Thursday, 28 March 2002

Questions to Ministers

1. MARK PECK to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he received about the state of the New Zealand economy?

2. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Prime Minister: When she said she would not rule out extending New Zealand's contribution to the war on terrorism, did she mean that it is now Government policy that New Zealand troops could be committed alongside nuclear-capable American forces as part of any United States-led attack on Iraq?

3. DAMIEN O'CONNOR to the Minister for Biosecurity: Has he received any reports which indicate a need to increase the level of biosecurity at our borders?

4. Hon TONY RYALL to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by her statement "To MPs, the message is simple. You will stay with the party whose voters put you in Parliament or you will get out."; if so, will she apply it to all members in her coalition Government?

5. SUE KEDGLEY to the Minister of Agriculture: Has he received any messages or letters since the launch of the SPCA campaign against battery hen farming on 14 March 2002, calling for the animal Welfare Code for Layer Hens to be changed to ban the use of the battery cage; if so, how many?

6. Hon Dr NICK SMITH to the Minister of Education: Is Ms Kathie Irwin a suitable person to chair the new Teachers' Council that he has described as "the flagship for ethics and standards in education"; if so, why?

7. H V ROSS ROBERTSON to the Minister of Police: Has he received any reports on the Government's $2.5 million package to increase police staff in Auckland and introduce a modern cadet scheme?

8. GERRY BROWNLEE to the Associate Minister of Justice: How does she reconcile her statements that it was "inappropriate for Mr Fortuin to have been involved in" mediating the Alliance internal struggle and that his involvement was "a serious matter", with the Prime Minister's statement that "what he does confidentially in his private life is not really my business or anyone else's."?

9. Hon BRIAN DONNELLY to the Minister of Local Government: Has she commenced any initiatives to put in place policies requiring adherence to Treaty of Waitangi obligations within the Local Government portfolio; if so, what specific principles do they address?

10. GAVAN HERLIHY to the Minister for Rural Affairs: Does he believe that the 30 percent increase in road user charges and the 40 percent increase in ACC levy for farmers on 1 April will be positive for New Zealand's farmers; if so, why?

11. HARRY DUYNHOVEN to the Minister for Accident Insurance: What steps is the Government taking to ensure that New Zealanders have access to proper rehabilitation under the ACC scheme?

12. RODNEY HIDE to the Minister for Economic Development: How many jobs have been created at Sovereign Yachts on site at Hobsonville since he announced the super yacht development on 4 February last year, supported by his Ministry, and does he still regard this project as a "triumph for the Jobs Machine and for the partnership approach."?

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