"\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=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000000\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00222b6c43260cbd38230d8e0bdc20506d43\u0022\u003EThursday, 3 September 2026\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EThe Speaker\u003C/span\u003E took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000002\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002238c6164f3e12c00ebd8b61231f485ab8\u0022\u003EStart of Sitting Day\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ddbde8e4c15a56eac44e1cfba050fa22\u0022\u003EKarakia/Prayers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c4943fd1cf914de0befcb7a16280f910\u0022 data-id=\u002276e868390ade9ae855db067531057a16\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000004\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c4943fd1cf914de0befcb7a16280f910\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002276e868390ade9ae855db067531057a16\u0022\u003EGREG O\u0027CONNOR (Assistant Speaker) (14:00)\u003C/span\u003E: Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests, we acknowledge the King and pray for guidance in our deliberations that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom, justice, mercy, and humility for the welfare and the peace of New Zealand. Amen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00225f2f20cc70e24356ebd6fc19c8c6a09d\u0022\u003EVisitors\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002294f50358b318a9bac7473da22dcaa364\u0022\u003EJapan\u2014President of the Senate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221afc5f793f41609f6c7f67af4de166c5\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Members, I am sure that you will wish to join with me in welcoming His Excellency Mr Sekiguchi Masakazu, President of the Senate of Japan, and his accompanying delegation who are present in the gallery.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00224c5062bf9049e709467132f3ec6d5811\u0022\u003EBusiness of the House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002204e9b837e945694d6e8e0ccea148418a\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022 data-id=\u002265611b8c3bce21261c81a475b4b88e5a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002265611b8c3bce21261c81a475b4b88e5a\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON (Leader of the House) (14:01)\u003C/span\u003E: Today, the House will adjourn until Tuesday, 15 September. That week, the House will make progress on the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill, the Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill, and the Policing Amendment Bill. Celia Wade-Brown, Maureen Pugh, and the Hon Andrew Bayly will deliver their valedictory statements.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022 data-id=\u002285818639e5eb83d2c2555900e36188b5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002285818639e5eb83d2c2555900e36188b5\u0022\u003EHon KIERAN McANULTY (Labour) (14:02)\u003C/span\u003E: I thank the Leader of the House for the update. We\u2019ve been told by a couple of Government backbenchers that the Government intends to do urgency next sitting week. Could she confirm if that\u2019s true?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c0f183aed2ac59f817e3b4ea9dd2f3c1\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: I know there\u2019s lots of excitement about the final two weeks of the House sitting. What I can tell the member is that we will not be introducing legislation that increases tax. [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002268d27132f8245fb7adf83ef32ce4714f\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Very good. Now, only one person has called.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002298c1995a3396432382c4b04f94f6462f\u0022 data-id=\u00229e06ca3825daa6ed5c0faee7f2225c40\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298c1995a3396432382c4b04f94f6462f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229e06ca3825daa6ed5c0faee7f2225c40\u0022\u003ERICARDO MEN\u00C9NDEZ MARCH (Musterer\u2014Green) (14:02)\u003C/span\u003E: Considering that we have seen a net loss of members\u2019 days as a result of the use of urgency, does the Leader of the House expect for there to be a members\u2019 day in the next sitting block?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022 data-id=\u002269a1aabedd0193a3da57ae2dd732fa53\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002269a1aabedd0193a3da57ae2dd732fa53\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON (Leader of the House) (14:02)\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a226d07b7ae878bd689e122b0b9eb11f\u0022\u003EPresentation\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00220456b85e9d2811d3d5c2faf9a2cf1bcb\u0022\u003EPetitions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002258addbbcef248f951f85b5433def2530\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: A petition has been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c8a3c5b2bdb796e32075442ed1e461a3\u0022\u003ECLERK (14:02): \u003C/span\u003EPetition of Christchurch Methodist Mission requesting that the House urge the Government to increase investment in social and affordable housing in order to target funding towards housing for older people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220558066f07bcb3867c415b9ad7c3c0aa\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That petition stands referred to the Petitions Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ec4d6107ae2a4fa7eb1e381de8b32258\u0022\u003EPapers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022012f78a853ddc76a369a1d45f2e11ed2\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Ministers have delivered three papers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e3614f91fa347692a99f78fabf6e1ec1\u0022\u003ECLERK (14:03): \u003C/span\u003E2025-26 annual reports for:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Parole Board\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003EOffice of the M\u0101ori Trustee, and\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003EGovernment response to the report of the Justice Committee on the petition of David White MNZM.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002206b3bafdfcb4859a808dcc8e00131ce6\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Those papers are published under the authority of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022cf899da1a097128a28e51f6cbe0ace10\u0022\u003ESelect Committee Reports\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220b427f6dc7a5be232b5d7cd08c22e96e\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Twelve select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c849b61f2d7b5ac99eb001e3ec675a53\u0022\u003ECLERK (14:03): \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003EReport of the Education and Workforce Committee on the second scrutiny activities report for the 54\u003Csup\u003Eth\u003C/sup\u003E Parliament\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003Ereport of the Environment Committee on the Conservation Amendment Bill, interim report\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003Ereport of the Governance and Administration Committee on its second scrutiny activities report for the 54\u003Csup\u003Eth\u003C/sup\u003E Parliament\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003Ereports of the Health Committee on the:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL2\u0022\u003Ebriefing from the Meningitis Foundation New Zealand\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL2\u0022\u003Esecond scrutiny activities report for the 54th Parliament, and\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL2\u0022\u003Epetition of Judy Anderson\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003Ereports of the Justice Committee on the:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL2\u0022\u003Esecond scrutiny activities report for the 54\u003Csup\u003Eth\u003C/sup\u003E Parliament, and\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL2\u0022\u003ESummary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill and report of the Attorney-General under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003Ereport of the Primary Production Committee on the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003Ereports of the Regulations Review Committee on the:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL2\u0022\u003Ebriefing on Henry VIII clauses in legislation, and\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL2\u0022\u003Ecomplaint about the Accident Compensation (Definitions) Regulations 2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003Ereport of the Social Services and Community Committee on the Manat\u016B W\u0101hine, Ministry for Women, Long-term Insights Briefing 2026.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228a62dc9e25019b74b3d79c96f76935d4\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The bills are set down for second reading, and the reports are set down for consideration. No bills have been introduced. The House comes to oral questions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022af5320a60b91b77020f1736568e7bd9d\u0022\u003EOral Questions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00229adc777cb8af3a80fc81e91122504722\u0022\u003ELocal Government\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002222e4ef72c7cf370121722aca91bc65e4\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 1\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022dca7b20260b94cda81a3187e58a1d7c9\u0022 data-id=\u00225d278f2b479f1b41268885251e2cc717\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dca7b20260b94cda81a3187e58a1d7c9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225d278f2b479f1b41268885251e2cc717\u0022\u003EMIKE DAVIDSON (Green) (14:04)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister of Local Government\u003C/span\u003E: Has he received any advice that shows that the rates cap will result in no savings for some households?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022 data-id=\u002279f9e87a3abfca8b5ae47eaf21012263\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002279f9e87a3abfca8b5ae47eaf21012263\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS (Minister of Local Government) (14:04)\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ve received advice that the amount an average household saves will depend on what their council would otherwise have increased rates by, and how these rates are allocated. If a council is already close to or within the cap, the average savings will, naturally, be modest. That shows that the cap is workable when councils prioritise. But many ratepayers are facing double-digit increases. For example, under Hamilton City Council\u2019s 2024 to 2034 long-term plan, an average household was on track to pay around $6,400 a year by 2034. With increases limited to 4 percent, that would be around $4,170, saving about $15,800 over a 10-year period. That is meaningful savings.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dca7b20260b94cda81a3187e58a1d7c9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220cf9727a8400337e0a3b44ffb7295f28\u0022\u003EMike Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Does he think a young family saving $34 a year under the rates cap would be better or worse off once higher fees for pools, libraries, public transport, and car-parking are included, given his view in a Cabinet paper that a rates cap will \u201Cincentivise greater use of user charges\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a8da078c3c24eae3038edbacf1b5e1b0\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: First and foremost, I encourage the member to\u2014[\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ad80d1444c9887e9d7c72e3b8fd2cb9e\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Just hold on\u2014wait on. We\u2019ll start that again.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022150949c386c96ce086e8d59a8d776a2d\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. First and foremost, I\u2019d encourage the member to read the bill in regards to rates capping. The cumulative effect of rates increases means that over a five- or 10-year period, Kiwi households will have considerable savings as a result of that cumulative effect being limited to 4 percent. Don\u2019t forget the rates increases last year were 14 percent on average across New Zealand; this year, 9 percent\u20144 percent with respect to savings. What I also reflect is that not having a cap will not protect Kiwi ratepayers. Not having a cap will also not protect them against those double-digit rate increases, and that is not the policy of this Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dca7b20260b94cda81a3187e58a1d7c9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e34dc464b9d1f6c72f14ce7ffd15fc9c\u0022\u003EMike Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: How does he reconcile his claim that households will save money, with the Ministry for the Environment\u2019s feedback that \u201Creduced rates revenue may be offset by increased fees for services such as swimming pool entry, library fines, and parking. This could result in no net savings for many households.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002200fc3232e3eca7e8b4ca57d92e5e39c5\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, on this side of the House, we understand the concept of prioritisation and making decisions in regards to spending that is within a limit. We don\u2019t have a credit card without a limit on this side of the House, by any stretch. Councils will, and should, prioritise their spending, like every single Kiwi household and business in this country. I make no apology for councils needing to do that. Putting a limit on their increase of expenditure is a sensible and pragmatic thing to do to protect Kiwi households.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dca7b20260b94cda81a3187e58a1d7c9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002280d7c84b462e4dafdedb9a362ac78e09\u0022\u003EMike Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Does he accept that including water services investment, which is exempt from the rates cap, in his figures for Waitaki District Council in his answer to oral questions on 25 August artificially inflated his claims of savings by nearly 80\u00A0percent?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f0e1465d1c926560240fd7b0e513b450\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: No, because what I was providing there was an example of how much an average bill would increase\u2014the differential between the average of 14\u00A0percent or 9 percent versus 4 percent. Basic maths would indicate to the member that when you increase cumulative bills by 14 percent or 9 percent, it is a heck of a lot bigger over a period of five or 10 years than at 4 percent. On this side of the House, we are on the side of Kiwi ratepayers. We want to protect Kiwi ratepayers from unreasonable, rollercoaster rates increases. That\u2019s what we\u2019re doing; we make no apologies for that. That side of the House has no plan to protect Kiwi ratepayers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dca7b20260b94cda81a3187e58a1d7c9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221e6cfd8f3d0ce049892027fe5b2815f7\u0022\u003EMike Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Is it correct that the biggest savings from his rates cap will go to owners of multimillion-dollar houses and holiday homes who don\u2019t need support, while struggling families may only save as little as $34 a year, only to face higher costs from reduced local services?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c095911ec9cfe12f812ce9f349bcaa5c\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: A concise answer would be good.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d04f035556a53835d7d1ac7776ce18e0\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002281018036b924afe79639bd19f295fd9f\u0022\u003ERevenue\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002244369a537bffeadb9cff3a8427c93bf8\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 2\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022 data-id=\u0022d49e8faa1f45d6104ad378b7165cc94c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d49e8faa1f45d6104ad378b7165cc94c\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS (National\u2014Northcote) (14:09)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister of Revenue\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Government considering a capital gains tax on properties used for both residential and business purposes?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022 data-id=\u00222103f22e06a4b7d0f8ca7b1c683e9ed2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222103f22e06a4b7d0f8ca7b1c683e9ed2\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS (Minister of Revenue) (14:09)\u003C/span\u003E: No, this Government will not introduce a capital gains tax on the family home or on small businesses. For many Kiwis, the line between the two isn\u2019t so simple. They might live in the front of a property and run their business from a workshop, garage, or an office out the back. We won\u2019t punish people for using their own homes to build a business and get ahead. We\u2019re on the side of Kiwis that work hard, doing the right thing and wanting to get ahead.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ccd25687a6187875c757da3c75ae6aae\u0022\u003EDan Bidois\u003C/span\u003E: Why do some New Zealanders choose to operate their business from the same property they live in?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dbc40a455274d681051b4e3cec5d1b10\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: Because, for many small-business owners, it is the most practical and affordable way for them to operate. A builder, for example, might keep their tools and equipment at home. A mechanic might have a workshop on their property, or an entrepreneur couple might lease out their house as an airbnb during the summer break. These are ordinary Kiwis, using what they have to build something for themselves and their family.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002201ac21c2c63b478adbea221ad05a1ed2\u0022\u003EDan Bidois\u003C/span\u003E: What could a capital gains tax mean for a tradie or other small-business owner who operates their business from their family property?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ee11e36aaafccb0c339b06b4c5f131fa\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: It could mean being taxed 28 percent on part of their family property, simply because they have used it to earn a living. That means that a Kiwi who has worked hard, paid their mortgage, and built a business from home could face a big tax bill when they sell or are due to retire. That is the wrong message. It punishes aspiration, rather than rewarding it. On this side of the House, we back people who work hard, invest, and take risks, and we do that and we say: no new taxes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00222b6a00cb74ea9647cffd13a8dd7113a3\u0022\u003ESocial Development and Employment\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022cce2f041bdff2b20288acc0e3db2d769\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 3\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022 data-id=\u0022d9679f2326a24695ed103f0d4e375123\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d9679f2326a24695ed103f0d4e375123\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Deputy Leader\u2014Labour) (14:11)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister for Social Development and Employment\u003C/span\u003E: Does she stand by all her statements and actions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022 data-id=\u00220c388c037f3554f3259cd273eb579923\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220c388c037f3554f3259cd273eb579923\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment) (14:11)\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, in the context in which they were given.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227e072e7c0e2902d7e083ee6dec0e7ab8\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Why, when 36,000 fifteen- to nineteen-year-olds are not in work, education, or training, did she cut the access to jobseeker payments of 18- and 19-year-olds?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022380482f80f75d444b743c38217be1804\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: Because our Government is clear: we want 18- and 19-year-olds in education, training, or employment, and if they\u2019re not, we expect that their families do support them. We know that going on welfare is a trap. If a young person goes onto the jobseeker benefit under the age of 20, on average they will spend another 21 years of their life on welfare. Our side of the House is more aspirational for young people, and wants more for their futures.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eb92354c7595f7ee27d3c287865cad92\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: How can she say she is supporting young people into work, when in this term, she has cut off their access to a benefit while also limiting non-beneficiaries\u2019 access to employment support programmes?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223bd0b5b99181b6ee6dbed4ea51583aa6\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: I refute that. We now have 4,000 young people in job coaching, which is a very intensive programme. We\u2019re also incentivising those young people who then go into employment and stay in a job for 12 months with a $1,000 bonus. We are doing things differently. We want to release young people from the trap that they would otherwise fall into if those guys were still in office. We want more for them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022abaae8f7b8b0cfe2d2d0edcd67707893\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: How can she deny that she has moved the goalposts for young people accessing Ministry of Social Development (MSD) employment programmes, when programmes like Mana in Mahi, Flexi-wage, and the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs are almost entirely only available to those on benefit under her watch?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002296a2ee6d714d5e29c6ad720919d13b51\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: As I said, we have higher aspirations for the other side in terms of young people. They have access to He Poutama Rangatahi; they have access to the Limited Service Volunteer, one of the most successful programmes we have. Intensive job coaching. There are now 70,000 New Zealanders in job coaching and case management. Case management is the most effective intervention that MSD offers. We want more for young people, and we\u2019ll never apologise for that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c2c966ac9d530135d30e6e2d9d518b85\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Just a reminder to the interjectors there: I didn\u2019t cut anything off, although I\u2019m tempted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e1d31ac63e148a4659dab69fe180851a\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Has she been advised if the Ministry of Social Development is recommending that young people approaching them for help, who can no longer receive a benefit or get access to effective MSD employment programmes, should go and get a credit card?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a63bebaa150eadd91c669d8f6af1ecfe\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: No. We clearly want young people to be in education, in training, in employment. That\u2019s why in Budget 2026 we\u2019ve invested more in Youth Guarantee, and in an additional 10,000 places in trades training. We want to see young people get ahead in life, and that\u2019s why we are changing the settings to ensure that they have that opportunity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229ceaf19e1ed113aa5d727574d4a85614\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Is it the Minister\u2019s view that it is better for a young person to owe money on a credit card than to receive help from the Ministry of Social Development?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002263946c1a2b542286c177295af2c56e69\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: As I said at the start, we believe that young people should be in employment, education, or training, or supported by their families. If you look at comparable countries, in Australia, there is a parental income test up to the age of 22; in France, you\u2019ve got no access to welfare under the age of 25. This is a balanced approach\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002229b8d22182614a1b8b6e8ef03bf61503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222ee6afc07fe71392bda8256e75278ec6\u0022\u003EHon Willow-Jean Prime\u003C/span\u003E: This is New Zealand. You\u2019re the Minister in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002297170ff9477173b57063abf0beb1882c\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: Well, we normally compare ourselves to Australia. I\u2019ve just said it\u2019s up to the age of 22, and, as I said, our side of the House is more aspirational for young people than allowing them to get stuck on welfare, where they stay another 21 years of their life\u201421 years. It\u2019s got to be better than that. [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d47b38c181937afb49182f8a532cace4\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Good, that\u2019s enough. Just completely calm down.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002201f738f244724e5b8da066dba7a6a526\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc86ebe9bbb1c2289f243c265e2f5c22\u0022\u003EDr Tracey McLellan\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019re just making it up now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c230d85329ea607ec165555cad47ccb3\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I beg your pardon?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227bcca031f4c712414ffb84c9be2ebb95\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Why does she refuse to acknowledge that at a time of rising unemployment and job losses, she has actively made it harder for young people to get into work by restricting access to the very programmes designed to help them and has cut them off from getting welfare support, and how can young people possibly afford another three years of a National Government?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d006a45524dce2f439be96382cf50861\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: Very simply: because our side of the House knows that growing the economy grows employment opportunities; 220,000 is the Treasury forecast. A job for a young person is a better life, a better future, and we\u2019re going to stick with that every day of the week, because we\u2019re fixing the basics, and building the future for young New Zealanders. [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227cf91c0905cf4288dece409f2491af6a\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That general barrage like that has to stop. It\u2019s the last question like that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227b63ef56f9673370361bff20a81b27a8\u0022\u003ERevenue\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b3654fbb7022e25255c312edcd5ab64b\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 4\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022694c3cef004e40d78a26712dce80070d\u0022 data-id=\u002291d763c94e7a49ca10b25521b2be3913\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022694c3cef004e40d78a26712dce80070d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002291d763c94e7a49ca10b25521b2be3913\u0022\u003ESUZE REDMAYNE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei) (14:17)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister of Revenue\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Government considering introducing an inheritance or gift tax?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022 data-id=\u00224b40dacbe8bf3fdf6400779360b8f0cf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224b40dacbe8bf3fdf6400779360b8f0cf\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS (Minister of Revenue) (14:17)\u003C/span\u003E: No, this Government will not introduce an inheritance or gift tax. New Zealanders work hard, save, and invest so that they can build a better future for themselves and their families. This Government backs aspiration, and we will not be waiting at the end with another tax. [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ae0ec333f0a27b2af113e6a4eb9a5ee9\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Just a moment. I made the point before that when a question is being asked, no one else speaks, and when a Minister is answering a question, he doesn\u2019t need his colleagues to assist him\u2014or her.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022694c3cef004e40d78a26712dce80070d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224a1b3a2672d9d55f65746dd8f7076c36\u0022\u003ESuze Redmayne\u003C/span\u003E: What types of New Zealanders could be affected by an inheritance or gift tax?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002285d00ed0ea9ea4e184ed6d6e68a5eaf8\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: All New Zealanders who have worked hard will build up assets over their lifetime. An inheritance tax could tax a home; a small business; people with a farm, savings, investments, or other assets they want to pass on to their children. These are everyday New Zealanders who have spent decades building something up for themselves and their families. In what may already be one of the hardest moments in someone\u2019s life\u2014having just lost a parent or a loved one\u2014the last thing a family should face is an inheritance tax bill from the Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022694c3cef004e40d78a26712dce80070d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cac8d97a35c855d86fb989881727d57c\u0022\u003ESuze Redmayne\u003C/span\u003E: What impact could an inheritance or gift tax have on New Zealanders\u2019 incentives to save, invest, and build something for the next generation? [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002266253352e82ee25049f8e8a084d0106e\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Is somebody else wanting to answer the question?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229cf1a44550c1a31dbf6f326ff905fb39\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: It sends a chilling message to hard-working Kiwis. Instead, on this side of the House, we want New Zealanders to save, to invest, to build businesses and create wealth for themselves and their children. Layering new taxes on people who do these things would discourage investment, hold back growth, and make it harder for Kiwi families to get ahead. That is not what we stand for on this side of the House. Our focus is on fixing the basics, building the future, and no new taxes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002221077a8cc6de49b1c080cbd41e0335de\u0022\u003ERMA Reform\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022155f773f152e0a7a19a56d67b5ff0d0e\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 5\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e968c1334f0a40bfbd05d661e979ba38\u0022 data-id=\u00229d21e6062ce745be41991075da19e9a9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e968c1334f0a40bfbd05d661e979ba38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229d21e6062ce745be41991075da19e9a9\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON (Labour) (14:19)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister responsible for RMA Reform\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by his statement that \u201Cit\u0027s absolutely paramount for this Government that we protect settlements that have been entered into in good faith\u201D; if not, why?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022 data-id=\u002202b3a845023baf212f20c56138bbe4e7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002202b3a845023baf212f20c56138bbe4e7\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister of Justice) (14:20)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister responsible for RMA Reform\u003C/span\u003E: Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e968c1334f0a40bfbd05d661e979ba38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002295e4034636a0098d11eac803b64c9176\u0022\u003EHon Willie Jackson\u003C/span\u003E: How is overriding the Environment Court, which ruled earlier this year that plan change 1 (PC 1) must remain central to protecting the Waikato and Waip\u0101 rivers, acting in good faith with iwi?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022327c73554d7ac45626e38ad9ba5c4b35\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH\u003C/span\u003E: Well, on behalf of the Minister, the Government\u2019s decision to pause PC1 is a practical measure to support the transition to the new planning system. PC1 arrives at the very moment our new planning system is replacing the Resource Management Act (RMA), and we don\u2019t want farmers and growers to incur the costs in transitioning into PC1\u2019s farmer environmental plan and consent framework, which will soon be replaced by others.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e968c1334f0a40bfbd05d661e979ba38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226f6741cff1eb0d4af9e1304ba4f02d74\u0022\u003EHon Willie Jackson\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister explain why Waikato-Tainui, Raukawa, Ng\u0101ti Maniapoto, Te Arawa, and T\u016Bwharetoa jointly wrote to him warning that his delay would be a direct breach, and can he tell this House which one of those five iwi he decided to listen to before ignoring all of them?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223ef68711a6c11aafcc5fc69e1e17f09b\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH\u003C/span\u003E: Well, on behalf of the Minister, I certainly did not ignore them. We met with iwi multiple times, as did officials. The proposal does not change the Government\u2019s commitment to upholding Treaty settlements, including Te Ture Whaimana o te Awa o Waikato. No settlement says we could never change the planning system, and so what we\u2019re working on is adjusting that arrangement for the new system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e968c1334f0a40bfbd05d661e979ba38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002210575bbcff9007310e69d663da27dfd4\u0022\u003EHon Willie Jackson\u003C/span\u003E: Does he agree with Tukoroirangi Morgan that the Government has \u201Cstep[ped] in to override judicial directions at the behest of their political donors\u201D, and is that another example of good faith?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022179c137ca7bd1c4e278e11ed2fd440fe\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, no, I don\u2019t agree with that statement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e968c1334f0a40bfbd05d661e979ba38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b8f62fc63825b7ccb376cbdb9a02a1af\u0022\u003EHon Willie Jackson\u003C/span\u003E: Will he attend Koroneihana to discuss why, at the start of his own RMA reforms, plan changes giving effect to Treaty settlements\u2014including PC1\u2014would continue, and then break that commitment three months later without the agreement of any of the five iwi affected, and if not, why?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002264302b1358bf7310e60f7ed3e864f565\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, I\u2019m not sure of my travel plans, but I do know that my excellent colleagues, Ministers Potaka and Goldsmith, will be attending.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002272335b94f3fcf5ce1b64d70a424e6131\u0022\u003ESocial Development and Employment\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002251363a725886e1342dba6a802c3e95d5\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 6\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002298c1995a3396432382c4b04f94f6462f\u0022 data-id=\u00220474e236e060b171e1dd06f621752870\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298c1995a3396432382c4b04f94f6462f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220474e236e060b171e1dd06f621752870\u0022\u003ERICARDO MEN\u00C9NDEZ MARCH (Green) (14:22)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister for Social Development and Employment\u003C/span\u003E: What are the terms of reference, if any, of the review of the wrongful benefit suspensions, and will the review consider compensation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022 data-id=\u00227ab74099b9cb70d13ed36334c5c6ca0f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227ab74099b9cb70d13ed36334c5c6ca0f\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment) (14:23)\u003C/span\u003E: I have made it clear to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) that the review will consider the winter energy payment issue and processing delays. The review will cover what has occurred and who has been affected in operationalising mandatory reviews and any further actions that may be needed to prevent these issues happening again. As I\u2019ve already made clear in the House, I will wait for the findings of the review on 10 September.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298c1995a3396432382c4b04f94f6462f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f0ff192aefb7f095b99f10f78834ef7c\u0022\u003ERicardo Men\u00E9ndez March\u003C/span\u003E: Does she acknowledge that supported living payment recipients were captured by mandatory reviews, which ended up leading to processing delays, meaning that they live often week to week without any savings; and, if so, does she accept that even a week\u2019s worth of missed payments could push people into hardship, hunger, or homelessness?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cefabec60b3c8d85dd1b84a0c2585b24\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: As I\u2019ve already said, the suspension of payments that was made incorrectly will have had an impact on New Zealanders, and I accept that that would have been challenging for many, which is why I had asked MSD to focus with urgency on making sure that those payments were reinstated and backdated at pace.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298c1995a3396432382c4b04f94f6462f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225d2e63204dfb53e29ebf8dd187d9bb69\u0022\u003ERicardo Men\u00E9ndez March\u003C/span\u003E: If she recognises the impact this could have had on people, including people being left hungry, potentially homeless, or in hardship, why is she not commenting on the possibility of compensation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c53e50222b52eebe9083e4bb4fc6b4b9\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: Well, as I\u2019ve said, I will wait for the findings of the review.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298c1995a3396432382c4b04f94f6462f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f9811dafdf88d3ad69919d9bb64bcef3\u0022\u003ERicardo Men\u00E9ndez March\u003C/span\u003E: What is the point of an apology if she\u2019s not even willing to consider the option of compensation for harm that may have occurred and which is not redressed through back payments, as that cannot make up for potential debt or harm or worsening health outcomes that people may have experienced due to missed payments?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f837296e68feec6474fe2057cd6ec5ec\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: As I said, the review will cover many components, including who has been affected, and that\u2019s why I\u2019m waiting for that review.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022efa51412e0abfe1d8659416b588d6d65\u0022\u003ETourism and Hospitality\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022fd4875639b6e3ded937be7821abaebf4\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 7\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226c562dc86e974914b8878595e580f138\u0022 data-id=\u00224ba4a91de5f53e889222d95ee3a4d1a1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226c562dc86e974914b8878595e580f138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224ba4a91de5f53e889222d95ee3a4d1a1\u0022\u003ECATHERINE WEDD (National\u2014Tukituki) (14:25)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister for Tourism and Hospitality\u003C/span\u003E: What recent progress has she seen on tourism in New Zealand? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022 data-id=\u002265974bf12197931c7aeb89940cd8b59f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002265974bf12197931c7aeb89940cd8b59f\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Tourism and Hospitality) (14:25)\u003C/span\u003E: Recent data from Statistics New Zealand shows New Zealand\u2019s international visitor numbers continue to climb. Over 201,000 international visitors arrived in New Zealand in June 2026, which is up 8.1 percent on June 2025. That puts international visitor arrivals for June at 95 percent of the 2019 levels for the same period. Growing tourism is a key part of our Government\u2019s plan to fix the basics and build the future. This progress shows that our plan to grow the economy is working.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226c562dc86e974914b8878595e580f138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ff24da1b80cf5469c253546f2af0050f\u0022\u003ECatherine Wedd\u003C/span\u003E: What markets are seeing the strongest growth?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002269b6b9174abfcbf2ab7861a8b0fe2486\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: We are seeing continued growth from our largest visitor market\u2014Australia\u2014with 108,200 arrivals, which is up 14 percent from last June. There was also strong growth from other key tourism markets, including from China, with visitor arrivals reaching 14,300, which is up 27 percent compared to June last year. Close to 200,000 cruise ship passengers are also expected to arrive in New Zealand this season, with the launch at the weekend of the cruise season. We are seeing the flow on of growth and confidence in our tourism and hospitality sector as more visitors choose New Zealand as their next holiday destination.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226c562dc86e974914b8878595e580f138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c60c64ce438a771048a073e92d15d542\u0022\u003ECatherine Wedd\u003C/span\u003E: What steps is the Government taking to support progress in tourism growth?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dfa426c78cdbf132ac14f3c73a72d9f6\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: We know domestic visitors generate nearly twice as many guest nights as international visitors and account for around two-thirds of all guest nights across New Zealand. We do not believe that New Zealanders booking a weekend away or travelling for a family funeral, or a sports team travelling for a game should face an additional tax on top of the costs they already pay when travelling domestically. That\u2019s why we don\u2019t believe in a bed tax and we are working hard to attract more tourists to New Zealand, because the more visitors we have in our cities and regions, the more money is being spent in shops and cafes. It\u2019s a key part of our plan to grow the economy so that we can keep investing in the front-line public services Kiwis rely on, without having to reach for new taxes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d0f377e24b5e4280fecb8828f8a1fbfa\u0022\u003EHealth\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00229894b55d802193296b91052781fcead8\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 8\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022db2ea575110f43e6b325fc2758d0d15b\u0022 data-id=\u002286d202165b29ae8bce20402247ff4401\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022db2ea575110f43e6b325fc2758d0d15b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002286d202165b29ae8bce20402247ff4401\u0022\u003EHon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Labour) (14:27)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister of Health\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by his statement that \u201CA sustainable health system relies on a steady pipeline of skilled New Zealand-trained nurses entering the workforce\u201D; if so, why? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002224cf2b07c863455d8ff343c5bc53b590\u0022 data-id=\u0022723403855675a9f377f8bbe7cd992385\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002224cf2b07c863455d8ff343c5bc53b590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022723403855675a9f377f8bbe7cd992385\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY (Associate Minister of Health) (14:28)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister of Health\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, in the context it was made. As the member will be aware, more than 2,100 additional nurses, on a net basis, have been employed by Health New Zealand since 2023, which equates to a net increase of 1,640 fulltime-equivalents. The Government remains focused on building on this track record so that we can continue to reduce wait times for patients and build the future of our healthcare system. That is why, as at 14 August, there were 2,378 fulltime-equivalent nursing roles actively being recruited across Health New Zealand, including 475 nurses who have accepted offers, with thousands more progressing through recruitment. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb80a9df83044b88a00c174ea7a61925\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b5b1ad186c5d2e63b4d36ac146750fcd\u0022\u003ETangi Utikere\u003C/span\u003E: Why have emergency department staff in Palmerston North had to resort to begging Health New Zealand to send urgent help after he cut the number of nurses by 25 over the past two years?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002224cf2b07c863455d8ff343c5bc53b590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225097f80db3a070eae1630c0926456c13\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY\u003C/span\u003E: Well, clearly, from my primary answer, that is incorrect, and what I would point to is putting a wrecking ball to the health system in the middle of a pandemic, centralising the health system, and taking away local decision-making. That member\u2019s question reinforces why, on 1 July, we brought back local decision-making for budgets, service delivery, and recruitment decisions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022db2ea575110f43e6b325fc2758d0d15b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224d3784e51343a26a84f00a40c2675797\u0022\u003EHon Dr Ayesha Verrall\u003C/span\u003E: Supplementary. [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221e57a74ba9ad5c4ee6c9dc558ec3e46f\u0022\u003EHon Kieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, sir.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224d4d2dfe11566f9a445b81a2f14893e6\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, just a moment. You can\u2019t just\u2014OK, point of order, the Hon Kieran McAnulty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002235100f5621f8ac422a7d0d6541f322df\u0022\u003EHon Kieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Mr Speaker. I\u2019m just seeking clarity from you as to the process. When a Minister makes an incorrect statement on behalf of another Minister, which Minister is required to correct that statement in the House?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022454c21af985668061e45e91768259357\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Then it would be, presumably, the Minister on whose behalf the mistake has been made. Can I just say I could hear some of these things better if there wasn\u2019t quite so much interjection.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d839e70748034293b9dc7da14cde6c13\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fd5afaea19e357330dd397157121887e\u0022\u003EHon Jo Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: Why, when emergency department (ED) nurses are having to strike for safe staffing at Gisborne Hospital, has he hired just two additional nurses across the entire district in the last year?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002224cf2b07c863455d8ff343c5bc53b590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002291e6a3674037c383a42bc6249454c728\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the health Minister, it is not for the Labour Party or the unions to decide safe staffing levels; it\u2019s a clinical decision by Health New Zealand, and the advice I\u2019ve got is 75\u00A0percent of shifts have been on or above target.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220fe7508c7b8a47378c4c88fe1ce69fcb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022326379642425225bb58cf1c42c4585ea\u0022\u003ECushla Tangaere-Manuel\u003C/span\u003E: Why isn\u2019t he taking action to raise the number of M\u0101ori nurses when only 7\u00A0percent of nurses are M\u0101ori and M\u0101ori experience worse health outcomes?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002224cf2b07c863455d8ff343c5bc53b590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022419a7fdab2027caeb5c983b18ef4d35c\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, I would like to point to the great work of the mental health Minister, with the mental health commission in its latest report pointing to the increased diversity in our health workforce, specifically our nursing health workforce.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002291e728bda9fe8aaa38783b59b7eff895\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The Hon Phil Twyford\u2014and nobody else.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229f071e5323b640f383726a46f39e8187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022adeb51fedd66e2fc1c9b3f27802fbc43\u0022\u003EHon Phil Twyford\u003C/span\u003E: Why, when stroke patients at Waitakere Hospital\u2019s Muriwai ward are left languishing in wet beds and at risk of falls due to lack of nurses, has he only hired 54 nurses across New Zealand in the last two years?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002224cf2b07c863455d8ff343c5bc53b590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224781aee5412b11484dcefe37478dced5\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, I won\u2019t take any crocodile tears from the Opposition, because when they were in Government, nursing vacancies topped at 2,632. As of March 2026, they\u2019re down to 1,600. The vacancy rate, 8.6\u00A0percent for nurses, is now down to 5.2\u00A0percent. We are delivering.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002242067e22c7a349218b3b868f58eda79d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229e3b7c41bfb83ea67fff34b6fb7f6e25\u0022\u003ERachel Boyack\u003C/span\u003E: Supplementary.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002290435287e5b5b0a3958794ebd281aac0\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yep\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002242067e22c7a349218b3b868f58eda79d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c1b3ec8fbb0eaa2a620dd55157ad7abd\u0022\u003ERachel Boyack\u003C/span\u003E: Rachel Boyack.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227e75b70abe213b818dede07710f88eed\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014Rachel Boyack.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002242067e22c7a349218b3b868f58eda79d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002205496f17f92ba1a1fc1a4844bcb2081f\u0022\u003ERachel Boyack\u003C/span\u003E: Why, when he has cut the number of nurses in the top of the South by 30 fulltime-equivalents in the past year alone, are nurses being forced to pick and choose which patients get care each day?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002224cf2b07c863455d8ff343c5bc53b590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002284b245b317429461b4064bfe2bf037ac\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the health Minister, you only need to refer to my primary answer that shows that, actually, the trend line shows that we have employed not only more nurses, but when you look at the numbers that we\u2019ll offer employment to 1,800 graduate nurses, that is the biggest offer in any year of the last seven years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225322e0a4529b497cbc59faf0515037dd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fc03a63a1d985368ff8cb5105716e81d\u0022\u003EShanan Halbert\u003C/span\u003E: Why, when North Shore ED nurses have declared a state of emergency due to a critical lack of staff, which has left elderly patients in soiled beds, has he failed to properly staff North Shore Hospital?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002224cf2b07c863455d8ff343c5bc53b590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fb222847228123a45c01d59b49bbba26\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the health Minister, that is the very reason why we have recruited more nurses into roles to drive down vacancy rates. That is the very reason why we have funded more into winter preparedness plans. That is the very reason why this Government is the first Government to deliver an online 24/7 primary care service to take the pressure off ED.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022258b65104d9046dfb49eb940c68bddda\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022215efd61627a1543ea73d46e8411cfd9\u0022\u003ELemauga Lydia Sosene\u003C/span\u003E: When he has cut the number of nurses at Middlemore Hospital by 74 over the past two years, is it any wonder that nurses are saying, \u201CWe\u2019re sinking quite quickly because people are so sick.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002224cf2b07c863455d8ff343c5bc53b590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228a95241af530f9ee4a01f960e99122f2\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the health Minister, what I say nurses are saying through the turnover rate is under their watch it was 11.7\u00A0percent; now it\u2019s down to 8.4\u00A0percent. Nurses are saying they\u2019re staying.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cf9e1eb91ef740868a26db659355f7e9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002250bb7936c0b1aad9b38dfe59190ab131\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: Could the Minister tell us, during the massive nurse shortages by 2023, how many of those questioners were asking questions in Parliament about that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002224cf2b07c863455d8ff343c5bc53b590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f72137daec58b79e606105648160981b\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ce25372f57399abece7574bd22d79819\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, you don\u2019t have responsibility for a previous Parliament.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022db2ea575110f43e6b325fc2758d0d15b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228a17bd9028b3665647dddd7b18998055\u0022\u003EHon Dr Ayesha Verrall\u003C/span\u003E: Why, when hospitals across New Zealand are in urgent need of nurses, will he not commit to offering every New Zealand trained nurse a job?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002224cf2b07c863455d8ff343c5bc53b590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c9b6db95d83abde0304b7ccfeb88649b\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister of Health, what a reckless policy, to spend half a billion dollars on committed funding already in the health system. That member needs to come clean. What will she cut to pay for it\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220c904766c87b1076967df511f34b67b1\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, no\u2014stop. You\u2019re going to address the question, not start with an attack. Please address the question\u2014or ask the question again.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022db2ea575110f43e6b325fc2758d0d15b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022716bb4a73a8ce82264a4077ffaea80d3\u0022\u003EHon Dr Ayesha Verrall\u003C/span\u003E: Why, when hospitals across New Zealand are in urgent need of more nurses, will he not commit to offering every New Zealand-trained nurse a job?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002224cf2b07c863455d8ff343c5bc53b590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c846429c1ab1dacd66d174882f78fda6\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, it\u2019s amazing how everything seems so easy when you\u2019re in Opposition and do very little in Government. The figures I\u2019ve said today, of offering to 1,800 graduate nurses, is the biggest offer in this country out of any year for the last seven years. We\u2019re committed to growing the workforce. That is why vacancy rates have come down, turnover rates have come down, but most of all, there are 2,100 more nurses at the front lines of our health system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b28ede82400416e7a86ac45417f55dd6\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ve taken further advice from the point of order raised by the Hon Kieran McAnulty before. I\u2019m advised that because members are responsible only for their own statements in the House, the Minister answering on behalf would be responsible for correcting incorrect statements.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e513e425ae75186f93959616cb655454\u0022\u003ESmall Business and Manufacturing\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002210a4b5060896e611ef04f8296d65105d\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 9\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002227d19573a8ba4d8283b17374978c8ea2\u0022 data-id=\u0022d318e6cc64730d1995bb08c3587f90d6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002227d19573a8ba4d8283b17374978c8ea2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d318e6cc64730d1995bb08c3587f90d6\u0022\u003EGRANT McCALLUM (National\u2014Northland) (14:36)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister for Small Business and Manufacturing\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Government have any plans to introduce a capital gains tax on small businesses? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022587d574de1174371be09e431d9060e87\u0022 data-id=\u0022708ac8b3f27f43f9f5f817e8ae60cde8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022587d574de1174371be09e431d9060e87\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022708ac8b3f27f43f9f5f817e8ae60cde8\u0022\u003EHon CAMERON BREWER (Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing) (14:37)\u003C/span\u003E: No. The Government has no such plans. My focus as Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing is on lowering costs for businesses and backing the nearly 600,000 small businesses in New Zealand to grow and succeed. Taxing owners on the premises that they have spent a lifetime building would do the opposite. This Government backs the people who take the risk and build something. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002227d19573a8ba4d8283b17374978c8ea2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224289a7d60ccba5601fe5133eb923db66\u0022\u003EGrant McCallum\u003C/span\u003E: What has the Minister heard from small-business owners about what happens to property that they operate from when they sell up?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022587d574de1174371be09e431d9060e87\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222c677826f66a02c717371f9bcff31e1b\u0022\u003EHon CAMERON BREWER\u003C/span\u003E: What I hear constantly is that the two cannot be separated. If the member was to look on what he would call his \u201CTradeMe machine\u201D, what he would see today, for sale, is a mechanic in the Hutt, a pub in Hokitika, a motorbike dealer in Ng\u0101tea\u2014businesses and building sold as one. For those owners, that building is their retirement plan. If the workshop\u2019s value rises by $100,000, a capital gains tax, at 28 percent, takes $28,000 off it. A tax on the shop floor is a tax on their hard-earned retirement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002227d19573a8ba4d8283b17374978c8ea2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224a866b7b0ae2c881ed903df16ac1dde8\u0022\u003EGrant McCallum\u003C/span\u003E: How would such a capital gains tax affect owners who face selling up not by choice but because of ill-health or a relationship breakdown?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022587d574de1174371be09e431d9060e87\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c620338d690ee41078062c0199b71536\u0022\u003EHon CAMERON BREWER\u003C/span\u003E: It would hit them at the worst possible moment. These things cannot be planned: a diagnosis arrives, a marriage ends, and an owner shuts up shop and has to take whatever the sale brings. They are not selling at the top of the market; they are selling because they have to. A capital gains tax on top of that is just, frankly, salt in the wound. Taxing someone on the way out is not taxing success; it is taxing bad luck.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227b612e1a55612f2633807f1f24ba149d\u0022\u003ETertiary Education\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ebf79925ed8ee61ec49307f7aff3f4ad\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 10\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225322e0a4529b497cbc59faf0515037dd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002283f629f1fe4a8169569649393f089c2c\u0022\u003ESHANAN HALBERT\u003C/span\u003E: How many people were there in work-based learning last year, and how does that compare to the number of people in work-based learning in 2023?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224680dcac294f4cd5bdd3a5a7ed5a3bb9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fc91d43df634ad60ead615d9270a9e02\u0022\u003EHon PENNY SIMMONDS\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Mr Speaker. I\u2019m wondering if the person asking the question might like to read from the actual question that he put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225322e0a4529b497cbc59faf0515037dd\u0022 data-id=\u0022c9d759a7830bfc30d2f9b8840ec9fd41\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225322e0a4529b497cbc59faf0515037dd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c9d759a7830bfc30d2f9b8840ec9fd41\u0022\u003ESHANAN HALBERT (Labour) (14:39)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister for Tertiary Education\u003C/span\u003E: How many people were there in work-based learning last year, and how does that compare to the number of people in work-based learning in 2023?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224680dcac294f4cd5bdd3a5a7ed5a3bb9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002249c01842d67f5c2bb3efa90910761d21\u0022\u003EHon PENNY SIMMONDS\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Speaker, would he like to try another go at it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ba7a67ea7d8d62436dbbdac9292f61a9\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, he wouldn\u2019t, and it might be a good idea to take a view that the Leader of the House would want things to be moving along, I\u2019m sure, quite speedily given the debate that\u2019s coming.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224680dcac294f4cd5bdd3a5a7ed5a3bb9\u0022 data-id=\u002293f414ce28b07fe37e5c2bb34b4aedad\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224680dcac294f4cd5bdd3a5a7ed5a3bb9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002293f414ce28b07fe37e5c2bb34b4aedad\u0022\u003EHon PENNY SIMMONDS (Minister for Tertiary Education) (14:40)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. There were 138,730 learners in work-based learning in 2023, and 108,315 learners in 2025. This decline in apprentice numbers reflects lower levels of business confidence that we inherited from the previous Government, driven by higher costs and economic pressures, particularly in the construction sector. The good news is that recent Treasury forecasts predict 220,000 more jobs being created over the next four years, so we expect to see apprentice numbers track up as businesses feel more confident in training new staff\u2014as long as they haven\u2019t got to face nine new taxes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225322e0a4529b497cbc59faf0515037dd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221a5e266d83df7da2eb95d22987ed4258\u0022\u003EShanan Halbert\u003C/span\u003E: Is it correct that the number of apprentices has dropped to a 15-year low under her watch?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224680dcac294f4cd5bdd3a5a7ed5a3bb9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002257ad3b19ceeb844044f6e5422793c9e2\u0022\u003EHon PENNY SIMMONDS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, as I said before, it was an economic situation that we inherited. What I can say, though, is that the previous number of apprentices through Apprenticeship Boost were not actually completing their qualifications, so there was a significant decline in credit-completion rates: in 2021, 67 percent only; in 2025, 86 percent credit-completion rates. Apprentice retention rates have increased under this Government and attrition rates have decreased. That is a better outcome.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225322e0a4529b497cbc59faf0515037dd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d88cf549bcc2fd3b40718c2a15b25078\u0022\u003EShanan Halbert\u003C/span\u003E: Does she agree with Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) chief executive Jason Hungerford, who said, \u201CWe\u2019ve got around 600 people ready and willing to start an apprenticeship right now. What we don\u2019t have is perhaps the confidence in some of those employers that are willing to take that next step and take them on.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224680dcac294f4cd5bdd3a5a7ed5a3bb9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022896fd8fb2e4baf9b19e430042df90dad\u0022\u003EHon PENNY SIMMONDS\u003C/span\u003E: I agree with Jason Hungerford BCITO CEO when he said, \u201CThere are signs that building and construction are starting to recover, and that should result in more apprentices and workplace training.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225322e0a4529b497cbc59faf0515037dd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bfbfa6451b25cd3c91dabfd923f2aacd\u0022\u003EShanan Halbert\u003C/span\u003E: Does she agree with Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board chief executive, Philip Aldridge, who said that a lack of apprentices means \u201Cwe\u2019re going to have difficulty resourcing up for key initiatives, whether it\u2019s roading, water, extractive projects\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224680dcac294f4cd5bdd3a5a7ed5a3bb9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002224508001f3c4e5d73f913f086b9d7152\u0022\u003EHon PENNY SIMMONDS\u003C/span\u003E: I agree with the Manufacturing and Engineering Industry Skills Board, which says manufacturing companies are intending to increase apprentice numbers: \u201CApprentice numbers have generally been subdued for a few years as we\u2019ve come off a post-COVID high and business confidence being hit by the extended war in the Gulf. However, our manufacturing and engineering industries have been continuing, with signs of recovery and growth over the last year, and many companies now face skill shortages and consequently are looking to take on more apprentices.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225322e0a4529b497cbc59faf0515037dd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224b1d2ba48812f1022f73fac1aa047abf\u0022\u003EShanan Halbert\u003C/span\u003E: Is she surprised that her plan of \u201Ccut, cut, disestablish, cut\u201D has led to a drop in apprenticeship numbers and will leave key industries struggling for workers?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224680dcac294f4cd5bdd3a5a7ed5a3bb9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c647309197f8f4a9db07a39b6ed0199c\u0022\u003EHon PENNY SIMMONDS\u003C/span\u003E: As I\u2019ve said before, it\u2019s very difficult to cut a budget that wasn\u2019t there, and there was no budget for Apprenticeship Boost from the end of 2024. This Government rescued Apprenticeship Boost and targeted Apprenticeship Boost, and therefore, we are delighted to see that so many industries are intending to take on more apprentices as the economy grows. It is why we are so focused on growing the economy, not adding more taxes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022926af4b1b9725e6c97a3fb97de51cd6f\u0022\u003EFood Safety\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e4b19af433331a7f963beae73e0b3f90\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 11\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022440a125e85954bae9f5d470b7551e4f3\u0022 data-id=\u00224b8d03b6f6bf3315168a565a12c9ad35\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022440a125e85954bae9f5d470b7551e4f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224b8d03b6f6bf3315168a565a12c9ad35\u0022\u003ECAMERON LUXTON (ACT) (14:45)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister for Food Safety\u003C/span\u003E: What recent announcements has he made about reducing barriers to New Zealanders accessing home-kill and hunted meats?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022fa370c0016e740998a2816116c8e4365\u0022 data-id=\u002291f9d62d76ff3596d4063a46ec2fec49\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fa370c0016e740998a2816116c8e4365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002291f9d62d76ff3596d4063a46ec2fec49\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW HOGGARD (Minister for Food Safety) (14:45)\u003C/span\u003E: This week, I announced that the Government is consulting on the rules for home-kill and hunted meat, including the 28-day rule. This rule means that if you buy, or are given, an animal off a local farmer, a listed home-kill provider cannot process it for you until you\u2019ve shown that you\u2019ve been caring for it for 28 days. No one has looked at these rules in 20 years, and this consultation is part of a sustained Government effort to reduce red tape and bring the cost of good quality food down for consumers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022440a125e85954bae9f5d470b7551e4f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220e59a2987324026b998496b78908b272\u0022\u003ECameron Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: Why does the Minster believe the 28-day rule needs looking at?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fa370c0016e740998a2816116c8e4365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022424d2a6580fa4b701d875a1f9ea58836\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW HOGGARD\u003C/span\u003E: If a neighbour or a close friend wants to come to my farm and I\u2019m prepared to sell or even give them\u2014probably not give them\u2014a lamb or a beast for the freezer, then I can\u2019t see why the Government would stand in the way of that. Not only does it give people access to more affordable food, but it also supports thriving and more connected rural communities. This consultation will be about testing whether there genuinely is a food safety need for this rule or whether it\u2019s just an example of a silly rule that\u2019s just standing in the way of unlocking New Zealand\u2019s potential.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022440a125e85954bae9f5d470b7551e4f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc6b4c785aaec79d9e31f33905d3983d\u0022\u003ECameron Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: What impact would this change have on food prices?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fa370c0016e740998a2816116c8e4365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ddc155b161d35d847aa5674b83a1c5bf\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW HOGGARD\u003C/span\u003E: I can\u2019t be concrete in my numbers, but my experience as a farmer, sending animals to the works, is that you get paid a lot less for that animal than if you were to go and buy it piece by piece in the supermarket. Being able to supply meat, this animal, directly to people will leave that difference in their back pocket.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022440a125e85954bae9f5d470b7551e4f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224726b163e008e950af2efcf7fc8354c8\u0022\u003ECameron Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: What has the Minister heard from farmers and hunters about donating meat?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fa370c0016e740998a2816116c8e4365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002260f68f163d949e6d7c48d0778cedc30f\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW HOGGARD\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ve heard from hunters and farmers who want to give meat to local sports clubs, community organisations, or food banks and aren\u2019t sure if they\u2019re allowed to. There are ways to donate, but there does appear to be some inconsistency in different pieces of legislation, which is driving uncertainty among people who want to help. Meat is the number one thing food banks are looking for, and the dearest thing for them to provide. That\u2019s a waste on both sides, and it\u2019s worth cleaning up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227b680dc562c0824c21209a7fa715fda5\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Do you take cash for those cattle beasts, or how does it work?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fa370c0016e740998a2816116c8e4365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d28e38f39a41045054644e07696ae24f\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW HOGGARD\u003C/span\u003E: With the GST. I don\u2019t want to upset the revenue Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002251f18e62272f3796f191fd40d3d78641\u0022\u003EJustice\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002271ee34079447ae5c00502cb036b3e603\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 12\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e66329e431ea47019b41524c6ef2954a\u0022 data-id=\u0022b743b0ef7cdfa5bf52965cfad05af153\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e66329e431ea47019b41524c6ef2954a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b743b0ef7cdfa5bf52965cfad05af153\u0022\u003ECELIA WADE-BROWN (Green) (14:47)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister of Justice\u003C/span\u003E: What actions, if any, has his Government taken to lift voter enrolment among 18- to 24-year-olds?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022 data-id=\u002239a174f7983ae72f668b5c2b66d8e272\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002239a174f7983ae72f668b5c2b66d8e272\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister of Justice) (14:48)\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m advised that $18.1\u00A0million has been allocated by the Electoral Commission to support enrolment in the 2026 election, after the Government provided an additional $61.8 million in the Budget 2025 to support the effectiveness and timeliness of electoral services. That $18\u00A0million compares with $10.8 million in the previous election. The Electoral Commission, I note, of course, is independent and is undertaking a significant, nationwide information and education programme, which will help young people and first-time voters know how to enrol. I\u2019m sure every New Zealander will have seen all the various notices around town.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e66329e431ea47019b41524c6ef2954a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b7fd70af2e51acf70fc7ad7df121b20b\u0022\u003ECelia Wade-Brown\u003C/span\u003E: What is he doing to ensure the Electoral Commission\u2019s outreach to rangatahi is effective, given enrolment among 18- to 24-year-olds is just 57.5\u00A0percent and significantly lower than at the same time in the last election?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002232cd98d2cff92f090589594faad70b4b\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ll give the member the latest figures: yes, overall, enrolment is at 89.7 percent, compared with 88.7 percent three years ago. So we\u2019re actually ahead, but it\u2019s true that when it comes to young people, it\u2019s currently 56.9 percent, compared with 59.7 percent, so we\u2019re two points below where we were. My encouragement to the Electoral Commission and to the young people of New Zealand will be to get themselves enrolled as quickly as possible. That is why we\u2019ve put some extra resources into the hands of the Electoral Commission, but I do note they are being very energetic in their efforts to get people enrolled.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e66329e431ea47019b41524c6ef2954a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ccaeab622083faa8b673a9d4bf0983e7\u0022\u003ECelia Wade-Brown\u003C/span\u003E: Why is he making it harder to vote during the 13-day pre-election period, the exact period when, last election, about 50,000 young people enrolled to vote?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d7f5c6a92cd3fbe47920d2ca98cbee2e\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH\u003C/span\u003E: Well, that 50,000 enrolled to vote during that period last time because they could; but this time, they won\u2019t be able to, and we\u2019ve been sending a very clear message for a very long time now that the rules have changed. We\u2019ve done that because we were facing an ever-increasing number of special votes, and special votes take 10 times as long to deal with after the election. I encourage young people to tune in. For example, as well as advertising in news media and in in-person community events and digital social channels that are being used, the Electoral Commission is also advertising on channels that young people use\u2014in particular, Snapchat, TikTok\u2014and they\u2019re even advertising on gaming platforms, so thorough is their effort to ensure that people have every opportunity to get enrolled. But I would remind people that are tuning in and listening to this that it is a requirement under the law, if you are 18, to be enrolled. And so get yourself enrolled\u2014it\u2019s not hard\u2014and then you can vote.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e66329e431ea47019b41524c6ef2954a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ca3df2be4b35a037ec9abad78b62d24b\u0022\u003ECelia Wade-Brown\u003C/span\u003E: What does he say to young people in \u014Ct\u0101huhu and Manurewa where fewer than 42 percent of eligible 18- to 24-year-olds are enrolled?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229d040875a7cc5d86b1d9f31e724b3d30\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH\u003C/span\u003E: My message to the young people of \u014Ct\u0101huhu is get enrolled. It\u2019s not hard to do, and if you want to vote, you should get yourself enrolled. My advice to them, of course, would be to party vote National.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002267be4696b034225e37a1421eb4d1112b\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That concludes oral questions. We\u2019ll take a short pause while members who have to leave the House do so quietly and without conversation on the way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00221900f7816b749ebfe40fd256313b8264\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ac294d3a8a26e551aa091918ed6da808\u0022\u003EImprest Supply (Second for 2026/27) Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022fcb81a8f804d92a5f5e6e0b55b579782\u0022\u003EIntroduction\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f1330a550d7ee7bea9d662978742b8d2\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, members, we\u2019ll stop all those conversations. We\u2019ll end those conversations. I understand that it\u2019s the Government\u2019s intention to introduce an Imprest Supply bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002262187cce63852de82aa8abf2d44c8b68\u0022\u003ECLERK (14:53): \u003C/span\u003EImprest Supply (Second for 2026/27) Bill, introduction.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eaa4ee5953ea63c68f108fe40cd04242\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The bill is set down for first reading immediately.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00227b1a2743c7d9cfd16f8d479b6b498ac7\u0022\u003EFirst Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022 data-id=\u002239ea55655a9e88eb68797304d6cf7b29\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002239ea55655a9e88eb68797304d6cf7b29\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS (Minister of Revenue) (14:53)\u003C/span\u003E: on behalf of the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister of Finance\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the Imprest Supply (Second for 2026/27) Bill be now read a first time\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the Imprest Supply (Second for 2026/27) Bill be now read a first time\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBoldCentred\u0022\u003EAyes 67\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 48; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBoldCentred\u0022\u003ENoes 51\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 34; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 15; Ferris; Kapa-Kingi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a first time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002271a4a9c97a4c51cb507cbfffd857b6e4\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: The bill is set down for second reading immediately.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022932479605b43671b221b0aca8d35b248\u0022\u003EAppropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022932479605b43671b221b0aca8d35b248\u0022\u003EImprest Supply (Second for 2026/27) Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b300d82fa98c3f10982991c16fe5637c\u0022\u003EThird Reading and Second Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022 data-id=\u00226f0899512ba2b7fd9c96c821ba74cc8c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226f0899512ba2b7fd9c96c821ba74cc8c\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS (Minister of Revenue) (14:54)\u003C/span\u003E: on behalf of the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister of Finance\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill be now read a third time and the Imprest Supply (Second for 2026/27) Bill be now read a second time\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThese two bills before the House today are both very important to our public finance system. Appropriation bills and imprest supply bills give the Government the authorisation by Parliament to spend money lawfully. The Public Finance Act makes it clear that the Government cannot incur expenses or commit capital expenditure without that authority. This is the constitutional principle long since held since the restoration of the Crown in the United Kingdom in 1660. For members and those listening at home, more detail on the history of the imprest supply can be found in chapter 42 of \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EMcGee\u003C/span\u003E. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe Imprest Supply (Second for 2026/27) Bill provides interim parliamentary authority for expenditure decisions made or to be made by the Government through to the end of the financial year that are additional to the amounts in the 2026-27 Estimates. The second imprest bill provides for any operating or capital decisions, including precommitments against future Budget allowances and expenditure incurred against the between-Budget contingency. It also covers fiscally neutral adjustments which increase one appropriation but decrease another, confirmation of expense transfers, increases in demand-driven appropriations, and drawdowns of existing tagged contingencies. Provisions are also made for any risks that may materialise\u2014for example, matters covered in the \u201CRisks to the Forecasts\u201D chapter of the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe amount of authority requested in the Imprest Supply (Second for 2026/27) Bill is $29 billion, made up of $16 billion of expenses, $12 billion of capital expenditure, and $1 billion of capital injections. The amount requested this year is broadly consistent with those sought in recent years\u2019 second imprest supply bills, except for last year. The significantly higher amount requested last year reflected a provision for the potential one-off transfer of approximately $30 billion of school property assets from the Ministry of Education to the New Zealand School Property Agency. The amount sought in this imprest bill will be sufficient to cover any expenditure that may be incurred in this financial year that is additional to what is in the 2026-27 Estimates.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ETreasury reporting indicates that actual expenditures incurred against imprest supply Acts are considerably lower than the authority provided by legislation. All expenditure incurred under the interim authority of the second imprest supply bill still needs to be appropriated by Parliament before the end of the financial year, as is the case every year. This will be done through the Appropriation (2026/27 Supplementary Estimates) Bill, which will be introduced on Budget day 2027.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENot only do we have before us the second imprest supply bill, but we also debate the third reading of the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill, which had its second reading on Budget day, 28 May 2026. This bill sees the Budget becoming law\u2014a Budget that is focused on securing New Zealand\u2019s future. Budget 2026 is a responsible Budget that boosts funding for essential services and invests in the infrastructure New Zealanders need for the future without breaking the bank. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThanks to this Government\u2019s careful management of the public finances, New Zealand is digging its way out of the post-COVID fiscal and economic hole. Balanced books are now in sight, with a forecast return to surplus in 2028-29. Returning to surplus and reducing debt means that more of the tax dollars earned by hard-working New Zealanders can be invested in the front-line services and infrastructure Kiwis rely on rather than servicing interest costs. We are building the future through Budget 2026, with investment in State highways, rail, hospitals, schools, social housing, courthouses, police stations, and defence capability. These investments mean thousands of jobs up and down the country, improved transport connections, and support for economic growth.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere are a few key announcements from Budget 2026 that I want to draw to the attention of the House this afternoon. The single biggest item in the Budget is support for front-line health services. Next year, Government spending on the health system is expected to total $34 billion, which equates to $17,000 for every New Zealand household. Budget 2026 provides an additional $5.5 billion to help the public health system meet front-line demand and deliver more services, including increased emergency department capacity, specialist assessment, elective surgery, cancer treatments, and GP visits, alongside targeted investments in paediatric palliative care, ambulance services, forensic mental health, and Pharmac. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt also commits $682 million in capital funding for health infrastructure, including a new 158-bed ward tower at Whang\u0101rei Hospital and the next stages of development at Tauranga, Hawke\u2019s Bay and Palmerston North hospitals. Through this Budget, the Government is funding the purchase of land south of Auckland for a future new hospital, the redevelopment of the Mason Clinic in Auckland, and costs for the establishment of, of course, our new medical school at the University of Waikato. The starting age for free bowel screening will be lowered from 58 to 56 from the 30\u003Csup\u003Eth\u003C/sup\u003E of this month, and new mums will have the choice of longer postnatal stays thanks to this Budget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe came into office promising to teach the basics brilliantly, and this year\u2019s Budget continues efforts to boost educational achievement. Budget 2026 invests an additional $1.6 billion in operating funding for schooling and early childhood education, supports better opportunities for young people while helping to build a more productive, highly skilled workforce. Schools will receive increased operational funding, including support for higher employer KiwiSaver contributions, while early childhood education services will benefit from higher funding rates. The Budget also includes targeted investments to strengthen teaching and learning reading, writing, and maths, and to support the roll-out of a refreshed secondary curriculum and new national qualifications.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENext year, the Healthy School Lunches Programme will continue to offer students nutritious and affordable meals as ongoing work continues in the background for any potential future innovations in that programme. Budget 2026 also allocates $470 million of capital funding to redevelop up to 10 schools to deliver up to 232 additional classrooms and purchase land for new school sites in high-growth areas such as Queenstown.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis Budget ends the failed Fees-free scheme, which did not increase enrolments nor completion rates, especially for students from low-income backgrounds. The funding will now be put to better use to deliver front-line public services, including better prepared young people for trades and other vocational education. This Government will double trades academy places for year 11 to 13 students from 10,000 to 20,000 and provide 1,000 additional Youth Guarantee places offering wraparound support and training to school leavers with no or low qualifications.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis Government supports law and order, and through this Budget we\u2019re providing a $1.1 billion uplift in the operating funding for Corrections, Customs, Police, and the Ministry of Justice to maintain essential front-line services that keep our communities safe. This includes funding of $477 million for Corrections to manage an increased number of prisoners, a $50 million funding boost for front-line policing, and investments to replace Police\u2019s end-of-life automated biometric identification system. The Budget also provides funding to establish a new independent firearms regulator, Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand. Budget 2026 provides capital funding of $100 million towards the construction of a new High Court, District Court, and M\u0101ori Land Court in Rotorua\u2014and, finally, funds badly needed for new police stations in Greymouth and Wanganui. Customs also received new funding to disrupt serious transnational organised crime groups and to combat drug smuggling.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENone of this can be taken for granted. Delivering these results requires New Zealanders to stay the course. The country cannot afford to put all of this at risk, and with promises of reckless spending or large new taxes from many across the House, except on this side, we are fixing the basics and building the future. I commend these bills to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d968738a6bbb3c18a965fba1f05f70d6\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\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=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022e39093fbd17369eff6ba2efa77d4fc98\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e39093fbd17369eff6ba2efa77d4fc98\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (15:04)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It\u2019s often said in this House that Budgets are the opportunity for Governments to clearly spell out their priorities. In that thick tome of spreadsheet data, a Government lays bare what\u2019s at its soul: what its priorities are, what its values are, and what it thinks is important for New Zealand\u2019s future. We\u2019ve just heard the Minister who took his seat, the Hon Simon Watts, say that this was a Budget that did it without breaking the bank. Well, this is the Budget that is breaking New Zealand families up and down the country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere are New Zealand families that are doing everything right. They\u2019re working hard, but they\u2019re struggling to pay their bills, they\u2019re struggling to get ahead, and they\u2019re struggling to make ends meet. Those families, right up and down our country, saw this as a letter addressed to them this Budget, that told them very clearly: they cannot afford another three years of this National Government. They see that this National Government has no plan to address what is important to them and what they are struggling with. We had a National Government that came in and offered real action on the cost of living. We now have a Minister in that Government telling us with pride about sustained price increases that New Zealand families are facing at the supermarket, as if that\u2019s an achievement and as if that is a source of pride.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe had Nicola Willis, in 2023, say, \u201CNational will take action to get food prices under control once more.\u201D We have Christopher Luxon saying in 2023, \u201CI mean, so, the first thing that we\u2019ve got to do is we\u2019ve got to reduce the cost of living.\u201D Well, this is certainly not what New Zealand families are experiencing. They have Ministers in their Government, now, that see that achievement and doing things well is when, every time they go to the supermarket, the prices are still rising. For this Government, that\u2019s what success looks like.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s look at some of those items in this Budget. Let\u2019s look at health, that the Minister who just took his seat was so, so pleased to talk about, and let\u2019s talk about nursing staffing levels. Let\u2019s talk about how this is a Government that, over two successive Governments, provided funding that delivered New Zealanders 54 fulltime-equivalent nursing positions in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENow, if you\u2019re at home and you\u2019re getting a bit confused because you\u2019re hearing ministers misleading by saying, \u201COh no, there\u2019s been 2,000.\u201D, here\u2019s what the facts are: that 2,000 figure includes the period from October 2023 through to February 2024, before the National Government, that had just come in, threw down the anchor and put in place a hiring freeze. Those people that were employed between October and the end of February\u2014those hiring processes that were in place started under a Labour Government. From March 2024 to March 2026, this National-led Government has led a Government that has delivered New Zealanders 54 fulltime-equivalent nursing positions. That is a disgrace. That is something that every member of that National Party caucus and every member of a political party that occupies those Government benches should hang their heads in shame for.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022784f4e929aed4ea6a05d1a10add6eccb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002291031aab4915bdbef59442332f466b30\u0022\u003ERyan Hamilton\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. Madam Speaker, we\u2019re on the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill, and it\u2019s not a free-for-all National Party slag-off, which the opposite member\u2019s doing. I just seek your guidance on whether she\u2019s straying a bit or whether it\u2019s just going to be opened up to a general debate for the rest of us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221521f16d61b90b41097f0060fa7a6648\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s not really a point of order\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bfb77f2daf8fa00cf718e7ad8ef91b3d\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: Speaking to the point of order\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228b0205f8d6485c37a32bdc0e724fe397\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s not really a point of order, so I\u2019m not going to take it any further.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233d5e681c9dcaf67de17bdf1626d189f\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: OK, thank you, because I can assure you that that wasn\u2019t a generalised attack on the National Party; this is talking about the Budget, and what this National Party has failed to deliver Budget after Budget. As I said, Budgets are a chance where Governments reveal their values and where they reveal what they think are priorities for New Zealanders, and this is a succession of Budgets where the National Party has told New Zealanders that, certainly, nursing is not part of that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe had the Minister speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health today, talking about promises to hire New Zealand\u2019s graduates that we train in this country as \u201Creckless\u201D. That was the language that was used by the Minister\u2014actually hiring the nurses that we train in this country would be \u201Creckless\u201D, according to the National Party. That certainly is what is contained in the Budget documents. That sentiment carries through and flows through into those spreadsheets. Like too many New Zealanders, I\u2019ve had more occasion to be present in the health system over the last three years than I care to have ever imagined I would, caring for elderly, very ill parents.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI can tell everybody that the nursing staff that I encountered on each of those visits worked hard, they cared, but they were slammed. When I look back now and I see that the people coming to support them were only 54 full-time hires over a two-year period to add to those wards where those nurses were run ragged, it is simply appalling and it is a sign of a Government that has absolutely let New Zealand down, and yet another reason why we just cannot afford another three years of this National Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThen we turn not only to our health system, but the other thing that New Zealanders look for in Budgets is hope. Where are the opportunities? Where is it that I\u2019m going to get ahead? Where is it that I and my family might find those opportunities to get ahead? Well, if it\u2019s looking for employment, it certainly isn\u2019t the case, because Budgets are the place where Governments put in place initiatives that lead to employment. This Government\u2019s put in place one initiative in its time in office. It\u2019s talked about what it will lead to in terms of future employment. For the record, that was, I think, 1 percent growth in employment over a 20-year period, with a 1.5 percent uplift in wages over a 20-year period.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe put that against a Monetary Policy Statement that came out yesterday, that talks about 171,000 New Zealanders who are now unemployed. Worse than that, there are 440,000 New Zealanders who are underutilised in our economy. Now, underutilised is a pretty clinical word for people that want to work more but simply cannot find those hours. They\u2019re not getting as many hours as they want to, and what that means is they\u2019re not getting paid as much as they need to. They\u2019re not showing up in unemployment figures, but what they\u2019re not doing is able to make ends meet. They\u2019re not able to pay their bills, they\u2019re not able to put food on the table, and they\u2019re not able to care for their futures.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve got youth unemployment in this country that is the highest since the global financial crisis. This is something that we need to examine and come up with solutions for. Was there anything in this Budget for this? No, there was not. Was there a commitment to back our young people, to do things like say, \u201CWe will hire all our graduate nurses. We will give them full-time jobs. I\u2019ll tell you what, we\u2019ll improve our health system as we go.\u201D? Was there a real plan to uplift apprenticeships in this country, bring back M\u0101ori trade training schemes, things that history has shown us in New Zealand work? No. Those plans were not in this Budget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWere we seeing support for our small businesses? No, we were not. Were we seeing things like a real effort from Government to go and use homegrown talent and back our small businesses to have thresholds in there of what needs to be purchased not only from New Zealand - owned businesses but small New Zealand businesses to really give them that ability to get ahead? Did we see initiatives in there that our small businesses that employ so many New Zealanders could expense assets under $10,000? Did we have rules in there about Government decreasing the amount of time it took to pay our small businesses? No, we did not.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat we did not see in this Budget was anything that was about really addressing those pressures that New Zealand families up and down the country are feeling\u2014anything to address those cost of living pressures. We know so many New Zealand families are working hard, they are getting ahead, they\u2019re doing everything right, but what they have is a National Government that has let them down. They have a National Government that is not putting their interests first. What they have is a Government they cannot afford another three years of, because this is a Government that is delivering Budgets that are not putting them first. It is a Government that is delivering Budgets that are not thinking about \u201CHow is it that we assist our families in New Zealand?\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002298c1995a3396432382c4b04f94f6462f\u0022 data-id=\u00224e4da9bf16802ad938b40f2aba4204f9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298c1995a3396432382c4b04f94f6462f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224e4da9bf16802ad938b40f2aba4204f9\u0022\u003ERICARDO MEN\u00C9NDEZ MARCH (Green) (15:14)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. A surplus built off the back of people most struggling to make ends meet is worth nothing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat is even the point of slogans like \u201CGetting back on track\u201D if getting back on track means cutting support to the people who are already struggling the most to make ends meet? What is the point of a surplus if it\u2019s off the back of low-income homeowners who are having their accommodation supplement cut? What is the point of your surplus if it\u2019s off the back of cuts to temporary additional support that is accessed by people who may need to meet their costs of cancer medicines or travel costs to go to the doctor for lifesaving procedures? What is the point of a surplus if it comes off the back of cutting benefits for sick, injured, and disabled 18- and 19-year-olds, including cancer patients and people who are struggling with ill mental health?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA surplus that is built off the back of everyday workers tells us that this is a Government that would rather build an economy that benefits the wealthy few as opposed to everyday working people. This Government has told us time and time again that there is not enough money to end poverty in this country\u2014that there is not enough money, apparently, to guarantee a job for every worker in the healthcare system\u2014and yet they tell us that there are billions for military equipment. They tell us that there are billions for landlords. They tell us that there is always money for the people who are already doing well. If this doesn\u2019t tell you who this Government is serving, I don\u2019t know what will.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI want to reflect a little bit on the Estimates debate that we held over the past few weeks, because, to me, the fact that we had a Minister for Social Development and Employment, when asked about savings produced through the use of automated decision-making and therefore mandatory reviews, and whether this had resulted in main benefits being cut\u2014we had a Minister who said, \u201CNo.\u201D A few minutes later, she said, \u201CPossibly\u201D, and then, a couple of days later, it turns out that, yes, main benefits had been cut through the use of automated decision-making and mandatory reviews. Then she tried to walk it back by saying, \u201COh well, don\u2019t worry. I had actually said \u2018Yes\u2019 on 17 August.\u201D I cannot find a single statement made by her that says that, so I am none the wiser about what the Minister was hoping to do with this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe key thing here is that mandatory reviews were touted by the Minister as better supporting people to receive their benefit entitlements, but what we know is that, instead, this policy has been used as yet another tool to strip people of support when they need it the most. When I say support for people who need it the most, I am talking about supported living payment recipients, people who have long-term health conditions, injuries that prevent them from being in full-time employment for over two years, or disabilities that keep them out of the labour market. These are the people who are having their support cut. So, whenever the National Party tells you that they\u2019re on track to deliver a surplus, I want to remind them that their surplus is being achieved through cuts for people in poverty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThese are all decisions that are being made by humans who are in power. It doesn\u2019t have to be this way. Our economy could instead serve everyday working people. We could, instead of delivering tax cuts that benefit high-income earners the most, tax the wealthy few to deliver a tax-free bracket for low-income workers that would actually help alleviate poverty. We could instead invest in renewable energy to lower power bills. We could do things like banning price gouging, so that the duopoly stops taking advantage of everyday people. We can make different decisions; it does not have to be this way. If the Estimates and decisions being made by this Government show us anything, it is that they will go to any length to punish the people who are most impacted by the current high unemployment crisis, instead of focusing on creating jobs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll tell you what, Christopher Luxon, there is not a job in Rocket Lab for every unemployed person out there, so I recommend that maybe the Prime Minister gets out a little bit more, talks to the 18- and 19-year-olds who are sick, injured, or disabled who are having their support cut, and tells us whether he is genuinely getting us back on track or back on a track to misery.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ded34d5f89df4709b3114eb1c7a54a75\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: This is the second half of a split call. I call Tamatha Paul.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229ec6b21860ff42a8bfcfbf955e54750a\u0022 data-id=\u0022be830b0ac81e4c46a4b0341b489d9a9c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229ec6b21860ff42a8bfcfbf955e54750a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022be830b0ac81e4c46a4b0341b489d9a9c\u0022\u003ETAMATHA PAUL (Green\u2014Wellington Central) (15:20)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. On that note\u2014to continue on the theme but to move the focus to housing, a favourite topic in the House\u2014one of the cruellest and, I think, most overlooked parts of this Budget is actually the changes that the Government is making around K\u0101inga Ora and public housing. It\u2019s one that I don\u2019t think has got nearly, remotely enough attention or scrutiny within this House, or any concern from Government MPs, or a whole lot of coverage from media either. This is an issue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe changes that are being made in this Budget to adjust the amount of money that people get as a part of the income-related rent subsidy\u2014which is being increased from 25 percent to 30 percent and which, in real terms, looks like an increase, on average, of rent going up $31 per week for those households when they already don\u2019t have the money to pay for their existing costs\u2014are unconscionable in a cost of living crisis. It\u2019s especially unconscionable because it impacts the people with the least in our society, and it just hasn\u2019t even had the time of day in terms of scrutinising it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe reason, they\u2019ve argued\u2014and it\u2019s funny, because they\u2019re repeating the same lines that they used when they actually introduced the accommodation supplement in the first place\u2014is that they\u2019re trying to create some kind of \u201Chorizontal equity\u201D between renters in the private market and those living in K\u0101inga Ora housing and their costs of rent every week. But that is not the reason that we\u2019re seeing this adjustment in this Budget. The reason that we are seeing this adjustment is because it is a continuation of the funnelling of State funds into the hands of landlords. This is corporate welfare for landlords. If this Government genuinely cared about the outcomes for renters, then they never, ever would have changed the rental laws, as I\u2019ve been talking about, to introduce no-cause evictions, and 60 percent of renters say their lives have not improved since the rental laws were changed in this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re topping up the accommodation supplement when you\u2019re cutting entitlements in other places\u2014for example, the temporary additional support subsidy, which is also being capped in this Budget, and which can be used to cover accommodation costs. They\u2019re actually not making life better for anybody except landlords, which has been the consistent theme of this entire Government. They\u2019re using their Budget to channel and funnel State funds away from those who need it the most towards people who do not need the assistance of the State to be even wealthier\u2014to prop up the fact that housing is treated as a commodity, as an investment opportunity, in this country, as opposed to treating housing as the human right that it is. That is why public housing exists in the first place\u2014as a social safety net for those who cannot afford the private rental market. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThese changes in the Budget were modelled off of officials\u2019 modelling that said that 26,000 households in K\u0101inga Ora could afford lower-quartile rent in the private market. That is an important piece of information\u2014except for the fact that it\u2019s divorced from reality in that, in July of this year, on TradeMe, there were only 2,569 rentals listed that meet lower-quartile rents. That means that when they\u2019re saying these 26,000 households don\u2019t need to be in public housing because they can afford private rents, there is only affordable rental housing for one in 10 of those people. Tell me where the funding is in this Budget for the nine out of 10 people who will lose their K\u0101inga Ora home because of this Government\u2019s obsession with landlords and hatred of the poor? It\u2019s hard to read it as anything else\u2014it\u2019s hard to read it as anything else. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EHousing is a human right\u2014and we haven\u2019t even touched on the lack of money that is in there to actually build State housing and the fact that in homelessness insights briefings, officials cited the lack of supply and a consistent supply of the building of public housing in Budgets that the Government has set as a driving reason why homelessness has been increasing. The reason that we have increasing homelessness, increasing evictions\u2014258 children evicted from their K\u0101inga Ora homes due to the decisions of this Government\u2014is because they are callous towards the needs of people in public housing and in K\u0101inga Ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c0c2e434a8afffcbc33e4c9b95c054f5\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: The member\u2019s time has expired.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220838e5f9bac748d2a59aea595e5226a0\u0022 data-id=\u002283ae0988fa7774eff62222d354858da1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220838e5f9bac748d2a59aea595e5226a0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002283ae0988fa7774eff62222d354858da1\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT (ACT) (15:25)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Appropriation bills tell us something very important about the difference between this side of the House and the Opposition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229ec6b21860ff42a8bfcfbf955e54750a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002247e778a94e0ae3dff1f42e7e5fb005e3\u0022\u003ETamatha Paul\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah\u2014that\u2019s right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220838e5f9bac748d2a59aea595e5226a0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220ad56bfc6d229aa6b2efc9e32c181e8d\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT\u003C/span\u003E: It comes down to one question\u2014one question, Tamatha Paul: when Government has a problem, do you first ask how to spend taxpayer money better, or do you go looking for another way to tax them? ACT starts with this answer: before Parliament authorises spending a dollar, somebody has to earn it\u2014a builder getting up before sunrise; a nurse starting their next shift; a farmer making decisions about next season; or a small-business owner sitting at the kitchen table and working out which bill they need to pay first to keep their business open. These people already know about making choices, and Wellington needs to re-learn that lesson.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003ELabour\u2019s answer is becoming very clear. They want a new capital gains tax of 28 percent\u201428 percent\u2014on commercial and residential property. They\u2019ve already decided what they want to spend the money on, too. It\u2019s already gone. Over there on the Greens\u2019 benches, they\u2019ve gone much further: a wealth tax\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dca7b20260b94cda81a3187e58a1d7c9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a227d27f5a1ea869ec02232290342939\u0022\u003EMike Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Yes!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220838e5f9bac748d2a59aea595e5226a0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002222096e0ce68cf33fa4875e87a17c2023\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014a tax on large gifts and inheritance. Mike Davidson says, \u201CYes\u201D\u2014Mike Davidson says, \u201CYes\u201D\u2014a wealth tax; a bank levy; a higher company tax rate for large businesses; another, higher income tax rate. This is the same philosophy we saw from the last Government. When the books go into red, when the going gets difficult, the Opposition parties want to reach into somebody else\u2019s pocket.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dca7b20260b94cda81a3187e58a1d7c9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ea7123f5defa353049526e0c791263e8\u0022\u003EMike Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Everyone deserves a good life.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220838e5f9bac748d2a59aea595e5226a0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221604496bb918897c7e4cc9860371b3ef\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT\u003C/span\u003E: ACT rejects that approach, Mr Davidson. David Seymour, that wise philosopher and leader of the ACT Party, this week said that New Zealanders do not want and cannot afford new taxes and warned that taxes have a terrible habit of growing. That is why we think of a new tax like an acorn. When it\u2019s introduced, it looks tiny; the politicians who want to plant it tell you not to worry, it only affects just these people, it\u2019s only this much, it\u2019s only for this particular purpose. Well, then the years pass, and the rate goes up, the threshold comes down, the exemptions change, and another Government discovers this revenue stream. The acorn becomes a tree.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBefore long, everyone is sitting under this new oak tree just wondering how it became so enormous. Well, another wise man, Milton Friedman, understood government rather well when he said, \u201CNothing is so permanent as a temporary government programme\u201D. Tax bases have much the same quality. Labour tells New Zealanders that nine out of 10 will not pay its capital gains tax. That rather misses the point. The question is what kind of tax system and what kind of Government do we want to build over the next generation? Because once Parliament creates another major tax, every future finance Minister inherits it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EACT would rather ask a harder question: can Government do better with the enormous amount it already collects from hard-working Kiwis? That matters, because Labour had six years to demonstrate that approach. When Labour entered Government, core Crown expenses were around $70 billion. By 2023, they were $127 billion. That\u2019s an extraordinary increase, and what did New Zealanders get? Did emergency departments suddenly work brilliantly? Did educational achievement soar? Did infrastructure become easier to build? No, clearly not. Did crime disappear? Not judging by the ram raids and lawlessness that I witnessed firsthand in West Auckland. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI had somebody come to a public meeting recently, who said that they\u2019ve only recently allowed their daughter to go back to the mall with her friends after, as an 11- or 12-year-old, she witnessed a ram raid where robbers\u2014wearing masks and gloves and black clothing, and brandishing baseball bats, a hammer, and what sounds like, to me, being a student of medieval history, a mace\u2014rushed into the mall, into the jewellery store, and smashed their way into cabinets while terrifying shoppers and people walking out of the supermarket with their trolleys. Under Labour, having spending increase from $74 billion a year to $127 billion a year, did crime disappear? Definitely not. New Zealand was heading for anarchy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe lesson is obvious: spending more money and delivering better government are not the same things. Intentions are not outcomes, and that is why ACT talks about sensible spending. We should spend where it matters\u2014health, education, police and justice, roads of course, water, energy where the Government can make a difference, and infrastructure that allows New Zealanders to build homes, to run businesses, and get to work, fixing what matters. But every dollar wasted on something the Government does not need to do is a dollar unavailable for those things, or a dollar that could have stayed with the person who actually earned it, and taxpayers are entitled to ask, what did they get for their money that Government takes off them?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI see this constantly in infrastructure. New Zealand\u2019s never lacked ribbon-cutting opportunities. We announce a road, announce a hospital, announce a rail project, politicians put on a hard hat, they get a photograph\u2014sometimes they even get a write-up in their local newspaper\u2014then comes the difficult bit. Was it properly designed? Was it procured well? What does it cost to maintain? Who carries the risk when a project goes wrong, either in construction or if it never delivers the promised or imagined benefits? Quite often, based on what I\u2019ve heard from the Opposition, some of the benefits that they propose\u2014and I just take Let\u2019s Get Wellington Moving, for example. Apparently, for spending $80 million on tearing up Lambton Quay and redoing the footpaths\u2014I mean, I walk down there, I think the footpaths are fine and the place looks quite nice\u2014apparently, for $80 million, they were going to get $400 million of benefits. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENow, when I looked into that, because I\u2019m a civil engineer and I like the idea of getting $400 million worth of benefits for $80 million down, it turned out that hundreds of millions of dollars of those benefits were realm\u2014vibe. They\u2019re literally like, \u201CIt will feel nicer.\u201D Well, I tell you what, when I walk down Lambton Quay\u2014and I\u2019m an Aucklander, so you know I\u2019m a pretty harsh judge of downtowns, and Auckland\u2019s downtown\u2019s looking pretty flash these days with Commercial Bay and the City Rail Link\u2019s open.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225459b3c0726d42c1b6d3cc94ec303baa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b4d314d64dd6eca46a728941aea4ba80\u0022\u003EHon James Meager\u003C/span\u003E: Downtown Blenheim.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220838e5f9bac748d2a59aea595e5226a0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022de5135f20879d0b4f238436d02533d50\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT\u003C/span\u003E: This gentleman, James Meager, says downtown Blenheim. I\u2019ve been to downtown Blenheim and they\u2019ve got some beautiful tumbleweeds down there, but it\u2019s not like Lambton Quay or downtown Auckland. But the question we have to ask ourselves when it comes to public sector investment using taxpayers\u2019 money is, are the claimed benefits actually real? In the case of Let\u2019s Get Wellington Moving and the case of the doomed Auckland bike bridge, or even in the case of the doomed Auckland light rail project, which, for $200 million, never delivered a single piece of railway line in five years, despite the fact that the leader of the Opposition at the time, Jacinda Ardern, Leader of Labour Party, claimed that the first train would arrive at a station in Mount Albert by 2021. I tell you what, do not trust people who\u2019ve only ever worked in a fish and chip shop and led the Labour Party to design and deliver your infrastructure for you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s why ACT pushes for better use of private sector capital; proper allocation of risk, including between the private and the public sector, because when the private sector has skin in the game, I tell you what, they want to deliver on time and on budget. Of course, whole-of-life thinking about infrastructure, because operations and maintenance, as the Infrastructure Commission wisely points out, should be at least 60 cents of every infrastructure dollar spent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s no free lunch. We have to make choices. Roger Douglas put it plainly, that great sage and former Labour Minister of Finance\u2014RIP Labour. All Government spending must be paid for, ultimately, by taxpayers, be it through current or future taxes. Borrowing simply sends the tax bill to the next generation, and that wise sage Richard Prebble had a useful description for the alternative approach. Tax, spend, and bust. That\u2019s what this election is going to be about. Labour says another tax. The Greens say several more. There are parties outside of Parliament which wish to impose a land tax. Apparently, according to one of their representatives who spoke at a debate in Morrinsville last night, it\u2019ll only tank the price of farms by 15 percent. I wonder if that party wants to go and ask the banking association whether tanking the price of New Zealand farms will make those loans sustainable. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAfter what New Zealand households have been through, we should take the pressure on their household budget seriously. The answer cannot be people coming to Wellington and finding another part of their lives to tax. The answer is a more disciplined Government focused on doing the important things well: spend wisely, cut what doesn\u2019t work, pay down debt, build infrastructure that\u2019s needed and delivers, grow the economy, and allow New Zealanders who want to live their best life and work hard to keep more of their rewards. That\u2019s the choice at this election. That\u2019s the choice we\u2019re facing in the vote on this bill. ACT is asking New Zealanders to do something different.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222c117f6511bc4b8fb6fdcf9c6133fb99\u0022 data-id=\u002297bda79b523ed1b4d237ea09024d9131\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c117f6511bc4b8fb6fdcf9c6133fb99\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002297bda79b523ed1b4d237ea09024d9131\u0022\u003EDr DAVID WILSON (NZ First) (15:35)\u003C/span\u003E: I rise on behalf of New Zealand First to speak in strong support of the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill. This bill represents the very cornerstone of our parliamentary democracy, the statutory mechanism by which we exercise our fundamental duty as MPs of fiscal oversight and authorise the responsible expenditure of public funds for the upcoming financial year. I\u2019m sure the member from the ACT Party, Simon Court, would agree with that statement. It ensures that every dollar spent is legally bound to its proper scope, providing the transparency, accountability, and stability that New Zealanders demand and deserve. In a nutshell, good fiscal discipline.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBut there\u2019s a twin to fiscal discipline. There is the monetary policy, and yes, I will stay on the bill here. I was privileged enough to be with the Reserve Bank this morning on the Finance and Expenditure Committee where they\u2019ve had to raise the OCR to 2.75 percent. What we learnt this morning is that our current inflation is around 4.1 percent, but the actual underlying interest rate is 2.9 percent. The difference is what we\u2019re paying for fuel. That has really hurt us badly, but that\u2019s not all. Let\u2019s just go back a little bit to what we arrived to as a coalition Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe had debt to GDP at 53 percent. That is more than half of our GDP in debt caused by the previous Government. We have never had that rate of high cost to GDP, high debt to GDP, since prior to the financial Act 1996. Since that time, this is the first time we\u2019ve got close to that, and of course, the financial Act has allowed us to keep prices stable. It has provided the platform for us; but oh no, the previous Government actually managed to kick that out the door. What we arrived to was $9 billion a year in interest payments on that debt\u2014$9 billion a year. Well, just quickly, if we had that $9 billion, what could we spend it on? Health, education, housing, so many things that we could do with it. That\u2019s about three new hospitals. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI looked in the mirror this morning as I got myself spick and span for coming to Parliament, and I\u2019m sure that a lot of members on the other side did the same, but I would just like to remind them that sometimes you need to actually look into the mirror and have a reflection of your own actions before you start casting aspersions on the other side of the House who are trying to manage this fiscal discipline in a way that we should be doing it. So what did we arrive to? We arrived to that. Soon after that, the Ukraine war\u2014that didn\u2019t help. That really stuffed up our supply chains. That made it really hard for us. What came after that? Tariffs. What came after that? The war in Iran. One hit after another, and yet this side is still wanting to spend more and tax more. Unbelievable. We\u2019re actually trying to manage this and trying to manage the appropriations. I don\u2019t think they have a clue. I don\u2019t think they actually do look in the mirror for anything other than coming to work in the morning.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBut there are some green shoots in here, and I know people don\u2019t want to hear this, but this is really, really important. You know who is holding us in good stead right now? It\u2019s the manufacturers, it\u2019s the producers, it\u2019s those people in the productive economy, and in the last month we had another 30,000 people employed during that recovery. These guys are seeing this, looking through what\u2019s in front of us, and exporting and keeping us ahead. It\u2019s fantastic. I was so pleased to hear that. It\u2019s the farmers and our productive sector in manufacturing and mid-sized businesses, so pleased to hear that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis debate is not about abstract numbers on a page for New Zealand First. This bill is about delivering on written commitments that we signed, sealed, and delivered in our coalition agreement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe promised New Zealanders that we would be a stable, constructive partner in Government; a partner that respects the taxpayer and ensures public spending is focused on wealth creation and infrastructure, rather than wasteful consumption. The Estimates before us today prove that New Zealand First does not negotiate, we deliver. Let me give you some examples. Out of the appropriations, $1 billion went to rail; $750 million of that was capital expenditure; $477 million of that was operational expenditure, very good at the right time for productivity and moving freight and logistics.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EHow about regional infrastructure? New Zealand First negotiated the historic establishment of the $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) over this parliamentary term to build projects that will drive our provinces forward. Today, we see tangible proof of that win\u2014$704 million is appropriated to this bill under Vote Business, Science and Innovation, specifically for the Regional Infrastructure Fund. This is real capital, going directly into the veins of our regional economies to build the infrastructure that we know needs to grow. Let me just give you a bit of an example. We\u2019re not just about spending Government money, we\u2019re about using Government expenditure to attract co-investment. The RIF, through enabling growth: 20-odd projects; $354 million invested by the Government. Co-funding: $687.9 million. Energy: $229 million invested; $123 million in co-funding.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EM\u0101ori economic development: $47 million invested, and another $32 million alongside that. Resilience projects: $291.9 million; $194 million in co-funding. RIF water storage: $134 million; $192 million in co-funding. Total committed funding: just over $1 billion; co-funding: $1.2 billion. That\u2019s what you actually do with Government expenditure when you get the chance. You invest it in the productive economy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESecond, protecting our seniors. We pledge to protect seniors by keeping the superannuation age at 65, which they deserve; maintaining the winter energy payment; and upgrading the SuperGold card\u2014that wonderful card. This bill backs that up with funding allocated for the New Zealand Superannuation Fund and the winter energy payment. We did not stop there. We secured $4 million specifically to fund the enhancement and promotion of SuperGold cards, and $82 million for the rates rebate scheme to directly ease the cost of living burden on our beloved seniors.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EHow about honouring our military veterans? We deliver on the service cost of veterans\u2019 entitlements, alongside those I\u2019ve just mentioned. More importantly, we\u2019ve locked a major multi-year appropriation, running through to 2031, to fund the unwind of the discount rate on veterans\u2019 entitlements. This is a long-term, multimillion-dollar shield for our heroes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EFourth, backing our young workers and apprentices. In the coalition agreement, New Zealand First insisted on maintaining the Apprenticeship Boost scheme to keep training our workforce. This bill delivers on that, with over $25 million specifically appropriated for apprentice support.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First, and this Government, is a party of its word. We promised, we deliver, and we commend this House to the bill\u2014or the bill to the House, whichever way you want it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022971f3af849002a41cbfc6891df858779\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: This is a split call\u2014Lan Pham.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002203a9a78995df41d999aa5550770febd3\u0022 data-id=\u0022a9258a0319d8fc81a42996b0f4def781\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203a9a78995df41d999aa5550770febd3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a9258a0319d8fc81a42996b0f4def781\u0022\u003ELAN PHAM (Green) (15:44)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I hear, time and time again when I\u2019m out in the community, that New Zealanders expect a duty of care when it comes to te taiao, our environment. They expect that of Governments of any political stripes, so it\u2019s been absolutely extraordinary for the general public, but also for community at any level, to see this Government and their attacks on nature. This is through and through their Budget decisions. It\u2019s not hyperbole. It\u2019s not something that\u2019s on paper; it\u2019s something that\u2019s real and that is costing the country, costing our communities. What I find absolutely frustrating, in hearing the Government members talk about particularly the election, but even their Budget and how that relates to things that are happening today, is how they\u2019re apparently so focused on the costs. They\u2019re so against this idea of any taxes or costs to community, when they simultaneously seem to have absolutely no concept of the fact that they are taxing and costing New Zealanders after every turn and every decision.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat do those costs actually look like? They look like costs on drinking-water pollution. They look like the costs on our ocean ecosystems collapsing, and the spin-off effects into our economy and our communities and our society. It looks like delay and denial when it comes to climate change, for example\u2014pushing forward and pushing back any climate commitments that we may have as a country. We even saw the Minister for the Environment, Nicola Grigg, announce the other day that she was pushing back on her plans to ban hard-to-recycle PVC and polystyrene, something that had already been committed to in 2024\u2014and then, here we go, a lobbying blitz ahead of us, and now it\u2019s delayed even further, because apparently the Government has other priorities. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe priorities that have so clearly come forward, that are part of this Budget, are the priorities that include things like disestablishing the Ministry for the Environment. The fact that their only major expenditure in the environmental space are their resource management reforms, and these are the reforms that so-called dictate that environmental limits are not actually based on environmental limits at all. They are embedding into those acts climate denial and delay into the heart of our resource management legislation. What I find completely unacceptable about that is it is ultimately costing our kids, our grandkids, and future generations. These costs exist in reality, and when the Government does not address them, and does not apply, for example, the basic idea that polluters should pay for the damage that they do to our commons, our shared environment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn the Resource Management Act reform bills, that only applies to contaminated land; it doesn\u2019t apply elsewhere across the board. Instead of the Government taking any responsibility in their duty of care to actually deliver for New Zealanders, they\u2019re failing New Zealanders. They\u2019ve failed the environment, and it\u2019s unfortunately everyday New Zealanders who will be picking up the tab, whether that be in the cost of the treatment of their drinking water; in not being able to go down to their local river, beach, or lake for a swim without fear of getting sick. It\u2019ll be the intergenerational cost when it comes to the natural disasters that we\u2019re seeing time and time again, that are actually increasingly completely unnatural, because they\u2019re born by decisions, the very decisions that are happening right now under this Budget and in this House. That is a shameful legacy for this Government to take to the election, and they\u2019ll be voted out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b3410b728cb84eb295c253e2648ca0c8\u0022 data-id=\u00228d3dffee4b97f57e676b4cca6b01f457\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b3410b728cb84eb295c253e2648ca0c8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228d3dffee4b97f57e676b4cca6b01f457\u0022\u003ESCOTT WILLIS (Green) (15:49)\u003C/span\u003E: To paraphrase Dr Maria Armoudian from the University of Auckland, \u201CScience strengthens societies by building and deepening knowledge.\u201D As Greens, we are very aware of the need to live within Earth\u2019s limits and to respect the thin layer of life on this planet. We recognise that ecosystems and scientific knowledge are interwoven, both enhancing and invigorating each other.  So we need trans-disciplinary and evidence-based practices to guide science and technology and to support decision-making to be precautionary and informed\u2014something this Government knows nothing about.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EChristopher Luxon says he wants to brutally commercialise our science system. I\u2019m reminded of the days of Roger Douglas that began the brutal destruction of our social contract and the turn to neoliberal barbarism\u2014something represented by the ACT Party in our Parliament today. \u201CBudget 2026 pushes the science system into a quiet purgatory, with zero announcements from the Minister\u2019s office since 1 April\u201D, lamented New Zealand Association of Scientists Co-president Troy Baisden back in May. He continued: \u201CThe only real story for science is the long-running decline in the foundations of our research and tertiary education system.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re experiencing a local state of emergency virtually every week at the moment as climate impacts hit thick and fast. We\u2019re in a super El Nino, which will impact our primary sector, our hydrology, and society in general. Yet, we\u2019ve suffered an emptying out of expertise after the Government\u2019s cuts to basic research. Who is going to bottle \u201Cessence of flooded farm\u201D and sell it, brutally commercialise it at Auckland\u2019s Britomart? Who is going to brutally commercialise the air, soil, and water? Well, we know this Government\u2019s going to do that. But who will help us avoid the next silent spring with young scientists leaving the country in record numbers? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EScience and research should nurture learning and curiosity. It should not be directed towards profit. They should critique society and our entrenched beliefs, help us understand misinformation and disinformation that we get from the other side of the House, and give us techniques to address extremism and conspirituality. Science should be enabled to provide the best evidence-based and reputable insights to the important social and material questions and problems.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e3a28e3e2bedfe3476e78217a8ecf053\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: And an appropriations debate should mention somewhere in the speech about the appropriations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b3410b728cb84eb295c253e2648ca0c8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f40a2e3c9fc9844746a3b69ee292f5e9\u0022\u003ESCOTT WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. We agree with Troy Baisden, who said, \u201CFoundational public investment in research must be at least 0.6% of GDP to provide agile support for business and government as opportunities and shocks arrive on our doorstep. It provides the foundation upon which businesses and government can quickly and efficiently fund the outcomes they need. Currently we are trending towards 0.3% of GDP, half the needed level.\u201D We view investment into research, science, and technology as long-term infrastructure investment. We aim to ensure that the funding levels are reliable and are tailored to the research context, and at least 2 percent of GDP.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EThis Government has had a total disregard for meaningful jobs in the science, tech, and innovation sector or in evidence-based decision-making. It\u2019s at a time when we need to boost and enhance our science ecosystem to deal with the ever deepening polycrisis. So what I can say to you is roll on 7 November.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022784f4e929aed4ea6a05d1a10add6eccb\u0022 data-id=\u0022665c5733f37fb16ea6233b132a1fd30c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022784f4e929aed4ea6a05d1a10add6eccb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022665c5733f37fb16ea6233b132a1fd30c\u0022\u003ERYAN HAMILTON (National\u2014Hamilton East) (15:54)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think the only thing brutal in that last five minutes was the speech. But I do like the member\u2019s green jacket. It\u2019s very sharp on you, sir. Speaking of clothing, I wear a black shirt today, because it\u2019s great to see that this Government is getting the budget back in black in 2028-2029\u2014fantastic to see. In fact, this\u2019ll be the first surplus in a decade and a year earlier than previously forecast. The Treasury forecasts the Government\u2019s headline operating balance before gains and losses, excluding ACC revenue and expenses in 2025-2026 to be at $11.9 billion negative this year. We missed out 2026-2027, we get very close in 2027-2028, and then in 2028-2029 we\u2019re set to post a $2.6 billion surplus. I want to say surplus quite slowly because that word doesn\u2019t get used much in this chamber. But now that National is back, it\u2019s going to be a lot more common.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EI\u2019m quite excited to talk about a lot of the things that have been appropriated in this Budget, as I\u2019ve already mentioned the surplus. But if there was to be a winner, it would be health. Our investment in health has been one of the most significant investments ever made. I\u2019d love to correct the record where the previous Labour MP Megan Woods was waxing lyrical about the 54 nurses. It\u2019s been annoying me, so I thought I\u2019d do a little bit of research and just set the record straight. Because Mark Twain, I believe it was, said there are \u201CLies, damn lies, and statistics.\u201D Let\u2019s set the record straight. Labour is comparing March 2024 with March 2026. Health New Zealand nursing fulltime-equivalents (FTEs) were about 29,404 in March 2024 and 29,458 in March 2026, hence the net increase of roughly 54 FTEs. But here\u2019s the thing, the Government took office in late November 2023, not March 2024. So using September 2023, the last full quarterly snapshot before the election, Health New Zealand had 27,818\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e641dc4bf8aa41b0bd8a29676c8ba9a6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c343ddb2096a6eb0e6707c96c5dfdfd7\u0022\u003EReuben Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Your Minister admitted it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022784f4e929aed4ea6a05d1a10add6eccb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eaea4afec093b25956bf7ce1fd43e616\u0022\u003ERYAN HAMILTON\u003C/span\u003E: Do you want to take a call, Reuben?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e641dc4bf8aa41b0bd8a29676c8ba9a6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233f069431913ffa8f437844bb467f335\u0022\u003EReuben Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m going to later.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022784f4e929aed4ea6a05d1a10add6eccb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022499c627ffd945695ffb163e57522bfe5\u0022\u003ERYAN HAMILTON\u003C/span\u003E: Good. Well, just save it till then, because you\u2019re going to run out of hot air.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022963ad9b83d9fac754fc48a6b62de64b5\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Just keep the debate tidy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022784f4e929aed4ea6a05d1a10add6eccb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a9a339cca580beee238c427bf34167a4\u0022\u003ERYAN HAMILTON\u003C/span\u003E: By March 2026, it has 29,458\u2014a net increase of 1,640 nursing FTEs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESo, importantly, neither figure literally means how many nurses were hired; they are net workforce changes. Thousands of nurses can be recruited, while thousands of other retire, resign, move overseas, change hours, or otherwise leave Health New Zealand. So saying that National only hired 54 nurses is simply not correct. The Opposition likes to cherry-pick and misconstrue and run roughshod over the facts that we are providing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe other good thing which was great to know about the health budget was, of course, the postnatal stays: $34 million additional for mums that are able to stay in postnatal care for three nights. Again, I\u2019d just like to acknowledge our colleague Catherine Wedd for her member\u2019s bill and the work that was done in that space, for that\u2019s going to be significant. Or the additional $54 million for Pharmac to purchase medicines, or the $35 million to boost support for road ambulance services.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe heard earlier from Dr David Wilson, we spoke to the Reserve Bank this morning in the wonderful Finance and Expenditure Committee, and we know that the official cash rate went up slightly today. The large proportion of the inflation contributing to the need for that slightly more conservative approach is because of the fuel crisis. Now, we are so fortunate that we\u2019ve got the leadership of Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis, who took the fuel crisis into consideration during the Budget. They didn\u2019t radicalise or catastrophise. They said, \u201CLet\u2019s learn from all the crazy mistakes the Opposition made in COVID.\u201D They said, \u201CLet\u2019s make targeted, timely, and temporary measures.\u201D So we offered those to people most in need\u2014those travelling, those working families. It\u2019s good to see that that situation has stabilised. We even put aside money in contingency for that crisis. Now we\u2019re able to use that for some other purposes. That\u2019s what good fiscal management looks like. I\u2019m really pleased to be part of a team that has enabled that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s talk about infrastructure. We\u2019re doing some significant investment in infrastructure: about $60 billion over and above some of the key highlights of the Budget. Cambridge to Piarere: $1.67 billion\u2014a four-lane expressway that not only helps get people from A to B, but it does so safely, and it does so whilst improving productivity. We all know that our productivity in this country needs to increase. Now, we\u2019ve heard the Opposition talk about cancelling roads of national significance. They\u2019re good at cancelling things that boost productivity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAll it does is it makes New Zealanders get frustrated, it gets more bottle-necked. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226710095aa1204b3793448571c208ccd4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222e6834edeef1877b09d020061a7a7e94\u0022\u003EHon Julie Anne Genter\u003C/span\u003E: Interisland ferries.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022784f4e929aed4ea6a05d1a10add6eccb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229e5aa70369243415d607497645f0bada\u0022\u003ERYAN HAMILTON\u003C/span\u003E: I know Julie Anne Genter wants us to drive around on unicorns and speed bumps and all that stuff, but we actually need roads. Even the great electric vehicles that we want to see more of in this country require roads\u2014roads of national significance. It\u2019s great to see that investment taking place. We know that for every billion dollars, Treasury has forecast an extra 5,500 jobs will be created for Kiwis. Over the forecast period, we\u2019re expecting 220,000 new jobs over the four-year period.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019m pleased to say that even the Reserve Bank Governor confirmed the story for New Zealand is looking good. Even in a constrained environment where we\u2019re seeing lumpy success\u2014the South Island is doing quite well, dairy is doing quite well, but parts of the North Island are having some challenges\u2014the overall picture is one of growth, and it\u2019s looking really positive; really pleased to see that come to bear.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat about education? I know that we had $470 million deployed to redevelop up to 10 new schools. Obviously, a little plug for Hamilton East, Knighton Normal is to get four new classrooms; and, of course, Hillcrest High, an additional 10 as well because of the growth demand in what is largely New Zealand\u2019s fastest growing city\u2014the city of the future. But what about the $69 million towards doubling the trades academy, with 20,000 year 11 to 13s. We\u2019re targeting those young people. We know we want them in work. In conjunction with the work Minister Louise Upston is doing around getting young people engaged, into work, we know that their future and, indeed, our future is so dependant on it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOur defence. It\u2019s so wonderful to have our Prime Minister focused on national security, economic security, financial security, and the biggest defence boost we\u2019ve seen in the last two budgets, which is phenomenal. New Zealand\u2019s got to step up and play its part in this global economy which has a lot of volatility.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019d like to finish on an environmental one that the Green Party might like: the $109 million package for better control of wilding pines. I know that was tremendous, particularly through the South Island, it\u2019s going to be well received.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EJust in closing, it\u2019s so good to see that there\u2019s a party and, in fact, a coalition that\u2019s working together that wants to reward achievement. We want to see competition, we want to increase productivity, we want to improve this place\u2014these two islands at the bottom of the world called New Zealand Aotearoa. We want to do better. We know that we\u2019ve got to grow the economy. We know we don\u2019t achieve that by adding more taxes, by taxing wealth, by taxing investment, by taxing inheritance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225a67e3122d421580ffd20b232e50616e\u0022\u003EDan Bidois\u003C/span\u003E: How many new taxes?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022784f4e929aed4ea6a05d1a10add6eccb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ba106d94f56a173b7b3616235815d0e4\u0022\u003ERYAN HAMILTON\u003C/span\u003E: How many new taxes, Dan Bidois? I think we\u2019re up to 10 or 11. It changes every day: wealth, investment, inheritance, business, banks, incomes, properties, streaming, death tax, ghost tax. It just doesn\u2019t stop. But on this side of the House, we just really want to grow the economy. Rather than chop the pie up, we want to grow the economy. We want to grow the pie so everyone can have a bigger piece. By growing the economy, we can have higher wages, we can have better public services, and that\u2019s why we\u2019ve been making changes to these Budget appropriations and redeploying it to the front lines. We\u2019re backing business, we\u2019re backing people that take risks and we want to reward them. We\u2019re getting Government spending under control. Yes, there\u2019s more to do, and we look forward to tackling that in the next three years. Yes, we want to build infrastructure, lift productivity, create jobs, and let New Zealanders keep more of what they earn. National backs New Zealanders. We are fixing the basics and building the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022 data-id=\u0022902cb7182a05f10567fe6a35e6c615bb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022902cb7182a05f10567fe6a35e6c615bb\u0022\u003EHon GINNY ANDERSEN (Labour) (16:04)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. This was a sad Budget\u2014sad indeed. You would think that after three years, having a third budget in place, you might have heard from the members\u2019 opposite about what their track record is on delivery\u2014about what are the things that they\u2019ve done for New Zealand, or even, maybe, their plan going forward. But we did not hear that. We did not hear that at all. No track record, no plan, and no hope for our future from this Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELast election, National was very clear: they promised Kiwis that they would fix the cost of living. That was their promise to all New Zealanders. That promise has well and truly been broken. There are so many families up and down our country that know that on a day-to-day basis, when they can\u2019t afford the very basics. It\u2019s so ironic that the strapline for this election for those members opposite is \u201Cfixing the basics\u201D, because that\u2019s exactly what so many New Zealanders don\u2019t have right now under this Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat National does not understand is that New Zealand is a community. We are connected. The cuts they have in different areas impact and ripple right across our country. They have flow-on effects. Same as when they fail to fix the economy and when inflation goes up, those have knock-on effects right across our economy. Just on my phone a few minutes ago, it flashed up that all major banks in New Zealand have now raised their floating mortgage rates, with the official cash rate going up. For the party who promised New Zealanders three years ago that they would fix the economy and fix the cost of living, all major banks today have now raised their floating mortgage rates.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat does that mean for New Zealanders? That means that there is less money each week for food. That means that there is less money able to be spent on the basics that New Zealanders need. That means when people go to the shops, they\u2019re not spending. When they\u2019re not spending, that\u2019s our local businesses that are liquidating at higher rates than ever before because there is less money in our economy because people are struggling to survive. When we know there\u2019s been over 20,000 business liquidations because of the cost of living crisis and the fact that people are struggling to survive. When those businesses close, what does that mean? That means that more jobs are lost. Record levels of unemployment and people haven\u2019t got jobs as a result of the ongoing impact of this Government\u2019s bad choices. That means that our young people don\u2019t have employment or hope or opportunities here in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand, quite simply, cannot afford three more years of a Government that cuts, can\u2019t fix the economy, can\u2019t fix the cost of living, and just looks after their own. That is absolutely what has been going on over the past three years. This Budget absolutely confirms it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat New Zealanders are looking for is actually some hope right now. An ability to see what is the future here in New Zealand\u2014what is that future here in New Zealand for us to be able to give our kids? Where can we find that? Labour\u2019s plan is fighting for better jobs, affordable healthcare, and more affordable household bills. So people can get ahead, so people can have a future here, so New Zealand kids can look here and see themselves with a future right here in New Zealand\u2014not have to go to Australia for a job, not have to go overseas so that they can earn a decent wage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBetter jobs. Better jobs mean things like the Apprenticeship Boost\u2014bringing that back so kids in the Hutt Valley can go through and know that there is Apprenticeship Boost right there. We know that that works and it\u2019s going to work again to give young people opportunities here in New Zealand. M\u0101ori Trades Training\u2014funding that ability for services to be delivered and upskill young people so they have hope, ability, and skills here in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOf course, our graduate nurse guarantee. We\u2019ve heard today, after this Budget, 54 nurses they\u2019ve hired over the last period of time. Labour will guarantee every eligible New Zealand - trained graduate a job here in New Zealand. We know, with more nurses caring for patients in a job here at home for the nurses that we train, that is tangible. That is a real outcome that delivers for Kiwis and improves our health system. More nurses mean better care, shorter waitlists, less pressure on staff, and more nurses where patients need them, instead of absolutely running down our health system, as we\u2019ve seen under this Government. We know that National has made healthcare worse for New Zealanders. Too many graduate nurses are struggling to even find work. As we know, 54 in two years. New Zealand quite simply cannot afford another three years of National. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s talk about affordable healthcare. It\u2019s so important for New Zealanders, not only for the cost of living, but also to make primary healthcare more accessible. That is a tangible outcome that Labour will deliver. Three free GP visits\u2014as simple as that. Three free GP visits, enabling primary care to be affordable for New Zealanders. We know there are over 600,000 New Zealanders who can\u2019t afford to go to their local doctor\u2014we want to change that and make it available for all New Zealanders through a Medicare card.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWith that same medicare card, there will also be access to be able to get cervical screening, which I\u2019m glad that National now supports. Cervical screening is important.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EFree prescriptions\u2014we know there are many New Zealanders right across the country who don\u2019t go and pick up their prescriptions when they need to because of that cost being a prohibitive factor. Under Labour, we will make sure people not only get to see their doctor but also get to pick up their prescription. We know the real way of fixing the problems we\u2019re seeing in our hospitals being absolutely broken and having issues with having people in the hallways and not getting the care they need: if we make primary care accessible and affordable to New Zealanders, that is a long-term solution to our health system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EFinally, lower household bills; solar saver; power bills are that lower. We know that that\u2019s a real and affordable way for power bills in New Zealand to come down and we\u2019re proud to have a good solar saver policy in place. But that\u2019s not the only policy for affordable bills; we also have our policy of one week of public transport for $20. I\u2019ve met and spoken to people when out door knocking in the Hutt Valley and they know that will make a real difference for their weekly bills. For people in Newlands who often commute every day back and forwards between Wellington to work, that will make a tangible difference to people who don\u2019t have enough money to be able to pay for food and pay for bills. One week of transport for $20 capped\u2014that is a real and tangible way that Labour will make sure there are lower household bills.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI think it\u2019s really telling when the only track record and the only delivery that the people opposite have is to list out taxes that don\u2019t exist, and that tells a hundred stories. That tells you that there is no track record for National. They have not delivered any tangible difference for New Zealand. They have not got a plan going forward. Their only plan is to make up things about what Labour\u2019s policy is\u2014that\u2019s it. We know that our rates have gone up. We know that our water bills are really high in the Wellington region. We know we have to pay for parking in the Hutt Valley. We know all of these bills, road user charges\u2014all of those things have gone up and up and up and up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealanders feel it in the pocket because under this Government, everything has gone up in price, whether that\u2019s food, whether that\u2019s rent, whether that\u2019s daily work\u2014ability to get a job and pay the bills at the end of the week. That has become harder under National. Young people today and those families in New Zealand that are struggling deserve to have something to look forward to. We have an amazing country here in New Zealand\u2014so much opportunity for us to look forward to and to work together, but this Government is holding us back by the bad choices that they have made.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELabour believes that we can have a better future right here in New Zealand and we\u2019ve got a plan to make sure that that happens: by having jobs that people know, that pay a decent wage; by having health care that\u2019s affordable; and by being able to have a home. Those are things that are fundamental. Those are the basics that we know build a strong, connected, vibrant, and thriving community. Those are the things that build communities and those are the things that I am so proud to say that a Labour Government will restore to New Zealand, and those communities, those families, those people up and down the country that are suffering under this National Government\u2014they can lift their heads up with some hope to know that we offer a brighter future and better starts now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022 data-id=\u00221254894856c7afdd4b3cabe4df8f32bf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221254894856c7afdd4b3cabe4df8f32bf\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS (National\u2014Northcote) (16:13)\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s a pleasure to bring this debate back to the bill, which is the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill, and I have a message for the member there: nothing that she said was in the bill. It is great to be back on the purpose of the bill. What is this bill all about? It\u2019s all about trust: trust about who you can trust to deliver sound economic policy; trust that when a Government spends, they spend it with the intent of getting better outcomes; and trust that a Government will focus on the things that matter to New Zealanders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt amazes me, the amount of money that Governments spend. This forecast year, we\u2019re due to spend $155 billion of tax\u2014that\u2019s people that have worked, employed others, and then given that over to the State. I don\u2019t think we need any more taxes in this country; we have enough\u2014$155 billion of taxes. The other side have at least 10, I understand, that they wish to institute on the public of New Zealand. We have some serious issues facing this country with respect to the amount that we tax and the spending, and this Budget goes a long way to support public services but also take a measured approach\u2014a strong approach\u2014to get the books back in black, which is why my colleague here is dressed in black to demonstrate that central fact.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis Government spends an enormous amount of money on everything. In fact, one of the biggest items in the Budget was a record investment in health. For all that the opposite side wishes to jump up and down about health, the facts are there\u2014they\u2019re there in the Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update documents and in the Budget documents. We are spending a record amount of taxpayer money on health and that is really a good thing. In terms of getting the Budget back in good shape, we have a lot of work to do, but we are making good progress.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI just want to take a step back and, for those of you who are at home, just reflect on the amount of debt that our country has. When Labour came into office, we had about $60 billion of net core Crown debt. That jumped up, by the time they left, to $155 billion\u2014nearly $100 billion extra in debt. We came in with one of the largest fiscal deficits in the developed world in terms of the amount that we spent over the amount that we borrowed, due to the previous Government. Nicola Willis has done a fantastic job trying to rein that spending in, but we\u2019re still doing it, and because we\u2019re having that challenge, we\u2019ve had to increase the debt in the last few years as a result of the previous Government\u2019s decisions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis forecast year, we\u2019ve got a net core Crown debt of $216 billion as forecast, which is roughly 45 percent of GDP. The Minister of Finance has got an objective with this Government to get that down by closing the books by 2028/29, and we can start to pay down that deficit. \u201CWhy is this important?\u201D, the other side might say. Well, it\u2019s important because this year alone, we\u2019re spending $9 billion to service that current debt. What can that $9 billion get? Well, that can get a lot of classrooms, a lot of hospitals\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e38fc4acf097d5bd83c31186c6a6f099\u0022\u003EHon Member: \u003C/span\u003ERoads.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bac825d24afe63030c616e39dadb393d\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS\u003C/span\u003E: Roads\u2014more roads. We need more roads in this\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a9e0ddcd6341e8a20426318dc0e6c3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022612556aae0e8cf65b6757e2a57789505\u0022\u003EHon Melissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: Three Dunedin hospitals.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b06fca0bfa4699312452ff57eba49e70\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS\u003C/span\u003E: Three Dunedin hospitals\u2014at least three Dunedin hospitals there. That can get us a lot. In fact, that\u2019s more\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002209a9e0ddcd6341e8a20426318dc0e6c3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022acd4da2acbfb1a6d30f373eb915cdc8f\u0022\u003EHon Melissa Lee\u003C/span\u003E: Harbour bridge.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d753146bcf17d3c2047058b8909bf847\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, that can get us half a new harbour crossing. If it wasn\u2019t for the previous Government\u2019s debt, we would have probably been able to fund the harbour crossing with that interest cost. The interest cost is significant. It is the total amount, in aggregate, that we spend on police, justice, and law and order combined\u2014that\u2019s our debt service cost, that just goes to people who are lending us money on an average yearly basis.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EWe have significant issues with respect to the debt that we pay, and there are two approaches that are offered in the House. The first is to spend more and to tax more in order to close that debt gap\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a94e5a4542de0ea5b620d9ba868af30d\u0022\u003EHon Member: \u003C/span\u003EBorrow more.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225ff202c6954e5bf82aec92e3cce3e3b3\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS\u003C/span\u003E: And borrow more. The other is to constrain ourselves and to get the books back in balance by getting more value out of that spend, and that is what this Government is all about.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EIt really is about trust, this appropriations Budget. Where there is spending that we do make, what is the outcome? Let\u2019s go to the outcomes. With respect to education, we\u2019ve got a huge amount of work, and Erica Stanford\u2019s doing a fantastic job making sure our schools teach the basics brilliantly. There\u2019s money in the Budget that will enable us to have that. Law and order\u2014we\u2019ve got a huge amount of extra money to make sure that New Zealanders feel safe, because that is, by far, the most important priority a Government must make, to keep its people safe. Infrastructure\u2014Ginny Andersen would be impressed; we\u2019ve got a Land Transport Fund, we\u2019ve got maintenance that is funded in the Budget\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000380\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225e3897bdb8f700710cf0c9595e308994\u0022\u003EAndy Foster\u003C/span\u003E: Doesn\u2019t fund maintenance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022868996146d39e2ba88d26e6e7e84e4df\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, apparently it doesn\u2019t fund maintenance according to Ginny Andersen, but yes, in the Budget documents, maintenance of roads is included in the Land Transport Fund. Apparently it doesn\u2019t fund maintenance, according to Ginny Andersen, but, yes, in the Budget documents maintenance of roads is included in the Land Transport Fund. We\u2019re focused on Kiwis, right? We\u2019ve talked about the relief that Minister Nicola Willis and the Prime Minister have given as a result of the fuel crisis\u2014that has been well traversed in this House\u2014to provide targeted, temporary, and timely support to those that need it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere are fantastic wins in this Budget. Ambulance services have been crying out for extra funding. They get it in this Budget. We have extra money for post-natal stays, for those of you who have the opportunity to stay in post-natal care. It\u2019s a fantastic opportunity to become a family unit and is so needed for newborns when they are coming into the world.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOn education, we\u2019ve got a doubling of the Trades Academy places, to $20,000, and $87\u00A0million for the Youth Guarantee places. This is all good news, and we heard today from the Reserve Bank Governor that all the forecasts are looking better, in terms of growth, in terms of underlying core inflation, no matter what the White House does and what happens in the Middle East. In fact, core inflation is coming down and continues to do so. We are going to experience real wage growth, employment growth, and lower pressure on the cost of living as a result. It is a good appropriations bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn terms of the choice that this bill and this election is for voters, it\u2019s quite clear, and I do want to run through it. The choice in this election is very clear: on this side of the House, it\u2019s no new taxes; on the other side, it\u2019s at least nine new taxes. On this side of the House, it\u2019s smaller Government, tracking at 30 percent of GDP; on that side, it\u2019s bigger Government, at 33 percent of GDP. On this side of the House, it\u2019s about a firm commitment to return to surplus, which is supported by economists and bond and ratings agencies; on that side, it is a whimsy, no credibility commitment to return to surplus and no plan to do so\u2014no plan to do so. They\u2019ve got well over $18\u00A0billion of unfunded commitments that they all expect to fund out of the Land Transport Fund for some reason. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI think the choice this election is clear. On this side of the House, we\u2019re focused on delivering the basics well in education, in healthcare, and in infrastructure. On that side of the House, they\u2019re focused on empty promises, virtue signalling, identity politics, and simple tax and spend\u2014no delivery. On this side of the House, we\u2019re growth focused. They don\u2019t like growth; they want to defund and de-growth this country in its entirety. We are a Government of yes, saying yes to development, yes to Resource Management Act reform, yes to KiwiSaver, yes to high and real wage growth, and yes to trade agreements with India. The other side is a Government of no\u2014a Government that voted against tax relief, a Government that has no plan and does not support getting rid of red and green tape.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe choice this election is clear. We\u2019re focused on fixing the basics and building the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226710095aa1204b3793448571c208ccd4\u0022 data-id=\u0022ffe036ba59b6a1636bfac61ee32e51ae\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226710095aa1204b3793448571c208ccd4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ffe036ba59b6a1636bfac61ee32e51ae\u0022\u003EHon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green\u2014Rongotai) (16:24)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Dan Bidois, the previous speaker, is a lovely person who is, I think, actually more intelligent than the average National MP. However, that speech I found quite disappointing, because it\u2019s pretty clear that, in the National Party and on the Government benches, they get up and speak the empty slogans that they have decided will position them to seem like they are the more credible party, when, in truth, pretty much every single decision they have made since they\u2019ve been in Government has been incredibly irresponsible and is resulting in higher costs for ordinary working people here in New Zealand, and those who are living on low incomes for whatever reason, if they happen to be sick or injured or disabled, are finding it harder than ever; if they are unemployed, due to no fault of their own but because the Government decisions, the coalition Government decisions, resulted in less jobs being available, now they\u2019re also being punished for that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s just the truth. It\u2019s the sad truth of this place: that we have to sit here and listen to absolute gaslighting from the Government MPs over and over again. Then they claim that somehow their speeches aren\u2019t about electioneering, when they literally say \u201Cfixing the future and building the basics\u201D\u2014whatever it was; \u201Cfixing the basics and building the future\u201D\u2014every single speech. I think New Zealanders are smart enough to know that that is an empty, hollow slogan that is covering over the fact that their decisions are all about letting the wealthiest New Zealanders get wealthier and wealthier while that extreme concentration of wealth is propped up by ordinary working New Zealanders, particularly those working in the funded sector and female-dominated industries.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn this Budget, we did not see the funding that would have been necessary to pay people in female-dominated industries what they are worth. We are talking about nurses, teachers, midwives, and care and support workers, and it\u2019s those people who do the fundamental, essential work that props up the rest of the economy. Yet this Government, the coalition Government, cannot be trusted, because they did not campaign on ripping up the pay equity legislation. They did not campaign last election on cancelling 33 pay equity settlements that were in progress. In fact, the National MPs, in Opposition, voted for that legislation. It was completely out of the blue when, under urgency, right before the 2025 Budget, they changed the law overnight to make it harder for people who\u2019ve been underpaid due to systematic undervaluation on gender-based discrimination.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s the reality\u2014that\u2019s what they did\u2014so any promise they make now is not worth the paper it\u2019s written on; it\u2019s just an empty, meaningless commitment to try to get re-elected, so they can continue dismantling our democracy, to enable the super-rich to get richer, corporates to make super-profits at the expense of ordinary New Zealanders, and particularly to run roughshod over any environmental protections. We know those environmental protections are deeply important to New Zealanders. The conservation estate is deeply important to New Zealanders. In this Budget, I heard some of the Government members talk about some tiny little scraps. What was it? A few million for attacking wilding pines, getting them out? When they talk about virtue signalling, whenever they talk about their little investments in the environment, we know the vast majority of what they are doing is defunding environmental protection, looking to sell off or lease off bits of the conservation estate to open it up for mining\u2014anything they can do to try to extract more value from the common good, from future generations, in order for it to be spent by these irresponsible clowns who constantly say the opposite of what they are going to do. They promised to do the opposite of what they are going to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s look at another example. We had the National Infrastructure Plan. That is something that was funded by the previous Government and by this Government. They funded the Infrastructure Commission to prepare a national infrastructure strategy, to do a national infrastructure plan. They launched it with a big fanfare, tried to get cross-party support, saying that what we really need is cross-party support for the recommendations in this plan. In the summary of the plan, it says, \u201CThe land transport funding system is unsustainable, with the most recent three-year plan requiring $12.8 billion\u201D\u2014that\u2019s $12,800 million\u2014\u201Cof Crown loans and grants that could have gone to other priority areas, reflecting investment ambitions that significantly exceed user revenues.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000392\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat does that mean? That this Government and the previous majority Labour Government took public money that could have been better invested in really important other parts of our country, like hospitals, desperately needed health infrastructure, education, housing\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000393\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225459b3c0726d42c1b6d3cc94ec303baa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fd73797a97ec34730ca77c8d5cacaa01\u0022\u003EHon James Meager\u003C/span\u003E: You voted for it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000394\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226710095aa1204b3793448571c208ccd4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222111d520a3b26ac5e60b485c0fe400c6\u0022\u003EHon JULIE ANNE GENTER\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s not true, Minister Meager.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225459b3c0726d42c1b6d3cc94ec303baa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002232e95cc4e53a1b20be425c6ef2afb55a\u0022\u003EHon James Meager\u003C/span\u003E: You voted for the previous Labour Government\u2019s Budget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226710095aa1204b3793448571c208ccd4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022755ce178b05e6d2e68b0e04fa1accbfd\u0022\u003EHon JULIE ANNE GENTER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, Minister Meager, you actually don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225459b3c0726d42c1b6d3cc94ec303baa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fa6464d10db2537890efc1c2f7ec6af9\u0022\u003EHon James Meager\u003C/span\u003E: Did you not vote for the previous Labour Government\u2019s Budget?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226710095aa1204b3793448571c208ccd4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002204466b9ab08c188fd4ae396c56e21dd6\u0022\u003EHon JULIE ANNE GENTER\u003C/span\u003E: Minister Meager, I can critique the previous Government just as much as I can critique this one, but the point is that you\u2019re doing the same thing. This Government is full of crap. They claim that they\u2019re about responsible investment. [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226e70fc754c6c6fc882cc62faa8d1ffb5\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: We might need to lift the level of\u2014thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226710095aa1204b3793448571c208ccd4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d818b540fedd93baf00b318cd6ce5325\u0022\u003EHon JULIE ANNE GENTER\u003C/span\u003E: Having signed up and launched this infrastructure plan, they proceeded to do the exact opposite of what it recommended in their recommendation that they said it supported, which was to appropriate in the Budget $1,773 million for Cambridge to Piarere highway. Now, that is the opposite of what the national infrastructure plan is saying. It\u2019s saying we\u2019ve already, as a country, put too much Crown funding into the land transport system. That funding is needed elsewhere. That should be coming from the National Land Transport Fund, it should be coming from revenue that is raised from users, from petrol taxes, and road-user charges, but it is not. We\u2019ve got the single largest part of the capital allowance in this Budget allocated to this one little extension of a four-lane highway when we need significant investment in infrastructure right round the country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ECoincidentally, the cost to that is probably getting close to the cost of the cancelled ferries, which we don\u2019t have because this coalition Government cancelled Interislander ferries that were on order that would have been delivered by now, that were desperately needed, and that had been planned for five years, because they said we couldn\u2019t afford to do the wharf upgrade infrastructure. Now, there was a possibility of rescoping that work infrastructure. There was the possibility of doing something a million times more responsible, but cancelling an order for ferries that was only $550 million, an exceptional deal, would have meant that the movement of people and goods between the North and South Island would have been far more reliable right now. We\u2019re going to have to wait years and years because of this coalition Government and the National Party\u2019s Minister Nicola Willis\u2019s incredibly rash decision to cancel something under order on the claims that we can\u2019t afford it. But at the same time, they\u2019re quite happy to shovel money into an extension of a four-lane highway\u2014nearly $2 billion\u2014and to take that money away from capital that could be and would be better invested in other parts of New Zealand like the health system and like electrification, which we desperately need. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019m just saying that, frankly, I think New Zealanders are tired of hearing empty slogans from this current coalition Government, that pretty much everything the coalition Government MPs say, the Luxon Government MPs say, is a reflection of their own actions. The people who cannot be trusted most of all are the people who are currently in power, because, in the last three years, they have made a series of irresponsible decisions they did not campaign on that are costing New Zealanders every single day, and it\u2019s because they have decided to prioritise the people who have the most wealth and are the highest-income earners. Whenever they come out, the only argument they have\u2014they can\u2019t campaign on their own vision and ability to deliver because they\u2019ve clearly demonstrated over the last three years that they don\u2019t deliver for ordinary working people in New Zealand and that they can\u2019t deliver long-term responsible investment and infrastructure. They don\u2019t listen to their own national infrastructure plan, even though they claim to believe in that. What they do is they bow down to the corporate interests that are clearly helping them in many ways, like the tobacco industry and like the investment property people who are absolutely determined\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002216b8b0537d30d9437af1e403250412d5\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The member\u2019s time has expired.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022587d574de1174371be09e431d9060e87\u0022 data-id=\u0022e7901fac5adab7e323f14327dafcc538\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022587d574de1174371be09e431d9060e87\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e7901fac5adab7e323f14327dafcc538\u0022\u003EHon CAMERON BREWER (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs) (16:34)\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s great to be speaking in this Estimates bill debate following that 2026-2027 Budget. One thing I wanted to focus on was what came with that Budget, which was the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update, and some of the numbers that came out of that were really, really encouraging. Yes, we were stalled after a good first quarter. We were stalled by the Iranian conflict and the fuel crisis, but the medium-term forecasts remain strong and next year\u2019s looking a lot better.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000405\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ECan I remind you that these were Treasury\u2019s forecasts, and Treasury, as we know, are not the most overly optimistic people necessarily, but they could see 220,000 new jobs created in the forecast period. That\u2019s what Treasury predicts, not what the National Party predicts. They could see wages and they\u2019re forecasting wages outstripping prices. They could see the Government reaching surplus faster than forecast. They could see national debt curbing, and they could see economic growth at 2.7 percent on average over that forecast period. We need to keep some perspective in here. We need to remind ourselves also where we\u2019ve come from and what we inherited\u2014a very high inflationary environment that peaked at 7.3 percent. Yes, we are at 4.1 percent now, but when you strip away the international influence on petrol and diesel prices and you look at that core inflation as well, it\u2019s within band and it\u2019s below 3 percent. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve got a lot of things to be grateful for. As the Reserve Bank Governor said yesterday, we\u2019ve got things in a situation where our exporters, our manufacturers, particularly those in dairy and those in meat, are the ones that are doing well at the moment, and those supportive industries, but it\u2019s a mixed bag around the country. If you go, like I do, to the South Island and visit a lot of manufacturers and small businesses, the biggest problem they have is often getting staff. Christchurch\u2019s unemployment is half, if not quarter, of other places. It\u2019s a mixed bag. Invercargill, Dunedin\u2014getting staff is often the problem. We know in Auckland, for example, that it\u2019s harder in that regard, and there\u2019s a lot of applicants for a lot of jobs. But we will keep pressing through, and you will see this National Government singularly focused, as we have been for three years, on delivering that economic growth. As Treasury, not the National Party, forecast, wages will be outstripping prices, and economic growth will be averaging nearly 3 percent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESome really good things that came out of the Budget that I want to allude to that probably didn\u2019t get the airtime that they deserved, and that was in the space of vocational training\u2014trades academies. I\u2019ve got one in the electorate of Upper Harbour at Massey High School, where the kids there, year 12 and year 13, are building houses on the school campus for K\u0101inga Ora, and we\u2019re committed to that. They are being trucked off and placed around West Auckland where kids are there doing trades in building and construction. They\u2019re also doing automotive, they\u2019re also doing tourism, and they\u2019re also doing hospitality. We are doubling those places, and the principal, Alistair Fairley, at Massey High School is very excited out that. We are doubling those places in the coming years from 10,000 to 20,000, because we know that if we get the kids at high school, they\u2019ll go on, they\u2019ll get their apprenticeships, they\u2019ll stay in the trades, and that is the way to get kids into work, and so we\u2019re doubling that commitment to our high school trades academies.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAnother $15 million was allocated to the Industry Skills Board to develop new vocational subjects with building and construction, outdoor education, and primary industries. You saw the Hon Erica Stanford and Nicola Willis announce nine new foundational subjects there for years 12 and 13\u2014next-gen manufacturing, for example. Again, bringing the market to the kids and getting them involved early. That\u2019s not to mention the work that the education Minister is putting into financial literacy and financial capability, and, as has been said before, another $87 million into youth guaranteed places for school leavers with no or low qualifications. We are investing in our young people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAnother thing that we\u2019ve overseen\u2014and it\u2019s been led by Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa and its chief executive, Catherine Lye\u2014that we fund is Earn as You Learn. That is something that I was happy to announce an expansion of after a very successful trial in the Waikato. That is\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ab32b09663ea48b199aa59e4d88f77e4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bba69aa25c6bb7c7c4156ca1916ad4d2\u0022\u003ETim Costley\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, well done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022587d574de1174371be09e431d9060e87\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a62341a1f99c384f2b2d08f768c5d6eb\u0022\u003EHon CAMERON BREWER\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014in Wintec, Tim Costley, if you\u2019re doing level 3 at Wintec in Hamilton CBD, manufacturing and engineering level 3, you\u2019re at Wintec Monday and Friday, but on T to T\u2014Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday\u2014you\u2019re in an industry, whether it\u2019s Gallagher or whoever\u201410 participating industries. You\u2019re earning minimum wage plus $1. You\u2019re there for 10 weeks, and then you go to another participating industry\u2014factory, if you like; manufacturer. Then you go to another one\u2014over 30 weeks. You come out with your certificate, and guess what that Waikato pilot showed us! Almost all of them come out with a job, and most of them are within those participating businesses.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is how we get our kids\u2014Nanna was right: get them into in-work experience. This is in-work experience that pays the bills, too, to get them through their tertiary institution. We\u2019ve expanded that policy and that programme into the Hutt Valley, into the Bay of Plenty, and into Christchurch, with cohorts of about 20 students each starting in 2027 next year and gaining New Zealand Qualifications Authority qualifications. That will continue to grow. These are the programmes that we will continue to invest in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI wanted to finish up highlighting not only the success of manufacturing and the fact that in the first quarter, we saw manufacturing doubling, growing at twice the speed of the rest of the economy and often leading the way, but its use, as with small business and large, of Investment Boost. Now, for a Harvard-educated economist like Dan Bidois, he loves public policy like this, and he would see this as a pure policy that can be done with the stroke of a pen. That is what the Minister of Finance committed to\u2014admittedly, in the previous Budget. But we\u2019ve funded it for a tax policy package of $6.6 billion over four years. This Budget puts us into year two.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOthers\u2014without getting political, because I don\u2019t know if this is the room for that. But others\u2014and I won\u2019t mention their name, but I\u2019ll mention the colour red\u2014are looking at cutting that. That is a $6.6 billion package. When I go around manufacturers and small businesses and large, they say, \u201CCameron, we got that metal fabrication plant with Investment Boost\u201D, and they know the name of it. If you don\u2019t know the name of it in small business or manufacturing, sack your accountant, because it\u2019s working a treat. Investment Boost is that 20 percent tax deduction immediately on top of depreciation. That\u2019s been great for Government GST receipts, but it\u2019s also brought investment forward. It\u2019s a productive policy, it\u2019s lifting productivity, it\u2019s enabling businesses to invest in their business, and many have done just that. We are committed to that policy\u2014a very, very popular policy and, I would argue, the cleanest tax policy and tax advantage policy that we\u2019ve seen out of a Government for some time. Investment Boost it is. The medium term is looking a lot brighter. Bring on 2027.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b064dd56673f4c1cb11c1242823abb92\u0022 data-id=\u00229a3792b8868ed57e283d047c977fdbbe\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b064dd56673f4c1cb11c1242823abb92\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229a3792b8868ed57e283d047c977fdbbe\u0022\u003ELAURA McCLURE (ACT) (16:44)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am excited to take a call on appropriation 2026. But first, before I discuss some of the details of appropriation 2026, I think it\u2019s wise of me to go back to where I was standing three years ago on the election campaign and the state of our country and our economy. We were in really dire situations. We had a Government that had just borrowed and borrowed and spent and spent. The irony is we are back in a similar position, but this time, they\u2019re wanting to talk about free, free, free\u2014everything is free, according to the Labour Party. Well, I\u2019ll tell you right now, New Zealand, nothing is free. We are paying\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000416\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc11727bdc9b7430fdb731a6dc4c309d\u0022\u003EHon Member: \u003C/span\u003EWhat about free speech?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000417\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b064dd56673f4c1cb11c1242823abb92\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022220d8bffa41b1f05848639b431610263\u0022\u003ELAURA McCLURE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014be quiet, guys, because you might need to hear this; buckle up\u2014$24 million a day to service the debt\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000418\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002260366b57240e202abdf7af2b64b2a8b0\u0022\u003EHon Member: \u003C/span\u003EA day?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b064dd56673f4c1cb11c1242823abb92\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228822025f790ac8c440ca8bc25eb4900\u0022\u003ELAURA McCLURE\u003C/span\u003E: A day\u2014$24 million a day in debt. We have political parties on the other side\u2014and, I mean, big ups to the Greens. At least they are honest about the taxes that they want to do in order to pay for some of the more crazier things. But we have a party on the other side called Labour who do not want to admit that they cannot afford all the free things that they\u2019ve promised\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ceb7a8e1d6a70c985afe7b8579ea33a6\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Don\u2019t suggest that anyone on the other side is dishonest.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b064dd56673f4c1cb11c1242823abb92\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228b31e8feeb2657592714737b4d8d3359\u0022\u003ELAURA McCLURE\u003C/span\u003E: No, not entirely.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022feffc72e2a3888e6dcfcb9d1c3f0a006\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: OK. That\u2019s all right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b064dd56673f4c1cb11c1242823abb92\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b119d25169fb251cb1f84d584f717456\u0022\u003ELAURA McCLURE\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019d never do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229769c0d005a1b1e002af8ab4db4ca867\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Just pre-warning the member in case she does.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b064dd56673f4c1cb11c1242823abb92\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022be34eea549a9f4ac775bead6876be6ef\u0022\u003ELAURA McCLURE\u003C/span\u003E: This Budget gets us back to a faster surplus, and one of those people that are responsible for that is David Seymour. We know that the ACT Party is, one, the only party, the OG party, that promises no new taxes, and, secondly, the only party who is brave enough to make the decisions when it comes to cutting back the size of our Government, because our Government is too big. I think that all of us in this House know that no matter how much money we keep throwing at things like health, for example, we are not seeing better outcomes, and everyday Kiwis right now can attest to that. Throwing more money at something does not work. We have seen $2 billion in savings in appropriation 2026 to help us get back into surplus. Anything that we borrow today will be the debt that my children and our grandchildren pay, and that\u2019s something we really need to keep in mind.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENow, ACT has had a few wins in this Budget. We\u2019ve seen the ending of fees-free because it was a poorly targeted programme\u2014and the fact that when we first came into Government it was the first year free. Not only did it not improve those going through and actually completing their degrees; it basically added no real value. Look, we moved that to the final year in the first Budget, which at least gave some people an incentive to carry on and continue. But now we\u2019ve actually scrapped that, because we know that getting a degree and going off into the real world isn\u2019t always the ticket to a successful life or career, particularly with some of the degrees that are on offer at university right now. I mean, a lot of them wouldn\u2019t lead to any jobs, and I think a lot of New Zealanders know that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe need to get more of our young people into trades. Being in a trade or having a diploma\u2014I know, myself. I\u2019ve got a diploma as a pharmacy tech. That\u2019s a trade. I can always fall back on that. That is not something that is to be frowned upon. Higher education is not always the ticket to success. We have to change our culture, we have to change our thinking around it, but also we have to invest in our young people and getting them into trades. Saving taxpayers nearly $350 million on fees-free has been reallocated\u2014we\u2019ve saved some of the money and we\u2019ve reallocated into where we know our young people need to be, and that\u2019s getting them into the trades. We\u2019re getting the results\u2014[\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E] Exactly, to my colleagues over this side of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve also seen an increase\u2014$131 million investment into primary school maths and literacy. Oh my goodness. One of the reasons I\u2019m a member of Parliament is that during COVID, my children came home from school\u2014and they were littlies; one was only a new entrant and one had been there a couple of years\u2014and I was absolutely blown away with how little they knew about mathematics. My son was considered top of his class at this point. We had to teach them the basics at home. It was the first time I really got to look at that, because you know what, a lot of us are working parents. We are really busy. People are out there. They don\u2019t have the oversight on what their kids are learning at school the same way that they used to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe have a serious problem. I know a good friend of mine\u2014she\u2019s a high school teacher, year 9\u2014had students showing up to school completely not up to standard or ready for high school mathematics. Do you know what happens in our education system? We don\u2019t backfill. You have to be ready to go when you get to high school. We\u2019ve invested in that. I think $131 million is amazing, because without those maths and literacy levels being in a great place, we\u2019re not going to see a successful future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe other thing I think worth noting is that attendance is actually improving, which is incredible. We can have great literacy, we can have great mathematics, but if the kids aren\u2019t in the classroom and they\u2019re not learning, then that is a problem.  Term 2 had the highest attendance rate in 10 years, but, get this, only 64.3 percent. That is still absolutely outrageous. It blew me away to find out, when I first came to Parliament, that children were only regularly attending school at around 45 percent. It\u2019s so embarrassing. It\u2019s shameful. It should be a national shame.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhere else have we done great things? Gosh, we\u2019re getting through this so quickly. Rotorua courts: $100 million of investment into the Rotorua courts facilities to support safer, more modern courts and faster justice for victims and communities. We\u2019ve seen a $5.5\u00A0billion increase for front-line health services, including a $35 million boost to strengthen ambulance services, an additional $54 million for purchasing medicines, on top of our record $1.774 billion investment, and $604 million in uplift made in the previous Budgets.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBut we are not there yet. New Zealand has a serious problem in inequity when it comes to accessing medicines in this country. Right now, we know that we need to close the gap between New Zealand and Australia. It shouldn\u2019t matter where you\u2019re born in the Pacific. It shouldn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re born in Australia or New Zealand or the UK; you should be able to access medicines that are lifesaving. That will actually save our healthcare system an awful lot of money. We want to move from 4.9 percent GDP to 12 percent GDP over a few years so that we can factor that in. Those savings will be there, and that will take the burden off the healthcare system itself.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve invested $400 million to support housing growth and infrastructure by rewarding councils for consenting more homes\u2014and don\u2019t even get me started on the Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms. RMA reforms could be the single-biggest thing that this Government has done to unlock the potential of this country. We do have some money in the Budget; we have $294 million to deliver the new planning system that Kiwis need. It blew my mind to know that 5\u00A0percent of the total construction costs is getting a consent in this country. That is outrageously huge. No wonder it is so expensive to get things done here\u2014it\u2019s so expensive to build new things. We\u2019re talking about needing more jobs, we\u2019re talking about creating an economy with higher-paid jobs, but we have to have the infrastructure, we have to have the buildings, we have to have the businesses, the homes\u2014it all comes back to being able to build something in this country, and this Government has been working hard to unlock the potential for the next generation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOh, gosh, where else do we start? Firearms reform. I know no one else is going to talk about firearms reform except for ACT, because we are super proud of the work that we\u2019ve made. Budget 2026 funds a practical firearms reform that treats licensed firearm owners fairly, it targets the criminals, and it supports our safer communities. I think that is something that everybody in this House can get behind. We know that we have illegal firearms coming into this country. We know that we have gangs out there right now that are using firearms. There was a horrible incident that happened in Manurewa last week. We need to do more to crack down on criminals that are using illegal firearms, and that is what we are doing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve seen a massive increase in defence spending\u2014and I know I\u2019m going to run out of time. It\u2019s really important in these challenging geopolitical times that we actually have a defence force that could defend us, defend our sovereignty, and also respond to weather events in the Pacific. We need to be able to support our guys out there in the Pacific. It\u2019s really important that we do that, and we are not going to unlock New Zealand\u2019s potential if we don\u2019t have a strong defence force.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e641dc4bf8aa41b0bd8a29676c8ba9a6\u0022 data-id=\u0022b3f2e08276086863293f3a4679409596\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e641dc4bf8aa41b0bd8a29676c8ba9a6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b3f2e08276086863293f3a4679409596\u0022\u003EREUBEN DAVIDSON (Labour\u2014Christchurch East) (16:54)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is so good to have an opportunity to stand up and take a call on this imprest supply bill this afternoon. There\u2019s been a number of contributions across the afternoon, and from all sides of the House, but I think the resounding and important message that has echoed around this Chamber this afternoon when we\u2019ve talked about the imprest supply bill and what the priorities are in this Budget is that New Zealand simply cannot afford three more years of a National Government. We absolutely cannot afford three more years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve got people working so hard\u2014so hard\u2014in our electorates who we connect with, who we meet with, who we catch up with, and no matter how hard they work, no matter how much work they put in, they are still going backwards. That is why, on this side of the House, Labour is fighting for better jobs, for affordable healthcare, for lower household bills, and for creating the opportunities that will allow people to get ahead and to build a future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOn the other side of the House, we\u2019ve heard a lot of talk today about this \u201Cno new taxes\u201D promise. That\u2019s really interesting, because if this party on the other side of the House is promising three more years and no new taxes, then what we know, and what we\u2019ve learnt from this last term of Government, is that this coalition Government are talking about three more years of cuts. They\u2019re keeping quiet on where they\u2019re going to make those cuts, but you can be guaranteed that that means three more years of cuts.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThey came into Government with some big promises. Christopher Luxon promised he was going to grow the economy\u2014that was a promise he made. Yet, if we look today, unemployment is now up to 5.6 percent. He promised that he was going to grow the economy, but if we look, business liquidations are at a 15-year high. We\u2019ve seen a 49\u00A0percent rise in hospitality liquidations, and in June of this year alone, 259 companies were placed into liquidation. It\u2019s very easy for us to talk about 259 as just a number of businesses, but each of those businesses are real people, and they have people working for them, often, and those businesses have gone into liquidation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe other area that I want to look at\u2014I want to look at a few in my contribution this afternoon. There are a few covered in this Budget, but there are also so many numbers here that are getting smaller and so many that are struggling, none more so than the science sector, who have been given a mandate of brutal commercialisation by this Prime Minister. If you want to know what that looks like in reality for the science sector, just ask Professor Nicola Gaston, who says that the current approach \u201Cis like pulling an apple tree up by the roots to harvest its fruit\u201D. It does not make sense.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAt Callahan Innovation, we\u2019re seeing $10 million pumped out into redundancies, and we\u2019re seeing commercial R \u0026amp; D projects frozen and halted as a result of that. That\u2019s not good for the economy. In the science sector, we\u2019re seeing at least 700 scientists gone out of that sector, we\u2019re seeing the demonisation of social sciences, and we\u2019re seeing, for the first time ever, our PHF scientists on strike, taking industrial action. These are the people who do the vital research into public health and disease, into water and environment, into forensic science. Our science sector cannot afford three more years of a National Government, and New Zealand cannot afford three more years of a National Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENow, let\u2019s look at school lunches. I\u2019d rather not, because the ones that I\u2019ve seen in my electorate that are being delivered by this Government are absolutely disgusting.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b78723aefdc74b11a47482993ca56a74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a85ff816f2f54021bafd11163191d311\u0022\u003EHon Dr Duncan Webb\u003C/span\u003E: Poisonous.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e641dc4bf8aa41b0bd8a29676c8ba9a6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a682a6a6f1ef9b467628f6b98ab580a3\u0022\u003EREUBEN DAVIDSON\u003C/span\u003E: They are absolutely disgusting, and as one of my colleagues suggested, they are potentially poisonous; 50 percent of them, according to an Audit Office report, do not meet nutritional standards. Radio New Zealand reports that over 2,000 people have lost their jobs producing healthy school lunches. Schools have reported children being burnt, plastic in their food, and rotten food being delivered to be fed to children. Now, it\u2019s not lost on me that if you look at the child poverty report that was released with this Budget\u2014if you open up the thick folder\u2014it is a single sheet of A3 paper that this Government has taken to report on child poverty. That is shameful. Children in New Zealand cannot afford three more years of a National Government, and New Zealand cannot afford three more years of a National Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENow, if I want to talk about public transport, I cannot go past the new bus that we got this week in Aranui\u2014the first service, at 7.15 on Monday morning from New Brighton travelling through the suburb of Aranui\u2014but to get a new bus service or an extension of public transport in New Zealand at the moment is an absolute battle. Now what\u2019s happening because of the cuts from this Government in this term of Government and in this Budget? Bus services are being cut, and uplifts that are required for people to be able to catch a bus or use public transport during a fuel crisis are not happening. They\u2019re being delayed for the second or third time. They are not happening\u2014simply not happening. While fuel prices surge, while people struggle to put petrol in their cars, they are not getting the support from central government for public transport. That\u2019s why I think it\u2019s great that what we\u2019ve committed to is a public transport fare cap: no more than $20 a week that you would need to spend on public transport to make sure that you can get to the places you need to go. Users of public transport simply cannot afford another three years of this National Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn the broadcasting space\u2014well, that\u2019s just been hollow promises, absolutely hollow promises. We had a Minister who waltzed in and promised immediate action, and what did we see? Cuts to Radio New Zealand. We\u2019ve seen an absolutely laughable Sunday advertising bill, which is the only achievement that Minister has made. He said he\u2019s going to scrap the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA), and he\u2019s also promised that he\u2019s going to start work on prominence, but with 10 other portfolios on top of Broadcasting and Media, I don\u2019t think anyone believes that the Minister is going to take immediate action. The greatest risk that the Minister faces currently is that I will have to deliver him a cake on the second anniversary of the media release claiming he was going to take immediate action. It will be much better than the food delivered in school lunches. The word I hear and the messages and conversations I hear from the media sector every week is that the New Zealand media sector cannot afford three more years of a National Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENow I want to talk about something very serious, and that we see very clearly in the electorate of Christchurch East, where I\u2019m lucky enough to be the MP, and that is record levels of homelessness. We have entire communities being set up in abandoned parts of the red zone. We have up to 80 people living in Wetlands Grove in Bexley. We have people living in the red zone in tents and under bushes and under trees. In the last months, we had someone who lost their life living on the beach at New Brighton. This is an absolute tragedy and an absolute crisis in homelessness, and this Government is not doing anywhere near enough, if anything, to address that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis Government is instead selling off State houses in the electorate of Christchurch East. At the same time as we have people living in buses, cars, tents, and temporary structures that they\u2019re building in the red zone\u2014and some of these people are children, living in this unsafe, cold, dangerous environment, which has cost people their lives\u2014we see this Government selling off the very houses that could be the warm, dry homes that they need. New Zealanders deserve a warm, dry home, but this Government is not interested in delivering that for them. Those New Zealanders seeking those homes cannot afford three more years of this National Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI also cannot let an opportunity go by without saying one more time: would the Minister find, before this Government rises, a single hour in which this House could have the first reading of the online harm bill so that the select committee process could be started. Only 10 days ago, the Government stood up and had a very lavish press conference and event here at Parliament saying that mattered, and yet they will not give it a single hour in this term of Government to start that select committee process. Online safety and people who care about it cannot afford three more years of this National Government. [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220516959f155bb1504e14c7aa625ae77c\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Can I say just say to the people on the National Party side of the House: that shouting is unacceptable. Nobody heard a single word because you were all shouting at the same time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022beb91839dc784d58b7c846dc39ac3831\u0022 data-id=\u0022c1c28bb2cd93f52dcbd3705c88fe9285\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022beb91839dc784d58b7c846dc39ac3831\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c1c28bb2cd93f52dcbd3705c88fe9285\u0022\u003EHon MIKE BUTTERICK (National\u2014Wairarapa) (17:04)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It\u2019s a pleasure to speak on the Estimates bill debate. I just want to start by saying that this Government\u2019s Budget continues to back our rural and provincial communities, it continues to invest in rural New Zealand, and it does it without the need for a capital gains tax or a land tax or an inheritance tax or a wealth tax or any other tax that can be dreamt of. I just want to say to rural New Zealand: we see you and we thank you. We thank you for the contribution you make to your community, to your local economy, and to our broader economy and the success of this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ERural New Zealand matters. It\u2019s 360,000 people who work in our food and fibre sector. About one in six or one in seven people that get out of bed every day goes and works in it. This year, the food and fibre exports are forecast to reach $64.3 billion. It\u2019s 82 percent of our export income, and it\u2019s up 6 percent on the previous year. That\u2019s a success to be celebrated. Of course, to export, you need access to markets, and that\u2019s why free-trade agreements are important and it\u2019s why access matters. As I like to say, access gives us options, and with options we get a ticket to the game. Those export earnings don\u2019t just benefit our farmers and growers, because that\u2019s how we pay for our teachers and doctors, our policemen and our care workers, and they also fund our medicines, our ambulances, our schools, our roads, and all the other public services that Kiwis rely on. Let\u2019s be clear: when rural and provincial New Zealand is doing well, we are all better off for it. Every export dollar earned by a primary sector strengthens our ability to pay for those services and move the country forward so that we can build for the future. That\u2019s why this Government\u2019s Budget is investing more where it matters. We\u2019re investing in infrastructure, services, people, and opportunities that allow rural New Zealand to succeed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve been very clear as the MP for Wairarapa, Tararua, and Central Hawke\u2019s Bay, and the rest of rural and provincial New Zealand: they must be heard. My job is to take the reality of daily life, rural life, into the rooms where decisions are made and keep making the case until we get results. One example is transport: roads are the lifeline for our rural communities. They\u2019re not a nice to have; reliable access matters. That\u2019s why Budget 2026 invests $400 million in State highway resilience, strengthening routes too often closed by severe weather. It builds on a larger programme of transport renewals and bridge work already under way. For example, the Waihao North River and Elephant Hill Stream bridges on State Highway 82 are being replaced. Other funded bridge and culvert replacements are progressing in Taranaki, Whanganui, Coromandel, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and the West Coast. Those are national investments with local benefits: reliable access, safer journeys, and stronger supply chains. There are stories like this around the country\u2014different road names, different rivers, but the same need: dependable access. I\u2019ll keep advocating for the wider investment that rural New Zealand needs, because it\u2019s kind of handy if we can get our goods to market safely and on time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re also investing more where it matters in health. For years, the Wairarapa people have said that living outside a major city should not mean travelling over the hill to Wellington or Palmy for every diagnosis or treatment, and I\u2019ve carried that message and advocated strongly for our hospital. Now we have a major win: we\u2019ve already received the replacement CT scanner, but we\u2019re receiving a new $34 million MRI and endoscopy suite, and that includes a $3.7 million MRI scanner\u2014the first in the Wairarapa. It\u2019s also a seismic remediation that\u2019s been upgraded to a hospital redevelopment. That\u2019s what investment where it matters looks like, and it\u2019s happening right across New Zealand. It means fewer patients travelling for hours to access services; it means less time away from work; fewer hours on the road; and less stress for families. It gives local clinicians better diagnostic tools and helps people receive answers and treatment sooner. We\u2019ve invested an extra $5.5 billion for front-line health services, supporting more GPs, specialist assessments, surgery, and cancer treatments, alongside more investment in ambulances and Pharmac.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re also investing in the next generation: Budget 2026 provides a $1.6 billion operating boost for schools and early childhood education and $470 million for school property. Trades academy places will double from 10,000 to 20,000, with another thousand Youth Guarantee places. Those are school leavers with low or no qualifications, so that will enable those young people to have a better chance at success.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThat will enable those young people to have a better chance at success.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe need to support our young people who see a future close to home. Builders, mechanics, engineers, electricians, agricultural workers and rural contractors are highly skilled careers that allow people to earn, stay, and build a life in our rural communities. Treasury forecasts a further 220,000 jobs, and we\u2019re going to need those people. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000458\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELearning support investment continues through more teacher-aide hours, specialist support, and early intervention. In small rural schools, it\u2019s investment like this that really counts, because numbers and words should never be a mystery to anyone. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000459\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re continuing to invest in our rural vets with the voluntary bonding scheme encouraging graduate vets to work in our rural communities. Last year, 32 graduates took up the offer, and with this year\u2019s round open now, I\u2019m expecting to see even more take that opportunity. Investment of $4.95 billion baseline funding for the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is also continuing, and that reaches right into our rural communities. There is $246 million for the Primary Sector Growth Fund, helping good ideas move from the farm, the orchard, the forest, or the processing floor into commercial reality. There is $40.5 million over four years for our catchment groups, and another $79 million goes into the wilding control programme, which brings the total investment to $109 million.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000460\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere is $400,000 over four years supporting more than 90 A and P shows where town meets country, $250,000 for Rural Women New Zealand for their community outreach, and $60,000 to support young farmers, and those are our farmers for tomorrow. An investment of $4 million over four years for the Rural Wellbeing Fund has seen support for 18 initiatives across the country. Rural support trusts are also receiving $6 million over four years, including an extra $1 million for front-line mental wellbeing services. Then there\u2019s Investment Boost\u2014the second year of a $6.6 billion incentive to invest. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000461\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is about investing in our businesses, increasing productivity, creating jobs, growing our economy, and supporting all those good things that this country needs. Allowing a business to deduct a further 20 percent depreciation on top of normal depreciation is the incentive sometimes that will just allow people to make that decision, which boosts our regions and our economy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBut here\u2019s the thing: Investment Boost is not just about big-ticket purchases. You can replace the chainsaw that takes 10 minutes to start. You can replace the printer that seems to have a life of its own and doesn\u2019t want to work. It\u2019s for businesses big and small. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAnd then, resource management reform is another pro-growth measure this Government\u2019s delivering. Budget 2026 invests $294 million to begin rolling out a simpler planning, consenting, compliance, and IT system. It\u2019s a novel idea: one IT system to rule them all. What it will do is allow efficiency and clarity and reliability of decision making.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe new planning and natural environment legislation will have a positive impact in our rural and provincial areas. We want our farmers and growers to get on with what they do best, and that\u2019s grow more. We want to unlock growth, we want to unleash people\u2019s aspirations and ambitions, so that we can build for the future. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI also, just in closing, want to thank all those people working in the food and fibre sector. I want to thank our hospital and rural health teams, our teachers, our vets, our police, our firefighters, and our rural support trusts. I also thank the volunteers that keep our A and P shows, our halls, and our community organisations alive. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis Budget and the continued investment into our productive sector acknowledges the importance of the contribution that\u2019s made and will continue to be made to the success of this country and the opportunities that will continue to develop. We respect rural New Zealand, we value them, and we back them 100 percent, and we\u2019ve done it without any new taxes. This Government will continue to fix the basics and build the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220fe7508c7b8a47378c4c88fe1ce69fcb\u0022 data-id=\u0022b61a934301e27299f366e9f652734970\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220fe7508c7b8a47378c4c88fe1ce69fcb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b61a934301e27299f366e9f652734970\u0022\u003ECUSHLA TANGAERE-MANUEL (Labour\u2014Ikaroa-R\u0101whiti) (17:14)\u003C/span\u003E: T\u0113n\u0101 koe.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000468\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000469\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000470\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis afternoon, we\u2019ve heard a lot of promises, and \u201Cgonnas\u201D, and \u201Cwe will\u201D, and \u201Cwe\u2019re going to do this.\u201D I don\u2019t blame them, because their track record to date has been abysmal. The Prime Minister promised that the economy would turn around and people would have jobs. Where are the jobs? This afternoon, we heard the Minister talking about there being 4,000 rangatahi who are getting coaching for jobs. What jobs? Under National, unemployment is up, the take-up of apprenticeships is down, and jobs are nowhere to be found. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAll across Ikaroa-R\u0101whiti, from Awakairangi to the Wairarapa, which the member Mike Butterick has just mentioned, tae noa [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsTerm\u0022 style=\u0022font-style: italic\u0022\u003Eup to\u003C/span\u003E] Tai R\u0101whiti, unemployment is up in each and every one of our communities. National unemployment is at 5.6 percent but M\u0101ori unemployment is at 10.1 percent, almost double. Shame. No wonder they\u2019re talking about making promises instead of standing by their track record, because that is what has been achieved under this National-led coalition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWh\u0101nau across Ikaroa-R\u0101whiti and Aotearoa cannot take another three years of this National-led coalition. Thank God that Labour has a plan. The Minister who spoke said, \u201CWe see you.\u201D Yes, they do see you, Aotearoa, and they\u2019re ignoring you. You are telling them loud and clear, voting with your feet in many cases, and moving from Aotearoa because the opportunities that this National-led coalition promised have not materialised and whanau are struggling each and every day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOften in this House, we talk about mana motuhake. In its simplest form, mana motuhake in your daily life is being able to get ahead by your own hard work. That\u2019s what people across Aotearoa want, and this Government has not fully enabled people to get ahead on their own hard work. They\u2019ve made promises that the economy will turn around and that there would be jobs for wh\u0101nau, and that has not happened.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOne in five rangatahi M\u0101ori are not engaged in employment or education, That is simply not good enough, and that\u2019s why Labour is going to back M\u0101ori into skilled work with the M\u0101ori trades training initiative. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b78723aefdc74b11a47482993ca56a74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cd18c12ce78e3a9e17a6f68e59e1e569\u0022\u003EHon Dr Duncan Webb\u003C/span\u003E: Great idea.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000476\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220fe7508c7b8a47378c4c88fe1ce69fcb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bdda3874e3dd07bad61261c6ffa350dd\u0022\u003ECUSHLA TANGAERE-MANUEL\u003C/span\u003E: It is a great idea, and we know it\u2019s a great idea because we know it works. When the Labour Government introduced this, 81 percent of those who went into the kaupapa went into employment, and 76 percent achieved a training outcome. That is a result. That is not just empty promises about what we\u2019re going to do; this is giving people the opportunity build their own mana motuhake. Even better, it\u2019s going to be done in their communities with organisations they know and trust.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAnother thing that is often lauded in this House is the amazing progress of the M\u0101ori economy in recent years. However, under the National-led Government every metric of the M\u0101ori economy has gone backwards. So while that will certainly be supported by improved relationships and commitment under a Labour Government, it will also be supported by the Future Fund, but we also have to get right down to the grassroots and give people the tools to develop and grow their own mana motuhake on their own whenua, which is exactly what M\u0101ori trade training will do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe are also going to back Apprenticeship Boost. I believe that part of the reason the uptake is so poor is because, probably, there hasn\u2019t been too much of a focus on it, but also it is due to the affordability of it for employers. We know that everybody is doing it tough and it\u2019s not just the whanau who are struggling to pay the bills and put kai on the table; business are struggling. You heard my colleague talk about the number of liquidations across Aotearoa. How can we expect businesses to support whanau into trades and therefore into employment and therefore into contributing to our economy when they too are struggling?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EUnder Apprenticeship Boost, the employer subsidy will be restored to two years at $500 a month. The eligibility will be expanded to include new industries, because we\u2019re all diverse, and our population are diversifying as well. Industries have changed; we need to as well. There will be a grant of up to $1,000 to cover work-related upfront costs for our apprentices, because what\u2019s the point in gaining all the skills if you don\u2019t have the tools to do the mahi? We\u2019re all about practical outcomes for our wh\u0101nau to help them enhance their own mana motuhake. There will also be $2 million for industry skills boards and providers to pilot additional support and mentoring\u2014again, making this doable, workable, and ensuring that we get outcomes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAnother real result that wh\u0101nau are going to feel is as a result of our SolarSaver project. Not only is this going to hit people where they want to be hit, right in the back pocket\u2014bringing down one of the major concerns that this Government has been told time and time again and has not taken any affirmative action on\u2014but the SolarSaver kaupapa will deal with the number one issue we know wh\u0101nau are facing, which is the cost of living. It\u2019s also going to create another industry and more jobs, more jobs for our skilled apprentices, who can stay in the communities where they live, where they grew up, where they want to stay connected to their whenua, their wh\u0101nau, and their communities, putting their tamariki in local schools and supporting local business. That will all be supported by our SolarSaver scheme.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAlso, we know that a lot of iwi have already got really strong solar capability. I think of Rangit\u0101ne, who have got their floating solar farm ready to expand, the recently opened solar farm in Te Karaka. Iwi are ready to go, so this is all very complementary to our M\u0101ori trades training and our Apprenticeship Boost kaupapa. As I said, these are very real kaupapa that are going to have very real impacts, and it\u2019s not just going to keep individuals well educated, well trained, and well employed, it\u2019s going to keep them in their communities and make a massive contribution to our economy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn wrapping up, I just want once again to acknowledge the real mamae that people are feeling, the pain that families are telling us they are enduring every day. As I said, it\u2019s no wonder members opposite are making promises, because their track record to date has been shocking. Everywhere I go, across not just Ikaroa-R\u0101whiti but Aotearoa, wh\u0101nau are telling me they are ready for change. They cannot afford another three years of this National-led coalition. As I said, wh\u0101nau, Labour hears you, Labour sees you, and Labour has a plan\u2014plans that we know will work; plans that we know have worked.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWh\u0101nau, \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003Ethe final message is clear: we know\u2014you\u2019ve told us\u2014your number one priority is the cost of living. We know your other priorities. You want a good home. You want to get ahead on your own hard work\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000487\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000488\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000489\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EYou want access to healthcare\u2014you\u2019ve heard our plan for that\u2014and you want access to good, warm houses, and Labour has a solid track record of delivering that all across Aotearoa. There are papa k\u0101inga today still receiving houses that were funded under a Labour Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000490\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESo,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000491\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000492\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000493\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve got two more weeks in this House and less than 70 days until the election. Who is sitting on that side of the House when we come back is in your hands. Make sure you are registered, make sure you vote.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000494\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000496\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThank you, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b52eff5aa2a94fcc88903b73d0443de3\u0022 data-id=\u0022bc55865e2fd543555af78753a9020f02\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000497\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b52eff5aa2a94fcc88903b73d0443de3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bc55865e2fd543555af78753a9020f02\u0022\u003ENANCY LU (National) (17:24)\u003C/span\u003E: As I stand to commend the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill third reading to the House, I want to first acknowledge Paul, who came all the way from Christchurch, who\u2019s with us in the gallery today. Welcome to Wellington. Welcome to your House. I hope you feel very special that you\u2019re welcomed by members across the party, because we are elected by people like Paul to be in the House to fight for things that will build a better future for New Zealand. It\u2019s very welcoming to actually see how people like Paul engage with how we pass bills to make it better for New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000498\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAt heart, this bill is about choices. It is about how, as a National-led Government, we use taxpayers\u2019 money more responsibly, where we choose to invest to return the biggest impact that we can for the public sector and for New Zealanders, and what kind of New Zealand we want in the future and the economy that we want to build, to leave a lasting legacy for the future generations of New Zealand. There was so much that this Government needed to fix when we inherited it from the last lot, but our priorities are very clear: it is about fixing the basics and building a better future for all New Zealanders. I\u2019ve had so many notes to write about\u2014one part on fixing the basics, one part on building the future; what we have done in the last three; what this Budget is adding to what we\u2019ve done in the last three years, but also, the bill as it laps over the next four years and what we are building for New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000499\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn terms of fixing the basics, I have to start with health. Health is often, especially now, at the end of winter time, what people talk about when I door-knock on the weekend and what people tell me about on the doorstep. When I\u2019ve shared with them that the current Government has invested, in our Budget, a record $5.5\u00A0billion extra\u2014extra\u2014of taxpayers\u2019 money into front-line health services over the forecast, they\u2019ve been quite surprised. Then they\u2019ve asked me questions and we\u2019ve gone deeper into the bureaucracies that we inherited from the last lot; what happens in healthcare. However, we\u2019ve told them the plan and what we\u2019re doing already, including the additional spending that we put in into this year\u2019s Budget, including new hospitals and new wards built around the country\u2014that is the new hospital wing in Dunedin, that is the new hospital we\u2019re now building for Whang\u0101rei, that is the new land we\u2019re purchasing for South Auckland, that is also feeding and building into the future of front-line doctors and nurses by doing the additional school in Waikato University.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000500\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EApart from the hospital, the wards, the beds, it is also the additional money we\u2019ve put into Pharmac medicine. It is also about putting in funding and support for more precautionary and prevention testing\u2014into breast cancer screening, into cervical screening, into bowel cancer screening. All of this is adding and helping towards building a better future for New Zealanders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000501\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThen, what are we fixing in education? I am a mother of two young children, and when I sent Amber to her first day in school, I sent a text message to the Minister of Education, Minister Erica Stanford. I thanked her as a voter in New Zealand, and I thanked her as a mother, because myself, having gone through the public school system, I had all the confidence in the New Zealand public school system until the last lot came in, when there was rising truancy and kids were not going to school any more. There was no clear understanding from schools, from teachers, and from parents on what to teach our children. There was no foundational skills or knowledge taught in maths and English, and definitely not in science.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000502\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESo what are we fixing? We are fixing it. I literally just saw this and I thought it was so fitting\u2014I hope the TV will see it, and people around New Zealand will see it. While Labour are talking \u201Ctax, tax, tax\u201D, we are building, and this is without adding additional tax on New Zealand taxpayers. We as a Government are building 1,364 new classrooms\u20141,364 new classrooms\u2014without adding new taxes. We\u2019ve built three new specialist schools without adding new taxes. We are also adding solar panels to 500 schools around the country to help to reduce their energy bills, to help to provide a safer and warmer school for our children, without adding new taxes. That is what I call fixing the basics but also building the future\u2014this is what the National Government is about.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThen there\u2019s law and order. I remember door-knocking in 2023 and that was the number one thing talked about in our community. There was concern about going into shopping malls, concern about ram raids, and concern about all the young children getting out of school or not going to school and then creating chaos and mayhem. There was concern about gangs going into townships and closing down townships so kids can\u2019t go to school. There was a lot of anxiety and fear in the community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000504\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESo we came in, and what did we do in fixing the basics\u2014and what has this Budget added? Just look at the results now. Ram raids are down by 85 percent, there are new police stations because the Government invested in a new police station in Greymouth, a new police station in Whanganui, and for Corrections a new courthouse in Rotorua. All of that was added, and the result we\u2019re seeing now is a 22 percent reduction in serious repeat youth offending and 46,000 fewer victims\u2014victims and their families\u2014and better, safer communities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000505\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThat sort of fixing the basics needs to continue. We still have too much crime, but we cannot afford to go back to the last lot, which has, by the way, the same leader, the same deputy leader, the same front bench\u2014just swapped around because they don\u2019t answer emails\u2014and all the same team, and they\u2019re going back to the same strategy of all talk and no delivery. Actually, there is additional talk, because they\u2019ve now promised tax, tax, tax, and also because their potential coalition partners are now talking about a bottom line being adding taxes, taxes, taxes. What do they have to show for it? Nothing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000506\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn the last week when I door-knocked, people were concerned about the additional tax burden. Fundamentally, they are saying, \u201CWe don\u2019t mind so much about paying tax, but we know that we\u2019re just giving our money for no reason. We know that we\u2019re just giving all this money to the IRD and we don\u2019t see new hospitals, new roads, new schools\u2014nothing.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000507\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI want to answer one of the comments made by a speaker in the Labour Party just before me. He talked about the growing number of businesses closing down. He probably hasn\u2019t read the news, because actually at the year ended 31 July 2026 there were more companies registered at the Companies Office\u2014far more; actually, 40 percent more new businesses registered than businesses closed. If you are going to read one side of the stats, just make sure that you read the other side so that you have the complete, accurate story, because whatever we say in this House has a growing impact outside this House. People listen, so give them the true story.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000508\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAnyway, what are we doing for the future? This Government, in this Budget, has committed to infrastructure pipeline projects\u2014and we have started turning the sod\u2014that in the next four years will bring 220,000 new jobs for New Zealand. Those jobs will come with construction, with all the different sectors that are related to the projects, like new roads, new bridges, but also in retail and all the hospitality and service providers that come around those infrastructure projects. Remember that when we talk about the new infrastructure we\u2019re putting in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000509\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAlso, there are record-breaking export sales. We are a migrant country. We are also a country that focuses so much on exports. We do so well at producing primary goods, so let\u2019s not forget about the policies we have implemented and are supporting through Investment Boost and through a boost to families.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000510\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAlso, KiwiSaver can now be used for first-home buyers on farms. All those measures are to help our primary sector to make sure that they continue to deliver and to grow this economy. This is why I think people at this year\u2019s election have a very, very clear choice. It is about a party vote for parties that are mature, that have a plan, and are already delivering on the plan, and we have shown in the records that we have actually fixed the basics, but we are also building the future at the same time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000511\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis election, make sure that you vote. Make sure that you vote for the party that will actually drive delivery, growth, and provide better jobs and a better future for all New Zealanders. I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022 data-id=\u0022743a28e098df2901c9ddffabc96e1b6f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000512\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022743a28e098df2901c9ddffabc96e1b6f\u0022\u003EHon KIERAN McANULTY (Labour) (17:34)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. That was quite an extraordinary contribution. Government members are trying to have New Zealanders believe that they have somehow managed to lower taxes, increase spending, and reduce debt. Oh, no, they didn\u2019t mention debt, did they? No, and there\u2019s a very good reason for that. They have tried to present this to New Zealanders\u2014that somehow they have managed to do all these things without raising taxes. That is what they are trying to push.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000513\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBut, as Nancy Lu was pleading with the House to tell the whole story, let\u2019s have the whole story. This Government has borrowed through the teeth to get the things that are in this Budget. They have not balanced the books like they promised. In fact, they have increased the debt. This Government have borrowed more than the previous Government did, if you exclude COVID. Let\u2019s now include COVID, because during that time the very same MPs that are now senior Ministers were pleading with us to spend more. They cannot have it both ways.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000514\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThey are trying to trick New Zealanders into believing that it is possible to do all these things that they have promised without increasing taxes and without increasing debt. It is not possible. It is not true. That is why they are not telling the full story. The thing is that a few speeches\u2014even speeches read today on that side of the House\u2014are not going to change the reality for New Zealanders. They know that what Nancy Lu just said isn\u2019t true. They know that what Mike Butterick said before her isn\u2019t true. It doesn\u2019t add up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000515\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cf22a832d14a4c99ab5dfd16e24446e5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da58cc8a86efbab724cc60861ec41418\u0022\u003ERima Nakhle\u003C/span\u003E: Best MP.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000516\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dbae8455d06a82dcd062bc56cac4d9eb\u0022\u003EHon KIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m not at all surprised to hear that Rima Nakhle\u2019s piping up. She may as well make the most of the time she\u2019s got. My pick, with two parliamentary sitting weeks left and just over two months left before the election, is that she\u2019s gone, and so is Tim Costley as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000517\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealanders know that this Government promised the world and has delivered nothing. Things have got worse. Debt has increased. Costs have increased. Wages have gone down in real terms. Unemployment is up. Homelessness is up. None of those things was talked about in any of the contributions from the Government members today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat is also fascinating is that none of them has talked about nurses. Why is that, I wonder. Why is that? Is it possibly because the Prime Minister and the health Minister\u2014and basically all of them\u2014have been caught out? They have been caught out misleading the country by saying they have added 2,000 more nurses, but, actually, that is not true, is it? No, it\u2019s not true. The number is 54\u201454 nurses at a time when demand on the health system has never been higher. This lot have only increased the number of nurses by 54.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000519\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhy is it, I wonder, that they have to make things up. Why do they have to claim that it\u2019s 2,000 when it is actually 54? It is not just in terms of nurses, by the way. They are claiming that they have built 7,000 houses when, actually, it\u2019s 600. Why do they have to make things up? It\u2019s because their record doesn\u2019t stand on its own two feet. It falls over very quickly once you scratch the surface, once you get through the spin, once you get through all the nonsense, all the PR\u2014it doesn\u2019t stack up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000520\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EJust look at the record in nursing. Waikato Hospital has 90 fewer fulltime-equivalents than a year ago. That\u2019s extraordinary. Auckland City Hospital has 74 fewer. Middlemore Hospital has 78 fewer. They have not added a single nurse to Wairarapa Hospital in their entire time in Government. In fact, Wairarapa are 40 nurses short, and they are not allowed to hire. Let that sink in: they are 40 nurses short of what we need, and they are not allowed to hire, because Simeon Brown and this Government have put a hiring freeze on. They are not allowed to hire.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000521\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIs it any wonder that the number of nurses has grown by only 54 in this term? It is outrageous, and the fact that they tried to fib, the fact that they tried to mislead the country into thinking it was more when it was only 54, says everything you need to know about this Government. Just look at Palmerston North. They\u2019ve had 25 cut in the last two years. Northland has had 67 cut, and Nelson-Marlborough has been cut by 30. They are going backwards because they have not invested in health. When they say they\u2019ve done all these things, put a record level of funding into health, you only need to increase it by a dollar for it to be a record level of funding.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000522\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe thing is that they have not kept up with demand; they have not kept up with the cost.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000523\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cf22a832d14a4c99ab5dfd16e24446e5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224cea01a2fea83e5fe8cd812cb768ca5a\u0022\u003ERima Nakhle\u003C/span\u003E: In six years, they couldn\u2019t even bring in free breast cancer screening.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000524\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da15ec20baf5cebe3d2a08e9276c38b7\u0022\u003EHon KIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: They are chirping away because I have hit a nerve\u2014because they\u2019re going around their communities knocking on doors and telling people that nurses have gone up by 2,000 when they know it isn\u2019t true. Why are they saying things they know are not true? It\u2019s because they know that if they actually talked the truth when it came to nurses, it would not stack up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000525\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EIt is exactly the same when you look at the claims that were made around Wairarapa Hospital. This is an issue that I have been banging on about for the last three years. This Government stole money that was intended to fix our hospital. We had to get the Speaker involved because the Minister refused to answer questions. We had to get the Ombudsman involved because the health ministry refused to answer questions. There was money designated to fix Wairarapa Hospital, they took it to fix the hole in their Budget, and then they have the nerve now, when they have been shamed into giving that money back, to claim credit for it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000526\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d52c571cdb246f6abf50a39de1a66f7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ef253bc390fd7cb986930c9c6dca5dce\u0022\u003EGlen Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s outrageous.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000527\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224e629ee81cf49d015947446a420bb092\u0022\u003EHon KIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: It is outrageous. Their record on health is outrageous. It is shameful. The facts speak for themselves. I would challenge any Government member to go and stand outside their local hospital, be it in Waikato or in Auckland City or in Middlemore or in Wairarapa or in Palmerston North or in Northland or in Nelson-Marlborough and to tell the truth\u2014tell the facts: that their nursing numbers have gone backwards, and then tell people to vote for them. They won\u2019t do it, will they?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000528\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d52c571cdb246f6abf50a39de1a66f7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227987bd0fbe2954ae18829364a98ddbaa\u0022\u003EGlen Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: No, they won\u2019t.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000529\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228217f76d71adabffa14feaa4cbc75733\u0022\u003EHon KIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: They won\u2019t, because they know that no one is going to vote for a Government that says it as it is, that tells the facts, that tells the truth that says despite three years in power, despite making all sorts of claims about expenditure in health, things have gotten worse. Fact: things have gone backwards\u2014fact. They can\u2019t spin their way out of it. They tried. They tried to mislead the country and they got caught out. But they don\u2019t care\u2014they don\u2019t care.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000530\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EThey think that they can win this election by misleading people. I\u2019ll give you an example: the National Party want to sell Air New Zealand. They want to privatise our national carrier. Is that true? No. That\u2019s what the ACT Party want to do. It would be dishonest for me to say that the National Party want to do something because their coalition wants to do something. But that is not what the National Party is doing, is it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000531\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d52c571cdb246f6abf50a39de1a66f7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223c6bfbbb6f84ff2386e39081c62455e2\u0022\u003EGlen Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000532\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022571ff7433c8b914606722e06d3ee812c\u0022\u003EHon KIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: No. They are not sticking to the truth; they are trying to collate things and present a problem. So if it is dishonest for me to say that the National Party want to sell Air New Zealand, it is dishonest for the National Party to say that the Labour Party want to introduce nine new taxes. They know it isn\u2019t true, but they say it anyway.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000533\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat does it say about a Government with a record of three years behind them that they have to make things up to make themselves look electable; that, after three years of being in Government, they have to go to New Zealand and say, \u201CVote for us because these guys are going to do nine new taxes.\u201D, despite the fact they know it isn\u2019t true. That\u2019s hardly a record to stand on. That is why they\u2019re doing it. They have hardly got a record to stand on so they have to make things up to make themselves look electable.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000534\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI haven\u2019t even mentioned New Zealand First; that speaks for itself. They\u2019re going backwards; I\u2019m going to leave them alone. They\u2019re doing themselves damage; that\u2019s fine by me. But the fact is that New Zealanders can see through this fib. They can see through the nonsense. They know that in their local hospitals, things are going backwards. If nurses aren\u2019t allowed to be hired, they have been cut; if work needs to be done, the money\u2019s been put elsewhere to fill the hole in their Budget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000535\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is the reality that New Zealanders are facing: the highest homelessness in the history of this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000536\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cf22a832d14a4c99ab5dfd16e24446e5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226b55d35dadec7ecfb3301990a74c5bb5\u0022\u003ERima Nakhle\u003C/span\u003E: Not true.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000537\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022853232a1fa2aea300c75b0818da7a126\u0022\u003EHon KIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: The highest homelessness in the history of this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000538\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cf22a832d14a4c99ab5dfd16e24446e5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a24868cbdcff73b18f09bd40a42ab86f\u0022\u003ERima Nakhle\u003C/span\u003E: According to who?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000539\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c5b499dfbebb95b377f2bccf43218850\u0022\u003EHon KIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: Rima Nakhle always changes seats in order to heckle\u2014have you noticed that? It still doesn\u2019t work. She says that it is not true. Well, I\u2019ll tell you what? New Zealanders, here is a simple choice for you: who are you going to believe? Those people on the front lines, like the Wellington City Mission, the Auckland City Mission, the Christchurch City Mission, or the Methodist Mission, or Rima Nakhle? Who are New Zealanders going to believe? The people who are working with homelessness, the people who are working with our most vulnerable\u2014those who say that it is the worst they have ever experienced, the worst that the country has ever seen\u2014who are they going to believe? Them? The people who know what they\u2019re not talking about? Or desperate National MPs who only have a matter of weeks left in the job who are clinging on to anything\u2014making things up in order to stay in this job. I know who New Zealanders are going to believe: the ones who are actually telling the truth. They are ones who they are going to believe. In just over two months\u2019 time, we\u2019re going to see that in action.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022 data-id=\u0022ee04daffdf46c257d7c34aeb2b5d2450\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ee04daffdf46c257d7c34aeb2b5d2450\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty) (17:45)\u003C/span\u003E: If there was ever a pitch for leadership on that side of the House, that was it\u2014that was it. One of the prerequisites, as Suze Redmayne said, is he has to wear a tie. So that discounts half of his colleagues on that side, but that was the leadership pitch. And that was the leadership pitch after a 24 percent poll result in this week\u2019s Roy Morgan Poll on that side for Labour: 24 percent. They\u2019re taking a dive\u2014they\u2019re taking a deep dive. You just wait: the hospital pass will come in. Mr McAnulty, Chris Hipkins has read the tea leaves, and we think you should take it up, and take on the mantle.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000541\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003ELadies and gentlemen, he\u2019ll use that speech, right there, to say, \u201CColleagues, I\u2019m the white knight, I\u2019m coming to save the day. Don\u2019t worry about Wairarapa. Don\u2019t worry about that. I want to lead this party and this country.\u201D That\u2019s what that speech was\u2014that\u2019s what that was. That was the leadership pitch. The only downside is he only had three other colleagues here to listen to it\u2014and one of them is retiring, and he\u2019s out of here; he\u2019s checked out. He was yawning during that contribution; he was so bored\u2014he was so bored. So there are no votes there. That was a leadership pitch if I\u2019ve ever heard one.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000542\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022214b6fd374fcb5818fb736624b50ff0d\u0022\u003EHon Kieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: But you\u2019ve seen two already this year.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000543\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228f6b60b43e6f9a5a8ed5d986e5d10303\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD\u003C/span\u003E: But we\u2019re actually here to talk about the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill; that\u2019s what we\u2019re actually here to talk about. We\u2019re not here to talk about things here, things there\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000544\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f45a076afc55f8b9750764de8053e7ef\u0022\u003EHon Kieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: Did you vote for Erica, or did you vote for \u201CBish\u201D? It was Erica, wasn\u2019t it? Or was it Penk?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000545\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e7654a66607ce5bd5a153c84ae284b05\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD\u003C/span\u003E: We\u2019re here to talk about the appropriation bill, Mr McAnulty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000546\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f504591884150392c32cba94352d1788\u0022\u003EHon Kieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: Who did you vote for? Was it Erica? It was Erica!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000547\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224337cb09c9c42ea73408ce9d74db8669\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I certainly didn\u2019t vote for you, sir\u2014I certainly didn\u2019t vote for you. If I lived in the Wairarapa, my vote would have gone to Mike Butterick every day of the week\u2014every day of the week, Mike Butterick. That\u2019s a true representative, one that actually lives in his community; one that actually lives in it, and knows and lives and breathes it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000548\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002231e9ee174189fbd53d658a499dc0f04a\u0022\u003EHon Kieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. As everybody in this House knows, I love the hustle and bustle of this House, but it is inappropriate and unparliamentary to make an inaccurate claim about someone\u2019s personal circumstances. I do live in Wairarapa and the member should not allude otherwise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000549\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c41e0973216f29e4445ee601da9456d5\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I expect that Tom Rutherford would apologise to the member.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000550\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022934d722d490769ae86ad2270922ea3fd\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Speaker, I withdraw and apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000551\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002298f01f65714746cc26c90db004775907\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: And I also want to remind the member that we\u2019re on appropriations, and I know we\u2019ve gone a bit political this afternoon, but a little bit of the appropriation bill in the speech would be good.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000552\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b7b4568b50e5f601805224813b9f380e\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s great\u2014I\u2019ve got seven minutes and 42 seconds to do so.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000553\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIf we\u2019re talking about accurate records in the House, there should be other members standing up and correcting the record at the same time. I just wonder, if the member on that side wants to hold that standard, maybe he should look across his benches to other members on that side of the House and hold them to the exact same standard, because if he wants to hold us to that standard, he should start in his own glasshouse\u2014his own glasshouse\u2014and set the standard there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000554\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis year\u2019s Budget was focused on fixing the basics and building the future. If I think of my home in Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty, one of the things from this year\u2019s Budget that I\u2019m so proud of\u2014so proud of\u2014was the funding for the redevelopment of the Tauranga Hospital. Our city has grown exponentially over the last 25 to 30 years\u2014we\u2019ve grown massively; we\u2019ve been one of New Zealand\u2019s fastest-growing areas across the country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000555\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOur men and women on the front line, working day to day in our Tauranga Hospital, are working in a constrained environment. Many Governments have known about the issue; many Governments have known about it. They have seen the droves of people coming across the Kaimai Ranges into Tauranga and seeing what we have in our slice of paradise. People have seen it; they know what we have: beautiful beaches, amazing communities, pretty damn good representations from their local members as well. But our Tauranga Hospital has been pushed to its absolute limit.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000556\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis year\u2019s Budget had funding to upgrade it\u2014finally, finally, it had funding for the redevelopment of the Tauranga Hospital. That is something I am so proud of us about, as a Government, that we are delivering. I know my colleague Sam Uffindell, the MP for Tauranga, would share the same thoughts as I would, because for many men and women across Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty, they want to know that if they turn up to their hospital, they can get the service they need from the incredible front-line healthcare workers but also that they are working in an environment and in facilities that are there to support them. So I\u2019m really proud that we\u2019re the Government delivering the redevelopment of the Tauranga Hospital.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000557\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAnother thing I\u2019m incredibly proud of, for us, is supporting our Port of Tauranga and the fast-track legislation that we\u2019ve got that will enable growth, not just for Tauranga but for New Zealand\u2014for New Zealand. This is New Zealand\u2019s largest export port in the country\u2014in the country\u2014and it\u2019s been our Government\u2019s fast-track legislation that has enabled things like the Port of Tauranga, numerous renewable projects, numerous housing projects to finally be delivered; to change this attitude of no into, finally, a yes. And that is a good thing. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000558\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ERoading and investment into infrastructure is massive for Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty, and this year\u2019s Budget is building on that. We\u2019ve got two roads of national significance: State Highway 29, Tauriko West, stage one, started under us\u2014started under us. They talk; we deliver on this side. They talk, they consult, they put heaps of money into consultants. Remember \u201Clight fail\u201D? Remember \u201Clight fail\u201D? Not one metre of track actually delivered. This side, we came into Government, we said we would begin Tauriko West, State Highway 29 and it\u2019s under way. That is a great thing, delivered through numerous Budgets, as us, as a Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000559\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAnd then there\u2019s the Takitimu North Link, stage one, that\u2019s progressing exceptionally well; opening in less than two years\u2019 time for our community, which will be great. Fast track delivered for stage two already. Stage two is going to continue, and that is great. That\u2019s what a Government of action actually does and I\u2019m really, really proud of that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000560\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis year\u2019s Budget delivers on the investment into roading and infrastructure: nearly $7 billion in capital investment and about $60 billion of infrastructure investment over the next four years. That\u2019s jobs\u2014that\u2019s what that is. That\u2019s opportunity. That\u2019s saying to New Zealanders that we\u2019ve got plans for the future. We\u2019re creating jobs, creating opportunity, investing in local economies, creating growth\u2014that is how a Government grows the size of the pie. That\u2019s how you grow the pie, and that\u2019s what Mike Butterick talks about a lot. You don\u2019t cut the pie up into so many small pieces and try to tax the hell out of it; you grow the pie. You want to solve the cost of living, you create more jobs, you build growth, you lift wages. That\u2019s how you do it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000561\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b78723aefdc74b11a47482993ca56a74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002264796bbcbf6b4f5524eb9aabb666d4c1\u0022\u003EHon Dr Duncan Webb\u003C/span\u003E: I can\u2019t afford a pie.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000562\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222628da4256cdae633fda5b7f9b25e346\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s how you do it. And Duncan Webb, he can yell\u2014he can yell\u2014but the only reason he\u2019s yelling is he\u2019s looking for a job in two months\u2019 time. He\u2019s looking for one in two months\u2019 time. [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EBell rings\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000563\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a09936492226d3acaf2e07975b15b06b\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The bell is the Business Committee clock. That one\u2019s about 30 seconds behind.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000564\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fa70a3abc54532933940430290050ab8\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD\u003C/span\u003E: OK, Madam Speaker, that\u2019s fine.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000565\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002212430ec25642e135c23ff03d427bc0fb\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Just to inform the speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000566\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226896d79add58fd62362c12ee34f3ab67\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s fine. I think of other opportunities coming in our community and I think of what we\u2019re doing in law and order. Law and order, for many locals in the Bay of Plenty\u2014if I knock on doors in P\u0101p\u0101moa, Mount Maunganui, Welcome Bay, Maungatapu, or \u014Chauiti, they say to me, \u201CGosh, I feel a lot safer now than I did 2\u00BD years ago. Gosh, I feel so much safer if I go to Bayfair or the Crossing or into Tauranga Central than I did 2\u00BD years ago. Thank goodness your Government has invested in law and order and getting rid of the sense of lawlessness that was taking over this country.\u201D Remember ram raids? Down 85\u00A0percent under our Government. Gang patches? I haven\u2019t seen one of those for nearly two years\u2014I haven\u2019t seen one of them for nearly two years. And Greg O\u2019Connor, last night, in his valedictory statement, said that he absolutely loved the gang patch ban. That\u2019s maybe why he\u2019s going\u2014that\u2019s maybe why he\u2019s going: down the back if you\u2019ve got a differing view to the front bench.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000567\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAnd just, finally, the one thing I keep hearing is, \u201CPlease, don\u2019t bring in any new taxes.\u201D You want to do something about the cost of living, don\u2019t take more of people\u2019s own money; they\u2019ve worked hard for it. You don\u2019t grow this economy by digging into other people\u2019s pockets; you do it by creating opportunities, creating a brighter future, focusing on the things that actually matter, and fixing the basics and building the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000568\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill be now read a third time and the Imprest Supply (Second for 2026/27) Bill be now read a second time\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000569\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBoldCentred\u0022\u003EAyes 67\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 48; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000571\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBoldCentred\u0022\u003ENoes 48\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000572\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 34; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 14.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000573\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000574\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAppropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000575\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EImprest Supply (Second for 2026/27) Bill read a second time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000576\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002219f602dff337c7d0ddc8cb27c7daea34\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The Imprest Supply (Second for 2026/27) Bill is set down for third reading immediately.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000577\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f516bb46b3cb28658d559f1365bd2c5f\u0022\u003EImprest Supply (Second for 2026/27) Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000578\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00223c53639866c2e06b99fca111b8ba57ef\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022587d574de1174371be09e431d9060e87\u0022 data-id=\u002207c3934f0e006cce214d5bbc81438113\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000579\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022587d574de1174371be09e431d9060e87\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002207c3934f0e006cce214d5bbc81438113\u0022\u003EHon CAMERON BREWER (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs) (17:55)\u003C/span\u003E: on behalf of the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister of Finance\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the Imprest Supply (Second for 2026/27) Bill be now read a third time\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000580\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the Imprest Supply (Second for 2026/27) Bill be now read a third time\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000581\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBoldCentred\u0022\u003EAyes 67\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000582\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 48; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000583\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBoldCentred\u0022\u003ENoes 48\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000584\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 34; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 14.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000586\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000587\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226a11f4daebffed2108668e63d6004f57\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 15\u00A0September\u00A02026.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id2026090344b9c9520ece8ed310000588\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBoldCentred\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 5.56 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"