QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Thursday, 4 October 2001

Questions to Ministers

1. Rt Hon JENNY SHIPLEY to the Minister of Finance: What justification was there for turning down Singapore Airlines' offer to put in $650 million to save Air New Zealand while now agreeing to inject $885 million of taxpayers' money into a marginalised airline which is now likely to face job losses and cuts to regional services and frequency of services?

2. STEPHEN FRANKS to the Minister of Finance: Why did the Government agree to include a payment to the Ansett Group of $A150 million, plus a write-off of $A160 million in claims against the Ansett Group, in its recapitalisation agreement for Air New Zealand?

3. HARRY DUYNHOVEN to the Minister of Finance: How will the national interest be advanced by the decisions the Government has taken in respect of Air New Zealand?

4. BELINDA VERNON to the Minister of Finance: Does the Air New Zealand deal announced today ensure that New Zealand can retain competitive airline services; if so, how?

5. MARTIN GALLAGHER to the Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education): What steps is the Government taking to encourage excellence in, and a strategic focus to, research in the tertiary sector?

6. Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON to the Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education): In light of his answer yesterday that the fourth Tertiary Education Advisory Commission report will not be made public until November, does he expect to be able to implement the recommendations of the report in time for the 2002 academic year?

7. NANAIA MAHUTA to the Minister of Education: What action has the Government taken to improve children's literacy?

8. JOHN WRIGHT to the Minister for Industry and Regional Development: What initiatives has the Government taken to secure the future of the Southerner passenger rail service?

9. SIMON POWER to the Minister of Defence: Is he prepared to reconsider the decision to disband New Zealand's air combat capability in light of the 11 September attacks in the United States?

10. RON MARK to the Minister of Defence: Further to his statement to the House yesterday, "I have confidence in the Chief of Defence Force performing his duties", does his confidence also extend to the Chief of General Staff, Major General Dodson; if so, why?

11. Dr LYNDA SCOTT to the Associate Minister of Health: What is her response to the petition launched yesterday by the Wellington City Mission which seeks a fair deal for our elderly in residential care?

12. SUE KEDGLEY to the Minister of Finance: In light of the Government's decision to invest significant capital to rescue Air New Zealand from a crisis, will the Government also invest in repurchasing the national rail network to avoid the possibility of a similar crisis developing in our rail system?

ENDS

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