Questions for Oral Answer
As At wednesday, 10 november 2004

Questions to Ministers

1. Dr DON BRASH to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by the reported statement attributed to Government sources by a Dominion Post article of 8 November 2004 that a government department-led inquiry would set up a "conversation with the people" about the status and role of the Treaty; if so, what is the purpose of that process?

2. JUDY TURNER to the Associate Minister of Health: Can he confirm that he intends to introduce an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill (No 3) to provide a new schedule to regulate the sale of legal substances which are subject to abuse, but do not warrant regulation under the current Class A, B or C drug classifications?

3. HEATHER ROY to the Minister of Health: How many people in total were waiting for a first specialist assessment at the end of August 2004, and does she consider her health policy a success?

4. GEORGINA BEYER to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What recent reports has he received on the number of New Zealanders requiring an unemployment benefit?

5. SUE BRADFORD to the Minister for Disability Issues: Does she accept that "Home help for the frail and elderly is under threat as caregivers quit because of low pay and long hours." as reported in The Press on 6 November 2004; if so, how and when will the Government address the urgent issues of recruitment and retention in the home help industry?

6. Hon TONY RYALL to the Minister of Civil Defence: What responsibility does he take for the capability shortfalls detailed in the review of the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management?

7. MOANA MACKEY to the Minister of Justice: What evidence has he received that the Sentencing Act 2002 is resulting in tougher sentences for serious and recidivist offenders?

8. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister of Immigration: How does the New Zealand Immigration Service respond when it receives a letter of complaint alleging that individuals require the Service's investigation?

9. LYNNE PILLAY to the Minister of Education: Why is the Government introducing the New Zealand Scholarship examinations, which started today?

10. GERRY BROWNLEE to the Prime Minister: Why did she state that John Tamihere took an honourable course in resigning his ministerial portfolios last week?

11. SUE KEDGLEY to the Associate Minister of Health: Is she satisfied that all ambulances responding to emergencies operate with a minimum of two trained crew as required by the New Zealand Standard for ambulance services?

12. DAVID PARKER to the Minister for the Environment: What recent reports has she received about the Government's programme to assist local authorities to improve their resource management processes?

Questions to Members
1. Dr MURIEL NEWMAN to the Chairperson of the Social Services Committee: When is the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion (Repeal and Related Matters) Bill due to be reported back to the House, and did she request that families likely to be affected by this bill give evidence?

2. Dr MURIEL NEWMAN to the Chairperson of the Social Services Committee: When is the Charities Bill due to be reported back to the House, and will she extend to all original submitters the opportunity to give further evidence?

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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>>