March 19, 2015 12:15pm by David Farrar

Parliament 19 March 2015

The order paper is here.

Oral Questions 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm

  1. PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Transport: Did Cabinet consider a proposal for sealing roads in the Pipiwai area, as claimed by Dr Shane Reti; if so, why has no funding for this work been announced?
  2. DAVID SEYMOUR to the Minister of Finance: In light of his statement in the House on 11 March that low inflation “makes it more challenging for the Government because higher inflation pushes up the tax base and enables us to collect more tax in a growing economy”, does he agree that this phenomenon of fiscal drag is just another description for an increase in effective tax rates?
  3. ALFRED NGARO to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he received on New Zealand’s economic growth?
  4. JACINDA ARDERN to the Minister of Police: Does he have concerns with the Police’s handling of the alleged offending in the “Roast Busters” case given the release of the report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority today; if so, what are those concerns?
  5. EUGENIE SAGE to the Minister for the Environment: Does he propose to implement the Environment Canterbury model in other regional and unitary councils by replacing nearly half the elected councillors with ministerial appointees?
  6. JACQUI DEAN to the Minister of Health: What steps is the Government taking to improve mental health services for New Zealand families?
  7. RON MARK to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement in relation to Cyclone Pam “We will continue to do all we can to help our Pacific neighbours”?
  8. NUK KORAKO to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made about progress on the Government’s $1.137 billion Greater Christchurch Education Renewal Plan?
  9. Dr DAVID CLARK to the Minister for Economic Development: Does he agree with Moody’s Analytics that “New Zealand has a ‘two-speed’ economy as strong domestic demand cushions a weaker export sector”?
  10. TODD BARCLAY to the Minister for Small Business: What online tools has the Government provided to help small businesses make informed decisions?
  11. Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE to the Minister for Tertiary Education: Does he believe students and staff at every university should have the right to participate in the election of university councils?
  12. KEVIN HAGUE to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with the Prime Minister that “There is not a housing crisis” in New Zealand?

National: Four patsies on economic growth, mental health services, Christchurch education and small business.

Labour: Four questions on Northland roads, “Roast Busters”, the economy and university councils.

Greens: Two questions on ECan and housing.

NZ First: One question on Cyclone Pam.

ACT: One question on fiscal drag and effective tax rates

Government Bills 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm

Appropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) Bill – 2nd reading

This bill confirms and validates unappropriated expenditure and validates excess net asset holdings for the 2013/14 financial year.

Introduced: December 2014
1st reading: February 2015, passed unanimously

This bill is not debated.

Harmful Digital Communications Bill – second reading

The Bill aims to “mitigate the harm caused to individuals by digital communications and to provide victims of harmful digital communications with a quick and efficient means of redress.” by creating a new civil enforcement regime to quickly and effectively deal with harmful digital communications; creating new criminal offences to deal with the most serious harmful digital communications and making some small amendments to existing legislation to clarify their application to digital communications and cover technological advances.

Introduced: November 2013
1st reading: December 2013, passed unanimously
Select Committee Report: May 2014, supported unanimously, with amendments

The debate can be up to two hours.

Statutes Amendment Bill (No 4) – third reading

The bill makes minor changes to the local government acts and the Official Information Act.

  • Introduced: May 2014
  • 1st reading: April 2014, passed without dissent
  • Select Committee report: July 2014, supported unanimously with amendments
  • 2nd reading: March 2015, passed without dissent

A provision relating to travel perks for former MPs has been dropped, following objection from the Green Party.

The debate can be up to two hours.