Question time for 20 August 2009
Questions to ministers 1. Dr JACKIE BLUE to the Minister of Health: What reports has he received on improvements to elective surgery? 2. Hon ANNETTE KING to the Prime Minister: Does he agree with the reported comments attributed to Hon Tau Henare on the issue of Māori representation in Auckland that "I believe the issue is too far-reaching and too important for a party presently sitting at 1 percent in the polls to decide alone"? 3. Hon RODNEY HIDE to the Minister for Climate Change Issues: Why did he reject Treasury advice that an appropriate 2020 target for New Zealand's emissions would be 15 percent above 1990 levels rather than the 10 percent to 20 percent below 1990 levels that he announced last week? 4. PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Local Government: Will he resign as a Minister if Māori seats are included on the Auckland Council? 5. KEITH LOCKE to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Has he received any advice on whether a law curtailing women's rights in Afghanistan has been "brought into line with the expectations of the international community" as he was promised by Hamid Karzai; if so, what was that advice? 6. Hon SHANE JONES to the Minister of Māori Affairs: Does he stand by his statement "It's definitely a sort of inherent sort of institutionalised racism, in that you've accepted one way of doing things, and not respected another cultural norm. They have no right to do that and we will oppose that. I'll oppose that as a Minister of New Zealand's government" and does he think that opposition to the Māori seats on the Auckland City Council is an example of "institutionalised racism"? 7. MICHAEL WOODHOUSE to the Minister for ACC: What has been the cost to ACC levy payers of the Endorsed Provider Network contract for physiotherapists providing for free consultations since 2004 and what advice has he received on the rehabilitation benefits of this expenditure? 8. Hon PETE HODGSON to the Minister of Immigration: Why did he advise the House yesterday that a planned interview between the Department of Labour and the New Zealand Herald was not called off following the intervention of his political advisor? 9. SIMON BRIDGES to the Minister of Customs: What steps is the Government taking to streamline border processes for passengers? 10. Hon RUTH DYSON to the Minister of Health: Does he still stand by his policy to deliver better, sooner, and more convenient health care? 11. LOUISE UPSTON to the Minister of Civil Defence: What steps is the Government taking to help people be better prepared for disasters? 12. CLARE CURRAN to the Prime Minister: Has he, his office or the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet contacted Telecom New Zealand Ltd to seek any information on its proposed maintenance contracting arrangement with Australian-based company Visionstream; if so, what was the substance of any such discussions?
