Questions for Oral Answer
As At Thursday, 17 November 2005
Questions to Ministers

1. MOANA MACKEY to the Minister of Education: What reports has he received on the performance of New Zealand schools?

2. Dr DON BRASH to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with the Treasury's assessment that economic growth in New Zealand is probably "not sufficient to shift the country into the top half of the OECD within the next decade."; if so, when would he expect that goal to be reached?

3. Dr PITA SHARPLES to the Minister of Maori Affairs: Does he agree with the Speech from the Throne that "It is time to recognise the emergence of a new, dynamic, confident Maoridom."?

4. JOHN KEY to the Minister of Finance: Will he be acting on the recommendation in the briefing to the incoming Minister of Finance from the Treasury that the Government "Reduce the higher marginal rates on personal income (33% and 39%), the marginal rate on company income (33%), and the high effective marginal tax rates at low to medium incomes (in particular for secondary earners)."; if not, why not?

5. MARTIN GALLAGHER to the Minister for Courts: What initiatives has he put in place to improve the level of pathology services to coroners and police?

6. Hon MURRAY McCULLY to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What are the concerns regarding the "$2 billion" trade gap between New Zealand and China which he told reporters he intended to raise with the Chinese Foreign Minister, and what response did he receive when he raised those concerns?

7. GORDON COPELAND to the Minister of Revenue: Does he agree with Inland Revenue Department advice that, particularly in relation to the 33 percent and 39 percent personal tax rates, there is growing evidence of income splitting within families who are self-employed and that this leads to perceptions of unfairness in the tax system?

8. Hon Dr NICK SMITH to the Minister of Energy: Does he agree with the statement by Keith Turner, Chief Executive of Meridian Energy, on Campbell Live, Monday 14 November, that "we have not kept up with the investment programme that transmission requires." and "we are running just too close to the wind in this country, particularly on the transmission front."; if so, who is responsible?

9. RUSSELL FAIRBROTHER to the Minister of Immigration: What steps, if any, is the Government taking through immigration policy to assist orchardists in the Hawkes Bay?

10. Hon GEORGINA TE HEUHEU to the Minister of Broadcasting: Is he satisfied that Television New Zealand is able to strike a successful balance between its Charter responsibilities and commercial success; if so, why?

11. METIRIA TUREI to the Minister for Trade Negotiations: What steps has he taken to ensure that the "Friends of Private Education Exports", to be established by New Zealand, will not result in public funding of overseas-owned tertiary providers and undermine the Government's ability to ensure high quality?

12. Hon TONY RYALL to the Minister of Health: In the event of a pandemic, who are the priority groups that will qualify for Tamiflu?

ENDS

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