Questions for Oral Answer - Wednesday, 11 May 2005

Questions to Ministers

1. GEORGINA BEYER to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What reports has he received about trends in the number of working-age New Zealanders on benefits?

2. RODNEY HIDE to the Minister of Finance: Will he consider across-the-board tax cuts in light of the Australian Government budget decision to provide across-the-board tax cuts for Australians; if not, why not?

3. SUE KEDGLEY to the Minister of Health: Has she introduced legislation to establish a trans-Tasman therapeutic goods agency; if not, why has she, with the Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Health, set up a committee to oversee the establishment of standards for therapeutic products under the new agency?

4. Dr DON BRASH to the Prime Minister: When she stated yesterday that "It is a matter of judgment for the Prime Minister how I use information from official reports. By definition, I cannot leak." Was she confirming that she was the source of the material to the Sunday Star-Times asserting that Commissioner Peter Doone said "that won't be necessary"; if not, what was she telling the House?

5. TIM BARNETT to the Minister of Justice: What changes to legislation did the Government initiate to deal more effectively with people who issue hoax threats which can be economically damaging to this country?

6. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Did she confirm to the House her confidence in the previous Minister of Immigration because she was a hardworking and conscientious Minister; if so, was she aware when she expressed this confidence, of a Najim Al Ali who allegedly came to New Zealand, was accepted as a refugee, and subsequently brought others to New Zealand to live here permanently?

7. Dr DON BRASH to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of the statements in her signed brief of evidence dated 13 April 2005; if not, why not?

8. BERNIE OGILVY to the Minister of Education: What was the single most popular suggestion amongst submissions made in response to the Government's 2003 discussion document "Student Support in New Zealand"?

9. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Minister of Education: Does he have confidence in the Secretary for Education and the chief executive of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority; if so, why?

10. DAIL JONES to the Minister for Trade Negotiations: Is gaining access for New Zealand apples and other pipfruit to the Australian market a priority for this Government; if so, what actions are being taken to achieve this?

11. MOANA MACKEY to the Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment: What is the Government doing to help young people into employment and training?

12. JOHN KEY to the Minister of Finance: Will his 2005 Budget contain personal tax cuts similar to those announced by his colleague in Australia; if not, why not?

ENDS

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