Parliament 30 January 2013
Questions for Oral Answer.
Questions to Ministers. 2.00pm – 3.00pm.
- Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that “the Government has actively supported the filming of the Hobbit movies in New Zealand because of the enormous economic benefits they are bringing to the country, including the creation of around 3,000 jobs”?
- DAVID SHEARER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all the statements made in his prime ministerial speeches and in his Address in Reply speeches?
- TODD McCLAY to the Minister of Finance: What will be the focus of the Government’s economic programme in 2013?
- METIRIA TUREI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that “I am keen to see New Zealanders to be able to afford to buy a home”, given that the home ownership rate has continued to decline under his watch and home buying is becoming less affordable?
- Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Finance: Is he aware that anticipated Core Crown Revenue for the period 2012-2016 decreased by $13.2 billion between the October 2011 PREFU and the December 2012 HYEFU; if so, why has the Government lost $13.2 billion in projected revenue in little over a year?
- COLIN KING to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment: What recent announcements has the Government made about boosting the number of people being trained in apprenticeships?
- JACINDA ARDERN to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement “I am deeply concerned about every child in New Zealand who is in poverty”?
- Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Prime Minister: Why didn’t he mention climate change yesterday when he outlined his Government’s priorities for the year in his statement to Parliament?
- Hon ANNETTE KING to the Prime Minister: Following his decision to appoint a new Minister of Housing, what new policies, if any, does he expect his new Minister to implement to address the growing housing affordability issues in New Zealand?
- NICKY WAGNER to the Minister responsible for the Earthquake Commission: What progress has been made in the repair of homes in Canterbury by the EQR Repair Programme?
- CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of State Services: What were the factors that contributed to the strained relations that resulted in the resignation of Lesley Longstone as Secretary of Education?
- JACQUI DEAN to the Minister of Corrections: What steps is the Government taking to improve prisoner employment training in New Zealand prisons?
Today Labour is asking five questions, The Greens have two questions, and New Zealand First have one question. Labour is asking about whether the Prime Minister stands by his statements, twice. Labour is also asking about a loss in projected tax revenue, housing affordability and the resignation of the Secretary of Education, Lesley Longstone. The Greens are asking about housing affordability and climate change. NZ First is asking about job creation by the film, “The Hobbit”.
Patsy of the day goes to Jacqui Dean for Question 12 : What steps is the Government taking to improve prisoner employment training in New Zealand prisons?
Government Bills 3.00pm -6-00pm and 7.30pm until 10.00pm.
1. Appropriation (2011/12 Financial Review) Bill – Third Reading
2. Patents Bill – Third Reading
3. Fisheries (Foreign Charter Vessels and Other Matters) Amendment Bill – First Reading
The Appropriation (2011/12 Financial Review) Bill was read a first time in December 2012 by Bill English. The purpose of this bill is to confirm and validate financial matters relating to the 2011/12 financial year.
The Patents Bill was read a first time in May 2009 by Simon Power. Craig Foss is now the Minister in charge of the bill. This Bill is designed to replace the Patents Act 1953 and update the New Zealand patent regime to ensure that it continues to provide an appropriate balance between providing adequate incentives for innovation and technology transfer while ensuring that the interests of the public and the interests of Maori in their traditional knowledge are protected.
The Fisheries (Foreign Charter Vessels and Other Matters) Amendment Bill is being read a first time by Nathan Guy. This bill implements the Government’s decisions on the regulation of foreign charter vessels following allegations of mistreatment and underpayment of foreign crews.