Speeches
3 August 2010
Appropriation (2010/2011 Estimates) Bill
As the previous speaker, Craig Foss, just said, it is a pleasure to take a call in this estimates and appropriations debate. It is a useful time, actually, to stop and look back at the 2008 election, when this National-led Government under John Key came to power. [read more]
29 July 2010
Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Bill - Second Reading
It is a great pleasure to take a call in the second reading debate on the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Bill. As has been mentioned, this bill spent some time at the Finance and Expenditure Committee, which is ably chaired by my friend and colleague Craig Foss. He did an excellent job of shepherding a very difficult bill through the committee. [read more]
27 July 2010
Estimates Debate - In Committee
It is a great pleasure to take a call in the estimates debate on Vote Finance. I tell members right now that I will not waste any of my contribution responding to the muck that the member Trevor Mallard continually tries to throw at members on this side of the Chamber. [read more]
Estimates Debate - In Committee
I am very happy to take a call in respect of Vote Tourism, as I come from the beautiful electorate of Selwyn where tourism is a substantial part of the economy. Everyone in this Chamber could and should properly recognise that the work this Government is doing with its economic growth agenda to lift the wealth and prosperity of all New Zealanders is fundamental to the success of this country. [read more]
20 July 2010
Electricity Industry Bill - Second Reading
I am happy to take a call this evening on the Electricity Industry Bill, having been part of the Finance and Expenditure Committee that had the pleasure of working through the process in respect of this legislation. The electricity sector is a key part of our country, not only of our economy but also of our household sector. [read more]
It is a great pleasure to rise to speak to the Governor-General Bill, and unlike the previous member who has just resumed his seat, Darren Hughes, I do not intend to waste the bulk of my contribution rubbishing the importance of the Governor-General’s position or the necessity for this bill. [read more]
24 June 2010
It is a pleasure to take a call this afternoon on the second reading of the Taxation (Annual Rates, Trans-Tasman Savings Portability, KiwiSaver, and Remedial Matters) Bill. I was part of the Finance and Expenditure Committee that examined the bill. Tax legislation is possibly not the most stimulating of topics that we deal with in this House, and for a wider audience it possibly does not generate the highest levels of interest. [read more]
22 June 2010
Imprest Supply (First For 2010/11) Bill - Second Reading
I rise to take a call in this afternoon’s debate on the Appropriation (2009/10 Supplementary Estimates) Bill and the Imprest Supply (First for 2010/11) Bill. It has certainly been an interesting debate to listen to this afternoon. “Wide ranging” does not begin to cover the scope of what we have heard. [read more]
15 June 2010
It is a real pleasure to take a call, as one of the earlier speakers said, as we come to the end of this 2010 Budget debate. Since 20 May I have been following this debate with some interest, both within the Chamber and from my office. I have to say, having followed the debate since Budget day, that I am as proud today of the Budget that Bill English delivered on 20 May as I was then. [read more]
20 May 2010
Taxation (Budget Measures) Bill
I am delighted to have the chance to stand here on Budget day and speak to the Taxation (Budget Measures) Bill. Today Bill English delivered a Budget that will move our economy from the sluggish, underperforming, unbalanced, debt-driven, and consumption-focused economy that the previous Government encouraged and presided over. [read more]
19 May 2010
This week we will have Budget 2010. This Budget will be yet another major step by this Government to fix the economic damage done by Labour. In 2008 New Zealanders elected the National-led Government, for a couple of very good reasons. [read more]
4 May 2010
Electoral (Finance Reform and Advance Voting) Amendment Bill — First Reading
I am very pleased to have a chance to take a call in the first reading of this very important legislation, the Electoral (Finance Reform and Advance Voting) Amendment Bill. I pick up on some of what the Acting Minister of Justice, Nathan Guy, discussed in his first reading speech [read more]
22 April 2010
Electoral Referendum Bill - First Reading
It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to take a call in this first reading debate on the Electoral Referendum Bill. I will take just a moment at the outset of my contribution to run through the history behind where we find ourselves with our current electoral system. [read more]
31 March 2010
Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Bill - Third Reading
We come to the third reading of the Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Bill and it is my final opportunity to contribute to this debate. I am very happy to stand in support of this bill because, unlike members opposite, I reflect the concern that has come through my office every day since I have become an MP about the way in which Environment Canterbury is operating. [read more]
30 March 2010
Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Bill - First Reading
I am very happy to be taking a call tonight on the Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Bill. I am very happy to do it because I think everyone in this House would agree that Canterbury is a tremendously important region to New Zealand. [read more]
Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Bill - Second Reading
I am happy to take a call on the second reading of the Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Bill. I start this brief call by bringing us back to a little sense of history. [read more]
18 March 2010
Judicature (Judicial Matters) Amendment Bill - Third Reading
I am delighted to take a short call on the three bills that have come from the Judicial Matters Bill. I will start by commenting on the speech of the member who has just resumed his seat, the Hon David Parker. I agree with a great deal of what he said, and I want to touch on one of the points that he made on the desirability of extending the number of Associate Judges of the High Court. [read more]
17 March 2010
Debate on Budget Policy Statement
I am rising to take a call on the Budget Policy Statement. I mention its title because I think that the Leader of the Opposition, who spoke before me, missed the whole point. I think that everyone forgot to tell Mr Goff that there is no general debate today. [read more]
25 February 2010
Student Loan Scheme (Exemptions and Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Bill - Second Reading
I do not intend to take up much of the House’s time on this bill. I want to make a contribution about a point that my colleague, Louise Upston, touched on, which is something I have not heard discussed so far in this debate. [read more]
9 February 2010
Debate on Prime Minister's Statement
The first day of the parliamentary year, when the Prime Minister makes his statement to Parliament—effectively a state of the nation speech—is one of the key set pieces in the parliamentary year. It is a day that those of us with a political interest certainly look forward to, because it sets a tone for where we have been and where we are going. [read more]
18 December 2009
Memorial Service for Sir Don Beaven
Prime Minister John Key wanted to have the opportunity to pay tribute to Sir Don. As he is currently overseas and can’t be here, he has asked that I read this message from him. “I’m sorry I can’t be with you today, but it is an honour to send you this message as you mourn and celebrate the life of a famous Cantabrian and one of New Zealand’s great sons. [read more]
15 December 2009
Electricity Industry Bill - First Reading
Is that not interesting? The National Government introduces a comprehensive electricity industry reform, the Electricity Industry Bill, and Labour’s response is that everything is fine and we do not need to change anything. Let us just recap on the last 9 years under the previous Labour Government, when power prices went up by 72 percent― [read more]
9 December 2009
Fair Trading (Soliciting on Behalf of Charities) Amendment Bill - First Reading
Mr Speaker, I move that the Fair Trading (Soliciting on behalf of Charities) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. At the appropriate time I intended to move that the Bill be referred to the Commerce Select Committee for its consideration. Mr Speaker – New Zealanders are generous people. We all recognise the important work that so many charitable organisations do helping the vulnerable in our communities. [read more]
24 November 2009
Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill - Third Reading
It falls to me to take the last call on this third reading debate on the Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill. I am very pleased to say that this bill gives us a good balance between environmental objectives and economic realities. [read more]
24 November 2009
Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill - Second Reading
I rise to take a call in this debate. A little more than 10 years ago, New Zealand entered into the Kyoto Protocol. New Zealand committed itself to Kyoto, and this Government is committed to follow through on those obligations. Living in a carbon-constrained world is a legal, economic, and environmental reality. It is something that all New Zealanders have to grasp as part of this debate. [read more]
19 November 2009
Taxation (Consequential Rate Alignment and Remedial Matters) Bill - Second Reading
I am very happy to take a call in the second reading debate on the Taxation (Consequential Rate Alignment and Remedial Matters) Bill. After listening to the speaker who just resumed his seat, Stuart Nash, I have to say that it is rather unsettling to hear a Labour member use the phrase “growth of the economy”. [read more]
18 November 2009
Methodist Church of New Zealand Trusts Bill - Second Reading
I am very happy to rise this afternoon and take a call on the second reading on the Methodist Church of New Zealand Trusts Bill. I echo the words of the speakers who have already spoken, setting out that there appears to be broad support in the House for the bill. [read more]
8 October 2009
Launch of Ministry of Social Development Canterbury Regional Plan
Greetings and welcome to you all. It’s my pleasure to be here today to share with you some of the great work the Ministry of Social Development is doing here in Canterbury. As a local MP, I am delighted to participate in the launch of the Ministry’s 2009/2010 Canterbury Regional Plan. [read more]
26 September 2009
Coastguard New Zealand Conference
Greetings to all of you here this morning—I am honoured to be given the opportunity to speak with you at your Annual Conference. I particularly want to acknowledge Ian Coard, President of Coastguard New Zealand; Colin Small, Vice-President Coastguard NZ; Bruce Reid, CEO Coastguard NZ; National Commodore Ray Campbell – Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association; Captain Hugh F J Fogarty – Head of Fleet Operations - Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI); Commodore Harold Wolf – Philippines Coast Guard Auxiliary; Deputy Mayor of Christchurch, Norm Withers. [read more]
15 September 2009
I am very pleased to take another call in the Committee stage of the Taxation (International Taxation, Life Insurance, and Remedial Matters) Bill. It has been some time since we last debated the bill’s Committee stage and since I last spoke. [read more]
9 September 2009
Crown Retail Deposit Guarantee Scheme Bill, Third Reading
It is a great pleasure to take a call in the third reading debate on the Crown Retail Deposit Guarantee Scheme Bill. I have sat in this House and listened to the entire debate on this bill. [read more]
8 September 2009
Crown Retail Deposit Guarantee Scheme Bill, In Committee
I rise to take a call on Part 1 of the Crown Retail Deposit Guarantee Scheme Bill, and before I start I really have to comment on the speech made by the member who has just resumed his seat, David Cunliffe. [read more]
Crown Retail Deposit Guarantee Scheme Bill, First Reading
The discussion on this bill this afternoon takes us back to the period in the second half of 2008 when, amongst other things, we had the collapse of Lehman Brothers, which is now really hitting home when we see the extent of the debts involved. [read more]
27 August 2009
Taxation (International Taxation, Life Insurance, and Remedial Matters Bill, In Committee
It is my great pleasure to take a call on Part 3 of this mammoth legislation. Part 3 deals with consequential amendments to the Goods and Services Tax Act made as a result of the policy changes brought about in the bill. It includes clause 518 to clause 528. [read more]
26 August 2009
The member who just resumed her seat, Moana Mackey, is very good at showing righteous indignation and having a genuine, righteous, fierce debate. But let us face reality. The Labour Opposition is in disarray. [read more]
Taxation (International Taxation, Life Insurance, and Remedial Matters) Bill — In Committee
It is a delight to take a call in the Committee stage of the Taxation (International Taxation, Life Insurance, and Remedial Matters) Bill. I have probably taken up half of my speaking time just going through the title. As the previous speaker, Craig Foss, mentioned, the bill before us is broken into six parts, but interestingly enough the breakdown is grouped by amendments to the various Acts rather than by subject areas. [read more]
25 August 2009
Student Loan Scheme (Exemptions and Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Bill, First Reading
I am very pleased to rise tonight to take a call on the Student Loan Scheme (Exemptions and Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Bill. The student loan scheme has become a central part of our tertiary education system. [read more]
5 August 2009
Estimates Debate - Vote Finance, In Committee
I am pleased to be able to take a call on Vote Finance in this year’s estimates debate. The reason is that there can be no more essential vote in the current economic conditions than Vote Finance. I think we all agree that this country and the world are facing the greatest economic slow-down since the 1930s. [read more]
4 August 2009
Taxation (International Taxation, Life Insurance, and Remedial Matters) Bill — Second Reading
It is my pleasure tonight to take a call on the Taxation (International Taxation, Life Insurance, and Remedial Matters) Bill. It is not a small piece of work by anyone’s suggestion. [read more]
Limitation Bill - First Reading
It is my privilege this afternoon to take a call in support of the first reading of the Limitation Bill. I think it is fair to say that the Limitation Bill is the sort of law that perhaps lawyers become most excited about, because we recognise the extreme importance of some framework legislation like this to put in place the rules around bringing these sorts of claims. [read more]
