QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Thursday, 18 October 2001

Questions to Ministers

1. GRANT GILLON to the Minister for Economic Development: What are the economic development effects of potential Government decisions on genetic engineering?

2. Hon MURRAY McCULLY to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises: In light of the New Zealand Post board minute tabled yesterday which states that directors were merely "advised" of the decision to issue proceedings against the Hon Richard Prebble, does the Minister intend to take any steps to correct statements made by him to the House that the action had board approval; if not, why not?

3. TAITO PHILLIP FIELD to the Minister of Social Services and Employment: What specific initiatives has the Government taken to encourage job seekers to make the transition to paid work?

4. Hon MAX BRADFORD to the Minister of Defence: Has he advised the Prime Minister to offer an increased military contribution to the war against terrorism following Australia's decision to deploy 1,550 Australian defence personnel, including elite special operations troops, four F/A-18s, two P-3s, three frigates and an amphibious command ship?

5. NANDOR TANCZOS to the Minister of Police: Does he agree with Gary Gotlieb, lawyer for three girls wrongfully imprisoned for aggravated robbery, who is reported to have said that "Police had tunnel vision and often believed they had the offender and then found the facts to fit the crime."; if so, how does he intend to address this serious accusation?

6. GERRY BROWNLEE to the Minister of Immigration: Following the Hon Jim Anderton's reported comments that he would help Cloud 9 remain in New Zealand by removing the obstacles preventing the chief executive's daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren from joining him in New Zealand, what influence did Mr Anderton have on her decision to "fast track" their residency?

7. H V ROSS ROBERTSON to the Minister of Labour: What reports has she received about developments in employment relations?

8. Hon ROGER SOWRY to the Minister for the Environment: Does she agree with the Prime Minister's reported statement that the Royal Commission into Genetic Modification report was "thorough, balanced and measured"; if not, why not?

9. RON MARK to the Minister of Police: How has the decision to switch off fixed-site speed cameras impacted on frontline police staff?

10. Hon TONY RYALL to the Minister of Police: In light of his comment "I wish the Police every success with the new [recruitment] campaign, and look forward to seeing the results of it in future Police College intakes.", why was the recruit intake for October 2001 deferred?

11. DIANNE YATES to the Minister of Internal Affairs: When will the gaming review be finalised?

12. OWEN JENNINGS to the Minister of Maori Affairs: What are his top three achievements as Minister, in order of importance?

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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.

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