Parliament 17th April 2013

Questions for Oral Answer 2pm-3.15pm

Questions to Ministers

1. MAGGIE BARRY to the Minister of Finance: What steps is the Government taking to keep down the cost of living for New Zealanders?
2. DAVID SHEARER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements?
3. AARON GILMORE to the Minister for the Environment: What recent reports has she seen on the impact of the Resource Management Act 1991 on business investment in New Zealand?
4. METIRIA TUREI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his reported statement in relation to Cabinet’s decision to integrate Wanganui Collegiate, that it was a very difficult decision, but he is sure it was the right thing to do; if so, why?
5. Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Health: Is he confident that the Government’s initiative to provide “Better, Sooner, More Convenient” health care is meeting his expectations; if not, why not?
6. SCOTT SIMPSON to the Minister of Health: What progress is the Government making on improving access to angiograms for patients with severe chest pain?
7. Hon PHIL GOFF to the Minister of Defence: Will he rule out further cuts to personnel numbers in the New Zealand Defence Force and cuts to the inshore patrol vessel fleet; if not, what cuts are being considered?
8. EUGENIE SAGE to the Minister of Tourism: Will any of the extra $158 million for tourism in Budget 2013 be spent on tourism marketing and promotion for the 100% Pure New Zealand campaign; if so, how much?
9. ANDREW WILLIAMS to the Minister of Consumer Affairs: Has he seen any reports that New Zealand power prices have increased at twice the rate of most other countries?
10. IAN McKELVIE to the Minister for Primary Industries: What progress can he report on efforts made to increase veterinarians in rural New Zealand?
11. CATHERINE DELAHUNTY to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Will New Zealand journalists be able to visit and monitor the New Zealand Police training programme in West Papua when it recommences in September 2013 under an aid allocation of US $2 million; if not, why not?
12. GRANT ROBERTSON to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement on 24 September 2012 in relation to the work of the GCSB, “I think you can take confidence in the fact that to the best of my knowledge, I’ve never been informed or ever had reason to believe there’s ever been an error before”?

Today, National are asking 4 questions on topics ranging from cost of living, RMA impacts on businesses, angiograms and veterinarians bonding scheme. Labour are asking 5 questions ranging from issues such as the stock stand question to the Prime Minister, ” Does he stand by all his statements?, to questions about health, defence force staffing levels, power price increases and the GCSB. The Greens are asking 3 questions on issues such as Wanganui Collegiate, tourism funding and police training in West Papua.

Pasty question of the day

Today’s pasty question of the day goes to question 10 from Ian McKelvie (MP for Rangitikei) to the Hon Nathan Guy which asks. What progress can he report on efforts made to increase veterinarians in rural New Zealand?

General Debate  3.15pm to 4.15pm

12 speeches of 5 minute length on any topic that Members of Parliament wish to speak about.

Members orders of the day  4.15pm to 10pm

1) Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Bill – 12 x 10 m speeches – Dr David Clark – Third reading

This bill creates the ability to Monday-ise both Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day so that if these public holidays fail on a weekend day then you would be able to claim the public hoilday on the following Monday. So far this Bill has been supported by all other parties other than National and Act, however is expected to pass tonight as National will not be exercising there power of Veto on this bill.

For background information on this bill, Dr David Clark gave a good summary speech in this bills second reading. Click here for a link to his second reading speech.

2) Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill – 12x 10 min speeches – Louisa Wall – Third reading

This bill is designed to amend the Marriage Act 1955 to allow for a change to section 2(1) to allow Marriages to be conducted between 2 people instead of the status que of between a Man and Women.

The best speech in support of this bill during all the debates has been the one from Chris Auchinvole which is able to be viewed here. 

3) Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Bill  – 12 x 10 m speeches – Todd McClay –  Second reading

This bill is designed to control the display of gang symbols and logos on government buildings including schools, hospitals, WINZ and other government buildings, In addition, it stops members of gangs from wearing gang related gear within government buildings.

At the first reading of this bill it was passed 69 to 52 with National, New Zealand First, United Future and Act supporting this bill.