Parliament 15 February 2011
February 15th, 2012 at 12:01 pm by David FarrarOral Questions 2 pm – 3 pm
- DAVID SHEARER to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in all his Ministers?
- TODD McCLAY to the Minister for Economic Development:What evidence has he seen of businesses having the confidence to invest in large capital projects in New Zealand?
- GRANT ROBERTSON to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all the answers he gave to Oral Question No 6 yesterday?
- TE URUROA FLAVELL to the Minister for Social Development:E pēhea te Minita e mōhio ai kei te piki te ora o ngā tamariki i roto i ngā ringaringa o Child, Youth and Family?
- Translation: How will she ensure that children are not made more vulnerable than when they went into the care of Child, Youth and Family?
- Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Finance: What is Treasury’s projection for New Zealand’s current account balance for the next four years?
- NIKKI KAYE to the Minister of Education: What reports has she received about early childhood education enrolments in 2011?
- Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Will he give an assurance that New Zealand’s armed forces will not be used in any possible military intervention in Syria in violation of the United Nations Charter?
- NICKY WAGNER to the Minister of Local Government: What reports, if any, has he received on labour costs in the local government sector as compared to central government and the private sector?
- Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister of Corrections: Does she have confidence in her Chief Executive and his staff?
- Dr JACKIE BLUE to the Minister for Courts: What initiatives are underway to assist court staff to improve the collection of outstanding fines?
- CLARE CURRAN to the Minister of Broadcasting: What advice and reports, if any, has he received about the Rt Hon John Key’s electorate chair Stephen McElrea’s potential conflict of interest in his role as a board member of New Zealand On Air?
- CHRIS AUCHINVOLE to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What announcements has she made regarding the igovt scheme, and making it easier for people to verify their identities to government agencies?
Today there are five patsies from National, four questions from Labour, one from the Greens, one from the Maori Party and one from NZ First. The prize for most grovelling patsy question of the day goes to Q11 - What announcements has she made regarding the igovt scheme, and making it easier for people to verify their identities to government agencies?
Labour are trying on a generic Does PM have confidence in all Ministers question which could mean a scandal unearthed, or well anything. Robertson continues on the Radio Live issue, Parker focuses on the current account deficit and Curran continues at NZ on Air.
The Greens are asking their sole question on Syria. Sigh.
The Maori Party are asking about CYF and Winston has left Whanau Ora and is askign about Corrections.
Maiden speeches for new Green MPs are from 4.15 pm to 6 pm, being List MPs Mojo Mathers, Denise Roche, Julie Anne Genter, Jan Logie, Ste an Browning, Eugenie Sage and Holly Walker.
7.5 hours remaining of the debate.
Government Bills 7.30 pm – 10.00 pm
- National Animal Identification and Tracing Bill - third reading
- Taxation (International Investment and Remedial Matters) Bill – committee stage
- Customs and Excise (Joint Border Management Information Sharing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill – committee stage
- Medicines Amendment Bill – first reading
- Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill – committee stage
The National Animal Identification and Tracing Bill was introduced in December 2010 and seeks to to establish a National Animal Identification and Tracing system in New Zealand. It was passed by a voice vote on first reading, and on second reading was supported by all parties except ACT.
The Taxation (International Investment and Remedial Matters) Bill was introduced in October 2010 and seeks to to reform the tax treatment of gains of New Zealand residents from income interests in overseas entities and gains of foreign residents from interests in New Zealand companies. It passed its first and second readings on a voice vote.
The Customs and Excise (Joint Border Management Information Sharing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill was introduced in September 2010 and seeks to enable border agencies to share information, change the thresholds and processes for administrative and petty offence provisions of the Customs and Excise Act. It passed its first and second reading on voice votes.
The Medicines Amendment Bill was introduced in October 2011 and aims to modernise Medicines Act 1981.
The Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill was introduced in October 2010 and seeks to ensure that an offence committed against a Police officer or prison officer acting in the course of his or her duty is taken into account as an aggravating factor at sentencing. It was supported by all parties bar the Maori Party at first reading, and passed second reading on a voice vote. The Government has indicated they will support a Labour amendment to include other emergency service operators in the bill.
Related posts:
- Parliament 14 February 2011
- Parliament 28 February 2012
- Parliament 27 March 2012
- Parliament 21 March 2011
February 15th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Thanks for reminding me that I can catch up with crap from MySky from 4.15pm…
Vote:February 15th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Will he give an assurance that New Zealand’s armed forces will not be used in any possible military intervention in Syria in violation of the United Nations Charter?
So, are the Greens supporting Bashir? I thought they would be all for sending armed intervention to protect the people that Bashir’s military is bombarding with artillery? Do they have no compassion towards the inhabitants of Homs or Douma? Just how heartless does one have to be to turn their back to the suffering of the people in these towns? These wankers are no better that China or Russia vetoing UN resolutions to hold Bashir accountable.
Vote:February 15th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Will he give an assurance that New Zealand’s armed forces will not be used in any possible military intervention in Syria in violation of the United Nations Charter?
Minister of Foreign Affairs to Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM: You are aware that Russia and China are vetoing any move to censure Syria in the UN Security Council. Russia in particular does not want to risk losing its Mediterranean navy base in Syria or shut down its multi-billion dollar arms export trade with Assad. Greens like yourself insist that NZ cannot legally deploy troops unless the UN first approves that deployment. By taking such a position you are taking NZ’s foreign affairs policy out of the hands of the NZ government and subjugating it to the demands of the Russian Navy, the Russian arms industry, and the Chinese government who are naturally nervous about any group of people trying to overthrow an unelected dictatorship. Do you ever feel even slightly ashamed that you consistently support international murderers, torturers, and looters?
Vote:February 15th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Kennedy Graham seems to be simply following the left-wing side to the two-sided argument (brave rebels vs oppressive al-Assad) the NZ media are portraying in Syria. The situation over there is far more complicated than Russia and China simply wanting to protect their naval base and their arms exports. The Russians have even called for a ceasefire, but they want the rebels to cease their violence as well. They sent their foreign minister there to try and make a deal. The opposition PARTY agreed to continue negotiating. Unfortunately, the factions who are opposing the Syrian government include not only those who are peacefully protesting, but violent extremists, who are now being supported from outside of Syria (see Turkey, Qatar, even the UK.) The whole anti-government movement has been hi-jacked by militias.
Davidp, you really need to take a closer look at the events going on in Syria.
Would New Zealand seriously support an armed uprising against say, I don’t know.. The Saudi regime? Not likely. Not if our ‘allies’ didn’t.
The US, UK, France, Arab League and others (including ourselves, roped in as usual) are all supporting “bring down the regime” – guess who else is – Al-Qaeda. Obviously these nations and groups have far different reasons, yet chaos in the region benefits both the West’s intentions of taking down Iran and Islamic exteremists intentions of bringing about a fundamentalist Sunni regime.
The current regime in Syria have looked after minorites for a long time, what we are seeing now is the beginning of terrible sectarian violence, which our government and all our ‘allies’ are supporting too.
Of course there are terrible things occuring over there, and Syrian soldiers have behaved just as digustingly as rebels. But what alternative does the opposition offer? They can not agree on anything.
NZ should be taking an informed and diplomatic stance on this, not simply jumping to support our Western and oil-producing UN friends.
Vote:February 15th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
You too, Bevan. It isn’t only the Syrian government causing pain for their citizens. You can blame the armed militias holding up in neighbourhoods who don’t want anything to do with their violent struggle against al-Assad. What is a government supposed to do – lay back and cop it sweet?
The Greens have no idea about this, just as they have no idea about most things. They would never offer our troops up, in fact it is outrageous that Graham has taken this line after last week where he and McCully basically agred that.
“[the]Government endorses the Arab League’s work, will it endorse the precise plan for a Syrian-led transition to a democratic and plural political system through political dialogue between the Syrian Government and the whole spectrum of the Syrian opposition”
That just isn’t going to happen. Its totally ridiculous.
Vote:February 15th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
And ths answers are
1. Yes
2. Plenty all good
3. Yes
4. How the F… would I know
5. Excellent
Vote:6. Plenty all good
7. No.
8. Plenty all good
9. Yes
10. Lots
11. Not telling you bitch
12. All good ones
February 15th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
According to Claire Trevett (political editor NZ Herald and chief cheerleader for Winston)
Question 1 is the question that when asked by Winston has government ministers “white with fear”
and the only sound to be heard in the chamber are quiet Hail Marys that they are not the subject under attack
(see her gushing piece in last Thursdays Herald) ‘The Muhammad Ali question”
Well, Winstons effort turned out to be laughable and an embarrassment to Winston.
Be interesting to see what sort of a job Shearer makes of it today.
Don’t forget to watch out for Claires piece in her regular slot in 2morrows Herald.
Vote:One thing for sure, it can’t be any worse than last weeks puke.
February 15th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
And The Whale has fingered Peters for once again misleading the House
http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2012/02/winston-peters-misleads-parliament-again/
It’s time that something was done about this serial accuser, for whom the concept “put up or shut up” applies to everyone except WRP.
Vote:February 15th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
You too, Bevan.
Are you trying to say I am responsible for Assad bombing his own citizens? What a deluded reality you live in.
Vote:February 15th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Seems like Shearer had a good try but didn’t kick any goals.
At least he didn’t make a prick of himself like Winston did.
Also. seems like Dr Kennedy Graham got pretty much a YES to everything he asked, so
Vote:he must be pretty happy. Right ? That was what we call a win win.
February 15th, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Also. seems like Dr Kennedy Graham got pretty much a YES to everything he asked, so
he must be pretty happy. Right ? That was what we call a win win.
Depends how you look at it. Do you think the people of Homs and Daraa are rejoicing at Kennedy Graham’s “win”?
Vote:February 15th, 2012 at 7:28 pm
Duh!!!
Bevan….
they would be
friggin themselves.
What do you want ?
Maybe you could have asked a better question in the NZ Parliament.
Vote:What would you have asked, genius ?
February 15th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Surely,
Vote:after 3,688 efforts so far, you must have just one more left in you,
what would you have asked ? Genius.
February 15th, 2012 at 8:14 pm
Bevan,,, Bevan,,,
Where are you Bevan ?,,,,,,,,,,,,,
The people of Homs and Daraa are relying on you Bevan,,
Don’t let them down now in their hour of need.
What would you have asked, Genius ?
I don’t think it’s true, what they said, that you are a fuckwit Bevan.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 12:05 am
OH MY GOD! Ladies and Gentlemen, I think we have found the one individual who’s life revolves entirely around the Kiwiblog comments section…
bereal, its called a life. Maybe that concept is foreign to you but for the rest of us ours lives do not revolve entirely around the comments section of an Internet blog, nor do we jump to respond to every single question posed to us.
What do you want ?
Action against dictators who murder their own people. Simple concept really.
Maybe you could have asked a better question in the NZ Parliament.
What would you have asked, genius ?
What pressure is NZ looking to assert on Syria to stop the massacre of civilians in the towns under bombardment?
Personally Id be more worried about ensuring NZ is adding weight to whatever the world community is doing to stop Assad, not getting the Minister of Defense to promise we wont ever get involved militarily.
The people of Homs and Daraa are relying on you Bevan,,
No, they are relying on the citizens of the world and their governments to do something, right now the world is failing them.
But I guess you get to sit in your comfy chair in the safety of your own safe and protected home and act superior. On ya mate.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 6:37 am
Patsy questions should be barred, Question Time is for opposition parties to hold governments to account, indulging in self congratulation is a waste of time and money.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Patsy questions only exist because our parliament is too small to properly hold the government to account. In a larger Westminster parliament like the UK, government MPs do not ask patsies. In fact, they sometimes grill the ministers even harder, because they are next in line for the minister’s job.
Personally, if I was an MP I would refuse to hand my question to the whips and would hold wet National ministers to account like every other backbencher.
Vote: