Questions for Oral Answer
As At Wednesday, 18 February 2004

Questions to Ministers

1. GERRY BROWNLEE to the Prime Minister: In light of her statement that, "Our proposal is for the twin title to have the people's title alongside the customary title, and we think that meets the interest of both people.", is it the intention of the Government that public domain title and customary title will exist side by side over virtually the entire coastline?

2. SUE BRADFORD to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Is he still planning to create so-called "no go" zones for recipients of the unemployment benefit; if so, when will the Government be announcing the location of these zones?

3. Dr WAYNE MAPP to the Associate Minister of Justice: Does she agree that the holders of customary title under the Government's seabed and foreshore proposal can apply for customary rights which, in the words of the Solicitor-General, have "real power", including the "right to stop activities"; if not, why not?

4. LYNNE PILLAY to the Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education): How is the Government supporting innovative initiatives by tertiary education organisations?

5. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister of Immigration: Has she received any reports regarding the content of the Seriously Asia website as it relates to international students in New Zealand; if so, does she have any plans to address the issues it raises?

6. DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Tourism: What recent reports has he received on tourism's contribution to economic growth?

7. Dr MURIEL NEWMAN to the Minister of Maori Affairs: Given the Prime Minister's reported statement that the Government does not fund on race, but on need, is the Special Housing Action Zone programme that "provides funding and services for Maori communities" to be changed?

8. LARRY BALDOCK to the Minister of Fisheries: Does he agree that clearly articulated and strictly enforced fisheries regulations are crucial to the survival and sustainability of New Zealand's fisheries resources; if not, why not?

9. SIMON POWER to the Minister of Civil Defence: What defence resources are available to civil defence authorities organising relief efforts in the Manawatu/Rangitikei region, particularly Air Force Iroquois helicopters?

10. RON MARK to the Minister of Corrections: Are there any individuals, other than Kevin Moana Jarden, who might also be described as predatory paedophiles, who have been convicted, later given home detention and/or parole, and who have subsequently re-offended; if so, what are the circumstances?

11. JUDITH COLLINS to the Minister of Immigration: How did she obtain potentially legally privileged notes relating to the 16-year-old Sri Lankan girl recently deported from New Zealand?

12. Hon MARK GOSCHE to the Minister of Transport: What is the Government doing to improve New Zealand's transport infrastructure?

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>>