Parliament 14 February 2011

Oral Questions 2 pm – 3 pm

1. JOHN HAYES to the Minister of Finance: What progress is being made in rebalancing New Zealand’s economy towards paying our way in the world?
2. DAVID SHEARER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement made with regard to the revenue from asset sales “I don’t know the exact number that they have in their books today”?
3. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Minister for Land Information: Did New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement with China influence his decision to approve the sale of the Crafar farms to the Shanghai Pengxin Group?
4. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in his Minister responsible for Whānau Ora in fulfilling the objectives set out in the Relationship Accord and Confidence and Supply Agreement between his party and the Māori Party dated 11 December 2011?
5. ALFRED NGARO to the Minister for Social Development: What reports has she received about proposed welfare reform in other jurisdictions?
6. GRANT ROBERTSON to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that “the PM’s Hour” on Radio Live on 30 September 2011 was an “election free zone”; if so, why?
7. Dr CAM CALDER to the Minister of Justice: What are her priorities in regard to bail laws over the coming three years?
8. Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Finance: Does he have confidence in The Treasury?
9. CATHERINE DELAHUNTY to the Minister of Health: What is the total cost of legal action spent to date by his Ministry to oppose the claim that family members have the right to be paid to care for adult disabled children?
10. CHARLES CHAUVEL to the Minister of Justice: Do fire-fighters, ambulance officers, and the small number of other types of first responders legally required to attend and assist in accident and emergency situations deserve the same level of legal protection from assault as police and prison officers when they are carrying out their duties; if not, why not?
11. CHRIS AUCHINVOLE to the Minister for Racing: What announcements has he made relating to safety on racecourses?
12. CLARE CURRAN to the Minister of Broadcasting: Does he believe that appointing the Rt Hon John Key’s electorate chair Stephen McElrea to the board of NZ On Air was appropriate?

So today there are four patsies from National, five questions from Labour, two from the Greens and one from NZ First. The  prize for most grovelling patsy question of the day goes  to Q11 – What announcements has he made relating to safety on racecourses?

Labour are focusing on asset sales, Radio Live, and NZ on Air. All issues from last week, they are trying to keep alive.

The Greens are asking about the Crafar farms and disabled care giving. The one of the Crafar farms could be interesting as they are trying to tie it into the China FTA, in which case Labour will be the target of their attack, not National.

Winston is on Whanau Ora again, but with a more detailed question to the PM, so he may make better progress today.

Maiden speeches for Labour MPs are from 5 pm to 6 pm, being Dunedin North MP Dr David Clark, List MP Andrew Little, Wigram MP Dr Megan Woods, and Te Tai Tonga MP Rino Tirikatene

10.5 hours remaining of the debate.

Government Bills 7.30 pm – 10.00 pm

1. Road User Charges Bill – third reading (continued)
2. National Animal Identification and Tracing Bill – third reading
3. Taxation (International Investment and Remedial Matters) Bill – committee stage
4. Customs and Excise (Joint Border Management Information Sharing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill – committee stage
5. Medicines Amendment Bill – first reading

The Road User Charges Bill was introduced in November 2010 and seeks to reform the road user charge system for users of diesel vehicles. It was opposed by Labour at first reading but supported at second reading, after select committee hearings.

The National Animal Identification and Tracing Bill was introduced in December 2010 and seeks to to establish a National Animal Identification and Tracing system in New Zealand. It was passed by a voice vote on first reading, and on second reading was supported by all parties except ACT.

The Taxation (International Investment and Remedial Matters) Bill was introduced in October 2010 and seeks to to reform the tax treatment of gains of New Zealand residents from income interests in overseas entities and gains of foreign residents from interests in New Zealand companies. It passed its first and second readings on a voice vote.

The Customs and Excise (Joint Border Management Information Sharing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill was introduced in September 2010 and seeks to enable border agencies to share information, change the thresholds and processes for administrative and petty offence provisions of the Customs and Excise Act. It passed its first and second reading on voice votes.

The Medicines Amendment Bill was introduced in October 2011 and aims to modernise Medicines Act 1981.