"\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=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d6a14a1446a846f9a801ccd25320173c\u0022\u003ETHURSDAY, 17 MARCH 2022\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002224fe93bce14b4d18a08f001353597883\u0022\u003ETHURSDAY, 17 MARCH 2022\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000002\u0022\u003EThe Deputy Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000004\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002286911b196b7c48cc8b0ab12fd0cc2f06\u0022\u003EKarakia/Prayers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00226e318d16678e439984f978fc5b3644cb\u0022\u003EKarakia/Prayers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u0022b1391ec4c6a34a08872c0fc1dc2ba015\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b1391ec4c6a34a08872c0fc1dc2ba015\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: E te Atua kaha rawa, ka tuku whakamoemiti atu m\u0101tou, m\u014D ng\u0101 karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a m\u0101tou. Ka waiho i \u014D m\u0101tou p\u0101nga whaiaro katoa ki te taha. Ka mihi ki te Ku\u012Bni, me te inoi atu m\u014D te \u0101rahitanga i roto i \u014D m\u0101tou whakaaroarohanga, kia m\u014Dhio ai, kia whakaiti ai t\u0101 m\u0101tou whakahaere i ng\u0101 take o te Whare nei, m\u014D te oranga, te maung\u0101rongo, me te aroha o Aotearoa. \u0100mene.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E[Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests, we acknowledge the Queen, and pray for guidance in our deliberations, that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom and humility, for the welfare, peace, and compassion of New Zealand. Amen.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00223202145acdb9409ca3cb3224bb3d52ed\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022acead3c0896740fcb54267d495dcae6f\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022 data-id=\u00225e1a7e20c8da494a86705dc64c54f95c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225e1a7e20c8da494a86705dc64c54f95c\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOOD (Deputy Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E Today, the House will adjourn until Tuesday, 29 March. Legislation to be considered in that week will include the first readings of Te Rohe o Rongokako Joint Redress Bill and the Natural Hazards Insurance Bill; the first and second readings of the Appropriation (2020/21 Confirmation and Validation) Bill; and the second reading and committee stage of Te Pire m\u014D te Hararei T\u016Bmatanui o te K\u0101hui o Matariki Te K\u0101hui o Matariki Public Holiday Bill. Third readings include the Ng\u0101ti Maru (Taranaki) Claims Settlement Bill, the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill, and the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022 data-id=\u00226a6fbae1e9844493ad8d0d2461a40c0d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226a6fbae1e9844493ad8d0d2461a40c0d\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP (National):\u003C/span\u003E I thank the Deputy shadow Leader of the House for that update. I was wondering if he could\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224490e50928194f918c45c8980f643b7d\u0022\u003EHon Grant Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: He\u2019s not the shadow; that\u2019s you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223ec900bf791745488ab9259d2d1d6467\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, sorry\u2014Deputy Leader of the House. I was wondering if he could offer the House a view as to whether or not legislation considering the Government\u2019s moves regarding hate speech will be introduced into the Parliament this year, and if we\u2019ll see a first reading this side of Christmas. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022 data-id=\u002242338e9a8c154d8aa88283a1b70ac369\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002242338e9a8c154d8aa88283a1b70ac369\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOOD (Deputy Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E As, I think, the Minister concerned has indicated, there are some important issues to work through on that issue, and I will give advice as soon as we have it to give.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022 data-id=\u0022c211909e9b5d47d8b6cc8d00182d8618\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c211909e9b5d47d8b6cc8d00182d8618\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader\u2014Green):\u003C/span\u003E I just had a question for the Deputy Leader of the House about the House programme as well, which is whether the Organic Products Bill will be brought back to the House at any time in the near future, given that the Primary Production Committee reported back over a year ago?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022 data-id=\u0022f6e6bcf5b6db40228ef8135ace63eb3d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f6e6bcf5b6db40228ef8135ace63eb3d\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOOD (Deputy Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E A very busy programme for the Government, a lot of important legislation for us to consider, and again we\u2019ll consider that in due course and advise the member.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00221a7bb3b5a1d4442b8550542419bcd01c\u0022\u003EPETITIONS, PAPERS, SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS, AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLS\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227f696dfb853949d08395dfb0a8511ba0\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=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u00228d729e4d1df54864b442631739a0ccb3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228d729e4d1df54864b442631739a0ccb3\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: A petition has 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=\u0022fb42ff97f3794515988777c2515c10be\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fb42ff97f3794515988777c2515c10be\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E: Petition of Sunita Jeram requesting that the House urge the Government to change border entry requirements to allow fully vaccinated and tested overseas spouses of New Zealand citizens to enter the country. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u0022a08c4f173a4e4217950face04d19c410\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a08c4f173a4e4217950face04d19c410\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That petition stands referred to the Petitions Committee. A paper has been delivered for presentation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022\u0022 data-id=\u002213812e664cca4e5cb892be05ad8eccf6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002213812e664cca4e5cb892be05ad8eccf6\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E: Report on unappropriated expenses and capital expenditure for the financial year ended 30 June 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=\u002299efadf728924c959705c0cc8b66be69\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002299efadf728924c959705c0cc8b66be69\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That paper is published under the authority of the House. Select 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=\u002248faef1553724ad8a231be8ce32ce874\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002248faef1553724ad8a231be8ce32ce874\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E: \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EReport of the Education and Workforce Committee on the briefing into pay transparency \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Ereport of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee on the 2020-21 annual review of Tupu Tonu\u2013Ng\u0101puhi Investment Fund Limited\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Ereport of the Regulations Review Committee on the examination of COVID-19 orders presented between 21 February and 23 February 2022.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u00229e9fa979279a42d8a95923aeadeb8d2d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229e9fa979279a42d8a95923aeadeb8d2d\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The COVID-19 orders are set down for consideration. The Clerk has been informed of the introduction of a bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022\u0022 data-id=\u0022dbfcb614dc2746279fcdd3c6ec6fb193\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022dbfcb614dc2746279fcdd3c6ec6fb193\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E: Appropriation (2020/21 Confirmation and Validation) Bill, introduction.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u0022a382e8ce0b754969823f28638fe49443\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a382e8ce0b754969823f28638fe49443\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That bill is set down for first reading.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d2a470db087b49d186ea9d473aaabe35\u0022\u003EOral Questions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224112373a5ff14de19585ceb0b4f1a986\u0022\u003EQuestions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022fdf892202e774ed98d446ca102c39416\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 1\u2014Environment\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022 data-id=\u0022f9b8c97a763d44a196fc6b2188a4ebcf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E1. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f9b8c97a763d44a196fc6b2188a4ebcf\u0022\u003ET\u0100MATI COFFEY (Labour) (remote)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for the Environment: What changes has the Government made to urban planning rules in Rotorua?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022977c6c67103f4ee78d32c0bd722d87aa\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022977c6c67103f4ee78d32c0bd722d87aa\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister for the Environment):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. This week, the Hon Megan Woods and I announced that Rotorua Lakes Council will join tier 1 major urban centres to be covered by the medium-density residential standards, which are enabled by the upzoning Act that this House passed last year. Rotorua has recently experienced strong population growth but house supply hasn\u2019t kept pace. This change will allow the council to significantly increase supply by properly updating their plan to allow medium-density housing\u2014that is, up to three homes up to three storeys will be able to be built on most residential sites without a resource consent. Site coverage limits of 50 percent and standardised boundary recession planes will apply. This inclusion of these standards in the area was requested by the Rotorua Lakes Council and its partners, Te Arawa Lakes Trust and Te Tatau o Te Arawa, and they\u2019ve welcomed the decision of the Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225f47d93642334a4d95f39624e09af3dc\u0022\u003ET\u0101mati Coffey\u003C/span\u003E: Why does Rotorua Lakes District need better planning standards?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002222881f9af8a441e9ac9d0d1fd04994d7\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: Among tier 2 authorities in New Zealand, Rotorua has one of the lowest number of housing consents per head of population: 3.8 per thousand people compared with 7.9 in New Plymouth, 23 for Queenstown, and over 28 per thousand in Auckland. Rotorua also has one of the highest numbers of people on emergency housing special needs grants and on the public housing register. It\u2019s almost 1\u00BD times worse than other perhaps comparable provincial cities. Planning restrictions in Rotorua are also currently limiting the ability of K\u0101inga Ora to deliver public housing. This move will significantly increase the number of public and private houses that can be built in the city.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002286f0f485ab09427a8b7301360b0924f7\u0022\u003ET\u0101mati Coffey\u003C/span\u003E: What effect will the new planning standards for Rotorua have on future rents?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022af89b4a4a9e84ffaae9f9c404a94ac44\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: There\u2019s no doubt that an increase in supply will have a moderating effect on rent increases. It\u2019s interesting that data for rents on new tenancies in the North Island is divided into Auckland, Wellington, and the rest of the North Island, and, notably, Auckland rents increased by 2.7 percent in the year to February this year\u2014a lower increase than for the rest of the North Island, which includes Rotorua. Auckland\u2019s housing supply\u2019s going gangbusters, growing from around 10,000 houses consented in 2017 to over 20,000 per annum now, most of which is medium density.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c6b687af755f4ce188998d2a937a4922\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I think the Minister\u2019s addressed that question. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022484b9e94720543a6a113ed74cacd5859\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 2\u2014Finance\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022 data-id=\u0022fc1236d2042845d6b189ec94f668069a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E2. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fc1236d2042845d6b189ec94f668069a\u0022\u003ENICOLA WILLIS (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner\u2019s statement that \u201CConditions are ripe for a wage price spiral\u201D, and is he confident that in 2022 New Zealanders\u2019 wage growth, as measured by the labour cost index, will exceed inflation, as measured by the CPI?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u00228362a10886f74bfd8e2b6fa89153f5b9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228362a10886f74bfd8e2b6fa89153f5b9\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E I agree that inflation has spiked significantly due to global factors, including the war in Ukraine and COVID-19 supply-chain disruptions, and that it is important for wages to grow to help New Zealanders with the cost of living. What Ms Zollner points out is that because of the strength of the labour market, low unemployment, and a strong economy, wages will continue to grow to help New Zealanders deal with the cost of living. I don\u2019t agree with the specific characterisation of the situation that the member has chosen to reference. On this side of the House, we believe wage growth is a good thing. With regards to the second part of the question, the Government\u2019s economic forecaster, the Treasury, does not forecast the labour cost index so I am not in a position to express an opinion on that. What I am confident about is that wages will continue to rise in the face of the cost of living. The Treasury\u2019s most recent forecast in the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update is for average ordinary-time wages to rise by 4.5 percent compared to Consumers Price Index inflation of 3.5 percent in the year to December 2022.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f05ec446448044ea9dec015c63b03d33\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: Is he concerned that surging inflation means New Zealanders are having to work harder just to maintain the same standard of living?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b7be2881a83d4f64a667bb2936fbef0c\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: As I\u2019ve expressed a number of times in this House over the last couple of weeks, I am concerned about the impact of inflation on New Zealand families and households, and that\u2019s precisely why this Government has made sure we\u2019re targeting support to those most affected by that, particularly through initiatives such as the family tax credit increase, increases to the minimum wage, and increases to benefits, all of which have been opposed by the National Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224ad994f5cb0248d0991141d326ff52d9\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: Why does he think inflation is higher in New Zealand than in many other countries, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Germany?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022213a537bf0ae4d2b97ed6b16f6c64f52\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: There are a wide range of reasons for why inflation is at a particular level in a particular country. If we just pick out two, one of those is the place that New Zealand has in the global supply chain, where we are more greatly affected by increased costs in areas such as shipping, and so on, and the other is the increase in demand that occurred in New Zealand as we emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221227d2c2da0544d0812c633497053443\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: Does he agree with the Prime Minister\u2019s statement in relation to the cost of living, \u201CWhat we see at this moment is an exception at this period of time.\u201D, and when does he expect the cost of living crisis will end?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ed6f1c8749b2431a8a5f753a60bddd3e\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I always agree with the Prime Minister, and in answer to the second part of the member\u2019s question, as I said in my answer to the primary question, forecasts are for wages to come back ahead of inflation, just as they have been in the period leading up to this situation and just as they will be in the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002236732a97fa0547c6a3b4970c11b7d709\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: Does he agree with economist Brad Olsen\u2019s statement that \u201CAt the moment, households are feeling the economic outlook is worse for them now than even during the depths of the global financial crisis.\u201D, and why in this context is the Minister planning the biggest ever Budget operating allowance in history, a record $6 billion increase to Government spending?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f4dffa7b61614161b98998ebe890a104\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: In answer to the first part of the question, yes, I continue to remain concerned about the impact that high inflation is having on households, and that\u2019s why we\u2019re taking the initiatives we are. In answer to the second part of the question, unless something\u2019s changed in the last few days where there\u2019s been a changing of the deck chairs across the way here, the National Party is currently proposing a $6 billion allowance at Budget 2022. That\u2019s exactly what they\u2019re doing, so the member is now arguing against her own policy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b58c2c8d337244e2b673bf6a8349744c\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: Well, then, does he believe that someone earning $60,000 a year, who is not eligible for Working for Families, may find the soaring cost of living tough, and if he does think so, why won\u2019t he adjust tax brackets to give them $800 in tax relief in this year\u2019s Budget?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225f4ce04dac674934b1f556e3c9601ca3\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: This matter was covered extensively in the House yesterday. Of course we\u2019re concerned about making sure that everyone in New Zealand has what they need to be able to meet the cost of living. That\u2019s why on this side of the House we\u2019ve continually promoted initiatives that lift wages. At every single turn, the National Party has opposed those measures, and now they come forward with a set of tax cuts that would mean those on the highest incomes in New Zealand benefit the most. On this side of the House, we\u2019re focused on making sure we support low and middle income earners, not only with the wages they get but also with the public services they require, be it the health system, the education system, or anywhere else.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002292e414b2f5b04cea809b9664be4bc91d\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: Why is the Minister so opposed to tax reduction for everyday Kiwis, and is it because he believes he can spend their money better than they can?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002244dce777b4244b0ab41ac69bf57a7b54\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I had high hopes for the member that she would shed the cloak of negativity that her six predecessors have had in that role, but, alas, it is not the case. On this side of the House, we will continue to remain focused on making sure that we support all New Zealanders, not only through how we lift their incomes but also in making sure that the health system and the education system are going well, that we build public housing, and that we invest in research and development. All of these things are needed. Putting a Budget together requires a lot of balancing and a lot of trade-offs, but I\u2019m confident we have the balance right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022fc1876705e544672a9029810f26cbb25\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 3\u2014Police\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022 data-id=\u002223c78e66dec540319270fa66892ed4cb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E3. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002223c78e66dec540319270fa66892ed4cb\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR (Labour\u2014\u014Ch\u0101riu)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Police: Sl\u00E1inte, Mr Speaker, and happy St Patrick\u2019s day. What reports has she seen regarding efforts by Police to disrupt organised crime?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022 data-id=\u00224a9ea086b1464f71b31baba8818f0cce\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224a9ea086b1464f71b31baba8818f0cce\u0022\u003EHon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister of Police):\u003C/span\u003E The Government is committed to the crackdown on organised crime and gangs, and that\u2019s why we\u2019re supporting Police to ensure they have the tools to do just that. I\u2019ve seen a report that shows Police are off to a strong start this year in their efforts to disrupt organised crime. In February, Police successfully terminated a major drug importation ring and made a number of arrests; the result of a five-month long operation code-named Operation Trout. Those arrested have been charged with the importation and supply of class A drugs and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. This Government will continue to support Police in their efforts to disrupt and deter organised crime, and I thank them for the fantastic work they do to keep us safe. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b63a34b59523427687c2c29846a75f6a\u0022\u003EGreg O\u2019Connor\u003C/span\u003E: What does the report show for efforts to disrupt organised crime here in Wellington? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002236e57997d2864534a3da1f3c9e3e7b2b\u0022\u003EHon POTO WILLIAMS\u003C/span\u003E: The report shows New Zealand Police are making significant progress in their efforts to tackle organised crime here in the capital. The Wellington drugs and organised crime team led a joint operation with the New Zealand Customs Service which resulted in nine search warrants being executed in the Hutt Valley. As part of their search warrants, more than 30 police officers descended on a number of properties, arresting five people and seizing firearms and associated ammunition. Police will continue to target organised crime and take guns and drugs off the streets, and that\u2019s why this Government has funded the largest police force ever, including an additional 700 with specific focus on targeting organised crime. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226f95cc99636e434988ba0aa7b7e64ed2\u0022\u003EGreg O\u2019Connor\u003C/span\u003E: What does this operation mean for the illegal importation of drugs into our communities? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225b5a3fc39bf04473803e49f50e489a9d\u0022\u003EHon POTO WILLIAMS\u003C/span\u003E: The operation strikes a major blow at the importation of drugs into New Zealand. The successful multi-agency operation identified and terminated the supply chain of up to 10 kilograms of methamphetamine which was being brought into New Zealand from the United States, China, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The social harm costs of this amount of methamphetamine is estimated to be between $20 million and $45 million, according to the New Zealand harm index. In the last month alone, Police have made significant progress in disrupting the meth trade, taking more than 600 kilograms off the streets, and, yesterday, the team at customs announced a record seizure of 700 kilograms of cocaine that had been imported from South America, with a street value of around $280 million. Our law enforcement agencies continue to strike real blows against organised crime and the supply of illicit drugs in our community, and I\u2019m sure my colleagues across the House will join me in acknowledging the excellent work Police does in this space to keep us safe. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022122006f9fd1a4c2eabdb858c141a3908\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: If her plan is working, why was it reported yesterday that a Rotorua woman keeps a baseball bat beside her bed and is afraid to leave her home because of the increase in gang violence in her neighbourhood? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a43c82dc75154d6e96396d0a54b0823a\u0022\u003EHon POTO WILLIAMS\u003C/span\u003E: There is no doubt that there are distressing experiences that our people in our community experience every day, but I know that the Police are doing a fantastic job in their work to combat gangs and organised crime, as I\u2019ve just said. The Police take a number of actions, and I point to Operation Tauwhiro as being just one such action: a year of success, which has meant we\u2019ve rolled it out for a further six months. I want to say I thank the Police for the work that they have done in taking 1,531 firearms off the street, arresting 1,255 people, and removing 53 kilograms of meth out of circulation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248a02a21-c1ac-4159-8789-485ad614bd01\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022369956c87d2b434c84e0ffcdb14cb9db\u0022\u003EHon Mark Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: If her plan is working, why was an innocent member of the public surrounded by violent gang members on a public road and beaten so badly that he still lies in critical care? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d6e61b860fac466485692dc0fd709e59\u0022\u003EHon POTO WILLIAMS\u003C/span\u003E: There\u2019s no doubt that that was a dreadful experience, and, as the Minister of Police, I have no tolerance for what we saw over the weekend in the Waikato. What I can say is Police have launched Operation Rangiriri to investigate and take action against those identified as being responsible for any offending, and Police do take action. An example of that is a gang gathering in Wellington where four arrests were made and two vehicles have been impounded, a gang tangi where there were 50 infringements and two arrests and four vehicles have been impounded, and in Auckland, 16 gang members were arrested and charged and two motorcycles impounded. The charging rate against identified gang members is up 92 percent in the year to date, which has gone up under our watch. In the Waikato case, Police have launched an operation, and they will be taking action against those involved. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223a5e55a5e8b6457ebb51cd1970804c51\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 4\u2014Health \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022 data-id=\u00229bbd6f96df0d44f7a7bebe45a8e214b6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E4. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229bbd6f96df0d44f7a7bebe45a8e214b6\u0022\u003EJAN LOGIE (Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: Does he believe the DHBs\u2019 approach to the current negotiation with allied, scientific, and technical health workers will improve job satisfaction and retention among the 70-plus groups represented in that negotiation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022 data-id=\u00224da27a53500c45808b570e5102ce7e0a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224da27a53500c45808b570e5102ce7e0a\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E I don\u2019t believe that the process of negotiation on its own, which is an activity between employer and union representatives, bears upon job satisfaction and retention for the workers represented. In the end, it is the outcome of negotiations that counts, and I\u2019m satisfied that the DHBs and the union representing allied, scientific, and technical workers\u2014in this case, the Public Service Association\u2014are working to achieve a fair and reasonable result.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a21afe0808f048288a1d319d8e1b5eca\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: What is his response to Steve, a sterile services technician, who has said, \u201CWe\u2019re the most under pressure I have seen in over 10 years in the health sector. My department alone is 66 percent understaffed. On top of that, most of my colleagues don\u2019t earn a living wage, and I have to work a second job to ensure that I can support my family.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c02eb6d9d2c74a27abb59022a92f47f9\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: I say to that worker thank you, as I do to all health workers, for the extraordinary work they have done over the last two years and continue to do in these extraordinary circumstances. I would also say to him that this is a Government that since it has been in Government has striven to materially increase the remuneration of health workers, and we continue to do that with all of the health unions with whom we are negotiating. In addition to renewing collective agreements, we have also embarked on a number of pay equity agreement negotiations with unions in the health sector. We have reached agreement in principle with two large sections of the health workforce, and we have more to come, including with the health workers in his group, represented by the union currently representing him, in a pay equity process. But as the court recently determined, the pay equity process must remain separate and distinct from the collective bargaining process for renewal of the collective agreement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d526847c4f51488ba829a8e60b3c9e3e\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: What does he say to Leighton, a physio who said, \u201CMany of us are burnt out and some cannot even get leave to take a break. We are understaffed and overworked, and we have problems retaining staff.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eb238948dc284ebdb2b92b1f57d66371\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: There are many parts of the health workforce that are under huge pressure because of years of underfunding the health sector and the workforce that goes with it, including the fact that in the nine years leading up to the formation of this Government, nurses\u2019 remuneration, for example, went backwards in real terms. This is a Government that is determined to fix those problems, but with a workforce of 77,000, represented by many unions, we can\u2019t do everything at once. We are actively engaged with all unions, not only to lift the rates of pay in their collective agreements but also, where it is required, to address longstanding pay inequity under the Equal Pay Act. We have a programme of work in that respect, and that work is well under way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002279a643538916499da4cdce2ad89f9237\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: Does he consider that the Government\u2019s April 2021 pay guidance, which restricts when and how public servants can receive pay increases, may have hindered the health sector\u2019s ability to reach fair settlements for long-running disputes such as the allied health negotiations?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022342aee030a2c493880dd8cab56b4d939\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: In the end, the conduct of negotiations are a matter for the parties to those negotiations. The workers are represented by a union. It is between the union or unions and the employer or employers who are engaged in those negotiations. And, of course, with a workforce such as with the health workforce, these things don\u2019t happen in a single set of negotiations. Long-term improvements happen over a period of time, and in the public sector, the Government that funds those pay agreements has to manage the pressures on it as well. So it provides appropriate guidance, but, in the end, this is a Government that, in the time it has been in Government, has established a track record of ensuring good and fair pay agreements for workers in the public sector.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002222a1dba3fceb4f408a8f35399ee250d5\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: What responsibility will he take for fixing the situation that has led to WorkSafe saying they will take enforcement action against the Ministry of Health if funding issues that compromise worker safety in the health sector are not resolved?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227103bd163ee94f6c8bf6d8d16b729ff4\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: Well, for a start, WorkSafe will not be doing that, because it would be outside their statutory mandate and their prosecutorial responsibilities. We do know that in some parts of the health sector, personnel have issued improvement notices in relation to days on which there has been considerable understaffing. But on investigation by WorkSafe of each of those improvement notices, the notices have been withdrawn because the necessary improvements have been made in very quick order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e3e7f6bf886e4d40843bdce86342f249\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 5\u2014Tourism\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022 data-id=\u0022ecc7eb3368e24ebea116c527ea1b98c6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E5. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ecc7eb3368e24ebea116c527ea1b98c6\u0022\u003EJO LUXTON (Labour\u2014Rangitata) (remote)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Tourism: What announcements has the Government recently made about supporting the tourism sector?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022e3b7a9749917408f80578f1687050469\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e3b7a9749917408f80578f1687050469\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Tourism):\u003C/span\u003E Today, I announced that the South Island tourism regions most impacted by the absence of international tourists are getting support to gear up for the return of visitors through our $49 million kick-start fund. Tourism operators in five key South Island tourism regions have worked extraordinarily hard to stay connected with the visitor economy in the travel, culture, hospitality, and recreation sectors. Yesterday, the Prime Minister and I announced that international tourists will be welcomed back to New Zealand earlier than expected as the Government accelerates the country\u2019s economic recovery. This additional investment to support businesses will help scale up operations for the much-anticipated return of international visitors.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022902b0aa3642a44f4920211f5092660ec\u0022\u003EJo Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: Why is the Government supporting the tourism sector?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221ce92bb055f44060aaf589234bed14a3\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Tourism\u2019s highly important to the economy. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain committed to ensuring the immediate survival and long-term transformation of the tourism sector. Our announcement today builds on the millions we\u2019ve already invested into the sector, and will help those businesses who are ready to come out of hibernation and scale up operations for the return of international visitors. The kick-start grants could be used to refresh facilities or marketing or training and hiring new staff, or source new stock in readiness for their opening. It will take time and money and is exactly what the Tourism Kick-start Fund is for.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022affa3d67075847a1a213123b7447c25f\u0022\u003EJo Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: What feedback has he received about the announcement?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022599a8e184a5644f4b2d46e462d9960bb\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Welcoming back tourists is a significant moment for New Zealand and welcome news for the tourism sector. I acknowledge that this has been an incredibly hard two years. Closing our borders was one of the first actions we took to stop COVID-19, but welcoming tourists back will bring much-needed relief to the sector and provide an important boost to our economy. Matt Wong, iFLY Queenstown owner, said, \u201Cnow \u2026 we\u2019ve got some assurance that the market is coming back, we can start building our businesses back up so that they\u2019re in a position where they can accept those customers and deliver that great service.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a197355804b54aefb2f627bfcc73e693\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 6\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=\u002221a0ceb0c2864175b2f00392e7941a7c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E6. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002221a0ceb0c2864175b2f00392e7941a7c\u0022\u003EDr SHANE RETI (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: How many of the 300,000 at-risk young people have been vaccinated in the measles catch-up campaign announced in July 2020, and what other non-COVID vaccination efforts are there, if any, to protect New Zealanders this winter?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022 data-id=\u002298b16bd2534b44dc84e51ed888c05168\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002298b16bd2534b44dc84e51ed888c05168\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E The July 2020 commitment to a catch-up campaign arose out of a number of preceding incidents. Firstly, a 2014-15 sero survey showed systematically lower measles seropositivity for the birth cohort from 1980 to 1999. Secondly, in May 2017 the New Zealand National Verification Committee for measles and rubella reported there \u201Cwas a need to ensure that existing significant pockets of susceptible individuals are identified and immunised\u201D in a catch-up campaign. No action was taken by the Government of the day following either of those warnings. After the measles outbreak in 2019, efforts to address the immunisation gap in those young people finally got under way. There was a particular need to prioritise a one-dose catch-up campaign for people born between 1989 and 2004 who had an unknown MMR immunisation status. Since July 2020, 22,764 doses have been given. Because of the pandemic, a decision was made to pause the measles catch-up campaign between March and November 2021 to focus on responding to COVID-19. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003ETo the second part of the member\u2019s question, we have a range of targeted measures to ensure people can access vaccination. This includes funding additional free flu vaccines this year, as well as the usual National Immunisation Schedule series of vaccines that are offered free to babies, children, adolescents, and adults.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d34314af789c4b058b9fe9655fbee6dc\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: How many people, then, were vaccinated between the start of the campaign in July 2020 and, as he has just told us, when the campaign was concluded or paused in March 2021?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ac8bd08aeabf4256a696aff6442fad25\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: The campaign was paused in March last year because by that time a vaccine was available for COVID-19 and it was important for the health system to assemble the significant workforce needed to administer that vaccination campaign, which to date has led to the administration of more than 10.8 million doses of a vaccine for that particular condition. I don\u2019t have the precise figure of what number of doses were administered at that time, but the campaign for the immunisation catch-up resumed in November last year, and doses have been administered since then to the current date.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b140bad91d014cee9d38946bb19a00bf\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: What responsibility does he take for having to destroy nearly $4 million of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines that expired last month, and how many hip operations could that $4 million have paid for?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e9aff2755fa84b47acc162f98922bff9\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: We have had a health system that has had to respond at pace to a worldwide pandemic and had to go from business as usual to administering currently 10.8 million vaccinations to our population to keep them safe from the horrors of COVID-19. That does require trade-offs. The reality is no system, particularly a system of our size, can do absolutely everything asked of it. So when we make trade-offs, we have to trade off assembling the workforce, drawn from the current health workforce, to do the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, and because the borders were closed and the risk of measles infection was way, way lower than hitherto had been the case, it was a trade-off that I was prepared to back. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c6dffe6a8d5b4ba29d36f1b2bcfb5230\u0022\u003EHon Willie Jackson\u003C/span\u003E: What steps is the Government taking to increase the availability of the free influenza vaccines in order to help protect New Zealanders this winter?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022be0f91a34ed2481f8e1497784f3ca6b5\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: Last month we announced that the Government would fund an additional quarter of a million more free flu vaccines for this year\u2019s winter campaign to protect our most vulnerable communities and the health system. We can expect to see more seasonal flu in New Zealand this year as we reopen our borders, and now up to 2 million New Zealanders will be eligible for a free flu vaccination in 2022. This Government has been actively planning and investing for this winter\u2014and, of course, many more to come\u2014because we take health seriously. We know this will save lives, we know this will preserve capacity in the health system, and we know that it will lead to a healthier, better outcome for all New Zealand communities. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d38328ee7717462182de6d13ba7ecbd1\u0022\u003EHon Peeni Henare (remote)\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm that despite the challenges of COVID-19 in the year 2020, the M\u0101ori flu vaccination rate was the highest it has ever been in history?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223b5909190f414cf2beab58f6a3c7f9f6\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: I can confirm that, because one population that the health system has struggled to provide appropriate immunisations to is M\u0101ori, particularly tamariki and rangatahi, but 2020 saw a record number of immunisations administered as the catch-up campaign took off. I\u2019m confident that we will pick up those numbers again as the campaign picks up momentum again this year.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cdb44ca7233c4f5bb77284376deb0eaf\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by his answer to written questions that in two weeks\u2019 time another $5 million worth of MMR vaccine will also expire, and how many hip operations could that $5 million have paid for?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f8a238260b46496e96ad6c8fad7cb866\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: I stand by all my written questions and indeed all the things that I put into the public arena, unlike that member, who\u2019s had to withdraw the figures and numbers he\u2019s relied upon.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225e59281932dd4ec8b9987ab8ad80d706\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Was this $9 million failure a factor in Treasury\u2019s latest Investor Confidence Rating assessment of the ministry he leads being graded a D, with especially poor project delivery?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aedfe45e0821410f820ffa26be49e3c1\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: We have asked an extraordinary amount of our Ministry of Health in the last two years as they\u2019ve responded to the worldwide pandemic. They\u2019ve had to gear up an extraordinary workforce, not only running and planning the response to COVID-19\u2014making sure the health system is equipped to provide the healthcare that is needed\u2014but also to source, to procure, and then to administer the vaccine in the biggest vaccination campaign this country has seen in its history. We\u2019ve had to press into service people in our health system who have not been pressed into service before\u2014the biggest vaccination workforce we\u2019ve ever had. That has given a lot more people an opportunity to be part of a health system with now ambitions and aspirations, and to play a long-term role in it. This Government will be supporting them to do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00229b45f54867654f15bf830eef5b307c2a\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 7\u2014Broadcasting and Media\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cc477162-e622-4c94-add7-36a586729e51\u0022 data-id=\u00222a3451170a034ac991c933d028616bea\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc477162-e622-4c94-add7-36a586729e51\u0022\u003E7. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222a3451170a034ac991c933d028616bea\u0022\u003ENAISI CHEN (Labour) (remote)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Broadcasting and Media: What recent announcements has the Government made about strengthening public media?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022 data-id=\u002250e9f43b71fc432ea2c5f8afcb0763b5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002250e9f43b71fc432ea2c5f8afcb0763b5\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister for Broadcasting and Media):\u003C/span\u003E The Government recently announced that it will create a new single, independent public media entity. Internationally, traditional media is under pressure as it competes for audience and revenue with multinational content and social media providers. Public media in New Zealand is no different, and that is why the Government is acting to futureproof New Zealand\u2019s public media. The new entity will provide many of the current services of TVNZ and RNZ but be built for the 21st century, so it will be digitally focused and multi-platform. It will have a strong public media focus and more options and greater flexibility to respond to change and to deliver what audiences want. It will ensure that the quality local content that New Zealanders have relied on for decades will continue to be available in the fast-changing media environment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc477162-e622-4c94-add7-36a586729e51\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f4d3fe1cef1d46f7aa47a87956607ef2\u0022\u003ENaisi Chen\u003C/span\u003E: What will the benefits be to New Zealand audiences?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022220e2436721641dda6f64f71d578724b\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: New Zealand\u2019s audiences are changing the way they consume their media as younger audiences and some parts of our communities turn increasingly to online platforms and overseas-produced content. The entity will be better shaped to deal with these challenges. It will have greater scale, more flexibility to respond to the change, and be focused on new ways of delivery to reach local audiences and compete for their attention. Importantly, though, it will ensure our culture will be better reflected, our democracy will be better supported, and our public media system will be fairer, with a wider range of New Zealanders, including young people, having access to relevant content that reflects our communities, personalities, and our diversity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc477162-e622-4c94-add7-36a586729e51\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002259c55ee292f9482ea601793c483a81dd\u0022\u003ENaisi Chen\u003C/span\u003E: What does the establishment of the new public media entity mean for Radio New Zealand and TVNZ?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d76025b8d60a4345932f7f1ed7a3f2e9\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: The new public media entity will be set up alongside business-as-usual work for RNZ and TVNZ, and until it is established, TVNZ and RNZ will continue their current roles. However, they will also be closely involved in the establishment and change process and will have a representative on the establishment board, including a representative from staff on the shop floor. The new entity will continue the current platforms used by RNZ and TVNZ and will build on the skills and experience of those staff. Importantly, it will have a strong public media focus but will also have a responsibility to ensure its actions ensure a stronger, wider media environment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002287291dddd4344ab7b2f82036932847d4\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 8\u2014Immigration\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022 data-id=\u0022448e5bc6fc41421e834e97b668ad1feb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E8. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022448e5bc6fc41421e834e97b668ad1feb\u0022\u003EERICA STANFORD (National\u2014East Coast Bays)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by all his statements and actions on immigration?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022 data-id=\u002257cc86f7499040e4b21dba61fefca040\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002257cc86f7499040e4b21dba61fefca040\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Immigration):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, in particular I stand by the progress this Government is making on the 2021 resident visa. As of yesterday, a little over 78,000 applications had been submitted, representing 151,459 people. Of these, nearly 11,000 have already been granted residence, representing close to 25,000 people becoming New Zealand residents. This gives certainty to those people and their employers, and enables New Zealanders to retain a very important part of our skilled, settled, and scarce workforce. I also stand by the Government\u2019s recent decision to offer shelter to around 4,000 families of Ukrainians in New Zealand, and I stand by the Government\u2019s careful strategy to reconnect with the world, and as we are able to do so we are welcoming more and more people from overseas back to Aotearoa. As we said last month, where it is possible to bring forward the entry dates for different groups of migrants, the Government is working to do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022430003f7597e460d9b3096de837ff265\u0022\u003EErica Stanford\u003C/span\u003E: Does he agree with the Prime Minister\u2019s comment yesterday that the reason the Government isn\u2019t able to prioritise split families is because \u201CThe major issue \u2026 is not a question of safety\u2026 a question of being able to process those new visas in a timely way\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ef7f2de981c544658de42b2870b8cd30\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: Families will be able to be reunited throughout the phases of the staged and balanced process that the Prime Minister outlined yesterday. From 13 April, Australians will be able to travel to New Zealand, isolation free. And then 2\u00BD weeks later, from 11.59 on 1 May, vaccinated travellers from visa waiver countries with valid visitor visas will also be able to travel. Also, from July the processing of partnership visas for temporary migrants will resume. As the Prime Minister has said, a staged and balanced approach to reconnecting New Zealand is the way we\u2019ve gone about it, because of both public health reasons and our willingness to open the borders as quickly as we can.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a577e50a7703453d8d652e19f4f2a98c\u0022\u003EErica Stanford\u003C/span\u003E: Can he explain why he put the bulk of split families in the very last border reopening category of October, behind tourists and sports teams, when these families have been separated for three years?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002240f297b3dece4363b15d32e59563509f\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: As we open to the likes of Australia and visa waiver countries, that change will allow a large number of people who have been split to reconnect with their families. There are also around 570,000 people who still have valid visas who can open in our new phased approach. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f1ee5653b7b5457893bbe91609210501\u0022\u003EErica Stanford\u003C/span\u003E: Why is it that 90 percent of visitor visa applications currently take seven months to complete, and is this the reason he can\u2019t open up to all tourists on 1 May?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fac0f61c9abb4572b0e8a34c3ae8e29c\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: I think the fact that the border has been closed for two years would have something to do with the focus of where processing for Immigration New Zealand has been. A bulk of the processing capacity has been dealing with the likes of critical purpose visas, to make sure that we\u2019ve got the kind of skills and people that we\u2019ve needed here over the last two years while our borders have been closed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220c16a92814ef46bf994a9f408b8dfb04\u0022\u003EErica Stanford\u003C/span\u003E: What does he say to the consultant psychiatrist who is the only approved trainer for addiction psychiatry in the Waikato, who has resigned and is moving to Australia because Immigration does not have the capacity to process his father\u2019s residency application even though he fits the income criteria to be approved?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223c60cf37804b4473abf2cd64797cf0e1\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m only hearing about this one individual case at the moment, but if that person has an issue with the way that that has been processed, I suggest they speak to Immigration New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ec3556eead7d42a79683f5b57ef21a1b\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 9\u2014M\u0101ori Development\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022 data-id=\u002256a3033afbc04a73a6ffd3802e45a3db\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003E9. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002256a3033afbc04a73a6ffd3802e45a3db\u0022\u003ESHANAN HALBERT (Labour\u2014Northcote) (remote)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for M\u0101ori Development: What reports has he seen on cadetships?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022 data-id=\u0022000f927fb58b4a53aca0114306ffa73c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022000f927fb58b4a53aca0114306ffa73c\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister for M\u0101ori Development):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019ve recently received a report that since its inception, cadetships through Te Puni K\u014Dkiri (TPK) have reached over 5,000 cadets. In 2021, TPK supported programmes for 1,287 cadets with 128 employers, more than double the previous year. Eight-six percent of participating employers were M\u0101ori owned, and we are seeing the programme reach a wider range of industry sectors than previously, including: healthcare and social assistance, 20 percent; and information, media and telecommunications, 12 percent. Over half of the cadets in 2021 were w\u0101hine M\u0101ori, helping to tackle the disproportionate impact on w\u0101hine from the economic shocks of COVID-19.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002237443782e1aa4df5a2671369ff62a833\u0022\u003EShanan Halbert\u003C/span\u003E: What benefit is the cadetship programme providing for employers?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ebd8666d02764bea89baddf95de135e4\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON\u003C/span\u003E: Cadetship participation has significantly improved M\u0101ori staff retention rates at participating employers, reducing their costs and improving productivity. Over 90 percent of cadets were still at their firms after the cadetships had concluded and 88 percent received a pay rise; 58 percent of cadets received a promotion within the organisation, demonstrating the improved capability and productivity of the employees, kaimahi. Programmes are often tikanga based, benefiting both the cadets and the employers and enhancing links to M\u0101ori communities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229c069cdb-968c-4f11-b126-92f9c655148b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f31cd56188aa4fa4b9e595cdcab678af\u0022\u003EShanan Halbert\u003C/span\u003E: What have employers said about the programme?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022211e26eff7e448058c8a78a18461cf42\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON\u003C/span\u003E: Sixty-nine percent of employers said the proportion of M\u0101ori employed had increased since participating in the programme, while 94 percent of employers said that participating in the programme has prepared cadets for their careers in the long term. Seventy-four percent said their organisation had benefited as a result of participating in cadetships.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00220fc51f90964f49c3891e335d291b8b98\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 10\u2014Broadcasting and Media\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022 data-id=\u0022620cede7ebf54324aa28545c76eb0245\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E10. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022620cede7ebf54324aa28545c76eb0245\u0022\u003EMELISSA LEE (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Broadcasting and Media: How much has he been advised the merger of TVNZ and Radio New Zealand will cost, and how much ongoing taxpayer funding, if any, will the new public media entity he is creating receive?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022 data-id=\u00223ad1c16365734e1a899014e9faa02c2c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223ad1c16365734e1a899014e9faa02c2c\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister for Broadcasting and Media):\u003C/span\u003E The Government recently announced that it will create a new single public media entity. This, as I said in my response to question No. 7, is to ensure that our public media is fit for the future challenges of audience change and international content via online platforms. Cabinet\u2019s decision also included funding of $14.6 million to begin establishing the new entity. Any further costs are part of the Budget process. Further funding decisions for the new entity are also a subject of the Budget process, so the member will just have to hold on to the remote for a little bit longer. But I can assure the member the new entity will see more opportunities for New Zealanders to access quality local content. That is in stark contrast to when her party was last in power when public media budgets were flatlined and two TVNZ channels were taken off air.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002215a6eda22a554730bd431782c10b01f8\u0022\u003EMelissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: What tangible benefits are the public going to be burdened with if the new public media entity is unable to retain the levels of commercial support upwards of $300 million a year from advertising revenue expected to be retained from TVNZ\u2019s existing customers?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e884380252584587bd46761ed86eee14\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: I think the question actually shows the National Party\u2019s kind of attitude towards public media where they think it\u2019s a burden on New Zealanders, as opposed to this side of the House who sees the benefit of making sure that quality local content is available to New Zealand audiences that are changing the way they access that and are also finding their revenue\u2014the overseas content being a large challenge to their long-term survival. I thought the Opposition would have realised that over the last five years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221b8e119a2f1a47019ee8f23920576b14\u0022\u003EMelissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: Obviously, the Minister hasn\u2019t actually heard about the cost of living.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222fc246229f6247159f008c2daddf785b\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f88cbd6d46e642afa967c3926852df82\u0022\u003EMelissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, I was thinking to myself, apologies.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229ba9e9ccbadb4d44a7109aa9873df4db\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, well I was about to give you an extra question but there you go.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fbd425562c3c4c12a3d41fe1f157968e\u0022\u003EMelissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Will the Minister commit to shelving the establishment of a new public media entity and his flawed merger of RNZ and TVNZ if the cost of a merger will mean taxpayers spending upwards of $150 million or more every year in additional public media spending?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cbe8c0df3a014dafa9c915ce463440c7\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: Again, it\u2019s the same old National Party trope when it comes to the public media: they don\u2019t like it so shut it down.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225be0eb0320534ff7a1c1dc00af6a1169\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. There was no attempt there to even address the question. That was just a broad political attack on a very reasonable question in relation to public media.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c85bfe64ace2438ab913ccccd0777d5a\u0022\u003EHon Grant Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: Speaking to the point of order, if only what the shadow Leader of the House just said were true. The question contained an assertion, a pejorative statement, and used the word \u201Cflawed\u201D, and so therefore I think it probably got as good as it offered. [Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f5e4e206e3124ee7b56c40a65f192839\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I don\u2019t need any further\u2014what I am going to do, I will go back to my original thought because I think the previous question wasn\u2019t answered or addressed properly and that was about the amount of advertising revenue. If you want to use an extra opportunity you can do that now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223c08a322fb9f4fcfb153abffd061cf01\u0022\u003EMelissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Mr Speaker. Did you want me to repeat that question\u2014I have an extra?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002214a949170f694da184d34dd05c7a0bf1\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s up to you. If you wish to but you can use it to address it again or a new question. It\u2019s up to you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022789302bd3db648da94c26d02a8d9e3c6\u0022\u003EMelissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: So I have one supplementary left, so I get another one, so I have two.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002242e8e08987af4e8fa6ac0f28aeb9893d\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228ec7b10c926c4d269a47ae2d0b909358\u0022\u003EMelissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Does the Minister agree with New Zealand Media and Entertainment CEO, Michael Boggs, who said\u2014and I quote\u2014\u201CAdditional government investment into this new entity can only add to the intense competition and cost pressures that are already exist across New Zealand commercial media,\u201D; if so, will he end the merger?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002231a4544cccc74d97b874a55fbd04301e\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: I have spoken to Mr Boggs about the Government\u2019s intent and assured him that one of the key factors in establishing it is to make sure that the state of the wider media sector is solid. Given the last couple of years and the challenges that the media environment has faced, I think that would be a good thing. I am also a little bit confused as to why the National Party, who are all about competition, don\u2019t want to make sure that a public media entity can compete with the others.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dd70c4a48b4142e0a99ed93b0bc4f336\u0022\u003EMelissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: How much, if any, has he been advised it will cost to rebrand TVNZ and Radio New Zealand; and does he believe rebranding two of the most well-known media entities in the country would represent good value for taxpayer money?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002219b2d55ebeee42fe904ed5a95d5b1dfb\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: I think, again, the question shows a misunderstanding of the mission. We need to fundamentally make sure that our public media is fit for the future because of the challenges that audiences face and offshore platforms face. If this is just about a rebranding, that would be shallow and that\u2019s the kind of policy that we\u2019ve seen from the Opposition when it comes to public media.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002218f9e3ea-81c5-4414-af48-d6bb843a9227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228891db5fe45549259eebfb8dbc1604a9\u0022\u003EMelissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: How can the people of New Zealand trust this new public media entity will offer something more and not be yet another cost blowout for taxpayers\u2014the latest in a long line of wasteful spending by a Labour Government that has cost taxpayers billions of dollars?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002224285e0168754d9e9755acb728efcbcf\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: On this side of the House it is patently clear that we actually believe in the importance of public media. If I think what the member is saying is that the National Party policy at the next election is to gut public media, I look forward to the debate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223c2e427c6d18450eb31554a025b9f446\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 11\u2014Police\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002258baa209-edaf-42a5-92d6-b2613c144bfb\u0022 data-id=\u00223ea31ebc946240748533eefc19882a1a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258baa209-edaf-42a5-92d6-b2613c144bfb\u0022\u003E11. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223ea31ebc946240748533eefc19882a1a\u0022\u003ENICOLE McKEE (ACT)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by all her statements and policies regarding firearms?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022 data-id=\u002263a6cb30463c4e3facf6f82715d0cf58\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002263a6cb30463c4e3facf6f82715d0cf58\u0022\u003EHon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister of Police):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, in the context they were made and undertaken. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258baa209-edaf-42a5-92d6-b2613c144bfb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228e66f81589f7496bbd0f0e32143f9ada\u0022\u003ENicole McKee\u003C/span\u003E: Is she confident that New Zealand Police can process 80 percent of licence applications within 12 months, considering only 6 percent have been processed as at December 2021? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022341e9ee9e2fe4e8ab431f88a1de4358d\u0022\u003EHon POTO WILLIAMS\u003C/span\u003E: Police remain committed to the completion of the licence applications, in a timely manner, and ensuring only those who are fit and proper are being granted a firearms licence. That\u2019s why the police have created a dedicated team to reducing licencing delays, focusing on the oldest applications first, and that\u2019s why they have brought on more staff. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258baa209-edaf-42a5-92d6-b2613c144bfb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bf4e87a9d02a4d439f2c8d5fb18fb51b\u0022\u003ENicole McKee\u003C/span\u003E: Will she grant an extension for firearms licence application renewals, similar to that done last year, to reflect the delays caused by the Omicron variant, and, if not, why not? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002202e3fdc9673e43d3921387389a55c3c6\u0022\u003EHon POTO WILLIAMS\u003C/span\u003E: We will continue to closely monitor the situation. Should the delays in processing of licence applications occur as a direct result of COVID-19 - related illness, and associated isolations, we will consider a new extension, using the regulation-making power under the Arms Act. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002258baa209-edaf-42a5-92d6-b2613c144bfb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002222e702d1a5324472ad9c2987e08344db\u0022\u003ENicole McKee\u003C/span\u003E: Why should New Zealanders have confidence in her to keep communities safe, when gun crime\u2014specifically that associated with gangs\u2014is significantly worse under this Government?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dfaccd7906164854b079e0b35f8a1688\u0022\u003EHon POTO WILLIAMS\u003C/span\u003E: I reject the premise of that question. This Government has invested $450 million into the police and increased the police workforce by 15 percent. We have given police the tools that they need to combat organised crime. We have raised the number of police, including 700 dedicated to organised crime, alone. I reject the premise of that member\u2019s question because that is clearly not the case, and I point to Operation Tauwhiro as one such example. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002276a4828cc6d042298ab9d9472b597dd3\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 12\u2014Housing (Homelessness)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b8550e1a-ed25-44a2-b0e2-b0a8d52a7a80\u0022 data-id=\u00221d439bcc0f534e7f8a75b81ed09ae78a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b8550e1a-ed25-44a2-b0e2-b0a8d52a7a80\u0022\u003E12. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221d439bcc0f534e7f8a75b81ed09ae78a\u0022\u003ERACHEL BOYACK (Labour\u2014Nelson) (remote) \u003C/span\u003E to the Associate Minister of Housing (Homelessness): What recent report has she seen on the progress of the Homelessness Action Plan?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022 data-id=\u00221a98175def134b2589eb5429d7558b9d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221a98175def134b2589eb5429d7558b9d\u0022\u003EHon MARAMA DAVIDSON (Associate Minister of Housing (Homelessness)):\u003C/span\u003E We have recently published the 18-month review into the Aotearoa New Zealand Homelessness Action Plan, and the review shows really good progress against all the 18 immediate initiatives to reduce homelessness. Now, this progress is testament to the mahi of community providers and Government agencies working together, and in the review, the sector experts\u2014our community housing providers\u2014acknowledge there has been a major shift in recognition of the severity and the urgency of homelessness, and that the action plan is providing solutions backed up with investment. Providers also said that people experiencing homelessness have more options for support than they have ever done before.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b8550e1a-ed25-44a2-b0e2-b0a8d52a7a80\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002290ecb6e3662640e09540fe15b48110c6\u0022\u003ERachel Boyack\u003C/span\u003E: What are the focus areas that have been identified for addressing homelessness?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ea2e4f9b6c0a407f92efaa17540660e7\u0022\u003EHon MARAMA DAVIDSON\u003C/span\u003E: The original Homelessness Action Plan was published back in February 2020, just weeks before our country\u2019s first COVID lockdown. So, of course, things have changed since then, and to recognise the changing situation to today, a lot has changed. So I have brought up newer focus priority areas, including helping rangatahi and young people into tailored, safe, and stable accommodation that uniquely addresses their specific needs, strengthening kaupapa M\u0101ori responses, the ongoing delivery of public and transitional housing, and improving access to health, mental health, and addiction support under the action plan to make sure we bolster the wraparound tautoko for vulnerable wh\u0101nau experiencing homelessness.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b8550e1a-ed25-44a2-b0e2-b0a8d52a7a80\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022660e163a3a28494a838e493593b73f5f\u0022\u003ERachel Boyack\u003C/span\u003E: What role can community organisations play in implementing the Homelessness Action Plan?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fd9e08ff7fab4d0f9539a52ef84fa996\u0022\u003EHon MARAMA DAVIDSON\u003C/span\u003E: We know that it is a whole-of-community approach that is essential to addressing homelessness, and the action plan is that Government commitment to agencies and community housing providers and the homelessness sector truly working together. Community organisations are contributing by leading the engagement with providers and wh\u0101nau with lived experiences, thus strengthening policy and kaupapa M\u0101ori approaches, and providers are the absolute lead and an essential component of how we address and reduce homelessness.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220bac7273156648adb990714f18c53218\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Can she tell the House how many children are currently living in emergency housing?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229dda3eaa925449288d5150805bc793db\u0022\u003EHon MARAMA DAVIDSON\u003C/span\u003E: Firstly, making it very clear it is not acceptable for any children or people to be living in emergency housing, and we are moving towards making sure all people have safe, urgent housing. Now, that is a question for the Minister of emergency housing. That is not within the delegation of my portfolio. However, every one is one too many.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223de46cef69d44743883c540c3cc45ce2\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. I\u2019ll hope you\u2019ll help me out here a little bit, Mr Speaker. Children in emergency housing fall well within the portfolio responsibilities of the Associate Minister of Housing (Homelessness), and I would encourage you to encourage her to address and answer the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b77766c10e784102a03ca9cc08844dc9\u0022\u003EHon Grant Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: Well, speaking to that point of order, Mr Speaker, I think if the member chose to take some time to look at the delegations that are available to him on the\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022919c7859785543ff9c533060cb405757\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: Oh!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225dd4ff931aa64733a9b1f4998362d44c\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! [Interruption] No, sit down. This is a point of order. It\u2019s in silence\u2014thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c62675feb67245ee9c7fc4405697f24b\u0022\u003EHon Grant Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Speaker, the delegations for the housing portfolio are available on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website, and I\u2019m sure if the member looked at that he would see that the member is telling the truth.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022567cbb01477e4f839721bea1eb8bad4b\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The member did address it, even though it clearly falls outside her portfolio; I probably should have stopped her right there, but I didn\u2019t.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222eafeedfc29c4dd3aabfcb1d0ae66e55\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f0ec67fd2b6c43b6ac39c7c0ce36eb77\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: A new point of order, or are you going to question my ruling? Think about it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228bce2d14b6934bcd8d1d3191657ce668\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ll leave it there\u2014it\u2019s a Thursday.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u00228d20bf72ea364577b2583afb163bef04\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228d20bf72ea364577b2583afb163bef04\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I declare the House in committee for consideration of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill and the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022fc18501b7aeb4c8488fbe054a25078e5\u0022\u003EHouse in Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022bbdcff1fe1c248419dbee1d59e0a0ed1\u0022\u003EHouse in Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u002238cc4cac091c4a879548fa771398d652\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002238cc4cac091c4a879548fa771398d652\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Ian McKelvie)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, the House is in committee for further consideration of the Taxation, (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill and the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill. I remind members who are participating remotely on Zoom that if you want to take a call, please type \u201Ccall\u201D into the chat. You should also use the chat if you want to raise a point of order. We have received new tabled amendments. I will remind members that they can refresh the House papers page to see the new amendment. Finally, if would be helpful for members to ask multiple questions if they have them of the member in charge during their call.\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=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d358bf3485ec483495569bc2d739208d\u0022\u003ETaxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a62a60f1c1654d678e402c4235ce1a9e\u0022\u003EIn Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ac158ae4fe3f407aa2416d7b5356b6ba\u0022\u003EPart 4  Amendments to other enactments (continued)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u00228ac40f657e6b454ea1070a896f03765a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228ac40f657e6b454ea1070a896f03765a\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Ian McKelvie)\u003C/span\u003E: When we were last considering the bill, the question was that Part 4 stand part. The Minister had the call, should he wish to resume.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u00228967077a1dc74cf99ba66cc1260e2648\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228967077a1dc74cf99ba66cc1260e2648\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chairman. I was addressing Part 4 of this bill, which has a number of mainly technical amendments. But I did highlight one which I thought might be of interest to members, which is the new offence being created in respect of software products that are used to deliberately misrepresent GST returns by fraudulently recording receipts as being lower than they actually are in order to defraud the Revenue. It\u2019s a new area of fraud that wasn\u2019t known to me before becoming Minister of Revenue. I understand it\u2019s really the importation of computer programmes that are used to that effect overseas, and it\u2019s being made illegal to either use them or possess them for any reason.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022 data-id=\u0022cd11f510c2c94dbaaf1ebad995b6519a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cd11f510c2c94dbaaf1ebad995b6519a\u0022\u003ESIMON WATTS (National\u2014North Shore):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Mr Chair, and I appreciate the Minister\u2019s providing a little bit more information in regards to that point. I want to refer to Part 4, clause 135B, which is an amendment that was made in regards to \u201CAuthorisation to make payments under small business cashflow loan scheme\u201D. What I\u2019m interested in from the Minister in this regard is the context in which that was deemed to be made and the extent to which that aspect\u2014which is on page 137, just for reference\u2014was brought into play. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022\u003EWe appreciate the implications around the impact of COVID and we appreciate that this has brought a number of unique implications to a wide range of business areas in this country, and, obviously, in this case, particularly in regards to the taxation of those businesses. But I think what would be fair to say is\u2014and we saw this across a number of other areas of legislation\u2014that it was the aspect around the fact that a number of these points were done under considerable pace, and it would be fair to say that in some other areas of legislation in regards to COVID we\u2019ve noted that there have been a number of errors made subsequently when we\u2019ve reviewed that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019m looking for more context in terms of this point. I refer in particular to the aspect of the definition around \u201Cassociated person who receives the benefit of the grant,\u201D\u2014and I quote from clause 135C\u2014and the extent to how broadly that associated person definition is being looked at. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022\u003EThe other aspect that I\u2019m interested in is it talks about \u201Cadequate consideration for the supply of goods and services\u201D, and I guess that is a point at which I will no doubt have a range of considerations around what is deemed to be adequate consideration. What I\u2019d be interested for the Minister to address is in terms of where he sees that and how that is going to be determined, I guess, in terms of what is deemed adequate consideration. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019ll leave it there, if I may, Minister, and then we\u2019ll come back to a couple of other areas. 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=\u00225db75a40bfbb46578453ed0c1437093e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225db75a40bfbb46578453ed0c1437093e\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E Payments that are made under the likes of the COVID support payments or under the business cash-flow scheme are made pursuant to applications under which the people that are seeking to receive the money make certain declarations to the Inland Revenue, and if they\u2019re assessed according to the criteria, for which the processing is generally computerised for large numbers of transactions, they then get the payment. There are integrity measures that are used by the Inland Revenue to take samples and check whether things are all as they ought to be. Some of those end up in applications being declined; others are found after the money is disbursed. Where the money is disbursed wrongly, there is a right to get the money back from the person to whom it is paid. If they say they can\u2019t pay it because they\u2019ve given the money to somebody else, the Inland Revenue needs the power to get the money back from the person to whom it\u2019s given, and the associated person test is to find the class of people from whom the money could be sought to be repaid in those circumstances. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThe associated person definition is quite a broad definition which already sits in the income tax legislation. That definition is not changed by this legislation. It imports that same definition. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EAs to the question as to what is or isn\u2019t adequate consideration, I\u2019d presume that that\u2019s an assessment as to whether it was for value. If the money was paid in return for fair value of services, then it probably would be for adequate consideration. If it was gifted or it was somehow used to repay a debt, I think that probably wouldn\u2019t be seen to be for adequate consideration. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022 data-id=\u00223530ee338cb04424a85b69eb45245f6b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223530ee338cb04424a85b69eb45245f6b\u0022\u003ESIMON WATTS (National\u2014North Shore):\u003C/span\u003E I thank the Minister for that response and context in terms of that, so I appreciate that. I want to move now to clause 169, which is part of Part 4 of the Act, which is in regards to section 183ABAB\u2014amending \u201CRemission of interest for taxpayers affected by COVID-19: general rules\u201D\u2014and that broadens out to clause 169B, which talks about some of the implications around the timing around that remission element. I guess why this is important in this context is\u2014and the Minister will, no doubt, be aware of some of the conversations and ideas that National put up in regards to loss carry-back and the implications on businesses of losses that were incurred as a result of COVID-19; losses that were primarily outside of the control of businesses\u2014they\u2019re just the reality of having to operate under the impact of COVID-19, which for many businesses, and particularly in hospitality and parts of retail and travel, have been absolutely catastrophic. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022\u003EWhat I\u2019m interested in really in regards to clause 169 is, in terms of the extent of that remission of interest process, and in terms of the thinking around whether that is as far and as much as we could have gone in regards to providing support for those individuals. We had a number of individuals\u2014I guess a circumstance in which you would have to be paying interest is potentially around the inability to meet your requirements under terminal tax obligations. And I\u2019m in no doubt\u2014due to cash flow issues and the fact that many businesses have actually sucked up all of their working capital as a result of trying to manage under COVID\u2014cash is tight and tax is probably one of those last things. I know there has been some consideration around the deferral of the timing of those tax payments, which I think would have been helpful. At the end of the day, cash is cash, and you\u2019ve got to find it from somewhere. So I\u2019m interested in terms of some of the consideration around that. Will that, and in the view of the Minister, actually make a material impact or a material difference in regards to the benefit or the relief that that will provide on our business community? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022\u003EAlso, in regards to the timing around that, whether there was any consideration around\u2014I won\u2019t go into whether there\u2019s consideration going forward, but in the context that I was referring to before around loss carry-back, looking back on prior periods as well, and potentially in circumstances where individuals have incurred interest on terminal tax in prior periods, and whether there was any consideration around whether benefit could be afforded to certain businesses, potentially in a targeted manner. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022b918e39820ae434babf069e0e5fcfa33\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b918e39820ae434babf069e0e5fcfa33\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you. My understanding is that the Commissioner of Inland Revenue and the people who conduct the affairs of the department on her behalf already have had discretions to waive penalties. They didn\u2019t have the discretion to waive use-of-money interest, and the Government thought that, in the context of COVID, it was appropriate to extend the discretion of the revenue department to waive interest. There does need to be some incentive to pay tax on time\u2014it would be unwise to give everyone a waiver of interest, even if they didn\u2019t need it\u2014so there is an obligation for this to be done on an individual basis by people applying to the department for the exercise of that discretion, which is being widely used at the moment. The department\u2019s not being niggardly about this; they are using their discretion quite frequently to give people time to pay their taxes and waiving interest, in that regard. Indeed, the extension of these powers has actually been recently triggered by another Order in Council, if I remember correctly, which went through Cabinet very recently. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EIn terms of whether that is applied retrospectively to earlier interest debts, I can check for the member with officials on that. I anticipate that, certainly if it was backdated, it wouldn\u2019t be backdated before COVID, but I\u2019m not sure whether you can only apply prospectively or in respect of a period prior to your date of application. I\u2019ll check with officials on that issue and get back to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022 data-id=\u00222b71e32e35294b28a5d01f71eaaa4820\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222b71e32e35294b28a5d01f71eaaa4820\u0022\u003EBROOKE VAN VELDEN (Deputy Leader\u2014ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair. It\u2019s a pleasure to rise on behalf of ACT on this Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill at committee stage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003EI just had a specific question for the Minister around clause 168B, and this inserts new section 183ABA. I wondered if the Minister could be a bit more specific about what this particular change for the remission in circumstances of emergency event is. Because if I went back to look at the previous law and how it reads, it appears as though this is for a particular case where, if an emergency event has been declared in an Order in Council, and a person is unable to physically make the payment, it appears that the word \u201Cphysically\u201D may be quite important. But under this new change, the physical element of being prevented from making a payment has disappeared. I wondered whether that was for a specific reason. Is it because instead of it being an emergency event such as like a landslip or someone physically being unable to make a payment in that way, whether there was any other type of emergency events that this is supposed to capture?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022 data-id=\u002246d17aa683864f5bb81c1f52cba99291\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002246d17aa683864f5bb81c1f52cba99291\u0022\u003EANDREW BAYLY (National\u2014Port Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair. I was just waiting for the Minister to respond to that, but in the meantime, I\u2019m just trying to introduce another topic and I\u2019m conscious that there are a few questions that the Minister is responding to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EBut I just want to ask about the \u201Cuse of money\u201D section, clause 153B, that is in this part of the bill. One of the big things is the issue around the current charging of the IRD, and I wondered whether the Minister had a look at the actual rates that are being charged by the IRD. Because, as no doubt he will be aware, and I know, Mr Chair, that you will be aware, if you owe the IRD money at the moment, for instance if you haven\u2019t paid tax on time for some reason, and particularly during COVID period where many companies have been affected by cash flow\u2014the use of money charge currently, I believe, is 8.27 percent. On the other side, if the IRD owe you money, i.e., you\u2019re getting a tax refund, at the moment the interest you get on the amount of money that the IRD hold on your behalf is actually, I think, 1.62 percent. So there\u2019s roughly about a 7 percent differential, which is hugely disadvantageous if you owe the Government\u2014in the form of IRD\u2014money. But if you are owed money by the Government then you don\u2019t get much money on it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ESo I was just keen to see whether the Minister had actually looked at this issue about whether the use of money rates that are currently applied are still relevant, practical, and appropriate, because I would put it to the Minister that I think charging someone a rate of 8.27 percent is much, much higher than what you\u2019d have to pay from an overdraft. I know there\u2019s a disincentive that the Government wants to put in place to stop people using the Government, in effect, as a bank, but the rate is several hundred basis points over what even you would be paying currently, particularly when interest rates, up to very recent times, have been as low as 2.5 percent. So that\u2019s my question, and, hopefully, you can provide a bit of a light on that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022ace8fb7cadd2494c8abc9b2561571950\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ace8fb7cadd2494c8abc9b2561571950\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E Referring firstly to Brooke van Velden, the definition has been broadened by deleting the word \u201Cphysical\u201D, which didn\u2019t cover some of the circumstances under COVID that prevented people from paying their taxes. The definition has been broadened so as to allow the department to have a discretion in those COVID-related circumstances.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EIn respect of the use of money interest point that Andrew Bayly has raised, the 1.62 percent is a bit more money than I think I get for some of my money sitting around in the bank, so on the deposit side I don\u2019t know that it\u2019s far out of whack. In respect of the rate that\u2019s charged for use of money, yes, it is higher than a mortgage rate. It\u2019s lower than a credit card rate, of course. The member is right that it is set and reviewed regularly, and it\u2019s intended to be set at a level which doesn\u2019t cause Inland Revenue to be used as a bank because their source of funds would be cheaper than the source of funds that would be able to be accessed by most borrowers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022 data-id=\u0022e3debed87d394cc3a29a444c0e75adbb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e3debed87d394cc3a29a444c0e75adbb\u0022\u003ESIMON WATTS (National\u2014North Shore):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Mr Chair, and, again, I appreciate the Minister\u2019s responses on our questions. If only we could keep an order of the different clauses, but we\u2019re going to move away a little bit around here. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022\u003ESo I want to refer to clause 173, which is Schedule 7, around disclosure rules. It continues on the theme that I\u2019m taking today around some of the changes that have been made in the income tax, the taxation areas around the impact of COVID-19. And this one in particular, clause 173, Part 1, in section 4, is around COVID-19 information-sharing. I think we would all acknowledge, again, that the need and the benefit of sharing information as a result with other Government departments\u2014so this clause, for those that aren\u2019t aware, of clause 173, and there might be a few people out there that haven\u2019t read that clause in their lead up to listening to this debate. But if you haven\u2019t, it\u2019s around ensuring that the Government can assist and share information with other departments around information regarding COVID-19. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022\u003EI guess the key element that I\u2019m wanting to question\u2014and, again, this was raised during the select committee process\u2014is the fact that the Government has allowed this information-sharing to be undertaken in perpetuity. They haven\u2019t limited the time in which that information-sharing would stop. And you might say, \u201CWell, that\u2019s reasonable. You know, information-sharing is a good thing.\u201D But the keyword that was referenced here was \u201Cin relation to COVID-19\u201D. We\u2019ve got the spokesperson for COVID-19 in here still. But that element in itself is hugely\u2014well, it\u2019s difficult to narrow in terms of \u201CWhat does it mean if it\u2019s in relation to COVID-19?\u201D So, one, we\u2019ve got a change in terms of sharing of information, and large information-sharing is, you know, people\u2019s personal information, and then quite a very broad term in that it\u2019s going to happen for pretty much in perpetuity and when, in relation\u2014I guess, nowadays, you could argue that anything is in relation to COVID-19. Right? I mean, you could say that\u2014actually, to be honest, we hear that a lot, actually, all the problems that we face in this country. I must say, Mr Chair, and I\u2019m trying very hard to stay on clause 173(1), but all the challenges and problems are the fault of COVID-19, and, oh, Ukraine, yeah. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022\u003EBut, anyway, back to the clause, because that\u2019s what we\u2019re here for. So what I\u2019m looking for\u2014the question for the Minister is to clarify, one, why have we decided to just take the opportunity to extend this for perpetuity? Two, how does he see that the detail\u2014and, I guess, my concern is there\u2019s a bit of a weakness in terms of the drafting here around, you know, what is in relation to COVID-19. And, therefore, also, I guess, if there\u2019s no end date, then I guess the question is: what\u2019s the incentive to actually work to close the availability of that power? What incentive is there to actually do that? Because you\u2019ll just say, \u201CWell, it\u2019s in regards to COVID-19, so it\u2019ll continue and continue.\u201D So I\u2019d be interested for a little bit of context in regards to that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022713ccc5b-7ff0-4fa5-ab58-4780620184fe\u0022\u003EBecause I think it is important. I think people\u2019s personal information and the freedoms of their private information have been under a lot of focus here in this Chamber, in a number of areas, and the information with regards to taxation is equally as important. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022778c62ab1f3c457c9fa22628edbf0637\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022778c62ab1f3c457c9fa22628edbf0637\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E If I could address the issues that have been raised in recent calls by members of the Opposition. Just before I do so, the figures that Andrew Bayly quoted to me as to use of money interest were 2016 figures. The figures currently are: 7 percent is the use of money charge, and 0 percent is the amount that you\u2019ve paid. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cb0391d96ac04f52bd6c60cdbf9c9760\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Still a 7 percent differential. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226efa9715310941bf902eedf36563854d\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: There is still a 7 percent differential, but those numbers do change\u2014it\u2019s an illustration that they do change through time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EIn respect of the member Mr Watts\u2019 earlier question as to whether you can have interest remission backdated, the obligation is for the person seeking remission to apply as soon as is practicable. If they have applied as soon as is practicable and the revenue department thinks that that is within that practicable period, it could be backdated a while. But if they\u2019d left it for a couple of years before they applied, they wouldn\u2019t get it backdated that far.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EIn respect of the change to the information-sharing rights of the revenue department, this, in the main, has been important to enable the sharing of information between the Ministry of Social Development and the revenue department, both of whom have been involved in the schemes that have supported people to try and keep them attached to their jobs and to try and keep businesses operating. The purpose is still limited to COVID, although there\u2019s no end date now, except as they relate to COVID measures. So if there was any further information sharing in the future and it wasn\u2019t related to COVID, it wouldn\u2019t be enabled by that provision. I\u2019m also advised that this was worked through with the Privacy Commissioner, because the member is quite correct that there are proper limitations on the ability of the department to share information, and there should always be those limits.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022 data-id=\u00224d16aee97c5d49d6a24b33045fae49a3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224d16aee97c5d49d6a24b33045fae49a3\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair. So my question is to the Minister on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill. Now, I\u2019ve been involved in a few remediations, Minister, but I\u2019m not sure if you\u2019re going to be able to remediate the reputation of this Government in the eyes of the taxpayer because the tax rates and the total tax take that this bill enables are eye-watering. They\u2019ll leave more than just a speck of dust in the eye; they\u2019re likely to be permanently blinding. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aae6d1fbcadd4fbb92763e8c0ed81dbe\u0022\u003EBarbara Edmonds\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. My point of order is we\u2019ve debated that in Part 3 of the bill; we\u2019re in Part 4 now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002265ffcb37fcc144678b932e74e3ca19a9\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Ian McKelvie)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Ms Edmonds.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220af9405d30cf4ca6bc1c6d0d0be5d29b\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Chair, I just would like to bring the attention of the Minister to the matters arising from section 81A, a new section under clause 179, that is, amendments of assessments arising for the living circumstances existing at the time of an initial assessment for child support. So what new section 81A appears to describe is that for a liable parent, that is, somebody who is liable to pay child support to another parent or carer of their children, if the circumstances change during the course of this assessment period, the receiving carer can make an application to have the person pay\u2014the liable parent\u2014an additional sum if they believe that they have not paid sufficient based on the assessment. So in these straitened times, when the cost of living has increased for all kinds of household items, including rent, petrol most recently, food\u2014people\u2019s circumstances on a given day means they can pay their bills if they\u2019ve got enough money coming in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EWhat I understand this section allows for is for the Commissioner of Inland Revenue to make an assessment about somebody\u2019s circumstances in the past where the commissioner believes that they have not paid their entitlement as a liable parent and that they therefore should make up the shortfall. Now, of course, if somebody is liable to pay and the circumstances dictate when assessed accurately that they should pay, well, of course they should pay. But while this section here, 81A(3)(a), states that for the person who\u2019s a liable parent, \u201Cthe backdating has the effect of increasing the amount of the parent\u2019s child support liability:\u201D, for the receiving carer, if we look at new section 81A(3)(b) there, \u201Cthe backdating has the effect of decreasing the amount of child support payable in respect of that carer.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EHowever, there doesn\u2019t appear to be a corresponding allowance for the liable parent actually to receive acknowledgment that their circumstances may have changed during the assessment period, because for liable parents who might lose their job or who were running a small business and found that their incomes were severely constrained\u2014in fact, they might have been making no profit at all; they might have burnt up all of the savings that they had in the bank, just covering the costs of paying the rent on their business premises and paying staff that extra amount that the wage subsidy didn\u2019t cover, paying their staff\u2019s KiwiSaver and covering PAYE. Now, if that person, that small-business owner, was also a liable parent and it turns out actually that they weren\u2019t liable to pay the child support at this time during the assessment period because their financial circumstances have changed, they won\u2019t get any credit. They don\u2019t get any recognition for their straightened circumstances.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EMinister, that appears to be unfair so my request of the Minister is to answer this question: is it fair that the liable parent has to pay additional in the event that it turns out they are assessed as being liable to pay, but if it turns out that because of their financial and personal circumstances they weren\u2019t liable, they won\u2019t receive any acknowledgment of that, any reduction in what they\u2019re required to pay\u2014they\u2019ll still have to pay the full amount as if their world was rosy and that nothing had changed?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022706db81145234cdf9d6cbc706e439b7d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022706db81145234cdf9d6cbc706e439b7d\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E With respect, I think the member has misread the section, because my reading of new section 81A(3) says that \u201CThe Commissioner may also backdate any amendment \u2026 to the time of when the assessment begins if the recipient of the assessment\u2014(a) is a liable parent, and the backdating has the effect of increasing the amount of the parent\u2019s child support liability.\u201D\u2014so that\u2019s the change in respect of the liable parent, or\u2014\u201C(b) is a receiving carer, and the backdating has the effect of decreasing the amount of child support payable in respect of that carer.\u201D, so I think it is reciprocal.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022 data-id=\u00222caf8a6c299241b2a3812ee6b8fcc6fc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222caf8a6c299241b2a3812ee6b8fcc6fc\u0022\u003EPAUL EAGLE (Labour\u2014Rongotai):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022 data-id=\u0022e9948d66ce3244358f6294a1c7f1a133\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e9948d66ce3244358f6294a1c7f1a133\u0022\u003ECHRIS PENK (National\u2014Kaipara ki Mahurangi):\u003C/span\u003E Oh, thank you very much, Mr Chair. Just a brief contribution from me, if I may, in this Part 4 of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill. I draw the attention of the committee, including the Minister, if he\u2019d so kind, to new section 141EE\u2014Echo Echo\u2014which is within clause 160 of the bill. So this is the penalty for acquiring or possessing electronic sales suppression tools, and I do acknowledge that the Minister previously spoke\u2014I think it was the Minister who previously spoke about this when we were last considering this as a committee, and I don\u2019t wish to rehearse that same ground in general terms about the sale suppression tools. But my query is rather why the offence has been framed in the way that it has. Because what we\u2019ve got here is a penalty for acquiring or possessing the tools, but then we\u2019ve got essentially an exemption that says that it doesn\u2019t apply when the person hasn\u2019t used the suppression tool in the business. And I don\u2019t understand why we wouldn\u2019t simply have an offence that says it\u2019s an offence to knowingly use a\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002259328ba130834dd99ff9f95a82b9819e\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: Which clause?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b1e3f2ad3ea241b8afef01846954a8b6\u0022\u003ECHRIS PENK\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, I beg your pardon. It\u2019s clause 160, in answer to the Minister\u2019s question about where it is that I\u2019m looking at that. I just seek his confirmation he\u2019s been able to find where I\u2019m referring to? Yep? Thank you. So just a question really, and it\u2019s probably reasonably straightforward and he might be able to dispose of it quite easily, but I\u2019m wondering why we\u2019re framing the offence as possession, notwithstanding that possession itself isn\u2019t going to make out the offence. It seems to me that we\u2019re trying to get to a place where we are penalising someone for acquiring one of these tools for the purpose of evading tax, essentially, or reducing the amount that should legitimately be paid, but it seems to me that that would be a much more straightforward matter if we were simply to have an offence of using it and knowingly using it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EAnd then the other question, which related to the same provision, was about the penalty for an offence under this section, and that\u2019s a penalty of $5,000, and I just wonder where that figure was derived from. Because it seems to me at least theoretically possible, without having done any numbers to support it, that the value of the tax evaded might be higher than $5,000 if there was sufficient revenue for that to be the case. So any guidance that the Minister can provide in that regard would be much appreciated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022d1bd1c902c354c9d947b176b73e064df\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d1bd1c902c354c9d947b176b73e064df\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E My understanding of the intention of new section 141EE, as inserted by clause 160 of the bill, is to cover the circumstance where someone acquires a business, and the business that they acquire had the software but they couldn\u2019t reasonably have known that. Therefore, although they are legally in possession of it, they didn\u2019t know, and therefore they ought not to be caught by the penalty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EIn respect of the penalties question, my understanding is that there is a civil penalty of $5,000. The criminal penalty can be up to $50,000, and both of those would be separate from the penalties that would be payable in respect of unpaid tax if, in addition to that, there had been tax fraud which had led to the underpayment of tax, which could lead to tax penalties under the penalties regime, and use of money actually, quite separate from the criminal penalties that would apply to the possession of software. That said, that maximum penalty for the courts, I think when someone was presenting the case on behalf of the accused\u2014the penalties that they were liable for under their tax might be relevant to the issue as to what penalty the courts actually imposed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022 data-id=\u0022dabf81fb83b849d0bd2759e0503f2ae0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022dabf81fb83b849d0bd2759e0503f2ae0\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Minister, just going back to this clause 179, which inserts new section 81A: I was referring previously\u2014and you did answer, thank you\u2014to my question about new section 81A(3)(a) and new section 81A(3)(b). I need further clarification, because I think there\u2019s a very large gap between what new section 81A(3)(a) allows for\u2014a liable parent would have to pay more if the assessment requires it. In this case, we\u2019re not talking about a private agreement between two parents who have separated amicably and have agreed on childcare arrangements for the children and have agreed on a division of responsibilities and who will be paying for certain things in the children\u2019s life, which would be wonderful, but it doesn\u2019t apply to most people who separate, which is why Inland Revenue compulsorily takes the liable parent contribution. That assessment of what a liable parent is required to pay actually is often determined by an Inland Revenue staff member acting in the role set out here. Their assessment is, essentially, full and final, so the liable parent, I understand, would find it very difficult to challenge or overturn an assessment because that\u2019s not what the system allows for. It\u2019s a very, very blunt tool.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ESo once a liable parent has been assessed, and the money is being removed from them compulsorily, typically through the PAYE system, it\u2019s then paid by the liable parent to Inland Revenue, who then distributes that money to the recipient, to the receiving carer. I think that\u2019s where the very big gap is between your understanding of what this section allows for and what I understand it to mean. Because you\u2019re absolutely correct that if a receiving carer, if their circumstances change and it turns out that they\u2019re not entitled to receive what they previously were, and there\u2019s a decreased amount of child support payable to them\u2014that\u2019s understandable. But this clause says nothing about the fact that the liable parent must continue to pay at the amount they were previously paying. All it says is that the liable parent, if they are required to pay more, must pay more. The receiving carer will receive less, but it doesn\u2019t say anything. In fact, it\u2019s absolutely silent on what I understand the process to be, that the liable parent continues to have the money taken from them and paid to Inland Revenue, but that Inland Revenue does not, in fact, have to pay it out to the receiving carer if it turns out the receiving carer is not entitled to it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ESo, Minister, I\u2019d like you and your officials to respond to that, because this is creating the impression that while the liable parent is required to pay more, the receiving carer gets less\u2014actually, Inland Revenue banks the difference. Now, we\u2019ve heard from other members here who\u2019re concerned about the rate of interest payable on the use of money and that that appears in some way that Inland Revenue is, in fact, earning much more from that interest payable than even trading banks are at the moment on term deposits, for example.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EIs this, in fact, another example of where Inland Revenue, through sleight of hand or perhaps through an error or a misunderstanding of the English language, has identified here in new section 81A(3)(a) that a liable parent can keep paying or is required to keep paying\u2014the receiving carer gets less. But what happens to that big chunk of money in the middle that is coming from a liable parent\u2019s PAYE or whatever means Inland Revenue uses to compulsorily take that money? It would be extremely unfortunate if there\u2019s an error here in this bill\u2014either by omission or commission. I mean, this does refer to the commissioner, so we assume it\u2019s by commission\u2014where they intended to carve out this apparent exemption or ability for reassessment, which actually ends up being to the monetary benefit of Inland Revenue. That would be extremely unfortunate. So, Minister, would you care to explain that, please, to the committee?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022b3fd26c6b5e14e72bdd541e1bec0ad5b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b3fd26c6b5e14e72bdd541e1bec0ad5b\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E There\u2019s not much to explain, because I think the member is incorrect. I mean, if a liable parent\u2019s position changes\u2014for example, if they lose their job or are overcome by an illness and can\u2019t make their liable parent contributions\u2014they can at any time apply for a reassessment, and that\u2019s provided for in law. Our liable parent contribution system, which is administered by Inland Revenue, is very unusual in the world and very good compared with the services that are offered by other countries in respect of the payment arrangements for children in the custody of a former partner. Indeed, the new computer system the Inland Revenue has just finished transitioning to, literally in the last couple of months, is a Canadian system which is used by many States around the world and many countries around the world. Until it was updated to accommodate New Zealand\u2019s situation in respect of liable parent contributions, it didn\u2019t have in that international software that capability. It was written into the system to deal with the New Zealand system. On a recent briefing note\u2014because the licence terms that we have for that software give to all of the other countries or States in the world that use the software the benefit of upgrades in any other part of the world\u2014the provisions in respect of liable parent contributions are now available to other countries in the world. I\u2019m advised that that\u2019s stimulated some interest as to whether other countries could improve their settings to reflect ours, which are very good in this regard.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022 data-id=\u0022798ce44c787e40adbb10472736a9b881\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022798ce44c787e40adbb10472736a9b881\u0022\u003EMARK CAMERON (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair. For the sake of interest, Minister, if you wouldn\u2019t mind\u2014clause 202 in Part 4, where it speaks to the revocation of the Co-Operative Dairy Companies Income Tax Regulations. I\u2019m cognisant of the fact, as I\u2019m sure you are, that Fonterra is going through and probably will see a proposed capital restructuring. What will this part of this piece of legislation ultimately mean for the likes of the dairy industry and its overall certainty?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022348d94f0ac8841648946baaf1f390aea\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022348d94f0ac8841648946baaf1f390aea\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E As I prepared for this debate I actually read that section and the similar sections that revoke the Cooperative Milk Marketing Companies Income Tax Regulations 1960 and the Cooperative Pig Marketing Companies Income Tax Regulations 1964, and I thought, goodness me! It\u2019s very unusual that I find something that was passed in the year of my birth, 1960, that I can comment on the revocation of. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220ad99372f33948378b6bb9959caf4390\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019re still young, though. You\u2019re still young.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226af02e9919f34728b18418b04f606452\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. I think the effect of these on commercial practice in New Zealand will be nil, because they have long since stopped being used, and that the revocation of them will have absolutely no effect; it\u2019ll just tidy up the statute book.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022 data-id=\u002277a70b1313aa4d07bac8e4c15988ecb6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002277a70b1313aa4d07bac8e4c15988ecb6\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT (National):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s very obvious that anything from the 1964\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225067d68bffcc4f5ab2f94b695da00f4c\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: Sixty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228cb882b083c94849840b2c5c23450dbc\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s 60! 1960 has lost its effect in the community now, so the poor Minister. I\u2019d just\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226f1175019440484fa2c9d529108fdae3\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s pretty tough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229dcf8a9f4adc41d1a29115c32c8155c3\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, I know, it is a bit tough but, you know, it\u2019s a Thursday afternoon. Just clause 153\u2014the 2 percent threshold that\u2019s been brought in in that clause\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227f201ed21d3f4d99998e2575d5085563\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, what clause?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dbab712e4c2b4e4b8c69116c200f2fbc\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: Clause 153, where it brings in, in section 113A(4)(b), a 2 percent threshold for an adjustment, I guess, basically in GST\u2014basically, if you get an error, or there\u2019s a change of over 2 percent, then I assume that then becomes a quantum of interest for the department.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003ESo would the Minister please explain how they came to that point as well, of 2 percent, and also why there isn\u2019t a quantum there\u2014because it could be, actually, 2 percent on quite a big amount of transactions; it could actually be a significant amount of money. And also, is that a hard and fast number? So if somebody\u2019s 3 percent or 4 percent\u2014and it might be on a very small number that there was just a mistake\u2014are they going to then have to be caught by that clause, or is that a number that actually has a little bit of discretion around it? Because you wouldn\u2019t want the department to be in a situation where it\u2019s forced, in having numbers like that which cause them to actually\u2014or thresholds like that\u2014have to unnecessarily make it harder for the taxpayer, or, actually, for themselves, because sometimes it just won\u2019t be worth their work to worry about.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003ESo it would be really helpful, for just some ordinary taxpayers out there that might be doing their GST returns, to have a bit of clarity from the Minister. Is that a hard and fast number, that 2 percent? Also, does it have a quantum, just in case it is on a huge amount of money? I see he\u2019s getting good advice there, so that\u2019s good to see. Also, is there any discretion for a taxpayer that may be just, say, 3 percent or 4 percent, and not actually, you know, the 2 percent may be the hard and fast rule but, actually, in reality, it\u2019s going to be in everyone\u2019s best interests to have a bit more discretion. So if the Minister wants to give some clarity for just general taxpayers, that would be good.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022ec7a545c54c64bcf8fa98c9686fefbf7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ec7a545c54c64bcf8fa98c9686fefbf7\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019m advised that if it be\u2014sorry, Mr Chair, I should have sought the call.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222833558e387648358cab6c3fc4af2ef5\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Ian McKelvie)\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019re certainly called.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e2431b274e004269b73fce64b6a9de76\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. I\u2019m advised that if the error is up to 2 percent, then there\u2019s no need to make a voluntary disclosure. You can just fix it up in your next GST return and you don\u2019t have to bring it to anyone\u2019s attention. If it\u2019s more than 2 percent, you both have to fix it but you also have to raise it to someone\u2019s attention through a voluntary disclosure.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022 data-id=\u00228ac6a4d737aa4f5dbf9a6076f3ed6084\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228ac6a4d737aa4f5dbf9a6076f3ed6084\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB (Junior Whip\u2014Labour) (remote):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022 data-id=\u002250f161735f294f549292d66f9c15fab4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002250f161735f294f549292d66f9c15fab4\u0022\u003EANDREW BAYLY (National\u2014Port Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair. I\u2019ve got to say I thought my colleague the Hon David Bennett was laser sharp in his questioning. I think it\u2019s showing his background as an accountant. What was it, KPMG? Gee, no one knew that about the Hon David Bennett. But it was a very good question, and I\u2019m looking forward to a more fulsome answer from the Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EThe question I want to turn to is relating to research and development\u2014clauses 144 and, over the page, 145. As the Minister will know, the country spends about $4.5 billion on R \u0026amp; D in New Zealand, which, interestingly, compares with about $32 billion in Australia. I know it\u2019s a much bigger economy in Australia, but it just shows how we\u2019re just over 10 percent of what\u2019s spent in Australia. It is vitally important that we do spend money on R \u0026amp; D. Of course, that\u2019s why I think the announcement by the Minister responsible for research and development, the Hon Megan Woods, late last year that the Government\u2019s spend on R \u0026amp; D was going to be reshaped to have more regard for the cultural values of M\u0101ori was a very interesting announcement late last year that many people missed. Because, of course, R \u0026amp; D is about creating value, and it\u2019s important that we do make sure that certainly the Government\u2019s spend on R \u0026amp; D is very much focused towards creating new markets, etc.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EBut in relation to clauses 144 and 145, there is a change in the wording, and this is the first bit\u2014it\u2019s really just to try and understand it. From my reading of it, there has been a change which inserts \u201Cthe income year immediately before\u201D, defined as \u201Cthe prior year\u201D. I think that\u2019s the only difference of it in terms of when the grant can be applied for. There\u2019s obviously a break between the expenditure up to $2 million, and then clause 144B deals with over $2 million, and we know there\u2019s that differential approach. So one is just to understand it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EThe second question which I\u2019m interested in is: what does this apply to in terms of R \u0026amp; D? Obviously, we have the research and development tax incentive, which is the major part of the way the Government funds R \u0026amp; D in New Zealand. As we know, you\u2019ve got to have a minimum expenditure of $50,000. There\u2019s certain classes of expenditure that are deductible, including depreciation and direct costs. But, of course, once you breach the $2 million of annual R \u0026amp; D, obviously you fit into the higher bracket. So does it only apply to the R \u0026amp; D tax incentive? Does it also apply to the Callaghan approach, which in my understanding is a much bigger threshold? So just having an understanding around how this works and, obviously, what it really means for our people that are funding R \u0026amp; D in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022 data-id=\u0022e0c26aa47a704fbba032a47fa5e6f5e4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e0c26aa47a704fbba032a47fa5e6f5e4\u0022\u003EMARK CAMERON (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Minister, if I may, for the sake of\u2014I\u2019m not being belligerent; I\u2019m just trying to understand. Going back to clause 202, in Part 4, about cooperative dairy companies\u2019 income tax regulations being revoked, in the actual piece of legislation it speaks to, and I quote, \u201CThe regulations also provide for the establishment of powers and procedure of the cooperative dairy companies\u2019 income tax appeal authority, which is to hear and determine objections to any decisions of the commission under the regulations or under section 146 of the Land and Income Tax Act 1954.\u201D Can you kind of try for the sake of the committee and myself\u2014I am quite ignorant of all this\u2014to explain how that doesn\u2019t create further uncertainty. You talked about outdated legislation. Arguably, it seems a protective mechanism to the industry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022c9cbb112e87742eab1619cd52a26a802\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c9cbb112e87742eab1619cd52a26a802\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E In response to Andrew Bayly, I would quote Lewis Caroll who says, \u201CIt says what it means and means what it says.\u201D Just means something slightly different to what it used to mean, because it says slightly different things. So if I read from the section, clause 144, I think it\u2019s absolutely clear, because it means what it says and it says what it means. What it used to say was, if I read clause 144(1): in section 68CB(2), replace what it currently says, which is \u201Cincome year (the first income year) and up to 2 further consecutive income years\u201D, with \u201Cincome year (the first income year), the income year immediately before (the prior year), and up to 2 income years immediately after)\u201D. It\u2019s very clear.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022 data-id=\u0022836c601abe254ca3ae159d398da39335\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022836c601abe254ca3ae159d398da39335\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair. Thank you, Minister, for responding to that last question I asked of you. The 2 percent\u2014you basically said it was a hard and fast rule. So anything above that you have to redo your return and, basically, adjust it. That seems rather unfair for taxpayers that just\u2014say they had a marginal\u2014they might have had $100 out on a reasonably small return, and that could actually be well over the 2 percent if it was on a small taxpaying amount. Are you telling me that they then have to file an amended return before the next return? So if they\u2019re on a two-monthly taxpaying basis, for example, and so you don\u2019t have to, the official advice, basically\u2014he\u2019s looking like he\u2019s shaking his head, saying you don\u2019t have to. But from what the Minister said, he indicated that they may have to remedy that immediately. And if it is in such a case, then that would be, I think, quite unfair and quite difficult for a lot of small GST payers, if they\u2019ve got to have that kind of regulation on them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EAnd then, if they don\u2019t do it, what would be the consequences for that? Are they going to be liable for further tax or penalties, or how does that work? And how would that complicate the system? And also, you\u2019re probably looking at your end-of-year balance dates, when there is a bit of a GST wash-up. Is this going to apply to that as well? If there\u2019s a 2 percent rule, is it theoretically on your last return or is it on the full year\u2019s returns? So I guess when you have a hard and fast rule like 2 percent in any tax legislation, it does create a lot of dilemmas around actual practicalities of how it works. And maybe it\u2019s better to have some flexibility in there where you have 2 percent and/or the department can use its discretion just for the sake of the department actually having to waste resources on small GST returns that may be incorrect, and also for the sake of taxpayers so they don\u2019t feel that the IRD\u2019s chasing them up all the time for minor errors, because 2 percent can be quite a minor error for a lot of taxpayers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u00220ef7e8b5625a46d6a1b738f994bc6518\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220ef7e8b5625a46d6a1b738f994bc6518\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019m advised that there is no change to the underlying rules in that regard and that the existing rule is that if the amount is under $1,000 for a small business, they don\u2019t have to necessarily file a return, they can fix it up in the future. The only change I\u2019m told that is occasioned by clause 153 is to make section 113A(4)(b)(ii) broader in that until this passes, there is an upper maximum that caps the 2 percent at $10,000, which is a small amount for a large business, and this therefore is a taxpayer-friendly change. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a97e1705-20b1-4844-8140-1090426c1397\u0022 data-id=\u00223fe1d858390749209db3c1849edffe8e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a97e1705-20b1-4844-8140-1090426c1397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223fe1d858390749209db3c1849edffe8e\u0022\u003EDAMIEN SMITH (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair. One of the amendments to the COVID payment scheme, which business need more than ever now\u2014it\u2019s a question for the Minister, with regards to, would he reactivate it within the tax framework for this year? Is that the tax loss carry-back scheme, where people didn\u2019t use a lot of it, numbers-wise, because of timing, when it was announced\u2014I, nevertheless, thought it was a really great initiative to bring forward. Our research is showing, and that of Deloitte\u2019s, that it\u2019s needed even more than ever this year, and it\u2019s a simple tick on the IRD box to reactivate it. It\u2019s a money-go-round, anyway, but it would really help business to get through this next financial year. So I would like to find out from the Minister whether that\u2019s possible. It already exists in the IRD system and it would be very easy to reinstate it, as opposed to suspend it as it is at the moment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a97e1705-20b1-4844-8140-1090426c1397\u0022\u003EAnd the second question I\u2019ve got is, last week on the desks and letterboxes of people who are principled parents, they suddenly found a 7 percent loading\u2014I take that being inflation\u2014on their child assessment maintenance bills. I was wondering, did he realise it was that significant and that everyone\u2019s scrambling because they\u2019re not earning as much this year to reassess expenses and reassess the contributions they need to make to childcare, and it advantages the people who aren\u2019t paying and disadvantages the people that are maintaining and looking after their children?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a97e1705-20b1-4844-8140-1090426c1397\u0022\u003ESo those are the two questions I have for the Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u002214ce664161c94a5d8faddf8a6308a814\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002214ce664161c94a5d8faddf8a6308a814\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Revenue):\u003C/span\u003E Loss carry-back is not in Part 4 nor in any other part of this bill, and neither is the other matter that the member raised addressed by Part 4 of the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022 data-id=\u0022e4c69b4417f94fa799441d661e06eddc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e4c69b4417f94fa799441d661e06eddc\u0022\u003EBARBARA EDMONDS (Associate Whip\u2014Labour):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022 data-id=\u0022af581850ff71435b92f1562d74b04816\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022af581850ff71435b92f1562d74b04816\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Point of order, Mr Chairperson. I just want to go back to before I had to leave the Chamber briefly. The Minister answered a question and I think he may have made an error. I\u2019d just like him to clarify it before we go to the vote.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u002235bd02a4c26e4db9b632cebdc622f331\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002235bd02a4c26e4db9b632cebdc622f331\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Ian McKelvie)\u003C/span\u003E: Well, that\u2019s not a point of order. The question is that the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u002229cfcc3b27c14f4783f104e1ab184797\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That the question be now put. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 77\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati M\u0101ori 2.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 43\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u00227ac7343bb50f4d71bb72db1ca426f314\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227ac7343bb50f4d71bb72db1ca426f314\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Ian McKelvie)\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that the Minister\u2019s amendments to Part 4 set out on Supplementary Order Paper 134 and the Minister\u2019s tabled amendment be agreed to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022d74bd344101b4d2797484e062b476018\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That the amendments be agreed to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 67\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 65; Te Paati M\u0101ori 2.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 43\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 10\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EGreen Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That Part 4 as amended be agreed to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 67\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 65; Te Paati M\u0101ori 2.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 43\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 10\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EGreen Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That Schedule 1A be agreed to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 67\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 65; Te Paati M\u0101ori 2.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 43\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 10\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EGreen Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That Schedule 1 be agreed to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 67\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 65; Te Paati M\u0101ori 2.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 43\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 10\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EGreen Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 77\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati M\u0101ori 2.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 43\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000270\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u0022659f659de265436496a82340d497e875\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022659f659de265436496a82340d497e875\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Ian McKelvie)\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that Part 4 as amended be agreed to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000272\u0022\u003EPart 4 as amended agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00228d87b1e88759405d9177c8a0d2ea22fd\u0022\u003ESchedule 1A\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u00223a111e4bbdd140348a0cccfc71610c39\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223a111e4bbdd140348a0cccfc71610c39\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Ian McKelvie)\u003C/span\u003E: Brooke van Velden\u2019s amendment on Supplementary Order Paper 135 and Andrew Bayly\u2019s amendment on Supplementary Order Paper 137 both delete Schedule 1A and they are out of order as a direct negation of a question. The question is that Schedule 1A be agreed to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000275\u0022\u003ESchedule 1A agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022053238344962421dba49894b5aaa0fb5\u0022\u003ESchedule 1\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u0022f7a2f7a025c64c32a53726de2fe80be0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f7a2f7a025c64c32a53726de2fe80be0\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Ian McKelvie)\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that Schedule 1 be agreed to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000278\u0022\u003ESchedule 1 agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022eaf67de81b5844f79ec24a78097f6744\u0022\u003EClauses 1 and 2\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022 data-id=\u0022e7cf8bfac947472e954fd1b10cf7a752\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e7cf8bfac947472e954fd1b10cf7a752\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E I note that the title of the bill is the \u201CTaxation (Annual Rates for 2021\u201322, GST,\u201D\u2014which I assume is an acronym for goods and services tax, although I\u2019m aware the accessibility criteria that are described for better public communication suggest that acronyms aren\u2019t helpful for people to understand. People would hear the words \u201CGST\u201D, hear those sounds, \u201CGST\u201D, often; they might not realise that it\u2019s a tax on goods and services.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EThen we come to \u201Cand Remedial Matters) Bill\u201D. Now, I have undertaken a large number of contaminated site remediations in a previous role, before I came to Parliament. But there is nothing that can remediate this bill, except a change in Government, a complete change in direction\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EBarbara Edmonds: Point of order. As you know, we are debating the title clause of this bill. The member is going into policy discussion, which I think is much more wide than the title of the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly: Point of order, Madam Chair. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Let me deal with this point of order before I take your point of order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224bfe6d33210a492b8cb97c962909bf5e\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Mine is related to it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f14cccc210584063be91db3df3cb61f6\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: Andrew Bayly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220aa4a670ddcf4645b3bdabbf914e5cfe\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Speaking to the point of order, I just note now that this is the second time the same member has stood and tried to advise the Chair of what should be debated and what shouldn\u2019t be debated. That is not the role of the member, and I just urge the member to stop interrupting the debate and the flow of debate from the honourable member, because it\u2019s disruptive. That\u2019s what I\u2019d suggest.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223c78c7c718a546ab9803405beeab9076\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019d like to urge all members that have taken a point of order on this issue that I\u2019m the sole judge when I sit here. I do not need assistance in this regard.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227c2912768c0847bca805e356d99802b7\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. Look, we are debating the title of this bill. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important; because the people of New Zealand, who will be watching this evening\u2019s 6 o\u2019clock news and potentially hearing about the passage of this bill, the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021\u201322, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill, which is a mouthful\u2014in fact, it\u2019s more than a lungful\u2014will be saying, \u201CWell, does this mean that I\u2019ll have more money in my pocket?\u201D Does the title of this bill, these words, mean that, actually, all the problems with the taxation system\u2014for example, the bracket creep; the fact that most of the tax appears to be paid by a very small number of people; the fact that the taxation system means that people who are earning below a certain threshold would be reluctant to take on more overtime, reluctant to work an extra day, reluctant to take on a second job so they can save money for a deposit for a house\u2014will be remediated by this bill?\u201D This bill doesn\u2019t remediate any of those matters.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ESo if we\u2019re thinking about whether the title of this bill is appropriate, I would contend, in fact, that the title needs remediation. The title does not actually reflect what is needed from the taxation system in New Zealand, or, in fact, what this bill purports to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EI just want to go back to the point I made earlier when talking about liable parents, for example. Now, the Minister made a point that, in fact, there is a process to stop the clock if you think that you\u2019ve got a change in circumstances\u2014you\u2019ve lost your job, for example. But what it doesn\u2019t do is allow circumstances from months or a year prior to be taken into account. The backdating that the Minister and I were discussing only actually applies to taking more money from a liable parent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ESo, again, if this is going to be a remedial matters bill, what would be helpful is if the bill remediated some of the unfairness with the tax system that unfairly penalises people who accept they need to do their bit by contributing through the taxation system to social services and to things that can\u2019t otherwise be provided by the private sector, which is the only reason that people should be paying tax\u2014to fund things that only the private sector cannot possibly provide. In fact, that\u2019s what needs remediation. What\u2019s set out in this bill\u2014and, in fact, what the title describes\u2014doesn\u2019t remedy the most basic things about our taxation system, such as if you\u2019re a liable parent and your business loses money throughout the year, you still have to keep paying your liable parent contribution until the following financial year. Your circumstances may have changed, but the liable parent doesn\u2019t get to stop the clock on what they\u2019re paying. But a backdated assessment can still ping them for more money.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ESo it\u2019s all one way in favour of the Government. That\u2019s what needs remediation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d8bcbd8b664a4adfb4b81ef16543eeed\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: The Government doesn\u2019t get the money.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d91922a8f784478db6abf384d061bd8c\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT\u003C/span\u003E: And Minister Parker, sitting there in his seat, is commenting about who gets the money\u2014it\u2019s also not clear who gets the money. Because even though a receiving parent may, in fact, not be entitled to the money\u2014and that might be discovered through an assessment\u2014the money has already been paid by the liable parent, so one can only assume that the money sits in Inland Revenue\u2019s bank accounts and it will wash up at the end of the year. It\u2019s handed over to the revenue Minister to distribute to projects that he finds favour with and that his Government actually thinks are more important than New Zealanders having the money in their back pocket to spend on things that are important to their families.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ESo that\u2019s just one example of where the title of this bill fails to live up to actually what New Zealanders need and even to describe the contents of the bill accurately. It is not a remedial matters bill; it is, essentially, a cover-up for the fact that this Government proposes to take billions more in taxation from New Zealand workers, New Zealand businesses, and spend it on its projects, because it thinks that its projects, whether they be green projects or whether they\u2019re funding possum control, for example, are more important right now. While they might be a priority for the future, more important right now for New Zealanders is having the money in their pocket.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022 data-id=\u002220f9ba0676b04249a5b579954a45371d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002220f9ba0676b04249a5b579954a45371d\u0022\u003EBROOKE VAN VELDEN (Deputy Leader\u2014ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. I\u2019m happy to take a call on the title and commencement clauses of this bill. I would question why it\u2019s been called the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill, because it clearly feels like there has been something of importance left out, and that is that a substantive part of this bill is anti-landlord. This is the \u201CAnti-landlord Bill\u201D. This is not just the taxation annual rates, GST, remedial matters, and everything else; this bill is specifically anti-landlord of the Government, and that\u2019s what they should be upfront about, and call it the \u201CAnti-landlord and Anti-renters Bill\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003EThe changes that are in this bill don\u2019t just go some way to imposing more costs on landlords, who provide rental accommodation up and down New Zealand, but they also hurt the people that the Government says will be helped with this law change, which is directly the renters. I noted that IRD, when they were tasked with advising the Minister on these changes last year, said that these changes will impose up to $4,000 of added cost on landlords per year, and they\u2019ll put upward pressure on rents, and will stifle future growth and development in property.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003EFor that reason, this bill shouldn\u2019t read: the \u201CTaxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill. It should be quite clear that the purpose behind a lot of what this bill was was to scapegoat landlords, blame the housing crisis on them and not the insane amount of regulations that this Government puts through, which doesn\u2019t help building and development in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003EWe should actually be upfront with the problems that we face in New Zealand, and the problems that are caused by this Government, and bad regulation and bad lawmaking, and just say it for what it is: this Government is failing at problem definition. It\u2019s passing laws that don\u2019t make for better public policy or a better New Zealand. It\u2019s passing laws that are divisive and hurt a group of people who are trying to make a nest egg for their own future financial security, and, in the meantime, they\u2019re going to be hurting the renters, they\u2019ll be hurting the first-home buyers, that this Government says it will be tilting the housing market towards, and we should just say what this bill really is: it\u2019s anti-landlord, it\u2019s divisive, and it hurts renters. And that\u2019s what this bill should actually be called.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022 data-id=\u0022392720b7e0164bf188111bd4a8fc2b0e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022392720b7e0164bf188111bd4a8fc2b0e\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR (Labour\u2014\u014Ch\u0101riu):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022 data-id=\u002273156bd2a1c34be59f6d5ff5e8e80a63\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002273156bd2a1c34be59f6d5ff5e8e80a63\u0022\u003EMARK CAMERON (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. Just for the sake of talking about the bill\u2019s name, the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill, I think the member Mr Court alluded to the word \u201Cremedial\u201D. He is quite right when he references this, and I go back to, and I will contextualise why I\u2019m going to bring clause 202 in. When it speaks to that regulations provide for the establishment of powers and procedure of the cooperative dairy companies, income tax appeal authority\u2014well, that gives them the right to appeal parts of that legislation, and by the very nature of the word \u201Cremedial\u201D it seems that this piece of legislation removes that reality.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022 data-id=\u00229ed07f197e30455182dc00bee22fe5d4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229ed07f197e30455182dc00bee22fe5d4\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. Just want to return to the title of the bill, and the false premise that this is a remedial matters bill. And I want to use an example here of a clause relating to research and development\u2014clause 142, which proposes an extension of time for businesses or a person to file a supplementary return for the 2019-20 income year\u2014that it is extended to 31 August 2021.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ENow, I thought that must have been a typo. I thought that somebody drafting this bill must have been looking at last year\u2019s calendar. And then I thought, \u201CCrikey! Maybe this is remediating something that a whole of people don\u2019t realise needed remediation but that the Minister\u2019s worked out, if he doesn\u2019t cover this one off, maybe the Government or Inland Revenue will be liable to pay people back.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ESo when we\u2019re thinking about remedial matters, if you\u2019re going to be remediating things so that that was going to give taxpayers a chance to put their affairs in order\u2014because the last couple of years have been extremely disruptive for families\u2014for people whose income is taxed through the PAYE system and who get their pay cheque every two weeks and don\u2019t have to worry about filing a tax return, a lot of this stuff doesn\u2019t have too much of an impact on them, although, obviously, they\u2019ll see a lot less money in their bank account as the tax rates go up, but they don\u2019t have to do much about it\u2014it\u2019s just taken from them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003EBut if you, say, were a business and you wanted to claim research and development tax credit, under new section 33F, in clause 142, it turned out that the extension of time was to 31 August last year; not this year. It doesn\u2019t give people more time to put their affairs in order and remediate matters\u2014as the bill said, remediate matters; remedial matters\u2014that might have got a bit out of order during the period where people were in lockdown.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fdced36d750140dab31481e2177c4d8c\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I\u2019d like to remind the member that this was the point he made in his first contribution on this title and commencement discussion debate. Please keep it to title and commencement, otherwise we can allow other people to make speeches on this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d6d62e1c83c647f5b66099a986545c65\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. So, in terms of the title and commencement, it\u2019s very unfortunate that there are many provisions in the commencement part of the bill which actually relate back to backdating. However, once this bill is passed, organisations and individuals won\u2019t be able to take advantage of the backdating because, in fact, the time for using that provision will have passed. So by the time this bill comes into effect and gets the Royal assent, potentially in the next weeks or months, the time that people could have actually gone back and claimed for research and development tax credits will have long passed, potentially six or eight months in the past.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262828428-6565-42b4-bd4d-fa3b12531f88\u0022\u003ESo the reason why this is called a remedial matters bill is still a mystery\u2014it doesn\u2019t seem to remediate anything. And in terms of the timing\u2014the commencement date of the bill\u2014it appears to be at odds with some of the provisions of the bill that allow for backdating and for extensions of time. Thank you very much, Minister; appreciate a response to that question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002296f5f6b7-c116-477e-88a9-ea17aa616886\u0022 data-id=\u00222321cd29108347e49a90e43fb3356be7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002296f5f6b7-c116-477e-88a9-ea17aa616886\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222321cd29108347e49a90e43fb3356be7\u0022\u003EINGRID LEARY (Labour\u2014Taieri) (remote):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. I move, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022 data-id=\u00227e77f06f8ee646b7a077dfedd539450a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227e77f06f8ee646b7a077dfedd539450a\u0022\u003EBROOKE VAN VELDEN (Deputy Leader\u2014ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. I will keep my contribution specifically to the commencement clauses of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill. It was a huge disappointment for me, when reading through this bill, that there are already commencement clauses in here that have already taken effect, and it does us no good service to be passing laws that have already come into effect. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003EWhen the Government announced last year that it was making changes to the brightline test and to interest deductibility limitations\u2014which are specific in this commencement clause, having started last year\u2014we are going against good lawmaking practices which allow people to prepare for the future, to know what the rules of the day actually are so that they can abide by them at any given time. What this does, by putting in place a date that it takes effect on before the law is even changed, is it goes against the rules of making good public policy where, at any given day, you can get up, you can go to the legislation website, you can see the laws of the land that you live in, and you can see what you\u2019re supposed to be doing right, and how you could be going against the laws, at any given time. By putting in place laws that have an effect over a year ago\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022489d736b-2629-4bc7-8d38-6319c7797a33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f6c48a540a90434882a5e46b036893ec\u0022\u003EMark Cameron\u003C/span\u003E: Retrospective.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229a9d19157c8e47d1b51f7961b7bdaaf8\u0022\u003EBROOKE VAN VELDEN\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014a retrospective change\u2014you cannot allow for a person to know, in black and white, what the laws actually are on any given day. There is the ability for the Government to have actually said, \u201CYou know what? We don\u2019t want to pass this bill any more, and we don\u2019t want these laws to commence as of taking effect last year.\u201D, and they\u2019d be able to do that. But, in the meantime, you\u2019d have people up and down New Zealand saying, \u201CWell, I don\u2019t really know what the law actually is any more.\u201D You\u2019ve got governing by PR and press releases on the Beehive website telling me that I\u2019m now in breach of the law, but the law doesn\u2019t exist in reality, so what is right? And I don\u2019t think that is right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003EI think the Government should change the commencement dates so that they actually take effect after this law is passed. But I also think they should stop making commencement clauses like this, because this has not only an effect in this bill but it has an effect for all of our laws across New Zealand, because we want people to invest in New Zealand. We want foreign direct investment. We want a stable economy where people feel like they know what the laws of New Zealand will be, at any given time, and going against that means that we are less reliable for people to send their money to. Because, who knows? You might invest in a massive building development tomorrow and, low and behold, the Government comes along and creates a new law from press release and says, \u201CYou\u2019re not allowed to build in that piece of land any more.\u201D, but it\u2019s not actually the law. That instability and that uncertainty of what the laws are does not make New Zealand a good place for investment, development, and growth, which we need to make New Zealand a prosperous, growing society where people want to send their money to, and where we can become wealthier as a country and as a nation. That instability means that somebody else could potentially think of sending their money to Australia, or sending their money to the USA, instead of New Zealand, where we desperately need to increase productivity for the wealth of all New Zealanders.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003EThese laws should not be retrospective. The Government should own up to the fact that they have created laws by PR, rather than actually putting them in black and white so people know what they are any given time, and they should change them\u2014change them for all the people who are blind-sided by the rules that came in last year, and change them so that we have stability for our economy, going forward.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225ec01d23-b55e-45b9-a668-d3bf14212126\u0022 data-id=\u0022739da656d4d74867abde8833e8e4ee57\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225ec01d23-b55e-45b9-a668-d3bf14212126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022739da656d4d74867abde8833e8e4ee57\u0022\u003EHELEN WHITE (Labour) (remote):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022 data-id=\u0022c36c8542e72a4a0989c0390aac9d86f2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c36c8542e72a4a0989c0390aac9d86f2\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that the Minister\u2019s amendment to clause 2 set out on Supplementary Order Paper 134 and the Minister\u2019s tabled amendment be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u00229ef0e1c7d6804335aa9199cc13d2603e\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That the amendments be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 67\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 65; Te Paati M\u0101ori 2.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 43\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 10\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EGreen Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022 data-id=\u0022f4a084d971da431db57e0b3de62dae2c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f4a084d971da431db57e0b3de62dae2c\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: David Seymour\u2019s amendment to clause 2 set out on Supplementary Order Paper 140 is out of order as being inconsistent with a previous decision of the committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022f4f852d645bf43af96ffad00209e2b4b\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That clause 2 as amended be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 67\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 65; Te Paati M\u0101ori 2.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 43\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 10\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EGreen Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EClause 2 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u002235b547341fd74cb492c93d7655c8e748\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That clause 1 be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 67\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 65; Te Paati M\u0101ori 2.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 43\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAbstentions 10\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EGreen Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EClause 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000320\u0022\u003EBill to be reported with amendment.\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=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002245b7883c2e9b465cace3001b0827c6fa\u0022\u003EMaori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002263bf84ba5e9343759f0ab3ecd0f04fc2\u0022\u003EIn Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022 data-id=\u00226b2daa7788e0403e9b495f21c56f1541\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226b2daa7788e0403e9b495f21c56f1541\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, we come now to the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill. I remind members that they\u2019re able to participate remotely. If you\u2019re on the Zoom and want to take a call, please type \u201Ccall\u201D into the chat. You\u2019ll also be able to use chat if you\u2019d like to raise a point of order. If we receive new tabled amendments, I\u2019ll advise members so that they can refresh the House page to see the new amendment. Finally, it would be helpful for members to ask multiple questions, if they have them, of the member in charge during their call. I call on Duncan Webb, who is joining us remotely.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022 data-id=\u0022c849bfc7f40642e18790f83d3857eb1c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c849bfc7f40642e18790f83d3857eb1c\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB (Junior Whip\u2014Labour) (remote):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a point of order. I seek leave that all parts be taken as one question in this debate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022 data-id=\u0022e1fae23d87ca4d0eb9a47ddc3ad1ecf6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e1fae23d87ca4d0eb9a47ddc3ad1ecf6\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that the motion be agreed to. All those in favour, say Aye; to the contrary, No. The motion is passed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022880b7d5fbbb3454cb427811cf6bbb00c\u0022\u003EClauses 1 to 8\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022 data-id=\u0022a78e73ad39a6487fabb02a7bf9cf63d8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a78e73ad39a6487fabb02a7bf9cf63d8\u0022\u003ESTUART SMITH (National\u2014Kaik\u014Dura):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. It is a pleasure to have a call on the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EI note from the select committee report that there were quite a few submissions on clause 4\u2014in particular, to widen the definition of what defines a relevant iwi, and that was to include hap\u016B and wh\u0101nau in its interpretation. When I read clause 4, it says, \u201CIn section 4, insert in its appropriate alphabetical order: relevant iwi, in relation to an allocation of assets, means those iwi in a region who, in the trustee\u2019s opinion, are directly affected by the allocation\u201D. I think to say that is a broad definition is a pretty fair statement. That doesn\u2019t really define it at all. All it actually means is it swings completely on the trustee\u2019s opinion. There is no direction to the trustee. It is merely their opinion and yet it was quite clearly an intention from submitters to have a wider definition to allow iwi and hap\u016B. So my question to the Minister is: is the advice that that definition does, in fact, include wh\u0101nau and hap\u016B in that definition or what does it actually mean, and is the potential here for actually muddying the waters\u2014no pun intended\u2014quite substantially in that this could, in fact, cause more claims to be lodged in the future as a result of the opaqueness of this particular clause? So I really look forward to hearing from the Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022 data-id=\u0022cf361be587964ee1b01ddeb53d9407a0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cf361be587964ee1b01ddeb53d9407a0\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that clauses 1 to 8 stand part. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022 data-id=\u0022ae9a636030c14228a90e67693940a634\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ae9a636030c14228a90e67693940a634\u0022\u003EHon DAVID PARKER (Minister for Oceans and Fisheries):\u003C/span\u003E Responding to the member, the bill is as it went to select committee. It came back without amendment because the select committee, having heard all of the submissions, thought that no amendment to it was necessary. The member is correct in the reading of amended section 4, set out in clause 4. As he says, it defines relevant iwi in relation to the allocation of assets being \u201Cthose iwi in the region who, in the trustee\u2019s opinion, are directly affected by the allocation\u201D and I don\u2019t understand there to be any change in the way in which subgroupings with M\u0101ori are being dealt with in respect of their settlement of M\u0101ori commercial aquaculture claims in that regard.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EThe bill is very simple and narrow in that it is trying to create a mechanism where iwi within a region have reached agreement as to what is an appropriate settlement for them, and Te Ohu Kai Moana agree\u2014everyone agrees\u2014but there is an inability to reach unanimity within a region because there may be, for example, an unsettled iwi. There is agreement amongst M\u0101oridom that that circumstance ought not to prevent settled iwi whose entitlement is uncontroversial from receiving it, and so this bill attempts to remedy that problem and doesn\u2019t change those underlying relationships.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EClauses 1 to 8 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EBill to be reported without amendment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003EHouse resumed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ebbe3b8d0ff04ba68f4d0d56f09da201\u0022\u003EReport of Committee of the Whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002212d5b6ac3be246f9bbfb4bca41568d95\u0022\u003EReport of Committee of the Whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000336\u0022\u003ETEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Andrew Bayly): Madam Speaker, the committee has considered the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill and reports it with amendment. The committee has also considered the M\u0101ori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill and reports it without amendment. I move, That the report be adopted. \u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000338\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000339\u0022\u003EReport adopted.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022 data-id=\u002235e50b6c99f749f5a9dd520771eaf6cb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002235e50b6c99f749f5a9dd520771eaf6cb\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill is set down for third reading next sitting day. The M\u0101ori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill is set down for third reading the next sitting day.\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=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022fab0e17bac994c21b4759d3ea88746c8\u0022\u003ECommerce Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00220deb8a128c284e46a1109277f105f963\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022 data-id=\u00229d01931763104ea484478db5a3cf96a8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229d01931763104ea484478db5a3cf96a8\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health) \u003C/span\u003Eon behalf of the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: I present to the House a legislative statement on the Commerce Amendment Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002246b6c6fdd6df4ebd8f776b1579d21fad\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=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b05d35c04bd14b8792b9e2ecb6e80e6d\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: I move, That the Commerce Amendment Bill be now read a third time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EIt brings me great pride to rise for this third reading. Although it\u2019s primarily focused on implementing two policy changes, this bill now comprises a package of reforms I\u2019m confident will support competition law and infrastructure in this country to function more effectively. This House has carefully examined the possible consequences of the changes made by the bill. It has also taken the opportunity to make some further improvements to the Commerce Act, such as to the scheme for authorising conduct that is in the public interest. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EPerhaps the most notable of this bill\u2019s achievements is that it consummates, along\u2014good grief, who wrote this speech? Someone is trying to obviously sex up the Commerce Amendment Bill late on a Thursday afternoon. But anyway, according to my notes, this bill\u2019s achievements\u2014one of the most important ones\u2014is to consummate a long-held desire to make section 36 fit for purpose. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fa2941cd0b23477fa487815cddf738d5\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Did he use the word \u201Csex\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002292450e3f9d2a4c3d85d502ca53176630\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Sexy afternoon!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002270b8600f86f249bbbc359961f561b86c\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: I can hear the excitement in the House as the Commerce Amendment Bill makes its way through. The Commerce Act is prohibition legislation; section 36 is one of its central pillars. It stops anti-competitive unilateral conduct. The intention behind section 36 has always been to deter firms with substantial market power from harming competition. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EWhen the Commerce Act was first passed in 1986, section 36 did this by prohibiting firms from \u201Cusing\u201D their position of power in a market to exclude or inhibit their rivals. In 1994, the Privy Council decided the plaintiff in a case would have to construct a hypothetical market for the court in which the defendant firm lacks substantial market power and demonstrate that the defendant would not have undertaken the conduct in that hypothetical market. In 2001, Parliament tried to express its dissatisfaction with this approach by amending section 36. Instead of prohibiting dominant firms from using their market power in anti-competitive ways, section 36 prohibited them from taking advantage of their market power. The 2001 amendment did not ultimately spare the prohibition from these thought experiments. With time, the complexities involved in satisfying the counterfactual test have become increasingly apparent and obstructive to the effective enforcement of section 36. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EIn 2014, the Productivity Commission recognised these problems with section 36 and the attendant costs to our economy of large firms suppressing competition and innovation from new, smaller firms. Of the counterfactual test, the Productivity Commission said that it \u201Ccauses problems because it focuses on the actions of firms in the hypothetical counterfactual world where a firm lacks substantial market power rather than on market outcomes.\u201D Now Parliament is finally in a position to resolve this. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThe new section 36 prohibition inserted by this bill finally dispenses with the counterfactual test. It finally focuses the prohibition on market outcomes. It finally fulfils the original aim of deterring dominant firms from actions harmful to the competitive process. The way the bill achieves this is relatively straightforward. It simply asks whether a firm with substantial market power has acted with purpose, effect, or likely effect of substantially lessening competition in a relevant market. This test is not a novel one. It operates already in the Act\u2019s prohibitions against anti-competitive agreements and anti-competitive mergers or acquisitions. It also operates in Australia\u2019s prohibition against anti-competitive unilateral conduct.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s natural that the reforms have raised some concerns, but Parliament has had the opportunity to consider these in depth. We have thought carefully about how the new prohibition might be applied in various situations by the courts and by large firms attempting to manage their liability, and this has given me comfort that the risks with the reforms are modest.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThe conclusion I hope we have all reached is that the process of firms competing on their merits for market share and the wallets of consumers would be better protected by these reforms to section 36.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EI can make similar remarks about the other main policy of the bill, which is to get rid of provisions that prevent scrutiny of certain conduct involving intellectual property. So long as there are possible instances\u2014competition harm safe harbours will undermine the Act\u2019s promise to protect competition. As I hope I\u2019ve made clear already, I do not believe practices involving intellectual property are always anti-competitive. Intellectual property rights are typically used in ways that advance the aims of competition law. But it\u2019s not safe to assume this conduct is never anti-competitive just because it involves intellectual property. The bill repeals these provisions to reflect the Government\u2019s view that intellectual property rights should be treated no differently under competition law to any other form of property.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThere are other improvements to the law, however. Far less has been said in this House about some other worthwhile amendments that the bill makes. I wish to highlight just a couple of them\u2014firstly, the inclusion of covenants in our cartel regime. In 2017, Parliament made some significant reforms to the cartel regime. The prohibition against cartels is the way the Commerce Act creates direct or per se liability for certain features and agreements between competitors that are generally harmful to competition. The Act now defines cartel provisions as provisions that involve price fixing, market allocation, or restricting output. The Act also provides a range of exceptions, recognising cases in which a cartel is unlikely to be anti-competitive in practice.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003ECartel provisions can also be found in land covenants. Covenants were overlooked by the 2017 reforms to the cartel regime. This bill proposes to rectify that. No longer will land covenants provide an opportunity to restrict the productive use of land by a competitor. That would be something that, no doubt, the supermarket chains will be most interested in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003ETougher penalties for anti-competitive mergers is the other aspect that I wish to comment on. Another important way that the Act protects the competitive process is through its prohibition against anti-competitive mergers or acquisitions. For this prohibition to be effective, it needs to be able to deter entities that may benefit significantly, in commercial terms, from the merger. The bill ensures this can happen by increasing the monetary penalty the courts can impose if entities are found to have contravened the prohibition. The Act increases the monetary penalty that courts can impose, to be in the order of $10 million.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EI extend my thanks to everyone who has played a part in the development and the scrutiny of these improvements to the Commerce Act. Particularly in relation to section 36, I\u2019d like to acknowledge that I am one among a series of actors who have sought to reform this area\u2014or at least I can say that the Minister of Commerce, the respective Ministers of Commerce, in this Government and previous Governments, have done that. I\u2019m proud of the contribution that this bill will make to the state of competition in the interests of consumers in this country, and the general excitement that it has added to a Thursday afternoon sitting of this House. Madam Speaker, I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022 data-id=\u0022ca1bd9dae9754b5aba58864e77f25f1c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ca1bd9dae9754b5aba58864e77f25f1c\u0022\u003EANDREW BAYLY (National\u2014Port Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. I do acknowledge the Hon Andrew Little, the speaker who\u2019s just sat down\u2014the stand-in Minister\u2014and I think he did a great job. I compliment him on trying to \u201Csex up\u201D, I think was the term, quote, unquote\u2014wasn\u2019t it, Minister?\u2014the Commerce Amendment Bill\u2019s third reading. Very important, these things, of course, and what this bill is about is a vital part of the engine room around how New Zealand businesses can operate in New Zealand. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EAt the outset, I will say that National will be supporting this bill because we think it\u2019s vital for a small economy that we have a dynamic market where people can operate efficiently and effectively and be competitive. So that part of what this bill is seeking to do is incredibly important for New Zealand to get right. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ENotwithstanding that, there are some issues with this bill that we have had concerns with, and we certainly discussed those at great length during the committee of the whole House stage. They really relate to the two big, core aspects of this bill\u2014namely, the new section 36 issue of misuse of market power, and the second one is the intellectual safe havens component. My good colleague the Hon Todd McClay had put up three Supplementary Order Papers which we thought would be useful in terms of trying to refine what was in this bill to more adequately reflect and create the right playing field for businesses to actively compete in the New Zealand market place. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ESo I just want to turn to both of these two components, and I\u2019ll just address my first comments to new section 36 in clause 14. What new section 36 states is that it prohibits firms with substantial market power from taking advantage of that power for an anti-competitive purpose. Of course, if you look at the business dynamics of New Zealand, unfortunately, we have arrived in many industries where there\u2019s two or maybe three major players that dominate the market\u2014and I use that word in the general sense and not in the Commerce Commission sense, because if you\u2019re dominant, it has a whole different meaning from that perspective. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EBut that is where, unfortunately, the New Zealand market place has ended up. We have these major players, and then we often have a raft of mid-tier and small-tier players underneath. So to make sure we\u2019ve got the right dynamic, we need to have regard for what is the reality of today, which is that there are often duopolies in place. The Minister referred to the supermarket study that\u2019s under way, and, of course, there\u2019s been the fuel market study that was conducted last year. Unfortunately, we haven\u2019t seen any benefit come out of that one, but, hopefully, we might do out of the supermarket study. So what the bill does is replace the phrase \u201Ctaking advantage\u201D, which is a test at the moment, to move it from an intention test to an effects-based test, and it has an explicit prohibition on firms with a substantial degree of market power engaging in conduct that has the purpose, effect, or likely effect of substantially lessening competition. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ENow, the changes that are being put in place to some extent reflect what\u2019s gone on in Australia. Australia, under Malcolm Turnbull, did a review of this sector and made some changes, and this is quite a substantive change. It may not mean much, but it moves us from an intention test to an effects legal test. What we\u2019re concerned about is what that actually means and what it means for firms that have to now think in terms of that new test.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ESo the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment\u2019s view on the current section 36 is that they think it\u2019s flawed. They state that it has potential to fail, to deter, or penalise some forms of anti-competitive conduct; it\u2019s costly and complex to enforce; and, arguably, creates some unpredictability. So my good colleague put up Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) 92, which amends clause 14.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ESo in that current wording that is going to pass through this House, because the Labour Party has control of it, is just rather than use the term \u201Cpurpose\u201D or \u201Chas or is likely to have an effect\u201D, just to simplify it to say \u201Chas the purpose or is likely to have an effect.\u201D So what it\u2019s done is reduce the impact or the aspect about it in terms of requiring companies to think about the immediate impact of what their actions are going to have in terms of how it\u2019s regarded from a competitive situation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ESo, if I give you an example, if a company is operating\u2014it\u2019s a mechanical shop, let\u2019s say\u2014and offers a big discount to some of its big customers, as a reward for the type of service and the extent of service that they bring to that business, and if that is offered\u2014and, in effect, it is a loyalty payment or a discount\u2014this might have the unintended consequences of driving smaller truck operators\u2014let\u2019s say in the same town or in the region\u2014out of business because the firm has the ability to discount the price.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ENow, in many cases, that\u2019s common practice because a firm will want to recognise large customers who bring a lot of business to them, and, obviously, discount the price. But under this arrangement, what we\u2019re worried about is, to the extent that it does drive the competitor out of the market, then this will now be caught under this new test, and we\u2019re worried about that effects-basis to this test. It\u2019s quite difficult for companies to assess what the likely impact is of certain aspects or how they\u2019re conducting their business and what it will mean for their competitors. So that\u2019s the first major thing. I think it\u2019s a shame that the House and the Government hasn\u2019t picked up the SOP that the Hon Todd McClay put up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EThe other one is in regards to the intellectual property aspect. I\u2019d draw the House\u2019s attention again to the letter that was sent to the Minister but was also sent to us around the intellectual property (IP) issue of safe havens. This letter is signed by the chief executive of the Screen Association, executive director of the New Zealand Writers Guild, the chief executive of the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association, and the executive director of the Screen Production Development Association. Basically, this letter says that they are very, very worried about the way that international firms will now regard New Zealand as a place to invest or to conduct business in because of the changes in the bill regarding the safe haven of intellectual property. Specifically, what it says is \u201CWe worry that these unnecessary legislative changes will discourage overseas film studios from licensing their intellectual property to New Zealand; secondly, it discourages international investment in the New Zealand film industry and discourages local film makers and writers from realising the true value of their creative products.\u201D It also talks about the video gaming industry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EOne of the most disappointing things during the debate is that I asked the Minister directly whether he had spoken to the New Zealand gaming association about these IP changes, which I think are incredibly significant. We\u2019ve got a growing, exciting gaming industry, probably worth about $300 million at the moment, and it\u2019s a dynamic growth path. Obviously, they\u2019re having trouble getting people from overseas to come and work here, but it opens huge opportunities for our young people, M\u0101ori, Pasifika, because of the creative skills that they bring to the gaming industry. And yet here we are, we\u2019re going to pass a piece of legislation that cuts to the core of that particular industry, but also the film industry and the writers. These are hardly people that are out there advocating on a scale that is unreasonable; these are people who want to see the creative industry in New Zealand flourish, and we\u2019re not going to help them with this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022 data-id=\u0022b9a168a135c94523aa6abf1d49ef7d82\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b9a168a135c94523aa6abf1d49ef7d82\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=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022 data-id=\u002240a9cbba1b8f42588519258abc3e3b03\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002240a9cbba1b8f42588519258abc3e3b03\u0022\u003EJAMIE STRANGE (Labour\u2014Hamilton East) (remote):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity to take a brief call on the third reading of the Commerce Amendment Bill. As the chair of the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee I\u2019d like to also thank all of those who have contributed to this bill: the officials, the Minister, the select committee members, and those who made submissions on this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EThe Commerce Amendment Bill amends the Commerce Act 1986 to improve the reach and functioning of competition law, consistent with the Act\u2019s purpose of promoting competition in markets for the long-term benefit of consumers within New Zealand. The reality is we do have a small market here in New Zealand, and at times we do need the Government to offer support to the market because it can be susceptible to anti-competitive behaviour. We\u2019ve already heard in the speeches on this third reading some examples of that. So this is legislation that is certainly needed and is certainly important.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EThe reality is that we need to have effective protections against firms with substantial market power who may be engaging in anti-competitive conduct, and the Commerce Commission needs this legislation in order to enforce that. 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=\u0022cd5e571fe79944c496d941e05e6656d4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cd5e571fe79944c496d941e05e6656d4\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa)\u003C/span\u003E: This debate is interrupted and is set down for resumption next sitting day. The House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 29 March 2022.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20220317313ab0e7f92d46389345575a3ef063bd000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d14b1afe-2069-41e4-96fa-c8dc81a991a4\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 4.55 p.m. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"