Parliament Today 20 February 2014

1. KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI to the Minister of Finance: How is the Government’s focus on Better Public Service results improving New Zealanders’ lives while helping New Zealand’s long-term fiscal position?
2. Hon DAVID PARKER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that “when this Government came in, there were predictions that unemployment would rise to over 10 percent”; if so, in the December 2008 Economic and Fiscal Update what level did Treasury forecast that unemployment would peak at?
3. KEVIN HAGUE to the Minister of Health: Was he told in 2010 that the Southern District Health Board had received legal advice that suggested there was the possibility of fraud in its dispute with South Link Health?
4. Le’aufa’amulia ASENATI LOLE-TAYLOR to the Minister of Consumer Affairs: Does he believe he is doing all he can to protect consumers, particularly vulnerable, low income families?
5. PAUL FOSTER-BELL to the Minister of Justice: What recent results has she received regarding Better Public Service targets for crime and reoffending?
6. Hon SHANE JONES to the Minister of Commerce: Was he aware of alleged cash payments being made to buyers from Countdown Supermarkets in return for the preferential treatment of suppliers, prior to 19 February 2014?
7. Dr CAM CALDER to the Minister of Education: What recent announcement has she made on initiatives to help Pasifika parents engage in their children’s learning?
8. SUE MORONEY to the Minister of Finance: Is it still his intention to use a financial veto against my Bill which proposes to extend paid parental leave to 26 weeks?
9. MOJO MATHERS to the Minister of Commerce: Will he support the introduction of a supermarket code of conduct in New Zealand that governs relations between supermarkets and their suppliers and an adjudicator with the power to investigate breaches of the code; if not, why not?
10. DARIEN FENTON to the Minister of Labour: Does he stand by his statement “addressing migrant exploitation is a priority area for the Labour Inspectorate and Immigration New Zealand”?
11. PAUL GOLDSMITH to the Minister for the Environment: What progress is the Government making to ensure that New Zealanders have access to comprehensive environmental information that is independent, is easy to understand and relevant?
12. Dr RAJEN PRASAD to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by all the statements he made in his answers to Oral Question No 11 on 13 February 2014?

Questions to Members 

1. JACINDA ARDERN to the member in charge of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill: What is the purpose of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill?
2. JACINDA ARDERN to the member in charge of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill: Why did she agree to the extension of the report back date from the Government Administration Committee until 28 February for the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill?
3. JACINDA ARDERN to the member in charge of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill: What support does she have for the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill?

Today Labour are asking five questions. These are about unemployment, supermarket competition, paid parental leave, migrant exploitation, and immigration. The Greens are asking about fraud in the Health sector and supermarket competition. New Zealand First are asking about consumer protection for low income earners. Labour are also asking three questions to Sue Moroney, the member in charge of the Paid Parental Leave bill.

Government Bills 9.00AM-1PM and 3.00PM-6.ooPM

1. Taxation (Annual Rates, Foreign Superannuation, and Remedial Matters) Bill – Third Reading

2. Border Processing (Trade Single Window and Duties) Bill – Second Reading

3. Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill – First Reading

The Taxation (Annual Rates, Foreign Superannuation, and Remedial Matters) Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister of Revenue, Todd McClay. This bill stipulates the annual rates of income tax for the 2013-14 tax year, proposes new rules for New Zealand residents with interests in foreign superannuation schemes, and makes other changes to tax law.

The Border Processing (Trade Single Window and Duties) Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister of Customs, Maurice Williamson. This bill proposes amendments to support the implementation of the Trade Single Window component of the Joint Border Management System.

The Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister of Building and Construction, Maurice Williamson. This bill amends the Building Act 2004 to improve the system for managing earthquake-prone buildings.