million investment in Budget 2019 was over four years, with spending ramping up over time as new workforces are trained and new services are developed. I\u2019m advised that as of 30 April, approximately $20 million has been spent, despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic. This is part of the continuation of services that were previously being trialled at 22 sites, giving them certainty of funding for the first time. It also includes some funding for the next stage of the roll-out, which is seeing new services established in 100 new sites by the middle of next year, serving a population of 1.5 million people. As the member will be aware, additional funding was also allocated and spent for the psychosocial response to COVID.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022075a9bea368a4c7d93b3c6a27db9f1d9\u0022\u003EMatt Doocey\u003C/span\u003E: So is the Minister telling the House today, after announcing almost half a billion dollars in Budget 2019 for his new flagship front-line mental health service\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022605afbf4668543e19369c90dffe71164\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fdf2d7bdc8cb4e269c3c52a129105751\u0022\u003EMatt Doocey\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014he has only\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ab0d51e1588949dd8b42b7fbba810143\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member will resume his seat. The member will ask a question. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f5d1d810856045049c7782c3dc489736\u0022\u003EMatt Doocey\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister telling the House today, after promising almost half a billion dollars, he has only spent $20 million to date?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fc9977f195854cc88347a36651df9397\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: The flagship policy is of course rolling out over five years, as I explained to the member both in the Budget\u2014it\u2019s in the Budget documents\u2014and also recently in debates in this House. There are now services being delivered in around 40 practices across 11 DHBs, with more to come. It\u2019s quite impressive how quickly these things have rolled out. By the middle of next year, 1.5 million New Zealanders will have access to these services, and that\u2019s on top of the other new programmes that this Government has delivered, including Mana Ake, which has helped more than 5,000 primary- and intermediate-age children in Canterbury and Kaik\u014Dura; Piki, which is providing free mental health and wellbeing support to 18- to 24-year-olds in Wellington and Wairarapa; more nurses in schools, and so on. A number of new services have also been stood up as a part of this Government\u2019s response. This is a Government that takes mental health seriously.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b082d931267c46d6aceebbd1adcc5b1c\u0022\u003EMatt Doocey\u003C/span\u003E: If the Minister is impressed by how quickly the service has been rolled out, how come he told the House today that the 22 sites his mental health service is being delivered for were being delivered before his announcement\u2014so, in the last year, he has delivered a net gain of zero new sites?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227e3b67e9c74041349532d9d2346a5cb8\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: The member might want to look more closely at my answer. By the middle of next year, 1.5 million people will have access to new services. Currently, there are 40 sites delivering those services; that is not a net increase of zero.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da6c257ad7554151a3e8d7ae140cea96\u0022\u003EMatt Doocey\u003C/span\u003E: If the Minister allocated just under $50 million for the first year roll-out of the new flagship front-line mental health service, why is he so proud in the House today that he\u2019s only spent $20 million of that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227fca31afc3d049dd90191af86f044b78\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: Of course we want to continue to build on what we\u2019re doing, but, unfortunately, our mental health services were sorely neglected under the previous Government. We have built new services with Mana Ake in Canterbury and Kaik\u014Dura. We have built new services for young people with Piki. Also, during the COVID period, there were of course some delays\u2014but not a great deal\u2014and so some of those services that were delayed because of the COVID situation will continue to be rolled out in the next couple of months.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EOn top of that, new services\u2014psychosocial responses and online services\u2014that were not previously anticipated were rolled out during the COVID period, including the Getting Through Together website, which has had 34,000 unique visitors to the end of April; the Sparklers at Home website, which has had 47,000 unique visitors to 23 April; the Mentemia app, which has had 35,000 downloads; the Melon Health app, which has had over 1,000 people signed up to it in its first two weeks of operation; and the Staying on Track e-therapy course, developed by the Wise Group, which has also had over 1,000 people registered in its first three weeks of operation. No doubt more have signed up to those services since, but during the COVID period we stood up additional things that were in addition to those other flagship policies which continue to roll out. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EI\u2019m very proud of the work that our mental health services people are delivering for New Zealanders after years and years of neglect. This Government is absolutely committed to improving mental health and wellbeing of New Zealanders, and we stand by our record of growing services and working towards a free service that will be available in five years for all New Zealanders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cf8caf5fb6394f04b8fe62309e3447bf\u0022\u003EMatt Doocey\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister agree that spending only $20 million of the announced half a billion, a net gain, today, we hear, of only 20 new sites, is not the level of service New Zealanders were promised by the health Minister a year ago?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002287748d9e76fe4c588fb1ea32a2fffbca\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I think the member misunderstands the Budget documents. The plan was not to spend the $500 million all at once in the first year when there were no workforces available to deliver it; it was to spend some in the first year to build up workforces and capacity in the sector and to continue to build. We\u2019re building a whole new workforce because the previous Government ignored mental health\u2014the previous Government ignored mental health. We have had to start and build a new workforce because we believe it is important to take mental health seriously and build a free service that all New Zealanders can access. It\u2019s a shame that the previous Government is criticising that effort and talking down the efforts of those people who are working hard to deliver that new service for New Zealanders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022663aa4dd5d2740c0bcff6b6678b47a19\u0022\u003EMatt Doocey\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister agree with Newshub Nation reporter Simon Shepherd, who said after the Minister\u2019s interview on Anzac Day about its announcement for the flagship front-line mental health service, \u201CThis has got a slight KiwiBuild flavour about it if they haven\u2019t managed to roll it out yet and it\u2019s a year after actually announcing it.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002200cb25b56b924d2489573e1854f6f563\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I haven\u2019t seen that quote, but the truth is that there was a huge period of neglect for mental health services under the previous Government. If that\u2019s what the housing record\u2019s about\u2014because the previous Government\u2019s housing record was shocking, too\u2014then I can see where he\u2019s coming from. But what I would say is that we\u2019re absolutely committed to a new mental health service and to putting right the historic wrong where mental health was disregarded by the previous Government; where they canned the Mental Health Commission\u2014just got rid of it; and where they failed to fund the growing demand in mental health services and left it on the backburner. They opposed the review of mental health services. We had He Ara Oranga and put that in place. We built new services even while that review was going on, in Mana Ake in Canterbury and Kaik\u014Dura in response to the earthquakes. We built new services, in Piki, for our young people. We\u2019ve put nurses in schools across New Zealand. We will continue to build our mental health services because for this Government it is a priority. This Government is taking mental health seriously, and we\u2019re very proud of that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002248c8e4bdafdc419d9ed070bcd66759f4\u0022\u003EMatt Doocey\u003C/span\u003E: In response to the Minister\u2019s answer about He Ara Oranga, the mental health inquiry recommendations, what does the Minister say to the Mental Health Foundation, who, after Budget 2020, said that they had concerns there was \u201CNo resourcing or implementation plan for the recommendations of He Ara Oranga\u2014without a plan we are concerned that progress will stall and drift.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022932bbc60ab2441c482c6d05148210a2a\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, that does not relate to the original question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ffdfcff6644e43d69f8db3207917b763\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The very essence of the Budget 2019 allocations that Mr Doocey\u2019s primary question was related to was in response to the recommendations of the very report that he mentioned in his supplementary. I can\u2019t see how it can\u2019t be related.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002265204d2fbe7c4c899c3c695d4be93b0b\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, the member in his original question and in his supplementaries referred on a number of occasions to the 2019 Budget allocation and the spending of that. He then shifted to the 2020 Budget. Now, I\u2019m actually just about prepared to change my mind and ask the member to say the question again, but I will say that I have been watching Mr Woodhouse in particular getting unhappy with the lengths of the answers that have been coming from the Minister at the moment. But I will say that when a very political question is asked, and there have been a long series of these from this member, one can expect extensive and political replies.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d66a06799c0340f7936bf8c306176a10\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Speaking to the point of order, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002242241c95b4ed4a23ac99e3cc11eaac30\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I\u2019ve dealt with the point of order and I\u2019m about to let\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c6ffda44f322444f9839fdb533881449\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Well, you made a description of what was going on in my head, and I think I have the right to at least contextualise that by saying\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b5715d2d1ee24e66b636f428883c31fb\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s fair enough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225eb6a31ae3d540d38bcba150becce015\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014that if I was sufficiently unhappy with the way in which that answer was going, I would have drawn it to your attention, and I did not.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc3cb1f7b0e04a609bb85b2c8ff52b63\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, that\u2019s\u2014I apologise. I was reading the member\u2019s repeated body language.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002244015939050649f89f9f92709eeeed16\u0022\u003EMatt Doocey\u003C/span\u003E: My supplementary was: what does the Minister say in responding to the Mental Health Foundation\u2019s comments about the Budget 2020 announcement? When the Minister referenced He Ara Oranga, they went on to say, \u201CNo resourcing or implementation plan for the recommendations of He Ara Oranga\u2014without a plan, we are concerned that progress will stall and drift.\u201D It doesn\u2019t add up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002247a7b07d9c9c445f858ebee091626487\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I respectfully disagree, because an extensive Government plan has been outlined. We have continued to invest in mental health services, even those beyond He Ara Oranga, and all of those psychosocial responses I\u2019ve outlined in my earlier answers, in the responses during the COVID period, and also in the additional moneys that have been set aside\u2014now, I believe over $300 million per annum in the mental health ring-fence. That number continues to grow year by year as we put record amounts into our DHBs for strengthening specialist services as well. There has been a long, long period of neglect. We have planned carefully as a Government because we take mental health seriously.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224a3f70b733034747aa51deac3300ddb4\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 8\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=\u00220e2f1e3714084ccda7ce67f05ca4b9e9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E8. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220e2f1e3714084ccda7ce67f05ca4b9e9\u0022\u003EJAN TINETTI (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Education: What action is the Government taking to pave the way for a fully qualified early learning workforce?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u0022f013bc67d1d144139c07fdca143262e9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f013bc67d1d144139c07fdca143262e9\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education):\u003C/span\u003E As part of Budget 2020, we are restoring the 100 percent funding band for teacher-led early childhood education services that employ fully qualified and registered teachers. The funding band was scrapped by the previous Government in 2010. The new 100 percent funding rates will apply from 1 January 2021. This takes the Government\u2019s drive to improve the quality of early childhood education another step forward. Reinstating the 100 percent funding band is one of the top action points in the 10-year Early Learning Action Plan that the Government has released. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229f7c346438a844669d444cdec90e47ac\u0022\u003EJan Tinetti\u003C/span\u003E: Will this change support the sector to manage the financial impact of COVID-19?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002225750d234485458bbb705c519bed3df8\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, it will. This funding boost comes at a time when there\u2019s likely to be lower demand for early learning services. The new funding band will encourage centres to use fully trained teachers and to keep the fully trained teachers that they have in work. As we respond to the challenges of COVID-19 and rebuild together, it\u2019s vitally important that this sector, who work with our youngest New Zealanders, is funded properly. A decade of underfunding has had a significant impact on the sector, which is why early childhood education was our top education priority in this year\u2019s Budget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225916953ee39c4686bf211e27967de3fd\u0022\u003EJan Tinetti\u003C/span\u003E: What response has he seen to the restoration of the 100 percent funding band?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002286edfb01cc914b6a97d9b21cc9c1e5a4\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: The New Zealand Kindergartens has said that \u201CThis is just so exciting for us and has been a long time coming. It\u2019s such good news on the back of what we\u2019ve been going through with COVID-19 and a great boost and recognition for our staff who have been working so hard during this time to support our tamariki and our community.\u201D The Early Childhood Council has applauded the Government for reinstating this band, saying \u201CWe\u2019re delighted to see two sizable investments within a week after several years of ECE under funding\u201D. It is with great humility that I saw the comment from the New Zealand Educational Institute, who said, \u201CThe Minister signed a pledge before the last election to restore this funding, so we\u2019re really pleased to see him follow through and make early childhood education a top priority after a decade of neglect that\u2019s gone before.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022233bf96967bf474a8d97485aa4c2bf62\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 9\u2014Justice\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022 data-id=\u0022ee400130cd0841ca9f8cfd5b12510050\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E9. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ee400130cd0841ca9f8cfd5b12510050\u0022\u003EANDREW BAYLY (National\u2014Hunua)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Justice: Has the Government done enough to help support commercial landlords and business owners meet the costs they have incurred from COVID-19?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022 data-id=\u002242596f36e8a94403a308fe428b01b7c4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002242596f36e8a94403a308fe428b01b7c4\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice):\u003C/span\u003E The Government is implementing a far-reaching plan to respond, recover, and rebuild from COVID-19 in a way that supports business. Treasury has forecast up to 140,000 jobs saved as a result of that plan, and employment growth of 370,000 jobs over the next four years from our range of measures, which includes the wage subsidy, the small-business loan scheme, a record investment in infrastructure, tax measures, and so on. This is the Government of small business and we are the party of small business. In relation to commercial landlords and tenants, this morning I announced the second stage of our support package in the commercial lease space that will support Kiwi businesses to resolve commercial rent disputes and seek rent relief by amending the Property Law Act and providing up to $40 million for access to arbitration. So in summary and to answer the member\u2019s question: yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022559e286dab804e0893e46e76d60cd684\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Why has it taken 69 days since lockdown for the Government to announce its policy, when tenants and landlords have already had to agree to three cycles of rental payments covering April, May, and June?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223516144ad76b4429837e7346af56f5a3\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m not sure that tenants agree to rental payments, apart from when they reach their lease agreement, but nevertheless, the coalition Government put together a proposal roughly five weeks ago, which has been the subject of intense scrutiny by the partners in Government, and we have reached agreement and announced our policy today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ae9cb13f915042e6ba374854b0ea0ee0\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: What advice has he received on the financial impact\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222cbb52e9f27040d39d9275724677e2f8\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Start again. I won\u2019t punish the member. I\u2019ve received no advice, Mr Bayly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022afa8add0cee24d61aec98bd67216d36c\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: What advice has the Minister received on the financial impact on mum and dad investors who own a large proportion of commercial property in New Zealand when they\u2019re required to reduce their rent following a disputes process?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002269ba201b534a47e29af9019e15b06970\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: The package that we\u2019ve announced today actually deals with the situation of businesses that are owned by mum and dad investors, as he describes it, and who are tenants and who are having difficulty reaching agreement with their landlord on rent relief during a period where their businesses have, effectively, been closed down and they\u2019ve lost all their revenue. But the package also applies to landlords who might be described as \u201Cvulnerable landlords,\u201D who are small mum and dad investors but with big corporate tenants and whose corporate tenants have said, \u201CWe\u2019re just not going to pay rent anymore.\u201D So they will have access to this process through a compulsory arbitration arrangement where they can get some justice.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002200b59fe3096342f6a05c8d23a912e51c\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Rather than offering a $40 million policy that, effectively, pays arbitrators to run a disputes process, why didn\u2019t he simply give small businesses cash?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b8c3ba4b8ea84b60abc27f419d419c24\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: It was important that\u2014when you understand the nature of small business in New Zealand, which is that it is highly diversified, highly variable\u2014we put in place a package of measures that enables tenants and landlords to come to terms dealing with the extraordinary range of situations and circumstances that they have. This does not call for a one-size-fits-all solution.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00229d1e15f30c7845ba9c764ef4c0c7b788\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 10\u2014Police\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022 data-id=\u0022c1223e3f5c32488b9985d57bf255b6f1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E10. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c1223e3f5c32488b9985d57bf255b6f1\u0022\u003EBRETT HUDSON (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Police: Does he expect that police will enforce the rules relating to the COVID-19 alert levels?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u002258cc5758fe2a4c82bb971e17093b0b17\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002258cc5758fe2a4c82bb971e17093b0b17\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Police):\u003C/span\u003E I expect police to apply the discretion that they are given under the law when undertaking enforcement activities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002277f41bc9af6a41208c4d126d94ced617\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: What advice, if any, has the Minister requested on the enforcement of the COVID-19 restrictions in relation to a tangi held on 30 April in Dunedin and events in the days leading up to it that saw dozens of patched gang members travel within the district in breach of level 4 conditions? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222f0b465bfbfc49d38483332662952980\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: None. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022891e1f14d2e041298d546369094f422d\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: Does he believe that this tangi and the events in the nine days leading up to it broke the rules set down to assist New Zealand\u2019s COVID-19 response?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022354e70d1aeab4a8590afc255f827a1b3\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s not what I believe, but I do have confidence in the Commissioner of Police to ensure his officers enforce COVID-19\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233f3dea9a7c548019c13f081d52f45ad\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Soft on gangs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b076f91a24604fbb9e95e200eb14ba8a\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014sorry, Dr Smith?\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220c7c047870f84c4db62232b763a39f4f\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Soft on gangs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f90773bdb6647a1a85e0ca437fa70ec\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014oh, turn it up, you bloody loser\u2014restrictions appropriately.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c1218a5d6da9423b875f07d148009ac1\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: Why are police willing to issue warnings to members of the public for suspected breaches such as having a cup of tea at the end of their respective driveways with neighbours but not gang members who clearly breached COVID-19 rules?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022534ee70fc56447e2a74d690d938d8beb\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Police have no record of any reports or complaints being made with regard to the incident that the member alluded to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002219d08ff3d3ec4fc38fd9a14f1c7ad9d6\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 11\u2014Women\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022 data-id=\u0022462f89632f834e5ebbdb20e61a64f167\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003E11. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022462f89632f834e5ebbdb20e61a64f167\u0022\u003EGARETH HUGHES (Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Women: What has the Government done to address period poverty in schools?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002258f935f1-6646-40ab-9d99-17029396850c\u0022 data-id=\u0022474076e766994a46bbd04d39c122b9ce\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258f935f1-6646-40ab-9d99-17029396850c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022474076e766994a46bbd04d39c122b9ce\u0022\u003EHon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Minister for Women):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koutou, Mr Speaker. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou e Te Whare. The Government will begin providing free period products to 15 schools in the Waikato, following the Government\u2019s $2.6 million investment announced yesterday. The roll-out will be expanded to all State and State-integrated schools on an opt-in basis in 2021. Periods are a fact of life for half the population, and access to these products is a necessity, not a luxury. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220044541b5ac64b47a5100f8af6a27117\u0022\u003EGareth Hughes\u003C/span\u003E: Is it acceptable in modern New Zealand that according to a KidsCan survey from 2018, one-third of 15- to 17-year-olds who responded said they\u2019d missed school because they didn\u2019t have access to period products? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258f935f1-6646-40ab-9d99-17029396850c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002283f75123c47340b48cde558e97069b79\u0022\u003EHon JULIE ANNE GENTER\u003C/span\u003E: No one should miss school because they have had their period and don\u2019t have access to the products they need. We know that nearly 95,000 nine- to 18-year olds may stay at home during their periods due to not being able to afford period products. By making them freely available, we support these young people to continue learning and participating at school. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022853d6b0fc180441e9e33bf06efe4255b\u0022\u003EGareth Hughes\u003C/span\u003E: Will reusable products be available, and how will this initiative consider the environment? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258f935f1-6646-40ab-9d99-17029396850c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ea228d8793e74c249f01649781176388\u0022\u003EHon JULIE ANNE GENTER\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m very happy to say that environmental sustainability will be considered in the programme. While the pilot will start with disposable pads and tampons, they will be plastic-free, and there may be scope to include other types of reusable types of products in the programme in the future if there is high demand for them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b0e382fb7dea4c4fb2c3df0aea31a67b\u0022\u003EGareth Hughes\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Minister seen reports of families choosing food over period products for children, and is the Government acting now as part of its focus on child poverty? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258f935f1-6646-40ab-9d99-17029396850c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b94b13aac2a54754a74bb747e1f5ae59\u0022\u003EHon JULIE ANNE GENTER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, and no family should have to choose between food and period products in a wealthy country like Aotearoa New Zealand. Ensuring that every schoolchild has the period products they need is another step towards our goal of eliminating child poverty. I\u2019m pleased our Government is finding ways of helping children and young people at a time when every extra bit of assistance makes a difference. I also want to thank the researchers and the campaigners who have highlighted the issue of unaffordability of period products for some families and the subsequent absence from school for some children and young people. This was a win for those campaigners. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223551d71ea5fe43e3b44fee3b26a8051e\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 12\u2014Corrections\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022 data-id=\u0022cf33486092e1427a85c262f87422cd76\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E12. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cf33486092e1427a85c262f87422cd76\u0022\u003ESIMEON BROWN (National\u2014Pakuranga)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Corrections: Is he satisfied with the decisions and actions made by the Department of Corrections during COVID-19?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022 data-id=\u00223d80e4e3f3ce45edab09c4f201bb3774\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223d80e4e3f3ce45edab09c4f201bb3774\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS (Minister of Corrections):\u003C/span\u003E Unlike many other countries around the world, here in New Zealand we were able to keep COVID-19 from breaking out in our prisons. That was due to the strict health and safety measures we put in place, and the ability of corrections to implement measures like social distancing in what is a very, very complex environment. I made clear from the outset that my expectation was that a prisoner\u2019s lawful rights were to be upheld, regardless of the situation. In seeking further assurance around this matter, I asked Corrections to undertake a national review of their compliance with the minimum prisoner entitlement of one hour of daily exercise. This found that 96 percent of people in prison had received their minimum entitlement or more. In the other 4 percent of the cases, decisions were made in line with prisoner operation manual guidance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226fa68bc158e745af9447f8dd67f12d70\u0022\u003ESimeon Brown\u003C/span\u003E: How many offenders have had release conditions varied or discharged by probation officers whilst the Epidemic Preparedness (Epidemic Management\u2014COVID-19) Parole Act 2002 and Sentencing Act 2002 Notice 2020 was in force?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b71394e81e684257b6fca337cfc30c4d\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, that\u2019s a very specific question. Corrections doesn\u2019t have the ability to release prisoners\u2014that is either up to a judge when they\u2019re hearing bail conditions, or the Parole Board, or a prisoner reaches the statutory release date.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225667bc8d6d9a4cfebd78fc91d203cb48\u0022\u003ESimeon Brown\u003C/span\u003E: How many offenders had community service hours remitted by probation officers whilst the epidemic preparedness notice was in force?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002257311d57b912471fa5145339dc081592\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, it\u2019s very difficult for offenders in the community to do hours when they\u2019re in lockdown, so the situation was made so that they could do their hours post-lockdown.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022872744a3-2256-4cdd-a4cc-939836dc2b11\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ff53d1192e6146d297b40f3b7fcf4364\u0022\u003EPriyanca Radhakrishnan\u003C/span\u003E: What effect, if any, did COVID-19 have on the Minister\u2019s goal of reducing the prison population safely by 30 percent over 15 years?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002226318bebc31b46a69baec33672410295\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, no matter how you look at it, the prison population is safely reducing, meaning we are well on track to achieve our goals. Last week, the Ministry of Justice released its updated prison population projections. In 2017, under the previous Government, those projections showed that in 2020 the prison population could reach over 12,000. The 2019 projections show that number dropping to around 10,000. The actual number of prisoners is, today, 9,530. That is down from a peak of 10,820. We did say that we would try to safely reduce the prison population by 30 percent over 15 years, so just to be crystal clear\u2014because the member opposite got a little confused between projections and actual numbers last week\u2014projected numbers of prisoners have dropped by around 2,000. Actual numbers of prisoners have dropped by 1,290.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002216f0a4288f5c4f9d894baf224e1996da\u0022\u003ESimeon Brown\u003C/span\u003E: Supplementary on the actual question. Is he telling the House that the COVID\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002266b2fd355f6c492692a0c21b5e061db1\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! I think what I\u2019m going to rule is that there were offences on both sides, and I\u2019m going to ask the member to start his question again, without the additional comment. I\u2019ll say that members on the Government side\u2014if they hadn\u2019t interjected, it would have been the end of the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bbb22f33e0854562a9b7eab76707ebcc\u0022\u003ESimeon Brown\u003C/span\u003E: Is he telling the House that the COVID-19 lockdown was for everyone except for those who had their release conditions varied or community service sentences remitted?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229d470ddbda1c4695927527da711e5a72\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d87fd1d55dc846388b60b65f6720f3ef\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister able to confirm that the justice system, including Corrections, went to a great deal of effort in order to ensure that parole hearings still took place during the COVID lockdown period using audiovisual facilities?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dc5808db2c814ec1a5f26747794d8003\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I can confirm that. I mean, as I said in the answer to my primary question, it was a very, very complex situation. Corrections has done a fantastic job in making sure that prisoners\u2019 and offenders\u2019 cases were still heard and that justice was seen to be done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00228aa645bece6748c3835ef7853a671283\u0022\u003EBudget Debate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00229191ebf8be534489a2488882eb40d691\u0022\u003EBudget Debate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000203\u0022\u003EDebate resumed from 3 June on the Appropriation (2020/21 Estimates) Bill.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u00221afe6970dd3948f28e1ea12649b22ee4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221afe6970dd3948f28e1ea12649b22ee4\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education):\u003C/span\u003E It is a great time to be a New Zealander. When you look at what is happening around the rest of the world, New Zealanders can be rightly proud of how we have tackled COVID-19. We only need to look at some of our friends across the Ditch, but even further afield in the United States, in Italy, across Europe, and in the UK to see the devastation that COVID-19 can cause. [Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002278a4f5abae144955a9cc300d75e23dd6\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d708a71b23564deaacadcc10b4707506\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Thousands of deaths, health systems overrun, economies shut down for a prolonged period of time\u2014that is a fate that we have avoided here in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223c43e7a2c8d3494389f73a262b24f9a3\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! The member will resume his seat. I\u2019m going to start his speech again because of consistent ignoring of my requests for members to be seated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b0a499f265924dfb8595779f5785f782\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: It is a great time to be a New Zealander. As we look around the world, we can see the devastation that COVID-19 has inflicted on other countries. We look at Italy, we look at the UK and the US, we look across Europe, and we see what an impact COVID-19 could have had on our country if we hadn\u2019t gone hard and gone early, as we did as a country. We banded together as a people by staying apart and staying at home. We are now one of the best-placed countries in the world to recover economically, because of the sacrifices that New Zealanders have made and because we have driven COVID-19 out of our country. We didn\u2019t do it as a Government; we did it as a team of 5 million. I want to pay tribute to every New Zealander and the sacrifices that every New Zealander made during that lockdown period.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EI do not believe, as the National Party have argued, that New Zealanders are suffering from Stockholm syndrome\u2014as argued by the National Party health spokesperson, Michael Woodhouse. I do not believe that New Zealanders took this action and made the sacrifices they made because they somehow felt manipulated into it. I believe that New Zealanders did that because they saw how serious the situation was\u2014because they saw what kind of impact COVID-19 could have had on New Zealand. They saw how our health system could have been overrun, how thousands of our fellow Kiwis could have lost their lives, and New Zealanders agreed, New Zealanders took action willingly, because we didn\u2019t want to see that happen here in New Zealand. It was a very selfless act on the part of New Zealanders. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EI can understand why the National Party, whose primary foundation is based on appealing to people\u2019s self-interest, might have some difficulty in understanding why New Zealanders behaved in that way. New Zealanders behaved in that way because they believe in a fair society where we look after one another, and that is exactly what we have done in recent months. We can all be, very rightly, proud of that. Now is the time when we need to continue to act with caution. We need to make sure that the sacrifices that we\u2019ve made as a country are not made in vain. We do not want to see COVID-19 get a foothold here in New Zealand after we have successfully driven it out, and that is one of the reasons why all action around the border needs to be taken with great care. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s consider what that might look like if there was an alternative Government\u2014if, somehow, on becoming leader of the National Party, Todd Muller had also become the Prime Minister of New Zealand. He said he would have moved with urgency to reopen the border to countries like China. He would have moved with urgency to open up the trans-Tasman bubble. We have said as a country, as a Government, that we do want to see a trans-Tasman bubble at such time as it is safe to do so, but let\u2019s look at some of those statistics, and let\u2019s see whether it\u2019s safe to do so now. We\u2019ve talked in the House today about whether or not we\u2019ve got community transmission in New Zealand. Our testing results would suggest we don\u2019t have community transmission in New Zealand, because where there have been positive tests in recent weeks, we\u2019ve been able to identify how those people who tested positive got COVID-19 in the first place. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s look at what\u2019s happening, therefore, in Australia. Let\u2019s, first of all, say they have 490 active cases in Australia\u2014358 in New South Wales and 90 in Victoria. But let\u2019s look at the community transmission statistics in Australia. They have published, the Australian Government have published, the number of days since there was last a detected case of community transmission\u2014that is, a new positive test result where they don\u2019t know how the person got it, which means they picked it up from someone who hasn\u2019t otherwise been identified as having COVID-19. Within the last 48 hours, the state of Victoria has reported new cases of community transmission. Within the last seven days, the state of New South Wales has reported new cases of community transmission.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EWe have to proceed with caution when it comes to reopening our border. Of course we want to open our border to our mates in Australia as quickly as we safely can. There are benefits for both countries to do that. But we should not throw caution to the wind in doing so. We should not play Russian roulette with the health of New Zealanders by saying, as the National Party have been arguing, that we should simply get on with it and reopen the border. All of the sacrifices New Zealanders have made in recent months would be in vain if we simply said, \u201CCome one; come all. Come across the border, and bring COVID-19 with you.\u201D That\u2019s not the sort of risk our Government is willing to take, but it is clear from the comments of the new Leader of the Opposition that that is exactly the sort of risk that he would be willing to take. He would be willing to put New Zealand back\u2014right back to the start, before lockdown, as we saw the number of COVID-19 cases in New Zealand escalating day by day. He would go back to that in the name of reopening the economy to the rest of the world and reopening the border. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s not something we will do on this side of the House. We will proceed with caution. We will make sure that we lock in the gains that we have had, because we do not want to see all of the sacrifice New Zealanders have made over the last month go up in smoke through premature action like reopening the border. It is vitally important that New Zealanders, as we get back to a life that looks a lot more like normal, can lock in that. We don\u2019t want to go back. No New Zealanders want to go back to lockdown\u2014to level 3 or to level 4. We as a Government have a responsibility to take actions that are sensible, that are cautious, and that ensure that doesn\u2019t happen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge the particular contribution to our COVID-19 effort that is being made by employers up and down New Zealand. I know how difficult it is for them. I know how many small-business owners will be lying awake in bed at night thinking, \u201CWhat happens when the wage subsidy ends? How will I continue to support my staff?\u201D I know that that\u2019s happening now and that those people take their responsibilities to their employees incredibly seriously. And I know that they will have sacrificed a lot. There are people out there now\u2014small-business owners\u2014who have mortgaged their own homes to keep their businesses going during the COVID-19 period. I want to take my hat off to them, and I want to say thank you for the sacrifice that you have made. As our team of 5 million has demonstrated, we can do this if we are unified, if we work together, and if we support each other.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EMy message to all New Zealanders is now is a great time, as restrictions continue to be eased, to explore your own backyard for a period of time. If you\u2019ve never been to Queenstown, go. If you haven\u2019t taken your kids to see the geysers in Rotorua, go now. Go and explore New Zealand and see what\u2019s on offer. It\u2019s going cheap at the moment, and now\u2019s a good time to holiday locally. Have that weekend away that you\u2019ve been thinking about for a long time. To our retired New Zealanders, many of whom spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year going and exploring the rest of the world, explore home for a little bit. Grab a campervan and go on a trip around the South Island. There\u2019s campervans going cheap at the moment as well. We spend billions of dollars a year as a country going and exploring the rest of the world; let\u2019s spend that money locally. Let\u2019s support our local businesses. Let\u2019s get that cash flow through their door so that they can thrive even despite the fact that we\u2019ve got border restrictions in place.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s also continue to back the businesses that are taking on and training the future workforce of New Zealand. I really want to acknowledge those employers who have worked so hard to keep their apprentices on board during lockdown. What we saw after the global financial crisis is that apprentices were often the first ones to go. They were the first ones to be laid off. We are working very, very hard as a Government to ensure that that does not happen as a result of COVID-19. We want to keep every one of those apprentices in work if we can. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve abolished the fees for people doing trades and vocational education\u2014whether it\u2019s on the job or off the job\u2014in those areas where we\u2019ve got critical skill shortages, and we\u2019re going to have more announcements very, very soon about providing additional financial support to those businesses that are taking on new apprentices or who have apprentices in the early part of their apprenticeship, because we know that those people are the ones who are most at risk because they\u2019re the ones that employers have to put the most work into. That is a big sacrifice for them, and we want to back them as they continue to do that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EWe don\u2019t want to see what we saw after the global financial crisis, where apprentices were laid off and we suffered the effects of that as a country over the next decade as we continued to experience critical skill shortages. We want to make sure we keep our apprentices on board and that we actually are building the workforce up that we need for the future of this country so that when it comes to infrastructure development and all those other things, we can get on and do it because we\u2019ve got the skilled workers here in New Zealand that we need to make those projects happen. New Zealanders have done an incredible thing over the last three months, and we can all be proud of our collective efforts.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022 data-id=\u00228453b367a9664513bc09c7b78d799838\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228453b367a9664513bc09c7b78d799838\u0022\u003ERt Hon DAVID CARTER (National):\u003C/span\u003E Mr Speaker, before I comment on Budget 2020, I want to comment on the total rubbish that has just been spoken in this House by the Hon Chris Hipkins. This Government never went hard and never went early, and it doesn\u2019t matter how many times Labour members come down to this House and argue that they did. Let\u2019s follow the disease: first discovered late December in Wuhan, China, spread throughout China through January and to the rest of the world. I\u2019ll challenge any member on the other side to find in the media one single comment from a Labour Minister on COVID-19 through January, because you won\u2019t find one. They were busy on holiday and didn\u2019t realise the threat that was developing. There was a pandemic developing, and New Zealand was asleep at the wheel.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002236c8c596-d890-4cca-9767-1eeb5c9ce710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002234e5a631d6e945ac877162ce0cb03996\u0022\u003EDarroch Ball\u003C/span\u003E: They\u2019re bad on that side.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022471ab55ca6a54660856f23cbbaccce71\u0022\u003ERt Hon DAVID CARTER\u003C/span\u003E: We had a competitive advantage, Darroch Ball. We\u2019re an isolated island, a small population, and we\u2019re sparsely populated. We had an opportunity that was missed. Then we see the Prime Minister in early March coming out and saying, \u201CThere\u2019s a challenge here; 30,000 to 40,000 New Zealanders could die.\u201D That\u2019s the fear the Prime Minister created. But what did she do about it? Absolutely nothing. We left the borders open, and we invited tourists to come into New Zealand and then expected them to voluntarily isolate. How naive was that, to think that a tourist backpacker would come from Germany for three or four weeks and voluntarily lock themselves in a hotel room for the first two weeks? Absolute naivety. And then the Prime Minister told us, \u201CDon\u2019t worry, the police are checking up on these people.\u201D, and then we found later that\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002253619e18d4564b27a6930b959026b37c\u0022\u003EMichael Wood\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s a leadership bid.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229efa644207e24cd6b338319d67d373f5\u0022\u003ERt Hon DAVID CARTER\u003C/span\u003E: No, it\u2019s not a leadership bid, Michael Wood. I\u2019m out of this place after six more caucuses and delighted to go, but I\u2019m fed up with hearing rubbish from that member day in, day after, saying that they went hard and they went early, because they did not go hard and they did not go early, and we lost that opportunity. We lost a huge opportunity because that Government sat on its hands and wasn\u2019t prepared to do what had to be done. What had to be done is we had to quarantine the borders, get away from the rubbish of expecting tourists to come to New Zealand and voluntarily go into a hotel room. It was never going to work, Mr Wood.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003EForget coming into this House, time and time again, attempting to tell New Zealanders that we went hard and we went early, because we were soft and we were slow. And consequently, that\u2019s why we\u2019ve continued to have to stay in level 2 for substantially longer than we needed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003EWhat we\u2019ve got after a leaked Cabinet paper yesterday is the Prime Minister finally taking the shackles off the economy. She could have done it yesterday, but no, what we got was another lecture from the Prime Minister and 10 more rules about washing your hands, and going to a doctor if you\u2019re sick, and, the final one, be kind. Well, it\u2019s time the Labour - New Zealand First - Green Government was kind to New Zealand businesses. It\u2019s time they were kind to New Zealand businesses, because businesses are struggling. [Interruption] I know Michael Wood doesn\u2019t bother getting out of his electorate. He doesn\u2019t want to show his face inside any business because he knows the abuse he\u2019ll get, and, frankly, he deserves it. It\u2019s a time for a bit of humility, Mr Wood\u2014not arrogance, but I suspect you don\u2019t know the difference between those two words. Don\u2019t continue with the mantra that this Government went hard and it went early when it did not.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003ENow if I could get back to my comments on the Budget, and I want to acknowledge that it can\u2019t have been an easy Budget for Grant Robertson to prepare. He will have spent most of his Christmas holidays preparing one that was going to be totally focused on Labour re-election 2020. Then, as the COVID situation developed under his nose and he was panicking, he realised he had to deliver a Budget that attempted to cope with COVID-19.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003EBut again, I have been here and delivered probably 26 Budget speeches. I have never spoken about a Budget that\u2019s so big on expenditure and so light on detail. Frankly, I don\u2019t know how it meets the requirements of the Fiscal Responsibility Act; I doubt that it does. But what the Government\u2019s done is given itself, through this Budget, a $20 billion spending spree between now and 19 September. That should have had some detour to it. But we know where the money will go; it\u2019ll be spread here, there, and everywhere in an attempt to buy votes at the election. What it will leave is huge indebtedness that, probably, my generation won\u2019t have to face\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002236c8c596-d890-4cca-9767-1eeb5c9ce710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221e1905a214a343919cda671cf3f6b8dd\u0022\u003EDarroch Ball\u003C/span\u003E: Cheer up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227bee3e8cc1884542a1e241caf016fa0f\u0022\u003ERt Hon DAVID CARTER\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014and, probably, Darroch Ball\u2019s generation won\u2019t have to face\u2014but my kids are going to end up tidying up the mess created by this Budget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003ELooking through the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update, I don\u2019t even think the figures are realistic. Look at some of the figures around tax revenue going from $86.5 billion to $82.3 billion. That\u2019s not credible. When you\u2019ve got businesses that are completely shut down, when you\u2019ve got one sector\u2014international tourism\u2014shut, and shut for the foreseeable future, I don\u2019t believe that tax revenue won\u2019t decline by a lot more than that. You\u2019ve got GDP predicted to go from 4.6 percent into recession for next year and the year after, coming back into growth in 2022. I don\u2019t believe that figure, either; it\u2019s over-optimistic.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003EWhat we\u2019ve got here is a Government that simply doesn\u2019t understand how the economy works. I listened to Mike Hosking on Tuesday morning, and the Prime Minister came on\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c87ef8a502ee4dde840767b96da07fff\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: There\u2019s his first mistake.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b29676575cf340b896eb34a312182fe6\u0022\u003ERt Hon DAVID CARTER\u003C/span\u003E: Mistake? Well, no, the only mistake was made by the Prime Minister in an interview she gave to Mike Hosking when she said, \u201CThe economy is back.\u201D That\u2019s what the Prime Minister said Tuesday. I didn\u2019t make the mistake listening to Mike Hosking, the Prime Minister made a mistake when she\u2019s so out of touch that she thinks the economy is back and running again.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003EWhat I say to the Prime Minister is: come out of level nine of the Beehive, just wander 200 or 300 metres down Lambton Quay\u2014new experience for her. She might get the opportunity to see how few people are on the street and why the businesses are suffering. She might actually get a feel for how tough it is\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002290c1190ad4434121ba70c707ba0ed51c\u0022\u003EMichael Wood\u003C/span\u003E: They\u2019ll recognise her.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cb527b81a906413a80b08bc979ec2382\u0022\u003ERt Hon DAVID CARTER\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014out there. Sorry?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c8f3be5964954647b838e7119ba660d8\u0022\u003EMichael Wood\u003C/span\u003E: They\u2019ll recognise her. No one will know who Todd Muller is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228fc676b8a35f4331bfb8d927e273a2ca\u0022\u003ERt Hon DAVID CARTER\u003C/span\u003E: They\u2019ll recognise her. They\u2019ll recognise her, then they\u2019ll be able to tell her, knowing she\u2019s the Prime Minister, how severely their businesses are suffering. That\u2019d be a good idea, Michael Wood. You can go with her, and then you might get some recognition in this place. You might get better known in Wellington on Lambton Quay than you\u2019ll ever be in your own electorate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003EThis election will be a difficult one for everybody. We\u2019re still coming out of the restrictions of level 2, we assume by next Wednesday, we\u2019ll be in level 1. But it will be an election like no other, because the future of this country depends on significant improvement in economic management than we\u2019ve seen in the last two years. It\u2019s easy to spend money. And we\u2019ve got the ridiculous situation we had in the House twice today\u2014once from the bike rider, the Hon Dr David Clark, and once from the Hon Chris Hipkins\u2014talking about the neglect of the last nine years. Well, if there was neglect for the last nine years, how can Grant Robertson keep coming into the House time and time again, saying that this economy is luckier than all our trading nations because of the fiscal disciplines that we inherited from the National Government? Labour can\u2019t have it both ways. They\u2019ve been talking with forked tongues for the last 2\u00BD years\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d6f17a5288fa405dbe4178e09bdb479d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227cc7000f699d46f8a62133f962a2a825\u0022\u003ERt Hon DAVID CARTER\u003C/span\u003E: They\u2019ve been talking\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002297acaa1c06154669aa6e74c5ca4e32c6\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member will resume his seat. He knows very well he\u2019s not allowed to use that expression, and he won\u2019t again.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b5fd58fde8d148848fd13b20eca89328\u0022\u003ERt Hon DAVID CARTER\u003C/span\u003E: They have been talking with two messages: one of nine years of neglect and one about the fiscal stability of this country. You can\u2019t have it both ways.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022 data-id=\u00222b8453fc927842a6bc991d9114b1a7b7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222b8453fc927842a6bc991d9114b1a7b7\u0022\u003ERINO TIRIKATENE (Labour\u2014Te Tai Tonga):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. It\u2019s a proud moment for me to speak in support of Budget 2020 in this Appropriation (2020/21 Estimates) Bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI want to address the member who just resumed his seat, the Rt Hon David Carter. He claimed that this Government never went hard and we didn\u2019t go early. Well, that flies in the face of the team of 5 million Kiwis up and down this country who, for the past three months, have rallied together as a nation, communities, all of us, to keep out COVID-19 and to protect our communities, protect our nation, and to ensure that we are able to bounce back. But we had to keep COVID-19 at bay, and I want to acknowledge our outstanding leadership from our coalition Government under the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern and the Cabinet for the incredibly credible, decisive action that they\u2019ve taken throughout this whole episode. It\u2019s been a one-in-100 year shock, a one-in-100 year global shock to our society and our economy, and, you know, we have lived through it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI do want to acknowledge the whole nation, all of our wh\u0101nau up and down the whole motu, who have kept COVID-19 out, and we have the proof\u2014we have the proof. We haven\u2019t had any cases for some 12 days now. We have come through the most severe restriction level\u2014level 4\u2014and, all going well, level 1 will be beckoning soon, and we\u2019ve done that all together. Underpinning it all has been the decisiveness and the economic decisions that our Cabinet has made through this Budget. And right from the get-go, right from when this COVID-19 hit, we responded through wage subsidies, through targeted support for our small businesses. We needed to cushion that blow. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve had many supports right through our key infrastructure, whether it\u2019s through our health system, right across the board, and now we\u2019re continuing that with a focus on jobs and infrastructure and our environment through this Budget. So that is continuing with strong investments, whether it\u2019s in our training and apprenticeships, which are most desperately needed. We know that our tourism industry has been greatly impacted by COVID. I know. I\u2019ve travelled around my electorate since we\u2019ve been in level 2, right from Blenheim all the way down south, all the way to Queenstown. I\u2019ve spoken to business owners. They are actually very appreciative of the decisive measures that our Government has taken. They have utilised the measures such as wage subsidies and other supports that have been made available to them. They\u2019re very grateful for that. They know that it\u2019s been tough times, but they\u2019re also very grateful that we have kept COVID at bay. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EOne just has to look at the devastation that\u2019s wreaking havoc around the whole world. The last thing we need as a nation is for a second wave of COVID to come and invade our shores and for us to go back. And that\u2019s what we\u2019re not doing. That\u2019s why I want to acknowledge our Government\u2014the wise decisions that they\u2019ve made, weighing up so many difficult decisions, the risks that are out there. We have slowly but steadily and surely seen the way forward as we\u2019ve come down these restriction levels. We\u2019re seeing it again through this Budget: record investments. Yes, we have had to make record investments. There\u2019s a $50 million COVID recovery fund, and that is desperately needed. This is a one-in-100-year shock, as I mentioned, and those investments are going on across the board. As I\u2019ve mentioned, record investments into our health, into training, into employment, into jobs, support to all directly impacted sectors such as tourism. M\u0101ori have been huge beneficiaries too, and I\u2019m sure my colleague who is to follow will be covering the support, the great support, that M\u0101ori have received under this Budget. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EWe know that despite the sacrifices that we have made over the past few months with COVID, the people across the country know that this Government has been fantastic in its leadership of our waka as we\u2019ve gone through these tough times, and we\u2019re looking forward to going ahead into the future. Kia ora t\u0101tou.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022 data-id=\u0022caf6be38e9cd434f98c61539042f3cc4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022caf6be38e9cd434f98c61539042f3cc4\u0022\u003EHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Labour\u2014Ikaroa-R\u0101whiti):\u003C/span\u003E E Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare, t\u0113n\u0101 koe. Otir\u0101, ng\u0101 mema katoa o Te Whare nei, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa. As a custom in my culture, when we\u2019ve come through a major event, it\u2019s to acknowledge those that we have lost. So e ng\u0101 mate huhua o te motu kua wehe atu i te p\u014D, haere, haere, moe mai r\u0101 [to the multitudes of this land who have gone to the night, go, go, rest in peace].\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EM\u0101ori work best when we work together, and over the last few months that\u2019s exactly what we\u2019ve seen right across the motu. As a team of 5 million, we\u2019ve done well to fight COVID-19, and I want to support the previous speaker, my colleague Rino Tirikatene, in his acknowledgment of those across the motu that responded in the appropriate manner. I want to just briefly touch on all our essential workers, our NGOs, iwi, hauoras DHBs, police, our health professionals, supermarkets, and particularly the generosity of our local food producers who came to the fore right throughout my electorate of Ikaroa-R\u0101whiti. That generosity has given us the resilience to rebuild and recover over this time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EI am pleased to speak in the Budget debate in support of the Appropriation (2020/21 Estimates) Bill. I want to touch on how this Budget\u2014I describe it as the \u201CJobs Budget\u201D. Jobs\u2014this is what this Budget is around, helping the recovery. It puts the commitment of this side of the House on creating, protecting, and growing jobs in our regions. I want to talk about the $200 million M\u0101ori employment package. I want to talk about the $121 million investment in growing, expanding, He Poutama Rangatahi. I want to talk about the $50 million that\u2019s going towards M\u0101ori trade training, part of the $900 million M\u0101ori-specific budget of this coalition Government. I\u2019m telling you, sharing with this House, what the feedback was from throughout M\u0101oridom on this side\u2019s commitment to M\u0101ori, at a time when we really need it\u2014$900 million. Today, we had the Hon Megan Woods talk about another $33 million towards M\u0101ori research and development opportunities. We support and acknowledge the huge investment that\u2019s gone on under this Government and towards all people of the nation, but particularly M\u0101ori. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThis is on the backdrop of $1.1 billion, environmental jobs; $1.4 billion, trades and enterprise. On top of that, there is $200 million towards k\u014Dhanga reo, and the $136 million that has gone to Wh\u0101nau Ora. Can I acknowledge the Wh\u0101nau Ora commissioning agents up and down the country, who was one of the first agencies that set up and supported our vulnerable people up and down the country. It is exciting to be part of a Government that has put investment into our regions and is growing the jobs. I\u2019ve touched on it briefly. There\u2019s so much more in this Budget that I\u2019m really proud of. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge the strong leadership of the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern. In fact, when we returned to this House, I was given clear directions from my aunties from Pakipaki and my aunties from Manutuke to go and give that Prime Minister of ours a hug and thank her for keeping us safe\u2014thank her for keeping us safe. Of course, they\u2019re all fan\u2014I shouldn\u2019t call them fangirling; they\u2019re fan-auntying on Dr Ashley Bloomfield. They want to actually get his signature. But, in all jest. I want to say in great humility that the way that communities rallied together in a real time of need is mirrored by the commitment of this Budget, that we\u2019re debating here. It touches the very points that we need in our regions. It is around creating and growing jobs. It is around working in partnership with iwi and M\u0101ori, who own multiple assets. It is investing in our small-business sector.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge my colleague in front of me, the Hon Carmel Sepuloni, and her agency that moved very, very quickly around the wage subsidy and how they got that out the door. Those actions show that we weren\u2019t only talking about acknowledging the hardship of many of our communities but we were backing it up with actions. I\u2019m really proud of this Budget\u2014the Appropriation (2020/21 Estimates) Bill\u2014and I commend it 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=\u0022026fc54de4da497288c7a31f14f9bd69\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022026fc54de4da497288c7a31f14f9bd69\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS (National\u2014Northcote):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s a pleasure to speak in the Budget debate today and I want to start out on a positive note. I want to start by acknowledging the Government and the public of New Zealand for the response to COVID-19; in particular, the health response. So we\u2019ve had no cases for 13 days. We\u2019ve had 34 days of no community transmission; 92 percent of New Zealanders agree that the Government\u2019s approach to the health crisis has been beneficial. So, look, I just want to acknowledge that\u2014it\u2019s my olive branch to that side of the House\u2014and on this side of the House we think that that is evidence of why we should be in level 1 immediately. So we do call on the Government to go to level 1. Let\u2019s get back to business and get our economy moving.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EBut this Budget, that we\u2019re here to debate today, was about jobs. It was about the economic response to COVID-19. Somebody\u2019s mentioned in the House it\u2019s a jobs Budget\u2014that it\u2019s a Budget that is about rebuilding together. That is what I want to spend my contribution on here today, going down into the details with that, because we do face a significant economic crisis throughout our community. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EIn communities what it means really is lost jobs, lost incomes, and lost livelihoods, and that economic cost\u2014that is very real in my community of Northcote where just yesterday the Warehouse announced that it\u2019s closing a longstanding store in my community that\u2019s going to force 40 staff, potentially, to lose their jobs. So we understand that we are entering tough times and that this Budget was all about the economic response. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EHowever, I don\u2019t have faith that this Government or this Budget delivers the economic response that\u2019s required to get our economy back on track. All they\u2019ve promised is more debt, going up to 54 percent of GDP in the next few years, more spending, but no real plan to drive private enterprise and drive our economy forward. As my colleague David Carter mentioned, all of the assumptions that the Budget is based on are very rosy and we have significant concerns about the downside effect if those assumptions don\u2019t hold up. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EReally, there is no plan to get the thousands upon thousands of people right across New Zealand back into work and earning good incomes and no plan to actually deliver for New Zealand. Let\u2019s be clear: the people in New Zealand realise the Government is weak on delivery. Need we say more than KiwiBuild, light rail, and a very close project to my heart, the SkyPath project? So what makes us believe that this Government, after 2\u00BD years of virtually delivering nothing, will deliver on the economic response that\u2019s required to get our economy back on track, and what confidence do we have that they will spend the $20 billion extra that they have allowed in an effective way to get our economy back on track? That\u2019s the question that we have and we have no faith in the answer to that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s dive down into some of the actual Budget announcements that were made. Apprenticeship support\u2014that\u2019s fantastic. I did an apprenticeship a few years ago. It took me 2\u00BD years, but 140,000 unemployed people in New Zealand are not going to go and do an apprenticeship for 2\u00BD years. What about education and training? Well, this Government had a fantastic report that it was sitting on: the Productivity Commission report into the future of work. How many recommendations did they pull out of that report? Zero\u2014oh, and I was ambitious for this Government to actually do something in that area. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EWhat about the wage subsidy, which we\u2019ve heard a lot about today? Well, that wage subsidy, yes, that does help, but it\u2019s not enough, and after months of no delivery on things like commercial rents, the Government announces something today to that effect. Well, that is too late and it is not enough for those hard-working thousands of small businesses out there that need support now. What about mental health? This Government\u2019s talked up a big game in mental health. Well, in my community of Northcote, we\u2019ve received no extra funding for mental health in our community under this Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220b98d2ccf6c74b3aac27c40fbb897ba4\u0022\u003EDr Duncan Webb\u003C/span\u003E: Have you got nurses in schools?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022363097aa1a994e879c8a846620a9ef95\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS\u003C/span\u003E: So, what else should I say? Let\u2019s talk, Duncan Webb, about the shovel-ready projects, shall we? Let\u2019s talk about those shovel-ready projects. Well, tell me how many jobs that\u2019s going to create tomorrow because unless that side is able to tell me, then that is not going to be sufficient to get our economy moving. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003ESo, all we see is a massive amount of throwing money at things willy-nilly, getting us more into debt without a significant plan\u2014without a significant plan\u2014of getting our economy moving. What are some of the massive effects? Well, unemployment\u2014under Treasury\u2019s scenario, nearly 10 percent; I think it\u2019s going to be higher. We\u2019ve got debt going up, lost incomes, and I think just a contraction of our economy over the next few years. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003ESo now we come to what National would have done. What would we have done differently than this Government did? Well, firstly, we would have got us back to business earlier. We would have taken us to level 1 earlier, as the Government\u2019s own advice indicates\u2014that we should be, in fact, in level 1, getting our businesses back together. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EThe second thing we would have done is focus on real private sector investment and making it easy to hire new staff. That is why the leader of the National Party announced JobStart, which is a fantastic thing and, actually, we hope the Government adopts it. JobStart provides $10,000 for a business to take on a new worker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222c12973359df4ea384b306186721a7ff\u0022\u003EHon Iain Lees-Galloway\u003C/span\u003E: Ah, chucking money at the problem.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022007489dbd6cb48ffa6fe6e7008f632e1\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS\u003C/span\u003E: \u201CWhat about a GST refund?\u201D, I hear you say, Iain Lees-Galloway. Well, we\u2019re going to give businesses a GST refund. We\u2019re also going to give businesses who invest the chance to write off the depreciation of their assets. What we need in this House is a Government that is focused on enabling the private sector to deliver jobs, because they aren\u2019t delivered in Wellington. The jobs are delivered by the private enterprises and the people who go off and invest their hard-earned cash and not the sector in Wellington. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EWhat else would we have done? We would have again focused on massive infrastructure spending but more targeted to that effect. Again, we had 12 roads of national significance 2\u00BD years ago. Labour cancelled those projects; they were shovel-ready. They were shovel-ready. Now what have they done? They\u2019ve put them back online.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003ESo let me come back to what this is all about, which is that our economy is going to be facing some really tough challenges. I believe that with the right plan, with the right vision, with the right team, New Zealand can come through this well and position our country successfully for the post-COVID-19 world. But I don\u2019t see that in this Budget today. I don\u2019t see the team that has the private sector nous to deliver for New Zealanders with respect to a greater and more prosperous economy. I see that team on this side of the House: small-business owners, farmers, investment bankers, the creators of our economic growth and our economic agenda heading forward.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EMy colleague David Carter talked about the election. This election is going to be fought on who is best-placed to deliver for New Zealanders where it matters most. We acknowledge the Government\u2019s done a fantastic job on the health crisis. Yes, we can pull apart and say, \u201CYou know, here they should have done things better.\u201D But on the economic side, they will fail. They will fail because they lack the team, they lack the plan, they lack the vision to deliver for New Zealanders. That\u2019s what National\u2019s going to do and I look forward to campaigning for the National Party vote in September.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022 data-id=\u00229bce1edee43147289197c3f9a148d54f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229bce1edee43147289197c3f9a148d54f\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. It goes without saying, and everybody knows that this year\u2019s Budget was delivered during exceptional times: a global pandemic that has killed hundreds of thousands around the world and caused every economy in the world to face a significant crisis, a slowdown of economic activity, unemployment, and a withdrawal from investment around the world. But New Zealand went into this in a strong position because successive Governments have known that as a small country highly reliant on global trade and highly reliant on global investment, we have needed to keep the Government\u2019s books in order. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003EI remember during the global financial crisis Bill English saying that that was the rainy day that the Government had been saving for\u2014of course, it was the Government of Helen Clark and Michael Cullen who saved for that period\u2014and the National Party, when they were in Government, in response to the global financial crisis, borrowed. Debt went up. That was the right thing to do to stimulate the economy. But they were careful. They didn\u2019t let Government debt get to the same levels as we see in the UK or the US or in many European countries, or Japan, and when we came into Government again, we continued that focus on getting debt down. Debt was lower as we went into this crisis than it was when we came into Government, and all of that work over decades has put New Zealand into a strong position to be able to weather this international crisis. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003EWe have also benefited from the strong and unwavering leadership that we have had from our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, and the focus that this Government has had on suppressing the COVID-19 virus here in New Zealand\u2014things like closing the border and things like moving to alert level 4; going hard, going early; and not being tempted into moving too quickly back down through the levels. It\u2019s not just important for the health of our nation and for the people here in New Zealand that we are cautious about the way we come down those levels; it is important for our economy as well. It is easy to forget, given the success that we have had here in New Zealand in suppressing the virus and in limiting the number of people who have been affected by it and the number of people who have, tragically, been killed with the virus\u2014because we have been so successful here in New Zealand, it is easy to forget what is still going on around the world. If you look at other countries, you see second waves, you see restrictions coming back on, or you see no end in sight of restrictions of both social activity and economic activity, because other countries may not have gone hard enough soon enough in their response. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003ESo as important as the health response is\u2014and I think we all recognise that maintaining the health and wellbeing of our citizens and everybody who lives here in New Zealand has been important to focus on\u2014that response has been important for the economy as well, and so we now have some of the loosest restrictions of any country around the world. We see more domestic economic activity happening in New Zealand than we see in many other countries, but that is not to suggest for a second that we are not facing challenging times. We really do need to recognise the effort of the team of 5 million and the sacrifices that people have made. Businesses have forgone income, workers have forgone wages, and people have remained at home in order to make sure that that effort was a success, and it was in that context that this year\u2019s Budget was delivered. The initiatives contained in that Budget are purposefully designed to help us move quickly back to the levels of employment that we saw before the crisis, and the levels of economic activity. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003ESo we have had targeted wage subsidies to support businesses to keep people in work, because we know of the scarring effects of people being made redundant and people losing work. They often don\u2019t return at the same level of employment and the same level of income, so we want to keep people engaged with their employer so that now that we\u2019re at the point where restrictions are lifting, people are able to get back to work. Of course, in this Budget we have ensured that businesses that are suffering a 50 percent revenue loss for the 30-day period prior to applying versus the same period last year will be eligible for the extension to that wage subsidy to be able to support people to stay in work. There is an additional $400 million of investment specifically to help the tourism industry to recover from the shock of the COVID-19 virus. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003EWe have focused on small businesses. Small businesses have already applied for almost $1 billion in interest-free loans to provide them with the working capital that they need to be able to get their businesses back up on their feet. More than 55,000 small businesses have applied for that loan, and 95 percent of those applications have been approved so far. We\u2019ve supported small businesses to grow digitally via e-commerce and supported them to be able to do more contactless delivery of their goods so that they\u2019ve been able to operate within the restrictions, and, indeed, to set them up for the future. Many businesses will be pivoting towards a more digitally based approach to working as a result of the experience they have had during this pandemic. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003EThere is practical assistance to help exporters seize international growth opportunities and to look at diversifying their markets so that they are perhaps not so vulnerable to shocks in the future. We\u2019re incentivising innovative research and development to grow new ideas, because we know that it is tech-heavy, research-heavy businesses that are more likely to be higher-wage and higher-growth and more likely to be able to weather a shock like we have seen in this last period of time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003EBut there\u2019s an opportunity here as well to focus on things like the environment, so we have set funding aside in this Budget to create 11,000 jobs focused on the environment, and we\u2019re launching regional environmental programmes to create local jobs. Projects include upgrading walking tracks and wetland restoration and pest eradication, and it\u2019s also supporting tourism operators to employ local staff to redeploy people who have recently been made unemployed or people who are underused or underutilised as a result of the economic shock caused by the pandemic, and of course training is absolutely central to this. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003EWe have a large number of people who have been employed\u2014perhaps particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors\u2014who, in order to be able to gain meaningful work into the future, are going to have to train to support themselves to be redeployed, and, of course, an absolutely central component of this is the announcement of 2\u00BD years of trade training\u20142\u00BD years of free trade training\u2014so that people can pick up apprenticeships and be able to pick up the jobs that are in demand. They actually pay extremely well, and it will help set people up for a strong future, with meaningful work for many of those people and the opportunity even, potentially, to own their own business into the future, off the back of that trade training. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003ESo all of these things contained in this year\u2019s Budget are designed to assist people to weather the current storm and to seek the opportunities and to make use of the opportunities that are going to become available into the future, because, ultimately, that\u2019s what we have to focus on. It is putting people at the centre of everything that we do. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003EI just want to use the last minute to point out, again, that it can be tempting to talk about getting down to level 1 sooner. It can be tempting to talk about the economy and the health response as though they are two separate things. All of these things are absolutely intertwined. We need to acknowledge that a strong economic recovery is founded in keeping our people well, keeping our people safe, and ensuring that we are not too cavalier in trying to get the economy going again before we are ready, before it is safe to do so. But that is why this Government has based its decisions on science and based its decisions on the very best advice, and it is why the world is looking at us and holding New Zealand up as the example of success, both in our health response and in our economic response. I think New Zealanders can be very proud of what we have done collectively, and I commend this Budget to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u00227e3ea504775741c48a6a4748699dc3be\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227e3ea504775741c48a6a4748699dc3be\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: This is a split call.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022 data-id=\u0022b7105c3118fc4e1cad7e2ad58e581d2b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b7105c3118fc4e1cad7e2ad58e581d2b\u0022\u003EERICA STANFORD (National\u2014East Coast Bays):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. Well, the cover of this year\u2019s Budget is rather different to the one that we got last year; a somewhat safer option of a beautiful landscape with snow-capped mountains, I suppose in an attempt not to have a repeat of that family who moved to Australia for better opportunities and better pay\u2014somewhat embarrassing for the Government. But it\u2019s a pretty good lesson that when New Zealand starts to slide backwards, people look across the Ditch for better opportunities, and it\u2019s relevant now more than ever, when we compare the Australian recovery to our own in a post-COVID world.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve all seen the statistics: 43,000 jobs lost so far, 37,000 in April alone\u2014a thousand a week. This year\u2019s Budget had the opportunity to chart a great long-term recovery plan, but unfortunately all we\u2019ve seen is a \u201Cborrow and hope Budget\u201D with a $20 billion slush fund with absolutely no detail. Actually, I need to correct myself there; I apologise. There is detail; it\u2019s just not detail that the finance Minister is going to share with the rest of New Zealand. Instead, he\u2019s preferring to announce $200 million worth of spending every day like some kind of pre-election Advent calendar\u2014except, instead of a delicious chocolate treat, you get a $200 million surprise which may or may not be informed by Labour Party polling. Remember last year when Minister Robertson couldn\u2019t get his hands on a capital gains tax? Remember that? So he snuck round the other side to try and get hold of the nation\u2019s credit card to put his expensive election promises on tick. Well, this year we\u2019ve handed our credit card over to him; it\u2019s got a $20 billion limit. We\u2019ve got no idea what he\u2019s spending anything on until we get the statement in the mail. It\u2019s an eye-watering amount of Kiwis\u2019 money that is completely unaccounted for that will be spent in the lead-up to an election.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003ETo top it all off, that certainty and relief that businesses were so desperate for was not delivered in this Budget. While we languish in level 2 for another week, businesses are getting closer and closer to the wall. But, hey, according to Willie Jackson, what\u2019s another week, huh?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EBut I want to turn my attention at this point to the environment, because last month\u2019s Budget was massive\u2014tens of billions of dollars borrowed. But the focus was on returning to normal, business as usual, and Kiwis expected more than that for the amount that we\u2019re spending. Money wasn\u2019t a problem in this Budget; the problem was a lack of vision, especially a lack of green vision. While the Government divvied up the Budget funds in May, they chose not to look to a greener future. Yes, there were, as Iain Lees-Galloway pointed out, millions and millions in environmental expenditure that was appropriated in the Budget for environmental jobs. While I\u2019m sure there are many people out there who are champing at the bit to shoot a wallaby or pull out a wilding pine, as one commentator points out, this feels more like a work programme to curb unemployment and would be better spent on transitioning our economy to a greener future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003ETo that point, there was no mention in the Budget of the Green Investment Fund. What ever happened to the Green Investment Fund? This was heralded as a big win for the Greens in the post-election negotiations. It was established to accelerate low-emissions investment in New Zealand. Nearly three years on, not a single cent of that Budget has been handed out. Massive talk, big announcement\u2014which they love to do\u2014zero delivery, and whenever we mention it to James Shaw, he clams up. Minister Shaw reminds us continually about the urgency of climate change, the crisis, while he sits on $100 million of climate mitigation funding for three years. There is, once again, for the third time running, zero mention of the promise these guys made to electrify the Government fleet. As always, big on talk, no delivery. On top of this, they vetoed the Waitaha small hydro scheme on the West Coast that would have provided power to 12,000 homes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EWhat about this Government\u2019s commitment to kauri dieback? They can\u2019t even sign off that money. Cameras on fishing vessels? That\u2019s gone out the window. A thousand vessels in the fleet, 28 boats still have cameras, and we all know why that is\u2014thanks to Winston Peters and his lot. There are no cameras on fishing vessels and 14,000 sea birds a year continue to perish. Urban water quality? Tackling our massive waste problem? I guess, in the end, the cover of the Budget was another gaffe. A beautiful environmental scene with snow-capped mountains\u2014the lack of any transformational green spend in this Budget makes a mockery of that. If New Zealanders are going to pick up an $80,000 bill per household in debt, we should get something that we are proud of, and this Budget is not that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022 data-id=\u0022f2ef2a9c4609411dbfa5b4c453c233bd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f2ef2a9c4609411dbfa5b4c453c233bd\u0022\u003EMATT KING (National\u2014Northland):\u003C/span\u003E Oh, it\u2019s a pleasure to speak on the Rebuilding Together Budget. I call it the \u201Cborrow and hope with no plan Budget\u201D. They\u2019re going to borrow eye-watering amounts of money\u2014eye-watering amounts: $50 billion to $100 billion worth of debt. That is serious debt. Now, to borrow that kind of money, they\u2019re actually going to print money. This is what they\u2019re doing. The Reserve Bank is buying the debt of the Government. So this is called quantitative easing in other parts of the world, and it has never been done in the history of our country\u2014it\u2019s never been done. Even during the depths of the global financial crisis, we did not engage in quantitative easing, but this is what this Government is doing. If you continue on that path, we\u2019re going to be like Zimbabwe\u2014inflation through the roof. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003ESo we all agree\u2014[Interruption] You laugh. That\u2019s exactly what we\u2019re doing\u2014we\u2019re printing money. That is exactly\u2014the Greens laugh. They probably don\u2019t understand about that, but they actually called for that a couple of terms ago\u2014they called for this money printing\u2014and it was boo-hooed by the rest of the parliamentary colleagues then. But that\u2019s what we\u2019re doing now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019ll give them credit\u2014I\u2019ll give the Government a bit of credit. They have done a good job of fighting the health crisis, I\u2019ll give you that\u2014in part. They shut the castle, but they left the drawbridge down and the gates open. So there was no Trojan horse needed because the virus just came in through the border. Now, I remember in the early stages of lockdown, you walked around the streets\u2014and you see pictures of the streets like an Armageddon movie: no one around\u2014and it was it was eerie, in fact. But at the same time that that was happening, travellers were coming in through our borders and they were not locked down. They were given a brochure or a pamphlet and told to self-quarantine or self-isolate. What a joke. Someone coming here as a tourist is not going to go and spend a couple of weeks in a motel in self-quarantine. They\u2019re not going to do that. They\u2019re the highest-risk people, those travellers, and this is what this Government expected. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003ESo no quarantining and no testing\u2014what a no-brainer. Why was that happening? I questioned that. I put a post up on Facebook. I could not believe that they were not even testing at the border and they were not even quarantining. So we\u2019ve got these impregnable borders of sea, and they were just letting them in. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EGo hard and early\u2014that\u2019s another myth. You say it often enough; it doesn\u2019t become true. They did not go hard and early. A little bit like the nine years of neglect: they say it often enough; doesn\u2019t make it true. So the reason I can describe why they weren\u2019t going hard and early was because days before we locked down, the Pasifika Festival was going to be held and the Christchurch memorial ceremonies were going to be held, and they were only put off at the last minute. So we were not going hard and early.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EThe Prime Minister said if we did nothing, we were going to have 80,000 deaths\u201480,000 deaths is what they scared the hell out of us with. That modelling has been thoroughly discredited. We were never going to have 80,000 deaths. But, you know, to be fair, we were going to suffer some deaths, and the actions of locking down we agreed with, and we supported that, that we had to do that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EBut you know what? They didn\u2019t even have enough personal protective equipment. We had private individuals chartering planes to bring it in. In the early days, we had 10s and 20s for tests in a day. I can remember them standing up and saying, \u201CWe\u2019ve tested a dozen people today.\u201D I mean, that was incredible. Even my daughter, she got really sick and had all the symptoms of COVID-19\u2014the sickest I\u2019ve actually ever seen her. I was very worried about her. She went along and tried to get a test. She had all the symptoms of COVID-19, and that was denied. They said, \u201CNah, you haven\u2019t been overseas. We\u2019re not going to give you a test.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EYou know what? Australia shut their economy down, but they didn\u2019t shut it down to the extent we did. They\u2019ve still carried on. Construction\u2019s still carried on. You can still get a haircut. You can still get takeaways. And you know what? Their results are remarkably the same. The same death rates, the same recovery rates as ours\u2014remarkably similar. But the Government don\u2019t like to talk about that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EI can remember also some of the decisions that were made about not having greengrocers and butchers open, yet in my town of Kaikohe, we had five dairies open with people coming and going, and two supermarkets, but the greengrocer and the butcher couldn\u2019t open. I mean, these decisions were, like, incredible. But that just shows me that this Government has no business nous, and I can see it when I look across the House there. There\u2019s only a handful of them that have ever run a business before, so they don\u2019t know that the pain is palpable. People are suffering out there. It is painful.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EWe acknowledge that austerity doesn\u2019t work, but we\u2019ve got to get back to business, and I\u2019ve being calling it all along\u2014we\u2019ve got to get back to level 1, get back to business, and try and save some jobs and save some businesses. A \u201Cborrow and hope Budget\u201D\u2014they\u2019ve got no plan.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022 data-id=\u002220a1a1e6b50245cdb1a029be18da0afc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002220a1a1e6b50245cdb1a029be18da0afc\u0022\u003ETAMATI COFFEY (Labour\u2014Waiariki):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora, Madam Speaker. Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Budget debate, of which this is absolutely a Budget with a plan, and it\u2019s a necessary Budget because we\u2019ve just come out of an unprecedented situation, a very heavy situation where New Zealand was put in a place that we had never been before. Worlds were turned upside down and New Zealand was calling on the Government to be able to help, now, during, and certainly well into the future as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EBefore I start, I\u2019d like to acknowledge all of those people who passed during the lockdown. It\u2019s been a very tough time for the families of those that had passed away during the lockdown\u2014the very strict parameters around tangihanga and funerals. I want to acknowledge all of those that passed during that time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EWhat I acknowledge also was the working together of the Government and also our M\u0101ori communities. It was a delight to see our iwi health providers talking with our DHBs, trying to get results, trying to get supplies, trying to get information and resource out to those remote M\u0101ori communities that really needed support at what was quite a tumultuous time. I want to acknowledge the work that the police did with our iwi and our M\u0101ori communities as well in terms of some of the community stations that were set up and primarily with the goal of looking after these small communities that hadn\u2019t seen any impacts from COVID and didn\u2019t want to see that either. So I applaud the police and I applaud those communities that worked constructively with the police during that time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003ENot to mention our job as M\u0101ori MPs. We were contacted daily, many times daily, from our worried constituents\u2014worried about their safety, worried about their health, and we swung into action as well. That partnership is something that continues to this day and will continue well into the future as well\u2014a partnership that is led by our tremendous, our awesome, our amazing Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, our Minister of Finance Grant Robertson, who\u2019s come up with this Budget; this Budget which is going to help us a lot.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EWhen I go back into my community this weekend and they ask me what the Budget is doing for M\u0101ori, I\u2019ll be able to look them in the eye and say, \u201CThis is one of the best Budgets that M\u0101ori have ever had to benefit from.\u201D The unprecedented, targeted spending that has been apportioned in this Budget is going to be great for our communities. The amount of money that we\u2019ve apportioned to Wh\u0101nau Ora\u2014$136 million, building on the good work that they put out during the lockdown: their care packages, the love and attention that they gave to people that needed it at that time. I want to acknowledge them for their work. There is $200 million for our k\u014Dhanga reo. They are our language nests, they are the future of our language, they are a gift from our ancestors, and that appropriation is the biggest that that movement\u2014the k\u014Dhanga reo movement\u2014have seen in a very long time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EI also want to acknowledge that in the post-COVID world that we find ourselves in there are a lot of M\u0101ori that will find themselves without jobs. Whenever we talk about the unemployment rate, the M\u0101ori unemployment rate is always double what the general unemployment rate is, and we need to make sure that we as a Government are doing as much as we can to be able to support people back into jobs. So the announcement around the apprenticeships\u2014getting rid of fees from 1 July, scrapping those fees so that people can retrain and become commanders of their own destiny in whichever field they want to take up. I want to applaud our Minister of Education, the Hon Chris Hipkins, for the work that he\u2019s done in that space, also my colleague the Hon Willie Jackson for his work in reaching out to our nephs on the couch, reaching out to our young M\u0101ori that need some support through He Poutama Rangatahi, through Mana in Mahi\u2014that\u2019s been expanded into our big cities as well and I want to acknowledge that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EBut one of the best apportionments that I saw in this Budget was the $7 million that went to one tourist organisation in the Bay of Plenty, in my home town of Rotorua\u2014it went to Te Puia, and it went there as part of a special arrangement. We have master carvers and master weavers at the New Zealand M\u0101ori Arts and Crafts Institute, and it was feared that they would end up at the Ministry of Social Development in the dole queue, and we couldn\u2019t see that, we couldn\u2019t take that, we had to do something about it. I was pleased when the Prime Minister, the Minister of Tourism, and our Minister for M\u0101ori Development all came to Rotorua a couple of weekends ago to make that announcement. We\u2019ve still got a long way to go but we\u2019re going in the right direction. We have got a plan and we\u2019ve got the right people leading us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022 data-id=\u00221573b12adcaa4fb7b0e6694e52587304\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221573b12adcaa4fb7b0e6694e52587304\u0022\u003EMARJA LUBECK (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe. T\u0113n\u0101 koe e Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare. I would like to start my contribution in this debate by acknowledging all those in our team of 5 million who have worked so hard to make sure that we could get on top of, and stay on top of, this virus. Minister Hipkins, in fact, started off this debate today by thanking the businesses for what they have done to ensure that they did the best by their staff and their businesses. But there is one group in all of the speeches that hasn\u2019t been singled out yet for a big thankyou and those are union delegates. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003ENow, a large part of being a delegate is standing up for your colleagues and for their rights, and it includes ensuring that certain disputes may not escalate. It makes the person who stands up for their colleagues often more vulnerable, because they speak up where others stay quiet. And they often put their own interests behind anyone else\u2019s, because they look at the greater good and their colleagues\u2019 wellbeing and manaakitanga. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003ESo over the last month, the jobs of these union delegates have become increasingly pressured because over the lockdown we had issues with regards to the wage subsidy, leave provisions, sick leave, health and safety, and many times it is the delegates that have been supporting their colleagues in those difficult circumstances, often in the same circumstances that they were facing: redundancies, restructures, and losing their jobs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003ENow, I know that at the moment in Air New Zealand there are several working really hard with the company, because Air New Zealand has to cut 3,500 staff off their books. That\u2019s a really tough thing to do. I was in the same position in 2009, having to go through that kind of exercise, but it was nothing compared to now. The scale of this is absolutely heartbreaking and gut-wrenching, and my heart goes out to the people that are helping their colleagues, doing what they can to work through that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003ENow, union delegates are our unsung heroes and it\u2019s great to see that in the latest birthday honours. If I can just mention Marianne Bishop, she was recognised for her services to the union movement and the community, and she is an absolutely deserving woman, working with Kristine Bartlett during the equal pay claim. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003EBut back to the Budget. We have, of course, started with the wage subsidy to ensure that we would protect as many jobs as possible, give businesses the opportunity to work through their options and find out ways to keep their businesses viable, and that started paying out straight away. But in five days, I believe, the first cash was rolling out and it has immediately helped businesses, and over 1.7 million people have benefited from that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003EA couple of comments that I\u2019ve received recently from businesses\u2014now, there\u2019s one here: \u201CI would like to say thank you to the Government for helping me with the opportunity to keep my business afloat. Regardless of the final outcome, the Government provided me with a $48,000 wage subsidy, which at least gave my business a chance.\u201D And this one from a Rodney business: \u201COver the past 12-week period, we\u2019ve had a 60 percent drop in revenue with expenses remaining the same. We have 14 staff and are proud we\u2019ve been able to keep them all employed at 100 percent of their wages.\u201D And this is a living wage employer; I know that: \u201CWithout the Government\u2019s quick offer and payment of the wage subsidy, we absolutely would have been reducing wages and making redundancies.\u201D So this is really great stuff and there are lots of big ticket items in this Budget that we\u2019ve heard people talk about. But also there are many detailed, smaller, much needed investments that we haven\u2019t heard much about because they\u2019re tucked away in the Treasury\u2019s detailed Budget documents. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003EOne of those I\u2019m thinking of is the funding for the Coastguard and Surf Life Saving New Zealand, where volunteers, of course, are doing that crucial work to keep us safe. In the northern region, where I\u2019m based, that means that the places between Mangawhai and \u014Crewa, from Red Beach to Muriwai, are benefiting from that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003EBringing back night classes is the other really great one that we get so much feedback about. People really, really love that. I don\u2019t know why that was cut in 2010 by the previous Government, but that was absolutely well received. We are having a $12 billion New Zealand Upgrade Programme. Projects like Penlink are finally coming through; one that our Government has committed to where the previous Government only ever really talked about it without funding it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003ESo the silver lining that our Minister always talks about is there. We need to rebuild and we need to build back better, because the pre-COVID economy certainly wasn\u2019t one that we want to go back to. So we are creating new jobs, training people to have the skills that they need for the jobs that they\u2019re going into, and we are supporting people to either keep their jobs or go back into work. That\u2019s what this Budget does. It\u2019s a great Budget. I thank the Minister and I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022 data-id=\u002218b015fc59164037b9cb57cd56ddb210\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002218b015fc59164037b9cb57cd56ddb210\u0022\u003EMAUREEN PUGH (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. I recall, when the Minister of Finance was delivering his Budget speech, he talked to us about rebuilding social infrastructure. He said that this Budget would pave the way for a better tomorrow. So how does a Government create a better tomorrow? Well, I\u2019d argue that they do that by making today the absolute worst that it could possibly be. Today has become a nightmare for workers. It\u2019s become a nightmare for businesses and communities, and this Government is racking up debt at a rate that this country has never considered ever in its history. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EHe also said that other countries were a lot worse off than New Zealand. I guess that we can wonder why that is. I would argue, very strongly, that it\u2019s because, when we had the last major financial disaster in this country, the global financial crisis, we actually had a Government\u2014a National Government\u2014that maintained control and disciplined financial management. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EWe were criticised by the current Government members, when they were in Opposition, for not throwing more money around and for being too controlled, but, while being disciplined, we also knew where Kiwis\u2019 money was best spent. We also were cognisant of the fact of who would have to pay that money back. We kept a focus on reducing debt, and that meant making some sacrifices, and there were some wage rounds and some capital expenditure that was pushed out. But things still didn\u2019t stand still, even in those days. Decisions were balanced against the need to continue to grow this country, against the financial discipline of maintaining a really low debt level for New Zealand and its future. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EA couple of the major infrastructure spends that were spent in West Coast - Tasman were the new two-lane bridge between Hokitika and Greymouth or the Te Nikau Hospital, that is about to open in Greymouth\u2014major infrastructure spend. But a further example of sensible investment that happened during those tough times was the rollout of high-speed internet across this country\u2014the very infrastructure that allowed this country to continue to operate during our recent lockdown. It\u2019s kept kids in education, it\u2019s kept people in entertainment in their homes, it\u2019s kept communications open between families, and it\u2019s even kept business and Government ticking over. Thanks, National. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EThat rock star economy set us up well, but it took discipline. In the middle of the pandemic lockdown, what discipline did we see from the very person who was meant to be fronting the health response in this country? None. He was too busy driving to the beach or driving to the bike trail so he could go for a bike ride. If Kiwis are looking for financial discipline, they will not find it on that side of the House, and that\u2019s glaringly clear with the financial rabbit-hole we are heading down.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003ESome of the wasted spend that\u2019s going on in this Budget is almost eye-watering, and I\u2019d like to turn my attention to $1.1 billion that went to the Department of Conservation (DOC). DOC is going to use $1.1 billion to cut down wilding pines, pull out some weeds, and get rid of some pests. But it\u2019s a oncer. It has no financial return to this country. If we\u2019re going to destroy and shoot pests, why aren\u2019t we making use of that? We\u2019ve got a local abattoir that would value the carcasses. Why don\u2019t we work with the local industry so that we can put that product through and actually generate some income? Merinomink is one of the best products and best fibre mixes that we\u2019ve got in this country\u2014possum and merino wool\u2014beautiful product. But, no; these animals are going to be shot and left to rot in the bush. Pulling weeds\u2014well, a problem with pulling a weed is you turn your back and it grows back again. It\u2019s pouring money down the drain. This country needs disciplined financial management. It\u2019s not going to get it from that side of the House, I\u2019m afraid.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EI\u2019d like to bring up one other point of spending. We were told how much the primary sector played a part in getting us through this pandemic and generating income. But what did it get? Less than 1 percent of new money. How valued do the primary sector feel with that level of investment in the very backbone of industry that has kept New Zealand afloat? This is a dreadful Budget. New Zealand is heading down the drain.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229188988b-e79b-4381-969a-982d0ebdb3ca\u0022 data-id=\u002275363e9e38e64b43bdc7208b9d190989\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229188988b-e79b-4381-969a-982d0ebdb3ca\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002275363e9e38e64b43bdc7208b9d190989\u0022\u003EPAULO GARCIA (National):\u003C/span\u003E We have heard that these are exceptional times and they are unprecedented times, which calls for exceptional focus, exceptional understanding, and exceptional effort to help New Zealand survive the effects of this pandemic and survive economically. The question really has been, and continues to be, what is best for all New Zealanders. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229188988b-e79b-4381-969a-982d0ebdb3ca\u0022\u003EWhen the lockdown had occurred, our Government immediately made available wage subsidies, and wage subsidies have been the topic of other members\u2019 talks as well, on both sides\u2014both sides giving evidence that they believe that the wage subsidies have worked, in hearing accounts from both sides. Clearly the desire on both sides of the House is to make sure that we do all we can for all New Zealanders. It\u2019s just that the evidence that they have presented on the wage subsidy, for example, and evidence that we have, like my own personal meetings with businesses and asking them about the wage subsidy, just come up with different accounts. The wage subsidy has been very useful for employees, but the businesses have not found this useful for them, to deal with the ongoing costs that they\u2019ve had.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229188988b-e79b-4381-969a-982d0ebdb3ca\u0022\u003EAt some point through the lockdown, the Government also came up with the suggestion to businesses to go to their banks and the offering of Government guarantee. At some point, when the businesses continued to be declined by the banks, the Government then went on to say that they were unhappy with the unsatisfactory performance of the banks, which then led to a Government loan programme of $10,000 for a business, which would be interest-free if paid in 12 months. Businesses continued to tell us, on the other hand, that taking on additional loans and taking on more debt that they knew they couldn\u2019t pay over 12 months was just not an option for them. Then, again, continued meetings with businesses, restaurants, medical practices, bakeries, small businesses employing maybe one to five people\u2014the response that I have received personally has been that the wage subsidy, while it has been good for employees, has not been good for them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229188988b-e79b-4381-969a-982d0ebdb3ca\u0022\u003EGetting down to level 1 is indeed a move that should be based on science. I add to this discussion that, coincidentally, I have two daughters who live in overseas countries\u2014one in Sydney, one in Taipei\u2014and both countries had a much lower grade of lockdown compared to New Zealand. In particular, I was quite amazed with the fact that Taipei, which is 23 million - plus people in one-seventh the land size of New Zealand, had actually performed better in terms of dealing with the pandemic. So there is science to be discussed about what really should be and how fast level 1 should be allowed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229188988b-e79b-4381-969a-982d0ebdb3ca\u0022\u003EWhat is hard and early? This phrase has been repeated many times. I think it will be borne out by global facts at some point. What is good about history is that the facts will be borne out, and as they happen in point in time, and I look forward to what is hard and early.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022 data-id=\u0022214fc58575f548a688015bb3d1e93b9b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022214fc58575f548a688015bb3d1e93b9b\u0022\u003EMICHAEL WOOD (Labour\u2014Mt Roskill):\u003C/span\u003E As we stand here today debating Budget 2020 in New Zealand, with one active case, with several weeks of new cases on a daily basis, with an extremely low mortality rate, and with the real prospect of the elimination of COVID-19 in New Zealand in sight, it is very easy to forget that a global pandemic still rages around the world. That there are thousands of people dying every day; tens of thousands of new cases; over 100,000 dead in the United States\u2014a country that now has an unemployment rate of around about 25 percent\u2014that our nearest neighbours, our cuzzies in Australia, still have hundreds of cases of COVID-19, with new outbreaks happening most days. The first thing that I want to say in this contribution is that we cannot take for granted or overlook the enormity of what our team of 5 million here in New Zealand have achieved together in beating back COVID19. Under our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, we have had a decisive health response to beat back COVID, and that is what gives us the opportunity now for an economic recovery to rebuild and to give New Zealanders the wellbeing into the coming years that they deserve.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EThat wasn\u2019t by chance. It didn\u2019t just happen. It wasn\u2019t easy. People made sacrifices at every level and in every sector of our society, and it ill behoves members of this House to write that off, just to say, \u201CWe\u2019ve got a big moat,\u201D as I heard earlier on in this debate from across the House, \u201CSo of course, it was going to be easy for New Zealand.\u201D People stayed at home. People shuttered their businesses. Some people lost their businesses and their jobs. Kids didn\u2019t go to school. Churches, mosques, and synagogues didn\u2019t open. People came together in the spirit of solidarity to save the lives of their fellow New Zealanders. What is so important about the approach that New Zealand has taken\u2014and our Prime Minister and our Minister of Finance Grant Robertson, have said this right throughout and throughout the Budget\u2014is that the best health response was also the best economic response. We did not say, as countries like Sweden did, that we\u2019d, effectively, sacrifice lives. We said we would not do that because not only is that the wrong thing to do\u2014New York City, let me give you an example of that. In the over-75 age group in New York City, one in 60 people have died. That\u2019s what we face, potentially. So not only have we saved lives and done the right thing, but, because of that decisive action, because we did go hard and we did go early, because our lockdown was strong\u2014and, yes, I say to members on the other side of the House, it was stronger than most other places, and that was the right call\u2014because we did that, we are in this position where we have substantially beaten back COVID, where we\u2019re on the cusp of elimination, and we now have amongst the freest economic and social conditions in the world, with the serious prospect next week that we might be able to free things up further if the evidence continues to stack up. That is a significant achievement for New Zealanders, and it is also due to the decisive leadership of our Prime Minister and of the Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EThis Budget is a Budget which now gives us the opportunity to rebuild and to recover. I\u2019ve got to say a word about the utter incoherence of the Opposition on this today. We\u2019ve heard a line that they\u2019ve been parroting over the last week or two since their leadership transition. I think their focus groups told them that their criticisms of the Government\u2019s public health approach were not sticking because they were plainly so wrong. So they start everything by saying now, \u201CYes, we give the Government credit for managing the health situation well.\u201D They then follow that up by undermining every single public health measure. A member of the House on that side who spoke within the last half hour compared social distancing to Nazi Germany. At every step along the way, whatever level we\u2019ve been at, they have agitated and undermined and said that we need to go faster and make things more loose. Then, when we do, because we\u2019ve got the results and done it at the right time, they just go to the next level. That\u2019s what we\u2019re hearing today in the constant petty baying at every single step to just go down a level, regardless of what the evidence says. Well, that\u2019s not the approach that we\u2019re going to take on this side of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s the same in terms of their analysis of this Budget and their analysis of the economic path to recovery. Because what we\u2019ve heard from those members today is: there\u2019s too much debt, we\u2019re spending too much, but also we\u2019re not spending enough, and we need to give businesses more. So let\u2019s take the policies that they\u2019ve announced over the last couple of weeks. The policy to give $10,000 for every new employee\u2014regardless of whether that person lasts for a week or not, the employer gets it. There are so many holes in it, it\u2019s just absolutely incredible. It\u2019s been costed by a credible economic commentator at between $8 billion and $10 billion to create the number of jobs they say it will. But they\u2019re saying we should be spending less and have less debt.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EThey say in their speeches that Government doesn\u2019t have a role in stimulating the economy and can\u2019t create jobs. But then, in the very next breath, tell us that we need that policy, and we need their GST policy to support businesses and create jobs. It is an incoherent mess. And it is no surprise to me that a party that cannot govern itself isn\u2019t capable of putting together a credible plan to help New Zealand recover and rebuild from one of the greatest economic and social crises that we have faced since the Second World War.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EI am incredibly proud of the Budget. There\u2019s been a lot of focus on the big stuff in there\u2014the wage subsidy scheme, over $11 billion that supported 1.67 million workers to retain their jobs through COVID-19 and will extend for a couple of months to come; the work that\u2019s gone into providing cash flow to small businesses, $3 billion coming back into businesses through the tax loss carry-back scheme; $1 billion of interest-free loans to help those small businesses keep moving; the $1 billion investment in environmental jobs, giving people jobs while also making environmental improvements in our country; the massive investment in trades training. As Grant Robertson said in his Budget speech, this Government won\u2019t do what the National Party did at the depths of the 1991 recession and leave our young people on the socio-economic scrap heap. We will give them jobs and skills and training and opportunity. That will support those young people and their wellbeing, and it sets our country up for greater productivity in the future as well. I\u2019m proud of the fact that, in this Budget, we are funding 100 percent qualified early childhood education teachers because, while we are dealing with the crisis of COVID-19, we\u2019re not going to take our eye off the ball of the things that make a difference for New Zealanders, and few things make a bigger difference in our society than quality education of our young people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EBut as well as that big stuff, I wanted to touch on some of the smaller initiatives in the Budget that haven\u2019t got so much limelight, but I think really speak to the character of this Budget, of this Government, and of the recovery that we are building\u2014an inclusive recovery for all New Zealanders. There\u2019s $3.5 million in here to improve walking access for people, because we believe that it\u2019s important that New Zealanders are able to experience the incredible beauty of this country. There\u2019s $5 million dollars in there for National Animal Identification and Tracing because, yes, as members of the Opposition have said, and I completely agree with them, we\u2019ve relearned during this crisis the critical importance of our primary producers. So we\u2019re going to support them to make sure that we have integrity and safety within that sector. We\u2019ve increased the screen production grant seriously, because not only do we want to support the arts and culture and see more New Zealand stories on screen, it creates jobs for people in the creative sector. We\u2019ve supported the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra because our cultural institutions shouldn\u2019t go to the wall because of COVID-19. Bread and roses. We\u2019ve put more money into the Commerce Commission for them to be investigating misconduct and deterring misconduct, because when we come out of recovery, we want a flourishing economic scene that\u2019s based on fairness and good competition between businesses, not the big guys rorting the system, as has happened in the past. We\u2019ve put money into the innovative courthouse in Tauranga, because we believe that we do need to change our justice system so that people who have got alcohol and drug dependency problems and mental health issues get the support that they need to get their lives back on track. The final one I want to touch on here is one that we are all so proud of on this side of the House and is such a totem for the difference between this side and that side, and that is the investment in restoring adult and community education. When that Government on the other side faced an economic crisis 11 years ago, they slashed it. They killed it. They cut it. One of the important bits of social fabric in our country. This Government is investing in people. This Budget recognises that, because of the decisive health response led by our Prime Minister, we have the opportunity to rebuild and recover, to bring people along with us to build an inclusive economy and society. This is a Budget that is about rebuilding together. I am proud of it and I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225e6b7aaa-8157-4d5e-9940-1bdbcd61ae95\u0022 data-id=\u0022a60427ca3cb14e8697d54fcef1cc3128\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e6b7aaa-8157-4d5e-9940-1bdbcd61ae95\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a60427ca3cb14e8697d54fcef1cc3128\u0022\u003EALASTAIR SCOTT (National\u2014Wairarapa):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. Well, it was pleasing to hear that Michael Wood has been listening to us on this side of the House. He quoted a number of our concerns articulated by my colleagues earlier in the day. That\u2019s one good thing. What he needs to do now is go and listen to what New Zealanders also have to say. New Zealanders want to get to level 1 yesterday, to quote the Deputy Prime Minister. That is an important issue: to be listening to those constituents that we represent. It\u2019s all very well saying that we should be doing this or that because Michael Wood thinks that is in the best interest, but we represent New Zealanders. We reflect what New Zealanders want, and they want level 1 yesterday.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e6b7aaa-8157-4d5e-9940-1bdbcd61ae95\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s actually quite a simple way of resolving this, and there\u2019s actually more members in this House who would like to be at level 1 than who do not, given the Deputy Prime Minister\u2019s words over the last week. It would be very simple for him to move a motion, and he might find that it would pass, if that was to be the case. Nevertheless, I\u2019m not going to talk too much about the levels, and that\u2019s been well-traversed. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e6b7aaa-8157-4d5e-9940-1bdbcd61ae95\u0022\u003EI\u2019m concerned about a couple of things in the Budget. The first thing is the quality of the policies that have been put forward\u2014the quality of the policies\u2014and I\u2019m talking about, as my colleague Paulo Garcia mentioned earlier as an example, the policy where the bank fronted up 20 percent of the loan and the other 80 percent would be guaranteed by the Government. Well, the bank was still at risk for 20 percent of the loan. They were concerned about the people who they\u2019re lending to\u2014so concerned about the prospects of that borrower that they didn\u2019t want to lend the money. The banks didn\u2019t want to lend the 20 percent that the Government wished them to lend. That is concerning. That policy failed, and the Government replaced it with a 100 percent loan from the Government\u2014from the taxpayer; remember, this is taxpayer money not Government money\u2014to businesses. The Government has to question why the banks didn\u2019t want to lend the money in the first place. Why should the taxpayer replace the bank in this example? Well, it\u2019s because a lot of businesses are at risk, clearly, and will go down the toilet. They will fail. So why are we talking about putting good money after bad? I\u2019m concerned that the questions have not been asked of some of the policies presented by this Government\u2014not all the policies; the basic wage subsidy policy is one that is repeated around the world, and it appears, in my view at least, to be a good one.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e6b7aaa-8157-4d5e-9940-1bdbcd61ae95\u0022\u003EThe wage extension is another example of a policy that has not been thought through. If a business is down 50 percent of revenues over the previous 30 days compared to a year ago, they are able to access taxpayer money. But you\u2019ve got to ask the question: if the business is that far in the balance sheet weakness or income statement weakness, why is the Government putting good money into a business which is, basically, insolvent\u2014taxpayers\u2019 money. Remember, Government members, it is taxpayers\u2019 money you are dealing with. So my concern is around the thinking of the policies.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e6b7aaa-8157-4d5e-9940-1bdbcd61ae95\u0022\u003EThe second concern I have is the fact of this almost incomprehensible slush fund of $20 billion. When Shane Jones had $3 billion of slush fund in his Provincial Growth Fund, we, and a lot of public up and down the country, were concerned about the quality of the spend of the $3 billion\u2014where the money was going. It was propping up mills that should never have been propped up and nurseries that should never have been subsidised\u2014money wasted. Quite rightly, we were holding the Government to account on that $3 billion. But now we\u2019ve got a $20 billion slush fund\u2014$20 billion. No one knows where it might be spent, except perhaps the Minister. That is of a real concern to me: the accountability, or lack of it, around a $20 billion fund of taxpayers\u2019 money unallocated. And we heard the wish list from Michael Wood of some of the things that he is advocating for and some of the things that have been allocated to. So I\u2019m concerned that the wish list of the left is being granted by the Minister of Finance, using this disastrous economic situation to take advantage to deliver Michael Wood\u2019s wish list.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022 data-id=\u0022d4fc98e3aaaf4917a8bfe92a0204dba7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d4fc98e3aaaf4917a8bfe92a0204dba7\u0022\u003EHon MAGGIE BARRY (National\u2014North Shore):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. I\u2019ve been listening to the Budget debate and the analysis, and predictably enough the Government are talking it up, the Opposition are pointing out the pitfalls and so it needs to be. This is the biggest economic disaster in at least a generation. We all have to pull together to make this work. We\u2019ve got through pretty well on the health crisis side of things but there are many, many of us\u2014and in my North Shore community I\u2019m hearing it all the time\u2014who feel that we are too slow to move on and to get out of it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022\u003EMy colleague who\u2019s just resumed his seat, Alastair Scott, spoke of the $20 billion slush fund. There is so much room for manoeuvre and wriggle room here and not properly targeted to help small businesses. We need to open up. Our strong view is that we should do it as quickly as possible. So in my North Shore community, for example, we rely a lot on international students. We have among the finest schools in the country\u2014if I may make that boast\u2014on the North Shore: 55,000 New Zealanders have job opportunities as a result of that international student block. Why are we not getting them back up and running by the second semester?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022\u003EHelping small businesses with direct cash into their hands is the other thing that is completely absent in this Budget. For small businesses who are already struggling, why would they want to take on more debt? Why would they want to borrow more? It\u2019s not an appealing prospect. They need to have the money in their hands and there has not been enough from the Government to give them guidance and direction on that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022\u003ENational would act very differently in this situation. We need to open up the economy. We need to back New Zealanders to be resilient. We need to back ourselves to get out of this challenge and to confront it. So international education is one thing; tourism is another. Queenstown has gone from being one of our most buoyant and really profitable, if you like, business-oriented economies; now it is in dire straits. We need that trans-Tasman bubble to open prior to the Australian school holidays so that that can really enable Queenstown and the businesses there to help themselves. We need to give people opportunities to work. National has suggested giving back GST to businesses\u2014that would encourage them to take on more staff. That would encourage them to expand in a meaningful way, and not just to prop up businesses that perhaps may not really survive.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022\u003EFiring up private sector investment is also something that we are keen on doing, and also we need to continue to invest in quality infrastructure. North of the Auckland Harbour Bridge we need to make some commitments around having another harbour crossing. The good old bridge isn\u2019t going to be able to sustain very much for the future. Certainly the clip-on and the ability of the SkyPath to deliver on bicycles is a great idea, but at that cost in these times\u2014is that really what we want on an already outdated bridge that probably can\u2019t bear the weight?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022\u003EWe do have to look at the ability of this Government to deliver in the way of retraining and re-equipping. It\u2019s all very well to say in the Budget they\u2019re going to be spending $1.6 billion on apprentices: \u201CLet\u2019s spray the money around. Let\u2019s not actually target and focus.\u201D There\u2019s no detail; there\u2019s no plan, and in the meantime the whole sector\u2019s been turned upside down by reforms that say more about dogma than anything else.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022\u003ESo as we face this extraordinary crisis as a country together, I believe that we need to protect the vulnerable more than we are doing. I think that the focus as we\u2019ve seen internationally is that older people, people with disabilities, people who are isolated and at home, are not able to help themselves in the way that they need to be helped by us. So we need to step into that breach as a Parliament. This Government has not done that in this Budget. Targeting the needy and the vulnerable and ensuring that they have the support that they need to get through what is going to be, I suspect, a very grim and fearful winter for them. For older New Zealanders who have already been in lockdown for longer than 2\u00BD months, they are looking down the barrel of a wet, cold, miserable winter, alone, without really efficient, targeted help. And I know that Tim Macindoe has spoken on this and really tried to draw attention to the people who we need to remember and not to forget. I think that keeping seniors safe is a glaring omission in this Budget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022736a5c0b-8df3-4047-ba26-632ba2798b4c\u0022\u003ESo we have seen JobStart from National, which would create job creation, which would make meaningful jobs occur and help us start to build up. GST refunds\u2014again, there are many disappointments in this Budget when you look at it from a strong economic lens. New Zealand can do better. This Government can certainly do better. And I think that what Todd Muller said at the beginning of his tenure as our leader is that there are three people at the top of that party and 17 empty seats. This is not a Government that is capable of delivering in these bad economic times.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022 data-id=\u0022cdc7e9ce7018408887ddcffc12e8872b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cdc7e9ce7018408887ddcffc12e8872b\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That this debate be now adjourned.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002287ffd82708cd4d17b748e20fa1809c8f\u0022\u003ELand Transport (Rail) Legislation Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002223caa187f1294ae0bb5e4a09116900ca\u0022\u003ESecond Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022 data-id=\u00228d34638b99054913b9df4b884cdb71d9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228d34638b99054913b9df4b884cdb71d9\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Land Transport (Rail) Legislation Bill be now read a second time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EI am very proud of this Government\u2019s record on rail. In less than three years, we\u2019ve invested $4.6 billion in the rail network, which is considerably more, by the way, than the former Government did over nine years. When we came into Government, one of our priorities was to revive the network, which under the previous Government had been in a state of managed decline. And I want to acknowledge colleagues in the Green Party and in New Zealand First\u2014all three governing parties are strongly committed to rail as the sustainable backbone of this country\u2019s 21st century transport system. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EThe aim of this bill is to implement a new planning and funding framework for the heavy rail track network. I want to begin by thanking the Transport and Infrastructure Committee for the time and effort that they\u2019ve put into this bill and for the amendments that the committee has recommended, which I support. I also want to express my appreciation for the time and effort that submitters put into providing input into the bill. The committee received 87 written submissions and heard 24 oral submissions from a range of submitters who reflect the interesting and diverse range of people who care about rail in New Zealand: from the freight and commuter sectors, from the commanding heights of our export economy, through to those who strongly believe that rail can contribute to the big goal that we have in our cities to move more people with fewer vehicles. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EThe vast majority of submitters were private individuals who wished to express their support for the intent of this bill and our goal of a resilient and reliable rail network. As a result of feedback from submitters, the committee has recommended a number of changes to the bill to provide better alignment with regional views and longer long-term planning for rail, and I commend the committee for their work on the bill and the improvements they\u2019ve made in that regard. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EThis bill is not just about financial investment. We also need to change the legacy approach to planning and funding rail. The existing framework for planning and funding the rail network creates uncertainty for rail as a result of annual Budget processes, and it separates road and rail investment decisions. It means that proper integrated decision-making that is mode-neutral, whether we\u2019re talking about moving people through our largest cities or shifting freight efficiently through the country\u2014these decisions currently are made in isolation from each other. The new planning and funding framework follows a partial integration model. Ministers will retain their decision-making rights over rail investment, and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will be responsible for giving Ministers advice on the rail network investment programme. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EThe committee heard from a number of submitters who believed we should go even further and fully integrate rail into the land transport framework. However, while the Government is seeking to restore the rail network and revive it, it\u2019s critical that Ministers are accountable for and have oversight of the investments in the rail network outside of those made through the National Land Transport Fund and have oversight for that funding as well as its commercial assets as the shareholders of KiwiRail. The benefit of partial integration will be that Ministers will take integrated decisions across the rail system and across the transport system on the investments that we need to restore rail. We recognise that we need to increase Crown funding to rail to enable KiwiRail to operate as a commercial business and to ensure that the public benefits are realised for the wider rail network.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003ENow, while funding for the rail network will come through the National Land Transport Fund, this will also require funding from the Crown and contributions from track users, and the ability to establish track user charges by regulation under the Land Transport Act and to pay these into the National Land Transport Fund is a core part of this bill. While maintaining partial integration, there are a number of important changes that the select committee has recommended as a result of feedback at the committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EThe first is that the bill requires KiwiRail to develop a rail network investment programme that is submitted to the Minister of Transport for approval. KiwiRail is also now required to submit relevant parts of the programme to the Auckland and Wellington regional transport committees, where rail plays such an important role in urban rapid transit. The purpose of this is to improve coordinated planning for the metropolitan rail networks in those cities. This can be extended to other regions by ministerial approval if needed in the future\u2014and that\u2019s a good thing because there\u2019s a lot of work going on right now in places like Canterbury and the Bay of Plenty and in the Waikato about how commuter rail could play a part in their transport systems. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003ENow, the bill gives Waka Kotahi the role of giving advice to the Minister on the programme. And this is important to allow Waka Kotahi to apply its robust investment advice framework and knowledge of the broader land transport system. The transport agency is a highly skilled and powerful machine that measures, assesses, and prioritises a myriad of transport projects through the system, and their discipline and focus will be brought to bear on rail investments as a result of this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EAs a result of feedback from submitters, the committee has also recommended a number of other important changes to strengthen the rail network planning process. The planning period for the RNIP, the rail network investment programme, was too short at only three years. The bill will now align with the six-year planning period of the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) and the regional land transport programmes. However, funding will remain at three years in line with the NLTP. This takes into account the significant investment and long-term focus of rail infrastructure.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EKiwiRail will also, under this amendment, be asked or expected to take into account the purpose of the Land Transport Management Act and the Government policy statement on land transport as they develop the rail network investment programme. The committee has also helpfully recommended that in giving its advice on the rail network investment programme, Waka Kotahi also provides advice on whether the programme takes into account any relevant regional land transport plan to ensure that there is integration at both the regional and national levels. This was a key theme of many submissions. KiwiRail will work closely with Waka Kotahi to make clear those interdependencies between rail and road projects as well as enable them to work with regional councils. Collectively, these changes from the select committee are important to enable a more effective and robust long-term planning framework for rail as an integral part of the land transport planning system. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003ESo, in conclusion, we need to take a better long-term, more joined-up strategic approach to rail planning in this country. This bill will secure rail\u2019s ability to continue to deliver benefits for New Zealand, whether it\u2019s freight or whether it\u2019s moving people in our largest cities. And it will ensure that we continue to have a rail network that keeps people and markets connected. 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=\u0022db7551785b864e5eb1c98d050f5834d3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022db7551785b864e5eb1c98d050f5834d3\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP (National\u2014Hutt South):\u003C/span\u003E Madam Speaker, thank you very much, and I thank the Minister for his contribution to the debate. I had the privilege of serving on the Transport and Infrastructure Committee that considered this bill, and we did do a thorough job over recent months in considering this bill. This bill is actually quite an important one in the way it makes changes to the funding and planning framework for rail, and it can\u2019t be divorced from the Government\u2019s wider changes around rail in New Zealand: the development of a New Zealand Rail Plan, and huge increases from Crown coffers to rail via both direct Crown contributions but also the much-criticised\u2014but much-loved by the other side\u2014Provincial Growth Fund.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003ELet me make four points. The first is that the National Party, in Opposition, supports rail in New Zealand; it\u2019s a very important part of our transport system\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002226590ba5d1ad4bf9828e36b18326f843\u0022\u003EPaul Eagle\u003C/span\u003E: Hear, hear.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225add1f5b5db341e08bd2b878fac13b7f\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014as the Minister has noted. I hear my colleague Paul Eagle from Wellington saying \u201CHear, hear.\u201D from over the side of the Chamber, and he will know, as my colleague sitting next to me on these benches, Nicola Willis, knows, and other members from Wellington know, it plays an important role in Wellington in terms of allowing people in the Hutt and Porirua and Johnsonville\u2014not so much out in Mr Eagle\u2019s neck of the woods, although, if the Greens have their way, we\u2019ll have a slow tram running out past the hospital to the airport at some point in 2080 or 2070\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226b87ee0b277b42c6859bcecbc2a07180\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: They want better buses.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022697a0783d309412fb43dfc84e0211d16\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: Nicola Willis points out that they want better buses. They absolutely do want better buses, but rail means that\u2014I mean, everyone who jumps on a train from the Hutt or from Johnsonville is probably not in a car, and of course that reduces congestion on our roads and that\u2019s a good thing, and it\u2019s the same in Auckland. It was National that started the City Rail Link in Auckland, of course, and that\u2019s a project that has been somewhat controversial in the House over the last decade or so, but the simple reality is that will add huge capacity to the Auckland rail network, and that will of course help commuters in Auckland and help make Auckland the city that it should be: the 21st century, livable city where people have a variety of different transport choices in order to get around the city.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003ESo we do support rail, and one of the things we heard during the select committee process was a constant refrain that the previous National Government had put KiwiRail into a system of \u201Cmanaged decline\u201D\u2014I think was the exact phrase used\u2014and we would take issue with that. In fact, we did during the committee process, and I repeat that now, because the simple reality is that, if you look at the numbers, the last National Government rightsized KiwiRail after it was nationalised by the previous Labour Clark Government in 2008. It was called back then the \u201Csale of the century\u201D. The Crown paid Toll Holdings, I think it was, $690 million and the then chief executive of Toll Holdings was on the record as saying, \u201CYou know, you only get one Michael Cullen in your life.\u201D\u2014which, of course, is a paraphrase of Kerry Packer\u2019s quote about Alan Bond after he did the dirty with him on the sale of, I think it was, Fairfax Holdings back in the 80s: \u201CYou only get one Alan Bond in your life.\u201D And, of course, that was true about KiwiRail as well. So that was a controversial decision back in 2008, but the previous National Government put a lot of money into KiwiRail to invest in the Main Trunk and to run lines that were economic and profitable\u2014and that\u2019s the critical point.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EI do want to come back to the point about economics, because there are challenges with the economics of rail in New Zealand, and we need to be upfront and clear about those challenges. New Zealand is a long, thin country with a small population base, and rail makes sense to transport quite a few goods\u2014bulky goods, logs, other goods\u2014and in the golden triangle of Waikato and Auckland and Tauranga, it makes a big contribution. Down the West Coast, as Maureen Pugh would tell me, there\u2019s a real role for rail. But we need to be pretty clear-eyed, I think, about the challenges that rail presents in other parts of the country, and I want to come back to those comments. So we need to be realistic. But rail is very important, particularly in our metro centres.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003ESecond point is about planning and funding. The Minister talked about this in his contribution. We do believe that there does need to be better coordination and better planning around rail in the transport system. We do accept that. We do not believe that this bill, essentially, establishes that. We do not believe that the bill does what the Minister says it does on the tin, so to speak. Actually, this was pointed out in contributions to the select committee by a variety of submitters. The Minister noted in his contribution that the Government\u2019s gone for what\u2019s called a partial integration framework, and we heard submissions at the select committee that that doesn\u2019t offer all the benefits of full integration and it creates real complications for what the Government has decided to go for. So, as the New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) pointed out, for example, the Minister\u2019s tasked to sign off the KiwiRail plan.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EForward that to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), who have to include it in the National Land Transport Programme, but this approach doesn\u2019t allow for the consideration of trade-offs between the modes, as NZTA\u2019s board, while retaining their decision-making authority of which road projects proceed, has no influence over the rail projects. So that\u2019s actually a really good point made by the Automobile Association and actually directly contradicts what the Minister said, which is that we need to have clear transparency around the trade-offs between the modes and we need to be mode-neutral. But, of course, that\u2019s not actually provided by the bill. That\u2019s not what the bill does, and we think that\u2019s a problem. We think, and we noted this in our minority view on the bill, that there are a variety of non-legislative tools and solutions that could be used to do that. Don\u2019t have all the answers for that right now, but we think that is certainly the direction we should be going, and that\u2019s the direction that the next National Government will take it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EThird point is about the ability for KiwiRail to access the National Land Transport Fund, and this is the core objection that the National Party has to this bill. What this will mean is that road users, who pay road-user charges and petrol tax to fund the roads that they use, will end up funding rail. And we do not believe that is appropriate. And, as the AA and other submitters put it, this disrupts the social licence that\u2019s existed around road funding. And, actually, it was Annette King, a former Labour Minister of Transport, who set up the clear hypothecation that the money that road users pay through petrol tax and road-user charges goes into the National Land Transport Fund and that\u2019s spent on roads. Now, is it true that some of those funds are spent on other things? Yes, of course. But they\u2019re spent on those things for the benefit of road users.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003ESo there is funding from the National Land Transport Fund that funds the operating subsidies and some capital improvements for metro rail, and of course the justification and the rationale for that is a good one, which is that if you improve the stations and you operate good railway lines, people will jump on the train rather than use their car. So of course that benefits road users, for the reasons I mentioned at the start of my speech. But this fundamental change, that truck drivers and trucking companies will pay more to cross-subsidise their competitors, is wrong and we don\u2019t believe it\u2019s appropriate, and that\u2019s our core objection to the bill. I just want to repeat that. Trucking companies will end up paying road-user charges and fuel tax to cross-subsidise their competitors, to cross-subsidise rail. And that\u2019s not right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EThe fourth point is that we believe this will lead to the opening of uneconomic lines, wealth-destructive lines, and I\u2019ll just point you\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000380\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eec2eeaef4bf431381ab096f7d8c5c04\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s already happened: Northland.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220fb80ac7346e4f3889efd642922c583d\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: Well, that\u2019s a classic example of it\u201499 percent of freight in Northland, Mr Eagle, travels by road, as Matt King, I\u2019m sure, will point out to the House. And why is that? The reason it travels by road is because it\u2019s fundamentally more economic to transport those goods by road. And my point, Dr Webb, is that if the people who transport goods around Northland want a rail service, they will be prepared to pay KiwiRail, through the charges that KiwiRail charges, to open those lines. That\u2019s the whole point of the economics of the system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EAnd so I just point you, in closing, to the example of the Napier to Wairoa line, and this was opened by the Government through the Provincial Growth Fund\u2014$6 million to restore that line and everyone said, \u201COh, there\u2019ll be two trains a week going down that line.\u201D Guess how many trains have gone down the line since they opened it! One\u2014$6 million, and one train\u2019s been down the line. Is that a good use of taxpayer money? I don\u2019t think so, and that\u2019s exactly what will end up happening. We\u2019ll end up opening uneconomic railway lines because we have a nostalgic view that rail is the answer. It is the answer in some respects, but often it isn\u2019t. Thanks very much.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022 data-id=\u0022afc74de9ed4a4005a3152210c1681cd1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022afc74de9ed4a4005a3152210c1681cd1\u0022\u003EPAUL EAGLE (Labour\u2014Rongotai):\u003C/span\u003E Madam Speaker, thank you. Obviously, it\u2019s a pleasure to hear the lovefest about rail\u2014heavy rail, that is\u2014because it\u2019s always good on a Thursday afternoon before we adjourn to hear that it\u2019s the Transport and Infrastructure Committee once again bringing love to the House around heavy rail. It\u2019s great to see on that side of the House their love affair with it, despite a few ups and downs. They like trains, just like us, but with $4.6 billion invested there and entrenching rail as part of an integrated transport solution for Aotearoa New Zealand, it can only be good. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003ELook, we\u2019ll hear many more of it this evening, this afternoon, but I just do want to end on a very short call. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224c3f26b2fa0345a1958f16ef5b23938d\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: Oh!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022feed29f9909747b38172cbd825ebb474\u0022\u003EPAUL EAGLE\u003C/span\u003E: We don\u2019t need to talk too long, with all this love in the House. You\u2019re talking for me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003ECan I just end by saying that it\u2019s great to see KiwiRail integrated into our metro rail lines in the Wellington region, and I know that that\u2019s going to be a great thing for rail. Long live rail.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022 data-id=\u00226fe57ec483ae408d996b12fe0026e3a0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226fe57ec483ae408d996b12fe0026e3a0\u0022\u003EANDREW BAYLY (National\u2014Hunua):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is a pleasure to be talking on the Land Transport (Rail) Legislation Bill. I was just slightly disappointed that that member who just sat down, Paul Eagle, didn\u2019t take the opportunity to espouse the benefits and merits of this bill, especially as he is a member based in Wellington. And, as alluded to, and as Mr Chris Bishop directly quoted, he is in an area that relies heavily on rail, and I would have thought he would have taken the opportunity to take us through some of the details of this bill, because it seems to be one that the Government and his party in particular, the Labour Party, seem hell bent on pursuing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ESo the bill\u2014we\u2019ve had a quite good summary of it from the Minister, and I think the big thing is, as my colleague also highlighted, that National is very supportive of rail and we always have been. In fact, I have a personal involvement. Before I came into politics, I was involved in the purchase of the electric multiple units that came into Auckland, so I saw some of the difficulties and the workings of working with Auckland Transport, as it was, and also the Ministry of Transport and also the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) during that process. But of course, where I represent now, the electorate of Hunua, which covers Pukekohe in particular, this is an area that has not had money spent on it in terms of providing a good rail service between Papakura and Pukekohe, even though it has been planned for a long, long time and we\u2019ve had a Government that keeps waxing on about how they\u2019re going to invest in rail. But I\u2019ve got thousands of people who travel up the Southern Motorway every day. I think, from memory, about 120,000 people travel the Southern Motorway, yet the Government couldn\u2019t see its way to actually speeding up and putting some investment into that southern part of the rail network where it is really required, because the people who are the most likely to get on a train, as I used to, as I commuted to Auckland Central regularly\u2014to get on a train\u2014but if you can\u2019t get on it easily or it stops at Papakura and you have to wait for the next train, it\u2019s all a disincentive.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EAnd the other thing we\u2019re waiting for with bated breath is the triple-laning between Wiri and Westfield so we can actually see some trains passing, so we can actually put in some commuter trains that actually might be able to go through at a much-increased speed so that you can actually have speed or services that deliver people to Auckland Central in a much shorter period of time. But of course, it\u2019s nearly three years and it\u2019s all been talk, talk, talk. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EBut let\u2019s just return to the bill, because I know the Speaker is showing a lot of interest in the bill. I think the issue is\u2014one is around the rail network investment programme, and there\u2019s some good stuff in the bill. Obviously, moving the planning phase out to six years is very much important. But I must admit, I find it an argument that\u2019s sort of weird to be having, because every council does what is called an AMP, an asset management plan, and that is a 10-year plan. So for a long-term infrastructure investment like rail, you would have thought that that actually is an absolute given, that you extend the planning programme for KiwiRail. And obviously there is a difference between investment planning and also the funding, which, as the Minister noted, is still based on a three-year funding model. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000392\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EThe role of NZTA under this new arrangement is interesting, because on one side KiwiRail\u2019s required to do some plans, put it into the mix, and then NZTA is meant to opine on it. And there\u2019s this disconnect between what actually happens at regional level, even though they\u2019re meant to be trying to make that happen. I think there\u2019s an element of lacking clarity in that part of the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000393\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EBut I think the other thing about this bill is the issue around KiwiRail actually being able to access this wider national land users fund, which is this fund that is created, and, as my colleague Chris Bishop said, hypothecated, which in other words means targeted\u2014or is related to where the money is gained or where it\u2019s sourced from, it is spent in that area. What this bill does is it starts to cut aside that whole principle, which is a really fundamental principle. And, as Mr Bishop quite rightly pointed out, it seems absurd that truck drivers and trucking firms will now end up, in effect, subsidising rail, which is their major competitor. So that aspect of the bill, I think, is a bit of a slippery slope, and I\u2019m so glad that the National Party was clear, and has been clear, about our position, because I think if we get into power on 20 September, that will be something that many people will be focused on from our party to make sure that we\u2019ve got clear principles. We don\u2019t confuse them, and we don\u2019t use cross-subsidisation as a principle, because there has been a longstanding move towards not allowing for cross-subsidisation. And of course, that provision in the bill is a major issue. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000394\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EThe other bit I want to raise is the status of KiwiRail. And as KiwiRail is a State-owned enterprise (SOE)\u2014and it\u2019s one of about 22 SOEs, I think, from memory\u2014they have a clear line of responsibility. They have clear objectives. And you can go to Schedule 2, which lists all those entities and the involvement of Ministers in terms of how the oversight of all those\u2014and KiwiRail has had a pretty clear line of sight of what it\u2019s meant to be doing and how it\u2019s to operate. What is slightly disturbing is during the course of this bill, increasingly the issue of how KiwiRail is to be managed has been raised, and I think moving away from an SOE model brings about an added complication. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EI just want to note during the course of today that this is an issue that we\u2019ll be monitoring very closely. Basically, it follows a revaluation undertaken by the Government that basically inflated last year\u2019s surplus that the Government reported, and that revised valuation related to how the assets of KiwiRail were considered or viewed by the Government. Basically, using a public-good approach to valuation methodology resulted in\u2014I think it was\u2014an increase of $4.6 billion, and that was why there was a major surplus reported last year. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EOf course, it\u2019s just a book entry. It means nothing. But merely because the Government instructed that the valuation of KiwiRail should adopt a public-good basis rather than a business basis, we had this massive inflated figure that was captured not only in the way of KiwiRail\u2019s asset or in its balance sheet but also in terms of the Budget surplus reported, which of course is great for a Government when it\u2019s trying to talk as if it\u2019s doing very well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EI think the move towards this public good is starting to claw at this whole concept of KiwiRail being an SOE. And I\u2019d just like to suggest to you that let\u2019s hope that the Government does not pursue this line of thinking with this asset. It is an important entity for New Zealand. It does carry many thousands of passengers, as we all know, not only in a tourist sense but also commuters, but also it\u2019s got the tourism aspect of it and also the freight which ferries carry, crossing the Cook Strait. So those four aspects are all part of KiwiRail\u2019s mix. It\u2019s important that it is given proper funding. It is important that it is properly governed and managed. But we\u2019re starting with this bill to claw away at some of the clarity around that, and I think that\u2019s a dangerous slope to be heading towards.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022 data-id=\u0022fbef8ed037774b9ba37040d97c70015e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fbef8ed037774b9ba37040d97c70015e\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK (Minister of Defence):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. I do rise on behalf of New Zealand First to say this is a great day. This is a great day. This is a great day, to finally see a piece of legislation\u2014we\u2019re having lots of great days over this side of the House. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in select committee this morning, talking about a multitude of great days for the Defence Force just rolling one after the other. But this is a great day, and it\u2019s going to be a great day tomorrow as well. If anyone\u2019s in Whenuapai, just come along.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve got to say, the reason it\u2019s a great day is because, finally, we\u2019re seeing a Government that\u2019s taking a pragmatic approach to communications and networking throughout the land\u2014basic communications infrastructure, because that is what rail is. It\u2019s part of that wider communications network, whether we\u2019re talking road and rail or whether we\u2019re talking the information highway\u2014which I do find interesting. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EI\u2019m listening to some of the arguments right now, and I\u2019m looking at my ol\u2019 mate across the road, the former president of Local Government New Zealand. We used to be, actually, on the same team, local government, trying to knock sense into the last National Government because they would not listen to provincial New Zealand and the concerns about the communications network. We would talk about the lack of funding. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s Mr\u2014what\u2019s his name; King, is it, from Northland. Labour put him in that seat. That man should get down on his knee and thank Labour every day of every week of every month, because without Labour pulling the votes off Winston Peters, that man wouldn\u2019t be there. But I digress a tad. That man wouldn\u2019t be there. He\u2019s what we call, in New Zealand First, the beneficiary MP. He doesn\u2019t do any work. He just hoovers up \u201Cgimmies\u201D and freebies courtesy of Labour.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022851dddceb7274ad78de0cb5501cf9cb1\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Back to the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022664b54e032c94741bca3389d2dc6ffae\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I couldn\u2019t resist a clip at him, because he\u2019s so used to it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec2416e259284e1bafe1d777d2599206\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: Or even start talking about the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000405\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bcb73b5f359444d5a3fa29e29f021b87\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EI do recall the days when we talked about communications. We talked about the difficulty of local government funding roading networks with an ever-growing number of trucks on the roads. We would come along to\u2014in those days it was\u2014the Hon Nick Smith, who was the Minister of Local Government, and try to help him understand the pressure that local government was under. Our diminishing number of rural ratepayers could not fund the repairs and maintenance, let alone the growth, of those rural networks of roads. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EOne of the solutions we always talked about was getting trucks off the road, getting product on to rail, and getting it through to the port. Now, whether that meant going up to Napier, up through Mr Yule\u2019s part of the woods, to the port at Napier, or getting it down through the Wairarapa into Wellington, into CentrePort, we always said: why don\u2019t you put more money, Mr National Government person, into rail so we can, one, alleviate the pressure on our ratepayers, and, two, alleviate the pressure on the roading network to commuters who were driving over the Remutaka hills stuck behind logging trucks\u2014truck after truck after truck? But the answer was always, well, we\u2019re not putting money into rail, and rail\u2019s a State-owned entity and it\u2019s got to make its own way, and it\u2019s not the Government\u2019s responsibility to be putting money into rail. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EI heard Mr Bishop just a moment ago\u2014the fundamental objection that today\u2019s National Party in Opposition has to this bill is because of cross-subsidy. Get it? I\u2019ve got that. I understand it. But that totally belies what that Government stood for a few years back when they went into coalition with New Zealand First and they flip-flopped\u2014they flip-flopped. See, we used to have cross-subsidy, where road-user charges, all that transport funding, went into the consolidated fund, and it was used for education\u2014cross-subsidy\u2014under Robbie Muldoon and Jim Bolger. Mr Bishop, the reason your party changed it is because New Zealand First and Peter Brown made you\u2014in coalition negotiations made you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003ESo quite happy to accept cross-subsidy on one day and argue against it on another day. In those days, it was essential. In those days, you couldn\u2019t put 100 percent of the money gathered off of roads into roading because that was just appalling. How would we pay for education, they said. How would we pay for health, they said. We can\u2019t put all the money into roading. Now they\u2019re saying, \u201COh my gosh. We can\u2019t take the road-user charges and put them into rail.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226c2c598ac4ed47a2a24d68c92cf211fd\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019re lost in the past.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d662f957777f43f48c7b3e71f09b9d1e\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK\u003C/span\u003E: \u201CLost in the past.\u201D Well, for that new member, freshly promoted\u2014congratulations\u2014if one doesn\u2019t learn from history, one is doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past, and that, in one flippant little chip across the House, sums up the problem on that bench\u2014sums it right up. Denial, denial, denial. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EHere\u2019s the other point: over the hill and far away, in a beautiful valley called the Wairarapa, people are applauding the fact that we will have more trains running commuters in and out of Wellington to the Wairarapa. The local mayors\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002261d71e260a254f5ab25552732a8c9469\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: We did that. That was us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002249b1c4ab020840fe8a2d838c7f34c126\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK\u003C/span\u003E: No. Minister Twyford has made that announcement\u2014about $200 million into double-tracking in the Hutt area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022330a66ea82ae44479ad1022933bc37db\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: That was us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000416\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002251a2fd23d046411cbec5c06e3cd673a1\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Bishop, there was never any funding or any appropriation or any commitment when I was the Mayor of Carterton from that Government to double-tracking, to improving the lines, to more rolling stock, to $98 million in one hit. About $200 million from this Government into the Wairarapa line\u2014that\u2019s new. In fact, Mr Bishop, weren\u2019t you there in Upper Hutt when we made the announcement? Well, the former National Party man who is now the Mayor of South Wairarapa is applauding this decision.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000417\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EIn fact, it was Adrienne Staples\u2014Her Worship the Mayor Adrienne Staples, from South Wairarapa, former National Party president\u2014who got tired of banging her head on the desk trying to say why doesn\u2019t the Government use money from the Land Transport Fund to support rail. Guess what! Her former Worship the Mayor of South Wairarapa was saying, \u201CWell done, coalition Government. Nice one. Thank you very much.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000418\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EStuck in the past, Nicola Willis, I understand you are. You are stuck in your past rhetoric, in your past ideology, of all that little \u201CThe money has to be in this jam jar and only spent on Weet-Bix, and the money in this little jam jar is for the rent, and nothing can shift between the two of them.\u201D That\u2019s why families get into trouble, because there\u2019s no pragmatism, there\u2019s no balance, and there\u2019s no looking at the wider holistic policy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EThis decision is a brave decision. New Zealand First has been adamant that we must rebuild rail. We need to get trucks off. The comment that 99 percent of freight in Auckland goes on the roads is absolutely correct, Mr Bishop\u2014absolutely correct. I\u2019ve got family in the logistics distribution network. I know how important those trucks are. We\u2019ve got Palmerston North, just across the hills from us, right\u2014a centre, a hub, a logistics hub. We know what\u2019s going in and out of there. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EThe question is, given all the money that was poured into the roads of national significance and what the last Government was going to do\u2014Mr Yule\u2019s smiling, I know. Don\u2019t smile; you\u2019ll get in trouble. All the money that we know was going to be put into the one-road network by the last Minister of Transport, who was going to lose? Rural New Zealand. And what was that doing? That was propping up unbridled immigration, more and more cars on the roads, more and more trucks, billions of dollars going into Auckland, Mr Bishop\u2014Auckland\u2014at the expense of the Wairarapa, Hawke\u2019s Bay, and Manawat\u016B. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EThe question is: is that sustainable? Can we continue to promote that sort of greenhouse gas emission? Can we continue to have that many trucks on the road? Can we continue to build so many roads? Why wouldn\u2019t we expand our rail network? Why wouldn\u2019t we find alternate ways of funding it? And, of course, it may only be one train on the Wairoa line up until right now, but build it\u2014and, if what you\u2019ve said is true, then kei te pai. But I\u2019m one of those optimists; I\u2019m a pragmatist. New Zealand First believes build it and it will come. Build it. With the population growth in this country exploding, we have tripped over the 5 million mark at lightning speed, and that has got to be a concern. And the future will not be in building more six-lane highways at the huge cost that the last Government poured into those roading networks\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u0022bd0659fe3cf34c86af2737561c0cdaf4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bd0659fe3cf34c86af2737561c0cdaf4\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member\u2019s time has expired.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022 data-id=\u0022054789d85ccd46078b6f2346b4776874\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022054789d85ccd46078b6f2346b4776874\u0022\u003EMATT KING (National\u2014Northland):\u003C/span\u003E Oh look, that speech from Ron Mark was a comedy routine if ever I\u2019ve heard one. I\u2019ve got to say it was mildly amusing about him saying that I should be thanking Labour for not doing an electoral deal with New Zealand First to get into Northland. I beat your leader by just sheer hard work and door-knocking by a newbie, in 40 years, and I\u2014you know, just the good, old-fashioned way of knocking on doors. That\u2019s how I did it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EBut I\u2019ve got to admit, he had 2\u00BD years to show everyone that he was going to do absolutely nothing in the North, so this bill, in a nutshell, is robbing Peter to pay Paul. I\u2019m sorry, but we\u2019ve just got to talk about economics here, and you talk about this cross-subsidising. Why should the people that use the roads and pay their road-user charges be subsidising people that use rail? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll give you the Northland example\u2014I\u2019ll give you the Northland example. New Zealand First, in order to try and win the Northland seat, are pouring money into rail in Northland, OK? What I can tell you about why\u2014and it wasn\u2019t managed decline. That\u2019s like saying \u201CNine years of neglect.\u201D, or whatever other words that you guys use all the time, and they just keep saying it over and over again as if it\u2019s going to be true. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EIn Northland, they built the rail up there when they had a heavily regulated trucking regime, so rail could compete with trucks only because the trucks were hampered in doing what they had to do. So they put rail up there, and in the whole time that they\u2019ve had rail in Northland, it has never ever paid its way. It\u2019s never paid its way. So what happens is commercial operators vote with their feet. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EI myself ran a business where I had to get stock up from warehouses in Auckland. There is no way that I would use the train to get it up there. I needed it overnight, point to point. I needed it, and there was no way that the train would ever compete with a truck. I\u2019m just one guy that owned a shop, and there are thousands of us business people with a bit of nous that vote with our feet, OK? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003ESo I know that for trains to compete with trucks, they have to have bulk and they have to have distance. That\u2019s how trains compete. So if you\u2019ve got bulk and distance, trains can compete head-on with trucks. In Northland, we\u2019ve got neither. There is nothing bulk in Northland that will go down that Northland line. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EThere are logs from scattered forests all over Northland that have to get on a truck to get out of the scattered forests. Even if there was a train track near the forest and the train track went all the way to Northport, where the logs go, it is still uneconomic to unload the logs off the truck and put them on the train and send them there, and that is just pure, basic economics. That is why rail will never work in Northland. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EI sit there and I watch these announcements, these sod-turnings, these staged things with a KiwiRail train on a track, and they\u2019re putting a spade in the ground, and millions, if not billions, of dollars of taxpayer money is going into buying the Northland seat. This is just money that we are throwing away, and I think, in their heart of hearts, New Zealand First members know it. I think they do, because I\u2019ve spoken to some of the people involved in Northport and they have told me that. They have told me that Winston Peters said that \u201CNational\u2019s got the roads of national significance. We\u2019re going with rail. I know it\u2019s a loser, but we\u2019re going with rail.\u201D That is what I heard. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003ESo in Northland, we\u2019ve got money being poured into an uneconomic train track that will never ever be economic, and they might argue that \u201CWell, OK, we\u2019re going to shift the port. A port shift could justify an upgraded train track.\u201D Yeah, in 20 or 30 or 40 years, or whenever this potential port shift\u2019s happening. Yeah, maybe an upgraded train track will work, but in the meantime, we need a four-lane highway\u2014that\u2019s the first thing we need. That\u2019s what we need first, and guess what! It got cancelled by this Government. Oh! It broke my heart\u2014it broke my heart. But on the flip side\u2014this is not comedy, Ron Mark, so you shouldn\u2019t be laughing. This is not comedy. It broke my heart\u2014it broke my heart. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003ESo, using the road-user funding, we\u2019re building P\u016Bhoi to Warkworth. We\u2019re building it now. So I was campaigning on the campaign trail, when there were 400 or so workers building that highway, and your boss\u2014Winston Peters\u2014was saying that not a sod had been turned. I said, \u201CActually, you can go online and watch drone footage of it being built.\u201D, when we were on the campaign trail. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EHe also said that we were not building the bridges, and there are the Matakohe bridges\u2014two beautiful bridges\u2014and the Taip\u0101 bridge. So the only thing of infrastructure\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022340f691e6ad3498c866e706ff867f2bd\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Taip\u0101 Bridge? Come on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228767a3521ee94ff2b0bad5d8049fa04b\u0022\u003EMATT KING\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s a $14 million, beautiful Taip\u0101 bridge. It\u2019s a beautiful double-lane bridge. It\u2019s open\u2014I was there. I was there. That was us\u2014that was us. But I tell you what, if these guys get this bill through, which they no doubt will\u2014they\u2019ve got the numbers; the Greens are jumping on board\u2014they\u2019re going to pull money out of that fund, so we\u2019re going to have less roads and less bridges, and they\u2019re going to pour it into uneconomic train tracks. Uneconomic train tracks. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003ESo we announced that we were going to start building from Whang\u0101rei to near Northport\u2014that\u2019s what we were going to do\u2014because it makes sense to build from both ends to get that motorway under way. We announced that in 2019, and this Government cancelled that road. They cancelled it. So all we got was a roundabout in Whang\u0101rei. At the top end of it in Whang\u0101rei, we\u2019ve got a nice roundabout, so yep, we\u2019ll give you that\u2014that\u2019s being built. But we got that\u2014that bit of section of road, that\u2019s been cancelled. But\u2014hello\u2014in 2020, we need some shovel-ready projects, and there are none, so they\u2019re going to have to go back and revisit the council projects of National. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003ESo now they\u2019ve told me that they are possibly going to build that road. It might be during the campaign. Now, Ron Mark might come up there. New Zealand First is going to hit Northland, and I can see it now. I can see all their MPs there. They\u2019re going to hit it\u2014I can feel it. They\u2019re going to throw everything at it. They\u2019re going to throw everything at it to try and win a seat to keep alive. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EThey\u2019ve announced that, oh, they\u2019re going to reinstate that road, so everyone in Northland thought, \u201COh well, at least they\u2019re going to do one of the roads of national significance that are National\u2019s projects.\u201D, but when you read the fine print, there\u2019s not going to be a sod turned until 2024\u20142024. There are two elections to go, and I\u2019m thinking, what are the chances of New Zealand First surviving for two more elections? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019m telling Northlanders, look, these guys have made promises up the wazoo. They have made promises up the wazoo: a $3 million fund; $300-and-something million actually hit the bank accounts of the people. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EBut I\u2019ve been to so many sod-turnings with funny little spades with Shane Jones. I\u2019ve never complimented him. Despite what he\u2019s said, I\u2019ve never complimented him, but I\u2019ve been to all his openings. In fact, for one roundabout in Waipapa that\u2019s not even started yet, I\u2019ve been to two openings. I\u2019ve been to a dawn blessing and then a sod-turning, and I managed to get a spade. I got one of the spades. Shane Jones allowed me to have a spade, so I was involved in that sod-turning. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EQuite frankly, that\u2019s a good roundabout, and it is just up the road from his house. It is up the road, to be fair, but, you know, we\u2019re going to another sod-turning on Tuesday for a roundabout just down from his house. So just north of his house, we\u2019re doing one roundabout. That\u2019s just about to start, although nothing\u2019s been shifted yet, but it\u2019s just about to start. Then, a few kilometres south, another roundabout\u2014a good roundabout. I really like it. I\u2019m glad it\u2019s happening. But I\u2019ll be, hopefully, getting in on a sod-turning with Shane Jones there, and so that\u2019s what happening. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EBut this thing\u2014I mean, they spent $6 million on upgrading a track somewhere down south. I don\u2019t know if it was in Napier, or somewhere? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f7e776e558e546f3b8f56edc5d2d382c\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, somewhere round there. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d0b288664c464607af1d755709594314\u0022\u003EMATT KING\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, $6 million upgrading it, and that was going to take trucks off the road. What is it, one or three trains\u2014I don\u2019t know\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cfd5b8e966104fe6abfae7a7cdedce48\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: One. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002253026e9b42b74f21a8a82f99e5d93b2b\u0022\u003EMATT KING\u003C/span\u003E: One\u2014one. I thought it was three. That was done in January, and there\u2019s been three trains on it. So\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222f7211a30b3d4f42923f260b391b965b\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: One. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223948d28d7d0d47e399c9c0a7b8abab78\u0022\u003EMATT KING\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, one\u2014oh sorry, one. Oh no! \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003ESo, anyway, up North, all we\u2019ve had is plastic sticks\u2014so we\u2019ve got beautiful plastic sticks going down the middle of our highway\u2014and there\u2019s been a couple of areas where they\u2019ve widened the road a bit, and that\u2019s it in three years. In three years and all these announcements and all this money, we\u2019ve got some plastic sticks and a slightly wider road, and just starting on a roundabout is what we\u2019ve got for all the promises that this Government\u2019s made in the North. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003EI understand. I heard that to get approved for the Provincial Growth Fund, you had to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony just before the election, and it\u2014[Interruption] Yeah, yeah, yeah. So the criteria were for it to be in Northland\u2014that\u2019s the big plus. If it\u2019s in Northland, that\u2019s a real big plus\u2014tick\u2014or Tai R\u0101whiti, I think, is the other thing, but Northland\u2019s great, and then, cutting the ribbon just before the election. Can we do that? Can we do that, and can we say it creates jobs? If you\u2019ve got those three, then you\u2019re away\u2014that was what I heard. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227940e9f2-9cea-43d5-8f16-3b470e34f47f\u0022\u003ESo, anyway, this is a disgrace of a bill, and we do not support it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022 data-id=\u0022346dd33b4e3943328ff8f527b8e5b121\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022346dd33b4e3943328ff8f527b8e5b121\u0022\u003EGARETH HUGHES (Green):\u003C/span\u003E Mr Speaker, kia ora. Ng\u0101 mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora. In the midst of the worst economic shock and health crisis in nearly 100 years, in a country with a horrendous road toll, a country who\u2019s been steadily declining down the economic rankings for decades, a country with some of the most car-dependent citizens on the entire planet, at a time when we see skyrocketing emissions from the transport sector since 1990, this country cannot afford the idiocy, the siloed thinking, and the waste of that party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003ENow, I\u2019ve come down at the last minute to speak on behalf of my colleagues, and I\u2019ve been listening to the debate, and I want to steer some points of fact, some points of rationality into this debate, because what I\u2019m hearing is just the siloed thinking that we need to keep rail over in a corner, constantly going to the Government cap in hand, yet fund the rest of the transport system entirely separately\u2014this does not happen in other countries. This is incredibly rare and unique. Other countries, modern countries, sensible countries, rational countries, don\u2019t fund transport like this. They don\u2019t put rail in a corner and make it beg to the Government with a begging bowl. They have a transport funding system. What this legislation does is allow rail, which is a critical transport network, to be funded from the National Land Transport Fund. I can\u2019t believe that National is opposed to funding rail with the other transport networks in the National Land Transport Fund. It is simply ridiculous, it\u2019s siloed thinking, it\u2019s wasteful, and this country can\u2019t afford it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003ENow, I want to respond to some of the points\u2014some of the, I think, inaccurate arguments that have been raised in this debate. Now, what we heard was the last member, Matt King, talked about robbing Peter to pay Paul. Look at the history. Rail has been robbed for decades and decades in this country. Rail has been underfunded. I remember my home rail line in the East Coast between Gisborne and Napier. For want of $2 million in rail maintenance we lost an entire network\u2014a network which cost 13 men\u2019s lives, a network which was the backbone of the transport infrastructure for this region. For want of $2 million, that rail network fell over because we didn\u2019t have enough money for the maintenance under that Government. It would have cost\u2014if we could get it up and running\u2014tens of millions of dollars to get it up and running, because it was underfunded.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003ENow, people say that network was uneconomic. You know what? When I talk to local business owners in Gisborne, they said they wanted to use that rail line, they had stock they wanted to put on those carriages, but you know what was lacking? The carriages. There were not enough wagons and carriages to put the freight and stock on it to move it. It was deliberately, systematically underfunded, de-invested, and I would actually say sabotaged by that side who has an anti-rail ideology; they would rather put on a pedestal their mates in the Road Transport Forum New Zealand and their profits over an integrated, smart transport network.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003EAnd I\u2019m angry about this because we know we\u2019ve got an incredibly high road toll in New Zealand. I\u2019ve had wh\u0101nau that have been killed because of truck accidents on our road, and what we see is too many trucks on our road that could be more safely carried on rail, more efficiently carried on rail, more sustainably carried on rail. This is good legislation because it\u2019s simply putting them on a level playing field with the roads, with the trucks, and the motorways through an integrated land transport network.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003ENow, I read the National Party minority view when I came down to the House on this legislation. They said we need to be realistic about rail. If we\u2019re going to be realistic about it, let\u2019s be realistic about the history: the history of privatisation, under-investment, defunding, and making the rail network come to the Government asking for specific pots of money. We heard from Mr Bishop that rail was uneconomic\u2014only uneconomic under their old-fashioned paradigm. I mean, it\u2019s like these guys have been in a time machine to the 1950s, and then in that time machine, in a cave, they\u2019re still putting their hands over their eyes and fingers in their ears. It\u2019s not normal what we do in New Zealand. If you look anywhere around the world, you see Governments investing in rail, you see countries using rail, you see citizens and freight being moved on rail. Rail isn\u2019t uneconomic; it\u2019s only their old-fashioned paradigm.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000458\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003ENow, this must be a party that\u2019s never heard of economic externalities. Rail is the poor cousin of our road network because we don\u2019t count the costs. We don\u2019t count those negative economic externalities. We don\u2019t measure the impact of the pollution with having such a truck- and car-dependent society. I heard another member say that it was bad for truckies. Now, who in Gisborne was one of the most passionate advocates for reopening the rail network? Well, it was a truck company: Weatherell, trying to get a logistics and freight forwarding centre, because smart truck owners know the less cars, the less trucks you have on the road, the less congestion there is to actually move the freight which has to be on the road. Now, if we had a fair economic system\u2014and we\u2019re doing that with this legislation which is giving a fair, level playing field for transport funding\u2014you are going to see economically rational decisions being made, but it hasn\u2019t been an economically rational level playing field to date.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000459\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003ENow, while we\u2019re talking about the economics of our transport network, I will not be lectured by that party: the party that literally borrowed billions for their roads of National Party significance with such dire, dire benefit-cost ratios. I remember the P\u016Bhoi to Wellsford: the first independent benefit-cost ratio that was estimated for that. Guess what it was! 0.3. You know what that means? For every dollar the Government was borrowing to fund it, we were losing 70c on the original independent estimate. Now, I acknowledge it did increase somewhat marginally in later estimates, but my God, I\u2019m not going to be lectured on economics by that party with such a terrible, terrible track record. Look what\u2019s happening with Transmission Gully and the mess that they\u2019ve left us with the public-private partnership when it comes to that. I will not be lectured on transport and rational economic decisions by that party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000460\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019m proud to be part of a Government which is supporting smart, integrated, connected transport policies, that is significantly investing in rail. We\u2019re spending record amounts on new ferries in the latest Budget\u2014a Government that\u2019s actually reopening rail lines. Now, for our communities\u2014and National often says they like to talk for provincial communities, but they are so out of touch with New Zealanders who know the heritage of rail, who treat it as a taonga and know how important it is. This Government is investing a huge amount in rail; it\u2019s investing in the future. That party\u2019s stuck in the past.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022 data-id=\u00227757baea5e9942cc99b98f25e0a48045\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000461\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227757baea5e9942cc99b98f25e0a48045\u0022\u003EMAUREEN PUGH (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I stand in opposition to this Land Transport (Rail) Legislation Bill today\u2014not that it would surprise the members on the other side of the House. Now, just to be really clear, I am not opposed to rail; in fact, it does have a place in making sure that we do have the relevant modes of transport in this country. In fact, I\u2019ve got quite a history in connection with rail in my own backyard on the coast. Even as a really small child\u2014and that was a few summers ago\u2014we would be driven out to the end of the line where my dad would pick us up in an old steam train. He was the fireman on a steam train. And I\u2019ve got no slack on my pants as a result. But he would pick us up there as kids and he would put us in the steam train and we would travel back to town where we\u2019d get picked up again at the other end. And so I have really fond memories of riding in those heaving beasts with the unique smell that is really hard to explain. But there was a uniqueness about those machines back in those days.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EOf course, they were shifting bulk lots of coal and product out of the West Coast when the place was still being built, and a great support to the coal industry it was in those days. And Sunday nights, our treat on a Sunday night was to go over to the sheds\u2014and they were just called \u201Cthe sheds\u201D. A bit like Thomas the Tank Engine, I guess, they were all lined up along the back of the shed. Our job was to go in and light the fires in the boilers so that the steam would be building up overnight and so when the drivers came along in the morning, the trains were all warmed up and the fires were all chugging away nicely. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003ESo I do have a real soft spot for rail, but I also have a soft spot for being economically responsible. Now, on the West Coast, we have a great dependence still on the rail network, so I\u2019m not even suggesting for a moment that we do not support it. For instance, we\u2019ve got at the moment around 1.5 million tonnes of coal coming out of the West Coast by rail and that\u2019s going into places like dairy companies, hospitals, and schools all around the country to keep their boilers going, and 50-plus wagons of milk powder and product going off out of the local dairy company, and there is nothing more exciting than sitting there waiting on this train to go past when you\u2019re at the railway crossing and you\u2019ve got 50 wagons. I call it the cash train, as it leaves town taking all this product away and creating wealth for the West Coast. We also use smaller volumes of logs going off the coast as well, and rail is an efficient way of moving all of that stuff, but it is in tandem with the road freight industry as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003ENow, if you think about the rail network and particularly the one that I\u2019m familiar with, I have used that my whole life as a passenger. Back in those days you could get a one-way trip in the \u201CPress car\u201D. The \u201CPress car\u201D used to leave Christchurch about 2 a.m., and its sole purpose was to deliver the Press to the West Coast, and you could get a ticket on that for about $3 back in those days.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225e09fb3c8e5240d486e20c2b2c6b76cf\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Sure it wasn\u2019t \u00A33?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022639f88f8db174f36a54ef01e10240276\u0022\u003EMAUREEN PUGH\u003C/span\u003E: Three dollars\u2014three dollars. But again, it was there for a specific purpose, but I doubt very much that that service generated very much profit for New Zealand railways back in those days. But when you think about the terrain that we also have our rail network in\u2014and you know, the one that I\u2019m most familiar with is the \u014Ctira line that is from Greymouth to Christchurch, and it passes through a mountainous area. The whole country, of course, is long and skinny and, you know, we\u2019re called the Shaky Isles for a reason\u2014and that\u2019s because we\u2019ve got the massive Alpine Fault on our side and other faults that pop up around the country. Because we\u2019ve got so many mountains, it means we\u2019ve also got a huge number of tunnels. It makes the network very vulnerable to natural events, and so it is going to be one of those networks, I\u2019m afraid, that when the Alpine shift does decide to happen, that it is going to be a mode of transport that will be years and years, even decades, before, or if, it is ever rebuilt. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EA classic example is last year when a small slip started moving just north of Greymouth and it compromised the rail line. That line was out of action for six weeks\u2014massive disruption to the freight service, but it sat in partnership with the road freight industry and so we still managed to get the product out. So we cannot have one over another. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000468\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EBut I do have some concerns about this bill. There is no question that we need long-term planning for things like this and things like the rail network. But I would suggest that the industry is probably better placed to work on those long-term plans, because we know what happens when politicians get involved in making decisions and long-term investments in things like this: we end up with a line like the one from Napier to Wairoa that\u2019s cost over $6 million\u2014and one train. And I would even hazard a guess that for every individual piece of freight that was on that train\u2014if there was any; if it wasn\u2019t just a trial run\u2014it would have been cheaper to have put every little individual piece into an individual helicopter and fly it to its destination, because this line is so inefficient and such a waste of money. So let the industry guide where it wants to head and leave the politicians out of it and be the enablers of these things, not the decision makers where they are not actually the experts. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000469\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EBut any decision that is made has to be economic. It has to make sense. And you cannot force change upon an industry unless you are going to have levers. And these are the things that I would have most concern about, because what are those levers going to be? Are road-user charges going to go up, because that\u2019s the only way that this cross-subsidy can happen between road freight and rail freight; road users and rail users. So if we\u2019ve got an inefficient system on one side and an efficient system on the other and you want to blend the two together, of course, there\u2019s going to be cross-subsidy. And if you want to reinvest or further invest in the inefficient system, then the road system has to be able to increase its fees in order to make that cross-subsidy happen. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000470\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EOr will another lever be that we\u2019ll simply let the roads run down to a point where it is not efficient for trucks to use them? And it\u2019s not just about letting them run down so that we can\u2019t even drive our cars on them, but for trucks to use roads there are small issues that can happen: camber, it can be small slumps that happen. They may not bother you in a car, but when you\u2019ve got 40 tonnes of freight on your trailer and you\u2019re hitting those and punching those out, it actually causes problems and damage on the vehicles. So will that be a lever that is used? And of course, one of the other levers that the Government has already used is to cancel some of the big and crucial roading projects, and the 5 million people that we have in this country are continuing to be mobile and you cannot force them into change. So we have to be really careful about the decisions that are being made by this Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EI will just very quickly turn my mind to the support that we actually do have in rail. We know that we are the best economic managers in this Parliament. National has a track record of being economically and fiscally adept. But what we don\u2019t want to do is to condemn this country to a network that it will never be able to afford, that the users of it will be constantly topping up in terms of financial contribution, and we\u2019ll get to the point where we have sabotaged our truck networks, our freight companies\u2014to the point where they are no longer efficient. And perhaps that is another lever that this Government is anticipating using. I do not support this bill. They can\u2019t deliver on light rail\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u002261ed3fc6ed7b4bf9a142557008c7fb0e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002261ed3fc6ed7b4bf9a142557008c7fb0e\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member\u2019s time has expired.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022 data-id=\u0022b0eada67ab21420eafb40d79bea97cc7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b0eada67ab21420eafb40d79bea97cc7\u0022\u003EJAMIE STRANGE (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to take a brief call on this bill\u2014this exciting piece of legislation that is an enabling bill for rail.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s a lot of confusion, over the other side, on this matter. Let me give an example: the Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service is about to get going. The Opposition railed against that for years, and then I\u2019m at the sod-turning and I look out and I see the Hon David Bennett at the sod-turning\u2014I almost dropped the spade! That\u2019s just one example of the confusion that we\u2019re hearing from the Opposition; we\u2019ve got clarity on this side. 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=\u00224346e21a706d4f55aa69f8c8ad0eb079\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224346e21a706d4f55aa69f8c8ad0eb079\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: I call Chris Penk\u2014five minutes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022 data-id=\u00222e379b05cf6d4c98ad406687cd92d714\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000476\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222e379b05cf6d4c98ad406687cd92d714\u0022\u003ECHRIS PENK (National\u2014Helensville):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. It\u2019s a pleasure to take a call on the Land Transport (Rail) Legislation Bill. Like my colleague Maureen Pugh, I feel somewhat of an emotional connection to railways. I think a number of members in the House have grown up with experiences, whether it\u2019s relatively prosaic in the manner of transportation or some have been fortunate enough to have had family members involved in and to have the privilege of driving these magnificent beasts. Like my colleague Chris Bishop, I do see the value of rail, including in relation to my own electorate. I won\u2019t take up the entire time that I\u2019ve got allotted to make a contribution by putting a shout-out for the case for rail to be better employed and an existing line to be more suitably used in the Helensville electorate, the north-west of Auckland, but I can\u2019t resist an opportunity to say that, in fact, it does make sense in some parts of the world, and my part of the world is one of those.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003ESo let it not be said that this side of the House does not believe in rail, full stop. In fact, we believe in it where it is appropriate. I\u2019m reminded of that saying in response to a person asking if something was going to be popular: for people who like this kind of thing, they\u2019ll find this is the kind of thing they like. Rail makes sense where it makes sense and not more and not less.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EI think, in many ways, both sides of the House are in danger of violently agreeing with each other that we should have a mode-neutral approach to transport in this country. I think there\u2019s, broadly speaking\u2014if I\u2019ve understood correctly, and without having had the benefit of the debates at the select committee level\u2014consensus in that as an ideal. Where the parties differ is, in relation to this bill, whether we believe that it is, in fact, promoting the concept of mode neutrality or if, perhaps, the finger is on the scales of one and not the other.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EThere are a couple of ways in which we can discuss that\u2014in particular, the way that funding makes its way into the National Land Transport Fund, and I\u2019ll get into that to the extent that I\u2019m able in the next couple of minutes. But I also think it\u2019s worth noting\u2014again, on that overall theme about the value of rail being the best mode of transport where it is most appropriate\u2014that this side of the House does believe, as we\u2019ve stated in the minority view deriving from the select committee, that we are not averse to the idea of a New Zealand Rail Plan. Indeed, we think that that development is to be supported. But the particular New Zealand Rail Plan that has been generated is not necessarily the right one to proceed with.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003ESo it is that we can see that, in some cases, it will be sensible to allow for the transportation of heavy, bulky goods and to reduce congestion where population density and topography allows that. Auckland, where I hail from personally, and where I have the pleasure to represent a part thereof, is famously difficult to arrange public transport for\u2014in particular, terrestrial, being an isthmus and, therefore, difficult to build networks that make sense in ways that countries overseas with better geography and topography, or more suitable geography and topography, and population density make that much more possible. So it\u2019s easy to make comparisons with dense cities such as Singapore, London, New York. But we live in the city of sails, those of us who are blessed to call Auckland home, and I\u2019m not sure that I would trade the wonderful Hauraki Gulf, or, indeed, the Kaipara Harbour, or the Manukau Harbour, either of those three jewels in Auckland\u2019s crown, for the benefit of such transport systems, even as those great cities enjoy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve talked about the fact that there is a mixed model, if I were to put it kindly, whereby the proposal is that KiwiRail would remain as a State-owned enterprise but the planning and funding functions would move under the Land Transport Management Act. It\u2019s neither fish nor fowl, and, while KiwiRail would remain an enterprise that is owned by the State, it would not be a State-owned enterprise in the sense that we\u2019ve come to understand that word whereby accountability and funding align closely. So for that reason, as with others on this side of the House, I cannot support this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022 data-id=\u002269cd3befc79242eb89a038cd9b7843e2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002269cd3befc79242eb89a038cd9b7843e2\u0022\u003EGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I am very proud to be able to speak on a most excellent Land Transport (Rail) Legislation Bill. The reason why we reinvest in rail is not just because it\u2019s a good thing, particularly in places like the Hutt Valley, to get people to and from work without emissions but also because it creates jobs\u2014like the 80 jobs in the Hutt railway workshops. So it\u2019s a good thing, and it\u2019s a great bill, and I commend it 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=\u002255c5e48887134911a5f380875a31fc0f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002255c5e48887134911a5f380875a31fc0f\u0022\u003EANDREW FALLOON (National\u2014Rangitata):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much. I\u2019ve just had some encouragement behind me to speak for a fair amount of time, because, I think, I do have a lot to say on rail and I do have a lot to say on roads, and I\u2019d like to\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a8c6cbfaac2b45d7abc6f4ad7c8d57cc\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: This\u2019ll be good\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225e033d4766bb452493754f732f6fb617\u0022\u003EANDREW FALLOON\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014if I could, get into that. Thank you for your encouragement as well, Nicola Willis. Look, it is a pleasure to take a call this evening on the Land Transport (Rail) Legislation Bill, but I do rise to oppose the legislation. Those reasons why have been outlined by a number of my colleagues on this side of the House, but I\u2019ll run through a few more.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003ENow, my fundamental reason for opposing this piece of legislation is actually quite simple, and that is that the guiding principle of the National Land Transport Fund should be to pay for roads, should be for road maintenance, and should be to benefit road users. The reason for that is actually remarkably simple. It\u2019s because the National Land Transport Fund is funded by road-user charges and by petrol taxes. Of course, road-user charges and petrol taxes will be going up again on 1 July this year, as they did last year and as they did the year before. The question I have for the Government is: actually, what are road users getting for that? They\u2019re getting more taxes and, actually, a lot less for it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000487\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003EBut what this bill does is it ensures that road users who pay for roading improvements will actually end up with fewer roading improvements\u2014and this bill undermines that. This bill undermines that principle that roading upgrades should be paid for by road users. It says that the National Land Transport Fund should be used for rail, that road users should be subsidising potentially uneconomic rail projects. A colleague across the House\u2014Gareth Hughes\u2014has questioned some of those, I suppose, economic metrics, and yet he didn\u2019t come up with any economic metrics of his own to describe how those, in many cases, projects that have very low benefit-cost ratios could in any way\u2014in any way\u2014be regarded as economic under whatever metric he proposes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000488\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003ENow, like colleagues across this side of the House, I\u2019m not anti-rail, as some on the Government benches would like to suggest. On numerous times, I\u2019ve taken the Northern Explorer from Wellington to Auckland\u2014it\u2019s a fantastic piece of rail infrastructure\u2014stopped off a number of times at National Park. I just want to echo the comments from Chris Hipkins earlier in the day, for Kiwis to get out and enjoy your backyard, because it is a fantastic trip; National Park is a great place to stop off. I also recommend the TranzAlpine, going across the West Coast\u2014where my colleague Maureen Pugh is going to win the election later on this year\u2014and, of course, the Coastal Pacific, which travels down the east coast of the South Island as far as Christchurch.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000489\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003EThe reason I mention that\u2014\u201Cas far as Christchurch\u201D\u2014is because, for the last two years, I\u2019ve been asking the transport Minister, Phil Twyford, about plans for passenger rail between Christchurch and Dunedin. We used to have a passenger rail network from Christchurch to Dunedin. I travelled on it, as a young lad, from Ashburton many times. The train used to stop at the Ashburton Railway Station, which, again, was a wonderful piece of infrastructure until it, finally, was removed several years ago. But I\u2019ve been asking the current Government about that project for one very simple reason, and it\u2019s this: that the previous National Government put $50,000 into a feasibility study in 2017, asked for by the Canterbury Mayoral Forum, and yet this Government has gone completely silent on it. We don\u2019t know the status of that feasibility study. I\u2019ve asked the Minister for it several times. He claims that he hasn\u2019t received it. He claims he hasn\u2019t read it\u2014actually, Nicola Willis, a bit like that email he\u2019s received from Winston Peters about Auckland light rail, which, of course, he hasn\u2019t read either. So he hasn\u2019t seen this feasibility study on passenger rail between Christchurch and Dunedin. It must set some sort of record for being the longest feasibility study that I\u2019m ever aware of, because, obviously, it was funded in 2017; we now find ourselves in 2020, and yet the Government\u2019s gone completely silent on passenger rail between Christchurch and Dunedin. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000490\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003EWhat I strongly suspect is that they\u2019ll remain silent on it until a few weeks out from the election, and then a politician from the other side\u2014probably a Green Party politician\u2014will jump up and say, \u201CWe\u2019re going to do this if we\u2019re re-elected.\u201D Of course, they won\u2019t; it will be the same as it was in 2017 when Phil Twyford and Jacinda Ardern said that we\u2019re going to build Auckland light rail, and they haven\u2019t moved a muscle on it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000491\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003EI worry about this bill and what it means for transport infrastructure in this country, because this isn\u2019t just a bill about rail; this is a bill about what the effect will be in terms of funding for other important projects around the country. We\u2019ve already had this Government remove more than $5 billion from the State highway network\u2014more than $5 billion from the State highway network\u2014to, instead, invest in Auckland rail and cycle projects; again, that light rail project which they haven\u2019t moved a muscle on. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000492\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003EThe cost on regional New Zealand has been extremely high\u2014extremely high. You\u2019ve had important roading upgrades up and down the country, but particularly in regional areas, that have been shelved, that have been cancelled, or\u2014in the words of Phil Twyford\u2014\u201Creprioritised\u201D. There have been important safety upgrades like the one at the Woodend Bypass, which my colleague Matt Doocey has been campaigning for for a long time. It\u2019s off the table. It\u2019s gone. It\u2019s an important safety upgrade that that community has been screaming out for because of the safety concerns about highway traffic going through that community. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000493\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003EOf course, the Northland motorway has been put on ice, and it\u2019s simply out of spite. We had a colourful contribution earlier today from Ron Mark, in terms of what the Government\u2019s doing in Northland and, of course, what Matt King is doing in Northland. Yet, they\u2019re promising to do things like move the port. They\u2019re promising to do things like rail, but the biggest project that Northland actually needs is the Northland motorway, and the only reason they won\u2019t do it is because it was National\u2019s idea. If it was Shane Jones\u2019 idea, he would have cut ribbons on it\u2014he would have cut three ribbons on it by now, I\u2019m sure, as he\u2019s done for roundabouts around this country\u2014and yet he hasn\u2019t done it because it\u2019s an idea that\u2019s come from this side of the House. Winston Peters\u2014it remains a shame that he lost that seat of Northland to my good friend Matt King.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000494\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003ENow, those concerns have been reflected on the select committee. I don\u2019t sit on the Transport and Infrastructure Committee, which considered this bill, but I have been through a number of the contributions that interested parties made on that, as I\u2019m now the, I think, associate spokesperson on transport, which is a far more grand title than I think I deserve. However, I did go through some of those submissions and they were quite remarkable in terms of the warnings that they gave to the Government and to this Parliament about what this bill would mean. I just want to pick up on a couple of those.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003EThe first one of those is from the Road Transport Forum, who, of course, represent a lot of the trucking organisations and companies around the country and others. They said, \u201CThis bill sets in place an opportunity to reduce funding available to support roading improvements.\u201D So they\u2019re very clear that this bill is aimed at one thing, and one thing alone, which is to move money from roading projects into rail projects, to fund rail projects at the expense of roading projects.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000496\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003EI just want to come, now, to the contribution by the Automobile Association, because they were very, very clear about what that would mean if we take money out of roading projects and put it into rail projects. They said, \u201CIf road construction or maintenance is decreased or delayed, this impacts road safety.\u201D It impacts road safety in those communities that I\u2019ve mentioned. It impacts road safety in places like Woodend, it impacts road safety in places like Northland, and it impacts road safety in places like the area that I represent, South Canterbury, and particularly that road that runs from Ashburton to Christchurch\u2014now the second most dangerous stretch of highway in the country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000497\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2de46a-9047-4bfe-92c8-5f14fd415dfb\u0022\u003ESo I worry about this bill and I worry about the effect that it will have on road safety.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u00222f2df18c773a4880b1851b2db749549f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000498\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222f2df18c773a4880b1851b2db749549f\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m sorry to interrupt the member, but, members, the House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 16 June.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000499\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003EDebate interrupted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000500\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 6 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202006047074aee5242f4f85b0432ac85fb6697a000501\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"