Oral Questions

1. to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government’s policies and actions?

on behalf of the Prime Minister: On behalf of the Prime Minister, yes.

💬 Hon Paula Bennett: Does her Government intend to deliver on its commitment to providing light rail in Auckland?

Like so many things that this reformist Government is engaged in, it’s a work in progress. We’re still working through the fiscals, the policy itself—not just making a whole lot of promises, like the former Government, and not putting up one cent to back them up.

💬 Hon Paula Bennett: Is the New Zealand Transport Agency website correct when it says, “The Auckland Transport Alignment Project … has committed to providing light rail between the City Centre and Māngere and to Auckland’s north west within the next ten years”?

Actually, that sort of announcement sounds like the previous Government, frankly: “within the next ten years”. We don’t behave like that. This Government makes an announcement when we’ve done all the homework, and then when it’s completed we provide the finances to get the job done and find the workers to do the job as soon as we possibly can.

💬 Hon Paula Bennett: In what time line, then, will the promise of light rail actually come to fruition?

When the work has been done thoroughly so that we know exactly what should be done in the future. I mean, that’s how our sound Western Government does things responsibly. I don’t know how they propose to proceed in the future, or is it all going to be by guesswork?

💬 Hon Chris Hipkins: Is the Prime Minister confident that the current Government will be able to deliver light rail in Auckland faster than the 2037 timetable set out by the previous Minister of Transport, Simon Bridges?

That’s a superb question. What was happening before was positively glacial in terms of delivery; what we’re doing now is at break-neck speed by comparison.

💬 Hon Paula Bennett: Has anyone from New Zealand First written to her office at any time since she became Prime Minister about the Auckland light rail project?

💬 SPEAKER: One more attempt—because I’m sure that any letters to my office are not relevant.

💬 Hon Paula Bennett: To her office?

💬 SPEAKER: No, “to your office” I think the member said. I apologise if I got it wrong.

💬 Hon Paula Bennett: Has anyone from New Zealand First written to her office at any time since she became—

💬 Hon Shane Jones: That’s better—improvement.

💬 Hon Paula Bennett: Sorry, what was that?

💬 Hon Shane Jones: Not right.

💬 Hon Paula Bennett: Oh. Has anyone from New Zealand First written to her office at any time since she became Prime Minister about the Auckland light rail project?

On behalf of the Prime Minister, I understand that the numbers of New Zealand First supporters and members are legion, so to speak, and so I can’t possibly answer that question.

💬 Hon Paula Bennett: Has the “agree to disagree” provision in the coalition agreement been triggered, meaning Labour and New Zealand First can now publicly express alternative views on Auckland light rail?

On behalf of the Prime Minister, this is an extraordinary question. I mean, if it was a fact then I, as Prime Minister, could confirm it, but it’s not a fact at all. And this type of myth-making is sort of beloved of Jenna Lynch and TV3, but it’s not worthy of an Opposition.

💬 Chris Bishop: Just answer the question.

And as you were told this morning, keep quiet, Mr Bishop—you were told that this morning by your senior member sitting in front of you, and I suggest you take that advice.

💬 Hon Paula Bennett: Has the “agree to disagree” provision in the coalition agreement been triggered when it comes to taxpayers’ money being spent in Ihumātao?

On behalf of the Prime Minister, this is again more myth-making. We’ve got no idea on earth what the question is asking. I mean, no such thing has happened with respect—

💬 Chris Bishop: Read the Cabinet Manual.

💬 Hon Grant Robertson: You’re just making it up.

On behalf of the Prime Minister, I’m unable to confirm the outrageous, mythical suspicions of the Opposition.

💬 SPEAKER: Grant Robertson will stand, withdraw, and apologise.

💬 Hon Grant Robertson: I withdraw and apologise.

💬 Hon Paula Bennett: Can the Prime Minister confirm that she has the support of all Cabinet members to spend taxpayers’ money sorting out Ihumātao?

On behalf of the Prime Minister, again—[Interruption] Again, this is a work in progress where every member of this Government will be proud of the outcome and where we will have all kept our word.

💬 Darroch Ball: Can the Prime Minister confirm the average amount spent on travel and accommodation by officials in the Provincial Development Unit in a three-month period?

That’s a superb question. I can say that the Provincial Development Unit, over a three-month period, spent, per person, $1,819 on accommodation, flying, travelling, driving—the full hundred yards—as opposed to a three-month period of $113,000 spent by one Simon Bridges.

💬 Hon Paula Bennett: Has she considered using funds from the Provincial Growth Fund to actually support employers in a wage scheme?

On behalf of the Prime Minister, and speaking for the “First Citizens of the Provinces” could I just say that the Provincial Growth Fund is going into a whole range—hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of plans—

💬 Hon Shane Jones: Job rich.

Job rich, long term, added value, all over our country—for example, like Ōpōtiki, where we’ll have the biggest mussel farm in the whole wide world, and where the medical and economic benefits will be new and fresh from that province. So in that context, the answer is, on behalf of the Prime Minister: yes.

💬 Hon Paula Bennett: Does the Prime Minister consider that the nearly $700 million that has not been allocated from the Provincial Growth Fund in these extraordinary times around the coronavirus, and given what is happening with businesses, could be better spent on actually keeping people in jobs and small businesses alive?

On behalf of the Prime Minister: this is an extraordinary question, and by way of allegation as well, because this morning, in Mr Bridges’ hands, it was $654 million, and now it’s grown to $700 million in just the space of three hours. They are both dramatically wrong.

💬 Hon Paula Bennett: Has the Prime Minister received correspondence from the Rt Hon Winston Peters in regards to light rail in Auckland?

On behalf of the Prime Minister, it’s very fortunate that the person answering for me knows the answer to that question. The answer is no.

Question No. 2—Finance

2. to the Minister of Finance: How is the Government supporting the economy to respond to the impacts of the global COVID-19 outbreak?

I want to emphasise that the best and first way to protect the economy is by containing the spread of the virus. The health of our people must remain our top priority. In response to the economic impact of the global COVID-19 outbreak, we have already provided support for the tourism and seafood industry, boosted funding for business advisory services, instructed Government departments to pay their bills within 10 days, and removed the stand-down period for workers who lose their jobs. Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) are supporting businesses and workers on issues like provisional tax readjustments, remission of late payment and filing fees, wage instalment plans, and income support, and MSD’s rapid response teams are in place in regions like Tai Rāwhiti. Having already taken these initial actions, it is clear we will continue to see a longer lasting shock to the domestic economy, and that is why we are moving into the next phases of our economic response.

💬 Dr Duncan Webb: What actions will the Government take in the next phase of its economic response?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: It’s important to remember that this situation is not the result of a structural economic problem or a natural disaster. This is an evolving global health crisis, which for some is a supply problem, and for others a demand issue. That’s why we need tailor-made responses, not wholesale changes or knee-jerk reactions. The next phase of the Government’s economic response is our business continuity package, which includes a targeted wage subsidy scheme, training and redeployment options for affected employees, and potential future working capital support for companies that face temporary credit constraints. We’re also, as part of that package, working on adjustments to the tax system to support businesses to manage cash flow and support them to maintain employment. We’re also developing options to ensure that MSD can support individuals and businesses to provide temporary financial support and assistance, particularly to vulnerable individuals and families. Of course, the global situation is rapidly evolving, and we remain prepared to move into further phases of response when and if necessary.

💬 Dr Duncan Webb: What further phases of economic response is the Government preparing for?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: We’re working on two further phases of response: macroeconomic measures to be deployed in the event of a sustained global downturn, and a recovery phase once the impacts have worn off. I’ve instructed officials to develop longer-term measures that may be required to support the income, the economy, businesses, and workers under this scenario. I’ve also directed officials to begin working on a package designed to support the entire economy when we come out the other side. The business community has asked for this. The final shape of this package will obviously depend on the ultimate economic shock we feel from COVID-19, but our response must be a “New Zealand Inc.” one, where we work together to diversify our export and import markets. As the global public health and economic situations continue to evolve, these phases of response will ensure that we are ready for any eventualities that may occur. For both the public health and economic response, this is not just a Government response or a business response; it must be a New Zealand response. We are all in this together and we will get through it.

Question No. 3—Finance

3. to the Minister of Finance: Is he confident the Government is taking the necessary steps to preserve jobs and strengthen the economy?

Yes, I am, and I’ve just outlined those.

💬 Hon Paul Goldsmith: When will money reach affected businesses from any short-term wage subsidy he is planning as part of the business continuity package?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As soon as is practically possible.

💬 Hon Paul Goldsmith: Can he give any clearer guidance than that?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As we’ve announced several times this week, we’ll have more to say about that next week.

💬 Hon Paul Goldsmith: Why is he taking longer to announce the details of a short-term package than larger economies such as the UK and Australia?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I’ve already said in my earlier answer, we’ve undertaken a number of actions already. The further shape of the wage subsidy scheme will be announced next week. I think we are responding in a timely manner to these matters. Many of the things that are part of the Australian package are actually things New Zealand’s already done, such as the $12 billion infrastructure package.

💬 Hon Paul Goldsmith: He does recognise there is a difference between announcing a $12 billion package and actually getting the money flowing into the economy?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I recognise the difference between making a whole lot of claims about what you’re going to do, in a press release, and then not putting any money aside for this. Ours is a fully funded $12 billion infrastructure package.

💬 Hon Paul Goldsmith: Regarding his change in language today, from saying the economy had “strong momentum” before the coronavirus outbreak to now saying it had “solid momentum”, what is his definition of “solid momentum” in terms of economic growth?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: My definition of “solid momentum” is that in the Government accounts for the six months ending December 2019, we were $500 million ahead in terms of our fiscal position than what had been forecast; we had higher corporate tax take; higher GST take; we had unemployment at 4 percent; and we had net core Crown debt, when we got to the seven months at the end of January, at 19.5 percent—significantly less than what we were left by the previous Government. That is solid momentum.

💬 Hon Paul Goldsmith: Isn’t momentum usually attributed to growth, and is it not the case that 1.6 percent GDP growth for 2019 does not represent strong momentum?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I challenge the premise of the figures that the member has put out in front of us. We have an economy that has been growing at a faster rate than most of our trading partners and that has strong momentum in its labour market, with 4 percent unemployment, and that has strong momentum in its wages, with wages around a 3.6 percent increase. This is an economy that is doing well. I would really encourage the member to focus on the positive and let’s all get together and actually make sure that New Zealand gets through this coronavirus crisis.

💬 Kieran McAnulty: In light of his previous answer stating the number of things the Government is doing in response to COVID-19, would one of those things be to go out and panic buy, as advocated by David Bennett?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Absolutely not. This is the time for cool heads. This is the time for all New Zealanders to focus on what we can do together to ensure that our workers and our businesses get through this.

💬 Rt Hon Winston Peters: Has he heard these comments: “During a serious outbreak of a new infectious disease, the last thing we need is for our elected representatives to be undermining the important messages coming from the Government, scientists, and public health professionals”, and does he recall that it was microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles, Oxford trained, who said that about Mr Simon Bridges?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: It is imperative that as a country we come together and have a positive focus on what we can do. There are workers and businesses around New Zealand who are anxious. The last thing we need is scaremongering and politicking.

💬 Hon Paul Goldsmith: I presume the Minister is not saying that the important role of the Opposition is to ask serious questions about how quickly his Government is moving to provide clarity and a clear response to this serious economic outbreak.

💬 SPEAKER: Well, there wasn’t a question there. Another attempt? Does the member want to try and change that into a question?

💬 Hon Paul Goldsmith: Is the member saying that it is inappropriate in some way for the Opposition to ask serious questions about the speed and timeliness of the Government’s response to this serious economic challenge for this country?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Far from it. The Opposition is entitled to ask serious questions. Where we have concerns is where people contribute to panic-buying type responses, where we hear from the Opposition a fixation on wanting to attach blame for an issue that, quite clearly, is driven by a global health crisis. What New Zealanders want is for all of us to be focused on how we assist people through this.

💬 Hon Paul Goldsmith: And is it not important, as we deal with a serious economic challenge, that we acknowledge the real situation of the New Zealand economy prior to coronavirus taking place, and focus on how we come out of this stronger at the end?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I have been answering those questions, and I think I’ve given a number of examples of why we had solid momentum. I wonder if the member might like to reflect on the editorial in today’s Dominion Post, where in response to his claim that the minimum wage should not be increased the Dominion Post said, “There is an opportunism in calling for measures that would hit the poorest [Kiwis] hardest at a time when … Government and … opposition should be bigger than party politics. Putting wage rises for the worst-off on hold is not being in it together.” Perhaps the member would like to reflect on those words.

💬 Hon Paul Goldsmith: Will any wage subsidy to businesses desperately affected by the outbreak for full-time workers arrive before or after the Government insists those same businesses pay minimum wage workers an extra $48 a week?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I said, details of that will be announced next week. We will move as fast as is practicably possible.

Question No. 4—Health

4. to the Minister of Health: What does the recent World Health Organization pandemic declaration mean for New Zealand?

New Zealand has been effectively dealing with COVID-19 as a pandemic for some time. We’ve been working from our comprehensive and longstanding pandemic plan since January and have taken early and decisive action to protect New Zealanders. As the Director-General of the World Health Organization said this morning, “Describing the situation as a pandemic … doesn’t change what countries should do.” What it does do, however, is send the strongest possible message to people the world over to take the threat from COVID-19 incredibly seriously and act accordingly. I ask all New Zealanders to play their part in this response.

💬 Angie Warren-Clark: How are measures at New Zealand’s border helping to protect the public, and will they be strengthened in response to the declaration of a pandemic?

💬 Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: In response to COVID-19, New Zealand already has some of the strongest travel restrictions in the world. Just yesterday, Cabinet agreed to extend the requirement for people arriving in New Zealand to go into self-isolation to cover all of Italy. This is on top of the same requirement for arrivals from South Korea and the wider travel ban covering Iran and China. We have consistently taken early and decisive action at the border to keep COVID-19 at bay, and that has helped keep the number of confirmed cases low by international standards.

💬 Angie Warren-Clark: How can the public help in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic?

💬 Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: My message to the public is that we all have a part to play. Help keep everyone safe. Stay home if you feel unwell, wash your hands with soap and water regularly for at least 20 seconds, and don’t forget to dry them. Don’t share your germs: cough or sneeze into your elbow, or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues. These simple steps that we can all take, alongside good public health measures such as contact tracing, are the best way to fight COVID-19.

💬 Hon Michael Woodhouse: Has he seen reports that the United States of America has closed its borders to the whole of Europe for 30 days; and, if so, has he sought advice on what response New Zealand should take in order to maintain what he describes as the toughest border protections in the world?

💬 Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I have seen that news come through in the last five minutes, and I would note that, daily, we are getting updates on the situation in Europe, in the United States, and across the world as this situation develops. The important thing here is that we are nimble. We have acted early and decisively. That has bought us the extra time to plan, to make sure that we are learning from the science internationally about what works in containing the disease, because we know we will continue to get sporadic cases arriving here, and we are daily reviewing that advice and getting new advice and taking action.

Question No. 5—Housing

5. to the Minister of Housing: Is she confident that she is fronting up in her housing portfolio?

Yes.

💬 Hon Judith Collins: When she said in September last year with regard to the housing dashboard “I’m happy to front up every month and I will.”, what did she mean by fronting up every month?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: What I meant is exactly what we’ve done: that we would put that dashboard up for everybody to see and happy to discuss it with anyone who asks questions, which I do every month.

💬 Hon Judith Collins: Why has she only issued one press release on the housing dashboard since she promised last year that she would front up every month?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: The dashboard is placed on the website every month, as we said it would be. I never proposed to issue a press statement about putting up a dashboard. We regard that as business as usual. I save press releases for when we make milestones such as building more State houses than any Government since the 1970s.

💬 Hon Judith Collins: Does she think her department putting the dashboard on its website, without any press release or fanfare, is the same as a Minister fronting up?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Yes.

💬 Hon Judith Collins: Then why would she be the Minister instead of her chief executive?

💬 SPEAKER: No, that’s an ironic question. The member can ask—

💬 Hon Judith Collins: How will we then know when she’s fronting up, as opposed to her department fronting up?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: The member, every month, can go and have a look on a website. She can see how we’re performing across a range of indicators in housing. This is what we said we would do and we have done it every month since we said we would do it. There is complete transparency over housing numbers.

💬 Hon Chris Hipkins: Must be desperate for questions today.

💬 SPEAKER: Order!

Question No. 6—Health

6. to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his answer in oral question 10 yesterday regarding those in the mosh pit at the Tool concert on 28 February that “Those people who were in that situation have been identified as casual contacts”?

Yes, because that is the advice of the public health experts—the doctors and scientists who understand the science of communicable disease transmission.

💬 Hon Michael Woodhouse: What is the definition of a “close contact”?

💬 Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: A close contact is someone who is within about a metre and a half, for more than 15 minutes.

💬 Hon Michael Woodhouse: Given that answer, does he really believe patrons in the mosh pit and close to the affected patron were considered “casual contacts”, given the concert lasted several hours?

💬 Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I’m not going to second-guess the clinical judgment of scientific experts.

💬 Hon Michael Woodhouse: Has he ever been in a mosh pit?

💬 Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I’m not clear how that really is relevant, given that we’re talking about clinical expert advice.

💬 SPEAKER: Yeah, I was a bit slow to get on my feet. I can’t imagine it being within the ministerial responsibility of the Minister of Health to be in a mosh pit. [Interruption] We’ve had a question and answer, go on to another one.

💬 Hon Michael Woodhouse: Has he seen reports that mosh pits are hot, sweaty, close contact situations that can last for hours and, in an upcoming event, will go all night? [Interruption]

💬 SPEAKER: Order! Order! Settle—settle. No, the member will—

💬 Rt Hon Winston Peters: Supplementary question?

💬 SPEAKER: No, no, no. We don’t want any further development—

💬 Hon Member: Yes you do.

💬 SPEAKER: I certainly do not. I think members need to ignore the double entendre, and we’ll have the question answered.

💬 Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I think what’s important here is actually not sensationalising the situation, but listening to the public health experts. I have seen language used by the Opposition in that regard. I would prefer that we focused on what the scientists and the doctors are saying.

💬 Hon Michael Woodhouse: Can he confirm reports that a Northland man who attended the concert is now sick and being tested for COVID-19; and, if so, has this caused him to revisit his assumption about whether concert attendees were casual contacts?

💬 Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I have seen reports of a couple who have done exactly what public health experts would suggest they do. In that case, there was a notification put out about the Tool concert, precisely so that anybody who was there with concerns would take the appropriate action and self-monitor. This couple self-isolated, if I’ve read the information correctly. They then contacted Healthline, then they got tested, and I want to thank them for being good examples of what a good response to public health information looks like.

💬 Hon Michael Woodhouse: What advice would he give to people considering attending events like the Pasifika Festival or the Christchurch memorial this weekend in light of the COVID-19 outbreak?

💬 Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: No one in the world can give any absolute guarantees in the current environment, but I can remind the member that we’ve only had five confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand. There is no evidence of a community transmission outside of family members in New Zealand, but of course we are constantly reviewing the situation based on the advice of scientists, doctors, and experts, and I’ll be expecting further advice on this today.

Question No. 7—ACC

7. to the Minister for ACC: Will he consider reviewing Schedule 2 of the Accident Compensation Act 2001 so that it can include exposure to dangerous substances such as PCP and dioxins?

I have already instructed officials to work on a system that allows for regular reviews of Schedule 2. Schedule 2 was last updated in 2008 and a review is long overdue. Schedule 2, however, is not the only pathway to cover for workplace illnesses. Workers can apply for cover using the gradual process tests set out in section 30 of the Act. I encourage workers who believe their illnesses have been caused by workplace exposures to discuss this with medical professionals and consider making a claim.

💬 Jan Logie: Does he agree that the exposure of sawmill workers to dangerous substances in their workplace has resulted in ongoing health issues, illness, and early death?

💬 Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I agree that the chemicals in pentachlorophenol (PCP) are dangerous. That is why the industry stopped using them in 1988. A number of claims have been accepted by ACC for PCP exposure, suggesting that in those cases, health issues were related to its use.

💬 Jan Logie: Will the Minister continue the good work initiated by the previous Labour Government in supporting sawmill workers exposed to PCP, dioxins, and furans by ensuring the Act meets the needs of this group of timber workers?

💬 Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: As I said in my primary answer, I have already instructed officials to work on a system that allows for regular reviews of Schedule 2. I would note that the timber workers who have received support from ACC got that support under the existing scheme, and, of course, the health system continues to support all New Zealanders.

💬 Jan Logie: Does the Minister consider it inconsistent that the Government recognises the damage PCP, dioxins, and furans cause to working people by specific targeted health services but not by including them transparently in the accident compensation system?

💬 Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Well, respectfully, I disagree with the premise of the member’s question. Workplace exposure to PCP, dioxins, and furans is covered by the ACC system. I am advised that since 1992, ACC has received 127 claims for PCP exposure. Of those claims, 64 were approved and 63 were declined.

Question No. 8—Transport

8. to the Minister of Transport: When will Cabinet consider any recommendations from the Ministry of Transport arising from the twin-track process for Auckland light rail, and what is his best-case estimate of when construction could start?

on behalf of the Minister of Transport: On behalf of the Minister of Transport, I intend to take proposals to Cabinet within the next two to three months. As I’ve stated on Tuesday, I’ve not yet received advice on a specific date for construction to start.

💬 Chris Bishop: Why has Cabinet not considered the recommendations from the Ministry of Transport on Auckland light rail when he has said previously they would do so in February 2020?

On behalf of the Minister, because I haven’t taken those proposals to Cabinet yet.

💬 Chris Bishop: Why has he not taken those proposals to Cabinet yet?

Because I’ve not been in a position to do so yet.

💬 Chris Bishop: Can he guarantee that Cabinet will consider the recommendations from the Ministry of Transport before the election?

I’m reasonably confident, yes.

💬 Chris Bishop: Has the Associate Minister of Transport, the Hon Shane Jones, expressed to him his reservations about the Auckland light rail project; and, if so, what did he say?

💬 SPEAKER: Order! The member can rephrase that.

💬 Hon Judith Collins: Any reservations.

💬 SPEAKER: Very good advice from the Hon Judith Collins. She understands these matters.

💬 Chris Bishop: I thought I actually said “any”—oh, sorry, Mr Speaker. Has the Associate Minister of Transport, the Hon Shane Jones, expressed to him any reservations about the Auckland light rail project; and, if so, what did he say?

Discussions amongst the Government’s coalition and confidence and supply partners is part of the process of preparing advice to Cabinet. I have not yet finalised the advice to Cabinet. Those discussions will be reflected in the advice that I do eventually give to Cabinet.

💬 Chris Bishop: Is he aware of any recent correspondence from members of Parliament representing New Zealand First relating to their views on the Auckland light rail project, and does he know what that correspondence says?

I’m not in a position to be able to give answers on that level of specificity, on behalf of the member, other than to say that of course the Minister is engaged with discussions with the coalition and confidence and supply partners in the Government. Those discussions are ongoing.

💬 Chris Bishop: Will light rail be complete, to Mount Roskill, by 2021?

On behalf of the Minister, I’ve already made it clear that that won’t be the case.

Question No. 9—Fisheries

9. to the Minister of Fisheries: What reports has he seen about market disruption to the seafood industry as a consequence of COVID-19?

In early February, off the back of reports that the rock lobster industry, which exports 99 percent of the live lobster export to China, would be hardest hit, the Government moved quickly. I agreed that fishery officials could allow a limited release of rock lobster back into the wild. The decision affected those fishers who had live crayfish in holding pots at sea and some held in tanks on land, subject to biosecurity measures. I also recently agreed to allow some of this year’s uncaught rock lobster harvest to be carried forward to the next fishing year, which runs from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. These are two examples of tangible action that we are leading by example in our response to this global issue.

💬 Kieran McAnulty: What reports has he had from the regions, such as Wairarapa, in reaction to the Government’s action to mitigate the disruption on the fishing industry as a consequence of COVID-19?

💬 Hon STUART NASH: Primary producers and exporters with diverse markets seem to be in strong shape to deal with the disruptions caused by COVID-19. I was in Nelson this week with other Ministers, and firsthand reports from fisheries and winemaking sectors give good insights about what they are seeing on the ground. For example, Sealord says that as a deep-sea fishing company specialising in frozen products, it’s had minimal disruptions to date. New Zealand King Salmon says that product originally destined for China has gone to markets in North America and Europe instead, and this is the benefit of a diverse marketing strategy. They also are noticing a pick-up in orders from China, which they say appears to be “back open for business”. Winemakers, no doubt in Wairarapa as well as Nelson, are looking at a bumper crop and their biggest headache is the perennial issue of seasonal workers for the harvest.

💬 Kieran McAnulty: What other reports has he seen about the impact of COVID-19 disruption on the wider fishing industry?

💬 Hon STUART NASH: The impact of COVID-19 disruptions on the rock lobster industry will be clear in the Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) forecast, due out shortly, which estimates a 2.2 percent fall in seafood export revenue. Despite the collapse of the rock lobster market in China, there is room for the wider seafood industry to be optimistic. Aquaculture earnings continue to grow and are expected to increase by more than 10 percent in the current financial year. The SOPI will also note that prices remain strong for hoki, there is high demand for squid, and salmon and mussel exports are growing. Anecdotal reports from our largest fishing port in Nelson also show that seafood exporters with diverse markets have had minimal disruptions from COVID-19.

Question No. 10—Police

10. to the Minister of Police: Is he confident the Government’s policies are keeping people safe?

Yes, especially our decision to almost double the number of fog cannons installed in small businesses like dairies, superettes, and police stations. After I changed the criteria, we have installed more than 500 of these crime prevention devices, and we’re on track for around 1,000. Aggravated robberies of commercial premises are at their lowest level in five years thanks to this fog cannon initiative. Extra police resources have also enabled record seizures of methamphetamine—1.8 tonnes in 2019—and meth use in the population is now down by 17 percent. To all those watching at home, and I know a few of them, these are just a couple of examples of the initiative from the true Government of law and order. [Interruption]

💬 Brett Hudson: Why have victimisations—

💬 SPEAKER: Order! Order! No, I’m going to get the member to start again. I’m going to ask Judith Collins to stop her comments.

💬 Brett Hudson: Why have victimisations risen by over 26,000 in the 12 months to the end of January 2020?

💬 Hon STUART NASH: More police gives people greater confidence that when they report to police the police will actually do something to address their concerns, but can I give you a couple of examples, please. The introduction of the new family harm legislation in December 2018 led to an increase in the number of serious assaults reported to police in 2019. Family violence is notoriously under-reported, and police are working hard to make a difference for victims and prevent reoffending by perpetrators. There is also increasing demand for police to respond to callouts that aren’t crimes, like mental health and road policing. In last year’s Budget, Minister Clark allocated $1.9 billion to mental health and addiction services. Under this Government, we rebuilt road policing that had been cut by 111 police under the previous Government. Just two examples of why they may have increased.

💬 Brett Hudson: Why, then, have victimisations for property crime risen by over 21,000 in the 12 months to the end of January 2020?

💬 Hon STUART NASH: That member is very good with some stats, so let me give him a few of my own: 2,000 new police, 1,000 fog cannons, 17 percent drop in meth use, $100 million in seized assets and cash—80 percent from drugs, gangs, and organised crime. This is the true Government of law and order that is working incredibly hard to keep people safe and prevent crime in our community.

💬 Brett Hudson: Why, given the number of new police the Minister claims, have victimisations for property crime risen by over 21,000 in the 12 months to the end of January 2020?

💬 Hon STUART NASH: Those aren’t claims; those are the facts. But let me give you one example. A construction boom—

💬 Hon Member: Answer the question.

💬 Hon STUART NASH: Would you like me to? OK, thank you. A construction boom and increased housing developments have also seen an increase in dwelling burglaries from residential building sites. Burglars often steal property for sale to feed a drug habit, but thanks to Dr Clark, we have put $1.9 billion to deal with mental health and addiction services. Two thousand new police into our communities are doing a hell of a lot to prevent crime and keep our communities safe.

💬 Brett Hudson: Does it concern him, then, that burglary victimisations have increased by 7.2 percent in the 12 months to the end of January 2020; and, if so, what does he say to the victims of burglaries under this Government?

💬 Hon STUART NASH: I’ll let that member know what concerns me. There is a bill before this House which will significantly increase penalties for gun crime, and it will keep guns out of the hands of gangs, and that party is not supporting it. That is what concerns me.

💬 Brett Hudson: Does he believe that the fact that new gang members outnumber the incremental increase of front-line police officers under this Government is helping to make New Zealanders safer?

💬 Hon Andrew Little: That member did nothing about it.

💬 Hon STUART NASH: In 2011, the Australian gangs became—

💬 Hon Andrew Little: They did nothing about it. Lowest under that Government—did nothing about it.

💬 SPEAKER: Order! Order! Yes, occasionally, Mr Little, you answer on behalf of the Minister of Police. That occurs when he’s not here. I think in this particular supplementary question you’ve done more of the addressing of the question than he has—not that that’s always a high test.

💬 Hon STUART NASH: And I would like to thank Mr Little for his support in this, because I know he’s passionate about what we’re doing in the criminal justice sector. What I would say—what I would say—is these gangs became entrenched in 2011; the next year police numbers dropped by 150. In the last three years of the previous Government, as gangs grew, meth became entrenched, and crime got out of control, police numbers dropped. Under this Government, thanks to New Zealand First support, we have trained 2,000 new police into our communities, and I’m incredibly proud of the work they do to keep our communities safe and prevent harm.

💬 Hon James Shaw: Does the Minister believe that loosening the Government’s proposed gun laws to make it easier for gangs to get guns will keep New Zealanders safe?

💬 Hon STUART NASH: It’s a very good point. There is a bill before Parliament which will significantly increase penalties for gun crime, and it will keep guns out of the hands of the gangs. However, that party—the Opposition—is not supporting it, and I can’t for the life of me figure out why.

Question No. 11—Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti

11. to the Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti: Does he stand by all his statements and actions around the Tuia 250 data breach?

on behalf of the Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti: Yes, in the context they were made and taken.

💬 Dr Shane Reti: Why were data-breached gun licences left off Tuia 250 media briefings and never made public until it was brought into the public domain yesterday?

There are a number of forms of ID that required replacement after the breach had occurred. The majority of IDs were drivers’ licences and passports. As the member has stated, there were three firearms licences. There were also one medical certificate and six New Zealand resident visas. But the reference was made to the certificate or the documentation that was most prominent, and that was drivers’ licences and, as I said, passports.

💬 Dr Shane Reti: Were data-breached gun licences withheld from the public because of concerns for gun register legislation following a few weeks later?

No.

💬 Dr Shane Reti: On the Tuesday after the data breach, did ministry officials write to a private secretary in Jacinda Ardern’s office seeking urgent attention around why gun licences were not revealed to the media?

I am not aware of any correspondence of that nature.

💬 Dr Shane Reti: I seek leave to table an email from ministry officials to a private secretary in Jacinda Ardern’s office that came to me under an Official Information Act request in my name.

💬 SPEAKER: Has that been publicly made available as well as to the member?

💬 Dr Shane Reti: Not to my knowledge. It came directly to me.

💬 SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that being tabled? There appears to be none. It may be tabled.

Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.

💬 Dr Shane Reti: Did officials, including a private secretary in Jacinda Ardern’s office, ever convey to her that gun licences had been data-breached and withheld from media briefings?

Not that I am aware of.

💬 Dr Shane Reti: What other Tuia 250 data breach information has never been made public?

I think that the information regarding certificates or information that was caught up in the breach has been made public via written questions, I believe, and, as I said earlier, the vast majority were passport information and drivers’ licences, but there were also six school IDs, five New Zealand resident visas, three firearms licences, and one medical certificate.

💬 Dr Shane Reti: I seek leave to table documentation through to me on an Official Information Act request showing medical information was also data-breached, and a Parliamentary Library report showing that’s never come into public domain.

💬 SPEAKER: And—sorry? And?

💬 Dr Shane Reti: A Parliamentary Library report confirming that information has never come into public domain.

💬 SPEAKER: Well—[Interruption] Sorry? [Interruption] I’m going to put it to the House, although I’m not sure of the library’s ability to ever provide such a certificate accurately. I mean, you can’t prove a negative, Dr Reti. Is there any objection to those documents being tabled? There appears to be none.

Documents, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.

Question No. 12—Housing (Public Housing)

12. to the Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing): How is the Government making sure that New Zealanders who rent live in warm, dry, and secure housing?

This Government believes that the over 600,000 households who live in rented homes should be living in places that are warm, dry, and secure. This is why we have introduced changes in the healthy homes guarantee, and also our reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act. I have recently seen some unfortunate commentary that the new standards are burdensome and unnecessary, but the Government disagrees. We do disagree because the Ministry of Health has said that 6,000 children are admitted every year for housing-sensitive hospitalisations, and these children have been found to be nearly four times more likely to be re-hospitalised and 10 times more likely to die in the following 10 years.

💬 Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki: Why is the Government limiting rent rises to once every 12 months?

💬 Hon KRIS FAAFOI: The Government is limiting rent increases to once every 12 months and is also banning the solicitation of rental bids by landlords. We’re doing this because we think renters should be able to have some certainty over costs in a 12-month period. This is a balanced approach, because we also recognise that landlords have to be able to manage their assets appropriately. Again, we’ve seen some unfortunate commentary that this policy should go on some kind of regulatory bonfire. This is unfortunate, because more and more New Zealanders are renting in retirement, and we should give them a sense of security and predictability with their costs. These people are often on fixed incomes, and the unpredictability of rent rises that others seem to be advocating for will only lead to their financial insecurity.

💬 Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki: Why is the Government allowing tenants to make minor fittings to their rental homes?

💬 Hon KRIS FAAFOI: We are making rental properties safer and more livable by letting tenants add minor fittings such as brackets to secure furniture against earthquake risks, and to baby-proof properties, and installing visual fire alarms for those who are hearing-impaired. I find any commentary that suggests the hearing-impaired would need to jump through hoops to install visual fire alarms quite troubling and the product of a dark, nasty, and insensitive place.

💬 Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki: Why did the Government introduce the healthy homes standards?

💬 Hon KRIS FAAFOI: We introduced these standards because we know that in New Zealand nearly 600,000 households are renting and 43 percent of children live in rented accommodation, and we know that our rental stock is of poorer quality than owner-occupied homes. We did this for tenants because we know they should be living in healthy homes. The standards go a long way toward making rental homes healthier for tenants, and they do this by requiring all rental homes to have a heater that can heat the main living area to 18 degrees Celsius and making sure that all rental homes have proper insulation. Again, we are disappointed to see recent commentary that suggested obligations to provide rental homes that keep people out of hospital were somehow onerous.