Parliament Today 17 September 2013

Questions for Oral Answer.

Questions to Ministers 2.00PM – 3.00PM.

  1. Hon DAVID  to the : Does he still think that Chorus “will go broke” if his Government does not intervene to change the pricing for access to the old copper-based broadband network as proposed by the Commerce Commission; if so, why?
  2. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Minister of Conservation: Did he discuss the Tukituki Catchment Proposal with any Department of Conservation senior management in the two months prior to 2 August 2013; if so, with whom?
  3. Hon  to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he received about the outlook for the New Zealand economy?
  4. Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Finance: Did the Treasury provide advice as to whether he should support or oppose overruling the Commerce Commission's draft determination on copper broadband pricing given that the Treasury has previously advised against subsidising big business such as the $30 million Tiwai subsidy which has “no economic justification”?
  5. CHRIS AUCHINVOLE to the Minister for ACC: What announcements has she made today about ACC levies?
  6. Hon  to the Minister for the Environment:Has she ever received any advice that the Hawke's Bay Regional Council Plan Change 6, which paves the way for the Ruataniwha Dam proposal, in its current form, does not meet the requirements of the Resource Management Act 1993 for plan changes, and would not achieve the requirements of Part 2 of that Act?
  7. Hon PHIL HEATLEY to the Minister for Social Development: How will the Vulnerable Bill make a difference for those children most at risk of abuse and neglect?
  8. PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Housing: Does he believe there is a crisis in Auckland?
  9. MIKE SABIN to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made on partnership schools?
  10. EUGENIE SAGE to the Minister for the Environment: Will she ditch the Government's proposal to remove references to the “ethic of stewardship”, the “maintenance and enhancement of amenity values”, the “maintenance and enhancement of the quality of the environment” and the “intrinsic value of ecosystems” from the Resource Management Act 1993; if not, why not?
  11. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Why did he say in regard to the raid on the Fiji and Freedom movement, “I stand 100 percent by what I said before: any actions that the or the GCSB take in my opinion are legal…”?
  12. Hon  to the Minister of Defence: Does he accept all of the conclusions of the New Zealand Defence Force External Safety Management Review; if not, why not?

Today will be a notable Question Time as it is new Labour Leader David Cunliffe's first question time as Leader of the Opposition. Today Labour are asking five questions. They are asking about Chorus, Broadband Pricing, the Ruataniwha Dam proposal, Housing Affordability and the Defence Force Review. The Greens are asking about the Tukituki Catchment Proposal and RMA Reforms. New Zealand First is asking about the SIS and the GCSB.

Patsy of the Day Goes to Mike Sabin for Question 9: What recent announcements has she made on partnership schools?

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

1. Vulnerable Children Bill – First Reading

2. Credit Contracts and Financial Services Law Reform Bill – First Reading

3. Electoral Amendment Bill -First Reading

4.Public Safety (Public Protection Orders) Bill -First Reading

The Vulnerable Children Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister of Social Development, Paula Bennett .The bill forms part of a series of measures to protect and improve the well-being of vulnerable children.

The Credit Contracts and Financial Services Law Reform Bill,  is being guided through the house by the Minister of Commerce, Craig Foss. This bill reforms the legislation that governs consumer credit contracts.

The Electoral Amendment Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister of Justice, Judith Collins. This bill implements certain amendments to the Electoral Act 1993 recommended by the Justice and Electoral Committee's Inquiry into the 2011 General Election.

The Public Safety (Public Protection Orders) Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister of Justice, Judith Collins. This bill empowers the High Court to issue a public protection order to detain a person in a secure facility, when, at the end of a finite prison sentence or subject to the most intensive form of an extended supervision order, they pose a very high risk of imminent and serious sexual or violent reoffending.