Question Time for 24 March

Questions to Ministers 1. Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How many beneficiaries are living "the dream" on a benefit? 2. KATRINA SHANKS to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Who will be better off under the Future Focus welfare package announced yesterday? 3. Hon RUTH DYSON to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by all his statements regarding health services? 4. AARON GILMORE to the Minister of Finance: What issues will the Government consider in deciding on its tax package for the Budget? 5. Hon TREVOR MALLARD to the Minister of Education: What alternatives to her current approach to national standards did she consider before she introduced legislation on that subject? 6. Dr JACKIE BLUE to the Minister of Health: What reports has he received on improving treatment for women requiring breast reconstruction surgery? 7. Hon SHANE JONES to the Minister of Energy and Resources: Why should New Zealanders have confidence in his handling of the minerals stocktake given reported concerns from mining industry leaders about his handling of the issue, especially the proposal to remove protection from parts of Great Barrier Island, which those same mining industry figures reportedly described as a "blunder"? 8. METIRIA TUREI to the Prime Minister: How many people exactly does he think need "a kick in the pants" from the welfare system? 9. MOANA MACKEY to the Minister of Housing: Does he agree with Housing New Zealand that the Enterprise Transformation Programme to replace existing IT systems is expected to result in savings of $70 million per year; if so, how was this figure calculated? 10. MELISSA LEE to the Minister of Corrections: Has she received any reports on measures to cope with the forecast increase in prisoner numbers? 11. PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Local Government: Does he stand by his statement that "given how these councils have been run I would be surprised if there wasn't some ability to make savings"? 12. DAVID BENNETT to the Minister of Immigration: What progress has the Government made in attracting business migrants to New Zealand?