Parliament Today 8 May 2014.

Questions for Oral Answer.

Questions to Ministers 2.00PM-3.00PM

  1. DAVID BENNETT to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received about increasingly broad-based growth in the economy?
  2. Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Finance: Does he have confidence in the expenditure figures used in Budget 2014?
  3. MELISSA LEE to the Minister of Housing: What progress is the Government making in addressing the housing supply and affordability issues, particularly in Auckland and Christchurch?
  4. HOLLY WALKER to the Minister of Immigration: Has he discussed issues relating to his immigration portfolio at Cabinet Club events; if so, on how many occasions?
  5. PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Housing: Does he stand by his statement, “The Government is committed to supporting as many Kiwi families as possible to achieve the goal of owning their own home”; if so, is home ownership increasing or decreasing according to the latest Census?
  6. MIKE SABIN to the Minister of Police: What steps are the Police taking to ensure psychoactive substances are removed from the market?
  7. SUE MORONEY to the Minister of Finance: Will he use a financial veto on the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill to stop families from having 26 weeks paid parental leave?
  8. CATHERINE DELAHUNTY to the Minister of Energy and Resources: Will he rule out granting mineral exploration permits in Pureora Forest Park?
  9. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister of Immigration: Did the Government instruct Immigration New Zealand to review the Investor Plus scheme of $10 million; if so, for what reason?
  10. CLAUDETTE HAUITI to the Minister of Health: What investment will the Government make in Budget 2014 to help fight rheumatic fever?
  11. HONE HARAWIRA to the Minister of Finance: How is the Government able to claim its management of the economy is “on the right track” when Māori youth unemployment continues to be unacceptably high at 22.1 percent, which is higher than when they took office, and nearly four times higher than the latest population-wide unemployment rate?
  12. Hon TREVOR MALLARD to the Minister of Immigration: Why did he personally call on Donghua Liu to receive his representations on immigration policy following Donghua Liu making a donation to the National Party?

Today Labour are asking about the upcoming budget, home ownership, paid parental leave, and immigration policy. The Greens are asking about the Cabinet Club, and about mineral exploration. New Zealand First is asking about immigration. The Mana Party is asking about  Māori youth unemployment.

Patsy of the day goes to Claudette Hauiti for Question 10: What investment will the Government make in Budget 2014 to help fight rheumatic fever?

Government Bills 3.00PM – 6.00PM.

1. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Bill – Committee Stage

2. Credit Contracts and Financial Services Law Reform Bill – Committee Stage

The Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Bill is being guided through the house by the Minsiters for the Arts, Chris Finlayson QC. This bill replaces the Historic Places Act 1993, which established the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (Pouhere Taonga), to rename the Trust as Heritage New Zealand and reform its governance and structure.

The Credit Contracts and Financial Services Law Reform Bill  is being guided through the house by the Minister of Commerce, Craig Foss. This bill proposes amendments to the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 and the repeal of the Credit (Repossession) Act 1997. The objects of the bill are the reform of the legislation governing consumer credit contracts.