Paraphrased answers to today's questions will be posted in the Scoops wire shortly after 3pm.

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Wednesday, 29 November 2000

Questions to Ministers

1. Rt Hon WYATT CREECH to the Minister of Health: Does she still stand by her comment that she did not need to actively sell the health changes; if so, why?

2. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Has she received any advice on any impact her reported comments in the Sydney Morning Herald of 20 November 2000 may have on New Zealand's exports?

3. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Minister of Finance: What are the investment criteria for the proposed superannuation fund?

4. HARRY DUYNHOVEN to the Minister of State Services: Has he received any further advice on Government payments to the law firm Buddle Findlay; if so, what does it say?

5. RODNEY HIDE to the Minister of Finance: Who advised him that his proposed superannuation fund's contribution to the cost of New Zealand superannuation "will be closer to 25 percent" at its peak because "the Government will receive a further revenue stream from the fund in the taxes paid on the fund's earnings" and, if he still stands by this claim, why does he do so?

6. JEANETTE FITZSIMONS to the Minister for the Environment: Will the Government commit to international leadership by example and take action now to reduce New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions, even though the Hague negotiations did not reach a positive conclusion; if not, why not?

7. Hon MURRAY McCULLY to the Prime Minister: Is she confident that the Government is now implementing its Closing the Gaps policy in accordance with her statement on 23 October that the programme would focus on "low decile needs across the board"?

8. JUDY KEALL to the Minister of Health: What organisational changes has the Government made to put a greater focus on public health in New Zealand?

9. Hon TONY RYALL to the Minister of Housing: What steps, if any, does he intend to take in response to Auckland University economist Susan St John's statement that the income-related rents clawback rate means many families will be caught in a vicious "poverty trap" which could actually make them worse off if they get a job?

10. DIANNE YATES to the Attorney-General: What initiatives is the Government taking to ensure that legislation is available on the internet?

11. BELINDA VERNON to the Minister of Social Services and Employment: Does he accept reports from the Onehunga Foodbank, Auckland Methodist Central Mission, Salvation Army Social Services and Auckland City Mission that demand for food parcels is expected to increase this year; if not, why not?

12. CHRIS CARTER to the Minister of Immigration: Has she received any advice on the criteria that apply to long-term business visas; if so, what action has she taken as a result?

ENDS

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