Questions for Oral Answer
As At Wednesday, 10 December 2003

Questions to Ministers

1. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister of Immigration: In 208 weeks as Minister of Immigration, is she satisfied she has in place sufficient checks and investigative systems to ensure people are not abusing New Zealand's entry and exit laws?

2. PAUL ADAMS to the Minister of Justice: Is he satisfied that current laws governing the supply and possession of drugs are adequate to combat the rising "P" epidemic; if so, why?

3. GERRY BROWNLEE to the Prime Minister: Has she been informed of the report in this morning's New Zealand Herald which asserts that Te Ope Mana a Tai met with Hon Dr Michael Cullen two weeks ago and "appeared to be in agreement", but "he had later told the group Cabinet colleagues railroaded him when they knocked back a paper he had taken to them on the issue"; if so, what were the proposals knocked back by Cabinet?

4. NANDOR TANCZOS to the Minister of Health: Does she agree that decisions about which treatment is most appropriate for particular patients are best made by their doctors in consultation with the patients themselves; if not, why not?

5. HELEN DUNCAN to the Minister of Education: What steps is he taking to increase participation in early childhood education?

6. Hon ROGER SOWRY to the Minister of Labour: Does she stand by her statement that the Employment Relations Law Reform Bill she introduced last week represents "a good balance of practical and realistic measures that will strengthen the Act and further promote positive employment relationships"; if so, why?

7. DAVID BENSON-POPE to the Minister for the Environment: What has the Government done to reduce the costs and improve the processes associated with applying for resource consents?

8. Hon RICHARD PREBBLE to the Minister of Finance: What is the Government's view on the recent trading bank interest rate rises and what action, if any, is the Government going to take?

9. DAVE HEREORA to the Minister for ACC: What decisions have been made on the new ACC levy rates this year?

10. Hon Dr NICK SMITH to the Minister for the Environment: How does she reconcile her statement in the House last Thursday that "This bill, which we have before us this week, will not be about fast tracking any proposals." with her press statements on 2 September 2003 saying "The legislation will also reduce time delays associated with appeals", on 22 October 2003, "It is important that the process which requires legislative change, occurs as quickly as possible.", and on 3 December 2003 saying the bill is needed to achieve "expedient" decisions?

11. RON MARK to the Minister of Justice: In light of recent gang activity in Highbury, Wairoa and Otaki, is he satisfied that current laws are sufficient to protect the public?

12. KEITH LOCKE to the Minister in charge of the NZ Security Intelligence Service: Will the Government be holding an inquiry into the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service's handling of the Zaoui case in light of the loss of part of a videotape interview and the subsequent discovery of an audiotape of the interview with Mr Zaoui; if not, why not?

ENDS

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