September 3, 2013 12:17pm by Jordan.M

Parliament Today 3 September 2013

Questions for Oral Answer.
Questions to Ministers 2.00PM-3.00PM.

  1. Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement regarding the estimated proceeds of asset sales that “I just want to emphasise that it is not our best guess; it’s just a guess”?
  2. JAMI-LEE ROSS to the Minister of Finance: What steps is the Government taking to responsibly manage its finances and deliver better public services, following fast-rising government spending of the mid-2000s?
  3. Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Finance: What is the difference between a “one-off incentive payment” and a subsidy?
  4. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Is he satisfied that the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service has always operated lawfully under his leadership?
  5. Dr CAM CALDER to the Minister of Science and Innovation:What progress has been made in the Government’s plan to provide internships for students in New Zealand’s research and development intensive industries?
  6. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises: Will the Government suspend its asset sales programme until a referendum on the issue has been held, given the Clerk of the House has certified that 327,000 New Zealanders, or more than 10 percent of voters, have signed a petition triggering that referendum?
  7. Hon PETER DUNNE to the Associate Minister of Health: What specific “corrective actions” will the Malvina Major Retirement Village be required to undertake, following the recent Ministry of Health spot audit?
  8. Hon DAMIEN O’CONNOR to the Minister for Primary Industries: Does he stand by all his statements?
  9. SIMON O’CONNOR to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made on how the education system is performing at a local level?
  10. Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by all his promises in Health?
  11. KATRINA SHANKS to the Minister of Broadcasting: What progress has been made on the regional rollout of the digital switchover for New Zealand television viewers?
  12. Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM to the Prime Minister: Will he support a parliamentary debate and vote on any Government decision to give moral support for a United States-led military strike on Syria; if not, why not?

Today Labour are asking four questions. The first two questions are about Mixed Ownership Model, and the Tiwai Point smelter one off incentive payment. The last two questions are about whether the Minister for Primary Industries stands by all his statements and whether the Minister of Health stands by his promises. The Greens are asking about the asset sales referendum and military action on the Syrian crisis. New Zealand First is asking one question about the SIS.

Patsy of the Day goes to Katrina Shanks for Question 11: What progress has been made on the regional rollout of the digital switchover for New Zealand television viewers?

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

1. Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill – Committee Stage

2. Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill– Committee Stage

3. Airports (Cost Recovery for Processing of International Travellers)  Bill – Committee Stage

4. Statutes Amendment Bill – Committee Stage

5. Unit Titles Amendment Bill – Committee Stage

The Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister of Housing, Nick Smith.The purpose of this bill is to enhance housing affordability by facilitating an increase in land and housing supply in places with significant supply or affordability issues.

The Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister of Justice, Judith Collins. This bill would implement the Government’s decisions resulting from a review of the Family Court conducted by the Ministry of Justice.

The Airports (Cost Recovery for Processing of International Travellers)  Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy. This bill provides for cost recovery arising from processing of travellers in the aviation security, biosecurity, and customs areas.

The Statutes Amendment Bill and the Unit Titles Amendment Bill are being guided through the house by the Minister for Courts, Chester Borrows. The first  is an omnibus bill proposing amendments of a technical nature to 30 Acts. The second is the provisions of this bill that were divided out from the Statutes Amendment Bill (Formerly part of Statutes Amendment Bill).