Questions For Oral Answer - Thursday, 29 March 2007

Questions to Ministers

1. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by her statement that those who oppose the legislation currently before the House to amend section 59 of the Crimes Act 1961 were “demanding the right to be able to thrash and beat children”; if so, why?

2. H V ROSS ROBERTSON to the Minister of Education: What is the Government doing in schools to promote healthy, active children and reduce obesity?

3. GERRY BROWNLEE to the Minister of Energy: Does he agree with Meridian Energy’s Keith Turner who stated with regard to the consent process that “We have absent a critical design element of the RMA and that is I think what we would like to see if the Government wants renewable energy”; if not, why not?

4. TAITO PHILLIP FIELD to the Minister of Police: How many parents or caregivers have been charged with child abuse under the Crimes Act 1961 in the last five years?

5. PETER BROWN to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree that having minimal restrictions on non-resident foreign ownership of residential property is increasing the demand for housing in New Zealand and contributing towards the crisis in housing affordability; if not, why not?

6. Hon TONY RYALL to the Minister of Health: What is it in the Auckland laboratory testing High Court judgment that prevents him from expressing confidence in Kay McKelvie and Pat Snedden, chairs of the Waitemata and Counties Manukau district health boards?

7. DAVE HEREORA to the Minister of Labour: What recent announcements has she made concerning changes to how employees and employers can work out leave and pay entitlements?

8. KATHERINE RICH to the Minister of Education: Does he agree with Peter Gall, president-elect of the Secondary Principals’ Association, that some schools are loading study programmes with easy subjects to help pupils pass NCEA?

9. SUE KEDGLEY to the Minister for the Environment: Does he agree with Dr Kiddle, Nelson medical officer of health, that “Methyl bromide is a hazardous substance and it needs to be used carefully and it needs to be used with appropriate risk management.”; if so, why?

10. PAULA BENNETT to the Minister of Education: How is the policy of 20 free hours of early childhood education consistent with the Government’s intention to increase the level of quality in early childhood education?

11. Hon MARK GOSCHE to the Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment: What reports, if any, has she received on the number of Pasifika people in employment?

12. JOHN HAYES to the Minister of Education: Is he satisfied with the criteria for candidates for election to school boards of trustees under the Education Act 1989?

ENDS

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