Parliament: 11 July 2013

Questions to Ministers

1. JACQUI DEAN (NAT) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on the long-term benefits of strong fiscal management?
2. GRANT ROBERTSON (LAB) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements?
3. ANDREW WILLIAMS (NZF) to the Minister for Building and Construction: Has he received any reports of substandard buildings being built as part of the Christchurch rebuild; if so, how many buildings are known to be substandard?
4. CLAUDETTE HAUITI (NAT) to the Minister for the Environment: What recent announcements has the Government made to improve New Zealand’s freshwater management?
5. METIRIA TUREI (GRE) to the Minister for Economic Development: When will he release all of the advice he has received on the social harms from the SkyCity deal, given his statement yesterday that it is his “understanding” that only “most” of the advice has been released?
6. Hon DAVID PARKER (LAB) to the Minister of Finance: Does he take responsibility for the composition of Budget 2013?
7. COLIN KING (NAT) to the Minister of Science and Innovation: What support is the Government giving to businesses to increase innovation and speed up the commercialisation of new products and services?
8. JACINDA ARDERN (LAB) to the Minister for Social Development: Does she stand by the statement made on her behalf in the House yesterday that “there will always be times when resources are stretched, but I believe we do have sufficient resources to care for the needs of vulnerable children”?
9. Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM (GRE) to the Minister for Climate Change Issues: How did he meet his obligations under the Climate Change Response Act 2002 to maintain the proper functioning of the ETS when he directed the issuing of 30 million additional New Zealand Units?
10. PHIL TWYFORD (LAB) to the Minister of Housing: How many homes does he believe will be built as a result of the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill, and what percentage of those homes will be affordable?
11. SCOTT SIMPSON (NAT) to the Associate Minister of Health: Has she received any recent reports regarding district health board performance in taking steps to improve patient safety in hospitals?
12. DARIEN FENTON (LAB) to the Minister of Labour: How many workplace deaths have there been in the last four years?

Today there are five questions from Labour, four from National, two from the Greens and one from NZ First. Labour is asking the PM a gotcha, on Budget 2013, vulnerable children, affordable housing, and workplace deaths. The Greens are asking on the SkyCity deal and the ETS, and NZ First is asking on the Christchurch rebuild.

Patsy of the day goes to Colin King for question 7: What support is the Government giving to businesses to increase innovation and speed up the commercialisation of new products and services?

Government Bills

1. New Zealand International Convention Centre Bill – first reading
2. Psychoactive Substances Bill – third reading
3. Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Amendment Bill – third reading

The New Zealand International Convention Centre Bill was introduced by Steven Joyce and gives effect to the controversial SkyCity pokies for convention centre deal. The Speaker has indicated this first reading will be a conscience vote.

The Psychoactive Substances Bill regulates psychoactive substances including party pills and other legal highs. It was introduced by Peter Dunne and is now being guided by new Associate Minister of Health Todd McClay.

The Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Amendment Bill amend the principal Act to validate a disciplinary levy and an offences fee prescribed by the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board. The Bill also seeks to extend the Board’s power to impose levies to fund its functions. It is being guided through the House by Maurice Williamson.