QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS

1. DAVID BENNETT to the Minister of Finance: What are the advantages of using proceeds from selling minority shareholdings in energy companies to buy new public assets, instead of borrowing that money from overseas lenders?

2. GRANT ROBERTSON to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements on the GCSB and Kim Dotcom?

3. MARK MITCHELL to the Minister of Police: What announcements has she made to hold people with outstanding arrest warrants to account?

4. BRENDAN HORAN to the Minister of Transport: Is he aware of reports that the owners of the Rena may prepare an application for resource consent to leave the remaining part of the wreck of the Rena on the Astrolabe Reef, and if an application is lodged will the Crown oppose such an application?

5. Dr JIAN YANG to the Minister of Commerce: What progress is the Government making on its commitment to introduce new KiwiSaver periodic disclosure rules?

6. CATHERINE DELAHUNTY to the Minister of Energy and Resources: Does the Government still think that increased mining should be a priority for creating jobs, given the recent spate of mine closures and layoffs, including the announcement this week that the Reefton Oceania Mine will be mothballed?

7. JACINDA ARDERN to the Minister of Housing: How many people, if any, are currently homeless in New Zealand?

8. Dr PAUL HUTCHISON to the Associate Minister of Health: What investment has this Government made to improve eating disorders services?

9. Hon LIANNE DALZIEL to the Minister for Building and Construction: When was the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment first made aware of the September IANZ report which warned the Christchurch City Council that “Continued accreditation beyond May 2013 will depend on a satisfactory outcome of that assessment”, and when was he advised of the content of the report?

10. JAN LOGIE to the Minister of Women's Affairs: What has she done to address the Human Rights Commission’s criticism of the prevailing “pale ambition for women’s progress in New Zealand”?

11. Hon PETER DUNNE to the Minister of Conservation: What are his legislative priorities for the balance of this year?

12. KRIS FAAFOI to the Minister of Police: Does she agree with the issues raised by the 2013 Police Association survey referred to in the July edition of Police News; if not, why not?

QUESTIONS TO MEMBERS

1. Le'aufa'amulia ASENATI LOLE-TAYLOR to the Chairperson of the Local Government and Environment Committee: How many submissions have been received on the Manukau City Council (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill?

ENDS

© Scoop Media

New Court Orders, Screening, Guardianship Changes...: Government Ignoring Poverty, Again

It remains to be seen if announcements today will better protect children, but the National Government is forgoing an opportunity to really help kids by ignoring the elephant in the room, which is poverty, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei says.

"All the experts have told the Government that very low income is associated with higher rates of child maltreatment and neglect -- something which was totally ignored in the Government's Children's Action Plan and the announcements today," Mrs Turei said. More>>