QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Wednesday, 13 June 2001

Questions to Ministers

1. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Minister of Finance: Why did the debt outlook to 2005 change from one of declining nominal gross and net debt in the December Economic and Fiscal Update to one of a rising profile for both in the 2001 Budget?

2. MARK PECK to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on alternatives to the Government's superannuation proposal?

3. Hon ROGER SOWRY to the Minister of Health: Why did she tell district health board chairs that it was more appropriate for board chairs or members, rather than chief executives, to discuss policy issues in public?

4. KEVIN CAMPBELL to the Minister of Labour: What further action is the Government taking to improve minimum wage protection for young workers?

5. Hon TONY RYALL to the Minister of Health: What is her response to comments made by the chief executive of Bay of Plenty District Health Board that he finds "the environment very frustrating. We have no shortage of skilled and motivated staff with great ideas for better health outcomes but our inability to add value back into the system frustrates many of us."?

6. JEANETTE FITZSIMONS to the Minister of Energy: How does the disconnection of power from up to 100 homes a week in the Far North contribute to achieving the Government's electricity policy objective of ensuring that "electricity is delivered in an efficient, fair, reliable and environmentally sustainable manner to all classes of consumer."?

7. Hon Dr NICK SMITH to the Minister of Conservation: What cultural and environmental objections led to her decision not to proceed with minor earthworks at the outlet of the Mount Ruapehu crater lake that would prevent a dangerous lahar 54% larger than that which caused the 1953 Tangiwai disaster?

8. PETER BROWN to the Minister of Energy: What action is he taking to reassure electricity consumers in the face of reports of likely substantial electricity price increases?

9. Dr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH to the Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education): Further to his answer in the House yesterday that he did not agree with Waikato University Vice-Chancellor Bryan Gould's reported statement that Ministers had said to tertiary institutions last year "Trust us, this is a one-off, we won't be back with the same deal next year.", can he explain exactly which part or parts of Professor Gould's statement are incorrect?

10. NANAIA MAHUTA to the Minister of Education: Is computing an approved subject for university entrance; if not, why not?

11. RODNEY HIDE to the Minister of Finance: How is increasing Government net debt by $1,031 million in the 2001/2002 financial year going to help either pay future superannuation or reach the Government's stated goal of "being back in the top half of the developed world in terms of per capita GDP"?

12. DAVID CUNLIFFE to the Treasurer: What reports has he received on reaction to the knowledge economy and economic development components of the 2001 Budget?

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>