Wednesday, 30 April 2003

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS

1. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister of Justice: Does he consider that the changes introduced by the Government in 2001 with respect to sentencing and parole policy has achieved the Government’s objectives of a fair, firm and rational sentencing framework that delivers clarity and consistency to sentencing and parole in New Zealand?

2. SUE BRADFORD to the Minister of Health: What steps, if any, has she taken since assuming office in 1999 to ensure that those who live with people with mental illness are adequately informed of their situation by mental health service providers?

3. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Minister of Energy: Does the statement by the Minister of Finance yesterday to the House, that “There was no expectation of a dry year as early as 2003.”, mean the Government had made no plans to deal with a dry year in 2003 and any economic effects of the corresponding electricity shortage; if not, what exact changes had been made prior to this year to manage a dry year?

4. DAVID BENSON-POPE to the Minister of State Services: What progress has been made towards improving succession planning and increasing the pool of talent available for leadership in the broader State sector?

5. Hon KEN SHIRLEY to the Minister of Conservation: Following his comments on National Radio on 16 April 2003 and in question time yesterday relating to the Dobson hydroelectric scheme, will he accept that when he said “This particular site, because of its ecological values that are fairly unique on the West Coast, is a site worth preserving. We’ve been down this path … this project has already been to the High Court, it has been rejected.”, he was not referring to the Dobson hydroelectric scheme and that the key reason the Dobson scheme is not progressing is because he is not prepared to exercise the discretionary powers contained in the Conservation Act 1987?

6. JEANETTE FITZSIMONS to the Minister for Environment: Why has she conferred the power to compulsorily acquire land to Meridian Energy for Project Aqua when Meridian stated in April 2001 that land purchases would be on a willing-buyer willing-seller basis?

7. Hon Dr NICK SMITH to the Minister for Environment: What submissions or consultations has she sought or received from the electricity and energy sector regarding amendments to the Resource Management Act 1991 and the impacts these amendments may have on addressing New Zealand’s energy shortages?

8. LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN to the Minister of Social Services and Employment: What progress is being made to establish the Families Commission?

9. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister of Education: Is he satisfied with the performance of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority?

10. MARC ALEXANDER to the Minister of Corrections: Can the Minister justify and support the recent statement that “the management of prisons is a core activity of the state, involving the use of highly coercive powers against individuals, and that it is inappropriate for private sector organisations to exercise such powers”: if so, how?

11. Dr DON BRASH to the Prime Minister: Did she tell delegates at the OECD forum on economic growth yesterday that she disagrees with the OECD’s criticisms of her Government’s economic policy; if not, why not?

12. STEVE CHADWICK to the Minister of Health: What comments and reports has she received on child nutrition?

QUESTIONS TO MEMBERS

1. Hon RICHARD PREBBLE to the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee: When will the committee set a time to consider the petition of Kenneth Wang and others requesting a review of the new English language immigration tests?

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