Parliament 16 October 2012

Oral Questions 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Questions to Ministers

1. DAVID SHEARER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements in relation to Kim Dotcom and the inquiry into the actions of the Government Communications Security Bureau?
2. METIRIA TUREI to the Minister for Social Development: Does she have confidence that the Ministry of Social Development can keep private information it holds confidential?
3. KATRINA SHANKS to the Minister of Finance: What are the main features of the Government’s plan to build a more competitive economy based on more savings, higher exports and less debt?
4. JACINDA ARDERN to the Minister for Social Development: Has the Ministry of Social Development competently managed the private information in its charge?
5. Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA to the Minister for Social Development: What children will the White Paper for Vulnerable Children be targeting?
6. CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of Education: What specific criteria were used to determine whether a school in Christchurch was identified for restoration, consolidation or rejuvenation?
7. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Minister responsible for the GCSB: What were the dates of the three cases that the Government Communications Security Bureau audit highlighted, because they could not assure him “that the legal position is totally clear”, as referred to in his statement of 3 October 2012?
8. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his answer to my Question for Written Answer 3326 (2012)?
9. Hon LIANNE DALZIEL to the Minister of Civil Defence: Why did he reject the independent Civil Defence Emergency Management earthquake review’s recommendation, which was made in response to the finding that duplication of control was “not only inefficient but put people and property at risk”, and that “the same situation could arise in a number of different parts of New Zealand”?
10. MIKE SABIN to the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs: What is the Government doing to improve the support and recognition given to veterans?
11. GRANT ROBERTSON to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in Hon John Banks; if so, why?
12. NICKY WAGNER to the Minister responsible for the Earthquake Commission: What is the objective of the Government review of the EQC?

Questions to Members

1. HOLLY WALKER to the Member in charge of the Income Tax (Universalisation of In-work Tax Credit) Amendment Bill: What is the purpose of the Income Tax (Universalisation of In-work Tax Credit) Amendment Bill?
2. HOLLY WALKER to the Member in charge of the Income Tax (Universalisation of In-work Tax Credit) Amendment Bill: Does the Income Tax (Universalisation of In-work Tax Credit) Amendment Bill attempt to fix discrimination in the current Working for Families tax credit scheme?
3. HOLLY WALKER to the Member in charge of the Income Tax (Universalisation of In-work Tax Credit) Amendment Bill: What reports has she seen relating to reform of the In-work Tax Credit through the Income Tax (Universalisation of In-work Tax Credit) Amendment Bill as a measure to address child poverty?
4. HOLLY WALKER to the Member in charge of the Income Tax (Universalisation of In-work Tax Credit) Amendment Bill: Has she received any advice on other parties’ support for the Income Tax (Universalisation of In-work Tax Credit) Amendment Bill?Bottom of Form

Today there are five questions to Ministers from Labour, four from National, two from the Greens and 1 from NZ First. In addition, Holly Walker is asking four questions to Metiria Turei on the Universal In-work Tax Credit Bill.

Patsy of the day goes to Q3 – What are the main features of the Government’s plan to build a more competitive economy based on more savings, higher exports and less debt?

Labour are asking about the GCSB, MSD security breach, Christchurch, and John Banks.

Greens are also asking about the GCSB and MD security breach, while NZ First is asking the PM to stand by his response to an earlier question about meetings with Maurice Williamson and Simon Power in 2011. Presumably Winston has something planned and this is a “gotcha” question.

Government Bills 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm and 7.30 pm – 10.00 pm

1. Customs and Excise (Tobacco Products – Budget Measures) Amendment Bill – third reading
2. Commerce Commission (International Co-operation, and Fees) Bill – third reading
3. Taxation (Annual Rates, Returns Filing, and Remedial Matters) Bill – committee stage
4. Legislation Bill – committee stage

The first two bills have both been divided at committee stage – the former into seven separate Bills and the latter into four. Both groups of Bills will still be considered at third reading together. The first has a full two hours allocated for their third reading. The second was interrupted 27 September, and 80 minutes of allocated time remain. Following that, the committee of the House will resume consideration of the Taxation (Annual Rates, Returns Filing, and Remedial Matters) Bill. Depending on how long this takes, they may begin the committee stage of the Legislation Bill.

The Customs and Excise (Tobacco Products—Budget Measures) Amendment Bill was introduced by Tariana Turia in May, and seeks to amend the Customs and Excise Act 1996 to make 4 cumulative 10% increases to the duties on all tobacco products. It was split into seven separate Bills at the committee stage with Labour’s support, but they indicated an intention to vote against six of the seven resulting Bills at third reading. The seven Bills have been allocated two hours total for their third reading.

The Commerce Commission (International Co-operation, and Fees) Bill deals with the operation of the Commerce Commission. The primary objective is to facilitate co-operation between the Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. It was divided into four bills at committee stage.

Introduced by Peter Dunne last year, the Taxation (Annual Rates, Returns Filing, and Remedial Matters) Bill makes various amendments to the requirements for filing and storing of tax returns and amends other acts and regulations such as the KiwiSaver Act 2006. At second reading it was opposed by the Greens and Mana.

The Legislation Bill was introduced by Chris Finlayson in 2010 to modernise and improve the law relating to the publication, availability, reprinting, revision, and official versions of legislation and to bring this law together in a single piece of legislation. It passed its second reading with unanimous support.