"\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=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a3fb9811af874185b7cfb0ff00d96fee\u0022\u003ETHURSDAY, 30 JULY 2020\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e99ee62dcb2c4e698cd0f720fcae00cc\u0022\u003ETHURSDAY, 30 JULY 2020\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000002\u0022\u003EThe Deputy Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000004\u0022\u003EPrayers.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00228a9901505e034bba8714cb7ac78ac761\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00229ac25886cb174e34983a357e33bc7f59\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=\u0022368ae5b164114b8ba77c2a53abc2420e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022368ae5b164114b8ba77c2a53abc2420e\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E Next week will be the final sitting week of the 52nd Parliament. On Tuesday, 4 August, the Appropriation (2020/21 Estimates) Bill will have its third reading. I\u2019ve informed the Business Committee of my intention to move urgency on Tuesday. Bills to be passed under urgency will include the COVID-19 Public Health Response Amendment Bill, the COVID-19 Response (Further Management Measures) Legislation Bill (No 2), the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill, the Fuel Industry Bill, and the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill. The Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill will receive its first reading, and there will be a motion to extend the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020. On Thursday, 6 August, all things going according to plan, the House will close its proceedings with the adjournment debate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022 data-id=\u0022fdf489ca6cd04cdb871ebe860d101286\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fdf489ca6cd04cdb871ebe860d101286\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP (National\u2014Hutt South):\u003C/span\u003E Can I ask the Leader of the House whether or not the Government will give consideration to picking up the Adverse Weather-affected Timber Recovery on Conservation Lands Bill, a member\u2019s bill in the name of Maureen Pugh, that has just been drawn from the members\u2019 ballot, and sending that to a select committee in the time the House has before we rise for the election.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u0022841953a490d840e682087c3b50286d17\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022841953a490d840e682087c3b50286d17\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E Of course, the Government has a lot of legislation to try and get through over the three remaining sitting days we will have next week, and so we have no intention to pick up any of the members\u2019 bills. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002297f77e9c0cf743178a962e2ca73cccbe\u0022\u003EOral Questions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002246c56dcf192e4822b6885014938aff9d\u0022\u003EQuestions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002238dddc6d07314d448db529fa79ca1698\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 1\u2014Prime Minister\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u0022fe962aa7b7e84e11a03793cedb339cac\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fe962aa7b7e84e11a03793cedb339cac\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The House comes to oral questions, and the first is in the name of the Hon Gerry Brownlee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022 data-id=\u0022a5eab8bb74724196a85af1ffd4e3d36d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a5eab8bb74724196a85af1ffd4e3d36d\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader\u2014National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. Nice to see you in the Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u002277074d92a4d94f0681cc36eab0c6ce4b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002277074d92a4d94f0681cc36eab0c6ce4b\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: It feels good!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022 data-id=\u00222fba7b15da9c43e1a95c24ca26c33e1c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E1. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222fba7b15da9c43e1a95c24ca26c33e1c\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader\u2014National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by her explanation in Parliament yesterday of the rationale for the Government\u2019s proposed regime for charging some people who return to New Zealand part of the cost of their managed isolation, and is the proposed regime an example of good public policy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022 data-id=\u002269c853e0a9724e198cee5460ce5cf643\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002269c853e0a9724e198cee5460ce5cf643\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Prime Minister: Yes. This is a policy decision which has invited a mixed response across the political spectrum, and for only the second time in this Government, the \u201Cagree to disagree\u201D provisions of the coalition agreement have been invoked, which reflects how important this policy is to the political parties and, dare I say it, the New Zealand people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f4276ad75c084df0a28a1e0906820182\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: What is the public policy justification for managed isolation charges applying to people who visit New Zealand for only a short period but not charging people who decide to return home long term, having previously chosen to live in another country?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c2ba3da61a2e4e1cbbad7cdb806febcb\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, that is one of the matters which, despite the law being introduced, which is the base for it, has yet to be clearly articulated or enunciated. That\u2019s a work in progress, and it means that, just like the National Party, whose previous leader, and the third leader in the last four years, has said that he was utterly opposed and the National Party was opposed to any charging regime\u2014just five weeks ago. That\u2019s what that means. It\u2019s still a work in progress, Mr Smith.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fc6474fc0c6049e5b1101d285309e4f5\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Does that mean that her Government will be passing legislation next week not knowing what it\u2019s going to do?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eb0ee9acaa544660abeaf78c32a28cc0\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: No. On behalf of the Prime Minister, the Government knows entirely what it needs to do in terms of establishing\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ccb7698bdc34458eb2b102eb27084ba1\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: He just said the opposite!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002252a139f0fa0d461c8c8afbaf2e0ae4cd\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I\u2019ll get a cartoon to go with it, Mr Smith, if you\u2019ll just be patient.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226742379b77ca42ea99f915bae8540ce1\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022be2519a0960143b583507faaef9973a7\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, Madam Speaker, you know he\u2019s been out there sitting on the front bench, out of his seat. That\u2019s against the Standing Orders, as you well know. He\u2019s moved from the back, where he belongs, to the front\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223d249c793f724e9d9ec2bb9ef8200f6e\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Just answer the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022732ad2ec911f4d30b4ccf0ca32966b70\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014and he\u2019s misusing his position. Right?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aa53e3c0f74044338f1744ebd76497b0\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Answer the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222d0a7baf9af44dca80a850a159f3c093\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, that\u2019s in the Standing Orders as well. But back to my point: the Government is establishing the legislative regime and then it becomes triggered by, of course, the regulations, which are yet to be written. That\u2019s what it means.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002275b6d1c6969144c691b7d2fc238a066e\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Can she confirm that costs of managed isolation out to the 31\u00A0December this year are budgeted to be $479 million, taking the annualised costs close to $1 billion, and, if so, does she think that a 2 percent contribution from that fraction of returnees is fair to the New Zealand taxpayer?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002264f8cdd303054b0ea499581cb8e6f6ce\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, that was the position that the Opposition took just five weeks ago. It is the case at the present time that there are governing parties that have differing views, and we\u2019re just being honest and direct with the population out there. The people who will prevail on this issue no doubt will be those who are here to write the law post - 19 September.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002223ee7993a94f432e85bb9c1ddc8f92e5\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Speaker\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ba555f9bf3174daf92c7c8a37eea6bb0\u0022\u003ETim van de Molen\u003C/span\u003E: Won\u2019t be that member!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aee4e78be09d44ff87a751abc07ec907\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ll be here long after you\u2019re gone, son.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ab263dc966024df49c4245a7cf8126de\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: First of all, there was a question being asked. So interruptions are not to be made, and then that invokes a response, which doesn\u2019t help the order of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221381d16409c443f6a20342a9e6938a43\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: If the Government\u2019s policy advice was that only $125 million of the $479 million could be collected in border charges, is it good public policy to reject $125 million in income for less than $10 million in income?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229275b999692d4beca8fa5c4bae9ed3d8\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Look, on behalf of the Prime Minister, that is the issue which has had variance within the coalition Government and, dare I say it, the support party, the Greens. It happens to be the circumstance now that we find that the last leader and present leader of the National Party agree with a charging regime, and, as I say, long term I can see this issue will be decided post the 2020 election. But I want to say, with respect to the National Party\u2019s latest stance, where it fits with New Zealand First, that it puts me in mind of Winston Churchill\u2019s famous comment: \u201CThe trouble with being on the side of right is you keep so much dubious company.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220d88ee1344624483918da11c21a5a6a4\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I just say to the member who\u2019s resuming his seat that that actually puts me in mind of Speaker\u2019s ruling 159/4 from Speaker Wilson that the Prime Minister is not responsible for the decisions of another party, and can address questions as long as she does not address the other parties\u2019 attitude on it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c1ec2716428443f8b55a6a25b6271c14\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Will the Government release today, or before the House debates the bill, all of the Crown Law advice and other legal advice that is alleged to warn against managed isolation charges?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224f711d9f9d2c47a39cddabf484202ce3\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, I would like to answer that question, but I think that would be more rightly placed with the Minister handling this, namely my colleague the Hon Megan Woods. In the meantime, if the member had given me more notice, I would have come down with the answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225e0bae596d7f487594fdc59022e68011\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: When the Prime Minister negotiated the managed isolation payment scheme with Winston Peters, did she find that he was\u2014and I quote him\u2014\u201Ca lamb in Parliament and a lion in the electorate\u201D, and is that why New Zealand First has now rolled over their boat for this?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b7a2e260d4564dc39f7236890d89a7c6\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, it\u2019s above my dignity to try and even answer that stupid question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00221feb789bc4cb41d8b958c22c822cac8a\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 2\u2014Prime Minister\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022 data-id=\u0022df91ee54102642b69bfcc5337b67470b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E2. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022df91ee54102642b69bfcc5337b67470b\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader\u2014National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by her reaction to job losses at The Warehouse, \u201CI\u2019m angry\u201D; if so, is she also angry that more than 65,000 other New Zealanders have lost their jobs since March?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022 data-id=\u0022e85fdf0151de483f97a2064bae238a0f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e85fdf0151de483f97a2064bae238a0f\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Prime Minister: In regards to the first part of the question, most definitely yes. We regard any loss of livelihood a personal tragedy for the individual involved and for their families and their loved ones. In regards to the second part of the question, the member is incorrect. According to the Stats New Zealand filled jobs measure, for which there are charts, total job numbers are up 38,000 on the same time last year. I have the data for 2019 and 2020 right here, and the member\u2019s welcome to see it. Budget 2020 forecasts our investments will save 140,000 jobs over the next two years and support the creation of 370,000 jobs over the next four years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221f9826ed16864426bc7d8866042ee869\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Can she name one policy that she has implemented, beyond anger, that\u2019s aimed at creating new jobs or new businesses for the 210,000 New Zealanders currently on Jobseeker Support or the many others who are on wage support or those who\u2019ve lost income or those who\u2019ve lost part-time work, so that they can get back into the workforce?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022283ca298f7584f71bcf54b491d207501\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, the very suggestion that she can\u2019t name one when she can name countless numbers of projects all around this country, growing all over the place\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022481a90522cf1409d9bc4cf9135b359cf\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Away you go.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002284efebb358a5410aad54b4f2cf03fd46\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, 13,000 in the Provincial Growth Fund for a start\u2014yes, that\u2019s the long-range forecast. When, for example, the biggest mussel farm in the world and the border get going and we put pharmaceuticals around that, I can see burgeoning industries all over this country, because this party and this Government have got commitment and a vision, a real vision, of where we\u2019re going into the future\u2014not spend and hope.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229c9454eb53264166895c1d60d00cd879\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Prime Minister, then, aware that quite often pestilence and other atrocities for humans occur when there is too much emphasis placed on long-range forecasts?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229fe6932460ef465097b186a21fd1d25d\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, yes\u2014I\u2019m looking at one.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022efc86046595149f5ad7532a3ce62864a\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Does she think that her Government\u2019s policies, such as lifting the minimum wage during the middle of a lockdown, have contributed to the closure of more than 70 retail outlets this year and the associated job losses?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dc18eb1e3761411f83ad21e27702aeda\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, against the growth of great economies like the Nordic economies; like, for example, Singapore; and dare I say others\u2014they were all predicated on the need for higher wages to drive productivity and changes. We understand that. We don\u2019t subscribe to the neoliberal philosophy that the few and very few should get the privilege of being in the economy and the rest pay the price for it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e756a3f0087e4a55b7fff02af9c666ba\u0022\u003EHon Grant Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: In light of that last supplementary question, does the Prime Minister believe that the presence of a virus and its resulting one-in-100-year economic shock may have a greater influence on job loss than any other factor the members opposite might raise?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc15a07584a24f97b047455d25e3b3d7\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Well, not according to him.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221db62bac7a3e45fba49ec72206b56bd7\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I don\u2019t think the question was asked of you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224d447d3af04540d69fd2366697a1cf30\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, I am a woman, not a \u201Chim\u201D. Answering for the Prime Minister, it is clear as daylight that this tragic visitation of a plague from offshore, which the rest of the world is wrestling with and which we\u2019ve been privileged by careful management to be possibly the most successful country in the world at, or one of the most successful ones, is something that has rapidly beset wealth in business and, dare I say it, employment. We\u2019re very much focused on that, but had we failed, the circumstance would be so much worse and the prospect of recovery almost hopeless.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bbbb80d9d0544b91bdb611de7d79adfc\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: What employment effect will there be from 32,000 returning New Zealand residents to date who have been through the managed isolation system, and how does that compare to the employment effect of 32,000 migrants coming here for the first time?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d2a6c3f46e5346ae81821f3e32effa51\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, I get the first part of that equation. The second part, seeing as the immigration figures are the lowest since 1959, seems to have been plucked out of mid-air with no factual base whatsoever.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002234851fa80ffd49d685942eae56d531c4\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. That wasn\u2019t the question that I asked. May I repeat it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226053090dfb624a2ca18b701e6212367b\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes. I\u2019m not sure that it was answered, yep\u2014that it was addressed; I beg your pardon.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224b836db16f1949ed88297537336fae51\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. What employment effect will there be from the 32,000 returning New Zealand citizens and residents who have been through the managed isolation process so far, and how does that employment effect compare to that of 32,000 migrants coming here for the first time?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a56ae4e6edd24c318d234701b39884f3\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Again, on behalf of the Prime Minister, the first part of the equation is a fact. The second part by which we are meant to make the comparison does not, given that we are in the lowest immigration statistics since 1959, even resemble the facts. Where are these 32,000 migrants that you say are coming?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226f95533e87fd453cb41a343a1af2fed8\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: No, it\u2019s what\u2019s the economic effect? That was the first part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cd2ead26b3a24250aab3462e82974ce2\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, come down with your mind organised to ask questions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002292aad1f6f9cd48a49563c2f874684386\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The question asks about the effect of the people coming in on employment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226b5b74ff5542496ba31cbbadb4c4ee40\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I understand that, but\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b13020e832dc4022a5e67618d7563626\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: If it was the same number coming through immigration, would it be the same effect?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d44273820fe34f07a6765d737683fa41\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I understand that, but the\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002217fea6d8c1e444b691130bf8827e2a80\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e9c0751dfc8d47a78f7efad1bf6235a9\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I don\u2019t need any help, because\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c551dcac2fc844b9b2ed64d75c934ba9\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, you do, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022515c3870110648668b9014509706e93a\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I don\u2019t need any help. What I\u2019m saying is I think that the question was addressed by the member actually disputing the figures that were used in the second part of the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022402d886926514a2e8b23807e42a9e328\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I\u2019ll perhaps ask it a different way: what is the employment effect that 32,000 returning New Zealanders or residents who\u2019ve been through managed isolation up to this point will have, compared to a similar number, had they come in as immigrants?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223866a419e5f442d9bbddff4d59bcfe88\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, these are the actual employment figures: the 32,500 actuals who are also coming back are people who have been facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who moved 80,000 people back to this country. The offshore number, in total movements\u2014150,000, without impairing our economy. But as for this abstract 32,500 replacing actual New Zealanders and being immigrants, we have no idea what the member\u2019s talking about, because it\u2019s not a fact.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002283845358f2034efb8e80908e59f291da\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Prime Minister think that perhaps because she doesn\u2019t know what ordinary New Zealanders are thinking about, it\u2019s time she did get in touch with the thousands who are out of work and losing jobs on a daily basis?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ddc5504490aa4a20b76e4a2dbcd2708d\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, these are the facts, not wanton misrepresentation cast in terms of parliamentary questions by somebody who should know a whole lot better.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002297514bee615b4dd598593ee3520a3b08\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 3\u2014Health\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022 data-id=\u00221efc01bc89fc4f0e95d20a6f191dd569\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022\u003E3. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221efc01bc89fc4f0e95d20a6f191dd569\u0022\u003EANAHILA KANONGATA\u2019A-SUISUIKI (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about upgrading vital infrastructure at Auckland City Hospital?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u00228d1d17e35ec4452fb7b3e16cb0bd4594\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228d1d17e35ec4452fb7b3e16cb0bd4594\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E Yesterday, I visited Auckland City Hospital to view the infrastructure upgrade programme that they have been progressing using Budget 2018 funding of $275 million. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c545c14fec8b46a88260d64eba5a3d6f\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Budget 2018!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d2a63019328b4fa78cdbd00b6e05dba0\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: This includes upgrading and replacing key infrastructure\u2014just hold on for a moment\u2014including lifts, fire protection systems, boilers, electrical substations, and water systems. They have been making such good progress that the Government is now able to help fund the second phase of this very important work, so I was able to announce an additional $262 million for Auckland City Hospital that will help to fund new central plant and service tunnels, new tanks, pumps, and air handling systems.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223d3b361d5d5b46ddad87310b50487821\u0022\u003EAnahila Kanongata\u2019a-Suisuiki\u003C/span\u003E: Why is this investment required?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a4e0fa63127d464985d889f121e7e061\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Most of the infrastructure at Auckland City Hospital is almost 50 years old, and the majority of the site relies on services from a central plant building. Infrastructure failure could compromise the entire hospital system\u2019s network and its ability to provide care that New Zealanders need. Unfortunately, this is a risk for many of our hospitals up and down the country, and that\u2019s why we\u2019re improving hospital infrastructure in DHBs with a $3.5 billion allocation of funding for this purpose so far to date. The funding I confirmed yesterday brings this Government\u2019s investment in core Auckland DHB assets to more than half a billion dollars in just two years as we make up for a decade of neglect.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022170369f3b2e54f9bbbc55e431e42e152\u0022\u003EAnahila Kanongata\u2019a-Suisuiki\u003C/span\u003E: When will the second phase of infrastructure upgrades at Auckland City Hospital get under way?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022010011adc84b4709a7672da9fda13682\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: More good news: the work is already under way. Initial work, like site investigation, surveys, and testing are progressing well, and the physical work is due to begin in October. This is a significant piece of work, and, at its peak, the project will require as many as 350 extra workers on site. Confirmation of this project sends a strong signal to the construction sector that the Government has a rolling maul of major construction work to provide confidence and support to the businesses and their workers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227e1478a208f647ac901744fd4ddfbf8f\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 4\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=\u0022b1680d74523d476b888fa7b391c5022e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E4. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b1680d74523d476b888fa7b391c5022e\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with the Prime Minister, who said yesterday, \u201CMy advice would be, to anyone who finds themselves currently unemployed and wishes to start their own business, don\u2019t for a moment think that you need to gamble with your retirement savings\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u00224f445d26ff4240e4abb7a7441a0c6863\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224f445d26ff4240e4abb7a7441a0c6863\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E I agree with the Prime Minister\u2019s full statement that continues after the words in the question, \u201Cwhen instead, through the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) someone can access the Flexi-wage subsidy to start their own business and to support themselves as a self-employed person. They can also access through MSD a business start-up fund that can give them up to $10,000 to start up their own business.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eed53cef3a9c44359037597536c3c1a3\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Does he think that starting a business in New Zealand under his Government\u2019s policy settings is the equivalent of rolling a dice down at SkyCity?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bf94bb22f3db42aaa9c90a3eed69f1c7\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: No, on this side of the House we understand that it\u2019s important that when you start a business you\u2019ve got the full support of the community around you, of the Government. When it comes to SkyCity, the gambling approach is that of the Opposition, if I recall, last term.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cd86b39efc224368bd536e48bb26198f\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Does he think that starting a business under his Government policy settings is the equivalent of buying a Lotto ticket, and, if so, what\u2019s he doing to reduce the odds?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223bc8f314d38e495fbfd64d22d7cec6ec\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: No. What I think we\u2019re talking about here is a risky uncosted policy put forward by the Opposition that puts people\u2019s retirement savings at risk.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a708a8befca844ab957d7e92e6e3107f\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: Could I ask the Minister of Finance as to whether the analogy of rolling the dice is one that comes to mind in a report to him where, at the end of the rolling of the dice, we end up with a smaller convention centre?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223add817a21eb4a65b21762cf39e8e433\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s right. All references to SkyCity should be directed to Steven Joyce.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002206d85a89e3e940658cf71924b88c107c\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Does he accept that everyone starting a business is taking a calculated risk\u2014will he find customers or will she find customers, or not\u2014but that we won\u2019t advance as a country unless more people are prepared to take that risk?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002299ce8748b9ee486d81fc1220fdf5a39e\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Every single person who decides to start a business is making a courageous decision and one that we should back. That\u2019s why we have facilities through MSD and elsewhere to support that. What should not be put at risk is their retirement security, which, unfortunately, the Opposition seems to want to do here, because they\u2019ve decided they don\u2019t want to contribute to the super fund.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022121d14f4e5b24a699624b94c9f92c57b\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: What\u2019s wrong with allowing people who have lost their jobs during a one-in-100-year event, as he himself describes it, to draw on their KiwiSaver funds to start a business if they back themselves to have a go?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e4222537b0a24805a6962864ef9d0bb7\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: We will back them to have a go, but what we will not do is risk up to $60,000 worth of their future retirement income that they need.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222736fe49070f4e5abb43831f56f7db14\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Doesn\u2019t he agree that we\u2019ll get more jobs created if we focus on making it easier for businesses to succeed by keeping taxes low, by pushing back at regulation, and by allowing investment to flow, and when will he do that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ad08f617d84746b69a4847f7f7c4672c\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: We\u2019re very focused, on this side of the House, on helping businesses succeed, and I invite the member to take a look at the Xero Small Business Insights report that has been released, that shows that Kiwi small businesses are recovering better than those in the UK and Australia.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bf5edd6caaaf4cd4b6d7eb4704a7ba69\u0022\u003EHon Stuart Nash\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister aware of any initiatives this Government has put in place over the COVID period to help small businesses succeed through the COVID phase?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022428f46ca766e4bffa575c9566873398e\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Speaker, many, and I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll let me run through them all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002217313e7325c84614989c45f8c32e2cad\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220c1a848b0e92485aa75c67a2fbbfe4b6\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: But, for example, the Small Business Cashflow (Loan) Scheme and the wide variety of tax measures that have put money back in the pockets of New Zealanders\u2014thanks in part to the Minister of Revenue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022591993604bc246c28ada06c25e0e4ac3\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Does he think that small-business owners around the country should be thanking their lucky stars that he is the Minister of Finance every day, and that all the progress that has been made is due to the hard work of his Government?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228bf22fd4e540432eaae370743a63dd7a\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: The progress that has been made is due to the hard work of the team of 5 million and, in the case of myself, the k\u016Bmara does not speak of how sweet it is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022cbf7663d3d624e6d9dab002d65e99aa8\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 5\u2014Social Development\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022 data-id=\u00221b85c453715d4125b37a315189cf0f2d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E5. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221b85c453715d4125b37a315189cf0f2d\u0022\u003EWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Social Development: What recent announcements has she made about putting children first as part of the Government\u2019s welfare overhaul?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022 data-id=\u0022f5bdf79719c0444da5943b2ef2fb1961\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f5bdf79719c0444da5943b2ef2fb1961\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development):\u003C/span\u003E Yesterday, I announced that this Government is putting children first and making our welfare system fairer by removing the punitive subsequent child policy. The subsequent child policy was introduced in 2012. The policy has meant that parents who have a subsequent child whilst on a benefit have work obligations imposed on them earlier, from when their youngest child is just one year old, and, depending on the age of their next oldest child, this can also affect their eligibility for the sole parent support benefit. This is a policy that has furthered inequities in the welfare system for parents and their children, undermined the value of parenting, and exacerbated stigma and stress for many families.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eef7e025e71f4250a417fd204164d898\u0022\u003EWillow-Jean Prime\u003C/span\u003E: What difference will this make for parents and children?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002211adbf833adb45a18460d6e4d33e0297\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: The subsequent child policy has a disproportionate effect on M\u0101ori women. By removing the policy, we can further our commitment to improving outcomes for M\u0101ori and valuing the role of carers, who are predominantly women. The first 1,000 days of a child\u2019s life are critical for their long-term development. It is not fair that these children might not be given the same time and support simply because they were born while their parents were on a benefit. Removing the subsequent child policy will give the estimated 9,000 parents affected the flexibility to be carers. However, the removal of this policy does not preclude parents who are able to work from getting access to the employment and upskilling support from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) that this Government has significantly bolstered investment in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220650d80958f5413abdd709210c84cfab\u0022\u003EWillow-Jean Prime\u003C/span\u003E: Why is the subsequent child policy being removed?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c6b0c59afeb14b559c29d03068f3e7b2\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: MSD has found no evidence that the subsequent child policy has positively impacted financial or social outcomes for those affected. This highlights, for me, how punitive policies, underpinned by judgment of those in our welfare system, are ineffective and only serve to stigmatise people who, in this case, have been disproportionately M\u0101ori women. Under our confidence and supply agreement, this Government has committed to creating a fairer and better welfare system and removing excessive sanctions, and this\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022982a69c1e37f4f4d85501292d8af0e3b\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I think the member has answered the question, thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f1ac678b175245ddaef020e45088ff27\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I\u2019d like to finish my answer\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002276afeea19c334a06948b233eb166acf6\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m sorry, but I think the member has already answered the question\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022130021dba0344cdcaea89ad92b3f1a97\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220e696e8e5d3e402e9d98ed4b2b939e9f\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002290bb1c5c3ec44998966e188c918a1f9a\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: Actually, my word count is\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225ff06aa0cffa481095f57cfccd841db9\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m sorry, sit down. Sit down. It was a very long answer. It was a very simple question, much of which in the member\u2019s answer had already been stated. I think the answer has been completed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002251be9fd9d043435cb557a713da3103b1\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 6\u2014Environment\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022 data-id=\u002248c378df28be4a70835c5ebae530e851\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E6. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002248c378df28be4a70835c5ebae530e851\u0022\u003EJAN LOGIE (Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Associate Minister for the Environment: Is regulated product stewardship useful for reducing waste to landfill; if so, why?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022 data-id=\u0022cfd3018754434fa8aabc4219b7aa6708\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cfd3018754434fa8aabc4219b7aa6708\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE (Associate Minister for the Environment):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, regulated product stewardship helps put the responsibility for waste and what happens to products at the end of their useful life on manufacturers, brand owners, retailers, and users rather than on communities, councils, neighbourhoods, and nature. Regulated product stewardship schemes for challenging products such as agrichemicals and their containers; tyres; refrigerants; farm plastics; and computers, TVs, and other electronic goods will help ensure that these products currently lost to landfill or sometimes dumped irresponsibly are recovered and the materials in them reprocessed or reused. Regulated product stewardship asks businesses to be responsible producers so we can all be responsible consumers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221c23985aa59e460bab5ddb74169339f7\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: Why were the priority products chosen?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228fdc5ce20120483fb183cd7ac7c5256c\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE\u003C/span\u003E: The Ministry for the Environment consulted with the public and stakeholders to identify products which harm the environment through poor disposal, products which would benefit from resource efficiency and from a regulated scheme. Industry readiness and active engagement of stakeholders to ensure a successful scheme was also considered. The six product types I announced yesterday\u2014tyres, electrical and electronic products, agrichemicals and their containers, refrigerants, farm plastics, and plastic packaging\u2014can all cause environmental harm, and the relevant sectors are actively engaged in either planning or developing product stewardship schemes. That\u2019s what we want\u2014to work in partnership with businesses and stakeholders for robust schemes which create jobs, make our economy more efficient, and reduce waste to landfill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002289df4204ec9f4fdfa202c8c78aed4607\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: How does mandatory product stewardship create jobs and innovation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228f15cd8393154cedad4fee460551f8d4\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE\u003C/span\u003E: Businesses like E-Waste Services in Porirua in the heart of the Mana electorate, which I visited yesterday, is just one example. What started as one person in a home-based business recovering computers has recently expanded to employ 12 people and they anticipate doubling their staff in 12 months. The business employs people like Wayne, who used to be a truck driver. He loves his job pulling apart TVs and computers, separating out screws and other metals and circuit boards to send away for reprocessing to recover precious metals such as gold and helping the planet.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220d7ebfaa98124c22af229d2d4f670a29\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: How does this help fulfil the confidence and supply and coalition agreements?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228ba172514a75454f95f52af027d863e9\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE\u003C/span\u003E: When it comes to tyres, all parties of Government agree that product stewardship is an important part of reducing environmental harm. The Greens\u2019 confidence and supply agreement commits to minimising waste to landfill, and New Zealand First\u2019s coalition agreement commits to tyre stewardship. Moving to mandatory product stewardship for these six product streams helps fulfil both these commitments.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022182a0737dddf4d938f670b90aa076e6e\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 7\u2014Infrastructure\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u0022a91595f39ac942a984b054cb704984a9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a91595f39ac942a984b054cb704984a9\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Question No. 7 is in the name of Chris Bishop. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022 data-id=\u0022a169502cdab8471a96f3651213b62406\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a169502cdab8471a96f3651213b62406\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP (National\u2014Hutt South):\u003C/span\u003E Oh, I sort of wanted that one to keep going. OK, thank you, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022121b7355c9a7431b9879f7a64ba05418\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That was unnecessary. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224f06d831b476489390d363df2d93f0a2\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: OK. It\u2019s the spirit of Thursday, Madam Speaker, but thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022 data-id=\u002227324907aa584700928b3355084673b0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E7. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002227324907aa584700928b3355084673b0\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP (National\u2014Hutt South)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Infrastructure: Will the full list of the more than 150 shovel-ready projects be announced before Parliament dissolves, and how many of these projects are currently scheduled for announcement by Government Ministers or under-secretaries?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u00224714f0c8df53485ea2f038f7831d03e8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224714f0c8df53485ea2f038f7831d03e8\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister for Infrastructure: On behalf of the Minister, yes. While there may be one or two exceptions, the vast majority will be announced before Parliament dissolves. In answer to the second part of the question\u2014as the member would know from having worked in a ministerial office\u2014announcements are scheduled once the subject of the announcement is finalised. As several Ministers have told the member, some of the projects agreed in principle are still being finalised and will be announced in due course. Yesterday, we had announced 79 projects. Today, that number is up to 84, and several more will come over the coming days. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f84f212400334e9a8a4da4f39e812d4a\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: How many of the 70 signed off but unannounced shovel-ready projects are currently scheduled for announcement, in light of three projects being announced by three different Ministers in three different locations since I asked this yesterday? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dc643385f1ac4b88a4a30ea158b7f6f4\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I think the member\u2019s answering his own question there. The announcements are being rolled out over the coming days, as I said. Almost all will be announced by the time Parliament dissolves, and they are being welcomed widely in the community, particularly today in Naenae. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022006068c1d2c74dcea051d8d6d4831a49\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: When was due diligence completed on the Paihia waterfront project that he announced this morning? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229d2429a19fcf4ee1b80d9df5a6148815\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: The member would accept, I think, with a fairly general question, that asking a very specific matter like that, I\u2019ll have to get back to him on it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221e956e000def4c3f8ff55a5d4af98a3f\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Why did it take nine days to announce the Paihia project this morning, when invitations to the launch event went out on 21 July? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229a370c77e48d4d8ba89963800d010528\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I think this is where the member is misunderstanding the whole fund here. Communities want announcements for these projects because they\u2019re a cause for celebration, and they want to make sure the whole community can be invited along to celebrate that there\u2019s a Government that backs them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002236682f537fb34e1da7cc8afe3d3e5426\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Well, that was a very interesting answer, but the question was about the gap between 21 July, when the invitations were issued for the Paihia project, and today, which is 30 July, and why there was a nine-day gap. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a2307762d6424875b698bc7fd73d951b\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Right, I think the Minister did address that, though, by referring to the fact that if you want a lot of people there, you need to give them a lot of notice. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002260ba5b53935a445f88381c835ddfeae3\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: How many further shovel-ready projects will be drip-fed to the public over the coming weeks, in the light of three Ministers making three announcements in three different locations this morning? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228ad15b6417ef48e9a6188d5e50790e36\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: As I answered in the previous several answers, all of the projects, perhaps bar one or two, will be announced before Parliament dissolves, and I thank the member on behalf of the Government for his efforts to publicise these excellent projects all around New Zealand. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002297bb7ed5e45343668a16a6d068d6dfdd\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Can he assure the House that the availability of Ministers and their diaries has in no way impeded or delayed any possible announcements, given the Prime Minister has said \u201Cwe are moving as swiftly as we can.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bfea4988d31040a5b781a04576a3451d\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: There is no sense of this Government impeding infrastructure. We\u2019re the ones promoting it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002291e082baa8944ab8a8def58dcda8b87d\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 8\u2014Regional Economic Development\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022 data-id=\u00225d5506cbdfde462797148ae948a10186\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E8. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225d5506cbdfde462797148ae948a10186\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: Does he stand by his statement about the number of jobs the Provincial Growth Fund will create, \u201C10,000 as an estimate over the life of the fund\u201D; if so, what is the source of the information that informed his answer?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022 data-id=\u00228394951188c344c8b6ad399ee3ba65d7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228394951188c344c8b6ad399ee3ba65d7\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister for Regional Economic Development: On behalf of the Minister, may I pass on my congratulations for his new-found spokesmanship. Over a year ago, we set the record straight after the National Party used numbers that were not correct with respect to the amount of jobs that would be generated by the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF). At that time, we estimated that 10,000 jobs would be created.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221e5cbaeaed4942beab2b36a36a67abb8\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Complete mess!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221ceca33e7f5141ccbc4a35a93627f552\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: This was the information we had at the time from the applicants. I know you\u2019re a complete mess; you can look at that every time you look in the mirror. The kinds of rural businesses that the Opposition\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002275582f6456a649e9946239f1797d55ad\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002255f63d4edc2646ee91a4f98bd1b1e60c\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014claims to support just are not correct.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022469796995a6940108fde547adf25850f\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Well, which number is correct: the 10,000 mentioned yesterday, the 2,727 on the PGF website, or the 13,000 quoted by the Prime Minister in Question No. 2 today?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229ad5f75a9c164c1485ff0980b7bd6463\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: The Prime Minister will just have to be more up to date than some Ministers. On behalf of the Minister, initial work done by applicants as part of their submission to the Provincial Development Unit (PDU) showed that over 10,000 jobs may be created as result of the PGF investment, and this includes jobs created in the construction and delivery of projects and across the wider economy. I can say that there is a stocktake being done right now so that the figures can be given out very, very soon, and what we are certain of\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224d49702569c94e8e8052c1f856eae6c1\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: So you don\u2019t know.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ffd0ce8247b746118985f013b92e55de\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: No, no\u2014not knowing is the speciality of that member and has been the whole time since he arrived in Parliament\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002252acb9ed24cc4628ab0656f2777033b6\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224b53af701eed464884965bc1746d6701\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014and shouting out and making a fool of himself is his penchant every day he arrives at Parliament. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228133ac4236944ea8a2f4426fc87b4c9d\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Can I just interrupt the member. We will not have personal reflections, thank you. Just answer the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022357e0139cdb64c9c9d300a9f6b3c1b4b\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. We won\u2019t have interjections like that either, without you stopping them, Madam Speaker, with the greatest respect. That\u2019s what your role is. This is about information which is entitled to be heard by other members without five or six people shouting out constantly. Surely that\u2019s the way this Parliament should be run.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228161f0bb823643fbad0cc5329ca71536\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The Standing Orders do allow interjections while the member is answering a question. I would ask the member to get on with answering the questions and stop personal reflections.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022377cbd94f76745b89c929b33085bf849\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: The Standing Orders talk about being reasonable.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bc0ffc9e0edf4444b00b956b29e551e4\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Are you arguing with me?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da7af1fe291842a3b4732bd5bbc97b95\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: No, I\u2019m not arguing with you; I\u2019m just telling you the facts. Ha, ha! Can I just say further we are doing a stocktake. It looks like the figures will be far greater than we ourselves imagined, and only the conservativism and modesty of getting it wrong in terms of understating the tremendous performance inclines me not to answer the question now. But in a matter of days, as the Provincial Development Unit personality Robert Pigou said, these figures will be out, and they\u2019ll be a matter of enormous credit to the Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229c46a33874b949c0900f157ee2d6f02e\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Does he believe the PGF is good value for jobs created when the best estimate, depending on which number we use, is between $300,000 and $900,000 per job when the jobs in the broader economy come at about $116,000 per job?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c475099ccd8043bbb1f27d5d80f1b4a5\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, the fact is the member is now starting to quote figures from a former spokesmanship which were wrong as well. The truth is the Provincial Growth Fund and the PDU know with precision what the numbers are going to be, and they\u2019re looking to be far greater than we ever thought ourselves.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d47e790d6fd846b5b50ed88f5d814137\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Three years and you don\u2019t know.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226e5d31df1dc549fbb7f49657a362d659\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, Mr Smith\u2014this is a member who got another member into trouble. He quoted 31,000 houses\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022290d341c46d344aaae74a49a9433b71f\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c41763417cf64c2baed43089dd066922\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: That member\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aa83a12ec5c443439bd1df7e3fd77e5e\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I\u2019m not going to remind the member again. Can he just focus on answering the question. I appreciate there was an interjection, but the member does not have to respond with personal abuse.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223fc4b646d56f49bca828e979dcdeb5ef\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. For the second time, I point out to you the longstanding impropriety of a member moving their seat to get a better position to heckle. I\u2019ve asked you once. I\u2019m asking you again. Are you going to act on that or not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224ad0c89c234a4f7994159800460e54a3\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I\u2019m not going to act on a member interjecting during the answer to a question. I\u2019m asking the member not to get involved in personal reflections; just, simply, to answer the question and ignore any interjections.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226c6dbb4ac80c4dfb8739d1908a364074\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002210cb6e256bee4953ac8c2b20099cfc8b\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002216e59288cdee448ba4dd525b8980a1db\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Speaker\u2014I\u2019m not going to stand here and have a barrage of criticism and be told I can\u2019t do what every other parliamentarian has been allowed, down through, dare I say it, over a century in this country, which is the chance to respond to unreasonable behaviour.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b3e739bc80b44a4db989f48ec412090c\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Just because you\u2019ve done something many times, it doesn\u2019t make it right. In this Parliament, we are not going to have personal reflections. Have you finished your answer?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224fb6ef35c41849008070d698335681a4\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022819b2d3525f141e2a89c0b66cf25c155\u0022\u003EHon Tracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm that when one is working out the amount per job that would be created by the Provincial Growth Fund, one must take into account the original investment of the Provincial Growth Fund, the lifetime of the project, and the number of people who would be employed over the lifetime not only of creating the project but then working, for example, in the largest aquaculture factory in \u014Cp\u014Dtiki, to be able to come up with a figure per job?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002218b62d46a93e4badb5aec2c9fe494f0c\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ccb8ff803941413b8865f5435c908f50\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I think there are about six legs to that question, and Mr Speaker has ruled that supplementary questions can have two legs to them\u2014and there were about six in there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221c8a211f29ef40a18e053d90cb9e315a\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: It is my responsibility to make that decision. He can answer. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f16b808ca7f84a26a810b0a26f286420\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, I want to thank that member for enunciating with precision and exactitude exactly how you calculate the workforce derived from such magnificent investment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002271dc58baab8f4eddbd8ae4f335817285\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Does the PGF give priority to projects that will create more jobs; if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002267d5fe57648142eeb59bfd25abb82216\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, of course the PGF gives priority for jobs, because we don\u2019t have any projects without jobs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cbf6efbf61aa4fdfb73fab17d2c6cf9d\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Given that answer, is the reason he isn\u2019t able to provide a better estimate of the number of jobs created by the PGF that the application form doesn\u2019t even require applicants to provide that information?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222fb00ed4fddf40b2be5cab2f1ca5b2ca\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, it is taken as read that anybody who has got any commercial understanding knows that every business has jobs. There is no business I know in the world with no work, no workforce, and no jobs. I mean, it\u2019s axiomatic, and why members over there are laughing is beyond me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022cefcb32dcccf4d87a64b9fc609ba5e1e\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 9\u2014Environment\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022 data-id=\u00226f4745323f5e446ebf72a59ab7c59214\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E9. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226f4745323f5e446ebf72a59ab7c59214\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour\u2014Christchurch Central)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for the Environment: What announcements has the Government made regarding reform of the Resource Management Act 1991?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022eb9cf69ee434479f932c39e5db521d7d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022eb9cf69ee434479f932c39e5db521d7d\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister for the Environment):\u003C/span\u003E Yesterday, the Government published the most comprehensive review of the resource management system since the Resource Management Act (RMA) was passed in 1991. The independent review was chaired by a former Court of Appeal judge, Tony Randerson QC, and it proposes that the RMA be repealed and replaced with two main Acts. We agree with the panel that this reform is needed. The RMA has doubled in size from its original length. It\u2019s become too costly, takes too long, and has not adequately protected the environment. If we\u2019re fortunate enough to be re-elected, we\u2019re committed to implementing many of the recommendations in the report.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002258822bec78c348aa897dcd113f58f6b1\u0022\u003EDr Duncan Webb\u003C/span\u003E: What does the review panel propose should replace the RMA?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228372b592493449a48b5cdc2e8da2070a\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: The main recommendation is the replacement of the existing RMA with two pieces of legislation\u2014a natural and built environments Act (NBEA) and a strategic planning Act. The proposed natural and built environments Act would address urban issues like housing and enhancing the quality of natural environments to achieve better outcomes for present and future generations. The proposed strategic planning Act would set long-term strategic goals and help integrate legislative functions across the resource management system, including the proposed NBEA, the Local Government Act, the Land Transport Management Act, and the Climate Change Response Act. This will ensure better planning, including for infrastructure and housing investment. The panel also recommends greater use of natural direction by the environment Minister, a more streamlined process for council plan making, and more efficient resource consent processes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002209b9a8a1c9434e6ab16c86ff89c3c5dc\u0022\u003EDr Duncan Webb\u003C/span\u003E: What changes are proposed around district plans?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224297a33035b945a3be07aa3f825dd71f\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: The panel proposes that there be a single plan for each region, encompassing rules for each district in that region. This would reduce the number of RMA plans from over 100 to 14. The report recommends alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve boundary disputes, such as the heightened proximity of adjacent buildings. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e3f56eb2972d437c9785a5945349dcc0\u0022\u003EDr Duncan Webb\u003C/span\u003E: What is recommended to improve environmental outcomes?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d2dd470921824378be2fde24e1dc3682\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: A common criticism of the existing RMA is that it has not dealt well with cumulative effects, which have worsened since the RMA was enacted, especially in water and climate change. To remedy this, the report recommends a change in focus from effects to outcomes, and those outcomes will be underpinned by environmental bottom lines set out in national direction. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002203498059bee446948cdc29d26050b96f\u0022\u003EDr Duncan Webb\u003C/span\u003E: How does this plan compare with other plans to reform the RMA?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d558ff2788c14f8d9e4fa10cabccd724\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: This Government is comprehensively redesigning the resource management system to deliver better outcomes for the environment and housing, to help people and the economy as well as protect the environment. The review and recommendations are wide-ranging, and I would like to thank the panel members for their constructive and dedicated work in providing solutions for the next Government to implement. I understand the other side of the House also wishes to repeal the RMA and put out a press release mistakenly claiming this proposed reform\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d2c6fcd0011444f68bfcfea0d1118ffb\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I just bring to the attention of the member the Speaker\u2019s ruling that I referred to before, and there is another Speaker\u2019s ruling that says it\u2019s unreasonable to use questions from the governing party to attack the Opposition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a6238d96795e44e894bcbe414b9f7e2a\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Whoever is the next Government, they will have the opportunity to implement this review inside three years, compared with nothing done over the last nine by the prior Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002269a0ac04070a4d3a847b5b2389c73c7d\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 10\u2014Health\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022 data-id=\u00223fdc3a8676a24ca787a8789e2d2c804c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E10. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223fdc3a8676a24ca787a8789e2d2c804c\u0022\u003EBRETT HUDSON (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Wonderful to see you in the Chair. Does he have confidence that enough New Zealanders are downloading and using the official NZ COVID Tracer app for it to be effective in the event of an outbreak of community transmission?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u002200d3063aa145490dad2bfb832c6629c5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002200d3063aa145490dad2bfb832c6629c5\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E No. But it is important to remember that the COVID Tracer app is just one of the tools that are available to us. The work of the public health units and the National Close Contact Service remain the mainstays of our contact tracing, and I have confidence in the effectiveness of their work. The more people that are using the app, the more useful it will be. I do encourage people to download it, install it, and use it every day, and I note that the latest update, which allows people to add in manual contacts where there is no QR code, is now live.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022606cb8ea664045338322184042a7f382\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: Has he sought confirmation that all Ministers are using the COVID Tracer app and that they scan QR codes they come into contact with, and, if so, are they doing so?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222a71cc3446e246febe6e1a4c4743ff70\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: I can speak for myself and say that I have downloaded it, I\u2019ve registered it, and I use it regularly, and I expect all other members of the House to do the same.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022446e2d8e86f94893831f48613b0a8bb1\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. He didn\u2019t address the part that said, \u201CHas he sought confirmation from his ministerial colleagues?\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225c6dceb98d0d47ab9581f41829e10fd1\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Do you want to just repeat your question? I\u2019m sorry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002260d2086a0c9d47f98f5f7aac999f6e51\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: Has he sought confirmation that all Ministers are using the COVID Tracer app to scan each QR code they come into contact with, and, if so, are they doing so?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226d1468dc87e84a3da9140fc7b356ba00\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I think the Minister does need to address that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c8f1099301d2484d8bc586bfd06aff9a\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: No, I haven\u2019t. I don\u2019t have ministerial responsibility for whether or not Ministers use the app, although I have been told by many of them sitting around me that they are using it, and I can in fact attest to the fact that the Prime Minister reminded everybody in her party, including the media, to use it this morning when we visited the wonderful Trade Kitchen in Naenae.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a3589c44859a4880828c438d0136270f\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: How can New Zealanders have confidence in the app when he can\u2019t even confirm whether members of the Government are using it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c310feece8274096b806759cb3846d8e\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: I can\u2019t confirm that members of the Opposition are using it, either. I\u2019m not the police in this regard. I do encourage all members to use it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dc3f8752fa3540a0b9b5591c0d7a8208\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: How many of the 621,400 registered users who have downloaded the app are using it to scan QR codes on a regular basis?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226ccb2900c8ef43d4bade9a85d4c22baf\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: I did go through this with the member\u2019s colleague Dr Reti when he asked this question. We don\u2019t actually collect that data. That data is held by the individuals on their phones.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a06f722fd52248529f02aa6c85303454\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: How can the public have confidence in the app if he doesn\u2019t even know if people are using it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223d0a0d554a6f4a1e9659d6408989fa5e\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Speaker\u2014Madam Speaker, sorry; force of habit. A bit of muscle memory there! I think I answered that question earlier. One of the things about the app which is important is that people record their own data and they have control over their own data.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d17d3b832f6c46c6b2d1ca59ae69d9ba\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 11\u2014Police\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022 data-id=\u0022f2c33441982145ed9d8be090a437bed9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E11. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f2c33441982145ed9d8be090a437bed9\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR (Labour\u2014\u014Ch\u0101riu)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Police: What reports has he seen about police efforts to prevent and respond to methamphetamine harm in the community?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u00227a7741800ab240b2bf8a90a7314475bb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227a7741800ab240b2bf8a90a7314475bb\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Police):\u003C/span\u003E Before I answer this question, I just want to acknowledge the passing of an All Black great in Andy Haden, one of the game\u2019s true legends. I have seen numerous reports that affirm this Government\u2019s commitment to preventing and responding to the damage methamphetamine is causing to our communities. As referenced in the House yesterday by the Minister for Regional Economic Development, the Government has invested an additional $20 million in regional programmes to reduce the damage meth is causing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThis includes upgrades to residential facilities that support detoxification, rehabilitation, and re-engagement with the community for recovering meth users, as well as an extension to the collaboration between DHBs and police in Northland, with the Te Ara Oranga programme. Reports show that a staggering 1.8 tonnes of meth was seized by police and Customs during 2019\u2014three times as much as the previous year\u2014and in the first half of 2020, police busted 38 clandestine meth labs. To effectively deal with the scourge of meth, we need to attack the supply and reduce demand. This Government is committed to supporting enforcement agencies, iwi, non-governmental organisations, and the community to do just that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226dc9057bae51484e963b248f2af7db08\u0022\u003EGreg O\u2019Connor\u003C/span\u003E: How has the increase in police numbers helped to prevent and respond to methamphetamine harm in the community?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ee773484114743d7b0ce846e88ca228d\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Under this Government, there has been a 14 percent increase in police numbers nationwide. Seven hundred of these officers are being dedicated to organised crime. To put that increase in the context of reducing the harm from meth, this means that the National Organised Crime Group has now expanded into the districts to help disrupt meth supply. A new dedicated team has been set up in the South Island, and police are looking to set up a new team in the Waikato district. The Pacific Transnational Crime Network has been established, and is co-located with Customs in Auckland. Two United States Drug Enforcement Administration officers are also expected later this year, to further help disrupt the transnational supply of meth and other drugs. There is the establishment of a multi-agency working group that includes New Zealand Customs; the Department of Corrections; the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment; and the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) to deliver this Government\u2019s methamphetamine manufacture disruption action plan. This is what is possible when you fund an agency and rebuild their workforce after years of neglect.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022307b37e676864db8ba6b1cbe961433ed\u0022\u003EGreg O\u2019Connor\u003C/span\u003E: What recent initiatives has the Government announced to help protect and disrupt the supply of methamphetamine and other drugs in the community?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225f79fa01ae1342588d3fa7638997cdf3\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Today, police and ESR announced the development of a drug-screening solution which allows front-line officers working in our communities to carry out real-time testing of drugs. In a world-leading initiative for law enforcement, the New Zealand Police have collaborated with ESR in trialling the Lumi Drug Scan device, which has enabled officers to test for the most common drugs on the streets using a handheld device, and receive almost instant results through their work-issued mobile phones. Lumi can test for methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine\u2014three of the most common and harmful drugs on the New Zealand market. I\u2019m also pleased to have announced, with the Associate Minister of Transport, the Hon Julie Anne Genter, the\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226a0701cff8484d46828b9be36e39c12d\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: These are very long answers\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d07be752b433486f9919f1a5be6b9826\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014yes\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b95a05e1f7e8469abfba59a1ae33c0ac\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014to all of these questions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d417fe00dd474a589f937e51ff0a78d9\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014introduction of the Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill today. Last year\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226759b40d5ecd4717aeb19d0952e40296\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Quickly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dc67e7edfdff4c8da5ecadaf467ed299\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014103 people died in crashes where the driver was later found to have drugs in their system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221a62fe91a6d14a61bf02928f52e33dc3\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Ministers can actually use press releases to make an answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224073fa3e7a554c318632e12bc58953bc\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 12\u2014Justice\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022 data-id=\u0022983543d9cd444b8cb773bf33c4fb26bd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E12. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022983543d9cd444b8cb773bf33c4fb26bd\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH (National\u2014Nelson)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Justice: Would the repeal of the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Act 2018 improve New Zealand\u2019s democracy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u00225ef0894da7d94dcda171e28763553834\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225ef0894da7d94dcda171e28763553834\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education) \u003C/span\u003Eon behalf of the Minister of Justice: On behalf of the Minister of Justice, no, and I think the rationale for that is summed up in the name of Mr Carter\u2019s bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d0c558050321493892ae089e354e7b52\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Is the repeal of the electoral integrity law consistent with the Government\u2019s coalition agreement?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022be88deac83a14ecfbd1d7268589a6dc4\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: The Government\u2019s coalition agreement was to pass the law in the first place.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002237b0fc8d5d2949d7a5103053a21db41f\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Does he accept a majority of this Parliament does not support the Government\u2019s Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Act 2018?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220b1ceddf59a544d1b9267597c3d09cf2\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: The voting record in the Parliament would suggest otherwise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022996d1bbee3ff4b129a5a92112b654450\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Can he name any other occasion in the 24-year history of MMP when the Government has lost a vote on a core supply and confidence commitment?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002208bcf864012045019be91e71a80e54c4\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: We didn\u2019t, and I\u2019d point out that the bill hasn\u2019t passed. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224ceebc0067404e29964a38c9a0c6fd4f\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s passed its first reading. Does he agree with the statement of the Green Party that the Government\u2019s electoral integrity law is fundamentally inconsistent with democracy and free speech?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229d3cacab67944944aaab5d27961e2ab5\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec9dafabcbdc44299c27dbd386287f46\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: And I\u2019m not sure that he has any responsibility for the Green Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b920efe3683149e99d8c0bc1e1a89bd0\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: I understand you could ask within a Minister\u2019s responsibility questions in response to the statement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002230705397eb9348068144ac18c7bbc69b\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Is this a point of order or a conversation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002252c98978adb84a078adedec410902d21\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Happy to have both. Does the Minister agree with the Inter-Parliamentary Union representing 167 parliaments and 16,000 parliamentarians, including every member of this House, that laws enabling parliamentarians to be dismissed by their party or leader undermine a basic principle of democracy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bdc190c7a01646bb98c5da9e61032485\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: I reject the assertion that that\u2019s what the law change does.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002288b47d36450740b0a16aa8f9bfc364be\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Supplementary?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022664ea750221f47648a9888c0564be2ab\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, you\u2019ve used them all up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022368f21c022df43d184f29e80602d8939\u0022\u003EAcknowledgments\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00221c794dc47d11483f8f05453da5257dbc\u0022\u003EHon Anne Tolley\u2014Service as Presiding Officer\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u00225d7be040bbf34c7784b6565925b43e91\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225d7be040bbf34c7784b6565925b43e91\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Can I, on behalf of the House, acknowledge your role as Deputy Speaker for this term of Parliament. You have served in that role, I think, in a very impartial and fair manner, chairing the House through a number of different pieces of legislation\u2014some have been more controversial than others. This is, of course, the first time that you have had the opportunity to chair question time, and as it may be the last, on behalf of the House can I thank you for your service in that role.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u0022fead9869381a434f982c9c999939ef9d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fead9869381a434f982c9c999939ef9d\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you very much.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E[Applause] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00229fab471210644a3ab10d389b54df6c91\u0022\u003EEstimates Debate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f0d762161a114b37b54feaa9867bda90\u0022\u003EIn Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000261\u0022\u003EDebate resumed from 28 July on the Appropriation (2020/21 Estimates) Bill.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022 data-id=\u0022056a6cb44e304e12bad3cc2e364b6542\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022056a6cb44e304e12bad3cc2e364b6542\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: Just to remind members, Standing Orders provide for 11 hours of debate on the Estimates, divided into 10 separate debates covering the sectors set out in the Estimates of Appropriations for 2020/2021. There is one hour, 30 minutes remaining in this debate, and New Zealand National has one hour, 16 minutes, and 36 seconds remaining; New Zealand Labour has 15 minutes and 43 seconds remaining; New Zealand First has six minutes and 24 seconds remaining; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand has 16 minutes and 40 seconds remaining; ACT New Zealand has six minutes remaining; and Jami-Lee Ross has no time remaining. Each debate will be led by a call from the chairperson of the select committee. At the end of each debate, the question will be put that the Votes in each sector stand part of the Schedules. The Estimates debate should be relevant to the Government\u2019s current spending plans as contained in the Estimates of Appropriations. The compendium of the reports of select committees on the Votes is available on the Table.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227461188da1e8476587bc24599d4da4d6\u0022\u003EJustice Sector (continued)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000264\u0022\u003EVote Attorney-General, Vote Corrections, Vote Courts, Vote Justice, Vote Parliamentary Counsel, Vote Police, and Vote Serious Fraud agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e94dfc96de214e5f8c1860b8f4f13843\u0022\u003EM\u0101ori Affairs Sector\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022 data-id=\u002280cb0b87119a41cc8355b12dfd181229\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002280cb0b87119a41cc8355b12dfd181229\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, I understand that the responsible Minister is available to speak to the Votes in M\u0101ori affairs sector volume (B.5, Volume\u00A08). The question is that Vote M\u0101ori Development and Vote Treaty Negotiations stand part of the Schedules.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022 data-id=\u0022cd48fdeae816447a93600ea6c3857666\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cd48fdeae816447a93600ea6c3857666\u0022\u003ERINO TIRIKATENE (Chairperson of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. T\u0113n\u0101 koe e Te Whare. I am pleased to speak on Vote M\u0101ori Development for the 2020-21 Estimates debate. I would like to acknowledge the members of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee for examining the Estimates. The committee has recommended that the Estimates for the appropriations for Vote M\u0101ori Development be accepted by the House. Can I acknowledge the Ministers\u2014the Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Minister for M\u0101ori Development, and the Hon Peeni Henare, the Minister responsible for Wh\u0101nau Ora\u2014for appearing before our committee. We gave a thorough consideration to the Estimates.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EThe Estimates for M\u0101ori appropriations focused around Te Puni K\u014Dkiri and the work that it does both as a departmental ministry, in its policy work and its regional presence right across Aotearoa, and also the non-departmental appropriations which Te Puni K\u014Dkiri administers, which are moved out through Wh\u0101nau Ora commissioning agencies and various other entities, such as in the Te Reo M\u0101ori space. These are very high-performing entities. I want to commend the work that they are doing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EThe big focus of the appropriations this year was obviously the response to COVID19. We heard that Te Puni K\u014Dkiri, along with the Wh\u0101nau Ora agencies, were very active among the M\u0101ori communities and ensuring, especially when we were in alert levels 3 and 4, some tremendous work that was going on regionally through those entities and pushed right through into M\u0101ori communities. So we want to commend the work that was undertaken, with the leadership of Te Puni K\u014Dkiri, through that period. But the work doesn\u2019t stop there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ESo, for the appropriations, there is a significant $281 million appropriation which goes across Vote M\u0101ori Development as a whole. There is, in addition to that, through the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, additional funding. So, in sum, for 202021, over $300 million is appropriated for Vote M\u0101ori Development, and that is money that is being well spent and very carefully managed through Te Puni K\u014Dkiri.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EOne of the commendable aspects of the appropriations is the consolidation of many of what were a whole lot of different smaller programmes or appropriations being consolidated into one, into a larger programme, which has given Te Puni K\u014Dkiri a lot more focus across a smaller number of bigger areas. So that was commended by the committee, in particular the strength and focus of Te Puni K\u014Dkiri in being a leader in policy development and being well connected through M\u0101ori communities up and down the country, and being able to use the data, the relationships that Te Puni K\u014Dkiri has, to really be a leader in promoting M\u0101ori policy. That has been given extra strength through the Budget and through these appropriations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EJust turning to the Wh\u0101nau Ora side, whilst it\u2019s not captured in this 2020-21 Estimates, the Supplementary Estimates that will come will include a massive $136 million extra appropriation for Wh\u0101nau Ora. That is hugely significant, and that will be focused on working intensively with wh\u0101nau to help deal with the impacts, both near term and longer term, around COVID-19. We know that the impacts of that are being heavily felt across M\u0101ori communities, M\u0101ori wh\u0101nau, through industries such as tourism, and in the regions\u2014those that are heavily impacted. And M\u0101ori are no different. Likewise, they\u2019re big contributors across the economic space, and that extra money through Wh\u0101nau Ora over the out years, and also the extra money that is happening this year, is going to be able to support and continue the good work that is happening across the Wh\u0101nau Ora space.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ESo, with that, I do commend these Estimates and the good work of the Ministers to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022 data-id=\u0022423c369c6f0e4671aa5d9ff49fc0df6e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022423c369c6f0e4671aa5d9ff49fc0df6e\u0022\u003EJOANNE HAYES (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to have some questions, but I also just wanted to state a position in that I am disappointed that we in M\u0101ori development and M\u0101ori affairs only get a 15-minute tranche on these appropriations. I\u2019m disappointed because the Government advertised and went big on the $900 million that was budgeted for post-COVID Vote M\u0101ori Development, and I would have expected that, as members, we would have got more than 15 minutes to be able to scrutinise and ask more questions to the Minister around the Vote M\u0101ori Development appropriations. So I just want to put it there that 15 minutes, for me, is really too short. I want to put my questions and my colleague here, Harete Hipango, will also do the same, but that leaves very little room for the Government MPs and other MPs to be able to get up and question the Minister as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003ESo my questions will relate to administration management costs that have come in for the appropriation that has come through this Budget, especially around the Te Puni K\u014Dkiri administration and management appropriation. We have in this appropriation just for Te Puni K\u014Dkiri $73 million, including the regional offices, and I do query: is that enough, or is that not enough? Do we have too many regional offices? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EOf that appropriation, there was an additional $4 million that was set aside for capital expenditure, yet within the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee meeting and in the paperwork, we saw that some of that fund was actually used to buy big-screen TVs for a number of the regional offices, and I wonder whether or not the Minister can actually put hand on heart and say that it is a good investment of Government funding to buy big-screen TVs for each of those regional offices. So that\u2019s one of my questions: is that a good investment of Government funding into those regional offices? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EMy next question is around the COVID-19 appropriation and how that fitted in with the Vote M\u0101ori Development appropriation announced in the Budget. So we heard from a number of M\u0101ori businesses about the disappointment that they had of not even featuring within this appropriation. That was sad, because whilst\u2014yes\u2014they were included in a lot of the employment funds that came out of the Government for businesses, at the end of the day, the M\u0101ori businesses were looking at the future. They made comment around that the Budget was mainly focused on welfare and education and said that that\u2019s OK for right now, but what about the future, and perhaps in this appropriation, the Minister missed the mark. So I want to know from the Minister, as another question of mine: why wasn\u2019t there more investment in the M\u0101ori economy through M\u0101ori businesses? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EI understand that New Zealand M\u0101ori Tourism got some funds to support M\u0101ori business, but at the end of the day, they were rushed off their feet, and you had to question whether or not staff of M\u0101ori Tourism actually had enough of that appropriation to put the people in place to actually help the needs of M\u0101ori business. That\u2019s why I want to know why the Minister did not appropriate more in this appropriation for M\u0101ori Tourism and for M\u0101ori business, and maybe take a little bit less for other areas. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EFinally, I just want to ask my last question to the Minister\u2014and I understand the Minister for Wh\u0101nau Ora is not here. But, as the senior Minister, I just want to ask the Hon Nanaia Mahuta questions around the four new Wh\u0101nau Ora projects that the Minister had put aside: how that was appropriated, how was that evaluated, how were the four providers\u2014and this may more than likely be an operational process. But, at the end of the day, the Minister would have had some input on the accountability and the process of selecting those four providers. How many others missed out on that particular fund? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003ESo I will leave my questions there on the floor for the Minister. I may have some other questions, especially around Te Tumu Paeroa and whether or not they are still fit for purpose, especially now that iwi have their own M\u0101ori land trusts and would actually benefit more from the $11 million set aside within the Budget. So my question is what the Minister intends to do over the future of Te Tumu Paeroa as more and more iwi take over their land trusts and manage them and look after all the trust fees that are part and parcel of it. Thank you, Madam Chair. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022 data-id=\u0022b035111c721545df915e052cf6dfa425\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b035111c721545df915e052cf6dfa425\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: Before I call the Hon Nanaia Mahuta, can I just remind the member that it\u2019s not appropriate to refer to the absence from the House of any other member.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022 data-id=\u00224972626b60404fde8303581a1d6aaf27\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224972626b60404fde8303581a1d6aaf27\u0022\u003EHon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister for M\u0101ori Development):\u003C/span\u003E Can I thank the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee for their consideration of the Estimates. We had a full and frank conversation about the range of opportunities in front of M\u0101ori communities as they look to recover from COVID. But also I want to acknowledge, for the very first time, the way in which this Government\u2019s response to an unprecedented event, at both the central and local level, enabled iwis, M\u0101ori, to participate in a response that would be relevant to the community, that would send fair communications out about what the impact of the issues we were dealing with in relation to COVID were, and to be able to respond in a timely way. That wouldn\u2019t have happened by accident; it was a deliberate part of the M\u0101ori response to the COVID context and enabling communities to participate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003ELet me say that the points raised by the chair of the select committee, Rino Tirikatene, about the consolidation of funds\u2014to demonstrate the point: consolidating funds into the M\u0101ori development fund enabled Te Puni K\u014Dkiri to fund, very quickly, those organisations who were able to reach deep into their community and activate an immediate response at week one and week two of a lockdown. That was really, really important, because what we knew is that they couldn\u2019t wait for three or four weeks to go through a bureaucratic process. It was very important for those organisations on the ground to be able to deliver, yes, care packs in the first instance, but that evolved into kai packs and then other types of supports as they understood the profile of their community but the profile of need, certainly, during the COVID period. That, I believe, is an approach that we can continue to build on in the appropriation. Around about $11 million going into M\u0101ori NGOs will help to build on the learnings as a result of our COVID experience.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe member Joanne Hayes raised an issue around the investment of capital expenditure into regional offices and big TVs. Yes, we have made that investment, because we know more and more that communities rely, because of distance, on technology to be able to access information in a timely way that can help them make decisions. So, to illustrate the point, if you go into any of the Te Puni K\u014Dkiri offices, some of the work that we do to run workshops, alongside other Government agencies and using technology, enables wh\u0101nau to be able to perhaps be in the office, use the technology to link to other services, and then workshop through solutions that would be relevant to them. There are all sorts of examples. Even when we think about whenua development and the access to the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Provincial Development Unit team, Te Puni K\u014Dkiri, and others across the whenua network, having access to technology is not often the case in every community. So Te Puni K\u014Dkiri does provide that particular resource.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003ELet me come to the support for M\u0101ori businesses, because we did make an appropriation of about $10 million to M\u0101ori Tourism, and that was to enable that organisation to work with the 500-odd small businesses who are, yes, in tourism, but they\u2019re actually small businesses, to be able to support them during the COVID period and moving forward into a recovery.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003ECan I say, though, in terms of the urgent response undertaken and led by New Zealand M\u0101ori Tourism alongside the M\u0101ori Women\u2019s Development Inc., Poutama Trust, and a few others, they had a M\u0101ori business response team. During the period of COVID, when, certainly, tourism businesses were starting to think, \u201CWill I be able to survive this period out?\u201D, they had immediate access to the types of supports that we would want for any business. The wider supports, however, came through the general Government announcements in relation to wage subsidies and the package of supports that were delivered, particularly targeting small to medium sized enterprises.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003ETwo last points. In relation to Te Tumu Paeroa, can I commend Te Tumu Paeroa, who announced on the back of the loan scheme that they had a targeted scheme for M\u0101ori land owners. They contributed $10 million towards this. It was recognising the hardship that would be felt amongst some landowners as they tried to reposition or pivot their business. That was done based on an assessment of need, of Te Tumu Paeroa understanding their client base and being able to reposition their resources in a very adequate way for this time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003ELastly, while it\u2019s not my portfolio but I am the Vote Minister, I feel that I should acknowledge the good work of both Minister Jackson and Minister Henare for their respective work and effort into increasing support for trades training, cadetships, and the like. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EIn the Wh\u0101nau Ora space, Minister Henare supported the existing network of Wh\u0101nau Ora providers, through the Wh\u0101nau Ora commissioning agencies, to be able to stand up and activate supports during the COVID context and now in this recovery space. What, I add, that the committee acknowledged Minister Henare noted is that he believed that the Wh\u0101nau Ora approach has not been as wide and as deep as he would like. Probably to highlight and emphasise that particular perspective is his focus on local-level commissioning where there is not a natural network of Wh\u0101nau Ora providers within a community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003ESo I hope that provides a sense of context for the investments that we\u2019ve made, but there\u2019s a lot of opportunity out there to grow the M\u0101ori economy, and much of what we will be doing from this time forth will be focused on that effort.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022 data-id=\u00223e8c2a9e708a4e38b717dc5182e9830e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223e8c2a9e708a4e38b717dc5182e9830e\u0022\u003EHARETE HIPANGO (National\u2014Whanganui):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. To Minister Mahuta, thank you for being available. My first question is: does the Minister consider that 15 minutes\u2019 allocation in the House to answer questions on Vote M\u0101ori Development is sufficient and also due regard to the Vote M\u0101ori Development portfolios? That\u2019s my first question. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003EMy second question, Minister, is in relation to\u2014although this is not directly within your parameters as Minister but comes within Vote M\u0101ori Development\u2014whether the appropriation for the Crown-M\u0101ori relations role having increased only $4.25 million, that is, from $6.75 million to $11 million, is sufficient funding to deal with the vast scope and responsibility that Te Arawhiti has across all of the Government sector agencies, on a par with the State Services Commission Vote\u2019s allocation and responsibilities. I leave it at that at this stage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022 data-id=\u002275141243761b4be883fd9b0fb0210820\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002275141243761b4be883fd9b0fb0210820\u0022\u003EKIRITAPU ALLAN (Assistant Whip\u2014Labour):\u003C/span\u003E I raise a point of order, Madam Chairperson. There was a question within the member\u2019s previous statements just then, directed at the Minister, about the time allocation that she had to respond to these very important matters that are before this committee. I thought it would be prudent to note that the House management, of which this has been a discussion over the past several days, has very much been on both the Opposition and us in terms of our time management. The Minister has no responsibility for where these appropriations are put in terms of the prioritisation on the order list. That is very much an administrative function that I\u2019m not sure is within the Minister\u2019s responsibility.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022 data-id=\u0022bde1158b8d0742d6a85709064180ae32\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bde1158b8d0742d6a85709064180ae32\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: Quite correct; it isn\u2019t, and I just assumed that the member who\u2019s just resumed her seat wasn\u2019t aware of the processes of negotiating the time, and I didn\u2019t really think it was a big enough omission on her part to draw it to the committee\u2019s attention.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022 data-id=\u0022e912e6bc6ac34c8cb348f45523807cfa\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e912e6bc6ac34c8cb348f45523807cfa\u0022\u003EHARETE HIPANGO (National\u2014Whanganui):\u003C/span\u003E I raise a point of order, Madam Chairperson. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002206c64df481d84a2da531a92c3aefeb88\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: A new point of order?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002266dc6da9ce7e425cad76a232f8b6d638\u0022\u003EHARETE HIPANGO\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. The member is aware of the administrative arrangements\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d041b0aea1c543bc91b38e15ad01b85f\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: The point of order is?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022de0b9edfe00442ea993cfc14191717e2\u0022\u003EHARETE HIPANGO\u003C/span\u003E: The point of order is that I put the question to the Minister in terms of deeming this a priority for answers and responses to the Vote allocation for M\u0101ori development. I think that that does have relevance and bearing with the ministerial responsibility in the allocation of time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223b730e7ee5f44a4f89fa9d3e57d1d56b\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: As the assistant whip for the Government just explained, the Minister has no responsibility for it. That decision is made elsewhere and it\u2019s certainly not within the appropriations. Any further speakers on this?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022 data-id=\u00221dc1c19d038a475bbd3a40484dd4bcb0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221dc1c19d038a475bbd3a40484dd4bcb0\u0022\u003EHARETE HIPANGO (National\u2014Whanganui):\u003C/span\u003E Madam Chair, I was just awaiting a response to the question. The second question to the Minister in the chair, the Hon Nanaia Mahuta, was in relation to the increase in funding for the Crown M\u0101ori relationships role and whether that was deemed sufficient and certainly on par with the State Services Commission in the scope of the responsibility. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022 data-id=\u0022a01bbe282f824cc3967a54cff17e996b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a01bbe282f824cc3967a54cff17e996b\u0022\u003EHon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister for M\u0101ori Development):\u003C/span\u003E This is within the purview of the Minister for M\u0101ori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti. What I can say is Te Puni K\u014Dkiri does conduct some of the role and functions for some of the settlements in terms of ensuring that the Crown meets its obligation to report against the various Treaty settlement\u2014I guess\u2014requirements across Government agencies. This, the relationship that iwi continue to seek as a result of their Treaty settlements, is an ongoing relationship. I certainly believe that the Minister responsible is undertaking with diligence the role and responsibility of Government departments to implement their part of the agreements with various iwi. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003ESo, in short, you can put any figure there but, by and large, iwi largely measure progress in a very continual way, and that\u2019s how many of the settlements seek to enable a relationship an ongoing relationship. As that relationship evolves and matters are being addressed, no doubt the Minister may revisit the budgetary requirements in order to implement the necessary enactments. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EVote M\u0101ori Development and Vote Treaty Negotiations agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ca66b75f42a94ffe8763bcb99c8830ea\u0022\u003EPrimary Sector\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u00223ae397bf7d16467d9a8b1d9f5edd9406\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223ae397bf7d16467d9a8b1d9f5edd9406\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, I understand that responsible Ministers are available to speak to the Votes in the primary sector volume (B.5, Volume\u00A09). The question is that Vote Agriculture, Biosecurity, Fisheries and Food Safety; Vote Forestry; and Vote Lands stand part of the Schedules.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022 data-id=\u002273a734f12bbc4115ad15e934a7d214a4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002273a734f12bbc4115ad15e934a7d214a4\u0022\u003EBarbara Kuriger (Chairperson of the Primary Production Committee):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s a pleasure to stand up and take a call as the new chair of the Primary Production Committee, and I was involved through this process. We covered a wide range of topics, as primary industries tend to do, so I\u2019m just going to go through and give the committee an idea today of those issues that we did cover. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EOne of them\u2014the first one, really, often we jump to, because water\u2019s so important\u2014is actions for healthy waterways. I guess there\u2019s been some concern about how farmers are going to meet those standards, and one of the things we asked was what the Minister, the Hon Damien O\u2019Connor, would say to farm systems that can\u2019t adjust. The Minister told us that farmers would have to take a fresh approach, and, while travelling around the country, he has seen farms where farmers are doing everything that\u2019s expected of them in areas such as biodiversity management and protecting waterways. The Minister said he recognises that not every farmer has the level of capability, but he considered that sharing knowledge is very important. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EWe spent quite a section of time discussing reducing nitrogen input on farms in Canterbury, and there is a high level of concern that came through in our questioning of the Minister and of the ministry around that and the continued farming on land in Canterbury around the dissolved inorganic nitrogen levels, which led to further conversations around change in land use, because, obviously, there\u2019s pressure for different types of land uses, and, of course, if some farm types are not able to be continued because of the inorganic nitrogen levels, then there would be a big drop in the value of the land related to those levels.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EWe talked also a lot and asked a lot of questions around land-use change to forestry. The Minister explained that the Government is watching the level of land-use change to forestry really carefully. He said he\u2019s mindful that trees could end up planted on high-quality farmland. But we also discussed what amount of afforestation the Minister would define as massive, as it\u2019s causing a lot of discussion out in our communities. The Minister said he had not set the threshold and would not do so; however, he would look at stepping in if it reached 40,000 hectares a year or thereabouts, noting that it is not only his decision. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EWe talked also about the class of land being converted to forestry. There\u2019s quite a dilemma at the moment between good, productive land for food and land that\u2019s being diverted into forestry. Te Uru R\u0101kau told us that it does not distinguish between the trees that are planted solely for carbon farming and those that are planted for production forestry. That was a concern for the committee that that distinguishment is not happening.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EThe next thing we moved on was the primary sector\u2019s response to COVID-19, supporting people into jobs in the primary sector and the skills needed to put those people into jobs that they currently have no skills for, which brought into the conversation the agricultural training establishments, well-known as Telford and Taratahi. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EWe also asked questions of the Minister about engagement with the primary sector. We commended the primary sector for its hard work during sustained operations being essential services through COVID-19. We also acknowledge the efforts of the Government and the ministry, which worked exceptionally hard with the sector over the last few months. I point to a couple of things that they really worked hard on that were mentioned. Certainly, moving day was one of them, because we went through a stage where we weren\u2019t sure how well moving day, with Mycoplasma bovis and COVID-19, was going to work. The other thing is there was a level of frustration about bringing sheep scanners into the country, but the ministry worked very hard.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EIn my limited time I\u2019ve got left as my chair report, I just wanted to point to one of the things in innovation that we had a chance to discuss, and that was the red seaweed that we\u2019re pinning our hopes on to help our methane issues as an industry in the future. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003ESo, all in all, a productive session with our select committee. Thank you, Madam Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022 data-id=\u00224719ef9e79a24c07af0239069a5218f8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224719ef9e79a24c07af0239069a5218f8\u0022\u003ETIM VAN DE MOLEN (National\u2014Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a couple of questions for the Minister, first of all in relation to Mycoplasma bovis. We\u2019re making pretty good progress there, and I think it\u2019s really encouraging to see the number of positive cases now being in the low single digits, which is fantastic news. But I\u2019m just wondering if you can give us perhaps a bit more of an update around the planned changes in the team there that I understand are coming up. There\u2019ll be, obviously, some impact to staffing levels, but also if you could give an insight into those remaining cases\u2014when they might likely be clear. Presumably there\u2019ll be some confidence around that date. It\u2019d be nice to have an indication of that, and then his view on the likelihood of new cases coming up with this season\u2019s spring milk in terms of bulk milk tests that are starting to flow in as calving is starting to get under way around the country, especially in the North Island. So that\u2019d be the first part. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003EI appreciate time is getting limited on that side, so I might add in the next question as well, and that\u2019s in relation to the biosecurity risk of incoming mail levels. We\u2019ve seen through COVID-19 a significant change in the way we operate as a society in a number of facets. One of those is a significant increase in the number of mail parcels or packages coming through the mail delivery system, in particular from international locations, which presents an increased risk. So I\u2019m wondering what thought he\u2019s put into that and what consideration or action he is planning to undertake in relation to trying to mitigate any potential increased risk that may be flowing across our borders in relation to that one as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022 data-id=\u0022e354010bea9640babe137cfb7232cd80\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e354010bea9640babe137cfb7232cd80\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR (Minister for Biosecurity):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. Look, I will take the opportunity to ask\u2014and I just respect the, I guess, good summary that the member Barbara Kuriger, who\u2019s the chair of the Primary Production Committee, has put before us in terms of the discussion. I think it was a very productive one at the select committee. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003ECan I just start at\u2014Tim van de Molen asked questions around M. bovis, and I have to say we have made great progress in this area. I have to thank the team. I have to thank the farmers and everyone who\u2019s made an adjustment. Those people who were caught with infected properties have had to do it hard. But we\u2019ve done our best to compensate them properly, and I hope that\u2014well, there\u2019s over 250 farms now that have been infected, have been culled, disinfected, and have moved on and are now operating again, and that\u2019s great. There will always be some glitches. We\u2019ve learnt a lot, but I think we\u2019re making progress. So I think we have four properties, and, in fact, it may be less than that today, because we\u2019re making great progress, and that\u2019s good. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003ESo in terms of the flow on to other areas of biosecurity\u2014and the first question is, as we move to a lower number of properties, clearly the number of people engaged can be reduced. Some of those people will be redeployed into other areas of biosecurity. In the area of parcels and of containers and scrutiny of those, we\u2019ll be boosting that to ensure that we take the opportunity of having skilled people who may have picked up some knowledge of biosecurity systems that can be used elsewhere in our Biosecurity New Zealand and Ministry for Primary Industries responsibilities. So those adjustments will be occurring, and we\u2019re having open dialogue with all the staff in that area. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EThe bulk milk sampling\u2014yes, we do expect that there will be some positives picked up, as we have stressed, through the spring. Any cows that might have been in touch or in any way in contact with M. bovis, then, hopefully, they will then show up through bulk milk samples. We will then go and test and investigate and, hopefully, get to a point of, if necessary, culling\u2014hopefully, they may not be infected herds. We do expect there will be some positive feedback and test results from that in the spring, and we will be ready for that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EJust, then, on the areas\u2014because I know we have limited time. The good summary of, I guess progress\u2014everywhere I go around the country, I think farmers are really looking forward to an exciting future. The fact that they\u2019ve been able to operate through COVID has given them a new sense of, I guess, the value of it and, if not importance, responsibility to our economy as a whole. They\u2019ve adjusted the way that they\u2019ve operated, and that\u2019s good. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EIf we look to water and to emissions, our goals in both water quality and in climate change, I think they\u2019re up for it. What they need is some clear guidelines. People in Canterbury have been working through\u2014actually, it was the previous Government\u2019s guidelines. Environment Canterbury has been rolling out that, working in some areas that are quite challenging\u2014high levels of nitrates, maybe the need for land-use change already. Then we have our proposals that complement that work that has been going on. I think clarity is what we need to roll out to farmers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EOf course there\u2019ll be some areas of difficulty and challenge, but I think most people understand the need to make progress in these areas. We will back it up with, I guess, what we\u2019d call a branding exercise\u2014that is, accreditation and then acknowledgment of all that good work so, hopefully, we can get, in market, more value for everything that we do. I guess the collaboration that we\u2019ve had with the sector leaders, with farmers themselves on the ground, I think puts us in a good place to seize the opportunities in a challenging COVID world to produce food that the world needs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022 data-id=\u00225c78fa4e49784fffa685e44ce9ae6c37\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225c78fa4e49784fffa685e44ce9ae6c37\u0022\u003EMARK PATTERSON (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. Look, I\u2019d like to take the opportunity to ask the Minister a couple of questions in the time I have allocated. First of all, though, I would like to reiterate the constructive nature of the committee session, which has been enhanced somewhat by the new chair, Barbara Kuriger. There\u2019s certainly a different tone within the Primary Production Committee and it has been working well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003EWe did traverse a little bit the issues of the strong wool sector within the Estimates hearing, and I know that subsequent to that there has been a report come out. You\u2019ve taken a very proactive stance. You\u2019ve recognised quite early on in your tenure and, of course, as a longstanding member of this Parliament, that it\u2019s a sector that has great potential. It\u2019s a product, in many respects, whose time has come\u2014the sustainable properties up against the synthetic petrochemical-based alternatives that are wreaking havoc with our environment. So I would like to hear some thoughts\u2014subsequent to the Estimates debate we have had this release of the wool report\u2014and how you see this progressing from this date.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022 data-id=\u00226f4107067b77467aafc665d2af76d29c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226f4107067b77467aafc665d2af76d29c\u0022\u003EBARBARA KURIGER (National\u2014Taranaki - King Country):\u003C/span\u003E Madam Chair, thank you. I\u2019m not sure how much time the Minister actually has in terms of asking questions, but if we run a bit short, in the spirit of primary production, we\u2019re happy to give him a few of our minutes so he can answer our questions. I\u2019ve just got three, and so I\u2019ll ask them all at the same time, but I\u2019d like to know from the Minister how the relocation of the workforce is going under COVID-19. I think it\u2019s actually a commendable thing to do, but, practically, is a little more difficult. It\u2019s a good idea but I\u2019d like to know how it\u2019s working. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EMy second question\u2014and it\u2019s related to that question, as well\u2014is about the agricultural training establishments. I know some of them, particularly Telford, are doing some taster courses to get people into the industry, but in the long term we want more long-term trainees. So I\u2019d just like a further comment on that one. And the third question I have is: what work is being done to bring native planting into our carbon farming, because there\u2019s been millions and millions of native trees being planted voluntarily by farmers, and it would be great if that could be measured in some way so that we can take some credit for the work that we\u2019ve done. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022 data-id=\u0022e082c298be7f4005b9300f2e133a8f04\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e082c298be7f4005b9300f2e133a8f04\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. Firstly, on the relocation of the workforce, that\u2019s an issue that, I guess, Ray Smith, as the director-general, is doing, and I know he\u2019s working comprehensively with the team, acknowledging all the good work of those people. But there is, you know, obviously a reduction in the need at the border. So those people are being shifted, as I say, firstly into the areas where we can, I guess, lift the level of scrutiny, whether it be through containers or through the post, and fill some gaps across the system. The skills that they\u2019ve learnt are ones we don\u2019t want to lose, but we can\u2019t pretend that just sitting around and waiting for people to fly into New Zealand is a good use of our resources. So that, I think, is going on very smoothly, and I trust the director-general to get that right. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003ECan I just talk on agriculture training courses. I\u2019ve just been over this morning to Taratahi. We\u2019ve reopened it. It\u2019s been, you know, of concern\u2014a wonderful establishment with much pride and heritage. It\u2019s now up and running again, and that will build, from a small base, short taster courses. The DairyNZ course, GoDairy, is starting next week, I think. So we\u2019ll build on that. Contractors are wanting courses for tractor\u2014skilled operators, actually, not just tractor drivers, and so we\u2019ll be rolling those out. Telford is doing so, and it\u2019s had a wonderful uptake of trainees. So we\u2019ve committed close to $20 million for that directly. Clearly, there\u2019s money coming through the apprenticeships\u2014over a billion dollars that the Government\u2019s committed to that. Some of that will funnel down into, you know, courses with slightly higher standards. But at the moment, we\u2019re doing as much as we can as fast as we can to get people into the jobs that are available now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EThe third question, on native plants, is a very fair question: can we have some credits for native planting? In fact, two-thirds of the money that\u2019s gone out from the billion trees programme that Minister Jones has been running\u2014two-thirds of those have been native plants, and that\u2019s great, and we\u2019ve had it around waterways. We are working, and I understand Minister Shaw is working, on a way of calculating that that is, if not entirely accurate and exact, a fair kind of consideration of what sequestration through native plantings might be. To allocate, even if it\u2019s a small amount, in my view, should be an acknowledgment for farmers that in planting natives, they are contributing to the sequestration of carbon. So that\u2019s a work in progress.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022 data-id=\u0022e3451744da324cde81993a8e8a97c7c7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e3451744da324cde81993a8e8a97c7c7\u0022\u003ELAWRENCE YULE (National\u2014Tukituki):\u003C/span\u003E Minister, can I just, first of all, thank you for the Government support in the recent Hawke\u2019s Bay drought. It\u2019s never enough money, but it was gratefully received. But I do want to ask you a question about TB in Hawke\u2019s Bay and whether, in your view, you think we have the system and the set-up of Operational Solutions for Primary Industries New Zealand (OSPRI) in the right way, bearing in mind that half of Hawke\u2019s Bay farms are under movement control at the moment. Almost the entire rural area of Stuart Nash\u2019s electorate is under movement control\u2014pretty close to it. So it\u2019s a big issue at the moment. Whether we\u2019ve actually got the structure and the OSPRI process right, the funding right, is a question I\u2019d like to understand, or whether it needs more investment into the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022 data-id=\u0022f4576d264364496f9b0fab53ab3954e7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f4576d264364496f9b0fab53ab3954e7\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR (Minister for Biosecurity):\u003C/span\u003E Look, thank you. I\u2019m more than happy to answer. I\u2019m not sure I\u2019ve had an update. The claim of the number of farms under movement control is far greater than I\u2014and I\u2019ll get clarification on that if I can. OSPRI has been\u2014it\u2019s an interesting entity. It hasn\u2019t worked well at times for a number of reasons. I\u2019m not going to go into them. I think the member might know it\u2019s been through a bit of a faulty period that has led to, I guess, poor performance in National Animal Identification and Tracing, and some mistakes around TB. But the issue in the Hawke\u2019s Bay related, I guess, to the reality of consultation and the right of landowners to contest the ability to get access for 1080 control. If people say they don\u2019t want 1080 on their land, they just want ground control, then there\u2019s a risk that if you\u2019ve got a high population of possums and you\u2019ve got, you know, some pretty extensive bush areas, then chances are you\u2019re not going to get the possum numbers down to the point where you need them. That, indeed, is what happened in the Hawke\u2019s Bay. Those possums seem to have moved into those farms, brought the TB with them, and, of course, we had an outbreak.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s extensive experience of that on the West Coast, my patch. You know, there have been splurges in outbreaks of TB and it\u2019s taken a while to get them under control. I think there is some good cooperation in the Hawke\u2019s Bay there. I\u2019ve been up and visited. It is a challenge for farmers, if you\u2019ve got it. You know, I can go back to the 1960s. I relate very closely to their dilemma, and so we\u2019ll make sure the OSPRI is performing, and we\u2019ve certainly made some changes to make sure\u2014it\u2019s such an important organisation. They\u2019ve got to get it right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u00222b5df9b991404d2c9ee2f26165c49abd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222b5df9b991404d2c9ee2f26165c49abd\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. I\u2019ll be very brief. I just wanted to make a comment that I noticed earlier in the afternoon session that Minister Nash got to make a comment about one Andy Haden, and I couldn\u2019t resist making a comment about him myself, because, surprising as it may seem, I played a bit of rugby with and against Andy as a schoolboy. He was an intimidating man even as a schoolboy, but I think it\u2019s significant that he was also from a Whanganui farming family, and it\u2019s an appropriate time to acknowledge him. He was a great New Zealander, albeit controversial at times. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EVery quickly, I just want to get on to the\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022323360a8c86c4c40b9abc8472230de58\u0022\u003EHon Stuart Nash\u003C/span\u003E: Only in Wales.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225ce39d00aa024fa0a696b3f1e7ddd60c\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE\u003C/span\u003E: Quite a few times. I wanted to get very briefly on to the forestry sector and particularly the billion trees that I know Barbara touched on a minute ago, but I really want to understand\u2014whether the Minister in the chair, the Hon Damien O\u2019Connor, could tell us what number of trees have been planted in the billion tree project and also what number of those trees had been planted on class 6, 7, and 8 land. I realise that\u2019s a complicated question and may not be able to be answered immediately, but those are the two things I think would be of great interest to us. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EOne other question in the forestry sector I\u2019d like to ask, and that is why the Government is not currently recording the difference between trees planted for production forestry and those planted solely for carbon farming.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022 data-id=\u00224eeb07e873be4a3a9a6400ff50a6507b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224eeb07e873be4a3a9a6400ff50a6507b\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you. Can I start with the last question first, and it\u2019s one I asked myself of Te Uru R\u0101kau, and I think we do have to define that. I think we\u2019ve got clear figures on support from Government. In fact, there\u2019s no support for carbon farming. The only support from Government is actually for forestry. But there has been investment by individuals buying farms to just plant them for carbon sequestration, and so we\u2019re mindful of that. We have been working through, keeping a close eye on it, to make sure. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EAs I say, there\u2019ve been indications that\u2014we\u2019re in a coalition Government but, I guess, certainly the Labour Party has indicated there\u2019ll be a change in that policy, and that is that people who want to plant over 50 hectares will have to seek a resource consent on anything below class 6. So we\u2019re mindful of the pressure there, and I don\u2019t have the figures of the number of trees planted in those areas but I can get those for the member. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003ECan I just come back to\u2014sorry, to answer the question that Mr Yule asked as to 570 farms\u2014so it is quite a big number\u2014under movement control. We acknowledge that, and that is a challenge\u2014so I\u2019m not trying to hide anything there and, yes, if we can get that down to a far lesser number, then we\u2019ll all be better off with that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003ECan I just go and finish on Andy Haden and say that he has played with the Parliamentary Rugby Team too, and I would like to take a brief opportunity to acknowledge him\u2014his connection to agriculture and to rugby and, I guess, to the culture that is a big part of rural New Zealand. He will be a loss. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022 data-id=\u0022f85dd9d1d1244101893bbc8810d7f1da\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f85dd9d1d1244101893bbc8810d7f1da\u0022\u003EMARK PATTERSON (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. I\u2019m in anticipation of my answer on my wool question to the Minister earlier, but I would like to just switch it up a little bit. I know your part of the Vote here is lands, and I know you\u2019re not the Minister for Lands, but you have been integrally involved in the Crown pastoral lease situation\u2014the bill that passed its first reading the other night. The controversy around that, of course, is in terms of the potential for significant bureaucratic overreach into the day-to-day farming activities of the lessees, with\u2014from my perspective, anyway\u2014not a great deal of evidence that they are in any way farming to standards that aren\u2019t protecting the land. Often they are now heavily tourism orientated, and there\u2019s a huge incentive, actually, to protect those natural landscapes. So it is a little bit of a point of contention with us at New Zealand First, whilst supporting strongly the end of tenure review and the privatisation of those leases, but the balance being struck by having Land Information New Zealand, essentially, having too great a role in the day-to-day running of the pastoral leases.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022 data-id=\u00229707cd4c0bc94bc697e2b1d396da39cf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229707cd4c0bc94bc697e2b1d396da39cf\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. I\u2019m sorry I missed the wool question. Actually, it\u2019s timely now, I guess, to connect both the high country and Crown pastoral leases and wool, because, I guess, if we want a model of excellence, many of those farmers are connected through icebreaker and other high-value products to fine wool. The story, and, I guess, the system of production, and the location\u2014it\u2019s wonderful. It puts New Zealand at the forefront of pastoral farming and images of high-quality products.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003ESo the wool report. Look, we will work through that. I\u2019m meeting with people involved in the industry. I have to say, I will be pointing out to them that actually, if they think they have a solution now, they had 20 years to work on it and they didn\u2019t. So I\u2019m not saying I have the solution, but I know that this coalition Government is committed to try and progress their situation, which is pretty dire. Farmers will not continue to focus on wool if it costs them more to shear than they get for the wool. So it is a fairly acute situation that we have to move on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003ECan I just draw out the Crown pastoral lands. I think the point the member makes is that, absolutely, most of those farmers are managing their land in a sustainable way, but, actually, tenure review has led to intensification. Some of it\u2019s been retired. The rest of it\u2019s been farmed more intensively to run a viable operation. The end of tenure review, I think, is a sensible thing. Most high country lessees I speak to now think that they just want to be able to continue on, but things are never the same, and so there are some adjustments. The legislation as proposed\u2014and I know it was scrutinised by all parties of Government\u2014has the right balance between protecting the rights of those pastoral lessees and protecting, I guess, the inherent intrinsic values of the high country, which are the responsibility of every one of us. It\u2019s Crown land, ultimately, and it\u2019s held for the purposes for which it was originally negotiated\u2014that is, that it\u2019s a spectacular part of the high country of New Zealand and the image of our country. But the lessees have rights. They need to be able to continue to farm. There has been a bit of discussion in the media about what this might do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EMy oversight at this point\u2014and the select committee will take a closer look at this\u2014is that most of the day-to-day activities of high country farming will be able to continue without necessarily the request to go to the commissioner. It will be easier for them, but there will be other areas of farming where it may be part of intensification that there will be discretionary consent required. So ensuring that the commissioner understands the needs of those high country farmers, the needs of their farming operation, but understanding, too, the objectives of protection of the intrinsic values, I think, is the balance that a wise person\u2014and we certainly had one in Sam Brown, going way back to when this process started. He was someone who was highly respected, who understood that balance, and I think we had a good system. But tenure review led to intensification, which has led to concern, which means that we\u2019ve got to take a fresh look at the balance between the impacts of those operational issues.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022 data-id=\u0022287458d2b1b14c7b961c1754d6c41e2f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022287458d2b1b14c7b961c1754d6c41e2f\u0022\u003ELAWRENCE YULE (National\u2014Tukituki):\u003C/span\u003E Minister, thank you for your answers to my questions on TB. I just want to come back to them for a minute, because the scale I\u2019ve mentioned is significant in Hawke\u2019s Bay. But one of the new issues that\u2019s emerged is that plantation forest owners do not pay a levy, a TB levy, and what happens in the growth of the forest is that the possums all go and live in the forest, and as soon as the harvesting operation starts, they are, obviously, disturbed and they all leave and go out into the fields. So my question, really, is: is the Ministry for Primary Industries doing any work, or is Operational Solutions for Primary Industries New Zealand doing any work, on whether in fact we need to review the structure of payments, particularly around forestry operators, and the need to poison prior to harvesting? In Hawke\u2019s Bay, as I understand it, that is one of the factors that has made the spread way worse than what was anticipated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022 data-id=\u0022541a2424b4394fa387ac4f3463da69ab\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022541a2424b4394fa387ac4f3463da69ab\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture):\u003C/span\u003E Can I acknowledge that that\u2019s a very sensible question, and it\u2019s one I discussed when I was in Hawke\u2019s Bay. Of course, there should be an obligation on all landowners to contribute to pest control. As I say, normally\u2014and the forest owners have reassured me indirectly that they do that pest control as part of normal operations. I guess the issue of harvest time\u2014I mean, clearly, if the trees are coming down and the possums want to get out, then what is the best way to control that? Look, I haven\u2019t engaged in a discussion on that, but I can commit to the member that I\u2019ll see from Operational Solutions for Primary Industries New Zealand what conversations they have had, because it clearly can lead to, and, in the future, will lead to, the movement of possums and, if they have TB, then a very rapid transfer into farmland. So I\u2019ll commit to do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022 data-id=\u002235871a2114c74094ba924371127b918c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002235871a2114c74094ba924371127b918c\u0022\u003ETIM VAN DE MOLEN (National\u2014Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. I\u2019d just like to come back to my earlier questioning in relation to the M. bovis situation\u2014so winding back a wee way. I just want to get an update on the compensation situation. So it\u2019s great that we\u2019ve got down to only a handful of infected properties and we\u2019re now looking to downscale the team. I think that\u2019s appropriate. As I understand, that compensation team itself isn\u2019t being downscaled, which is good, but I wonder whether there\u2019s any consideration being given to injecting a little additional resource in there to try and catch up on some of those. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003ESo it\u2019d be good to know what the average time is now. I understand it\u2019s north of 20 days\u2019 average compensation claim time, and the target had been only a couple of weeks, so I wonder whether there are any particular issues the Minister can share that are key sticking points in these compensation claims that are coming up as regular issues or whether an additional injection of resourcing might clear a bit of a backlog there\u2014if that has been a consideration point, because, of course, whilst we all acknowledge the great progress that\u2019s happened, that is one of the toughest areas. For those impacted farmers, compensation is a really important part of the process, and it can be a particularly stressful part if it has been delayed or contested. So I really would like to see a stronger focus on clearing away those remaining compensation claims. I understand there are still over 100 in the mix, but it would be great to get some insight around what\u2019s happening in that space, please.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022 data-id=\u0022e27a7a4702f345b2884d136244d72386\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e27a7a4702f345b2884d136244d72386\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you. Look, very briefly, the compensation programme is running pretty smoothly, and I have to say there are not many longstanding or outstanding claims. Some of them are complex because they relate to, I guess, the assessment of what is potential loss of milk production. But payment directly for animals and that\u2014straightforward\u2014is pretty streamlined at the moment. If there are any particular claims\u2014and I often was contacted when there were outstanding or difficult ones. I\u2019ve now had direct emails from people. This might lead to a few of them, maybe. But, actually, the compensation system has been working very, very well, and I acknowledge the team that had been working through some quite complex ones, but it\u2019s a small pool and it\u2019s a declining number of them, thankfully.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022 data-id=\u0022ace8dc85f740419cb3dc61a556dda8f1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ace8dc85f740419cb3dc61a556dda8f1\u0022\u003ETIM VAN DE MOLEN (National\u2014Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E Moving on to a slightly different topic, and again the Minister touched on this briefly. We might just continue, if we\u2019re able to, for another few minutes on this. In relation to your comments around Taratahi being back up and running, that\u2019s great. Part of their training focus, I think you mentioned, was around rural contractors. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003ENow, that\u2019s an area that\u2019s becoming increasingly important. There\u2019s a real shortage of rural contracting staff available. Typically, we see a real influx of international workers coming in\u2014a lot of UK lads come over and do the harvest season, for example. What I\u2019m hearing from a lot of rural contractors is they\u2019re getting very nervous around their inability to bring those staff in when we\u2019re looking at only a short period of time before they\u2019re cracking into it for the season, and that\u2019ll go right through six-odd months, or more, actually, through to the maize harvest early-mid next year. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019m really keen to understand what work\u2019s being done in that place. I appreciate a bit of retraining will help, but, actually, I\u2019d suggest it\u2019s well more than 350-odd. I don\u2019t have those numbers; the Minister may do. But there are cries for help from rural contractors around the country. We really need to see support coming in. Is there any way they can be classified as essential workers? Would that have to be a case by case scenario? Can we look at some exemption, like we did for the sheep testing scanners, to make sure that this gets done? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003EThis becomes an animal welfare issue if we\u2019re not getting the feed harvested through spring or the crops in the ground, for example, when we look at potentially another drought or whatever may happen in six to eight months times. We really need to have a bit more certainty for our farmers and contracting businesses.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022 data-id=\u0022ad1329c8e5ea48968d01679b491da443\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ad1329c8e5ea48968d01679b491da443\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture):\u003C/span\u003E Look, thank you. I wouldn\u2019t pretend that we\u2019ll get trainees from Taratahi to solve this season\u2019s problem, I have to say. From Telford, yes\u2014we\u2019ve got a course running at Telford, and I think it\u2019s been very successful so far. We\u2019ll have quite a number of people who are competent that can move into that contracting business. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EYes, there will be a shortfall, and it\u2019s unlikely that we\u2019ll get people from overseas through the system, given the COVID reality of the world. But I\u2019ve committed, and I\u2019ve certainly been in close contact with the contractors association, saying, \u201CLook, let\u2019s work together on some innovative solutions here.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EAs we\u2019ve got through COVID and continued our primary production, some would have said it\u2019s impossible\u2014they did, actually, at the start. Innovation and lateral thinking got us through this. I\u2019m sure that the same will happen here, and there may be people who come for a short period into contracting through those peak periods that have all the ability\u2014whether it\u2019s from off a big farm at a period, a lull, after spring, where they can go and work for a contractor. So we\u2019ll be doing all we can to help facilitate that. There are migrant workers in the country who have been working in horticulture who may have those tractor skills. We\u2019re certainly looking to have the work permits flexible enough to enable people with the right skills to move in and fill those jobs. We understand the need; we\u2019ll do everything we can to work with the contractors to fill it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022 data-id=\u002208195c5ca403415483c33a6da640a1a7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002208195c5ca403415483c33a6da640a1a7\u0022\u003ETIM VAN DE MOLEN (National\u2014Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E So in relation to that, how will that be facilitated? So if there are workers who have been harvesting fruit, for example, and there are people in the Waikato crying out for contractors, how do we join those two up? The Minister, I think, may have been contacted in relation to a field day by BlueGrass Contracting in the Waikato, who are doing something innovative in trying to encourage new workers in. They\u2019re having an open day and spot prizes to get people along to see the sorts of jobs and what\u2019s involved, to try and encourage some new participants into the industry. They\u2019re getting desperate. So if we are potentially able to shift some of these workers around and that can fix some of the problem, then great. What\u2019s the mechanism for facilitating it? How will they be able to contact\u2014is it going to be some sort of app or a programme that will link those two sides of the employment equation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022 data-id=\u00229bbd5d7c65b8445eb1a331d0f5b60860\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229bbd5d7c65b8445eb1a331d0f5b60860\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture):\u003C/span\u003E Look, there\u2019s telephone, emails, basic communication\u2014I\u2019m not being flippant\u2014but ensuring that we have the right survey. I think the contractors association has gone out. The chairman had rung them to say to each of the contractors \u201CHow many people would you need?\u201D\u2014not what you think would be convenient; actually the hard-core needs. We\u2019ll work through, be it the Ministry of Social Development or be it the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, in terms of oversight of some of the work programmes that we have, even to the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme. We will enable the flexibility. We\u2019re working through the details of the technical regulatory changes that might be needed. We will do everything we can, but I\u2019m not going to pretend that the border will be open to the numbers that they\u2019ve originally indicated are needed. We\u2019re going to have to look internally to fill those gaps, and, as I say, we\u2019ll be flexible to enable that to happen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022 data-id=\u002213aa5e575d384bfea68f64b10b56dc3e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002213aa5e575d384bfea68f64b10b56dc3e\u0022\u003EKIRITAPU ALLAN (Assistant Whip\u2014Labour):\u003C/span\u003E I raise a point of order, Madam Chairperson. Just in the interests of the administrative functions of the committee, I thought it may be useful just to illustrate that we have two minutes remaining on this side. We are enjoying the collaborative nature of the discussions, but I did want to just make it clear that we have one more Minister to go, and fisheries is that portfolio. But if the Opposition wanted to make\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022 data-id=\u0022f04f9bc262bf45c79a69fd0ff7e89054\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f04f9bc262bf45c79a69fd0ff7e89054\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: It is actually up to each party to determine how they manage their time. I indicated at the start of the debate how much time was available.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022 data-id=\u0022ccb2bde930614053b7514ce95da2caca\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ccb2bde930614053b7514ce95da2caca\u0022\u003ETIM VAN DE MOLEN (Third Whip\u2014National):\u003C/span\u003E On this side of the Chamber we\u2019re happy to, and very gracious, to extend some of our additional allocation of time to enable the Ministers to answer questions. I think we have 29 or 30-odd minutes of total debate left, and we still have about an hour of allocation, I understand, so they\u2019re welcome to 20 minutes if that\u2019s going to help to respond to the robust question coming up from Mr McKelvie.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022928188e1dc4a43e5ba2a07be18026638\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: So you\u2019re allocating 10 minutes to Labour for fisheries and 10 minutes to Labour for forestry. Is that correct?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220dca70fe89284d90bd6a09cd0eff8afe\u0022\u003ETIM VAN DE MOLEN\u003C/span\u003E: Do you want any more for forestry? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224d2a04acd42a46eab180473e4af00a19\u0022\u003ELawrence Yule\u003C/span\u003E: I have more questions for the Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002236f304bbf7bd438cad1f7d9b349531b4\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: No, no\u2014sorry; I just need to be clear on this. When we\u2019re allocating time, we should communicate it clearly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c5d632a7189d43fca4740df5eb4d5b80\u0022\u003ETIM VAN DE MOLEN\u003C/span\u003E: I understand the forestry questions have been asked and answered. [Interruption] We have one more question for forestry, so let\u2019s do five minutes there and the rest for Mr Nash.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223da1244dd2d64267a44e0076e7f3cbe6\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: What is the rest, sorry? How many minutes are you allocating to Labour for fisheries?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022071f7800-2755-41b6-83df-07ebaf867ae2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229c2c602c9af64effa03780a40c09b997\u0022\u003ETIM VAN DE MOLEN\u003C/span\u003E: They\u2019re welcome to an additional 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223d9decf2ce1a40fd933f6cd184c96162\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: Ten, OK. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c0dfbc9310f54721a83bb432915fb2d8\u0022\u003EMark Patterson\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Chairperson. Will it be allocated across the Government benches or is it specific to the Labour Party?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cac6f991c4474b7aabc5690aa3609712\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: No, it\u2019s specifically to Labour, and if you want to go and negotiate with Mr van de Molen, I\u2019d say the time is perfect. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220a35272960084842ae0342fa22e5c5f8\u0022\u003EMark Patterson\u003C/span\u003E: OK, thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022 data-id=\u00220532bf1ca29e41cfa45737fcc4bfb791\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220532bf1ca29e41cfa45737fcc4bfb791\u0022\u003ELAWRENCE YULE (National\u2014Tukituki):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. Minister, I just want to refer to what Mr van de Molen just said about Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers. Next week, under urgency, we\u2019re going to look at a charging regime for people coming into New Zealand. Has the Minister given any consideration to how that\u2019s going to work with RSE workers and, in fact, whether RSE workers from countries that are COVID-free are likely to be caught up in the charging regime?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022 data-id=\u00229108d186c6e1477e83d8e5b811e22046\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229108d186c6e1477e83d8e5b811e22046\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture):\u003C/span\u003E Very simply, no, I don\u2019t believe at all that they\u2019ll be caught up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022 data-id=\u0022d345ed3fdec645358e337894bc9c70c7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d345ed3fdec645358e337894bc9c70c7\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: OK. I think we\u2019re just going to slide into the next part of this sector. There don\u2019t appear to be any further contributions. A relatively seamless transition between Ministers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u00228235e263bb9544098cd64b20c42bdf54\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000380\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228235e263bb9544098cd64b20c42bdf54\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. Just on the topic of fishing, on Sunday night on one of the television programmes, there was a documentary called The Price of Fish, and that\u2019s going to drive a little bit of my questioning today, because I think that documentaries like that are unhelpful to anyone, and particularly unhelpful to industry in New Zealand. One of the Government\u2019s challenges, whoever the Government is, is to actually protect, or not \u201Cprotect\u201D\u2014and it\u2019s a bad word\u2014but to put in place measures that enable industries to continue to operate in a manner that\u2019s acceptable around the world and it\u2019s acceptable to our own people. I guess the point I\u2019m making is that when you get documentaries like the one I saw on Sunday night, or Sunday afternoon, I think that puts an unfortunate taint on an industry that, frankly, is a pretty good industry. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003ESo my question really relates\u2014and, clearly, it relates to cameras to some extent. But, no doubt, the Minister might want to go further than that, because I think there\u2019s some challenges for us\u2014and that documentary highlighted that, whether we like it or not\u2014around the ability of us to ensure that the fishing industry is both sustainable and is being managed in a manner that\u2019s acceptable to people, not only in New Zealand but in our market place. I think it\u2019s very important. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EI understand the challenges of introducing some of this technology to the industry and those sorts of things, and I don\u2019t have an issue with that. I think the real issue we\u2019ve got, though, is that we\u2019ve got a duty in this House to protect that industry and to protect our market places, and also to ensure, ironically, that we can feed people in the future, whether it\u2019s fishing or whatever it is. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003ESo I think that\u2019s basically my question. It\u2019s an interesting sort of dilemma, I think, so that\u2019s my first question of the Minister. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022864522402dd0404c982f88b4407d7a8f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022864522402dd0404c982f88b4407d7a8f\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Fisheries):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you. I didn\u2019t see the programme, but I\u2019m well aware of it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe fishing industry is an interesting one, because there are four key sectors. You\u2019ve got, obviously, your commercial sector; you\u2019ve got your recreational sector; you\u2019ve got the environmental non-governmental organisations, who are advocating on behalf of conservation; and you have your customs sector. But what I would say is every single one of those sectors starts at the same place: we all want abundant fisheries. I think that under the quota management system\u2014which was world-leading at the time, and we have worked over the last three years to sort of bring it up to 21st century\u2014we do have a system under which we can manage our fisheries. I mean, the vast majority of our fish stocks are managed in a sustainable way. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EI have the October sustainability round coming to my office today, I understand, and that\u2019s based on a whole lot of science. It\u2019s based on robust consultation with anyone and everyone who\u2019s keen to have input into this, so I do think that Fisheries New Zealand does work very hard to consult but also take on board the views of every single one of those sectors. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe other thing I would say with regard to cameras is I believe they serve two purposes. The first one is, obviously, compliance\u2014so keeping in mind we have 20 cameras out in the M\u0101ui dolphin area already, just in a proof of concept trial\u2014but they serve two purposes. The first one is, obviously, around compliance, and that is to check that what is being recorded as being caught is actually being caught, and whether that\u2019s legitimate, or bycatch or not. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe other thing for me, though, is it\u2019s about \u201CBrand New Zealand\u201D\u2014it\u2019s what we stand for. I firmly believe that if we get this right, we can go to the global market and position ourselves in the ultra-premium end of that market. The value proposition around our seafood brand is that if you\u2019re buying seafood with \u201CBrand New Zealand\u201D on it, you are buying it from the only fully sustainably managed fish stock or fishery in the world, and I think that having cameras just improves that integrity. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003ESo, for me, there are two value propositions around that. I\u2019ve worked hard over the last two years to sort of articulate that vision of mine for us being acknowledged as the most sustainable fishery in the world, and I think that that adds significant value. But, again, as in every industry, you get those who are staunch conservationists, which I do believe the vast majority of fishers are\u2014you know, they want to be able to fish in perpetuity. You get a couple of rogues, but you get that in every business. But, by and large, I think our commercial sector does a very good job\u2014by and large\u2014of protecting the fish stocks that they go out there every single day and catch. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022 data-id=\u002293a109446c024d5ab8efc398ede45179\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bf71a65e-c9f0-4856-902f-1a15c4274e94\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002293a109446c024d5ab8efc398ede45179\u0022\u003EMARK PATTERSON (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. I\u2019d just like, in my brief time, to ask the Minister around progress of the south-east marine reserve. I attended a candidate\u2019s meeting, as it happened, on Sunday, at the Tautuku Fishing Club, that esteemed establishment, where there\u2019s general widespread concern within both the commercial and the recreational fishers about the process in particular, which has been kind of expanded under their nose from what they started submitting on to what they now find themselves submitting on. So the process is one; also, I guess, the degree of evidence to support the reserve in the first place, or certainly to the extent that it is being proposed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022267189c3b08a4289a93ec76d7be9d60f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022267189c3b08a4289a93ec76d7be9d60f\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Fisheries):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you. What I would say is the south-east marine protected area\u2014the whole process started in 2014. So this has been going now for six years, and a long time. What happened is there was extensive consultation. There was a working group put together, extensive consultation. The group came up with two proposals, and at the very end they digressed, so it wasn\u2019t a unanimous proposal put forward. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000392\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThere were two options in that. The first one was more extensive than the second one, but on both those proposals it\u2019s gone out to further consultation before the community. I can promise you, as the Minister of Fisheries, I have not come to any firm conclusions. This is true consultation and I am listening. I\u2019ve had a meeting with K\u0101i Tahu. I understand their views, I also understand the views of the crayfishers down there as well, and I\u2019ve taken those on board in my thinking about where we\u2019ll end up with this. What I\u2019ll say with that second round of consultation on the options that were developed is it started pre-COVID, but because of COVID it\u2019s actually had to start again. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000393\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003ESo I think submissions may well have closed now. If not, then they\u2019re about to close, but, obviously, this won\u2019t be decided by myself or this Government. It\u2019ll be a decision that will have to be made in the end by the next Government and the next Minister of Fisheries and the Minister of Conservation. But there is true and meaningful consultation gone on in terms of this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u00225be0123406a44852981c48314335a711\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000394\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225be0123406a44852981c48314335a711\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019ll just touch on that topic for a second before I get on to another topic I want to raise. One of the things I think\u2014and the Minister in the chair, the Hon Stuart Nash, can either answer me or not on this, but one of the observations I\u2019d make about this process is that it\u2019s putting significant cost on fishermen, or it could potentially put significant cost on fishermen or fishing people to go and catch fish in much more remote areas with no significant benefit to the fishery or to the marine reserve, in fact, because you could shift that. I think that\u2019s the real challenge they\u2019ve got with that, and I accept that that\u2019s an issue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EI just want to go back to the last issue as well, because I think that the point I raised with respect to that\u2014to the issue of cameras and technology we might use to overcome, I guess, the doubts about or the credibility of the commercial sector particularly\u2014I think it\u2019s most important that we ensure the credibility of our commercial sector, which will then get the confidence of our recreational sector in a much better space, which I think would take a lot of the friction out of the industry, because for some reason there seems to be friction in that area. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003ESo my question there is: are we going to actually implement technology to improve the recording and whatever of the commercial sector? The second one is: what is the potential for the sectors to join together? We\u2019ve got, I think, it\u2019s called Fish South or something like that. There\u2019s an attempt that was made in the South Island to get all the sectors operating together\u2014not operating together but working together so Fisheries New Zealand, for example, has got an entity they can deal with collectively rather than dividing and ruling. I think that\u2019s quite important for us. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003ESo that\u2019s the two issues I want to raise there. I want to get on to a couple of other questions, but if the Minister wants to answer those I\u2019ll get on to the next one in a minute.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022ec54c5ec2a5d4882acc9f16da8ceca2b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ec54c5ec2a5d4882acc9f16da8ceca2b\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Fisheries):\u003C/span\u003E First of all, yes, I would agree, potentially, depending on the final decision on the south-east marine protected area (MPA). It may impact upon fishers. As mentioned, no decision has been made, but, in my view, this does show that legislation around creating MPAs is clunky and it does need to be modernised\u2014of that there is absolutely no doubt.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EIn terms of your second question, actually, it\u2019s been compulsory to have electronic position reporting, position monitoring, and reporting since December last year, and so that is already in place. There are a couple of exceptions. So by and large, we are moving into the 21st century.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EIn terms of the groups coming together, let me give you an example. There is a camera working group that has been formed at the moment working on the issues, and that contains officials, members from the commercial sector, and members from environmental non-governmental organisations. So there are projects where they do work together. The seabird action plan that was released by myself and the Minister of Conservation a couple of months ago\u2014again, representatives on that were across all sectors. So there are a number of examples where, actually, the environmentalists, the commercial guys, the recreational guys, and customary all do work together for common outcomes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u0022fe594d018c1d4a30931c716ccfd216e4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fe594d018c1d4a30931c716ccfd216e4\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. My next topic I want to just get on to briefly relates to the COVID restrictions on immigration. The fishing sector has some specialist boats\u2014I suppose fishing boats, for want of a better word\u2014quite big ones, and bigger than the boat that I go in, anyway. They have some specialist fishing boats, which generally require crewing by overseas crews. Now, they\u2019re obviously New Zealand chartered boats, because we passed the legislation that ensured that happened some years ago, despite the doubtful nature of some of the evidence I saw on that programme on Sunday night around our foreign fishing vessels, which clearly aren\u2019t operating out of New Zealand\u2014well, they shouldn\u2019t be, under the rules.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EBut the significant challenge is bringing those crews into New Zealand to crew those fishing boats. So we have a number of them potentially\u2014well, we have them tied up the moment, and potentially tied up for quite some time, which is a huge cost to the industry, impeding the productivity of the industry as well. I wonder whether the Minister was doing any work on that with respect to those fishing crews, because clearly we\u2019ve had issues in other sectors of our economy which have been fixed up pretty quickly\u2014some, and some slowly. But there must be an opportunity to do that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EYou imagine with the fishing sector there would be a much easier opportunity, because you can leave them on the fishing boat, turn up\u2014you could quarantine them on the fishing boat, because those ships or fishing boats need to be out there from a productivity perspective. So I wonder if the Minister in the chair, the Hon Stuart Nash, has done any work in that area and whether he was wondering whether there\u2019s potential to get that resolved.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022445262f58867409fb0cf46bd4a7cfe35\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022445262f58867409fb0cf46bd4a7cfe35\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Fisheries):\u003C/span\u003E First of all, the member is right. Every single fishing boat fishing in New Zealand waters must comply with New Zealand labour laws, and that includes wages and salaries. So, you know, the bad old days where they were \u201Cslave ships\u201D, that\u2019s well and truly gone. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000405\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe second thing I would say is we are well aware of the issue, and there are a number of Government departments working on a potential solution. We haven\u2019t got there yet, but it is more complex than simply bringing people in. But we are well aware of the issue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u00220335fe38a10d45b18574e54833ac73a8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220335fe38a10d45b18574e54833ac73a8\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019m getting to the end of my\u2014I\u2019ve never got up and down so many times in this place. The last issue I want to just get on to quickly was aquaculture, and I know that you think the same thing so I\u2019m not questioning your loyalty to the aquaculture sector at all. I think aquaculture is probably the shining star in our food production sector in New Zealand. The challenge we\u2019ve got is getting it operating in a manner that\u2019s sustainable from its perspective and also that allows it to grow in a manner that I think is hugely exciting for the future of New Zealand. I was wondering if the Minister in the chair, the Hon Stuart Nash could just give us a quick rundown on where he\u2019s at with his aquaculture strategy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EAlso, the other issue that\u2019s been raised a number of times is where we\u2019re at with the consenting processes, which are extraordinarily complex at the moment. Clearly, we\u2019re in new territory with some of those potential consenting processes, because they\u2019re asking for something that\u2019s never been asked for before in New Zealand. I wonder if the Minister would want to just give us a bit of a rundown on that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u00229a4b636f118442ae9f9721492387c600\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229a4b636f118442ae9f9721492387c600\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Fisheries):\u003C/span\u003E Sure. I mean, I released an aquaculture strategy earlier this year at the aquaculture conference. We have a very, very strong vision for aquaculture. My vision for aquaculture is to be acknowledged as the most sustainable and best practice in the world. Very high\u2014but you are right, there\u2019s huge potential. I mean, export value is, I think, at the moment around $600 million. The vision is to get to $3 billion, and so we\u2019re doing a lot of work in the space. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EAs the member\u2019s probably aware, there\u2019s been a number of Provincial Growth Fund investments into aquaculture infrastructure. There\u2019s work going on at the moment with different organisations consenting\u2014the member is right when he says consenting can be drawn out. There is one in particular that the member is possibly alluding to. Possibly, there are other reasons why that has taken longer than may be necessary, but one of the things that we are aware of in this space is\u2014I suppose the best analogy I can use, even though, you know, it\u2019s not quite right, is a land-grab. We don\u2019t want to see a grab when we end up with one company, for example, going out there and putting a holding consent over huge swaths of ocean.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EI\u2019m a big fan of spatial plans, getting out there for the Government to determine where we can actually develop open-water aquaculture, for example, because I think that is the future of aquaculture\u2014open-water aquaculture, where it is appropriate, where it isn\u2019t, and then working with the industry through this to see what the future of open water looks like. We\u2019re not quite there yet in terms of technology. They do have some in Scandinavian countries, and I\u2019m well aware the member visited\u2014was it Norway?\u2014a couple of years ago.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s the ultimate. I mean, we do want to get there and I do believe we will get there. But we are on a little bit of a journey at the moment. We have an incredibly good team in Fisheries New Zealand looking at aquaculture, working very closely with the industry. I do believe that the industry has bought into our vision and is supporting everything we\u2019re doing around the infrastructure to ensure that this is futureproofed going forward. But everything we\u2019re doing in aquaculture, from, you know, physical infrastructure, i.e., wharves, through to science and research at places like Cawthron, to me says that we really\u2014I certainly, but I think the Government buys into the potential that aquaculture is, and we\u2019re doing everything we can and we will continue to work in partnership with the industry to be able to realise our vision in this space.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u0022adbb10adca08431880f97ec3f65e20cb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022adbb10adca08431880f97ec3f65e20cb\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E I was going to say I told a lie; I didn\u2019t quite. I\u2019ve got one more question. Before the Primary Production Committee for at least the last year\u2014probably the last year and a half, and probably not the first time since I\u2019ve been in this place\u2014there\u2019s a petition been discussed around the potential for trout farming in New Zealand. I know it\u2019s a touchy subject\u2014has been for a long time, but I also\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b973ed1f418c4e578925b02a522cdcc1\u0022\u003EHon Stuart Nash\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, what was that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002286a9d93e34994cc9981a4a0b3f7a566a\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE\u003C/span\u003E: Trout farming. But I also have to say that when I did visit Norway, the best fish I tasted was sea-farmed trout\u2014much better than sea-farmed salmon, I thought. So, I guess, my question is: has the Minister in the chair, the Hon Stuart Nash, given any consideration to that petition, and is it likely to progress in any way?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022ff0a1b4d3441447dbb8c98f3284efbe0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ff0a1b4d3441447dbb8c98f3284efbe0\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Fisheries):\u003C/span\u003E I mean, I\u2019m well aware that the petition has been in front of the Primary Production Committee. You\u2019ve had a number of submitters, and my officials have given you an officials\u2019 report. At this point in time, it\u2019s not in my work programme, though. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u002292ebf9f825a142feb54df8928456c600\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That Vote Agriculture, Biosecurity, Fisheries and Food Safety; Vote Forestry; and Vote Lands be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 63\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 50\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 48; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EVotes agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u00228efddbf3a1bc4bbda98352c16618457b\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That clauses 1 to 10 and Schedules 1 to 5 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 63\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 50\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 48; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EClauses 1 to 10 and Schedules 1 to 5 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000416\u0022\u003EHouse resumed.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000417\u0022\u003EThe Chairperson reported the Appropriation (2020/21 Estimates) Bill without amendment.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000418\u0022\u003EReport adopted.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00229e479e3b2db149f59269ba90d4010159\u0022\u003EVeterans\u2019 Support Amendment Bill (No 2)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a9533587e8194021a1f51a2feffd03bf\u0022\u003ESecond Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022 data-id=\u00221327783cd71745dfa4621df29eb2b061\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221327783cd71745dfa4621df29eb2b061\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK (Minister of Defence):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Veterans\u2019 Support Amendment Bill (No 2) be now read a second time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EWhen I spoke to the House on 27 May during the first reading of this bill, I was confident that what we were proposing would have the full support of the House, and I have to say I\u2019ve been very pleased that we do so at this point now. I do particularly want to thank the members of the Opposition who sat on the Social Services and Community Committee and who worked in a shortened time frame, as we had requested, to enable us to get this legislation passed through all stages prior to the House dissolving on 6 August. It is very pleasing at this point in time to be here now undertaking that very task. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge all parties in the House for the way in which they have come together in support of our veterans. As a veteran myself\u2014and I do want to acknowledge members on the Opposition who themselves have served\u2014it is one of those things where, over time, we have seen veterans and their families, sadly, not supported in a way that the nation clearly would expect them to be. Over time in history\u2014and it is not worth going into too much detail on that now\u2014there have been numerous cases, numerous deployments that have been a challenge to the people of New Zealand politically, and have caused different parties to take different stances. What pleases me here in 2020, as we look forward to dissolving the House and going into the elections, is that probably for the first time that I can recall, we have total unanimity and total respect throughout the House. It does not escape me that every day while we sit here in this Chamber exercising democracy, exercising the will of the people, that we are served with reminders on the walls around us as to the price that was paid to give the nation this freedom, this liberty that it enjoys.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EThe Veterans\u2019 Support Amendment Bill (No 2) is the product of the work done by Professor Ron Paterson and on the back of the review of the Veterans\u2019 Support Act 2014, which cemented into it a post-implementation review. That post-implementation review was undertaken by Professor Ron Paterson. He came up with a raft of recommendations as to how the legislation should be improved. It is, absolutely\u2014well, I\u2019m very, very grateful that the Government has supported those amendments and that now the whole of the House is about to do so as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EThese amendments will\u2014just to remind everybody\u2014improve access to services for veterans. They will improve support for veterans\u2019 families. They will improve the support available for veterans and their families at the end of a veteran\u2019s life. They remove provisions of the Act which have been, or have the potential to be, unfair to veterans who have loyally served New Zealand. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EOf course, there are matters that still sit outside that we weren\u2019t able to address at this point in time but I am hopeful that in the next term of Government those matters in particular, around the definition of a veteran, will be taken up by a very brave Government, and I look forward to the support of the whole of the House as we move that legislation boldly forward, as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EI just close by saying to the House, to the select committee, I\u2019m indebted to you. We are grateful to you for the work you\u2019ve done and for the support that you are giving.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022 data-id=\u0022a0e3d4d800b144adac1133aec6aa2286\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a0e3d4d800b144adac1133aec6aa2286\u0022\u003ECHRIS PENK (National\u2014Helensville):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. Veterans have served our country; our country must serve veterans. I would like to acknowledge the words of the Minister in thanking our veterans, former but also current New Zealand Defence Force personnel, and those who have served in Her Majesty\u2019s forces. I use those words quite deliberately for reasons that I will return to in due course. I acknowledge the Minister for his advocacy in this space, as well as his own service, and all members across the House who have supported the work that is represented in this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003ENational supports this bill because it does support many of our veterans and their families. It does not provide additional support for all veterans. That much I do want to acknowledge, and, again, that\u2019s a point to which I will return shortly, in the context of submissions that were made at the select committee hearings. I do want to acknowledge the value of the bill to the extent that its scope has seen it introduced to this House and therefore capable of consideration and indeed amendment by us. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EAs the Minister has mentioned, it implements a number of the recommendations made in the independent review that flowed from the passage of the Veterans\u2019 Support Act 2014, often referred to as the Paterson report. The more straightforward and easily legislated aspects of that have been addressed in this bill. Other changes recommended by the Paterson report have been able to be implemented administratively\u2014that is to say, without the need for legislation. There is also another category, of course, of changes that have been recommended by Professor Paterson, and the Minister has highlighted the fact that that is ongoing work that, I would agree with him, should be the subject of the focus of a future Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EIn so far as the current bill goes, however, I do want to acknowledge the particular detail that it provides around providing support for veterans themselves, their families\u2014even the scope of what it means to be the family of a veteran, that is extended and expanded as well\u2014support mechanisms available at the end of a veteran\u2019s life, and removing provisions of the Veterans\u2019 Support Act that could operate in a way that could be seen to be unfair. I acknowledge those very worthwhile changes, and I commend to anyone interested in reading the detail of those further, not only the bill itself, of course, but also the general policy statement within the departmental disclosure report, with particular ways in which the access to services are being effected.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EAt the select committee, we had a process that was relatively short in time, but that reflected no shortage of attention or consideration by the committee, but rather, and in fact to the contrary, a commitment by all involved to move rapidly so that we\u2019d be able to pass this legislation prior to the House rising in advance of the upcoming election. The select committee process, which was ably chaired by Gareth Hughes, whose impending retirement I acknowledge, featured a large amount of advice and feedback provided to us as members of this House from those who wish to see amendments made to the way that we regard the subject of veterans affairs in this country. The bill does amend the veteran definition within the parent legislation, as we call it, but only in ways that are relatively limited. That means that veterans who made contributions to the select committee\u2014in a number of different fields we have had to say as a select committee, in our report back to the House, that we were unable to make such changes; it was not within the scope of the bill. But I do want to acknowledge as part of the select committee process that we heard a number of those. I\u2019ll categorise them in a number of different ways, briefly, if I may.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EOne is the distinction between so-called scheme 1 and scheme 2 veterans according to whether service was given prior to 1 April 1974 or after that date, and therefore the applicability of the ACC regime. There was a difference, too, between deployments that qualified as operational services as compared with others that looked ostensibly quite similar within the New Zealand Defence Force. And I acknowledge by way of example, not exhaustively, but the submissions made in relation to HMNZS Blackpool and also by the South East Asian Veterans Associations. You have made very compelling points that have been noted and understood, along with others, as I say.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EOther points that were raised before us at the select committee were the deployments that were recognised by allied nations\u2019 militaries but not by our own subsequently in relation to veteran definition; also illness, injury, and other conditions as a result of service that were not incurred as a single incident that could be described as an accident or indeed in a qualifying operational service context. Other distinctions such as that between the Merchant Navy during World War II and the navy proper, as it might be regarded, but I don\u2019t wish to make that distinction in any disrespectful way\u2014and I acknowledge the case of Mr \u201CJ.S.\u201D, Juliet Sierra. I haven\u2019t been authorised to provide his full name. And so too the case of those who have signed on the dotted line, have attested their willingness to serve our country, and indeed the fact that they have served the country, albeit not necessarily in an operational context. And in that regard, I wish to acknowledge Mr \u201CF.L.\u201D, Foxtrot Lima, for 52 years\u2019 worth of service in the Royal New Zealand Navy, notwithstanding that he does not qualify for veterans\u2019 support in the sense that that is available under legislation at the moment. And of course, there is the vexed question of medallic recognition. The overall theme of these categories of feedback would be the desire for consistency and a rational treatment of those who have served this country and therefore those whom this country must now serve. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EI will conclude my remarks at this the second reading by acknowledging, again outside of the scope of the bill but as acknowledged in our select committee report, that ongoing work is required in this area. The select committee was at pains to highlight in its report that these issues had been raised. And I would also commend to those who are interested in policy in this space that the recent exercise described as mission feedback, led by Minister Ron Mark, has provided an opportunity for people to contribute to this. And of course, ahead of an upcoming election there\u2019ll be an opportunity for Kiwis to talk to different political parties about their view of what should be done in that space. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003ENotwithstanding that, it\u2019s totally appropriate that in this House we adopt a bipartisan approach to the legislation. And on that note, and with no further ado, I do wish to acknowledge and confirm that the National Party will of course be supporting this legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022 data-id=\u00224f18f7687cb545af8c77394ec9f76027\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224f18f7687cb545af8c77394ec9f76027\u0022\u003EANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. Look, it\u2019s a real pleasure and honour indeed to stand and speak to this bill. I want to acknowledge the Minister for his efforts to bring this bill to the House, and my colleagues across the House for their agreement to this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EIt was a real privilege, actually, to listen to the stories of our submitters. We had some 50 written and/or oral submissions come to us. I\u2019m ashamed to say that there were some things that I learnt that I did not know about in the history of our country. I have to acknowledge the member who has just taken his seat, Chris Penk, for his great summary of the issues that were out of scope but nevertheless very important to us. There are some of those issues that the Paterson report made reference to, and we\u2019ll indeed be addressing the more mid-term factors\u2014that will be addressed in the new Parliament.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EWhat I have to say is that we\u2019ve made some changes. They are relatively minor in comparison to the bill itself. But what I have to say is the stories of the men and women who\u2019ve served our country were fascinating. They were delivered as only those in the military can do. Everyone\u2019s presentation, their bearing\u2014they were very factual and to the point, but told us some quite horrific details of things about their service that I want to acknowledge and honour in this space.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003ENow, just very quickly, we have made three changes. The three changes are to the timeliness, that\u2019s the first one. That was the removal of these 30 days in order for the Veterans\u2019 Affairs to make a decision. Now, we have done that not to make it slower; we\u2019ve done it to actually facilitate speed. But one of the things that we heard from our servicemen and women was that they themselves did not feel that they knew what was happening in the process. So we\u2019ve also built in an additional piece of information that says that the person applying needs to be informed of the process. Some of these are very complex decisions. They\u2019re very time pressured. We just wanted to acknowledge that while the 30 days have been removed, sometimes the process will take shorter, sometimes it will take longer, but the process needs to be fully informed of the person as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EThe second part that we\u2019ve changed is providing treatment and rehabilitation to prisoners, just making a clear definition of who those people were, and ensuring that should a veteran go into prison, and are actually currently receiving an entitlement or support for mental health or illness, they will continue to receive that if it is not available in that prison environment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EThirdly, childcare assistance\u2014the childcare payment upon the death of a veteran. It\u2019s opening up and giving more flexibility around the New Zealand context of families now, with much more relevance to what we see our families looking like in this country. So that really sums up the three changes in the bill. I have to acknowledge that there are some issues that will need to be addressed in the upcoming 53rd Parliament, and we look forward to that, but for now, I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EBill read a second time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00221b06e0114f724ee8820aac025a6a62d2\u0022\u003EIn Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022 data-id=\u0022da67b0bd1cd844c8a07db2b1ee3f122a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022da67b0bd1cd844c8a07db2b1ee3f122a\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK (Minister for Veterans):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. I seek leave for all provisions to be taken as one debate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022 data-id=\u0022dc4676bed3444951b7e88a4bc4237479\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022dc4676bed3444951b7e88a4bc4237479\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none. The question is that Parts 1 and 2 and clauses 1 to 3 stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a186ce9bf4224f8a9827673099060f64\u0022\u003EParts 1 and 2 and clauses 1 to 3\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022 data-id=\u0022447b4519129047da996f5a9f44fe884b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022447b4519129047da996f5a9f44fe884b\u0022\u003ECHRIS PENK (National\u2014Helensville):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I\u2019m grateful to the Minister in the chair, the Hon Ron Mark, for engaging in this way and, indeed, I acknowledge that he has been very open to discussing the issues arising from this legislation throughout.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EMy first and only comment is in relation to Supplementary Order Paper 561 that, again, I acknowledge and disclose that the Minister has been prepared to engage on, along with his officials. It\u2019s simply the removal of the specific time frame that\u2019s currently in the law; this bill will remove that for, perhaps, understandable reasons, but reasons that, none the less, a number of submitters at the Social Services and Community Committee felt was unfortunate. Specifically, it will not be the case any more that within 30 working days a decision must be given in relation to a claim. My proposal is simply that the period of time be amended to 30 working days or, if more time is needed, then 10 working days after all the information required has been obtained by Veterans\u2019 Affairs New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EI understand that the proposal may not have full support across the House, and I do acknowledge that, but, none the less, I did want to give some weight to the submissions made by various veterans in relation to that throughout the select committee process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022 data-id=\u002203c6415c427645f7b0490a55f892298e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002203c6415c427645f7b0490a55f892298e\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK (Minister for Veterans):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. Look, firstly, I want to acknowledge the honourable member and the sincerity of the Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) that he has proposed and put forward. I do acknowledge that this is a matter that was raised in submissions and was a point of discussion. I guess the position that we are faced with is whether you become overly prescriptive or put the emphasis on Veterans\u2019 Affairs (VA) to deliver in a timely manner.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EThe problem with the 30-day requirement is that there are aspects that VA has no control over. So when matters are referred to other agencies, when further information is sought to enable\u2014and sometimes from the veterans themselves\u2014the case to be progressed, very often it is totally beyond the ability of VA to control those responses and that feedback, that information flow.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EWe have addressed, in the last Budget, one of\u2014well, we have taken steps to address one of the challenges that VA have faced over the years, and that is the difficulty that VA has had in getting other Government departments to share information\u2014that is the resources that VA have had in terms of personnel and in terms of data-processing capability to actually address case work in a more timely manner. We believe that we have attacked those issues through the last Budget, in particular. I am confident that the chief executive of VA and her staff now are not only focused more on delivering more rapid responses but are better resourced to do so, and we have addressed the information-sharing deficiency that VA was shackled by up until now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003ESo, at this point in time, we would not see the need to reimpose that 30-day requirement, and we won\u2019t be supporting it. But, again, I acknowledge the sincerity of the honourable member\u2019s concern and his SOP, and we undertake to ensure that the services are delivered in a timely, effective, and responsive manner; I\u2019ll most definitely be watching for veterans who feel that it hasn\u2019t been.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 560 in the name of the Hon Ron Mark be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 561 in the name of Chris Penk be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022b0761d64773443f6a4ffeaa47bea25ad\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That the amendment be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 49\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 48; Ross.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 63\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAmendment not agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000458\u0022\u003EParts 1 and 2 and clauses 1 to 3 as amended agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000459\u0022\u003EHouse resumed.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000460\u0022\u003EThe Chairperson reported the Veterans\u2019 Support Amendment Bill (No 2) with amendment.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000461\u0022\u003EReport adopted.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022174a31bdbb5c4775bfc4de2e6e7a8728\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022 data-id=\u002295519e2a5116404d9c7622e75de2b8e7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002295519e2a5116404d9c7622e75de2b8e7\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK (Minister for Veterans):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Veterans\u2019 Support Amendment Bill (No 2) be now read a third time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ca255ea5d1684defac8be6629f4102a1\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that the motion be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223edd4e006bb34fc091001dab7f5db756\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022be409b24156841e185abe7dc3a6e1b85\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, you\u2019re going to speak? Well, keep going.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002207dc4112-8a19-4dd6-a57c-878b47f8a9b6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c187db2989c247b294fe47f29febcd13\u0022\u003EHon RON MARK\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. I just want to acknowledge and thank the whole of the House for their support in what is a very important piece of legislation to all veterans throughout New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000468\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b2c7a376d11342cc831869e53d3e1f8d\u0022\u003EChris Penk\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u00223684818b3b704ccd8775ae092f3fa60d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000469\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223684818b3b704ccd8775ae092f3fa60d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I call the gallant member Chris Penk.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022 data-id=\u0022cd3266798b774ef09761199799397bb8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000470\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cd3266798b774ef09761199799397bb8\u0022\u003ECHRIS PENK (National\u2014Helensville):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I acknowledge the gallantry, actually, of the Minister for Veterans, in both the technical parliamentary sense of that phrase but also in relation to the conduct of the Government parties in relation to this legislation. The Minister has highlighted already today, and I have acknowledged, the fact that there is a larger picture at play. We start by acknowledging that veterans have served our country and so it\u2019s appropriate that our country serves veterans. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve talked about the fact that the Paterson report, as it\u2019s frequently known, has made a number of recommendations. Some of these are larger items of work, but those that we can cover today, that we can pass before the Parliament rises ahead of the upcoming election, we should, we can, and we are.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003ESo having acknowledged those points that are not within scope but which were the subject of various submissions at the select committee, and acknowledging the Minister\u2019s feedback in relation to the discussion around the response times, and noting that that is a genuine view that has been provided to him by his officials and expressed by him on behalf of the Government, I say that we are satisfied that some good is coming of this. I won\u2019t rehearse the detail in relation to the particular additional support for veterans and their families during and at the end of their lives. So I conclude my remarks at this the third and final reading of the Veterans\u2019 Support Amendment Bill (No\u00A02) by saying that National is pleased to support it. We look forward to its passage as ongoing work that is so vital in this space.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022 data-id=\u002215aee3022a2c4fc4a78d1b98f13f1450\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002215aee3022a2c4fc4a78d1b98f13f1450\u0022\u003EANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. Look, it\u2019s a real pleasure to stand again and speak in relation to this bill. Mr Speaker, with you sitting there, it\u2019s reminded me of 2019 when we attended the Gallipoli services, and what an honour and a privilege that was to be in Turkey at the time and to see the dawn services. Certainly, when you have that opportunity to experience standing on the soil and, indeed, the bones of those who have given service, it is a tremendously privileged but also sobering experience.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EI haven\u2019t got very much to say on this bill, except that we have worked collegially across this House, as we should in these matters. I\u2019m very pleased to say that we listened well. We were respectful, as, indeed, we should be on these matters. I think, as well, it is very clear to me that these changes will make a material and real difference. There is more work to do, and we will be addressing this in future parliaments. But I absolutely commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022 data-id=\u002262d16101c3d046b0a2815a32eec4fd0d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002262d16101c3d046b0a2815a32eec4fd0d\u0022\u003EGOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN (Green):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. It\u2019s a privilege and a pleasure to rise in support of this bill on behalf of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. I do sit on the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee and we do hear from time to time from veterans and their families as to the harrowing experiences that they\u2019ve had, but also the harrowing experiences they have after their postings are over, and that extends to their family members. So I\u2019d like to acknowledge this Minister for what I know is a deep sense of care and responsibility for all veterans, and we\u2019re very pleased to see that now this will extend some of the support in terms of mental health care, in terms of their children\u2019s bursaries, in terms of rehabilitation of veterans coming into conflict with the law and undergoing imprisonment\u2014all things that the Green Party supports and all things that I\u2019m very happy to note the entire House is in consensus on this afternoon, which is a compassionate and fair approach to caring for our veterans. So I commend the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000476\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022abf27403-4392-47c9-9af0-6773753e95cb\u0022\u003EBill read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022778e6e46ca17473db79eeb0faa763cd3\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00221d6bbf3a20f6447181b5f2ba02bb79e7\u0022\u003ESecond Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u00225845d7161f2041fdb9235aa7439268a2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225845d7161f2041fdb9235aa7439268a2\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Health)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Associate Minister of Health: I move, That the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill be now read a second time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EI want to thank everybody who made a submission on the bill, including those who spoke at the Health Committee via Zoom. I also want to thank members of the Health Committee for their thorough consideration of the bill. The committee unanimously recommended that the bill progresses with only one amendment, which was to change the date the Act comes into force from 1 September 2020 to 30 September 2020.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EThe bill will repeal Part 4A of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 in its entirety. It will also make consequential amendments to the definition of \u201Cemployer\u201D in section 5 of the Care and Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlement Act 2017, by removing the reference to a family care policy, as defined in section 70B of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000. Since 2013, funded family care has allowed payment of people to care for family members assessed as having high or very high support needs related to disability and long-term chronic health conditions, mental health and addiction, and aged care needs. The bill is one of a suite of changes to funded family care.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EThe main intent of the bill is to remove the discriminatory elements of the current legislation that have attracted national and international criticism since it was introduced. Change to funded family care is also a priority in the health and disability sector work programme, and two important nationwide plans: the Disability Action Plan and the Mahi Aroha - Carers\u2019 Strategy Action Plan.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EI acknowledge the frustration of the sector and the length of time it has taken for the bill, especially when the original bill was introduced and passed in one parliamentary sitting day. While the bill is very simple, it is a powerful and just response. Part 4A had become a symbol of the frustration felt by many people, including both those needing care and support and those providing it. It\u2019s important that all of those people had the opportunity to have their views on the bill heard. The repeal of Part 4A is, of course, just one of a suite of changes to the payment of family carers called for by the sector. There was widespread support for the removal of the restriction on taking claims of unlawful discrimination that relate to family care policies to the court or to the Human Rights Review Tribunal. Many submitters commented on how unfair the restriction was, and how relieved they were to see it being removed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EPositive policy changes have been made. These changes remove the majority of the issues that moved people to take legal action in the first place. I note that many submitters also took the opportunity to raise wider policy and process issues that are outside the scope of the bill but related to the payment of family carers. These included the needs assessment process, the allocation of hours, safeguarding and advocacy, consultation on any further changes to paying family carers, and the need for better recognition and support of the caring role. These issues will continue to be addressed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EThe Health Committee unanimously recommended the change of date, as I just mentioned. The reason for that change to 30 September meant that it will align with the intended completion of the transition of current Disability Support Services family funded care recipients. Disabled people now have a choice of two new ways to pay family members. This is through individualised funding or a home and community support services provider.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EFinally, the repeal of Part 4A, coming into force on 30 September, will signal the end of all statutory policy, operational, and payment components of the current funded family care framework, but not the payment of family carers, which will continue under the new arrangements. Part 4A has, for too long, discriminated against the fundamental right for people to be involved in the decisions that affect them, and the right to complain about policies related to those decisions. Today we are one step closer to fixing that injustice, and I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c46106ec-7b2f-4d6f-a7f2-8525ae4550f6\u0022 data-id=\u0022b90d205979e447409d571dc83371b345\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000487\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c46106ec-7b2f-4d6f-a7f2-8525ae4550f6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b90d205979e447409d571dc83371b345\u0022\u003EAGNES LOHENI (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. A pleasure to make a short contribution on this the second reading of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill. As has been relayed by the Minister in his contribution, the crux of Part 4A is that it prohibits payments in most circumstances for people who provide that support for their loved family members, and it also prevents certain complaints from being made to the Human Rights Commission and certain proceedings being taken to the courts. So, in essence, repealing Part 4A removes inconsistencies with human rights laws and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000488\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c46106ec-7b2f-4d6f-a7f2-8525ae4550f6\u0022\u003EWe in National stand to support this bill at the second reading, and I just want to thank and acknowledge the many people that made submissions on this bill and I would also like to acknowledge the Health Committee. I would just like to note some of the key issues that were raised in the submissions. There was some dissatisfaction noted in submissions around accessing disability support, in terms of the process that applicants must need to go through in terms of the assessment process with the Ministry of Health. A number of submitters told the committee that the process is lengthy and complicated, some saying there are a number of hoops to get through, but also some having no knowledge of the fact that such a fund existed. There were also a number of submissions in terms of the remuneration for family-funded care, and the main concern raised was how the needs assessment and services coordination organisation determines the level of support a person will need, in particular around making a judgment of how care is based, in terms of how long it would take to do a particular task in providing that care and support to their loved ones. This is a difficult position for family members to be in and there are increasing pressures on those families in terms of completing those tasks. So submitters did feel that the assessment relied too heavily on calculating the hours worked and trying to quantify how long it takes to perform a particular task in caring for their loved ones. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000489\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c46106ec-7b2f-4d6f-a7f2-8525ae4550f6\u0022\u003EThere were also some concerns raised by submitters in terms of health and safety concerns. The reality is that caring for people with high support needs relating to disabilities, chronic health conditions, mental health and addictions, and aged care\u2014these are very high-risk jobs and, again, it is about supporting those family members who are doing the best they can, being very dedicated to their loved ones, their family at home.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000490\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c46106ec-7b2f-4d6f-a7f2-8525ae4550f6\u0022\u003EWe support this bill at second reading, but we are disappointed that people with disabilities were overlooked in last year\u2019s Budget. However, I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000491\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c46106ec-7b2f-4d6f-a7f2-8525ae4550f6\u0022\u003EBill read a second time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000492\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00224f5d8cdf3f3547b99908a2377fe09380\u0022\u003EValedictory Statements\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000494\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002210df9712120b44cd966e25b935a5644c\u0022\u003EValedictory Statements\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022c87090ceaf7c44ed8fab3c48a8e744a7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000493\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c87090ceaf7c44ed8fab3c48a8e744a7\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Now, members, it\u2019s my intention to indicate that at the conclusion of the Hon Nathan Guy\u2019s valedictory, the House will adjourn until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 4\u00A0August 2020, so I don\u2019t have to interrupt any celebrations that are occurring at that stage. I also want to indicate now to people in the gallery who are guests of the Hon Nikki Kaye that at the end of her speech, could they please leave quickly and in an orderly way\u2014if they are above the Government benches, through that door; and those in the Speaker\u2019s gallery, through that door\u2014so that we can have the opportunity for the Hon Amy Adams\u2019 guests to get in. Could Amy Adams\u2019 guests who are in the back row come down to the front row when that occurs. We lost about 10 minutes yesterday, which we would prefer not to happen again. There will be some spare seats on this side, but people in the gallery can only go over there when others who are specially invited have their seats. Now, it is my pleasure to call on the Hon Nikki Kaye to make her valedictory statement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022 data-id=\u00229ff8db4781904212be5df6f168f68126\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229ff8db4781904212be5df6f168f68126\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE (National\u2014Auckland Central):\u003C/span\u003E Why is it that through the toughest moments of our lives we learn the most, we feel the most, we have the greatest power to contribute and experience beauty? Through COVID, we saw this. Through fear, desperation, and hardship, heroes emerged. Teachers taught children from their living rooms while supporting their own families. Nurses, doctors, and checkout operators had the courage to turn up even when they were petrified. The lesson is: character and courage emerge out of trauma and hardship. The question for any generation of political leaders is: have we had the courage and character to step up and solve the hard economic and social issues of our time? I hope that I\u2019ve done my bit to step up. I hope that I stepped up as the member of Parliament for Auckland Central and as a Cabinet Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000496\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003ETwelve years ago, winning the seat and becoming the first National Auckland Central MP in our country\u2019s history was one of the best nights of my life but also challenging, in breaking up with my boyfriend of five years. In that week, I learnt that not everybody wants to be the spouse of an MP but also that the life of a good MP comes with duty, responsibility, and extraordinary sacrifice. Many in this Chamber know the price of power, as do their families. I want to take a moment to thank my family, who are here: Mum, Neil, Sue\u2014I\u2019m not going to name everybody else, because they\u2019re quite a large family. Thank you for all that you have done in my life. As I said the other day, I have spent most of my adult life in this place serving New Zealand. That means that I have been an absent auntie, sister, and daughter at times, but I am coming home. You know I can\u2019t cook, clean, or drive very well, so please be patient with me. I still want to change the world, so I\u2019m going to pull that card if things cut up rough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000497\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EIt is the toughest moments of my personal life that have helped me be able to be a better member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister. Through my parents breaking up young, a stepbrother being charged with murder, and being diagnosed with breast cancer at 36, I have learnt that when your world breaks and shatters, you can be your most powerful. Random strangers in the role reach out and pick you up. Thank you to the many New Zealanders who, through their messages, picked me up. My ability to help people in Auckland Central for 12 years, to reach into their hearts and homes, comes from this experience. Good Ministers come from all walks of life\u2014they can be teachers, doctors, solo mums\u2014but they all must have good judgment, a capacity to solve problems, and a perseverance for people and policy which means they deliver.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000498\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EFour terms in Auckland Central\u2014beating Judith, our current Prime Minister, and Helen\u2014were won through hard work and knocking on doors, a clarity of purpose in projects in the electorate, and a core group of dedicated and passionate volunteers, who I wish to acknowledge this evening. Paul Beattie, my electorate chair of more than a decade, thank you. You and Donna have been loyal rocks through many a storm; Katie and Evan, my spiritual mentors. Chris, thank you for your blue-green vision. Brad, Annie, Helen, Josh, Hamish, Tim, Jonathan, Jessie, Jim, Jan, Sheeran, and Barry\u2014each of you have given so much. Thank you. Michelle, while I had no knowledge or involvement relating to COVID data, what occurred was unacceptable, and you have taken responsibility and apologised. I still recognise that some people make terrible mistakes, but still she has given decades of political and charitable service to our nation. To Judy Wrightson: you have been a bright light and a crucial cog in our victory.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000499\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EIn my maiden speech, when I first came to Parliament, I said, \u201CI believe in freedom, hard work, determination, courage, an ability to question and challenge, and a commitment to help those most in need.\u201D I also talked about the importance of our environment, being the greatest asset that we have as a country. I told my electorate I would be a liberal who fought for freedom, a blue-green who would fight for the environment, and someone who would continue to fight for those disadvantaged while persevering for a more modern and dynamic country. My office has served not just my constituents but thousands of businesses and community organisations. As a constituency MP, I have enjoyed the many wins where you can fundamentally change the course of people\u2019s lives with a letter or a phone call. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000500\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EThere have also been heartbreaking moments where you can\u2019t make change. Many people in this Chamber know those moments\u2014the moments such as explaining to a man dying of cancer, and to his wife, that Pharmac was not going to fund a lifesaving drug. It is out of these moments of sadness that you fight harder in the caucus room. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000501\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003ENew Zealand has the capacity to have a stronger democracy than other countries because of the accessibility and accountability that can exist in politicians in a small nation. I am proud of the people I have helped, from long-term rough sleepers to people who have been suicidal and families torn apart by immigration. However, there are constituents and cases that stick out. One involved me helping a young New Zealand girl stuck in Japan near a nuclear accident, post the tsunami. The short version is that it was some advocacy via Murray McCully and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In a dramatic race against time, we got her and a young Australian girl in what, I think, was one of the last taxis to Tokyo. I think that if New Zealanders knew more about the stories of politicians helping people, our democracy would be much stronger. Recent events are not a true reflection of the calibre of many of the parliamentarians that walk these halls. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000502\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EAs I have said, our environment is the greatest asset that we have as a country. Whether it has been my opposition to my own party\u2019s proposals of mining on Great Barrier, which saw thousands of people marching down Queen Street, or progressing marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf, I have fought for my party and my country to do more for our environment inside and outside the caucus room. People still cross the street to thank me for stopping the mining of their baches in the Coromandel and on Great Barrier. Years later, it was a great moment to be able advocate and help secure a conservation park for the island, which will see Aucklanders enjoy this jewel for generations to come. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge Izzy Fordham and Paul Downie for their work for the island. I\u2019ve often said to people that being the MP for Great Barrier when things go wrong, there is no army of public servants, but there is the MP, the chair of the local board, and the community. The island is resilient and resourceful. I\u2019m proud to have delivered investment in communications infrastructure, secured funding for the Aotea Learning Hub, and provided greater access to bursary payments for children off-island. I\u2019ve also opposed marine dumping near the island, and I hope that the next MP can carry on the work done around marine protection. I have loved the people of the Barrier for their authentic and pragmatic approach to solving issues. The island is one of my many families, my spiritual home, and where I will live for a large part of my life. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000504\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EIn central Auckland and the western bays, I have supported a number of projects, including securing over $150 million in the redevelopment of Freemans Bay School, Bayfield School, and Western Springs College. In transport, I advocated for the $300 million Victoria Park Tunnel\u2014delivered under National\u2014the urban cycleway investment, and, for many years, the approval of the City Rail Link, a game-changing artery for the beating heart of Auckland. Thank you to Steven Joyce, Simon Bridges, and the other transport Ministers for your work on these many projects. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000505\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge City Missioners Chris Farrelly and Diane Robertson, and Moira from Lifewise. I\u2019ve supported organisations such as the City Mission to secure additional wraparound support through the Housing First programme. I\u2019ve also advocated for the National Government to provide significant funding for the HomeGround project, which is being built at the moment, and which will see additional accommodation and services for vulnerable people who are homeless in Auckland. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000506\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve been passionate about apartment law reform, and I\u2019ve spent several years working with the legal and property professionals to develop a 30-page statute which is currently progressing through Parliament. It is essential that this unit titles bill passes if we want to prevent the next leaky buildings. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000507\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003ETo the people of Waiheke\u2014to the \u201CRepublic of Waiheke\u201D\u2014you\u2019ve been about a quarter of my constituency cases. Thank you for your vocal and powerful force of nature. I\u2019m proud to have secured over $40 million for the redevelopments of Te Huruhi Primary School and Waiheke High School. I\u2019ve advocated for greater viability of ferry services, and I\u2019ve helped retain funding for continued free travel, alongside Winston Peters, for oldies to go to Waiheke on their SuperGold card. I have petitioned Parliament to oppose the accommodation provider - targeted rate tax. I\u2019ve fought for fairer ferry fares and greater accountability of services. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000508\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EI want to now take this moment to acknowledge all of my electorate staff\u2014Rita, Maggie, Amy, Sam, Alex, Elliot, Shelly, Angee, and Rochelle\u2014for all of the work that you\u2019ve done, but to Maggie Beaumont, thank you for the more than a decade of service that you have given to the people of Auckland Central. We have seen it all: P addicts, mental health incidents, we\u2019ve been taped, we\u2019ve had police incidents, we\u2019ve had burglaries\u2014Auckland Central is a hotbed for sometimes some of the hardest social issues in New Zealand. Thank you to Auckland Central. It\u2019s been a privilege to be your MP. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000509\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EIn my time in Parliament, I\u2019ve also fought for freedom. I\u2019ve always tried to be a strong advocate for freedom and personal liberty. I feel proud to have followed a line of inspirational and liberal Nats, from Katherine Rich to Simon Power, Jim McLay, Marilyn Waring, to Chris Finlayson. I\u2019ve helped keep the flame alive in our caucus, alongside my friend Amy Adams. It has been through conscience issues, in working in a collaborative way across the House with people from different political parties, that I have fought the cause. I voted and worked with parliamentarians from different political parties to help support legislation to enable people to marry who they love. Thank you, Louisa Wall, for your mahi on this issue. Through my work as Minister for Youth, I supported funding for organisations, such as Rainbow Youth, to get their first contract to prevent bullying of young people. I\u2019ve also worked with colleagues to enable changes to decriminalise abortion and to pass the end of life choice legislation. I know that as Amy and I leave the liberal wing of the National Party, it will burn brightly with colleagues such as Nicola, Chris, and Erica fighting for freedom. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000510\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EThe National Party has been a strong force in New Zealand politics because of its values of freedom and personal responsibility\u2014a place where social conservatives and social liberals can work for the common good. As a party, we are at our best when there is balance. That is when we are truly representative of this great nation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000511\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EOne of the worst things that you can do when you get that call to become a Cabinet Minister is to have your battery run out. This is what happened to me, but I called John Key back. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000512\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EIt was a baptism of fire as a new Minister, dealing with our largest food safety scare in our nation\u2019s history within a few months of being sworn in. When I found out from the Ministry for Primary Industries, at 5 o\u2019clock in Canterbury, about the potential presence of botulinum in milk powder, I thought that I would be a very short-serving Minister. It was a very scary time. Alongside my colleagues, I had to envisage the possibility of babies dying at home and abroad and the destruction to our economy. In those weeks, I saw the very best of Steven Joyce. I saw the very best of Bill English, of Tim Groser, of Nathan Guy, and of John Key. It was a challenging situation. I acknowledge all the Ministry for Primary Industries officials for their work. Miriam Dean, thank you for your stunning independent review. Thank you, Nathan, for all that you did. As Minister, I went on to deliver food safety legislative reform. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000513\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EHowever, the scare did see me have dinner with the PM and the President of China. I remember feeling enormous pride, John, in watching you as a Prime Minister of a small nation have a genuine and warm relationship of respect with the President of China. It is a testament to you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000514\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EAs Minister for ACC, I was proud to have overseen significant levy cuts, in part due to the good work of Nick Smith. I succeeded in proposing ACC legislation designed to enable greater stability and certainty around ACC levies, which I hope has provided benefits to many small businesses.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000515\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EBut it has been the civil defence portfolio that kept me awake at nights, from floods, to cyclones, to earthquakes. I remember receiving a phone call around an earthquake in the Kermadecs. It is in those moments, as Minister of Civil Defence, that you wait to find out whether a wave is coming towards New Zealand. It was then very important to me, when I experienced that, to push for an early warning system. I fought hard to secure funding for the cell alert system, which, in my view, will highly likely save thousands of lives in the future of our country. Thank you to Sarah Stuart-Black and all of the civil defence staff for the work that you do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000516\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EBut my love and passion has been in education. I became Associate Minister to Hekia Parata, who I believe is one of the greatest serving Ministers of Education in our nation\u2019s history. Hekia, you achieved so much. You oversaw a huge lift in achievement for M\u0101ori and Pasifika students. You had an absolute commitment to excellence. As Associate Minister, I helped to try and improve school infrastructure. We did condition assessments of schools right across New Zealand. We took the school infrastructure budget from $3.5 billion to $5 billion. It was a testament to John and Hekia\u2019s leadership that in the middle of the global financial crisis we secured $200 million to connect all schools in New Zealand to uncapped fast internet connections. This was about unlimited learning. This was about ensuring that young people were not disadvantaged by geography in this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000517\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EIn 2016, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. As I\u2019ve said before, my world broke. I tried to resign. The only reason that I was able to become Minister of Education was that John Key, as I cried my eyes out, said, \u201CYou\u2019re not fucking going anywhere.\u201D I became the Minister of Education three months prior to the election period. I was proud to carry out Hekia\u2019s work getting a Cabinet decision to scrap the decile system within two years. Many communities are stigmatised by the system. There is a poverty of expectation that must be removed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EI signed off the digital technologies curriculum as Minister, and in the last few years I\u2019ve had the privilege to travel the country and work with Chris Hipkins on NCEA reform and the Tomorrow\u2019s Schools Review. We do not agree with all of the proposals, but I acknowledge Minister Hipkins for trying to collaborate and compromise to get a better result. It was very touching that on the morning that it was reported that I was going to retire, you told me not to do it. I think you learn in those moments that you can fight on policy and ideas but form friendships across the House. Thank you for what you do, Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000519\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EI now want to talk about being deputy leader of the party, and a few comments about leadership. I backed Amy for the leadership because I believed in her character and her work ethic. All leaders and Prime Ministers have a superpower, in my view\u2014Helen Clark her intellect, John Key his confidence and his optimism, Jacinda her communication and charisma, Bill English his intellect and emotional intelligence, Simon Bridges his work ethic. I backed Todd for leadership because I believe in him and I believe in his capacity to set a vision for New Zealand that was blue-green, bold, fair, and outward-looking for our nation. It was a very short time in the role, but I still believe in you, Todd. Regardless of what the papers have written, I do not believe what occurred was predictable or preventable. It was a privilege to be your deputy leader and to the National Party. I expect that in time Todd will tell his story, but can I say this to Amelia, Bradley, Aimee, and Michelle: you can be very proud of your husband and father.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000520\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EWith heartbreak, though, comes opportunity. Judith, I hope that you become our next Prime Minister. You\u2019re strong and you have huge conviction. We are facing the largest economic crisis of a generation. New Zealand needs a National Government, and I will campaign harder than anyone else for that to happen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000521\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003ENow to the future. I may be off to be a hippie for a while, but I wanted to leave you with some thoughts. We must, as a nation, value education more. Last year we released an education discussion document. It talked about incentives for people to go into teaching, to stay in teaching, changes to teacher training, additional support for children with complex needs, and, of course, supporting children in their first 1,000 days of life. Recently I was the Lee Kuan Yew Fellow, and I reflected on the need for New Zealand to become lifelong learners. National has proposed education accounts as an option for more people to be upskilled throughout their life. COVID provides this burning platform for large-scale upskilling of the nation and a change in culture where we must value education more. We must continue to break down the barriers to online learning. Children in parts of New Zealand can have access to subjects, qualifications, and teachers like never before.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000522\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EWe must continue to tackle disadvantage. Bill English built the machine of social investment, but what we do around children with complex needs will mean that there are young people that are less truant, more people in work, and less people in prison.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000523\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EWe must continue to value our environment more, save our species, reduce emissions, improve our water. There is so much to do. I hope that one day we have an environmental party that will rust on with the left and the right in this Parliament.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000524\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EIt was a sad day when we lost the M\u0101ori Party. Dame Tariana Turia is someone that I admire greatly, and I hope that we continue to evolve our Treaty partnership. One of the reasons I progressed second language learning in schools was about ensuring that Te Reo thrives and other languages are supported for our heritage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000525\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003ETo the National Party: you are my family. I\u2019m grateful to have always been blue. Past presidents, the board, the leaders of the party, and our members: I joined the party at 19 and I joined because I believe in equality of opportunity. You have given me so much opportunity. Thank you to my National friends and family.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000526\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003ETo the parliamentarians, I\u2019ve always said I believe there are two types of parliamentarians in this place: those that are in it for themselves and those that are in it for the country. Be the latter. Be brave and have courage. Don\u2019t leave anything in the tank. I\u2019ve been fortunate to be supported by a number of strong, smart, and caring women: Jenny Shipley, Ruth Richardson, Katherine Rich, and Amy Adams. Each of you have been so generous with your time and wisdom in critical moments where I needed a dose of courage and compassion. To the parliamentarians: don\u2019t be arrogant or entitled. This is public service. I have been proud to have been a public servant of New Zealand. I love our country and I hope to continue to contribute more in the future. Haere r\u0101.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000527\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E[Applause]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022 data-id=\u0022fd4249ad7b5b4b43b2a94d13b18301f8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000528\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fd4249ad7b5b4b43b2a94d13b18301f8\u0022\u003EHon AMY ADAMS (National\u2014Selwyn):\u003C/span\u003E In rising to make my valedictory statement, I feel every bit as humbled and as privileged as I did when I rose to make my maiden speech from the very back row of this Chamber 12 years ago. It\u2019s always seemed to me that time has its own rules in this place. My maiden speech feels both just like yesterday and at the same time a whole lifetime ago. I battled my emotions during that speech, and I give the House fair warning that I\u2019m highly likely to succumb again tonight. I remember giving a pretty emotional speech in the general debate shortly after the first major earthquake had devastated much of Canterbury and losing the battle on that occasion to not cry in this House. As I tried to get a grip on myself, I recall Hone Harawira yelling out, \u201CKia kaha, sister.\u201D, and I remember thinking, \u201CHoly cow, if Hone is feeling sorry for a Tory like me, I really must be a mess.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000529\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EI spent a good portion of my maiden speech casting back to some of the debates in the battle for women\u2019s suffrage that reflected on the benefits that women members would bring to politics. I\u2019m incredibly proud and actually quite shocked to find that I was just the 98th woman member in New Zealand\u2019s history to become an MP. Over my time as an MP, I\u2019ve tried to use the role to encourage more women to see their futures without limits and to push back on the still unlevel playing field. As any woman in this place can tell you, we continue to face a type of scrutiny and criticism that is unique to us, and often a different measure of competence. While the number of women in politics is growing, we still have some way to go. But as MPs we have the ability to model possibilities for so many New Zealanders, and that\u2019s something we should never lose sight of.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000530\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EOne of my proudest moments came five years after I\u2019d been asked to give a speech to the seniors at my old high school, Rangitoto College. I talked about the fact that I\u2019d never won a prize of any sort at school, and while I\u2019d done OK, I certainly wasn\u2019t someone who was marked out for bigger things. Years later, a woman came up to me and told me that she\u2019d been in the audience that day and after hearing me, she decided she would go to law school, too. She\u2019d just graduated, and she came up to thank me for making her believe that she could. I have to say, I was lost for words that our stories could have such an impact, but they do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000531\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve never really seen myself as a politician. I didn\u2019t come from a political family. I wasn\u2019t a youth MP. I wasn\u2019t a member of a youth wing of any party, nor did I study political science or work in the halls of power before coming here as a member. My path to this place grew out of a deep love of my country and an overriding sense of optimism of what being a New Zealander could and should mean for everyone. After my children were born, I found myself increasingly thinking about what their futures in New Zealand looked like and worrying when I thought we as a country were getting it wrong. I grew up in a household where sitting on the sidelines complaining simply wasn\u2019t an option. If you thought something was wrong, you had two choices: you could suck it up or you could do something about it. So the opportunity to step into the ring and try and make a difference became everything. Standing for Parliament and nailing my political colours to the mast was one of the scariest things I have ever done in my life. It involves doing that very un-Kiwi thing of stepping forward and saying out loud that you think you\u2019re good enough. But it has been, without question, one of the best decisions of my life.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000532\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EI have to say that I started my time as an MP in a relatively bizarre way, and I\u2019ve seen it end in a similarly unusual way. My selection and initial election involved a candidate being selected for the seat then unselected after a public furore, then a new process being commenced, then a High Court injunction, and finally a rare Electoral Act challenge based on a disgruntled aspirant challenging the party rules. After a hearing before a panel of judges in the High Court in Christchurch, which some of my colleagues will remember for a number of reasons you can ask them about later, I had to come to a question time early in my first term to listen to the Speaker deliver the judgment of the court, without any idea how the court had ruled and knowing that if the applicant had won, then the Serjeant-at-Arms would be called upon to eject me and I would\u2019ve had one of the shortest terms as an MP ever. I have to say that keeping a poker face while the judgment was being read involved acting skills my famous namesake would have been proud of. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000533\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EAfter a beginning like that, it\u2019s only fitting that the end of my time as an MP has also been somewhat non-traditional. It\u2019s always good to hold some of the firsts in this place, and I\u2019m pretty sure that I am the first MP to have retired, unretired and then re-retired all without actually leaving. When I told my son a few weeks ago that I would be announcing I was stepping down, he said, \u201COK, thanks for the update, Mum. Just let me know when you un-retire again.\u201D It was a bit harsh, Tom, but I do admit that I must seem a little bit like the AJ Hackett of New Zealand politics.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000534\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EMichael Cullen described a valedictory as like being asked to give the oration at your own funeral, and I have to say it does feel a little bit like that. It\u2019s a surprisingly uncommon thing to be able to say you are going at your own time, of your own choosing, and, in recent times particularly, to know that you leave with your reputation and your integrity intact. I\u2019ve been here for less time than some, but for longer than most. And I\u2019ve been fortunate to hold a vast number of roles, including holding 13 ministerial roles over six years around the Cabinet table. I do have one perspective, though, that those of you who are staying on don\u2019t yet have. And that\u2019s of being in the position to reflect back on my time here as I think about what really matters when you come to say goodbye. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000535\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EThat reflection puts our work here in a different light. It\u2019s easy to get caught up in the day to day, the relentless news cycles, the parliamentary skirmishes, the never-ending papers to read, and the palace intrigue. Years can pass like that, filled with unbelievable hours of hard work, little sleep, and high stress. But that\u2019s not why any of us come to Parliament. Simon Power, who was an MP I greatly admired, said in his valedictory, \u201CPeople don\u2019t spend years getting elected, more years waiting to get into Cabinet, to then say \u2018Well, I managed that week well. I minimised risk, I had no view, I took no decisions, I stayed out of trouble. Well done, me!\u2019 Once you\u2019re in office, you\u2019ve got to do something. People come and go, but ideas endure.\u201D\u2014and I agree with that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000536\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EIn the words of Teddy Roosevelt I have a horror of words that are not translated into deeds, of speech that does not result in action. None of us should measure our contribution here by our goals, our hopes, or how much public money we spend in pursuit of them. The only measure that counts is the difference that our actions, ultimately, make for people. It\u2019s not good enough just to deliver a programme if that programme doesn\u2019t actually make the difference it was supposed to. In my view, we don\u2019t spend enough time as a system looking back and answering those sorts of questions. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000537\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EI don\u2019t think anyone leaves this place without some things left undone. I have plenty of things I would have liked to achieve, including\u2014Mr Speaker, I\u2019ll admit to you now\u2014a secret desire to have been thrown out of this Chamber. There is still time, however.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000538\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226c745b7b6aa14c2f9a52c28fa46a5c4c\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Three more days.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000539\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da51913565bd4663b8fec632523b2f8d\u0022\u003EHon AMY ADAMS\u003C/span\u003E: Ha, ha! But for all the things not done, there are many more that I do reflect on with pride. The Parliamentary Library tells me that I was responsible for the introduction or carriage of 74 pieces of legislation\u2014each one of which I reflect on with pride and, as far as I know, none of which have yet been repealed, but you\u2019ll be very pleased to know I\u2019m not going to list them. Legislation aside, there are a few things that are being part of here that I do want to mention. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EIn my three years as justice Minister, it very quickly became clear to me that the best thing we could do to reduce crime was to intervene many, many years before the offenders ever turn up in court. That was the basis of my absolute adoption of the importance of social investment as championed by Sir Bill English. Yes, it\u2019s early intervention, but it\u2019s so much more and involves radical change to our delivery models if we\u2019re going to make progress on the hard intergenerational issues. Last week in her valedictory, the Hon Anne Tolley talked about the work that she and I had led to change the delivery model for family violence and to force agencies to come together to treat it as everyone\u2019s problem, not just something for the police. The integrated safety response pilots we set up in Christchurch and the Waikato are embodiments of that, and hearing from those involved that many lives have been saved as a result of that new way of working makes me incredibly proud. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000541\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EAs environment Minister, putting in place comprehensive environmental protections for our exclusive economic zone; delivering New Zealand\u2019s first ever national standards for fresh water; and mandating regular, independent, environmental reporting feel like substantial pieces of work to have been involved in in that critical area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000542\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EIn my maiden speech, I extolled the importance of long-term thinking and planning when it comes to the infrastructure needs of New Zealand. And in my longest-held ministerial post, I was fortunate to play a central role in providing better internet connectivity across New Zealand. To me, good internet connectivity is a great leveller, both for New Zealanders looking to trade globally and domestically across our communities. Our ultra-fast broadband, Rural Broadband Initiative, and mobile blackspot programmes were transformative in that regard, and I want to acknowledge John Key and Steven Joyce for their vision and commitment in that area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000543\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll never forget visiting a tiny school on Great Barrier Island with John and Nikki Kaye to launch the connectivity upgrade there, and watching a group of gifted students being able to study astronomy via remote learning, or listening to the story of a small baby on the West Coast of the South Island being able to be quickly diagnosed and treated in their local medical clinic by specialists at Christchurch Hospital through their dedicated fibre link. Of course, those stories were just a taste of what that vision and investment will mean for New Zealand for many generations to come\u2014and didn\u2019t we see that during the COVID lockdown, when we all worked from home.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000544\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EOne of the amazing things about being an MP is getting to experience parts of New Zealand life we wouldn\u2019t otherwise get to see. When I became the MP for Selwyn, and knowing that my area included Burnham Military Camp, I realised that I also knew absolutely nothing about our defence forces, so I decided to go about changing that. During my first term, I convinced the Minister of Defence to let me set up a New Zealand equivalent of the UK parliamentary defence forces scheme that saw MPs embedded with either army, air force, or navy for a week, in uniform, and living on base. As the guinea pig, I did a rotation with each service, and I have to say they\u2019re experiences I will never forget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000545\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003ENow, I\u2019m a massive coward when it comes to all things adrenaline. I scream on Ferris wheels\u2014it\u2019s really embarrassing. I never thought I would skydive. Yet my week with the air force saw me throw myself out of a plane at 12,000 feet. The only thing that made me do it was knowing that there were two bloody Labour MPs in the plane with me, and I was damned if I was going to wimp out in front of them! During my navy stint on the inshore patrol vessel Pukaki, I got to see a man overboard drill. When the man went over, I was somewhat startled to hear the command go up, \u201CGet the rifles.\u201D I commented to the captain that that seemed a pretty harsh consequence for falling overboard, to be reassured by him that the weaponry was for the sharks and not the sailor.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000546\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EThose experiences left me absolutely blown away by the dedication of our defence force personnel. And in 2017, when I was given the honour of speaking for New Zealand at the dawn service at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli alongside Julie Bishop and I heard the stories of those young men and saw the countless grave markers, I came to understand what true public service really means.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000547\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003ESo other than my first and last speeches in this Chamber, four other speeches stand out particularly in my memory: the speech post the 2010 earthquake that I\u2019ve already mentioned; giving the final speech in the passing of the recent abortion law changes; talking about the death of my own mother during the euthanasia debate; and giving the apology of this Parliament to those men unjustly convicted of loving who they love as part of expunging historical convictions for homosexuality. In each case, the emotion was real, and it was difficult, but they were all speeches that needed to be made to be true to who I was.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000548\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EColleagues, the jobs we hold matter. They matter so much more than any one of us. We need good people to want to step into this arena, and we need them to do it for the best of reasons. I worry that increasingly the scorn and the vitriol that is heaped on politicians\u2014often fairly\u2014discourages those good people from stepping up. These jobs are tough. The life is brutal, and the public will never really see the hours, the stress, the impossibility of the perfection that is required, and the impact that life in the public eye has on our families. While you are here in your political role, it is your life. Friends, family, and our health get what\u2019s left over, and often that\u2019s not much. But this job deserves that level of devotion.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000549\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EHunter S Thompson once said about politics that it is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs\u2014and there\u2019s also a negative side. We all as MPs face the same personal challenges and upheavals as the rest of the population, but we quickly learn that we have to put on our public faces no matter what our internal turmoil, and that can take a toll. In my time in this House, I have dealt with the death of both of my parents and my two remaining grandparents. I\u2019ve witnessed the devastation in my electorate through the Canterbury earthquakes, the Port Hills fire, and, more recently, the mosque shootings. I\u2019ve received death threats and abuse, and I\u2019ve seen my children have to deal with the relentless negativity and lies that are aimed at us through the media and social media alike. Yet not for a moment do I think it all hasn\u2019t been worth it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000550\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EI want to quote from Teddy Roosevelt again: \u201CIt is not the critic who counts \u2026 The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly \u2026 who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000551\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EIf we\u2019re honest, though, none of us get the chance to be in this arena and dare greatly without the incredible support of a huge number of people, and I\u2019m honoured to have so many of those people here with me today. I want to start, of course, by thanking my electorate of Selwyn, and to all its incredible communities from Akaroa to Arthur\u2019s Pass, from Rolleston to R\u0101kaia, what an honour it has been to represent you. Being chosen to be your voice in Parliament for 12 years has truly been a privilege. My thanks to the three electorate chairmen I\u2019ve worked with: the late John Skinner, Frank Brenmuhl, and John Sunckell. Thanks to all of the incredible members and volunteers who have been with me and given extraordinary service. I couldn\u2019t possibly name you all, but you have been like a second family to me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000552\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003ETo all my staff across 12 years, you made me look far better than I actually was. In Selwyn and in Wellington, what an incredible team you were. I particularly think back to the times we had as a Minister, and some of the hilarity that that included. Thank you, in particular, for stopping me one day from sending out a letter which had intended to call for a meeting with the iwi leaders, but which autocorrect had helpfully changed to request a meeting with the ISIS leaders\u2014that could have been somewhat interesting; might have been easier, I\u2019m not sure! The professionalism, laughter, and support of you all, and all of the officials that I had the privilege of working with, made every day a pleasure, and any successes that I\u2019ve had in this job, I share with each one of you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000553\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EThere are two staff, in particular, though, who need special mention and my deepest thanks. Sharon O\u2019Callaghan, who has run my electorate office for every single day of those 12 years, like an absolute boss; and Caron Hoare, who has been my phenomenal executive assistant and senior press secretary for almost as long. These two are legendary, and, quite simply, you are the best in the business. I thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000554\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EThank you to the National Party for giving me incredible opportunities; to party president Peter Goodfellow and the board, to all the leaders I\u2019ve served under, and to our tireless regional chairman, Roger Bridge, my thanks.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000555\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003ETo my caucus colleagues, present and former, what a group of minds you are. I\u2019ve been so lucky to be able to debate and collaborate with you. I\u2019ve made some incredible friends, particularly in my 2008 year group, in a way that can only be formed by sharing such a big part of your life over so many years. Go well, all of you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000556\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EA special thankyou also to Sir John Key for taking a chance on a stroppy young backbencher from Canterbury and for your being an inspiration to me every single day that you served in office. When I started here as a young fresh-faced MP, I thought it was highly likely that the Prime Minister wouldn\u2019t really have a clue who I was. Just a few months into my first term, I found out that he certainly did, when I stepped on to the treadmill in the Parliament gym early one morning, only to find it had been left going at warp speed by the previous user and I found myself jettisoned through the air, swearing like a sailor, to land, quite literally, at John\u2019s feet while he was doing weights. He looked down at me, somewhat bemused, smiled, and said, \u201CAre you right, Amy? Be a bit careful, our ACC budgets are tight.\u201D I can tell you, I don\u2019t recommend it as a way to improve name recognition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000557\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003ETo my wider parliamentary colleagues, most of you I have come to respect and enjoy, even though I usually thought that you were utterly wrong. The best of this House is when it acts with its humanity taking precedence over its politics, and I\u2019ve been lucky enough to see that on many occasions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000558\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003ETo my family, my mother and father were both here with me at the beginning\u2014oh\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000559\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ce726917dcce4f839475c9f6a7b1f8e8\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Breathe. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000560\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022291eace14a084fdd9b4a41580e16d035\u0022\u003EHon AMY ADAMS\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014no, you\u2019ve got to tell me to harden up, not breathe!\u2014but you are no longer, and I miss you both. To my siblings Belinda, Ingrid, and Cam, and your partners and kids, my amazing in-laws, my uncles, aunts, and cousins, you all mean the world to me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000561\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EFinally, my husband, Don, and my two children, Tom and Lucy. As everyone in this Chamber knows, you guys serve in these roles as much as we do, but you don\u2019t get any choice in the matter. Tom and Lucy, you were eight and 10 when I started this journey, and you\u2019re both now in your 20s. I\u2019m sorry I missed so much along the way, but you\u2019ve turned into the most incredible people\u2014I\u2019m very proud of you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000562\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EDon, for someone who hates any sort of public attention, you\u2019ll hate this, so how you\u2019ve put up with my political life is a mystery. I am sorry that I refused your very kind offer to write this speech for me, but I really didn\u2019t think we could afford the legal bills or the counselling for the Hansard staff that had to transcribe that, so I didn\u2019t take the option!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000563\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EIf I have any advice for those who follow me, it would be pretty simple: do the right thing and let the politics take care of itself. Be brave, stand up on the divisive issues, and never lose sight of the difference you get to make in the time that we are here. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000564\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003EFor me, I head off with no regrets, with immense pride, and now with the rare delight of being able to express an opinion without having to get 54 others to agree with it first. This place and these jobs matter. Go well. Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui. Ka kite an\u014D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000565\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003E[Applause]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022f5b9ae3da59a43e7997d4f60bbf5224f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000566\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f5b9ae3da59a43e7997d4f60bbf5224f\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Could I now thank the guests of the Hon Amy Adams, and ask you to vacate using that door and that door, so the guests of the Hon Nathan Guy can take their places.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022 data-id=\u002223b575f94a9a4999b88f2bc53a67d4ee\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000567\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002223b575f94a9a4999b88f2bc53a67d4ee\u0022\u003EHon NATHAN GUY (National\u2014\u014Ctaki):\u003C/span\u003E Today is exactly one year to the day that I announced I was retiring from this place. I learnt politics as a teenager at home. My father, the late Malcolm Guy, was the Horowhenua county chairman and the first mayor of the district. Angry ratepayers would ring constantly. My father was at endless meetings or out on the farm, and it was my job, along with my mother and brother, to try and pacify these people, and that\u2019s when I learnt about putting people first and hearing them out. I would write a summary in my father\u2019s diary when he came home. Occasionally, I\u2019d write \u201Cm-a-d\u201D next to their name.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000568\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EFast forward to 2004: the National Party started ringing me. I was, and still am, happily married to Erica. We had our first child on the way, Henry, and the National Party said, \u201CWe want to rebuild and attract some young people, particularly some young farmers.\u201D I said, \u201CThanks very much for the offer, but could you come back and see me in 10 or 15 years\u2019 time?\u201D They said, \u201CNo, we\u2019d like you now, thanks very much.\u201D We came down to Parliament here\u2014I had to find a suit and a tie and things\u2014and we had 45 minutes with Bill English. It was an amazing time. Bill summarised it quite nicely. He said, \u201CYou\u2019ve got this triangle of conflicting things happening.\u201D He looked at Erica and said, \u201CYour family\u2019s obviously very important.\u201D He said, \u201CYou\u2019ve got your political aspirations and your farming.\u201D He said, \u201CThese three corners of this triangle won\u2019t work. You have to remove yourself from one of those.\u201D So I went home and told Dad that I was going to run for the National Party and, effectively, leave him and Mum to run the farm.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000569\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003ETwo of us stood for selection late in 2004. It was a close match, and Henry arrived just a couple of days before the selection. So on the final selection night, Erica turned up with Henry in one of those baby capsules, passed him along the front of all these voting delegates\u2014Henry, I owe you a lot, mate. The party hierarchy, they toned my expectations down. Darren Hughes\u2014formidable MP, had a majority of 7,732. They said, \u201CYou won\u2019t win. Just work hard for the party vote.\u201D, and I thought, \u201CBugger them\u2014I\u2019m going to show them a thing or two.\u201D So I worked really hard, and on election night I was devastated. We missed by 382 votes, the most marginal seat in the whole country. But I worked hard from then on. There\u2019s a saying in politics: you turn up to every cat burial and envelope opening, and I did that. In 2008, we had 500 people turn up to our campaign launch, which was huge in Levin\u2014it was probably because John Key was there that attracted all those people\u2014and as they say, the rest is history.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003ECan I acknowledge my Massey mates, who are here today, who turned up every term without fail during the election to support me and wave placards. I came up with this idea of a 1972 HQ Holden, three-on-the-tree, and I put a full graphic of myself down the side. It was a bit different: I was in jandals, shorts, hairy legs, all that stuff\u2014short sleeves\u2014and I had a cut-out that I would put in the driver\u2019s window of muggins with thumbs up. It was a real head-turner and conversation starter, but it had a couple of faults. It loved petrol, and it had this wonky petrol gauge. Those of you that have driven HQ Holdens or Belmonts before, it sort of bangs around between quarter of a tank and E quite regularly. I was on State Highway 1 at that \u014Ctaki roundabout there\u2014many of you would\u2019ve been held up there in the past, but thankfully the National Government\u2019s sorting that out for you. Anyway, the old Holden, it ran out of gas\u2014State Highway 1, the middle of the roundabout. So I thought, \u201CWhat do I do? I\u2019d better get out and push.\u201D, so I pushed. BP was right there, but there was about 300 millimetres\u2019 difference between coming off the road up on to the forecourt of BP. I pushed this 1-tonne tank up on to the forecourt. I could see them running to get a camera to try and get a pic\u2014fortunately, I was quicker than them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000571\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003ECan I thank my loyal team in \u014Ctaki electorate and campaign chairs: Ted Cobb, the late Mike Gilbert, Brian Milne, Grant Robertson, John Riding, Terry Wood, Shirley Sowry, and Gavin Welsh, and in particular John Tanner, who was an amazing fundraiser. Thank you to your support of me and the party and the wonderful volunteers behind you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000572\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EI love rugby. I still do. I joined up with the Parliamentary Rugby Team. I heard there was a trip on to play the poms at Twickenham and also to get over and play the French in Paris. So what happened is we got out there. They were building the south stand. There was a massive crowd of about 10 guys in hard hats\u2014they were spending most of the time laughing at the Lords and Commons and a few Kiwi guys running up and down. I managed to get the ball, and I ran over a couple of these rather large Lords and made a couple of tackles. Then what happened: McCully reports back to the hierarchy that Guy has got enough mongrel to be a whip. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000573\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003ESo I found myself suddenly as junior whip and then senior whip. I spent a huge amount of time in this House, understanding, debating\u2014actually, just understanding how it works. It was interesting for me, the cut and thrust of this place. It\u2019s intimidating. It\u2019s a bear pit\u2014that\u2019s its nickname\u2014and it probably will never change. But, for me, that was my opportunity, ultimately, to pick up a ministerial warrant. Thank you very much, Prime Minister, for that opportunity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000574\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EI found myself as veterans affairs Minister in Gallipoli in 2012. I did a battlefield tour\u2014incredibly emotional, understanding what happened to our soldiers over there was horrific. They landed at the wrong place\u2014piss poor planning and execution. I saw the battles that they had\u2014from one end of the tennis court to the other. Incredibly emotional.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000575\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EThen, the next day, it was my turn to speak at Anzac Cove. That was incredibly emotional too: 6,000 people, most of them had stayed overnight; the gentle wave-wash of the surf at the beach; the birds, just coming into song. I looked across at the New Zealand Defence Force when the roll call was on, and the lady had tears streaming down her face. I thought, \u201CShivers; I\u2019ve got to speak shortly.\u201D So I got up. I got to a really emotional part in my speech. A tear came out of my eye, on to my nose, and dropped on to my speech. I thought, \u201CHoly hell; I\u2019m going to lose this.\u201D But then I thought about those thousands of young Kiwi men that had lost their lives. I hardened up and battled on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000576\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EAfter that, I had the privilege of sharing a breakfast with Julia Gillard, the Australian Prime Minister at the time. Neither of us were into cold pastries or cold meat, so she ordered toast. I thought, \u201CWhat are we going to put on this toast?\u201D She said, \u201CDon\u2019t worry, Nathan. I\u2019ve got it in hand.\u201D, reached down\u2014\u201CKraft peanut butter. Vegemite.\u201D We had a great discussion. The Anzac bond is incredibly strong.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000577\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EBack home, we were into building roads. Steven Joyce was under way as transport Minister, announcing four lanes through the K\u0101piti coast\u2014wonderful, wonderful project. Every time I get on that road, I\u2019m so excited. I had to bear the brunt of that in my electorate office, with people coming in in tears. They were angry about Steven\u2019s road going through their living room. But, ultimately, it was the right decision, and I backed it all the way. It\u2019s connected communities and provided a huge amount of economic growth for our region. The Hon Simon Bridges and I had a wonderful opportunity to cut the ribbon on that amazing piece of infrastructure.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000578\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EThen Prince William arrived. He wasn\u2019t married to Kate Middleton at the time. I got invited along\u2014or probably, knowing me, invited myself\u2014to K\u0101piti Island. It was all going to be hush-hush. The public weren\u2019t meant to know. Well, what had happened is a British media contingent of about 50 had turned up with all of their cameras and got on the launch, so the secret was out. There were hundreds of people lining the beach wanting to get a glimpse of the prince, and probably the Prime Minister. So we arrived in the bus there, drove on to the beach, and John said to Prince William, \u201CRight, let\u2019s go and meet these people.\u201D The handshaking began. I thought, \u201CWhat do I do?\u201D Never miss an opportunity, of course, as a local MP, so I carried on behind handshaking, until it got to a point when I think it was one of my constituents said, \u201CWho on earth are you? Are you the security guy for the prince?\u201D I thought, \u201CShivers; I\u2019ve got some more work to do.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000579\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EThen we got on the launch. There were two young females, about 16, 17. We\u2019re in the launch heading out and the police were trying to hold them back. They were yelling out \u201CPrince William, please marry me.\u201D They were out in the water there, and we carried on. Then, of course, the prince went bright red and the Prime Minister started giving the prince cheek. And of course, what I do I do? I joined in too, and then I suddenly thought, \u201CThis is the guy that\u2019s second in line to the throne. Pull yourself into line, Nathan.\u201D He\u2019s an incredibly likeable gentleman.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000580\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EWe got on to the island and the prince was able to release a kiwi. Of course, K\u0101piti Island is well known as a bird sanctuary, with kiwis at large over there. He\u2019s holding this kiwi. Just at this point, the British media contingent obviously saw the money shot and their shutters on their camera went off at that point. It sounded like a rifle going around K\u0101piti Island. This kiwi freaked. Feathers went everywhere. Fortunately, the prince had a reasonable hold on it and he turned to the British media and he said, \u201CTold you I\u2019d score a kiwi while I was here.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000581\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EThe Prime Minister gave me my dream job as Minister for Primary Industries, the biggest Government regulator, and a massive economic footprint. I\u2019d just got my feet under the desk and we had meat locked up on the wharves in China. Then we had the Fonterra botulism false alarm that the Hon Nikki Kaye just spoke about a couple of moments ago. Both of those incidents tested the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and tested me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000582\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EThen along came an idiot who sent a letter, a criminal blackmail hoax, where he wanted to contaminate infant formula with 1080. The Prime Minister stepped up an all-of-Government response and, at some point along the way, the Prime Minister said to me, \u201CNathan, you\u2019re the lead on this one.\u201D I thought: holy moly, here we go again. I was worried about an infant baby dying. I was worried about our international markets closing on us. MPI did a fantastic job. It\u2019s one of my proudest moments that MPI stepped up, worked with the dairy industry. We set up a whole testing regime from cow to can, and the day that it became public, there were no border ramifications. Martin Dunne, I acknowledge you and the MPI team for the work that you did. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000583\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EErica knew that I had something on my plate for months. I wasn\u2019t sleeping well, I was irritable, and I wouldn\u2019t tell anything confidential to Erica. She nicknamed it \u201Cthe bloody issue\u201D. We were going away on summer holiday\u2014\u014Ctama beach, a beautiful spot in Coromandel\u2014and Martin Dunne said to me, \u201CWell, how are we going to get hold of you if you need to front this thing?\u201D And I said, \u201CI dunno. There\u2019s no cell phone tower out there. The signal\u2019s crap.\u201D He said, \u201CDon\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll send a police car out to get you if you need to front.\u201D So every day the sun went down, Martin, I thought, now I can have a beer; the cops haven\u2019t arrived. I was loading the car up for camping and I\u2019d done a pretty good job, ticked off everything. I put my suit bag across the top of it. Erica came out to check everything off. She said, \u201CWhat\u2019s that bloody suit doing coming away with us on our summer holiday?\u201D, and I said, \u201CIt\u2019s the bloody issue.\u201D She slammed the boot on the car, and, of course, the day that that story broke, she duly texted me saying, \u201CI see your bloody issue is in the media.\u201D Can I congratulate the Government on stepping up with the M. bovis response. You\u2019ve done the right thing. I salute you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000584\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EThings got a little bit interesting with fishing for me. Remember Snapper 1, which is the area Hauraki Coromandel? I let a discussion document go out, and it had one option there that said \u201Creducing the bag limit from nine down to three.\u201D, and all of those fishers wanted Guy on the hook. Ultimately, I made the right decision in the end, for sustainability purposes, reducing that bag limit to seven. At the time, the Prime Minister was under the pump with GCSB, a law change, in here. He got about 50 submissions on his bill; we got about 50,000 on snapper. So the Prime Minister would come into the House when he was getting attacked from this side and he\u2019d say, \u201CNo one cares about GCSB. They all care about snapper!\u201D I was thinking \u201CNo, Prime Minister, no. Don\u2019t drop me in it.\u201D Anyway, David Shearer did that for us. Remember him? A nice guy. He came in with two dead snapper, standing here, and moments later he was burley bait. Fishing politics can be problematic.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EI really enjoyed getting out and about and travelling with the Prime Minister. We went to various countries around the world. One of the ones that was a great highlight for me was travelling to Mexico, Columbia, Brazil, and Chile. I need to tell you this funny story. We were on this amazing farm in Chile and I decided I\u2019d show off to the Prime Minister with an electric fence with a blade of grass\u2014trying to get him to do it. Of course, he thought I was pretty mad. So in the end I grabbed hold of this electric fence; then he thought I was stupid, and said so to the media. But I did have, close by, seasoned journalist Barry Soper, who I managed to talk into grabbing the electric fence. I looked down: John Key and I had on good, rubber gumboots. I\u2019d worn my woolly socks for insulation. Barry Soper had wet, leather shoes. So Barry dutifully obliged\u2014got hold of this electric fence. For those of you that have burnt yourself, you know that it\u2019s going to hurt, but it takes you a few seconds for your brain to tell you. Barry got hold of it and went, \u201CIt\u2019s not turned\u2014oh, shit!\u201D Then for the rest of the trip, I said to Barry, \u201CYou\u2019re looking a little bit pale.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000586\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EHe got me back when we stopped at Easter Island for a bit of gas on the way home, and we went and had a look at the statues there\u2014the moais. He got me to pose in front of one. He said, \u201CDon\u2019t smile. Just look normal.\u201D And then he tweeted it out and said, \u201CThis is where the Guys have come from. Look at their monobrows.\u201D It was one all, Barry, I think.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000587\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003ECan I acknowledge my staff before I forgot and before I get closed down on time: Anne Rogers and Heather Shaw and Pauline Coupland for doing a huge amount of work for me in my electorate office, thank you; Tricia Benny and Sue Reid also. Sue followed me into the whip\u2019s office. Lorraine Jones and Bibiana Marsh for running my ministerial office. Nick Kirton, Phil Rennie, and Bill de la Mare were the engine room. Thanks, fellas, for the long hours and strategic advice.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000588\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EI also had the opportunity to travel down with Boris Johnson. You might have heard of him; he\u2019s now the Prime Minister of the UK. We went down to have a look at Kaik\u014Dura and the earthquake damage. I was civil defence Minister at the time, and we got on the NH90 helicopter. We were taking off nicely over Cook Strait. Then he said to me, \u201CWhat\u2019s all that sort of vineyard over there?\u201D And I said, \u201CWell, foreign secretary, that\u2019s the Marlborough area where we grow grapes.\u201D He said, \u201COh, God! Marlborough sauvignon blanc. I drink gallons of this stuff.\u201D At this point in time, I thought, oh, shivers. I could feel the captain of the NH90 veering off thinking we\u2019re going to need to stop and fill the NH90 with cases of wine, but we carried on. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000589\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EThen we had a full p\u014Dwhiri, and I was rehearsing with Boris about the hongi, showing full respect. That all went very, very well. We got into the morning tea after that, and he stood up to speak and he said, \u201COh, it was a bit like a Liverpool kiss.\u201D, which is a head butt. I thought, \u201COh no. Oh no. We\u2019ve offended iwi.\u201D There was nervous laughter, and then applause. Everyone joined in with it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EI also had the opportunity to travel with Richie McCaw around farms when he was a pilot\u2014or still is\u2014dropping off food parcels to farming families that had been impacted by the earthquake.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000591\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003ECan I wish Tim Costley well. He\u2019s going to be a great MP for \u014Ctaki.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000592\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EWe came home, Erica and I, from a fundraiser at Te Horo one night. There was this car sitting there\u2014or a ute, actually\u2014helping itself to our farm tank of petrol, and suddenly property rights came blaring into my head. So I backed up\u2014this ute was high speeding it out\u2014and I smacked into the side of this ute\u2014got it on two wheels, actually, did a good job. And then a high-speed pursuit followed. We were heading along out to Foxton and Erica rang 111, and they said, \u201CCan you tell us the speed that you\u2019re doing.\u201D I said, \u201CErica\u2014no, no, no, no.\u201D\u2014no, no, no, no, no. Anyway, we were just 101 kilometres an hour, from memory. The police did the rest in Foxton. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000593\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EThen I thought, \u201CShivers; I\u2019ve smashed up the VIP self-drive. What do I do?\u201D, and I thought. \u201CGosh, this\u2019ll have to be reported through to the Minister of Police.\u201D So I walked into Cabinet\u2014Judith Collins, Minister of Police at the time. I went up to her and I said, \u201CExcuse me, Judith. Can I tell you about an incident on the weekend.\u201D She said, \u201CDon\u2019t worry; I\u2019ve already heard about it. Well done, Nathan. One less crim on our streets.\u201D I wish Judith all the best for this election campaign. She\u2019ll be a fantastic Prime Minister. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000594\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003ESummary: in our lovely garden at home, we have a magnolia tree. It\u2019s majestic and protected. My father rests underneath the magnolia tree, but he\u2019s on my shoulder every day. When I\u2019d be under the pump, he\u2019d ring up and say, \u201CDon\u2019t let the bastards get you down.\u201D I miss you, Dad. To my lovely mother, Betty\u2014an amazing lady, recently awarded 50 years of voluntary service in the Horowhenua, happy always to be in the back row, and always puts others first\u2014my success, Mum, is your success. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000595\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003ETo our children, Henry, Frankie, and Jeremy, I\u2019m very proud of you. You\u2019ve got a nice blend of Rawlings and Guy genes: dogged determination\u2014that\u2019s probably on your mother\u2019s side; a bit of a good work ethic\u2014maybe that\u2019s mine; and, combined, a great fun spirit and outlook on life. It isn\u2019t easy being a parent. I\u2019m determined to do more and support you through your teenage years. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000596\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EErica, an amazing wife and business partner, an amazing mother, and the best political brain around, learnt from your days in agriculture journalism. We make a great team. We ran the New York Marathon together. Erica, you had a sore leg\u2014you\u2019re a gutsy girl to finish that. Thanks for always pushing me in the right direction. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000597\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EI was looking in my office the other day\u2014got boxes galore, cleaning it out\u2014and I came across the article that the Manawat\u016B Standard did in a long-form interview of me in August 2009. There\u2019s a quote in there that I want to read out to you: \u201CIt\u2019s easy to sit on the side lines and criticise. It\u2019s a lot more difficult to stand up and be counted.\u201D I won\u2019t forget the last 15 years. I\u2019m sure Parliament won\u2019t miss my booming voice. Kia kaha, my friends and foes. Haere r\u0101. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000598\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E[Applause]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202007305a65c83667f64e60a3f7538a5382a424000599\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 6.12 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"