Questions to Ministers

1. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Minister of Finance: What is the Government's best estimate of the full and final cost, inclusive of any subsidies, discounts or loans, of its purchase of Toll New Zealand's rail and ferry business?

2. MOANA MACKEY to the Minister responsible for Climate Change Issues: What is the revised projected deficit in tonnes and dollars during the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol from 2008 to 2012, and how does this compare with the previous figure?

3. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Minister of Finance: What changes to statutory personal income tax rates and thresholds has the Government made since 1999?

4. LYNNE PILLAY to the Minister for Disability Issues: What reports has she received that recognise progress made in advancing the participation of disabled people across New Zealand society?

5. Dr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH to the Minister of Immigration: Is the Minister of Immigration accountable for the outcomes of Government immigration policy?

6. Hon TONY RYALL to the Minister of Health: What are the eligibility criteria for publicly-funded prescription subsidies, and how are these monitored and audited?

7. SUE BRADFORD to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What work, if any, is the Government doing within the benefit system to directly address issues identified in the Ministry of Social Development report Pockets ?

8. Dr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH to the Minister of Immigration: What were the terms of reference of the Oughton inquiry into Mary-Anne Thompson's involvement in family members from Kiribati wrongly getting residency in New Zealand?

9. LESLEY SOPER to the Minister of Housing: What recent announcements have been made regarding the Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme?

10. Hon Dr NICK SMITH to the Minister responsible for Climate Change Issues: What is his response to this week's Wall editorial "Kiwi Climatology", which refers to estimates by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research that the emissions trading scheme will result in a $4.6 billion annual loss in GDP, or a $3,000 cut in household annual spending by 2012, and that the Government disputes this conclusion because it assumes "New Zealanders will be willing to take lower wages"?

11. BARBARA STEWART to the Minister of Health: Has he been informed that more than 200 people per day travel from Kapiti District to Wellington Hospital for treatment, passing Kenepuru Hospital on the way, and will he instruct the new chief executive of Capital and Coast District Health Board to undertake immediate longterm consideration of how to meet Kapiti coast and Porirua districts' health needs?

12 JUDITH COLLINS to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Is she confident that the Families Commission provides a voice for New Zealand families; if so, why?

ENDS

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