Parliament Today 24 June 2014.

1. TE URUROA FLAVELL to the Minister of Conservation: Does he agree with Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, that joint decision-making with the Minister for Energy and Resources on mining the conservation estate undermines the role of the Minister of Conservation as guardian of that estate, and how will he respond to her advice to Parliament that conservation should take precedence?
2. Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that “for most New Zealanders an indicator of how well the economy is doing is whether or not they can keep up with the cost of living”; if so, is he satisfied that they currently can?
3. Hon TAU HENARE to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on inequality in New Zealand, and how do recent changes in trends compare to other countries?
4. Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with BERL that “outside of dairy and forestry, export receipts have effectively flatlined since April 2009” and that “The risks inherent in such a narrowing of our export base should be of concern to all”; if not, why not?
5. Dr CAM CALDER to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment: What announcements has he made about the Māori and Pasifika Trades Training initiative?
6. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government’s decisions?
7. PAUL FOSTER-BELL to the Minister of Housing: What progress has he made with local government in securing Housing Accords under the legislation passed last year, and how are they increasing the supply and affordability of housing?
8. Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Health: What was the original forecast cost for Health Benefits Limited and what is the revised forecast cost now, if any?
9. MAGGIE BARRY to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made on the Government’s $359 million investment to raise student achievement?
10. Hon RUTH DYSON to the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery: How much has the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority spent on legal fees in the last 3 years?
11. DENIS O’ROURKE to the Minister of Transport: When will the Government provide a comprehensive and integrated land transport plan for New Zealand?
12. PAUL GOLDSMITH to the Minister of Revenue: What is the objective of the Government’s recently announced Taxpayer’s Simplification Panel?

Questions to Members.

1. Hon RUTH DYSON to the Member in charge of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill: Does the member intend to proceed with the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill this year; if not, why not?
2. Hon RUTH DYSON to the Member in charge of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill: Why is the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill necessary?

Today Labour are asking about living costs, narrowing of the export sector, cost savings in health spending, and legal fees of CERA. Labour are also asking two members questions about PPL.  The Greens are asking whether the government stands by its decisions.  New Zealand First is asking about land transport.

Patsy of the day goes to Paul Goldsmith for Question 12: What is the objective of the Government’s recently announced Taxpayer’s Simplification Panel?

Government Bills 3.00PM-6.00PM and 7.30PM-10.00PM.

1. Appropriation (2013/14 Supplementary Estimates) Bill – Second Reading

2. Victims’ Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill – Third Reading

3. Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill – Third Reading

The Appropriation (2013/14 Supplementary Estimates) Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister of Finance, Bill English. This bill seeks parliamentary authorisation of 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 2014.

The Victims’ Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister of Justice, Judith Collins. This bill would establish a mechanism for a victim of a violent offence to obtain a non-contact order against an offender sentenced to imprisonment for five years or more.

The Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill is being guided through parliament by the Minister for Commerce, Craig Foss. This bill amends the Companies Act 1993 and the Limited Partnerships Act 2008 so as to increase confidence in New Zealand’s financial markets and regulation of corporate forms.