QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Wednesday, 4 September 2002

Questions to Ministers

1. PAUL ADAMS to the Minister of Justice: Is it the Government's policy to support the multi-agency approach adopted in Taranaki to combat the supply of alcohol to those aged under 18 by retailers, parents and other adults?

2. GERRY BROWNLEE to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by his statement in the House yesterday, "The engineering services of Air New Zealand are second to none. They are a very valuable part of that company and they have an envious record internationally."; if so, why?

3. MARK PECK to the Minister for Trade Negotiations: What progress can he report from his meeting with the Australian trade minister?

4. DEBORAH CODDINGTON to the Minister of Commerce: In view of plummeting dairy payouts, is she satisfied with the Government's decision to exempt the dairy industry mega-merger that gave rise to the virtual monopoly, Fonterra, from Commerce Act requirements?

5. JILL PETTIS to the Minister of Education: What progress has been made on the Government's early childhood strategy?

6. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister of Immigration: What action has she taken to ensure the New Zealand Immigration Service has the tools to effectively respond to immigration fraud in the light of the comments contained in the 2002 Briefing to the Minister that "Managing fraud is a major issue." for the Immigration Service?

7. RUSSELL FAIRBROTHER to the Minister of Communications: What reports has he received on industry issues required to be addressed under the new Telecommunications Act 2001?

8. Hon TONY RYALL to the Minister for Courts: Does the previous Minister, Matt Robson's statement that "It's important that all fines imposed are collected so that the fine remains a credible and useful means of promoting law-abiding behaviour in the community." still represent Government policy; if so, is she confident that fines are being effectively collected?

9. IAN EWEN-STREET to the Minister of Agriculture: What steps has he already taken, and what steps will he immediately take, to prevent the spread of the Varroa bee mite into the South Island, given that the mite has moved south of the control line from Taranaki to the East Cape, and is now permanently infesting hives in the Wellington region?

10. STEPHEN FRANKS to the Minister of Justice: Why has he not assured the courts and innocent New Zealanders that the Sentencing Act 2002 will be amended immediately given Justice Priestley's description of his own reasoning as "torturous" in arriving at a five-year non-parole period for the 10-year sentence in the Afamasaga case?

11. DAVID CUNLIFFE to the Minister of Conservation: Have there been any significant recent developments in the protection of island ecosystems?

12. Dr PAUL HUTCHISON to the Minister of Corrections: What is the total expenditure so far on iwi consultation relating to the proposed South Auckland regional men's prison, and is he confident that all the money has been spent wisely?

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