Parliament Today 6 November 2013

Questions for Oral Answer

Questions to Ministers 2.00PM – 3.00PM

  1. Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement that a publicly-owned insurer is a “dumb idea”?
  2. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements regarding Government policy?
  3. Hon TAU HENARE to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on the economy – and especially on further signs of improving economic momentum and increasing business and consumer confidence?
  4. Hon SHANE JONES to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in his Ministers?
  5. Hon PETER DUNNE to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What advice has he received on the call from Amnesty International opposing the appointment of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Chair of the Commonwealth for the next two years, and host of next week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting?
  6. Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE to the Minister responsible for the Earthquake Commission: Does he still believe that New Zealanders can have confidence in EQC?
  7. MARK MITCHELL to the Minister of Commerce: What steps is the Government taking to introduce more competition into the housing construction market?
  8. JAN LOGIE to the Minister of Justice: When she said, in response to whether the pre-trial and trial process precludes some sexual violence victims from complaining “quite clearly, it does not”; did she mean that few sexual violence victims are deterred from complaining by the process itself?
  9. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in the Minister for State Owned Enterprises?
  10. JACQUI DEAN to the Minister of Corrections: What recent announcements has she made on the redevelopment of prison facilities?
  11. PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Housing: Does he stand by his statement that the housing situation in Christchurch is “a challenge, not a crisis”?
  12. CHRIS AUCHINVOLE to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage: How does the Government intend to mark the centenary of the First World War?

Today Labour are asking four questions. These are about a potential public insurer (KiwiAssure), whether the Prime Minister has confidence in all his Ministers, confidence in EQC and Housing supply. The Greens are asking about whether the Prime Ministers stands by his statements on policy, and trial procedures for victims of sexual violence. New Zealand First is asking whether the Prime Minister has confidence in the Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Tony Ryall.

Patsy question of the day goes to Jacqui Dean for Question 8: What recent announcements has she made on the redevelopment of prison facilities?

General Debate 3.00PM – 4.00PM

A debate of twelve speeches of no more than five minutes each. Quite good usually.

Government Bills 4.ooPM – 6.00PM and 7.30PM – 10.00PM

1. New Zealand International Convention Centre Bill -Committee Stage

2. Health and Safety (Pike River Implementation) Bill -Committee Stage

3. Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Services) Bill – Committee Stage

4. Insolvency Practitioners Bill – Second Reading

The New Zealand International Convention Centre Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister for Economic Development, Steven Joyce. The purpose of the Bill is to give effect to an agreement between SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited and the Crown called the New Zealand International Convention Centre Project and Licensing Agreement.

The Health and Safety (Pike River Implementation) Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister of Labour, Simon Bridges. This bill proposes legislative changes to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy.

The Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Services) Bill is being guided through the house by the Prime Minister, John Key. This bill seeks to establish a new framework for setting entitlements for members of Parliament and the Executive.

The Insolvency Practitioners Bill is being guided through the house by the Minister of Commerce, Craig Foss. This bill creates powers to restrict or prohibit individuals from providing insolvency services, and strengthens measures to automatically disqualify insolvency practitioners.