Parliament 15 November 2012

Oral Questions 2.00 pm -3.00 pm

Questions to Ministers.

1. GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment: How many Modern Apprenticeships were being undertaken as at December 2011, and what percentage increase or decrease is this compared with December 2008?
2. TE URUROA FLAVELL to the Minister of Health: Does the Government believe that it is acceptable that two out of three Māori and Pacific Island diabetics die from diabetic complications, compared to one in three Pakeha diabetics; and what actions has he taken to reduce the inequities in light of fresh predictions that by 2020 one in six Māori and Pasifika adults will have diabetes?
3. DAVID BENNETT to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on progress in lifting New Zealanders’ household savings and reducing household debt?
4. Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE to the Minister for Economic Development: Has the Government changed its position in relation to the recommendations of the Pure Advantage green growth reports given its rejection of Pure Advantage’s first report?
5. MARK MITCHELL to the Minister for Social Development: How will the new Child Protect Line, discussed in the Government’s White Paper for Vulnerable Children, better protect New Zealand’s children?
6. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister of Immigration: What assurances can he give that international criminals will not be entering New Zealand through the China Southern Airlines frequent flyer scheme?
7. CHRIS HIPKINS to the Associate Minister of Education: Does he take ministerial responsibility for the problems with the Novopay system; if not, why not?
8. CHRIS AUCHINVOLE to the Minister for the Environment: What recent announcements has she made in relation to the Community Environment Fund?
9. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with the Pure Advantage report released today that “green growth represents a huge opportunity for all Kiwis to prosper”; if so, what will he do to put New Zealand on a green growth pathway?
10. Dr PAUL HUTCHISON to the Associate Minister of Health: What is the Government doing to ensure the ongoing provision of hospice services in our communities?
11. CLARE CURRAN to the Minister for Economic Development: Does he stand by all his statements about manufacturing in New Zealand?
12. SCOTT SIMPSON to the Associate Minister of Transport: What progress can he report on the Government’s Vehicle Licensing Reform Project?

In today’s questions, National MPs are asking five, Labour four, the Greens one, the Maori Party one and New Zealand First one. Labour are asking about apprenticeships, the Pure Advantage report and education. The Greens are also asking about the Pure Advantage report. New Zealand First are asking about visitors’ visas, again, having used their one question yesterday on a similar issue. The Maori Party is asking about diabetes.

Patsy of the day goes to Mark Mitchell for question number 5; How will the new Child Protect Line, discussed in the Government’s White Paper for Vulnerable Children, better protect New Zealand’s children?

Sitting Hours

Sitting hours for the House were extended and the House sat from 9 am to 1 pm today. This was for the third readings for the Ngāti Manuhiri Claims Settlement Bill and the Ngati Whatua Orakei Claims Settlement Bill.

Government Bills 3 pm – 6 pm

1. Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Bill – third reading
2. Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill – second reading
3. Legislation Bill – Committee stage (continued)

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Bill was introduced by Simon Power in 2010, as the then Minister of Justice. The Bill amends the principle Act to restore the rank of Queen’s Counsel (QC) and restrict eligibility for appointment to that rank, amend the provisions relating to a conveyancing practitioner holding non-voting shares of an incorporated law firm and require the power of attorney which a lawyer or conveyancing practitioner in sole practice must give to enable the donee to conduct the practice as an agent during any periods in which the lawyer or conveyancing practitioner is an undischarged bankrupt.

The Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill was introduced to the House in May by David Carter. The sets about implementing the first half of the eight policy goals described in former Minister Nick Smith’s Bettter Local Government document.

The Legislation Bill was read a first time in 2010, introduced by Chris Finlayson. The purpose of this bill is to modernise and improve the law relating to the publication, availability, reprinting, revision, and official versions of legislation in a single piece of legislation.