QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER
Tuesday, 16 May 2000
Questions to Ministers
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1. Jeanette Fitzsimons to the Minister responsible for Timberlands West Coast Ltd: How many ancient rainforest trees
will be cut in each of the Orikaka, Okarito and Saltwater forests during the term of this Government?
2. Hon. Bill English to the Minister of Finance: Since he has noted "the prospect of low, zero, or even mildly negative
growth in the March quarter", does he expect this to lead to a period of prolonged economic weakness?
3. Harry Duynhoven to the Minister of Immigration: Will the previous Government's changes to the rules governing
returning residents' visas take effect on 5 June 2000 as announced; if not, why not?
4. Hon. Max Bradford to the Minister of Labour: Does the Employment Relations Bill allow individual independent
contractors to remain as contractors, even if a declaration by the Employment Court or the proposed Employment Relations
Authority determines the class or group to which that contractor belongs are to become employees?
5. Martin Gallagher to the Minister of Education: Does the current staffing formula meet the needs of all schools; if
not, why not?
6. Hon. Richard Prebble to the Minister of Mâori Affairs: Has he received any reports of the effect on Maori employment
from the Employment Relations Bill; if so, what do the reports say?
7. Ann Hartley to the Minister of Research, Science and Technology: What plans does the Government have for the Public
Good Science Fund?
8. Dr the Hon. Lockwood Smith to the Minister of Labour: Is it her intention that the Employment Relations Bill be
enacted so that union members can have "utu"?
9. Rodney Hide to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises: Has he any concerns about the financial arrangements of the
Airways Corporation's long-term strategy; if so, what are they?
10. Hon. John Luxton to the Minister for Industry and Regional Development: How much of the Government's $100 million
regional development fund will be invested in Auckland and Northland?
11. Mita Ririnui to the Minister of Mâori Affairs: What economic development opportunities is the Government using to
close the economic gaps between Maori and other New Zealanders?
12. Hon. Maurice Williamson to the Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education): Has he been making an offer to
tertiary institutions of a 2.3 percent increase in funding in exchange for a freeze on student fees next year?
ENDS