QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER
Wednesday, 9 October 2002
Questions to Ministers
1. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Prime Minister: Does she have confidence in her Minister of Internal Affairs and his
handling of the leaky buildings crisis; if so, why?
2. MARC ALEXANDER to the Minister of Justice: Is the Government committed to intervention strategies to prevent
criminals from becoming recidivist offenders?
3. Dr MURIEL NEWMAN to the Minister of Social Services and Employment: Is it correct, as reported in The Dominion Post
today, that Child, Youth and Family Services social workers knew that convicted murderer Jules Mikus had convictions for
sexual offences against children, yet still allowed him to continue to care for, or have access to children, and what
are the specific dates and years Child, Youth and Family Services or its predecessor were involved with cases concerning
Mr Mikus?
4. H V ROSS ROBERTSON to the Minister of State Services: What measures are being taken to ensure Government on-line
services are delivered to the right people or organisations?
5. SUE BRADFORD to the Minister of Social Services and Employment: In light of the fact that Ministry of Social
Development briefing papers to the incoming Minister indicate that 29 per cent of children experience low living
standards, what specific steps will the Government take in the next 12 months to implement the recommendations relating
to child poverty in the "Making it Happen" report released today?
6. Dr WAYNE MAPP to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What plans, if any, does the Government have to amend the
Building Act 1991 in light of the call by John Pfahlert, chair of the Construction Industry Council, for a legislative
overhaul so that builders and developers can not avoid liability to homeowners?
7. MARTIN GALLAGHER to the Minister of Energy: Is he aware of claims that Transpower has warned of blackouts for the
upper South Island and what is his response?
8. PETER BROWN to the Minister of Health: Has she seen the consultation document prepared by the Waikato District
Health Board titled, 'Proposal for Shape and Direction of the Population Health Service - September 2002'; if so, does
she have any concerns with regard to its content?
9. DAVID CUNLIFFE to the Minister of Conservation: What progress has been made in the provision of back-country
recreational opportunities in the last two financial years?
10. SIMON POWER to the Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education): Does he agree with the statement regarding
the student loan scheme annual report by the New Zealand University Students' Association that "The Government spin on
the report is that things are getting better. This is clearly not the case ...."; if not, why not?
11. SUE KEDGLEY to the Associate Minister of Health: What is the Government doing to protect the health of New
Zealanders living and working in leaky homes before and during the mediation process, from the health risks associated
with the toxic mould stachybotrys which has been linked with severe health problems in the United States, and which
finds perfect conditions to grow in the leaking and rotting timber in new homes?
12. MARK PECK to the Minister of Transport: What reports has he received on the grounding of the Tai Ping in Bluff
Harbour?
Questions to Members
1. DEBORAH CODDINGTON to the Chairperson of the Government Administration Committee: Will she be requesting the eight
members of the Building Industry Authority to appear before the committee in its inquiry into leaky buildings?