Questions for Oral Answer
As At Tuesday, 16 December 2003

Questions to Ministers

1. Dr DON BRASH to the Prime Minister: Do the comments made by the Hon Tariana Turia, in relation to management of the coast and sea, that "... there is no way that tangata whenua will ever give up our rights voluntarily, or allow them to be subject to anyone else's authority. We will never agree that the Crown or anyone else should hold them on our behalf." represent Government policy; if not, why were such comments made by a Minister of the Crown?

2. MOANA MACKEY to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How is the Government assisting tertiary students over the summer period?

3. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister of Immigration: Is she confident that immigrants granted permanent residency in this country will not be a future burden on our health system; if so, why?

4. GORDON COPELAND to the Minister of Customs: Does he stand by his comment of 2 July 2003 that "the [Border Security] bill will sit alongside the Counter-Terrorism Bill in strengthening the legislation protecting New Zealanders and New Zealand's interests" and the reported statement that the Border Security Bill would enhance New Zealand's overall security for the benefit of everyone; if so, why?

5. Dr DON BRASH to the Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: Why did the Crown's Te Arawa lakes settlement offer include the provision that individuals and businesses that wish to build new structures on the lakebed will need to ask the permission of Te Arawa after settlement, and is it envisaged that individuals and businesses will need to pay a fee to Te Arawa in order to receive permission to build new structures?

6. DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements have been made regarding capital development in the health sector?

7. GERRY BROWNLEE to the Prime Minister: Will the Government's proposals to address the foreshore and seabed issue include any provision for Maori to establish a mana whenua title; if so, what will be the scope of such a title?

8. SUE KEDGLEY to the Minister for Food Safety: Can she confirm that all agendas, papers, discussions and minutes from the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council meeting last Friday are confidential; if so, when, if ever, will these documents be made public?

9. GEORGINA BEYER to the Minister of Conservation: What steps are being taken to promote kiwi conservation?

10. PETER BROWN to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: In regard to the Families Commission, when does he expect the appointments to be in place and will the United Future Party have any powers of veto?

11. STEPHEN FRANKS to the Minister of Corrections: How many of the 242 prisoners released early for Christmas were serving sentences for violent offences, and how many had already served a previous custodial sentence?

12. Dr WAYNE MAPP to the Associate Minister of Health: Did she provide the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister's office with a copy of her speech to Te Ngawari Hauora yesterday, and what response or reaction has she received from the Prime Minister since the delivery of the speech?

ENDS

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