Parliament 28 February 2013

1. Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises: Does he take any responsibility as a shareholding Minister for Solid Energy’s precarious financial position?
2. MAGGIE BARRY to the Minister of Finance: What progress is the Government making in its programme to offer New Zealanders minority shareholdings in energy companies?
3. ANDREW WILLIAMS to the Minister of Energy and Resources: Does he agree with Grey Power New Zealand that “Privatisation means not only higher prices, but suppression of energy efficiency and household energy options that reduce electricity sales and profits”; if not, why not?
4. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Minister of Finance: Does the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update 2012 state that the Government’s operating balance before gains and losses will be worse off by $441 million over the next five years if the Government proceeds with the partial sale of state owned assets; if so, why does his asset sale programme increase the Government’s budget deficit?
5. JACINDA ARDERN to the Minister for Social Development: Does she stand by all her statements on Tuesday, 26 February 2013 in relation to her welfare reform programme?
6. MELISSA LEE to the Minister for Social Development: What announcements has she made on the Social Media Innovations Fund, part of the Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health package?
7. JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: Why did he agree to building Transmission Gully as a Public Private Partnership, which would treble the cost to over $3.4 billion, as confirmed by NZTA CEO Geoff Dangerfield?
8. IAN McKELVIE to the Minister for the Environment: What announcements has the Government made today aimed at improving our resource management system?
9. Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his requirement for District Health Boards to operate within their agreed financial plans; if not, why not?
10. COLIN KING to the Minister of Conservation: Has he received the final report from the Board of Inquiry on King Salmon’s application for additional space in the Marlborough Sounds?
11. KEVIN HAGUE to the Minister of Health: Is he satisfied with District Health Boards’ performance against his targets for the health sector?
12. Hon PHIL GOFF to the Minister of Defence: Does he take responsibility for Defence Force morale reaching the lowest level since surveys began, attrition rates soaring to over 21 percent and reduced Defence Force capability; if not, why not?

In today’s questions, Labour and National MPs are asking four each, the Greens three and New Zealand First one. Labour are asking about Solid Energy, welfare reform, District Health Boards and the Defence Force. The Greens are asking about the Mixed Ownership Model’s impact on Crown revenue, Transmission Gully and District Health Boards. New Zealand First are asking if the Minister agrees with Grey Power on privitisation.

Patsy of the day goes to Colin King for question number 10; has he received the final report from the Board of Inquiry on King Salmon’s application for additional space in the Marlborough Sounds?

Government Bills 3 pm – 6 pm

1. Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill (No 2) – second reading
2. Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Amendment Bill – third reading
3. Building Amendment Bill (No 4) – interrupted debate on second reading

The Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill (No 2) was introduced by Peter Dunne in August 2012, in his role as Minister of Revenue. The Bill introduces data-matching with the New Zealand Customs Service to locate borrowers in serious default when they enter or leave New Zealand. It will also change the definition of income, bringing it into line with the definition used for Working For Families tax credits and student allowances, from April 2014.

The Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Amendment Bill was first read in September last year. The purpose of this Bill is to extend, from 2013 to 2016, the Canterbury Regional Council’s (ECan) governance arrangement and special water management decision-making powers in the Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Act 2010 (the Act).

The Building Amendment Bill (No 4) was introduced in September 2011. It is the second of two Bills to implement the Building Act Review policy decisions.