Parliament 9 April 2013

Oral Questions 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Questions to Ministers

1. DAVID SHEARER (LAB) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements?
2. Hon TAU HENARE (NAT) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on progress in building economic growth?
3. Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (LAB)  to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises: Have all the risks for potential investors in Mighty River Power been fully identified in the offer document; if so, does he expect the Crown will receive the best possible return for floating 49 percent of Mighty River Power?
4. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN (GRE) to the Prime Minister: What is the security classification of the full report by Rebecca Kitteridge into the Government Communications Security Bureau, and who in his Government had access to the full report?
5. MIKE SABIN (NAT) to the Minister for Social Development: How are the Government’s welfare changes ensuring a fairer welfare system, and tackling long-term welfare dependence?
6. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (NZF) to the Minister for Land Information: Is it Government policy that a person or company involved in the 2008 melamine scandal would fail the good character test under section 18(1)(c) of the Overseas Investment Act 2005; if not, why not?
7. Hon LIANNE DALZIEL (LAB) to the Minister responsible for the Earthquake Commission: When will EQC staff be able to email documents to customers?
8. KATRINA SHANKS (NAT) to the Minister of Justice: What announcements has she recently made to address the harm caused by cyber bullying?
9. Hon MARYAN STREET (LAB) to the Minister for the Environment: How will the second round of proposed changes to the Resource Management Act 1991 as they are currently expressed, maintain the protection of the environment?
10. GARETH HUGHES (GRE) to the Minister of Energy and Resources: Has he requested that the Attorney-General assess Supplementary Order Paper No 205 to the Crown Minerals (Permitting and Crown Land) Bill for consistency with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990?
11. GRANT ROBERTSON (LAB) to the Prime Minister: Why was only one candidate interviewed for the position of Director of the Government Communications Security Bureau in July 2011?
12. TIM MACINDOE (NAT) to the Minister of Education: What progress has she made against the Government’s early childhood education priorities?

Labour is asking five questions, National four, the Greens two, and NZ First one. Patsy of the day goes to Mike Sabin for question 5: How are the Government’s welfare changes ensuring a fairer welfare system, and tackling long-term welfare dependence?

Labour is asking a gotcha, on the MRP float, the EQC, RMA reform, and the GCSB Director appointment process. The Greens are asking on the Rebecca Kitteridge GSCB report and mining, and Winston Peters is asking about the Overseas Investment Act.

Government Bills 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm and 7.30 pm – 10.00 pm

1. Psychoactive Substances Bill (first reading)
2. Child Support Amendment Bill (third reading)
3. Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill (third reading)

The Psychoactive Substances Bill regulates psychoactive products, including party pills and other legal highs. It was introduced by Peter Dunne in February.

The Child Support Amendment Bill was introduced by Peter Dunne and amends the Child Support Act 1992 to reform the child support scheme. The main change is the introduction of a new child support formula taking into account the income of both parents, the estimated cost of raising children, and a wider recognition of shared care. Labour, the Greens, the Maori Party and Mana voted against at second reading.

The Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill amends the Social Security Act 1964 to introduce a new system of main benefits, drug testing requirements, and work and child welfare obligations for beneficiaries. Paula Bennett is in charge and it just barely passed second reading, with National, ACT and United Future the parties supporting.