Question Time for 1 December 2016

JAN LOGIE to the Minister for Social Development: Is it her intention to retain the provision in the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989 that requires that priority be given to placing a child with “a person who is a member of the child’s or young person’s hapu or iwi (with preference being given to hapu members), or if that is not possible, who has the same tribal, racial, ethnic, or cultural background as the child” in her upcoming reform of the Act; if not, what specifically is she proposing the provision be amended to?

Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Health: What was the total percentage growth in hip and knee joint elective discharges between 2002/03 and 2008/09, and what was the same figure for 2009/10 to 2015/16?

TODD MULLER to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received showing New Zealand’s economy is strong and its financial system is sound and operating effectively?

PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Finance: Does he support the Reserve Bank introducing debt-to-income ratio restrictions for mortgage lending; if so, why?

RON MARK to the Minister of Police: Given reports that on 9 August she admitted that there are not enough Police and that she was in talks with the Prime Minister over the matter, can she advise whether the talks have ended or are still ongoing?

CATHERINE DELAHUNTY to the Minister for the Environment: Does he stand by his statement that Ōkahukura/Lucas Creek is a stream that “nobody has ever wanted or tried to swim in”?

CHRIS BISHOP to the Minister of Civil Defence: How has the 14 November Kaikōura earthquake affected the probability of future earthquakes in New Zealand?

CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of Education: Is she satisfied that early childhood education services are getting all the funding they need to deliver quality education and care for children?

SARAH DOWIE to the Minister for Economic Development: How is the Government supporting economic development in Southland?

STUART NASH to the Minister of Police: Does she agree with the frontline police officer who recently said, regarding Police resources to attend every dwelling burglary, “we’re only chasing our tails…The only solution is more staff. With successive frozen budgets, we’re at rock bottom”?

BRETT HUDSON to the Minister for Communications: What recent announcements has she made on the Ultrafast Broadband programme?

TRACEY MARTIN to the Minister of Education: Is she satisfied with the level of support and choice provided by her ministry for students with the highest level of special needs to attain their personal best?