InTheHouse.co.nz House Highlights

During yesterday's Question Time, David Shearer asked the Prime Minister: Is it still a fundamental purpose of his Government to narrow the wage gap between New Zealand and Australia, and to grow local wages in New Zealand?

Dr Russel Norman to the Minister of Finance: How much has been raised to date by the Earthquake Kiwi Bonds and, at this rate, how many years will it take to cover the Government’s estimated $5.5 billion liability resulting from the Canterbury earthquakes?

Hon Tau Henare to the Minister for Social Development: How will Budget 2012 provide greater support for young people most at risk of long-term welfare dependency?

Rt Hon Winston Peters to the Prime Minister: Does he still have confidence in the Minister for Social Development and the Associate Ministers for Social Development; if so, why?

Other items on the agenda -

General Debate - 9th May, 2012:

Employment Relations (Secret Ballot for Strikes) Amendment Bill - Third Reading:

Fair Trading (Soliciting on Behalf of Charities) Amendment Bill - Committee Stage - taken as one debate:

Gambling (Gambling Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill - First Reading:

The House is sitting today from 2pm-6pm.

Yesterday, during Question Time, Dr Russel Norman to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with National Bank Chief Economist Cameron Bagrie that we are not seeing an export-led recovery, and increased activity in “spending centric” sectors such as housing is “not the stuff of a durable, long-term, sustainable upswing”?

Jacinda Ardern to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment: Does the most recent National Employment Indicator show that there are more or fewer jobs now than when his Government came into office in 2008?

Te Ururoa Flavell to the Minister of Education: What support did her Ministry offer to Moerewa School before the decision was made to close the satellite senior class and send in a Commissioner, Mike Eru, and what is the purpose of his appointment?

Hon Trevor Mallard to the Prime Minister: Did the assurances that Hon John Banks gave his office regarding his compliance with the Local Electoral Act, which he has accepted, include an assurance that any donations for radio advertising during the 2010 mayoral election were correctly recorded?

Other items on the agenda -

Immigration Amendment Bill - First Reading:

Commerce Commission (International Co-operation, and Fees) Bill - Second Reading:

Yesterday, during Question Time Paul Goldsmith asked the Minister of Finance: What will be the main focus of the Government’s Budget on 24 May?

David Shearer to the Prime Minister: What assurances, if any, has he directly received from Hon John Banks regarding donations he received for his political campaigns and when did he receive those assurances?

Metiria Turei to the Prime Minister: What advice, if any, has he received on Hon John Banks’ alleged actions regarding donations from Kim Dotcom?

Grant Robertson to the Minister for Land Information: On what date did Hon John Banks lobby him on behalf of the application of Kim Dotcom to purchase property in Coatesville, and how did Mr Banks communicate this lobbying?

Hon Trevor Mallard to the Associate Minister of Education: What progress has he made on setting the criteria for establishing charter schools?

Hone Harawira to the Minister of Housing: What assurances can he give that there will be no requirement for any existing tenant in any State house to move out of the area as a result of the Tamaki Transformation Programme for the Glen Innes redevelopment, which involves reducing the number of Housing New Zealand -owned houses from 156 to 78?

Other items on the agenda -
Taxation (International Investment and Remedial Matters) Bill - Third Reading:

Financial Review 2010/11 - Ministry of Economic Development:

Building Amendment Bill (No 4) - First Reading:

Crown Pastoral Land (Rent for Pastoral Leases) Amendment Bill:

The House is sitting today 2pm-6pm and 7.30pm-10pm.

During yesterday's Question Time, Todd McClay to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he received on the Government’s financial position?

Dr Russel Norman to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that “if you go and have a look at the tax cuts, they literally were neutral” and, if so, what is the projected net cost of the first four years of the 2010 tax package?

David Shearer to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in all his Ministers?

Dr Paul Hutchison to the Associate Minister of Health: How will young New Zealanders receive better mental health services under the new Government package announced by the Prime Minister today?

Hon David Parker to the Minister for Land Information: Has he or any other Minister this week sought further information on Shanghai Pengxin’s application for his approval to buy the Crafar farms, and if so, is it coincidence or purpose that this will further delay his decision on the application?

Nikki Kaye to the Minister of Education: What initiatives is she introducing to help schools tackle youth mental health?

Rt Hon Winston Peters to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in the Overseas Investment Office and his Ministers, Hon Jonathan Coleman and Hon Maurice Williamson over the issue of the latest Crafar farms deal; if so, why?

Other items on the agenda -

General Debate - 4th April, 2012:

Fair Trading (Soliciting on Behalf of Charities) Amendment Bill - Second Reading:

Military Manoeuvres Act Repeal Bill - Third Reading:

Sustainable Biofuel Bill - Second Reading:

Crown Minerals (Protection of Public Conservation Land Listed in the Fourth Schedule) Amendment Bill - First Reading:

The House is sitting today - 2pm-6pm.