Parliament Today 20 August 2013
Questions for Oral Answer 2.00 PM- 3.00PM.
Questions to Ministers.
- Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Minister responsible for the GCSB: Will the Government Communications Security Bureau be able to access the content of any New Zealander’s communications under the cybersecurity provisions of the Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill?
- MAGGIE BARRY to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he received confirming a further improvement in business and consumer confidence in New Zealand?
- DAVID SHEARER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements?
- SHANE ARDERN to the Minister for Primary Industries: What announcements has he made on a Ministerial inquiry into the recent whey protein contamination situation?
- Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in all of his Ministers?
- DAVID SHEARER to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in all his Ministers?
- ALFRED NGARO to the Minister for Social Development: What announcements has she made to better protect children from abuse and neglect?
- Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement that one of his main priorities for 2013 is to “bed in” welfare reforms “because that is where by far the biggest fiscal benefits lie”?
- Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA to the Minister of Housing: How is the Government making KiwiSaver support for first home buyers and the Welcome Home Loan scheme fairer?
- Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM to the Minister for Climate Change Issues: Does he agree with the statement made in 2009 by then Minister for Climate Change Issues, Hon Dr Nick Smith, in reference to New Zealand’s previous target of 10 to 20 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 that “…a less ambitious target would undermine New Zealand’s clean, green environmental reputation”?
- Hon DAMIEN O’CONNOR to the Minister for Primary Industries: Does he have confidence in the Ministry for Primary Industries’ standards for approving recognised agents?
- PAUL FOSTER-BELL to the Minister of Health: What progress has been made on providing better access to surgical first specialist assessments?
Today Labour are asking four questions. They are asking the Prime Minister whether he stands by all his statements and whether he has confidence in all his ministers. Labour are also asking about the Government’s Welfare Reform and the Ministry of Primary Industries. The Greens are asking two questions. One about the GCSB, and the other is about Climate Change. New Zealand First is asking one question about whether the Prime Minister has confidence in all his ministers.
Patsy Question of the Day goes to Paul Foster-Bell for Question 12: What progress has been made on providing better access to surgical first specialist assessments?
Government Bills 3.00PM-6.00PM and 7.30PM-10.00PM.
1. Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill – Committee Stage
2. Inquiries Bill – Second Reading
3. Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Amendment Bill – Second Reading
4. Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Amendment Bill – Third Reading
The Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister Responsible for the GCSB, The Prime Minister John Key. This is an omnibus bill that proposes amendments to the Government Communications Security Bureau Act 2003, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1996, and the Intelligence and Security Committee Act 1996. The purposes of the bill are to make clear the statutory framework governing the activities of the Bureau and to enhance the external mechanisms for the oversight of the New Zealand’s intelligence agencies.
The Inquiries Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister for Internal Affairs, Chris Tremain. The purpose of this bill is to reform and modernise the law relating to inquiries, including Royal commissions and commissions of inquiry.
The Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Amendment Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister of Finance, Bill English. This bill makes technical amendments to the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010.
The Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Amendment Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister for Building and Construction, Maurice Williamson. The bill proposes amendments to the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 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 so that it has funding for all of its functions, including the prosecution of non-registered persons.