QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER
Wednesday, 28 March 2001
Questions to Ministers
1. Rt Hon JENNY SHIPLEY to the Prime Minister: Does she accept the criticism of Greg Sheridan that New Zealand is
irresponsibly running away from all modern defence obligations and is taking "the bludger's option"?
2. GRAHAM KELLY to the Minister of Social Services and Employment: What reports has he received on the outlook for the
New Zealand labour market?
3. RODNEY HIDE to the Minister of Finance: Is the Government proposing a change to the compensation package for
Taranaki leaseholders this week, with very little notice, when the first Tribunal hearings start next Monday; if so,
why?
4. Hon ROGER SOWRY to the Minister of Health: Does she agree with the expectations of the Associate Minister of
Finance, Hon Trevor Mallard, that district health boards should achieve net fiscal savings and that savings will be made
available for Government priorities which may or may not be within health; if not, why not?
5. KEITH LOCKE to the Minister assisting the Prime Minister on Auckland Issues: What did she mean when she said, on 13
December 2000, that "The Auckland region's proposal must be evaluated by the Government, in the context of New Zealand's
national rail policy. Any decision made before such consideration would be putting the cart before the horse and risk
short-sighted decisions being made."?
6. Hon TONY RYALL to the Minister of Police: Did overworked police officers and a lack of resources lead to the
dismissal of relaid charges of alleged serious firearms offences against a Hawera man, as claimed by the Crown
Solicitor, Mr Tim Brewer?
7. STEVE CHADWICK to the Minister of Health: What steps has the Government taken to improve adolescent dental services?
8. Hon Dr NICK SMITH to the Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage: Does she stand by the Minister's
corrected answer to written question No 21052 with respect to "golden handshakes" by the Historic Places Trust, that
"Two confidential settlements for termination/redundancy were made to former employees by the Historic Places Trust
between 1 November 1999 and 24 November 2000 with a total value of $30,000."?
9. CHRIS CARTER to the Minister of Education: What steps is he taking to address school roll growth in the Auckland
area?
10. LINDSAY TISCH to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What will be the status of firefighters on community safety team
contracts under the Fire Service Commission offer to the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union?
11. HARRY DUYNHOVEN to the Minister of Transport: What reports has he received on the Government's initiative to
encourage greater use of public transport?
12. Dr MURIEL NEWMAN to the Minister of Social Services and Employment: What is his response to the article in today's
Independent newspaper relating to "flushing out the facts underlying a bit of bragging about his accomplishments by
Employment Minister Steve Maharey"?