Questions For Oral Answer

Wednesday, 27 March 2002

Questions to Ministers

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1. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Prime Minister: Given her statement on the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill "Of course it is a draconian Bill, but it is dealing with people whose behaviour is despicable", will she accept support for her Government from any person who leaves the party they were in when they were elected to Parliament at the election; if so, why?

2. JOHN WRIGHT to the Minister of Conservation: Have there been any recent additions to national parks and conservation lands?

3. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister of Finance: Why did the Overseas Investment Commission give a confidentiality undertaking to Nissui in the acquisition of the Brierley share in the Sealords deal and did they make their Minister and the Minister of Fisheries fully aware of all aspects of the transaction?

4. GERRY BROWNLEE to the Associate Minister of Justice: Following her discussions with Mr Gregory Fortuin regarding his mediation of the internal Alliance dispute, has she established whether the Hon Jim Anderton was correct when he said "Greg Fortuin gave his offer of service", or Mr Gregory Fortuin was correct when he said "I was asked and agreed to be a neutral, confidential conciliator."; if so, who is correct?

5. STEPHEN FRANKS to the Minister of Justice: Why does the Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill automatically cut in half every sentence under two years?

6. ANN HARTLEY to the Minister of Education: What progress, if any, has been made towards ensuring principals of small schools can focus on teaching and learning?

7. Hon Dr NICK SMITH to the Minister of Education: Can he guarantee that secondary school children nationwide will not have their second term disrupted by industrial action; if not, why not?

8. HARRY DUYNHOVEN to the Minister for Accident Insurance: What progress has been made on the development of a Code of ACC Claimants' Rights under the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Act 2001?

9. BOB SIMCOCK to the Minister of Social Services and Employment: What is his response to the Downtown Community Ministry saying of its foodbanks that "Demand is definitely up on this time last year. Normally things quiet down after school starts, but that just doesn't seem to be happening. The rising cost of living probably has a lot to do with it."?

10. SUE BRADFORD to the Minister of Health: What is her response to the concerns expressed by nurses and support staff at a number of Auckland mental health acute units that staff shortages may create an unsafe working environment for patients and staff?

11. Hon MURRAY McCULLY to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises: What degree of confidence does he have in the activities of New Zealand Post Ltd subsidiary Transend on the basis of the PriceWaterhouseCoopers report which is qualified by that firm on the basis that the procedures "do not constitute an audit or a review", and in which PriceWaterhouseCoopers say they are "not responsible for the adequacy or otherwise of the ... procedures." and they "disclaim any assumption of responsibility for the adequacy or otherwise of the procedures requested" by New Zealand Post Ltd?

12. DIANNE YATES to the Minister for Disability Issues: What measure is the Government taking to address the long-standing need for a cross-sectoral approach to disability issues?

Questions to Members

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1. Dr MURIEL NEWMAN to the Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee: Does he intend to request from New Zealand Post Limited, as part of their financial review, a copy of the report prepared by Cameron Mander of Luke, Cunningham and Clere; if not, why not?

2. Hon MURRAY McCULLY to the Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee: Has he requested the appearance of New Zealand Post Ltd during April in order to finalise the financial review prior to the end of that month; if so, has he specifically requested that Dr Armstrong and Mr Toime appear before the committee?

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