Parliament 12 December 2012

Questions for Oral Answer.

Questions to Ministers. 2.00pm – 3.00pm.

  1.  to the Minister of Finance: What progress has the Government made with its economic programme in 2012?
  2. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his promise to New Zealanders that “I expect high standards from my Ministers … if they don't meet the standards I set then obviously I will take action if necessary”?
  3. DAVID SHEARER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements and have confidence in the statements of all his Ministers?
  4.  to the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery: How is the Government delivering a strong and effective recovery for greater Christchurch following the ?
  5. CHARLES CHAUVEL to the Minister of Justice: What are the specific “assumptions” based on “incorrect facts” demonstrating some “misunderstanding of New Zealand law” that she alleges are contained in the report of Justice Binnie concerning the application by Mr Bain for compensation for wrongful conviction and imprisonment?
  6. Dr PAUL HUTCHISON to the Minister of Health: What progress has the Government made on its national preventive health targets this year?
  7. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Why does he have confidence in the Minister for Whānau Ora?
  8. KRIS FAAFOI to the Minister of : Is she committed to all of her promises in regards to the New Zealand Police?
  9. TIM MACINDOE to the Minister of Justice: What progress has been made towards achieving Better Public Services across the justice sector?
  10. HONE HARAWIRA to the Minister of Education: Does she accept the finding of the 's Commissioner's Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty that a government funded food programme in low-decile schools is a simple, do-able, and low-cost solution to help children in poverty learn and achieve at school, and the recommendation that Government design and implement such a programme; if not, why not?
  11. CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of Education: Does she believe that her consultation process around the possible closure of residential special schools provided all those affected with an opportunity to have a meaningful say and have that say properly considered; if so, why?
  12. MELISSA LEE to the Minister for Development: What progress has the Government made in 2012 to shift the focus of our welfare system to one that is active, work focused and delivers better outcomes for New Zealanders?

Today Labour is asking four questions, the Greens, New Zealand First and Mana have one question each. Labour is asking about if the Prime Minister stands by all his statements, the David Bain compensation report by Justice Binnie of Canada, promises to the Police and the reversal of the decision to close a residential special school. The Greens are asking about standards of conduct for Ministers. Mana is asking about food in schools to combat child poverty.

The final patsy of the day for the year goes to Dr Paul Hutchison for Question 6: What progress has the Government made on its national preventive health targets this year?

Adjournment Debate 3.00pm -5.00pm.

This is the last sitting day for the year, so no bills will be debated. What follows is the adjournment debate, which may go for up to two hours.