Parliament 24 September 2013

Questions to Ministers 2 pm – 3 pm

1. Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement regarding first-home buyers “I don’t want to see tools implemented that lock them out of the market”?
2. DAVID BENNETT to the Minister of Finance: What recent progress has the Government made in its share offer programme – and particularly putting everyday New Zealanders at the front of the queue for shares?
3. TE URUROA FLAVELL to the Minister for the Environment:Does she agree with the former Prime Minister and architect of the Resource Management Act 1991, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, that taken as a whole the proposed amendments to the Resource Management Act 1991 will seriously weaken the level of protection given to New Zealand’s natural environment under the Act, and how will she address the concerns in particular related to the merging of sections 6 and 7?
4. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister for Whānau Ora:Does she have confidence in the Whānau Ora scheme?
5. SCOTT SIMPSON to the Minister of Justice: What conviction and sentencing statistics has she received for the 2012/13 financial year?
6. Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Finance: Did the July 2012 Treasury report Project 14: Initial advice say that the closure of the Tiwai smelter would reduce the market price for electricity by “roughly 10 percent” and why in his answer to Primary Question No. 4 on 21 August 2013 did he not disclose that advice to the House?
7. MELISSA LEE to the Minister for Social Development: How is the Government’s new warrants to arrest policy for those on benefits ensuring a fairer welfare system?
8. PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Housing: Has Housing New Zealand been referring people to live in campgrounds?
9. PAUL FOSTER-BELL to the Associate Minister of Health: What initiatives has she announced to showcase aged care nursing?
10. EUGENIE SAGE to the Minister of Conservation: When was he made aware that the Department of Conservation was preparing a submission that would address the potential effect of the proposed nutrient limits of the Tukituki Catchment Proposal?
11. Hon RUTH DYSON to the Minister of Conservation: Does he still stand by his statement on the Department of Conservation submission on the Tukituki Catchment Proposal that “I did not give the Department an indication of what that submission would be”?
12. NICKY WAGNER to the Minister of Conservation: What benefits have been achieved for conservation and recreation from DOC’s partnership with Air New Zealand?

Questions are National 5, Labour 4, Maori 1, NZ First 1 and Greens 1.

Labour is asking about housing affordability, Tiwai Point smelter, homelessness and DOC’s submission on the Tukituki Catchment Proposal. Greens are asking about the Tukituki Catchment Proposal also, NZ First is on his favourite topic of Whanua Ora and Maori Party on the RMA reformss.

The patsy of the day is No 9 by Paul Foster-Bell on showcasing aged care nursing.

Government Bills 3 pm – 6 pm and 7.30 pm to 10 pm

1. Marine Legislation Bill – Committee Stage
2. Copyright (Parallel Importing of Films) Amendment Bill – Committee Stage
3. Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 2) – Committee Stage
4. Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Bill – Committee Stage
5. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Bill – Second Reading (continued)

The Marine Legislation Bill was introduced by Gerry Brownlee in August 2012. It would amend the Maritime Transport Act and  Exclusive Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act to clarify port and harbour safety, and transfer the regulation of offshore discharges from Maritime New Zealand to the Environmental Protection Authority. A further Government SOP (347) allows certain marine activities to be non-notified if it has a low probability of significant adverse effects on the environment or is routine or exploratory in nature.

The Marine Legislation Bill passed unanimously on its first reading, was reported back unanimously by the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee with amendments and also passed the second reading unanimously. However SOP 347 is opposed by some parties.

The Copyright (Parallel Importing of Films) Amendment Bill was introduced by Craig Foss in July 2013. It would amend the Copyright Act to continue the ban on the parallel importation of films for three more years but to reduce the ban from 9 to 5 months.

The Copyright (Parallel Importing of Films) Amendment Bill passed its first reading 96 to 1, with Brendan Horan voting against and Greens, NZ First and Mana abstaining. It was reported back by majority vote without amendment by the Commerce Committee. Labour supported the bill with reservations and Greens opposed it. It passed its second reading by 104 votes to 14 with Greens, Mana and Horan opposed.

The Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 2) was introduced by Chris Tremain in May 2013.  It would amend the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act to enable local boards to delegate responsibilities, duties, or powers conferred or allocated to them.

Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 2) passed its first reading unanimously, was reported back unanimously without amendments by the Local Government and Environment Committee and also passed its second reading unanimously.

The Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Bill was introduced by Chris Finlayson in June 2010 and would replace the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Act, simplifing structure of arts administration in New Zealand.

The Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Bill passed its first reading unanimously and was reported back with amendments by majority vote from the Government Administration Committee. Labour opposed the report back on the grounds that Pacific Island, Māori, ethnic and other marginalised groups such as those with a disability and children’s voices will be overwhelmed by the new structure of the proposed streamlined council. It passed its second reading by 72 votes to 49 with Labour, Greens and Mana voting against.

The Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Bill was introduced by Chris Finlayson in October 2011. It would replace the Historic Places Act and make changes in the governance structure of the Historic Places Trust, adjust competing values, introduce new archaeological provisions and new emergency provisions.

The Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Bill passed its first reading unanimously, and was reported back unanimously with amendments by the Local Government and Environment Committee.