Questions For Oral Answer As At Wednesday, 5 May 2004
QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS
1. JEANETTE FITZSIMONS to the Deputy Prime Minister: Does he agree with the Waitangi Tribunal when it said, in respect
of the foreshore and seabed, that claimants and the Crown agree: that the public generally should have access to the
foreshore and seabed except where this causes harm; that it should not be sold; and that customary rights in the
foreshore and seabed exist and need to be recognised and protected?
2. Dr DON BRASH to the Prime Minister: Is she negotiating with, or has she instructed any member of her Cabinet to
negotiate with, any members of Parliament on any aspects of the seabed and foreshore legislation; if so, with whom are
these negotiations taking place?
3. MARK GOSCHE to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received from other political parties that New Zealand
Superannuation will be retained at 65 percent of the average wage for a married couple, from the age of 65?
4. PETER BROWN to the Minister of Labour: Is he contemplating any changes to the Employment Relations Law Reform Bill
given the public interest in its outcome; if so, in what areas?
5. DARREN HUGHES to the Minister of Transport: What reports has he received on the sale of Paraparaumu Airport?
6. GERRY BROWNLEE to the Minister of Maori Affairs: Does he stand by his reported comment that he will leave Parliament
if the foreshore and seabed legislation does not work out the way he wants for Maori; if not, why not?
7. LARRY BALDOCK to the Minister responsible for the Public Trust: Is he satisfied the Public Trust exercises sufficient
care in administering enduring power of attorney; if so, why?
8. Hon RICHARD PREBBLE to the Minister of Finance: If the Government was to adjust the income tax thresholds to take
into account the movement in inflation since the thresholds were fixed, what would the $38,000 and the $60,000
thresholds be adjusted to?
9. MOANA MACKEY to the Minister of Housing: What is the Government doing to ensure New Zealanders have access to decent
and affordable housing?
10. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education): Does he think the Tertiary Education
Commission has done a good job of ensuring that "student enrolments are concentrated in areas of high performance and
high strategic relevance." as he said it would in February 2003?
11. Hon MATT ROBSON to the Minister for Industry and Regional Development: What grants, including assistance for
regional partnerships programmes have been allocated by Industry New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise since
1 January 2003?
12. Hon Dr NICK SMITH to the Prime Minister: Does she have confidence in the Minister for the Environment, noting that
the just released Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook 2004 ranks New Zealand number 60,
out of 60 economies, for its environmental laws and compliance hindering the competitiveness of business?