Parliament 1 July 2015

The order paper is here.

Oral Questions 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm

  1. Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Health: How much has been spent by the Government on the Social Bonds Programme to date?
  2. MELISSA LEE to the Minister of Finance: How is the Government's programme of fiscal management helping keep interest rates lower for longer?
  3. METIRIA TUREI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that “… we believe that New Zealand can make a positive difference to world affairs and provide a unique and independent voice at the world's top table”.
  4. PAUL FOSTER-BELL to the Minister of Health: What steps is the Government taking to improve access to Primary Care for New Zealand families?
  5. GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with ANZ economist Cameron Bagrie when he says the New Zealand economy is “heading off-piste”?
  6. to the Minister of Trade: How many Māori organisations have been consulted during the last 5 years of negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement?
  7. Dr to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made on investment in New Zealand's land transport network?
  8. RICHARD PROSSER to the Minister for Primary Industries: Is he concerned at the threat posed to New Zealand's grain industry by the huge volumes of grain being dumped into New Zealand due to EU/Russia sanctions?
  9. to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by her statement “I am satisfied that all the contract funding to partnership will be spent on meeting the contracted outcome for each school, which is to deliver educational achievement”?
  10. BRETT HUDSON to the Minister for Small Business: What actions has the Government taken to encourage small businesses to list on the New Zealand share market?
  11. KELVIN DAVIS to the Minister for Primary Industries: Is he aware of reports that local wood manufacturers have been refused the opportunity to buy swamp kauri from Kauri Ruakaka mill, which was formerly called Oravida and is allegedly involved in exporting raw swamp kauri, and what is he doing to ensure that this irreplaceable resource is managed responsibly?
  12. JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: What percentage of the National Land Transport Programme announced yesterday will be spent on new rail infrastructure?

National: Four questions on interest rates, primary heath care, transport funding and small business

Labour: Four questions on social bonds, the economy, charter schools and raw swamp kauri

Greens: Two questions on world affairs and transport funding

NZ First: One question on grain dumping

Maori Party: One question on TPPA

Government Bills 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm and 7.30 pm to 10.00 pm

Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill – committee stage continued

The bill makes a number of changes to the status of parcels of land, land titles, and previous Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Acts.

  • Introduced: July 2008
  • 1st reading: March 2009, passed 113 to 9 with only Greens opposed
  • Select Committee report: September 2009, supported unanimously with amendments
  • 2nd reading: May 2015, passed unanimously

The committee has dealt with Part 1 and is now debating Part 2.

Standards and Accreditation Bill – committee stage

The bill amends and consolidates the law relating to standards and conformity assessment bodies “to ensure the New Zealand Standards and conformance system is viable, well-functioning, and meets the needs of business, regulators, and consumers into the foreseeable future.”

  • Introduced: July 2014
  • 1st reading: November 2014, passed unanimously
  • SC report: March 2015, supported with amendments with a minority report from Labour
  • 2nd reading: May 2015, passed 61-60 with Labour, Greens, NZ First and Maori Party against

There is no set time limit for the committee stage. The bill has two parts so debate is likely to last at least two hours. There is a minor SOP from Minister Goldsmith.

Radio New Zealand Amendment Bill – committee stage

The bill amends the Radio New Zealand Act 1995 to implement a new Radio New Zealand Charter

  • Introduced: June 2009
  • 1st reading: June 2009, passed unanimously
  • SC report: December 2009, supported without amendments with a minority report from Labour
  • 2nd reading: May 2015, passed unanimously

There is no set time limit for the committee stage. The bill has six clauses but is supported by all parties so unlikely to have a lengthy debate. so debate is likely to last at least two hours. There is an SOP from Minister Adams defining what commercial-free means.