"\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=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00229ba38c1ddfd14509b5c8307250e8d27d\u0022\u003ETUESDAY, 1 JUNE 2021\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002252481d98325a442ba1180a3aa5b14fae\u0022\u003ETUESDAY, 1 JUNE 2021\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000002\u0022\u003EThe Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000004\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b830f58ecdd0419c9795bd28940356b7\u0022\u003EKarakia/Prayers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e7eebd2f07f74507b6688cfd9b265d7f\u0022\u003EKarakia/Prayers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u002249256f5531e649029c735c7a60133d45\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002249256f5531e649029c735c7a60133d45\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Members, in recognition of Samoan Language Week, three members will say the prayer this week in Samoan. Today I invite Dr Anae Neru Leavasa to say a prayer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00228e5576ce-ac6e-42fa-8d46-bdec9ba3ec7c\u0022 data-id=\u002233e854260236409fa742d25a640760ac\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228e5576ce-ac6e-42fa-8d46-bdec9ba3ec7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002233e854260236409fa742d25a640760ac\u0022\u003EDr ANAE NERU LEAVASA (Labour\u2014Takanini):\u003C/span\u003E Tatou ifo ma tatalo. Le Atua e, silisili ese matou te sulaina lou alofa ma lou agalelei ona o tofiga ua e valaauina i ai matou. Matou fiafia foi e ta\u02BButino lo matou amanaiaina o le Tupu Tamaitai o Peretania. O la matou tatalo, alofa ma taitai ia i matou felafolafoaiga uma ina ia faia i le loto maualalo ma le faamaoni ia matou faaiuga i totonu o lenei Maota Fono. Faamanuia i Taitai o le Faigamalo ina ia maua le tofamamao ma le loto maualalo e taitai ai lou atunuu i le manuia ma le filemu. Amene.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00228f9ab0946d4e4f2a9d50f54d1f770a9f\u0022\u003EMinisterial Statements\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002221debab526ac4b97b73262eec7be55cc\u0022\u003ECanterbury Flooding\u2014Government Response\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u0022bb7054eaaf8d431087e3c581f03bee10\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bb7054eaaf8d431087e3c581f03bee10\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Prime Minister):\u003C/span\u003E Today I want to give an update to the House on the situation in Canterbury after the weather event and what the Government is doing to assist local communities in response and recovery. This has been a really tough time for the people of South, Mid, and North Canterbury, and I want to acknowledge how disruptive and distressing this flooding has been for the people impacted by this weather event. I\u2019d like to recognise the extraordinary efforts of emergency management staff, first responders, volunteers, Ng\u0101i Tahu, the Rural Support Trust, and community and rural leaders across the region.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EA state of local emergency was declared on Sunday afternoon and remains in place for the region. Numerous roads and bridges have been damaged by floodwater, and rail lines are closed between Arthur\u2019s Pass and Christchurch, Pines Beach and Christchurch, and Timaru and Christchurch. Over 100 people have been evacuated across the region, including 16 retirement village residents from Geraldine. The tremendous efforts of everyone involved in the response means this event has, thankfully, not resulted in any loss of human life.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EThe Government is committed to helping the region through its response and recovery to this event. We have already announced funding through the mayoral relief fund of $100,000. This will support those impacted by the heavy rain event in the region, and as the rain begins to ease and rivers begin to fall, rapid assessments will be needed to ensure that bridges and households are safe. The Prime Minister, and Minister of Agriculture, and the Acting Minister for Emergency Management have visited the region and surveyed the damage. We continue to be heartened to see community members showing such great support for one another. Many evacuated residents are staying with family and friends, and marae have played a valuable role by opening their doors to those who have needed support.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EEarlier this afternoon, the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon Damien O\u2019Connor, declared a medium-level adverse event for the Canterbury region. Classifying the events as such will ensure funding of $500,000 for flood recovery measures, and it signals the Government\u2019s ongoing commitment to support those impacted as they start to recover.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EIn addition, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is able to approve up to $500,000 per event for the use of Enhanced Taskforce Green to help with clean-up and recovery efforts following an adverse event. Enhanced Taskforce Green can provide funding to employ job seekers to assist with the clean-up and can also be used to hire or purchase equipment and clothing needed for Ministry of Social Development clients to undertake the clean-up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EAs the floodwaters recede and the scale of clean-up activities becomes clearer, MSD will be better able to understand the requirements needed and the needs assessments that are completed. The response has been extremely well managed at a local and regional level. The Canterbury region Civil Defence Emergency Management group has been leading response efforts. The National Emergency Management Agency National Coordination Centre has also been activated in support of the response. Local emergency personnel have been providing strong and welcomed assistance to the impacted communities. Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand have assisted in a variety of capacities as required, and I also want to acknowledge the New Zealand Army, who have provided 16 vehicles and 30 personnel across the region, and two helicopters have been made available as well. St John Ambulance has deployed resources to Ashburton and Timaru.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003ELocal rural support trusts, Federated Farmers, the Ministry for Primary Industries, and other rural agencies are also providing support as impacts on the rural sector can be properly assessed. Welfare services are available to help people with their needs. Coordinating people during emergencies is challenging, but it is taken in its stride and we thank those people for their work. Welfare is being delivered across the region and, again, local marae are supporting here.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003EThe Government is strongly committed to supporting the Canterbury region as it recovers from this significant flooding event. We will continue to work with the region to identify needs and provide further support as is needed. Mr Speaker, I know that you and members across this House will join me in expressing our support and aroha to all of those impacted by this emergency.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022 data-id=\u00224e7f6638403a41cfa89a5509ac3dcd4e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224e7f6638403a41cfa89a5509ac3dcd4e\u0022\u003EDr SHANE RETI (Deputy Leader\u2014National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. Today, we stand in support of the people of Canterbury for the weather event that has so disrupted and affected their lives. We want to thank emergency services and first responders for what they have done and what we anticipate they will continue to do so professionally going forward. We acknowledge the Government\u2019s support, the mayoral relief fund, and other support that has been provided to the region, and the many families and friends who have opened their doors to those who have been impacted. We also want to thank marae. This is another reminder that during civil emergencies, unconditionally, marae open their doors and make themselves available. Ng\u0101 mihi ki a koutou.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EWe stand here wanting to help the support, to lend ourselves to the rebuilding that will be required. We can see that roads and bridges have been severely affected, and however we can lend our support to getting back infrastructure that provides quality of life for the people of Canterbury, that is what we plan to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EFinally, our support is unquestioningly behind what is needed to serve the people of Canterbury. Please, if the Government can tell us what they need from us, we\u2019re here to help. Kia ora, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022 data-id=\u0022c6e7adb4474947acad142d6cf893281b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c6e7adb4474947acad142d6cf893281b\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader\u2014Green):\u003C/span\u003E Let me start by thanking the Deputy Prime Minister for updating the House on the situation in Canterbury. All of us across the country are concerned about the impact of the flooding on the people of Canterbury.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EFirst off, I would like to welcome the support and assistance that our Government is providing to local communities. Ashburton, Hinds, and the rural areas around mid-Canterbury, including Ashburton, have been particularly hard hit as well as areas around the Waimakariri District. I\u2019d like to join with the Deputy Prime Minister in acknowledging the extraordinary response of the local community, the first responders, emergency and management staff, the volunteer fire brigades, and those who have been out in the pouring rain and cold repairing power lines and ensuring that local infrastructure holds up, and the friends, families, and neighbours who have come together to offer others a safe sanctuary or the simple pleasure of a warm cup of tea and a hot shower. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EThe severity of the storm is such that lives could have been lost but for the extraordinary collective effort of people on the ground. What we\u2019ve seen in the response effort is the spirit of cooperation and togetherness that Canterbury is known for around the world. It\u2019s during very difficult times like this that we\u2019re reminded of the importance of community and of looking out for each other\u2014those moments when the small frustrations that we all experience vanish into the background and we focus on what really matters: community, a warm safe place to rest, and family.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EAs river levels begin, mercifully, to drop, attention will turn to the process of recovery. There will be clean-up to do. People will still need help, somewhere warm to sleep, and a warm place to rest. Kids will still need to get to school. We\u2019re already seeing offers of support come in and we need to make sure that this House and our Government are there to help for as long as people need it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EMarama Davidson and I and everybody in the Green Party are very proud of the people of Canterbury. When I hear stories like that of the Hakatere Marae, which has operated as a welfare centre on the south side of the Hakatere / Ashburton River, I\u2019m confident that Canterbury can get through this, and we will be with them every step of the way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229d892f20-579d-4c43-8247-7ab72c4f7c2e\u0022 data-id=\u00222aef1b018d5248c3816298fedaf05a86\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229d892f20-579d-4c43-8247-7ab72c4f7c2e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222aef1b018d5248c3816298fedaf05a86\u0022\u003ETONI SEVERIN (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E ACT stands in support. We know the people of Canterbury are people who have shown, time and time again, their resilience in the face of adversity, but this does not make events like this easier for those affected at this time. A large amount of damage has been currently seen to the local infrastructure and farming land in the area. This is particularly significant, obviously for the families and farms affected, but also the entire South Island, who are connected to this region. Some of the affected roading includes damage to the Ashburton Bridge, a transport route that carries tens of thousands of vehicles every day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229d892f20-579d-4c43-8247-7ab72c4f7c2e\u0022\u003EI do want to acknowledge the Government for declaring an adverse event in the region to unlock a level of support for farmers and growers, but we also recognise that the impact of this will not end tomorrow. The land will take time to recover, and roads will take time to be repaired. Especially as we head into winter, it is vital that we provide the support necessary for this region. From the ACT Party, we want to especially recognise the work that has been done, from the local authorities to all the people in the communities who are coming together to support those affected in this region. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022 data-id=\u0022d3aadca5896f4270baf8e39c71dd5e4d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d3aadca5896f4270baf8e39c71dd5e4d\u0022\u003ERAWIRI WAITITI (Co-Leader\u2014Te Paati M\u0101ori):\u003C/span\u003E Talofa lava, manuia fa\u2018afetai i le Atua, manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa. T\u0113n\u0101 koe e te P\u012Bka. T\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou e te Whare. I rise on behalf of Te Paati M\u0101ori to show our aroha and support for the Canterbury region at this time as they deal with the severe storms, flooding, and all the stress and disruption that has been caused as a result. I want to acknowledge Ng\u0101i Tahu for their tremendous effort to support and uplift their communities of \u014Ctautahi. In particular, I send the mihi of Te Paati M\u0101ori to the hau k\u0101inga of Hakatere Marae, the Ashburton marae, who have opened their doors to all the wh\u0101nau and communities. This is a demonstration of the manaakitanga that is absolutely central to our tikanga and culture. Time and time again, no matter what the nature of the emergency, it is tangata whenua and it is our marae who open their doors and provide the relief and care that people need when they are dealing with emergencies and may need to evacuate their homes to ensure their families are safe. I too acknowledge local and central government for committing resources and funding to support Canterbury with the significant impacts of the flooding. No effort, no p\u016Btea, should be spared in giving mana whenua, wh\u0101nau, businesses, and communities the support they need at this time. N\u014D reira, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, kia ora t\u0101tou k\u0101toa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00224dfa7529108d4eaf80584673d814f2e7\u0022\u003EPetitions, Papers, Select Committee Reports, and Introduction of Bills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002237e8126c6cec4772b0d788a1476d32d0\u0022\u003EPetitions, Papers, Select Committee Reports, and Introduction of Bills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u00229c7967f942ed4cdd8bb91245a17a1bc4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229c7967f942ed4cdd8bb91245a17a1bc4\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022\u0022 data-id=\u002221d42c494320478c8ac8338e2dea9270\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002221d42c494320478c8ac8338e2dea9270\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E: \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EPetition of Malcolm Mulholland requesting that the House urge the Minister of Health to conduct an external reform of Pharmac and increase its budget \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Cancer Society New Zealand requesting that the House pass legislation that significantly reduces the number of tobacco retailers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Christine McCarthy requesting that the House insert a section into the Corrections Act 2004 that prohibits prolonged solitary confinement \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Seann Paurini requesting that the House stop student loan applications for course-related costs being declined on the basis of age\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Eva Chen requesting that the House urge the Government to allocate sufficient funding and resources to match the Asian communities\u2019 populations \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Doreen Senn requesting that the House urge the Government to encourage schools to teach our history in a positive light\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Asha Stander requesting that the House pass legislation allowing working holiday visa holders to stay in New Zealand after their visa\u2019s expiry\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Ari Kerssens requesting that the House urge the Government to mandate equitable access to the Total Mobility scheme for those whose access to public transport is compromised due to disability \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Jino Philip requesting that the House urge the Government to allow all international students with student visas who have already paid tuition fees to enter New Zealand to start their studies \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Nahuel Gomez requesting that the House urge the Government to extend Argentinian working holiday visas that were approved before the borders were closed \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Ann Yee Ong requesting that the House urge the Government to extend the expiry date of Malaysia working holiday visas \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Piolito Ali requesting that the House urge the Government to give me a second chance and extend my New Zealand visa \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Chirag Gandhi requesting that the House urge the Government to grant citizenship to immigrants working as medical staff and isolation workers \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Anudeep Uppuluri requesting that the House urge the Government to grant post-study work visa holders who are stuck offshore entry \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Bhanu Yadav requesting that the House urge the Government to resume the suspended process of Expression of Interest for Skilled Migrant Categories \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Ehab Takawi requesting that the House urge the Government to urgently review the current borders control measures to allow the reunification of offshore partners.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u00225eb7c58617f840c9bb9c7b04348de946\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225eb7c58617f840c9bb9c7b04348de946\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EMinisters have delivered papers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022\u0022 data-id=\u0022329508369cde43e29033cc67a3e84ab6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022329508369cde43e29033cc67a3e84ab6\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E: \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EExport Education Levy Annual Report for the financial year ended 30 June 2020\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003ECouncil of Europe Convention on Cybercrime 2001 together with National Interest Analysis\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Symphony Orchestra Ltd Annual Report for 2020 and Statement of Performance Expectations 2021.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022ca18321692384c89a0903f386458d3f1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ca18321692384c89a0903f386458d3f1\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Those papers are published under the authority of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003ESelect committee reports have been delivered for presentation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022\u0022 data-id=\u0022b10793eb8cd04f4b9a598014e68d8b49\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b10793eb8cd04f4b9a598014e68d8b49\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E: \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EReport of the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee on the petition of Sunny Kaushal\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Ereports of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on: \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EReserve Bank of New Zealand\u2019s Financial Stability Report, May 2021 \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Eseven petitions regarding KiwiSaver\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Ereport of the Primary Production Committee on the petition of Brenna Deacon\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Ereports of the Regulations Review Committee on: \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EComplaint about the Fisheries (South Island Customary Fishing) Regulations 1999 \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003ECOVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Ereports of the Social Services and Community Committee on:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EOranga Tamariki (Youth Justice Demerit Points) Amendment Bill and Report of the Attorney-General under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Eliana Darroch\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003ESocial Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022780452662dc24955a8bc3982a26ec70b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022780452662dc24955a8bc3982a26ec70b\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The bills are set down for second reading. The reports of the Regulations Review Committee and the Financial Stability Report are set down for consideration.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EThe Clerk has been informed of the introduction of bills.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022\u0022 data-id=\u0022b8bba9565aaa44418dfb8790b4fba580\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b8bba9565aaa44418dfb8790b4fba580\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E: \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EIntelligence and Security (Review) Amendment Bill, introduction\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EConstruction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Bill, introduction.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022a8b7c9abb20245d3964fa51a7e24e78b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a8b7c9abb20245d3964fa51a7e24e78b\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Those bills are set down for first reading.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00225cbad6700ccc4c308d00bb72ebaec013\u0022\u003EOral Questions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002233747ff163484a1d9efedda11462c2b4\u0022\u003EQuestions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00221faf98f0f100443b9c597d91ba2d197c\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 1\u2014Finance\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022 data-id=\u002258962a4b7da74bb48010cde228307154\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003E1. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002258962a4b7da74bb48010cde228307154\u0022\u003EBARBARA EDMONDS (Labour\u2014Mana)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: Lau Afioga le Fofoga Fetalai. What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u00225803e90f51ff42bbab0fcbe42ac5bcd9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225803e90f51ff42bbab0fcbe42ac5bcd9\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E Mr Speaker, fa\u2018afetai lava. Malo le soifua. Overnight, the OECD released its latest global economic outlook, including for New Zealand. The OECD expects the New Zealand economy to be a relatively strong performer through the pandemic, with a small impact in 2020 and a solid recovery. It forecasts growth of 3.5 percent in 2021 and 3.8 percent in 2022, in line with the Budget update, driven by solid household consumption, rising investment in infrastructure, and gradual increase in tourism as the borders reopen. By the end of the forecast period, New Zealand\u2019s growth rate of 3.8 percent is expected to outperform most of the countries we compare ourselves to: Australia at 3.4 percent, Japan 2 percent, the United States at 3.6 percent, while Canada matches New Zealand at 3.8 percent. However, the OECD warns that before the improved outlook, challenges remain. Global activity is picking up but the recovery is uneven, with a lot of frictions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec71dc4c7d574fd1b8d3cc0894979684\u0022\u003EBarbara Edmonds\u003C/span\u003E: What other reports has he seen about the Budget\u2019s impact on New Zealand\u2019s economic outlook?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a08fb91fa7f74bf9a03ec5765d74ba1f\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Budget 2021\u2019s focus on securing the economic recovery has been recognised by credit ratings agencies. Moody\u2019s Investors Service noted that Budget 2021 forecast a continued strengthening in the economic outlook, thanks to the Government\u2019s swift and decisive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and underscoring New Zealand\u2019s robust credit quality. Standard \u0026amp; Poor\u2019s assessment of Budget 2021 confirmed that the country is recovering quicker than most advanced nations, underpinning the agency\u2019s decision to upgrade New Zealand\u2019s credit rating in February. It noted that, \u201Cgiven the pace of the recovery, Standard \u0026amp; Poor\u2019s believes the Government\u2019s credit metrics can withstand further negative shocks to the economy and its fiscal position at the current rating level.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002219463181a65d44978b408284652dc605\u0022\u003EBarbara Edmonds\u003C/span\u003E: What other reports has he seen on the economy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002265eec4126f554c60b230fff629afe788\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Statistics New Zealand reported that seasonally adjusted filled jobs rose to a new high in April, increasing 0.3 percent on the previous March 2021 high. Filled jobs are now slightly above pre-COVID levels. Employment held up over the summer period, despite the absence of international tourists. Statistics New Zealand says that filled jobs have returned to a more regular and upward trend in the last few months. Westpac bank commented that the growth in employment does not suggest that firms are having increased difficulty in filling vacancies in recent months. The Government is focusing on securing the recovery, and Budget 2021 boosted our skills and training initiatives to allow people to transition more easily into different types of work.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222110adb59090427dbe17dcd989bdeb2e\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: What confidence does he have in the OECD\u2019s growth projections for New Zealand given that it assumes a rapid increase in the vaccination rate to enable the New Zealand border to be fully opened in early 2022?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a6075645ec49442693a98184e70b7264\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I have great confidence in the New Zealand economy, the businesses, and the workers who work within it, and I also have great confidence in a vaccine roll-out that is ramping up day by day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002211cdebeffd854d8d8372f11a461a5d82\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 2\u2014Prime Minister\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022 data-id=\u0022d92b1e8326df43c9bc0d6eaa553a4fa1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E2. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d92b1e8326df43c9bc0d6eaa553a4fa1\u0022\u003EDr SHANE RETI (Deputy Leader\u2014National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government\u2019s statements and actions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u002299f94f5a432d458893ca1f5896fcc44f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002299f94f5a432d458893ca1f5896fcc44f\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Prime Minister)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Prime Minister: Talofa lava. Yes, I do\u2014in particular, our recently announced Budget that will secure New Zealand\u2019s recovery from COVID-19. Budget 2021 strikes a careful balance between securing the economic recovery and keeping a lid on the debt that we took on during COVID-19 to protect lives and livelihoods. The Budget is a core part of helping us achieve our three goals for this term: to keep New Zealanders safe from COVID-19, to accelerate our recovery and rebuild, and to tackle our foundational challenges\u2014in particular, housing affordability, climate change, and child wellbeing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f7ae9cf4892495cad9a4b8bec5d136f\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: What measures did Budget 2021 take to address benefit dependency, and does she agree the only sustainable, long-term way to address poverty is through jobs, not benefits?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d283486972b4426686aa51532d8c5ee4\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: There has been a significant investment in supporting people into work through things like the Flexi-wage scheme. I\u2019m particularly proud of Budget 2021\u2019s reinstatement of the training incentive allowance for degree-level courses, taken away by that member\u2019s party in 2009.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222fbaed88ec3241e7afd72fd53842297f\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Can she confirm that Budget 2021 documents project that in four years\u2019 time, there will be 60,000 more New Zealanders on the job seeker benefit than when she became Prime Minister?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e770c50f0d024672acc9c7657ac50561\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: What I can confirm is that the Budget projects that there will be 200,000 more New Zealanders in employment at the end of the forecast period, which is an excellent result as we come out of COVID-19.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226673d16093bd404a944dd6a991bcd47e\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Does she agree with Budget 2021 documents that show benefit increases are needed to stop more children slipping into poverty due to the increases in rent and cost of living that her Government has overseen?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227ff8c3c22a3c45c5b862ff5f328b5fe5\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: What the Budget documents show about child poverty is that the Government has been able to reduce it by more than 40,000, and that the initiatives in the Budget will reduce it by a further 33,000 children being lifted out of poverty. Everybody on this side of the House recognises that there is always more to do to improve child wellbeing in New Zealand, but I\u2019m extremely proud of what the Government has done in that regard.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227feac6e3916844cba136607231212740\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Why did she claim benefit increases were about addressing Budgets passed 30 years ago, when this is simply reversing the cost of living increases caused by her Government\u2019s policies over the past three years?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002261fffb464e574a24a2ab4ec874f099bf\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I completely reject the latter part of that question, and, with respect to the former part of it, what this Budget did\u2014finally\u2014was make sure that the damage done by that member\u2019s party in the 1991 Budget was turned around so that now all benefits are of a value greater than they were when those cuts were made. If the member wants to stand up and defend the \u201Cmother of all Budgets\u201D, by all means, go ahead.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022879555317e4f4ce5a7296be413537ad0\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Is she concerned that her Government\u2019s policies will see more Kiwis moving to Australia to work, given their recent pro-growth Budget that delivered incentives for business investment?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002239deeee08fe14569bc3dde132e03d349\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: No, I\u2019m not, and that\u2019s because every indicator coming out of both the Australian and New Zealand Budgets shows that New Zealand is doing better. We\u2019re going to be having higher growth rates. We\u2019re going to see more people in employment. We\u2019re going to see fewer people unemployed, and, at the same time, our deficit will be lower and our debt will be lower. The member should be proud of what New Zealand is doing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002227d295b34fd64cfb9a4e6e2825315d37\u0022\u003EHon Chris Hipkins\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Prime Minister confirm that since the trans-Tasman bubble was opened up, more people have travelled from Australia to New Zealand than the other way?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ef09998fe2e94d41b02d312811f90366\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I can, and I can understand that, given the major attractions that there are here in New Zealand. I once again ask the members opposite to actually look at the outcomes from the Australian Budget, and they\u2019ll see that on every indicator, New Zealand is doing well. They should be proud of New Zealand, not running it down.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224dfc20e676d84751bc5e3982c0eb1f8e\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 3\u2014Social Development and Employment\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221cd33f16-add4-4363-a2d4-f457841a5c4c\u0022 data-id=\u0022ae3c8abe476e4507aa935e8cbec174a0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221cd33f16-add4-4363-a2d4-f457841a5c4c\u0022\u003E3. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ae3c8abe476e4507aa935e8cbec174a0\u0022\u003EGLEN BENNETT (Labour\u2014New Plymouth)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What recent announcements has the Government made about supporting people in the welfare system?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022 data-id=\u00220eadaac8a52943b3812b46fcc5d31d6e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220eadaac8a52943b3812b46fcc5d31d6e\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment):\u003C/span\u003E Talofa, Mr Speaker, ia manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa. In Budget 2021 the Government announced that weekly main benefit rates will increase by between $32 and $55 per adult by 1 April 2022. These are the biggest benefit increases in a generation. The Budget 2021 benefit increases, alongside the changes we\u2019ve made since 2018, mean that 109,000 families and wh\u0101nau with children will be, on average, $175 a week better off compared to 2017. This Budget finally reverses the welfare cuts of the 1991 \u201Cmother of all Budgets\u201D. It not only rights a wrong but it puts more money into the pockets of New Zealanders who need it, and it is money that will go right back into our economy, helping to secure our recovery.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221cd33f16-add4-4363-a2d4-f457841a5c4c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227b899eafa7ce47e795b874095d2140b2\u0022\u003EGlen Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: What specific announcements did she make as part of the Budget package to support people in the welfare system to work?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002268500d8cc6af47508b5ab1c1c7dcc743\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: We\u2019ve been very clear that alongside income support our welfare system is crucial with respect to supporting New Zealanders into work. This Budget saw an additional $99 million for front-line work-focused case management. This is off the back of a $200 million investment in the 2020 Budget. We have also reinstated the training incentive allowance (TIA) to support people to take up level 4 to 7 study. This will mean that 16,000 sole parents, carers, and disabled people on eligible benefits will be supported financially to retrain, upskill, and get into employment over a four-year period. This includes approximately 7,000 M\u0101ori and Pacific people. The ladder of opportunity was pulled up by National in 2009, but I\u2019m\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022afcc251cea1e49e388a73d26431a644f\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! This is a warning\u2014a final warning for the Government today\u2014on those matters.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221cd33f16-add4-4363-a2d4-f457841a5c4c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e97e1e54027c412fb3ff7d469006e907\u0022\u003EGlen Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: How has Budget 2021 responded to the Welfare Expert Advisory Group\u2019s recommendations?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c37fde7edcd64d76b2a7e017444ad26c\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: Benefit increases and support into employment, including the reinstatement of the TIA, were all part of the recommendations made by the Welfare Expert Advisory Group, but there are also a number of recommendations made by the group that relate to improving processes within the welfare system. Budget 2021 will see another process change adopted: the Ministry of Social Development will no longer be requiring that people provide medical certificates at fixed review periods, which was at least every four weeks for the first two months and at least every 13 weeks after that. Under the new process for subsequent work capacity medical certificates, the client\u2019s health practitioner will have more flexibility to recommend the time between medical reviews. These changes will mean that people are not having to spend money on unnecessary GP visits. It will also save the health system 20,000 GP visits per month that were only for the purpose of bureaucratic process. Our welfare overhaul is ongoing. We have made some significant changes, but look forward to doing more.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219ed20db-5d6c-4464-9327-6cdd072bb4fe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c650f2b6a3014602af457a15536cb67e\u0022\u003ERicardo Men\u00E9ndez March\u003C/span\u003E: Why have the Government chosen to wait until next April for the full benefit increases, and only raised them a little bit this year, when people are struggling to make ends meet\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224c3b43fe48434d16aff0cf37df4c7f74\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I know he\u2019s a new member, but his question had finished before he added something on to the end. If the member wants some advice about how to structure questions, I\u2019m pleased to give it to him in my room, but he\u2019s growing a habit of adding unnecessary material.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221923876aa559454f8f8bd647a7e74519\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: Generally, when changes like this to things like benefits are made at Budget they are introduced on 1 April. We have brought forward part of the benefit increases to be effective as of 1 July, which is a flat $20 increase for everyone on benefit. The rest will come into force on 1 April. There are differential increases, so that also gives the officials a little bit of time to work out how they do that properly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022178039004b2b4f4780b08a34e89d894f\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 4\u2014Health\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022 data-id=\u00228d63567b19ce4cb6aea72b149035f524\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E4. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228d63567b19ce4cb6aea72b149035f524\u0022\u003EDr SHANE RETI (Deputy Leader\u2014National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022 data-id=\u002239997c66d8d4466bac88a80a7c620ae1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002239997c66d8d4466bac88a80a7c620ae1\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E Talofa lava, Mr Speaker. Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221154cbb34d334f8aa8d35c1837aac483\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: What measures had he taken, if any, before the cyber-security attack at Waikato DHB to reassure himself the cyber-security measures in place were appropriate?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022658e884a86eb47de9cb88896bda89194\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: I became aware, when I became Minister of Health, of the many problems in IT systems across our health sector, largely because of significant under-investment by the previous Government, and that is why in the Budget just two weeks ago we increased investment across the system by $385 million.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002236e2bd80da59406797d01b8ecaa74b53\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Can he confirm reports that the Ministry of Health turned down a DHB sector-wide cyber-security platform in 2019 because of the cost; and, if so, what was the cost?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225254d14c76ec41ee91274dd7c8bf9b8b\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: No, I can\u2019t confirm that. What I can confirm the Ministry of Health did, following events in 2019 in relation to T\u016B Ora Compass, a primary health organisation (PHO) which suffered a major incursion in their database and their systems, was to talk to the sector about how PHOs could get better protection for their cyber-security.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a770f1def8264f45a52d27f5e4304ad9\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Has he checked that all cyber-security measures at Waikato DHB before the recent cyber-attack were running the latest software versions and malware signatures?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ed4de681fca3400cabcc8bcb31e1eb9d\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m satisfied that the Ministry of Health and its IT leadership were well in touch with the needs of DHBs across the country by providing guidance and standards that the DHBs had to meet.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221e8dac89639c4498902e97d466e4d9b5\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Can he confirm the answer to annual review questions that Waikato DHB had not undertaken a full restore from back-up in the previous year; and, if so, how does he explain this?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fa464bfad2c74a47869eb9b20b289ad6\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: No, I can\u2019t confirm that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022875a0a7e2af340e994752801324c9a07\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 5\u2014Environment\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022 data-id=\u0022f26bf65309f549e4b667b946c0df9fa2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E5. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f26bf65309f549e4b667b946c0df9fa2\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE (Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for the Environment: Will he consider tightening the limits on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser in the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater 2020 if the Government\u2019s review of the science on the relationship between nitrates and birth outcomes confirms a link between drinking-water nitrate levels and premature births; if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022beca8913657341df9d24ea81cc4cf1cd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022beca8913657341df9d24ea81cc4cf1cd\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister for the Environment):\u003C/span\u003E Talofa lava. I have met with the Associate Minister of Health, the Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall, together with the Director-General of Health to discuss the matter, and I understand the Ministry of Health is reviewing the various studies and will thereafter recommend whether or not further study is undertaken in New Zealand. If, eventually, nitrate levels were to be further tightened in New Zealand for drinking water standards, that would be a health-led issue rather than for me as Minister for the Environment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d331b6f975944f32b022ebcc283e3a18\u0022\u003EHon Eugenie Sage\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister agree that current nitrate levels in regions such as Canterbury are the result of land uses over decades, not just recent years, and that nitrate levels in ground water are likely to continue to increase in the foreseeable future?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022883833b2e902468aa1663f41f37a8992\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: I think it\u2019s astounding that between 1990 and 2015 there was, from memory, a more than 600 percent increase in synthetic nitrogen fertiliser application in New Zealand, and that that, together with the more intensive livestock practices, with more livestock per hectare, there has been a remarkable increase in New Zealand in nitrates, both on the land and in our waterways. That has contributed to environmental problems in our rivers, including the overgrowth of periphyton slime, and also nitrate toxicity levels which, at times, hinder a wide range of aquatic communities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224839fbd6b82542f8aec631ab93ad0905\u0022\u003EHon Eugenie Sage\u003C/span\u003E: Why does the Minister not support an urgent precautionary approach to tackle land uses which cause nitrate pollution in drinking water sources to avoid burdening present and future generations with more pollution and higher health risks?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b31db2bc87fb47969807b2968e81fdf9\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, we\u2019ve already, for the first time in the history of New Zealand, actually, got a cap on the permitted amount of nitrogenous fertiliser\u2014synthetic fertiliser\u2014of 190 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare per annum for all pastoral farms. In addition to that, we\u2019ve said there will be a review from a water quality perspective, as opposed to a human health perspective, in 2023 of nitrogen management settings, and the agreement from Cabinet is already that if by then there is not a material reduction in the use of synthetic fertiliser across New Zealand, the review will include an assessment of whether further input controls on agriculture are needed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002259cb9fd536bc4eaa9e4c7ae680edb18a\u0022\u003EHon Eugenie Sage\u003C/span\u003E: What level of evidence on the potential link between nitrate levels in drinking water and adverse health effects will the Minister need in order to consider reducing the fertiliser cap in the national environmental standards before 2023?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fe30855e94964629b7e57db5f2c3f2f4\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: As I said in the answer to the primary, that is a question that should be addressed to the Associate Minister of Health. That doesn\u2019t fall within my responsibility.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d2658993e1db44dbbaffce5a835d62ec\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 6\u2014Health\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e7bab061-0905-44a1-a4ec-cf89b58a1baf\u0022 data-id=\u00220c5ced5254f8433681e8bfb7cde70af1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e7bab061-0905-44a1-a4ec-cf89b58a1baf\u0022\u003E6. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220c5ced5254f8433681e8bfb7cde70af1\u0022\u003ESARAH PALLETT (Labour\u2014Ilam)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about adult cochlear implants?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022 data-id=\u0022d8b14d1bb8da4a749f3ba12e14ff66aa\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d8b14d1bb8da4a749f3ba12e14ff66aa\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E The number of adults getting cochlear implants for hearing loss will almost double as part of the investment announced in Budget 2021. More than $28 million over four years will see an increase of publicly funded cochlear implants go from 86 per year to 166 per year.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e7bab061-0905-44a1-a4ec-cf89b58a1baf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d4280a5dcef14afeae9ee086cbd0367f\u0022\u003ESarah Pallett\u003C/span\u003E: How many people will be able to access these implants due to this investment?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d928c640009c4fb09f190ad7c4245013\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: In our 2020 election manifesto, we promised to double the number of cochlear implants to Government funds, and we have. This investment means that 320 more people will get cochlear implants by 2025.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e7bab061-0905-44a1-a4ec-cf89b58a1baf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bd1bab2241374f148cba14af463c1662\u0022\u003ESarah Pallett\u003C/span\u003E: What will this mean for adults waiting for an implant?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002248525cfbb5f54161a0310892a51d9ad3\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: Severe or profound hearing loss has a huge impact on people, affecting their family lives, their social lives, and their ability to work. I was impressed with a story from a person who stopped me in the street recently to tell me of the impact on her brother, who was in his 50s, who benefited from the increase in investment this Government put in cochlear implants at the end of last year. He rang her to tell her that for the first time, he heard his grandkids, and he was\u2014and this was April\u2014off to the beach, would you believe, not to swim but so he could go and listen to the waves. It\u2019s those simple things that make a huge difference to the enjoyment of people\u2019s lives and increases their wellbeing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00228f03be7e97e2455999dd888cb19222b7\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 7\u2014Small Business\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022 data-id=\u0022cc13ce6cd9bd41b3a49f48c6813cc473\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E7. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cc13ce6cd9bd41b3a49f48c6813cc473\u0022\u003EANDREW BAYLY (National\u2014Port Waikato)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Small Business: What specific new initiatives, if any, in Budget 2021 reduce costs on small businesses or directly assist them so that they expand to grow the New Zealand economy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022c7529342b4b441e8b7adbf9012395116\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c7529342b4b441e8b7adbf9012395116\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister for Small Business):\u003C/span\u003E Fa\u2018afetai, Mr Speaker. Budget 2021\u2019s biggest focus was securing recovery while continuing to keep people safe. Specifically, in my small business portfolio, Budget 2021 delivered $44 million over two years to provide business training courses for 60,000 small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs), and digital advisory services to 30,000 SMEs as part of the Digital Boost programme. Also, $9 million per year for Business Connect, which will help deliver efficiency, cut costs of compliance, and enhance the upgrade of digital technologies. But there was so much more for small businesses in this Budget. If you\u2019re a small business operating in the infrastructure area, there was $57.3 billion over the next four years. If someone operates as a small business operating in the tourism sector, there was $200 million to help support, recover, and reset the industry. If you\u2019re a small-business owner making healthy lunches for children, there is $527 million to reduce food insecurity and supporting 200 jobs\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a7c8b2f0ad6f424cb1c432b278e02ddf\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e5a6968714d2439a831161fd9bc81d81\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Has he asked for advice on whether the $44 million digital business action plan will lead to a higher or lower small-business growth than the $1.2 billion Digital Economy Strategy announced in the Australian Budget 2021?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220be1b39eb6294e04b2b06097f97c634a\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: I haven\u2019t had a look at the Australian Budget, but what I do know, according to the OECD, which I liaise with quite a lot in small-business digitisation, is that we are leading the world in terms of driving the digital uptake by small businesses. In fact, there was a McKinsey report released\u2014an American consultancy\u2014that said that they saw about five years\u2019 worth of digitalisation compressed into eight weeks. We are very passionate about driving the uptake of digitisation for our small businesses because we know this will make a huge difference in their profitability and efficiency.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002223b77359097b4269993d4faec512d2a6\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Will the new initiatives in Budget 2021 mean that small-business costs are higher or lower than prior to the increases in the minimum wage, increased sick leave, and an increase in electricity prices?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223aae094c2230486ba7da8a5928b90c56\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019d agree with the Minister of Finance when he said, and I quote, \u201CAdding a few cents to the cost of a cup of coffee is a price worth paying to ensure workers get the money [that] they need to live.\u201D I would say what we have done over the last 3\u00BD years, but certainly reinforced in this Budget, is that we are backing small businesses to drive their own future by ensuring that they can become digital experts and increase efficiency and drop costs. It\u2019s fantastic.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c41f97691c29485dbc97f677e90654ac\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Did Budget 2021 include any increased tax relief for small businesses to invest in new plant and equipment along the lines of Australia\u2019s $17.9 billion tax break\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221927ef21532e4f51bbb0635ae5fb07d5\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! Again, the same comment as I made earlier to the Green member\u2014when the member\u2019s finished his question, he should stop.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a856555c14434533bd9a8074ebf50ba3\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eea3ade456cd457b966c552a895082f4\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Does he share the concern of media commentator Luke Malpass, who said in his post-Budget commentary that New Zealand small businesses are at risk due to a brain drain to Australia, and what initiatives were included in Budget 2021 to address this? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022282d19dc3b484c57824e158a338a2a7a\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: No, I don\u2019t.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229a494ee1711a4eb99ff398a145a0fc10\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Mr Speaker. I wanted to wait until the end of my colleague\u2019s question, but twice today you have, I would argue, pre-emptively cut off both Mr Men\u00E9ndez March\u2019s question and also Mr Bayly\u2019s question, and I\u2019m just not quite sure why. It seems to me that both questions had maybe a little bit of context at the end of the questions, and it\u2019s always been in order for questions to have a bit of context in the supplementary. Is it now the case that questions must be one clause only and end with some sort of intonation at the end?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dd1effda9cbd434da50bb4fdcea055dd\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No. No, the rules have always been the same. Members are allowed to ask two legs, of which one can be answered, but both legs must be questions, not throwaway comments.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227b8463c316f84202b900a06d92655fcc\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 8\u2014Economic and Regional Development\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022 data-id=\u00228af87ade0fa2421099ed2452597d33ba\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003E8. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228af87ade0fa2421099ed2452597d33ba\u0022\u003ETANGI UTIKERE (Labour\u2014Palmerston North)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Economic and Regional Development: Fa\u2018afetai tele lava, Mr Speaker. What announcements has he made about supporting regional development?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022ca30a5c08cf24f9fa2e81b3080a4a4b1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ca30a5c08cf24f9fa2e81b3080a4a4b1\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister for Economic and Regional Development):\u003C/span\u003E Fa\u2018afetai, Mr Speaker. Last week, I visited that member\u2019s home town of Palmerston North to announce the launch of the $200 million Regional Strategic Partnership Fund (RSPF) to replace the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF). This delivers on the Labour manifesto commitment, and it is the next step to keep up the momentum of economic recovery in the regions. Over this parliamentary term, this fund has three goals. The first one is: it will work with local partnerships to enable economic and business development; the second one: it would accelerate M\u0101ori economic aspirations; and the third one is: it will support sector transformation. The creation of the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund is a significant move and represents another step forward towards creating a more productive, innovative, resilient, and sustainable economy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224a70c499cfdf40ea84ef2acc6caad5ce\u0022\u003ETangi Utikere\u003C/span\u003E: What feedback has he received on this announcement from regional leaders?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221061b2ec8bfd40c680ace7f249d82e72\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Quite a lot of feedback. Let me give you a couple of examples. In the member\u2019s own region of Manawat\u016B and nearby Whanganui, the economic development group Accelerate25 described it as excellent news. The Horizons Regional Council chief executive, Michael McCartney, said, and I quote, \u201CTo confirm central government will continue prioritising regional economic development is excellent news as we build on the next phase to establish the Central North Island as a growth centre for the New Zealand economy.\u201D The Employers and Manufacturers Association chief executive Brett O\u2019Riley says the $200 million Regional Strategic Partnership Fund will be welcomed by its members, particularly in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. I could go on, but I won\u2019t.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002200b0ef780eff47938ab2e5de9bcf005a\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: You have already. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002273bcaed4d776433c8f1cb523a1ba7e05\u0022\u003ETangi Utikere\u003C/span\u003E: How will this fund build on existing investments?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222ce6fbb7938b492585f7d60bc9fd85fa\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: The PGF has invested more than $3.11 billion in regional economic development in its three-year life, but we are now taking a new approach. This fund will act more as seed capital for regional priorities and will focus on building strong partnerships to help regions realise their economic potential. Central government will partner with local government, iwi, unions, businesses, community organisations, and other agencies to identify priorities and co-funding opportunities. The partnership approach of the RSPF will be strategic, and region-led, and will continue to be supported by Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e928105a3a9e4030bc9e8d27d59c9fd4\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 9\u2014COVID-19 Response\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022 data-id=\u002295c34b10edaf409598e731682b05a433\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E9. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002295c34b10edaf409598e731682b05a433\u0022\u003EDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader\u2014ACT)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: Does he stand by the Prime Minister\u2019s statement regarding the Government\u2019s COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, \u201Cwe\u2019ve announced our sequencing framework and have a plan in place that will ensure all New Zealanders are offered a vaccine by the end of the year\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u002260e4e361a9204ae9a355961c00e71756\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002260e4e361a9204ae9a355961c00e71756\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, and I also stand by the Prime Minister\u2019s statement that we will be ensuring that those most at risk of being exposed to COVID-19\u2014our front-line border workers and our front-line health workers\u2014will be amongst the first New Zealanders to get access to the vaccine.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ff0ae5c912aa429cb9c1ed34e4f4815a\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Does he agree with the OECD that \u201CThe pace of vaccination needs to accelerate to reduce the risk of new outbreaks and pave the way for full border reopening in 2022.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e8f53971e68a41a49ad9e21868134dd8\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: The pace of our vaccination campaign is accelerating. The biggest thing that has the potential to slow that is vaccine supply. We are certainly in a position to scale up as fast as the vaccines arrive in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221391651bdac744d2b100a1c1cd9a6949\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Minister received any information from Pfizer recently that they may be about to announce a major delay in supply to New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c8bef39392974f09ac4567c60e9d746d\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: No, that\u2019s not the feedback that we have received. I understand Pfizer will be announcing their global allocation for the month of July towards the end of this week. I think we all await that with interest. The feedback that I had from Pfizer last week is that their New Zealand representative in fact used the phrase \u201Clock step\u201D when describing Pfizer\u2019s position relative to the New Zealand Government\u2019s.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002297381901b24449109976911c0f921e3e\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Are we in the near queue or the far queue?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002231d64d9d80544346b98b7b89d9f26069\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: How long can the Government maintain vaccination rates as set out in its schedule with doses that are currently onshore and in the Government\u2019s possession?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002277435bbba564437490bc45be6199bc07\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: We currently have just under 250,000 doses in our freezers at the moment. We are using just under 100,000 per week. We are scheduled to get deliveries sitting around the 50,000 mark per week between now and the end of June. That means that towards the end of June, we\u2019ll be wanting to have some certainty around what\u2019s going to be arriving in July. As I\u2019ve indicated, Pfizer is expected to make all of that clear in terms of the month of July later this week.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002203348c70b4f84d12b0cf72a61236261d\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: How does the Minister reconcile his statement that the greatest uncertainty is vaccine supply, made just a few minutes ago, with his statement that Pfizer is in \u201Clock step\u201D with the New Zealand Government? Is he worried about delivery of vaccines from Pfizer or not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225c5df03abfac4e5ab44525ab9727e3e9\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: I don\u2019t think those two things are incompatible. We are absolutely confident we\u2019ll get the vaccine; we just don\u2019t know exactly how many and on what dates.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022122325e1e729433ba826d52cbb3db098\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Does that mean that there will be delays and the Government is in danger of missing its target of offering vaccination to all New Zealanders by the end of the year?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022681e1847999547e2b0c4959ad6dad291\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: I don\u2019t think any person objectively listening to what I have just said would draw that conclusion.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022be633158016a4d0b912aa3527f3a5f9f\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: So which one is it: does the Minister stand by and agree with the Prime Minister\u2019s statement, or is there uncertainty caused by the fact he doesn\u2019t know how much vaccine is available until Pfizer make an announcement next week?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227d1b193353e241f09427b5e3d1221dd6\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: The Prime Minister\u2019s statement that the member referred to in his primary question referred to all New Zealanders having an opportunity to have the vaccine by the end of the year. I absolutely stand by that statement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022defeca715dfd410a80b2f2d477069417\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. You removed a significant number of questions from the National Party, which obviously undermines our ability to hold the executive to account. I wonder if you could just clarify whether that was because of the nature of Mr Goldsmith\u2019s intervention or the fact that it was during a question. I listened carefully. Mr Goldsmith interjected prior to Mr Seymour asking his supplementary question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224620e5249d1d4b3b90f3dd452db7619d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, he did. Unfortunately, there were at least four or five other members who made noises while Mr Seymour was having his question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b1977bcc7ae547308ffa15b9cd81de45\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Will the Government release the agreement that it has with Pfizer or the schedule of delivery it is working to?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b8e15b3d37d344f18afbdf21359bc01f\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Those are commercially sensitive, and my understanding is that Pfizer have indicated that they do not wish to have those released.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c2bbd06367ce458ab27bcdc21606a61c\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 10\u2014COVID-19 Response\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022 data-id=\u002229a65b00735141ac8c4f8b38ad1036be\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E10. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002229a65b00735141ac8c4f8b38ad1036be\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: Which district health boards are delaying vaccinations of Group 3 until at least July due to having insufficient doses available for Groups 1 and 2 populations, and is he satisfied with the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u00226d9882e8a9334dbfbe4d1423bc6b6f2d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226d9882e8a9334dbfbe4d1423bc6b6f2d\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response):\u003C/span\u003E None, and yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b0dda68963cb4d6a98a2bf813b57dae2\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Is he confident the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out will scale up to deliver 76,000 vaccination doses per day for 49 days in a row in September and October, as the Auditor-General report noted would have to be the case for the Government to meet its target of everyone being offered a vaccination by the end of the year?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002220cfedffdb9f44238f614c0074e85821\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002265080e0bfbb84ff483aeef0279d5afe6\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Is there any correlation between the at least one month delay of the COVID-19 vaccine national booking system roll-out and the delay in group 4 vaccinations starting from July to the end of July, which the Government confirmed last week?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fa8efc1985f64ebf80c22cf06dad5bed\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002240dd86a097ca4b3f960f6b82586ec436\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Why are more than 10 district health boards, who are in charge of the vaccine roll-out, not collecting data on which of their staff have been vaccinated and which haven\u2019t?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022515836ecc7ea42a59809753d1225d60f\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s a question for those district health boards.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220fdb36cd95774c139b4e1c425443b7a8\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I mean, I was sort of waiting for the point of order to come. I think the Minister is responsible to the House for those district health boards. He might want to say that he doesn\u2019t have the information from them but they can\u2019t answer in this House. He is responsible for them, and I think he should have another attempt at answering the question properly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221091e96718a24b10be99b0fd8b49eee0\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: The National Immunisation Register provides district health boards with the ability to access data on every one of their staff members who has had a vaccine.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022acb5a8089e9649d1bfe2f5a12ceffdb7\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 11\u2014Housing (M\u0101ori Housing)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b464a62e-d900-452a-b842-e3cf4ccc6149\u0022 data-id=\u0022f4d4d96f614d4debb6c06a0873188bf7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b464a62e-d900-452a-b842-e3cf4ccc6149\u0022\u003E11. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f4d4d96f614d4debb6c06a0873188bf7\u0022\u003EARENA WILLIAMS (Labour\u2014Manurewa)\u003C/span\u003E to the Associate Minister of Housing (M\u0101ori Housing): What initiatives has the Government funded through Budget 2021 to support M\u0101ori wh\u0101nau to meet their housing aspirations?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022 data-id=\u0022eb37b3e94efe495a9fb15ddd557ff22b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022eb37b3e94efe495a9fb15ddd557ff22b\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE (Associate Minister of Housing (M\u0101ori Housing)):\u003C/span\u003E Alongside the Minister of Housing and my fellow M\u0101ori housing and M\u0101ori development colleagues, we have listened to the ongoing call for more action to address the housing issues our people are facing. We have secured $380 million to deliver approximately a thousand new homes for M\u0101ori housing, repairs to about 700 M\u0101ori-owned homes, and capability to iwi and M\u0101ori groups to accelerate housing projects and support services. In addition, this Government has also ring-fenced $350 million for infrastructure to enable M\u0101ori-led housing supply from the $3.8 billion Housing Acceleration Fund.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b464a62e-d900-452a-b842-e3cf4ccc6149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002246e7c46fea944a3ea8f5d7a02b85dd62\u0022\u003EArena Williams\u003C/span\u003E: How will this investment strengthen the M\u0101ori Crown partnership?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da43abdda78d473cbdb582ae218fe519\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: M\u0101ori have an opportunity to reshape and drive the future of the M\u0101ori housing continuum and change what the statistics tell us today\u2014this Government is here to support and enable that. We will see the Crown partner with iwi and M\u0101ori to achieve greater scale through new housing delivery models. A key benefit is that housing solutions are delivered by those who have the best understanding of the needs of their people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b464a62e-d900-452a-b842-e3cf4ccc6149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221770114553bc4e2d88a155dedd84aabc\u0022\u003EArena Williams\u003C/span\u003E: How has the Budget announcement been received by M\u0101ori?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022edb18bf2372d4edc914eccf30ee6f76a\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: Alongside my M\u0101ori ministerial colleagues, we are currently travelling around the motu kanohi ki te kanohi to discuss Budget 2021. We have met with housing providers, iwi, and M\u0101ori wh\u0101nau from Te Wai Pounamu, Taranaki, Te Tai Tokerau, and T\u0101maki Makaurau to discuss in detail what the Budget means for them. At our hui we are cheerfully greeted, and I can assure the members opposite, there are many hongi shared and not one single head-butt in sight. The feedback we are hearing is \u201CKua tae te w\u0101\u2014it is about time\u201D. Feedback from M\u0101ori is best summarised by Dame Tariana Turia, who said, \u201CThis is the best Budget we\u2019ve had in a long, [long] time.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a4080fc629d74b4b8df53dedd1585c24\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 12\u2014Police\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022 data-id=\u0022283e4964653c4d68b09b61a3525d5f55\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E12. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022283e4964653c4d68b09b61a3525d5f55\u0022\u003ESIMEON BROWN (National\u2014Pakuranga)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Police: What are the measures of success, if any, for Operation Tauwhiro, and is she confident Operation Tauwhiro has been successful in reducing gang violence?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022 data-id=\u0022c22f49cae38c4377b1ca4ed4005e7e67\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c22f49cae38c4377b1ca4ed4005e7e67\u0022\u003EHon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister of Police):\u003C/span\u003E Fa\u2018afetai tele lava. As I said in my answer to question No. 11 on 4 May, the measures of success include: to sustainably reduce the prevalence of violence by gangs and organised crime, particularly that involving the use of firearms; to remove access to illicit firearms from gangs and organised crime groups; and to hold offenders to account. In my answer on 4 May, I also provided an update on the progress of Operation Tauwhiro so far. As at 20 May, I can tell this House that police have seized 522 firearms, seized $2.67 million in cash, arrested 476 people, seized 9.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, and conducted 361 search warrants.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002231ff89b7121047f8b5823913a8e6f9e9\u0022\u003ESimeon Brown\u003C/span\u003E: Does she consider Operation Tauwhiro to be a successful deterrent for gang violence when hundreds of gang members turned State Highway 2 into their own personal highway last week?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e61d258436df4dcb8b466d4c9d8c90fa\u0022\u003EHon POTO WILLIAMS\u003C/span\u003E: I note that police will not tolerate this type of behaviour on our roads, and offenders will be held to account. I understand the police made a number of asset seizures from attendees of that tangi, and multiple arrests. Police will continue to investigate and take actions against those identified as being responsible for any offending.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229efe371ff5704407a9708e62908113f9\u0022\u003ESimeon Brown\u003C/span\u003E: As part of her oversight of Operation Tauwhiro, will she rule out meeting with gangs and gang members, and, if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b153183b07dd48e6b08a6e83f9e90516\u0022\u003EHon POTO WILLIAMS\u003C/span\u003E: I have no intention of meeting with gang members at this stage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00228ab5c669c8294e5e894fad2460018db1\u0022\u003EUrgent Debates Declined\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022fd9f6df18eb64f0f8ecf7b1f48bebd5c\u0022\u003ERansomware Attack\u2014Waikato District Health Board\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u002204713a2bcb2146c5b883a1806469aa01\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002204713a2bcb2146c5b883a1806469aa01\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I have received a letter from Brooke van Velden seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the ransomware attack on the Waikato District Health Board. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. Public confidence in the health system and the confidentiality of patient information is important. When considering an urgent debate application, the Speaker takes into account whether there are any other parliamentary means of debating the matter. The Budget is set to continue today, with 6\u00BD hours remaining, and it provides an opportunity to debate this issue. The application is therefore declined. I will say, however, that this application was well framed and if it wasn\u2019t for the Budget debate, I would have granted the application.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002208880f952ebb4d99b8627eb6e8c7d6c6\u0022\u003EBudget Debate\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=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002296735012a95b451eb461f798eb06f5a6\u0022\u003EAppropriation (2021/22 Estimates) Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000214\u0022\u003EDebate resumed from 20 May on the .\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022321826d370bb4e1fba63557865e37503\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022321826d370bb4e1fba63557865e37503\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Attorney-General):\u003C/span\u003E A week and a half, just about two weeks, since the Budget was delivered, and hasn\u2019t it gone down well? A bit of whinging from the other side of the House, but the vast majority of New Zealanders are congratulating us on our efforts to secure the economy while continuing to keep people safe. I\u2019m going to talk about some of the high-level forecasts that have come from the Treasury, backed up by recent forecasts from the OECD, and then come to some of the initiatives that are in the Budget. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EOver the next four years, 221,000 extra people are projected to gain employment. Unemployment is forecast to drop to 4.2 percent, lower than National ever got it after the GFC. Annual GDP is growing. The economy\u2019s growing. It\u2019s growing better than it was previously. We are going back to pre-COVID levels pretty quickly\u2014by 2023. The OECD report out today says that\u2019s not just good for New Zealand; that\u2019s very good by OECD standards. The deficit is forecast to fall\u2014the Government deficit\u2014from 5.3 percent of GDP in 2022 to 0.6 percent by the end of the forecast period, with a return to surplus in 2027. So we do have a pathway back to surplus, and I make the point that this is about the same time that it took National to get back to surplus post the GFC, despite the challenge from COVID obviously being much deeper. Core Crown debt now is forecast to peak at below 50 percent of GDP, and we\u2019ve retained a buffer of more than $5 billion in the COVID recovery fund to guard against the possibility of future outbreaks. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EWage growth\u2019s already been above inflation in New Zealand under this Government, meaning that people in work are much better off than they were in real terms before the Labour Government took office. But our agenda goes beyond working people. We don\u2019t want to leave anyone behind, and we\u2019ve had four years of progress on that front, as well. It started in 2017, when we cancelled National\u2019s tax cuts and we designed support for low and middle income families. We introduced the winter energy payment, we introduced the Best Start payment that went to families with children, we increased the family tax credit, and we extended paid parental leave. That was a $5.5 billion package. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EAt the same time, we introduced child poverty legislation and started working on our targets to halve child poverty in 10 years, and we\u2019ve done a lot of things in support of that. We\u2019ve indexed benefits to wages. We\u2019ve kept investing in people to connect them with their work during COVID. We\u2019ve made changes to the in-work family tax credit, and we\u2019d already lifted benefit rates by $25 a week. So in the last two years we\u2019ve seen improvements in all nine measures of child poverty, and we\u2019ve lifted 43,000 children out of poverty already, after housing costs\u2014after housing costs. I\u2019m going to come back to housing, because it has been a challenge, but we are making progress. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThis Budget is predicted to lift another 33,000 children out of poverty. We\u2019ve increased main benefits by between $32 and $55 a week. The first of those payments starts in July and rolls out next year, as well. And the changes that we made since we took office mean that there\u2019s 100,000 families who will be $175 a week better off, and, of course, that is the difference between Labour-led Governments and Governments of a different hue. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThere still remains a large difference between the benefits of working and being on a benefit. Even after these increases, a jobseeker support benefit is $315 a week. It is not a lot of money to live on: to pay for the basics, to put food on the table, to pay your power bill. These are not overly generous entitlements, and I think one of the reasons why New Zealanders up and down the country have backed these changes is that they saw how hard it was during COVID. They felt vulnerable themselves. They saw the support that the Government was giving via employers of $580 a week per full-time employer and they thought, \u201CWow, those benefits are low in comparison; we need to move them.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003ENow, we know that housing is inextricably linked to poverty and wellbeing. We\u2019re building more public houses than any Government in decades, and we\u2019ve got 18,000 fully funded out to 2024, 7,500 of which have already been delivered. People decry that, but you count that on a daily basis, and, you know, 7,000\u2014that\u2019s hundreds a week. We\u2019re finishing tens of houses\u2014about 15 houses\u2014every day of the working week, and over time 15 new public houses finished every day makes a difference. The private sector\u2019s doing their bit. The stats were out today: 43,000 consents in the year to June\u201443,000. That\u2019s 30 percent more\u201430 percent more\u2014than when National left office. These are big changes. We\u2019ve closed tax loopholes, we\u2019ve banned foreign buyers, we\u2019ve extended the brightline test, we\u2019ve introduced progressive homeownership, we\u2019ve expanded support for first-home buyers. These factors are now working, as shown by the Reserve Bank and the Treasury forecast saying that house price inflation is dropping to about 1 percent per annum on average through the country next year.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re investing in M\u0101ori housing. We\u2019re investing in infrastructure to assist councils to provide the infrastructure that we need to build these houses. We\u2019re reforming the Resource Management Act (RMA) system. There\u2019s $132 million not just to redesign the application but to avoid the mistake of the RMA, which was that a good law was passed but it just wasn\u2019t implemented. At the time, they didn\u2019t fund the Environment Court. They didn\u2019t produce a standard plan. They didn\u2019t have standardised definitions, and they didn\u2019t pursue national direction. All of those things are being addressed through our RMA package.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EI want to mention yet another area that we\u2019re delivering on, which is\u2014 \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022648f949ddd1d4e369aedf67c4558fd4b\u0022\u003EMatt Doocey\u003C/span\u003E: Bureaucrats!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b001ab8473f149baa5e33a491a76ab29\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014vaccines. Oh, the other side, they say \u201CBureaucrats\u201D. You know, I think New Zealanders actually realise the benefit of public servants in helping us get through the COVID journey that we have negotiated so far, and, yes, some of those what they call bureaucrats are people who help in ministries with the COVID strategy, and that\u2019s working, too. We\u2019re at 108 percent in the last data that\u2019s on the website that\u2019s updated weekly\u2014108 percent of target, as the Minister Chris Hipkins said in the House today. We\u2019re delivering vaccines at a faster rate than they are being delivered, and it\u2019s a delicate balancing exercise as we manage those stocks so that we don\u2019t run out by the time we get the big deliveries later in the year, but we are still on track to vaccinate every New Zealander that wants to have a vaccination by the end of the year. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThose stats have been broken down by locality, they\u2019ve been broken down by week, and they\u2019re all available on the COVID-19 vaccine data website that the Ministry of Health maintains. I invite those who are listening to look at them, because every week we show the number of vaccines that we are carrying out, the number of first doses, the number of second doses. Now, some of the critics as to the number of people that have been vaccinated say, \u201COh, there\u2019s only 20,000 or 30,000 people been vaccinated.\u201D They\u2019re wrong. The data that comes out tomorrow, based on the trends that we\u2019ve seen in prior weeks, will show that more than 200,000 New Zealanders have now had their second dose. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EWe know that the third category of people includes about a million people. We\u2019ve done the majority of the people who are in managed isolation and quarantine\u2014virtually all of them, actually\u2014and the health workforces; they\u2019re largely vaccinated now. But the extension of this to category 3\u2014it is a million people in category 3. A million people in category 3 cannot be vaccinated overnight, in part because the stock of vaccines is roughly 300,000 people, and anyone that can do arithmetic\u2014and there\u2019s obviously some arithmetically challenged people on the other side, because they can\u2019t seem to work out this obvious truth that if there\u2019s a million people in category 3, then until you get the big deliveries coming in July and thereafter, you can\u2019t vaccinate all of that million people from 300,000 doses that are in the country. They\u2019re arriving at roughly 50,000 extra doses until we get the big deliveries later in the year, so 50,000 per week, plus the running down of the stock, allows us to do towards 100,000 a week\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226f1cd9027b0442e8a8da0063961a9f6e\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member\u2019s time has expired.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022 data-id=\u0022058a8068f3c842c591463068bf603b26\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022058a8068f3c842c591463068bf603b26\u0022\u003EANDREW BAYLY (National\u2014Port Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. I\u2019m just so glad that we had Mr Parker explaining that in such clarity\u2014absolute clarity. Why didn\u2019t you say it as if you meant it, Mr Parker? One other thing, Mr Parker: I think you need to get out and about a bit more, because we\u2019ve been out and about. I\u2019ve been in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Blenheim, and Invercargill, and they\u2019re not telling me that this Budget\u2019s a good thing. They\u2019re not saying that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ESo, what we were expecting in this Budget: well, we were expecting a pathway back to prosperity. We need to see a road map so people know where we\u2019re going as a country, so that we can get this country growing again faster, and that\u2019s what\u2019s missing in this Budget. I\u2019ve got to say: where is the ambition of the Labour Government? It just wants to wallow around in the old stuff. What we want to see is a pathway so that we can actually grow, create new jobs, because when people create new jobs, not only do we get our 200,000 people off the benefit but the Government in time gets revenue so it can invest in hospitals, schools, roads, and rail\u2014all those things that New Zealanders are so desperate for.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EI think if you compare this Budget to the Australian Budget, there are some stark differences. The Australians did the same things. They first of all concentrated on the most vulnerable, and that is correct. They certainly identified women as one of the most vulnerable. This Budget, for New Zealand, we certainly had an element of that, and I\u2019m going to talk about that. But what this Budget misses and the Australian Budget did highlight and spend a fortune on is good packages, good reforms, good initiatives to help grow their economy. I\u2019ve got to say to you why that is important. The issue is that Mr Robertson thinks it\u2019s OK to double the debt from, today, $100 billion to nearly $200 billion over the next three to four years. I just think we need to ask ourselves: why is Mr Robertson so comfortable continuing to run a situation where the Government can\u2019t pay its way? Effectively, it is borrowing money to pay the interest bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EJust to put it in context, this Government borrowed $110 million yesterday, will borrow $110 million today, and will borrow another $110 million tomorrow. That means, in a one-week spend-up of borrowing it, we, effectively, could\u2019ve got enough money to build a super-duper regional hospital, or, if we do it for two weeks, which will happen over the course of this parliamentary session that we are in right now, Mr Woodhouse could have his brand new Dunedin Hospital, for which we\u2019ve waited for three years for this Government to sign off the business case\u2014three years of delay. Or I could\u2019ve had and Mrs Collins could\u2019ve had our new $1.4 billion Mill Road in Auckland, or, over a course of eight weeks, we could\u2019ve spent the entire amount fixing up Wellington\u2019s transport woes\u2014$6.4 billion. That is the scale of the borrowing that this Government is prepared to do. I\u2019ve got to say to you: debt is an albatross around our neck because it removes our potential to deal with future issues such as earthquakes; calamities, as we\u2019ve just seen over the weekend; but also just in terms of our trading arrangements, all those sorts of stuff. It gives us the ability to be flexible and to have a capability to be resilient. This Government just thinks it should be piling on the debt to make that happen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve got to say, with the emphasis on the benefits\u2014$3.3 billion worth of money spent on the benefits\u2014I think it was understandable that the Government devoted a certain amount of money towards this issue. But I just don\u2019t know\u2014what is it about the \u201Cmother of all Budgets\u201D from Ruth Richardson, from 1991? Most of them can\u2019t even remember it. I\u2019d say to you the short history lesson is that under Bill English, we increased benefits by $25 a week, the first time in 40 years when we did it, when we were last in Government. So, somehow, there is no sense of history in this Labour Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EBut why is it having to do the increase in the benefits? Well, I\u2019ll say to you, the reason it has to do it is it\u2019s of its own making. The Labour Government has seen a $100 increase in rents per week since it came to office over three years ago, and that is largely a result of its own policies it put in place. Then we\u2019ve seen these massive increases in power prices, and let me say to you, as a business person and as a homeowner, we are yet to see the price increases in electricity that are going to come through. They are borne by the action of the Prime Minister to so rashly close down the oil exploration, which immediately saw all our oil companies disappear overseas. That should\u2019ve been a transitional programme. What we saw was someone trying to get the highlights overseas.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ESo what we\u2019ve seen is the Government dealing with the issue of beneficiaries. That is an issue that needs to be dealt with, but I\u2019ll say to you: what about all those other New Zealanders, those low-income earners in New Zealand, and what about our superannuitants? Did they see anything in this Budget? Absolutely nothing. This Budget was devoted to the beneficiaries, and our low-income New Zealanders, who get out every day, go and do a job\u2014they didn\u2019t see any upside in this Budget. I think it\u2019s very, very unfortunate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ESo where are the areas that we expected more? Well, I think we should\u2019ve seen more support round businesses. What we\u2019ve seen from this Government over the past three years is this continual socking of additional costs on our small businesses: the increase in the minimum wage at such a rapid escalation\u2014no one\u2019s against increasing it over time, but they\u2019re huge increases that have been imposed\u2014the additional sick pay, the additional public holiday, and also all the electricity costs that have come through. We should be supporting our businesses. We should be working with them much more in an aligned fashion. We should be making sure that they\u2019ve got capital at the right moment. We should be ensuring that they are more innovative. We should be doing what the Australians did, putting an incentive to invest in much more modern plants and equipment so our productivity increases over time. That\u2019s what we should\u2019ve seen in this Budget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ESecondly, we should\u2019ve seen a move to diversify our economy. We all accept the loss of international tourism and students coming to New Zealand. We need to diversify this economy, and what have we seen from this Government? Absolutely no focus on it\u2014only $44 million towards a bit of training around digital stuff. It is ridiculous. We need a Government that has a vision of how it\u2019s going to make sure that this economy is much more resilient, and that means an economy with strong, productive sectors in it, well-resourced with the money that they have and prepared to take on the risk.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EWe should also be seeing more support about regional businesses. We are concerned about the hollowing out of the West Coast and places like that\u2014I\u2019m looking here at Maureen Pugh. We do not want to see people leave that area because they don\u2019t have a viable job. We want to make sure that there are still people who are prepared to join the fire brigade down there. That means being clear about the policies, not Mr Nash walking around the country handing out a few dollars here and there with no real strategy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EThere is a pressing need for housing, and, again, we\u2019ve got 23,000 people waiting to get in a house. It is an outrage for this country. It is absolutely dreadful that there was no specific, innovative approach in this Budget to make sure that this issue is dealt with and dealt with quickly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EWhat did we see in health? Well, we saw $200 million go into Pharmac, which was even less than we promised in the last Budget\u2014and we would\u2019ve done more in this Budget. But what did we see? We saw lower operating funding for our district health boards (DHBs). What did we really see? We saw half a billion dollars directed to restructuring our DHBs, our hospitals. This is after a year where our doctors and our nurses have worked so hard to get us through the COVID. This Government, this Labour Government, thinks the best thing we should do is immediately put them into a restructuring reorganisation of our hospitals. Again, it is illogical, it is insensitive, and, what\u2019s more, mental health is still a burning sore for this Government. In the 2019 Budget, $900 million was promised and, Mr Doocey, what has been spent: $130 million\u2014that\u2019s all. That\u2019s all\u2014less than 20 percent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EWe need a Government that cares for people, gets on and creates a more dynamic economy\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u0022d36ea9b0697a480598b09ae4fce0ba4f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d36ea9b0697a480598b09ae4fce0ba4f\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member\u2019s time has expired.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022 data-id=\u002222b09354b91543eb9b317ef36486ad34\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002222b09354b91543eb9b317ef36486ad34\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW (Minister of Climate Change):\u003C/span\u003E Mr Speaker, I\u2019m very sorry to cut Mr Andrew Bayly off, because he was just getting into his stride. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c01392eb7072490cbece875d0bc02ae7\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I call the Hon James Shaw. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b11fa1b7bebf4f3fa543c2448bc8c6bf\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. He was just getting into his stride at the 9 minutes and 58 seconds mark. Mr Bayly says that we should be more like Australia. Well, let me tell you something, Mr Bayly: Australia has a higher top tax rate than New Zealand does and a capital gains tax. So if he wants us to be more like Australia, I welcome his support for higher taxes on those who earn more money and capital gains taxes, because if he thinks that New Zealanders are going to up sticks and move to Australia on the basis that somehow they\u2019ll be better off on those bases, he\u2019s incorrect.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EMr Bayly said a few other things in his opening comments that I thought were quite brilliant\u2014that in Koru Clubs all over New Zealand, loyal National Party supporters are saying to him that this Labour Budget is a bad thing, which is not terribly a surprise, really. He also said that they need a pathway back to prosperity, and, given that only one in four people vote for National these days, he\u2019s right. They do need a pathway back to prosperity, because it\u2019s going to be a very long time before he\u2019s able to be in a position where as Treasurer or finance Minister, or some combination of those things, he\u2019s going to be able to do what Australia does and impose higher taxes and a capital gains tax. I look forward to the day when that happens.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EI\u2019d like to draw attention to a few things in Budget 2021 in relation to climate change, because one of the characteristics of climate-related spending is that it is distributed across many other parts of the Budget and it\u2019s not sort of packaged together. But this was actually quite a significant Budget in terms of expenditure on initiatives that will help to reduce New Zealand\u2019s greenhouse gas emissions. The total actually comes to about $2.3 billion of both capital and operating expenditure in Budget 2021, much of which is directed at reducing our transport emissions, which is, of course, the one area that has seen relentless increases year on year over the course of the last 20 years. So we are investing money in the worst part of our emissions problem, trying to arrest the increase in our transport emissions and to start to bring those back down. The expenditure included an additional $1.3 billion worth of rail, about 80 percent of which will end up helping to move freight from the roads and on to the rail network. That will have a significant impact.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EThere is $302 million for, shall we say, electric vehicle (EV) incentives, which will be announced in the coming weeks as to the precise form of that. But, obviously, that\u2019s been a topic of much discussion over the years, and that\u2019s helped to sort of start to transition our light-vehicle fleet around the country from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles. There is $56.7 million to implement the Clean Car Standard. That is because we and, I think, Russia are the only two countries in the OECD that do not have tailpipe emissions standards. Minister Michael Wood has brought those in. It\u2019s taken us a long time to catch up with the rest of the OECD on that, and so we\u2019ll be bringing those in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EThere is $6 million to implement the biofuels mandate, or to bring back the biofuels mandate that David Parker brought in under the Helen Clark Labour Government but which was then thrown out by the incoming National Government on the basis that it might do some good. The biofuels mandate will help to ensure that every litre of fossil fuels that go into our transport network will have a biofuels component and, therefore, over time will bring down the emissions profile of those existing internal combustion engine vehicles into the fleet.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003ESo you can see that there is a comprehensive plan for how to start to reduce emissions from transport. There was also an additional $120 million to extend the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme, which does have a long history of bipartisan support and it\u2019s made a huge difference in this country\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022efc5900e4119429cb5763007450ab4a0\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Who started it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002230bb59c6002d4bb793159697b181bc5c\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014and, of course, $300 million\u2014and I\u2019m hearing from Mr Brownlee here, \u201CWho started it? Who started it?\u201D Well, under an agreement between the Greens and the incoming National Government, that Minister there brought it in. I want to acknowledge the work that he did doing that, and also the fact that he actually went out and got more for that programme than was asked for. So it\u2019s, like I said, a long history of bipartisan support for that programme.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EThe other thing I wanted to draw attention to is the $300 million that is going towards Green Investment Finance Ltd, which is the vehicle that we set up in the last term of Government to help to direct capital towards the green economy. At the time, we put in a minimum viable proposition of $100 million, that was really to ensure that we were just doing kind of proof-of-concept work. It wasn\u2019t a lot of capital, and so there are certain deals that it hasn\u2019t been able to participate in. Now, what we\u2019ve done is we\u2019ve quadrupled the size of that fund, which will enable it not just to do more but also to participate in larger deals as well. So that was a pretty significant component in Budget 2021, but, actually, the thing that I really wanted to draw the House\u2019s attention to is the commitment that from next year, 100 percent of revenue that\u2019s brought in under the emissions trading scheme (ETS) is going to be recycled into the transition to a low-carbon economy. That is something that we have been working towards for a number of years, and I\u2019m delighted that the Minister of Finance made that announcement as part of the Budget package this year so that people can see that it\u2019s coming.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003ENow, we\u2019ll be working on the shape of that during the course of the second half of this year as part of the decisions that Cabinet has to make around the emissions reduction plan, which agencies are working on but will really fire up from late next week once we\u2019ve tabled the advice of the Climate Change Commission, which will come out next Wednesday at midday.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EOne of the things that the Minister of Finance said in his Budget speech is that the way we do public finance in Aotearoa has some useful disciplines, but it is very poorly designed to deal with complex, distributed, multigenerational challenges like climate change. We have seen that, and I\u2019ve experienced, as both a Minister of Climate Change and as Associate Minister of Finance in the last term, that it is not well-suited to be able to respond in a comprehensive way over multiple generations. So the Minister of Finance and I will be working on, as part of the work on the emissions reduction plan, how we need to reorganise public finances to be able to cope with that long-term challenge. That is underpinned by the announcement that that revenue from the ETS will go towards recycling of that revenue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003ESo we have said that we\u2019re not waiting for the emissions reduction plan. Like I said, this Budget does include $2.3 billion worth of new money that will help to reduce New Zealand\u2019s greenhouse gases and, of course, we\u2019ve signalled a long-term pathway from Budget 2022 onwards. But, I do want to say, we have spent a lot of time and effort over the course of the last few years putting in place a comprehensive plan for how we deal with climate change.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EOver the last 3\u00BD years, we have ended new offshore oil and gas exploration, we passed the zero carbon Act with bipartisan support, and we\u2019ve become one of the first countries in the world to put the 1.5 degree global warming threshold under primary legislation. We established the Climate Change Commission and we will soon have our first three emissions Budgets. We\u2019ve overhauled the emissions trading scheme and put a sinking lid on emissions for the first time. We\u2019ve overseen the more than doubling of the carbon price since we got into office from $17 a tonne to $37 a tonne. We\u2019ve started planting a billion trees and invested $1.2 billion in Jobs for Nature, creating permanent carbon sinks all over New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve invested billions of dollars into buses and trains, cycling and walking infrastructure. We\u2019ve invested in EV charging infrastructure around the country. We\u2019ve started to replace the Government fleet with zero-emission vehicles. We\u2019ve brought in vehicle emissions standards for new imports for the first time in New Zealand history. We\u2019ve brought back the mandate to include biofuels in the petrol that we\u2019ll still include in our cars for years to come. We\u2019ve set up a new energy research centre in Taranaki to kick start the hydrogen economy. We\u2019re helping businesses to switch to clean energy, with the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry Fund. We\u2019ve started replacing our own coal boilers in our schools, our hospitals, and our universities with clean alternatives. We\u2019ve made Green Star six the minimum build standard for all new State homes. We\u2019ve started the Building for Climate Change programme to cut emissions from building and construction. We\u2019ve increased subsidies for home insulation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve conducted the first nationwide climate change risk assessment and committed millions of dollars to flood defences in some of our most vulnerable communities. We\u2019ve published climate change curriculum resources for schools, doubled our climate change - related aid to the Pacific, declared a climate emergency, and committed the Public Service to be carbon neutral by 2025. We\u2019ve paid back every single one of the dodgy hot air units that entered New Zealand under the hot air scandal of the mid-2010s. We\u2019ve become the first country in the world to legislate for a price on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and we\u2019re currently building the world\u2019s only farm-level emissions measurement management and pricing system, and we\u2019re the first country in the world to introduce legislation to require all listed companies and large financial institutes to report on their climate-related risk. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EWe have done more in the last 3\u00BD years to prevent the climate crisis than the last 30 years of Governments combined, and I\u2019m very proud of the track record that we\u2019ve got. Is it enough? It is absolutely not. That is why we must build on this work and keep going from next year onwards.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022 data-id=\u00225deb4a55ade94addb04abd94efa378bf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225deb4a55ade94addb04abd94efa378bf\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister for M\u0101ori Development):\u003C/span\u003E Well done to that member, the Hon James Shaw, and how the Greens are operating. But particularly well done to the k\u0101hui M\u0101ori\u2014M\u0101ori Ministers\u2014who have come up with a record Budget in terms of M\u0101ori, the best Budget that any Government, any Parliament, has ever seen, ever: $1.1 billion\u2014$1.1 billion. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s really important, because I see Mr Brownlee over there, and he knows, because he was part of a Government\u2014well, they gave us stuff-all, basically. Along with the M\u0101ori Party, the reality was in 2017, the last M\u0101ori Budget that was delivered was $122 million\u2014$122 million. Now Governments, as Mr Brownlee knows, historically have given us, as I said, stuff-all in terms of targeted funding. We can go way back, actually, but we won\u2019t go way back; we\u2019ll just stick with National and the M\u0101ori Party, and we\u2019ll talk about the 0.4 percent to 1 percent of targeted funding that they used to give us. It was terrible funding and it really put our people backwards.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EBut once we came in in 2017, things changed\u2014things changed. We saw, in 2020, 6 percent of the new funding was allocated in terms of targeted M\u0101ori funding\u20146 percent\u2014and here, this year, 7 percent. So it\u2019s a shame the M\u0101ori Party is not here\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022937888a3e7d64283b271976bfe3edfe5\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Don\u2019t mention people who are not here, thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e7d7f04a9e3545f38b8b6e2fcfcaf338\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, Mr Speaker. But people do get their sums wrong when they do the figuring out of the Budget, and we hear all this nonsense. Seven percent of a new Budget: incredible, given that we\u2019ve got M\u0101ori providers who are only between 5 and 7 percent, and given that most of our people get mainstream funding. A terrific number\u2014so well done to the M\u0101ori Ministers who fronted this with a M\u0101ori caucus who\u2019ve been 100 percent behind us. I mihi to our M\u0101ori caucus, but as a M\u0101ori ministerial team\u2014and we\u2019re on the road at the moment\u2014we were really happy and proud to negotiate that position. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s incredibly important if you look at the two areas that are really standing out, and one of those areas is M\u0101ori health. M\u0101ori have lived off the smell of an oily rag for ever and a day. The Waitangi Tribunal talked about M\u0101ori health being in a catastrophic position\u2014a catastrophic position. For too long, our people have been put into a process that has failed them and received minimal funding. We, again, have heard this. M\u0101ori Ministers have heard this and put forward the idea of an independent M\u0101ori health authority. That has been hugely well received by our people. It\u2019s an opportunity for our people to express their rangatiratanga, something that is foreign to the National Party. They mix up rangatiratanga, sadly, with apartheid, and have said that a number of times. But as the Hon Kelvin Davis has said, rangatiratanga is based on empowerment and apartheid is based on oppression. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003ESo $242 million in that space will give our providers an opportunity to set something up, to give our people an opportunity to access basic health needs. We want to see how this operates and we are excited by the opportunity to create something new and different. We have been widely applauded and supported by our supporters with this creation of an independent M\u0101ori health authority. Despite what the Opposition have said with regards to the setting up of a M\u0101ori health authority, we have forged ahead, and we have put senior kaum\u0101tua like Sir Mason Durie at the forefront, who will facilitate on our behalf this new creation, which we think will help in turning around the very, very negative statistics that happen in the health area. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EThe same principles in terms of health I have to apply to housing, because in the housing area we have had, sadly, too many M\u0101ori miss an opportunity in terms of securing a basic home or basic housing needs. We have managed to negotiate $380 million in this space\u2014$380 million\u2014right across the spectrum in terms of papa k\u0101inga housing, which I\u2019m responsible for, right across into the different rohe, cities. This $380 million is on top of a $350 million infrastructure fund, which will help address the terrible statistics that are happening in the housing area. I want to mihi to the Associate Ministers of Housing, Peeni Henare and Marama Davidson, and Megan Woods, obviously, the Minister of Housing, and myself, who have worked at the coalface with our people and with the different providers like the Jamie Tuutas and the Willie Te Ahos to find a way forward in terms of the whole M\u0101ori housing position. Despite the criticism from the Opposition, we have forged ahead, and now, from this particular Budget, we have got a p\u016Btea of well over $700 million\u2014$750 million\u2014in terms of housing. Added to our M\u0101ori health p\u016Btea, we\u2019re talking about $1 billion\u2014$1 billion. That\u2019s never ever been seen before in terms of these sorts of kaupapa. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019m just very proud to roll out this type of funding. When I look right across the spectrum though, you see funding in areas like the iwi community panels where we\u2019ve got $70 million allocated in that area. That\u2019s a really important area. That kaupapa was started at my own marae at Ng\u0101 Whare Waatea, and we started it nearly 10 years ago. We bring offenders in and they are overseen by kaum\u0101tua, they are overseen by elders, they are overseen by police, and we work on a way, a strategy, of trying to get them back on the right path. So $70 million is allocated in that area. As I said, it started at my marae and at Waiwhet\u016B Marae around about eight years ago\u2014so, proud that we\u2019ve been able to get $70 million allocated in that area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EIn M\u0101ori tourism, $15 million allocated in M\u0101ori tourism\u2014another excellent p\u016Btea. That\u2019s an area that has been well managed by Pania Tyson-Nathan, who does some really terrific work for us. Also across in the education area, we have $150 million that has been allocated in that area: $91 million for M\u0101ori-medium education funding right across the spectrum, and $42 million in the M\u0101ori broadcasting area, a really important area that I and my predecessor Minister Nanaia Mahuta have worked on. We expect some support now from that p\u016Btea to go towards M\u0101ori television and M\u0101ori radio.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EFinally, I want to address the area of family violence and sexual violence. This is a very important area that Minister Marama Davidson has been involved with, and I\u2019ve certainly given her a lot of support in that area, because it\u2019s an incredibly important area and kaupapa for our people. We launched the strategy that Minister Davidson leads on my marae, again, at Ng\u0101 Whare Waatea. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s an area that can be controversial. As we\u2019ve seen, Minister Davidson was absolutely condemned by the Opposition for speaking at a gang pad a few weeks ago, and then, in the last day or two, we, sadly, see the silly ACT Party jumping on the bandwagon again because they found out that I had spoken with gang members at the end of last year. Then we had Newshub waffling on that I\u2019d had three further meetings with gangs over the last 12 months. I\u2019ve never had such meetings. Meeting with Eugene Ryder, who\u2019s a great individual and community leader, doesn\u2019t mean that I\u2019ve met with the Black Power. I\u2019ve met with him, though, to discuss funding from the Budget, to discuss what we can do with families. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s important we discuss things. As the M\u0101ori development Minister, I retain that right to talk with whoever I like. Just like the ACT Party meets with the Taxpayers\u2019 Union and people who avoid paying tax, I\u2019ll meet with any M\u0101ori who needs help. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EIn terms of gangs, I don\u2019t see gangs; I see wh\u0101nau, I see communities, I see tamariki, I see mokopuna. I see our people, and it\u2019s important that we as Ministers never shy away from those hard conversations, because those conversations must continue if we want to turn around our communities, turn around our people, and get them the support that they need. I\u2019m proud that Minister Davidson has got $12 million in terms of the Budget for that kaupapa under the M\u0101ori development umbrella, and I\u2019ll continue with that support.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022 data-id=\u00226f06055d759445a392b70d8d0eec6bda\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226f06055d759445a392b70d8d0eec6bda\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National):\u003C/span\u003E Here\u2019s what I see when I see gangs and hear about gangs. I see chaos and I see crime, and I see drugs rife in our community, and I now see a Government that isn\u2019t prepared to do anything about it. The Minister Willie Jackson, who has just resumed his seat, might crow about $12 million for a particular fund, but what he won\u2019t say is that $90 million has been taken out of the Police budget in Budget 2021.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EI want to go back to something that Mr Parker said, because I think, for me, it really summed up this Budget. I agree with the words he said; I just take a completely different meaning from it when he said that this Budget goes beyond working people. Well, I agree: it goes so far beyond working people that working people don\u2019t have a single thing to benefit from it in here. Not only do working people not have anything to benefit from but neither do the people who employ them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EThis is a Budget completely bereft of aspiration, bereft of ambition, with absolutely no initiatives for the very people who create the jobs, who create the wealth, who create the ability for New Zealanders to live well and independent from unnecessary intervention from the State. There is nothing for them whatsoever. It is important that we support our most vulnerable, and this Budget has done that. But the best and number one way to support Kiwis at risk of dependency on the State and on their fellow taxpayer is to get them a job and keep them in work, and this Budget has nothing for that. A measly $44 million is all there is for small business support. That is about 0.04 of 1 percent of the entire Government spend going into the very businesses that support our working New Zealanders. So I agree with Mr Parker. I agree that this goes well beyond working people\u2014so far beyond them that they can\u2019t see anything in it for themselves.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EI have got to say that crowing about job creation, which both Mr Robertson and Mr Parker have done, with in excess of 200,000 jobs being created\u2014not by them but by those small businesses\u2014over the 5-year forecast period masks the fact that that is only about 40 percent of the job creation climate and momentum that they inherited 3\u00BD short years ago when they came to office. Yes, COVID has had an impact on job creation and jobs have been lost, but that was happening before COVID, and there are now 70,000 fewer people in work than there were 3\u00BD years ago. Only about two-thirds of that can be put down to COVID. This Government has failed to support business.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003ERemember Mr Robertson in Opposition going on and on and on about GDP per capita? That was the big thing. It wasn\u2019t enough for Mr Robertson that GDP was growing, even in real terms; it had to be on a GDP per capita basis. That\u2019s true. Well, we had gone under the Key-English Government from 22 in the OECD on GDP per capita, up modestly but in the right direction, to rank No. 16 in the OECD. That was 3\u00BD years ago, and 3\u00BD years later, we are lower than that now. We\u2019re at 17 in the OECD, and at great risk of sliding down the scale. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003ERelative to those countries, we are poorer, not richer, under this Government, and not only are we poorer but our children and grandchildren are going to be super-poor and saddled with a millstone of debt that is a consequence of some necessary but, in my view, some profligate spending by this Government. Every single household is going to owe about $150,000 more than they did before COVID started\u2014$150,000 per family worse off because of the spending that this Government has done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229ce9b04167d64d6a9abb44970a100fc8\u0022\u003EHon Dr David Clark\u003C/span\u003E: Tell the full story.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227daf2aedc9804eff9e3ee4784c5784dd\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m very happy to tell the full story, Dr Clark, which is why I said that some of that spending was necessary, and I will give the Government this one thing: when it comes to supporting jobs, the wage subsidy was very important and very necessary in 2020. But Reserve Bank monetary policy initiatives like the large-scale asset purchasing and the funding for lending, frankly, is the easy bit. Our economy is mainlining on cash right now that the Reserve Bank doesn\u2019t know how to switch off. Even in a growing economy, they are still pumping significant amounts of money into the economy. That was the easy bit. Weaning off that cash and preventing the sort of climate that will create inflation is the hard bit. Why is that important? Because the significant increases in welfare support that were announced in this Budget, and which were necessary, have nothing to do with the \u201Cmother of all Budgets\u201D and some finger-pointing to 30 years ago. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EWe don\u2019t have to look back 30 years. We only have to look back one, two, three years for the inflationary policies that this Government has put in place. It\u2019s no wonder when there are massive increases in the minimum wage, massive increases in the wholesale electricity price, and increases in other costs of doing business. Bringing in a container from Australia now has gone from about $600 to $3,200, and the supply chain is basically broken. Prices are going up and we will hit inflation at, I believe, a much greater rate than Treasury is predicting in Budget 2021.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EThose welfare increases were necessary not to fix a 30-year-old Budget but to fix the here and now. Actually, preventing people from getting into the situation where they rely on welfare is the No. 1 goal but nothing. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EActually, what\u2019s most depressing about this Budget is the lack of imagination, the lack of innovation. I think it was Professor Paul Spoonley who talked about the fact that small businesses are going to rely either on automation or on immigration. Well, this Government\u2019s delivering small businesses, any businesses, neither. They\u2019re turning the tap off on migrant workers at a time when we desperately need skilled workers and labour, but they\u2019re not giving the opportunity and the support to innovate to increase productivity, to automate their manufacturing processes, and, as a consequence, jobs will be lost and businesses be lost. They will literally go to the wall, with our primary industry\u2019s fruit rotting on the ground. Now, that might sound like a doomsday scenario, but those are the inevitable consequences of businesses that are not supported by a Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EI was the Minister of Immigration for five years, and one thing we would never have done, however sternly we expected businesses to step up and solve labour shortages domestically to the degree that they can and automate when they can, is allow fruit to rot on the ground. That is hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars that are going to be put at risk at a time when we need our primary industries most\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d5148d2aa2fb4574a5269b703e236391\u0022\u003EHon Scott Simpson\u003C/span\u003E: Economic sabotage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022113cace08698481d8d6458f2fd3962e4\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014to go forward strongly and confidently. It is economic sabotage, Mr Simpson. You\u2019re absolutely right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EI want to turn briefly to the transport part of this Budget. One of the biggest, frankly, subterfuges in election 2020 was the New Zealand Upgrade Programme, a $12 billion programme of infrastructure packages, of which $6.8 billion was for transport projects\u2014transport projects, frankly, that the Government spent three years talking about, saying how they weren\u2019t good value for money, how the benefit-cost analysis hadn\u2019t been done, and then they brought them back to inoculate the voters against any accusations that they weren\u2019t supporting Penlink, Mill Road, Papakura to Drury, \u014Ctaki to north of Levin, and a plethora of others. But what we now know is that there was zero contingency in that $6.8 billion that they appropriated, and this Budget should have delivered more money to deliver those projects. There wasn\u2019t a brass razoo for them. So my question to Michael Wood\u2014the Minister of Transport\u2014and the Government is this: which of these projects are on the chopping block? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EDr Clark grins like a Cheshire cat: \u201COh no, it\u2019s not going to happen.\u201D Well, let\u2019s just point to one where it has happened, and it\u2019s a nice segue, Dr Clark, into the other subterfuge: Dunedin Hospital. Where is the extra money for Dunedin Hospital? We now know that the $1.4 billion that was appropriated is not going to be enough if they were going to build a hospital of the scope and technology that is required. The initial application for consent under the fast-tracking consent\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222d3ce8bbfa93493f976fe174191dd278\u0022\u003EHon Dr David Clark\u003C/span\u003E: Nine long years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229bac0b5a33d5422e96ad16d04864a929\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014had an 11-storey acute services building and\u2014oh, listen to that. \u201CNine long years.\u201D\u2014that\u2019s kind of rich coming from the Minister of Health.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222171d5f176d041d2ba92638ea6184bc7\u0022\u003EMatt Doocey\u003C/span\u003E: Worst health Minister in 50 years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228585105a587c4a13bbd459ad8b6d7ffb\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s quite right, Mr Doocey. Worst Minister of Health in 50 years\u2014nobody is arguing that. But what they are arguing about is what they were promised and what they\u2019ve been delivered. They\u2019re getting half a pyramid, if anybody old enough to remember that old NZI ad can recall. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EThis will not deliver what the people of the South require. Treasury told them that in order to deliver on that scope, they would need to either increase the Budget or cut the number of floors in the hospital or the number of beds in the hospital. Well, that\u2019s exactly what happened. It\u2019s\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u00226c2903d07fdd4333b441bdac2ffc97ad\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226c2903d07fdd4333b441bdac2ffc97ad\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member\u2019s time has expired. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022 data-id=\u0022214d8c54fbe64fb1859f058d5433902a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022214d8c54fbe64fb1859f058d5433902a\u0022\u003EHon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Foreign Affairs):\u003C/span\u003E Fa\u2018afetai tele lava, Mr Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to be able to speak in this Budget debate. Listening to the member prior, the Hon Michael Woodhouse, how quickly a memory fades, because during the height of the COVID pandemic, this Government did act to ensure that those who were affected most could be supported.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EFirstly, we ensured that a health response was going to be at the centre of everything that we did, and, secondly, we made sure that workers and businesses could be supported. We ensured that businesses through the height of the COVID pandemic that we experienced here in New Zealand\u2014that 1.8 million workers could be supported through the wage subsidy, and we\u2019re investing billions in infrastructure training and creating jobs, because we know the alternative, if we had to look back at the global financial crisis, was an austerity approach, and that\u2019s the approach that members on that side of the House took. We knew we couldn\u2019t do that. We needed to lean in and invest in infrastructure so that jobs could be created and that we could continue to ensure that people were being trained into these industries we were investing in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve seen a huge increase in apprenticeships: 100,000 people are now in free trades training since we introduced it in July 2020, and that\u2019s got to be good for the economy, because if we are training our own people into jobs here in New Zealand, then we are less reliant on importing a workforce when we need to continue to invest in the areas that will serve us well long term. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThis Budget is about securing our recovery. Now, the Hon Grant Robertson, our Minister of Finance, during his Budget speech said that there are three key challenges over this three-year term that we will respond to and that they will be addressed in every Budget of this term: to keep New Zealanders safe from COVID-19, to accelerate our recovery and rebuild, and to tackle our foundational challenges. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve always said that the best economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic is a strong public health response, and we stand by that approach. In fact, we are in a situation where, while many other countries are experiencing their third and fourth lockdown and community transmission outbreaks, we have the luxury of debating the issues in a very different way as has been experienced in other countries. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re focusing on a vaccination roll-out to build our resilience and to continue to ensure that we remain in the position that we are in, a very fortunate one. Our focus on a vaccination roll-out will continue to build our defence and ensure that we can keep our people safe, keep the economy going, and look towards our recovery. There is $1.5 billion allocated to the COVID-19 vaccine\u2014and we know Pfizer is the vaccine of preference here in New Zealand\u2014and our immunisation programme, including just over $1 billion for our advance purchase agreements for vaccines and $357 million for the immunisation programme. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re also pleased to support a vaccination roll-out programme to Realm countries and, working alongside Australia, to other countries across the Pacific. This matters to us. We\u2019re now enjoying, to some extent, a trans-Tasman bubble as well as a quarantine-free bubble to the Cook Islands. And if we want to continue to ensure that by our actions other countries across the Pacific will also benefit, then we\u2019re going in the right direction. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve made a great start to progressing our goal of vaccinating New Zealanders who wish to, over the age of 16, receive their vaccination, and there is more to do. I am worried about vaccine hesitancy, so it is beholden on many of us across our communities to ensure that we participate in the uptake of the widespread roll-out that will occur in the third quarter of this term. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EBut let\u2019s turn to our economic recovery. We\u2019re tackling inequality and child poverty. We\u2019re raising main benefits to lift more children out of poverty to tackle inequality, which will also provide much-needed stimulus for our economy. We know that when funding goes into low-income families, that will go towards putting kai on the table, shoes on the feet of our kids so that they can go to school, and also to heating homes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re managing the economy responsibly by keeping a lid on debt. Our net debt remains lower than Australia on a comparative basis, and we start to reduce it sooner. By 2024 to 2025, Australia\u2019s measure of debt is forecast to still be above 40 percent, while in New Zealand our corresponding measure is forecast to have fallen below 25 percent. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EMembers on that side of the House in this debate continue to compare us to Australia and their approach. Look, Australia\u2019s approach is for Australia. We stand by the way that we\u2019re addressing our economic recovery in this period of a COVID pandemic. We\u2019re investing in infrastructure, as I said before: $57.3 billion in infrastructure over the next five years to drive economic growth and address the long-term under-investment in infrastructure in New Zealand. I know that only too well, with the work that I\u2019m doing in the area of three waters to make sure we have a more resilient network to ensure that all New Zealanders, no matter where they live, have safe drinking water and that we have a more efficient system where everyone benefits. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve got the opportunity to continue to build more houses, and I take my hat off to the Hon Megan Woods. There is a challenge there, but our commitment to increase the public housing stock is unwavering, because we know that for years and years and years, members on the other side eroded the public housing stock. That\u2019s why rents have gone up, because there are many more people, low income, who are dependent on the private rental market as we build this public housing stock up. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re also investing in schools. How many members around this House have visited their local schools and there\u2019s been an extra building\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228b25c4ec200a4e88a3c5f5a7212e0127\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Extra classrooms.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c2bb530251094fef96c9f5a32dc0b860\u0022\u003EHon NANAIA MAHUTA\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014yes, extra classrooms there? Because we, through the New Zealand Upgrade, have said \u201CWe should be doing this. We can create local jobs for local people by doing this, and it\u2019s made a huge difference.\u201D We continue to ensure that infrastructure in many ways is a core part of our economic recovery, and it will make a difference. We know that, alongside that, investing in training and trades training in particular will support that, and we also know that regional economies will benefit from that level of investment. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re taking further action on housing, as has been raised by members on this side. It\u2019s important to note that in the area of M\u0101ori housing, I\u2019m particularly pleased with the amount of investment that will go towards ensuring that papak\u0101inga become a part of a system-wide response to addressing housing needs across our community and relieve pressure in the areas where it\u2019s most needed. The other thing is repairs and maintenance, retrofitting homes so that they\u2019re warmer. That is fundamentally going to make a huge difference to many families. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s a couple of small things in the Budget, too, that might not get the light of day in terms of the big ticket items of investment that we\u2019ve made, and I want to talk about one of them or a couple of them in the time that I have left. It\u2019s reinstating the training incentive allowance for higher level study. You know what? This will enable single parents to be able to get higher degree qualifications, earn a higher income, and then support their family. Previously, that avenue was cut off to them. And I\u2019m so proud that this small change will have such a fundamental impact on a number of people, single parents across the country. And if I think about the way in which it will allow people to study higher degree level - type training, it\u2019s estimated that will be able to support around about 16,000 people to retrain. Now, that\u2019s got to be good\u2014a small change, but a valuable one. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe other one is in the area of making homes warmer. About 47,700 more Kiwi homes will be warmer and more energy-efficient as a result of the investment of this Government into insulation and heating retrofit. Now, I think about many people who will not turn the heater on because they are fearful of the energy bill. Again, a small but valuable change that will go a very, very long way. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThis Budget is for the many and it\u2019s about recovery. It\u2019s about a Government who will not take an austerity approach but will lean in in the areas of investment that will create the most opportunity back to the country, to the region, and to people participating in a successful economic recovery. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EFinally, my small but humble investment in ensuring that Scott Base can be redeveloped, I think, will go a long way towards ensuring that science and conservation and biodiversity activities in that research area can continue, and I\u2019m very proud of that particular investment. Kia ora r\u0101. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022 data-id=\u0022a74dbb57305e483a8112aa9387d7211f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a74dbb57305e483a8112aa9387d7211f\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP (National):\u003C/span\u003E Well, it was a disappointing Budget from a Government that is disappointing New Zealanders, and there is no better demonstration of that than the vaccine roll-out\u2014the COVID-19 vaccination programme. New Zealanders will remember that in December last year, we were told by Minister Hipkins that New Zealand\u2019s at the front of the queue, and everyone got very excited and the Prime Minister said that 2021 was going to be the year of the vaccine.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EWell, it\u2019s the year of the no-show. It\u2019s the year of the lack of delivery of the vaccine roll-out. Here we are on 1 June, about to become halfway through the year, and where is New Zealand? We\u2019re not at the front of the queue; we are the second-slowest in the OECD. We are 115th in the world for the vaccine roll-out. New Zealanders look across at Australia, where the Government\u2019s in political trouble because of the slowness of the vaccine roll-out in Australia, and they think, \u201CHow is Australia doing so much better than New Zealand, and how is it that Australia is regarded as a shambles?\u201D Well, if they\u2019re a shambles over there, what would New Zealand be regarded as? We\u2019re the second-slowest in the OECD.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EAnd just this morning\u2014or, in fact, overnight\u2014we have the warning from the OECD that, unless New Zealand speeds up, our economic recovery is at risk. Of course, the Budget forecasts\u2014and we\u2019re in the Budget debate\u2014are predicated, as we heard in question time, on the borders being opened up again from 2022 onwards. And how do we open the borders? Well, we open the borders once we have herd immunity\u2014once we have a good level of coverage in the population for the COVID-19 vaccine. Well, where are we now? The second-slowest in the OECD, not at the front of the queue; in fact, right at the back.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EHere\u2019s the thing for the Government: between September and October, for 49 days in a row, seven days a week, seven weeks, we are meant to do 76,000 vaccinations a day\u201476,000 vaccinations per day for nigh on 50 days in a row. I\u2019m willing to say I don\u2019t reckon they\u2019ll get there. And what that means is, as the Auditor-General warned, that we will run behind\u2014we will not meet the Government\u2019s target. And this Government has made an absolute fortune\u2014or this Government has made it its raison d\u2019\u00EAtre to not meet targets\u2014whether it\u2019s KiwiBuild targets or whether it\u2019s child poverty targets or climate change targets or one billion trees targets. We don\u2019t talk about a billion trees anymore\u2014that was another thing that was not mentioned in the Budget. Shovel-ready programmes are also something that we haven\u2019t reached a target on. We don\u2019t talk about the Provincial Growth Fund much anymore, because that didn\u2019t reach its job targets either. So, right across the board, on everything the Government seeks to measure itself against, the Government has not reached its target, and I don\u2019t reckon they\u2019ll get there on the vaccine target either.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003ESomething very interesting happened last week, and we picked up on it, and the media ventilated this, which was the Government surreptitiously moved the goalposts on the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. It used to be, if you went to the Ministry of Health website, you would see the group 3 roll-out, which is about 1.7 million people. It used to say May, and then, of course, we got two-thirds of the way through May and the group 3 roll-out wasn\u2019t happening. So, surreptitiously, in April, the ministry moved the goalposts for group 3 to late May, and then, of course, we had the same thing happening with the group 4 roll-out, which went from July until the end of July, which, in layman\u2019s terms, means August, which means a month\u2019s delay.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EAnd I asked the Minister in question time today whether or not the month\u2019s delay to group 4\u2014which is the bulk of the general population\u2014was linked to the national booking system. He says the answer\u2019s no, but, of course, the reality is it is. The national booking system\u2014this is this new-fangled system the Government spent the better part of $40 million on, which is meant to allow you to go online and book your vaccine and then book your second shot of the Pfizer dose\u2014that\u2019s not ready to go. So we\u2019re going to have to wait yet another month for that to start. The booking system\u2019s not ready, group 3 is being delayed, group 4 is being delayed, and then we found out last week that district health boards don\u2019t even know which of their staff members have been vaccinated and which of them haven\u2019t. So the vaccine\u2014it\u2019s very important we get it right, and so far the signs are very worrying indeed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022 data-id=\u0022f299b09f87714086a8590cb3dfb5d53f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f299b09f87714086a8590cb3dfb5d53f\u0022\u003EBARBARA EDMONDS (Labour\u2014Mana):\u003C/span\u003E Ia manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa. This Budget targets investments that will set Aotearoa up to both recover from COVID and to tackle some of our long-term challenges. This Budget invests in our people, in our tamariki. Now, we\u2019ve heard the numbers already, but I am going to repeat them because, in the words of our colleague Marja Lubeck, they\u2019re so good: 33,000 children lifted out of poverty, 200,000 more jobs, 3,300 more out-of-school care places so that 900 low-income parents remain in, or transition into, employment or training. These are not empty numbers; these are people, tamariki, tamaiti, wh\u0101nau, aiga.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003EThis Budget invests in our future, and the best way for me to evidence how is to tell you the story of a man called Selani. Selani was 38 when he had to give up his job as a navy clerk to care for his sick wife, who was 33 and dying from cancer. At the age of 40, he was left a widower with four children under the age of 11. For eight years, he brought up his children on the domestic purposes benefit, and when his youngest went to college, at the age of 48, he decided to retrain and become a social worker. The training incentive allowance that was in at the time paid for his petrol so he could get to his course without having to sacrifice food on the table for his children.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003EHe worked as a social worker for over 25 years. Two of his four children also became social workers. One was a bit of a black sheep and became a tax lawyer! But I know for a fact that the training incentive allowance not only benefited the children of solo parents but, in the case of my father, my sister, and my brother, in the 60 collective years that they have worked as social workers, it benefited the thousands of children that they cared for through Oranga Tamariki. This Budget reinstates the training incentive allowance. This is a ladder to help people get ahead that was cruelly scaled back by the previous National Government. We are investing $127 million so that 16,000 people, like my dad Selani, can retrain and gain high skills to the benefit of their children and other children.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003EBut we\u2019re also raising the main benefits so that we can lift more children out of poverty. This actually equates to food, it equates to shoes, and it equates to jackets. With the removal of school fees, with the reinstatement of school lunches, our families have a little bit more in their pockets. But that\u2019s why this Budget is so important to be able to help those who are more in need. At an uncertain time for the global and the New Zealand economy, this provides more security for people who might be in and out of work.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003EThe last part I want to touch on in the Budget is the additional money that went to the Tupu Aotearoa programme. Since Minister Aupito Sio has become the Minister for Pacific Peoples he has increased the funding to go to Pacific peoples to $450 million\u2014that is phenomenal investment. In this Budget, $30.3 million goes to boost the Tupu Aotearoa programme. This will support 7,500 Pasifika people into employment, training, and education across New Zealand\u2014that is more people upskilling, relearning, getting into employment, and being able to help our economy grow and strengthen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003EI go back to my main point: Budget 2021 is about securing our recovery and our future. I shouldn\u2019t have to stand here as a child of a beneficiary or as a child of a man who took the training incentive allowance, but I\u2019m proud to be on the side of this Government, and I\u2019m proud of my father, and I\u2019m proud of this Government for the training incentive allowance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022 data-id=\u0022bfe2682315f14dacba5f7b1e4329ab5d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bfe2682315f14dacba5f7b1e4329ab5d\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON (National\u2014Taup\u014D):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Government talks about this being a Budget of recovery, and the member that just resumed her seat, Barbara Edmonds, said that this Budget\u2014Budget 2021\u2014would deliver 200,000 jobs. I\u2019m sorry; I can\u2019t see it. Every single employment initiative that Labour have introduced in the last four years has been a dismal failure. What the Government won\u2019t tell you\u2014they\u2019ll talk about a $20 increase in the benefits, and I accept that for those on benefits, that\u2019s going to be a short-term benefit, but what about the long-term impact? What about the long-term impact of a much greater number of people on the job seeker benefit?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022\u003ESo, at the moment, close to 200,000 Kiwis are on the job seeker benefit. The member who just resumed her seat would know how tough it is in one of those households, so, surely, that member would also realise that the benefit system in and of itself isn\u2019t a pathway to prosperity. So what Labour is forecasting in Budget 2021 is an increase in the number of people on job seeker benefit. The Minister hasn\u2019t explained why there are 70,000 more on job seeker benefit than there were four years ago\u201430,000 more than pre-COVID\u2014and what are we expecting in the next couple of years? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022\u003EThis is a Government that\u2019s crowing about a Budget for recovery. In four years\u2019 time, there will still be 174,000 New Zealanders on the job seeker benefit. So something doesn\u2019t add up here. The 200,000 jobs that they\u2019re saying they\u2019re going to deliver, when they couldn\u2019t even deliver the 20,000 jobs from the shovel-ready initiative that was meant to be a short, sharp stimulus to support people, to protect them\u2014instead, that delivered only 11,000. So, good luck. Good luck to Labour for the 200,000 jobs they\u2019re promising.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022\u003EBut actually, I feel for the people that are stuck on the job seeker now, because every single one of Labour\u2019s so-called employment initiatives have been an absolute disaster. Do you know who it\u2019s a disaster for? It\u2019s a disaster for the children that will be stuck in those benefit-dependent homes, because we have seen under Labour not only an increased number of people on benefit but they\u2019re staying on it for longer. Do you know what that means? Well, they won\u2019t tell you this: those people get stuck there\u2014and they know this. If you connect someone to a job within three months, they\u2019ve got a much higher chance of being back in employment. Once someone has been out of employment for 12 months or more, the ability to reconnect them to a job is that much harder.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022\u003ESo what else will the Government not tell you? They won\u2019t tell you that they underspent $100 million on employment initiatives in the last 12 months. That is a disgrace. That is an absolute disgrace\u2014$100 million from a Government who purports to be interested in people, to be interested in lifting children out of poverty. Well, where are most of those children? They\u2019re in benefit-dependent homes. Their income will be three times as much if they have a parent in work, and their life outcomes, evidence tells us\u2014they know, because they\u2019ve got their heads down\u2014the life outcomes of children who are raised in benefit-dependent homes, who are stuck in those very households, will be poorer educational achievement, poorer health outcomes, and poorer outcomes in general in their lives.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022\u003ESo instead of having a Government that is ambitious for every single one of those job seekers, we\u2019re seeing 200,000 there now, and if the big recovery is 175,000 in four years\u2019 time, goodness only knows the harm and hardship that side of the House is going to create, because we\u2019re not seeing hardship going down and we\u2019re not seeing harm reducing. It\u2019s a Government that\u2019s causing it, and shame on them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022 data-id=\u002281539e60841d471fbe9d9f83a73c6592\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002281539e60841d471fbe9d9f83a73c6592\u0022\u003EHon JAN TINETTI (Minister for Women):\u003C/span\u003E While the world remains in very uncertain times due to the global pandemic continuing to rage elsewhere, the wellbeing Budget of 2021 is focused on securing New Zealand\u2019s recovery while keeping everyone in this country safe\u2014safe from COVID-19. I am proud of the work of this Government that has shepherded this country through a time of uncertainty, but also ensuring that all New Zealanders are catered for within the recovery. What is really impressive about the work of this Government is not only have we had that world-class response to COVID-19, we continue to deliver on our goals of reducing inequity. We want to make the foundations better for our tamariki lying ahead. I will actually repeat those figures that we\u2019ve heard here this afternoon: in this Budget, due to this Government, 33,000 children will be lifted out of poverty, and 200,000 more people will be in jobs over the next four years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003EIt was only this afternoon that I got a text from a parent that used to be at the school that I was at who has since moved to the Wellington area, who says she has got her first job interview in five years tomorrow. She is excited about that because there are more opportunities than she has ever seen before, and I\u2019m excited for her and for people like her who are able to share in this recovery.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003EAs Minister for Women, I\u2019m proud to be part of a Government that is also committed to gender equality and has demonstrated this through the COVID-19 economic recovery and Budget 2021.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eb5e1ec74b7e4e29a6e37231868eb7ff\u0022\u003EHon Scott Simpson\u003C/span\u003E: Where\u2019s the passion?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d6f78c2fc8df4d90a1b23ff3841ae3ec\u0022\u003EHon JAN TINETTI\u003C/span\u003E: So some of the highlights that Mr Simpson wants me to read out from Budget 2021: increases to benefits, including our sole mothers; extending\u2014as we\u2019ve heard from the member over here\u2014the training incentive allowance, something that I\u2019m really proud about; over 3,000 extra places in childcare; pay parity for early childhood education teachers, the majority of whom are women; cervical and breast cancer screening improvements; $131 million to tackle family and sexual violence; and some niche areas that are equally as important, such as W\u0101hine M\u0101ori Pathways in Christchurch Women\u2019s Prison.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003EThere are some really good things in this Budget, and if I\u2019m able to pick one that I\u2019m proud of as Minister for Women, it\u2019s that the Government are lifting benefits, including for sole parents, of which 90 percent of recipients of the sole parents support are women. From working right on that front line, I know that reducing women\u2019s poverty is clearly linked to reducing child poverty. I\u2019ve had parents who have contacted me from all around the country who have said and stated the difference that this will make to them and to their children. To be able to actually buy more food for their children, to not have to worry about when the next meal is coming for their children: those are the things that make a difference. Those are the things that get us up in the morning. And those are the things that I am absolutely proud of, that we are making that difference for those people, for those women, and for their children.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003EThe changes made through Budget 2021 mean, for a single mum, she will be receiving $434 a week. Under Labour, this is a 22 percent increase since 2017. Also, Budget 2021 funds more effective cervical-screening tests to help reduce cervical cancer rates, and one that I am personally very, very proud of under the Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall is the new breast-screening system that can proactively identify and enrol eligible women to reach 271,000 more people who are currently in that programme. I know from personal experience that if we can get to women\u2014and the few men that get breast cancer\u2014and diagnose them earlier, we have greater rates of survival with those people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003EThis Government has delivered and will continue to deliver on making a more equal and fair Aotearoa New Zealand. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a97e1705-20b1-4844-8140-1090426c1397\u0022 data-id=\u0022cf2a768333aa4ac3a7fde7fb47b7ef46\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a97e1705-20b1-4844-8140-1090426c1397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cf2a768333aa4ac3a7fde7fb47b7ef46\u0022\u003EDAMIEN SMITH (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E As New Zealand\u2019s third-most large and popular party\u2014after the latest Colmar Brunton poll\u2014we can tell you that our budget for New Zealand has got cut-through, while the other parties go backwards. But we\u2019ll park that for a second, because we know it\u2019ll have to be adopted, potentially, next year. What has been done to this country? New Zealand used to have the highest standard of living, the highest standard of productivity, the highest standard of equality\u2014a true nation, a great nation\u2014and now we\u2019re faced with patches being put on an economy which just isn\u2019t right. This wasn\u2019t a Budget; this was a political mission. It wasn\u2019t a Budget for business. It wasn\u2019t a Budget for prosperity or lifting the bottom 20 percent of the country. Indeed, it\u2019s a squeeze and a full-court press on the people of New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a97e1705-20b1-4844-8140-1090426c1397\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll give you a bit of background about Moody\u2019s. I\u2019d rather look at the mood of the country and the people that we\u2019re talking to. The mood is this: New Zealanders are being squeezed. Business, farmers, and growers are under pressure. Our tax system is unfair and the highest in the world\u2014or one of them\u2014and debt is growing exponentially. So the Government, we think, has a big job to accept. We like a Budget where we see an analysis of actually what can go wrong, as well as what can go right, and we\u2019ve found in our analysis a Budget where the modelling is flawed. Even though we\u2019re not going to accuse the Government today of fiscal holes, we are going to accuse them of some fiscal potholes which will need to be addressed, and that is around how they actually run the economy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a97e1705-20b1-4844-8140-1090426c1397\u0022\u003EThe economy itself is finding citizens in the middle of it being ignored and feeling like they\u2019re being mugged. One of the most amazing things from the revenue forecast during this Budget was that the Government couldn\u2019t even predict, in its announcements, any policy changes around its taxing of property. And why is this happening? It\u2019s because they\u2019re managing the economy by memo. Nobody knows the rules. This hasn\u2019t been designed; so we can\u2019t even estimate the revenue from this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a97e1705-20b1-4844-8140-1090426c1397\u0022\u003EIt gets worse: in this Budget, Treasury hasn\u2019t presumed any projections for fair-pay agreements, and we explain how that will roll back into GDP forecasts. Following the Government\u2019s announcements on net immigration, the Reserve Bank admitted to us the other day that they\u2019ve never even received a memo from the Government on how this will affect maximum sustainable employment. So where do we go from there if the Government\u2019s making decisions, and Treasury and the Reserve Bank can\u2019t actually model the future? That means that for everybody who\u2019s sitting at home with a pen and paper at the weekend trying to balance their budget, from the working solo mum up to the people who\u2019ve not been property flippers but actually wanted to build their pension nest eggs, uncertainty abounds and reigns.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a97e1705-20b1-4844-8140-1090426c1397\u0022\u003EIn conclusion, these Budget forecasts, we think, haven\u2019t even included some of the major initiatives the Government\u2019s talking about; so it\u2019s going to be worse off. If we drill into GDP, we\u2019re now going to face a Budget next year which is about constrain and retain. The reason you use debt is to get uplift and drive and build a modern economy, and lift all boats for all people, yet what we\u2019ve got now is a tightrope walk around 50 percent of net debt to GDP. Anything can happen here. Anything can go wrong, and it\u2019s a big assumption that everything can go right. So the ACT Party is opening up the conversation to look at expenditure and look at restraint, but to actually build new legs to the economy through foreign direct investment and through technology to provide jobs that, actually, our children will be able to stay in this country and thrive upon.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a97e1705-20b1-4844-8140-1090426c1397\u0022\u003ESuccessive Governments over the last 30 years\u2014going back to the post-war era, even\u2014have a massive responsibility, and the buck stops with them. So what we are looking at is an alternative from the ACT Party which will generate more revenue for this country, and that will be good for every single citizen in this nation. Just to look at our long-term fiscal strategy, why can\u2019t the Government do a better job of communicating its 10-year view? You look at the document\u2014there is no macro-level analysis of where we\u2019re actually going. With interest rates and inflation going up, GDP will get squeezed, and this Budget will not deliver less expenditure; it will deliver more. What we want to see\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022 data-id=\u00223b35abe457254958bee05a0358e8c304\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223b35abe457254958bee05a0358e8c304\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member\u2019s time is up. [Interruption] Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022 data-id=\u00221333e78ec3d64aa6a47b7eb0950c8042\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221333e78ec3d64aa6a47b7eb0950c8042\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour\u2014Christchurch Central):\u003C/span\u003E Talofa lava. It\u2019s great to be here. I don\u2019t know what select committee the member who just took his seat, Mr Damien Smith, sits on, because when I was in the Finance and Expenditure Committee\u2014and I\u2019m sure it was him sitting in the same room\u2014we examined the Overseas Investment Act, loosening foreign direct investment rules in New Zealand. We heard projections from Treasury, their forecasts, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand telling us that we\u2019re on track. We\u2019ve heard that our debt-to-GDP ratio is actually one of the best in the OCED and it won\u2019t actually approach 50 percent, on current projections, because we\u2019re doing the right thing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003ENow, the ACT Party has a mantra, and the mantra is austerity, and we heard the Minister of Finance say, \u201CNot on my watch. There won\u2019t be austerity.\u201D We won\u2019t be cutting budgets like the ACT Party\u2019s alternative budget\u2014at least they had the decency to come up with something\u2014will do. So no, this is an economy which is absolutely supporting those people who need it, and I certainly won\u2019t apologise for that. That\u2019s exactly why we\u2019re here on this side of the House. So the fact of the matter is that this is a Budget which sees more people in jobs, sees our debt manageable, and sees our economy growing, and I haven\u2019t seen anyone on the other side of the House come up with any alternative that comes close.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003ELook, only last week I was singing the praises of this Budget in Christchurch, and I was very, very proud to do so. I must say, with the exception of a couple of the usual naysayers, there was almost universal acclaim for this Budget, whether that be at the YMCA, where they\u2019re building the hotel of hope on the basis of shovel-ready funding\u2014and that was fantastic. It\u2019s a hotel where all of the profits go back into the community. The YMCA are a great organisation down there. That was with Megan Woods, of course, who is doing a great job. More houses are consented now than there has been for years, within a generation. So we are finally, under this Government, catching up. The huge deficit that the last Government, the National Government, left us\u2014we are finally catching up, because we have made some brave decisions, decisions which will, in time, see the housing difficulties that New Zealanders face alleviated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EWaltham rail workshop. You know, I\u2019ve been to the Waltham rail workshop, and there\u2019s a building there, and it says \u201C1940\u201D. That was the last piece of significant Government infrastructure that was built down there. I went down there to see some other Government-funded building, in one of their workshops, but now there is a very large project for all of the repairs and maintenance to be done on all the locomotives and rolling stock there in Christchurch at the Waltham rail yards. Why? Because it creates jobs. Why? Because it\u2019s a low-carbon alternative. Why? Because it\u2019s good for our economy and also for our national security.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EYou know, I must say, going with the Prime Minister to Antarctica New Zealand and the Antarctic Centre was a fantastic day, and the joy on the faces of those people at the Antarctic Centre when we said, \u201CYour future is secure.\u201D We see New Zealand\u2019s place in the Antarctic as important, and it\u2019s one that this Government is prepared to fund, because Christchurch is a fantastic launching pad for all of that important work that goes on in Antarctica on a whole lot of levels. Importantly, a lot of our climate change research is based out of there, but also the biodiversity of that fantastic continent is really, really important, along with our participation in the relevant treaties which ensure that that place stays free from commercial exploitation for ever\u2014the last genuine remote preserve, where there will be no mining.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EThere will be no commercial activities there. That is absolutely fantastic, and that\u2019s not even to mention the many, many little things that are going on. You know, and do come down, any member, any side of the House\u2014come down and visit Christchurch. I have an extra bike. We have the most cyclable city in the country. Why? Because the Government has funded those cycleways as part of the low-carbon economy that we are going to transition into. The work that the Climate Change Commission has done is of critical importance, and we are going to heed that advice. Walking and cycling has to be seen as the dominant way in which we encourage new transport in this country. This Budget does it, this Government does it, and I\u2019m proud to be part of it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002219ed20db-5d6c-4464-9327-6cdd072bb4fe\u0022 data-id=\u002245e10974c6c14263bc8e5fb614bd361d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219ed20db-5d6c-4464-9327-6cdd072bb4fe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002245e10974c6c14263bc8e5fb614bd361d\u0022\u003ERICARDO MEN\u00C9NDEZ MARCH (Green):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Madam Speaker. How great is it that the conversation has finally shifted from not how undeserving people on the benefit are, but by how much benefits need to go up so that people can live with dignity. For decades, people on the benefit, and front-line advocates, have been organising and campaigning to lift incomes so everyone can live with dignity, despite successive governments being hostile to people on the benefit, either by cutting income support or adding punitive sanctions as late as 2013 by the previous National Government. And while not many of us vividly remember the \u201Cmother of all Budgets\u201D, or were even alive to witness it, we have lived under its effects, which have meant a record number of people have needed food grants from Work and Income to survive.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219ed20db-5d6c-4464-9327-6cdd072bb4fe\u0022\u003EIn recent years, we\u2019ve seen a chorus of incredibly diverse voices calling for livable incomes and an overhaul of the welfare system: unions, faith groups, poverty groups, and over 70 organisations came together last year to rally for increasing benefits. The Green Party has proudly stood by these calls since our inception. We\u2019ve tirelessly worked to bring about change so people can thrive, not just survive. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219ed20db-5d6c-4464-9327-6cdd072bb4fe\u0022\u003EI want to take an opportunity to pay tribute to former co-leader Metiria Turei, who in 2017 shone a light\u2014as well as many other people on the benefit who have spoken out\u2014on our inadequate welfare system and the fact that low incomes criminalise some of our most vulnerable and force them to lie to Work and Income in order to survive. This is a direct result of policy making by successive Governments, and it\u2019s great that this Budget is finally turning the ship around and we\u2019re seeing an increase to core benefits.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219ed20db-5d6c-4464-9327-6cdd072bb4fe\u0022\u003EThe increases to benefits this year would not have happened without the confidence and supply agreement we had with the Labour Party last term, which led to the creation of the Welfare Expert Advisory Group (WEAG), who recommended an urgent increase to benefit levels, as well as a raft of other changes to our welfare system. We\u2019re proud of the work we achieved with the Labour Party that led to the report and has now started the work in overhauling the welfare system, but we know there is far more work to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219ed20db-5d6c-4464-9327-6cdd072bb4fe\u0022\u003EWe supported this year\u2019s Budget, because we want to see benefits lifted, we want to see people\u2019s ability to fully participate in their society, but we do not just want to live in the past and look at the poor decisions of past Governments. We want to project to a future where our welfare system is fit for purpose. And so, while we think it\u2019s great to see an outright rejection of the rhetoric laid out in the \u201Cmother of all Budgets\u201D in the 1990s, we now see it as an opportunity to match this rhetoric with action and policy that meets the needs of our communities, because, before the \u201Cmother of all Budgets\u201D, our welfare system was already broken. We had a welfare system that still accepted that people who found support and relationships didn\u2019t deserve to have their income with them\u2014that they were made to be dependent on their partner. We still had a welfare system that accepted that people outside of paid employment didn\u2019t make meaningful substantive contributions to society. So there is far more work to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219ed20db-5d6c-4464-9327-6cdd072bb4fe\u0022\u003EThe Government acknowledged that benefits were not high enough to live on with dignity last year when the income relief payment came about, which was $490\u2014almost double the benefit rate at the time. This was an acknowledgment that people who were becoming unemployed couldn\u2019t simply go on a main job seeker benefit in order to survive\u2014that benefits needed to go a lot higher. The Minister acknowledged, just pretty much a couple of weeks ago, that $315 wasn\u2019t an amount that was easy to live on, and acknowledged that far more work needs to be done. So the Green Party will continue campaigning to increase core benefits, as well as bring about a raft of changes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002219ed20db-5d6c-4464-9327-6cdd072bb4fe\u0022\u003ESo we want to acknowledge that the increases in this Budget to benefits were a direct result of the recommendations of the WEAG report. We think that the WEAG report was made before COVID. It was made at a time when the cost of living wasn\u2019t as high as it is right now, so we want to make sure that we continue working to individualise income support, that we make sure that temporary additional support doesn\u2019t eat away the increases in benefits, that people have in their pocket the amounts laid out in this Budget by the time their paycheque comes, we want to remove punitive sanctions, and we want to ensure that people can thrive, not just survive. That should be the end goal of all of us in this House: to ensure that people have a right to a life of dignity. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022 data-id=\u002299c2eed2c7ee41a2b03285b9dfe529c6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002299c2eed2c7ee41a2b03285b9dfe529c6\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: Before I call the next speaker, I would like to remind all members to be respectful of everyone else who gives a speech. When you do get up to give your speech, I\u2019m sure you don\u2019t want everyone else to be talking and not paying attention. You may not want to hear the speeches, but I actually do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226e419a18-df21-483e-9650-2aaee4e06211\u0022 data-id=\u002251092ba5ee7e436ab3778c43a9581945\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e419a18-df21-483e-9650-2aaee4e06211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002251092ba5ee7e436ab3778c43a9581945\u0022\u003EIBRAHIM OMER (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker, Lau Afioga le Fofoga Fetalai. A lot has been said about this Budget. There are a lot of good things in this Budget as well, and many people describe this Budget in many ways\u2014good ways. While we still have a long way to go, this Budget is a game-changer for many, many people. It addresses historical injustice for those most vulnerable among us, those who carried the burden for a long time, those who were left behind for no fault of their own. For many, increasing benefits is long overdue. It\u2019s a step in the right direction. A friend of mine asked me how I describe this Budget, and my answer was, with no hesitation\u2014this is the answer that many people give\u2014the Budget hardly leaves anyone behind. It addresses a lot of issues that\u2019ve been around, that\u2019ve been unjust. To mention some: M\u0101ori, Pasifika, women, ethnic communities, our tamariki, and low-paid workers\u2014and the list goes on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e419a18-df21-483e-9650-2aaee4e06211\u0022\u003EThis last category is what I want to highlight today. This Budget is about COVID-19. It\u2019s about prioritising our recovery from COVID-19. This means it\u2019s looking out for our front-line workers, such as security guards who are contracted by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). This is only an example of the meaningful delivery of this Budget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c219a107dda24f8297423473bcc24289\u0022\u003EHon Scott Simpson\u003C/span\u003E: Where are the vaccines?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e419a18-df21-483e-9650-2aaee4e06211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022183cfc898a5e4fe2ad926f5e7067dad6\u0022\u003EIBRAHIM OMER\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s under way, it\u2019s happening; we\u2019re vaccinating people, and you know that, Mr Simpson. I had just spoken to one of those security guards who works at the Naenae MSD. His name is Robert Duston; we call him \u201CDusty\u201D. Me and Dusty worked together. I was his union organiser, his advocate. Dusty and his colleagues came to this very House and they shared their stories. They spoke about their struggle on low wages, and they spoke about their families. One of the people they spoke to was our finance Minister, the Hon Grant Robertson. I was in that meeting, and Grant told Dusty and his colleagues that \u201CWe are doing everything we can, and we will deliver you the living wage.\u201D Dusty is one of many, many people in this country who struggle on low wages. Today, this Government has listened and it has delivered. Dusty and his colleagues are now getting paid the living wage. Dusty and his colleagues, after what happened, after the tragic and sad incident in Ashburton, they put their lives on the line every day, shielding our hard-working MSD staff. They get a lot of abuse on minimum wage. Now this Government have decided to honour them, have decided to pay them what they deserve.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e419a18-df21-483e-9650-2aaee4e06211\u0022\u003EJust before I came to this House, while I was preparing for this speech, I spoke to Dusty and I asked him what this Budget means to him. He said that he doesn\u2019t have to live week to week any more, and he said that he feels valued and has the motivation to get out of bed and go to work every day. One of the many aspects of this Budget is supporting parents like Dusty, and that many children get the benefit because they get to spend quality time with their parents.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221e1e1c69dc2045c89bc9ed1217a0a359\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, that\u2019s a great economic theory!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e419a18-df21-483e-9650-2aaee4e06211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221df42c317965459e8440880b659a2c7a\u0022\u003EIBRAHIM OMER\u003C/span\u003E: Absolutely. Dusty drove this point home when he said that he now gets to have more free time to spend with his daughter that originally he would have spent working just to meet an end. Also, for giving people like Dusty more money, they will be spending it in the local economy. They don\u2019t go to Australia. They don\u2019t go to the Gold Coast and spend the money. They are locals, and they spend it in our local economy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e419a18-df21-483e-9650-2aaee4e06211\u0022\u003EThis Budget seeks to deal with the root causes of poverty, such as addressing low wages. The common response we are getting is that this Budget is what everyone had been waiting for, and we have delivered it. I am proud of our finance Minister, I\u2019m proud of this Government\u2014I\u2019m even more proud of our team. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022 data-id=\u0022ba5286a8e1b842f3805dd7a3c135d82d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ba5286a8e1b842f3805dd7a3c135d82d\u0022\u003EMELISSA LEE (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. I\u2019d just like to start off by saying that the role of Government is to provide for the most vulnerable people. That is just the job that they are supposed to be doing, and that is not something that they should be throwing about. The other role that a Government has is to grow the economy so that people can actually get jobs. For me, this Budget 2021 is an absolute failure. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003EOne of the ways that this Government has failed is in the area of the critical threat that New Zealand faces in digital infrastructure. While the Budget was being read, we actually had an instance at Waikato District Health Board where there was an absolutely humongous ransomware attack. How it actually happened, I\u2019m not so sure\u2014yet, because they are still investigating. I\u2019d like to acknowledge all of the Public Service workers who are working in the cyber-security and intelligence community, working hard to protect all of us from the cyber-border. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003EAustralia has invested, through their Budget, $1.6 billion in their cyber-security area. I\u2019m not so sure what Minister David Clark had, in fact, taken to Cabinet, but we certainly did not get that in this Budget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003EFor the health sector, we got something close to $400 million, apparently\u2014but that was actually for infrastructure. Some of it has cyber-security. But where is it? If somebody is actually going for the infrastructure area\u2014I mean, for Waikato District Health Board, they might actually invest in cyber-security because they\u2019ve had this massive attack, and in order for them to get back, they might want to invest in it. But for some other district health board, where the real needs are for things like radiography or X-rays or whatever, if that was, in fact, the case, they would not be putting money into cyber-security. We are in constant attack, and we need a better look at how we deal with our cyber-border.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003EIt was really interesting listening to Mr Omer Ibrahim\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222170b5bd-171f-4d9f-bfa6-cab72178f108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002221096504936f4a75ba711c03ef37b427\u0022\u003EJoseph Mooney\u003C/span\u003E: Ibrahim Omer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002239970b03b295448bbed6a7fddb7f22b0\u0022\u003EMELISSA LEE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014I got that mixed up\u2014Ibrahim Omer\u2014I mean, some of us actually do surnames first, right?\u2014from across the House talk about the ethnic communities. I think he and I are talking to different people, obviously, because the ethnic communities that I talk about are very, very underwhelmed by this Government\u2019s move towards creating a ministry of ethnic communities. They say, \u201CYeah, it\u2019s great that they\u2019ve actually got the name, but the actual funding is only about $15 million. It\u2019s almost like they\u2019re robbing Peter to pay Paul.\u201D If you compare that ministry that is about to happen with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, which actually gets, like, $108 million\u2014the ministry of ethnic communities only get $15 million. When you consider the fact that the Asian population alone\u2014not the whole ethnic population, but the Asian population alone\u2014is projected to rise to 26 percent by 2043, you would think that they would spend a little bit more money to make sure that ethnic communities actually fit into New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003EI mean, they should take a leaf out of the Pacific peoples\u2019 portfolio, because I think they are doing a great thing: $30 million for employment programme support, $16 million for business support, $20 million for Pacific language promotion. If that is what people think is going to work\u2014and I think it is wonderful what they\u2019ve actually got\u2014for the ethnic communities portfolio and the new ministry that they\u2019re about to implement should look at that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000380\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003EDuring COVID, ethnic communities actually suffered\u2014and Naisi Chen knows that. The Chinese community actually had a tremendous difficulty, so did all of us who look like us. You know, Asians actually were blamed for COVID, and the thing is that some of the issues that they raised should be taken up. The fact that some of them don\u2019t have the language capabilities, some of them do, in fact, need to upskill for jobs in New Zealand. They are probably one of the biggest communities that are underemployed; they\u2019re not able to work to the capacity that they are able to, and this is where they are lacking.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003EThis Government\u2019s Budget is an absolute failure and they should be ashamed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022 data-id=\u0022632f18e4fe734559b092bb15788834f9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022632f18e4fe734559b092bb15788834f9\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs):\u003C/span\u003E Talofa lava, Madam Speaker. It is a delight to speak after that member, Melissa Lee, who began her contribution by saying that she thought it was the Government\u2019s job to protect the most vulnerable and to grow the economy, and I take great delight in sharing with the member something from Budget 2021. This Budget was about protecting the most vulnerable, we\u2019ve raised the main benefits, reversing the changes of the \u201Cmother of all Budgets\u201D, and the forecasts in it are extraordinary by global standards. New Zealand is set to outstrip many of our comparator countries by a margin. In fact, Standard and Poor\u2019s issued the first upgrade for any economy since the pandemic, to New Zealand, and the first upgrade they\u2019ve issued for New Zealand since 2003. So we have a Budget that delivered on the very things that Melissa Lee was asking for, one that protects the most vulnerable and delivers the economic growth that ensures we can provide the hospitals, education, roads, the Hillside Workshops\u2014did I mention Hillside Workshop?\u2014and other things that our country needs for its future success.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EThis Government is absolutely focused on securing the recovery from COVID-19. We\u2019ve known, and we\u2019ve seen in evidence, that the best economic recovery is the best health response. So if we focus on getting that right\u2014and thus far, with the help of the team of 5 million we have had terrific results in that respect. We\u2019ve seen that that has led through to good economic growth, to the lowest unemployment we\u2019ve seen in a long time\u20144.7 percent, currently, extraordinary, 15,000 extra people in work in the last three months. I mean, these are amazing numbers, but behind these numbers are the stories of real people\u2014real people who are benefiting from an economy that is going, in these difficult and challenging times, far better than anyone expected. Far better than the National Party expected at the election! The National Party campaigned on a debt level\u2014which they have no plan for, because they\u2019re in such jolly disarray on that side of the House\u2014they campaigned on a debt level that is higher than the one that this Budget delivers on. We\u2019re still also helping our most vulnerable along the way; something they refused to promise to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EWell, it is a delight to speak in the Budget debate. The Treasury\u2019s forecasting that 200,000 more people will be in paid jobs over the next four years. The Budget projections, with the changes made around the main benefits and other changes, are projecting to lift up to 33,000 children out of poverty. There is a long way to go with child poverty in this country, but we are making real and meaningful gain\u2014real and meaningful gains with the laser-like focus of the Prime Minister on addressing child poverty in this country. This wellbeing Budget is focused through a lens of making sure we are addressing those issues which are biggest in New Zealand. We\u2019re having a balanced approach, we keep the lid on debt, but we invest where we need to invest, where evidence says we should invest; like previous Budgets that have invested in mental health to make sure, over time, every New Zealander will be able to access free mental health services; like the focus on infrastructure in the COVID Budget to make sure there was stimulus in the economy; like the focus in this Budget on people out of poverty, and tackling our child poverty challenges as a country. These are long-term issues. No one expects these issues to be all solved overnight, but they do expect to see progress and this is a Government that is delivering.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EI want to say a couple of quick things about Hillside Workshops, down my way. What a terrific investment the Government has made, absolutely terrific investment. It\u2019s not so long ago that they were down to 10 workers at the Hillside Workshops.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226b3ad2fe3c044c58b886d6b578c2dce7\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: And it was a waste of money.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c68d981d0f7040fe8e884291138a7c2a\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: It was clear that the National Government was trying to derail Hillside for good, and members on that side say investing in local jobs is a waste of money, but we believe in upskilling New Zealanders, in getting those high-value jobs in our country, and building back better. We\u2019re rebuilding with pride, we\u2019re seeing 250 construction jobs through that reconstruction of the Hillside Workshops through what\u2019s gone into this Budget and, when completed, there\u2019ll be 45 staff needed to deliver on the contracts for all of the money that\u2019s been put aside. So this is an opportunity for the South. It\u2019s interesting\u2014rail is one of those areas where, around the world, people are investing. They\u2019re investing in Europe and elsewhere, because we\u2019ve got climate change goals we need to address. It\u2019s also true that rail is one of those rare areas that has such a rich history and such a rich future ahead of it. It is a really powerful investment that invests, again, in one of those long-term challenges we\u2019ve got.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EMy time is nearly up, but I\u2019m so proud to be a part of a Government that is securing our recovery from COVID-19 and that is doing what matters for New Zealanders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022 data-id=\u0022537d5b432ade4c7ea40b4edfee8dac78\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022537d5b432ade4c7ea40b4edfee8dac78\u0022\u003EHon SCOTT SIMPSON (National\u2014Coromandel):\u003C/span\u003E Madam Speaker, thank you very much. The only thing that that member who\u2019s resumed his seat, the Hon Dr David Clark, got right was the fact that he said his time was nearly up, and it is. It\u2019s nearly up, indeed, because if ever there was an example of how bad and how unimaginative this Budget was, it\u2019s the reference to the money that is going to be wasted at the Hillside railway workshops in Dunedin. We\u2019re going to be back at a time when, back in the 1970s, in the 1960s, even into the early 1980s, we used to assemble kitset cars in New Zealand. We used to try and think that we had a car assembly industry. Well, that\u2019s what we are going back to at Hillside. We\u2019re going to have dismantled wagons from overseas, and then we\u2019re going to put them together like some giant Meccano set, employ a whole lot of people on, sort of, make-work jobs schemes, and kid ourselves that somehow this is a great industrial revolution for Dunedin. Well, it\u2019s not, because, like that project, this Government\u2019s Budget this year has been little more than a flight of fiscal fantasy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EAnd this is a Government, a Labour Government\u2014you know, in the hours after the delivery of the Budget, there were Labour MPs from across the House who were standing up and proudly announcing themselves as socialists. Well, very few of them are doing it now. The Government backbenchers who have been speaking in this debate can hardly even get enthusiastic about it. They can hardly raise a bit of enthusiasm from their speaking points, from their talking points, to actually feel motivated to get out and defend and argue this Budget, because they know it has landed incredibly poorly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EPart of the reason it\u2019s landed so poorly with hard-working New Zealanders, taxpayers who are going to have to ultimately fund the debt and the borrowing and the printing of money, is because this Labour Government plans to borrow around $30 billion net in the next coming year\u2014$30 billion. That\u2019s over $15,000 per household\u2014$15,000 per household\u2014in New Zealand over the next 12 months. And that is just the current year. Treasury projections say that Crown borrowing will be a massive $215 billion by this time next year\u2014by 2022, massive Crown borrowing of $215 billion. If you think $15,000 per household in the next 12 months is a lot of money, well, that sum for the $215 billion equates to $119,000 per household. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000392\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003ENow, most New Zealanders don\u2019t understand how much is being borrowed, printed, and spent in their name at the moment. And it won\u2019t be, actually, most of the members in this Chamber that end up having to pay for it. That\u2019s the sad reality. It will be the children and grandchildren and great grandchildren of members in this House who will pay for it for most of their working lives. When I go and visit schools around the Coromandel electorate, I see the innocent look on the young students who do not know what is being borrowed and spent in their name by this socialist Labour Government. I wouldn\u2019t mind so much if this socialist Labour Government was actually spending the money on something that was going to create intergenerational wealth, something that was actually going to improve the long-term lifestyle and outcomes for the children and grandchildren of members in this House, but they aren\u2019t; they are spending it on very poor quality initiatives.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000393\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EIt was Bill English who used to stand in this House, and he would often refer to welfarism as nothing more than managing misery. And that\u2019s exactly what it is. He would always say that it was easy to borrow money, easy to spend money, easy to print money; it\u2019s very difficult to make the right decisions. And we have a socialist Labour Government now who are determined to revert back to the old ways of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s\u2014mostly to encourage their mates in the trade union, but that\u2019s a whole different debate. But the real challenge that Bill English used to talk about was actually that the skill is getting people off welfare. That\u2019s the real thing. Growing an economy, creating opportunities for real work\u2014a thriving, growing, productive economy. There\u2019s nothing in this Budget that encourages business, there\u2019s nothing in this Budget that encourages productivity growth, and there\u2019s nothing in this Budget except added cost for business that will ultimately mean fewer people are in work. This is a thoroughly bad socialist Labour Party Budget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022 data-id=\u00227c42846b036845739d046185cabb8021\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000394\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227c42846b036845739d046185cabb8021\u0022\u003EHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Minister of Customs):\u003C/span\u003E E te M\u0101ngai o te Whare, talofa lava.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EOtir\u0101 ng\u0101 mema katoa o te Whare nei, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E[So to all the members of this House, greetings.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EBefore I start, can I please seriously acknowledge the great people of the Canterbury region. At this particular time, can I send my best wishes and prayers to them and their families and hope that their recovery is a speedy one.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s also Memorial Day, which is the United States equivalent to our Anzac Day. I was pleased to represent the Government at the Memorial Day speech where partnership was the topic spoken about\u2014partnership between the USA and, of course, New Zealand. That leads me into this fantastic Budget of 2021. We\u2019re talking about partnership here, the largest M\u0101ori Budget in the history of Government, $1.1 billion\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e1d5b1d1955a4b279191304bd087d6e5\u0022\u003EHon Dr David Clark\u003C/span\u003E: How much?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002214c4a07332c04b858e81cef579bf3dc5\u0022\u003EHon MEKA WHAITIRI\u003C/span\u003E: $1.1 billion, the Hon Mr Clark, here. That\u2019s $1.1 billion to acknowledge the partnership that we have here in this country with iwi M\u0101ori. So let\u2019s see where that $1.1 billion\u2014$380 million towards housing, that is to build another thousand homes and work in partnership with iwi M\u0101ori to repair 700 M\u0101ori-owned properties. This is magnificent news for people that are struggling to get houses throughout the country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s $242.8 million for M\u0101ori health initiatives. I want to acknowledge the Associate Minister of Health Peeni Henare, for his work in this space with the establishment of the M\u0101ori Health Authority. We\u2019ve heard in this House that the current health system has failed M\u0101ori, and it is this Government\u2019s boldness and leadership, led by our Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern that is leaning in for fixing a system that is pakaru\u2014or to translate: broken.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s $150 million in M\u0101ori education to support M\u0101ori boarding schools. Something that\u2019s very dear to my heart, particularly as three of the last four M\u0101ori boarding schools are in Ikaroa-R\u0101whiti: St Joseph\u2019s, Hukarere, and Te Aute College. And, of course we\u2019ve got Hato P\u0101ora that\u2019s there. That $20 million will go a long way to fixing our leadership in some iconic M\u0101ori boarding schools. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EOf course, there\u2019s $42 million in this Budget for a sustainable M\u0101ori media sector. And, finally, a Government that\u2019s investing in the great work our iwi radio stations do up and down the country. Nowhere else did we see it but in lockdown last year, where the messages and the information to our communities were portrayed over the iwi radio stations. A big mihi to them. And, of course, $15 million in M\u0101ori tourism, $14.8 million for the M\u0101ori Language Strategy, and, something that\u2019s dear to my heart, $40.1 million towards M\u0101ori data sovereignty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThis is a fantastic Budget that will unlock the potential for M\u0101oridom in terms of meeting those needs. Towards the M\u0101ori economy\u2014and I want to just quickly turn, because on that side they always accuse that we don\u2019t grow the economy. So let me just quote from Chapman Tripp, who acknowledge the M\u0101ori economy soars to $68 billion and has grown by 60 percent in the last five years\u201460 percent, not 16; 60 percent. We\u2019ve got to acknowledge that the M\u0101ori asset base in this country is playing its part for all New Zealanders and that\u2019s why this $1.1 billion will unlock the relationship and the partnership potential that we\u2019ve got in there\u2014Chapman Tripp.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000405\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve also got the recent report by BERL\u2014the Business and Economic Research Limited\u2014that valued the M\u0101ori economy at $68.7 billion. It\u2019s a no-brainer that in this time and age\u2014not like in 1921, but in 2021\u2014that this side of the Government is progressively leaning into its relationship with iwi M\u0101ori, and all the country will benefit from this. This Budget, as has been said across this side, does three things: it protects all New Zealanders, it helps in the economic recovery, and, of course, it resets our future in the work that we\u2019re doing, lifting the benefit levels.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EI\u2019m proud of this active Budget. This Budget that actively works in partnership with all New Zealanders. For me, particularly, a partnership with iwi M\u0101ori leveraging off the M\u0101ori-owned asset around fishing, forestry, farming, and food production. This is a benefit to all people. I\u2019m so proud to be on this side, to be part of a M\u0101ori caucus of 15, and the hard-working M\u0101ori Ministers who have delivered a Budget that we on this side are not only proud of but all M\u0101ori, all New Zealanders are proud of it. This is a Budget for all New Zealand. I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022 data-id=\u002288cf5a8489f54b448c93998046fc66a3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002288cf5a8489f54b448c93998046fc66a3\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. First of all, I just want to recognise our Canterbury communities, especially the farmers down there, that have done a tremendous job in the last couple of days of being able to look after their stock, maintaining strong animal welfare at a very difficult period of time. I think that the results that they\u2019ve seen is a direct result of farmers being proactive, listening, and communities coming together and helping each other. I\u2019d just like to put a special mention for Federated Farmers. I think Chris Allen and David Clark have done a tremendous job in advocating for the farmers down there as well. So we wish them all the very best as they rebuild. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThe infrastructure that that community needs now, like the Ashburton Bridge that\u2019s in trouble\u2014those are the kinds of things that this Government said no to. That was the infrastructure that should have been in this Budget. That is what is needed for our farming communities so that they can grow and prosper. And when you have infrastructure that is dilapidated and it\u2019s old, then when the first adverse events like this come along, it really just shows how, if the Government doesn\u2019t use its funds wisely, we can actually have devastating effects on the industries that promote and build New Zealand. So this should have been a Budget that had something in it for farmers. It should have had something around infrastructure. It didn\u2019t have that. And the consequences we\u2019re seeing in the last couple of days just reflect what happens if there\u2019s a poor decision by Government around use of its funds.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThere was nothing in this Budget for farming education. That last speaker talked about $150 million for M\u0101ori boarding schools. What about the other private schools in their networks? Why didn\u2019t they get some money? I remember years ago they stood against us when we gave money to private schools. What about rural health? What was in there for rural health? What did they give\u2014where\u2019s the new medical school that would be required to train the doctors? Where are the new nurses that are needed for the rural communities? Time and time again, we see things in the paper saying that there\u2019s shortages in this area. That Government didn\u2019t act on that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EWhere has been the rural connectivity that farmers need? There was $10 million put away in that Budget\u2014ten million bucks. They\u2019d probably, if you\u2019re lucky, get five cell phone sites. You know, it wouldn\u2019t even do one decent valley. Where is the Government investing in the primary sector by giving it the infrastructure it needs? There should have been money in that Budget around rural connectivity. And if we look at other things in the Budget that were missing, there\u2019s no increase in TB spending when we\u2019ve got a TB outbreak in the Hawke\u2019s Bay. I didn\u2019t see any of those Hawke\u2019s Bay MPs advocating for extra funding to deal with that outbreak. It is static in the Budget and there\u2019s no increase there. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EWater storage actually was decreased in the Budget. Crown Irrigation went from $73 million to nil\u2014zero. Crown Irrigation does not exist under that Labour Government 2021-2022. That is taking away the future of our horticultural industries. They need water to grow. The sustainable food and fibre fund is reduced by $18 million as well. They took away from agriculture. They didn\u2019t put anything in. This is not a Budget for farmers. And we look at what\u2019s in the farming newspapers, what did Federated Farmers say? \u201CWhat we really need to see from this Government is an acknowledgment that the world pays us good money for the food we produce, and we need a regulatory framework that encourages and supports us to keep doing what we do.\u201D We didn\u2019t get that in the Budget. All we get is farmers in the South Island, especially in Southland, constantly attacked for what they do. They\u2019ve had to form groups to stand up to this Government that puts rules on them that are unworkable, that will never work, and they never give them a chance to actually put down practical, reasonable solutions. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThen we see that DairyNZ in the same article says, \u201Cthere was little new funding to help farmers accelerate the pace or scale of \u2026 work they are doing behind the farm gate to improve environmental outcomes.\u201D There are huge requirements this Government is putting on farmers around the environment. Where was it in the Budget to help them? Where was it in there to actually make sure that they had the ability to do that? The rules are stupid. The rules have had to be revised time and time again. They are not giving farmers the ability to satisfy those rules. And the Minister would say, \u201COh, there\u2019s money in there for integrated farm plans and global research.\u201D That will touch the surface if they\u2019re lucky. There is not the capability there. Regional councils are looking at putting up rates to meet those goals. This is not a Budget for farmers. This is a Budget that didn\u2019t deliver in health, education, infrastructure that farmers needed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022 data-id=\u00223cf801fe2ef34252b38776c6a98386d8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223cf801fe2ef34252b38776c6a98386d8\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member\u2019s time is up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022 data-id=\u00225fe94860b4e14869a373a7e8b15fe733\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225fe94860b4e14869a373a7e8b15fe733\u0022\u003EHon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister for Building and Construction):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. First, a mihi to my home region for the stuff that\u2019s happening down there at the moment. I want to commend the work of the Hon Kris Faafoi and others in supporting our region to recover from what\u2019s been a fairly devastating 72 hours, etc. You know, thankfully, many of us in Christchurch were saved the worst of it, but Ashburton and North Canterbury\u2014really disappointing to have to go through this again. But, you know, that terrible \u201CR\u201D word that we roll out in Canterbury, \u201Cresilient\u201D, we are people who have been through this before, and the most amazing thing about coming from Canterbury is that we are people that do work together to get the best outcomes for us all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve often followed the previous speaker, the Hon David Bennett, in debates and I kind of wonder why that is. Am I being punished for something? Because, you know, I feel like we kind of wake him up from his little siesta and he says a few things and then he sits down there. But Mr Bennett, I\u2019m here to say that I am a socialist and am proud of it. And really, just amazing because I have\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000416\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022752f9d4945f8468590626d1b9e5c15bd\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. That was clearly inaudible, that last comment. If she actually believes it, say it like you mean it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000417\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228928b7e0da17419babeb73412de13799\u0022\u003EHon POTO WILLIAMS\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you very much. I am a socialist and proud of it! I have the best job in the world, because I get to work with an incredible Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, who actually speaks and walks and talks the values of the Labour Party every single day. I\u2019m so proud to be part of that team. And I\u2019m proud to support the Minister of Finance, Grant Robertson, who I think if he wasn\u2019t doing this he would probably be commentating cricket or something like that, because he is just an all-round great guy, and I\u2019m so proud to be here supporting this Government in this, the best job in the world. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000418\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003EI say that because the programme of work that we\u2019ve got coming up\u2014record building consents, a massive infrastructure programme. What we\u2019re doing is actually supporting our people to take up those roles by training them. We\u2019re outstripping our own targets in terms of people in training in the building and construction sector\u2014outstripping them by easily double. Not only that, apprenticeships are seeing more and more and more women coming into the trades. Really extraordinary, amazing stuff going on. And I\u2019m proud of the wellbeing agenda that we have been running for the last couple of years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003EI have got a couple of great roles: of course, building and construction, but also in police. I\u2019m proud to be the Minister of Police and proud of their work\u2014that they get out there every day supporting us. There are a couple of things I want to just correct, and that\u2019s some misinformation that the Opposition spokesperson has put out about the Budget. I just want to correct that in terms of the work that we\u2019ve still yet to land in our negotiations around our road policing. So that will add to our budget bottom lines, and the work that has now been completed on the Whanganui police hub which will come out of this year\u2019s Estimates. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003EBut what is really great, what I\u2019m really grateful for, is the work that police are doing, that they will continue to do and that we will continue to support them, around Operation Tauwhiro. Now, in the House today I got to update the House on just how well we are doing in that particular operation: 522 firearms seized; $2.76 million in cash; 476 people arrested\u2014and that\u2019s since February. That\u2019s an extraordinary piece of work that the police are doing, getting out there, keeping us safe every day. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003EBut not only that, the work that they are doing in partnerships like Wh\u0101ngaia Ng\u0101 P\u0101 Harakeke, and the integrated safety response, which is around dealing with the issue of family harm, which is something that has troubled this country for an awful long time. You cannot do this work alone. This is about working in partnerships. And I\u2019m really proud of the work that the pilots of Te Pae Oranga have demonstrated, that there is a way to divert young people from entering the justice system in the first place. That\u2019s the stuff that will actually stop the overrepresentation of M\u0101ori and Pacific in the negative stats around the justice system, and I\u2019m really proud of that. I am a socialist, Mr Bennett, and proud of it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022 data-id=\u0022b6e78e49898843cc825d463146ccf666\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b6e78e49898843cc825d463146ccf666\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. One of the things that should be at the top of this Government\u2019s priorities is to let New Zealanders build like the boomers did. One of the major problems we\u2019re facing today is that we\u2019re not building enough affordable homes to house New Zealanders. The Budget contains over $100 million out to financial year 2023/24 to enable the Government\u2019s resource management reform agenda, but the focus really needs to be on how we enable people to actually build more homes and more things in this country, starting with infrastructure, roads, bridges, tunnels, pipes, and water and waste-water networks.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EUntil the introduction of the Resource Management Act (RMA) in the 1990s, average house prices were about two to three times the average income. In the last year, we\u2019ve seen house prices go up by $100,000 on average, and now the average home is six to nine times the average income. That\u2019s an appalling indictment on this Government\u2019s anti-development policy agenda. It\u2019s only been made worse by a lack of planning and a lack of funding for basic infrastructure\u2014the most basic infrastructure\u2014like roads, which allow people to choose whether they drive a car or whether they take a bus to school or work, and functioning water and waste-water networks in our towns and cities. We\u2019re facing maybe a $170 billion infrastructure deficit, but how would we know? Nobody has actually surveyed them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ENow, think about it. When a developer has a vision now under the RMA for a new township or a new business hub, how are they treated? You look at Sleepyhead in the North Waikato. They proposed a model town and development, $1.2 billion worth of work, contributing $200 million a year during its lifetime, and the only major objectors were Environment Waikato and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). Environment Waikato\u2014they didn\u2019t want Sleepyhead and The Comfort Group to build the model town. They wanted them to go and redevelop the town they\u2019d let run down, at Huntly, and NZTA didn\u2019t want traffic on its expressway, did they?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228783eed7ecec43f1bbc4889a539353db\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Have you been to Huntly recently? You can\u2019t say it\u2019s run down.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a155444bf6ae44dc96e1789b9723f97a\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT\u003C/span\u003E: Well, they didn\u2019t want traffic on their expressway, because apparently that\u2019s not what highways are for.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ENow, the Government plans to replace one anti-development Act with three new Acts, and they expect us to believe that that will actually make things less complicated. The fear ACT has with this approach is that it will actually entrench the worst local government behaviours and planning practices. There are going to still be a whole lot of people telling you what you can do with your land but, more importantly, what you can\u2019t do with the land that you own. That is why ACT would repeal the Resource Management Act entirely and replace it with a separate environmental protection Act and an urban development Act. Our urban development Act would be based on the Productivity Commission\u2019s report, Better urban planning. That significantly expands the rights of landowners to develop their own land.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EOur environmental protection Act would be rules-based to give landowners and developers of infrastructure and homes certainty and confidence. ACT\u2019s environmental protection Act would focus only on those environmental issues not already covered by other schemes. We wouldn\u2019t waste time talking about climate change in our environmental protection Act; it\u2019s already covered by the emissions trading scheme. If we wish to get more New Zealanders into safe and affordable homes, we must end irrational planning restrictions. ACT\u2019s repeal of the RMA would not only accelerate housebuilding; it would also allow faster infrastructure development.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EThe Government recognised these problems when they created their fast track for their own pet projects. ACT believes all infrastructure projects should be fast tracked or enabled, not just the trendy ones which the Prime Minister wants her photograph taken by. Our reforms to the RMA would increase certainty for developers and local councils, giving them the confidence to develop and deliver ambitious infrastructure projects without living in fear of the Environment Court. Only then can we deliver the infrastructure and affordable housing that New Zealand needs. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022 data-id=\u002209b8e78a9cef4c84bff69be9a712ba9a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002209b8e78a9cef4c84bff69be9a712ba9a\u0022\u003ERINO TIRIKATENE (Labour\u2014Te Tai Tonga):\u003C/span\u003E Malo le soifua, Madam Speaker. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ETuatahi, he mihi poto t\u0113nei ki taku iwi o Te Waipounamu, ki ng\u0101 mea e noho ana i ng\u0101 hapori o Ng\u0101 P\u0101kihi Whakatekateka o Waitaha me \u014Dna pakeketanga. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E[Firstly, I would like to quickly acknowledge my tribe of the South Island; those that are living in communities of the Canterbury Plains and all their difficulties. Greetings one and all.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI just wanted to open my contribution in this debate to acknowledge my people and also the many districts of the great Te Wai Pounamu across Canterbury, and offer my sincere thoughts, as we are doing as a Government, to stand by the communities and the difficulties that they\u2019re facing with the severe weather deluge that T\u0101whiri-m\u0101tea has put on to those communities. I know it\u2019s a very difficult time, but we will be there to support them through this, as I will, too, as the member for Te Tai Tonga. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EBut I\u2019m delighted to speak in this Budget debate. This Budget is all about securing our recovery from the global pandemic of COVID-19, and, as we have done as a Government prior, right through this global pandemic, guiding our nation through, protecting, putting our health response to the fore so we can drive our economic recovery; that work is continuing through this Budget. That work is continuing through the Budget priorities, which we set right at the start of this year through our Budget Policy Statement, and all of those aspects that we have put to the nation we are now delivering on through this Budget. I\u2019m very proud of this Budget, particularly in addressing the issues of inequities that we have, particularly with raising the income levels of those who are most vulnerable in our society. The raising of benefit levels for families that are in need, in line with the Welfare Expert Advisory Group\u2019s recommendation\u2014that is a huge, huge gain, which really just lifts those families up to a level whereby they can live with some measure of dignity, albeit, though, we know that it is a daily battle. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EThere are so many good things to this Budget, so many that we are covering right across the full expanse of the reaches of Government, right throughout Aotearoa, and there are so many highlights that I could go into, but I want to focus on, as my colleague the Hon Meka Whaitiri touched on, the huge investments, game-changing investments, that we are making in M\u0101ori under this Budget. That was a priority that we set in our objectives, and we have definitely followed through with that, most notably through our investments in health and housing. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI\u2019m delighted that we are putting the resources behind the M\u0101ori Health Authority that will be a critical part of the new architecture of our health system. As chair of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee in the last Government, we recommended as a committee that there be a M\u0101ori health authority, and I\u2019m pleased that we are following through with that. But we are backing that up with investments of $242 million, I understand\u2014huge investments that will really make a difference, not only to ensure that we are involved in the highest levels of strategy and planning for health in Aotearoa, but also in terms of commissioning services and support for our M\u0101ori health providers that do such tremendous work right across Aotearoa. Ultimately, what we want to see through these investments is changes to those health inequities. Whether it be access, whether it be treatments, whether it, ultimately, is outcomes, we want to ensure that we get those benefits for M\u0101ori. And I want to acknowledge the work of our M\u0101ori Ministers who helped us achieve these significant gains. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI don\u2019t really need to trumpet on how great this Budget is, because we are receiving so much endorsement\u2014so much endorsement\u2014from right across the whole nation. And, in particular, I just think of the huis that we had across \u014Ctautahi just a few days ago with my colleagues. We\u2019ve had iwi leaders\u2014the chair of Te R\u016Bnanga o Ng\u0101i Tahu\u2014publicly say that this Government has gone the furthest and is doing the most for M\u0101ori in terms of the Treaty partnership, and really backing it up with the resources to support our people. So I\u2019m very proud of the work that we\u2019re doing, and I know that we are going to continue on, because it\u2019s all about the wellbeing, which is at the heart of everything we do. Kia ora t\u0101tou.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022 data-id=\u0022b3470f64ed704941aa44621c9561df72\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b3470f64ed704941aa44621c9561df72\u0022\u003EDr ELIZABETH KEREKERE (Green):\u003C/span\u003E Talofa lava. I acknowledge that today is Samoan Independence Day within this Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa, Poupou le lotoifale, ola manuia le anofale. So from our whanaunga, Te Moananui-a-Kiwa, we come back to Aotearoa to have a look at this Budget and how it affects M\u0101ori in different ways.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003EN\u0101 te mea, tuatahi, ka nui te mihi ki te k\u0101hui M\u0101ori o te P\u0101ti Reipa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003E[Because, I congratulate and acknowledge the M\u0101ori caucus of the Labour Party.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003EWe will always want more, we certainly always need more, but securing $1.1 billion for M\u0101ori across this Budget is undeniably the best we have ever seen, so kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003EI also acknowledge our own co-leader, the Hon Marama Davidson, for fighting for funds in the areas of homelessness and family and sexual violence. What I find most heartening is that this funding is spread across many, many sectors: te reo me \u014Dna tikanga, housing, health, employment, justice, benefit increases, education, tourism, and broadcasting, and our sovereignty\u2014kia ora. It recognises the intersectional solutions that M\u0101ori need in the face of the institutional racism that is the legacy of colonisation, because no one single thing is going to lift our people out of poverty and address the disparities we face across every single one of those areas, up to and including how long we live.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003EWhen Te M\u0101t\u0101waka\u2014the M\u0101ori and Pasifika caucus of the Green Party\u2014set out our six M\u0101ori priorities, one of them was the establishment of an independent M\u0101ori health authority. We wanted to support this, and it is one of the areas where I am most excited in this Budget. I wondered who would have the mana to lead this work, but the appointment of T\u0101 Mason Durie is as much a master stroke as it is inevitable after his decades of world-leading work in this area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003ETwo concerns stand out for me in this Budget. Number one: when all this funding rolls out to the respective departments, agencies, and organisations, how do M\u0101ori\u2014how do wh\u0101nau, hap\u016B, and iwi; how do marae; how do M\u0101ori providers and organisations\u2014access and direct that funding? Another one of the Green Party priorities is that M\u0101ori have a say in the issues that affect them. We\u2019ll be watching closely to see that M\u0101ori are actually part of the decision making on how that funding rolls out to them, and not just the subject of consultation or at the mercy of bureaucrats who think they know better\u2014we know that story really, really well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003ENumber two: in the week that started with the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia, it was really disappointing that nowhere in that Budget is there specific funding for rainbow communities, and therefore nothing specific to takat\u0101pui. Of course we\u2019re included in other funding and we\u2019ll find it, but it\u2019s well known if certain communities are not recognised specifically and their people are not counted, not much changes to improve their health and wellbeing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003EM\u0101ori activists, organisers, academics, and leaders have long said, \u201CWhat is good for M\u0101ori is good for everyone.\u201D So my suggestion is that we create a takat\u0101pui unit in the new M\u0101ori Health Authority. This is one way that we can show leadership, that we can show the mainstream health system how we can treat takat\u0101pui, and show wider rainbow communities how they can live with the dignity they deserve in a way that respects their mana, their mauri, and their wairua. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225a797c9e-cc29-454e-b348-6a415e930295\u0022 data-id=\u0022040ebba88f964d708058e9a93ff703cc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225a797c9e-cc29-454e-b348-6a415e930295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022040ebba88f964d708058e9a93ff703cc\u0022\u003ETERISA NGOBI (Labour\u2014\u014Ctaki):\u003C/span\u003E Fa\u2018afetai i lau Afioga le Fofoga o le Maota. Can I say, first, it\u2019s a privilege and an honour to be able to take a call in this Budget 2021 debate. While there are many examples of how this Budget serves many New Zealanders\u2014all New Zealanders\u2014there are so many to talk about. What I would say, for example, for the \u014Ctaki electorate in particular, the health reforms that the Hon Andrew Little announced mean a great deal to us in the \u014Ctaki electorate, given we don\u2019t have a hospital, and at the northern end we don\u2019t have access or transport access to a hospital. So the focus on regional primary healthcare is a game-changer for the people of the \u014Ctaki electorate, and for that we are truly grateful to this Labour Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225a797c9e-cc29-454e-b348-6a415e930295\u0022\u003EBut that\u2019s not the focus for this Budget k\u014Drero that I want to highlight. What I wanted to highlight was this Labour Government\u2019s commitment to tackling climate change, and that\u2019s led by our Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, and delivered by our Minister David Parker where he announced, just last week, the $11.5 million to restore Lake Horowhenua. So if you are from the mighty and beautiful \u014Ctaki electorate, and you live there in Levin\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225f15a1156c834203b99946c52254a952\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean)\u003C/span\u003E: Not me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225a797c9e-cc29-454e-b348-6a415e930295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002230a562f983fe4648adabf388b541041b\u0022\u003ETERISA NGOBI\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014then you will see that that means\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fd68b96ff4854c81b57fe6fdd47f6a2d\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean)\u003C/span\u003E: Not me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225a797c9e-cc29-454e-b348-6a415e930295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002234032175e4244fc78aa51caf5f5a8529\u0022\u003ETERISA NGOBI\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014sorry, Madam Speaker\u2014that there\u2019s a massive increase to the joy of being able to, one day, be able to enjoy that taonga.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225a797c9e-cc29-454e-b348-6a415e930295\u0022\u003EWhat I will say is that $11.5 million investment from this Government\u2014continuing to show they deliver on climate change\u2014means that we\u2019ve bought a farmland, a dairy farmland actually, at the back of Lake Horowhenua to be able to renovate that into a wetland. What that means is that that\u2019s the first step to be able to rejuvenate our beautiful taonga, our beautiful Lake Horowhenua. Once that\u2019s finished, it will also create 45 local jobs for our area\u2014another investment in the \u014Ctaki electorate, thanks to this Government and this Budget. But what I would say is, growing up in Levin all my life, while you see how beautiful and picturesque Lake Horowhenua is, you smell the stench that comes out of there, you see the sandflies, and across the wai, across the water, you\u2019ll see all the pollution sitting on top.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bbab0d71a81e4a74bd529e82742d0305\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Not me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225a797c9e-cc29-454e-b348-6a415e930295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226785a6bde85d421a9da5b039024968d1\u0022\u003ETERISA NGOBI\u003C/span\u003E: My apologies, Madam Speaker. So with that $11.5 million toward making it into wetlands, that\u2019s going to reduce that and be a step towards being able to rejuvenate it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225a797c9e-cc29-454e-b348-6a415e930295\u0022\u003ELike I said, growing up there all my life, I know what it means to me, but what I also know is what it means to the people of Mua\u016Bpoko, the mana whenua in that rohe, and I know while I\u2019ve advocated strongly for the rejuvenation of Lake Horowhenua, I know for decades the people of Mua\u016Bpoko have, so I just want to acknowledge some of those people. For example, Tommy Waho, who has now passed on, one of my beautiful friends, who advocated hard to hopefully one day have his children\u2014or at least his mokopuna\u2014be able to swim in that awa, and now that\u2019s not a hope, that\u2019s an actual reality, thanks to this Government and its commitment to climate change and investment in the \u014Ctaki electorate. I also want to acknowledge Eugene Henare and the Henare wh\u0101nau, Phil and Viv Taueki, Tawake Wh\u0101nau, Mua Matak\u0101tea, also Marokapa Matak\u0101tea, the Hori Te Pas, Justin Tamihana and the Tamihana wh\u0101nau, the Kelly Tahiwi wh\u0101nau, Jack Warren, Charles Rudd, Keven, there\u2019s so many more Mua\u016Bpoko Wh\u0101nau that have been advocating hard for this for decades, so I hope this is one step to be able to restore that for them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225a797c9e-cc29-454e-b348-6a415e930295\u0022\u003EI also want to acknowledge Horizons Regional Council, their tautoko and mahi. In particular, I want to acknowledge Sam Ferguson, a councillor, environmentalist, and staunch advocate for the restoration of Lake Horowhenua in the mighty and beautiful \u014Ctaki electorate. I also want to acknowledge Woodhaven\u2014Jay, Emma, and their dad John Clarke, who have been working also with the council and with Mua\u016Bpoko, and, I believe, put in $1.2 million seed funding.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000458\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225a797c9e-cc29-454e-b348-6a415e930295\u0022\u003EThis Labour Government has ensured that, one day, our kids will be able to swim safely in Lake Horowhenua, and so I say, on behalf of the people of the \u014Ctaki electorate, and being the MP of the \u014Ctaki electorate, fa\u2018afetai tele lava to our Prime Minister, to Minister Parker, and to this Labour-led Government, \u2018ofa atu.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022 data-id=\u00225e7f129878e84c889c5b73c039951b05\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000459\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225e7f129878e84c889c5b73c039951b05\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. We\u2019re here to debate Labour\u2019s 2020 Budget and the message from the Labour Party to working New Zealanders is very clear: drop dead. That\u2019s the message: drop dead. Because if we look at this Budget, there\u2019s billions and billions spent, there\u2019s higher debt, there\u2019s slower growth, and there is nothing for working New Zealanders. People who work hard, look after themselves and their families\u2014there\u2019s nothing in it for them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000460\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EIf we look at the three most urgent issues in this country today, it\u2019s around housing. The complete failure of this Government to make any progress in dealing with the housing crisis in this country, and what is most of the Budget about? It\u2019s about increasing benefits, chasing the higher costs that are putting New Zealand families under real pressure. Rents have gone up primarily because of crazy policies introduced by this party, adding costs to landlords, which are sent through to the renters, and we\u2019re seeing rents go up by over $100 a week. So this Government chases that by putting benefits up even higher. But they\u2019re not dealing with the real issue and they\u2019ve never dealt with the real issue. KiwiBuild was a complete failure and now all their interference in the rental market, the failure to understand that it\u2019s not compulsory for people to rent out their houses, and if you make it too expensive, too risky, too difficult, they\u2019ll withdraw from the market\u2014shortage of supply, price goes up. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000461\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EThe second issue is around vaccine. We\u2019re well off the pace of that. We\u2019re supposed to be the head of the queue. Second half of this year, New Zealanders will be looking at the rest of the world moving around, engaging in trade and tourism, and getting back to normal life, and we\u2019ll be huddled down here because this Government has been too slow to get the vaccines. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EThe third issue is the lack of any clear and coherent economic plan coming out of this Government. All they know how to do is shut things down and spend and add cost to businesses. That does not create the wealth that we need in order to have the living standards that we aspire to. We\u2019ve added incredible cost to small businesses that are struggling to stay afloat. This Government has created massive policy uncertainty by lurching around all over the place\u2014\u201COil and gas? We don\u2019t like that. We don\u2019t like this. We don\u2019t like that. We don\u2019t like international education. We don\u2019t like a whole lot of stuff.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdb01002-a7cf-4a77-8f05-678d24a36849\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b4d1da83cbf64b0abd8eaf9d0a494c03\u0022\u003ETodd Muller\u003C/span\u003E: Don\u2019t like cows.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ff6521ace309424f97f3d2cb70201beb\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH\u003C/span\u003E: They don\u2019t like farming, don\u2019t like cows, but somehow, miraculously, we\u2019re going to make a higher living standard and we\u2019re going to create the wealth that we need for this country. There is no clear, coherent economic plan coming from this Government. There was certainly nothing in the Budget. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EAnd then when we turn to education, well, that\u2019s the longer term challenge for this country, because there is a long tail of underachievement, and everybody recognises that, and it has been the case for a number of decades. But I\u2019ve been shocked and horrified going to schools over the last few months that there isn\u2019t recognition of the fact that we are falling off the pace internationally in our educational outcomes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ff30eb2075634e93b98915712a319564\u0022\u003EHon Dr David Clark\u003C/span\u003E: What about maths?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b2ff7fd9a17c4e6e9baeae96090be25e\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH\u003C/span\u003E: The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) reports\u2014all the international studies show that New Zealanders are falling behind in maths and literacy. But you go to your average principal and it\u2019s \u201CPISA schmisa. Oh no, we\u2019re different. It doesn\u2019t matter. We don\u2019t believe in all this sort of stuff.\u201D It\u2019s living in a fantasy land if we think that we can have the living standards that we aspire to as a country without producing top rate educational outcomes so that New Zealanders can compete, and we\u2019re falling behind.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000468\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003ENow, what can we do about it? Well, there\u2019s a couple of very simple things we can do about it, and the first thing is make sure that the kids actually go to school. The disgrace of this Government is in this Budget where billions and billions of dollars have been spent, they could find only $5 million a year extra to deal with the truancy crisis in this country, and that was just a joke. We\u2019ve got only 60 percent of children regularly attending school\u201460 percent. I went to one school in Hamilton, Whitiora primary, and 15 percent only attend regularly. Can you believe that in this country? Now, you\u2019re not going to make any progress in education if the kids aren\u2019t at school and we\u2019ve got to get on with that seriously. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000469\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EThe second thing is we won\u2019t make any progress if we\u2019re not measuring academic progress in any way, shape, or form. Nothing in the Budget about that. There\u2019s lots of money, however, for the Ministry of Education to spend on consultants and all that sort of stuff around the curriculum review. Yes, the curriculum does need to be reviewed. NCEA has been dumbed down over the years and we need some rigour back in there, but I\u2019m deeply concerned that the changes proposed will make it even worse. We\u2019ve done away with accounting and economics at NCEA level 1 and I\u2019m sure there\u2019ll be a lot more to come. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000470\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003EThe other thing that\u2019s been surprising is a complete absence of real extra resources in the learner support area. I go to so many schools and they\u2019re struggling to deal with children with special needs. So we see all the billions of dollars in this Budget mainly trying to deal with the situations that this Government has helped create in this dysfunction of the housing area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022 data-id=\u0022d4df7702f06044359eacca1dbf772ab9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d4df7702f06044359eacca1dbf772ab9\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean)\u003C/span\u003E: The member\u2019s time has expired, thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022 data-id=\u00226453f9af290343bd928bcccb5b3ade31\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226453f9af290343bd928bcccb5b3ade31\u0022\u003EMARJA LUBECK (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Talofa lava, Madam Speaker, and thank you for the opportunity to speak on Budget 2021. Now, the previous speaker, Paul Goldsmith, mentioned 2020, but, actually, this is Budget 2021. But let me talk about Budget 2019, when New Zealand was the first country in the world to actually deliver a wellbeing Budget, tackling some of our country\u2019s most disturbing long-term challenges. It\u2019s been that exact commitment to wellbeing that has actually put us in a really strong position compared to many of the other countries.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003EBudget 2021, then, reflects the principle that has guided us since we came into office, and that, basically, is: leave no one behind. To do this, we take a very balanced approach. We make sure that we put new investment directed towards the greatest need, but at the same time we also keep a lid on debt. So we are securing our economic recovery while keeping people safe, but we know we can\u2019t take this recovery for granted. There is still a global pandemic raging, and we know that we are still in a highly volatile global environment that will continue to bring ongoing uncertainty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003ENow, last week I was lucky enough to be invited by Mr Speaker to sit in on a Speaker\u2019s dinner with some of the European ambassadors based in New Zealand. We spoke about many places in the world where most of these Budgets and most Government announcements are taking place under restrictions, online or in socially distanced parliaments, because in those countries, COVID is still causing havoc and distress, and many are going through a third or even a fourth wave of COVID outbreaks. I know that firsthand because, of course, my family is in the Netherlands, where my mum and dad still have been locked up since pretty much March last year. My sister, who probably is watching, actually, working from home\u2014it\u2019s 7.30 in the morning now. So, yeah, still working from home because there is still a global pandemic raging there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003EBut in New Zealand, of course, we have always said that our strongest economic response to COVID would be a strong public health response, and that\u2019s exactly what we\u2019ve done. Because we did so, we got a head-start on our economic recovery, and, also, that recovery continues to be supported by a very strong health response.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000476\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003EVaccines were mentioned, and, of course, vaccines are an important step. That\u2019s why we have $1.5 billion allocated in Budget 2021. Rolling that out has been a massive logistical exercise, and our plan is ramping up at the moment. We have already delivered more than half a million doses now. That vaccine roll-out is continuing to make sure that Kiwis have vaccines available free of charge. I saw that work firsthand last week in Wellsford when I visited the Coast to Coast Health Care facility, which was especially set up to provide vaccines for the Far North. I want to do a shout-out to Tim and Nancy Molloy and Neil Anderson, who have done a fantastic job there in Wellsford to convert an unused meeting and storage area to a kick-ass vaccination centre for the local community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022baa6398cfd0f4af1a8cefe1ef0302512\u0022\u003EHon Dr David Clark\u003C/span\u003E: How many doses?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227966c0511cb34415b7dff18f3e605f4a\u0022\u003EMARJA LUBECK\u003C/span\u003E: They\u2019re doing about 10,000 vaccinations a month. They\u2019re starting five days a week, 8 to 5, and they\u2019re ramping that up to seven days a week, much like we\u2019re doing with the Government as well. So we\u2019re ramping it up: 500,000 vaccinations already delivered, and that is continuing to be ramped up. So sites like that are an enormous testament to this Government\u2019s recovery effort. In fact, I did a Facebook Live, but I forgot to mention that people do need to make an appointment, so can I just correct that for the record: please call and book an appointment before you go in, because the clinic has been flooded with people keen to get their vaccinations done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003ESo Budget 2021, of course, focuses on wellbeing\u2014we\u2019re making sure that we give every New Zealander a fair go, and that means that our country, basically, takes that opportunity of what our finance Minister always says, to build back better: \u201CThe glimmer of silver lining on the darkest of clouds.\u201D That sort of ties in with this year\u2019s Samoan Language Week: \u201CPoupou le lotoifale, ola manuia le anofale.\u201D\u2014I hope I got that right\u2014in English, \u201CStrengthen the posts of your house for all to thrive.\u201D That looks like 16,000 people supported into studying through the Training Incentive Allowance, seeing 33,000 children lifted out of poverty, Treasury forecasting 221,000 more people in jobs over the next four years as our recovery continues. So I\u2019m absolutely proud to be part of this Government that is making this happen with its strong values, its brilliant leadership, of course, by our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. I thank you, Madam Speaker. Fa\u2018afetai.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022 data-id=\u00222ac73d203d7548a2b5586e197c4c0680\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222ac73d203d7548a2b5586e197c4c0680\u0022\u003ESTUART SMITH (National\u2014Kaik\u014Dura):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to start out by acknowledging the people in my electorate who have been evacuated last night due to the flooding down south. It\u2019s certainly a significant event, and I know, with the clean-up that they\u2019ll be about to face, how difficult that can be, fixing fences up and dealing with stock and all of those things that go along with it. So our thoughts are with them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EBut we\u2019re here to talk about the Budget in this Budget debate, and I\u2019m going to focus on climate change, which I\u2019m sure you\u2019re probably not surprised about. It\u2019s been a bit of a disappointment, actually, in terms of climate change. Back in December of 2020, the Government decided to declare a climate emergency. I had a quote back then saying that it was complete virtue-signalling, and, actually, that has proven to be the case. We have seen little in the way of urgency to meet this climate emergency that the Government thinks we have, and we also see this in the Budget that\u2019s been announced a few weeks ago. We spent the last four years that the Government\u2019s been in talking a lot about stuff and not getting much done, and I think we\u2019re seeing that here today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EThe clean car standard had $56.7 million in the Budget for that to be rolled out, but what we see in that, because the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment have come up with this formula, is that, actually, some cars that emit way more than others\u2014V6s, for example, V6 diesel\u2014actually get an incentive in that standard, compared to some very small four-cylinder engines with much lower emissions, because of the complicated formula that goes in there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EMy point with this is that when you start to come out with incentives along the lines of this sort of thing, you always get these sorts of\u2014not you personally. But we will always see gaps and perverse outcomes, very much like what happened with the roll-out of the net zero Government programme, when we see the Department of Conservation buying an electric vehicle (EV) and putting it in Stewart Island. In Stewart Island, the only electricity down there is generated by a diesel generator. Now, that makes no sense at all to put an EV in Stewart Island. It just doesn\u2019t make sense at all, but it\u2019s a great idea because we\u2019re subsidising the roll-out of EVs! There is no possible justification for that, and yet the Government goes out and does it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003ENow, I did actually write to the Minister about this through a written parliamentary question, and she came back with quite a cute answer, saying \u201CWell, it\u2019s an efficient diesel engine.\u201D Well, I\u2019ve talked to an electrical engineer, and we\u2019ve done the calculations, and it\u2019s rubbish. Effectively, you\u2019re wasting your time putting an EV down there. Now, EVs are great technology. We all like them\u2014I\u2019d love to buy one myself\u2014but that\u2019s not a point for subsidising them for everyone. It\u2019s middle class welfare, actually.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EActually, $100 million was announced in 2018 for the Green Investment Fund. We heard the Minister saying, \u201CWell, we\u2019ve allocated another $300 million, because we want to actually fund some big projects.\u201D Well, he can\u2019t tell us what projects he has funded. We don\u2019t know how many tonnes of emissions that the fund has actually abated. There\u2019s no numbers around it. I think, from what I can gather, what has been spent of that $100 million original fund has gone into bureaucracy. It certainly hasn\u2019t gone into anything to do with lowering emissions at this stage. So another $300 million\u2014what\u2019s that going to do? Sit there. This is actually what the Government has done since they got in. They\u2019ve got a great track record in making announcements and not delivering, and that\u2019s another example of it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EThe $1.3 billion to go to KiwiRail to try and\u2014and we heard the Minister of Climate Change say today that we\u2019re going to get freight off rail and on to road. Well, actually, they\u2019re different kinds of freight. The freight that goes on a truck goes to the door. Freight that goes on a train is used going into big depots. Actually, KiwiRail do a great job at what they do, but they\u2019re not going to get all the trucks off the road. It\u2019s actually about rewarding the unions, and building Hillside workshops\u2014well, rebuilding it\u2014in Dunedin is a waste of money, and what we should be focusing on is actually getting coal-fired generation out of the system. The Government\u2019s banned oil and gas, and we\u2019re on track to burn 2 million tonnes of coal. Our renewable electricity share has gone from 85 percent down to 75 percent. This Government, in a very short time, after this virtue-signalling climate emergency, has increased our emissions from coal by a significant margin\u2014probably four times, I would imagine. A waste of time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002227535d92-0798-4e04-be80-9e91b53610e2\u0022 data-id=\u0022c4f887293b914f408629c50f7c23d5ee\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000487\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002227535d92-0798-4e04-be80-9e91b53610e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c4f887293b914f408629c50f7c23d5ee\u0022\u003ERACHEL BROOKING (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Talofa lava, Madam Speaker. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000488\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002255da3697f21b402e90c84c0884510e77\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean)\u003C/span\u003E: Talofa lava.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000489\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002227535d92-0798-4e04-be80-9e91b53610e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226d99dd58bf0c4befaa234edc263b199b\u0022\u003ERACHEL BROOKING\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s a great pleasure that I get to speak after the last speaker, Stuart Smith, and also on climate change\u2014might have a little bit of focus on that. And coming from the South, I might also focus on trains, tourism, and trading. So we\u2019ve heard quite a lot of talk today about trains, and the last speaker was saying the freight is different if you put things on trains\u2014they\u2019re going to a big depot, whereas trucks are doing door to door. I\u2019m sure there is some truth to that statement in that trucks sometimes go door to door, but often they go to big depots too. So it\u2019s incredibly important that we get as many trucks using carbon off the roads as possible and to use those trains.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000490\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002227535d92-0798-4e04-be80-9e91b53610e2\u0022\u003ESo we\u2019ve got that $1.3 billion for rail to support that move to reducing carbon. We\u2019ve got the Hillside workshops. We heard from my colleague the Hon Dr David Clark about the importance of making Hillside workshop work again, and it was a tremendous privilege to be there last Tuesday with the announcement of that $85 million that will mean that we can manufacture again in Aotearoa New Zealand\u2014that\u2019s a major thing, and we need to be strategic about our manufacturing, rather than always relying on offshore. And, of course, we can think about the jobs: the jobs that are properly paid, the jobs with proper labour laws, health and safety, people who have hospitals and things to go to, as well as all the thought that goes into the climate and to the environment when things are built here in New Zealand. Of course, at that announcement last Tuesday, I want to acknowledge my friend the Hon Clare Curran, who was there and has worked so hard to make the point that it\u2019s ridiculous, it\u2019s false economy, to think that it\u2019s cheaper to buy something offshore when you don\u2019t have any of the standards I just talked about, and the trains then arrive with problems like asbestos.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000491\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002227535d92-0798-4e04-be80-9e91b53610e2\u0022\u003EThen I\u2019d like to speak about tourism. I was also lucky in the past week to go to the beautiful Queenstown with the Minister the Hon Grant Robertson, where he spoke to a number of different groups about the Budget. Of course, Queenstown is an interesting place. It\u2019s been very driven by tourism and high growth tourism. And we\u2019ve seen with COVID that it needs a reset. So there\u2019s $200 million to support the recovery and reset of tourism and to move to a sustainable future. There\u2019s $10 million for the tourism industry transformation plan, and that\u2019s to lift industry standards and transform to a more sustainable model. There\u2019s $20 million to diversify Queenstown and W\u0101naka\u2019s regional economy, and it\u2019s so important for that region that it doesn\u2019t rely solely on tourism. Clearly tourism is an important part of its economy, but it needs other things as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000492\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002227535d92-0798-4e04-be80-9e91b53610e2\u0022\u003EThen in conservation: obviously the conservation estate is something that tourists are able to enjoy, so there has been a waiver\u2014$10 million to concessionaire waivers\u2014so that the people operating in that tourism estate can keep working, despite the COVID world that we\u2019re living in. Then there\u2019s $15 million to Piopiotahi for the Milford opportunities project. As anybody in the South knows, that road through to Milford Sound, when tourists are in full flight, is very busy and the area is really overrun, as the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment\u2019s recent report said. So there needs to be some good thinking and planning there. Then, of course, there\u2019s a tourism infrastructure fund of $16.5 million that enables communities to build things like toilets, waste recovery, and cycle lanes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000493\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002227535d92-0798-4e04-be80-9e91b53610e2\u0022\u003ENow to my third \u201CT\u201D, and that is trading, and I want to talk about the emissions trading scheme (ETS). So we\u2019ve had this big announcement that the money that\u2019s earned from that ETS scheme will be hypothecated\u2014that is recycled into climate change emissions. This could be around $3 billion over five years and that will be very important to mitigating climate change. That\u2019s not even to speak about responding to climate change and adaptation. So there\u2019s a $19 million fund in there for thinking about that response to climate change and doing the policy work of that. And it would be remiss of me not to mention the Resource Management Act reforms, with the money to fund that being $131.8 million.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022 data-id=\u0022d43ab9fedc2347e29af5369680027244\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000494\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d43ab9fedc2347e29af5369680027244\u0022\u003EMARK CAMERON (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker, for my opportunity to rise on the debate speech. I\u2019d just quickly like to point out our concerns in this House and acknowledge the difficulties that the Canterbury region is going through, in what has been a terrible adverse weather event.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003EThis Budget I rise to speak about, I am saddened and disgraced at what it represents to farmers. There is absolutely nothing in this Budget that acknowledges the very people that have kept this economy going. It\u2019s asinine and vacuous in many, many, many parts. This economy has been kept going for no other reason than the rural sector, and I think my colleagues on this side of the House would acknowledge that. There is nothing in here. We haven\u2019t got an acknowledgment for water storage. There\u2019s been no TB funding. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000496\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022adf6a28145414f6386fce894dfb61f79\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019d think they hate the farmers!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000497\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b064680290c64871a93a5ece040b6614\u0022\u003EMARK CAMERON\u003C/span\u003E: We haven\u2019t had the thanks for the rural sector, which reduced the funding for the fibre investment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000498\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224573e27b16944f3cafa30e5f93c15f00\u0022\u003EHon Meka Whaitiri\u003C/span\u003E: What do you know about farming, Mr Bridges?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000499\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229a95c2b0f4df45f0bca14e5d218196f5\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ve got gumboots on!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000500\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cf4d9b5527274c99a85722c98222ba61\u0022\u003EMARK CAMERON\u003C/span\u003E: Well, you guys can keep on debating; I\u2019m the actual only farmer in the building, outside of Mr Bennett\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000501\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b6ca115c994b49b28e7e15931ffac4c1\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! [Interruption] Order! The member will resume his seat. That all started because the member was bringing the Speaker into the debate, which I\u2019d ask him not to do, because, quite clearly, it leads to disorder.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000502\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022867a777b67f041cba5396fd968e76b87\u0022\u003EMARK CAMERON\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Look, I reiterate my point: this has been an absolute disgrace, what it means in terms of funding for rural New Zealand. It\u2019s never been harder to be a farmer in rural New Zealand. We acknowledge that. There\u2019s a plethora of shoddy lawmaking that this Budget does not acknowledge. Freshwater reforms, climate change regulations\u2014what will that mean to a rural New Zealand farmer? The other side of the House simply don\u2019t understand. Crown pastoral lease agreements and significant natural areas, that\u2019s the next thing that\u2019s coming. What does that mean for rural New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dc6f8ef66715466194f95bf9bb90aa42\u0022\u003EHon Dr David Clark\u003C/span\u003E: Who are your socialist buddies asking for more subsidies?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000504\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223f12142cadb445698c0f2562cdf93ce1\u0022\u003EMARK CAMERON\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, we\u2019ve got people that are calling themselves socialists over there. Sixty-six million dollars was the only significant funding, and that was for the biosecurity and the M. bovis programme. This is, frankly, insulting to the tens of thousands of farmers doing the tough work. Who else in this hall gets out of bed at 3 a.m. and then has to look at a re-grassing programme, especially down in Canterbury, that\u2019s going to take six months to get in?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000505\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003EThe first question is that it was laid out of a foundation with this New Zealand economy going to be spearheaded by the rural sector. We withstood a global pandemic that caused havoc across the landscape. Who was better to fix that and keep the economy going? It was the rural sector. Despite this, we have seen a bureaucratic machinery that\u2019s pontificated. When was the last time that anyone in this hall\u2014and I challenge them\u2014was actually on a farm, talking to farmers, understanding the difficulties that they were going to have to deal with? Am I, as I said, the only practical farmer in here? The future of rural New Zealand\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000506\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e5b9e2ea052d4e589882e5b695653e95\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019re not a practical farmer!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000507\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221fa4e012b1e24c1da9987ef35e93a92a\u0022\u003EMARK CAMERON\u003C/span\u003E: Well, certainly, here we go again! The Budget shows there\u2019s a disconnect with this Government and it\u2019s become\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000508\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c46dc94e0eaf4067844425c1597d2ad3\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019re a bureaucratic or you wouldn\u2019t be standing there!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000509\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022887aafcdc31e415ab6a51ba95263e93f\u0022\u003EMARK CAMERON\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I\u2019m both, mate\u2014I\u2019m both. As a country, we deserve better, and this Budget has nothing to address that\u2014absolutely nothing\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000510\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da1adfe960d14db492d5e4e7430fc5cd\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Right now he\u2019s trying to present himself as something he isn\u2019t.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000511\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a56977ccba9b45e88b94353f21d82c19\u0022\u003EMARK CAMERON\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, thank you very much, Mr Bennett. I am actually a farmer, and I\u2019ve been 30 years in the industry. But, anyway, I will leave it at that. This has done nothing for the rural sector, and I will leave it at that. Thank you very much.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022 data-id=\u0022b46b2812e762431d990b5c4160e7ad7f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000512\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b46b2812e762431d990b5c4160e7ad7f\u0022\u003ETANGI UTIKERE (Labour\u2014Palmerston North):\u003C/span\u003E Fa\u2018afetai tele lava, Madam Speaker. Well, anyone would think that that member was reading from his own party\u2019s alternative Budget\u2014so much glum and in the doldrums and what have you around that. So let\u2019s get back to reality. [Interruption] That\u2019s right. We\u2019re all about reality on this side of the House, aren\u2019t we, team?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000513\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003EEarlier today, Minister Parker in his contribution talked about how Kiwis were backing these changes. And I have to say that the recess week last week gave us all an opportunity to be back in our electorates and that is the message that people in the fine electorate\u2014semi-beautiful\u2014electorate of Palmerston North were telling me as well. Actually, the resounding level of support, thanks, and gratitude was really because of the positiveness that was in Budget 2021.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000514\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225068a71789d1494ba41e975c25c0aba7\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: One of the first to go.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000515\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002274c62a83014548249282944f03cc7f72\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: \u201CSemi-beautiful\u201D\u2014I love that. I\u2019m going to try that out on my wife.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000516\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002242bd51ad67b540d7b55792320b833230\u0022\u003ETANGI UTIKERE\u003C/span\u003E: You know, what I\u2019ve been hearing out in the community is that the increases to main benefit levels are going to make a real difference. Members opposite might be quite jocular about that\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000517\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224be88917f94349dd9773fd8d4935d3ae\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: They\u2019re out of touch.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223e8d307825e34ca3975142a7d71d7c9c\u0022\u003ETANGI UTIKERE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014but the reality is they are out of touch and they are out of touch with reality. They are out of touch with the fact that $20, which will increase benefits\u2014that\u2019s the first take\u2014will make a difference. It will make a difference. Now, that\u2019s what I\u2019m hearing in my community and that\u2019s what others are hearing in their communities around the country as well. [Interruption] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000519\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022db1ae33d60454534acd9c5ad7156bb4f\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! Apologies to the member. The interjections are getting a bit above the \u201Crare and reasonable\u201D stage, so if I could ask members just to calm the farm a little.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000520\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f3e4cc32b03c4bab9e126d6728cd1391\u0022\u003ETANGI UTIKERE\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. As I was reflecting, it was a great week last week. I had my Palmy pop-ups, which were an opportunity out in the electorate for people to come have a chat and to share the good news about Budget 2021\u2014beautiful Palmy pop-ups, I might say, as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000521\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003EAnd you know, just last week we also had Minister Nash in Palmerston North and that was a fantastic opportunity because the regional development and economic development Minister took the opportunity to take a visit at what is going to connect the eastern and western corridors of the central North Island with Te Ahu a Turanga. Of course, that is progress that we are really, really proud of on this side of the House, but also the $200 million Regional Strategic Partnership Fund, which will continue to see that momentum in the regions because this is the Budget for regional New Zealand\u2014$200 million that many, many people are pleased to see as well. And, yes, the Minister talked about the three goals that that would provide in terms of that p\u016Btea, and I know that people in my electorate are also looking forward to that as well. Accelerate25\u2014as we heard earlier today, is a group of local government members, of iwi partners, of business partners who were very, very positive, explaining, or describing this as excellent news for Palmerston North and central New Zealand as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000522\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003ESo this is a Budget that is delivering for regional New Zealand. And the reason why I say \u201CPalmerston\u201D in terms of what\u2019s beautiful\u2014and, you know, I acknowledge my colleague, the MP for \u014Ctaki, from the beautiful \u014Ctaki\u2014is that this Government\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000523\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226890ed1b3aaa49a782137bd32fadf53d\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: Oh!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000524\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022267d6a61d49347618ee7e66501111515\u0022\u003ETANGI UTIKERE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014we\u2019re friendly, we\u2019re neighbours, we\u2019re friendly. Team positivity\u2014that\u2019s what we\u2019re all about on this side of the House. But what I will say is that the Government\u2019s investment in Lake Horowhenua will make \u014Ctaki even more beautiful as a neighbour as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000525\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003EI want to very briefly touch on the investment in rail\u2014and my colleague Rachel Brooking has touched on that. You know, this morning I jumped on the train, the Capital Connection, which brought me from my home in Palmerston North here to Parliament. Again, investment by the Government to the upgrades that have already been rolled out\u2014they have had a look at it as well and what is yet to come in terms of building on those opportunities around rail. So it will signal that investment, that $1.3 billion investment around\u2014and that\u2019s significant. That is significant along with being fantastic as well. The work that starting with the Palmerston North regional economic growth hub as well, the strength around logistics, is yet another example of this Budget delivering for people in my community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000526\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003EFinally, I want to acknowledge the Pasifika aspects of this Budget: the package in terms of the Pasifika package, $108 million\u2014$108 million. Nearly $100 million of that is new operational funding and I want to acknowledge the leadership in this space of our Minister the Hon Aupito William Sio. My colleague Barbara Edmonds previously today has described the work that he\u2019s been doing as phenomenal. This will make a real difference to our communities. This will create opportunities for improvement in terms of wellbeing, and that\u2019s why I\u2019m extremely proud to stand alongside this Government in terms of supporting Budget 2021, because it is a wellbeing Budget that delivers for communities like Palmerston North and others all around the country. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022 data-id=\u0022429e249e392443c2bf215dcb2c5167a4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000527\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022429e249e392443c2bf215dcb2c5167a4\u0022\u003EHon SIMON BRIDGES (National\u2014Tauranga):\u003C/span\u003E I like that member that\u2019s just spoken, the member for Palmerston North, and how did he describe Palmerston North?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000528\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228b5fac7e6c0457caff09ca03f62ffce\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Semi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000529\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227c2dc0131f2746c89e3aa19177d78433\u0022\u003EHon SIMON BRIDGES\u003C/span\u003E: As semi-beautiful. That\u2019s how he describes his electorate. Well, I\u2019ve got news for him: don\u2019t try that on your partner, Madam Speaker\u2014you know, \u201CYou\u2019re looking semi-beautiful, love.\u201D I just don\u2019t know that that\u2019s going to work.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000530\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b79541059434441ba5bf3f06347d356d\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean)\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, oh! Order! Order! Does the member really wish to bring the Speaker into this debate at this time? I think not. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000531\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002223ec043d77e74ba2b453e6fa9f8690e6\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: You can\u2019t be saying she\u2019s semi. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000532\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225945e801bea342458ac5f59a005c53e6\u0022\u003EHon SIMON BRIDGES\u003C/span\u003E: She\u2019s beautiful, Tauranga\u2019s beautiful\u2014my wife is beautiful, Madam Speaker. But I tell you what\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000533\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a9bae2ae7eda497aac94628d8c180b7e\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Palmerston North is beautiful. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000534\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d17bae2d2b7147458ee2155d4a9ea977\u0022\u003EHon SIMON BRIDGES\u003C/span\u003E: Well, it\u2019s semi-beautiful\u2014that\u2019s what he says. But I tell you what, this is a semi-beautiful Budget and I\u2019ll tell you what that\u2019s code for: it\u2019s ordinary. It\u2019s an ordinary Budget because\u2014I\u2019ll tell you why. Three things that I just want to go through, rattle through\u2014I only get five minutes. I deserve 10, but I only get five. So the three points I want to make: the first is that this Budget has us borrowing billions for benefits, right? I didn\u2019t just say that because it\u2019s quite a good alliteration there\u2014lots of \u201CBs\u201D\u2014but because, actually, that\u2019s the reality of it. Really, if you look at the guts of this bill, what\u2019s in it: billions for benefits that they have to borrow, right? That\u2019s what they have done here. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000535\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003EI say to the members on the other side of the House that the issue of giving more to beneficiaries is entirely of their own making. It is entirely of their own making, because Labour has lost control of housing and the rental market and, instead, are chasing an ever-increasing cycle of rent and lack of housing, and, I tell you what, it\u2019s very simple. KiwiBuild\u2014what did they do?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000536\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227d7c62cd66f3494b931890eacb60023f\u0022\u003EBarbara Kuriger\u003C/span\u003E: Nothing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000537\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228d3134d4c40240c3a76f706dc2ba091f\u0022\u003EHon SIMON BRIDGES\u003C/span\u003E: Stuff-all of nothing\u2014right\u2014and now they\u2019re reduced to talking about consents: \u201COh, consents are up.\u201D You can\u2019t live in a consent\u2014that\u2019s what Phil Twyford told us. That\u2019s the reality of it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000538\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003EOn the rental side of it, we\u2019ve got all those rules and regulations. All they\u2019ve succeeded in doing is pushing up the price for the landlords who pushed it on to the poor old renters, and that\u2019s why we\u2019ve got significantly increased poverty in this country. If cash was the answer, we would have solved this decades ago. It\u2019s not, actually, it\u2019s more houses; it\u2019s a better rental market. But Labour can\u2019t deliver, just as they haven\u2019t delivered in housing. No one can live in a consent. It\u2019s also true you can\u2019t drive on an announcement. So whilst they\u2019ve talked a big game on infrastructure, nothing has happened in nearly four years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000539\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003EThe second point I want to make is simply this. While Labour is borrowing billions, and I\u2019ve already talked about that, fundamentally, it\u2019s about benefits. That\u2019s the one big thing they\u2019re doing. There is nothing, not a skerrick, zilch, nada\u2014there is nothing in this Budget for beneficiaries, for the working poor who rent, for middle New Zealand\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022df37dcd123c6447dbb3917a46e2d9343\u0022\u003EMark Cameron\u003C/span\u003E: And the farmers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000541\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a0cf48fb90df41afaf68d4c7d9103b89\u0022\u003EHon SIMON BRIDGES\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014who get up and go to work, try hard\u2014and yes, include some farmers. But not just farmers; people in suburbia in the beautiful city of Tauranga. There\u2019s nothing for business\u2014it\u2019s just not there. So what was needed in this Budget was some aspiration, some hope, and a plan for New Zealand to reduce debt, actually, so that New Zealanders don\u2019t think that them, their children, and their grandchildren are going to be paying it for years to come\u2014to grow the economy, and to deliver some real productivity gains in this country. Otherwise\u2014otherwise\u2014all this Budget is a second-rate, semi-beautiful advertisement for workers and middle New Zealand and business people to move to Aussie, and we\u2019re going to watch them go.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000542\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f5bc8327c9c44c52a5369e2e13879fdf\u0022\u003EChl\u00F6e Swarbrick\u003C/span\u003E: But not to vote for National.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000543\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b479e80733f3402a8caba82964e1b1da\u0022\u003EHon SIMON BRIDGES\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s what we\u2019re going to see. No, no, no, some of them probably vote for the Green Party because of all the spin of Chl\u00F6e Swarbrick over there. She cares so much about carbon; she spends all her time on aeroplanes, actually.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000544\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003EBut they will go and they will look back at New Zealand romantically, as nothing economically is happening here. There is nothing in this Budget for middle New Zealand, for workers, or for businesses. I tell you what, I know this: we will see in the next couple of years, those numbers of hard-working Kiwis with skills who build, who do real stuff, moving to Australia. We will start talking about the brain drain again in this country like never before, because that\u2019s what New Zealanders have been experiencing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000545\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003EI want to say this in the last 20 seconds: the justice sector got a cut. It got a cut. Why is that? Well, because, actually, they\u2019re no longer putting people in prisons. Well, has crime gone down? No, it hasn\u2019t. Crime\u2019s got worse. Gangs have got worse. These issues are getting worse, and in this Budget we saw a cut. It\u2019s a disgrace and it\u2019s making New Zealanders less safe.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000546\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225a73dcc33dc541f987b3a7eab4a9a4ce\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean)\u003C/span\u003E: The time has come for the House to rise for the dinner break. We will resume at 7 o\u2019clock.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000547\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003ESitting suspended from 6.02 p.m. to 7 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u0022c9d4beaf64a94a39b9e84172820f4245\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000548\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c9d4beaf64a94a39b9e84172820f4245\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Talofa lava. The House is resumed. Members, we are on the Budget debate, and it\u2019s a Labour Party call.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022 data-id=\u0022c9a98c49f2464089987988432cb58f2c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000549\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c9a98c49f2464089987988432cb58f2c\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Justice):\u003C/span\u003E Talofa lava, Mr Speaker. Happy Samoan Language Week to you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000550\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ECan I begin by acknowledging the region of Canterbury, given the events of the last three or four days, and pay tribute to the emergency management staff throughout the region. Can I acknowledge the civic leadership of the region: Dan Gordon of Waimakariri, Neil Brown of Ashburton District Council, Sam Broughton of the Selwyn District Council, Nigel Bowen of the Timaru District Council, and also our former colleague and the Mayor of Christchurch, Lianne Dalziel, who\u2019s the chair of the Canterbury Regional Emergency Management Group, for their collective efforts to keep their communities safe. Emergency management is extremely important in difficult times like this, and I will get to at some stage during my short contribution a commitment of funding within Budget 2021 to assist efforts to make those groups stronger around the country in order to keep our communities safe. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000551\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EMore acknowledgments, if it\u2019s OK, Mr Speaker. Can I acknowledge the regional group controller for the Canterbury region, Mr Neville Reilly, who was travelling with us\u2014myself, Damien O\u2019Connor, as Minister for Primary Industries, and also the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, and local MP for the Ashburton area, Jo Luxton. Neville is a bit of a legend in civil defence circles in the Canterbury region, and on Friday, as they were preparing for the weather event of the weekend\u2014which is still continuing\u2014Neville had his farewell event in the region as well, so for his swansong, he was delivered a one-in-100-year weather event. So can I thank Neville for the leadership that he showed to his community when a regional declaration was made\u2014I think I\u2019m right\u2014on the Sunday night.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000552\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ECan I also acknowledge Ng\u0101i Tahu, who are central to the emergency management response being led out of Christchurch. They had someone in the emergency operations centre making sure that they were fully involved in the response, and a number of marae were set up as civil defence centres and welfare centres in the event that there were mass evacuations. Can I say we are very thankful that there weren\u2019t the mass evacuations that could have happened, especially in the Ashburton area, if the northern arm of the Ashburton River had broken and caused thousands of evacuations out of that area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000553\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EEmergency services: the police and John Price, who is a very good area commander there; Fire and Emergency New Zealand; St John Ambulance; civil defence; our own National Emergency Management Agency, led by Gary Knowles\u2014can I acknowledge him; new to the role\u2014the unflappable Stefan Weir, who was a private secretary for the National Emergency Management Agency; the Ministry for Primary Industries; the Ministry of Social Development; Te Puni K\u014Dkiri; the Ministry of Health; and Waka Kotahi, who will have some work ahead of them in order to make sure that the roads are back up and running in the region as soon as possible. Obviously, with the issues with the Ashburton Bridge across State Highway 1, they will be making sure that that vital link between Tinwald and Ashburton itself\u2014which is at the moment being tested, I believe\u2014is put back into shape.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000554\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ECan I also acknowledge the New Zealand Defence Force\u2014the air force, navy, and army\u2014who were there to assist the response effort; Environment Canterbury and their river-modelling team, who are giving us extremely important data on what to expect from water flows from the high country down to rivers both in North Canterbury and in South Canterbury and mid- Canterbury; and the Ministry of Transport, who obviously have, again, a job on their hands. There was 500 millimetres of rain in three or four days, and they usually call a significant weather event about 50 or 60 millimetres. So that is an event of some sort. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000555\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EMinister O\u2019Connor committed $500,000 today, there is $100,000 for the mayoral relief fund, and also, because the Government has committed to the reform and the strengthening of the national emergency management system, there is nearly $46.6 million in the current Budget that we are debating here today to make sure that our emergency management system is safe. I think what we\u2019ve seen from the weekend is that it is strong, but this commitment of more funding will ensure it is stronger, and we thank the effort of those in Canterbury over the last three or four days. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u002231c0ecff15ce4a81a234643d13aa8e1b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000556\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002231c0ecff15ce4a81a234643d13aa8e1b\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member\u2019s time has ended. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022 data-id=\u002274ff2d3194864e8d83f26b066d7fc221\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000557\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002274ff2d3194864e8d83f26b066d7fc221\u0022\u003ECHL\u00D6E SWARBRICK (Green\u2014Auckland Central):\u003C/span\u003E E te M\u0101ngai, t\u0113n\u0101 koe. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou e te Whare. I guess I just want to stand to make a contribution on behalf of the Green Party tonight to address some of the concerns that have been put forward by members of the Opposition, and that is, primarily, \u201CWhat\u2019s in it for me as far as this Budget goes?\u201D. We\u2019ve heard about all of these different groups in our society who are supposedly missing out, and we\u2019ve also heard, particularly, the Hon Simon Bridges lamenting the fact that in here there is billions for beneficiaries. That is for our lowest-income New Zealanders, who we know we have to raise the incomes of if we want to do anything meaningful about inequality in Aotearoa New Zealand. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000558\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003EWe all ultimately benefit from having a more equal society where everybody has the access to the basics to be able to fulfil their potential and engage in the opportunity that is otherwise taken from them. I think that this is actually something that mental health spokespeople from across this House, including Matt Doocey, can surely see for what it is\u2014that is, in He Ara Oranga, the Government\u2019s mental health and addiction inquiry, we saw laid bare the mental health crisis in this country fundamentally generated by recognition of the fact that, sure, all of us are born with a biological predisposition towards the manifestation, or not, of issues, but it is also our environment and\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000559\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228b1e1d24b9c413fbce13cb8d6c16fe3\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: Ha, ha!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000560\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b56015a0c07b4606bf84128fb7778eee\u0022\u003ECHL\u00D6E SWARBRICK\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014our society which can drive the manifestation, the aggravation, or mitigation of those issues. The key issues, as identified in that mental health and addiction report\u2014which, I might add, Nicola Willis, Matt Doocey has very much come on in support of, from my understanding thus far in our cross-party work\u2014are very much those public health drivers of poverty, of a lack of sense of meaning in one\u2019s life, and of a lack of sense of identity and whakapapa. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000561\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003EWhen you increase incomes for our lowest-income New Zealanders, what you end up securing is that sense of place and that greater sense of security in one\u2019s future. But I also want to touch on a point raised by other members of the Opposition, and that is the debt for our future generations. Therein, I think it\u2019s really important to unpack some of the mythology that they\u2019ve attempted to create through their rhetoric tonight: firstly is the fact that they continue to raise that debt is going to be paid down slowly. There, I might add that the very debt track that the Government has signed up to is actually faster than what they campaigned on in the 2020 election. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000562\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003EThat aside, however, we had the Minister of Finance in front of the Finance and Expenditure Committee a few weeks ago, and there I got the Minister, on the record, to effectively admit or submit that that debt track is something that the Minister himself and the Government have confined themselves to. These are decisions, fiscal policy decisions, that the Government gets to make, and there I think it\u2019s really important to reflect\u2014as actually is made really explicit in the Wellbeing Budget 2021: Securing Our Recovery document at figure 14, which demonstrates it really clearly\u2014that the interest payments on the debt that the Government is taking on are actually less than inflation, which means that now is the perfect time to be borrowing to invest in that infrastructure for future generations. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000563\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003EThat actually brings us to another one of the mythologies that the Opposition has been peddling today, and that is that this debt is some massive financial or fiscal burden that future generations are going to take on. To that effect, we only have to look at the reporting by the likes of, for example, Bernard Hickey on just how it has been since the 1980s to the 1990s, where we have seen a pulling forward of funding in what should be the infrastructure for future generations, in turn meaning that my generation and the generations that come after me are carrying that debt already in terms of the need to invest in our public transport, in our classrooms, and in, of course, our wh\u0101nau across Aotearoa New Zealand. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000564\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dbaac12b-3efa-4d95-a08d-f0f637a48bab\u0022\u003EI also just finally want to touch on the point of immense pride for the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand and, obviously, the contributions that our Ministers and co-leaders, the Hon Marama Davidson and James Shaw, have made, both with regard to investment in ending domestic and sexual violence and ending homelessness but also the hypothecation of that revenue raised out of the emissions trading scheme, which sets us on a pathway to start to meet those commitments that we ourselves have declared ourselves to. Just in my final few seconds, I feel an immense need to make a shout-out to Mojo Mathers, former Green Party MP, because we got a funding line in here for the Election Access Fund at $3 million for disabled New Zealanders to run for general elections.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u0022128578874fa94190a7fc5097c9ef99f1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000565\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022128578874fa94190a7fc5097c9ef99f1\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member\u2019s time has expired.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022 data-id=\u00225457c60aa766484eb85d650c07ea3fae\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000566\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225457c60aa766484eb85d650c07ea3fae\u0022\u003EKIERAN McANULTY (Labour\u2014Wairarapa):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I\u2019m very pleased to be able to get up here and make a contribution in response to the Budget. What a marvellous Budget it was, and don\u2019t just take my word for it. Take the word of the good people of Wairarapa, the Tararua District, and Central Hawke\u2019s Bay, the three districts that make up my electorate of Wairarapa. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000567\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EFor the last week, I\u2019ve been travelling around, from Waipawa in the north down to South Wairarapa, to meet with people to discuss the Budget. Now, these were interest groups, they were groups of business owners, they were groups of the elderly, and everyone in between. I reckon I did about 10 last week\u201410 meetings after the Budget\u2014to get a bit of a feel as to how it was getting perceived in the regions, and to also give them an opportunity to ask some questions. I can say, hand on heart, that it was received well. It was received well because the people of Wairarapa know that we wouldn\u2019t even be in a position to discuss the Budget, and we wouldn\u2019t even be in a position to be able to debate where this Government is investing, if it weren\u2019t for the fact that this country is benefiting from what was an effective response to COVID-19.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000568\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EIt is very important, I believe, to touch on that, because you only have to look overseas to see what things could have been like if the response here in New Zealand was not of the ilk that set us up for this Budget to make such a difference. The Prime Minister said right from the start that the best economic response to COVID was an effective health response. In many ways, it is regrettable that New Zealand is now the only developed country in the world to have only had one nationwide lockdown, and is the only developed country in the world not to have some form of lockdown at the moment. I say that with the greatest amount of sincerity, because I would like to have seen other countries benefit like New Zealand is benefiting now. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000569\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EIt was going hard and it was going early that allowed us to be in this position today, and that fact is not lost on the good people of Wairarapa, the Tararua District, and Central Hawke\u2019s Bay. Many of them have family members and friends overseas that are still struggling and that are still in some form of lockdown and can\u2019t even think about opening up to other countries like we have with Australia and the Cook Islands. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EIt is that sort of response that enables us to be nimble and adjust when there are cases overseas that puts us in good stead, but we are now experiencing and benefiting from an economy that has 4.7 percent unemployment. That is, essentially, the same as what it was before COVID hit. We got down to 4.2 percent at one stage, but to get back to the level that we were, essentially, before COVID hit, is a phenomenal achievement, and it is testament to the work of everyone in this country. The team of 5 million never really rang so true as when it was referred to in our COVID response. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000571\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EI think of the businesses in Wairarapa that at the moment are genuinely thriving. They are flying, particularly in South Wairarapa. They themselves have adjusted to the new environment. They cannot benefit from international tourism. Now, admittedly, our share of international tourism is nowhere near the ilk of other places like Queenstown and the West Coast, but they still adapted to the new reality, and, in fact, the work that the region has put in to attract new visitors has offset the amount that they have lost for international tourists. That can actually be said for the northern parts of the electorate, as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000572\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003ESo I commend them for the work that they\u2019ve done, and I commend the work of everyone in the electorate to demonstrate to people why the Wairarapa is a place where people want to visit and spend their money and make our economy tick over for the benefit of all. Those businesses will benefit from what is in this Budget, because we know that for the vast majority of small to medium sized businesses, their turnover depends on people\u2019s capacity to spend. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000573\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EThe increase in benefits is doing something that should have been done a long, long time ago. It is righting a wrong, but there is a clear economic argument for this, as well. The other side may argue for tax cuts, but that doesn\u2019t guarantee stimulus of the economy. Putting money to those that need it most will.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u00226354063dafcb438c931b2ce98f7e5b39\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000574\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226354063dafcb438c931b2ce98f7e5b39\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member\u2019s time has expired. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002258baa209-edaf-42a5-92d6-b2613c144bfb\u0022 data-id=\u002214b8e719571a4a32b120154655bb1510\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000575\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258baa209-edaf-42a5-92d6-b2613c144bfb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002214b8e719571a4a32b120154655bb1510\u0022\u003ENICOLE McKEE (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019d like to start my five-minute call just giving a tautoko to Minister Kris Faafoi for his shout-out to those wonderful people down in Canterbury who helped out during a time of need and, adding to that, all the volunteers within the Canterbury community, because without them we could have been in a much worse situation. But my speech tonight is really about a disappointing Budget. It appears that it\u2019s actually spent quite a lot of money, but where it really matters it appears to us that it\u2019s falling short\u2014falling short of delivering solutions to some real problems that are being faced by New Zealanders. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000576\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258baa209-edaf-42a5-92d6-b2613c144bfb\u0022\u003EYou would expect that a Budget would show the priorities of a Government. Well, if this Budget shows the priorities of the Government, then New Zealanders will find it lacking. Where was the commitment to safety, I ask, safety of the people up and down this country? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000577\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258baa209-edaf-42a5-92d6-b2613c144bfb\u0022\u003EUnder this Government, of course, we\u2019ve seen a 50 percent increase in the number of gang members. That\u2019s a 50 percent increase since 2017 of the gang members that we know about\u2014only the ones on the national gang list. Given that there\u2019s been such a dramatic increase, I thought I\u2019d go and have a look through the Budget and see what actions are being taken to address such a significant problem currently facing New Zealand. I went and looked under the justice booklet under Vote Police. The word \u201Cgang\u201D appears once\u2014just once. Gangs have appeared more times in Ministers\u2019 diaries than they do in the Budget. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000578\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258baa209-edaf-42a5-92d6-b2613c144bfb\u0022\u003EBut it gets worse. We do see, as other members have said this evening, a reduction in the total amount of money in the Police appropriations this year. Now, the Government has its own explanations for this, but this is a problem, because at a time when we\u2019re seeing gang membership increasing by 50 percent, instead of increasing the resourcing for police, the Government\u2019s overseeing a cut in their budget. In a time of gang-related crime\u2014gun violence and family harm incidents are surging\u2014one would expect that the Government would use this Budget as an opportunity to invest in the police in order to address some of these issues. But what the Budget does make crystal clear is the fact that we do have a soft-on-crime Government. Besides a small boost of $12 million to the Police appropriations budget, the Government actually took away $90 million worth of cuts from that Police budget. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000579\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258baa209-edaf-42a5-92d6-b2613c144bfb\u0022\u003ESo why is it that I want to talk about this today? It\u2019s because from the emails and messages that I\u2019m receiving from the general public, we have Kiwis that are saying they want the Government to stand up to violence and intimidation. We should be arresting the gang members who create crime, not having cups of tea with them. This week, gang members intimidated members of the public in the Hawke\u2019s Bay. They drove them off the road. We\u2019ve seen reports of children sitting in cars crying because they were intimidated by that gang activity. The gangs do intimidate people, they do carry out violence, they\u2019re running around with illegal guns, and we don\u2019t have a Government who\u2019s prepared to support our police to go after them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000580\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258baa209-edaf-42a5-92d6-b2613c144bfb\u0022\u003EI would have expected the Government to be of the same opinion as us in this case, but it just turns out not to be that case. The fact that the Government Ministers like Willie Jackson and Marama Davidson are meeting with patched gang members and visiting the Mongrel Mob in Waikato shows exactly how distorted this Government\u2019s priorities are. These are organisations who inflict harm on New Zealand. Their members harm our people. They peddle drugs that fuel misery, crime, and dependency, and they use tactics of intimidation to get their way. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000581\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258baa209-edaf-42a5-92d6-b2613c144bfb\u0022\u003EThe Government talks a lot about kindness and the need to support the most vulnerable people in our society. Well, the most vulnerable people are the ones that are being preyed upon by the gangs. They are the victims of violence and they are the victims of the drugs and misery being peddled by the gangs, and our Government is investing time in pursuing dialogue with them. ACT would rather invest our time in stopping the crime that these organisations inflict on our country. Thank you, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022 data-id=\u002207e548720e0a4feb91a9f78b00942f11\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000582\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002207e548720e0a4feb91a9f78b00942f11\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture):\u003C/span\u003E Mr Speaker, thank you very much. Firstly, I would like to acknowledge my colleague the Hon Kris Faafoi and the Prime Minister and others who are involved in the challenge in Canterbury. I have to say that the Hon Kris Faafoi has stepped in, he\u2019s stepped up, but I would like to acknowledge and I know that the Hon Kiritapu Allan would have done the same, and we wish her the very best. Our prayers and thoughts are always with her for her challenge, along with the challenges of those people\u2014the rural people, in particular\u2014in Canterbury who, following a drought, are now facing excess water. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000583\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EI was actually emotional when this Budget went through the House. I came into this House a number of years ago as a Labour MP to help people who needed assistance and to give them a fair go, and on the issue of gangs, this is what this Budget does. It addresses the causes of gangs. This was a Labour Budget, if ever we had one, to address the core challenges that we face as a nation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000584\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003ECan I acknowledge, firstly, the fact that we have got to the situation where we can have a Budget that invests in the right way, because each and every New Zealander did the right thing through COVID, and I want to thank each and every one of them\u2014and, in particular, the primary sectors\u2014that carried on through the last 12 months, continued to produce wealth for this country, and adjusted their businesses and their operations to ensure that they didn\u2019t participate in any way in the spread of COVID. Thank you for that, and thank you for the wealth. This Government is spending that wealth that has been created for the right causes in a Labour Party way\u2014in a Labour way that says those people who need help should get assistance. That\u2019s what this country was founded on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EThe fact that we will put 200,000 more people into jobs over the next four years is something that made me proud as a Labour Party Minister. A Budget that will lift 33,000 children out of poverty\u2014that\u2019s what I came into this House for. We should not have any poverty. We should not have homelessness in this country. We should have people who have opportunities to realise their full potential and to realise their talents, but we know that\u2019s not the situation. So what we in Government did was step up and invest in the core areas of need. Infrastructure that was run down over nine years of a National Government that ran things into the ground\u2014we\u2019re putting over $57 billion into infrastructure over the next row. Sweating the roading assets\u2014the roads that we will fix up in Canterbury had been run down over nine years of National Government, and the $57 billion will be part of that rebuild.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000586\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EThere are 109,000 families who will be, on average, $175 a week better off. \u201CEmotional\u201D was the only description that I had when, on Budget night, a mother of two children said that the $20 extra that she would be getting would be used to assist her boys to take them on a trip that she could not otherwise afford, and those who scoff at the benefits of such small amounts of money over on that side of the House don\u2019t understand the real challenges facing many, many Kiwis out there. I applaud the fact that they get on and do an incredible job with their families to get them through the challenges and, for the most part, to turn out and produce and support fine young Kiwis. With $175 a week extra, many of them will be able to do the things that they want to do\u2014not all of them, but a lot more than they could.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000587\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EThis was a true Labour Budget. This $3.8 billion that we have invested in infrastructure for housing will help create not just houses but homes for people\u2014homes and security. The previous Government was happy to sell off all the houses because they don\u2019t care about the core values that make this country what it is. Those values are providing access to food, access to shelter, and access to public education and good health. This Budget invested in the areas of need that will make this country a better place, and the fact that we have so many people wanting to come back and live here is a clear indication that we\u2019re on the right path. We\u2019ve got a long way to go, but we will invest where it is needed, and that is with the people who are most in need.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022 data-id=\u002220ed5df08da34836a856013a9b2c1514\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000588\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002220ed5df08da34836a856013a9b2c1514\u0022\u003EBARBARA KURIGER (National\u2014Taranaki - King Country):\u003C/span\u003E I don\u2019t know what that member Damien O\u2019Connor is talking about\u2014about feeling emotional about this Budget. I feel emotional when I think about those poor farmers down in Ashburton and surrounding districts that have actually had not just their moving day disrupted but their whole dairy season. It\u2019s going to take a long time to recover from that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000589\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EYes, it was a Labour Budget, and if the Minister was emotional about that\u2014well, I can tell you this is the Minister for Rural Communities that we just heard from. I got a magnifying glass and I looked through this Budget to find the word \u201Crural\u201D. Now, I can tell you that I put a video on my Facebook page. It was made before the Budget and I put it on after the Budget. I was so certain that that Minister was not doing his job, and I was looking for the word \u201Crural\u201D\u2014scanning, scanning, scanning. There was one piece on connectivity, and it wasn\u2019t for any more connectivity, Minister; it was to upgrade what we already have to 5G. It wasn\u2019t going to cover any further area. You know, people have said to me, \u201CWhy doesn\u2019t the Minister for Rural Communities care about rural communities?\u201D We\u2019re looking for it. We\u2019re scanning for it, and even with magnifying glasses, Minister, we can\u2019t find it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EThe Minister waxed lyrical about \u201CThose people that need assistance should get help.\u201D, and I agree with that, but there\u2019s been a lot of farmers out there who need workers right now. They\u2019re not getting the help. The fruit pickers didn\u2019t get the help. There was not even a sense of opening up borders to countries that didn\u2019t have COVID to allow staff to come in and do the job. That\u2019s not helping people that need it the most, and guess where the Labour Budget and the Labour Government who\u2019s running this Budget get their money from? They get it from rural New Zealand. I can tell you, we are very lucky that last week, Fonterra made an announcement that had \u201C$8\u201D in front of the forecast payout, because I can tell that Minister that we are one dairy downturn away from this Government not being able to gloat about how much money they\u2019ve got. Most of them haven\u2019t realised where it comes from. I hope the Minister has; I don\u2019t think he\u2019s quite registered yet.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000591\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EI was looking in here where it says \u201CBudget makes more Kiwi homes warmer and reduces emissions across sectors.\u201D Now, we have been talking for too long in this country about wool. Think about the wool farmers. I\u2019m the energy spokesperson. I\u2019m a great proponent of wool\u2014wool carpets, wool clothing, wool insulation. I don\u2019t see anything in this Budget anywhere about wool. How are we going to keep our homes warm and dry? Obviously not with wool, under this Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000592\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EAs part of my portfolio, on emissions from transport\u2014associate transport spokesperson\u2014it\u2019s really laudable that this Government is trying to make claims for strong climate action at a time when we\u2019re on a nine-year coal high just to get our electricity in place. In fact, private businesses have to sell their gas currently so we can keep the lights on in this country, and I can only hope that maybe some of that water that came down in the South Island this week\u2014apart from the damage that it\u2019s caused\u2014might have run into those hydro dams, because if it hasn\u2019t, this is a Budget that\u2019s got no investment in gas, and this Government has literally killed the investment in the gas industry. We\u2019re short of gas, we\u2019re short of hydro, and they all live in fairy tales about new technologies that one day we\u2019ll have. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000593\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re excited, too. We actually want to deal with climate change, but you can\u2019t have a just transition with no available answers in the quantity we need. We\u2019re actually digging a big hole in energy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000594\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EMinister Wood actually made an announcement the other day about electric cars\u2014a pre-Budget announcement. Well, get this: the Government\u2019s got a 15,000-car target for the Government electric car fleet by 2025. So far, they\u2019ve got 155. That\u2019s 1 percent\u20141 percent. The Minister made an announcement for another 422. That would give us 577, if it was delivered. If it was delivered tomorrow, they would be at 3.8 percent of their target in four years, and it\u2019s not actually delivered yet. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000595\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003ECome on, Government, this is not a Budget; this is just a pipedream. Thank you, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022 data-id=\u0022d87c16fc93894243992eb49ff6d658ee\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000596\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d87c16fc93894243992eb49ff6d658ee\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s a pleasure to take a call after Barbara Kuriger, the member who\u2019s just resumed her seat. I say to that member and to her compadres opposite that the journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. Those were the words of, I think, that great communist Mao\u2014tell Kieran McAnulty, he\u2019ll be very proud of that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000597\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EBut we are on a long journey, a journey of adaptation, and, actually, a journey of correction\u2014a journey of closing a gap that the previous Government left right across the board of government, with absolutely appalling levels of under-investment in those things that actually matter to people. I\u2019m pleased to hear that member concerned about the need for better energy and warmer homes and all those sorts of things. The question we ask is why they didn\u2019t do it when they had a chance to do so. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000598\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EI am very proud of this Budget. This is a true Labour Budget, and it follows the incredibly difficult circumstances that we had last year with the COVID outbreak. Ours is a country now that very much leads the way, not only in addressing the impact of COVID-19\u2014shutting it down; stopping it spreading\u2014but now leading the way in the economic recovery that accompanies a pandemic such as the world saw last year. This Budget does that, and it continues the work of lifting more New Zealanders who are in poverty out of poverty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000599\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EWhat I\u2019m very pleased about and very proud about are the health initiatives and, yet again, record investment in health, because that\u2019s what Labour Governments do. Labour Governments understand that people in New Zealand need a good quality public health system, and whereas the previous Government continually under-invested in it, this is a Government that has put even more money in it in this Budget, along with the previous three that it did in the last term in Government: $2.7 billion in cost pressure funding for the next four years. That\u2019s what this Government has done to allow the DHBs and, once they are out of the picture, Health NZ to be able to provide the health services that New Zealanders need.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000600\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EWhen it comes to mental health services too, we\u2019re continuing the roll-out of the programme approved in 2019, because the previous Government so appallingly neglected those very important services. So many New Zealanders were left isolated, alone, and without any support or help because of the appalling management of mental health services by the previous Government. Not this Government: we made it a priority, as we have in other aspects of the health system. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000601\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003ESo we see things like continuing the capital expenditure programme up to, now, $5.5 billion in capital expenditure for our hospital system\u2014new buildings and new IT systems\u2014because the previous Government completely neglected and failed to look after it. What a difference it makes. A good system and a safe system for patients to look forward to now, because that\u2019s what Labour Governments do: invest in the things that matter, like a decent health system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000602\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EEven down to the things like the very specific services\u2014so, improvements in our breast-screening programme, improvements in our cervical screening programme, and now introducing HPV testing, which has been requested for many, many years and now we\u2019ve got that on board. Things like cochlear implants too, and what an incredible difference we know that that technology makes. We have a waiting list of about 260. The funding we have provided will provide cochlear implants for 320, and we\u2019ll continue to add to that as well. We know the difference that that sort of stuff makes, and it is here in this Budget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000603\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve increased disability support services by nearly $400 million over the four years, because we\u2019ve got to look after those vulnerable people\u2014that part of our vulnerable population. We know that all those things matter. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000604\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThere is $200 million into Pharmac, and that was a promise kept. We promised it in the election last year. There is $200 million in Pharmac, now taking its budget to over $1 billion a year to provide the medications that New Zealand needs. You compare our investment in Pharmac in the time we\u2019ve been in Government, with increased spending on pharmaceuticals by more than 25 percent in the time we\u2019ve been in Government, to the less than 7 percent in the last three years of the previous Government. That\u2019s the difference. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000605\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThe Labour Party gives priority to the stuff that keeps people healthy and safe and provides a public health system that does the job of keeping the nation healthy, and then we have the reforms. We\u2019ve got a bit of money in here to start investing in new processes and new ways, getting the community input\u2014real community input\u2014into what they need for health services, as we start to rebuild and reshape our health system around the needs of New Zealanders to address the real inequities in our system and to address the real gaps in service provision right across the country. This is a fantastic Budget for the nation and for our health system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022 data-id=\u0022e7827f94f8ef4d27be2eb55642a00c18\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000606\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e7827f94f8ef4d27be2eb55642a00c18\u0022\u003ESIMEON BROWN (National\u2014Pakuranga):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. What a disappointing and backward-looking speech that was about a backward-looking Budget, which doesn\u2019t look to the future, but looks back to the past. The Minister of Health just got up and talked about all the investment that\u2019s been made into health. Cochlear implants\u2014yes, there\u2019s money in this Budget, but guess what? They cut funding for cochlear implants back in 2018, so now, this year, they can turn out and say, \u201COh, we\u2019re funding it again.\u201D, and then, of course, I wouldn\u2019t want to dare mention Dunedin Hospital, which is still going so well under this Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000607\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003EThis Budget is a blast from the past. The Minister of Finance was saying he is trying to correct a mistake from the 1990s with the \u201Cmother of all Budgets\u201D. This is a Budget which is looking back to what happened in the past, rather than charting a course for the future and a course for our economic prosperity. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000608\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003EI was born in 1991, and I barely remember the \u201Cmother of all Budgets\u201D. I might have been a couple of months old, but guess what? This Government forgets that my generation don\u2019t remember the 1991 \u201Cmother of all Budgets\u201D. They\u2019re looking forward, and this Government\u2019s focused on giving some nostalgic feeling back to New Zealanders of something that, actually, New Zealanders don\u2019t remember. This Government is looking backwards in promoting big unionism, big government, and a big increase in benefits, rather than focusing on increasing jobs, increasing our economic prosperity as a country, and increasing the opportunities, especially for young New Zealanders, who have been the hardest hit coming out of COVID-19 from an economic perspective. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000609\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003EAs the police spokesperson, in this Budget I wanted to know where was the mention of police. Well, I read\u2014and I had to listen to it as well\u2014the entire Budget speech from Grant Robertson. Not once was the word \u201Cpolice\u201D referred to. In the context of not only rising increasing gang violence and violence on our streets but also the role that police played last year dealing with COVID-19 and the important role that they played, not once did the police get mentioned in Budget 2021\u2014not even a thank you, but particularly no new resources to help them actually do their job. In fact, there\u2019s a $90 million cut from the Police budget\u2014$90 million has been cut from the Police budget in the 2021 Budget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000610\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ab6bcc481196476087ab43f1e90e304f\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: What a disgrace. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000611\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e2b7a04e911841e395c1fe1dadaeb2a2\u0022\u003ESIMEON BROWN\u003C/span\u003E: It is a disgrace\u2014it is an absolute disgrace\u2014and what do we have facing New Zealanders? A 50 percent increase in gang membership in New Zealand. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000612\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003EI repeat the comment from my colleague Nicole McKee in the ACT Party that those are the gang members we know about\u2014the 8,000 gang members we know about. This Government wants to say, \u201COh, it\u2019s not quite 8,000. Actually, the numbers are wrong.\u201D It\u2019s 8,000 that we know about, based on the intelligence that the police reported and that they collect. That\u2019s the intelligence system that they use. This Government wants to downplay it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000613\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003ENot only do they want to downplay the gang numbers but also they want to downplay the violence that gangs are causing and perpetrating on our streets. The Ministers are lining up to go and have cups of tea at the Mongrel Mob gang pad in Hamilton. We\u2019ve had Willie Jackson, we\u2019ve had Marama Davidson\u2014she\u2019s not gone once but also twice. Who\u2019s going to be lining up next for a cup of tea with the Mongrel Mob in Hamilton to try and talk about their misunderstanding? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000614\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003EWell, I\u2019ve got a message for the Mongrel Mob and for this Government: don\u2019t have your cup of tea until the Mongrel Mob stop peddling drugs on the street and until they hand back the guns and they stop the violence on our streets. New Zealanders have had enough of the gang violence. They\u2019ve had enough of gangs closing down our streets and using our schools for their hui and making disruption across New Zealand society\u2014the violence that\u2019s been caused by the guns that they refuse to hand back and the violence that they continue to cause on our streets.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000615\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003EWhere\u2019s the 1,800 police that this Government promised over three years? Where\u2019s the 1,800 police? We\u2019re now 3\u00BD years in. They\u2019ve only got to about 1,300. There were 700 police promised to be targeted on organised crime and gangs. How many of those have been delivered?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000616\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e2c67019b78c47daacb7bb0c8521d88c\u0022\u003EHon Damien O\u2019Connor\u003C/span\u003E: I think ACT were better than you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000617\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228bf5f9c6de5a4c80917b6f432408ecc9\u0022\u003ESIMEON BROWN\u003C/span\u003E: How many of those have been delivered? Mr O\u2019Connor, your electorate has had the biggest increase in gang numbers in the country. It\u2019s had a 177 percent increase in gang numbers. You should be worried about this. Your Government\u2019s only delivered 242 of the 700 police targeting organised crime and gangs. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000618\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255d0b7a4-a2c9-4c38-9b77-475311a48a89\u0022\u003EOur Government does not have the resource it needs. It is not delivering the resource it needs for our police to keep New Zealanders safe, and that should be one of their most important jobs. This Budget fails to keep New Zealanders safe.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b464a62e-d900-452a-b842-e3cf4ccc6149\u0022 data-id=\u0022c995bb5a08e449f9a06ed61522309884\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000619\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b464a62e-d900-452a-b842-e3cf4ccc6149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c995bb5a08e449f9a06ed61522309884\u0022\u003EARENA WILLIAMS (Labour\u2014Manurewa):\u003C/span\u003E Talofa lava, Mr Speaker, and fa\u2018afetai tele lava. This week last year was the first for me as the Labour candidate for Manurewa, but it was after 14 years of campaigning and community organising for the people who need us most, and I can tell you that the community organiser in me\u2014the kid who volunteered to deliver leaflets and run phone banks and organise cottage meetings\u2014is proud of this Budget. She is proud of this Budget 2021, which brings with it a wellbeing framework that builds on our previous Budgets in Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000620\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b464a62e-d900-452a-b842-e3cf4ccc6149\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s a Budget which has no surprises because it\u2019s so intrinsically Labour. We saw at the election people overwhelmingly choose to support this Labour Government\u2019s vision for the future, and that\u2019s exactly what they\u2019ve got out of Budget 2021. It\u2019s a Budget which lifts 33,000 children out of poverty. It\u2019s a Budget that tackles the root causes of inequality and addresses exactly those factors which are driving up gang membership. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud of it, and I\u2019m proud of it because it deals with the situation which is most affecting people from Manurewa and from South Auckland, who are the people who I\u2019ve always been campaigning for. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000621\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b464a62e-d900-452a-b842-e3cf4ccc6149\u0022\u003ESo, Mr Speaker, if you\u2019ll indulge me and let me talk about some of the things which will make the biggest difference for my people in Manurewa, they are things like the Puhinui station interchange in Manurewa, which will generate 2,121 jobs in South Auckland. That\u2019s a massive project which not only creates those jobs but links our Papatoetoe and Manurewa communities with one of the biggest employers in South Auckland, which is the airport. That\u2019s a game-changer for that community. It provides that direct link with public transport and with jobs which our people need. I\u2019m thinking about our extending the National Bowel Screening Programme to Auckland and Manukau district health boards for people aged 60 to 74. We know that people in South Auckland are at a high risk, and in that age group, that\u2019s when you can catch those risk factors for our people who suffer these diseases which are associated with bowel screening at an earlier age, and it will make a difference for our kuia and kaum\u0101tua there. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000622\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b464a62e-d900-452a-b842-e3cf4ccc6149\u0022\u003EI\u2019m thinking about the $18.9 million for Te P\u016Btahi M\u0101ori o Manurewa. It\u2019s a campus that will house both Te Kura Kaupapa M\u0101ori o Manurewa and Te Wharekura o Manurewa. I was lucky enough to visit it last week with our M\u0101ori Ministers, who came and saw the joy on the kids\u2019 faces when the kids performed their haka with so much pride in their community of Manurewa being given the resources to create not just a new school for themselves but a hub for the community who are M\u0101ori in Manurewa, and they are so proud of their very deep links to that community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000623\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b464a62e-d900-452a-b842-e3cf4ccc6149\u0022\u003EI\u2019m thinking as well of our Finlayson Park School. It\u2019s one of the schools which is in line for an upgrade\u2014161 South Auckland schools, to a total value of $45.9 million. For Finlayson Park, that means new heating infrastructure and warmer, drier classrooms. I was also lucky to visit that school and to celebrate with them Samoan Language Week. It\u2019s a special school because they\u2019re bilingual not only in English and M\u0101ori but in English and Samoan, and to see these Samoan-speaking kids celebrating their heritage and knowing that they will have warm, dry classrooms to continue to learn their reo rangatira and to learn about their community was really special for me. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000624\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b464a62e-d900-452a-b842-e3cf4ccc6149\u0022\u003EI\u2019m thinking also about the 73 new jobs that are created by the Jobs for Nature fund in South Auckland, which includes raising 480,000 native plants for Takanini, Papakura, Manurewa, and beyond. I visited them on Tuesday morning, and I met with some of the kids who are part of that programme that the funding will support. These are kids who are referred by police and who are referred by our court systems, who have fallen through the cracks through the Oranga Tamariki system, but who are learning to just be a part of something like Jobs for Nature, where they can go every day and learn practical skills about how to regenerate te taiao and to look after their whenua. That programme feeds into a pipeline of employment and education opportunities where these kids can then go on to take advantage of Labour\u2019s revitalisation of vocational training in South Auckland, which will provide more and more jobs in South Auckland. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b464a62e-d900-452a-b842-e3cf4ccc6149\u0022\u003EFinally, I want to reflect on the $12 million in Mana Ake funding for mental wellbeing supports in primary and intermediate schools, which will make a difference in South Auckland, and the $11.6 million to expand the Reading Together Te P\u0101nui Ng\u0101tahi partnerships and Duffy Books in Homes programmes. It\u2019s those programmes which in our South Auckland schools are getting more books in te reo M\u0101ori and in our languages like Samoan into the hands of our tamariki and they are increasing learning, and that\u2019s why this is a magnificent Budget for Manurewa and for all New Zealanders. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022 data-id=\u002226804d383caa4b2dbb9c4b2f6c03c80b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002226804d383caa4b2dbb9c4b2f6c03c80b\u0022\u003ENICOLA WILLIS (National):\u003C/span\u003E Budgets are about priorities, they are about hope for the future and laying foundations for the future, and they are about what Governments are prepared to tolerate in terms of failure. This Budget fails on each score.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000627\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003EThis weekend, I met\u00A0Ed Lee. He is a man who lives with cystic fibrosis. He has accessed through his own money Trikafta, a miracle drug which has transformed his life, and Ed, instead of sitting back and saying, \u201CMy life is transformed, and on to the next thing.\u201D, has said, \u201CActually, I\u2019m concerned to see more people access this drug.\u201D So I said to Ed, \u201CWhat did the Budget deliver?\u201D, and he said, \u201COh, well, there\u2019s been a lot of talk about increased Pharmac funding, but I\u2019ve done the numbers and it barely keeps up with population growth, let alone the increasing costs of medicines due to COVID-19. It just takes us backwards to standstill.\u201D So I said to Ed, \u201CWell, health\u2019s hard. Government\u2019s hard. Where could that money be reprioritised from?\u201D, and Ed and I discussed the $400 million - plus that this Labour Government has prioritised for a health restructure, for shuffling around the way things are organised and for centralising control over our health management system. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000628\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003EI think that if you really prioritise things, you can spend things on the things that change lives, not just reorganising. But, for this Government, centralising and doing bureaucratic change is more important than doing the things that change lives. So there\u2019s a sense of their priorities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000629\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003EBut the second thing that Budgets should be about is turning around over the long term those issues which hold us back as a society. I think you can judge a Government by what it\u2019s prepared to tolerate, and in this Budget\u2014and I\u2019m glad that Carmel Sepuloni is in the House, because she is the Minister in charge of this. What this Budget shows is that she is prepared to tolerate, not just this year or next year, but for the next several years, thousands of New Zealanders living in motels\u2014thousands of New Zealand families raising their children in motels.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003EWhen Labour came into office, they were spending approximately $100,000 a day on emergency housing, and they said that was far too much. Well, in this very Budget it shows us that next year, Labour is going to be spending more than $750 million on motel rooms and that that number will continue into the future. Millions and millions of dollars\u2014still, even in 2024, $275 million on motel rooms, and why is that? Well, it\u2019s because Labour\u2019s housing policies have failed. They promised New Zealand 100,000 KiwiBuild houses\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000631\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224469e09c00fd4e7abe0e9f9bc96b5a32\u0022\u003EHon Damien O\u2019Connor\u003C/span\u003E: National sold houses.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000632\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d778342ce1aa4fee876aa9ba8715de95\u0022\u003ENICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Damien O\u2019Connor says, \u201CIt\u2019s because you sold houses.\u201D Well, is he aware that his Government has sold hundreds of houses and has demolished hundreds of houses in the same policy that has continued? Actually, this is about a failure. The problem is that they are prepared to tolerate it into the future. They have no plan to turn it around, they have no plan to change it; they\u2019re simply going to put up with it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000633\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003EWhat I said at the beginning of my speech is that Budgets are also about laying the foundations for the future. They are about giving people hope that things are going to get better, and that\u2019s where this Budget is most lacking, because what we need to see in a time of uncertainty, in a time where industries have been turned upside down, when New Zealanders\u2019 lives have been altered, and where the global landscape is changing is a plan for economic growth. We need to see a plan for creating more jobs, a plan for ensuring that the number of beneficiaries on the benefit for more than a year doesn\u2019t keep increasing as it has under Labour. What we need to see is New Zealanders having more options for higher-paying jobs. We need to see investment in our industries that are going to grow. But, instead, this Budget lacks this. It is a standstill Budget, when what we need is a foundation for the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000634\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003EThis is a Government that has its priorities wrong and that is centralising and spending money on bureaucracy instead of medicines to save lives, it is a Budget that has given up on the thousands of New Zealanders whose housing problems it said it would solve, and it\u2019s a Government that is standing still. New Zealand deserves better. Every child in this country should be growing up knowing this economy is going to get better and better; this Budget doesn\u2019t deliver it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022 data-id=\u0022ed89c9f7334a409b954661f207c5e590\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000635\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ed89c9f7334a409b954661f207c5e590\u0022\u003ET\u0100MATI COFFEY (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. I really hope that somebody gives that member Nicola Willis a hug because she needs one, because she doesn\u2019t understand just how good this Budget was. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000636\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003ENow, I get it. The job of the Opposition is to oppose everything that the Government does, but actually in the last week that I\u2019ve been travelling around the Waiariki\u2014the Bay of Plenty\u2014speaking to our communities, there has been nothing but praise for Budget 2021. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000637\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EGranted, I reached out and spoke to a lot of M\u0101ori communities about how they felt about the Budget, and there was a lot for support. Some said it\u2019s been a very long time since the Government has spent money like this on M\u0101ori initiatives, but the key change in this Budget is that we are investing in solutions that are by M\u0101ori and for M\u0101ori. Our M\u0101ori organisations have been waiting for a very long time for the kind of Budget that we were able to deliver two weeks ago, and we\u2019re going to continue, obviously, this brilliant streak that we\u2019re on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000638\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EI want to also acknowledge a good friend of mine. His name\u2019s Paora Stanley\u2014call him a miffed National Party voter. Once upon a time he loved the National Party, but he\u2019s fallen off the wagon because he\u2019s realised that they\u2019re divided, they\u2019re distracted, and actually he\u2019s got nowhere to go but to actually look at what we\u2019ve delivered in Budget 2021, and he\u2019s full of praise\u2014full of praise because I went out there and I talked to our wh\u0101nau around the Waiariki. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000639\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003ESpecifically, I had some great conversations with Ng\u0101 P\u014Dtiki-a-Tamap\u0101hore, which is an iwi in Tauranga Moana who have been doing some great things already. They have got a housing strategy and, as an iwi, they saw the opportunity that we were presenting with the kind of investment that we were talking about into M\u0101ori housing: $380 million for M\u0101ori housing. They see the benefits of that. There is also $350 million carved out of that wider infrastructure spend to be able to assist M\u0101ori with that infrastructure as well\u2014which can be crippling as we try to realise our aspirations\u2014by using their under-utilised land that we have so long wanted to utilise. So Ng\u0101 P\u014Dtiki were pretty excited about that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000640\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EI want to tell another story about heading over to Whakat\u0101ne, and talking to Te Puna Ora o Mataatua and how excited they were about the health reforms that were coming up. They were stoked about the idea of the M\u0101ori Health Authority and told the story that when it came to contestable funding for health, they found themselves often in a very long line. They felt as though, as Treaty partners, they should have their own line, and it should be shorter and it should be funded because that\u2019s what Te Tiriti promised them. So they were very surprised and pleased that we would be establishing the M\u0101ori Health Authority. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000641\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s something that this Government have done, because we know that for too long we\u2019ve been trying to create solutions for M\u0101ori, not letting M\u0101ori create those solutions for themselves. So the pleasure that I got in sitting there in front of them talking about the formation of the M\u0101ori Health Authority was significant. I wanted to mihi to them specifically because, as we\u2019re rolling out the COVID vaccinations all across the country, they\u2019re the ones that are doing the job in the Eastern Bay of Plenty to be able to roll out COVID vaccinations. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000642\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EI got the pleasure of walking around their COVID vaccination centre in the middle of Whakat\u0101ne and I saw the well-oiled machine that they had going on in there. It was brilliant to be able to see it. But what happened was that as we were walking through, they were showing me how it happened\u2014how they reached out to kuia and how they reached out to kaum\u0101tua for the first time but also being able to get them in again for their second vaccine\u2014and they were really pleased about what they were able to deliver for the people that they represent. So I was able to talk to them about how the vaccination programme through Budget 2021 is going to continue to be rolled out. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000643\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EPeople over there will say that it\u2019s not being rolled out fast enough, but you know what? This is the year of the vaccine. We\u2019re going to do it, we\u2019ve appropriated the money for it, and it\u2019s what New Zealand is expecting. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000644\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EI want to finish off just by acknowledging the $527 million that has gone into the expansion of the free healthy school lunches programme, because while we\u2019re putting money into health and while we\u2019re putting money into housing, while we\u2019re putting money into education, I actually got to go into Tauhara Primary School in Taup\u014D and see the great difference that it\u2019s making to those kids. You know, many families struggle with being able to feed their kids, and, actually that programme has been a game-changer. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000645\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EI went to Ka Pai Kai in Rotorua, who, once upon a time only a few years ago, were rolling out about 300 lunches by the generosity of donors around the Rotorua community. Now they\u2019re rolling out about 6,000 lunches around the whole of the Bay of Plenty, and they have nothing but praise for an expansion of that programme but also Budget 2021. It\u2019s a good thing, and I support it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022 data-id=\u0022e91763dc46a14500b7a335968a0fe928\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000646\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e91763dc46a14500b7a335968a0fe928\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That this debate be now adjourned.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000647\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000648\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00226a04ade3e3074a96818cd7a7c902d253\u0022\u003ECOVID-19 ORDERS\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000649\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ffc2189567014958b9a4c9d091776f64\u0022\u003EApproval\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022 data-id=\u00229f70c8042bc9426b9d6be3d5fb8085e7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000650\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229f70c8042bc9426b9d6be3d5fb8085e7\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Justice)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister for COVID-19 Response: I move, That this House approve the following orders made under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000651\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ECOVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border and Isolation and Quarantine) Amendment Order 2021;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000652\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ECOVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) Amendment Order (No 2) 2021;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ECOVID-19 Public Health Response (Point-of-care Tests) Order 2021;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000654\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ECOVID-19 Public Health Response (Required Testing) Amendment Order 2021;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000655\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ECOVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border, Isolation and Quarantine, and Required Testing) Amendment Order 2021;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000656\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ECOVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) Amendment Order (No 3) 2021;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000657\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ECOVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u0022012ee1886fd94bada589d563817b9e6f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000658\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022012ee1886fd94bada589d563817b9e6f\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that the motion be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u0022eb8253be8efd4590a3c7c4669810cb98\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000659\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022eb8253be8efd4590a3c7c4669810cb98\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker, and my apologies. The House moved just a few moments faster than I had been anticipating there. So I want to thank my colleague, the Hon Kris Faafoi, for stepping into the breach and making sure that the House continued to flow as it should. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000660\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EBy way of explanation, the motion that my colleague has just moved on my behalf confirms seven orders that I have made as Minister for COVID-19 Response under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act. By way of a little bit of background, that piece of law gives me as the Minister for COVID-19 Response some quite wide-ranging powers to compel people to do or to not do things that relate to the COVID-19 response. It is quite a significant power and it is one that, when Parliament put it in place, Parliament decided that it should also be subject to regular scrutiny. So any orders that I issue under that Act have to be scrutinised by the Parliament and then, ultimately, confirmed by a motion in the House as they are being now. Before they are confirmed, they go through a Regulations Review Committee appraisal. The Regulations Review Committee will look at: were they made in accordance with the Act, is there any unusual use of those powers, have all of the correct processes been followed, and so on. So, here we are, we are confirming seven of them now. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000661\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003ETo run through those briefly: the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) Amendment Order (No 2) of 2021\u2014so this is an order amending an order that amended an order\u2014this particular amendment introduced the prohibition on people travelling from India, people who had been in India within the last 14 days. This was the first of the restrictions that we put in place and then it was subsequently succeeded by the second order that we\u2019re confirming, which is the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) Amendment Order (No 3), which introduced the new categories of very high-risk countries, made clear what the criteria for determining them would be\u2014those countries presently are Brazil, India, Pakistan, and Papua New Guinea\u2014and it introduced a prohibition on people travelling from those countries within 14 days of being in those countries unless they are a New Zealand citizen. That order continues to be in place now. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000662\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EThe third order is the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border and Isolation and Quarantine) Amendment Order 2021. This particular one makes some technical changes to the way we manage our managed isolation and quarantine facilities, dealing particularly with group allocations and group bookings. The fourth is a change to the required testing regime that we have in place\u2014that is, people who have to be tested regularly as part of our surveillance to make sure that they haven\u2019t picked up COVID-19. It extends that to a wider group of people who work at the border, and it includes people who handle items removed within 72 hours from a managed isolation facility, within a plane or a ship, or have contact with other affected workers. It also increases the testing frequency for some groups of workers. It allows the Director-General of Health to authorise different testing methods, including saliva testing, and it requires a PCBU\u2014person conducting a business or undertaking\u2014to use the border workforce testing register to ensure that we have accurate records of all those who are being regularly tested. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000663\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EThe fifth order that we are confirming prohibits point-of-care tests or POC tests. This is to ensure that the testing we are using is robust, is reliable, and that we are not using off-the-shelf tests that we know to be not as reliable as the tests that we have been using. The sixth, the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border, Isolation and Quarantine, and Required Testing) Amendment Order provides for quarantine-free travel\u2014so the safe travel zone. It is the amendments that we\u2019ve introduced under this particular order that allow us to have quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand; and New Zealand and the Cook Islands; and, ultimately, New Zealand and Niue, when that finally is introduced.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000664\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EThe final order being confirmed here is the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order of 2021. This requires people undertaking certain roles at our border, most notably in our managed isolation and quarantine facilities, to be vaccinated in order to do their work. I want to be very clear here. It\u2019s not a compulsory vaccination, because people who are doing that work are entitled to say no. It just means that they cannot continue to do that work if they say no to having a vaccination. There are only a very, very limited number of people who have been in that category and, in a lot of the very limited number of cases, it\u2019s for a reason that\u2019s temporary. For example, there are some pregnant women who have said no to having a vaccination until after they\u2019ve had their babies, in which case arrangements can be put in place until such time as they are able to have a vaccination.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000665\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003ESo the seven orders are absolutely consistent with the purpose of the Act, which is to do everything we can to keep COVID-19 out of New Zealand and to ensure that COVID-19 doesn\u2019t spread within the New Zealand community, and, of course, vaccinations play a big part of that. But the restrictions that we have at our border, the managed isolation facilities, and the quarantine facilities that we are using at the moment to allow a safe passage back into the country for those who have been in higher-risk settings, are a really integral part of that as well. So, ultimately, I absolutely respect and endorse the process that we are going through now. I think that these orders should be regularly subject to parliamentary scrutiny and I\u2019m very happy to commend the resolution put by my colleague to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022 data-id=\u0022c3801285f1394cd1978d87c5173dea3d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000666\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c3801285f1394cd1978d87c5173dea3d\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP (National):\u003C/span\u003E Well, thank you very much, Mr Speaker, and we will be supporting the Government motion No. 1, but I want to take the opportunity to say a few things about the various orders that have been presented to the House. And can I just start by saying thank you to the venerable Regulations Review Committee for their excellent consideration of these orders\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000667\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b1633adb4bfe4fdca144a8a15e7efd49\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: What does venerable mean?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000668\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022637436c0a87c44d29bdce529daa96327\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: Well, honourable, I should say\u2014maybe venerable. Certainly they\u2019ve done a good job. But I do want to go through the various orders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000669\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003ESo the first one is in relation to the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border, Isolation and Quarantine, and Required Testing) Amendment Order 2021. All the words are very similar, but Part 2 of this order that I\u2019m talking about relates to the provisions to give the chief executive of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment operation of managed isolation allocation system specific responsibility for ensuring the system does not allocate more confirmed spaces in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) than the system\u2019s capacity. Fine on its face\u2014we support that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000670\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EI want to take this opportunity to make the point that at the moment, on average, there are 1,717 rooms on average in MIQ vacant every day. And at the moment, we have a group of people out there living in New Zealand who have been split from their families, who are being denied entry to New Zealand because of the immigration system and because the Minister of Immigration and his officials will not take action to reunite those families, whilst the Minister for COVID-19 Response sits there with over 1,500 rooms per day on average sitting vacant that could be used to reunite those families. I think that is disgraceful, and it is time the Government got a move on and finally provided a pathway to those families.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000671\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EThese are people who moved to New Zealand in good faith. In fact, in some cases they were incentivised to move to New Zealand. They were told that they would come to New Zealand and provide a better life for their families and fulfil skills shortages in New Zealand. In the case of Cameron Conradie in the Hutt Valley, he moved to the Hutt Valley to become a maths teacher at Hutt Valley High School, where he\u2019s doing a great job. His family are ready to come to New Zealand, but, because of our border restrictions, they cannot. He sits there, split apart from his wife and his children for over 450 days now, and he quite rightly looks at the spaces in MIQ\u2014as I say, 1,717 in the last week alone\u2014and says, \u201CWhy can the Government not move?\u201D And there are hundreds of people in his situation. We\u2019re not saying let them all in straight away, we\u2019re not saying let them all in all at once, but what we are saying is the Government must provide a pathway for these split migrant families to come to New Zealand, and they can do that by virtue of Part 2 of the order, and I encourage the Government to finally take action.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000672\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EThe second point I want to make is in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) Amendment Order (No 2) 2021 in relation to the Indian travel ban which then got extended to other high-risk destinations. I\u2019m really pleased that the Regulations Review Committee investigated whether or not the suspension of travel was wider than necessary because of the open-ended time frame that applies to the restriction. I just want to put on record here that I encourage the Government to continue to review that suspension of travel regularly, and I\u2019m heartened by the Regulations Review Committee\u2019s exhortations to the Government to do that. We support the ban\u2014we supported the ban on people from high-risk destinations coming to New Zealand at the time and we continue to support it\u2014but we also support the regular review of that, because it\u2019s a pretty big thing for the New Zealand Government to say that New Zealanders cannot come to New Zealand. We consider that it needs to be regularly reviewed. The Government has said that they will do that, but we want to make sure that actually happens. So that\u2019s the first two things I wanted to say. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000673\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EIn relation to the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Required Testing) Amendment Order 2021 that was made on 13 April and presented on 16 April, I do want to say a couple of things. The first is in relation to saliva testing, because this is the order that enables the taking of saliva for the purposes of testing and medical examination. I want to place on the record now how frustrating it is that it has taken this long for the Government to move on saliva testing. Let\u2019s remember, this was something that was recommended to the Government in September 2020 by the Roche-Simpson report. So the Government\u2019s own report that they commissioned into the debacle that went on at the border in August said all efforts should be made to roll out saliva testing as quickly as possible in September. The Government sat on the report, it finally got released in December, and here we are on 1 June 2021 finally getting on with saliva testing. Except it won\u2019t happen straight away, because, as we now know, the Government\u2019s just given a contract to Asia Pacific Healthcare Group, but that will take many weeks to roll out. So it won\u2019t be until July that we actually have saliva testing at the border.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000674\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EThis is something that should have been happening months and months ago. The advantages of saliva testing are well known. It allows for increased regularity in terms of testing, it means you can pick up COVID earlier, and of course it\u2019s way more comfortable for people. I\u2019ve taken a saliva test. Rather than just keep talking about it, I thought I should put my money where my mouth is\u2014well, not so much, actually, I didn\u2019t pay anything\u2014and at least see for myself exactly how it worked. I had one at Rako Science last week: a very good experience and I can see absolutely why people would want to do it. It just beggars belief, quite frankly, that it has taken the Government so long to move on saliva testing. This is something that we should have been moving on many months ago.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000675\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EThe other thing I wanted to note about this amendment order is in relation to the compulsion for persons conducting a business or undertaking to enter records of testing and medical examination on a register. Now, the Minister said in a very matter of fact way\u2014a reasonably sterile way, actually\u2014that this was all very straightforward. But, of course, what he did not advert the House to is the controversy behind this register. The reason the register has finally been made compulsory and mandatory for people operating at the border to use is because it was not beforehand and people were not using it. And, of course, what happened there was we had the situation where the Government did not know how many people were not complying with the mandatory testing requirements that have been set up by various other orders pursuant to the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EWe had the ridiculous situation a month or so ago of a security guard\u2014case B at the Grand Millennium\u2014who was not tested for five months. The Government sat on that information for six days before they deigned to tell the public about it. And the only reason that we actually know about it is because I asked the MIQ officials twice at the select committee as to whether or not that person had been tested and how long they\u2019d gone. Unsurprisingly, the Government continues to block the officials from ever turning up to the committee ever again. And we have not actually had any of the officials, including Dr Bloomfield and Megan Main from MIQ before the committee because Labour members, led by Dr Liz Craig, quite disgracefully have continued to block repeated motion after motion to allow us in the National Party and the ACT Party to question officials about what\u2019s going on at the border. We have myriad questions we want to ask, not particularly political, but all designed in the spirit of continuous improvement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000677\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EWell, this is all about continuous improvement and actually making sure our border response is as good as it can be. It\u2019s been good\u2014I don\u2019t deny that. It\u2019s been good. We are COVID free\u2014that\u2019s fantastic, but the question is can it be better and can it be great, as Christopher Luxon says, and of course it can be better and of course it can be great. One way to make it great would be to roll out saliva testing. One way to make it great would have been to make the border register compulsory six months ago, and that\u2019s what we\u2019re talking about here. So we agree with making the border register compulsory, we just don\u2019t understand why it didn\u2019t happen many months ago.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000678\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EThen finally, in the minute I\u2019ve got left, I want to turn to the last order, which is in relation to the vaccinations order. This essentially means that people who work at MIQ or airports can\u2019t do that unless they are vaccinated. It\u2019s very sensible, it\u2019s reasonably controversial with some, including some employees, but I think most reasonable New Zealanders would say this absolutely makes sense. If you work in MIQ, it\u2019s not unreasonable for the Government to say you have to be vaccinated given the risks that these people are incurring, essentially, on behalf of other New Zealanders. It probably should have happened sooner. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000679\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003EI think the next question that we\u2019re going to have to consider as a House, and that\u2019s for the Government as well, is whether or not, if you are working in a DHB, you should have to be vaccinated as well. And that is something that the New Zealand Herald adverted to last Friday and that I hope the Government is turning its mind to in regards to further orders that may come pursuant to the Act. That I think is the next question; it would be good to hear more from the Government in relation to that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022 data-id=\u002245843645f64547eeb0936901fb4e182f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000680\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002245843645f64547eeb0936901fb4e182f\u0022\u003EDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader\u2014ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on behalf of ACT in support of these orders. We think it\u2019s important that New Zealand has a lawful response to a public health emergency, and that\u2019s what the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act was intended to enable, and that\u2019s what these orders are. So we broadly support them, with one exception, which I\u2019ll mention.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000681\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s important, for example, that we actually ensure that the people who are most at risk of contracting COVID-19 are required to be tested, because as Chris Bishop has just alluded to, the failure of the Government to make rules that are proportionate to risk, not the institution but actually proportional to risk, has cost us hundreds of millions of dollars through a lockdown in Auckland. This is actually a failure of the current Government across the board. It\u2019s often more focused on the ideology or the institution doing the delivery than it is on the actual outcome for the people who pay the bills\u2014aka the New Zealand taxpayer and citizens of this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000682\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003ENow, if the Government\u2019s focus was on \u201CIs this person at risk of contracting COVID-19, spreading it to their friends and neighbours and causing a lockdown which will devastate New Zealand\u2019s business?\u201D, then they would have from the start said \u201CEveryone, regardless of whether they work for a public or private company\u201D\u2014or what particular company it is\u2014\u201Cshould actually be on a register.\u201D So we absolutely support the idea of having required testing for anyone who\u2019s a PCBU\u2014person conducting a business or undertaking. Great idea. Pity we didn\u2019t think of it six months ago. It could have saved a lot of money.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000683\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EThe one that ACT has an objection to is the actual ban on point-of-care tests. It\u2019s another theme of this Government\u2019s response that it has been, again, very fixated on who delivers the service: Ministry of Health good; everybody else bad, out in the cold. That has held us back as a country. It\u2019s made our response to COVID-19 less nimble and less efficient. You have to ask yourself why the Government would take it on itself to actually ban the\u2014they\u2019ve done this all the way through COVID with Gazette notices, banning testing kits. You know, why shouldn\u2019t people be able to avail themselves of information? Why shouldn\u2019t New Zealanders be able to innovate in response to a crisis? That\u2019s how New Zealanders have traditionally faced adversity\u2014by innovating and using better technology\u2014and the Government\u2019s going out of its way to ban technologies being imported into New Zealand by citizens of this country. I think that\u2019s a real, real shame.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000684\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EFinally, we come to the restrictions on people coming\u2014or finally in this particular report of the Regulations Review Committee\u2014from India. The ACT Party thinks that this is the right thing to do. In saying that, we acknowledge the terrible heartbreak and considerable resentment, particularly within our Kiwi Indian community, and the inconvenience that is being caused. But I want to be clear about why we support it. ACT has said all along that one of the things the Government needs to do in response to a pandemic is have a response that\u2019s proportional to risk. The logic is that if there\u2019s a place that has a new and more infectious, perhaps more virulent strain that may be more resistant to vaccination, then the risk of people coming from that country and bringing COVID-19 must be higher than from other places. So our response should be proportional to risk, and putting restrictions on people coming from India was the right thing to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000685\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003ENow, here\u2019s the thing: we still don\u2019t let people come from Niue. I mean, it\u2019s speculative that one day New Zealanders will be able to come to Niue, which to some extent is actually legally part of New Zealand, and that\u2019s actually a place\u2014funnily enough, for the benefit of the Labour members, I\u2019ll name-drop Chris Luxon. When I went to Niue, he was on the flight. He pops up everywhere, you see. It\u2019s hard to avoid mentioning him. But\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000686\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b8a689042aaf4204bad7b7965733062f\u0022\u003EMatt Doocey\u003C/span\u003E: Those bald guys all look the same.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000687\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223ff12f7f4b764eef92e1c5f02318b8fe\u0022\u003EDAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I sometimes get him confused with Matt Doocey. I mean, you know, it\u2019s an easy mistake to make! But back on COVID-19 and the response to the pandemic\u2014I mean, this is important stuff.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000688\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c7172c9fbc6d4f42b18f057a4b9c23a4\u0022\u003EGreg O\u2019Connor\u003C/span\u003E: A dollar each way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000689\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222f2806d6f63e44e0be191c4e3bb1cec7\u0022\u003EDAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: What\u2019s that from Greg?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000690\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226e36bfccd1fe4e58a6be9952dbc40a24\u0022\u003EGreg O\u2019Connor\u003C/span\u003E: Having a dollar each way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000691\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022570dd1dc4b794a438928f57fd090fab3\u0022\u003EDAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: Greg from \u014Ch\u0101riu\u2014O\u2019Connor; that\u2019s his name.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000692\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f90a06821d95430d8d72bee06815a0a8\u0022\u003EGreg O\u2019Connor\u003C/span\u003E: \u014Ch\u0101riu\u2014get it right. \u014Ch\u0101riu.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000693\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d183f09d172142c89595ea57e0597c83\u0022\u003EDAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, yeah, yeah. It looks like he\u2019s been getting a bit of Irish courage during the dinner break again. In any case\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000694\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223a6f004a702c4acb9fbcbb0d8a87a149\u0022\u003EGreg O\u2019Connor\u003C/span\u003E: Some of us don\u2019t need it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000695\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e36fb82da084420a831793ba720efecc\u0022\u003EDAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: Ha, ha!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000696\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fcd9e7df18714d4d91cdaf8ac7d185c4\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Berocca!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000697\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022059c50bac1da4c4daf485d524a263b7c\u0022\u003EDAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: Chris Bishop says he\u2019s been having the Berocca. They\u2019ve been passing it around on the Labour backbenches. It\u2019s dangerous stuff. Anyway, we\u2019ve got serious matters to debate here.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000698\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EThe question is: if we\u2019re going to be proportional to risk when it comes to putting restrictions on people coming from India, then surely the quid pro quo on that is we should actually have less restrictions on people coming from places like Niue, coming from places that have no COVID whatsoever, welcoming our Pacific friends as Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme (RSE) workers. So, again, a good idea, but why don\u2019t we have more of this risk-proportional initiative?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000699\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve had the vaccinations order. This is something that has been very topical and of concern for a lot of people. This order says if you want to work in certain settings where you might be subject to getting exposed to COVID-19, working at the border or managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) or whatever, then you actually have to be vaccinated. Again, vaccination dramatically reduces the risk of harbouring and passing on COVID-19, because it prepares your immune system to fight it. People say, \u201CWell, it\u2019s my right not to do it.\u201D Well, actually, let\u2019s be really clear about rights. Everyone has a right to refuse treatment. What people don\u2019t have a right is for someone else to give them a job on any terms they demand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000700\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EIf it\u2019s in the best interests of this country to avoid another lockdown, to keep people in business and not going broke, and if the way to achieve that is to ensure that the most vulnerable people are people who are prepared to be vaccinated\u2014and I\u2019ve personally been vaccinated and seem to be fine; people who think there\u2019s something wrong with me will probably maintain I was like that before\u2014then I think actually it\u2019s critical that the law is in place to make sure that people who are working in those critical areas are vaccinated. Again, I mean, this goes back to ACT\u2019s policies, our COVID 2.0 Response Plan. You know, one of the principles is that New Zealand\u2019s response to COVID should be risk proportionate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000701\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EFinally, there\u2019s a couple of orders around MIQ, and these are orders about making sure that we are properly using MIQ space. Now, this was touched on also by Chris Bishop, and it\u2019s an area\u2014and I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll hear a lot from Erica Stanford, because she\u2019s worked hard standing up for her constituents from the East Coast Bays and beyond on this. The wastage of MIQ space may seem, when you\u2019re just managing a big operation, like not a major thing, but I can tell you and I can tell people listening at home and especially tell this Government that to people who have faced heartache and separation from their families\u2014losing jobs, losing employers, in some cases for nearly a year now\u2014the idea that there are MIQ spaces going begging, not being used, is absolutely heartbreaking.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000702\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003ESo once again, we commend these orders. It\u2019s a great idea, except for the one banning technology, which is bizarre. But we actually want the Government to use them, because here\u2019s the thing: COVID has come back into New Zealand\u2019s consciousness in the last seven days, first in Taiwan and then in Australia. We have seen how costly our complacency can be. Two other countries that thought they\u2019d won, island nations, both of them, like us, with low rates of vaccination and that had not improved their defences\u2014even if Taiwan started from a high base, had not improved their defences over the last year. Suddenly, in Melbourne and in Taipei, you see what can happen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000703\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EThis Government\u2019s response is a cross between Dad\u2019s Army and Hogan\u2019s Heroes. If we were to ask the Minister\u2014can anyone on the Labour benches get up and honestly say that New Zealand\u2019s response is more sophisticated than it was six months ago in testing and tracing? Have we got any new technology? Oh, that\u2019s right; we\u2019re allowing saliva testing that was first recommended by the Government in September last year. I\u2019m glad we\u2019re just fighting a microscopic virus; if this was an actual war, we\u2019d be toast by now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000704\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003EWe need to do better than the Dad\u2019s Army, Hogan\u2019s Heroes, complacent, happy-go-lucky approach that\u2019s seen Melbourne locked down and Taipei not far behind. It\u2019s not good enough to expect vaccination will solve all our problems, especially not the way this Government\u2019s rolling it out. Thank you, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022 data-id=\u00229b6abc181fc848e1b3607116953f288f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000705\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229b6abc181fc848e1b3607116953f288f\u0022\u003EDr ELIZABETH KEREKERE (Green):\u003C/span\u003E Talofa lava. I will take a short call on this kaupapa, succinct as I like to be. During the Budget speeches this evening, we heard much about our economic recovery and how well we\u2019ve done while COVID continues to ravage the rest of the world, and in such an extraordinary environment, though some freedoms were, and some continue to be, compromised.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000706\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003ELockdowns and level changes meant, of course, compromising our freedom of movement, especially if you lived in T\u0101maki Makaurau. Freedom of religion and belief was compromised when congregations could not gather. Freedom of speech was challenged when conspiracy theorists tried to derail the health messaging that we were putting out based on science and research\u2014it turns out you can\u2019t win an election based on trying to mislead and manipulate. So those freedoms were compromised because, in this case, we\u2019ve been prioritising freedom of health.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000707\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003EI\u2019m certainly thankful that I live in this country when all of these decisions have been made, and, of course, the vast majority of us support how the Government has handled the COVID situation. It doesn\u2019t mean that there aren\u2019t some details that could be tidied up. Because of these sacrifices, we can enjoy being with each other in large numbers\u2014concerts, sports, on marae\u2014we can largely ignore the awkwardness of elbow bumps, which I always struggled with; and we can travel around the country without barriers. Most importantly for me, it means I can attend tangi and funerals of people that we have lost\u2014that was the hardest thing of COVID. To get where we are, many decisions were made quickly, and in some cases, the legislation has not kept up with the policy or the action.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000708\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003EThis suite of orders appears to amend the regulations and clarifies the application of those agreed policies to be lawful. So included, but not limited to, are: enabling our travel bubbles; exempting people from managed isolation and quarantine who have come from those agreed quarantine-free places; stopping poor-quality of fake tests coming into our country; clarifying the testing process of workers who are required to have ongoing tests as part of their mahi; making sure people wear masks on aircraft; prohibiting people from arriving into Aotearoa from the high-risk countries. We note, in terms of those prohibitions, in those high-risk places: humanitarian grounds; people who are transitioning\u2014not \u201Ctransitioning\u201D; we\u2019re not talking about gender issues here!\u2014who transit through a very high-risk country and remain airside; aircrew members; our defence force members returning; diplomatic consulate officers; and people who are landing here for emergency reasons.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000709\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003EI support my colleague who spoke earlier in that I feel that one of the areas we have fallen down the most is in saying that we do have exceptions for New Zealand citizens, their partners, dependent children, and parents of dependent children, when we\u2019ve brought people into this country, given them visas, allowed them to come here to settle and live their life, and they\u2019ve left their homes thinking that they will come here and, of course, bring their wh\u0101nau with them. We have not done that. There are so many stories, across the country, where wh\u0101nau still need to be reunited. I think this is a key area where people need to do a lot more work.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ec53e32-05ab-4c6b-a080-4024e72a9099\u0022\u003ESuccinct as promised: all of this seems very sensible to us. We support the Government always doing things that are legal. We commend these orders to the House. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022 data-id=\u00227c21be811ace403e979907364f79aacf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000711\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227c21be811ace403e979907364f79aacf\u0022\u003EERICA STANFORD (National\u2014East Coast Bays):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker, I\u2019m pleased to take a call in this debate. I want to talk specifically to Part 2 of the order, and my colleague, Chris Bishop, earlier alluded to some of the things I want to speak about. But I find it interesting looking at this order, where it says that it gives specific responsibility to the chief executive (CE) for ensuring that the system does not allocate more confirmed spaces in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) than the system\u2019s capacity. At the face of it, when you read that you think, \u201CThat sounds great\u201D, except for the fact that we have had thousands and thousands of rooms over the last few months, completely empty that the taxpayer has been paying for. While it\u2019s all very well to make sure that we\u2019re not over-allocating rooms, the real question is what are we doing about the underutilisation of these rooms.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000712\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EFor a very long time, I have been standing in this House talking about the inability of us to manage the competing demands of different groups on managed isolation. Now we find ourselves in a situation where, for weeks on end, we had 1,800 rooms a night free. In fact, over a two-week period, we could have reunited 1,800 split families, and yet we chose not to. It\u2019s a joke that, in this order, there\u2019s nothing talking about underutilisation, because that is actually the problem that we have at the moment. People like Cam Conradie, who is split from his family, every day has a look at how many rooms are completely underutilised. He makes graphs that he puts up on Twitter and shares with everybody\u2014us included\u2014and shows the heartbreak of all of these people who can\u2019t see their families, and yet here we are with thousands of rooms every day, that we pay for, that are not being allocated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000713\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EThe Minister of Immigration spoke a while back about allocating some rooms to split migrant families, like he\u2019d solved the problem. But what we find has actually happened is that hardly any split migrant families met the criteria, the very careful criteria that he set out. So migrant nurses were one group that were a winner. A lot of those migrant nurses\u2019 split families are in India. They can\u2019t actually travel at this time. They have a light at the end of the tunnel, and that\u2019s all very well and good. The second group of people were people who had visas to travel before the borders closed, a very small amount of people. So using these managed isolation rooms is just a few people. There are thousands more people whose visas were in train, or they hadn\u2019t actually applied yet. None of those people have been able to apply for visas to travel, and yet here we have a massive underutilisation of rooms.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000714\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EWe saw recently, on the Sunday programme, Mr Henco de Beer who hadn\u2019t seen his four-day-old baby in a year. Now, that was an extremely sad situation. I\u2019ve met him a few times. He was on Sunday. The very good news a few days ago was that he got visas to travel for his family to come in through MIQ. Great ending to a great story, and I think those of us who knew him and had spoken to him online, and some of his family members, were very moved by that. But that is a very, very, very tiny proportion of the full scale of the problem. Here we have this ridiculous order\u2014I mean, on the face of it, like I say, it sounds great, \u201CWe don\u2019t want to overuse the capacity\u201D, but we\u2019re underutilising it by thousands and thousands of rooms. So while it\u2019s really good for Henco, all of those other thousands of people, those thousands of split migrant families, are missing out. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000715\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s not only the ones who had their visas in train. The highly skilled migrants were the third group of people that the Minister had a category for, but every single person who applies gets put through the wringer, and very few of those people from Immigration New Zealand are actually allowed to come in and use these spaces. So no wonder there\u2019s a massive underutilisation of these spaces, because at every turn Immigration New Zealand are using all of their powers possible to say no. Highly skilled people, earning over $150,000 in some cases, are being turned away, and Immigration New Zealand are saying, \u201COh, well, your skills aren\u2019t unique\u201D. There\u2019s a much higher threshold for them than the other people that we\u2019re letting in. The 300 construction workers who we\u2019re allowing to come in and use MIQ spaces have to pass a much lower bar than the people who are already here who are being turned away from being reunited with their split families, and that is not right. Here this order is going on about, well, make sure we don\u2019t use more spaces than we have. That is not the problem. The problem is underutilisation. So those split migrant families, who hadn\u2019t yet applied for their visas, or those highly skilled people who keep getting turned away because their skills aren\u2019t unique and that bar is so much higher, have no chance of getting in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000716\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s not only split migrant families; it\u2019s New Zealand citizens and permanent residents who cannot get their partners in because of the, again, very, very strict interpretation by Immigration New Zealand. I had a message today from Catherine, a New Zealand citizen, who said, \u201CToday, Labour, you have broken us. He\u2019s English, he\u2019s vaccinated, he can\u2019t get in. We will have to go our separate ways and hope to find what we had in our own countries. Jacinda, I hope you can sleep at night.\u201D That\u2019s what she put on Facebook on the split migrant group. Yet here we have 1,800 rooms every day, completely unused. But we\u2019re standing here today talking about over-utilisation. It\u2019s not the problem, the problem is underutilisation and our complete inability to manage competing demands and take these groups of people who haven\u2019t seen their families in over a year, who are highly skilled people who, in most cases, are earning more than double the median wage, who still can\u2019t get in. And you\u2019ve got Kiwis who can\u2019t see their partners as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000717\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EI had another woman, her name is Jacquie. She went back to South Africa. She was a highly skilled mental health worker\u2014who we desperately need in this country\u2014working for the Massey counselling department. She had to go back to South Africa because her husband and son missed out on this very tight criteria that the Minister had set. And yet, 1,800 rooms every night\u2014underutilisation. I\u2019ve been travelling around the country talking to businesses as well, and they are crying out because they can\u2019t get staff, and the staff that they do have are split migrant families who can\u2019t get their families into MIQ, even though there is all this space available. They\u2019re losing them. So not only can they not find staff, they\u2019re losing the highly skilled staff that they already have who are migrants who can\u2019t see their families because they can\u2019t get them in through MIQ. And yet we have 1,800 rooms every night. I was talking to a hydraulics company in Gisborne, just the other day. They\u2019ve got staff who are looking to leave\u2014highly, highly skilled staff who are looking to leave. It doesn\u2019t matter where you go. In my electorate, a plastics company lost a South African, even though he was the only guy who could work that piece of machinery. David Parker knows well, because we lobbied him. Even he couldn\u2019t lobby his colleagues to let that guy\u2019s family in. And yet, 1,800 rooms every night, underutilised. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000718\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll go on to the second part of this order, where it talks about, I guess, being more open and transparent, and having the Minister actually dictate what those special criteria are for the CE of Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment allowing people coming through MIQ, not using the booking system, which is a great thing, because what we\u2019ve seen in the past is a very murky and not very transparent situation, where people are coming in through MIQ and nobody knows how they got in\u2014this is back in the day when MIQ was very full. There was complete murkiness and lack of transparency around how those people got in. Then we have people like Trevor Ponting. You will all remember him, the man who had terminal brain cancer who wanted to get back in, who applied under these special criteria to get in, and was declined and had to go through the media to get a spot. So I\u2019m really hoping that in the second part of this order, where we talk about being more open and transparent and having the Minister set the criteria for allocating these spaces in MIQ and the chief executive having to apply these criteria, they will be somewhere that we can all see them so that there is openness and transparency around this process. Because what we\u2019ve seen over the last year is completely the opposite of that: deserving people, who are coming in to see their family for the last time, being declined, and yet other people seemingly waved through, and no one knows how they got those spots in MIQ. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000719\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003ESo, while we\u2019re supporting this, I think the focus really needs to be on how we better manage the underutilisation of MIQ, how we reunite split migrant families, how we widen the criteria so more of them can see their families again because, as I suspected the Minister would do, he chose the very smallest part of the pie that he possibly could and said, \u201CLook, I\u2019ve done my job.\u201D There are thousands more people out there who are desperate, who are skilled, who are leaving, and we have treated them appallingly. That has to change, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000720\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022830a507a450047aeab52b56ae0f06e0b\u0022\u003EMaritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000722\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00225477e1c8e9444fd0a018d4feb6fe4f02\u0022\u003EFirst Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022 data-id=\u002241070f774a304996a52311a72d2524c6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000723\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002241070f774a304996a52311a72d2524c6\u0022\u003EHon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Foreign Affairs)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister of Transport: I present a legislative statement on the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000724\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220c16d8406adb49eb8a8fc1e108175102\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: That legislative statement is published under the authority of the House and can be found on the Parliament website.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000725\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002266d30c7e7eb44c9db45075a0c21eb17c\u0022\u003EHon NANAIA MAHUTA\u003C/span\u003E: Fa\u2018afetai tele lava. I move, That the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Transport and Infrastructure Committee to consider the bill. At the appropriate time, I intend to move that the bill be reported to the House by 16 September 2021 and that the committee have authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting (except during oral questions), during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House, and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House and outside the Wellington area, despite Standing Orders 193, 195, and 196(1)(b) and (c).\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000726\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EOne of our Government\u2019s priorities is to tackle climate change. Shipping is a major contributor of emissions to the atmosphere, particularly sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which affect both human health and the environment. This bill will enable us to align domestic legislation under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), Annex VI, which the Cabinet agreed to accede to in 2019.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000727\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EIn June 2020, the Environment Committee considered the treaty, including calling for and hearing from a range of public submissions. In its report, the committee stated that given the environmental and public health benefits identified, it believed that the Government should implement legislation as soon as practicable.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000728\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EIn summary, New Zealand\u2019s accession to MARPOL Annex VI would reduce adverse public health effects of marine air pollution on communities close to ports and harbours, strengthen New Zealand\u2019s ability to play a credible role in international maritime organisation negotiations on climate change, and improve New Zealand\u2019s ability to work with like-minded parties to push for global ambition in future negotiations. It will also enable New Zealand to enforce requirements for both domestic and international ships and improve New Zealand\u2019s ability to protect its trade and economic interests in negotiations on new greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures for ships.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000729\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EMultilateral measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships are expected to be introduced through MARPOL Annex VI at the International Maritime Organization in the next few years. Acceding to Annex VI and putting our domestic legislation in place now means that we\u2019ll be able to implement future greenhouse gas reduction measures and contribute to the global effort to reduce emissions from shipping.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000730\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EWe need to make changes to the Maritime Transport Act 1994 to ensure that the rule-making and enforcement provisions in the Act provide the authority required to fully implement the legal obligations of MARPOL Annex VI. Part 1 of the bill contains a number of amendments to the Maritime Transport Act 1994 to achieve this objective. Part 2 of the bill amends the Maritime Transport (Marine Protection Conventions) Order 1999 to insert MARPOL Annex VI into the list of international conventions declared to be marine.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000731\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EKey components of the changes proposed by this bill include providing a power for the Minister of Transport to make marine protection rules in relation to Annex VI substances. The Maritime Transport Act 1994 sets out the purpose for which the Minister may make marine protection rules. The bill inserts an additional purpose of prescribing requirements relating to the prevention of air pollution for ships for the purpose of implementing Annex VI, providing \u201Ca power for the Director of Maritime New Zealand to conduct inspections and audits in relation to Annex VI requirements\u201D. This is in addition to the existing power of the Maritime Transport Act 1994 giving the director the power to conduct inspections and audits \u201Cfor matters other than in relation to Annex VI\u201D, providing a power for the director of Maritime New Zealand \u201Cto detain ships and seize marine protection products that are in contravention of Annex VI requirements\u201D and exercise related powers such as imposing conditions and prohibitions. These powers expand the existing powers of detention and seizure in the Maritime Transport Act so as to prevent air pollution from ships and to facilitate implementation of Annex VI.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000732\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe bill is about addressing the impact of shipping emissions on our health as well as the environment. By introducing this bill, we will have greater powers to implement future greenhouse gas reduction measures and contribute to the global effort to reduce emissions from shipping. I\u2019m committed to ensuring that we reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport and reducing shipping emissions that will contribute towards New Zealand meeting its emissions goals. At the appropriate time, I intend to move that the bill be reported to the House within four months after it\u2019s had its first reading. I commend the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022 data-id=\u002232934ad6da8e43b492f200bf654073d2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000733\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002232934ad6da8e43b492f200bf654073d2\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that the motion be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ea31fdd3-90e9-47d7-92a4-20b6a3109eef\u0022 data-id=\u0022055d0455c4bc41a7bdce034bd5ec03d5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000734\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ea31fdd3-90e9-47d7-92a4-20b6a3109eef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022055d0455c4bc41a7bdce034bd5ec03d5\u0022\u003ECHRISTOPHER LUXON (National\u2014Botany):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. Look, I\u2019m pleased to take a call too on the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Bill at first reading. National is pleased to support this bill to select committee. It\u2019s not the most radical or transformative or sexiest piece of legislation that we\u2019re dealing with this evening, but it is certainly a very positive step forward in our collective actions around climate change and around a cleaner environment and making sure we\u2019ve got healthier communities. That\u2019s a good thing. We believe small actions over time\u2014actions being the operative word, not just words\u2014can actually make a big difference.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000735\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ea31fdd3-90e9-47d7-92a4-20b6a3109eef\u0022\u003EAs we all know, the MARPOL agreement is a really good multilateral tool that is available to countries around the world in arresting the effects of climate change, particularly in the marine environment, and that is a really important thing. Certainly, you know, we\u2019ve all been signed up in New Zealand here to MARPOL since 1998, and we\u2019ve acceded to four of the six annexes already, and it\u2019s good that Annex VI, which is really fixated on limiting air pollution of ships around ports and harbours, is a good thing for us to be signing up for.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000736\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ea31fdd3-90e9-47d7-92a4-20b6a3109eef\u0022\u003EThe bill as it\u2019s been proposed is really around enabling the Minister to make marine protection rules around Annex VI, around air pollutant substances, which are things like nitrous oxides in sulphur, oxides in particulate matter. That\u2019s important because it makes our harbours and our communities around those harbours much safer and, obviously, has some public health benefits. It enables the director of Maritime New Zealand to make interventions, to do audits, to check that, actually, ships are complying with Annex VI, and it has a number of obligations on them, which is fantastic.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000737\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ea31fdd3-90e9-47d7-92a4-20b6a3109eef\u0022\u003ESo we think, you know, limiting sulphur content in marine fuels, requiring ships to meet certain performance criteria, emission standards, port receptions having facilities to actually deal with those particulates and those wastes is really important. Ninety-four countries have signed up to it, over 97 percent of the world shipping tonnage, and I think we\u2019re one of only a handful of OECD countries that hasn\u2019t yet done so, so it is certainly time that we embrace this piece of legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000738\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ea31fdd3-90e9-47d7-92a4-20b6a3109eef\u0022\u003EIt will have public health benefits, and that\u2019s important for people with compromised immune systems, and it does give us some public health benefits, estimated to be in the order of about $33 million annually. So I think it is important\u2014and, on this side of the House we think, in National, that it is important\u2014that we are playing our part as part of a multilateral system to work collaboratively with our trading partners to try and improve the marine environment, and it\u2019s one of the things that helps us protect one of our trade and our economic interests.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000739\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ea31fdd3-90e9-47d7-92a4-20b6a3109eef\u0022\u003EBut there are a few things that we really would dispute, and I think the four-month window for us to discuss this bill and some of the implications, and particularly the implementation plan around it, is something that we can pick up and discuss later on, but we have some issues with that and would oppose that. We think it is important that we really do properly understand what low sulphur fuels are going to be needed in this country, where they\u2019re coming from, how they\u2019ll be distributed, who can access them, and which ports\u2014all of that implementation plan needs to be completely understood. We know that for a lot of our New Zealand coastal shipping fleet, they\u2019ve got to be able to use fuels that have a 0.5 percent level of sulphur in it. They can fit their ships with scrubbers, but that\u2019s actually not very economic for that fleet. We know also, here in New Zealand, that, fundamentally, Refining New Zealand isn\u2019t going to be refining this kind of fuel and sending it down the main pipeline, so we\u2019re going to have to import that fuel from overseas. Obviously, low sulphur fuels are in huge demand globally. So the real thing we want to use that time for is to understand exactly how that implementation plan will come together and what is New Zealand\u2019s ability to make sure that when we make a declaration like this, we can actually meet our commitment and support our coastal shippers and our shipping community that actually need to be able to use these fuels.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000740\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ea31fdd3-90e9-47d7-92a4-20b6a3109eef\u0022\u003ESo we look forward to that time being used to hear more from our shipping operators and, of course, the affected officials who can give us some insights and confidence that there is an implementation plan here. And the reason for that is very simple. We think this is a Government that likes making declarations and announcements; we\u2019ve seen it on oil and gas, we\u2019ve seen it on lots of different things, and we really want to see an execution or an implementation plan. We know this Government suffers with execution, so we just need to reassure ourselves that we actually have it all sorted, that we actually do know what we\u2019re implementing, and that we will be able to get the job done. We\u2019d also like to see\u2014I think the Ministry of Transport had a New Zealand Institute of Economic Research report commissioned. We\u2019d like to see some of the benefits of that and just take the time to go through the analysis, tick off the boxes, make sure that we can do what we say that we\u2019re going to do, and execute things incredibly well. So apart from that, we\u2019re pleased to support this bill through to the select committee stage. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022 data-id=\u00229da1b84568e54b0db153ffa5bbc81ab7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000741\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229da1b84568e54b0db153ffa5bbc81ab7\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR (Labour\u2014\u014Ch\u0101riu):\u003C/span\u003E It gives me great pleasure to speak on the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Bill, which sounds something of a mouthful, but, like all these pieces of legislation, it\u2019s good to give it some context and to really understand what we\u2019re here for. Really, most New Zealanders are lucky enough to live near a harbour, near water. I know that Wellington Harbour\u2014we all look out there, and I know I\u2019ve been enjoying fishing out there on the odd occasion. And if you get an evening, say a March evening, there might be two or three cruise ships\u2014in a non-COVID time, the cruise ships, of course\u2014heading out of the harbour. You\u2019ll get the odd ferry coming in and out, fishing boats, you may even have a log ship. And, of course, because they\u2019re sitting out there on the water it\u2019s easy to forget just how much pollution is coming out or just what emissions are coming out of those boats\u2014or ships, I should say: any maritime people listening would be disgusted to hear them described as boats; those ships. One of those cruise liners actually produces as many emissions as every car driving around Wellington in a day. That just puts things into perspective, which is exactly why we need to ensure that we\u2019re addressing such issues. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000742\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EOf course, New Zealand, as the previous speaker, Christopher Luxon, said, has been something of an outlier on this. In fact, in November 1973 the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), which remains today the main international convention covering preventing the pollution of maritime environments by ships from operation or accidental causes. Obviously, this is a piece of legislation that now underlies efforts to do what the world is now increasingly seeking to do: reduce pollution. New Zealand joined MARPOL in 1998 and is a party to four of the six annexes of that treaty. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000743\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EOften when we talk about treaties\u2014one of the things we learn when we come here is that everything is interrelated and that when we pass legislation here, often it needs to be something that complies with our international treaty obligations. In 2018, New Zealand participated in negotiations that saw the adoption of the IMO GHG, the greenhouse gas strategy. So, of course, at that stage, New Zealand, by being part of that\u2014the fact that we were one of only two countries, ourselves and Mexico, who hadn\u2019t actually signed up did, again, make us something of an outlier, and also made it very difficult for us to continue arguing for ambitious action to reduce maritime emissions\u2014almost as though we were getting something of a free ride. So that\u2019s the background as to how we\u2019ve arrived at where we are today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000744\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EThe consultation occurred on whether we should sign this, and obviously, in doing so, we just have to make sure that there are all considerations, and the two global problems relating to shipping emissions are, of course, impacts on human health and environments in port communities from maritime pollution. While I\u2019ve mentioned Wellington Harbour, you go to somewhere like Picton, which, again, is in a narrow valley. That\u2019s now one of New Zealand\u2019s busiest ports. In fact, Picton\u2019s a bit unique, because most New Zealand ships\u2014certainly coastal ships\u2014haven\u2019t complied with this, whereas most international ships coming here now have. Most of the container boats\u2014certainly most of the cruise liners\u2014that have come here do actually comply. So you get a port like Picton, where, obviously, while being busy, most of those visits are from ferries going back and forth, and those ferries don\u2019t actually comply, so you can imagine what the impact on a place like Picton might be.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000745\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EOf course, the other broad issue whenever we\u2019re talking about pollution is contributions to climate change and ozone layer depletion. Climate change, once again, as we reflect on the floods down South Canterbury, the one-in-100-year flood that people are discussing\u2014but you\u2019ll wonder, now, with a plethora of one-in-100-year events that seem to be occurring with monotonous regularity, how much climate change is contributing to these weather events that we are seeing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000746\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EOf course, we then look at the benefits of this bill for New Zealand becoming a party to the annex we\u2019re talking about. Of course, one of the important things with all of these is protecting New Zealand trade interests and advancing effective migration measures, because, again, as Australia are finding now, it\u2019s all very well to basically put the proverbial finger to the world and say that we won\u2019t comply, but very quickly they\u2019re going to suddenly find that internationally it doesn\u2019t matter what the various states and what the various state governments say; they\u2019re going to have to start complying or it\u2019s going to badly affect their international trade. So, again, in considering a piece of legislation like this, it is, again, ensuring that our trade interests\u2014as we have our officials around the world now negotiating trade in the UK or negotiating trade with Europe, these are the things that are going to be very important. They\u2019ll be quickly thrown back in our face if we don\u2019t comply, because often particularly the agricultural interests of those places will be very quick to point the finger at us if we\u2019re not complying with these treaties.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000747\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EAlso, of course, another thing is that it will also allow\u2014we do not have a big international shipping fleet from here, which is a shame. There was a time, I remember just recently reading some history, that Tainui alone had 50 ships plying the Tasman back in the mid-1800s, and wouldn\u2019t it be nice if we could ever get back to the day when New Zealand did have those shipping fleets out there around the world, ensuring that our goods were getting there but we were able to be\u2014somewhat crudely put\u2014clipping the ticket the whole way as our goods found their way around the world. Of course, as I say, if we do get those New Zealand ships, it will mean that they will comply as they go to the various ports. With ourselves and Mexico being the only non-compliant countries, as you can imagine, there are plenty of ports there that would very quickly be turning us away.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000748\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003ESo what are the amendments? This is what we are seeking to apply, so what does the bill actually do? Well, section 388 of the Maritime Transport Act provides for the Minister of Transport to make marine protection rules for a number of purposes. Clause 10 of the bill empowers the Minister to make rules for the purpose of prescribing the \u201Crequirements, procedures, and standards relating to the prevention of air pollution from ships\u201D for the purpose of implementing this annex. The Act also provides\u2014in section 395; this is an interesting one, Madam Speaker\u2014that the director of Maritime New Zealand may grant exemptions from the maritime protection rules; however, section 395(2) provides that the director \u201Cmust not grant an exemption unless satisfied that\u2014(a) granting the exemption will not breach New Zealand\u2019s obligations under any convention\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000749\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003ESo, as my time draws near\u2014and there\u2019s so much more material that I\u2019ll leave for my colleagues here to explore\u2014as one does, you\u2019ll see, as you look through the legislation here, in fact, there\u2019s this reference to \u201Cscrubbers\u201D. I see the excitement raising, and it\u2019s not the terrible comments made by the coach of the Australian netball team that can never be forgiven. These scrubbers\u2014and it\u2019s quite interesting; often, when you\u2019re speaking, you go, \u201CHow do these things actually work?\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000750\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ea31fdd3-90e9-47d7-92a4-20b6a3109eef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002288a31684946c40a0a194b74d36149075\u0022\u003EChristopher Luxon\u003C/span\u003E: How do they work? Tell us how they work.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000751\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022595fa172365948b0aead3fa8fa83ef18\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR\u003C/span\u003E: So I did take time to actually find out how these things actually work. It\u2019s quite interesting, because we either change the fuel or we put scrubbers, as the previous speaker talked about, to ensure\u2014so how they work: it actually \u201Csprays alkaline water into the vessel\u2019s exhaust, which removes the [sulphur] from \u2026 ships\u2019 engines and boiler exhaust gases.\u201D So it\u2019s not an inexpensive exercise to fit these, but \u201CIn a seawater system, the sea\u2019s natural alkalinity largely neutralises the results of [sulphur] removal before discharge\u201D into the sea. I\u2019m sure there\u2019ll be other speakers here who will mention these scrubbers, which are an important part of this bill, so now you need wonder no more, Madam Speaker, just what it is that is being referred to as we go through this. Again, as the chair of the very hard-working Transport and Infrastructure Committee, who will be considering this bill, I have no hesitation in commending this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022 data-id=\u0022993220f0d12c4c8fb0bb86c413ca42d7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000752\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022993220f0d12c4c8fb0bb86c413ca42d7\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. Of all the remarkable achievements of the member for \u014Ch\u0101riu, dragging that speech out for 10 minutes surely ranks amongst the top two or three of his political career. What a font of knowledge he is on scrubbers. I was sitting there, just hanging off every word! Mr O\u2019Connor is, I have to say, known for some hyperbole, but even if that were the case, I think the metaphor that he used about the size of some of those ships and the emissions that they create relative to Wellington\u2019s light vehicle fleet was quite a sobering statistic. I\u2019m not sure where the member got it from, but it certainly, I think, brings home the importance of reducing emissions in our shipping fleet, and that\u2019s exactly what this bill is intended to do, so we will support it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000753\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EBut I think he also raised a number of other issues, as has my colleague and friend Christopher Luxon, that for me underscore the fact that despite the fact that there has been a reasonable amount of consultation prior to this bill being introduced, a shortened select committee process is once again being used by the Government in circumstances that I think are inappropriate and unnecessary, and we will be opposing that part of the motion. I think it\u2019s a debatable motion, so I\u2019m sure Mr Luxon will speak in more detail about that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000754\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EIf this is an issue of such import that it needs to be passed by September or October, why then are we not having a first reading before today? The Government\u2019s been working on this for some time. It consulted quite extensively and it actually received some very intelligent feedback from stakeholders who are going to be affected by this. The overwhelming majority support it in principle, but the devil\u2019s in the detail and the application of this in so far as it relates to the retrofitting of technologies, the availability of low sulphur fuels. Where that\u2019s going to come from, how much it\u2019s going to cost, whether scrubbers are actually economic to fit on to some of these vessels are all questions that I think the select committee are going to have to grapple with. To shorten that period of time on what I believe is a reasonably spurious basis of having done some consulting before this came to the House is not a good reason to shorten that process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000755\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EI also want to actually raise a couple of other matters that are the subject of the bill. The first is in respect of the inspections and audits as set out in clause 13 of the bill. Now, these are quite widespread powers for the director to require inspections to be carried out by authorised people but on potentially foreign flagged ships, and I think it does raise some interesting questions about reasonable cause to access the ships. I hope that other legislation, including international maritime legislation, has been taken into account in the drafting of clause 13, but I think that\u2019s something that we need to hear from stakeholders about.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000756\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EThe other aspect that concerns me is in respect of the requirements for courts to, effectively, have the means to discharge the harmful substances or to reduce them. They\u2019re described as reception facilities, and there\u2019s some quite onerous requirements on reception facilities\u2014effectively, ports\u2014to make some changes that perhaps in the short period of time after this bill is passed, between then and when it is introduced, may create some difficulties. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000757\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003EMr O\u2019Connor also pointed out section 395 is being amended in clause 11. That is the granting of exemptions from marine protection rules as long as they don\u2019t breach the emissions rules. Well, that actually could undermine the sorts of research that could take place into lower emissions vehicles, engines, technologies for carbon removal or sulphur removal, and may actually act as a disincentive to the sorts of research and development that might enable us to have lower emissions vessel fleets. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000758\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003ESo there\u2019s a lot to actually talk about here. It may be straightforward in so far as, well, it\u2019s a MARPOL agreement. Annex VI is one that we haven\u2019t signed up to, and a plethora of other countries have and only a handful haven\u2019t. That does not diminish this House\u2019s responsibility to ensure that we do embark on a rigorous examination of the legislation and the treaty that underpins it to make sure that this is a good bill in all respects. But I\u2019m sure it can be improved, and I hope that the committee does have an appropriate period of time within which to do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022 data-id=\u00228954812db2b44923b3246c27d9432ac0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000759\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228954812db2b44923b3246c27d9432ac0\u0022\u003ESHANAN HALBERT (Labour\u2014Northcote):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe e te M\u0101ngai o te Whare. Good evening to you, Madam Speaker. It\u2019s my honour to rise this evening to give my opinion, feedback, and discussion points in regards to the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Bill this evening.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000760\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003EThis afternoon, I missed out on my Budget debate, sadly, but I was so, so proud of this Government\u2019s Budget, an incredibly Labour Budget. I\u2019ve been getting around Northcote all through recess week talking about the benefits to local people, to businesses, and in particular how this Government is getting on with addressing our foundational challenges. We know that there\u2019s child poverty, we know that there\u2019s inequality, but the third particular one is one that the Opposition just doesn\u2019t seem to listen to. It\u2019s our foundational challenge, Mr Luxon, to address climate change. What this Government did, in getting on with it, is declared an emergency, along with Minister James Shaw, to address climate change. The time is now. Our kids are telling us, generations are telling us, and awareness across Aotearoa New Zealand knows that climate change has to be addressed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000761\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003ESo that\u2019s what this Government has got on with with this Budget. I look forward to sharing more and more about the amazing things across the North Shore as well in their feedback.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000762\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002201df5bf2489244fd835c8d03fa7ae61f\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: I invite the member to come back to this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000763\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022abdf8a0f52924deea180be03d5ca139f\u0022\u003ESHANAN HALBERT\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you; will do. But we know, when we look at climate change, that 47 percent of our carbon dioxide emissions come from transport\u201447 percent. All of us that sit on the Transport and Infrastructure Committee\u2014led by the wonderful Greg O\u2019Connor; he\u2019s very passionate this evening\u2014know that we need to do something now. Just to discuss some of the previous points that were talked about, Mr Luxon said, \u201CIt\u2019s more actions\u2014not just words from this Government.\u201D It\u2019s this Government, Mr Luxon, that\u2019s getting on with doing things. Then your colleague across the way is saying that he\u2019s concerned about a shortened select committee process. What is it that the Opposition want here? Do you want to get on with it, which we\u2019re able to? Or do you want to complain about the process and argue opposition for opposition\u2019s sake?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000764\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003EWell, now\u2019s the time, because we both live in Auckland, T\u0101maki-makau-rau, the big smoke, where we\u2019re experiencing significant population growth, $67 billion investment in infrastructure, and that includes transport. We\u2019ve got a number of projects that are supporting us to get these emissions down. This particular bill, we know\u2014and that work will continue. You\u2019ll see a number of transport projects. Anyone that lives on the North Shore in Auckland, over the other side, anyone that lives in Auckland, knows that the behaviour in transport needs to change. We know that the investment in Crown infrastructure to deal with a modern transport system has seen under-investment for decades\u2014under-investment for decades. So anyone in Auckland knows that the biggest complaint is we don\u2019t have a public transport system that\u2019s efficient, affordable, and ready to carry the number of Aucklanders. But\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000765\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ea31fdd3-90e9-47d7-92a4-20b6a3109eef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225cf8676e47104987a270bfc92b8ddd96\u0022\u003EChristopher Luxon\u003C/span\u003E: What is this to do with a maritime bill?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000766\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223d3de72951ad415fb0e3f55bbbf8d7cc\u0022\u003ESHANAN HALBERT\u003C/span\u003E: We\u2019re talking about transport and climate change, Mr Luxon. You know.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000767\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003ESo let me take you to our theories. Let me take you to Chelsea Sugar factory in my backyard. I\u2019m sure many, many of us have all been there, that we\u2019ve tasted the goodness of that particular place. It\u2019s a local maritime centre alongside all of our local ferries.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000768\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ea31fdd3-90e9-47d7-92a4-20b6a3109eef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228bf20d91acc54cb9a8616c739c3f7386\u0022\u003EChristopher Luxon\u003C/span\u003E: He\u2019s sugar coating it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000769\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002245af6bf2f62a411b975e6bbc643fc40c\u0022\u003ESHANAN HALBERT\u003C/span\u003E: We\u2019re sugar coating it. But they know that they\u2019ve had to adjust their business, that they\u2019ve had to work really hard on sustainability plans, and that they\u2019ve had to adjust product. They\u2019ve had to create new customers coming in. But what I\u2019m impressed about\u2014and when I met with the CEO Bernard and when I visited Chelsea Sugar factory\u2014was when they took me out to where their ships arrive to bring their stock in to the big factory, a local employer. They need our assistance. They need this Government to work with them. They wanted to start that discussion. So opportunities like this particular bill enable us to be able to do that because this Labour Government is about having conversations, getting things done, working through.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000770\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003EIf we go back to\u2014I think it was biofuels; was it biofuels? Labour, when last in Government, implemented a biofuels sales obligation. It was repealed in 2008, Barbara Kuriger, before it came into effect, by the previous National Government, which you were a part of. If the obligation had been implemented and continued with the levels of biofuels increasing after 2012\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000771\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022df46f65da6af41fd87ce987963f12d0d\u0022\u003EBarbara Kuriger\u003C/span\u003E: How much?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228d410cdcf0fe406da4f2fc15c7a1e78b\u0022\u003ESHANAN HALBERT\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014to 7 percent for biodiesel and 10 percent for bioethanol\u2014the Minister of Transport estimates that around six million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions would have been avoided from 2008 to 2020. So getting things done, Barbara Kuriger\u2014under this Government we\u2019re getting on with it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000773\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003EThis bill will enable us to align domestic legislation under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, which Cabinet agreed to accede to in 2019.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000774\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003EI just want to go over the consultation that has been able to get us to this point. The member complained about not having enough time, four months pushing it through select committee. I think it was 300 bills, I read, when we were doing the M\u0101ori wards debate, that National pushed through in urgency under the last Government. Correct me if I\u2019m wrong, but happy to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000775\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003EThe consultation for this bill that\u2019s brought us to today is the formal public consultation that started in November of 2018. It continued for three months there, and the Ministry of Transport received 49 submissions during that consultation process, 44 of which were in favour of it\u201444 out of 49 were in favour. In addition to that, the Ministry of Transport has engaged with stakeholders and roundtables, and they\u2019ve worked through this bill and heard them loudly and the issues that are in front of them. Also the Environment Committee sought public submissions on whether New Zealand should accede to the MARPOL Annex regulations in March 2020. So there\u2019s a good basis of evidence and information and submissions that have come in to support this bill. Four months, I appreciate, is not an incredibly long time, but given the information that we have, given the urgency of climate change, we need to move now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000776\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003ELastly, I just want to also acknowledge the work in relation to this from the Ministry of Transport. The pronunciation goes h\u012Bkina te kohupara transport emissions: pathways, that was released last week, which gives an insight for us how we get to net zero emissions by 2050. We\u2019ve got to do this, and we\u2019ve got to achieve this, and this particular bill helps us to do that. Like He Puapua, it\u2019s not a Government policy, but it is a consultation framework that enables us to understand where we\u2019re at with transport and how we will get to net zero emissions by 2050. We\u2019ve got to do the work. We\u2019ve got to do the mahi to get on with it. We\u2019ve got to do it now. And we can\u2019t sit in opposition for opposition\u2019s sake when it comes to climate change. We\u2019ve got foundational challenges that we\u2019ve got to move on. Under this Government, we promised after COVID-19 when we build back we will build back better. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022 data-id=\u002281e11c05c05141338eb8aac374ce9a17\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000777\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002281e11c05c05141338eb8aac374ce9a17\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW (Minister of Climate Change):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. I\u2019m very grateful to the comments from the previous speaker, Shanan Halbert, in relation to this. I actually have both a professional and a personal link to this because I happened to be advancing this whilst I was covering for Julie Anne Genter after the birth of her first child in 2018. The reason I say that is because the Hon Michael Woodhouse gave a sense that maybe this was all moving a bit quickly. I take the opposite view; I think that this has moved extraordinarily slowly and I\u2019m extremely glad that something that I was trying to move forward in 2018, now, in 2021, is actually, finally, about to happen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000778\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EThe previous Prime Minister Sir John Key said that when it came to climate change he thought that New Zealand should \u201Cnot be a leader but a fast follower\u201D. Well, this treaty, MARPOL Annex VI, was agreed to in 1997, 24 years ago. It took effect in 2005, which was 16 years ago. Our Government kicked off the process of acceding to it in early 2018, three years ago\u2014over three years ago. I think we have been anything but a fast follower.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000779\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EAs has been previously noted in the House, for many of the\u2014well, in fact, the whole time I\u2019ve had any association with it, MARPOL VI has only had two countries in the OECD that have not been members, us and Mexico. Frankly, it is embarrassing that it has taken us 25 years to accede to a treaty on, frankly, just the quality of the fuel that we stick into our ships.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000780\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EAlso, as previously noted by Greg O\u2019Connor, and Michael Woodhouse asked for the reference to this\u2014it came from Dr Gerda Kuschel who, quoted in a Stuff article in 2019, said that a rough calculation is that \u201Cemissions from a single cruise ship visiting here is the equivalent of 200,000 cars a day.\u201D That is the entire Wellington light-vehicle fleet per day in terms of the output of those ships. And, of course, there\u2019s not a lot of those cruise ships arriving at the moment, but for over half of the year, there are\u2014or there have been, you know, when we had travel, those ships there and they were constantly running their engines whilst in port, not just in between ports but actually using them to power themselves whilst in port as well. And you can just see the air pollution in our harbours here in Wellington, in Auckland, and in Tauranga.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000781\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EMaersk, the shipping company, do about a thousand visits to New Zealand a year. And, yes, the profile of a freight ship versus a cruise ship is marginally different, but if you can multiply 200,000 cars a day times a thousand visits a year from one shipping company, you get a sense of the scale of the pollution. When Maersk were trialling these cleaner fuels that are compliant with MARPOL VI, what they found was that they cut the pollution coming out of their exhaust gases by over 80 percent. So this is just basic hygiene and we are extremely late to the party as a country when it comes to just observing this very basic treaty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000782\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003ENow, it\u2019s also kind of one of those things where we have considered it and we have consulted and we\u2019ve held workshops and we\u2019ve talked to everybody who is involved at a time when 98 percent of the world\u2019s shipping is already complaint with it, right? To coin a phrase: the ship has sailed on this one. We\u2019re just catching up to the rest of the world on it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000783\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003ESo my view is we absolutely need to support this. Obviously, it will make a huge difference to air quality because shipping emissions, particularly when they\u2019re docked in the harbour, increase nitrous oxides. There\u2019s particulates in the air; air quality monitors in downtown Auckland have shown significant increases in air pollutants over recent years which come from the ships docked in Auckland harbour, and so on. We\u2019re talking about fuels here that have been described as Marmite-like; thick, black, viscous, basically the lowest grade fuels available to humankind. So all this really does is to get rid of those and say that we\u2019re actually going to observe\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000784\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e154819f2b6142138e345aa5785a55f8\u0022\u003ESimon Court\u003C/span\u003E: Apart from coal.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000785\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002263bd3c3a67b348149270ac42305a08d3\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014other than coal\u2014a higher quality of fuel in our ships. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000786\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003ENow, there is something that I should mention here, because this obviously has an intersection with climate change and the commitments that we\u2019ve made. Now, international aviation and international shipping, neither of those are covered by the Paris Agreement, right? So the only place to handle emissions from international shipping and international aviation is through these separate agreements. When it comes to international aviation, of course, it\u2019s the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) agreement. When it comes to shipping, it\u2019s MARPOL. Now, some countries are moving to integrate their international aviation and shipping emissions into their national greenhouse gas inventories. The draft advice of the Climate Change Commission that came out in February of this year\u2014when you look at the modelling that they\u2019ve produced, they\u2019ve actually left some buffer zone on there. I guess the probability that they\u2019re calculating was that we will probably follow that trend and start to incorporate them, particularly given where we are located in the world and the fact that we are a trading nation, that we\u2019re highly dependent on tourism, and that both aviation and shipping are absolutely central functions of our economy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000787\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EIt kind of doesn\u2019t make sense to ignore aviation and shipping emissions when it comes to our commitments, but the problem with leaving shipping and aviation outside Paris is that you then kind of forget about them as a country. Everybody focuses on all of the things that we have to do which are inside the Paris Agreement, and that\u2019s well and good, but, actually, we do have these very significant emissions that occur outside and that are dealt with through their separate treaties. And so, again, I think that acceding to this treaty and bringing in a higher standard of fuels, at least in our shipping fleets, means that we can start to actually drive down the emissions relating to this component. As I said, we\u2019re extremely late to the party when it comes to that and it\u2019s about time that we cracked on with it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000788\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003ESo I am delighted that this is finally in the House. I\u2019m delighted that New Zealand is finally acceding to it. For me it should have happened decades ago, frankly, but it is better late than never at all. And so this is one treaty I say, \u201CLet\u2019s get on with it.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022 data-id=\u002238ebf5a19aae42389113bda0ff4d5c84\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000789\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002238ebf5a19aae42389113bda0ff4d5c84\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is positive that 44 of the 49 submitters agreed with this bill, this Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Bill, to prevent air pollution from ships. It\u2019s good to reduce the amount of sulphur emitted into the atmosphere, nitrogen oxides, but one of the concerns raised by submitters is not that the time taken to get this legislation over the line has taken too long; it\u2019s 1996, it\u2019s 2005, it\u2019s taken too long, but actually in order to convert New Zealand\u2019s ships to a low-sulphur fuel\u2014and we\u2019re talking about the two dozen or so coastal ships, those ones so dear to the hearts of my comrades on the other side of the House, so passionate about coastal shipping, who want to stand up for their shipmates and the sailors\u2019 welfare. We know all about the welfare of seamen; it\u2019s been discussed in this House a number of times. But what I\u2019m concerned about is how quickly this bill rushes New Zealand shippers to a place that is a very high cost and very difficult to comply with.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000790\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll give you an example. In addition to the low-sulphur requirements, the bill also requires that ports provide facilities to treat ballast water. Now, we know how harmful ballast water can be to marine biodiversity. Ballast water sometimes can be, on the larger ships, up to a hundred million litres, or 50 percent of the weight of cargo carried by those ships as they come into a port like Auckland or Northport. When those ships take on freight, like logs, for example, or our dairy products, they have to discharge that ballast water into the harbours so that the ships stay on an even keel, and that ballast water can contain marine bio-organisms and other contaminants. Now, what this bill proposes to do is to require ports to provide facilities to receive that ballast water. You might say, \u201CWell, that\u2019s a good idea, because we don\u2019t want those harmful marine pests contaminating our marine ecosystems. So that\u2019s what we should do.\u201D But, in fact, I\u2019ve visited Ports of Auckland recently. I\u2019ve had a look at their operation. They\u2019ve made extensive investments of space and infrastructure to provide for cement siloes, to provide for storage of all kinds of bulk products, motor vehicles, plant and equipment, sensitive products and materials that need to be protected in big warehouses, and so on. I would find it very difficult to locate anything like the size of water treatment plant needed to treat a hundred million litres of ballast water from a single ship.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000791\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ESo, despite the best intentions, like so many of this Government\u2019s policies, where they fail is in the execution and delivery, actually understanding what it is that businesses like major ports need to do to operate successfully, how constrained they already are by failed legislation, decades-old, failed legislation\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000792\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223d13185179eb4cc29170861de673ecad\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: You won\u2019t learn from that Auckland.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000793\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cfd2324b597049d0bfd5af5e4544a4e4\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014like that Minister Parker\u2019s failed Resource Management Act, that he has failed to bring to the House and offer a solution to New Zealand\u2019s developers and infrastructure operators. And this bill does nothing to actually resolve the issues. All it does is create another imposition on these ports, which, in many cases, are locally owned by local councils. They have a severe lack of capital. They\u2019re artificially constrained in how they might operate efficiently and safely and meet environmental obligations by the extremely poor environmental and planning rules that already govern their operations. So to impose this additional requirement on them to provide ballast water treatment facilities seems entirely unreasonable, impractical, unworkable, no expense spared.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000794\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EIt was very disappointing also to hear some of my colleagues on this side of the House describe this legislation as simply a box-ticking exercise and really describe a confidence in Government that the ACT Party feels is absolutely misplaced. This is not a box-ticking exercise. This is material to the performance of our coastal shipping fleet\u2014that shipping fleet so dear to the heart of our comrades\u2014and it actually underpins our infrastructure delivery. So I\u2019m talking about the Aotearoa Chief, that bulk cement carrier operating out of Golden Bay and Northport. I\u2019m talking about the Spirit of Canterbury, Silver Fern Shipping, Matuku, the StraitNZ Bluebridge Cook Strait ferries Straitsman and Strait Feronia. All of these ships rely on having access to good-quality fuels, but they also need time to achieve compliance. It\u2019s not correct that New Zealand is the last on the list. There are many other shipping hubs in the world struggling to supply sufficient quantities of low-sulphur fuel to their shipping fleets and New Zealand, with 5 million customers at the bottom of the ocean, is not a high priority for them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000795\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EThe other issue that\u2019s being canvassed is: where will we get the low-sulphur fuel from? So if it\u2019s a refinery in Singapore that may well be the case. We know the New Zealand refining company is exploring options to a transition\u2014an unjust transition, no doubt\u2014from a refining operation with the loss of hundreds of high-paid jobs to simply a storage tank facility. And I\u2019m sure that our comrades on the other side of the House would be happy to go and have a conversation, a conversation with the workers in Northland, those highly paid workers who are facing the loss of their jobs and being nothing more but pump operators at an onshore storage facility, not to mention the lack of economic resilience that that induces. So if we are going to transition to low-sulphur fuels for marine use, the New Zealand Government has a potential role to play in evaluating what volume that is, if there\u2019s a public good, the balance of public versus private good, and why this entire cost should be imposed on an industry that internationally has demonstrated they\u2019re very successfully migrating to a low-sulphur fuel for marine use. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000796\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EAround 10 percent of the world\u2019s fleet remains stuck with low-sulphur fuels. A large proportion of them operate in countries that are still not signatories. There are 99 signatories out of all the world\u2019s countries. So New Zealand is actually blessed that many of the ships and shipping companies already coming to New Zealand comply with these rules, but they\u2019re not getting their fuel in New Zealand. They\u2019re coming here bunkered up; they\u2019re not buying fuel in New Zealand. So the issue really affects most severely our own coastal shipping fleet. And it\u2019s for that reason, when we look at the submissions, the majority of submitters recognised the need to address climate change risk. They agree that meeting the conditions of the treaty will benefit New Zealand\u2019s international reputation. However, they are extremely concerned about the time frames and the cost of getting hold of this fuel and what kind of port facilities will be required to receive waste residues from the low-sulphur fuel management systems that might be required on ships, as well as the ballast waters. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000797\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EThey\u2019re also concerned as to what kind of regulations might apply if they were to use, say, what they call a wet open loop scrubber that actually discharges the sulphur into the ocean, which is permitted under international maritime rules. So whether those types of systems would be permitted by New Zealand\u2019s harsh and onerous environmental regulations, irrespective of the costs or benefits to the environment, we don\u2019t know. It\u2019s not mentioned here. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000798\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ESo public consultation was in 2018. There\u2019s been a number of things that have affected the world economy in shipping since then. We all know about COVID and the effect that that\u2019s had on supply chains, not to mention other issues affecting our port operations in Auckland, its automation; places like Timaru, its failing infrastructure and having wooden bollards rip out of the docks; and CentrePort in Wellington falling into the sea following an earthquake. So there\u2019s a whole lot of issues affecting our port infrastructure that need to be looked at in the context of a transition to low-sulphur fuels, a national strategy for storage to meet the International Energy Agency\u2019s requirement to hold 90 days of fuel in New Zealand. Without a refinery, New Zealand has nothing but an IOU to call on if we run low on fuel. We can\u2019t guarantee 90 days. We don\u2019t meet the International Energy Agency\u2019s requirements. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000799\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ESo while the ACT Party will support this bill at the first reading, we have serious reservations. This is not a box-ticking exercise like some of our colleagues on this side of the House have suggested. I can\u2019t imagine that the port operators around New Zealand would be happy to hear that\u2019s how other parties feel about it. The ACT Party will support it to first reading but we\u2019ll be asking very hard questions of the Minister and officials. Thank you very much.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022 data-id=\u00220962e2d87dfa4fa6ba1cb7910d88a46b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000800\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220962e2d87dfa4fa6ba1cb7910d88a46b\u0022\u003EPAUL EAGLE (Labour\u2014Rongotai):\u003C/span\u003E Talofa, Madam Speaker, and what a pleasure it is to speak in the House this evening. It\u2019s been some time, but only yesterday was I with the Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust, who manage the critical, vital shipping service for those living on the Chathams and interacting\u2014I guess is the right word\u2014with the mainland. That interaction was an educational one, because after many years, it\u2019s time to look at a new ship to service the nearly 700 people who live on the islands that make up the Chathams. One of the key things in that meeting or in that conversation was around vessel type, partnering with the coastal shipping service of New Zealand, and having a deep and meaningful conversation about how they can package this up for economic reasons but also best service for Chatham Islanders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000801\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003EBut one thing I noticed that underpinned that was the willingness from the consultants there, the team that came to see the Minister of Transport, around the desire to say, \u201CHow do we help Aotearoa New Zealand become carbon neutral by 2050?\u201D They\u2019d done their research. They\u2019d gone back and said, \u201CLook, let\u2019s not argue around whether this is in or out.\u201D The reality is that this is part of the future of shipping in Aotearoa New Zealand, and so that\u2019s what impressed me most.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000802\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003EI believe that the sector, the shipping service around this country, is saying, \u201CWe know we need to do this. It\u2019s being done for the right reason.\u201D They certainly were watching the release of the climate change report, which comes through today, and they are pre-empting that. That gives me every confidence that some of our concerns and issues that are being expressed, primarily from that side of the House, are unfounded, because they know that that\u2019s how a modern shipping service operates. They know that there are certain minimum standards that are expected.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000803\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003EThe key thing is that they\u2014who have been operating without technology and many of the other luxuries that have become the norm for us on the mainland\u2014are now ready to make their own transition, because technology is coming to the island with the first cellphone network, which will help other parts of the environment, particularly in fisheries with on-boat cameras, for example. But they too expect that the way that things used to be done will be now no longer. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000804\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003ESo can I just reaffirm to you that sometimes when you\u2019re confronted with the reality of shipping, you learn a lot, and you often talk to people who have been in the business for many, many years, with their expertise around running a shipping service, being part of the old school, the old way of doing things, but embracing the new way, looking at what it means to be carbon neutral by 2050, and picking up on some of these concerns. It\u2019s interesting, because I thought, \u201COh, wow, tomorrow that\u2019s coming up in the House.\u201D, and here we are talking about a critical service for part of Aotearoa New Zealand and an enterprise or group of people who are saying, \u201CHow do we now deliver on that?\u201D So there was no debate. There was no argument. It was just factored in as part of doing business for the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000805\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s interesting. I thought that when reading their notes too, and I just want to embrace or reaffirm the words of James Shaw when he said it\u2019s been far too long. I couldn\u2019t believe it myself when I looked at how many years. He said 25 years. I thought \u201CWow.\u201D\u2014and only us and Mexico. I love Mexican food, but sometimes we don\u2019t want to be\u2014I think we can do better than Mexico in this particular aspect. So it surprises me\u2014because I think that we do so many good things, but there are some things where I just don\u2019t understand why it\u2019s taken so long.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000806\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003ESo can I acknowledge the Ministers involved\u2014Ministers Mahuta, Parker, and Wood\u2014for their combined efforts, and the select committee, the Environment Committee, for their work around hearing those submissions and actually trudging it along and getting it to the finish line.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000807\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019m really proud to be speaking on this. I sit on the Transport and Infrastructure Committee, so we will be considering it, and I expect to have a robust debate with the maritime community, the coastal shipping service, and the stakeholders involved, who have submitted before and talked about their concerns\u2014and I think it\u2019s fortunate timing with the Climate Change Commission report that will be coming through the House. I think we have 10 days to get it on the Table. So that means that we can have the robustness of a debate and bring the conversation together and actually address some of these concerns.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000808\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003EWhen I look at the purpose of the bill\u2014because sometimes we get a bit emotional about these things but forget about what the purpose is\u2014it says here in the explanatory note that the bill makes changes to the Maritime Transport Act 1994 to ensure the rule-making and enforcement provisions in the Act provide the authority required to fully implement the legal obligations of MARPOL Annex VI. So, hey, that can\u2019t be disputed. I think if we look at Part 1 and Part 2 and bring those together, you have a piece of work here where I don\u2019t think I need to say too much more, because it speaks for itself. As I said, I\u2019m looking forward to being part of the select committee to further this work. I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022 data-id=\u002291f5300afcd0423b8ed63772d0fd87ca\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000809\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002291f5300afcd0423b8ed63772d0fd87ca\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: The next call is a split call. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022 data-id=\u00226c4e292778184de6aea11c2e338baff7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000810\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226c4e292778184de6aea11c2e338baff7\u0022\u003EBARBARA KURIGER (National\u2014Taranaki - King Country):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I would reiterate some of the comments of the previous speaker, Paul Eagle, when he mentions that this has taken quite a long time. Yes, it was 1998 when New Zealand first signed up to this. I\u2019ve learnt a bit, actually, in the House tonight, even listening to some of the other speakers, and particularly when Minister Shaw talked about how around the world this is 98 percent done, and now we\u2019re actually doing the bits to finish it off. So National does support this bill. It\u2019s a positive step towards a shipping sector that is cleaner and healthier.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000811\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EWhat I would like to comment on, largely, around this is the process. So this time, we\u2019ve got the bill, the bill\u2019s going to select committee, we\u2019ve got a four-month process here, and we have a national interest analysis that\u2019s very well-thought-out. I\u2019m sure people that are more knowledgeable than me have had lots of input into this, and we will have lots more comments about this national interest analysis. I just want to make the point that while four months is a shorter time than normal, in relation to the oil and gas legislation, that was four weeks when the Government actually wouldn\u2019t even come to Taranaki and bring a select committee day out there. So when we look at climate change, and we\u2019re doing this bill in the name of climate change, I cannot believe that we did four weeks\u2014four weeks\u2014of submission, did it really quickly, and now the result is a massive nine-year high of Indonesian coal, which I\u2019m sure was unforeseen by Minister Parker and his colleagues because the lack of investment in gas has taken the gas out of the system. And I can only hope\u2014and reiterate; I\u2019ve said before tonight\u2014that some of the rain that\u2019s just devastated South Canterbury has actually made its way to the hydro dams. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000812\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EI\u2019m banking on the fact tonight that, after listening to Shanan Halbert\u2019s speech, the Speaker is being quite lenient and that there is a bit of leeway, given that it\u2019s the first reading and there\u2019s lots of things to discuss. I also picked up before that Minister Shaw talked about shipping and aviation being outside the Paris Agreement. So this is a global agreement where we\u2019ve got those two things, shipping and aviation, who are working together to get a global answer. And I sit here and I look at Minister Parker and I think, \u201CWhy can\u2019t we do that with methane, actually, from dairy cows?\u201D, because if you want to look at the efficiency of a globe as a whole, I think there should be more effort put into trying to get some sort of agreement, because we know that the climate efficiency of this country is the best in the world. So if we\u2019re looking at global agreements, I just want to throw that on the table, because I think there\u2019s probably going to be a better way than where we\u2019re tracking at the moment. And we said that with the gas ban permit, so we\u2019ve just got to be careful what road we go down.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000813\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EWe recognise, in National, that New Zealand needs to play its part. We need to play our part and we\u2019re all happy to play our part, and we want to get to 2050 just like the Government does, right? But most of the time in Parliament, we don\u2019t argue about the end goal; we just argue about how to get there. And that is the problem. Because we can often see faster ways and better ways and, unfortunately, we get frustrated when we see various forms of energy are running out while there is no just transition and there is no plan for a new future\u2014and we\u2019re excited about the new energies, too, but we want to see them in quantity. Shanan Halbert also talked about biofuel tonight. So the infrastructure in Firstgas can carry biofuel, it can carry hydrogen, it can do all these things\u2014and I know I\u2019m sidetracking here, but it can do all these things. The problem is we don\u2019t have those things yet. So why don\u2019t we have a much more sensible conversation about that while we\u2019re going through this process, because we know that emissions from transport and industrial heat are two of our biggest problems, and this bill is a step in the right direction, and I\u2019m really glad that this Government has allowed four months for us to have the discussion so we can do this much better than we have done some other things. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u00220cd92d36441c4ca0a04d2a4447d56602\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000814\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220cd92d36441c4ca0a04d2a4447d56602\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister for the Environment):\u003C/span\u003E There seems to be some misunderstanding amongst some members as to what this bill does. It does reduce particulate pollution from marine fuels, it doesn\u2019t reduce carbon dioxide\u2014carbon in, carbon out. So it has virtually no impact on carbon dioxide emissions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000815\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003ECan I thank other members for their contributions in respect of this\u2014Christopher Luxon, Government members, they all got that this was essentially about marine fuels, and although there\u2019s a tangential reference in there to ballast water, I was somewhat bemused by the ACT Party\u2019s constant reference to ballast water when this is mainly about gases and sulphur dioxide. In the end, I thought that, once again, the ACT Party had to find objection to any form of regulation, even good regulation, and I concluded that, really, Simon Court is the Dennis Denuto of the ACT Party\u2014it\u2019s the treaty, it\u2019s MARPOL, it\u2019s the vibe of the thing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225a797c9e-cc29-454e-b348-6a415e930295\u0022 data-id=\u0022ad5631e7fe234ca59739083ab1851d96\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000816\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225a797c9e-cc29-454e-b348-6a415e930295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ad5631e7fe234ca59739083ab1851d96\u0022\u003ETERISA NGOBI (Labour\u2014\u014Ctaki):\u003C/span\u003E Fa\u2018afetai i lau Afioga le Fofoga o le Maota. Can I first just quickly acknowledge Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa / Samoan Language Week, and also Samoan Independence Day today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000817\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225a797c9e-cc29-454e-b348-6a415e930295\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s a privilege and an honour, as always, to be able to get up and take a call on this maritime transport amendment bill, which addresses the impact of shipping emissions by aligning domestic legislation with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. This bill also provides a Minister with the power to make rules around maritime protection. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000818\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225a797c9e-cc29-454e-b348-6a415e930295\u0022\u003EBut I just wanted to pick up on the push in terms of, actually, the full mahi that this Government is doing in terms of climate change, and so this bill is part of that bigger mahi, part of that bigger work. So for me, and the \u014Ctaki electorate, we have many of our Kiribati community that have had to come to New Zealand, come to \u014Ctaki electorate, and while they\u2019re grateful to be in New Zealand, grateful to be able to still practise their traditions and cultures, they miss their motherland. They wish they could still be in Kiribati, but due to climate change and the erosion of their islands, they\u2019ve had to come to New Zealand. So for me, on many levels, the climate change\u2014and as the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern has said, this is a climate change crisis at the moment, and so this bill, and the other work that this Government are doing in terms of the climate change space, I absolutely support, and I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022 data-id=\u0022ac441ec17b974d5ebfe857b63de30c40\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000819\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ac441ec17b974d5ebfe857b63de30c40\u0022\u003EHon SCOTT SIMPSON (National\u2014Coromandel):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s always an embarrassment when a new member of Parliament comes ill prepared to a debate like this and creates a speech of the sort that we\u2019ve just heard. Because this is a bill that actually isn\u2019t to do with Kiribati. It isn\u2019t to do with the potential refugees from climate change activities. It\u2019s a relatively simple bill that the Government\u2019s introduced, a little bit belatedly but at least they\u2019ve introduced it. It\u2019s a bill that is a small step in the right direction and it\u2019s a bill that seeks to bring New Zealand into line with the international regime that has been agreed by almost every other country in the world. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000820\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003ESome would say that we\u2019ve actually been a little bit slow in this area. Part of the reason we\u2019ve been a little bit slow is because we are a small isolated country at the bottom of the South Pacific, where shipping and airline activity is fundamental to everything we do. The only way in and out of our island nation is by air or by sea. We are an exporting nation. We are a country that depends on trading in the world. And what happens is that for years and years and years the fuel that\u2019s used on ships that ply the waters in and out of New Zealand has been fuel that is not the most environmentally sound and has a higher than one would want degree of sulphur component. So this legislation is the result of work that has been done over a long number of years and it is, as my colleague Christopher Luxon earlier on in this debate stated, an actual Act, that there\u2019s something going to be done. It\u2019s not just a slogan. It\u2019s not just political speak. This is an Act that will have an impact, a physical impact, that will actually be of benefit. That\u2019s unusual for this Labour socialist Government because they are usually a Government that spends a lot of time talking about slogans, talking about left-wing doctrine, talking about trade unions, and talking about things that have no particular physical impact. But this piece of legislation is different. It does have an impact and it\u2019s probably not before time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000821\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EI sat on the Environment Committee that between March and June of 2020 considered our obligations under the MARPOL Annex VI treaty of international obligations. We heard from a number of submitters, not the least of which was the recently retired executive director of the New Zealand Shipping Federation, Annabel Young. And I want to commend to the House\u2014she\u2019s a former member of this Chamber, and she is a person who has, during her time with the New Zealand Shipping Federation, acted diligently, carefully, and with great advocacy on behalf of the Shipping Federation and their members that ply the waters around coastal New Zealand. What she emphasised at select committee, when we were considering it back in 2020, was that they believed the official advice underemphasised the likely impact of higher fuel prices and the difficulty of sourcing supply. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000822\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003ESo here we have the practical challenge that comes with a good environmental step but it comes at a cost. It comes at a price. That\u2019s the trade-off that we have to make often in environmental matters\u2014that doing the right thing does have a cost. And so in this case, the cost will be a higher impost on ships that are arriving and leaving New Zealand waters. The fuel that they use will be cleaner and more environmentally sound, and that\u2019s a good thing. But there will be a cost and the cost ultimately flows on to consumers and individuals and is yet a further impact on the cost of living. But that\u2019s a trade-off that we as a Parliament and we as a society are happy to make because the environmental benefits are in this case, I think, worthy of the trade-off. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000823\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003ESo the National Party is going to support this legislation to select committee. We\u2019re looking forward to what will, I think, be a useful analysis by the select committee. I\u2019m grateful that the Government has given, I think, a reasonable amount of time, not a long amount of time, but a reasonable amount of time for\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000824\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224a2c31874f184bde801bfe8e47e75e79\u0022\u003EBarbara Kuriger\u003C/span\u003E: Good for their standards.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000825\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222ccc211f8546417dad6a6cd0db623c9c\u0022\u003EHon SCOTT SIMPSON\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, good by their standards; not necessarily good by traditional democratic standards of New Zealand, but good by their standards. They\u2019d almost say that this was, probably, open and transparent. Well, it doesn\u2019t quite reach that mark, but it\u2019s a modest step in the right direction. So the select committee will give due consideration, and I won\u2019t be at all surprised that the New Zealand Shipping Federation will make a submission along with a number of other international shipping organisations. And I\u2019m sure that the environmental non-Governmental organisations will also want to make their contribution. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000826\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003ESo in terms of where we go on this piece of legislation, we take our typically blue-green approach. We want to see that the elements of sustainability are at the core of this decision making. We are, of course, on this side of the Parliament, the party of practical environmentalism\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000827\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ea31fdd3-90e9-47d7-92a4-20b6a3109eef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bf1595c179334f42b2340d4b31a18840\u0022\u003EChristopher Luxon\u003C/span\u003E: Get stuff done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000828\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ab6646c819604e30acdc54de888768f5\u0022\u003EHon SCOTT SIMPSON\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014and we get stuff done, as Christopher Luxon says. We get stuff done. So we\u2019ll be looking carefully at the legislation. We\u2019ll be looking at the wording, what it means\u2014what it means for shipping organisations and what it means in terms of our overall economic impact, and, of course, what it means for individual New Zealand consumers. So, on that note, I\u2019m happy to join with my colleagues in supporting this bill to select committee, and we\u2019ll see how it goes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225ec01d23-b55e-45b9-a668-d3bf14212126\u0022 data-id=\u0022bf4807883b6f449b9af47ed24a980c77\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000829\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225ec01d23-b55e-45b9-a668-d3bf14212126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bf4807883b6f449b9af47ed24a980c77\u0022\u003EHELEN WHITE (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Talofa lava. I just want to make two short points about this bill. This bill will actually do something really significant for our community. It\u2019s about climate change, yes, but I just want to talk for a second about the health issues involved in this. The study that I read\u2014it\u2019s called Mission Possible\u2014showed that worldwide, if we adopt this standard, it will save 40,000 lives a year. That\u2019s a lot of lives, and it\u2019s worth remembering. I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000830\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225ec01d23-b55e-45b9-a668-d3bf14212126\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000831\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225ec01d23-b55e-45b9-a668-d3bf14212126\u0022\u003EBill read a first time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000832\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225ec01d23-b55e-45b9-a668-d3bf14212126\u0022\u003EBill referred to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2021060145f40ebf38184388b0ff52db8a7e4e40000833\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225ec01d23-b55e-45b9-a668-d3bf14212126\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 9.56 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"