Parliament June 26 2013

Questions for Oral Answer

Questions to Ministers.

1. DAVID SHEARER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements?
2. PAUL GOLDSMITH to the Minister of Finance: What progress is the Government making to ensure future generations of New Zealanders are not saddled with excessive debt?
3. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that “In 2009, New Zealand was rated first on the Transparency International’s ‘Corruption Perception Index’. Out of 180 countries, New Zealand was rated as having the lowest perceived public sector corruption. As a nation, that ranking is something of which we can be very proud”?
4. PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Transport: Has he had any reports of an imminent Government U-turn on Auckland’s City Rail Link?
5. Dr CAM CALDER to the Minister of Education: What recent reports has she received on improvements in the retention of students in secondary school?
6. Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Health: What recent reports has he received on affordability of health care for New Zealanders?
7. SIMON O’CONNOR to the Minister of Housing: What initiatives is the Government taking to address housing supply in pressured markets like Auckland and Christchurch?
8. JAN LOGIE to the Minister of Health: Does he agree with the Attorney-General’s advice that the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill (No 2) unjustifiably limits the right to judicial review; if not, why not?
9. NICKY WAGNER to the Associate Minister of Health: What is being done to address the mental health needs of people in Canterbury?
10. CLARE CURRAN to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement of 11 June 2013 that “I can assure the House that we do not use our partners to circumvent New Zealand laws”?
11. PAUL FOSTER-BELL to the Minister of Civil Defence: What reports has she received on how civil defence managed last week’s extreme weather events across New Zealand?
12. Le’aufa’amulia ASENATI LOLE-TAYLOR to the Prime Minister: Does he still stand by his reported statement that the Prostitution Law Reform Act 2003 “hasn’t actually worked”?

Today Labour are asking four questions, The Greens are asking two questions and New Zealand are asking one question. Labour are asking about whether the Prime Minister stands by all his statements, the Auckland Inner City Rail Loop, healthcare affordability, and whether New Zealand uses its partners to circumvent New Zealand Law. The Greens are asking about Public Sector Corruption, and the right to Judicial Review over decisions made by the Ministry of Health. New Zealand First are asking a question about Prostitution Law Reform, an issue decided ten years ago.

Patsy question of the day goes to Paul Foster-Bell for Question 11 : What reports has she received on how civil defence managed last week’s extreme weather events across New Zealand?

General Debate 3.00PM – 4.00PM

Twelve speeches of no more than ten minutes each. Often the highlight of the parliamentary week, as standing orders are more relaxed.

Government Bills 4.00PM – 6.00PM

1.  Appropriation (2012/13 Supplementary Estimates) Bill – Second Reading

2. Taxation (Livestock Valuation, Assets Expenditure, and Remedial Matters) Bill – Second Reading

3. Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No2) – First Reading

4. State Sector and Public Finance Reform Bill  – Committee Stage

The Appropriation (2012/13 Supplementary Estimates) Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister of Finance, Bill English. This bill seeks parliamentary authorisation for the individual appropriations and changes contained in The Supplementary Estimates of Appropriations for the Government of New Zealand and Supporting Information for the year ending 30 June 2013.

The Taxation (Livestock Valuation, Assets Expenditure, and Remedial Matters) Bill is being guided through the house by the new Minister of Revenue, Todd McClay. This bill proposes measures foreshadowed in Budget 2012 to broaden the tax base.

The Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No2) is being guided through the house by the Minister for Local Government, Chris Tremain. This Bill amends the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 to enable local boards established under the Act to delegate responsibilities, duties or powers conferred or allocated to them under the Act.

The State Sector and Public Finance Reform Bill is being guided through the house by Minister of State Services, Dr Jonathan Coleman. This bill seeks to amend legislation governing the management of the State sector and public finances in New Zealand.